[Crustacea • 2025] Megapleonum ferrumequinum, M. wangjiani, ... • Four New Freshwater Crab Species of the Genus Megapleonum (Decapoda: Potamidae) from Guangdong, China

Megapleonum ferrumequinum; M. wangjiani; M. yangdongense

Huang, Shih & Ahyong, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1244.148112 

Abstract

Four new species of the poorly known genus Megapleonum Huang, Shih & Ahyong, 2018, are described from Guangdong Province, China: Megapleonum falx sp. nov. from Huizhou City, M. yangdongense sp. nov. from Yangjiang City, and both M. ferrumequinum sp. nov. and M. wangjiani sp. nov. from Maoming City. These four new species are all morphologically and genetically distinct from each other and the two known congeners Megapleonum ehuangzhang Huang, Shih & Ahyong, 2018 and Megapleonum shenzhen Huang & Mao, 2021. The extremely divergent morphology of the gonopod 1 of these species alone immediately sets them apart, but there are also distinct differences in other characters, including the carapace, ambulatory leg, and maxilliped 3 exopod flagellum. A phylogeny constructed using the mitochondrial 16S rDNA reveals that all species of Megapleonum form a deep-rooted monophyletic group with significant interspecific genetic distances, supporting the generic placement and specific treatments of these new taxa. A key to the species of Megapleonum is also provided.

Key words: 16S rDNA, aquatic species, China, new taxa, systematics

Colour in life.
Megapleonum ferrumequinum sp. nov., male (A);
Megapleonum wangjiani sp. nov., male (B); M. wangjiani sp. nov., female (C);
Megapleonum yangdongense sp. nov., male (D).

 

 Chao Huang, Hsi-Te Shih and Shane T. Ahyong. 2025. Four New Freshwater Crab Species of the Genus Megapleonum Huang, Shih & Ahyong, 2018 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Potamidae) from Guangdong, China. ZooKeys. 1244: 1-27. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1244.148112 

  

[Entomology • 2025] Chremistica doiluangensis, Pomponia bimaculosalaria, Megapomponia isanensis, Muda songkhlensis, ... • Thirteen New cicada Species (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from Thailand with the Resurrection of Pomponiini Kato, 1932, A New Combination, and A New Tribal Assignment for Muda Distant, 1897

 

Sanborn, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/megataxa.17.1.2

 

Abstract

The species Chremistica doiluangensis sp. nov., Chremistica kalasinensis sp. nov., Pomponia bimaculosalaria sp. nov., Aetanna lannensis sp. nov., Vietanna oresbia sp. nov., Metapurana phuruensis sp. nov., Minipomponia doiinthanonensis sp. nov., Megapomponia isanensis sp. nov., Meimuna chiangmaiensis sp. nov., Meimuna maehongsonensis sp. nov., Muda songkhlensis sp. nov., Muda phetchabunensis sp. nov., and Muda chanthaburensis sp. nov. are described as new clarifying the taxonomy of undescribed species in a previous publication on Thailand cicadas. In addition, Pomponiini Kato, 1932 rev. stat. is resurrected from junior synonymy of Psithyristriini Distant, 1905, Pomponia adusta (Walker, 1850) is reassigned to become Megapomponia adusta (Walker, 1850) comb. nov., and Muda Distant, 1897 is reassigned from Chlorocystini Distant, 1905 to Katoini Moulds & Marshall, 2018 (in Marshall et al., 2018).

Hemiptera, Taxonomy, Cicadinae, Tacuini, Dundubiini, Cicadettinae, Chlorocystini, Katoini

   

Allen F. SANBORN. 2025. Thirteen New cicada Species (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from Thailand with the Resurrection of Pomponiini Kato, 1932, A New Combination, and A New Tribal Assignment for Muda Distant, 1897. Megataxa. 17(1); 41-90. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/megataxa.17.1.2 [2025-06-05]

 

[Botany • 2025] Garcinia isthmensis (Clusiaceae) • A New tree Species for Central America

  

Garcinia isthmensis Mouzinho, 

in Mouzinho, Carrión, Marinho et Giacomin, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.708.1.2 

Abstract

We present a new species, Garcinia isthmensis Mouzinho, sp. nov. ined., known to occur in Costa Rica and Panama. Garcinia isthmensis is described and distribution data, photographs and preliminary conservation status are provided, as well as its diagnostic characteristics and morphological affinities.

Guttiferae, jorco, Mesoamerica, Neotropics, satra, Eudicots

Garcinia isthmensis Mouzinho (R. Aguilar 10734).
 A. Branch. B. Cut branch, showing the exudate with orange-colored oxidation. C. Leaf blades. D. Staminate inflorescence. Photos: Reinaldo Aguilar. Image courtesy of the C.V. Starr Virtual Herbarium (http://bluegum.nybg.org/science/vh/).

Garcinia isthmensis Mouzinho, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:—Garcinia isthmensis is vegetatively similar to G. magnifolia due to its elliptical to elliptic-oblong shape and size of the leaf blades (≥ 19 cm long), but differs from it due to its slightly verrucose branches (vs. smooth in G. magnifolia), conspicuous exudate canals (vs. inconspicuous in G. magnifolia), staminate flowers with 40–55 stamens per flower (vs. ca. 30 stamens in G. magnifolia), non-rostrate fruits (vs. rostrate in G. magnifolia) and fruit pedicels of 33.5–44 mm long (vs. 7–10 mm long in G. magnifolia).

Etymology:—The epithet refers to the Panama isthmus, that connects Meso- and South American regions.

Thiago MOUZINHO, Juan F. CARRIÓN, Lucas Cardoso MARINHO and Leandro Larerda GIACOMIN. 2025. Garcinia isthmensis (Clusiaceae): A New tree Species for Central America.  Phytotaxa. 708(1); 16-22. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.708.1.2 [2025-07-02]

[Botany • 2025] Fritillaria behcetiana (Liliaceae) • A New Species from eastern Anatolia (Türkiye)

Fritillaria behcetiana  Yapar & Tekşen,

in Yapar et Tekşen, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.706.1.5 

 facebook.com: Yakup YAPAR

Abstract

Fritillaria behcetiana sp. nov. is described as a new species from Bingöl Province in eastern Anatolia, Türkiye. It is closely related to F. shehbazii, F. chlororhabdota and F. pinardii, but differs from them in several morphological features, including leaf lenght and colour, perianth segment size and colour, anther colour and length, filament length, style lenght and branching. The new species is described in detail, including distribution, ecology, conservation status and photographs with comparisons to F. shehbazii, F. chlororhabdota and F. pinardii.

Endemic, Fritillaria, taxonomy, Türkiye, Monocots 

Fritillaria behcetiana sp. nov.

Yakup YAPAR and Mehtap TEKŞEN. 2025. Fritillaria behcetiana (Liliaceae), A New Species from eastern Anatolia (Türkiye). Phytotaxa. 706(1); 74-80. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.706.1.5  [2025-06-19] 

 facebook.com/YakupYAPAR58/posts/10232926347994941

[Funga • 2025] Lentinus saisamorniae (Polyporales: Polyporaceae) • A New edible macrofungus from northern Thailand

Lentinus saisamorniae  Kumla & N. Suwannar.,

in Kumla, Kaewnunta et Suwannarach, 2025. 

เห็ดขอนขาวสายสมร  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.705.2.2 

 

Abstract

A new edible Lentinus species, described herein as L. saisamorniae, was collected from local markets and natural habitats in northern Thailand between 2019 and 2021. This species is characterized by its small to medium-sized basidiomata, white to yellowish-white pileus, broadly ellipsoid to elongate-shaped basidiospores, dimitic hyphal system, and hyphal pegs. Nonetheless, its longer basidia and smaller basidiospores make it distinguishable from L. cladopus. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS) large subunit (nrLSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA, and RNA polymerase II large subunit (rpb1) sequences supported the monophyly of L. saisamorniae as a distinct lineage within the genus Lentinus. Therefore, this new species was introduced based on both morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny. A full description, illustrations, color photographs, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of L. saisamorniae are provided. Comparisons between the new species and morphologically similar and related species are discussed.

Edible fungus, lentinoid fungus, phylogeny, saprotrophic fungus, taxonomy, tropical area, Fungi

Jaturong KUMLA, Atsadawat KAEWNUNTA and Nakarin SUWANNARACH. 2025. Lentinus saisamorniae (Polyporaceae, Polyporales), A New edible macrofungus from northern Thailand. Phytotaxa. 705(2); 149-161. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.705.2.2 [2025-06-13]

[Botany • 2024] Passiflora pitalensis (Passifloraceae) • A New Species of Passiflora Subgenus Passiflora in the Flora of Colombia discovered in uncharted Andean territory

Passiflora pitalensis  Arrigui-Torres, J.Ocampo & Rosero-Toro, 

in Arrigui-Torres, Ocampo et Rosero-Toro, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.642.2.4 

Abstract

A new species of Passiflora belonging to the subgenus Passiflora (supersection Stipulata, section Kermesinae) is described and illustrated from living material and herbarium specimens. Passiflora pitalensis is similar to P. lehmannii, and it can be recognized primarily by its petiole green, leaves with broader lobes, peduncle green, bract lanceolate, corona filaments in 5 series with outer filaments in 2 series, fruit ovoid, and seed margin dentate. This species is rare and endemic to Colombia in the Andean region at elevations ranging from 1,749–2,027 m and should be considered Endangered (EN) due to its restricted occurrence with a small population size of no more than 90 individuals.

 Eudicots, Andes, Endemic species, Huila, Macizo Colombiano, new taxon, passionflower  

 Passiflora pitalensis.
Lankester composite dissection plant style sheet from holotype (E. Arrigui-Torres, J. Ocampo & J.H. Rosero-Toro 221; SURCO!).
A mature plant of Passiflora pitalensis. A. Lateral view of the flower. B. Alternate view of the flower. C. Flower bud. D. Front view of the flower. E. Cross section of the flower. F. View of the leaf with stipule. G. Detail of marginal petiolar stipitate glands. H. Abaxial surface of the leaf. I. Detail of ocelli on the abaxial surface of the leaf. J. Ripe fruit. K. Cross section of mature fruit. L. Detail of dry seed.  

Photographs by Edwin Arrigui-Torres.

 Passiflora pitalensis Arrigui-Torres, J.Ocampo & Rosero-Toro

Etymology:—The specific epithet is in honor of the municipality El Pital where the new species was observed for the first time. El Pital is located in the southwest of the department of Huila, on the upper valley plain of the Magdalena River in the foothills of the central mountain range of Colombia (Cordillera Central) in the region known as Macizo Colombiano.

Edwin ARRIGUI-TORRES, John A. OCAMPO and Jeison Herley ROSERO-TORO. 2024. A New Species of Passiflora (Passifloraceae, subgenus Passiflora) in the Flora of Colombia discovered in uncharted Andean territory. Phytotaxa. 642(2); 156-168. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.642.2.4  [2024-03-28]

https://x.com/Edwin_Arrigui/status/1773326825990570196

Researchgate.net/publication/379504612_A_new_species_of_Passiflora_in_the_Flora_of_Colombia

https://www.behance.net/gallery/194995083/Passiflora-pitalensis

[Botany • 2025] A Synopsis of the Genus Jacquemontia (Convolvulaceae) in the Indo-Pacific with the Description of One New Species, Jacquemontia mohotaniensis

 Jacquemontia mohotaniensis Staples & Butaud,

in Staples, Butaud et Halford, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.2984/78.2.3 

Abstract 

Examination of specimens from the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, disclosed the presence of an undescribed species of Jacquemontia Choisy from the uninhabited island of Mohotani: the new species Jacquemontia mohotaniensis is described here and its conservation status is proposed as critically endangered. To place this novelty in context, a review of the native and naturalized Indo-Pacific taxa of Jacquemontia is provided; 14 names are accounted for and some taxonomic problems are highlighted for future study. New combinations are made for two Australian species, J. distigma (Benth.) Halford and J. flexuosa (Spreng.) Halford; a second step typification is provided for the latter name to stabilize the nomenclature.

KEYWORDS: biodiversity, Oceania, Marquesas, French Polynesia, Australia

 Jacquemontia mohotaniensis growth habit and plant parts.
(A) Habit showing flowers with fully reflexed corolla lobes and exserted genitalia; (B) flower with erect corolla lobes; (C) fruits, lateral view; (D) fruits, apical view, note 8 valves; (E) seeds in adaxial and abaxial views, note palisade of stiff hairs along margins and ventral keel, scale = 2 mm.

Photos A–D, J.-F. Butaud from living plants in DIREN; 

photo E, G. Staples, voucher: Butaud 4587 (A).

Jacquemontia mohotaniensis Staples & Butaud, sp. nov.

 TYPE: French Polynesia. Society Islands: ...

 DIAGNOSIS: Jacquemontia mohotaniensis resembles most closely J. paniculata but differs from that species in the larger flowers, 1.5–1.8 cm long and up to 1.9 cm in diameter, the corolla subsalverform, 5-lobed, pure white, with exserted stamens and stigmas (Figure 1). The unequal sepals, the outer 2 larger and covering the inner, narrowly ovate-elliptic and 6–8 mm long 2–2.5 mm broad (Figure 2) serve to distinguish this new species from all other known Jacquemontia.

G. Staples, Jean-François Butaud and David A. Halford. 2025. A Synopsis of the Genus Jacquemontia (Convolvulaceae) in the Indo-Pacific with the Description of One New Species. Pacific Science 78 (2), 153-163. DOI: doi.org/10.2984/78.2.3 (6 January 2025) 

[Botany • 2025] Sonerila gigantea (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from the Western Ghats of India

 

Sonerila gigantea Karadakatti & Kakkalameli, 

in Karadakatti et Kakkalameli, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.9734/ajrib/2025/v8i1264 

Abstract

The Sonerila gigantea is a new acaulescent species found in Mallalli Falls, Kodagu District, Karnataka, India, part of the Western Ghats. This species has distinguishable characteristics like habit from the genus Sonerila worldwide. S. gigantea is compared with Sonerila wallichii Benn. & Sonerila grandis Ridl. The species shown differ in several characteristics like habit, leaf and inflorescence, described in a table form with taxonomic keys and even explained micro morphology characters like pollen and seed. This report deliberates on the new species Sonerila gigantea from the Western Ghats, India.

Keywords: Acaulescent, giant habit, Kodagu, stemless sonerila, white patches

Sonerila gigantea
a. Habit, b. Leaf dorsal, c. Leaf ventral, d. Flower side view, e. Flower front view, f. Hypanthium, g. Petal abaxial, h. Petal adaxial, i. Anthers, j. Anther lobe, k. Gynoecium, l. Fruit.

 (Illustration by Prashant Karadakatti)

Sonerila gigantea.
 a. Habit, b. Tuber, c. Petiole, d. Leaf dorsal, e. Leaf ventral, f. Inflorescence, g. Flower, h. Hypanthium, i. Petal dorsal, j. Petal ventral, k. Anthers, l. Gynaoecium, m. Fruit.

(Photograph by Prashant Karadakatti & Shreyas Betageri)

Sonerila gigantea
upper image landscape of species origin, lower image species location map.

Sonerila gigantea Karadakatti & Kakkalameli sp nov.

The Sonerila gigantea can be easily distinguished by its size of the habit. Leaf size varies from 15 –30 cm, and the texture of the lamina shows white patches, 20 –40 flowers in each inflorescence, fruit glabrous, variations of pollen shape and size, and even seed texture. S. gigantea resembles the mentioned key characteristics of S. grandis Ridl. from Indonesia and S. wallichii Benn. from Karnataka, India described.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the plant being a giant or large individual (gigantic/gigantea) compared to the existing Sonerila species in the world, except the species reported from the Indonesia Sonerila grandis Ridl., hitherto the plant described with the word using the largest habit. However, it shows a lot of variation in morphology, with the present report on Sonerila gigantea. The plant is located on Mallalli Falls Road, Coorg District, Karnataka, India.

Prashant Karadakatti and Siddappa B Kakkalameli. 2025. Sonerila gigantea (Melastomataceae): A New Species from Western Ghats, India. Asian Journal of Research in Botany. 8(1); 289-297. DOI: doi.org/10.9734/ajrib/2025/v8i1264 [13 June 2025]

[Herpetology • 2019] Cnemaspis tanintharyi & C. thayawthadangyi • The Discovery of Rock Geckos Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in the Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar with the Description of Two New Species

 Cnemaspis tanintharyi

Lee, Miller, Zug & Mulcahy, 2019

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.2  

 Researchgate.net/publication/335408115

 Abstract   

We report the first occurrence of the Asian Rock Gecko genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 from mainland Myanmar based on a series of specimens recently collected from the Tanintharyi Region. These records come from several localities in the Tanintharyi Region and fill a significant sampling gap for the genus. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial gene ND2 identify two distinct clades, the first includes Cnemaspis siamensis of the Southeast Asian Cnemaspis group and the second includes two new species belonging to the South Asian Cnemaspis kandiana group. These two species are morphologically distinct and are distinguished from all other members in the C. kandiana group by a combination of character states. The first species, Cnemaspis tanintharyi sp. nov. occurs on the mainland in southern Tanintharyi and is distinguished from all congeners by the possession of keeled pectoral scales; smooth ventral scales and abdominal scales; 2–4 precloacal pores; 4–5 femoral pores on each leg; smooth subcaudal scales with the median row enlarged; coloration of the gular region beige, dark gray-brown with dark blue hueing towards throat; 15–18 subdigital lamellae on the 4th toe; and 21–23 ventral scales at midbody. The other, Cnemaspis thayawthadangyi sp. nov. is known only from the island group of Thayawthadangyi, in the Myeik Archipelago and is distinguished from all congeners by the possession of keeled pectoral scales; keeled ventral scales and abdominal scales; three precloacal pores; four femoral pores on each leg; smooth subcaudal scales, scales on median row enlarged; coloration of the gular region silver with dark-gray irregularly shaped streaks; 16–18 subdigital lamellae on the 4th toe; and 18–20 ventral scales at midbody. In addition, we address the taxonomic status of populations referred to as C. kandiana (a species now restricted to Sri Lanka) found in peninsular Thailand and provisionally assign them as C. cf. tanintharyi sp. nov. until further analysis can be conducted. Finally, we briefly discuss the biogeography of the South Asian clade of Cnemaspis.

Keywords: Taxonomy, lizards, Southeast Asia, biodiversity, Reptilia, morphology

 Cnemaspis tanintharyi sp. nov. Holotype. USNM 587514.
Photographed in life (A) with view of the habitat surrounding the Type Locality (B).

Photograph A by Daniel G. Mulcahy, Photograph B by Bonnie B. Blaimer.

Distribution of the two new Cnemaspis from Myanmar, showing the distribution of Cnemaspis tanintharyi sp. nov. (Blue), Cnemaspis thayawthadangyi sp. nov. (Orange) and nearby Cnemaspis phuketensis (Green). Stars represent type localities. Records identified as Cnemaspis cf. tanintharyi from Thailand are represented by blue question marks.

Justin L. Lee, Aryeh H. Miller, George R. Zug and Daniel G. Mulcahy. 2019. The Discovery of Rock Geckos Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in the Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar with the Description of Two New Species. Zootaxa. 4661(1); 40–64. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.2 

  Researchgate.net/publication/335408115_Cnemaspis_in_the_Tanintharyi_Region_Myanmar
 twitter.com/Miller8Ari/status/1166165809368109058
The discovery of two new gecko species from southern Myanmar  aryehmiller.com/2019/08/27/the-discovery-of-two-new-species-of-gecko-from-southern-myanmar/ via @wordpressdotcom

  

[Invertebrate • 2025] Clavelina ossipandae • A New Species of Eusynstyela (Ascidiacea: Stolidobranchia) from Okinawa, Japan with Molecular Insight into Its Phylogenetic Position

Eusynstyela sesokoensis 

Hasegawa, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.30.99

Abstract

The colonial styelid genus Eusynstyela Michaelsen, 1904 comprises 12 species. Seven colonies of Eusynstyela were collected via SCUBA diving from three coastal sites in Okinawa, Japan, between 2018 and 2023. Morphological observations in this study identified these specimens as a new species, described here as Eusynstyela sesokoensis sp. nov. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characteristics: i) ten oral tentacles, ii) twelve stomach plications, iii) absence of a stomach caecum, iv) no lobes on the anal rim, and v) two testes per gonad. Intraspecific variations were observed in zooid coloration and the number of longitudinal vessels on the pharyngeal folds. The molecular phylogenetic analysis based on a partial sequence of 18S rRNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genes indicates a possible sister relationship between the new species and E. latericius (Sluiter, 1904).

 

Keywords: ascidian, Chordata, Sesoko Island, subtropical, Styelidae, systematics, taxonomy, Tunicata

Eusynstyela sesokoensis sp. nov.
A, In situ live colony of the holotype, NCHSU 962, photographed by N. Hasegawa; B, in situ live colony of one of the paratypes, NCHSU 966, photographed by Y. Kushida;
C, zooid, viewed from the ventral side; D, peripharyngeal area in the dorsal side; E, gonad, viewed from atrial cavity.

 

Eusynstyela sesokoensis sp. nov. 

Naohiro Hasegawa. 2025. Description of A New Species of Eusynstyela (Ascidiacea: Stolidobranchia) from Okinawa, Japan with Molecular Insight into Its Phylogenetic Position. Species Diversity. 30(1); 99-106. DOI: doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.30.99

https://x.com/Species_Divers/status/1925746069654110374

[Botany • 2025] Dracula colombiana (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) • A New orchid Species with a history of misidentification in trade and collections

Dracula colombiana Baquero, Est.Domínguez & E.Parra, 

in Baquero, Vargas, Mesa et Parra-Sanchez, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.706.1.6 

Researchgate.net/publication/392798308

 

Abstract

We describe and illustrate Dracula colombiana sp. nov. a new orchid species from the eastern Andes of Colombia, previously misidentified as D. benedictii in herbaria, private collections, and commercial trade. The new species resembles D. benedictii but can be distinguished by its solid pink lip with an ovate, glabrous epichile longer than the hypochile (vs. white, suborbicular epichile shorter than the hypochile) and sepals with brown-red papillae and pubescence (vs. purple black, verrucose sepals). Based on IUCN Red List criteria, we propose that the species be classified as Endangered (EN) under sub-criterion B2a, due to its restricted geographic distribution and the threats posed by potentially unsustainable harvesting. Conservation measures are urgently needed to protect natural populations, regulate its presence in the orchid trade, and address taxonomic misidentifications in global markets.

Endemism, epichilus, orchid trade, Western Colombian Andes, Monocots

Dracula colombiana Baquero, Est.Domínguez & E.Parra.
 A. Lateral view of column and lip in open and closed positions. B. ¾ view of the flower. C. Dissected perianth. D. Adaxial view of a petal and column in different positions. E. Habit. F. Lip in different positions.  

 Figure by Esteban Dominguez Vargas 

from type specimen (EDV-2635, HUA).

Dracula colombiana Baquero, Est.Domínguez & E.Parra, sp. nov.

Luis E. BAQUERO R., Esteban Dominguez VARGAS, Santiago MESA and Edicson PARRA-SANCHEZ. 2025. Dracula colombiana (Pleurothallidinae: Orchidaceae), A New orchid Species with a history of misidentification in trade and collections.  Phytotaxa. 706(1); 81-90. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.706.1.6 [2025-06-19]

 Researchgate.net/publication/392798308_Dracula_colombiana_a_new_orchid_species_from_Colombia

[Paleontology • 2025] Sphenodraco scandentis • An arboreal rhynchocephalian from the Late Jurassic of Germany, and the importance of the appendicular skeleton for ecomorphology in lepidosaurs

 Sphenodraco scandentis

Beccari, Guillaume, Jones, Villa, Cooper  Regnault & Rauhut, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf073  

artwork by Gabriel Ugueto  facebook.com/serpenillus 

 

Abstract

Here, we describe a new species of Jurassic rhynchocephalian from the Solnhofen Archipelago, Sphenodraco scandentis gen. et sp. nov., and highlight the importance of the postcranial anatomy for ecomorphological studies in the rhynchocephalian clade. The holotype of Sphenodraco scandentis is divided into a main slab, which has been mentioned in the literature and previously assigned to Homoeosaurus maximiliani, and a counterslab containing most of its skeletal remains. This new taxon shows an exclusive combination of osteological features that differs from previously described rhynchocephalians. Sphenodraco was recovered in our phylogenetic analysis as a component of a clade including Homoeosaurus and Kallimodon. To evaluate the ecomorphology of the new taxon, we compare fossil rhynchocephalians with the extant tuatara and squamates. We quantify the diversity of body proportions in lepidosaurs systematically, inferring lifestyle for extinct rhynchocephalians. Our analysis suggests that fossil rhynchocephalians had a diverse array of substrate uses, with some categorized as good climbers, and with Sphenodraco showing the extreme condition of limb elongation found in strictly arboreal lizards. This new taxon is here regarded as the first predominantly or even strictly arboreal rhynchocephalian. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the diversity of fossil rhynchocephalians might still be underestimated.

ecomorphology, Germany, Jurassic, Rhynchocephalia, sphenodontian, taxonomy, tuatara

Photograph of the holotype of Sphenodraco scandentis.
A, SMF R414, the main slab, containing some bone remains and the imprint of the skeleton.
B, NHMUK PV R 2741, the counterslab, containing most of the skeletal remains

Lepidosauria Haeckel, 1866,

Rhynchocephalia Günther, 1867,sensuDeMar et al. (2022),

Neosphenodontia Herrera-Flores et al., 2018

Sphenodraco gen. nov.

Derivation of name: The genus name combines the prefix spheno- (which composes the name Sphenodontia) and draco (Latin for ‘dragon’, but also in reference to the arboreal gliding lizards, whose limb proportions are similar to that of the new taxon) and translates to ‘the sphenodontian dragon’. The genus name is masculine.

Type species: Sphenodraco scandentis gen. et sp. nov., by monotypy.

 

Sphenodraco scandentis sp. nov.

Derivation of name: The species name comes from the Latin word scandens, meaning ‘climber’.

Diagnosis: Small rhynchocephalian with the following unique combination of traits: (i) maxillary dentition with posterior flanges decreasing in size posteriorly among the last three teeth; (ii) bases of the maxillary teeth are oblique to the tooth row (in labial view)*; (iii) short posterior process of the pleurapophysis of sacral vertebra 2; (iv) tall, funnel-shaped proximal epiphysis of the humerus; (v) tall acetabular region of the ilium, with posteriorly oriented iliac blade; (vi) short pubic process of the ilium*; (vii) slender stylopodia and zeugopodia, with the diameter being <.06 of the length between metaphyses; and (viii) metacarpal and metatarsal IV longer than III. An asterisk (*) represents autapomorphic features.

Living reconstruction of Sphenodraco scandentis in the Solnhofen Archipelago in Germany during the late Jurassic period. 

artwork by Gabriel Ugueto

 

Victor Beccari, Alexandre R. D. Guillaume, Marc E. H. Jones, Andrea Villa, Natalie Cooper, Sophie Regnault and Oliver W. M. Rauhut. 2025. An arboreal rhynchocephalian from the Late Jurassic of Germany, and the importance of the appendicular skeleton for ecomorphology in lepidosaurs. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 204(3); zlaf073, DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf073  [02 July 2025] 

   facebook.com/serpenillus/posts/1300855222041942

[Botany • 2025] Paphiopedilum motuoense (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) • A New Species from Motuo, Xizang, China

Paphiopedilum motuoense  M. N. Wang, F. X. Tang & W. H. Rao,

in Tang, Rao,  Zhang, Wu, M. Wang, Li, Chen, Duan et M.-N. Wang. 2025. 

墨脱兜兰  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.145861 

 Abstract

Paphiopedilum motuoense, a newly discovered orchid from Motuo County, Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. Paphiopedilum motuoense can be distinguished from the related Paphiopedilum species P. qingyongii and P. venustum by several distinctive features: a significantly smaller staminode above the column, a distinct purplish-red lip with purplish-brown veins, pouched with erect and triangular auriculas on both sides of its mouth, and leaves with pale green and pale yellowish-green tessellations. The novelty is also well supported as a new species by molecular phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, the complete chloroplast genome of P. motuoense, 157,218 bp in length, was assembled and annotated. It contains an LSC region of 86,275 bp, SSC region of 949 bp and two IRs of 34,997 bp, with 120 genes, including 76 PCGs, 36 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes.

Key words: China, new orchid species, Paphiopedilum motuoense, plastid genome

Paphiopedilum motuoense and its allies
a1–d1 Paphiopedilum motuoense a1 whole plant b1 leaf c1 flower d1 staminode.
a2–d2 P. venustum a2 whole plant b2 leaf c2 flower d2 staminode.
a3–d3 P. qingyongii a3 whole plant b3 leaf c3 flower d3 staminode.

Images of living plants of Paphiopedilum motuoense 
A whole plant B, C flower (side view and back view) D, E dorsal sepal (front view and back view) F, G synsepal (front view and back view) H, I petal (front view and back view) J–L lip (front view, side view and back view) M lip (vertical section) N ovary and column (with bract, synsepal and staminode) O–Q column (back view and side view) R, S staminode (front view and back view).

Paphiopedilum motuoense
  A whole plant B, C flower (side view and back view) D, E dorsal sepal (front view and back view) F, G synsepal (front view and back view) H, I petal (front view and back view) J–L lip (front view, side view and back view) M lip (vertical section) N ovary and column (with bract, synsepal and staminode) O–Q column (back view and side view) R, S staminode (front view and back view).

 Paphiopedilum motuoense M. N. Wang, F. X. Tang & W. H. Rao, sp. nov.

  Chinese name. 墨脱兜兰

Diagnosis. Paphiopedilum motuoense is similar to P. venustum and P. qingyongii in morphology, but differs from them by having a smaller staminode, petals flushed with purplish red, a purplish red lip with purplish brown veins, pouched with erect and triangular auriculas on both sides of mouth, and leaves adaxially tessellated with pale green and pale yellowish green (Table 1, Fig. 1).

Feng-Xia Tang, Wen-Hui Rao, Ze Zhang, Xin-Yi Wu, Meng Wang, Jian Li, Jie-Shan Chen, Xiao-Juan Duan and Mei-Na Wang. 2025. Paphiopedilum motuoense (Orchidaceae, Cypripedioideae), A New Species from Motuo, Xizang, China. PhytoKeys. 259: 131-144. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.145861