[Crustacea • 2026] Nephropsis perexigua • A New Species of Nephropsis Wood-Mason, 1872 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae) [the World’s Smallest Clawed Lobster]

Nephropsis perexigua

Chan & Chang, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruag015 

Abstract

Several small specimens of a clawed lobster recently collected off the island of Guadeloupe in the West Indies and originally reported as Nephropsis aculeata Smith, 1881 are found to represent a species new to science. The new species, N. perexigua sp. nov., can be readily separated from N. aculeata by the absence of a dorsal median carina in the abdomen. Nephropsis perexigua sp. nov. actually closely resembles N. pygmaea Chang, Chan & Kumar, 2020 from the West Pacific, but differs in the abdomen being smooth. The shape of the posteromesial plate on the coxa of the pereiopod III is also distinctly different among males of N. perexiguasp. nov., N. aculeata, and N. pygmaea. The large sequence divergence in the barcoding gene COI supports the distinct specific status of the new species. With the carapace length of the largest specimen being 12.1 mm and the smallest ovigerous female only 10.0 mm, N. perexiguasp. nov. is the world’s smallest clawed lobster so far known. An updated key to the species of Nephropsis Wood-Mason, 1872 is provided.

Nephropsis perexigua sp. nov.

Tin-Yam Chan and Su-Ching Chang. 2026. Description of the World’s Smallest Clawed Lobster, A New Species of Nephropsis Wood-Mason, 1872 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology. 46(2); ruag015. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruag015 [10 April 2026 ]

 

[Herpetology • 2026] Nadzikambia nubila, N. evanescens, N. franklinae & N. goodallae • Sky Islands of Mozambique harbour Cryptic Species of Chameleons: Description of Four New Species of Sylvan Chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae: Nadzikambia Tilbury, Tolley & Branch, 2006)

 A adult male Nadzikambia mlanjensis (Broadley, 1965); B adult male N. baylissi Branch & Tolley, 2010;
C adult male Nadzikambia franklinae sp. nov.; D adult male N. goodallae sp. nov.;
E adult male N. evanescens sp. nov.; F adult female N. nubila sp. nov. 

Tolley & Conradie, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.76.e178403 

  

Abstract

Several populations of forest-living chameleons in the genus Nadzikambia have been recorded from the montane sky island forests in northern Mozambique. These populations have not been evaluated for their species status, despite the potential for these allopatric populations having diverged at the species level due to vicariance of forest since the mid-Miocene. With only two described species of Nadzikambia, we hypothesised that candidate (new) species occur on each of four additional montane sky islands surveyed. We applied an integrative taxonomic approach to evaluate this, using morphological and genetic data collected from each population. Their distributions were mapped, the morphological dataset was quantitatively analysed using a multivariate analysis, and one nuclear and three mitochondrial genes were sequenced to generate a phylogeny and allele networks. Independent species delimitation analyses were applied to the genetic dataset (mPTP, SpeciesIdentifier, p distances) as supporting evidence for candidate species. By applying integrative taxonomy under the General Lineage Species Concept, we find support for four new species of Nadzikambia. The montane forests where they occur have declined in extent due to slash and burn agriculture and these forest endemics are presumed to be in a proportional decline as their habitat contracts. By examining historical and present-day satellite imagery, we show that all Nadzikambia species have lost significant proportions of their range. Given they do not occur outside these forests, these species are in imminent danger of extinction.

Keywords: Africa, Chamaeleonidae, conservation priority, Critically Endangered, habitat loss, morphological conservatism, reptiles, species declines, species delimitation, taxonomy

 

Life photos of Nadzikambia: A adult male N. mlanjensis (PEM R18445), B adult male N. baylissi (unvouchered specimen),
C adult holotype male N. franklinae sp. nov. (PEM R21165), D adult holotype male N. goodallae sp. nov. (PEM R24394),
E adult holotype male N. evanescens sp. nov. (PEM R24372), F adult paratype female N. nubila sp. nov. (NHMUK 2025.3278).

Nadzikambia franklinae sp. nov.

Namuli sylvan chameleon

Etymology. The new species is named after the British chemist Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958) whose work on X-Ray crystallography, particularly her legendary “photo 51”, revealed the structure of DNA (Franklin and Gosling 1953). Her ground-breaking work subsequently allowed for the field of phylogenetics to develop, decades later. Today, nearly all modern taxonomy is phylogenetically informed, including the description of N. franklinae sp. nov.

Nadzikambia goodallae sp. nov.

Ribáuè sylvan chameleon

Etymology. This species is named after Jane Goodall (1934–2025), an inspirational scientist who lived and worked in Africa throughout her lengthy career. Although her work was dedicated to the study of Pan troglodytes, the Chimpanzee, she spent much of her life living and working in tropical forest, in particular at Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Like her own study species, this chameleon is a forest endemic and the destruction of forest, and other habitats, both at Mount Ribáuè as well as within the home range of P. troglodytes in Central and West Africa is causing forest-living species to decline to the brink of extinction.

Nadzikambia evanescens sp. nov.

Inago sylvan chameleon

Etymology. This species is named Nadzikambia evanescens with the specific epithet from the Latin ‘evanescens’ meaning ‘vanishing’. The name is a present participle that can be used as an adjective or a noun in apposition, and the specific epithet is the same for all genders. The etymology is to highlight the rapidly vanishing forest on Mount Inago and the peril that this species is currently under. The forest has already been reduced to a few small patches, and the uncontrolled conversion of forest to agriculture is continuing. The consequence could be the demise of this endemic forest species, if action is not taken to stop the forest destruction.

Nadzikambia nubila sp. nov.

Chiperone sylvan chameleon

Etymology. This species is named after the “Ciperoni” – the term used locally for the weather that brings heavy clouds and orographic rainfall to the area. The cloud sustains the mid-elevation wet forest on this mountain. The epithet ‘nubila’ is derived from the Latin ‘nubilus’ meaning “cloudy,” and is modified to the feminine form to agree with the feminine gender of the genus Nadzikambia.

 Krystal Tolley and Werner Conradie. 2026. Sky Islands of Mozambique harbour Cryptic Species of Chameleons: Description of Four New Species of Sylvan Chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae: Nadzikambia Tilbury, Tolley & Branch, 2006). Vertebrate Zoology. 76: 207-246. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.76.e178403 [21 Apr 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Pterobunocephalus carvalhoi • After Eight decades: A New Species of Pterobunocephalus (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the upper Putumayo, Napo and Pastaza Rivers, Ecuador

Pterobunocephalus carvalhoi 

 Crispim, Argüello, Silva, Oliveira, Luckenbill & Sabaj, 2026

.  

 DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0162  

Abstract

Pterobunocephalus currently comprises two valid species: P. depressus described from the Guaporé River basin and P. dolichurus from the Trombetas River at its confluence with the Amazon River. A third nominal species, Bunocephalus albofasciatus, described from the upper Mamoré River basin, is presently considered a junior synonym of P. depressus. Based on a morphological approach, we describe here a new species of Pterobunocephalus from the upper Amazon basin (Napo, Pastaza, and Putumayo rivers) in Ecuador. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) large eyes; (2) anterior margin of the mesethmoid relatively wide, shallowly concave, and sunken between anterior margins of premaxillae; (3) total number of anal-fin rays 10–11; and (4) in dorsal view, parapophysis of the fifth vertebra shaped like the blade of a shepherd’s axe with distal portion conspicuously and abruptly expanded.

Keywords: Banjo catfish; CT Scan; Morphology; Taxonomy

Pterobunocephalus carvalhoi, new species

  Holotype, MEPN-I 20199, 69.9 mm SL (left), and paratype, ANSP 130605, 64.1 mm SL (right) of Pterobunocephalus carvalhoi showing variation in color pattern. 

 

 

Jefferson Luan Crispim, Pablo Argüello,Gabriel de Souza da Costa e Silva, Claudio Oliveira,Kyle R. Luckenbill and Mark H. Sabaj. 2026. After Eight decades: A New Species of Pterobunocephalus (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the upper Putumayo, Napo and Pastaza rivers, Ecuador. Neotrop. ichthyol. 24(1):e250162. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0162 [17 Apr 2026]

 

[Botany • 2026] Stauranthera aureoglossa (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Stauranthera aureoglossa  

in Kishwan, Thackeray et Page, 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70093

ABSTRACT

A new species in genus Stauranthera Benth. is described from Arunachal Pradesh, India. S. aureoglossa sp. nov. is a caulescent herb found in moist and shady streams of mid-elevation forests of Upper Subansiri District. It can be distinguished from the other species in the genus based on a combination of morphological characters such as distinctly 2-lipped, tubular-campanulate, spurless corolla, with yellow, raised papillose patch on the inside of the lower lip of corolla. Color plates of this taxon, along with those of the other two species of Stauranthera reported from India are provided for easy identification.

Keywords: conservation, Eastern Himalaya, Epithemateae, Flora of India, new taxa, Northeast India

Stauranthera aureoglossa sp. nov.

Shivam Kishwan, Tejas U. Thackeray, Navendu V. Page. 2026. Stauranthera aureoglossa, a New Species of Gesneriaceae From Arunachal Pradesh, India. Feddes Repertorium. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70093 [09 April 2026]

  facebook.com/100064866994974/posts/1472543211584565

[Botany • 2023] Strobilanthes spathulatibracteata (Acanthaceae) • A New Species from northern Vietnam

 

Strobilanthes spathulatibracteata D.V. Hai, Z.L. Lin & Y.F. Deng, 

in Hai, Thuy, Lin et Deng, 2023.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.597.2.8 

Abstract

Strobilanthes spathulatibracteata is described as a new species from northern Vietnam. Morphologically, it resembles S. tonkinensis, but differs in its perennial undershrub habit, hirsute young stem, fragrant stem and blades, spathulate bracts and bracteoles with gland-tipped hirsute indumentum, 2-lipped calyx, 35–45 mm long corolla being puberulent outside and hirsute inside, and apically pubescent fruits. Photographs, illustrations, information on its habitat, ecology, pollen morphology and a preliminary conservation assessment are provided.

Flora of Asia, new combinations, new status, reinstatement, synonymy 

Strobilanthes spathulatibracteata D.V. Hai, Z.L. Lin & Y.F. Deng

DO VAN HAI, NGUYEN THU THUY, ZHELI LIN and YUNFEI DENG. 2023. Strobilanthes spathulatibracteata, A New Species of Acanthaceae from northern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 597(2); 184-192. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.597.2.8 [12 May 2023]

https://vast.gov.vn/web/vietnam-academy-of-science-and-technology/tin-chi-tiet/-/chi-tiet/discovering-and-recording-a-number-of-new-species-for-science-in-kim-hy-nature-reserve-bac-kan-province-119914-871.html

[Botany • 2022] Sporoxeia vietnamensis (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from northern Vietnam

Sporoxeia vietnamensis D.V.Hai, Z.L.Lin & S.Jin Zeng,  

in Thuy, Zeng, Hai, Hoan, Lin et Deng, 2022.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.558.3.4

Researchgate.net/publication/362798168

Abstract

A new species of Sporoxeia (Melastomataceae), S. vietnamensis, is described from northern Vietnam. It is morphologically similar to S. blastifolia in having obtusely quadrangular stems, slightly unequal leaf blades with cuneate bases, and two secondary veins on each side of midvein, but differs by having stiffly papery leaf blades, larger and densely horned hypanthia, larger calyx lobes with concave adaxial surface and convex abaxial surface forming a ridge, and larger petals. Photos and illustration are provided together with information of habitat, ecology and preliminary conservation assessment following IUCN criteria. An identification key to the Sporoxeia species is also provided.

morphology, Sonerileae, taxonomy, Eudicots

Sporoxeia vietnamensis D.V.Hai, Z.L.Lin & S.Jin Zeng sp. nov.

NGUYEN THU THUY, SIJIN ZENG, DO VAN HAI, DUONG THI HOAN, ZHELI LIN, YUNFEI DENG. 2022. Sporoxeia vietnamensis (Melastomataceae), A New Species from northern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 558(3); 283-290. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.558.3.4 [2022-08-17]

 Researchgate.net/publication/362798168_Sporoxeia_vietnamensis_a_new_species_from_northern_Vietnam

https://vast.gov.vn/web/vietnam-academy-of-science-and-technology/tin-chi-tiet/-/chi-tiet/discovering-and-recording-a-number-of-new-species-for-science-in-kim-hy-nature-reserve-bac-kan-province-119914-871.html

[Herpetology • 2026] Calamaria garoensis • A New fossorial Reed Snake (Serpentes: Calamariidae: Calamaria) from Northeast India, with A Nomenclatural Synopsis of the Calamaria pavimentata Complex

 

Calamaria garoensis Bharali, Sangma, Amarasinghe, Lalremsanga, Hazarika, Bohra & Purkayastha,

in Bharali, Sangma, Amarasinghe, Bohra, Swargiary, Marak, Hazarika, Das, Asem, Lyngdoh, Lalremsanga et Purkayastha, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i1.397

Abstract

The fossorial reed snakes of the genus Calamaria are morphologically conservative, geographically structured, and frequently misidentified across broad regions, especially where historical names have been applied without explicit synonymy audits. During surveys in the Garo Hills, Meghalaya, Northeast India, we collected a series of Calamaria specimens referable to the “Calamaria pavimentata” concept historically used for the region. We evaluate these specimens using a morphology-first framework complemented by mitochondrial cytochrome b phylogenetic placement. Maximum-likelihood inference recovers the Meghalaya lineage as the strongly supported sister to C. mizoramensis, with an uncorrected p-distance of 6.3%; these mitochondrial values are treated as descriptive support rather than as threshold-based evidence. Morphologically, the Meghalaya lineage is diagnosable by a unique combination of scalation, tail morphology, and coloration, including a short tail that is not gradually tapering, an obtusely pointed tail tip, and a broad median black stripe on the tail venter. To stabilize name usage around the new taxon, we summarize the historical names associated with the C. pavimentata complex, emphasizing type localities and type material where known.

Keywords: Cytochrome b, Garo Hills, Meghalaya, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy 

Calamaria garoensis Bharali, Sangma, Amarasinghe, Lalremsanga, Hazarika, Bohra & Purkayastha, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. Calamaria garoensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 8–9 enlarged maxillary teeth; rostral broader than high; prefrontal shorter than the frontal and contacting the first two supralabials; mental not contacting the anterior chin shields; dorsal scales in 13–13–13 rows, smooth throughout; one preocular and one postocular; four supralabials, the second and third entering the orbit; five infralabials; six scales surrounding the paraparietal; 165–187 ventrals; 12–27 paired subcaudals; a short tail (TaL/TL 4.7–14.2%), not gradually tapering and terminating in an obtuse tip; dorsum dark brown to blackish brown with six narrow longitudinal stripes and a faint pale nuchal ring; ventral surface yellow with dark outer corners on the ventral scales; and a broad, distinct median black stripe on the tail venter.

Manmath Bharali, Chesime M. Sangma, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Sanath C. Bohra, Pranjal Swargiary, Griksrang C. Marak, Arup K. Hazarika, Madhurima Das, Bipin M. Asem, Jennifer Lyngdoh, Hmar T. Lalremsanga and Jayaditya Purkayastha. 2026. A New fossorial Reed Snake (SQUAMATA: CALAMARIIDAE: Calamaria) from Northeast India, with A Nomenclatural Synopsis of the Calamaria pavimentata Complex. TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity. 15(1):12-25. DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i1.397 [14 April 2026]

https://www.taprobanica.org/Archives/volume-15-20-2026-31/volume-15-number-1-2026/v15i1-397.html

[Herpetology • 2026] Calamaria similis • A New Species of Calamaria (Serpentes: Calamariidae) from southern China, previously confused with Calamaria pavimentata

 

Calamaria similis

Qi, Nguyen, Yang, Xu, David, Shi, Liu, Rong, Korolev, Poyarkov & Wang, 2026 

Similar Reed Snake | 拟尖尾两头蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1277.187107  

 Abstract

Calamaria pavimentata Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 was originally described from Java Island, Indonesia, yet specimens from southern China, particularly Guangxi, have long been referred to this species based on general morphological resemblance. Herein, the taxonomic status of Chinese populations previously referred to as Calamaria pavimentata is re-evaluated using an integrative approach combining morphological data and mitochondrial DNA analyses, based on four specimens from Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province, and Chongzuo City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Phylogenetic analyses recover the Chinese specimens as a distinct and well-supported lineage within Calamaria. Notably, the Guangdong and Guangxi populations exhibit a relatively high intraspecific mitochondrial divergence (uncorrected p-distance = 10.78% based on the cytochrome b gene), despite the absence of consistent diagnostic morphological differences. Although mitochondrial DNA data from topotypic C. pavimentata, are currently unavailable, the observed morphological differences, together with the pronounced geographic disjunction between Java and southern China, support the recognition of the Chinese population as a distinct species, herein described as Calamaria similis sp. nov. from Guangdong and Guangxi, China. Detailed morphological examinations reveal that Calamaria similis sp. nov. differs from C. pavimentata and all of its currently recognized synonyms by having higher ventral scale counts in females, fewer subcaudal scales in males (but slightly more in females), a smaller maximum total length in males, and a shorter relative tail length in both sexes. Our results highlight the need for renewed field surveys in Java Island, Indonesia to rediscover C. pavimentata sensu stricto, and emphasize that other populations previously identified as C. pavimentata should be re-evaluated using integrative taxonomic approaches.

Key words: Calamaria similis sp. nov., Guangdong, Guangxi, integrative taxonomy, morphology, mtDNA, species complex

Calamaria similis sp. nov., adult male (SYS r001816, holotype) in preserved.
A. Dorsal view of body; B. Ventral view of body; C. Dorsal view of head; D. Ventral view of head; E. Lateral view of head, right side; F. Dorsal view of tail (posterior body). Photographs by Shuo Qi.

Calamaria similis sp. nov., in life, from Yangchun, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China.
A–C. Adult male (SYS r001816, holotype); A. Dorsal view of body; B. Anterior view of body; C. Ventral view of body; D–H. Not collected, sex undetermined; D. Dorsal view of body; E. Anterolateral view of body; F. Dorsal view of tail; G. Ventral view of head; H. Ventral view of body (cloacal region).

Photographs by Jing-Jian Liu.

Calamaria similis sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet similis is a Latin adjective meaning similar, referring to the strong morphological resemblance of this species to Calamaria pavimentata. This similarity has resulted in the species being previously misidentified and treated as C. pavimentata in numerous earlier studies (e.g., Yang and Zheng 2018). 

We propose the following common names for the new species: “Similar Reed Snake” (English), “拟尖尾两头蛇” (nĬ jiān wěi liăng tóu shé, Chinese), “Rắn mai gầm tương đồng” (Vietnamese), and “Сходная карликовая змея” (Skhodnaya karlikovaya zmeya, Russian).

Shuo Qi, Tan Van Nguyen, Jian-Huan Yang, Yu-Hao Xu, Patrick David, Jing-Song Shi, Jing-Jian Liu, Can-Zhong Rong, Alexey M. Korolev, Nikolay A. Poyarkov and Ying-Yong Wang. 2026. A New Species of Calamaria (Squamata, Calamariidae) from southern China, previously confused with Calamaria pavimentata Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854. ZooKeys. 1277: 245-280. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1277.187107  [17 Apr 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Tylototriton guilinensis • A New Species of Genus Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from northeastern Guangxi, China

 Tylototriton guilinensis 

Xiao, Chen, Wu, Pan, Chen, Yu & Huang, 2026

桂林疣螈 | Guilin Crocodile Newt  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.184792

 photos by Yuanqiang Pan

Abstract

Currently, the genus Tylototriton comprises 44 species, of which 24 occur in China, and only one is formally recorded in Guangxi, China. In this study, based on evidence from molecular and morphological comparisons, we describe a new species of the genus Tylototriton, Tylototriton guilinensis sp. nov., from Quanzhou County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and ND2 genes strongly supported that this new species belongs to the T. asperrimus species group and is sister to the clade of T. dabienicus and T. gaowangjienensis. This new taxon can be distinguished from all other known congeners by the following morphological characteristics: (1) medium body size (117.86 ± 9.46 mm); (2) rib nodules flattened, indistinct, not separated, and almost in continuous longitudinal rows, forming a dorsolateral fold; (3) orange coloration of the rib nodules absent; (4) orange markings on the parotoid absent; (5) head wider than long (HDL/HDW = 0.92–0.99); (6) finger tips extending beyond the snout when forelimbs are stretched forward; (7) tips of forelimbs and hindlimbs reaching and overlapping when folded towards the body; (8) snout truncate, nearly square-shaped in dorsal view; (9) gular fold present; (10) adult males possessing cloacal papillae within the fissure; (11) peripheral area of cloaca orange; (12) the orange coloration at the ventral edge of the tail contacting the orange coloration around the cloaca. In addition, we find that T. asperrimus from Baise, Guangxi, actually belongs to T. sini.

Key Words: morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy, Tylototriton asperrimus, Tylototriton guilinensis sp. nov.

 

The holotype of Tylototriton guilinensis sp. nov. (GXNU YU001042) in life.
Dorsolateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral (C) views.

  (Photo by Yuanqiang Pan).

 

Tylototriton guilinensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Tylototriton guilinensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of morphological characteristics: (1) medium body size (117.9 ± 9.5 mm); (2) rib nodules flatten, indistinct, not separated, and almost in continuous longitudinal rows forming a dorsolateral fold; (3) orange coloration of the rib nodules absent; (4) orange markings on the parotoid absent; (5) head wider (HDW) than long (HDL) (HDL/HDW = 0.92‒0.99); (6) finger tips extending beyond the snout when forelimbs stretched forward; (7) tips of forelimbs and hindlimbs reaching and overlapping when folded towards the body; (8) snout truncate, nearly square shaped in dorsal view; (9) gular fold present; (10) adult males possessing cloacal papillae within the fissure; (11) peripheral area of cloaca orange; and (12) the orange coloration at the ventral edge of tail contacted with the orange coloration around the cloaca.

Etymology. The new species is named after its type locality, Guilin City in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. We propose the Chinese name as “桂林疣螈” (Guì Lín Yóu Yuán) and the English common name as “Guilin Crocodile Newt.”

 Wei Xiao, Xinbin Chen, Xiangjian Wu, Yuanqiang Pan, Ju Chen, Guohua Yu and Huayuan Huang. 2026. A New Species of Genus Tylototriton (Caudata, Salamandridae) from northeastern Guangxi, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(2): 671-686. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.184792

[Herpetology • 2026] Tylototriton vietnamirabilis • A New Species of Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Phu Xai Lai Leng Mountain, Nghe An Province, Vietnam

Tylototriton vietnamirabilis 

 Ong, T. Q. Phan, Hoang, M. H. T. Nguyen, T. T. Nguyen, Ziegler, T. Q. Nguyen and C. T. Pham, 2026

Vietnamazing Crocodile Newt  | Cá cóc việt nam kỳ thú  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1276.173848 

Abstract

A new species of crocodile newt, Tylototriton vietnamirabilis sp. nov., is described from Phu Xai Lai Leng Mountain, Nghe An Province, in the border area between Vietnam and Laos, based on molecular divergence and morphological differences. Tylototriton vietnamirabilis sp. nov. differs from other species in the subgenus Tylototriton by its body size, tail length, glandular ridge on the midline of crown of head, parotoid shape, appearance of vertebral ridge, number of dorsolateral glandular warts, the presence of a gular fold, coloration of head and body, and the presence of lateral grooves on tail. In terms of genetic distance, the new species differs from other congeners for which comparable sequences are available by at least 5.33–5.35% (T. panwaensis) and 5.35–5.37% (T. anguliceps), based on the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene. Our new finding brings the total number of known species in the genus Tylototriton from Vietnam to 10. Because the new species is currently known to be restricted to evergreen montane forests on Phu Xai Lai Leng Mountain, we recommend to be classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

Key words: Crocodile newts, morphology, ND2 gene, phylogenetic relationships, taxonomy, Tylototriton vietnamirabilis sp. nov.

Paratypes of Tylototriton vietnamirabilis sp. nov. in life.
 A. Dorsolateral view (IB A.6427, male); B. Dorsolateral view (IB A.6429, female). Photos: Cuong The Pham.

Tylototriton vietnamirabilis sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. The new species is assigned to the subgenus Tylototriton based on the results of the molecular phylogenetic analyses and the following morphological attributes: back with dorsal granules, head with dorsolateral bony ridges, knob-like warts or rib nodules present on dorsolateral body, and the absence of quadrate spine (Le et al. 2015; Fei and Ye 2016; Pomchote et al. 2021, 2024). The new species is diagnosed from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: (1) size medium (SVL 61.2–67.9 mm, TL 64.3–75.2 mm in males, and SVL 71.6 mm, TL 78.3 mm in a single female); (2) tail longer than the snout-vent length; (3) head longer than wide; (4) glandular ridge on midline of crown distinct; (5) parotoids prominent and enlarged, projecting backwards; (6) vertebral ridge large, raised, and glandular in appearance; (7) 15 or 16 distinct dorsolateral glandular warts; (8) gular fold present; (9) dorsolateral bony ridges, parotoids, rib nodules, and vertebral ridge dull orange; and (10) tail with distinct lateral grooves.

Etymology. The name “vietnamirabilis” is a Latinized form of the modern word creation Vietnamazing. The new species is named to highlight the Vietnamazing conservation campaign 2024–2025 of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Vietnamazing campaign aimed to raise public awareness of Vietnam’s unique biodiversity and its conservation, establish conservation projects with crocodile newts being one of the flagship groups of the campaign and raise funds for species conservation, following and higlighting IUCN's "One Plan Approach to Conservation". From 2026 onwards, after the completion of the EAZA campaign, Vietnamazing will continue as the Vietnamazing conservation network, a program under ZGAP (Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations). As common names, we suggest Vietnamazing Crocodile Newt (English), Cá cóc việt nam kỳ thú (Vietnamese).

 An Vinh Ong, Tien Quang Phan, Chung Van Hoang, Mai Hong Thi Nguyen, Tao Thien Nguyen, Thomas Ziegler, Truong Quang Nguyen and Cuong The Pham. 2026. A New Species of Tylototriton (Amphibia, Salamandridae) from Phu Xai Lai Leng Mountain, Nghe An Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1276: 285-305. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1276.173848 [08 Apr 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Redefinition of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933) (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae) and Description of Stemonosudis dianea, A New Species from the western Atlantic Ocean

[A-B] Stemonosudis dianea  Ho & Bemis, 2026 
Stemonosudis intermedia  (Ege, 1933)

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70342

 

Abstract

We examined specimens of slender barracudina in the genus Stemonosudis collected from the western Atlantic Ocean. Investigation revealed that seven specimens represent the first adult records of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933), previously known only from juveniles. We redescribed S. intermedia based on the holotype and newly recognized adult and juvenile specimens, and using this ontogenetic series, we document changes in coloration from light-brown juveniles to black adults. We also determined that some specimens from the western Atlantic Ocean previously identified as S. intermedia represent a new species, which we describe herein based on three adults and five juvenile specimens. The new species differs from congeners by having 43–44 anal-fin rays, 117–121 total vertebrae and a pale mouth, gill chamber and gill arches, among a combination of other characters. We also provide information on the lectotype of S. similis (Ege, 1957), which remains known only from the type series.

Keywords: biodiversity, biogeography, Ichthyology, nomenclature, taxonomy

Stemonosudis dianea sp. nov., fresh coloration.
(a) Holotype USNM 407498, 332 mm SL, photograph by Cristina Castillo.
(b) Paratype USNM 407509, 348 mm SL, photograph by Sandra Raredon.

 Stemonosudis dianea sp. nov.

English name: Diane's Slender Barracudina

Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933), fresh coloration of adults. Right side photographed, reflected to face left. USNM 407096, 277 mm SL. (a) Lateral view of body. (b) Close up of head.

Photographs by Ross Robertson.

Hsuan-Ching Ho and Katherine E. Bemis. 2026. Redefinition of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933) and Description of A New Species from the western Atlantic Ocean (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70342 [30 March 2026]

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/ferocious-predator-and-important-prey-new-barracudina-species-named-smithsonian

[Paleontology • 2026] Jinjuichnus procerus • New large Pterosaur Tracks from Korea and their implications on terrestrial behavior

Jinjuichnus procerus and tetrapod trackmakers. The neoazhdarchian trackmaker is following the small vertebrate.

Jung, Kim, Xing & Choi, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-48019-y 

illustration created by Jun Seung Yi.  

Abstract

Pterosaurs were important components of Mesozoic ecosystems, occupying diverse ecological niches from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous. Among them, neoazhdarchians have been hypothesized as terrestrial carnivorous based on anatomical and functional evidence, yet direct indications of predation on land have remained elusive. Here we report Jinjuichnus procerus ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov., a new pterosaur track discovered in the Jinju Formation of South Korea. The track, characterized by a compact and long metatarsus in its pedal configuration, is consistent with neoazhdarchian pterosaurs. The trackway is preserved in close association with a small tetrapod trackway that exhibits abrupt changes in direction and increased stride length. This association provides the potential ichnological evidence of terrestrial vertebrate interaction by a pterosaur. Nonetheless, an alternative interpretation of the two trackways remains possible, making it difficult to confirm any direct interaction between the trackmakers. The paired trackways offer insight into the factors to consider when evaluating potential interactions with the trackmaker. While scenarios such as predation remain ambiguous, they nonetheless highlight the interpretive complexity inherent in assessing behavioral associations preserved in trackway assemblages.

Life reconstruction drawing of Jinjuichnus procerus and tetrapod trackmakers. The neoazhdarchian trackmaker is following the small vertebrate. The illustration in this figure was created by Jun Seung Yi. Reproduced with permission from the copyright holder and published under CC BY 4.0 license.

Systematic ichnology

Pterosauria Kaup 1834.

Pterodactyloidea Plieninger, 1901.

Ichnofamily Agadirichnidae Masrour et al., 2018.

Ichnogenus Junjuichnus ichnogen. nov.

Etymology – The generic name Jinjuichnus combines Jinju, the location where the specimen was found, with Greek ichnus (ἴχνος), meaning “track.”

Ichnospecies Jinjuichnus procerus ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name procerus is a Latin adjective meaning “extended” or “elongated,” describing the notably elongated manus impressions.

  

Conclusion: 

A new pterosaur ichnotaxon, Jinjuichnus procerus et ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous Jinju Formation of South Korea. This trackway is characterized by a large size, highly elongated digit III, a blunt digit I, and a wide manus divarication angle, features that distinguish it from previously reported pterosaur ichnotaxa. Based on pedal morphology and comparative analysis, the trackmaker is most plausibly attributed to a neoazhdarchian pterosaur that inhabited the Korean Peninsula during the Early Cretaceous.

...

Jongyun Jung, Kyung Soo Kim, Lida Xing and Byung-Do Choi. 2026. New large Pterosaur Tracks from Korea and their implications on terrestrial behavior. Scientific Reports. 16: 12363. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-48019-y [16 April 2026]

 

[Crustacea • 2026] Stenasellus angiangensis • An updated Phylogeny of the Family Stenasellidae (Isopoda), with A New Species of Stenasellus from southern Vietnam

 

 Stenasellus angiangensis Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Douady & Malard,

in Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Deharveng, Konecny-Dupré, Douady et Malard, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.185185 

Abstract

Our current understanding of the molecular systematics of Stenasellidae, a species-rich family of obligate groundwater isopods known from Africa, Asia, Europe and North-America, is based primarily on specimens of the genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 collected in Europe. Here, we provide an updated phylogeny of the family comprising specimens of Stenasellus collected from multiple countries in Asia, including Iran, Turkmenistan, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam as well as specimens of Metastenasellus Magniez, 1979 collected in Africa. First, we used COI-based molecular species delimitation methods to delimit putative species within the family Stenasellidae. Second, we built a phylogeny of the Stenasellidae comprising 48 putative species, for which two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes were available. Third, we describe Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. from the hyporheic zone of streams located in mountainous islands of the Mekong River Delta, the first representative of the family Stenasellidae described from Vietnam. We show that the number of putative species delimited using various COI-based molecular species delimitation methods largely surpass the number of species described based on morphological criteria. The four-gene phylogeny reveals, for the first time, a robustly supported and broadly distributed Asian clade comprising Stenasellus species from Iran, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam, including Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. as the sister taxon to Stenasellus cambodianus Boutin & Magniez, 1985 from southern Cambodia. Our phylogeny strongly questions the monophyly of the genus Stenasellus, even though the latter cannot be definitively rejected due to difficulties in resolving the phylogenetic relationships among the clades identified within stenasellids.

Keywords: Asellota, Asia, Diversity, groundwater, Indochina, Peracarida, subterranean

Order Isopoda Latreille, 1816

Suborder Asellota Latreille, 1802

Family Stenasellidae Dudich, 1924

Genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897

Stenasellus angiangensis Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Douady & Malard, sp. nov.

The habitat (a) and general view (b–d) of Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. in the An Giang Province, Mekong Delta area in southern Vietnam. Specimens were collected using a hand net in the hyporheic zone and springs of mountainous streams.

 Ivan N. Marin, Dmitry M. Palatov, Nguyễn Văn Thinh, Louis Deharveng, Lara Konecny-Dupré, Christophe J. Douady and Florian Malard. 2026. An updated Phylogeny of the Family Stenasellidae (Crustacea, Isopoda), with A New Species of Stenasellus from southern Vietnam. Subterranean Biology. 55: 187-215.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.185185 [15 Apr 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Napeanthus decurrens (Gesneriaceae: Napeantheae) • Taxonomic notes on Napeanthus in Ecuador: Neotypification of Two Species and A New Species from the eastern Andean slopes

Napeanthus decurrens J.L. Clark, 

in Clark, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.189993

Abstract

Ongoing field expeditions in Ecuador and herbarium research have resulted in the discovery of a new species and the stabilization of two names in Napeanthus (Gesneriaceae). Napeanthus robustus Fritsch and Napeanthus ecuadorensis Fritsch were both described from specimens housed at the Berlin herbarium that were subsequently destroyed; therefore, neotypes are designated to stabilize the application of these names. A third taxon, Napeanthus decurrens J.L.Clark, sp. nov., is described as a narrow endemic from the eastern Andean slopes of the Ecuadorian province of Zamora-Chinchipe.

Key words: Andes, biodiversity, Ecuador, Napeantheae, taxonomy

Field images of Napeanthus decurrens J.L. Clark.
 A. Abaxial leaf surface; B. Habit; C. Calyx; D. Front view of flower; E. Rear view of flower. F. Habit;

(A from J.L. Clark et al. 10808; B from J.L. Clark et al. 15074; C–E from J.L. Clark et al. 10808).

Photos by J.L. Clark.

Napeanthus decurrens J.L.Clark, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Similar to Napeanthus loretensis L.E.Skog in its small (< 9 cm long), decurrent leaves, but N. decurrens is distinguished by entire leaf margins and erect inflorescences (vs. serrate leaf margins and prostrate inflorescences in N. loretensis).

Etymology. The specific epithet decurrens refers to the leaf blades that are decurrent along the petiole, giving the leaves a nearly sessile appearance.

 John L. Clark. 2026. Taxonomic notes on Napeanthus (Gesneriaceae) in Ecuador: Neotypification of Two Species and A New Species from the eastern Andean slopes. PhytoKeys. 273: 161-169.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.189993 [16 Apr 2026]