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

   Telescopus urii,

Telescopus salvadori, 

Telescopus smidi,   

Telescopus forskali  

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

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf117 

Abstract

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

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

Telescopus dhara group

Telescopus guentheri (revalidated),

Telescopus urii sp. nov. 

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

Telescopus forskali sp. nov.,

Telescopus insularis sp. nov.,

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

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

Telescopus salvadori sp. nov.,

Telescopus smidi sp. nov.,

Telescopus geniezi sp. nov.,

Telescopus reussi sp. nov.,

Telescopus wangariae sp. nov.

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

The Telescopus obtusus group

Telescopus crocheti sp. nov.,

Telescopus mazuchi sp. nov.,

Telescopus somalicus (elevated to species status),

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

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

Mesoaphyosemion izyarae Ott, Sonnenberg & Van der Zee,

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

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5759.4.5

Abstract

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Richtersveldiella sanparkensis 

Borovec & Meregalli, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5748.2.2  

 Researchgate.net/publication/399722863

 

Abstract

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

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

Richtersveldiella sanparkensis Borovec & Meregalli, sp. nov.

Nama vanwyki Borovec & Meregalli, sp. nov.

Richtersveldiella sanparkensis Borovec and Meregalli, new genus and new species 

Pentamerica gazella Borovec and Meregalli new species 

Namaquania hirta Borovec and Meregalli new species 

Nama mirifica Borovec and Meregalli new species 

 Nama vanwyki Borovec and Meregalli new species 

Nama armmanshoek Borovec and Meregalli new species

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

 Researchgate.net/publication/399722863_A_new_genus_and_six_new_species_of_Namaini_from_the_Richtersveld_South_Africa

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

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

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

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.694.2.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/389992439

 

Abstract

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

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

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

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

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

 Researchgate.net/publication/389992439_Tessmannia_princeps_a_new_rainforest_tree_from_the_Udzungwa_Mountains_Tanzania

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

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

 

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

Zeng & Zhang, 

 

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

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

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

Keywords: Biogeography, Cyprinidae, Morphology, Speciation, Taxonomy

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

Distribution of species of Hongshuia.

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

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

 Hongshuia wangi Zeng & Zhang, sp. nov.

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

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

 

Hongshuia boulobos Zeng & Zhang, sp. nov.

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

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

 

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

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

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

Ghatiana dhritiarum  

Pati, Naik & Gouda, 2026

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

Abstract

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

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

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

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

Superfamily Gecarcinucoidea Rathbun, 1904

Family Gecarcinucidae Rathbun, 1904

Genus Ghatiana Pati and Sharma, 2014

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

 

Ghatiana dhritiarum sp. nov.

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

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

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

[Herpetology • 2026] Boophis samuelsabini • A New Species of Treefrog of the Boophis goudotii group (Anura: Mantellidae) from the isolated Ivohiboro Protected Area in south-eastern Madagascar

 

Boophis samuelsabini

Basham, Masotti, Jimenez, Razafitsimialona, Andrianatenaina, Rakotoarison, Glaw, Wright & Vences, 2026

 SALAMANDRA. 62(1); 

Abstract 

 We describe a new species of treefrog of the Boophis goudotii group from Ivohiboro, a sacred forest in the Southeast of Madagascar and recently established protected area. Based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, Boophis samuelsabini sp. n. is sister to the clade of B. madagascariensis and B. roseipalmatus but differs from these species by genetic distances of 4.8–6.3%. The new species has an advertisement call consisting of various note types similar to its closest relatives, B. madagascariensis and B. roseipalmatus, but is distinguished morphologically from them by smaller body size and presence of a pattern of reticulated dermal folds on the dorsum. This discovery highlights the poor state of exploration of remnant highland forests in the South East of Madagascar which can be expected to harbour additional microendemic species in need of conservation measures. 

Key words. Amphibia, Anura, Mantellidae, Boophis samuelsabini sp. n., Ivohiboro, microendemism

Specimens of Boophis samuelsabini sp. n. in life:
 (A) paratype UADBA-FGZC 12501; (B) individual MA013 (not collected); (C)  individual MA171 (not collected); (D) individual MA171 (not collected); (E) individual MA02 (not collected); (F) individual MA013 (not collected).

Dorsolateral views of three male paratypes, and dorsal and ventral views of one of these paratypes of Boophis samuelsabini sp. n. in life (specimens still uncatalogued and therefore here referenced with their field numbers; will be deposited in ZSM and UADBA).

Boophis samuelsabini sp. n.

 

Diagnosis: The new species differs from all described species in the B. goudotii group by strong genetic differentiation, with pairwise 16S divergence of 5.1–6.3% to all the other species of the group. It further differs from B. goudotii, B. obscurus and B. periegetes by presence of distinct dermal flaps on heels (vs. absence) and from B. goudotii, B. periegetes and syntopic B. obscurus by smaller body size (male SVL as far as known < 40 mm vs. > 50 mm; B. obscurus from some other sites, e.g. Isalo, are smaller but still > 42 mm); from B. axelmeyeri, B. boehmei, B. quasiboehmei, B. popi, and B. rufioculis by absence of red pigment in the iris (vs. presence), and furthermore from B. boehmei and B.  quasiboehmei by reticulated dorsum (vs. smooth) and larger body size (male SVL > 31 mm vs. ...

Etymology: The species name is a patronym honoring Samuel Sabin, son of Andrew Sabin, in recognition of the Sabin family’s support for research and conservation of Madagascar’s herpetofauna. Grammatically, the epithet is the genitive singular of a second-declension masculine noun.

Basham, E. W., M. D. Masotti, B. O. Jimenez, D. Razafitsimialona, G. M. Andrianatenaina, A. Rakotoarison, F. Glaw, P. C. Wright and M. Vences. 2026. New Species of Treefrog of the Boophis goudotii group from the isolated Ivohiboro Protected Area in south-eastern Madagascar. SALAMANDRA. 62(1); 42–52. 

[Herpetology • 2026] Sphenomorphus tophus • A New endemic Forest Skink (Squamata: Scincidae: Sphenomorphus) from the sandstone ecosystem of the Khorat Plateau, Thailand

 

Sphenomorphus tophus  

Grismer, Pawangkhanant, Naiduangchan, Grismer, Dugdale, Pierce, Quah, Suwannapoom & Poyarkov. 2026

 Khorat Plateau Forest Skink | จิ้งเหลนภูเขาหินทราย  ||  https://www.taprobanica.org 

Researchgate.net/publication/400821972

Abstract

A new Forest Skink, belonging to the Sphenomorphus stellatus complex, was discovered in the unique forested sandstone ecosystem of the Khorat Plateau in northeastern Thailand. This new skink was recovered as the sister species to the other Indochinese skinks, S. phuquocensis + S. annamiticus, based on a phylogeny using 1,184 base pairs of 12S and 16S. A multiple factor analysis (MFA) based on a concatenated dataset comprised of size-corrected morphometric, meristic, and color pattern characters revealed this species’ isolated position in morphospace with respect to all other species in the S. stellatus complex. This is the fourth endemic lizard species reported from the Khorat Plateau and adds to a growing list of endemic species across a broad range of taxa. As such, this region desperately needs legal protection and increased field-based systematic research to uncover more unrealized species on this plateau in need of description and protection.

Keywords: Indochina, integrative taxonomy, lizard, Reptilia, Sphenomorphinae, systematics

Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov. holotype (ZMMU Re-18274):
(A) ventral view of the full body in life; (B) dorsal, (C) ventral, and (D) lateral (right) view of the head; (E) ventral view of the right foot; (F) ventral view of the left hand; © Photo: N. Poyarkov.

Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov. holotype (ZMMU Re-18274):
(A) dorsal and (B) ventral views of the full body ( Photo: N. Poyarkov); (C) Left dorsolateral view in life (© Photo: P. Pawangkhanant)

Uncatalogued specimens of Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov. in their microhabitats in ..., Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand:
(A) an adult emerging from a hole in the sandstone; (B) a juvenile on a sandstone ridge (© Photo: I. Dugdale); (C) an adult crawling down the vertical sandstone surface (Photo: A. Pierce); (D) an adult on the side of a tree (Photo I. Dugdale)

Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. At this juncture, Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov. is separated from all other species of the S. stellatus complex by having the unique combination of a maximum adult SVL of 75.4 mm; head, body, and supracaudal scales smooth; frontal scale not divided; prefrontals not in contact; parietals in contact posterior to interparietal; parietals not divided; six scales bordering the parietals; four nuchals; four supraoculars; two loreals; anterior loreal not divided; loreals in contact with supralabials; no postnasal groove; eight superciliaries; superciliary row not interrupted by fourth supraocular; lower eyelid scales large; seven supralabials; seven infralabials; three pairs of chinshields; one primary temporal scale; two secondary temporals; upper secondary temporal large; no subtemporals; 25 midbody scale rows; 63 paravertebrals; paravertebrals slightly wider than other dorsals; 68 ventrals; two enlarged ...

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘tophus’ is a Latin noun given in apposition, meaning “sandstone,” “porous rock”. The name is given in reference to the natural history of the new species, in that it is the only member of the S. stellatus group known to date that is strictly associated with sandstone habitats. 

Suggested common names: Khorat Plateau Forest Skink (in English), จิ้งเหลนภูเขาหินทราย (Jing lhen phu khao hin saii, in Thai), and Коратский древесный сцинк (Koratskiy drevesnyi stsink, in Russian).

  

\

L. Lee Grismer, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Mali Naiduangchan, Jesse L. Grismer, Ian Dugdale, Andrew Pierce, Evan S.H. Quah, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2026. A New endemic Forest Skink (Squamata; Scincidae; Sphenomorphus) from the sandstone ecosystem of the Khorat Plateau, Thailand.  TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity 15(01):1-11. DOI: 10.47605/tapro.v14i1.396 [16 February 2026]

 https://www.taprobanica.org/Archives/volume-15-20-2026-31/volume-15-number-1-2026/v14i1-396.html

 Researchgate.net/publication/400821972_A_new_endemic_Sphenomorphus_from_the_sandstone_ecosystem_of_the_Khorat_Plateau_Thailand

  facebook.com/100088301342746/posts/889557520664285

[Botany • 2025] Oreocharis konkakinhensis (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from the Central Highlands, Vietnam

 

Oreocharis konkakinhensis   T.V.Do & T.T.D.Pham, 

in Pham, Hoang, Lu, Ho, Wen, Ito et Do, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05071

Abstract

Oreocharis konkakinhensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae, is described and illustrated from the Central Highlands, Vietnam. The new species is morphologically most similar to Oreocharis phuongii, a recently described species from central Vietnam. However, it clearly differs from the latter by having stems without stolons, subulate bracts, yellow inner surface of corolla lobes with purple patches, and filaments sparsely puberulent at the base. A detailed morphological description, along with a color illustration, and information on its phenology, distribution, ecology, and preliminarily conservation status, as well as a comparison with its similar species, are also presented.

Morphological illustration of Oreocharis konkakinhensis sp. nov. from the Central Highlands, Vietnam.
 (A) Habitat, (B) adaxial leaf surface, (C) abaxial leaf surface, (D) top view of opened flower, (E) frontal view of opened flower, (F) lateral view of opened flower, (G) ventral view of opened flower, (H) detailed view of longitudinally dissected flower, (I) shape of young fruits.

Photos by Thi Thanh Dat Pham. Scale bar: (A) = 1 cm, (B)–(C) = 5 mm, (D) = 5 mm, (E) = 5 mm, (F)–(G) = 5 mm, (H) = 5 mm, (I) = 1 cm.

Morphological comparison between Oreocharis konkakinhensis sp.nov. (A–C) and O. phuongii (D–F).
(A, D) abaxial leaf surface, (B, E) lateral view of opened flower, (C, F) frontal view of opened flower.

(A)–(C) photos by Thi Thanh Dat Pham and (D)–(F) photos by Truong Van Do.

Oreocharis konkakinhensis T.V.Do & T.T.D.Pham sp. nov. 

Oreocharis konkakinhensis is most similar to O. phuongii by sharing acaulescent and rosette-forming stems, elliptic to ovate leaf blade with 4–5 pairs secondary veins, yellow, zygomorphic flowers with tubular corolla, abruptly constricted at the base, stamens 4 with two pairs of coherent anthers, and absent staminode, but it clearly differs from the latter by having stems without stolons (versus conspicuous stolons), subulate bracts (versus linear-lanceolate to elliptic), yellow inner surface of corolla lobes with purple patches (versus exclusively yellow without patches, dots and striations), and sparsely puberulent filaments at the base (versus glabrous).

Thi Thanh Dat Pham, Thao Thi Hoang, Ngan Thi Lu, Thanh Tam Ho, Fang Wen, Yu Ito and Truong Van Do. 2026. Oreocharis konkakinhensis (Gesneriaceae) sp. nov. from the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05071 [16 February 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Scincella heishuiensis • A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, western China

Scincella heishuiensis

Liu, Pu, Tan, Chen, Lyu, Shu, Wu, Dong & Guo, 2026

 

Heishui ground skink | 黑水滑蜥   ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani16040592 

Abstract

The genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 of the family Scincidae currently includes 50 species. However, due to challenges in sample collection, the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus remain poorly resolved. This study conducted a taxonomic study of the genus Scincella based on three mitochondrial gene fragments (12S, 16S, COI) combined with morphological comparisons. The results indicated the specimens collected in Heishui County, Sichuan Province, China, represented a previously undescribed species. This new taxon is formally described as Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. Phylogenetically, the new species is most closely related to S. wangyuezhaoi, which is another species recently described in Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. As a new species, the uncorrected genetic distance between this new species and its closest relative within the genus, as calculated based on 16S rRNA, is 5.45%. The new species can be distinguished from other closely related species by the following morphological characters: (1) 4 dorsal scale rows between dorsolateral stripes; (2) 5–7 superciliary; (3) 28 midbody scale-rows; (4) 24–25 gulars; (5) during the breeding season, the ventral scales and preanal exhibit a reddish-brown color; and (6) a black lateral stripe extends from behind the eye to the posterior third of the tail near the cloaca. In the phylogenetic analysis, the new species and S. wangyuezhaoi form an independent lineage, distinctly separate from all other taxa included in the study. The new species has currently been recorded and discovered in Heishui County in Sichuan Province, China. This description thus increases the number of members in the genus Scincella in China to 17 species.

Keywords: Hengduan mountains; phylogenetic taxonomy; morphological comparison; lizard

 General view of the holotype of Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. (YBU 22269) in life.

Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. exhibits the following characteristics which can distinguish from its congeners: (1) four dorsal scale rows between dorsolateral stripes; (2) 5–7 superciliary; (3) 28 midbody scale rows; (4) 24–25 gulars; (5) during the breeding season, the ventral scales and preanal exhibit a reddish-brown color; and (6) a black lateral stripe extends from behind the eye to the posterior third of the tail near the cloaca.

Etymology. The species is named after its type locality in Heishui County, Sichuan Province, China. We suggested the common names “黑水滑蜥” in Chinese and “Heishui ground skink” in English for this species.

  Fan Liu, Hongli Pu, Songwen Tan, Jiahao Chen, Bing Lyu, Guocheng Shu, Yayong Wu, Bingjun Dong  and Peng Guo. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan Province, Western China. Animals. 16(4); 592. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani16040592 [13 February 2026]

Simple Summary: The skink genus Scincella, a member of the family Scincidae, is characterized by a wide distribution and conservative morphology. This study integrates molecular and morphological data to conduct phylogenetic analyses and comparative morphology of Scincella population in the Hengduan Mountains. Our findings include the discovery of a new species and the clarification of its phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Significant morphological differences were observed between specimens collected from Heishui County and other known Scincella species. When combined with phylogenetic analysis results, these specimens were identified as a new species, formally described as Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. Phylogenetic reconstruction reveals that Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. forms a sister group with S. wangyuezhaoi while exhibiting distinct morphological differentiation from all other Scincella species. This study not only enriches the diversity of the genus Scincella but also provides new insights into its phylogeny history and evolutionary patterns. The results indicate that the diversity of Scincella in the Hengduan Mountains is underestimated and requires further research and exploration.

[Arachnida • 2026] Scytodes tanjiashui • A New spider Species of Scytodes Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Scytodidae) from Jiangxi Province, southern China

Scytodes tanjiashui Liu, 

in Shi, P. Liu, Yao et K. Liu, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e181164

Abstract

Background: 

Despite the increasing discovery of new spider species in Jiangxi Province, most are entelegynes or mygalomorphs, with haplogyne spiders being seldom reported. However, during a decade-long survey of spiders in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, two species of Scytodes were identified, including one known species, S. liui Wang, 1994 and one new species.

New information: 

A new species, Scytodes tanjiashui Liu, sp. nov., is described from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China. Morphological illustrations, SEM pictures, ink drawing, DNA barcode, photos of live specimens and a distribution map are given. The total number of the known species of Scytodes from China is raised to 11.

Keywords: haplogyne spiders, Jiangxi Province, Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, taxonomy, survey

Scytodes tanjiashui Liu, sp. nov., male holotype.
A Habitus, dorsal view; B Same, ventral view; C Palp, prolateral view; D Same, retrolateral view.

Abbreviations: Em – embolus, PR – positioning ridge, SPr – sclerotised process. 

Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A, B), 0.1 mm (C, D).

Scytodes tanjiashui Liu, sp. nov., female paratype.
 A Habitus, dorsal view; B Same, ventral view; C Same, detail of retromarginal teeth, ventral view; D, E Vulva, dorsal view; F Same, detail of spermathecae and positioning ridge, ventral view.

Scale bars: 40 μm (A, B, D), C 10 μm (C), 0.1 mm (E–G).

Scytodes tanjiashui Liu, sp. nov.
 A, B Female.

Photographed by Jiongxing Zhang.

 Yingying Shi, Penghui Liu, Yanbin Yao and Keke Liu. 2026. A New spider Species of Scytodes Latreille, 1804 from Jiangxi Province, southern China (Araneae, Scytodidae). Biodiversity Data Journal. 14: e181164. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e181164 [11 Feb 2026]