[Arachnida • 2026] Tigidia singhal • A New Species of the Trapdoor Spider Genus Tigidia Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Barychelidae) from the Deccan Plateau, India

Tigidia singhal

 Tripathi, Bolde & Vanak, 2026

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.13156/arac.2026.20.5.15 

 Researchgate.net/publication/408253064

 

Abstract

A new species of trapdoor spider, Tigidia singhal sp. nov., is described from the semi-arid grasslands of the Deccan Plateau in Maharashtra, India. Detailed morphological descriptions, measurements, and illustrations of the holotype female are provided. This discovery marks the first record of the genus Tigidia from a semi-arid, open natural ecosystem, significantly expanding its known biogeographic range beyond the evergreen and deciduous forest habitats of peninsular India. Additionally, we document natural history observations, including burrow architecture and microhabitat preferences. This find highlights the underexplored diversity of Indian mygalomorph spiders and underscores the critical need for biodiversity surveys in open natural ecosystems.

KEYWORDS: burrowing behaviour, Mygalomorphae, range extension, semi-arid ecosystem, systematics

Tigidia singhal sp. nov., field photographs.
A collection locality; B holotype female; C excavated burrow showing silk lining; D schematic representation of burrow architecture.

Tigidia singhal sp. nov., holotype female.
A habitus, dorsal view; B eye group, dorsal view; C fovea, dorsal view; D cephalothorax, ventral view; E spinnerets, ventral view; F chelicera, prolateral view; G close-up of cheliceral furrow showing basomesal teeth; H leg I, prolateral view; I left leg III showing preening comb on metatarsus, ventral view; J same, leg IV. Scale bars = 5 mm (A), 1 mm (B–C, E–F, I–J), 2 mm (D, H), 0.2 mm (G).

Barychelidae Simon, 1889a

Tigidia Simon, 1892

Type species: Tigidia mauriciana Simon, 1892.

Diagnosis: For description and diagnosis of the genus see Mirza (2023).

Distribution: India, Madagascar, and Mauritius Islands (Mirza 2023; World Spider Catalog 2026).

Tigidia singhal sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Females of Tigidia singhal sp. nov. are similar to T. fasciata Mirza, 2023, T. jalgaonensis Mirza, 2023, and T. tangerina Mirza, 2023 in possessing elongate, widely separated spermathecae. However, they can be differentiated by a unique combination of characters: in T. singhal the spermathecal stalks arise from the middle of the spermathecae (v. arising from the apex in T. jalgaonensis, at bottom in T. tangerina, and ...

Etymology: The species is named in honor of Sandeep Singhal for his contributions to grassland conservation in India, including this work; the species was collected from semi-arid grassland habitats, highlighting the ecological importance of these ecosystems.

Rishikesh Tripathi, Prasad Bolde, Abi Tamim Vanak. 2026. A New Species of the Trapdoor Spider Genus Tigidia Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Barychelidae) from the Deccan Plateau, India. Arachnology. 20(5); 749-752. DOI: doi.org/10.13156/arac.2026.20.5.15 [8 July 2026]

 Researchgate.net/publication/408253064_A_new_species_of_Tigidia_from_the_Deccan_Plateau_India

[Ichthyology • 2026] Molecular Phylogenetics and A New Taxonomy of the Neotropical Electric Fishes (Actinopterygii: Otophysi: Gymnotiformes)

 

Representatives of the six gymnotiform families Apteronotidae (A), Sternopygidae (S), Gymnotidae (G), Electrophoridae (E), Hypopomidae (H), and Rhamphichthyidae (R). 

Top to bottom, and left to right, are: Rhamphichthys rostratus (R), Archolaemus janeae (S), Sternarchorhamphus muelleri (A), Eigenmannia magoi (S), Gymnotus carapo (G), Sternarchorhynchus sp. (A), Apteronotus galvisi (A), Orthosternarchus tamandua (A), “Apteronotus” (Genus B) cuchillejo (A), Apteronotus eschmeyeri (A), Apteronotus cf. albifrons (A), Gymnorhamphichthys sp. (R), Sternarchorhynchus marreroi (A), Sternopygus aequilabiatus (S), Adontosternarchus devenanzii (A), Steatogenys duidae (R), Brachyhypopomus occidentalis (H), Hypopomus artedi (H), and Electrophorus multivalvulus (E). 

in Janzen, Sabaj, Crampton et Lovejoy, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2026.108678 

Photos by M. Sabaj.

  

Highlights: 

• New 9 gene molecular tree for 202 species of Neotropical electric knifefishes (order Gymnotiformes)

• A new taxonomy is proposed, based on the most extensive phylogenetic analysis to date.

• Strong phylogenetic support for 6 families, including the Electrophoridae (electric eels)

• Two main groups of species defined by either pulse or wave-type electric signals.

• Two new suborders: Pulseoidei for pulse-type species and Sinusoidei for wave-type species.

Abstract

The order Gymnotiformes—Neotropical electric eels and knifefishes—comprise a distinctive lineage of freshwater fishes characterized by electrogenesis and electroreception. Despite their ecological, evolutionary, and neurobiological significance, phylogenetic relationships within the order remain incompletely resolved. We present the most taxonomically inclusive molecular phylogeny of Gymnotiformes to date, based on two mitochondrial and seven nuclear genes from 202 species representing 31 of 36 extant genera. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses provide strong support for a concordant species-level phylogenetic arrangement that we use to propose a revised classification of Gymnotiformes, including new suprageneric names and reassignments of some taxa and species. We found support for six monophyletic families, including Electrophoridae (electric eels). We propose two new suborders corresponding to electric signal type: Pulseoidei (pulse-type) and Sinusoidei (wave-type), an arrangement that does not allow determination of whether a pulse or wave-type signal was ancestral. In Apteronotidae, the subfamilies Sternarchorhamphinae and Apteronotinae are supported; within Apteronotinae, we establish the tribe Steatogenini to include Porotergus, Sternarchella, and close relatives. We resolve the non-monophyly of Apteronotus with generic reassignments. For Sternopygidae, we support the monophyletic subfamilies Sternopyginae and Eigenmanniinae and resolve polyphyly in Rhabdolichops and Eigenmannia via generic reassignments. Within Gymnotus, we support six species groups. We confirm the sister-group relationship between Hypopomidae and Rhamphichthyidae and clarify their internal structure, including support for six species groups within the diverse genus Brachyhypopomus. Our study provides a robust phylogenetic framework for Gymnotiformes and establishes a foundation for future work on systematics, biogeography, trait evolution, and comparative neurobiology.

 

Keywords: Neotropical, Systematics, Electric eel, Knifefish, Electric organ discharges

Sinusoidei subord. nov. changed from “Sinusoidea” of Albert 2001

Pulseoidei subord. nov. changed from “Pulseoidea” of Alda et al. 2018

Representatives of the six gymnotiform families Apteronotidae (A), Sternopygidae (S), Gymnotidae (G), Electrophoridae (E), Hypopomidae (H), and Rhamphichthyidae (R). 

Top to bottom, and left to right, are: Rhamphichthys rostratus (R), Archolaemus janeae (S), Sternarchorhamphus muelleri (A), Eigenmannia magoi (S), Gymnotus carapo (G), Sternarchorhynchus sp. (A), Apteronotus galvisi (A), Orthosternarchus tamandua (A), “Apteronotus” (Genus B) cuchillejo (A), Apteronotus eschmeyeri (A), Apteronotus cf. albifrons (A), Gymnorhamphichthys sp. (R), Sternarchorhynchus marreroi (A), Sternopygus aequilabiatus (S), Adontosternarchus devenanzii (A), Steatogenys duidae (R), Brachyhypopomus occidentalis (H), Hypopomus artedi (H), and Electrophorus multivalvulus (E). 

Photos by M. Sabaj.

  

 

 Francesco H. Janzen, Mark H. Sabaj, William G.R. Crampton, Nathan R. Lovejoy, 2026. Molecular Phylogenetics and A New Taxonomy of the Neotropical Electric Fishes (Actinopterygii: Otophysi: Gymnotiformes). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press, 108678. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2026.108678 [10 July 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Tametara mirim • Exceptional Brain and Ecological Diversity in the earliest Snakes

 

Tametara mirim

Simões, Sobral, Macrì, Ebel, Fachini, Martinelli, Nava, Paixão, Chiappe, Di-Poï & Hsiou, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10809-9

Abstract

Understanding the ecological origin of snakes has remained a century-old challenge, hindered by an extremely sparse early fossil record and conflicting interpretations of fossil ecologies. Here we describe an exceptionally preserved Cretaceous fossil snake, Tametara mirim gen. et sp. nov., from Brazil, representing one of the earliest-diverging stem snakes. High-resolution micro-CT scans reveal unprecedented details of cranial nerves, inner ear and brain anatomy, enabling the most integrated reconstruction of stem snake neuroanatomy to date. Quantitative and qualitative endocast analyses demonstrate that Tametara had a brain morphology distinct from both other stem and extant snakes, revealing substantial early neuroanatomical disparity—and probably sensory functions—in snake evolution. Independent evidence from telencephalon shape and bone microstructure converges on a fossorial lifestyle for Tametara and non-fossorial for another stem snake: Dinilysia. These results indicate that major ecological transitions occurred early in snake evolution, and that known stem species do not represent the ancestral condition of crown snakes. Early snake evolution thus involved complex shifts in habitat use and sensory ecology, revealing greater ecological and neuroanatomical diversity than previously thought.

 

Systematic palaeontology

Squamata Oppel, 1811

Serpentes Linnaeus, 1758

Holotype (MPM 420) of Tametara mirim. 
 a, Photograph of the whole specimen with the articulated skull and postcranium in dorsal view. Ant, anterior; Bl, block number; Ce.V., cervical vertebrae; Do.V., dorsal vertebrae; Post, posterior; Sk, skull. b,c, Photographs of the skull in lateral (b) and dorsal (c) view. CB, compound bone; F, frontal; Oto, otoccipital; P, parietal; PFr, postfrontal; Pro, prootic; Ptg, pterygoid; Q, quadrate; Soc, supraoccipital; St, supratemporal. d–g, 3D renderings of an anterior precloacal (‘cervical’) vertebra in lateral (d) and anterolateral (e) views, and mid-precloacal (‘dorsal’) vertebra in dorsal (f) and left lateral (g) views. h–j, 3D renderings of the skull in the right lateral view (h) and with exposed brain endocasts in the right lateral (i) and dorsal (j) views. Mes., mesencephalon; Rho., rhombencephalon; Tel., telencephalon. Scale bars, 100 mm (a), 5 mm (b,c,h–j) and 1 mm (d–g). Specimen photos were taken by A.S.H.

Tametara mirim gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Tametara mirim can be distinguished from all other snakes based on the following combination of characters: postfrontal present but parietal (posterior) process absent*; parietal with posteromedial process present*; supraoccipital with sagittal crest, posterolaterally projecting nuchal crests*, well-developed anterolateral processes* and strongly overlapped by the parietal dorsally; otoccipitals not contacting each other medially (separated by posterior process of supraoccipital); quadrates with quadrate conch, suprastapedial process and pterygoid lappet; posterior surangular foramen present; precloacal vertebrae with well-developed and ventrolaterally oriented ...

Etymology. Tametara, meaning ‘adorned’ (referring to the pronounced sagittal crest of the holotype); mirim, meaning small-sized, in the native Brazilian, Tupí-Guaraní language.

Holotype. MPM 420 (Museu de Paleontologia de Marília, Marília, State of São Paulo, Brazil). Posterior half of a 3D-preserved skull and mandibles articulated with the anterior portion of the postcranium, including 103 presacral vertebrae.

Locality and age. The fossil was discovered by W.R.N. and G.M.X.P. in 2020, in William’s Quarry 2 at Sítio Paleontológico ‘José Martin Suárez’ (Presidente Prudente municipality, State of São Paulo, Brazil); Adamantina Formation, Bauru Group, Bauru Basin, late Santonian to early Campanian age (approximately 85–75 million years ago (Ma))22.

 

Tiago R. Simões, Gabriela Sobral, Simone Macrì, Roy Ebel, Thiago S. Fachini, Agustín G. Martinelli, William R. Nava, Giovanna M. X. Paixão, Luis M. Chiappe, Nicolas Di-Poï and Annie S. Hsiou. 2026. Exceptional Brain and Ecological Diversity in the earliest Snakes. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10809-9 [22 July 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Bronchocela carestiai & B. mallarii • A Comprehensive, Archipelago-Wide Taxonomic Reassessment of the Genus Bronchocela (Squamata: Agamidae) in the Philippines, with Descriptions of Two New Species

 

(A) Bronchocela marmorata from Luzon,
(B, C) B. philippina from Mindanao,
 (D) Bronchocela carestiai from Mindoro, and
(E) B. mallarii from Palawan. 

 

Supsup, Pitogo, Sanguila, Hallermann, Denzer, Wood & Brown, 2026

Herpetological Monographs. 40 (1),

Photographs by Rafe M. Brown, Christian E. Supsup, and Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo.

 Abstract  

One challenge for species delimitation involves closely related species, characterized by both intra- and interspecifically variable morphologies, for which genetic information is not yet available. One such example is exhibited by agamid lizards of the genus Bronchocela. This group of conspicuously vibrant green lizards is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, with 15 recognized species. However, the geographic distributions of several named taxa have remained unclear because of the imprecise application of names in taxonomic summaries and faunal checklists. For more than a century, many authors have noted that a few species, often considered “widespread,” persist throughout nearly the entire range of the genus. This is particularly true for populations identified as Bronchocela cristatella sensu lato and, to a lesser extent, B. marmorata in the Philippines. In this study, we reassess the systematics and taxonomy of Bronchocela populations in the Philippine archipelago. Using multiple lines of evidence from molecular and morphological data, we uncover four distinct lineages of Philippine Bronchocela, all of which we interpret as being distantly related to B. cristatella sensu lato from Malaysia and Indonesia. We argue that these lineages should now be interpreted as Philippine endemic species. Given the strong congruence in molecular and morphological analyses, we now consider populations from the Luzon faunal region (including Catanduanes, Marinduque, Lubang, and Polillo Islands), Romblon (Tablas, Romblon, and Sibuyan Islands), and the West Visayas (Negros, Cebu, and Panay Islands) as B. marmorata. The nomenclaturally available name, B. philippina, is now designated to the unique lineage from the Mindanao faunal region. Additionally, we recognize two new, distinctive species from the Mindoro (B. carestiai) and Palawan (B. mallarii) faunal regions. Overall, our findings demonstrate how conspicuous and widely distributed species in Southeast Asia remain poorly understood, overlooked, and taxonomically unresolved. Hence, the taxonomic resolution of Bronchocela populations in the island archipelagos of Southeast Asia will greatly benefit from the urgent priority of determining which landmass the name “B. cristatella” applies.

KEYWORDS: Bronchocela carestiai sp. nov, Bronchocela marmorata, Bronchocela mallarii sp. nov, Bronchocela philippina, Southeast Asia, taxonomy, Widespread species

In life photographs of Bronchocela marmorata from Luzon (A), B. philippina from Mindanao (B, C),
B. carestiai from Mindoro (D), and B. mallarii from Palawan (E).

Photographs were taken by Rafe M. Brown, Christian E. Supsup, and Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo.

Bronchocela carestiai sp. nov.

 Bronchocela mallarii sp. nov. 

Christian E. Supsup, Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo, Marites B. Sanguila, Jakob Hallermann, Wolfgang Denzer, Perry L. Wood Jr. and Rafe M. Brown. 2026. A Comprehensive, Archipelago-Wide Taxonomic Reassessment of the Genus Bronchocela (Squamata: Agamidae) in the Philippines, with Descriptions of Two New Species. Herpetological Monographs. 40 (1), 1-44, (20 July 2026) DOI: doi.org/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-24-00003

https://bioone.org/journals/herpetological-monographs/volume-40/issue-1/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-24-00003/A-Comprehensive-Archipelago-Wide-Taxonomic-Reassessment-of-the-Genus-Bronchocela/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-24-00003.full

[Entomology • 2026] Attenboroughnculus tau • A New Genus of Pedunculinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Chile and A Key to the World Genera

Attenboroughnculus tau De Ketelaere and Broad,

in De Ketelaere, Pullar et Broad, 2026.  

 DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2663058 

ABSTRACT

A new genus of Pedunculinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is described: Attenboroughnculus De Ketelaere and Broad, gen. n. a monotypic genus for Attenboroughnculus tau De Ketelaere and Broad, sp. n. collected in central Chile. This is the fourth genus and fourth described species of Pedunculinae and the second from the Neotropics. Each of the four known genera is defined by putative apomorphies, included in an identification key, and photos of each are provided.

KEYWORDS: Austral, Darwin wasps, Gondwanan, new species, South America, taxonomy, Sir David Attenborough

Attenboroughnculus De Ketelaere and Broad, gen. n.

  

Etymology: 

This unique genus from Chile has been named after Sir David Attenborough ahead of his 100th birthday, celebrating the broadcaster and biologist’s highly distinctive contribution to our understanding of the natural world. David Attenborough has featured Chile’s diverse, extreme landscapes in several documentaries, emphasising the unique environmental challenges and ecological resilience of species within the country.

Sir David has also filmed several scenes with parasitoid wasps, famously termed the ‘bodysnatcher wasp’ by the broadcaster in the Trials of Life, first broadcast in 1990. He has used his work to reveal the intimate, unseen or overlooked within nature. This resonates in the discovery of this species in an unsorted drawer within the collections of the Natural History Museum, London.

In 2023 Sir David revealed a new bronze quote outside the Natural History Museum, London, reading: The future of the natural world, on which we all depend, is in our hands. We are using this opportunity to echo this message through the naming of this new genus of tiny wasp.

We hope to inspire global scientists to take another look in their collections to see if there is something small that could contribute to our collective understanding and therefore the future of our natural world. The name is a concatenation of ‘Attenborough’ and ‘Pedunculus’.

Attenboroughnculus tau De Ketelaere and Broad, sp. n.

Etymology: Named after the large, capital ‘T’ marking on the second metasomal tergite, with ‘tau’ being the Greek for ‘T’. A noun in apposition.

Augustijn De Ketelaere, Jennifer Pullar and Gavin R. Broad. 2026. The Description of A New Genus of Pedunculinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Chile and A Key to the World Genera. Journal of Natural History. 60(21-24); 1167-1180. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2663058 [07 May 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Disporum yobinorum (Colchicaceae) • A New Species from Eastern Himalaya, India

  

Disporum yobinorum 

in Sahani et Chowlu, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.767.1.11 

Researchgate.net/publication/410044052

Disporum Salisbury (1812) (Colchicaceae) comprises 42 accepted species worldwide (POWO 2026). In India, Disporum is represented by 10 accepted names including 6 species and varieties (POWO, 2026). Additionally, Dasgupta (2006) treated all Indian taxa under a single species; a broadly circumscribed D. cantoniense (Loureiro; 1790: 206) Merrill (1919: 229). There are 24 species distributed in Bhutan, China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sikkim, Thailand and Vietnam (Liang & Tamura 2000, Li et al. 2007, Hu et al. 2016, Zhu et al. 2016 Hareesh et al. 2018, WCSPF 2018).

Monocots, Disporum yobinorum, new species, Eastern Himalaya, Colchicaceae

Disporum yobinorum sp. nov. 

VINAY KUMAR SAHANI and KRISHNA CHOWLU. 2026. Disporum yobinorum (Colchicaceae), A New Species from Eastern Himalaya, India.  Phytotaxa. 767(1); 93-97. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.767.1.11 [2026-07-16] 

Researchgate.net/publication/410044052_Disporum_yobinorum_a_new_species_from_Eastern_Himalaya_India

[Botany • 2026] Cryptanthus pataxoanus & C. beuckeri • Two Ornamental Species of Cryptanthus (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) on the brink of Extinction: A New Species and its congener from the 19th century

 

Cryptanthus pataxoanus  Forzza & Leme,

in Leme, Fernandez, Fontana, Almeida et Forzza, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.763.3.1 

Abstract

The authors describe and illustrate a new species of Cryptanthus, C. pataxoanus, found within the Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park, and present new data on its closest morphological relative, C. beuckeri, both endemic to the Atlantic Forest of the state of Bahia, Brazil, and assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). The new taxon represents one of the most ornamental discoveries in recent years due to its marbled foliage, with contrasting greenish-yellow and dark green colors, which is similar to C. beuckeri. The main differences between C. pataxoanus and its closest relative include leaf blades not petiolate or the basal ones sometimes subpetiolate, the much broader portion of the blades distinctly longer, the narrower sepals covered by brown-centered trichomes, and petals without glandulose trichomes. The discovery of the new species results from cooperative work with the Pataxó indigenous community living in Barra Velha and Barra Velha do Monte Pascoal Indigenous Lands, located within the boundaries of the Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park. It symbolizes the inexhaustible richness of the Brazilian biodiversity in general and the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia in particular, despite its current coexistence with high levels of threat.

Monocots, Atlantic Forest, Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park, morphology, taxonomy

Cryptanthus pataxoanus (Umburanas 141):
A, B. Details of the population at the type locality. C. Habit. Photos: S. Caram (A, B); E. Leme (C).

Cryptanthus pataxoanus (Umburanas 141):
A. Elongate stem. B. Details of the marginal spines. C. Inflorescence. D. Details of the inflorescence. E–O. Perfect flower. E. Floral bracts of the basal fascicles. F. Sepals. G. Petal and stamens. H. Stigma. I. Frontal view of the anther just before anthesis. J. Abaxial view of the anther just before the anthesis. K. Basal fascicle. L. Flower. M. Basal portion of the petal and stamens. N. Details of the apex of the sepals. O. Longitudinal cross section of the ovary. P–T. Staminate flower: P. Flower of the inner portion of the inflorescence. Q. Floral bract. R. Details of the apex of the sepal. S. Sepals. T. Longitudinal cross section of the ovary.

 Photos: E. Leme. Bars: A = 2 cm; B, C, K, L, P = 1 cm; D–G, M–O, Q–T = 5 mm; H–J = 1 mm.

 Cryptanthus pataxoanus Forzza & Leme, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis:—This new species can be distinguished from its morphologically closest relative, Cryptanthus beuckeri, by the leaf blades not petiolate or the basal ones sometimes subpetiolate, with subpetioles gradually merging into the much broader distal portion (vs. always distinctly petiolate, with petioles strongly contrasting with the much broader distal portion); the much broader portion of the blades longer (20–30 cm vs. 10–20 cm long); sepals with narrower lobes (vs. 2–2.5 mm vs. 3.5–4 mm wide) covered by distinctly brown-centered trichomes (vs. trichomes white); and petals without glandulose trichomes (vs. adaxially bearing glandulose trichomes).

Etymology:—The name of this new species honors the Pataxó indigenous people. They belong to the Macro-Jê linguistic family and have a long history of resistance, facing challenges such as reclaiming their traditional lands and promoting the value of their culture since the 16th century. The Pataxó predominantly inhabit the extreme south of Bahia, which includes the area of the Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park where the Barra Velha and Barra Velha do Monte Pascoal Indigenous Lands are located. They maintain strong traditions, such as the Patxohã language, rituals (like the Awê), and the use of body paintings that serve as cultural identifiers, in addition to promoting the conservation of the environment within their traditional natural territory.

A. Watercolor by the botanical artist Paulo Ormindo, depicting Cryptanthus pataxoanus.
B. Presentation of the C. pataxoanus and the original watercolor depicting the species during the ceremony commemorating the 64th anniversary of the creation of the Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park, as well as the reopening of the Visitor Center, by the Pataxó indigenous people who participated in the discovery.

A. Watercolor by the botanical artist Paulo Ormindo, depicting Cryptanthus pataxoanus. B. Presentation of the C. pataxoanus and the original watercolor depicting the species during the ceremony commemorating the 64th anniversary of the creation of the Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park, as well as the reopening of the Visitor Center, by the Pataxó indigenous people who participated in the discovery.
C–F. Illegal selective logging and habitat degradation associated with mule trampling used for clandestine timber extraction inside the park. Photos: R.C. Forzza (B); C. Rodrigues (C, D, E, F).

ELTON M. C. LEME, EDUARDO P. FERNANDEZ, ANDRÉ P. FONTANA, PEDRO S. DE ALMEIDA and RAFAELA C. FORZZA. 2026. Two Ornamental Species of Cryptanthus (Bromeliaceae, Bromelioideae) on the brink of Extinction: A New Species and its congener from the 19th century.  Phytotaxa. 763(3); 201-218. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.763.3.1  [2026-06-24]

[Herpetology • 2026] Gekko qiannanensis • A New Karst-adapted Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Guizhou, China

Gekko (Japonigekko) qiannanensis Huang, Ma, Jiang & Wu,   

in Huang, Ma, Xiao, Zhang, Pu, Ran, Zhu, Jiang et Wu, 2026. 

黔南壁虎  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.189932

Abstract

Karst landscapes, which are characterized by their complex terrain, foster exceptionally high species diversity. During recent field surveys in Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China, a new karst-adapted gecko species was discovered. Using an integrative approach combining molecular and morphological analyses, it is described here as Gekko qiannanensis sp. nov. Phylogenetically, it clusters within a well-supported clade of the subgenus Japonigekko that includes the karst-adapted G. fengshanensis, G. liboensis, G. kwangsiensis, G. paucituberculatus, and the dry-hot valley species G. tesselatus. Morphologically, it can be distinguished from all known species in Japonigekko by a combination of the following traits: moderate body size, with snout–vent length 65.4–82.9 mm in adult males and 77.7–91.7 mm in adult females; two enlarged postmentals; nares in contact with the rostral, internasal absent; subdigital lamellae: fourth fingers 14–16, first toes 9–11, and fourth toes 14–17; moderately developed toe webbing, originating proximal to subdigital lamellae; interorbitals 28–38; midbody scale rows 134–155; ventral scale rows 42–49; precloacal pores 10–11 in males; a single postcloacal tubercle on each side; dorsum earth gray, with six dirty-white bands between the nape and sacrum. Notably, the new species can be distinguished from its karst-adapted congeners by its moderately developed toe webbing. The discovery of G. qiannanensis brings the number of recognized species in Japonigekko to 42 globally, of which 28 are now recorded from China. This finding highlights the role of karst habitat fragmentation in driving allopatric speciation and underscores the rich but still incompletely documented herpetofaunal diversity of South China’s karst regions.

Key Words: herpetofauna, integrative taxonomy, new species, phylogeny, toe webbing

Holotype (JSU-HJ2025024, adult male) of Gekko qiannanensis sp. nov. after euthanasia.
 A. Dorsal view of body. B. Ventral view of body. C. Dorsal view of head. D. Ventral view of head. E. Right lateral view of the head. F. Ventral view of right hand. G. Ventral view of left hand. H. Ventral view of right foot. I. Ventral view of left foot. J. Ventral view of precloacal region. K. Right lateral view of basal tail.

Photos by Jie Huang and Yang Xiao. Scale bars: 10 mm.

Egg hatching of Gekko qiannanensis sp. nov.  
A. Discovery of gecko eggs at the corner of the wall, with 14 eggs already hatched and two remaining unhatched. B. Two hatching gecko eggs with attached wall plaster. C. One gecko egg in the process of hatching, side view. D. One gecko egg in the process of hatching, top view. E. The gecko juvenile 13 days after hatching.

Photos by Jie Huang. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Gekko qiannanensis Huang, Ma, Jiang & Wu, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Gekko qiannanensis sp. nov. is assigned to the subgenus Japonigekko according to phylogenetic analysis. It can be distinguished from other congeners in Japonigekko by the following characters: moderate body size: SVL 65.4–82.9 mm in adult males, 77.7–91.7 mm in adult females; two enlarged postmentals; nares in contact with the rostral, internasal absent; subdigital lamellae: fourth fingers 14–16, first toes 9–11, fourth toes 14–17; moderately developed toe webbing, originating proximal to subdigital lamellae; interorbitals 28–38; Midbody scale rows 134–155; ventral scale rows 42–49; precloacal pores 10–11 in males; a single postcloacal tubercle on each side; dorsum earth gray, with six dirty-white bands between nape and sacrum.

Etymology and suggested Chinese and English name. The specific epithet, qiannanensis, is derived from the Chinese pinyin of its type locality in Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. The Chinese name for the new species is suggested as “黔南壁虎” (pinyin: qián nán bì hǔ), and the English is suggested as “Qiannan Gecko.”

 Jie Huang, Shun Ma, Yang Xiao, Fangpeng Zhang, Zhongzhu Pu, Jingcheng Ran, Jingyi Zhu, Wansheng Jiang and Jianpu Wu. 2026. Gekko (Japonigekko) qiannanensis, A New Karst-adapted Gecko (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from southern Guizhou, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(4): 973-987. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.189932 [20-07-2026]

[Botany • 2026] Petrocosmea anoleuca (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from limestone cliffs in Yunnan, China

 

Petrocosmea anoleuca   M.Q.Han & C.Liu, 

in Liu, Cai, Zhong, Zhao, Wang et Han, 2026.

沧源石蝴蝶  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-026-10406-z

 

Summary

Petrocosmea anoleuca M.Q.Han & C.Liu (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China, is described and colour images and a provisional IUCN conservation assessment are provided. The new species is similar to P. cavaleriei H.Lév., but differs in having subpeltate leaf blades, a white corolla tube base lacking spots, a darker purple throat, purple abaxial lip lobes and nearly straight, sparsely puberulent filaments.

Key Words: Flora of Yunnan, Karst habitats, taxonomy

Petrocosmea anoleuca, images and SEM images.
A – B habit, in natural habit; C – D flower, front view; E flower, side view; F flower bud; G corolla, longitudinally cut; H corolla, transversely cut; J peltate leaf blade, abaxial surface; K – L SEM; K rhizomatous stem; L ovary; M ovary, transversely cut; N pollen.

photos: a – b Cheng Liu and c – k Mengqi Han.

Petrocosmea anoleuca M.Q.Han & C.Liu sp. nov. 

Recognition. Similar to Petrocosmea cavaleriei, but differing in having subpeltate leaf blades (vs petiole attached at the base in P. cavaleriei), the base of the corolla tube white and lacking spots (vs with three antepetalous spots above the base), the throat inside abaxially darker purple (vs white), the abaxial lip lobes purple (vs pale purple, with two yellow spots at the sinuses between the lateral and median lobes) and filaments almost straight and very sparsely puberulent and with scattered capitate-glandular hairs (vs geniculate near the middle, forming an angle of about 160° and densely covered with capitate-glandular hairs).

Etymology. The term anoleuca derives from Greek roots, ano- (ἄνω, "above") and -leuca (λευκός, "white"), literally meaning "white above". The epithet of the new species refers to the white, upper section of the corolla when in bloom.

vernacular name. Chinese name: cāng yuán shí hú dié (沧源石蝴蝶).

Cheng Liu, Jie Cai, Liang-Liang Zhong, Jin-Chao Zhao, Qiang Wang and Meng-Qi Han. 2026. Petrocosmea anoleuca (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from limestone cliffs in Yunnan, China.  Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-026-10406-z  [21 July 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Mitrephora rashmiae (Annonaceae) • A New Species from Indian Himalaya, representing the first record of andromonoecy for the genus

 

Mitrephora rashmiae

in Page, Kishwan et Thackeray. 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70134 

 facebook.com: Thackeray Wildlife Foundation

ABSTRACT

A new species of Mitrephora is described from Arunachal Pradesh, India. It can be distinguished from its congeners based on a combination of morphological characters such as evergreen leaf phenology, unbranched inflorescences with up to 8 flowers, inner petals being subequal or equal in length relative to the outer petals and stipitate, beaked, cylindric monocarps. This species is unique in the shape and geometry of the miter (dome) which is longer than broad (length: diameter ratio 1.25). This species is also the only andromonoecious species known in the genus to date. This discovery represents only the second record of the genus from the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot.

Keywords: Arunachal Pradesh, Malmeoideae, Miliuseae, staminate flower

Mitrephora rashmiae

 

Navendu V. Page, Shivam Kishwan and Tejas U. Thackeray. 2026. A New Species of Mitrephora (Annonaceae) from Indian Himalaya, representing the first record of andromonoecy for the genus. Feddes Repertorium. e70134. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70134 [07 July 2026] 

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[Ichthyology • 2026] The prolonged Reemergence of Megapredatory Pelagic Fishes

  

the diversification of living large-bodied (> 2 m) marine predatory fishes such as tunas and mackerels (Scombridae)

in Brownstein, Alencar, Kindsvater, Thacker, Wainwright, Near et Harrington, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.1257 

 x.com/ChaseBrownstein

 

Abstract

The assembly of modern ocean ecosystems was fundamentally affected by the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K-Pg) mass extinction. Among the casualties of this event were many extinct clades of large pelagic predatory fishes. The extinction of these lineages is thought to have created ecological opportunity that spurred the diversification of living large-bodied (> 2 m) marine predatory fishes such as tunas and mackerels (Scombridae). However, it remains unclear whether a large, endothermic body plan evolved in tunas and mackerels directly after the K-Pg boundary or in a stepwise manner throughout the Cenozoic. Here, we demonstrate that Scombridae, which includes half of living endothermic ray-finned fish species, evolved endothermy and large body sizes long after the initial radiation of the clade at the K-Pg boundary. Our time-calibrated phylogeny also reveals that the origins of endothermy, large body size and increased longevity in true tunas are staggered over evolutionary time. These findings indicate that the evolution of large endothermic scombrids was not triggered by the K-Pg extinction and substantiate the protracted development of the endothermic predatory body plans of tunas and relatives over more than 50 million years of evolutionary history.

Keywords: Scombridae, tunas, phylogenomics, K-Pg mass extinction, endothermy

Origin of large body sizes in Scombridae. The phylogeny is coloured according to the ancestral state reconstruction for log-transformed standard length. Warmer colours indicate body sizes approaching 4 m. Body size increases over 2 m are denoted by Roman numerals. The innermost dashed circle indicates the K-Pg boundary. Illustrations of scombrids are by Julie Johnson (lifesciencestudios.com).

Tempo of trait shifts in Scombridae. Inferred histories of significant trait optima shifts across Scombridae plotted on the time-calibrated phylogeny of this clade. Shifts inferred with over 30% posterior probability are included. The full bayou outputs are in the electronic supplementary material associated with this article. Illustrations of scombrids are by Julie Johnson (lifesciencestudios.com).

Chase D. Brownstein; Laura R. V. Alencar; Holly K. Kindsvater; Christine E. Thacker; Dylan K. Wainwright; Thomas J. Near and Richard C. Harrington. 2026. The prolonged Reemergence of Megapredatory Pelagic Fishes.  Proc Biol Sci. 293 (2074): 20261257. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.1257 [08 Jul 2026] 

 x.com/ChaseBrownstein/status/2074791152318865890

[Herpetology • 2026] Isthmohyla nacientes • A New Species of Stream-Breeding Isthmohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Costa Rica

 

Isthmohyla nacientes  

Chaves-Acuña, Abarca, Navarro-Picado, Hidalgo-Mora, Ureña-Chaves, Valverde-Castillo, Chaves, Bolaños & Faivovich, 2026

   

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024066 

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

We describe a new species of the Isthmohyla tica group that occurs along the montane regions of the central Pacific of Costa Rica, between 1,400 and 2,000 masl. Although the new species is the sister taxon of a clade including an unde-scribed species and I. rivularis, it is more similar to I. tica. However, the new species can be distinguished because the flanks have scattered, distinct, round and irregular dark blotches or spots and because the advertisement call is comprised by a single, tonal note, typically emitted singly or in series, at dominant frequencies of 4,048–4,909 Hz, with a duration of 10–50 ms. The new species exhibits a broad acoustic repertoire composed of advertisement, release, and courtship calls, with the latter being emitted underwater. We discuss our findings with respect to adult and larval morphology, reproductive biology, and bioacoustics of the I. tica group.

Isthmohyla nacientes in life.
 (A) Holotype (UCR 24345), dorsal coloration at night. (B) Lateral view of male paratype (UCR 24367). (C) Ventral view of male paratype (UCR 24367), showing orange coloration on the hidden and ventral surfaces of the thighs and shank. (D) Male paratype (UCR 23770) showing bilobate, translucent vocal sac. (E) Lateral view of female paratype (UCR 24368).

Photos: B, C, and E by Gabriel Ureña

Isthmohyla nacientes, new species  

 

Etymology.—The specific epithet “nacientes” refers to the crucial role of headwaters and springs (nacientes in Spanish) in the habitat and life cycle of the new species and its stream-breeding congeners. This name highlights the species’ association with aquatic environments, particularly the springs found in its range, acknowledging the ecological significance of these water sources.

Wagner Chaves-Acuña, Juan Abarca, Jonathan Navarro-Picado, Esteban Hidalgo-Mora, Marilyn Ureña-Chaves, Alejandro Valverde-Castillo, Gerardo Chaves, Federico Bolaños and Julián Faivovich. 2026. A New Species of Stream-Breeding Isthmohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Costa Rica. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 114(2); 337-356. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024066 (3 July 2026) x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/2076689784525717838

  

We describe a new species of the Isthmohyla tica group that occurs along the montane regions of the central Pacific of Costa Rica, between 1,400 and 2,000 masl. Although the new species is the sister taxon of a clade including an undescribed species and I. rivularis, it is more similar to I. tica. However, the new species can be distinguished because the flanks have scattered, distinct, round and irregular dark blotches or spots and because the advertisement call is comprised by a single, tonal note, typically emitted singly or in series, at dominant frequencies of 4,048–4,909 Hz, with a duration of 10–50 ms. The new species exhibits a broad acoustic repertoire composed of advertisement, release, and courtship calls, with the latter being emitted underwater. We discuss our findings with respect to adult and larval morphology, reproductive biology, and bioacoustics of the I. tica group.