[Mollusca • 2026] Thecacera sesama • A New Species of the Genus Thecacera (Nudibranchia: Polyceridae) from Taiwan, evident from morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase I gene

 

Thecacera sesama Chan & Lee,

in Chan, Lee, Chen, Chang, Shao et Pang, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1279.184298

Abstract

Thecacera sesama Chan & Lee, sp. nov. (Nudibranchia, Polyceridae) is described from north-eastern Taiwan based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular data. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a unique colour pattern consisting of a translucent white body covered with numerous small, round, black pigment spots and fewer, larger, yellow spots and five gills. While sharing a similar spotted colour pattern with Thecacera pennigera, the new species can be clearly distinguished by its significantly smaller body size (maximum length < 3 mm). Phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA, confirmed it as a new species in Thecacera. The molecular data places Thecacera sesama sp. nov. as a sister species to Thecacera picta, with a significant interspecific COI divergence of 14.17%. This discovery highlights the rich, yet under documented, marine biodiversity of Taiwan and underscores the value of combining traditional morphological examination with molecular phylogenetics for accurate species delimitation in cryptic nudibranch lineages.

Key words: bryozoans, COI, cryptic diversity, Heterobranchia, phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy

Living specimens of Thecacera sesama sp. nov.
A. Ecological photos; B. ASIZM0001722; C. ASIZM0001721. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Thecacera sesama sp. nov.
Details of appearance and morphological features, hand-drawn on a tablet PC by Chen-Lu Lee. 

Thecacera sesama Chan & Lee, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Thecacera sesama sp. nov. is distinguished by a unique combination of the following external morphological characters: (1) maximum preserved length of specimens is 2.83 mm; (2) body colour is translucent whitish, allowing some internal organs to be faintly visible; (3) entire body, as well as the rhinophores, rhinophoral sheaths, gills, post-branchial appendages, propodial tentacles, and tail are covered with numerous, discrete, small, circular, black spots and large yellow spots, as well as many white, snowflake-shaped pigment patches scattered on the body; (4) rhinophores and rhinophoral sheaths are translucent whitish, with small black spots and large yellow spots; (5) rhinophoral lamellae number 9–12; (6) gills number 5 and are translucent whitish, and the branchial plumes are pinnate; (7) post-branchial appendages are translucent whitish; (8) the head is translucent whitish, with short, blunt propodial tentacles at the corners.

Etymology. The specific epithet sesama is derived from the Latin word for sesame seed, referring to the characteristic small, rounded, seed-like spots that cover the dorsal surface of this species, resembling scattered sesame seeds on the animal’s body.

 Ho-Yeung Chan, Chen-Lu Lee, Wei-Cheng Chen, Chia-Hao Chang, Yi-Ta Shao and Ka-Lai Pang. 2026. Thecacera sesama sp. nov. (Nudibranchia, Polyceridae) from Taiwan, evident from morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase I gene. ZooKeys. 1279: 269-284. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1279.184298 [11 May 2026]

[Botany • 2025] Polyalthia acuminatissima & P. chiangmaica, P. miliusifolia ... (Annonaceae: Miliuseae) • Uncovering Five New Species of Polyalthia from Thailand: Molecular and Morphological Congruence

 

พงศ์พะงา Polyalthia acuminatissima Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku; 
มธุรสา P. esanensis Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku; 
บุษบาดง P. chiangmaica Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku; 
ไพรผกา P. maxwelliana Wiya, Chanthamrong & Chaowasku;
พนาศัย P. miliusifolia Wiya, Chanthamrong & Chaowasku

in Wiya, Damthongdee, Chanthamrong, Ue-aree et Chaowasku, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1022.3093 

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Abstract 

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses using seven plastid DNA markers (matK, rbcL, ndhF and ycf1 exons; trnL intron; psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF intergenic spacers) and detailed morphological investigations, five new species of Polyalthia Blume (Annonaceae Juss.) from Thailand are recognized, described and illustrated. These species are: Polyalthia acuminatissima Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku sp. nov. (from Nakhon Phanom Province, northeastern region), P. esanensis Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku sp. nov. (from eastern and northeastern regions), P. chiangmaica Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku sp. nov. (from Chiang Mai Province, northern region), P. maxwelliana Wiya, Chanthamrong & Chaowasku sp. nov. and P. miliusifolia Wiya, Chanthamrong & Chaowasku sp. nov. (both from Kanchanaburi Province, southwestern region). All five species belong to one of the three major clades within the genus. Three of them (P. acuminatissima, P. esanensis and P. chiangmaica) were previously misidentified as P. evecta (Pierre) Finet & Gagnep., which is polyphyletic. Comparisons with their phylogenetically related or morphologically similar species are provided and a key to the species of this major clade occurring in Thailand is included. The conservation status of all five new species is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient. 

Keywords: Magnoliids, Malmeoideae, molecular phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy

 

Chattida Wiya, Anissara Damthongdee, Kithisak Chanthamrong, Phasit Ue-aree and Tanawat Chaowasku. 2025. Uncovering Five New Species of Polyalthia (Annonaceae, Miliuseae) from Thailand: Molecular and Morphological Congruence.  European Journal of Taxonomy. 1022(1), 243-276. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1022.3093 [2025-10-14]

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พืชชนิดใหม่ของโลกวงศ์กระดังงา 5 ชนิด จากประเทศไทย 

นักอนุกรมวิธานพืช องค์การสวนพฤกษศาสตร์ ร่วมค้นพบ

ดร.ฉัตรธิดา วิยา นักอนุกรมวิธานพืช องค์การสวนพฤกษศาสตร์ ร่วมกับทีมวิจัย นำโดย รองศาสตราจารย์ ดร.ธนวัฒน์ เชาวสกู ภาควิชาชีววิทยา คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่  ดร.อานิสรา ดำทองดี นักวิจัยหลังปริญญาเอก นายกิติศักดิ์ ฌานธำรง นักวิจัยอิสระ และนายพสิษฐ์ เอื้ออารีย์ ผู้ช่วยนักวิจัย กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช ร่วมกันค้นพบพืชชนิดใหม่ของโลกในวงศ์กระดังงา (Annonaceae) สกุลกล้วยเต่า (𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙖 Blume) จำนวน 5 ชนิด คือ

มธุรสา (𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙖 𝙚𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙨 Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku) เป็นไม้ต้นขนาดเล็ก สูงประมาณ 1.5 เมตร พบที่จังหวัดอำนาจเจริญและอุดรธานี คำระบุชนิดแสดงถึงแหล่งที่พบ คือภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ หรืออีสาน 

พนาศัย (𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙖 Wiya, Chanthamrong & Chaowasku) เป็นไม้ต้นขนาดเล็ก สูงประมาณ 60 เซนติเมตร พบที่จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี คำระบุชนิดแสดงถึงลักษณะใบที่คล้ายกับใบของพืชในสกุลระฆังสยาม (Miliusa Lesch. ex A.DC.) บางชนิด

ไพรผกา (𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙭𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙖 Wiya, Chanthamrong & Chaowasku) เป็นไม้ต้นขนาดเล็ก สูง 1.5–4 เมตร พบที่จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี คำระบุชนิดตั้งขึ้นเพื่อเป็นเกียรติแก่ Mr. James Franklin Maxwell (2488–2558) นักสำรวจและเก็บตัวอย่างพรรณไม้ไทยผู้มีผลงานโดดเด่น และเป็นหนึ่งในผู้ร่วมก่อตั้งหอพรรณไม้ภาควิชาชีววิทยา คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่ (CMUB) พร้อมทั้งเป็นภัณฑารักษ์คนแรก

บุษบาดง (𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙘𝙖 Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku) เป็นไม้พุ่ม สูงประมาณ 6 เมตร พบที่จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ คำระบุชนิดแสดงถึงแหล่งที่พบ คือจังหวัดเชียงใหม่

พงศ์พะงา (𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙘𝙪𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙖 Wiya, Damth. & Chaowasku) เป็นไม้ต้นขนาดเล็ก สูง 1–2 เมตร พบที่จังหวัดนครพนม คำระบุชนิดแสดงถึงลักษณะปลายใบที่มักจะเรียวแหลมและยืดยาวอย่างเด่นชัด

พืชชนิดใหม่ทั้ง 5 ชนิดนี้ มีลักษณะดอกที่คล้ายคลึงกัน จึงจำเป็นต้องใช้ข้อมูลลำดับเบสดีเอ็นเอเพื่อช่วยในการกำหนดขอบเขตชนิดและสถานะทางอนุกรมวิธาน อนึ่ง พบว่าต้นมธุรสา บุษบาดง และพงศ์พะงา เคยถูกระบุชนิดเป็น 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙖 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙖 (Pierre) Finet & Gagnep. แต่ข้อมูลสัณฐานวิทยาและวิวัฒนาการชาติพันธุ์เชิงโมเลกุลสามารถแยกพืชทั้ง 3 ชนิด และ 𝙋. 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙖 ออกจากกันได้ ผลงานวิจัยนี้ได้ถูกตีพิมพ์ในวารสาร European Journal of Taxonomy เล่มที่ (Volume) 1022 หน้าที่ 243–276 (DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1022.3093)

อย่างไรก็ตาม ข้อมูลด้านการกระจายพันธุ์และขนาดประชากรของพืชชนิดใหม่ทั้ง 5 ชนิดยังไม่เพียงพอต่อการประเมินสถานภาพการอนุรักษ์ ปัจจุบันองค์การสวนพฤกษศาสตร์ได้ดำเนินโครงการสำรวจภาคสนามเพื่อรวบรวมข้อมูลการกระจายพันธุ์และขนาดประชากรของพืชในสกุลกล้วยเต่าเพิ่มเติมเพื่อใช้ประเมินสถานภาพการอนุรักษ์เบื้องต้นและจัดลำดับความเร่งด่วนของพืชที่มีความเสี่ยงต่อการสูญพันธุ์ อันจะนำไปสู่การกำหนดแนวทางการอนุรักษ์ที่เหมาะสมต่อไป โดยโครงการดังกล่าวได้รับการสนับสนุนงบประมาณจากกองทุนส่งเสริมวิทยาศาสตร์ วิจัยและนวัตกรรม (กองทุน ววน.)

ในด้านการใช้ประโยชน์ พบว่า “มธุรสา” มีดอกที่มีกลิ่นหอมหวาน จึงมีศักยภาพในการพัฒนาเป็นไม้ดอกหอม นอกจากนี้ พืชทั้ง 5 ชนิด ยังมีแนวโน้มในการพัฒนาเป็นพืชสมุนไพร เนื่องจากมีรายงานการพบสารทุติยภูมิหลายกลุ่มที่แสดงฤทธิ์ทางเภสัชวิทยาในพืชสกุลนี้ ปัจจุบันนักอนุกรมวิธานพืชขององค์การสวนพฤกษศาสตร์ได้หารือร่วมกับอาจารย์และนักวิจัยจากมหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่ ได้แก่ ภาควิชาเคมี และศูนย์วิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์สิ่งแวดล้อม คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ โดยมุ่งพัฒนาวิธีการสกัดสารจากพืชชนิดใหม่ให้มีประสิทธิภาพทั้งเชิงคุณภาพและปริมาณของสารสกัด พร้อมทั้งทดสอบคุณสมบัติทางกายภาพและชีวภาพ เพื่อยืนยันคุณสมบัติของสารที่ได้จากพืช อันจะนำไปสู่การสนับสนุนการใช้ประโยชน์จากพืชควบคู่กับการอนุรักษ์ความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพอย่างยั่งยืน

เขียนและเรียบเรียง: ฉัตรธิดา วิยา และคณะผู้วิจัย

[Herpetology • 2026] Ingerana occidens • A river in between: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the Garo and Khasi Hills, with A Redescription of Ingerana borealis (Annandale) from the Abor Hills, India

 Ingerana occidens 

Naveen, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2656411

 

ABSTRACT

I assessed morphological variation between two populations previously treated as Ingerana borealis, occurring allopatrically on either side of a prominent biogeographic barrier, the Brahmaputra River. Significant morphological differences were found between the population from the Garo and Khasi Hills (south of the Brahmaputra River) and the topotypic population of I. borealis from the Abor Hills (north of the river). Therefore, I provide a redescription of I. borealis based on topotypic material and restrict its distribution to regions north of the Brahmaputra. Based on a 16S rRNA gene fragment (446 bp), this lineage is found to be deeply divergent, showing 23.1–24.6% divergence from some sequences labelled and referred to as ‘true’ Ingerana tenasserimensis and 17.9 to 18.3% divergence from the Ingerana sp. occurring in the Khasi and Garo hill ranges south of the Brahmaputra. The Khasi and Garo hill populations also show 21.8 to 23.2% divergence from I. tenasserimensis and multiple morphological differences. Based on these differences between this distinct population and other known Ingerana species, I describe it as a new species here. The sequences of Ingerana species included in this study were not recovered as a monophyletic group in the phylogeny, suggesting that the genus-level taxonomy of this group may require further revision, or that some sequences may be misidentified. However, given the lack of information for some of these sequences, resolving this issue is beyond the scope of the present study; therefore, all taxa examined here are provisionally retained within Ingerana, following previous studies.

 

KEYWORDS: 16S rRNA, allopatry, Amphibia, biogeographic barrier, Brahmaputra River, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma region, occidens, paraphyletic, systematics

 Ingerana borealis in life.
(A) Female topotype (BNHS 6842); (B) male topotype (BNHS 6844).

Ingerana borealis (Annandale)

Diagnosis: A small-sized dicroglossid frog, distinguished by the following combination of characters: snout–vent length (SVL) ranging from 29.4 to 29.9 mm in adult males (n = 2) and 31.0 mm in a single adult female; head wider than long; supratympanic fold weakly developed; tympanum indistinct; thigh length greater than shank length (SHL/TL = 0.94); fingertips rounded to very small discs; dorsal surface prominently wrinkled; flanks wrinkled; ventral surface smooth; toe tips bearing small, rounded discs.

 Ingerana occidens sp. n. in life.
 (A) Male holotype (BNHS 6845); (B) female referred material (PU RSN A27); (C) female paratype (BNHS 6847).

 Habitat of  Ingerana occidens sp. n. 
 (A) Type locality, a stream near Wari Chora, Agalgre, South Garo Hills; B) A stream near Mawlynnong village, East Khasi Hills.

Ingerana occidens Naveen sp. n.

Definition: SVL 21.5–23.05 mm in adult males (n = 2) and 25.02–26.0 mm in females (n = 3); head wider than long; supratympanic fold well developed; tympanum distinct, circular, elevated in the centre to form a protrusion, more than half the diameter of the eye (VTYD/EL = 0.72–0.91) (n = 4); thigh length shorter than shank length; fingertips rounded to very small discs; dorsal surface weakly wrinkled; flanks wrinkled; ventral surface smooth; toe tips bearing small, rounded discs.

Etymology: 

Ingerana borealis was named borealis based on the Latin word for ‘north’. Although Annandale (1912) did not provide an explicit reason, the epithet likely reflects the species’ range being farther north than the known distribution of the South Indian endemic genus Micrixalus Boulenger, 1888, to which it was originally assigned. And this reasoning also applies to Ingerana, as it remains the northernmost known member of the genus based on currently available data.

The new species described herein is named occidens, derived from the Latin term ‘occidens’, meaning ‘west’, in reference to its range occurring west of the ranges of the two other currently recognised congeners. The distribution of this species thus marks the westernmost known extent of the genus’ range. The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition.

The recommended English common name is western trickle frog.

 Map showing type localities and records from this study of the two Ingerana species from the Eastern Himalayas, separated by the Brahmaputra River.

 

 

R. S. Naveen. 2026. A river in between: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the Garo and Khasi Hills, with A Redescription of Ingerana borealis (Annandale) from the Abor Hills, India. Journal of Natural History. 60(17-20); 1105-1125. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2656411 [27 Apr 2026]

[Diplopoda • 2026] Alafanahydesmus lavasoa • Description before Extinction: A New Genus and Ninth Species of indigenous Polydesmida (Dalodesmidae) from Madagascar

Alafanahydesmus lavasoa  

Golles, Yoo & Wesener, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.4 

Abstract

Madagascar’s microendemism is not restricted to large rainforests, but also still exists in small, isolated fragments of natural vegetation. One such fragment is the Lavasoa-Ambatotsirongorongo protected area in southeastern Madagascar, where less than 92 ha of humid forest continue to face deforestation, but to which several species are endemic and critically endangered, including three species of millipedes. Here, we describe Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae), a locally endemic Polydesmida only found in the Lavasoa-Ambatotsirongorongo area. With our here described addition, Polydesmida remain rare on Madagascar, with only four genera and nine known species, all belonging to the family Dalodesmidae. Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. shares its small size (10–25 mm) and light/brown colouration with Dalodesmus Cook, 1896, Eutubercularium Brölemann, 1916, and Phymatodesmus de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897, but differs conspicuously in somatic (paraterga projecting weakly before tergite 6, elongated shape of metatergal tubercles, paraprocts (pa) with dorsal setose knobs) and sexual characters (stoutly fused femorites and a unique five-branched gonopod with a retrorse branch). Here, we describe Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. integratively, providing the first molecular data for Malagasy Dalodesmidae—via partial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences (GenBank PX922879–PX922581) and pioneer the first microcomputed tomography (μCT) images for a member of the family, alongside with multilayer photographs and scanning electron microscopy images.

Myriapoda, biodiversity, cytochrome c oxidase I gene, Lavasoa, µCT, microendemism

Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov., Living specimens, at type locality Lavasoa. Photos taken by Moritz Einhaus in 2025.
A. Adult female walking, dorsolateral view. B. Anterior half of body and head, lateral view. C. Midbody segments and legs, close anterodorsal view. D. Rolled-up female showing egg-care behaviour, lateral view. Not to scale.

Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov., holotype male (ZFMK MYR14588), focus-stacked images.
A. Head and first segments, dorsal view. B. Telson, lateral view. C. Telson, ventral view. D. Mid-body, dorsal view. E. Posterior half of body, dorsal view. F. Gonopods, ventral view. G. Gonopods, ventrolateral view. H. Gonopods, lateral view. Not to scale.

Abbreviations: Co = collum; db = dichotomous branch; ep = epiproct; h = head; hy = hypoproct; o = ozopore; pa = paraproct; pb = paramedian branch; rb = retrorse branch; sl = subsecuriform solenomere; T = tergite.

 Genus Alafanahydesmus new genus 

Type species: Alafanahydesmus lavasoa sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from the Malagasy words ala (forest) and fanahy (soul, spirit, inner essence), combined with the suffix -desmus, commonly used for Polydesmida. The name is treated as masculine.

Distribution: Currently only known from south-eastern Madagascar, the isolated rainforest of the Lavasoa-Ambatotsirongorongo area (Fig. 1).

Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov., Micro-CT scans, paratype male, (ZFMK MYR14544).
A. Lateral view. B. Anterior body half, showing detailed tergite pattern, dorsal view. C. Segments T9–T12 with stigma openings, ozopores, and  lateral  tergite  projections,  lateral  view. D.  Isolated  second  thoracic  segment  bearing  reduced  second  leg  pair. E.  Close-up  of  sternite  with  posterior  sternite  processes,  ventral  view. F. Telson  and  associated  structures,  ventral  view.  Not  to  scale.

Abbreviations: Co = collum; cx = coxa; ep = epiproct; fe = femur; h = head; hy = hypoproct; o = ozopore; pa = paraproct; pf = prefemur; po = postfemur; sti = stigma opening; s = setae; stp = sterite process; str = sternite; T = tergite; ta = tarsus; ti = tibia.

TIZIANO GOLLES, JEHOON YOO and THOMAS WESENER. 2026. Description before Extinction: A New Genus and Ninth Species of indigenous Polydesmida from Madagascar (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae).  Zootaxa. 5807(1); 109-124. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.4  [2026-05-08]

[Botany • 2026] Gaultheria rostrata (Ericaceae) • A New Species endemic to Mindanao Island, Philippines

 

Gaultheria rostrata M.N.Tamayo, P.W.Fritsch & Medecilo,  

in Tamayo, Lagunday, Amoroso, Tandang, Fritsch et Medecilo-Guiang, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.2104 

Abstract

Gaultheria rostrata, a new species of wintergreen endemic to Mindanao Island, Philippines, is here described and illustrated. It resembles Gaultheria bartolomei, endemic to Luzon Island, but differs by having a terrestrial habit, shorter petioles, longer pedicels, white or pale-pink corollas, coiled corolla lobes, longer anther tubules, and a longer style. The flowers of Gaultheria rostrata are unique among Asian species of Gaultheria on account of their coiled corolla lobes exposing the anthers and style at anthesis. This discovery raises the number of Gaultheria species in the Philippines to 16.

Keywords: Biodiversity, endemic, Gaultheria sect. Diplycosia, Southern Philippines, Taxonomy

Gaultheria rostrata M.N.Tamayo, P.W.Fritsch & Medecilo, sp. nov.
A, Habit in situ; B, leafy branchlets; C, leaf, abaxial surface; D, leaf, adaxial surface; E and F, flowering branchlets; G, flower bud; H, I and J, upper pedicel, bracteoles and flower; K, stamens, ventral view.

Photographs: A–E and H, M. M. Medecilo-Guiang from M.M.M.-G. 1030; F, G, I and J, D.N. Tandang; K, M. N. Tamayo from M.M.M.-G. 1030.

Gaultheria rostrata M.N.Tamayo, P.W.Fritsch & Medecilo, sp. nov.

This species resembles the Philippine endemic Gaultheria bartolomei (Ferreras & Argent) Kron & P.W.Fritsch but differs by having a terrestrial habit (vs epiphytic), shorter petioles (4–4.5 mm vs 5–7 mm), longer pedicels (20–35 mm vs 20–25 mm), white or pale-pink corollas (vs deep pink), corolla lobes coiled (vs reflexed), longer anther tubules (4–4.5 mm vs c.1 mm), and a longer style (10–11 mm vs c.8 mm).

Etymology. The specific epithet rostrata alludes to the morphological resemblance of the flowers of the new species to avian beaks or proboscides.

M. N. Tamayo, N. E. Lagunday, V. B. Amoroso, D. N. Tandang, P. W. Fritsch and M. M. Medecilo-Guiang. 2026. GAULTHERIA ROSTRATA (sect. Diplycosia, ERICACEAE), A New Wintergreen Species endemic to Mindanao Island, Philippines. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 83; DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.2104 [2026-05-05]

[Entomology • 2026] Pseudodelta melas • A New Wasp-mimicking Clearwing Moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Sesiini) from Uganda

Pseudodelta melas

Bartsch & Sáfián, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.9 

Abstract

In this study a new genus of Sesiini, Pseudodelta gen. nov., and its type species Pseudodelta melas sp. nov., are described from the Ziika (Zika) Forest, Uganda. This highly mimetic species bears a striking resemblance to Delta emarginatum (Linnaeus, 1758), the black mud wasp widespread in Africa, which is probably its model.

Lepidoptera, Cossoidea, new species, Afrotropical region, taxonomy

Pseudodelta melas holotype, male (1) upperside, (2) underside.

Pseudodelta melas holotype, genitalia structure.

Pseudodelta gen. nov. 

Etymology. The name refers to ancient Greek ψευδο [pseudo] = false, pretended, not real, and the genus Delta Fabricius, 1804 (Vespidae); gender is neuter.

Pseudodelta melas sp. nov. 

Etymology. Ancient Greek μέλας [mélas] = black, dark.

DANIEL BARTSCH and SZABOLCS SÁFIÁN. 2026. A New Wasp-mimicking Clearwing Moth from Uganda (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Sesiini).  Zootaxa. 5807(1); 184-188. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.9  [2026-05-08]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Solenostomus snuffleupagus • A hairy Ghost Pipefish (Syngnathiformes: Solenostomidae) from the Southwest Pacific, with an integrative comparison to S. paegnius

Solenostomus snuffleupagus

Short & Harasti, 2026   

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70497

 

Abstract

A new species of ghost pipefish, Solenostomus snuffleupagus sp. nov., is described from the Coral Sea based on specimens (18–34 mm SL) collected from coral reef habitats in Queensland, Australia. The species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: abundant elongate integumentary filaments imparting a conspicuously shaggy appearance; 36 total vertebrae (vs. 32–34 in all congeners); compact body form with a short, deep pretrunk (11%–14% SL); sexually dimorphic supraoccipital crests (moderately elevated in females, strongly developed in males); and two modified anchor-like ossicles spanning the pterygiophores in both soft dorsal and anal fins. Micro-CT imaging reveals distinctive pretrunk ossicle configuration characterized by deep angular interspaces and absence of a ventral ossicle series. Mitochondrial COI sequences indicate an uncorrected p-distance of 22.0% from the superficially similar S. paegnius, a species with which it has long been confused in museum collections and citizen science databases. Field observations document consistent association with dense filamentous red macroalgae, with body coloration closely matching host substrate. The species is currently known from the southwest Pacific, including northeastern Australia (Coral Sea), Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga, representing a southwestern Pacific distribution.

Solenostomus snuffleupagus, in situ, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 2022: (a) adult individual; (b) female specimen used for genetic analysis; (c) male specimen used for genetic analysis (photographs by David Harasti).

Micro-CT reconstructions (lateral view) of Solenostomus snuffleupagus:
(a) holotype, female, AMS I.33751-047; (b) paratype, male, NTM S.13600–047. DF, dorsal-fin; PF, pectoral-fin; sAF, soft anal-fin; sDF, soft dorsal-fin. Numbers 1 and 2 indicate the respective pterygiophores supporting the soft dorsal- and anal-fins.

 Taxonomy

Family Solenostomidae 

Genus Solenostomus Lacépède 1803 

 Solenostomus snuffleupagus, Short and Harasti, new species

Diagnosis: A species of Solenostomus distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: body compact and vertically deep anteriorly; pretrunk deep (24.4%–29.2% SL); abundant, elongate integumentary filaments conferring a conspicuously shaggy appearance, particularly dense on snout, jaws, head and fin extremities; pretrunk ossicles are narrow and elongated, separated by deep angular interspaces, forming a distinctive compact lattice; There are total 36 vertebrae. The supraoccipital crest is elevated and rounded in females, but strongly pronounced in males. There are two modified anchor-like ossicles spanning the pterygiophores in both the soft dorsal fin (19–20 rays) and anal fin (18–19 rays). The soft dorsal fin has 19–20 rays, the anal fin has 18–19 rays, the pectoral fin has 27 rays, the caudal fin has 15 rays.

Etymology: The specific epithet snuffleupagus refers to the shaggy character Mr. Snuffleupagus, also known as ‘Snuffy’, from the children's television series Sesame Street™, in allusion to the species' distinctly shaggy, filamentous appearance and snout reminiscent of the character's covering and trunk. The name is treated as a noun in apposition (ICZN Article 31.1.2).

Solenostomus paegnius, in situ: (a) Indonesia (photograph by Richard Smith); (b) Philippines, male–female pair with the female positioned above the male in the water column (photograph by Lynn Funkhouser); (c) Philippines, male–female pair with the female positioned above the male in the water column (photograph by Alex Tyrrell @dive4photos).

 

Graham Short and David Harasti. 2026. Solenostomus snuffleupagus sp. nov., A hairy Ghost Pipefish (Teleostei: Solenostomidae) from the Southwest Pacific, with an integrative comparison to S. paegnius. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70497 [10 May 2026]

 

[Herpetology • 2026] Eublepharis jhuma • A morphologically distinct and phylogenetically divergent New Species of the Leopard Gecko in the Genus Eublepharis Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Eublepharidae) from India

 Eublepharis jhuma

Mohapatra, Ray, A. K. Das, Satrusallya, Jena, Bhupathi, R. Das & Mahapatra. 2026

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e183441

Abstract

Eublepharis, an Asian-endemic genus of leopard geckos, represents the third largest genus within the family Eublepharidae. India harbors six recognized species in the genus Eublepharis, representing the highest species diversity for this genus reported from any single country to date. In this work, a new species of the genus, Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov., is described based on three specimens. The new species can be diagnosed by the following combination of morphological features: (1) SVL 123–142 mm, (2) having large, flat, tubercle-like, moderately keeled scales across the dorsum, with interspaces much larger than the size of the tubercles, (3) two pale bands between the nuchal loop and caudal constriction, (4) subdigital lamellae tuberculate, (5) dorsal scales on the regenerated tail flat and rectangular, (6) 22–25 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe, and (7) 12–13 precloacal pores. The new species is also phylogenetically distinct from all its congeners (6.9–7.8% from its closest sister species, E. satpuraensis). The discovery of a new reptile from the Chota Nagpur Plateau highlights the role of more extensive study in the region. Furthermore, its occurrence in the Kaimur Plateau, the easternmost Vindhyan escarpments, highlights the allopatric speciation from the sister species, E. satpuraensis, shaped by deep-time geological processes.

Key Words: ihar, Chota Nagpur, eyelid gecko, Kaimur, morphology, Vindhya Mountains

Habitat and live specimen of Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov.
A, C. Type locality in Parari, Bihar; B. Live uncollected specimen at the type locality. 

Habitat and live specimen of Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov. 
B. Live uncollected specimen at the type locality. 
A, C. Type locality in Parari, Bihar. 

Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov.

Suggested common English name. Jhuma’s leopard gecko.

Diagnosis. A medium-sized Eublepharis reaching SVL of 142.2 mm, with 18–22 rows of flat, tubercle-like moderately keeled scales across the dorsum intermixed with much smaller granular scales, two pale bands between the nuchal loop and caudal constriction; feebly tuberculate subdigital lamellae on digit IV of pes 22–25; 12–13 precloacal pores in an angulate series lacking any poreless scales in between them.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a matronym, derived from the nickname “Jhuma” of Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman Director of ZSI, in recognition of her contributions to the taxonomy and conservation of faunal diversity in India. The epithet is used as noun in apposition.

 

Pratyush P. Mohapatra, Sumidh Ray, Ashis K. Das, Ranjit Satrusallya, Sudheer K. Jena, Bharath Bhupathi, Ritesh Das and Ajay Kumar Mahapatra. 2026. Description of A morphologically distinct and phylogenetically divergent New Species of the Leopard Gecko in the Genus Eublepharis Gray, 1827 (Reptilia, Eublepharidae) from India. Herpetozoa. 39: 161-176. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e183441

[Botany • 2022] Vaccinium sulawesiense (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae) • Vaccinium in Sulawesi: A New Species and A List of known Taxa

 

Vaccinium sulawesiense Mustaqim & P.W.Fritsch, 

in Mustaqim, Fritsch, Ahmad, Lakiu, Pitopang et Ardi, 2022.

DOI: 10.7751/telopea15774 

Researchgate.net/publication/363672464

Abstract

Vaccinium sulawesiense Mustaqim & P.W.Fritsch, a newly discovered endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, is described. This species is similar to V. simulans Sleumer but differs in having an acuminate leaf apex, larger floral organs, and an absence of trichomes in the upper half of the inner surface of corolla and disk. This species is known from the two specimens, one from a mid-montane rain forest in Mamasa Regency, Sulawesi Barat Province and the another from Poso Regency, Sulawesi Tengah Province. An updated list of the 17 known Vaccinium species in Sulawesi is also provided.

Keywords: endemic, Ericales, shrub, Sulawesi, taxonomy

Morphology of Vaccinium sulawesiense Mustaqim & P.W.Fritsch:
A. Living plant. B. Branchlets with leaves and inflorescences. C. Inflorescence. D. Flowers.

 Scale bar: B–D = 10 mm. 

Photographs: A–C by Wendy A. Mustaqim, All images from W.H. Ardi et al. 583.

  

Wendy A. Mustaqim, Peter W Fritsch, Roland P.P. Ahmad, Fedrik S. Lakiu, Ramadanil Pitopang and Wisnu H. Ardi. 2022. Vaccinium (Ericaceae) in Sulawesi: A New Species and A List of known Taxa. Telopea. 25; 301–307. DOI: 10.7751/telopea15774 

Researchgate.net/publication/363672464_Vaccinium_Ericaceae_in_Sulawesi

[Botany • 2025] Hoplocryptanthus serrapiresensis (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) • Doomed to Extinction by Mining: A New Species from Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

 

Hoplocryptanthus serrapiresensis Leme, J.L.Lobo, O.B.C.Ribeiro & A.P.Gelli,

in Castro, Ribeiro, Leme, Almeida et Faria, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.732.1.5  

 Researchgate.net/publication/398287909

Abstract

A new species of Hoplocryptanthus, a member of the bromelioid “Cryptanthoid complex”, is described based on plants discovered in a ferruginous rupestrian grassland located in the southern Iron Quadrangle region, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Hoplocryptanthus serrapiresensis is endemic to the Pires Range, a region under strong threat by mining exploitation. The morphological characters of H. serrapiresensis are discussed in comparison with H. knegtianus and H. tiradentesensis. This microendemic species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR), reinforcing the need for a strategy to protect the biodiversity of the region. Characters related to leaves proved useful in the taxonomic delimitation of this new species. Morphological analyses also validated and reinforced the diagnostic floral and inflorescence characters used in the circumscription of Hoplocryptanthus.

bromeliads, conservation, Espinhaço Range, morphology, Monocots

A–L. Hoplocryptanthus serrapiresensis (Leme 10355).
A. Habit. B. Frontal view of the corolla. C. Lateral view of the corolla.D. Flower. E. Abaxial view of sepals connate at the base. F. Petal, filaments, and style forming a common basal tube which is typical for Hoplocryptanthus. G. Details of the basal portion of the leaf blades with pronounced marginal spines. H. Floral bract. I. Longitudinalsection of the ovary. J. Stigma. K. Frontal view of the anther. L. Dorsal view of the anther.

Photographs by E. Leme. Bars = 5 mm (A–D,F–G). Bars = 1 mm (E, H–L). 

Hoplocryptanthus serrapiresensis Leme, J.L.Lobo, O.B.C.Ribeiro & A.P.Gelli, sp. nov.

A. General view of the ferruginous rupestrian fields of Pires Range, situated in the Congonhas municipality, at the southernend of the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. B. Details of large banded itabirite blocks which occur randomly dispersed throughout the area. C. The saxicolous habit of Hoplocryptanthus serrapiresensis at type locality.
D. Presence of intense mining activityextending to the limits of the Pires Range. Photographs by P. H. Nobre.

A–G. Hoplocryptanthus knegtianus (Leme 9322). A. Habit. B. Frontal view of the corolla. C. Lateral view of the corolla.D. Details of the basal portion of the leaf blades and the marginal spines. E. Stigma. F. Frontal view of the anther. G. Dorsal view of theanther.
H. Habit of Hoplocryptanthus tiradentesensis (Leme 5819).

Photographs by E. Leme. Bars = 5 mm (A–B, D, H). Bars = 2 mm(C), Bars = 1 mm (E–G) 

JOÃO LUÍS L. M. DE CASTRO, OTÁVIO B. C. RIBEIRO, ELTON M. C. LEME, PEDRO S. DE ALMEIDA and ANA PAULA G. DE FARIA. 2025. Doomed to Extinction by Mining: A New Species of Hoplocryptanthus (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) from Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.  Phytotaxa. 732(1); 57-66. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.732.1.5 [2025-12-03]

 Researchgate.net/publication/398287909_a_new_species_of_Hoplocryptanthus_from_Congonhas_Minas_Gerais_Brazil

[Ichthyology • 2026] Hemigrammus serrazul • A New Hemigrammus (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae) from the rio Cuiabazinho Drainages, upper rio Paraguai Basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil

   

Hemigrammus serrazul  

Ferreira, Ribeiro & Carvalho, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0157

 

Abstract

A new species of Hemigrammus is described from tributaries of the rio Cuiabazinho, upper rio Paraguai basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. It can be readily distinguished from all its congeners by a unique combination of characters, including a distinctive body coloration pattern without spots, the number of perforated lateral-line scales (12–15), the number of branched rays on anal fin (21–25), and the presence of small bony hooks at the tips of the lepidotrichia of the second to fourth branched rays of the pelvic fins, which are absent in the anal fin. We also provide a brief discussion on the recent taxonomic reconfiguration of Hemigrammus.

Keywords: Freshwater fish; Rio Cuiabá drainage; Serra Azul; Serrana Province of Mato Grosso; Taxonomy

 Color pattern variations in live specimens of Hemigrammus serrazul: A. Male; B. Female.

Photo by Alexandre C. Ribeiro.  

Hemigrammus serrazul, new species

Diagnosis. Hemigrammus serrazul can be distinguished from most congeners (except of H. apiaka (Esguícero& Castro, 2017), H. erythrozonus Durbin, 1909, H. gracilis (Lütken, 1875), H. mimus Böhlke, 1955, and H. tupebas (Esguícero& Castro, 2017) by flank uniformly colored, without spots, i.e., no humeral and caudal spots, just a tiny and narrow longitudinal stripe (vs. species with spots in humeral and/or caudal peduncle). From H. apiaka, H. erythrozonus, H. gracilis, H. mimus, and H. tupebas, H. serrazul differs by premaxillary teeth in two rows: outer with three to five tricuspid teeth, inner with five ...

Etymology. The specific epithet serrazul refers to the type locality where the new species was collected, the Serra Azul, the local portion of the so-called Serrana Province of Mato Grosso, a range of escarped relief that serves as a watershed divide between the rio Cuiabá, Paraguai, and Arinos basins. A noun in apposition.

Hemigrammus serrazul, live specimen in aquarium, photographed just after capture in córrego Cocal (CPUFMT 8218), upper rio Paraguai basin, municipality of Rosário Oeste, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Inserir:

Photo by Alexandre C. Ribeiro.

Katiane Mara Ferreira, Alexandre Cunha Ribeiro and Fernando Rogério Carvalho. 2026. A New Hemigrammus (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae) from the rio Cuiabazinho Drainages, upper rio Paraguai Basin.  Neotrop. ichthyol. 24 (01); DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0157