[Mammalogy • 2026] Coendou sangay • A New Species of Coendou (Rodentia: Erethizontidae) within the Hyper-diverse Mammalian Community of Sangay National Park in Ecuador

 

Coendou sangay Brito, 

in Brito​, Curay, León-Caldas, Lojan-Cueva, Ojala-Barbour, Pozo-Zamora, Simba, Tito, Vargas, Vega-Yánez et Batallas, 2026. 

Sangay Porcupine | Puerco espín de Sangay  ||  DOI:  doi.org/10.7717/peerj.21382

Abstract 

The tropical Andes harbor high levels of undocumented biodiversity, often hidden within complex ecological communities that require sustained sampling efforts to be fully characterized. Here, we describe a new species of porcupine of the genus Coendou, discovered within the hyper-diverse mammalian assemblage of Sangay National Park (Sangay) in Ecuador. The description is based on an adult specimen collected at 2,400 m on the eastern slopes of the Andes. Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial Cytochrome b (Cytb) place the new species as a distinct lineage within the Clade B (sensu (Voss, Hubbard & Jansa, 2013)), showing significant genetic divergence (p-distance > 6.0%) from its closest congeners, C. speratus, C. nycthemera and C. bicolor. Morphologically, Coendou sangay sp. nov. is diagnosed by its medium body size, a remarkably short tail (approx. 26% of head-and-body length), tricolored bristle-quills with brownish-red tips, and distinct cranial features, including a long nasal bone and a mesopterygoid fossa that does not reach the second upper molar. This discovery is contextualized within a comprehensive mammalian inventory of Sangay, compiled over 15 years of fieldwork. Despite an intensive sampling effort totaling 12,800 trap-nights and 2,400 camera-trap days, only a single specimen was obtained, highlighting the species status as a rare, canopy-dwelling specialist. We report 170 mammal species within the park, including 18 endemic and 35 threatened taxa. With a richness of 0.03 species per km2, Sangay ranks as the most mammal-diverse protected area per unit area in the Tropics. Our results demonstrate that intensive, long-term inventories are essential for identifying cryptic arboreal lineages that remain “invisible” to traditional terrestrial sampling. Finally, we emphasize the urgent need for conservation policies, including the strengthening of biological corridors and the limitation on road and mining expansion, to safeguard this high-elevation biodiversity hotspot.

Keywords: Eastern Andes, Cloud forest, Rare species, Biodiversity hotspot, Species delimitation

Systematic

Family Erethizontidae Bonaparte, 1845

Genus Coendou Lacépède, 1799

Coendou sangay new species. Brito

Coendou rufescens: Brito & Ojala-Barbour (2016), not Coendou rufescens (Gray, 1865)

Coendou rufescens: Batallas & Brito (2022), not Coendou rufescens (Gray, 1865)

Sangay Porcupine, Puerco espín de Sangay (in Spanish)

Diagnosis. Coendou sangay sp. nov. is distinguished from other species of the genus by its medium-sized body (HBL 460 mm) and very small tail (26% LT/HBL), absence of long fur, tricolored bristle-quills (with brownish red tips), spiny ventral fur, and a unique combination of cranial features, including a long nasal bone (35% LN/CIL), constricted maxillary bony bridge, and a mesopterygoid fossa that does not reach M2.

Coendou sangay sp. nov. (MECN 4343, holotype).
 (A) External appearance of the adult female alive in its natural habitat in the Sangay, Ecuador; (B) lateral and (C) posterior view of the revealing an aposematic coloration.

 Photographs by J. Brito.

Selected external and soft anatomical features of Coendou sangay sp. nov. (MECN 4343, holotype).
Ventral view of the hand (A), and of the foot (B); detail of the muzzle (C); perineal region (D), and ventral view of the tail (E).

 Abbreviations: a = anus, v = vagina. Photographs by J. Brito.

Etymology: This species is named in honor of Sangay National Park, which is the largest Andean national park in Ecuador. The park includes a large elevation gradient along the eastern slopes, or Eastern Cordillera, of the Andes and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park gets its name from Sangay, one of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes, which is located within its boundaries.

Field expedition to Guabisai (A), Cubillines (B), and sampling and collecting in the area (C, D).

Photographs of J. Brito (A, C, D), and G. Pozo (B).

Jorge Brito​, Jenny Curay, Víctor León-Caldas, Pamela Lojan-Cueva, Reed Ojala-Barbour, Glenda Pozo-Zamora, Laura Simba, Paul Tito, Rocío Vargas, Mateo A. Vega-Yánez and Diego Batallas. 2026. Discovery of A New Species of Coendou (Rodentia: Erethizontidae) within the Hyper-diverse Mammalian Community of Sangay National Park in Ecuador. PeerJ. 14:e21382 DOI:  doi.org/10.7717/peerj.21382 [June 8, 2026]

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Metapterodon anari • Hyaenodonta from the Middle to Late Miocene deposits of the Siwaliks of Pakistan with a brief account of Indian subcontinent hyaenodonts

 

Metapterodon anari 

Mahmood, Abbas, Jasinski, Babar & Khan, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12542-025-00766-5  

 x.com/StevenJasinski

 reconstruction by Sergey Krasovskiy

Abstract

New fossil material identified as ‘creodonts,’ particularly hyaenodonts, from the Siwaliks of Pakistan provide significant new information on this important group of carnivores. Three hyaenodont taxa are identified based on these new fossils. Deciduous dental remains identified as ?Megistotherium/Hyainailouros sp. provide important new data on large hyaenodonts and their presence in the Miocene of southern Asia. Fossils identified as Hyaenodon cf. H. pervagus potentially provide important new temporal and biogeographic data on a highly speciose genus of hyaenodont. While the genus is known throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere (Asia, Europe, North America), these new fossils represent the first record of the genus from the Siwaliks, expanding its range in southern Asia. They also represent the youngest temporal occurrence of the genus (Middle Miocene). Another fossil represents a new species, Metapterodon anari sp. nov. This genus was previously tentatively identified from the Siwaliks, but this new material provides definitive evidence of its presence. Not only does this confirm its presence in the Miocene Siwalik deposits of the Indian subcontinent but also represents an important temporal occurrence for the genus. It represents the youngest occurrence of the genus worldwide but may also represent the youngest occurrence of any hyaenodont. The new material provides important new data on some of the less well-known ‘creodonts’ of the Siwaliks, and this data is important for not only our understanding of some of the youngest hyaenodonts near their eventual extinction, but the complex mammal communities preserved on the Indian subcontinent.

Keywords: Hyaenodonta, Siwaliks, Metapterodon, Hyaenodon, Miocene, Biostratigraphy

Siwalik fossil referred to Metapterodon anari sp. nov.
 (A–C), PUPC 19/99 (holotype), nearly complete left m3 in A occlusal, B buccal (labial), and C lingual views.

 bk buccal keel, n notch, pcd paraconid, popcd postparacristid, ppcd preparacristid, pprcd preprotocristid, prcd protoconid, tc talonid cuspid, wf wear facet. Scale bar is 10 mm

Metapterodon anari sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A large species of the genus Metapterodon with large distal (= posterior) lower molars; below the apex of m3, inflated paraconid and protoconid separated by extremely narrow, shallow conspicuous notch; protoconid larger and higher than paraconid; presence of large, distinct buccal keel on the base of paraconid; and extremely reduced unicuspidate talonid.

Holotype. PUPC 19/99, nearly complete left m3 (Fig. 3).

Type locality and age. Y311 (10.063 Ma), Sethi Nagri locality, Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan.

Horizon. Nagri Formation of Middle Siwalik subgroup (early Late Miocene).

Etymology. Named after Mr. Anar Khan (late), a host and guide in Hasnot and surrounding areas, who served national and international researchers for more than 50 years.

Biogeographic distribution of Hyaenodon species.

Biogeographic distribution of Hyaenodon species.

Metapterodon anari sp. nov.

 reconstruction by Sergey Krasovskiy

  

 

Khalid Mahmood, Sayyed Ghyour Abbas, Steven E. Jasinski, Muhammad Adeeb Babar and Muhammad Akbar Khan. 2026. Hyaenodonta from the Middle to Late Miocene deposits of the Siwaliks of Pakistan with a brief account of Indian subcontinent hyaenodonts. PalZ. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12542-025-00766-5 [16 April 2026] 

 x.com/StevenJasinski/status/2060104303272919118

https://www.harrisburgu.edu/news/2026-05-27-new-species-carnivorous-mammals/

[Cnidaria • 2026] Chironex blakangmati • Chironex box jellyfishes (Cubozoa: Chirodropida) in Singapore: New Species, and Range Extension of C. indrasaksajiae

Chironex blakangmati

Iesa, Ames, Yap & Huang, 2026 

 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 74

Abstract

 Two venomous box jellyfish species of the genus Chironex Southcott, 1956 (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida) were collected from Singapore’s coastal waters: Chironex indrasaksajiae Sucharitakul, 2017 and a novel species described herein as Chironex blakangmati, new species. Chironex indrasaksajiae was collected from both the Johor and Singapore Straits around mainland Singapore. Chironex blakangmati, new species, was collected from Sentosa Island along the Singapore Strait and is the fourth species described in the genus. While C. blakangmati’s volcano-shaped pedalial canal and tentacle number are similar to C. yamaguchii Lewis & Bentlage, 2009, its elongated, sharp-tipped velarial canals and DNA sequences distinguish it from other Chironex species. Comparisons of Chironex blakangmati, new species, with C. yamaguchii and C. fleckeri reveal novel morphological differences at the terminal end of the perradial lappet along the velarium edge, where C. blakangmati, new species, lacks velarial canals extending from the perradial lappet terminus. Juvenile Chironex yamaguchii specimens were examined and ontogenetic variations of velarial canals are herein reported. Preliminary cnidome analysis reveals eight types of nematocysts observed in C. blakangmati, new species, five types in C. indrasaksajiae, and five types in C. yamaguchii. Molecular phylogenetic reconstruction places C. blakangmati, new species, in a clade distinct from its congeners, as sister group to C. yamaguchii based on 16S rRNA gene analysis but diverging earlier than the clade comprising C. yamaguchii and C. indrasaksajiae based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene analysis for which sequence data are comparatively limited. Understanding the biodiversity and seasonality of venomous cubomedusae will help mitigate the risk they pose to human health and safety during maritime activities. 

Key words. 16S rRNA, COI barcoding, marine biodiversity, phylogenetic analysis, Southeast Asia, venomous

Chironex blakangmati, new species, from Singapore.
A, live individual (paratype, ZRC.CNI.1462), lateral perradius view; B, live individual (holotype, ZRC.CNI.3014), lateral perradius view; C, cockscomb gastric saccule (sac); D, gastric cirri (gc); E, rhopalial niche front view; F, rhopalial niche side view (paratype, ZRC.CNI.1462); G, rhopalial niche side view (holotype, ZRC.CNI.3014); H, tentacle contracted with alternating brown dark bands; I, tentacle stretched; J, preserved tentacle with hollow cross section (arrow); K, pedalium with volcano pedalial canal bend (pcb) marked by arrow; L, U-shaped alternating tentacle pattern with gap marked by an arrow; M, adradial positions (ad) marked by arrows, and rhopalial niche at perradial position (per); N, gastric saccules (sac) surrounding cruciform manubrium (man); O, velarium at perradial position with frenulum (fre) arrowed, lappet terminating in simple triangular tip; P, velarium with candelabrum velarial canal pattern (holotype, ZRC.CNI.3014). rh = rhopalium, rhO = rhopalial ostium, co = convex boundary.

Chironex blakangmati, new species 

Diagnosis. Chironex with conical to cuboidal bell. Seven tentacles per pedalium, branching U-shaped alternating. Pedalial canal bend volcano shaped. Tips of velarial canals sharp towards velarial margin (Fig. 11D), with simple triangular tip at edge of velarium in perradial position (Fig. 3O & Fig. 12). Absence of velarial canals at perradial position where frenulum tapers off (Fig. 12D). 

Etymology. This species is named using Bahasa Melayu, the Austronesian language spoken in the region and the national language of Singapore, for Sentosa Island from which the animal was collected. Sentosa Island was historically referred to as “Pulau Blakang Mati”, meaning “Island of Death Behind” and, as such, “blakangmati” in denoting the geographic location is a noun in apposition. 

Iffah Iesa, Cheryl Lewis Ames, Nicholas Wei Liang Yap and Danwei Huang. 2026. Chironex box jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida) in Singapore: Chironex blakangmati, new species, and range extension of C. indrasaksajiae. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 74: 383–402. DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2026-0026 [15 May 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Oreonectes weii • A New endemic Species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) within the Yangtze River Basin and its Monsoon-driven Evolutionary Diversification

Oreonectes weii

Luo, Ling, Cao, Zhou & Huang, 2026

 

魏氏岭鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186155 

Abstract

A new species Oreonectes weii sp. nov., is described that was collected from Shanggao County, Jiangxi Province, China, located at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Delta. This naming honors the globally distinguished conservation biologist Fu-Wen Wei for his exceptional and pioneering contributions to biodiversity conservation and research. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of meristic and morphological characters, including fin-ray counts, body coloration, eye normal, number of lateral-line pores, and gill-raker counts. Genetically, it forms a distinct lineage in the mitochondrial Cyt b-based phylogeny and exhibits a genetic distance of 6.3% from its sister species, O. polystigmus. We further estimated divergence time within the genus Oreonectes, which indicates an origin in the Late Oligocene (~27.06 Ma) and a most recent common ancestor at ~13.91 Ma. Our biogeographic analyses suggest that the Guijiang-Hejiang River Basin likely served as a source area for the genus’ dispersal into adjacent basins, and that the new species probably originated from a dispersal event of its ancestral population from the Pearl River Basin to the Yangtze River Basin during the Late Miocene (~6.78 Ma). Lineage-divergence dynamics indicate that cladogenesis began around 28 Ma, accelerated markedly at ~18 Ma, peaked at ~6 Ma, and subsequently showed a gradual decline. The current diversity pattern of Oreonectes may have been shaped primarily by dispersal mediated by enhanced precipitation under the East Asian monsoon climate, with subsequent erosion-induced geographical isolation likely promoting speciation and diversification within the genus.

Key Words: Biogeography, cryptic species, morphology, taxonomy, phylogeny, Yangtze River

Ecological photographs and habitats.
A, B. Oreonectes weii sp. nov.; C. O. guidongensis; D. O. polystigmus;
E. Outside the cave; F. Inside the cave.

Oreonectes weii sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Oreonectes weii sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) coloration pattern present and irregular black spots scattered on the lateral body surface and caudal fin; (2) eyes normal; (3) well-developed posterior chamber of air-bladder; (4) cephalic lateral-line system with 4 + 10 infraorbital canal pores and six preoperculo-mandibular canal pores; (5) 9–10 branched pectoral-fin rays, length 16.0–24.3% SL; (6) tip of pelvic fin not reaching the anus; (7) caudal fin truncated, with 14 branched caudal-fin rays; (8) 10 inner gill rakers on the first gill arch; (9) tip of maxillary barbel not reaching the posterior margin of the operculum.

Etymology. The specific epithet “weii” is a genitive noun derived from the surname of Academician Fu-Wen Wei (魏辅文), an eminent conservation biologist. The name is given in honor of his outstanding contributions to the study and conservation of biodiversity in China. We suggest the English common name for this species is the “Wei’s Mountain Loach”, and its Chinese name is “Wèi Shì Lǐng Qiū” (魏氏岭鳅).

 Tao Luo, Wen-Qing Ling, Hai-Lin Cao, Jiang Zhou and Guang-Ping Huang. 2026. A New endemic Species Oreonectes weii sp. nov. (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) within the Yangtze River Basin and its Monsoon-driven Evolutionary Diversification. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(3): 751-765. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186155 [14 May 2026]

[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]

[Paleontology • 2026] The early Origin of Iguanodontia: new insights into the Macroevolution, Diversity and Biogeography of the clade

in  Rotatori, Chiarenza, Fanti et Moreno-Azanza. 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/pala.70057

Artwork by Davide Bonadonna

 

Abstract

Iguanodontia (Dinosauria, Ornithischia) is a speciose group of herbivorous dinosaurs that include the famous genus Iguanodon, one of foundational members of the clade Dinosauria. Despite their very long history of research, several aspects of their systematic relationships and their evolutionary history remain somewhat nebulous. There is currently a lack of consensus between different phylogenetic matrices due mainly to: (1) undersampling of postcranial characters; and (2) the absence of several key taxa. We assembled a data matrix from pre-existing datasets, integrating our observations on several overlooked species (mainly from Europe) and extensively sampling cranial and postcranial characters, thereby creating one of the most complete datasets for iguanodontian dinosaurs to date. We performed a series of phylogenetic analyses, employing maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference, and an historical biogeographic analysis. Overall congruent topologies between the two methods recovered, for the first time, a new clade of high-sailed styracosternans here named Ouranosauria. We ran different Bayesian inference analyses, employing morphoclock and fossilized birth–death models. Some of the tip-dated analyses, indicated an Early to Middle Jurassic origin of Iguanodontia during a palaeoclimatically (hyperthermal) and palaeogeographically (continental fragmentation) dynamic context. According to this scenario, the Iguanodontian major radiation could be tracked back to the Pliensbachian–Toarcian, pre-dating by 16 million years the first ichnological evidence attributed to this clade. Furthermore, the diversification of all the major clades occurred by the Late Jurassic, then experienced local extinction events in different areas during the Early Cretaceous. Prior to the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition, iguanodontians spread globally.

Keywords: Dinosauria, phylogenetics, Jurassic, Cretaceous, systematics, Iguanodontia

Filippo Maria Rotatori, Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza, Federico Fanti and Miguel Moreno-Azanza. 2026. The early Origin of Iguanodontia: new insights into the Macroevolution, Diversity and Biogeography of the clade. Palaeontology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/pala.70057 [22 April 2026] 

[Paleontology • 2026] Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis • A Titanosaurian Sauropod with South American Affinities (Lognkosauria: Argentinosauridae) from the Late Maastrichtian of Morocco and Evidence for Dinosaur Endemism in Africa

 

Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis

Longrich, Pérez-Moreno, Díez Díaz, Pereda-Suberbiola, Bardet & Jalil, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18050241

Artwork by Andrey Atuchin facebook.com/AndreyAtuchin

Abstract

The latest Cretaceous saw the final diversification of dinosaurs before the K/Pg extinction. Discussions of end-Cretaceous dinosaur diversity have focused on well-sampled faunas from Laurasia; far less is known about dinosaurian faunas of the Southern Hemisphere, especially Africa. The late Maastrichtian Phosphates of Morocco provide a rare window into African dinosaur diversity. Abelisaurids, lambeosaurines, and titanosaurian sauropods are known. However, no diagnostic titanosaur remains have been recovered, leaving the affinities of these sauropods unclear. We describe Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosaur from the Maastrichtian of Sidi Chennane, Khouribga Province. Phosphatotitan is represented by dorsal, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, and the pelvis. The new species differs from titanosaurs described from the Cretaceous of Africa and Europe but resembles South American Lognkosauria, and especially Patagotitan, in having short dorsal and caudal centra, expanded dorsal and caudal neural spines, and a broad pubis. Its small size relative to other Lognkosauria (3.5–4 tonnes) suggests a lineage selected for small size. The close relationships of Morocco’s titanosaurs and abelisaurids to South American species may reflect a wide distribution of these clades prior to the opening of the South Atlantic and the separation of Africa and South America ~100 Ma, while a complex pattern of oceanic dispersal may explain the presence of distinct saltasauroid lineages worldwide. The latest Cretaceous Gondwanan dinosaur faunas were highly endemic due to a combination of continental fragmentation, extinction, and dispersal, creating high endemism in southern continents and within Africa, suggesting that Maastrichtian dinosaur diversity is underestimated.

Keywords: Dinosauria; Sauropoda; Titanosauria; Argentinosauria; Upper Cretaceous; biogeography; Gondwana

Phosphatotitan khouribgaensis gen. et sp. nov.

 Nicholas R. Longrich, Agustín Pérez-Moreno, Verónica Díez Díaz, Xabier Pereda-Suberbiola, Nathalie Bardet and Nour-Eddine Jalil. 2026. A Titanosaurian Sauropod with South American Affinities (Lognkosauria: Argentinosauridae) from the Late Maastrichtian of Morocco and Evidence for Dinosaur Endemism in Africa. Diversity. 18(5); 241. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18050241 [22 April 2026]

 facebook.com/AndreyAtuchin/posts/26756211193972997

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

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

Tolley & Conradie, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.76.e178403 

  

Abstract

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

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

 

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

Nadzikambia franklinae sp. nov.

Namuli sylvan chameleon

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

Nadzikambia goodallae sp. nov.

Ribáuè sylvan chameleon

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

Nadzikambia evanescens sp. nov.

Inago sylvan chameleon

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

Nadzikambia nubila sp. nov.

Chiperone sylvan chameleon

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

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

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

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

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70342

 

Abstract

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

Keywords: biodiversity, biogeography, Ichthyology, nomenclature, taxonomy

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

 Stemonosudis dianea sp. nov.

English name: Diane's Slender Barracudina

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

Photographs by Ross Robertson.

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

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

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

Napeanthus decurrens J.L. Clark, 

in Clark, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.189993

Abstract

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

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

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

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

Photos by J.L. Clark.

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

 

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

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

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

[Cnidaria • 2026] Chrysogorgia pugnioides, Iridogorgia acutisclerita, I. levisquama • Systematics and Biogeography of Chrysogorgiidae (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from the Indian Ocean: discovery of New Species on Deep-sea Ridges

Iridogorgia acutisclerita Ge, Zhang & Xu,

in Ge, N. Xu, Hu, Tian, Li, Y. Xu, Wang, Zhang et Q. Xu, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.182492 

Abstract

Species of the family Chrysogorgiidae are distributed worldwide in deep-sea environments. However, most recorded species of this family were from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with only a few reports from the Indian Ocean, particularly from ridge regions. This study describes three new species and reports two known species from Indian Ocean ridges, integrating morphological and molecular analyses (mtMutS and 28S rDNA). Chrysogorgia pugnioides Ge, Hu & Xu, sp. nov. is characterized by fist-like polyps; warty spindles in tentacles; flat and irregular spindles and elongate scales in the polyp body wall; and slender and smooth scales with toothed to irregular edges in the coenenchyme. Iridogorgia acutisclerita Ge, Zhang & Xu, sp. nov. resembles I. splendens but differs by possessing needles and pointed elongate scales in the polyp body wall. Iridogorgia levisquama Ge, Zhang & Xu, sp. nov. is differentiated from the congeneric I. squarrosa by slender and smooth scales with sharp ends in the polyp body wall and needles with fine wartiness in the tentacles. Parachrysogorgia chryseis and Metallogorgia melanotrichos are reported as new records for the Indian Ocean ridges. These findings expand the known biodiversity and biogeographic range of Chrysogorgiidae in the Indian Ocean ridges.

Key Words: Carlsberg Ridge, Chrysogorgiidae, Ninetyeast Ridge, phylogeny, taxonomy

Chrysogorgia pugnioides Ge, Hu & Xu, sp. nov.  

Iridogorgia acutisclerita Ge, Zhang & Xu, sp. nov. 

Iridogorgia levisquama Ge, Zhang & Xu, sp. nov.

The external morphology of Iridogorgia acutisclerita Ge, Zhang & Xu, sp. nov.
 A. Holotype FIO-IND72-JLBEN22309 in situ; B. Paratype FIO-IND72-JLBEN22402 in situ; C–E. Holotype FIO-IND72-JLBEN22309, paratype FIO-IND72-JLBEN22402, and FIO-IND72-JLBEN225511 after collection;
F. Single polyp under a light microscope; G. Single polyp under SEM; H. A part of the tentacle under SEM; I. A part of the branch under a light microscope; J. A part of the branch with epidermal tissue removed under SEM; K. A part of the branch with epidermal tissue under SEM.

Scale bars: 20 cm (C–E); 1 mm (F, I); 500 μm (G, K); 250 μm (H, J).

 Meiling Ge, Ningxia Xu, Xuying Hu, Xin Tian, Xinlong Li, Yu Xu, Zongling Wang, Xuelei Zhang and Qingzeng Xu. 2026. Systematics and Biogeography of Chrysogorgiidae from the Indian Ocean: discovery of New Species on Deep-sea Ridges. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(2): 621-647.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.182492 [07 Apr 2026]