[Arachnida • 2026] Raveniola zhangzongxuni • A New Species of Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae, Nemesiidae) from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China

 

Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, 

in Li, Liang, Wang et Liu,  2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e211761

Abstract

Background: Prior to this study, only two mygalomorph species from two distinct families had been formally recorded in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province: Calommata jinggangica Li & Xu, 2022 (Atypidae Thorell, 1870) and Conothele jinggangshan Liu, Xu, Zhang, Liu & Li, 2019 (Halonoproctidae Pocock, 1901), indicating that the overall mygalomorph diversity in this region remains far from fully revealed. The family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889, is known from the neighbouring provinces of Jiangxi: Hunan, Hubei, Fujian and Zhejiang. Nevertheless, no systematic surveys of Nemesiidae have ever been conducted in Jiangxi Province, and to date, no species belonging to this family has been formally reported from the region. During a recent exploratory field survey of local microhabitats in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, we collected a series of nemesiid specimens with distinctive morphology. Following morphological examination and preliminary molecular data, these specimens are confirmed to represent a new species of the genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987. This discovery not only provides the first formal record of Nemesiidae from Jiangxi Province, but also highlights that the mygalomorph diversity in Jiangxi and eastern China remains largely under-investigated, with many potential taxa awaiting discovery.

New information: The spider genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 is reported for the first time from Jiangxi Province, China, based on material collected in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve. A new species, Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The discovery provides the first formal record of the family Nemesiidae from Jiangxi Province and bridges the known distributional records of the genus in eastern China, enhancing its geographic continuity on the map. The finding highlights that the mygalomorph diversity in Jiangxi and adjacent regions remains largely under-sampled and contributes to the understanding of the biogeography of the family Nemesiidae in East Asia.

Keywords: East Asia, mygalomorph diversity, distribution, new record

Raveniola zhangzongxuni sp. nov., photos of living specimen.
 A−C male; D−F female.

Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Differs from Raveniola chayi Li & Zonstein, 2015 by having the dorsal abdominal pattern consisting of numerous darker spots on a lighter background (vs. numerous lighter spots on a darker background), the maxillae with 3 or 4 cuspules (vs. 12–15), the tibial length/cymbial length ca. 2.5 on male palp (vs. > 3.4), the copulatory bulb is relatively broader ca. 1.2–1.5 times as long as wide (vs. 2.5–4 times) and the lateral diverticulum arising from about 1/3 of spermathecal trunk (vs. about the base of spermathecal trunk). The new species also differs from R. gracilis Li & Zonstein, 2015 by the ventral abdominal pattern consisting of some darker spots on a lighter background (vs. pale yellow, without spots), the male PMS absent (vs. present), the maxillae with 3 or 4 cuspules (vs. 4–6), the tibial length/cymbial length ca. 2.5 on male palp (vs. > 2.6), the copulatory bulb is relatively broader ca. 1.2–1.5 times as long as wide (vs. nearly as long as wide) and the lateral diverticulum approximately 0.6 times as long as spermathecal trunk (vs. approximately 0.3 times).

Etymology: The species is named in honour of Zong-xun Zhang, one of the famous figures of the extremely hard and bitter struggle in Jinggangshan; noun (name) in genitive case.

 

 Congzheng Li, Qinlong Liang, Zhongjing Wang and Ke-Ke Liu. 2026. A New Species of Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae, Nemesiidae) from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China. Biodiversity Data Journal. 14: e211761.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e211761 [28-09-2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Cranial Anatomy of the Middle Eocene Egyptian crocodylian Herugavialis cairensis provides Nnew Insights into gavialoid diversity in the Mediterranean Region

 

Life reconstruction of Herugavialis cairensis depicted with The Great Sphinx and pyramids of Giza in the background. 

Herugavialis gen. nov.
Herugavialis cairensis n. comb. (Müller, 1927)

in Burke, Spiekman, Salem, Saber, Sallam et Mannion, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.261173

Artwork by Karim Zanaty.

Abstract

Gavialoidea is presently composed of only two extant crocodylian species, the Indian gharial Gavialis gangeticus, and the false gharial Tomistoma schlegelii, both from southeast Asia. However, Gavialoidea displays a rich and near-cosmopolitan diversity in the fossil record, with over 40 species currently recognized. Several of these gavialoids are recovered from Cenozoic deposits in the Mediterranean region, with many assigned historically to the genus Tomistoma. However, recent phylogenetic analyses do not typically recover these species as closely related to the false gharial, with several fossil species in need of taxonomic revision. Here, we present a detailed re-evaluation of one of these species, Tomistoma cairense from the Middle Eocene Mokattam Formation of Egypt, based on the holotype skull and several referred specimens. Supplemented by endocranial anatomy revealed via computed tomography (CT), we identify numerous anatomical differences with T. schlegelii and other gavialoids, including the approximately contemporaneous Egyptian species, Eogavialis africanum and Paratomistoma courti. These differences are reinforced through phylogenetic analysis under maximum parsimony, in which T. cairense is recovered as a gavialoid that does not cluster with T. schlegelii or Mediterranean taxa. We erect a new genus name for T. cairense, with the resultant new combination of Herugavialis cairensis diagnosed by several characteristics, including telescoped orbits. An apparent decline in Mediterranean gavialoid diversity during the Late Eocene–Oligocene is potentially driven by a reduction in habitat, as a result of global cooling and declining eustatic sea level. Warming in the Miocene might have facilitated a subsequent rebound in gavialoid diversity, prior to the extirpation of crocodylians in the Mediterranean region in the Late Miocene, which might have been caused by the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The taxonomic revision of additional Mediterranean gavialoid species should facilitate greater insight into their evolutionary history and demise.

Keywords: Gavialoidea, Mediterranean, Crocodylia, Tomistoma, neuroanatomy, phylogeny

Eusuchia Huxley, 1875

Crocodylia Gmelin, 1788

Gavialoidea Hay, 1930

Herugavialis gen. nov.,

 

Herugavialis cairensis n. comb. Müller, 1927 

Tomistoma cairense (Müller, 1927).

Etymology: Heru, after the Egyptian god (also known as Horus), is often associated with, and possibly the inspiration for, the Great Sphinx of Giza. The latter was sculpted from the Mokattam Formation, from which the type specimen of H. cairensis was recovered, with both sharing the absence of the anterior tip of their nose/snout. The genus suffix, -gavialis, reflects the relationship of H. cairensis to Gavialis gangeticus within Gavialoidea. Accordingly, the original species epithet, cairense, is modified to cairensis to agree with the masculine gender of Herugavialis.

  

Locality and horizon: The holotype and referred specimens were collected from Gebel Mokattam, east of Cairo, in northeastern Egypt. They were recovered from the Mokattam Formation, which is a nummulitic marine limestone dated to the Lutetian, Middle Eocene.

 Diagnosis: Within Gavialoidea, H. cairensis is characterized by a unique combination of characters: (i) lacrimal with an anteroposterior length more than twice that of the prefrontal; (ii) telescoped orbit formed by raised margins of the lacrimal, prefrontal and frontal; (iii) a squamosal wherein the dorsal and ventral margins do not diverge anteriorly; (iv) the distance between the distal tip of the paraoccipital process and the distal end of the quadrate condyle is greater than the maximum mediolateral width of the latter; and (v) a blunt dural peak on the encephalic endocast.

Life reconstruction of Herugavialis cairensis in left lateral view. Herugavialis is depicted with The Great Sphinx and pyramids of Giza in the background.

 Artwork by Karim Zanaty.

 

 Conclusions: 

The redescription of the holotype and referred specimens of the Middle Eocene crocodylian species ‘Tomistoma’ cairense demonstrates numerous morphological differences from extant T. schlegelii. Coupled with the recognition of several autapomorphies, as well as its phylogenetic separation from T. schlegelii, we erect the new genus, Herugavialis cairensis. Herugavialis can be differentiated from approximately contemporaneous Egyptian gavialoids by numerous anatomical features, exemplifying the diversity of gavialoids in the Mediterranean region during this period. Global cooling and a drop in eustatic sea level during the Late Eocene–Oligocene potentially limited suitable habitat for gavialoids in the Mediterranean region, with subsequent increases in eustatic sea level and temperature potentially facilitating the return to high gavialoid diversity observed in the Miocene. The taxonomic classification of some of these European species awaits re-evaluation, which will facilitate greater insight into the evolutionary history of the Mediterranean gavialoids.

Paul M. J. Burke; Stephan N. F. Spiekman; Belal S. Salem; Sara Saber; Hesham M. Sallam and Philip D. Mannion. 2026. Cranial Anatomy of the Middle Eocene Egyptian crocodylian Herugavialis cairensis provides Nnew Insights into gavialoid diversity in the Mediterranean Region. R. Soc. Open Sci 13 (10): 261173. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.261173 [07 Oct 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Ingerana aizawl • Leaping from a University Campus to the Scientific Records: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, 1987 (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Mizoram, India

Ingerana aizawl

Lalremsanga, Bharali, Dawngliana, Hlychho, Malsawmtluanga, Bhattacharjee, Hazarika, Das & Purkayastha, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.2.3

 

Abstract

Populations of Ingerana Dubois (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Mizoram, northeastern India, have historically been assigned to Ingerana borealis (Annandale), however recent taxonomic reassessment questioned their identity. We evaluated these populations using an integrative approach combining external morphology and mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses recovered the Mizoram population as a distinct lineage within Ingerana, while morphological comparisons revealed multiple diagnostic differences from recognised congeners. Based on these data, we recognise the Mizoram population as a distinct species. It differs from I. borealis, I. occidens, and I. tenasserimensis by a unique combination of body size, tympanic morphology, dorsal skin texture, and proportional morphometric characters. Our findings resolve the taxonomic identity of Ingerana populations from Mizoram and suggest that species diversity within the genus in northeastern India remains underestimated.

Amphibia, 16S rRNA, Aizawl, new species, northeastern India

Ingerana aizawl

HMAR TLAWMTE LALREMSANGA, MANMATH BHARALI, MALSAWM DAWNGLIANA, MARA DUASA HLYCHHO, MALSAWMTLUANGA, RUPANKAR BHATTACHARJEE, ARUP KUMAR HAZARIKA, NILUTPAL DAS and JAYADITYA PURKAYASTHA. 2026. Leaping from a University Campus to the Scientific Records: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, 1987 (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Mizoram, India.  Zootaxa. 5878(2); 224-236. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.2.3 [2026-09-14]

[Entomology • 2025] Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Australasian Zygaenula Doleschall, 1858 (Diptera: Platystomatidae) with A Description of A New Species

 

(a–c) Zygaenula hilaris comb. reinstat.: (a) habitus dorsal; (b) habitus lateral; (c) head frontal.
(d–f) Zygaenula mcalpinei sp. nov.: (d) habitus dorsal; (e) habitus lateral; (f) head frontal. 
 (a–c) Z. australis comb. nov.: (a) habitus dorsal; (b) habitus lateral; (c) head frontal.
(d–f) Z. celyphoides comb. nov.: (d) habitus dorsal; (3) habitus lateral; (f) Head frontal.
(g–i) Z. coalescens comb. reinstat.: (g) habitus dorsal; (h) habitus lateral; (i) head frontal.

 Rodrigues, Mello & Barros de Carvalho, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/aen.70031 

Abstract

Zygaenula Doleschall, 1858 and Mesoctenia Enderlein, 1924 syn. nov. are small genera restricted to the Australasia region. Here, both genera are considered synonymous, supported by the synapomorphy width of frons, in relation to height, more than two times. A new species, Zygaenula mcalpinei sp. nov. is described from the Manu Island, Admiralty Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. Zygaenula australis (McAlpine, 1973) comb. nov., Z. celyphoides (Walker, 1859) comb. nov., Z. coalescens Hendel, 1914 comb. reinstat., Z. hilaris Hendel, 1914 comb. reinstat., and Z. paradoxa Doleschall, 1858 are redescribed. The lectotype and paralectotype are designated for specimens of Z. celyphoides comb. nov. In addition, an updated identification key and a distribution map are presented. The hypothesised phylogenetic relationship of the Zygaenula species is represented by the following parenthetical notation: (Z. paradoxa (Z. coalescens comb. reinstat.. (Z. hilaris comb. reinstat. (Z. mcalpinei sp. nov. (Z. australis comb. nov. and Z. celyphoides comb. nov.))))).

Keywords: Australasia, morphological phylogeny, Scholastinae, systematics, taxonomic review

 Zygaenula species, external plates.
 (a–c) Z. australis comb. nov.: (a) habitus dorsal; (b) habitus lateral; (c) head frontal.
(d–f) Z. celyphoides comb. nov.: (d) habitus dorsal; (3) habitus lateral; (f) Head frontal.
(g–i) Z. coalescens comb. reinstat.: (g) habitus dorsal; (h) habitus lateral; (i) head frontal.

 Zygaenula species, external plates.
(a–c) Z. hilaris comb. reinstat.: (a) habitus dorsal; (b) habitus lateral; (c) head frontal.
(d–f) Z. mcalpinei sp. nov.: (d) habitus dorsal; (e) habitus lateral; (f) head frontal.
(g–i) Z. paradoxa: (g) habitus dorsal; (h) habitus lateral; (i) head frontal.

João Paulo Vinicios Rodrigues,  Ramon Luciano Mello,  Claudio José Barros de Carvalho. 2025. Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Australasian Zygaenula Doleschall, 1858 (Diptera: Platystomatidae) with A Description of A New Species. Austral Entomology. 64(4); e70031. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/aen.70031 [11 November 2025]

[Entomology • 2026] Paragomphus matroka • A New Hooktail Species (Odonata: Gomphidae) from the Rainforests of eastern Madagascar

 

Paragomphus matroka

Bedjanič, Bernard, Daraż & Yu, 2026  

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4

Abstract  

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Madagascar, Taolagnaro District, Iaboakoho, Réserve de Ressources Naturelles de la Forêt Naturelle de Tsitongambarika, Ampasy; Lat. -24.57840°, Lon. 47.14493°; 4.xii.2024; to be deposited in RMNH, Leiden), is described as new to science. The new endemic species is known only from the holotype, the paratype deposited in the MNHN, Paris, and an additional specimen deposited in NHRS, Stockholm. It has been recorded from three localities in the eastern part of the island, scattered over a distance of 1,033 km, within the Madagascar Humid Forests ecoregion. Despite the pronounced variation in the colour pattern, the three known specimens are interpreted as conspecific based on concordant diagnostic morphological characters, particularly the nearly identical structure of the secondary genitalia and cerci. The new species is related to P. fritillarius (Selys, 1892) and P. sofiae Bernard & Daraż, 2026. From these two more brightly coloured, spotted Hooktail species, P. matroka sp. nov. differs in its considerably darker colouration, a reduced pattern of smaller light markings on the synthorax, and clearly different secondary genitalia. The discovery of a new species underlines the need for additional intensive odonatological studies in Madagascar. Improving knowledge of species distributions, taxonomy, phenology and ecological requirements is crucial, especially in the context of threat assessments and conservation of endemic odonate fauna. 

Odonata, dragonflies, Anisoptera, endemic, new species, Paragomphus fritillarius, taxonomy, biogeography, Malagasy Region 

 

Male of Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype, type locality); 
(a) habitus in lateral view; (b) synthorax in lateral view; (c) secondary genitalia and part of proximal portion of hind wing with anal triangle and tornus; (d) head in dorsofrontal view; (e) penis in lateral view, subsequently expanded; (f) caudal appendages in lateral view; (g) S7–10 and caudal appendages in ventral view; (h) S7–10 and caudal appendages in dorsal view.

Photographs by Kuang-Ping Yu & Matjaž Bedjanič. 

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov., male (paratype, MNHN Paris; Moramanga District, central-eastern Madagascar).
 (a) habitus in dorsal view and labels; (b) head, thorax and anterior part of abdomen (S1–4) in lateral view; (c), (d), and (e) S10 and caudal appendages in dorsal, lateral and ventral view, respectively; (f) secondary genitalia in lateral view, with penis partly exposed; (g) secondary genitalia in ventral view; (h) secondary genitalia in lateroventral view to show hook of the posterior hamule hidden behind its outline. 

Photographs by Bogusław Daraż.

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov., male holotype, colouration in life:
 (a) dorsolateral view; (b) frontolateral view (Right tributary of the ampasy River 700 m NW of ampasy Research Station, tsitongambarika, anosy Region, southeastern Madagascar; 4.xii.2024).

Photographs by Matjaž Bedjanič. 

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. 

Common name (en): Dark Hooktail  

 Nom commun (fr): Paragomphe sombre

Differential diagnosis. Paragomphus matroka is a large, dark endemic representative of the genus, belonging to a group of two additional endemic Madagascan species with a “spotted” thorax—P. fritillarius and P. sofiae—which closely resemble each other and are characterized by brighter, predominantly yellow-and-black colouration.

The new species remotely resembles P. fritillarius in the pattern of yellow spots on the synthorax and abdomen, the reddish-brown terminal abdominal segments, and the general shape of the cerci. However, it is readily distinguished by its overall darker colouration and the unique morphology of the hamules. the most significant colouration differences occur on the face, which is predominantly brown in P. matroka, versus interspersed yellow and black in P. fritillarius, and on the dark brown synthorax sides, where the yellow spots within the mesepimeral and metepimeral stripes are distinctly ...

Etymology. the species epithet is to be treated as a noun in apposition. it is derived from the Malagasy word “matroka”, meaning “dark-coloured” and it refers to the relatively dark colouration of the new species in comparison to its congeners.

Matjaž BEDJANIČ, Rafał BERNARD, Bogusław DARAŻ and Kuang-Ping YU. 2026. Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.—A New Hooktail Species from the Rainforests of eastern Madagascar (Odonata: Gomphidae).  Zootaxa. 5821(2); 219-235. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4 [2026-05-29]

[Mammalogy • 2026] Phylogenomics and Museomics reveal Five distinct Species of Tiger Cats (Carnivora: Felidae: Leopardus) in South America

 

Leopardus tilcayo  Nogales-Ascarrunz, Aliaga-Rossel, Lescroart & Eizirik, 

in Lescroart, Nogales-Ascarrunz, Cassatt-Johnstone, Bonilla-Sánchez, ... et Eizirik, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.059

Highlights: 

• First discovery of a novel cat species in over a century: Leopardus tilcayo

• Description of a novel cat subspecies: Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo

• Phylogenomic resolution of the tiger cat complex, revealing five distinct species

• Museomics and novel approaches to assess evolutionary history and genomic diversity

Summary

The evolutionary history of elusive organisms can be characterized through genomic analyses, which have the power to reveal previously unknown taxa even in groups assumed to be well studied, such as cats. We have analyzed complete genomes of 38 individuals from the Neotropical cat genus Leopardus, including 26 individuals representing multiple evolutionary units of the contentious tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus) species complex. Eight genomes were generated from museum specimens, which allowed the first genetic assessment of the type locality for L. tigrinus in the Guiana Shield. We found that this complex comprises five distinct species, including a novel cat species, discovered in the Bolivian Yungas and described in this study as L. tilcayo. The Peruvian Yungas unit of this complex also represents a distinct taxonomic entity, which we describe here as a novel subspecies, L. tigrinus antisuyo. Our phylogenomic analyses resolve the evolutionary relationships among the tiger cat geographic units, thus stabilizing their recalcitrant taxonomy and enabling adequate conservation assessment of these threatened felids. We also address other aspects of their evolution, including biogeography, past episodes of interspecies admixture, demographic history of each taxonomic unit, and temporal changes in genetic diversity. Altogether, our results clarify the evolutionary history of a complex radiation of wild cats, reveal novel taxa, and serve as a basis for conservation planning on behalf of these elusive wild cats.

 

Keywords: Bolivian Yungas, Peruvian Yungas, Felidae, Guiana Shield, historic DNA, Leopardus, museomics, concordance vector, new species, tilcayo

 

Live specimen of Leopardus tilcayo (sample ID: L. tilcayo BOl-2, voucher ID: MNHN-L2), a newly described tiger cat species from the Bolivian Yungas.

Photo by Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz

 

Family Felidae Batsch, 1788 

Subfamily Felinae Batsch, 1788 

 Leopardus Gray, 1842

Leopardus tilcayo sp. nov. Nogales-Ascarrunz, Aliaga-Rossel, Lescroart & Eizirik 

Type material: Holotype: CBF-11990, adult male. Live-captured and held in captivity, genome sequences NCBI SRA accession SRX30196846. Date: 09-2021; collectors: E. Aliaga-Rosel and P. Nogales-Ascarrunz (see Data S1).

Type locality: La Paz, Nor Yungas, near Arapata village (1,570 m above sea level [a.s.l.]), Bolivia. Coordinates: −16.248594, −67.634691 (WGS84).

Etymology: This species is named after the local name “tilcayo” used for this felid, which is widely known in the Bolivian Yungas zone. The name is treated as an unchanged noun in apposition.

Vernacular name: We propose “tilcayo” as the English common name, preserving the traditional local designation in recognition of its cultural and regional relevance.

Diagnosis: Leopardus tilcayo differs from L. pardinoides by its shorter pelage, lower contrast pattern, more expanded and irregular open rosettes, less bushy tail, and the absence of broad and complete caudal bands (see Data S1). It differs from L. tigrinus by its larger and more irregular flank markings, longer and fuller tail, and irregular caudal blotches. It differs from L. guttulus by its larger, more heterogeneous markings, lower dorsal contrast, and relatively longer tail. L. tilcayo can be distinguished from other Leopardus taxa by a large number of molecular characters. In the nuclear genome, among the 29,288,951 transversion variants, on average 1,392,646 sites differentiate L. tilcayo from L. t. antisuyo and 1,491,301 sites differentiate L. tilcayo from L. pardinoides. For simplicity we provide a list of diagnostic mitochondrial DNA sites (see Data S1).

Jonas Lescroart, Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, Molly Cassatt-Johnstone, Alejandra Bonilla-Sánchez, Caroline Charão Sartor, Fernando Angulo, Jorge L. Ramirez, Larissa Rosa de Oliveira, Tadeu Gomes de Oliveira, Beth Shapiro, Enzo Aliaga-Rossel, Hannes Svardal and Eduardo Eizirik. 2026. Phylogenomics and Museomics reveal Five distinct Species of Tiger Cats in South America. Current Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.059 [September 17, 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Dasypeltis albigularis • A New Species of ‘black’ egg-eating Snake of the Genus Dasypeltis Wagler (Colubridae: Colubrinae: Boigini)

Dasypeltis albigularis Tiutenko, Heller & Bates, 2026

[A] Dasypeltis atra Sternfeld, 1912 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e205043 

Abstract

Based on morphology, biogeography, biology, and the results of a molecular phylogenetic analysis, a new species of Dasypeltis is described from Harenna Forest in the southern Somalian plateau in Ethiopia. It is a medium-sized member of the genus (females up to 92 cm total length, males up to 58 cm), usually uniformly black dorsally but occasionally light brown with a dense and somewhat irregular pattern of narrow brown saddles and vertically elongate lateral markings, sometimes forming bands across the back, and small white spots and streaks, or reddish-brown with indistinct darker dorsal and lateral markings. Interstitial skin is light grey, appearing bluish in adults. Infralabials, chin shields, gulars, and 20–62 anterior ventral plates (medially) are mostly white, the other plates being ash-grey or black in colour. Scales in the first row of dorsals on either side of the body are smooth or almost smooth; those of the second row are weakly keeled; other dorsal scales are moderately keeled with two apical pits each. Pairwise genetic distance between the new species and its closest congener, D. atra, is similar to or greater than the distances between some long-recognised species in the genus. The new species is also geographically and ecologically isolated from closely related congeners.

Key Words: Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov., Dasypeltis atra, Dasypeltis fasciata, Dasypeltis gansi, egg-eater, Harenna Forest, Horn of Africa, Serpentes, Somalia, taxonomy

A. Dasypeltis atra from Chuka, Kenya (ZSM 328/2023);
B. Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov. from the Harenna Forest, Ethiopia (ZSM 94/2019).

A patterned specimen (HFE2025-023) of Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov. from the Harenna Forest, Ethiopia.

Male Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov. (HFE2025-002) from Manyate village, Harenna Forest, Ethiopia. Note the bluish interstitial skin.

Dasypeltis albigularis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A medium-sized Dasypeltis (females approximately 90 cm in total length, males less than 60 cm). Dorsally usually uniformly dark-grey or blackish, seldom reddish-brown with faint dark streaks; or light yellow-brown with a dense and irregular pattern of small brown saddles and narrow brown bars on the flanks, and numerous small white markings. Interstitial skin light grey, sometimes bluish, especially in adults. Anterior infralabials, gulars, chin shields and 20–62 anterior ventral plates mostly white, other ventrals gradually transition to ash-grey. Dorsal scales arranged around midbody in 20–23 rows. Scales of the first row of dorsals on either side of the body very weakly keeld or smooth and much larger than other dorsal scales. Scales of the second row on either side of body weakly keeled. Other dorsal scales each with a moderate median keel and a pair of apical pits distally. Head with fine white spots and speckles. Supralabials 7, 3rd and 4th bordering orbit. Postocular single. Frontal shield pitted in only one row around edges. Inter-prefrontal sulcus moderately marked, not deep. Prefrontal scales longer and larger overall than internasals. Rostral shield visible from above head.

Etymology. The specific Latin epithet ‘albigularis’ means ‘white-throated’ and refers to the pale ventral colouration on the lower parts of the head and anterior parts of the body of the new species.

Arthur Tiutenko, Tim L. Heller and Michael F. Bates. 2026. A New Species of ‘black’ egg-eating Snake of the Genus Dasypeltis Wagler (Squamata, Colubridae, Colubrinae, Boigini). Herpetozoa. 39: 343-366. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e205043 [27 Aug 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Ovophis langbianus • A New Species of the Ovophis tonkinensis species complex (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam

Ovophis langbianus

Poyarkov, Idiiatullina, Ustinova, Bragin, Le, Pawangkhanant, Pham, Suwannapoom, David, Vogel & Nguyen, 2206

 

Langbian Mountain Pitviper | Rắn lục núi Langbian || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e206094

Abstract

A new species of the genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981, is described from the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam, based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular evidence. Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a unique combination of diagnostic morphological characters and by significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Phylogenetic analyses recover the new species as the sister lineage of O. tonkinensis (Bourret), from which it differs in body proportions, head morphology, color pattern, and several meristic characters. Multivariate analyses of morphological variation further support the distinctiveness of the new species, with specimens of Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. and O. tonkinensis forming two well-separated groups in morphospace and exhibiting significant differences in centroid positions. The new species is currently known only from montane evergreen forests of the Langbian Plateau at elevations of approximately 800–2,230 m asl. The recognition of Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. further emphasizes the taxonomic complexity of the O. tonkinensis species group and, together with previous molecular evidence for a distinct Cao Bang (Vietnam)-Guangxi (China) lineage, highlights the need for a comprehensive reassessment of species boundaries within the complex.

Key Words: Biogeography, molecular phylogeny, morphology, mtDNA, Ovophis langbianus sp. nov., southern Annamite Mountains, systematics

Ovophis langbianus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) TaL/TL ratio 0.14–0.18 in males and 0.12–0.14 in females; (2) internasals usually in contact, rarely separated by one small scale; (3) second supralabial bordering loreal pit; (4) dorsal scale rows 25 (21, 23, 27)–21 (23, 25)–19 (15, 17); (5) ventrals 129–138; (6) dorsal scales strongly keeled; (7) subcaudals 36–44, all single; (8) fourth supralabial larger than third; (9) dorsal surface of head uniformly ...

Ovophis langbianus sp. nov. in life from Langbian Plateau, Vietnam — Lam Dong Province: Bidoup-Nui Ba NP: A. VRTC NAP-18223, adult male, holotype; Di Linh Commune: B. Dorsal view of ZMMU Re-18511, adult male, paratype; C. Head in lateral view of the ZMMU Re-18511; D. ZMMU Re-18512, adult male, paratype; E. Head in lateral view of the ZMMU Re-18512; F, G. Two adult individuals, sex undetermined. Dak Lak Province: — Chu Yang Sin NP: H. ZMMU Re-14068, adult male, paratype; I. Head in dorsal view of the ZMMU Re-14068.

Photographs by A.M. Bragin (A), N.A. Poyarkov (B, C, H, I), P. Pawangkhanant (D, E), and H.N.X. Nguyen (F, G).

Etymology. The specific epithet “langbianus” is a masculine Latin adjective derived from the name of the Langbian Plateau, the broader geographic region containing the type locality and the currently known distribution of the new species. The name highlights the biogeographic isolation of the Langbian Plateau, an important center of montane endemism in Indochina. 

We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Langbian Mountain Pitviper” (in English), “Rắn lục núi Langbian” (in Vietnamese), “Лангбианский горный щитомордник” (Langbianskiy gornyi schitomordnik, in Russian), and “Ovophis de Langbian” (in French).

 Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Darya A. Ustinova, Andrey M. Bragin, Son Xuan Le, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Hieu Minh Pham, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Patrick David, Gernot Vogel, Tan Van Nguyen. 2206. A New Species of the Ovophis tonkinensis species complex (Serpentes, Viperidae) from the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam. Herpetozoa. 39: 325-342. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e206094 [25-08-2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Laimosemion laranja • A New killifish of the Genus Laimosemion (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from Rio Cajari in the Brazilian Amazon

Laimosemion laranja 

Abrantes, Lima, Nielsen, de Lira, da Silva & Berbel-Filho, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.187659

Abstract

Based on morphological and molecular evidence, this study describes a new species of rivulid of the genus Laimosemion from the lower Rio Amazonas Basin in the south of the state of Amapá in northern Brazil. The new species, Laimosemion laranja sp. nov., exhibits a color pattern characteristic of the L. geayi species group, consisting of longitudinal rows of spots on the anterior portion of flank and oblique chevron-shaped bars on the posterior portion of flank. It can be distinguished from its congeners by unique combination of characters, including position of dorsal-fin origin relative to anal-fin rays, frontal squamation pattern of head, counts of transverse and longitudinal scale series, fin-ray counts, vertebral count, osteology of caudal fin, and number of neuromasts in infraorbital series. Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene indicates that the new species diverges genetically by 5.3% from its closest relatives, L. agilae and L. strigatus, by 9.2% from L. dibaphus, and 12.3% from L. geayi. We further discuss the systematic relationships within the L. geayi species group and the conservation status of the new species based on IUCN criteria, including recommendations for its conservation.

Key Words: Amapá State, Amazonas Estuary and Coastal Drainages Ecoregion, Amazonian ichthyofauna, conservation

Laimosemion laranja new species
 Holotype [INPA–ICT 062600], male, 26.8 mm SL; 
 Paratype [INPA–ICT 062601], female, 20.1 mm SL 
Brazil, Amapá, Laranjal do Jari, Rio Cajari, Amazonas Basin.

photos: Y. Abrantes. 

 

Laimosemion laranja sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Laimosemion laranja differs from the six congeners of the L. geayi group by having eight scales in transverse series (vs.7 in L. dibaphus and L. strigatus, 9 in L. geayi, 9–10 in L. agilae and L. cladophorus, and 9–11 in L. mabura). It can be distinguished from all other congeners of the L. geayi group, except L. agilae and L. cladophorus, by dorsal-fin origin positioned on transversal plane through bases of 4th–6th anal-fin rays in both sexes (vs. of 7th–8th anal-fin rays). It differs from L. agilae by frontal squamation pattern of head (E squamation vs. F squamation) and from ...

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘laranja’ is a name with a dual allusion. It refers to the bright orange color pattern on males of the new species (‘laranja’ means the color, as it also means the fruit in Portuguese), and is also an homage to the municipality of Laranjal do Jari, founded on December 17, 1987, in the south of Amapá State, Brazil, from where the species is currently only found. A noun in apposition.

Sampling localities of Laimosemion laranja new species.
 Localities one and two (A, B), and the type locality (C). Brazil, Amapá, Laranjal do Jari, Rio Cajari, Amazonas Basin.

 Photos: W.M. Berbel-Filho.

Yuri Gomes Abrantes, Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima, Dalton Tavares Bressane Nielsen, Fabio Origuela de Lira, Márcio Joaquim da Silva, Waldir Miron Berbel-Filho. 2026. A New killifish of the Genus Laimosemion (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae) from Rio Cajari in the Brazilian Amazon. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(4): 1079-1088. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.187659 [20 Aug 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Amolops ammachi, A. bella & A. sendenyu • Systematics, Molecular Phylogeny, Diversification, and Biogeography of Cascade Frogs (Anura: Ranidae: Amolops) from India: An Integrative Assessment with Description of Three New Species

 

 the Amolops marmoratus group from India

A, B. Amolops afghanus. C. Amolops ammachi sp. nov.. D–F. A. assamensis. G–I. Amolops bella sp. nov.. J–M. A. gerbillus. N, O. A. indoburmanensis; 

A. Amolops indoburmanensis haplo 1. 

C. A. cf. indoburmanensis sp. 1.  E. A. jaunsari. 

F, A. nepalicus. H. Amolops sendenyu sp. nov. 

Biju, Ellepola, Sarmah, Upadhyaya, Bisht, Tajo, Hanken & Garg, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3099/MCZ88.1

Photos: S. D. Biju.

 Abstract 

The Cascade Frog genus Amolops, currently comprising 95 described species, is a taxonomically challenging group of Asian frogs. Although the genus has been studied extensively across most of its range, the Indian members remain poorly understood, with sporadic species descriptions and no comprehensive taxonomic revision to date. Additionally, the current taxonomy of Amolops in India remains in flux; the true species diversity is potentially underestimated due to insufficient sampling efforts, misidentifications arising from limited investigations, and lack of a comprehensive comparative framework. In this study, we addressed these gaps through extensive sampling of Amolops across their range in India and by using an integrative morphological and molecular approach to investigate existing diversity. By using a multilocus data set of mitochondrial (16S, CO1, ND2) and nuclear (RAG1, TYR) markers, we present the first comprehensive Amolops phylogeny, including all known Indian species, which enables us to confidently establish species boundaries and infer evolutionary relationships. By assigning available names to well-supported lineages and testing multiple species-delimitation hypotheses, we identified a high level of undescribed cryptic diversity in the genus. Integrative analyses confirm three distinct unnamed lineages, which are formally described here as Amolops ammachi sp. nov., Amolops bella sp. nov., and Amolops sendenyu sp. nov. In addition, we report five new country records for India: three genetically conspecific with Amolops afghanus, Amolops nepalicus, and Amolops wangyali, and two shallowly divergent populations of A. medogensis and A. bellulus. Conversely, five nominal species do not represent distinct taxa and are here treated as junior subjective synonyms: Amolops chanakya synonym of Amolops wangyali; Amolops mahabharatensis synonym of Amolops jaunsari; Amolops senchalensis synonym of Amolops formosus; Amolops shillong synonym of Amolops assamensis; and Amolops terraorchis synonym of Amolops gerbillus. Molecular species delimitation reveals six additional candidate species from India; these lineages are left unnamed due to shallow divergence from established species and warrant further taxonomic investigation. Our time-calibrated phylogenetic analyses suggest that Amolops diversification began around the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, with a mean age of 31.5 Mya (median age: 32.5 Mya; 95% highest posterior density: 28.12–36.67 Mya). The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of extant Amolops was widely distributed across Southeast China, mainland Southeast Asia, and the Malayan Peninsula during the early Oligocene. Through subsequent range contraction, subdivision, and jump dispersal, they spread into adjacent regions with dramatic rapid diversification toward the late Miocene. Biogeographic analyses suggest multiple waves of east-to-west colonization and highlight the role of early Himalayan uplift in mediating a complex “into-and-out-of-Himalaya” dynamic in structuring the contemporary distribution and high cryptic diversity in the genus. Mitochondrial haplotypes also show strong geographic structuring, indicating historical allopatric divergence by secondary contact among regions. These findings additionally improve our broader understanding of diversification and distribution patterns in this unique group.

KEYWORDS: Amphibia, Anura, cryptic diversity, evolutionary history, Integrative taxonomy, Himalayas, South and Southeast Asia, species delimitation, monticola Group, viridimaculatus Group, marmoratus Group, tadpole morphology

 

Dorsolateral views of species within the Amolops marmoratus group from India, in life.
A, B. A. afghanus (SDBDU 2023.6459 and SDBDU 2021.322, respectively). C. Amolops ammachi sp. nov. (ZSI A 16551). D–F. A. assamensis (SDBDU 2022.1100, SDBDU 2018.3843, and SDBDU 2025.6858, respectively). G–I. Amolops bella sp. nov. (SDBDU 2011.6959, SDBDU 2011.6913, and SDBDU 2011.6956, respectively). J–M. A. gerbillus (SDBDU 2024.6597, SDBDU 2024.6726, SDBDU 2021.1225, and SDBDU 2024.6598, respectively). N, O. A. indoburmanensis (SDBDU 2018.3870 and SDBDU 2022.5572, respectively). Photos: S. D. Biju.

Amolops ammachi sp. nov.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of the late Ms. Padmini Varkey, a renowned social worker and philanthropist from Kerala, India. She is fondly referred to as “Ammachi,” meaning “mother” in Malayalam, the language of Kerala. Her unconditional love and readiness to help those in need were widely admired. The species epithet ammachi is a tribute to her life and spirit; it is treated as an invariable noun in apposition to the generic name.

Suggested Common Name. Ammachi's Cascade Frog.

Amolops bella sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet bella is from the Latin word bellus, meaning beautiful, and referring to the beauty of the frog. The species epithet is considered an invariable noun in apposition.

Suggested Common Name. Beautiful Cascade Frog.

Dorsolateral views of species within the Amolops marmoratus group from India, in life.
 A. A. indoburmanensis haplo 1 (SDBDU 2024.6670). B. A. indoburmanensis haplo 2, (SDBDU 2021.4629). C. A. cf. indoburmanensis sp. 1 (SDBDU 2009.140). D, E. A. jaunsari (SDBDU 2012.6991 and SDBDU 2012.153, respectively). F, G. A. nepalicus (SDBDU 2026.6929 and SDBDU 2026.6928, respectively). H. Amolops sendenyu sp. nov. (SDBDU 2024.5438). I–K. A. siju (SDBDU 2023.457, SDBDU 2022.1468, and SDBDU 2025.6832, respectively). L. A. yarlungzangbo (SDBDU 2022.6141). Photos: S. D. Biju.

Amolops sendenyu sp. nov.

Etymology. The species is named after Sendenyu Village, Nagaland State, where the type series was collected. The species epithet is considered an invariable noun in apposition.

Suggested Common Name. Sendenyu Cascade Frog.

S. D. Biju, Gajaba Ellepola, A. N. Dikshit Akalabya Sarmah, Radhakrishna Upadhyaya, Karan Bisht, Tage Tajo, James Hanken and Sonali Garg. 2026. Systematics, Molecular Phylogeny, Diversification, and Biogeography of Cascade Frogs (Ranidae: Amolops) from India: An Integrative Assessment with Description of Three New Species. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 164(1); 1-144. DOI: doi.org/10.3099/MCZ88.1 (11 August 2026)