[Arachnida • 2026] Kambiwa itacarambi, K. maracas, Sertana capivara, S. sagarana, ... • Ninetine Spiders in Brazilian Caatinga and Cerrado: Revision of Kambiwa and Description of Sertana gen. nov. (Araneae: Pholcidae), with analyses of predicted range shifts due to climate change

A–B. Kambiwa itacarambi Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from NW of Itacarambi.
E–F. K. coribe Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from E of São Felix do Coribe.
G–H. K. maracas Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from S of Contendas do Sincorá.
K–L. K. mucuge Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ from NE of Mucugê.

in Huber, Meng, Král, Herrera et Carvalho., 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1054.3276 

Abstract

Among daddy long-legs spiders (Pholcidae), Ninetinae is a distinctive subfamily that comprises short-legged, fast-running spiders. Most species are small or tiny, lead reclusive lives, and are largely restricted to semiarid regions, which together has made them poorly collected and poorly known. Here, we build on focused recent collections in the Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, two of the World’s richest tropical savanna, xeric shrubland and thorn forest regions. Our focus is on the taxonomy of the genus Kambiwa Huber, 2000 that previously contained only two nominal species, each known from a single locality. Combining morphological and molecular (CO1 barcode) data, we describe six new species in Kambiwa (K. brumado Huber sp. nov.; K. coribe Huber sp. nov.; K. ibo Huber sp. nov.; K. itacarambi Huber sp. nov.; K. maracas Huber sp. nov.; K. mucuge Huber sp. nov.), redescribe the type species K. neotropica (Kraus, 1957), and synonymize the monotypic genus Pemona Huber, 2019 with Kambiwa, resulting in the new combination K. sapo (Huber, 2019) comb. nov. In addition, we describe a new genus of superficially Kambiwa-like spiders from the same geographic region: Sertana Huber gen. nov., with five new species (S. bumba Huber gen. et sp. nov.; S. capivara Huber gen. et sp. nov.; S. igapora Huber gen. et sp. nov.; S. lapa Huber gen. et sp. nov.; S. sagarana Huber gen. et sp. nov.). In line with previous efforts to explore the processes underlying the geographical distribution of Ninetinae, we also evaluate the potential effects of future climate change on the environmental niche occupied by three selected species of Kambiwa. Our results corroborate previous findings that demonstrate an altitude-mediated response to climate change. For a highland species, areas of high habitat suitability almost disappear under more severe climate change scenarios. For two species with lowland records, the areas with high habitat suitability increase significantly. Finally, we analyze the male karyotype of K. ibo which consists of 28 chromosomes including a X1X2X3Y system. All chromosomes are biarmed except for the Y chromosome. This contribution concludes a series of publications on the subfamily Ninetinae. We use this opportunity to summarize current knowledge about the subfamily, to discuss open questions and knowledge gaps, and to suggest further research topics focusing on these tiny but exceptional pholcids.

Keywords: CO1 barcodes, climate change, karyotype, niche modeling, taxonomy

Kambiwa Huber, 2000; live specimens from Brazil; all at same scale.
A–B. Kambiwa itacarambi Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from NW of Itacarambi. C–D. K. ibo Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from NE of Lagoa Grande. E–F. K. coribe Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from E of São Felix do Coribe.
G–H. K. maracas Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from S of Contendas do Sincorá. I–J. K. brumado Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from W of Marcolino Moura. K–L. K. mucuge Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ from NE of Mucugê.

Kambiwa Huber, 2000 spp., typical habitats; all localities are in Brazil.
A. Bahia, between Ibó and Curaçá; Kambiwa sp. aff. neotropica. B. Bahia, E of São Felix do Coribe; type locality of Kambiwa coribe Huber sp. nov. 
C. Bahia, NE of Brumado; type locality of K. brumado Huber sp. nov. D. Bahia, SW of Maracas; type locality of K. maracas Huber sp. nov.
E. Bahia, NE of Mucugê; type locality of K. mucuge Huber sp. nov. F. Minas Gerais, NW of Itacarambi; type locality of K. itacarambi Huber sp. nov.

Kambiwa brumado Huber sp. nov.

 K. coribe Huber sp. nov.

K. ibo Huber sp. nov.

K. itacarambi Huber sp. nov.

 K. maracas Huber sp. nov.

 K. mucuge Huber sp. nov.

K. sapo (Huber, 2019) comb. nov.  

 Sertana Huber gen. nov. 

S. bumba Huber gen. et sp. nov. 

 S. capivara Huber gen. et sp. nov. 

 S. igapora Huber gen. et sp. nov.

S. lapa Huber gen. et sp. nov.

 S. sagarana Huber gen. et sp. nov. 

 

Bernhard A. Huber, Guanliang Meng, Jiří Král, Ivalú M. Ávila Herrera, Leonardo S. Carvalho. 2026. Ninetine Spiders in Brazilian Caatinga and Cerrado: Revision of Kambiwa and Description of Sertana gen. nov. (Araneae, Pholcidae), with analyses of predicted range shifts due to climate change. European Journal of Taxonomy. 1054(1), 1–126. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1054.3276 [2026-05-14]

[Entomology • 2025] Bucerocaputis kapinawa & B. timbira • Bucerocaputis gen. nov. (Coleoptera: Ciidae) from the Cerrado and Caatinga of Brazil, with the Description of Two New Species

 

Bucerocaputis kapinawa Souza-Gonçalves & Lopes-Andrade, 

in Souza-Gonçalves, Lopes-Andrade et Grossi, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/aen.70025

Abstract

Bucerocaputis Souza-Gonçalves & Lopes-Andrade, gen. nov., a new genus with two species, Bucerocaputis kapinawa Souza-Gonçalves & Lopes-Andrade, gen. et sp. nov. from the Caatinga biome and Bucerocaputis timbira Souza-Gonçalves & Lopes-Andrade, gen. et sp. nov. from the Cerrado biome, is described based on individuals collected in the states of Bahia, Maranhão, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Region of Brazil. The genus shares some morphological affinities with members of Acanthocis Miyatake, 1954, Falsocis Pic, 1916, Plesiocis Casey, 1898, Porculus Lawrence, 1987 and Pseudeuxestocis Lawrence 2016; however, it can be distinguished mainly by the combination of the following features: the robust body; single pronotal and elytral punctation; antennae with 10 antennomeres; apical maxillary palpomere inflated with a large circular sensory area at the apex; prosternum biconcave with a relatively broad, strongly curved prosternal process, projecting below the plane of the prosternum disc; and male anterocephalic and anterior pronotal edge quadridentate. We also provide information on its host fungi and briefly discuss its geographical distribution.

Keywords: Caatinga, Cerrado, Ciinae, Neotropical, taxonomy, Tenebrionoidea

Bucerocaputis kapinawa Souza-Gonçalves & Lopes-Andrade gen. et sp. nov., holotype male (e–e) from Sairé (Pernambuco, Brazil).
(a) Dorsal view; note the lateral pronotal projections (arrows). (b) Lateral view. (e) Ventral view. (d) Frontal–ventral view of head and thorax note the lateral pronotal projections (arrows). (e) Scutellar shield and part of the pronotum and elytra.

Scale bars: 1.0 mm (a–c); 0.5 (d); 0.2 mm (e).

Bucerocaputis Souza-Gonçalves & Lopes-Andrade, gen. nov. 

Bucerocaputis kapinawa Souza-Gonçalves & Lopes-Andrade, gen. et sp. nov.  

 Bucerocaputis timbira Souza-Gonçalves & Lopes-Andrade, gen. et sp. nov. 

Igor Souza-Gonçalves, Cristiano Lopes-Andrade and Paschoal C. Grossi. 2025. Bucerocaputis gen. nov. (Coleoptera: Ciidae) from the Cerrado and Caatinga of Brazil, with the Description of Two New Species. Austral Entomology. 64(4); e70025. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/aen.70025 [06 October 2025]

[Botany • 2026] Ditassa scholaris (Apocynaceae) • A New Species from Bahia (Brazil), in honour of a distinguished scholar of “Asclepiadaceae”

 

Ditassa scholaris Rapini & Giul. 

and D. glaziovii E.Fourn.

in Rapini, Bitencourt, Giulietti et Harley, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10276-x

Summary

As part of ongoing taxonomic studies on Brazilian Apocynaceae and floristic inventories in the state of Bahia, Brazil, we describe and illustrate a new species of Asclepiadoideae. Ditassa scholaris Rapini & Giul. sp. nov. is named in honour of Jorge Fontella Pereira, who dedicated most of his life to studying the “Asclepiadaceae” (now Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae), and described over 90 new species, made 95 new combinations and even more synonyms within the group. The new species is known only from the type specimen within the Caatinga dominion, collected in a northern fragment of the Espinhaço range with an Extent of Occurrence of no more than 10,000 km2. It is threatened by anthropogenic pressure and climate changes and is provisionally assessed as Vulnerable [VU B1ab(i,ii,iii) + D2]. Ditassa scholaris is vegetatively similar to Metastelma giuliettianum Fontella, mainly because of the ovate leaves and the hirsute indumentum covering branches and leaves. Its flowers resemble those of Ditassa glaziovii E.Fourn., particularly due to its double corona, with lobes fused at the base and an internally digitiform segment. However, the erect habit of D. scholaris differentiates it from these twining species. Erect growth has evolved independently in several lineages within the Metastelmatinae core group, predominantly comprising twining plants. We provide a key to distinguish D. scholaris from the other erect species of Metastelmatinae in the Caatinga dominion.

Key Words: Asclepiadoideae, Caatinga, Carrasco, Fontella, Metastelmatinae, taxonomy

Ditassa scholaris (A – D, F – L) and comparison with D. glaziovii (E).
A branches with leaves, flowers and buds; B a pair of leaves showing the hirsute indumentum; C an inflorescence with two open flowers; D, E flowers of Ditassa scholaris (D) and D. glaziovii (E) shown at the same scale for direct comparison of size and morphology; F inner portion of the flower, with calyx and corolla removed, displaying the corona with double lobes positioned in front of the anthers and the apex of the style head in the centre; G – J corona lobe, viewed abaxially (G), laterally (H) and adaxially (J); K anther, abaxial view; L pollinarium. A – D, F – L from the holotype Harley & Giulietti 57032 (HUEFS), E from Rapini et al. 1315 (HUEFS). drawn by a. rapini.

Ditassa scholaris (A – C) and comparison with D. glaziovii (D).
Ditassa scholaris: A branches with leaves, flowers and buds; B portion of a branch showing a closer view of leaves and inflorescences; C close-up of a branch, highlighting the flowers, with lobes burgundy towards the corolla base transitioning to green along the lobe margins, white corona lobes and a greenish style head in the centre.
Ditassa glaziovii: D inflorescence.

A – C from the holotype Harley & Giulietti 57032, in Umburanas, State of Bahia, Brazil, 

D from Rapini et al. 1315, in Licínio de Almeida, State of Bahia, Brazil. 

photos: A – C R. M. harley; D A. rapini.

 

 

Alessandro Rapini, Cassia Bitencourt, Ana Maria Giulietti and Raymond Mervyn Harley. 2026. Ditassa scholaris, A New Species of Apocynaceae from Bahia (Brazil), in honour of a distinguished scholar of “Asclepiadaceae”. Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10276-x [05 February 2026]

[Herpetology • 2025] Tropidurus galileii • Microendemism can be the Rule in the Brazilian Caatinga: Evidence from Flat Lizards of the Tropidurus semitaeniatus group (Squamata: Tropiduridae)

Tropidurus galileii

Ferreira, Dias, Rodrigues & Carvalho, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2024.2436572

Researchgate.net/publication/388269545

Abstract

Microendemism remains a poorly studied phenomenon within Brazil’s Caatinga biome, yet recent research has revealed a number of species complexes with diverging lineages confined to narrow geographic ranges. These lineages often inhabit remote and undersampled regions lacking conservation efforts. Notable examples include the flat lizards from the Tropidurus semitaeniatus group, which comprises the broadly distributed T. semitaeniatus species complex plus T. helenae, T. jaguaribanus, and T. pinima, all endemic to the Caatinga biome. Incomplete knowledge of their taxonomic boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and geographic distribution hinders both the formal description of new microendemic taxa and their conservation assessment. To address these gaps, we conducted a phylogenomic analysis of the T. semitaeniatus group employing ultra-conserved elements (UCEs) and investigated its microendemic diversity. Our analysis revealed that T. semitaeniatus is paraphyletic, with T. helenae emerging as sister to a clade formed by microendemic lineages of T. semitaeniatus (sensu lato), within which T. jaguaribanus is embedded. Additionally, the discovery of a new microendemic species, Tropidurus galileii sp. nov., from calcareous formations of Itaguaçu da Bahia, Brazil, exposed T. pinima as paraphyletic, revealing a novel species complex composed of multiple microendemic lineages. This finding led us to produce the first illustrated morphological guide for the T. semitaeniatus group, aimed at facilitating future comparative studies. Most species requiring taxonomic treatment in the T. semitaeniatus group exhibit morphological distinctiveness, and the number of microendemic taxa is significantly higher than previously estimated. Our findings suggest that range expansion followed by allopatric speciation is unlikely to be the sole driver of microendemism in this group. However, the specific biogeographic processes underlying the origin of microendemic lineages remain elusive. This study sheds light on the microendemic lizard diversity of the Caatinga, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced systematic and conservation efforts.

Key words: Microendemism, South American Flat Lizards, Tropidurinae, Tropidurus, ultra-conserved elements

Tropidurus galileii sp. nov.

 

Elaine Ferreira, Iuri Ribeiro Dias, Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues and André L. G. Carvalho. 2025. Microendemism can be the Rule in the Brazilian Caatinga: Evidence from Flat Lizards of the Tropidurus semitaeniatus group (Squamata: Tropiduridae). Systematics and Biodiversity. 23(1); 2436572. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2024.2436572 [21 Jan 2025]

Researchgate.net/publication/388269545_Microendemism_of_the_Tropidurus_semitaeniatus_group

[Botany • 2025] Psidium guedesiae (Myrtaceae) • A New Species from the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil

 

Psidium guedesiae Stadnik & Landrum, 

in Stadnik & Landrum, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.734.1.1 

 

Abstract

Psidium is one of the largest genera of Myrtaceae in Brazil. Bahia, the most species rich state, has species growing in the Cerrado, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest domains, and the ecotones between these. A new species, Psidium guedesiae, is described from the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil. It is compared to three similar species of Psidium that all seem to grow in the Caatinga habitat. A key to the species of this group is provided. The morphology, phenology, ecology and conservation status of P. guedesiae are discussed.

Bahia, dryland, Ecotone, Myrteae, Pernambuco, Eudicots

Psidium guedesiae.
Details. A—Fruiting branch (Stadnik 279); B—Twig. B1 –Vegetative bud, B2—Colleter (Stadnik 279);
C—Placenta with ovules (Guedes 30198); D—Seeds (Stadnik 279); E—Petal (Guedes 30198); F—young cataphyll (Guedes 30146); G— longitudinal section of an old flower, highlighting gynoecium features; H—old flower, H1—Bracteole, H2—Colleter (Guedes 30146).

Psidium guedesiae Stadnik & Landrum, sp. nov. 

Similar to Psidium brevipedunculatum but flower buds and lower surface of leaves moderately to sparsely strigose or pubescent (not densely tomentose), petioles 0–2 mm long (not 4–5 mm long) and leaf blades submembranous to chartaceous (not subcoriaceous) at maturity. 

Etymology:—Psidium guedesiae is a tribute to Maria Lenise Guedes who is a distinguished colleague of the Alexandre Leal Costa Herbarium at Salvador, Bahia. Guedes is a prolific botanist that has been contributing to the biodiversity knowledge of Brazil, mainly in the Bahia state. She was the first collector of P. guedesiae, and based on online platform of herbarium data, she is the paramount female collector of vascular plants in Brazil and has collected more specimens of Psidium in Bahia than anyone else.

 

Aline STADNIK and Leslie R. LANDRUM. 2025. Psidium guedesiae A New Species from the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil. Phytotaxa. 734(1); 1-8. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.734.1.1 [2025-12-16]

[Botany • 2016] Chresta filicifolia (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) • A New Species endemic to the Mata Atlântica Domain, Brazil

Chresta filicifolia Siniscalchi & Loeuille, 

in Siniscalchi, Loeuille et Pirani, 2016. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.244.1.6

 Researchgate.net/publication/290601145

Abstract

Chresta filicifolia is described and illustrated. It is a perennial herb known only from open vegetation on top of small rock outcrops at the Rio Doce Valley in Eastern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. This is the first record of a species of Chresta endemic to a phytogeographic domain other than the Cerrado and Caatinga, since those outcrops are included in the Mata Atlântica Domain (Atlantic Forest). The new species is closely related to C. harleyi and C. hatschbachii, but differs from these by its leaves, which are larger and more deeply lobed than those of the other two species, and also by its florets and cypselae, which are both larger in Chresta filicifolia. Moreover, the two other species are allopatric from C. filicifolia, being restricted to the Caatinga Domain. The southernmost distribution of C. harleyi lies more than 500 km away from the locality where the new species is found, making this discovery unexpected, and raising interesting biogeographical questions, which are briefly addressed here.

Keywords: Compositae, Chrestinae, Cerrado, rock outcrops, campo rupestre, endemism, disjunction, Atlantic Forest Domain, Eudicots

Chresta filicifolia Siniscalchi & Loeuille, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet filicifolia refers to the leaves of this species, which are deeply lobed and reminiscent of those of a fern.

Carolina Moriani Siniscalchi, Benoit Francis Patrice Loeuille and José Rubens Pirani. 2016. A New Species of Chresta (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) endemic to the Mata Atlântica Domain, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 244(1); 80-88. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.244.1.6 

 ResearchGate.net/publication/290601145_A_new_species_of_Chresta_endemic_to_the_Mata_Atlantica_Brazil

#MyFirstSpecies was Chresta filicifolia, known from one locality in Eastern Brazil, close to an area was deeply impacted by a mining accident in Rio Doce valley, 'filicifolia' means 'leaves resembling fern leaves', which is the case here #IamABotanist

 twitter.com/charoles/status/980797826098704384

[Entomology • 2025] Metallacantha aculeata • The Sertão Leaf Katydid – A New Genus of Pterochrozinae Walker, 1870 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from the Caatinga in Northeastern Brazil

 

Metallacantha aculeata Engelking, Ghirotto, Fianco, Sobral, Silva-Neto & Mendes, 

in Ghirotto, Engelking, Fianco, Martins, Sobral, Silva-Neto et Mendes, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1007.3013  

Abstract

Pterochrozinae are katydids endemic to the Neotropics, commonly known as peacock or leaf katydids. Several areas in the Neotropical are poorly sampled for leaf katydids, and there are few experts working with this group. Most of Pterochrozinae diversity occurs in rainforests, while only a single genus occurs in the savannic Cerrado, and no Pterochrozinae is known for the Caatinga, a semi-arid biome. Here, we present a new Pterochrozinae genus and species, Metallacantha aculeata Engelking, Ghirotto, Fianco, Sobral, Silva-Neto & Mendes gen. and sp. nov., from the Caatinga. The new genus can be distinguished from all other Pterochrozinae by its robust body, enlarged legs, large and flat hind tibial spines, and extremely shortened hind wings. We describe the new genus and species based on three adult females, three adult males, and one nymph from different areas in the Southern Sertanejo Depression of the Caatinga biome, Brazil, also presenting notes on its biology, acoustics, and behavior. Furthermore, we present discussions on the relationship of some Pterochrozinae genera.

Keywords: New species, taxonomy, peacock-katydid, South American dry diagonal, Brazilian fauna

Class Insecta Linnaeus, 1758

Order Orthoptera Olivier, 1789

Family Tettigoniidae Krauss, 1902

Subfamily Pterochrozinae Walker, 1870

Holotype ♂ of Metallacantha aculeata Engelking, Ghirotto, Fianco, Sobral, Silva-Neto & Mendes gen. et sp. nov. (DZUP), from Santa Teresinha, Bahia, Brazil.
A. Habitus in lateral view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Habitus in dorsal view.

Metallacantha Engelking, Ghirotto, Fianco, Sobral, Silva-Neto & Mendes gen. nov. 

Live holotype ♂ of Metallacantha aculeata Engelking, Ghirotto, Fianco, Sobral, Silva-Neto & Mendes gen. et sp. nov. (DZUP), from Santa Teresinha, Bahia, Brazil.
A–D, F. Different positions. E. Male raising hind leg after being handled. Image not to scale.

Live ♀ of Metallacantha aculeata Engelking, Ghirotto, Fianco, Sobral, Silva-Neto & Mendes gen. et sp. nov. from Anagé, Bahia, Brazil (not deposited). A. In situ, when found. B. Female raising hind leg after being handled. C–D. Habitus of the same female. Image not to scale.

Diagnosis: The new genus can be differentiated in both sexes from all other known Pterochrozinae by the broad pronotum that is wider than long; the very reduced hind wings not extending more than two tergites in length; the very robust, large legs in relation to the body (the whole third leg being 1.9–2.1× longer than the body); the large, widened and dorsoventrally flattened spines on hind tibiae; the conical spines on the dorsal surface of hind femora. For females, the wide and short subgenital plate that is wider than long also readily differs the new genus from the females of all other Pterochrozinae.

Furthermore, other characteristics that can help differentiate the new genus, but are not exclusive of it, are the short tegmina that do not or barely surpass the end of the abdomen (shared with Asbolomma and Tanusiella); a white band running through the lateral region of the head, the middle of the eyes, the lateral edge of the pronotum, lateral region of the thorax, and dorsal edge of the tegmina (shared with Paracycloptera);  the  unspotted  hind  wing  (shared  with  Celidophylla, Cycloptera,  Mimetica, Paracycloptera, Typophyllum, and Roxelana); hind femora with two ventral rows of conical spines (Metallacantha gen. nov. presents rows both in the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the hind femora, while other genera, such as Paracycloptera, bear only ventral rows); fore wings with R and M veins not conjoined in lateral view, running parallel and very closely apart, side by side (shared with several other genera such as Paracycloptera).

Etymology: Taken in reference to the large and wide spines with a metallic iridescent shine present on the metatibiae that readily distinguishes the new genus from other Pterochrozinae genera. The name is derived from the Latin words “metallicus” (= metallic) and “acanthus” (= spines). The gender is feminine.

  Metallacantha aculeata 

Engelking, Ghirotto, Fianco, Sobral, Silva-Neto & Mendes gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology: From Latin aculeata, meaning “spiny” in reference to the many distinct spines of this katydid, especially the enlarged ones on its hind legs.

Victor M. Ghirotto, Phillip W. Engelking, Marcos Fianco, Samuel M. Martins, Rafael Sobral, Alberto M. da Silva-Neto and Diego M. de Mello Mendes. 2025. The Sertão Leaf Katydid – A New Genus of Pterochrozinae Walker, 1870 (Insecta, Orthoptera) from the Caatinga in Northeastern Brazil. European Journal of Taxonomy. 1007(1); 279-310. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1007.3013  

[Botany • 2025] Bauhinia angelae (Leguminosae: Cercidoideae) • An overlooked New Species from Drylands of Northeastern Brazil

 

 

Bauhinia angelae  

in Casas-Restrepo, Fonseca-Cortés et Queiroz, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.691.3.4 

  facebook.com/LuisCarlosCASASRESTREPO/

Abstract  

The Brazilian Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests and Woodlands represents an important evolutionary unit, widely recognized as a species center of diversification and endemism. The northeastern Brazilian Caatinga is the largest and most diverse SDTFW nucleus, exhibiting a important center of diversification in which the family Leguminosae exhibits the large number in genera and species richness and endemism, in which the genus Bauhinia stands out in species richness. Bauhinia angelae, a new species of shurbs or treelets is described, illustrated, and aspects related to its distribution, conservation status and relationships with morphologically similar species are discussed. Bauhinia angelae is characterized by the presences of triangular stipules, leaflets 3–10 × 2–7 cm, flower buds 2.5–6.5 cm long with the apex capitate and twisted lobes, oblong petals with undulate margins and mature fruits longer than 10 cm long. This new species is distributed in the Brazilian Caatinga between the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais. Additionally, a key to specie included in Bauhinia sect. Pauletia ser. Aculeatae is presented.

Cercidoideae, Fabaceae, Flora of Brazil, Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests and Woodlands, series Aculeatae, Eudicots

Luis Carlos CASAS-RESTREPO, Andrés FONSECA-CORTÉS and Luciano Paganucci de QUEIROZ. 2025. Bauhinia angelae (Leguminosae: Cercidoideae): An overlooked New Species from Drylands of Northeastern Brazil.  Phytotaxa. 691(3); 271-281. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.691.3.4 [2025-03-07]

  facebook.com/LuisCarlosCASASRESTREPO/posts/10162218575149643

[Botany • 2021] Tillandsia oliveirae (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) • A New Species from an inselberg in Bahia, Brazil

Tillandsia oliveirae E.H.Souza & Leme,

in E.H.D. Souza, Leodegario, Aona, F.V.D. Souza et Leme, 2021.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.527.1.6  

  facebook.com/EvertonHiloSOUZA

 

Abstract

The authors describe, discuss, and illustrate Tillandsia oliveirae, a new species from the inselbergs of the Caatinga biome in the municipality of Itatim, Bahia, Brazil. The new species is similar to T. hofackeri, differing by morphological characters such as larger size of the plant, longer peduncle, more laxly arranged leaves, which are more numerous, and whitish petals. It is an endemic species with a restricted area of distribution, being considered critically endangered (CR) due to illegal extractivism, specifically for regional and international trade.

Bromeliad, Caatinga, illegal trade, Tillandsia hofackeri, Tillandsioideae, Monocots

Tillandsia oliveirae E.H.Souza & Leme

Everton Hilo De SOUZA, Marcio De Melo LEODEGARIO, Lidyanne Yuriko Saleme AONA, Fernanda V. D. SOUZA and Elton M. C. LEME. 2021. Tillandsia oliveirae (Bromeliaceae): A New Species from an inselberg in Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 527(1); 60-66. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.527.1.6 [2021-11-26]

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[Herpetology • 2025] Rupirana kaatinga • A New species of Rupirana (Heyer, 1999) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Serra do Assuruá, center-north of Bahia state, Brazil

 

Rupirana kaatinga

Mângia, Amaral, Müller & Santana. 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24121 

 Abstract  

The Caatinga, a semi-arid region with drought-adapted vegetation, supports unique biodiversity, including numerous endemic species. Serra do Assuruá in Bahia is one such high-altitude area, rich in ecological niches but largely understudied, especially regarding amphibians, and lacks conservation units. During fieldwork, we discovered a new Rupirana species approximately 200 km beyond its known range. Previously, Rupirana had remained monotypic for over two decades, restricted to the campo rupestre ecosystem in the northern mountain ranges of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia. This unexpected finding in Serra do Assuruá prompted detailed morphological, acoustic, and molecular analyses, confirming it as a new endemic species for the region. While wind farm expansion in remote areas like the Caatinga has enabled important scientific discoveries, including this Rupirana, it also poses risks to biodiversity through habitat changes. These findings highlight the need for enhanced conservation planning in the Caatinga biome, as such discoveries underscore both the ecological value and the vulnerability of these fragile ecosystems. Therefore, balancing renewable energy development with conservation efforts through rigorous environmental assessments is essential to protect these fragile ecosystems.

KEYWORDS: Amphibia, Caatinga, conservation, taxonomy

Live specimens of Rupirana kaatinga sp. nov.:
 A) adult male (ZUFMS-AMP20347, field number MAP 8594, SVL 30.45 mm), B), C) and D) adult males not collected,
E) paratype (juvenile ZUFMS-AMP20354, field number MAP 8599), and F) juvenile not collected.

Rupirana kaatinga sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Diagnosed by the following combination of characters: 1) snout vent-length of 26.41-30.45 mm in adult males, 2) snout round in profile and from above, 3) smooth skin on the dorsum, including the arms, legs, and upper eyelids, with only a few small, scattered tubercles, 4) belly and gular region is cream-coloured with light grey vermicular spots, 5) advertisement call lasting 0.075-0.135 s, with 20 pulses per call, 191.7 pulses/s, and a dominant frequency of 1,378.1-1,722.7 Hz.

Etymology: The name ‘Caatinga’ is derived from the Tupi-Guarani language and means ‘white forest’ (‘ka’a’ (forest) + ‘ting’ (white) + ‘–a’ (noun-forming suffix)). This name alludes to the whitish landscape presented by the vegetation during the dry season, when most plants shed their leaves, and the trunks become whitish and dry. The pronounced seasonality in this region significantly influences the life cycles of organisms inhabiting this type of environment to a lesser or more noticeable extent for some species, even determining whether a particular species is recorded in the area or not. We named this new species after the Caatinga region due to its endemism and strong connection to the cycles of rain and drought within this domain (see below). The specific epithet kaatinga is treated as a noun in apposition.

Sarah Mângia, Guilherme do Amaral, Márcia Müller and Diego J. Santana. 2025. New species of Rupirana (Heyer, 1999) (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Serra do Assuruá, center-north of Bahia state, Brazil. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 74 (24121), 24121.1-16. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24121 (14 March 2025) 

 

[Ornithology • 2024] Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae • A New Antshrike (Aves: Thamnophilidae) endemic to the Caatinga and the Role of Climate Oscillations and Drainage Shift in Shaping Cryptic Diversity of Neotropical Seasonal Dry Forests

 male [back] and female [front] individuals of Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae

Cerqueira, Gonçalves, Quaresma, Silva, Pichorim & Aleixo, 2024

DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12672

 Illustration by Eduardo Brettas

[Pattern 1] Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae

Cerqueira, Gonçalves, Quaresma, Silva, Pichorim & Aleixo, 2024

 

[Pattern 2] Sakesphoroides cristatus (Wied, 1831)

DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12672

 

Abstract

The Caatinga is the largest patch of Seasonal Dry Tropical Forest in the Neotropics, located in northeastern Brazil and characterized mainly by deciduous vegetation and extreme rainfall seasonality. It has historically been treated as a biologically impoverished domain, but recent studies uncovered new diversification patterns and several new taxa of frogs, mammals, insects, and fishes. Here we employed a dense sampling regime to evaluate whether the São Francisco River (SFR) would have promoted genetic diversification and fixed phenotypic differences and how Quaternary climatic oscillations shaped distribution and population sizes in a Caatinga endemic species, the Silvery-cheeked Antshrike (Sakesphoroides cristatus). We adopted an integrative approach using multilocus genetic, plumage, vocal data, and ecological niche modelling (ENM) to characterize evolutionary units and niche suitability in past scenarios. We recovered strong genetic structure across the SFR that was congruent with plumage and vocal variation, revealing a yet undescribed species named herein as Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae, sp. nov.. The splitting time estimated between the newly described species and S. cristatus is consistent with the establishment of the modern course of SFR, with a more recent course shift apparently promoting the secondary contact between the two species in the Raso da Catarina region. After their split, both species experienced increases in population sizes and range sizes at similar times during the Last Glacial Maximum. We expect other Caatinga avian endemic lineages to show similar patterns of genetic differentiation across the SFR that were enhanced by Quaternary climatic oscillations.

Geographic distribution of diagnostic plumage characters in Sakesphoroides cristatus females. Green and blue circles represent diagnostic patterns numbered 1 and 2, respectively, recovered from plumage analyses using study skins and digital photographs (see text for details). The dark-blue line represents the modern course of the São Francisco River (SFR), with the red dashed lines representing the estimated position of abandoned meanders of a Late Pleistocene paleocourse of the SFR. The colour gradient represents altitudinal variation.

Credit photos: Rocílio Ribeiro Rocha (pattern 1) and Oberdan Nunes (pattern 2).

...

Once we defined S. cristatus as the applicable name for clade 2 and no taxon name is available for clade 1 birds, herein we describe the latter group as a new species:

 male [back] and female [front] individuals of Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae 

Illustration by Eduardo Brettas, from Cerqueira et al., 2024)

Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae, sp. nov. Cerqueira, Gonçalves, Quaresma, Silva, Pichorim & Aleixo

Northern Silvery-cheeked Antshrike (English).

Choca-do-nordeste-de-cauda-barrada (Portuguese).

 Diagnosis: 

Morphology: The new species is assigned to the genus Sakesphoroides based on its morphological diagnostic characters as described by Grantsau (2010), and its sister relationship to Sakesphoroides cristatus.

Males of Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae are similar in plumage to Sakesphoroides cristatus, but females differ from the former by distinct crown, back, and tail colours, (Table 1). Sakesphoroides niedeguidonae has an overall lighter (Amber) colour rather than Chestnut as S. cristatus. The back is olive brown in S. niedeguidonae, whereas that of S. cristatus is Cinnamon-Brown. The overall tail colour in S. niedeguidonae is darker than in S. cristatus, with the most conspicuous difference being the black and white barring, replaced in S. cristatus only by discreet dull brown and rufous bars and complete absence of white barring (Figure S1).

Voice: The loudsong of S. niedeguidonae is slightly similar in general pattern to that of S. cristatus, but differs conspicuously by the shape of the first notes. While the loudsong of S. niedeguidonae has initial notes with an ascending–descending pattern of frequency modulation, looking visually like an inverted ‘U’ letter on sound spectrograms, that of S. cristatus has initial ascending notes reaching quickly a high frequency (~2300 Hz) and then descending to the maximum amplitude and continuing to descend further to a lower frequency (~580 Hz), which confers to it a sigmoid shape on spectrograms (Figure 2). Additionally, the loudsong of S. niedeguidonae differs from that of S. cristatus by a significantly greater number of notes, longer overall duration, and slower pace in total song (see Table 3). Female recordings present noticeable higher pitched songs than males (ML579640291; Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca).

Etymology: 

It is our pleasure to name this species in honour of Niède Guidon, a Brazilian archaeologist who in 1970's explored the largest and oldest concentration of prehistoric sites in the Americas. Niède's efforts helped to create the Serra da Capivara National Park in Piauí state, where her research found evidence of artefacts that have provoked a re-evaluation of the traditional theories about human settlement in the Americas. Moreover, she is a symbol of power and persistence in preserving the Caatinga environment not just for archaeological purposes but also considering biodiversity and local human communities, highlighting the Caatinga as a singular place in the world, which has inspired us every day.

The English name (Northern Silvery-cheeked Antshrike) is a reference to its range in the Caatinga domain and the sister taxon S. cristatus (now called Southern Silvery-cheeked Antshrike). The Portuguese name (Choca-do-nordeste-de-cauda-barrada) highlights the main plumage feature in females distinguishing the new species from S. cristatus (Choca-do-nordeste in Portuguese). Both names maintain in its composition the name used in S. cristatus for an easy reference to their close phylogenetic relationship.

Pablo Cerqueira, Gabriela R. Gonçalves, Tânia F. Quaresma, Marcelo Silva, Mauro Pichorim and Alexandre Aleixo. 2024. A New Antshrike (Aves: Thamnophilidae) endemic to the Caatinga and the Role of Climate Oscillations and Drainage Shift in Shaping Cryptic Diversity of Neotropical Seasonal Dry Forests. Zoologica Scripta. DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12672

Nova espécie de ave da Caatinga é descoberta e tem origem em variações históricas do São Francisco

https://abori.com.br/ambiente/aves-da-caatinga-mudancas-climaticas-nova-especie/