[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]

[Herpetology • 2026] Phyllodytes gravata • Another Piece in the Puzzle: A New Species of Phyllodytes Wagler, 1830 (Anura: Hylidae) from the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, northeastern Brazil

 Phyllodytes gravata 

Santos, Rodrigues & Dias, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1048.3235 

Abstract

We describe Phyllodytes gravata sp. nov., a new species of bromeligenous treefrog from the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil. The new species is characterised by its small body size (males 19.5–22.0 mm snout-vent length; female 23.5 mm), a rounded snout with an apical tubercle, an inconspicuous row of tubercles along the tarsus, with a single prominent tubercle at the tibiotarsal articulation, a dorsolateral brown stripe, and an advertisement call composed of long series of pulsed notes (22–34 notes/call; call duration 5.2–7.3 s; dominant frequency 2.75–3.83 kHz). The species is currently known from only two nearby localities within the Central Corridor of the Atlantic Forest (CCAF), in the municipality of Porto Seguro, district of Trancoso, Bahia, a major tourist destination, where it inhabits bromeliads in sandy-soil ecosystems known as mussunungas. Its apparently microendemic distribution and strict association with bromeliads render it vulnerable to several anthropogenic threats, such as bromeliad harvesting, increasing tourism, urbanisation, and agriculture. This discovery underscores the persistent hidden diversity of the CCAF and reinforces the urgent need to protect its highly special microhabitats.

Keywords: Taxonomy, Amphibia, Bioacoustic, Bromeliad, Conservation

In-life photographs of Phyllodytes gravata sp. nov.
  A.  Paratype, ♂  (MZUESC 23915). B. Paratype, ♂  (MZUESC 23885).
C.  Paratype, ♂  (MZUESC 23884) Dorsal view. D.  Paratype, ♂  (MZUESC 23884) ventral view.
E. Aechmea lamarchei Mez; F. Mussununga, the natural habitat at the type locality.

A. Map showing thedistribution of Phyllodytes gravata sp. nov. and its sister species, P. amadoi and Phyllodytes sp. 7. in southern Bahia, northeastern Brazil. 
B. Phyllodytes gravata sp. nov., paratype, ♂ (MZUESC 23915). C. Phyllodytes amadoi, ♂ (MZUESC 24030 – photograph by  Tadeu T.  Medeiros). D. Phyllodytes sp. 7, ♂.

Phyllodytes gravata sp. nov.

Laisa Souza dos Santos, Miguel Trefaut  Rodrigues and Iuri Ribeiro Dias. 2026. Another Piece in the Puzzle: A New Species of Phyllodytes Wagler, 1830 (Anura, Hylidae) from the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, northeastern Brazil. European Journal of Taxonomy. 1048(1); 62–83. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1048.3235 [2026-03-27]

[Herpetology • 2026] Ololygon paracatu • A New Species of the Ololygon catharinae group (Anura: Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the Brazilian Cerrado

Ololygon paracatu 

 Carvalho, Valencia-Zuleta, Araujo-Vieira, Faivovich, Maciel & Brandão,  2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.6.2

 

Abstract

We describe a new species of the Ololygon catharinae group from the Cerrado biome, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Ololygon paracatu sp. nov. is morphologically similar to O. goya and O. skaios, although in phylogenetic analyses, it is recovered as the poorly supported sister taxon of O. pombali. It is distinguished from other species of the O. catharinae group by having a canthus rostralis marked and curved; subovoid snout in dorsal view and protruding in profile; inverted triangle shaped interocular blotch, exceeding the posterior margin of the eyes; inguinal region and hidden areas of thighs with dark brown irregular blotches on a pale yellow background in life; and advertisement call composed of 3–5 pulsed notes and dominant frequency of 2.5–3.5 kHz. Ololygon paracatu sp. nov. inhabits gallery forests associated with streams in the Cerrado biome.

Amphibia, Hylinae, taxonomy, phylogeny, calls, gallery forest

 

 

Ololygon paracatu sp. nov.

Daniele CARVALHO, Alejandro VALENCIA-ZULETA, Katyuscia ARAUJO-VIEIRA, Julián FAIVOVICH, Natan M. MACIEL and Reuber A. BRANDÃO. 2026. A New Species of the Ololygon catharinae group from the Brazilian Cerrado (Anura, Hylidae, Scinaxini). Zootaxa. 5757(6); 522-542. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.6.2 [2026-02-11]

[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 • 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 • 2025] Calea aggregata, Wedelia cangae & W. santosiae • Small Collections, Great Findings: Three New Species and Two New State Records for Asteraceae from Brazil

 

(C–D) Calea aggregata V. R. Bueno & M. L. Campos
(A–B) Wedelia santosiae V. R. Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes 

in Bueno, Almeida, Fernandes, Ferreira, Prata-Silveira et Bentes, 2025.   

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04846 

Photos (A)–(B) by J. O. Rego; (C)–(D) by C. A. Ferreira Jr.

 

Abstract

The BHZB herbarium was founded in 1993 with about 16 787 registers – a number that has to be considered as small when compared to larger herbaria in Brazil. In the BHZB, 97.5% of the vouchers are from the Minas Gerais state (ca 16 372 specimens), with Asteraceae being the best represented family. Studying this collection, we found three new species from Minas Gerais: Calea aggregata, Wedelia cangae, and Wedelia santosiae which are here described and illustrated, and their conservation status and taxonomic affinities are discussed. In addition, we provide a map with the information about the new species. We also found some new records that was misidentified. The occurrence of Praxelis sanctopaulensis (B.L.Rob.) R.M.King and H.Rob. in Minas Gerais and of Mikania stipulacea Willd. in the Espírito Santo state are documented and mapped.

Keywords: Atlantic forest, Campo rupestre, Cerrado, Compositae

Photos in habitat of Calea aggregata sp. nov. (C–D) and Wedelia santosiae sp. nov. (A–B).
Photos (A)–(B) by J. O. Rego; (C)–(D) by C. A. Ferreira Jr.

Calea aggregata V. R. Bueno and M. L. Campos sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: A species that resembles C. diamantinensis, but can be differentiated by having alternate and decussate leaves on the same branch (versus opposite, rarely whorled), corolla lobes 2.1–2.4 mm long (versus 1.5–1.7 mm), and corolla glabrous (versus glandular-punctate).

Etymology: The epithet ‘aggregata' is referring to the arrangement of aggregated leaves at the apex of the branches and the disposition of the heads in the short congested capitulescence.

Wedelia santosiae V. R. Bueno, Prata-Silveira and Bentes sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species that resembles W. frioana B. L. Turner, but has petiolate leaves (versus sessile), 4-seriate involucrum (versus 3-seriate), and cypselae 4.9–5.0 mm long (versus 5–6 mm).

 

Etymology: The epithet ‘santosiae' is in honor of Professor Dr João Ubiratan Moreira dos Santos who is a researcher who devoted his life to studying taxonomy, mainly of Heliantheae (Asteraceae). Dr Santos has a long and fruitful career with several articles published especially focused on the taxonomy of Aspilia Thouars and Wedelia and a book about Aspilia in Brazil that made him the greatest taxonomist reference on these species (Santos 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1982). Throughout his career, he contributed to the training of 28 undergraduates, 42 masters, 7 doctors with direct supervision, in addition to many other contributions. In total, Dr Santos published 42 new names for science and Wedelia santosiae is the first name in his honor.

Wedelia cangae V. R. Bueno, Prata-Silveira and Bentes sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: A species distinguishable from W. goyazensis Gardner by having petiole 0.8–4.2 mm long (versus 6–15 mm), leaf blade 2.10–4.25 cm long (versus 6.4–11.0 cm), 4-seriate involucrum (versus 3-seriate), and cypselae 5.5–6.0 mm long (versus ca 4.5 mm).

Etymology: The epithet ‘cangae' refers to a canga vegetation, which is the species habitat.

 

Vinícius Resende Bueno, Maria Luiza Campos Almeida, Maria Guadalupe Carvalho Fernandes, Carlos Alberto Ferreira Júnior, Ananda Prata-Silveira and Marina Soares Bentes. 2025. Small Collections, Great Findings: Three New Species and Two New State Records for Asteraceae from Brazil. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04846 [28 August 2025]

[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

[Botany • 2025] Bonamia minima (Convolvulaceae) • A New Species from Brazil, with notes on leaf anatomy and pollen morphology

 Bonamia minima A.L.C.Moreira & Faria,  

in Moreira, Faria, Cunha Neto, Mata et Zanatta, 2025.

 https://rheedea.in/journal/ftH8cFXW 

 Researchgate.net/publication/394678526

 

Abstract

A new species of Convolvulaceae, Bonamia minima A.L.C. Moreira & Faria, is described and illustrated based on a collection made in 2012 from a region of high diversity in the Central Plateau of Brazil, in campo rupestre. The new species is most similar to B. austinii A.L.C.Moreira & Sim.-Bianch., the only congener with which it shares the combination of sericeous indumentum and bifurcate trichomes on the leaves. It can be distinguished from this species mainly by characteristics of the gynoecium, presenting a completely glabrous ovary. Details of its habitat, distribution, phenology, conservation status, and micromorphological aspects of the leaf and pollen are provided, along with a comparison to the most similar species.

Keywords: Campo rupestre, Cerrado, Neotropical biodiversity, Savannah, subshrub, Taxonomy

 Bonamia minima A.L.C.Moreira & Faria sp. nov.:
a. Habit; b. Leaf-adaxial surface; b1. Leaf-abaxial surface; c. Flower-lateral view; d. Sepals; e. Corolla with stamen, longitudinal section; f. Stamen; g. Pollen grain; h. Gynoecium; i. Stigma

(drawn from the holotype by MC)

 Bonamia minima A.L.C.Moreira & Faria sp. nov.:
a. Habit; b. Flower-lateral view; b1. Sepals; c. Flower-frontal view; d. Stamen; e. Polar view of pollen grain (SEM); f. Style; f1. Stigma under scanning electron microscopy; g. Branch

(Photos by H. Moreira. (A, B, C e G; Designed by JV).

Bonamia minima A.L.C. Moreira & Faria, sp. nov. 

 Closely related to B. austinii A.L.C. Moreira & Sim.-Bianch. (Moreira et al. 2018) (Fig. 2, 3) by presenting short elliptic petiolate leaf and axillary inflorescence with white corolla but differing by its glabrous ovary, style with equal size and stigma fully globose. Bonamia austinii has an ovary with a hairy apex, styles of different sizes and globose to reniform stigmas.

Etymology: The specific epithet minima, derived from the Latin minimus, refers to the small size of the plant compared to other species of the genus. Its total size does not exceed 20 cm in height, with its delicate leaves measuring approximately 2.2 cm.

 

Moreira A.L.C., Faria J.E.Q., Cunha Neto I.L., Mata L.R. and M.R.V. Zanatta. 2025. Bonamia minima (Convolvulaceae): A New Species from Brazil, with notes on leaf anatomy and pollen morphology. Rheedea. 35(2):51-61. https://rheedea.in/journal/ftH8cFXW 

DOI: 10.22244/rheedea.2025.35.02.01 [30-Jun-2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/394678526_Bonamia_minima_a_new_species_from_Brazil

[Botany • 2025] Jacquemontia verae (Convolvulaceae) • A New Species from Brazilian Savannas

Jacquemontia verae   

in Pastore, Moreira, Morais, Romeiro et Simão-Bianchini, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.701.1.4

 

Abstract

Jacquemontia verae is described as a new species from “cerrado rupestre” vegetation in the Cerrado biome of Goiás, Brazil. Line drawings and photographs illustrate the new species, including optical and scanning electron microscope images of pollen. It is compared morphologically with similar species of Jacquemontia and an identification key to species from the state of Goiás is provided. The conservation status of the new species is informally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR). Its relationships within Jacquemontia and its stigma structure are discussed.

Cerrado, endangered plant, palynology, taxonomy, tropical America, Eudicots

 

Mayara PASTORE, André Luiz C. MOREIRA, Isa Lucia de MORAIS, Luiza A. ROMEIRO and Rosângela SIMÃO-BIANCHINI. 2025. Jacquemontia verae (Convolvulaceae): A New Species from Brazilian Savannas.  Phytotaxa. 701(1); 56-68. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.701.1.4 [2025-05-13]

 

Nova espécie de planta do Cerrado é descoberta por professora da UEG 

https://agenciacoradenoticias.go.gov.br/155323-nova-especie-de-planta-do-cerrado-e-descoberta-por-professora-da-ueg

[Botany • 2025] Calea riopardensis, C. roqueana & C. strigosa (Asteraceae: Neurolaeneae) • Three New Species from the Sky Islands of the Espinhaço Range

 

Calea roqueana  & C. strigosa 

V.R.Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes,

in Bueno, Bentes, Ramos, Zavatin et Prata-Silveira, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.689.2.2

 

Abstract

Thirty five years since the last new species was placed in Calea sect. Lemmatium, three new species for this section are described here: C. riopardensis, C. roqueana, and C. strigosa. These three new species belong to the C. sickii group, which is characterized by the few-headed cymose capitulescence or capitula solitary and ray florets 5–10 per capitulum (when radiate). Calea riopardensis resembles C. repanda, but it differs by the petiole 0.6–0.7 cm long (vs. 1.3–1.5 cm), leaf base attenuate (vs. rounded), and cypselae 3.5–3.8 mm long (vs. 3.0–3.2 mm). Calea roqueana is also similar to C. repanda, but it can be distinguished by the sessile leaves (vs. petiolate leaves), peduncle 1.2–5.5 cm long (vs. 0.45–0.7 cm), and cypselae 3.8–4.6 mm long (vs. 3.0–3.2 mm). Calea strigosa is morphologically close to C. sessilifolia, but it can be individualized by being 0.4–1.0 m tall (vs. 0.1–0.25 m), base subcordate (vs. rounded), and disc floret corolla 6.3–7.1 mm long (vs. 4.3–5.8 mm). These new species are hereby described, illustrated, its conservation status and taxonomic affinities are discussed. In addition, an identification key for the C. sickii group is provided and its geographical distribution is mapped.

Campo rupestre, Compositae, Cerrado, Heliantheae s.l., Eudicots

Calea riopardensis V.R.Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet “riopardensis” is the latinized form of the gentile of the Rio Pardo de Minas, the municipality where the species was collected.

Calea roqueana sp. nov. 
A. Flowering branch. B. Magnification of the teeth. C. Magnification of the glandular-punctate trichomes. D. Capitulum in frontal view. E. Old capitulum in frontal view. F–H. Capitulum in lateral view. I. Radiate floret. J. Disc flore. K. Cypsela.

Image authorship: Danilo A. Zavatin.

Calea roqueana V.R.Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet “roqueana” was given in honor of Dr. Nádia Roque (1970–2024), who was a biologist with master and doctorate degrees in Botany. She was a professor at the Universidade Federal da Bahia (Federal University of Bahia—UFBA) and served as curator of the ALCB herbarium (Thiers 2025) for 11 years, in the vascular plants section. In addition to being a professor, she supervised undergraduate, master›s, and Ph.D. students at the Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (State University of Feira de Santana) and at UFBA, focusing on Systematics and Floristics research of Angiosperms, mainly Asteraceae. She was also a CNPq research productivity fellow and collaborated on projects with researchers from the Smithsonian Institution (United States of America), Museo de La Plata (Argentina), and Instituto de Biociências (Brazil). Nádia Roque was a prolific researcher with more than 100 articles published, three books organized or authored, 20 books chapters, and 36 new species described. As a collector, N. Roque made more than 5400 collections, and even the first collection of C. roqueana was made by her.

Calea strigosa sp. nov.  
A. Plant in the habitat. B. Capitulum magnification.

Image autorship: V.S. Miranda.

Calea strigosa V.R.Bueno, Prata-Silveira & Bentes, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet “strigosa” refers to the strigose indument of the stems, abaxial leaf surface, and outer involucral phyllaries of the new species.

Vinícius R. BUENO, Marina Soares BENTES, Renato RAMOS, Danilo A.. ZAVATIN and Ananda PRATA-SILVEIRA. 2025. Three New Species of Calea (Asteraceae, Neurolaeneae) from the Sky Islands of the Espinhaço Range. Phytotaxa. 689(2); 185-203. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.689.2.2 [2025-02-24]

 www.facebook.com/dtnatemporeal/posts/959455566168693

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WjZuFCxkLYZpBnMrLVwqixbTyn5yqITq/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawJJx1dleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbb306IXFF_AxeIS03yEo78VoY0L_MMzY1PmYXLa4MoPP322LNn2oi3xvQ_aem_d14gHHn3v0oJCXTTuOvwSA

[Herpetology • 2025] Leptophis mystacinus • A New Species of Parrot Snake, Leptophis (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Brazilian Cerrado

 

Leptophis mystacinus 

 Albuquerque, Martins, Carvalho, Shepard & Santana, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18528

Abstract 

We describe a new species of Leptophis (parrot snake) from the Cerrado ecoregion of Brazil. The new species, L. mystacinus sp. nov., differs from all other congeners in the following unique character combination: two Spectrum Green (129) to Light Parrot Green (133) dorsolateral stripes separated by a Buff (5) vertebral stripe, usually continuous onto the tail; loreal scale absent; postocular stripe Jet Black (300), wide and long (up 11 scales long onto nuchal region); maxillary teeth 21–25; ventrals 158–173; subcaudals 141–164; black spots on head absent; supracephalic plates of head not edged with black pigment; adult color pattern lacking dark oblique bands; keels absent on first dorsal scale rows; hemipenis unilobed, noncapitate, with undivided sulcus spermaticus, and first row of hemipenial body with four spines. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S mtDNA sequences indicate the new species is the sister taxon of L. dibernardoi, a species occurring in the neighboring Caatinga ecoregion.

Holotype of Leptophis mystacinus (ZUFMS-REP004702).
(A) Right and left (B) lateral views of head of the holotype in life, from Pium, state of Tocantins, Brazil.

Photos by L. A. Silva.

Leptophis mystacinus sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Leptophis mystacinus sp. nov. can be distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by a unique combination of the following characters: two Spectrum Green (129) to Light Parrot Green (133) (Sky Blue (167) in preservative) dorsolateral stripes (2–4 scales wide, at least anteriorly) separated by a Buff (5) (Light Sky Blue (191) in preservative) vertebral stripe (1–1.5 scales wide), usually continuous onto the tail (occasionally indistinct on posterior third of tail); dorsal scale rows below the lateral stripes usually Dark Spectrum Yellow (78) (Sky Blue (167) in preservative); loreal scale absent; postocular stripe Jet Black (300), wide (extending to lower postocular, lower half to two-thirds of anterior temporal, one-third to lower half of lower posterior temporal, upper edges of last three supralabials) and long (up 11 scales long onto nuchal region); anterior to orbit, stripe reduced to black margin of supralabials 1–3 or 1–4, posterior lower edge and anterior upper edge of nasal and upper edge of rostral scale. Ventral surfaces of head, trunk, and tail white to Smoky White (261). Maxillary teeth 21–25; ventrals 158–166 in males, 158–173 in females; subcaudals 153–164 in males, 141–158 in females.

Etymology: The specific name is derived from the Greek mystax (transliteration of μύσταξ), meaning ‘upper lip’ or ‘mustache’, and the Latin suffix -inus, denoting ‘likeness’ or ‘belonging to’. The black pigmentation covering the rostral scale of Leptophis mystacinus is distinct in most individuals, giving the appearance of a mustache.

Comparative coloration in life among the Leptophis species from the South American dry diagonal.
(A) Leptophis mystacinus sp. nov., (ZUFMS-REP 4702) from Pium, Tocantins, Brazil, (B) L. marginatus from Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and (C) L. dibernardoi from Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Photo by L. A. Silva (A), S. Keuroghlian-Eaton (B) and W. Pessoa (C).

Nelson R. Albuquerque, Roullien H. Martins, Priscila S. Carvalho, Donald B. Shepard and Diego J. Santana. 2025. A New Species of Parrot Snake, Leptophis (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Brazilian Cerrado. PeerJ. 13:e18528. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18528

  x.com/DiegoJSantana/status/1885068476785602850

[Botany • 2024] Lepidaploa nakajimae (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) • A New neglected Species from Maciço do Urucum range, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

 Lepidaploa nakajimae A.M.Teles, 

in Teles, Mendonça, Silva et Pivari, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.636.4.3  

comunica.UFU.br

 

Abstract

A new species of Lepidaploa (Vernonieae, Compositae) is here described as L. nakajimae, an endemic species of Maciço do Urucum range, Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. This new species differs from the closely related L. scintillans basically in its leaf width 1.0–2.2 cm (vs. 0.1–0.3 cm), sessile capitula (vs. short pedunculate), florets 40–42 (vs. 10–12), and anthers 2.0 mm long (vs. 3.6–4.3 mm long). Illustrations, comments, distribution map, and conservation status are provided for the new species.

Asteraceae, Cerrado, Lepidaploinae, Eudicots

 Lepidaploa nakajimae A.M.Teles, sp. nov. 

Aristônio Magalhães TELES, Cláudia Barbieri F. MENDONÇA, Rosilene Rodrigues SILVA and Marco Otávio Dias PIVARI. 2024. Lepidaploa nakajimae (Vernonieae, Compositae), A New neglected Species from Maciço do Urucum range, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 636(4); 287-294. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.636.4.3  

 Professor da UFU recebe homenagem no nome de nova espécie de planta

Pertencente ao gênero Lepidaploa, da família das margaridas, espécie foi descoberta em Corumbá (MS)

https://comunica.UFU.br/noticias/2024/03/professor-da-ufu-recebe-homenagem-no-nome-de-nova-especie-de-planta

[Ichthyology • 2024] Aequidens pirilampo • A New Species of Aequidens (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from the rio Paraguai basin, Brazil

Aequidens pirilampo

R.C. Oliveira, Tencatt, Deprá, Britzke, C. Oliveira & Graça, 2024

 DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2023-0106   

 

Abstract

Morphological and molecular data support the description of a new Aequidens species from the upper rio Correntes, considered herein as endemic to the upper rio Paraguai basin in the Cerrado biome in Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, except from A. plagiozonatus by having anteriorly oblique dark brown flank bars vs. vertical flank bars, and is additionally distinguished from some congeners by showing a discontinuous lateral band and presence of a dark cheek spot. The new species differs from Aequidens plagiozonatus by having the profile of the dorsal part of head almost straight (in lateral view), with a conspicuous concavity at the interorbital, and by the longer length of upper and lower jaws. Furthermore, delimitation analyses based on mitochondrial data provide additional support for the validity of the species. Our study data also revealed the occurrence, and consequently the first record, of A. plagiozonatus in the upper rio Araguaia basin, which was most likely driven by headwater capture events.

Keywords: Cerrado biome; DNA barcode; Molecular data; Morphological data; Species delimitation

Aequidens pirilampo, living specimens photographed just after capture in the rio Comprido, rio Paraguai River basin, 17°32’04.8”S 54°25’36.6”W, uncatalogued. Photos by L. F. C. Tencatt.

Aequidens pirilampo, new species

Diagnosis. Aequidens pirilampo is distinguished from all congeners, except A. plagiozonatus, by having anteriorly oblique dark brown flank bars (vs. vertical). The new species differs from A. plagiozonatus by having the dorsal head contour, from the tip of the snout to the vertical through the posterior margin of the eye, almost straight, except for a conspicuous concavity at the interorbital region (Fig. 2) (vs. dorsal head contour convex, with a subtle concavity at the interorbital region in occasional specimens), by having longer lower jaw (40.2–46.9% HL and 16.7–18.5% SL vs. 35.2–39.3% HL and 13.2–15.2% SL in A. plagiozonatus), and longer upper jaw, (12.2–15.1% SL vs. 9.3–12.1% SL in A. plagiozonatus). Additionally, A. pirilampo is distinguished from its congeners, except A. chimantanus Inger, 1956, A. diadema, A. epae, A. mauesanus Kullander, 1997, A. michaeli, A. patricki Kullander, 1984, A. plagiozonatus, A. potaroensis Eigenmann, 1912, and A. tubicen Kullander & Ferreira, 1991, by having a discontinuous lateral band in fixed specimens (vs. continuous). ...

Etymology. The specific epithet “pirilampo” means firefly in the popular Portuguese naming in the region the new species occurs. It is a bioluminescent Coleoptera very common in this region. These insects emit an intense green light, which alludes to the color pattern in life displayed by the new species. A noun in apposition.

Collecting sites of Aequidens pirilampo, showing (A) the ribeirão Comprido, its type-locality, (B) a stream with unknown name, and (C) the córrego de Cima, all tributaries of the rio Correntes in the border region of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states, Central Brazil. Photo (A) by LFCT, (B) by Heriberto Gimênes Jr., and (C) by Hans Evers.

Rianne Caroline de Oliveira, Luiz Fernando Caserta Tencatt, Gabriel de Carvalho Deprá, Ricardo Britzke, Claudio Oliveira and Weferson Júnio da Graça. 2024. A New Species of Aequidens (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from the rio Paraguai basin, Brazil.  Neotrop. ichthyol. 22 (2); DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2023-0106   

Resumo: Dados morfológicos e moleculares apoiam a descrição de uma nova espécie de Aequidens do alto rio Correntes, considerada aqui como uma espécie endêmica da bacia do alto rio Paraguai, no bioma Cerrado no Brasil. A nova espécie distingue-se de todas as congêneres, exceto de Aequidens plagiozonatus, por apresentar barras laterais marrom-escuras oblíquas em direção anterodorsal vs. barras verticais nos flancos. Além disso, distingue-se de algumas espécies por apresentar uma faixa lateral descontínua e pela presença de uma mancha escura na porção entre a órbita e a margem preopercular. A nova espécie difere de A. plagiozonatus por apresentar o perfil da parte dorsal da cabeça (em vista lateral) aproximadamente reta, com uma concavidade conspícua na porção interorbital, e pelo maior comprimento das maxilas superior e inferior. Além disso, análises de delimitação baseadas em dados mitocondriais oferecem evidência a favor da validade da espécie. Nossos dados também revelaram a ocorrência e, consequentemente, o primeiro registro de A. plagiozonatus na bacia do alto rio Araguaia, provavelmente devido a eventos de captura de cabeceiras.

Palavras chave: Bioma Cerrado; Dados moleculares; Dados morfológicos; Delimitação de espécies; DNA barcode