[Mollusca • 2026] Microeledone galapagensis • A New Species of Microeledone (Octopoda: Incirrata) from Galápagos Islands and an amended diagnosis of the Megaleledonidae

 

Microeledone galapagensis 

Voight, Smith, Buglass & Ziegler, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5814.4.5 

 

Abstract

The octopod fauna of the deep tropical Pacific Ocean remains poorly known, as is the octopod family Megaleledonidae Taki. A single female megaleledonid specimen collected at 1773 m depth near the equatorial Galápagos island of Darwin is named Microeledone galapagensis sp. nov. This small, squat, short-armed octopod has few arm suckers and gill lamellae. Its lack of a crop diverticulum, ink sac, and anal flaps suggests that it pertains to Thaumeledone. However, its smooth skin, which dorsally is nearly free of pigment, large rachidian tooth, and large funnel organ ally it with the monotypic Microeledone. Its reverse countershading and dense pigmentation on the inner dorsal mantle musculature distinguish this species from Microeledone mangoldi Norman, Hochberg & Boucher-Rodoni, 2004a. This species belies the definition of the Megaleledonidae as large-bodied, Southern Ocean endemics, leading us to revise the family diagnosis. The short arms carrying few suckers in this genus and Thaumeledone are hypothesized to relate to heterochrony, potentially increasing energy available for reproduction and contributing to niche partitioning.

Mollusca, Thaumeledone, heterochrony, Pacific Ocean, deep sea, posterior salivary gland, ink sac, skin texture

Photos of Microeledone galapagensis sp.  nov. 
in situ (a); on recovery dorsal (b) and ventral (c) (photos by the Science Party of the NA064 cruise); in preservation dorsal (d) and ventral (e) views of entire animal. 

Microeledone galapagensis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. With the characters of the genus; sheath covering inner dorsal mantle muscles heavily pigmented, internal organs lack pigment, except dots near mantle opening on mantle septum, rectum, and anus; posterior salivary glands medium, ca. 70% of buccal mass length; eyes large, slightly projecting.

Janet R. VOIGHT, Stephanie M. SMITH, Salome BUGLASS and Alexander ZIEGLER. 2026. A New Species of Microeledone from Galápagos Islands and an amended diagnosis of the Megaleledonidae (Octopoda: Incirrata). Zootaxa. 5814(4); 533-549. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5814.4.5 [2026-05-25]

     

[Arachnida • 2026] Pikelinia floydmuraria • Another Web in the Wall: A New Pikelinia Mello-Leitão, 1946 (Araneae: Filistatidae) from Colombia

 

Pikelinia floydmuraria  

Villarreal, Delgado-Santa, González-Gómez, Rodríguez-Castro, Román, Agudelo & García, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.175423

Abstract

The new synanthropic crevice weaver spider species, from the family Filistatidae, Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov. (male and females) is described from the department of Tolima, Colombia. The female internal genitalia of P. fasciata from the Galapagos islands, Ecuador, is described here for the first time. Additional unidentified species of Pikelinia populations were recorded in the departments of Cauca, Quindío, and Risaralda. Dietary analysis of P. floydmuraria sp. nov. (Tolima) and Pikelinia sp. (Armenia) revealed a predominance of Hymenoptera (~35% of prey), followed by Diptera and Coleoptera. This study expands known diversity and trophic ecology of Pikelinia genus.

Key Words: Crevice weaver, food preferences, Galapagos Islands, Neotropic, taxonomy

Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov., male paratype (MIZA-0105938).
A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Carapace, dorsal view; C. Sternum and coxae, ventral view; D. Left Pedipalp, retrolateral view; E. Left Pedipalp, prolateral view; F. Right leg II, metatarsus and tarsus, prolateral view; G. Right metatarsus II, detail of modified setae, prolateral view; H. Female paratype (CIUQ-026403) Habitus, dorsal view.

Photos: Osvaldo Villarreal (A–C; F–G), Leonardo Delgado-Santa (D–H). Scale bars: 1 mm (A, H); 0.5 mm (B, C); 0.25 mm (D, E); 0.1 mm (F, G).

Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov., from Tolima.
A. Female, habitus; B–D. Male, habitus;
E, F. Juvenile, attacking a cockroach on the web.

Photos: Julio C. González-Gómez.

Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov. is the most similar and morphologically closest species to P. fasciata, sharing a nearly identical male palpal structure and leg II chaetotaxy. Males are distinguished from P. fasciata by the concolor leg pattern (vs. annulate) and the abdominal pattern of an irregular longitudinal central blotch (vs. two anterior pale spots and five transversal bands). Females are differentiated by the spermathecae with long, slender, S-shaped receptacle necks (vs. shorter, stouter, and C-shaped in P. fasciata).

Etymology. The specific epithet “floydmuraria” is a neologism derived from “Floyd” (honoring the band Pink Floyd) and “muraria” (from Latin mūrus, wall), alluding to both the album “The Wall” and the species’ wall-dwelling habitat.

 Osvaldo Villarreal, Leonardo Delgado-Santa, Julio C. González-Gómez, Germán A. Rodríguez-Castro, Andrea C. Román, Esteban Agudelo and Luís F. García. 2026. Another Web in the Wall: A New Pikelinia Mello-Leitão, 1946 (Araneae, Filistatidae) from Colombia, with notes on its diet and description of the female genitalia of P. fasciata (Banks, 1902). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(1): 357-366. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.175423 [18 Feb 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Prionotus pictus • A New endemic Species of Searobin (Scorpaeniformes: Triglidae) from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Prionotus pictus 

 Victor, 2025

oceansciencefoundation.org/josf43b.html

A new endemic searobin, Prionotus pictus n. sp., is described from the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador. The prior literature generally assumed that all Prionotus searobins in the archipelago were Prionotus miles, discovered by Charles Darwin on San Cristobal (Chatham Island) and described as endemic by Jenyns (1842). However, almost all underwater photographs from the islands, and surprisingly few museum specimens (three out of dozens), prove to be a quite different-appearing and colorful species. The new species is the island sister species to Prionotus albirostris which is found on deeper trawling grounds along the continental shelf, from Baja California to Peru. The second species found in the Archipelago, Darwin's Prionotus miles, is uncommonly observed, rarely photographed underwater, and so far accounts for only a handful of the hundreds of searobins photographed in Galapagos. The COI mtDNA sequence (DNA barcode) of P. miles shows that it is an island sister species of continental Prionotus stephanophrys (4.87% sequence divergent), which it resembles in a number of basic features, in particular the smooth and gently sloping head and body shape and relatively shorter pectoral fins. A review of the original P. miles holotype and other museum specimens show that P. miles has been inadequately described and guidebooks typically amalgamate and combine characters of the two species, and almost all use photographs of P. pictus to illustrate P. miles. Prionotus pictus is distinguished from P. miles (and P. stephanophrys) by a concave, sharply sloped, duck-billed head profile with more prominent head spines; longer, colorful, and prominently spotted pectoral fins; a triangular spinous dorsal-fin outline with the second spine longest following a stout and serrated first spine of almost the same length; no black blotches on the distal fourth or fifth dorsal-spine membranes; thicker, prominently banded, free pectoral (walking) rays; and a variety of head, fin, and body markings. The new species differs from continental P. albirostris in having a rounded snout (vs. squared off) and distinctive colorful and contrasting patterns (hence pictus meaning 'painted'). It is notable that a large, conspicuous, and relatively common new endemic fish species has eluded recognition for this long.

Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, coral-reef fishes, marine biogeography, gurnard, Painted Searobin, DNA barcoding, Charles Darwin, Leonard Jenyns

 

Prionotus pictus n. sp.
 Tagus Cove, Isla Isabela, Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador (Carlos J. Estape).
colorful pattern, Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador (Roger Uzun, shutterstock.com).

Prionotus pictus n. sp.
 juvenile, Tagus Cove, Isla Isabela, Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador (Frank Krasovec).
newly settled juvenile, Tagus Cove, Isla Isabela, Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador (William Bensted-Smith).

Prionotus pictus, n. sp. 

Painted Searobin, Gallineta Pintada

Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin rays X,12; anal-fin rays 11; pectoral-fin rays 14 plus three ventral free rays; pelvic-fin rays I,5; first dorsal fin nearly triangular, first three spines about equal in length, second spine longest, first spine slightly shorter, third spine slighly shorter than second, anterior margin of first spine with pronounced serrations; membranes without a black spot or ocellus specifically on fourth or fifth membranes; pectoral fins fan-shaped semicircular when expanded and long, usually reaching to last third of second-dorsal-fin base or beyond when flat (but variable); snout concave, sharply rising, duck-billed profile, eyes protruding well above profile, snout broadly rounded from dorsal view, no prominent rostral extensions or spiny edges to lachrymal plate; nasal cirrus present, about twice length of nasal opening, no supraocular cirrus; mouth relatively small, lower jaw subterminal and without a knob; head with prominent bony plates, ridges and granulations; head spines comprising preocular, postocular, sphenotic, pterotic, parietal, nuchal, opercular, preopercular (without a supplemental spine), and a cleithral (humeral) spine over pectoral fin (rostral, preorbital, and suborbital spines absent and no postfrontal groove); scales ctenoid and small, about 48 pored lateral-line scales, about 94 vertical rows of lateral scales, nuchal and opercular-flap scales present, ventral scales extend forward just past level of anterior insertion of pelvic fins. Color pattern from common brownish orange pattern to blotched in colors varying from brown to red, to a darker, almost black-and-white pattern; often bright orange ventrally; white patches like splashed paint on head and body in individual unique patterns; a line of prominent white spots highlighting some of the pored lateral-line scales; lip markings a variety of spots and bars (not a simple three dark bands on a white background, at front, middle and corner of jaw); pectoral fin with irregular spot pattern, clearest on common color form, with small rounded spots concentrated on fifth through tenth membranes, becoming reticulations on distal lowermost rays; a thick blue margin on lower 10 rays; pectoral-fin base around origin of rays with an irregular pattern (not discrete rounded spots); caudal fin with dark bars, one at base and a distal wide bar often splitting into two (dark fish can have a black striped pattern); free pectoral-fin rays thick and prominently banded. Juvenile with brown mottled color pattern and relatively longer pectoral fins, reaching past end of second dorsal fin. Newly settled juvenile uniform orangish with two prominent black-edged white saddles along dorsal midline in front of and behind soft-dorsal-fin base; gill rakers short spiny tubercles in two rows of 11, inner and outer, on lower limb of first arch.

Etymology. The species name pictus, Latin for painted, refers to the variegated patterns and colors and individual distribution of colors, with white markings as if splashed with paint. The epithet is considered a masculine adjective.

Benjamin C. VICTOR. 2025. Prionotus pictus, A New endemic Species of Searobin from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (Teleostei: Triglidae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 43, 12-38. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15596906

https://oceansciencefoundation.org/josf43b.html

 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Aulopus chirichignoae • A New flagfin (Aulopiformes: Aulopidae) from the eastern Pacific Ocean

 

Aulopus chirichignoae

Béarez, Zavalaga, Miranda, Mennesson, Campos-Leónand & Jiménez-Prado, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5458.1.6  

 

Abstract

A new species of the Aulopidae is described from the waters of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Aulopus chirichignoae sp. nov. was previously confused with Aulopus bajacali Parin & Kotlyar, 1984, but it differs from this species by a significantly marked elongation of the dorsal fin rays in males (absent in females), a smaller head, modal differences in dorsal and anal ray counts (15 vs 14 and 11 vs 12, respectively), a higher number of vertebrae (50–51 vs 47–49), and color differences, especially on the dorsal fin. DNA barcoding analysis supported the status of new species, evidencing a 4.2% and 2.8% divergence with Aulopus filamentosus (Bloch, 1792) and A. bajacali, respectively. A sequence of an Aulopus sp., collected in the Tropical Eastern Pacific, matches the new species with only a 0.4% divergence, indicating that Aulopus chirichignoae sp. nov. is distributed at least as far north as the Paramount Seamount at 3°20.35’N, ca. 400 km north of the Galápagos Islands.

Pisces, new species, fish, taxonomy, Peru, Ecuador, Tropical Eastern Pacific, DNA barcode

Aulopus chirichignoae sp. nov. 

Philippe BÉAREZ, Fabiola ZAVALAGA, Junior MIRANDA, Marion I. MENNESSON, Sarita CAMPOS-LEÓN and Pedro JIMÉNEZ-PRADO. 2024. Aulopus chirichignoae, A New flagfin from the eastern Pacific Ocean (Teleostei, Aulopiformes, Aulopidae). Zootaxa. 5458(1); 108-118. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5458.1.6  

[Ichthyology • 2021] Review of the Hagfishes (Myxinidae) from the Galapagos Islands, with Descriptions of Four New Species and Their Phylogenetic Relationships

Myxine phantasma

Mincarone, Plachetzki, McCord, ... et Fudge, 2021

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa178 

twitter.com/DouglasFudge 

 

Abstract

Hagfishes are an ancient group of benthic marine craniates that are found in deep or cold waters around the world. Among the 83 valid species, four are described from the Galapagos Islands: Eptatretus bobwisneri, E. grouseri, E. mccoskeri and Rubicundus lakeside. During a recent expedition to the archipelago, six species of hagfishes were collected, including four undescribed species of the genera Eptatretus (Eptatretus goslinei sp. nov.) and Myxine (Myxine greggi sp. nov., M. martinii sp. nov. and M. phantasma sp. nov.). In this paper, we provide a review of the eight species of hagfishes from the Galapagos Islands, including new diagnoses and an identification key for all species. Myxine phantasma is remarkable in that it is the only species of Myxine known to completely lack melanin-based pigments. Our species delineations were based on both morphological and molecular analyses. A phylogenetic hypothesis based on molecular data suggests that Galapagos hagfishes arose from multiple independent colonisations of the islands from as many as five different ancestral lineages. The large number of endemic hagfishes in the geologically young Galapagos Islands suggests that there is much global hagfish diversity yet to be discovered.

Ecuador, Eptatretus, Myxine, Myxiniformes, systematics

 

Eptatretus goslinei sp. nov.

Myxine greggi sp. nov.

Myxine martinii sp. nov.,

Myxine phantasma sp. nov.,

M. M. Mincarone, D. Plachetzki, C. L. McCord, T. M. Winegard, B. Fernholm, C. J. Gonzalez, and D. S. Fudge. 2021. Review of the Hagfishes (Myxinidae) from the Galapagos Islands, with Descriptions of Four New Species and Their Phylogenetic Relationships. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlaa178. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa178

 twitter.com/DouglasFudge/status/1357468127932522500

[Herpetology • 2018] Origin and Hidden Diversity within the Poorly Known Pseudalsophis Galápagos Snake Radiation (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

 live specimens of the Galápagos snakes: 
(5) Pseudalsophis thomasi sp. nov. yellow morph from Santiago Island, (6) Pseudalsophis thomasi sp. nov. brown morph from Santiago Island, (7) Pseudalsophis hephaestus sp. nov. from Santiago Island, (8) Pseudalsophis steindachneri from Santa Cruz Island, (9) Pseudalsophis slevini from Pinzón Island, (10) Pseudalsophis darwini sp. nov. from Tortuga Island. 

Zaher, Yánez-Muñoz, Rodrigues, Graboski, Machado, et al., 2018

   DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1478910 

 twitter.com/JorgeBritoM

Abstract

Galápagos snakes are among the least studied terrestrial vertebrates of the Archipelago. Here, we provide a phylogenetic analysis and a time calibrated tree for the group, based on a sampling of the major populations known to occur in the Archipelago. Our study revealed the presence of two previously unknown species from Santiago and Rábida Islands, and one from Tortuga, Isabela, and Fernandina. We also recognize six additional species of Pseudalsophis in the Galápagos Archipelago (Pseudalsophis biserialis from San Cristobal, Floreana and adjacent islets; Pseudalsophis hoodensis from Española and adjacent islets; Pseudalsophis dorsalis from Santa Cruz, Baltra, Santa Fé, and adjacent islets; Pseudalsophis occidentalis from Fernandina, Isabela, and Tortuga; Pseudalsophis slevini from Pinzon, and Pseudalsophis steindachneri from Baltra, Santa Cruz and adjacent islets). Our time calibrated tree suggests that the genus Pseudalsophis colonized the Galápagos Archipelago through a single event of oceanic dispersion from the coast of South America that occurred at approximately between 6.9 Ma and 4.4 Ma, near the Miocene/Pliocene boundary. 

Key words: Dipsadidae, divergence time estimation, island speciation, molecular phylogeny, Pseudalsophis, Serpentes

   

Figure 4. Photographs of live specimens of the Galápagos snakes:
Pseudalsophis hoodensis from Española Island (4.1), Pseudalsophis biserialis from San Cristóbal Island (4.2), Pseudalsophis occidentalis from Fernandina Island (4.3), Pseudalsophis dorsalis from Santa Fé Island (4.4), Pseudalsophis thomasi sp. nov. yellow morph from Santiago Island (4.5), Pseudalsophis thomasi sp. nov. brown morph from Santiago Island (4.6), Pseudalsophis hephaestus sp. nov. from Santiago Island (4.7), Pseudalsophis steindachneri from Santa Cruz Island (4.8), Pseudalsophis slevini from Pinzón Island (4.9), Pseudalsophis darwini sp. nov. from Tortuga Island (4.10). 

Pseudalsophis thomasi sp. nov.

ETYMOLOGY: A patronym honouring Robert A. Thomas for expanding our knowledge of the systematics and taxonomy of New World snakes.

Pseudalsophis hephaestus sp. nov.

ETYMOLOGY: From the Greek Ἥφαιστος (Hephaestus), name of the son of Zeus and Hera, God of fire and volcanoes (but also of blacksmiths, carpenters, and artisans), in allusion to the volcanic environment in which this species lives.

Pseudalsophis darwini sp. nov. 

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name, a noun in the genitive case, honours Charles Darwin for his invaluable contribution to our knowledge of the Galápagos Archipelago and to Science.

Figure 9. Phylogenetic and morphological diversification of Pseudalsophis in the Galápagos Archipelago.
 (9.1) depicts the phylogeny mapped onto the Archipelago’s map. Silhouettes represent the continental (green); large insular (blue), and small insular (red) morphotypes recognized in this study, and their occurrences in the islands. Question marks indicate populations that are known to occur in a specific island but were not sampled for genetic material.  

Hussam Zaher, Mario H. Yánez-Muñoz, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Roberta Graboski, Fabio A. Machado, Marco Altamirano-Benavides, Sandro L. Bonatto and Felipe G. Grazziotin. 2018.  Origin and Hidden Diversity within the Poorly Known Galápagos Snake Radiation (Serpentes: Dipsadidae). Systematics and Biodiversity.  DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1478910   

twitter.com/JorgeBritoM/status/1032385664686247936

[Herpetology • 2017] Identification of Genetically Important Individuals of the Rediscovered Floreana Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis elephantopus) Provide Founders for Species Restoration Program

Abstract

Species are being lost at an unprecedented rate due to human-driven environmental changes. The cases in which species declared extinct can be revived are rare. However, here we report that a remote volcano in the Galápagos Islands hosts many giant tortoises with high ancestry from a species previously declared as extinct: Chelonoidis elephantopus or the Floreana tortoise. Of 150 individuals with distinctive morphology sampled from the volcano, genetic analyses revealed that 65 had C. elephantopus ancestry and thirty-two were translocated from the volcano’s slopes to a captive breeding center. A genetically informed captive breeding program now being initiated will, over the next decades, return C. elephantopus tortoises to Floreana Island to serve as engineers of the island’s ecosystems. Ironically, it was the haphazard translocations by mariners killing tortoises for food centuries ago that created the unique opportunity to revive this “lost” species today.

Figure 1: Distribution of tortoises among Galápagos Islands and representative photos of tortoise carapace morphology.
(a) Map of the distribution of tortoises among Galápagos Islands along with cartoons indicating carapace morphology for each. Light grey shading indicates domed morphology, unshaded indicates saddle-backed. Extinct species are noted with †. (b) Larger view of Volcano Wolf on northern Isabela Island. The circle indicates the approximate field location of the current study. Examples of Galápagos giant tortoises with domed (c) saddle-backed (d) morphology.  

Joshua M. Miller, Maud C. Quinzin, Nikos Poulakakis, James P. Gibbs, Luciano B. Beheregaray, Ryan C. Garrick, Michael A. Russello, Claudio Ciofi, Danielle L. Edwards, Elizabeth A. Hunter, Washington Tapia, Danny Rueda, Jorge Carrión, Andrés A. Valdivieso and Adalgisa Caccone. 2017. Identification of Genetically Important Individuals of the Rediscovered Floreana Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis elephantopus) Provide Founders for Species Restoration Program. Scientific Reports. 7, Article number: 11471. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11516-2

Back from the dead—how to revive a lost species
 phy.so/424511176 via @physorg_com

  

[Herpetology • 2017] Shedding Light On the Imps of Darkness: An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Galápagos Marine Iguanas (Genus Amblyrhynchus)

 Amblyrhynchus cristatus godzilla

Miralles, Macleod, Rodríguez, Ibáñez, Jiménez-Uzcategui, Quezada, Vences & Steinfartz, 2017

blog.oup.com  DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx007 

Abstract

Marine iguanas are among the most highly emblematic taxa of the Galápagos archipelago but have paradoxically received little attention from taxonomists. Amblyrhynchus is currently considered as a monotypic genus with a total of seven subspecies, A. cristatus cristatus, A. c. nanus, A. c. venustissimus, A. c. albemarlensis, A. c. hassi, A. c. mertensi and A. c. sielmanni. Although consensually followed for more than half a century, this classification does not properly reflect the main natural subdivisions inferred by more recent molecular evolutionary studies. We integrate population genetics, phylogenomics and comparative morphology to propose an updated taxonomy reflecting the evolutionary history of this group. We recognize a single species with 11 divergent population clusters at the level of subspecies: A. c. albermarlensis is recognized as a junior synonym of A. c. cristatus, and five new subspecies are described: Amblyrhynchus cristatus godzilla subsp. nov. (San Cristóbal-Punta Pitt), A. c. jeffreysi subsp. nov. (Wolf and Darwin), A. c. hayampi subsp. nov. (Marchena), A. c. trillmichi subsp. nov. (Santa Fé) and A. c. wikelskii subsp. nov. (Santiago). Recognizing the genetically divergent population clusters as subspecies also highlights several of them as management units in need of conservation efforts, such as the two subspecies endemic to San Cristóbal.

Keywords: Amblyrhynchus, Galápagos, integrative taxonomy, management units (MUs), Marine Iguana, new subspecies. 

Fig 5: Overview of the phenotypic diversity among Amblyrhynchus cristatus subspecies: (A–C) Amblyrhynchus cristatus hassi from Santa Cruz (SFM 57412, 57407, 57408) (D–F) A. c. wikelskii subsp. nov. from Santiago (SFM 57447, 57448, 57446), (G–N) A. c. cristatus from Fernandina (OUMNH 6176, CAS 11512, 11511, 11510) and Isabela (SFM 64179, 11258, 65996, 65998), (O–Q) A. c. mertensi from San Cristóbal (SFM 57427, 57430, 57424), (R) A. c. trillmichi subsp. nov. (uncollected living specimen), (S) A. c. godzilla subsp. nov. (uncollected living specimen). HT: holotype, NT: neotype, PT: paratype.

  

Fig 6: Overview of the phenotypic diversity among Amblyrhynchus cristatus subspecies.(A–D) Amblyrhynchus cristatus venustissimus from Champion (CAS 11062) and Española (SFM 57415, 49853, 57413), (E–G) A. c. sielmanni (CAS 12565, SFM 57417, CAS 12570), (H–J) A. c. nanus from Genovesa (NHM 1946.8.30.20, SFM 57432, SFM 57445), (K–N) A. c. hayampi subsp. nov. from Marchena (CAS 12467, 12458, 12449, 12471), (O–U) A. c. jeffreysi subsp. nov. from Wolf (CAS 12690, CAS-SUR 4777, CAS 12693, CAS 12961) and Darwin (CAS 12694, 12696, 12695). HT: holotype, PT: paratype.

Amblyrhynchus cristatus Bell, 1825 

Amblyrhynchus cristatus cristatus Bell, 1825 (Figs 5G–N, 7)

Amblyrhynchus cristatus nanus Garman, 1892 (Figs 6H–J, 7)

Amblyrhynchus cristatus venustissimus Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1956 (Figs 6A–D, 7)

Amblyrhynchus cristatus hassi Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1962 (Figs 5A–C, 7)

Amblyrhynchus cristatus mertensi Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1962 (Figs 5O–Q, 7)

Amblyrhynchus cristatus sielmanni Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1962 (Figs 6E–G, 7)

Fig 7: Photographic plate showing the different subspecies of Marine Iguana (living mature males exclusively).
(A) Amblyrhynchus cristatus nanus, Genovesa, (B) A. c. hayampi subsp. nov., Marchena, (C) A. c. sielmanni, Pinta, (D, E) A. c. venustissimus, Española and Floreana, respectively, (F) A. c. trillmichi subsp. nov., Santa Fé, (G) A. c. hassi, Santa Cruz, (H) A. c. cristatus, Fernandina, (I) A. c. cristatus, Isabela, (J) A. c. mertensi, San Cristóbal, (K) A. c. godzilla subsp. nov., San Cristóbal, (L) A. c. wikelskii subsp. nov., Santiago.

Pictures from A. Ibañez (E, K), M. Krueger (A), H. Snell (B, D, H), S. Steinfartz (C, I, L), M. Vences (G, J), M. Vitousek (F).  DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx007   

Fig 8: Distribution of the different subspecies of Galápagos marine iguanas according to the classification of Eibl-Eibesfeldt (1962) and the new taxonomy proposed herein. The orange dot on the southern coast of San Cristóbal represents the population of putative migrant specimens of A. c. venustissimus.

 DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx007  

Amblyrhynchus cristatus hayampi subsp. nov. (Figs 6K–N, 7, 9B)

Etymology: The subspecific epithet hayampi refers to the word used to designate the common iguana in Kichwa (a Quechuan language representing one of the three official languages of Ecuador and currently spoken by a million people in South America).

Geographic distribution: Marchena and very likely its satellite islets (Fig. 8).

Amblyrhynchus cristatus jeffreysi subsp. nov. (Figs 6O–U, 7, 9A)

Etymology: The subspecies name is a patronym for Jeffreys Málaga, a ranger of the Galápagos National Park with an outstanding interest and enthusiasm for the fauna and flora of the Galápagos, and especially for marine iguanas. Jeffreys Málaga has been awarded several times ‘Guardaparque del Año,’ or Park Warden of the Year and has been an essential part of our team during several excursions to the Galápagos.

Geographic distribution: Wolf, Darwin (tentative assignment), Roca Redonda and very likely their satellite islets (Fig. 8).

Amblyrhynchus cristatus godzilla subsp. nov. (Figs 5S, 7, 10)

Etymology: The subspecific epithet refers to the fictional saurian monster from the eponym movie franchise, Godzilla, created by Tomoyuki Tanaka (IMDb, 2016). Explicitly mentioned in the title sequence of the 1990s American remake (Emmerich, 1998), the physical appearance and swimming behaviour of marine iguanas were a significant source of inspiration to the creature′s designer (Patrick Tatopoulos, personal communication). The name is an invariable noun in apposition.

Geographic distribution: Northern (north-eastern) part of San Cristóbal and the satellite islets off the northern coast of San Cristóbal (Fig. 8).

Amblyrhynchus cristatus trillmichi subsp. nov. (Figs 5R, 7)

Etymology: The subspecific epithet refers to Prof. Dr. Fritz Trillmich, a foremost biological researcher in Germany who has spent a lifetime working on the biology of the Galápagos islands. For many years Fritz Trillmich worked together with Martin Wikelski on the island of Santa Fé, where their research on the local population produced important insights into the behaviour and ecology of marine iguanas. In addition to undertaking his own research, Fritz Trillmich is Professor Emeritus of Behavioural Ecology at the University of Bielefeld where he continues to inspire and mentor generations of young researchers who will continue his legacy for years to come.

Geographic distribution: Santa Fé and very likely its satellite islets (Fig. 8).

Amblyrhynchus cristatus wikelskii subsp. nov. (Figs 5D–F, 7, 9C)

Etymology: The subspecies name is a patronym for Prof. Dr. Martin Wikelski in recognition of his outstanding research on marine iguanas for several decades. Martin Wikelski has been fascinated by marine iguanas, which served as a study system for his behavioural and ecological research from his PhD onwards. He has published important papers on marine iguana ecology and conservation, for instance demonstrating the devastating effects of an oil spill on this species, and showing that marine iguanas can shrink in response to starvation induced by El Niño–based climate fluctuations.

Geographic distribution: Santiago, Rábida and very likely their satellite islets (Fig. 8).

Aurélien Miralles, Amy Macleod, Ariel Rodríguez, Alejandro Ibáñez, Gustavo Jiménez-Uzcategui, Galo Quezada, Miguel Vences and Sebastian Steinfartz. 2017. Shedding Light On the Imps of Darkness: An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Galápagos Marine Iguanas (Genus Amblyrhynchus).    Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.   DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx007

ResearchGate.net/publication/316923801_Shedding_light_on_the_Imps_of_Darkness_an_integrative_taxonomic_revision_of_the_Galapagos_marine_iguanas_genus_Amblyrhynchus

Godzilla of the Galápagos and other speciation stories

https://blog.oup.com/2017/05/godzilla-galapagos-speciation/

Godzilla marine iguana discovered on Galapagos

Conservation of threatened iconic marine iguanas improved by a new taxonomy

https://magazin.tu-braunschweig.de/pi-post/godzilla-meerechse-auf-den-galapagos-inseln-entdeckt/
@TUBraunschweig

  

[Herpetology • 2009] Conolophus marthae • A New Species of Land Iguana (Squamata, Iguanidae) from the Galápagos Archipelago

Galápagos Pink Land Iguana | Conolophus marthae 

Gentile & Snell, 2009  

Abstract 

Conolophus marthae sp. nov., a new species endemic to Volcan Wolf of northern Isla Isabela of the Galápagos archipelago, is described. The new species is morphologically, behaviorally, and genetically distinguished from the other two congeneric species C. subcristatus and C. pallidus. Besides the taxonomic implications, C. marthae sp. nov. is extremely important as it is the only evidence of deep divergence within the Galápagos land iguana lineage. 

Key words: Galápagos pink land iguana, Conolophus, Iguanidae, Squamata, Galápagos Islands, Galápagos National Park, lizards, endemism 

Galápagos Pink Land Iguana | Conolophus marthae

  Gentile & Snell, 2009  

Etymology. The new species is named in memory of Martha Rebecca Gentile, second daughter of the first author. Martha prematurely left this world. She was born dead, as consequence of a medical doctor’s negligence, on August 20th 2003. 

Distribution. Thus far, this species is known to occur only on Volcan Wolf (Fig. 1), the northernmost volcano of Isla Isabela (Galápagos National Park, Ecuador).

Gentile, Gabriele and Snell, Howard L. 2009. Conolophus marthae sp.nov. (Squamata, Iguanidae), A New Species of Land Iguana from the Galápagos Archipelago. Zootaxa. 2201: 1–10.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02201p010.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/258255559_Conolophus_marthae_sp._nov._(Squamata_Iguanidae)_a_new_species_of_land_iguana_from_the_Galapagos_archipelago

Volcano erupts in Galapagos Islands; only known home to recently-described pink #iguanas http://reut.rs/1HJaWdx @SheddResearch

Galápagos Islands volcanic eruption could threaten pink iguana species http://gu.com/p/497qz

twitter.com/ParqueGalapagos