[Mollusca • 2026] Cyllena hermes • From the Dark to the Light: A New Genus and Species of stygobiont hydrobiid (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Hydrobiidae) from southern Greece

Cyllena hermes  Radea & Protopapas,

in Radea, Protopapas, Parmakelis et Koskeridou, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.57.189090

Abstract

A new stygobiont hydrobiid genus and species is described from the Stymphalia karst basin (Peloponnese, Greece). Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov. is distinguished from other valvatiform or valvatiform–planorboid stygobiont hydrobiids by a unique combination of shell and anatomical characters, supporting the establishment of a new monotypic genus. It is currently known from a single karstic spring connected to the subterranean hydrological network of the Stymphalia polje, indicating a highly localized distribution. Following a precautionary approach, and in accordance with IUCN criteria, the species is here considered to qualify as Vulnerable (VU D2). The discovery of the new genus contributes to the documentation of subterranean aquatic gastropod diversity in Greece and emphasizes the need for further targeted exploration of karst ecosystems in the region.

Keywords: Endemism, Hydrobiidae, IUCN, Peloponnese, karst aquifer

Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov.
Shell views of collected specimens. A, G, J, M, P dorsal views B, H, K, N, Q ventral views C–E, I, L, O, R lateral views F operculum A–E holotype.

 Scale bar: 1 mm.

Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov.
Views from a single immature specimen. A dorsal view B ventral view C, D lateral view E–G scanning electron micrographs of shell and protoconch respectively.

Scale bars: 1 mm (A–E); 100 μm (F); 50 μm (G).

Systematic description

Class Gastropoda Cuvier, 1795

Subclass Caenogastropoda Cox in Moore, 1960

Order Littorinimorpha Golikov & Starobogatov, 1975

Superfamily Truncatelloidea J.E. Gray, 1840

Family Hydrobiidae W. Stimpson, 1865

Cyllena Radea & Protopapas, 2026, gen. nov. 

Type species. Cyllena hermes sp. nov. by original designation.

Diagnosis. Shell minute, valvatiform to planorboid; umbilicus wide, with earlier whorls visible; soft body unpigmented; eyes absent; bursa copulatrix pyriform; a single seminal receptacle [proximal, rs2 (Radoman 1973)] large and irregular in shape; penis large, dorso-ventrally flattened, distally blunt with papilla and proximally folded, bearing a single, elongate, blunt, medial lobe.

Etymology. The generic name derives from the Greek mythology: Cyllena (Κυλλήνη in Greek) was a nymph of Mt Kyllini, Korinthia, Peloponnese, and the nurturer of the god Hermes. Gender feminine.

Cyllena hermes Radea & Protopapas, 2026, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name, used in apposition, is derived from Greek mythology. Hermes (Ἑρμῆς in Greek) was one of the twelve Olympian gods, the messenger of the other Olympian deities, and was born in a cave on Mt Kyllini.

Live specimens of Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov.
A–F live mature specimen, shown from the moment of emergence from the shell to active locomotion while foraging 
G–I another mature specimen; White arrows indicate the direction of movement J immature specimen floating at the water surface while feeding
K caddisfly case (Insecta, Trichoptera) constructed from gastropod shells, including shells of Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Canella Radea, Dimitrios Protopapas, Aristeidis Parmakelis and Efterpi Koskeridou. 2026. From the Dark to the Light: A New Genus and Species of stygobiont hydrobiid (Caenogastropoda, Truncatelloidea) from southern Greece. Subterranean Biology. 57: 1-21. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.57.189090  [18 Jun 2026]

 

 

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Archaeomeles neglecta • A New Genus of Badger from Pikermi (Greece) and A Review of the Systematics and Evolution of Miocene Melinae (Carnivora: Mustelidae)

Archaeomeles neglecta 

Kargopoulos, Valenciano, Jiangzuo, Liakopoulou, Gerakakis, Kampouridis, Paparizos, Svorligkou, Filis, Sklavounou & Roussiakis, 2026

  DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2647483  

 x.com/paleo_alberto

 

Abstract

The evolution of Mustelidae has been a topic of debate, obscured by a complex system of convergences between phylogenetically distant groups. In this work, we present a new genus and species of mustelid, Archaeomeles neglecta gen. et sp. nov., from the classical Turolian locality of Pikermi (Greece, Late Miocene, MN12). The material consists of a skull with the associated mandible and shows distinct features that clearly differentiate it from all other known mustelid genera. These characteristics include a long and narrow rostrum, the absence of developed sagittal and supraorbital crest, relatively slender mandibular corpus, enamel folds on the lower canines, the wide P3 and p4, and the moderately enlarged M1 talon and m1 talonid. Morphometrical comparisons and phylogenetic analysis suggest that Archaeomeles is a stem member of the Melinae along with the other Turolian mustelids Promeles, Polgardia and Melodon from Eurasia. Ecomorphological comparisons indicate intermediate dietary habits between the plesiomorphic gulonines and the derived extant badgers, suggesting a diet that is based on small vertebrates and invertebrates as well as plant material. 

Keywords: Carnivora, Ecomorphology, Mustelidae, Phylogeny, Turolian

Systematic palaeontology

Order Carnivora Bowdich, 1821

Suborder Caniformia Kretzoi, 1943

Family Mustelidae Batsch, 1788

Subfamily Melinae Bonaparte, 1838

Genus Archaeomeles gen. nov.

Type and only species. Archaeomeles neglecta sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Mustelid of the size of the extant European otter (Lutra lutra); rostrum long and slender; P1/p1 present; P2/p2 two-rooted; P3 significantly wide; P4 moderately shortened; P4 with hypocone region moderately developed; M1 moderately expanded distolingually, with metaconule and a high protocone; mandibular corpus slender; lower canine with enamel folds; p4 slender without marked accessory cuspids, m1 with low trigonid cuspids, talonid moderately enlarged and basin-like, without entoconid and entoconulid, but with distinct hypoconid and a minute, buccally situated hypoconulid.

Derivation of name: Archaeo-, from the Greek word Ἀρχαῖος meaning ancient, and -meles meaning badger. The name Archaeomeles, ‘ancient badger’, is chosen to highlight its key position in the radiation of the Melinae in the Turolian.

Archaeomeles neglecta sp. nov.

Holotype. AMPG-P.A. 4879/91 – skull with an associated mandible.

 

Derivation of name. The specific name neglecta comes from the feminine of the Latin word neglectus meaning neglected. It refers to the holotype being overlooked in the collections of AMPG for over a century.

Type Locality. Pikermi (classical layers), Attica, Greece.

Age. 7.33–7.29Ma, Turolian, Late Miocene (MN 12).

 

Nikolaos Kargopoulos, Alberto Valenciano, Qigao Jiangzuo, Dionysia Liakopoulou, Nikolaos Gerakakis, Panagiotis Kampouridis, Nikolaos Paparizos, Georgia Svorligkou, Panagiotis Filis, Stamatina Sklavounou and Socrates Roussiakis. 2026. A New Genus of Badger from Pikermi (Greece) and A Review of the Systematics and Evolution of Miocene Melinae (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 24(1); 2647483.  DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2647483 [24 Apr 2026]

  x.com/paleo_alberto/status/2047713035066736997

[Entomology • 2026] Dolichopoda balrogi • Delving too Deep: Morphological and Molecular Description of A New Cave-dwelling Dolichopoda (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) from Kastellorizo Island, Greece

 

  Dolichopoda balrogi  Kalaentzis & Alexiou, 

 A. Female individual. B. Male individual. C. Juvenile.

in Kalaentzis, Alexiou, Christopoulos, Minoudi, Koutsogiannopoulos, Kotselis et Triantafyllidis, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.187943

Photos: K. Kalaentzis.

Abstract

A new species of cave cricket, Dolichopoda balrogi sp. nov., is described from the Greek island of Kastellorizo (Dodecanese, Levantine Sea). The species is documented from artificial subterranean habitats, as no accessible natural caves are known on the island. Detailed morphological analysis of both sexes reveals a unique combination of characters, including the structure of the male epiphallus, the shape of the tenth tergite, the presence of styli on the male subgenital plate, and the morphology of the female ovipositor, which clearly differentiate it from all known congeners. Comparative morphology indicates strong affinities with Anatolian species of Dolichopoda, particularly D. sbordonii and D. lycia, and no close relationship with the Aegean species complex occurring on islands of East Aegean and the adjacent Anatolian coast. These affinities are further supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred from DNA barcoding. Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses consistently recover the Kastellorizo lineage as a distinct and well-supported clade nested within the southwestern Anatolian lineage of the genus. The discovery of D. balrogi sp. nov. represents the first documented occurrence of an Anatolian lineage of Dolichopoda within European territory, underscoring the unique biogeographical character of Kastellorizo as a Greek territory with pronounced Anatolian biogeographical affinities. This finding emphasizes the importance of integrated morphological and molecular approaches in resolving species boundaries and evolutionary relationships and contributes to the growing evidence of underestimated biodiversity in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Keywords: Anatolia, artificial tunnel, DNA barcoding, endemic species, Megisti, molecular phylogeny, new species, subterranean fauna

Individuals of the newly discovered Dolichopoda balrogi sp. nov. in the artificial tunnel of Kastellorizo on 17 October 2025.
 A. Female individual. B. Male individual. C. Juvenile.

Photo credit: K. Kalaentzis.

Dolichopoda (Dolichopoda) balrogi Kalaentzis & Alexiou, sp. nov.

Diagnosis.— Because of the unarmed fore and middle femora, the new species described here belongs to the genus Dolichopoda. It is a member of subgenus Dolichopoda because of the absence of spines on all femora, the presence of spines on the fore tibia, and the non-bifurcated median process of the epiphallus. The new species is similar to D. sbordonii, a species endemic to the adjacent Anatolian coast. Both share a non-bilobate median process of epiphallus and the presence of styli at the subgenital plate of the male. The new species differs mainly in the shape of the median process of epiphallus (trapezoidal vs triangular) and the shape of the X tergite of the male (traces of lateral lobes vs lateral lobes). The female of D. sbordonii differs mainly by the shorter ovipositor with smaller number of denticles on the ventral valve. Dolichopoda lycia is a species also present on the adjacent coast. It shares with D. balrogi sp. nov. the shape of the tenth male tergite, with only inconspicuous lateral lobes and a similar ovipositor in females, with 15 denticles on the ventral valve. It differs in the bilobed median process of the epiphallus and the absence of styli.

 Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Sotiris Alexiou, Apostolos Christopoulos, Styliani Minoudi, David Koutsogiannopoulos, Christos Kotselis and Alexandros Triantafyllidis. 2026. Delving too Deep: Morphological and Molecular Description of the Cave-dwelling Dolichopoda balrogi sp. nov. (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) from Kastellorizo Island, Greece. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 35(2): 259-266. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.187943 [27 May 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Pyralis papaleonei • A New Species (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from Crete (Greece)

[2, 3, 6, 9] Pyralis papaleonei sp. nov.

Huemer, Kaila & Segerer, 2026;

[4] P. kacheticalis;    [5] P. regalis  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/nl.49.185483

Abstract 

Pyralis papaleonei sp. nov. is described based on diagnostic phenotypic and genital morphological characters as well as unique DNA barcodes (COI gene – cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) and compared with closely related taxa occurring in the Eastern Mediterranean, namely P. kacheticalis and P. regalis. The new species is endemic to the island of Crete and currently only known from the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) in the western part of the island. Pyralis kacheticalis is recorded from Iraq and Armenia for the first time.

Pyralis spp., habitus.
2. Pyralis papaleonei sp. nov., holotype, ♂; 3. P. papaleonei sp. nov., paratype, ♂;
4. P. kacheticalis, ♂, Georgia; 5. P. regalis ♂, Italy (TLMF). 

Pyralis papaleonei sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Pyralis papaleonei sp. nov. is distinguished from all congeners by its narrow white forewing markings, featuring an almost uniformly slender white median band extending across the entire wing (Figs 2, 3). In all other species of the group (Figs 4, 5), except for specimens of P. kacheticalis from Cyprus, the white pattern elements are distinctly broader, and in some cases abruptly narrowed medially or terminating in the middle of the wing. Also characteristic are the nearly uniform pale greyish-purple hindwings, which are divided into three sections by two white lines; the basal section is only slightly darker than the outer sections. In contrast, in ...

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV. The Pontiff is a strong advocate of climate and environmental protection, and we hope that his voice may serve as an example for humanity. Furthermore, due to its distinctive coloration and overall appearance, the new species belongs to a group of Pyralidae whose species names refer to high secular or ecclesiastical offices, including Pyralis regalis, Pyralis imperialis (= P. kacheticalis), Pyralis princeps, and Pyralis cardinalis.

 Peter Huemer, Lauri Kaila and Andreas H. Segerer. 2026. Pyralis papaleonei sp. nov. from Crete (Greece) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). Nota Lepidopterologica. 49: 63-74. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/nl.49.185483 [28 Apr 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Solenopsis sphaciotica (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae) • A New Species from Crete

Solenopsis sphaciotica Cambria, Giusso, Miniss. & Brullo,

in Cambria, Giusso Del Galdo, Minissale, Siracusa et Brullo, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.271.175650

Abstract

A new species of Solenopsis (Campanulaceae), S. sphaciotica, is described and illustrated from Crete, Greece. Morphologically, it shows close affinities with S. gutermannii by having a small size, annual habit and rosulate leaves. Although it was previously confused with S. minuta due to similarities in habit and some flower traits, several relevant morphological features clearly distinguish it from the latter. Furthermore, while it shares the annual life form, rosulate leaves and corolla shape with S. antiphonitis, it is also well differentiated from that species. This study provides a comprehensive examination of the species’ morphology, seed coat and pollen micro-sculpturing, ecology, distribution, conservation status and taxonomic relationships.

Key words: Lobelioideae, Mediterranean region, morphology, pollen, seed testa, Solenopsis, taxonomy

Phenological features of Solenopsis sphaciotica.
A. Natural habitat (Crete); B, C. Habit; D. Flower (frontal view).

 Photos by S. Cambria.

Solenopsis sphaciotica Cambria, Giusso, Miniss. & Brullo, sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to Solenopsis minuta in having rosulate leaves, bracteole indumentum and corolla colour; however, it differs in having a much reduced annual habit with smaller morphological characters throughout, a more reduced leaf rosette, leaves without margin glands, smaller bracteoles, shorter calyx (1.1–2 mm long), paler and much smaller corolla (4–5 mm), up to 0.12 mm long papillae, occurring only at the base of the lower lip, shorter anther tube, staminal filament and style and smaller capsule and seeds.

Etymology. The specific epithet, sphaciotica, refers to Hora Sfakion, the locality where the new species grows.

 Salvatore Cambria, Gianpietro Giusso Del Galdo, Pietro Minissale, Giuseppe Siracusa and Salvatore Brullo. 2026. Solenopsis sphaciotica (Campanulaceae) A New Species from Crete. PhytoKeys. 271: 259-272.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.271.175650 [12 Mar 2026]

[Entomology • 2024] Dolichopoda athosensis, D. dirussoi, ... • Four New Dolichopoda Species (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) from Greece, One Troglophilus new to Greece and new locality records

 

Dolichopoda dirussoi 

Alexiou, Bakolitsas, Di Russo & Rampini, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e121614 

Abstract

We describe four new species of the genus Dolichopoda from various areas of Greece, namely D. athosensis sp. nov., D. dirussoi sp. nov., D. karoutsosi sp. nov. and D. kotsabasi sp. nov. New locality records for Greece for the genera Dolichopoda and Troglophylus are given, in addition to the presence of Troglophilus brevicauda as a new country record. We discuss the relationship with the already known species of the area.

Key Words: Cave crickets, distribution, faunistics, new records, new species, taxonomy

Dolichopoda dirussoi sp. nov., in copula, cave Geralexis (photo Bakolitsas).

 

 Sotiris Alexiou, Kostas Bakolitsas, Claudio Di Russo and Mauro Rampini. 2024. Four New Dolichopoda Species from Greece, One Troglophilus new to Greece and new locality records (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae). Contributions to Entomology. 74(1): 103-111. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e121614 [29 Jul 2024]

[Botany • 2025] Solenopsis gutermannii (Campanulaceae) • A New Species from Kefalonia (Ionian Islands, Greece)

  

 Solenopsis gutermannii Brullo, Cambria, Costanzo& Giusso,
 

in Brullo, Gilli, Berger, Cambria, Costanzo, Siracusa et Galdo. 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5010013 

Abstract

A new species of Solenopsis (Campanulaceae), S. gutermannii is described and illustrated. It is endemic to Kefalonia island, Greece, where it is very rare and localized in flat clay surfaces that are periodically submerged. This species is a very small annual hygrophyte, characterized by rosulate leaves or with slightly caulescent stems, long-pedunculated flowers, bilabiate corolla, and papillate near the throat. It exhibits close affinities primarily with S. minuta, with which it was previously identified, and additionally with S. antiphonitis, due to similarities in habit and certain flower traits. Nevertheless, several relevant morphological features serve to distinguish it from these species. Its morphology, seed coat and pollen SEM micro-sculpturing, ecology, phenology, distribution, conservation status, and taxonomic relationships are also examined.

Keywords: Lobelioideae; Mediterranean region; morphology; pollen; seed testa; Solenopsis; taxonomy

 Solenopsis gutermannii from type locality.
(A) Habit; (B) Habit magnification (×2); (C) Leaves; (D) Bracteoles; (E) Flower (frontal view); (F) Flower (lateral view); (G) Open corolla; (H) Open calyx; (I) Calyx with capsule; (J) Anthers (frontal view); (K) Anthers (lateral view); (L) Style and stigma; (M) Corolla papillae; (N) Seeds.

Drawing: S. Brullo.

 Habit of living plants of  Solenopsis gutermannii from Kefalonia.
(A) Stemless individual. (B) Caulescent individual.

 Solenopsis gutermannii Brullo, Cambria, Costanzo& Giusso, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Solenopsis gutermannii is similar to S. minuta in having usually rosulate leaves, bracteole indumentum, and corolla colour, but it differs in having a permanent annual habit, being acaulescent or briefly scapose, having a leaf rosette 1.2–2 cm in diameter, leaves no more than 12 mm long, with blade entire or weakly crenate without glands at the margin, usually smaller, with a smaller bracteole, smaller calyx (2.5–3.3 mm long), shorter calyx lobes, shorter corolla (6–7 mm long), smaller upper lips of the corolla (2.5–2.7 × 1.8–2.2 mm), not papillate, shorter lower lip of the corolla (3.7–4.2 mm long), papillate at the base, with papillae usually being shorter (0.02–0.2 mm), the staminal filaments and anther tube usually being shorter, the capsule being smaller and papillose, and the seeds smaller.

Etymology: The species is dedicated to the late Walter Gutermann, Austrian botanist from Vienna (1935–2023), and expert on the flora of Austria and the Ionian Islands (Greece), who was the first to discover this species in Kefalonia.

Salvatore Brullo, Christian Gilli, Andreas Berger, Salvatore Cambria, Emanuele Costanzo,Giuseppe Siracusa and Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo. 2025. Solenopsis gutermannii (Campanulaceae), a New Species from Kefalonia (Ionian Islands, Greece). Taxonomy. 5(1); 13; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5010013  [7 March 2025]

[Botany • 2020] Centaurea devasiana (Asteraceae) • A New Species from Prespa, NW Greece

 

Centaurea devasiana Bergmeier & Strid,   

in Bergmeier et Strid, 2020. 

 Researchgate.net/publication/348754080 

Abstract

 Centaurea devasiana (Asteraceae) is described as a new species of the section Acrolophus. It is restricted to a small area on Mt Devas, Prespa National Park, NW Greece, and is most closely related to a group of narrow Balkan endemics of the Prespa-Ohrid region. The species is illustrated, and its morphological characteristics, habitat and conservation issues are described. An identification key to C. devasiana and similar local species is also provided. 

Key words: Centaurea sect. Acrolophus, endemic, Mt Devas, plant species, Prespa National Park, taxonomy

Centaurea devasiana Bergmeier & Strid, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Similar to Centaurea galicicae but differing in the following characters: stems erect; leaves grey-green, tomentose, segments linear to linear-lanceolate; phyllary appendages narrowly triangular, suberect, terminal spinule equal or longer than and exceeding the whitish lateral cilia; achenes with pappus much shorter than its body

Bergmeier, E. & Strid, A. 2020. Centaurea devasiana – A New Species from Prespa, NW Greece. Phytologia Balcanica. 25(3):281-286. 

  Researchgate.net/publication/348754080_Centaurea_devasiana_a_new_species_from_Prespa_NW_Greece

[Botany • 2024] Ornithogalum christiniae (Asparagaceae) • A New Species from an offshore islet on the Cretan Area (S. Aegean, Greece)

Ornithogalum christiniae  

in Kypriotakis, Tzanoudakis et Antaloudaki. 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04485

Abstract

Ornithogalum christiniae sp. nov., collected from the offshore islet of Agria Gramvousa (northwestern Crete, Greece), is described and illustrated as a locally endemic species. It is related to Ornithogalum montanum, O. atticum and O. pumilum, however, it differs from these in having wrinkled and corrugated leaf surface, fruiting pedicels thickened at base, flexuose rachis of infructescence and winged capsules. The relationships between the new species and the aforementioned are discussed, while information regarding its ecology, conservation status and karyotype is also given.

Keywords: Aegean Flora, island specialists, karyotypes, new species, Ornithogalum, taxonomy

Ornithogalum christiniae sp. nov. (Asparagaceae).
 (A) Plant habit at the stage of anthesis. (B) plant habit at the stage of fruit, (C) flower shape (apical and bottom view),
(D) leaf surface structure showing the differences between O. montanum leaf (left) and O. christiniae leaf (right).

Ornithogalum christiniae sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species showing some similarities with O. montanum, and to a lesser extent with O. atticum and O. pumilum, in having bulbs with concrescent scales, leaves more than 5 mm wide without a white stripe, a short raceme that is corymbiform at anthesis, entire filaments and hypogeal germination, however, it differs from these three species in having spherical to sub-spherical bulbs, wrinkled and corrugated leaf surface, basally thickened fruiting pedicel and winged capsules.

Etymology: The species epithet is dedicated to Dr Christini Fournaraki, Mediterranean Agronomical Institute of Chania (CIHEAM-MAICh), a well-known botanist and fellow in fieldwork.

 

Zacharias Kypriotakis, Dimitrios Tzanoudakis and Eleftheria Antaloudaki. 2024. Ornithogalum christiniae (Asparagaceae): A New Species from an offshore islet on the Cretan Area (S. Aegean, Greece). Nordic Journal of Botany.DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04485

[Entomology • 2023] Roeseliana epirotica • Data on the Distribution of the Genus Roeseliana Zeuner, 1941 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae) in the southwestern Balkans, with Description of A New Species

 

Roeseliana epirotica 

 Lemonnier-Darcemont & Darcemont, 2023

 

sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/45/14

  x.com/Publi_MNHN

 

This article provides new biogeographical data on the genus Roeseliana Zeuner, 1941 in the southwestern Balkans, with the description of a new species, Roeseliana epirotica n. sp., discovered in four localities of the meso-Mediterranean zone of the Epirus region in Greece and Albania. From the supra-Mediterranean zone and upper, in Albania, Greece and also in the Republic of North Macedonia, we have only observed Roeseliana ambitiosa (Uvarov, 1924), with which R. epirotica n. sp. was probably confused in its most Mediterranean localities. These two taxa are nevertheless well differentiated, especially by the shape of the subgenital plate in the female and the shape in the titillators of the male.

KEYWORDS: Epirus, Greece, Albania, description, new species

Michèle Lemonnier-Darcemont & Christian Darcemont. 2023. Data on the Distribution of the Genus Roeseliana Zeuner, 1941 (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Tettigoniinae) in the southwestern Balkans, with Description of R. epirotica n. sp. ZOOSYSTEMA. 45(14); 445-450. 

 sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/45/14

  x.com/Publi_MNHN/status/1696496030789894566 

[Entomology • 2023] Phragmacossia bozanoi • A New Species (Lepidoptera: Cossidae: Zeuzerinae) from southern Greece with some notes on Phragmataecia and Phragmacossia

Phragmacossia bozanoi

Saldaitis, Prozorov, Müller & Yakovlev, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5374.2.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/375666820

Abstract

The taxonomic relationship between the genera Phragmataecia Newman, 1850 and Phragmacossia Schawerda, 1924 is considered. Diagnostic characters and distribution of the species Phragmataecia castaneae (Hübner, 1790), Phragmataecia albida (Erschoff, 1874), Phragmacossia ariana (Grum-Grshimailo, 1899), Phragmacossia territa (Staudinger, 1879), and Phragmacossia minos Reisser, 1963 are studied in detail. A new species, Phragmacossia bozanoi sp. n., is described from the Peloponnese Peninsula and the South Greek mainland.

Lepidoptera, biodiversity, Central Asia, Crete, fauna, Middle east, new species for europe, Peloponnes, taxonomy

  Map with collecting localities of Phragmacossia minos (29, green) and Ph. bozanoi sp. n. (29, red), habitat (30–31) and adults of Ph. bozanoi sp. n. in nature (32–33, pictures of L. Sattin Luca).

 Phragmacossia bozanoi sp. n.: adults, dorsal view.
Depositories of the specimens: 14 in WIGJ; 15 in MWM/ZSM; 16 in GMM; 17 in TMF; 18 in AMM. Scale bar—1 cm.

Aidas Saldaitis, Alexey M. Prozorov, Günter C. Müller, Roman V. Yakovlev. 2023.  Phragmacossia bozanoi—A New Species from southern Greece with some notes on Phragmataecia and Phragmacossia (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Zeuzerinae).  Zootaxa. 5374(2); 211-228. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5374.2.3

  Researchgate.net/publication/375666820_Phragmacossia_bozanoi-a_new_species_from_southern_Greece

[Botany • 2024] Thliphthisa sapphus (Rubiaceae: Rubieae) • A New Species from Lefkada (Ionian Islands, Greece) and its ecological position

Thliphthisa sapphus  Gutermann,

in Gutermann, Jang, Kästner, Prehsler, Reich, Berger, Flatscher, Gilli, Hofbauer, Lachmayer, Sander, Sonnleitner et Mucina, 2024.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.241.119144

photographs by M. Sonnleitner, drawings by A. Kästner.

Abstract

The new species, Thliphthisa sapphus sp. nov. (Rubiaceae, Rubieae), a narrow endemic of the white cliffs of Lefkátas on the southwest coast of Lefkada (Greece) is described and illustrated and an IUCN assessment is presented. Vegetation relevés were performed at the single known locality, limestone cliffs facing the sea and revealed a new association, the Thliphthisa sapphus-Lomelosietum dallaportae. The chromosome number of Thliphthisa sapphus was determined as 2n = 4x = 44, being the single tetraploid species in the genus to date. The species also differs markedly morphologically from its morphologically closest relatives, two Greek steno-endemic oreophytes, Th. baenitzii and Th. muscosa by the following characters: densely setose mericarps and corolla, tetraploidy and by its distribution. An identification key for the Greek species of Thliphthisa is provided. Th. sapphus constitutes the westernmost outpost of a group of Greek steno-endemics, highlighting the importance of coastal habitats and their protection as refugia for poorly competitive chamaephytes.

Key words: Asperula, coastal cliff refugia, Greece, Ionian Islands, phytosociology, Rubiaceae, species nova, Thliphthisa

Illustration of Thliphthisa sapphus, based on the type material
A whole plant B whole plant with vegetative and flowering shoots C vegetative shoot D detail of stem of vegetative shoot E flowering shoot F detail of stem of flowering shoot G flower H dissected flower

(drawings by A. Kästner).

Habit and flowers of Thliphthisa sapphus
A old individual of Thliphthisa sapphus with a thick lignified rootstock B flowers of Thliphthisa sapphus exhibiting the characteristic indumentum on the corolla

(photographs by M. Sonnleitner).

 Thliphthisa sapphus Gutermann, sp. nov.

Etymology: The epithet commemorates Sappho, the most famous poetess of the Classical Hellenic Era and refers to the traditional (though non-historical) believe she suicidally threw herself from the white cliffs of Lefkátas because of unrequited love for beautiful young Phaon. The epithet is in genitive spelling. The genitive in classical Latin also is "Sapphūs", as testified in the poem delivered as "incerti avctoris epistvla Sapphvs ad Phaonem" in Ovid’s Epistolae Heroidum no. 15.

 Walter Gutermann, Tae-Soo Jang, Arndt Kästner, David Prehsler, Dieter Reich, Andreas Berger, Ruth Flatscher, Christian Gilli, Markus Hofbauer, Margarita Lachmayer, Ruth Sander, Michaela Sonnleitner and Ladislav Mucina. 2024. Thliphthisa sapphus (Rubiaceae, Rubieae), A New Species from Lefkada (Ionian Islands, Greece) and its ecological position. PhytoKeys. 241: 65-79. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.241.119144

[Arachnida • 2023] Euscorpius olympus • Glacial Relicts? A New Scorpion (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae: Euscorpius) from Mount Olympus, Greece

Euscorpius olympus

Blasco-Aróstegui & Prendini, 2023

 DOI: 10.1206/4003.1

 

Abstract

Mediterranean mountains and Pleistocene glacial cycles are responsible for much of the unique biodiversity of the Western Palearctic, acting respectively as refugia and drivers of diversification. Mount Olympus, a legendary Greek landmark, is a perfect example. This massif provided a glacial refugium for many species, resulting in a unique biota. In the present contribution, a new euscorpiid scorpion with a distinctive morphology, Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov., is described from an isolated population in the foothills of Mount Olympus. This new species raises the number of species in the genus Euscorpius Thorell, 1876, to 74, in Greece to 32, and in the vicinity of Mount Olympus, to three. The roles of climatic oscillations, altitudinal gradients and habitat heterogeneity on the diversity and distributions of the three species occurring around Mount Olympus are briefly discussed.

Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov., live habitus, dorsal aspect.
A. Holotype ♂ (AMNH). B. Paratype ♀(AMNH).

Family Euscorpiidae Laurie, 1896 

Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 

Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov., most closely resembles E. aquilejensis, a widespread species distributed from the southeastern Italian Peninsula to Slovenia and Croatia (Tropea, 2013a). The two species are somewhat similar in coloration, with a slender, elongated pedipalp chela, similar trichobothrial patterns, and a broad telson in both sexes. However, E. olympus differs from E. aquilejensis in the following respects. Euscorpius olympus is a proportionally larger species, measuring 38.2–48.4 mm in length (fig. 5; tables 2, 3), whereas E. aquilejensis is medium-sized, usually measuring 29–38 mm but occasionally reaching 41 mm (Tropea, 2013a). The subdistal teeth on the movable finger of the chelicera are clearly separated in E. olympus, but almost united, forming a bicuspid in E. aquilejensis. The carapace anterior margin possesses a shallow median notch in E. olympus (fig. 6) but is sublinear in E. aquilejensis. The carapace surface is almost asetose in the male of E. olympus (fig. 6), but noticeably more setose in the male of E. aquilejensis. The carapace lateral surfaces and pedipalp femur prodorsal surface are less finely and sparsely granular in E. olympus (figs. 6, 7A, B) than E. aquilejensis. The medial lobe of the pedipalp chela movable finger is rounded in the male of E. olympus (fig. 8B) but slightly conical in the male of E. aquilejensis. The ventromedian row of spinules on the leg IV telotarsi comprise 10–13 short, blunt spinules in E. olympus (fig. 10A–D) and 9–11 elongate spinules in E. aquilejensis. The median lateral carinae of metasomal segment I are obsolete and incomplete, restricted to the anterior half of the segment in E. olympus (figs. 11B, 12B), but distinct and complete in E. aquilejensis.

Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov., habitat at type locality. 
A. Peaks and mixed forests on slopes of Mount Olympus, Greece. B. Microhabitat, crevices in limestone rocks in predominantly deciduous forest in northern foothills of Mount Olympus.

 

Javier Blasco-Aróstegui and Lorenzo Prendini. 2023. Glacial Relicts? A New Scorpion from Mount Olympus, Greece (Euscorpiidae: Euscorpius). American Museum Novitates. (4003):1-36. DOI: 10.1206/4003.1