[Ichthyology • 2026] Parachiloglanis gurungi • A New Species of Torrent Catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from western Bhutan

 Parachiloglanis gurungi

Thoni & Gurung, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.9 

 facebook.com: Ryan Thoni

 

Abstract

A new species of Parachiloglanis is described, based on specimens collected from the Kalikhola stream, a tributary of the Jaldhaka River, Samtse Dzongkhag, Bhutan. Parachiloglanis gurungi, new species, differs from its congeners in having a white bar on anterior flanks on dorsum of the body, white spot at the upper caudal-peduncle base, short and deep caudal peduncle, long predorsum, and differences in vomerine toothplate shape. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit B (cytb) gene sequences reveal lineage independence, corroborating its distinct status and establishing it as a sibling species to Parachiloglanis hodgarti.

 Pisces, Glyptosterninae, Teesta River, Samtse, Siluriformes

Parachiloglanis gurungi sp. nov. 

RYAN J. THONI and MER MAN GURUNG. 2026. Parachiloglanis gurungi, A New Species of Torrent Catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from western Bhutan.  Zootaxa. 5881(3); 437-444. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.9 [2026-09-22] 

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

Ingerana aizawl

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

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.2.3

 

Abstract

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

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

Ingerana aizawl

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

[Herpetology • 2026] Indotyphlops gyirongensis • A New Species of blind snake, Indotyphlops (Serpentes: Typhlopidae), from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China

 

Indotyphlops gyirongensis

Lyu, Tan, Zhao, Wallach, Liu & Guo, 2026

吉隆盲蛇  | DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1292.197322

Abstract

Typhlopidae is the most species-rich and broadly distributed family of blind snakes. Due to their secretive habits, fossorial lifestyle, and conserved morphology, the taxonomy and systematics of this group remain poorly understood. Here, a new species of blind snake is described from Xizang, China, based on morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The new species is genetically divergent from its closest relatives with an uncorrected CO1 p-distance exceeding 18.3%. Morphologically, it can be diagnosed by a combination of the following characters: 1) large size with 265 mm total length, 2) supralabial imbrication pattern T-V, 3) midbody scales in 18 rows, 4) total middorsal scales 432, 5) subcaudals 17, 6) infralabials 2, 7) absence of a terminal tail spine, and 8) light-colored head cap. Currently, the new species is known only from Xizang, China, but it likely occurs in adjacent regions in Nepal.

Key words: Blind snake, morphology, new species, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, taxonomy, Typhlopidae

General (top) and ventral (below) views of the holotype of Indotyphlops gyirongensis sp. nov. in life  

photos by Peng Guo

Holotype of Indotyphlops gyirongensis sp. nov. in preservative.
Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of the body, dorsal (C) and lateral (D) views of head, and ventral view of tail (E)

photos by Peng Guo

Indotyphlops gyirongensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A blind snake distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters: 1) large size with 265 mm in total length, 2) SIP T-V, 3) midbody scales in 18 rows, 4) total middorsal scales 432, 5) subcaudals 17, 6) infralabials 2, 7) absence of a terminal tail spine, and 8) light-colored head cap.

Etymology. The specific epithet Gyirong is a noun in apposition, referring to the type locality, Gyirong Town, Gyirong County, Xizang, China. We suggest the English common name “Gyirong blind snake” and the Chinese common name “吉隆盲蛇” (Jílóng Mángshé) for this new species.

 Bing Lyu, Songwen Tan, Zhichao Zhao, Van Wallach, Qin Liu and Peng Guo. 2026. A New Species of blind snake, Indotyphlops (Serpentes, Typhlopidae), from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China. ZooKeys. 1292: 261-273. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1292.197322 [17-09-2026]

[Botany • 2026] Gastrodia keyiensis (Orchidaceae: Gastrodieae) • A New holomycotrophic Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya, India

  

Gastrodia keyiensis M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar, 

in Khanal, Borah, Sarkar, Gap, Rai et Kumar, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.773.3.7  

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Abstract

Gastrodia keyiensis M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar sp. nov. is described from Keyi Panyor District, Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. The new species is morphologically allied to G. putaoensis but differs in having a broadly obovate basal part of the labellum with 6–7 prominent longitudinally thickened structures, and a distinct, thick, strongly incurved, narrowly oblong-ligulate, yellow apical part that is minutely papillate, with the apex rounded to obtuse (vs. an elliptic basal part with 3–5 parallel thickened lines, and a narrower apical part densely covered with yellow hairs, with the apex obtuse and densely covered with red papillae). A detailed morphological description, diagnosis, photographic illustrations, notes on distribution, habitat, phenology, and conservation status, together with comparisons with morphologically allied species, are provided to facilitate its identification.

Monocots, Ghost orchid, Mycoheterotroph, New to Science, Orchid, Taxonomy

Gastrodia keyiensis M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar sp. nov.

MADHUSUDHAN KHANAL, DIPANKAR BORAH, SHUVADIP SARKAR, NEELAM GAP, SANTOSH KUMAR RAI and DEVENDRA KUMAR. 2026. Gastrodia keyiensis (Orchidaceae: Gastrodieae), A New holomycotrophic Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya, India.  Phytotaxa. 773(3); 289-295. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.773.3.7 [2026-09-09]

  facebook.com/DipuBORAH2/posts/28179222161743622

[Herpetology • 2026] Duttaphrynus phawngpui • A New Montane Toad Species (Anura: Bufonidae: Duttaphrynus) from Mizoram, northeastern India

Duttaphrynus phawngpui 

 Dawngliana, Warjri, Amarasinghe, Bal, Hruaia, Hlychho, Lalremsanga, Vabeiryureilai & Purkayastha, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i2.423  

 Researchgate.net/publication/414271782

Abstract

We describe a new montane bufonid toad from Phawngpui National Park, Mizoram, northeastern India, using an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphology, multivariate morphometrics, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses recover the Mizoram population as a well-supported lineage within the Duttaphrynus stuarti species group, distinct from its closest congeners, including D. stuarti, D. chandai, and D. dhara. Uncorrected 16S sequence divergence from currently recognised taxa ranges from 3.8–5.5%, consistent with species-level differentiation in Asian bufonids. Principal component analysis of size-corrected morphometric variables further supports its distinctiveness, with the new species occupying a discrete region of morphospace. The new species is characterized by moderate body size (SVL 47.72–56.26 mm), indistinct tympanum, absence of most cranial ridges, distinctive digital proportions, moderate toe webbing, and a dorsum with glandular warts, irregular dark blotches, and a narrow mid-dorsal stripe. Concordant molecular, morphometric, and morphological evidence supports its recognition as a distinct species. Known only from the type locality in high-elevation (>2000 m a.s.l.) montane habitats, the species highlights the importance of the Mizoram uplands for undocumented amphibian diversity within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

Duttaphrynus phawngpui sp. nov 

Malsawm Dawngliana, Holiness Warjri, A. A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Amit K. Bal, Vanlal Hruaia, Mara D. Hlychho, Hmar T. Lalremsanga, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai and Jayaditya Purkayastha. 2026. A New Montane Toad Species (ANURA: BUFONIDAE: Duttaphrynus) from Mizoram, northeastern INDIA. TAPROBANICA. 15(2); 298–309. DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i2.423 [13 September 2026]  

 Researchgate.net/publication/414271782_A_NEW_MONTANE_TOAD_Duttaphrynus_from_MIZORAM_NE_INDIA

[Botany • 2026] Begonia neelamorum (Begoniaceae, sect. Monophyllon) • A remarkable New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India

 

 Begonia neelamorum  D.Borah & M.Khanal,

in Borah, Khanal, Taram et Gap, 2026.

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2210 

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Abstract

Begonia neelamorum D.Borah & M.Khanal, sect. Monophyllon, is described as a new species from Arunachal Pradesh, India. It closely resembles B. prolifera A.DC. in having a globose tuber, a single, sessile, basifixed leaf with a uniformly light-green lamina, an inflorescence which arises from the base of the sessile leaf blade, and white staminate and pistillate flowers, but differs in its glandular-hispid indumentum, terete stem, ovate lamina with double-serrate margins, a dichasial cyme and shorter styles. The species description is accompanied by illustrations and photographs, and information is provided on its distribution, phenology, ecology, preliminary conservation assessment and similarity to other species.

Keyword: Arunachal Pradesh, Begonia kayinensis, Begonia oyuniae, Begonia prolifera, Himalaya, Monophyllon, new species

 Begonia neelamorum. A. Habit; B. Flowering branch; C. Inflorescence; D-E. Male flowers, front and back views; F. Female flower, side view, G. Female flower, front view; H. Styles; I. Androecium.

(D.Borah, M.Khanal and G.Neelam 2267)

 Begonia neelamorum. A-C. Habitat

Begonia neelamorum D.Borah & M.Khanal, sp. nov. 

sect. Monophyllon

 Diagnosis: Begonia neelamorum D.Borah & M.Khanal is most similar to B. prolifera A.DC. in having a globose tuber, a single, sessile, basifixed leaf with a uniformly light-green lamina, an inflorescence from the base of the lamina and a symmetric or subsymmetric, cordate leaf bases, but differs in its glandular-hispid indumentum (vs. glabrous to subglabrous), stem terete (vs. adaxially grooved), ovate lamina with double-serrate margins (vs. orbicular-cordate lamina with dentate to slightly incised margins, sometimes tuberculate at the edges), dichasial cymes (vs. thyrsoid cyme), shorter styles, 1 mm long (vs. 3 mm)

Etymology: The specific epithet honours the Neelam clan of the Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, who assisted in the collection of the species during a particularly treacherous expedition. Neelam is also the name of the village inhabited by members of the clan and is among the nearest villages to the type locality from which the species was collected. 

Vernacular name: Kobiirhopu Baabrai (Nyishi) 

 Dipankar Borah, Madhusudhan Khanal, Momang Taram and Neelam Gap. 2026. Begonia neelamorum (Begoniaceae sect. Monophyllon), A remarkable New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. Taiwania. 71(4); 617-620. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.617 [05 August 2026]

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2210 

facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/1465287385621948

[Botany • 2026] Didymocarpus nautiyalii (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Didymocarpus nautiyalii M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar, 

in Khanal, Borah, Taram, Das, Rai, Rawat et Kumar, 2026.

taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2215

Abstract

Didymocarpus nautiyalii M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar (Gesneriaceae) is described as a new species from Shi-Yomi District, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. It resembles D. albiflorus Souvann. & Phonep. in its habit, leaves, few-flowered inflorescences and slightly pouched infundibuliform corolla with an expanded mouth, but differs in its much shorter stem, sessile to very short petioles, coriaceous lamina, 1–3-flowered cymes, smaller campanulate calyx, shorter bluish-purple corolla, and a glabrous ovary. The species is assessed as Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Keyword: Didymocarpoideae, Didymocarpus albiflorus, Didymocarpus nautiyalii, Eastern Himalaya, endemic

Madhusudhan Khanal, Dipankar Borah, Momang Taram, Niku Das, Santosh Kumar Rai, Sandeep Rawat, Devendra Kumar. 2026. A New Species of Didymocarpus Wall. (Gesneriaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Taiwania. 71(4); 649-654 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.649 [2026 August 13]

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2215

[Botany • 2026] Gaultheria watsonii (Ericaceae) • A New Species from Sikim Himalaya

 

Gaultheria watsonii D.Maity, A.K.Halder and S.Saha,

in Maity, Halder, Saha, Panda, Jha et Pradhan, 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.3606

Abstract

A new species of Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) from the Sikkim Himalaya, Gaultheria watsonii, is described and illustrated. This species is  morphologically most similar to Gaultheria heteromera in terms of habit, especially in its procumbent branchlets and tetramerous flowers. However, it can be readily distinguished from all other known species of the genus, including Gaultheria heteromera, by its unique combination of morphological characters, namely prostrate habit with procumbent branchlets, adaxially smooth and smaller leaf blades with strongly acute and mucronulate apices, pseudoterminal 2- to 4-flowered racemes, longer rachis, shorter pedicel, 4-merous flowers, and ovary sparsely white hispidulous with conspicuously 8- to 10-lobed discs. Based on its limited geographical distribution and the continuing decline in habitat quality, the conservation status of the new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(iii)] according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Keywords: Critically Endangered (CR), Gaultheria series Leucothoides (Airy Shaw) D. J. Middleton, Himalaya, IUCN

Gaultheria watsonii D.Maity, A.K.Halder and S.Saha, sp. nov.
 A, Habit and habitat; B, inflorescence; C, flower.

Photographs: A. K. Halder.

Gaultheria watsonii D.Maity, A.K.Halder and S.Saha, sp. nov.

The new species is most similar to Gaultheria heteromera, from which it differs by having smaller leaf blades (4–10 × 3–5 mm vs 8–25(–30) × 5–14 mm), strongly acute leaf apex (vs obtuse), smaller petioles (0.5–0.75 mm vs 1–3 mm), pseudoterminal racemes (vs pseudoterminal and axillary), longer rachis (5–15 mm vs 3–6(–10) mm), shorter pedicel (1–1.75 mm vs 3–6 mm), bract and bracteoles with margins densely ciliolate (vs eciliolate), 8 stamens (vs 8 or 9), and ovary with conspicuous shallowly lobed disc (vs disc absent). In Gaultheria heteromera the veins on the adaxial surface of leaves are distinctly impressed, forming prominent reticulations, whereas in the new species although sometimes the midvein is slightly depressed adaxially, the secondary and tertiary veins are not impressed and thus the upper surface appears smooth. Moreover, in Gaultheria watsonii the ovary is sparsely white-hispidulous, whereas in G. heteromera the ovary is densely hispidulous.

D. Maity, A. K. Halder, S. Saha, S. Panda, B. K. Jha and D. K. Pradhan. 2026. GAULTHERIA WATSONII (ERICACEAE): A New Species from Sikim HIMALAYA. EDINBURGH JOURNAL OF BOTANY. 83, 3606. DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.3606 [2026-08-24]

[Fungi • 2026] Agrocybe himalayensis (Strophariaceae) • A New Species from Indian Himalaya

 

Agrocybe himalayensis Choudhary, Uniyal & Y.P.Sharma,

in Choudhary, Sharma et Uniyal, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.3599

Abstract

A new species, Agrocybe himalayensis (Strophariaceae), from Uttarakhand Himalaya, India, is described based on macro- and micro-morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses. This species is characterised by its pale-orange to yellow-brown pileus with distinct umbo, wavy cream margin, crowded pale-salmon to fleshy brown lamellae (often anastomosing), and ellipsoid basidiospores 8.7–11.4 × 6.6–7.8 μm. A phylogenetic tree, line drawings and photographs are provided, as is a table of morphological characters of the new and closely related species. 

Keywords: nrITS, Phylogeny, Strophariaceae, Uttarakhand

Macro- and micromorphological images of Agrocybe himalayensis Choudhary, Uniyal & Y.P.Sharma, sp. nov.
A and B, Fresh basidiomata in the field and basecamp; C, basidiospores; D, basidia; E–G, pleurocystidia; H, cheilocystidia; I, pileocystidia.

Scale bars: A, 10 mm; C–I, 10 μm. All images of the holotype, S. Choudhary, P. Uniyal & Y.P. Sharma 2139, taken by Priyanka Uniyal and Shikha Choudhary.

Agrocybe himalayensis Choudhary, Uniyal & Y.P.Sharma, sp. nov.

Agrocybe himalayensis differs from its closely allied species A.putaminum by its large basidiomata (80mm vs 60mm in A.putaminum), velvety to smooth pale-orange to yellow-brown pileus (vs glabrous, wrinkled, yellow brown), distinct umbo (vs slight umbo), margin not clearly demarcated, wavy, cream (vs inflexed to deflexed – sometimes wrinkled and reflexed, and light brown). It also differs in its crowded, pale-salmon to fleshy brown lamellae often anastomosing (vs well spaced, pale yellow decurrent and toothed), stipe without any velar remnants (vs strongly fibrillose to dark-brown granulose-flocculose), presence of large basidiospores 8.7–11.4 × 6.6–7.8 μm (vs 11.7–13.8 × 7.5–8.5 μm) and with pleurocystidia 26–45.5 × 11.4–18 μm (vs 38.9–56.9 × 13–27 μm) and cheilocystidia 24.5–32.6 × 7.9–14.3 μm (vs 44–63 × 11–14 μm).

S. Choudhary, Y. P. Sharma, P. Uniyal. 2026. AGROCYBE HIMALAYENSIS (STROPHARIACEAE), A NEW SPECIES from INDIAN HIMALAYA. EDINBURGH JOURNAL OF BOTANY. 83, 3599. DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.3599 [2026-08-25]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Glyptothorax jiwanae • A New Species of the Sisorid Catfish Genus Glyptothorax (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from Nepal

 

 Glyptothorax jiwanae

Haggard, Ng, Edds & Conway, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025050  

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

Glyptothorax jiwanae, new species, is described in this study based on 42 specimens, 41–133 mm SL, from Nepal. It is distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters, including presence of longitudinal striae on the gular region, presence of adhesive papillae on the lower lip, premaxillary teeth hidden when the mouth is closed, nasal barbel reaching posterior to eye, skin flaps along the posterior edges of the maxillary and inner and outer mandibular barbels extending for half or less of barbel length, round eye, thoracic adhesive apparatus (TAA) consisting only of longitudinally oriented striae, an elongate, oval depression within the medial pit of the TAA, finely tuberculate skin, pelvic origin at a vertical through or slightly anterior to the base of the last dorsal-fin ray, length of adipose-fin base 14.9–18.4% SL, i,7,8,i caudal-fin rays, caudal-fin lobes approximately equal in length, and slightly asymmetrical procurrent rays.

 Glyptothorax jiwanae, KU 28638, holotype, 55.4 mm SL, Nepal, Rautahat/Sarlahi, Bagmati River. Scale bar = 5 mm.

Glyptothorax jiwanae, new species 

Etymology.— This species is named after Dr. Jiwan Shrestha, for her pioneering work on elucidating the ichthyofaunal diversity of Nepal. A noun in the genitive.

 

Angela Haggard, Heok Hee Ng, David R. Edds and Kevin W. Conway. 2026. A New Species of the Sisorid Catfish Genus Glyptothorax from Nepal (Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 114(3):439-450. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025050 [20 August 2026]

 x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/2091934920453062812

[Herpetology • 2026] Ovophis medogensis • A New Species of the Genus Ovophis (Serpentes: Viperidae) from Xizang, China

 Ovophis medogensis 

 Liao, Shi, Luo, Huang, Lin, Giri & Wang, 2026

墨脱烙铁头蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0067

Abstract

In 1981, Hoge & Romano-Hoge (1981) erected the genus Ovophis, one of the most widely distributed snake groups in Asia. Its distribution ranges westward from eastern Asia to Nepal, encompassing the entire East Asia and the Indochinese Peninsula. During recent herpetological surveys conducted near Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, a previously undescribed snake species was discovered. Based on integrated morphological and molecular evidence, this species is herein described as a new taxon: Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. This new species can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following combination of characters: possesses off-white spots on the ventral surface; lacks irregular markings on the dorsal surface of the head; body short and stout, with a brown dorsal ground color bearing 19-20 irregular black butterfly-shaped blotches; presence of a brownish-orange postorbital stripe; vertically elliptical pupil, brownish-black in color; dorsal surface of the tail with white dots extending to the tail tip; infralabials: 11 (12)/11 (10); the first and second pairs of infralabials in contact with chin shields; supralabials: mostly 8, occasionally 9; ventrals: 132-138; subcaudals: 39-49, mostly paired; dorsal scale rows 23-23-19; Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species forms a well-supported distinct lineage, with a Bayesian posterior probability (BPP) of 1.00 and an ultrafast bootstrap (UFB) value of 100. Analyses of uncorrected pairwise genetic distances based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene showed that the genetic distances between the new species and other known species of the genus Ovophis range from 0.055 (vs. Ovophis monticola) to 0.135 (vs. Ovophis tonkinensis). The discovery of this new species further enhances our understanding of biodiversity in the eastern Himalayas and provides valuable insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the genus.

Keywords: Medog, Cryptic diversity, Ovophis medogensis sp. nov., pit-viper, Eastern Himalayas

Photographs of individuals of  Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. (CIB 122660) in life.
Full view (A), dorsal view of head (B), left lateral view of head (C), and right lateral view of head (D).

Photographed by Shengchao SHI. 

The holotype (Adult male, specimen No. CIB 122661) of Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. in preservation.
Dorsal view of the body (A); ventral view of the body (B); dorsal view of the head (C); ventral view of the head (D); dorsal view of the midbody (E); right lateral view of the head (F); left lateral view of the head (G); ventral view of the midbody (H); lateral view of the midbody (I); dorsal view of the tail (J).

Photographed by Dihao WU.

Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. Liao, Shi, Luo, Huang, Lin, Rohit and Wang  

Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Ovophis characterized by the following combination of characters: tail length to total length (TaL/TL) ratio 0.179–0.181 (N=4); internasal scales undivided or separated by 1 scale; second supralabial bordering the loreal pit; dorsal scale rows (DSR) 23(25)–23–19 (N=4); ventrals scales (VEN) 132–138 (N=4), bearing strong keels along the dorsal region; subcaudals scales (SC) 39–49 (N=4), mostly paired with occasional single undivided scales; third supralabial distinctly larger than the fourth (N=4); dorsal surface of the head lacking distinct markings; postocular region to neck with orange-red coloration; neck marked by two approximately parallel stripes; dorsal body brownish-yellow with irregular black, butterfly-shaped blotches; and dorsal surface of the tail or named with a continuous series of white spots.

Comparison of live morphologies of genus Ovophis from the Eastern Himalayan Region. Includes the following specimens: (A1–A3) O . monticola, (B1–B3) O. medogensis sp. nov., and (C1–C3) O. zayuensis.
O . monticola: A1 is one adult individual from Chhaimale, Nepal; A2 is one adult male individual from Majua, West Bengal, India; A3 is one adult male individual from Mangan, Sikkim, India;
O. medogensis sp. nov.: B1 is one juvenile individual from Medog, Xizang, China; B2 is one adult female individual from Medog, Xizang, China; B3 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China;
O. zayuensis: C1 is one adult female individual from Medog, Xizang, China; C2 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China; and C3 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China.

Photographic credits: (A1) photographed by Rohit GIRI; (A2, A3) photographed by Prajjwal RAY. (A2, A3) cited from the iNaturalist.org occurrence dataset (https://doi.org/10.15468/ab3s5x) via GBIF.org, used under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), with record numbers: A2 No. 248018996 and A3 No. 423862755. (B1, B2, C2, C3) photographed by Shengchao SHI, (B3) photographed by Zhonghao LUO, and (C1) photographed by Dihao WU.

Type locality habitat of Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. in Beibeng Township, Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China.
A: Microhabitat; B: Overall habitat.

Photographed by Linghong LIAO. 

Etymology: The specific epithet medogensis refers to Medog County, the type locality of this species, and is chosen in recognition of the region’s exceptional herpetological diversity, which has facilitated the discovery of this new taxon. The proposed Chinese common name is “墨脱烙铁头蛇” (Mòtuō Làotiětóu Shé), directly derived from the type locality. The English common name is proposed as “Medog Pitviper”.

Linghong LIAO, Shengchao Shi, Zhonghao Luo, Yun Huang, Yiheng Lin, Rohit Giri and Bin Wang. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981 (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Xizang, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0067 [May 9, 2026]

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

 

 the Amolops marmoratus group from India

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

A. Amolops indoburmanensis haplo 1. 

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

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

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

DOI: doi.org/10.3099/MCZ88.1

Photos: S. D. Biju.

 Abstract 

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

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

 

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

Amolops ammachi sp. nov.

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

Suggested Common Name. Ammachi's Cascade Frog.

Amolops bella sp. nov.

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

Suggested Common Name. Beautiful Cascade Frog.

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

Amolops sendenyu sp. nov.

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

Suggested Common Name. Sendenyu Cascade Frog.

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