[Herpetology • 2026] Cyrtodactylus nebulicola • A New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from India with Redescriptions of the holotypes of C. gubernatoris & C. himalayicus

 

Cyrtodactylus nebulicola

Ray, Bhupathi, Chatterjee, Das & Mohapatra, 2026

 

Latpanchar Bent-toed Gecko  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1278.186655  

Abstract

A new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray is described from the eastern Himalayan region of West Bengal state, India. The new species is assigned to the C. peguensis species group and is readily distinguished from its regional congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters. These include dorsal scalation comprising small granules intermixed with enlarged, feebly keeled, weakly pointed tubercles arranged in 15–22 fairly regular longitudinal rows at midbody; 11–14 subdigital lamellae beneath the first digit and 17–23 beneath the fourth digit; nine precloacal pores and 6–9 femoral pores in males; 10–12 supralabials; and nine infralabials. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) sequence data further support the distinctiveness of the new species, which exhibits 11.8–19.8% uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence from its closest congeners. Specifically, it differs from C. gubernatoris by 11.8–12.0% and from C. bhupathyi by 18.5–19.8%, while showing divergences exceeding 20.5% from other congeners examined. In addition to the description of the new species, detailed redescriptions of the holotypes of two regional congeners, C. himalayicus and C. gubernatoris, are provided based on direct examination. The discovery of this new taxon highlights the underestimated diversity of Cyrtodactylus in the eastern Himalayas and underscores the importance of integrated morphological and molecular approaches in resolving species boundaries within this speciose gecko genus.

Key words: Cyrtodactylus peguensis, Darjeeling, eastern Himalayas, morphology, taxonomy, West Bengal

Live specimens of Cyrtodactylus nebulicola sp. nov.
 (A) uncollected individual, (B) one of the paratypes (ZSI-R-29060).

Cyrtodactylus nebulicola sp. nov.

Suggested common English name. Latpanchar Bent-toed Gecko.

Etymology. The species epithet nebulicola is derived from the Latin words: nebula meaning “mist” or “cloud,” and -cola meaning “dweller” or “inhabitant”, collectively meaning “dweller of the mist”. The name refers to the characteristic mist-laden, cloud-forest habitat of Latpanchar in the Darjeeling Himalaya, where the species was discovered. The epithet is treated as a noun in apposition and does not change with gender.

Sumidh Ray, Bharath Bhupathi, Suvrajyoti Chatterjee, Ritesh Das and Pratyush P. Mohapatra. 2026. Description of A New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) from India with redescriptions of the holotypes of C. gubernatoris (Annandale, 1913) and C. himalayicus (Annandale, 1906). ZooKeys. 1278: 317-338. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1278.186655 [30 Apr 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Melanoseris pendryi (Asteraceae) • A New Species from Sikkim Himalaya, India

 

Melanoseris pendryi  D. Maity & Khuroo,
 

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

 DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0112

bsky.app/profile/anbf.bsky.social

 

Abstract

Melanoseris pendryi D. Maity & Khuroo (Asteraceae) is described as a new species from the Sikkim Himalaya, India. It shares some characters, such as overall habit, capitulum size and hairy involucres, with M. lessertiana and M. qinghaica. However, among other features, M. pendryi is distinguished from them by having long ciliate hairs on the ventral surface of the lavender ligules. The paper provides a detailed taxonomic description, illustrations, photographs of diagnostic features and other details to facilitate identification.

Melanoseris pendryi (photographed near Thombu on 22 September 2025).
 A: Habitat. — B: Habit. — C: Capitulum. — D: Ligules. — E: Colourless ligule (part). — F: Outer involucral bract (ventral face). — G: Inner involucral bract (ventral face). — H: Floret. — I: Anther tube. — J: Immature cypsela. — K: Mature cypsela. — L: Cypsela body surface.

Debabrata Maity, Anzar Ahmad Khuroo, Arup K. Halder, Suparna Saha, Bhavesh K. Jha and Durga K. Pradhan. 2026. Melanoseris pendryi (Asteraceae), a New Species from Sikkim Himalaya, India. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1):73-78. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0112 [20 April 2026]

https://bsky.app/profile/anbf.bsky.social/post/3mk5p37iwuc2k

[Arachnida • 2026] Theridion himalayana • On the Discovery of A New polymorphic Happy-Face Spider (Araneae: Theridiidae) from the Western Himalayas, India, with notes on its natural history

Theridion himalayana Priyadarshini & Tripathy, 

in Tripathy et Priyadarshini, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.10.174338 

Abstract

A new species of Theridion is reported here from Uttarakhand, India which resembles and exhibits polymorphism like the Happy-face spiders reported from the Hawaiian Islands, Theridion grallator. The species is polymorphic in both sexes and exhibits patterns of a smiling face with dots in colours of red, black and white arranged differently. 32 different morphs of the species have been reported here which have been collected from three different locations in the northwestern state of India, Uttarakhand. This Theridion species also builds webs to hang upside down like the other polymorphic spiders T. californicum and T. grallator. The phylogenetic position of the species is also reported here which was compared against some of the Asian and Neotropical species across the world using the COI marker. A genetic variation of around 8.5% is observed from the Hawaiian Happy-face spider which indicates a separately evolved species in Asia where several morphs have been found. Despite moderate overall divergence, T. himalayana appears to be phylogenetically isolated from both its Palearctic and Nearctic congeners. This supports its distinctiveness within the genus and raises broader questions about lineage dispersal, parallel evolution of colour polymorphism and independent evolution of species in montane forests. A dichotomous key to the Theridion species described form India is also presented here.

Key Words: Happy-face spider, polymorphism, dichotomous key, Phylogeny, Theridiidae, Uttarakhand, India

Theridion himalayana Priyadarshini & Tripathy, sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis. Theridion himalayana sp. nov. can be readily distinguished from other Indian congeners by the unique configuration of the copulatory ducts (CD) and fertilisation ducts (FD). In T. himalayana sp. nov., the CD is elongate, strongly curved, and prominently protruding forward, with both ducts running almost parallel before terminating downward. The CD which is longer than the spermathecae exhibits a distinctive sew-hook–like appearance, which is not observed in any other examined species. The fertilisation ducts are short, narrow, and directed upwards, diverging away from each other to form a V-shaped orientation. The FD arises below the spermatheca, with each duct directed opposite to the CD. This configuration clearly separates T. himalayana sp. nov. from T. odisha, which has a S-shaped, coiled CD that terminates in oval loops and FD inclined towards each other; T. bengalensis, where CD is short, slender, and directed away from each other, while FD appears tapering distally and directed away from spermatheca; T. melanostictum, characterized by extremely long, highly coiled CD and downward-directed, sickle-shaped FD; T. zonulatum, which possesses short, uncoiled CD and looped FD directed upwards.

...

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘himalayana’ is assigned to species owing to the locality from which it was first found as an ode to the mighty Himalayan Mountain range that holds a wealth of biodiversity.

Suggested common name. Himalayan Happy-Face Spider.

 Ashirwad Tripathy and Devi Priyadarshini. 2026. On the Discovery of A New polymorphic Happy-Face Spider (Araneae, Theridiidae) from the Western Himalayas, India, with notes on its natural history. Evolutionary Systematics. 10(1): 63-84. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.10.174338 [24 Apr 2026]

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

Stauranthera aureoglossa  

in Kishwan, Thackeray et Page, 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70093

ABSTRACT

A new species in genus Stauranthera Benth. is described from Arunachal Pradesh, India. S. aureoglossa sp. nov. is a caulescent herb found in moist and shady streams of mid-elevation forests of Upper Subansiri District. It can be distinguished from the other species in the genus based on a combination of morphological characters such as distinctly 2-lipped, tubular-campanulate, spurless corolla, with yellow, raised papillose patch on the inside of the lower lip of corolla. Color plates of this taxon, along with those of the other two species of Stauranthera reported from India are provided for easy identification.

Keywords: conservation, Eastern Himalaya, Epithemateae, Flora of India, new taxa, Northeast India

Stauranthera aureoglossa sp. nov.

Shivam Kishwan, Tejas U. Thackeray, Navendu V. Page. 2026. Stauranthera aureoglossa, a New Species of Gesneriaceae From Arunachal Pradesh, India. Feddes Repertorium. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70093 [09 April 2026]

  facebook.com/100064866994974/posts/1472543211584565

[Herpetology • 2026] Calamaria garoensis • A New fossorial Reed Snake (Serpentes: Calamariidae: Calamaria) from Northeast India, with A Nomenclatural Synopsis of the Calamaria pavimentata Complex

 

Calamaria garoensis Bharali, Sangma, Amarasinghe, Lalremsanga, Hazarika, Bohra & Purkayastha,

in Bharali, Sangma, Amarasinghe, Bohra, Swargiary, Marak, Hazarika, Das, Asem, Lyngdoh, Lalremsanga et Purkayastha, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i1.397

Abstract

The fossorial reed snakes of the genus Calamaria are morphologically conservative, geographically structured, and frequently misidentified across broad regions, especially where historical names have been applied without explicit synonymy audits. During surveys in the Garo Hills, Meghalaya, Northeast India, we collected a series of Calamaria specimens referable to the “Calamaria pavimentata” concept historically used for the region. We evaluate these specimens using a morphology-first framework complemented by mitochondrial cytochrome b phylogenetic placement. Maximum-likelihood inference recovers the Meghalaya lineage as the strongly supported sister to C. mizoramensis, with an uncorrected p-distance of 6.3%; these mitochondrial values are treated as descriptive support rather than as threshold-based evidence. Morphologically, the Meghalaya lineage is diagnosable by a unique combination of scalation, tail morphology, and coloration, including a short tail that is not gradually tapering, an obtusely pointed tail tip, and a broad median black stripe on the tail venter. To stabilize name usage around the new taxon, we summarize the historical names associated with the C. pavimentata complex, emphasizing type localities and type material where known.

Keywords: Cytochrome b, Garo Hills, Meghalaya, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy 

Calamaria garoensis Bharali, Sangma, Amarasinghe, Lalremsanga, Hazarika, Bohra & Purkayastha, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. Calamaria garoensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 8–9 enlarged maxillary teeth; rostral broader than high; prefrontal shorter than the frontal and contacting the first two supralabials; mental not contacting the anterior chin shields; dorsal scales in 13–13–13 rows, smooth throughout; one preocular and one postocular; four supralabials, the second and third entering the orbit; five infralabials; six scales surrounding the paraparietal; 165–187 ventrals; 12–27 paired subcaudals; a short tail (TaL/TL 4.7–14.2%), not gradually tapering and terminating in an obtuse tip; dorsum dark brown to blackish brown with six narrow longitudinal stripes and a faint pale nuchal ring; ventral surface yellow with dark outer corners on the ventral scales; and a broad, distinct median black stripe on the tail venter.

Manmath Bharali, Chesime M. Sangma, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Sanath C. Bohra, Pranjal Swargiary, Griksrang C. Marak, Arup K. Hazarika, Madhurima Das, Bipin M. Asem, Jennifer Lyngdoh, Hmar T. Lalremsanga and Jayaditya Purkayastha. 2026. A New fossorial Reed Snake (SQUAMATA: CALAMARIIDAE: Calamaria) from Northeast India, with A Nomenclatural Synopsis of the Calamaria pavimentata Complex. TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity. 15(1):12-25. DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i1.397 [14 April 2026]

https://www.taprobanica.org/Archives/volume-15-20-2026-31/volume-15-number-1-2026/v15i1-397.html

[Herpetology • 2026] Cyrtodactylus jayadityai • A New micro-endemic Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the lowlands of Northeast India, with additional morphological notes on Cyrtodactylus khasiensis Jerdon, 1870 based on topotypical specimens from Meghalaya, India

 

Cyrtodactylus jayadityai 

Bohra, Deb, Thongni,  Bhattacharjee, Biakzuala, Lalremsanga, Swargiary & Roy, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1048.3255

Abstract

We provide additional morphological notes on Cyrtodactylus khasiensis Jerdon, 1870 sensu stricto based on topotypical specimens from Meghalaya, northeast India, thereby clarifying its diagnostic morphological traits and extending its distribution further westwards based on molecular data. In addition, based on an integrative systematic approach, we describe a new species of bent-toed gecko namely Cyrtodactylus jayadityai sp. nov. from the lowlands of North Tripura, northeast India. Genetically, the new species is a member of the ‘C. khasiensis’ group and is a strongly supported sister to C. tripuraensis Agarwal, Mahony, Giri, Chaitanya & Bauer, 2018 from which it differs by a pairwise genetic distance of 4.7–5.2% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene. The investigation of morphological characters such as the precloacal-femoral pores in males and pre-cloacal pits in females further supports the distinctiveness of the new species and morphologically differentiates it from its congeners. This increases the number of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 in northeast India to 31 species, underscoring the importance of the region as a hotspot for herpetofaunal research and conservation. At present, based on the current population status and distribution, we propose that the new species should be considered as Data Deficient (DD) under the IUCN Red List criteria.

Keywords: systematics, mitochondrial gene, ND2, lizard, sister species

Cyrtodactylus jayadityai sp. nov.

Sanath Chandra Bohra, Arnab Deb, Goldenstar Thongni, Rupankar Bhattacharjee, Lal Biakzuala, Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Pranjal Swargiary and Rita Roy. 2026. A New micro-endemic Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the lowlands of Northeast India, with additional morphological notes on Cyrtodactylus khasiensis Jerdon, 1870 based on topotypical specimens from Meghalaya, India. European Journal of Taxonomy. 1048(1); 265–303. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1048.3255  [2026-04-14]

 

[Herpetology • 2026] Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis • A New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Kokrajhar District, Assam, India

 Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis

 Basfore, Bharali, Barman, Deka, Islam, Deb, Bohra, Bhattacharjee, Das, Hazarika, Naorem & Purkayastha, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5792.2.5

 

Abstract

We herein describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Kachugaon, in the Kokrajhar District of Assam, India. Morphological characteristics combined with ND2 mitochondrial gene sequence data support its placement within the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis group, identifying Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis sp. nov. as the sister lineage to Cyrtodactylus septentrionalis. It is characterised by a moderate adult size (maximum SVL 71.1 mm), rounded, bluntly conical, and weakly keeled dorsal tubercles arranged in 20 or 21 longitudinal rows, and 36–38 paravertebral tubercles between the axilla and groin. Other diagnostic features include 32–38 mid-ventral scale rows, 13 precloacal pores in male, 13 precloacal pits in females, 17–20 subdigital lamellae beneath the fourth toe, absence of a single row of transversely enlarged subcaudal scales, 7 or 8 pairs of dark dorsal blotches between the axilla and groin, and a tail bearing alternating dark and light bands.

Reptilia, Cyrtodactylus khasiensis, gecko, Northeast India, Systematics, Taxonomy

Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis sp. nov.

 

BIJAY BASFORE, MANMATH BHARALI, RATHIN BARMAN, SANATAN DEKA, NAZRUL ISLAM, ARNAB DEB, SANATH CHANDRA BOHRA, RUPANKAR BHATTACHARJEE, MADHURIMA DAS, ARUP KUMAR HAZARIKA, ANJANA SINGHA NAOREM, JAYADITYA PURKAYASTHA. 2026. A New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Kokrajhar District, Assam, India.  Zootaxa. 5793(2); 321-337. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5792.2.5 [2026-04-13]

 

[Botany • 2026] Lobelia janardhananii (Lobeliaceae) • A New Species from the Western Ghats of India

 

Lobelia janardhananii K.M.P.Kumar & Sunil, 

in Sunil, Prabhukumar, Sivadas, Sanilkumar et Robi, 2026.

taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2165 

Abstract

A new species of Lobelia, L. janardhananii K.M.P.Kumar & Sunil is described from Kerala, India. It resembles Lobelia heyneana Schult. in herbaceous habit and axillary solitary flowers but differs from the latter by leaf shape, texture, flower length, compressed or ancipitous pedicel, characters of calyx lobe, the colour of corolla tube and lobe, size and colour of stamens, stylar length and seeds. A detailed description and photographs are provided for the identification of the species.

Keyword: Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, Kerala, Lobelia heyneana, Lobelia janardhananii, perennial, taxonomy

Lobelia janardhananii sp. nov.
 A–C. Flowering shoot, D. C.S. of stem, E. Leaf adaxial side, F. Leaf abaxial side.

Lobelia janardhananii sp. nov.
A. Flower, B. Pedicel with bracteoles, C. Calyx, D. Calyx lobe, E. Corolla split open, F. Staminal column with anthers, G. Anthers, H. Style and stigma, H1. Stigma closeup view, I. Immature capsule, J. Seeds.

Lobelia janardhananii K.M.P.Kumar & Sunil, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Lobelia janardhananii sp. nov. is morphologically similar to L. heyneana, but differs in the rhomboid, elliptic or ovate leaves, 1.5–4 × 0.4–2 cm, attenuate base (vs. elliptic to sub-orbicular, 0.6–0.8 × 0.4– 0.8 cm; base truncate and decurrent); flowers 14–17 mm long (vs. 8.7–9.2 mm long); pedicel compressed or ancipitous, bibracteolate near middle (vs. trigonous, bracteoles absent); sepals toothed, hirsute abaxially (vs. entire, glabrous on both sides); corolla tube blue (vs. tube white); upper lip 3–4 mm long, whitish-blue; lower lip bright blue (vs. upper lip white; lower lip pale violet); filament of stamens 4.5–5 mm long, purplish (vs. 1.3–1.4 mm long, light green).  

Etymology: The specific epithet is to honour the contributions of Sri. N.K. Janardhanan, Gardner, Herb Garden, Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, for his 45 years of dedicated service towards the conservation of threatened plants, especially medicinal plants. 

Chandrasseril Narayanan Sunil, Konickal Mambetta Prabhukumar, Deepu Sivadas, Malayil Gopalan Sanilkumar and Aloor Jose Robi. 2026. A New Species of Lobelia (Lobeliaceae) from the Western Ghats of India. Taiwania. 71(2); 243-246 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.243 [2026 March 21] 

https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2165

 

[Herpetology • 2026] Back to Basics: Resurrecting Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Sarkar & Sanyal, 1985 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from India

 

Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Sarkar & Sanyal, 1985

in Sengupta, Boruah, Jithin, Hussain, Purkayastha, Dutta et Das, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v126/i1/2026/173045

Abstract 

The present study evaluates the taxonomic status of “Rhacophorus namdaphaensis” sensu stricto using morphology, molecular and acoustic tools. Our phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, morphological examination of type collections, and freshly collected topotypes, along with bioacoustics information, suggest that “Rhacophorus namdaphaensis” sensu stricto is a valid species. We provide the redescription for the species, describe the tadpole morphology and discuss the extended geographical distribution.

Keywords: Bioacoustics, Northeast India, phylogeny, redescription, synonym

Topotypes of Rhacophorus namdaphaensis in live condition.
(A-C) WII-ADA1312, (A) lateral view, (B) dorsal v i e w, (C) front view;
(D-F) WII-ADA1319, (D) dorsolateral view, (E) ventral view with granular belly skin in the inset, (F) lateral view showing groin and flank;
(G & H) WII-ADA1359, (G) lateral view, (H) ventral view; (I) dorsal view of WII-ADA3104.

Rhacophorus namdaphaensis in natural habitat.
(A-D) uncollected males from Namdapha Tiger Reserve; (E, F) uncollected males from Kamlang Tiger Reserve; (G) uncollected male from Tinkupani, Assam; (H) dorsal colour change under stress condition of the individual depicted in (E).

  Saibal Sengupta, Bitupan Boruah, Vijayan Jithin, Bakhtiar Hussain, Jayaditya Purkayastha and Sourav Dutta, Abhijit Das. 2026. Back to Basics: Resurrecting Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Sarkar and Sanyal, 1985 (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from India. Rec. zool. Surv. India. 126(1); 51-74. DOI: doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v126/i1/2026/173045

 facebook.com/wiidehradunindia/posts/890337613787066

[Botany • 2026] Impatiens pfutserensis (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species from Nagaland, India

Impatiens pfutserensis  S.Singh, B.Singh & M.Bhuyan,

in S.Singh, B.Singh, Bhuyan et Phukan, 2026. 

 taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2167

Abstract 

A new species of Balsam, Impatiens pfutserensis S.Singh, B.Singh & M.Bhuyan, belonging to Impatiens sect. Racemosae Hook.f. & Thomson, is described herein from the Phek District of Nagaland, India. The species is distinguished by a unique combination of diagnostic characters: unwinged stems lacking swollen nodes, forward-directed marginal leaf teeth, an eight-flowered inflorescence, and pink flowers with white patches. It is further characterized by a long spur and a ridged capsule. While morphologically similar to I. stenantha Hook.f. and I. prainii Hook.f., I. pfutserensis differs from both in several key traits. Inhabiting subtropical montane forest ecosystems, the species is presented here with detailed data on its morphology, distribution, phenology, and conservation status, alongside photographic documentation to facilitate accurate identification.

Keyword: Balsaminaceae, biodiversity hotspot, eastern Himalaya, Impatiens pfutserensis, Indo-Burma, Nagaland, new taxon

Impatiens pfutserensis:
 A. natural habit, B. single leaf, C. different parts of a complete flower, D. inflorescence E. close look of complete flower, F. capsule.

Impatiens pfutserensis S.Singh, B.Singh & M.Bhuyan, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: The new species is morphologically similar to Impatiens stenantha Hook.f. (Table 1), but can be distinguished with the later by its plant habit (succulent vs. non-succulent), plant height (15–30 cm tall vs. 40–90 cm tall, node (not swollen vs. swollen), stem (not winged vs. winged), lateral veins (4–6 pairs vs. 7–11 pairs), inflorescence (8- flowered vs. 3–4 flowered); flower colour (pink with white patches vs. yellow with dark red spots), longer spur (2.5–2.8 cm vs. 1.7–2.2 cm), capsule (clavate to subfusiform vs. linear). The new species is also resembling I. prainii Hook.f., and varies by its stem (unbranched, hollow, translucentgreen to reddish with adventitious roots vs. branched, solid), leaves (without stipule vs. distinct glandular stipule), inflorescence (8-flowered vs. 2 or 3-flowered), lower sepal (with long curved spur vs. short straight spur), and capsule (clavate vs. linear).

Sumit Singh, Bikarma Singh, Mantu Bhuyan and Tridip Phukan. 2026. A New Species of Impatiens from Nagaland, India. Taiwania. 71(2); 263-267. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.263 [25 March 2026] 

 taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2167

[Entomology • 2026] Euthalia zubeengargi • A New Species of Euthalia Hübner, 1819 subgenus Limbusa Moore, [1897] (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Limenitidinae) from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India

 

Euthalia (Limbusa) zubeengargi 

Sadasivan & Upadhaya, 

in Upadhaya et Sadasivan, 2026. 

  http://www.entomon.in

 Researchgate.net/publication/403195003

 

ABSTRACT 

A new species of Euthalia Hübner, 1819 (subgenus Limbusa Moore, [1897]) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Limenitidinae, Adoliadini) is described from Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. This species, Euthalia (Limbusa) zubeengargi, Sadasivan & Upadhaya sp. nov., is assigned to the Patala group of Limbusa based on its wing pattern, venation, and male genital morphology. A detailed description of the male and its genitalia is presented, along with a revised key to the males of Subtype A2 of the Patala group sensu Yokochi (2011). 

KEY WORDS: New taxon, butterfly, duke, Patala group, morphology, Basar, Eastern Himalayas, taxonomic key

Euthalia (Limbusa) zubeengargi, Sadasivan & Upadhaya sp. nov.

 Roshan Upadhaya and Kalesh Sadasivan. 2026. A New Species of Euthalia Hübner, 1819 subgenus Limbusa Moore, [1897] (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Limenitidinae, Adoliadini) from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. ENTOMON. 51(1): 1-10. 

Researchgate.net/publication/403195003_A_new_species_of_Euthalia_from_ArunachalPradesh_NE_India

  http://www.entomon.in/index.php/Entomon/forthcoming

[Herpetology • 2026] Cyrtodactylus teraiensis • Middle Miocene Biogeographic Connectivity between the Eastern Ghats and Nepal revealed by A New Species of the Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) nebulosus complex (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Nepal

 Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) teraiensis

Gautam, Bhattarai, Neupane, Pokheral, Thackeray, Khandekar, Cyriac & Agarwal, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1275.178507

Abstract

A new species of ground-dwelling gecko of the genus Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) is described from the low elevation Terai-Duar region of southeastern Nepal using molecular and morphological data. Cyrtodactylus teraiensis sp. nov. is the first new species of the C. nebulosus species complex, the remaining members of which are distributed in the northern Eastern Ghats and Satpuras; a lectoype for C. nebulosus is also designated. The new species is the first Geckoella described from outside peninsular India and distributed north of the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Cyrtodactylus teraiensis sp. nov. forms the deeply divergent sister taxon to Indian members of the C. nebulosus complex with 15.7–18.1% uncorrected mitochondrial sequence divergence from them, and 21.0–28.5% from other Geckoella. The new species is also recognised in tree-based delimitation methods and can be morphologically distinguished from other Cyrtodactylus and Geckoella species by a small body size (snout to vent length, SVL up to at least 45.5 mm), length of original tail < SVL, 16–18 rows of dorsal tubercles, 30–32 ventral scales across belly at midbody; dorsal colour pattern of four or five paired spots between neck and hindlimb insertions alternating with two or three much smaller paired spots. The divergence between Cyrtodactylus teraiensis sp. nov. and Indian members of the C. nebulosus complex is estimated to have occurred in the Middle Miocene, and it may be that tropical forest expansion during the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum allowed dispersal across the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Key words: Endemic species, Indian subcontinent, integrative taxonomy, mitochondrial DNA, taxonomy

Photo of: A. Holotype of Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) teraiensis sp. nov. in life;
B. Habitat from where the new species was collected. Photographs by BG.

Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) teraiensis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. A small-sized Cyrtodactylus, snout to vent length up to 45.5 mm. Dorsal pholidosis heterogeneous; smooth granular scales intermixed with more or less regularly arranged rows of enlarged, feebly keeled, blunt to weakly conical tubercles; ventrolateral fold absent on lower flank; 16–18 rows of dorsal tubercles at midbody, 29–31 tubercles in paravertebral rows; ventral scales subequal from chest to vent, smooth, subcircular, and subimbricate with rounded end; 30–32 ventral scales across belly at midbody, 50–54 longitudinal scales between axilla to groin, ....

 Bivek Gautam, Santosh Bhattarai, Bishal Prasad Neupane, Chiranjibi Prasad Pokheral, Tejas Thackeray, Akshay Khandekar, Vivek Phillip Cyriac, Ishan Agarwal. 2026. Middle Miocene Biogeographic Connectivity between the Eastern Ghats and Nepal revealed by A New Species of the Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) nebulosus complex (Reptilia, Squamata) from Nepal. ZooKeys. 1275: 15-42.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1275.178507

[Entomology • 2026] Calicnemia arunachala, Ca. naga, Ca. mimumkoa, Coeliccia magna, ... • Six New Species of Calicnemia Strand, 1926 and One New Species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) from northeastern India

 Calicnemia arunachala  &  C. mimumkoa 

Sawant, Joshi & Kunte, 

in Sawant, Joshi, Pawar, Khan, Nawge et Kunte, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.4.1 

Researchgate.net/publication/401210423  

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Abstract

We erect six new species of the genus Calicnemia Strand, 1926, namely, Ca. ardena sp. nov., Ca. arunachala sp. nov., Ca. flavovittata sp. nov., Ca. mimumkoa sp. nov., Ca. naga sp. nov. and Ca. rubromacula sp. nov.; and one new species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890, Co. magna sp. nov., from northeastern India. The new Calicnemia spp. are distinguished based on the structure of the genital ligula, colouration patterns of the thorax and abdomen, and the shape of caudal appendages. Based on the morphology of the genital ligula, we propose a third species group within Calicnemia, in addition to the two previously recognised species groups. This new species group accommodates Ca. ardena sp. nov. and Ca. rubromacula sp. nov., which possess short, bifurcated genital filaments that do not align with the diagnostic characteristics of the existing species groups. Additionally, Ca. erythromelas (Selys, 1891) previously reported from India is shown to be misidentified, and the Indian material is identified as Ca. naga sp. nov. Updated identification keys for all known Calicnemia males are provided, along with detailed illustrations of diagnostic features. Coeliccia magna sp. nov., erected from Arunachal Pradesh, is distinguished from congeners by its larger body size, complete blue antehumeral stripes, and distinct male and female morphological features. We further provide lateral thoracic illustrations of Coeliccia spp.

Odonata, Arunachal Pradesh, identification key, new species descriptions, Siang, taxonomy

 Calicnemia ardena sp. nov., Ca. arunachala sp. nov., 

Ca. flavovittata sp. nov., Ca. mimumkoa sp. nov., 

Ca. naga sp. nov., Ca. rubromacula sp. nov. 

Coeliccia magna sp. nov. 

Dattaprasad SAWANT, SHANTANU JOSHI, UJWALA PAWAR, FAHIM KHAN, VIRAJ NAWGE and KRUSHNAMEGH KUNTE. 2026. Six New Species of Calicnemia Strand, 1926 and One New Species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) from northeastern India.  Zootaxa. 5760(4); 401-449. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.4.1 [2026-02-25]

 Researchgate.net/publication/401210423_Six_new_species_of_Calicnemia_et_Coeliccia_from_northeastern_India

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