[Herpetology • 2026] Isthmohyla nacientes • A New Species of Stream-Breeding Isthmohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Costa Rica

 

Isthmohyla nacientes  

Chaves-Acuña, Abarca, Navarro-Picado, Hidalgo-Mora, Ureña-Chaves, Valverde-Castillo, Chaves, Bolaños & Faivovich, 2026

   

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024066 

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

We describe a new species of the Isthmohyla tica group that occurs along the montane regions of the central Pacific of Costa Rica, between 1,400 and 2,000 masl. Although the new species is the sister taxon of a clade including an unde-scribed species and I. rivularis, it is more similar to I. tica. However, the new species can be distinguished because the flanks have scattered, distinct, round and irregular dark blotches or spots and because the advertisement call is comprised by a single, tonal note, typically emitted singly or in series, at dominant frequencies of 4,048–4,909 Hz, with a duration of 10–50 ms. The new species exhibits a broad acoustic repertoire composed of advertisement, release, and courtship calls, with the latter being emitted underwater. We discuss our findings with respect to adult and larval morphology, reproductive biology, and bioacoustics of the I. tica group.

Isthmohyla nacientes in life.
 (A) Holotype (UCR 24345), dorsal coloration at night. (B) Lateral view of male paratype (UCR 24367). (C) Ventral view of male paratype (UCR 24367), showing orange coloration on the hidden and ventral surfaces of the thighs and shank. (D) Male paratype (UCR 23770) showing bilobate, translucent vocal sac. (E) Lateral view of female paratype (UCR 24368).

Photos: B, C, and E by Gabriel Ureña

Isthmohyla nacientes, new species  

 

Etymology.—The specific epithet “nacientes” refers to the crucial role of headwaters and springs (nacientes in Spanish) in the habitat and life cycle of the new species and its stream-breeding congeners. This name highlights the species’ association with aquatic environments, particularly the springs found in its range, acknowledging the ecological significance of these water sources.

Wagner Chaves-Acuña, Juan Abarca, Jonathan Navarro-Picado, Esteban Hidalgo-Mora, Marilyn Ureña-Chaves, Alejandro Valverde-Castillo, Gerardo Chaves, Federico Bolaños and Julián Faivovich. 2026. A New Species of Stream-Breeding Isthmohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Costa Rica. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 114(2); 337-356. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024066 (3 July 2026) x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/2076689784525717838

  

We describe a new species of the Isthmohyla tica group that occurs along the montane regions of the central Pacific of Costa Rica, between 1,400 and 2,000 masl. Although the new species is the sister taxon of a clade including an undescribed species and I. rivularis, it is more similar to I. tica. However, the new species can be distinguished because the flanks have scattered, distinct, round and irregular dark blotches or spots and because the advertisement call is comprised by a single, tonal note, typically emitted singly or in series, at dominant frequencies of 4,048–4,909 Hz, with a duration of 10–50 ms. The new species exhibits a broad acoustic repertoire composed of advertisement, release, and courtship calls, with the latter being emitted underwater. We discuss our findings with respect to adult and larval morphology, reproductive biology, and bioacoustics of the I. tica group.

[Ichthyology • 2026] Characidium lilloi • A New Species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Northwestern La Plata Basin in Argentina

Characidium lilloi

Terán, Méttola, Alonso, Montes, Méndez-López, Miranda, Aguilera & Mirande, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025064  

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

Using an integrative approach that combines molecular and morphological analyses, we describe Characidium lilloi, a new species from the Andean portion of the northwestern La Plata basin, specifically from the upper Bermejo and Juramento River basins in Argentina. Specimens were examined for morphometric, meristic, and osteological traits. Genetic analyses based on COI and CYTB sequences were conducted to infer its phylogenetic relationships. The new species is distinguished by a unique combination of morphological characters including an unscaled isthmus, absence of dark stripes or spots on fins, 7–13 regular transversal bars, 14 scales around the caudal peduncle, 35–37 scales in longitudinal series, and highly developed nasal flaps; and molecular evidence. Characidium lilloi, new species, was found to be closely related to C. fasciatum and C. gomesi and represents the first known member of the C2 Clade in the northwestern La Plata basin. Ecologically, C. lilloi, new species, inhabits fast-flowing mountain rivers within the Yungas and Chacoan. This discovery underscores the northwestern La Plata basin as a biogeographic hotspot of endemism and reinforces its importance as a high-priority area for freshwater conservation.

Lateral views of live paratypes of Characidium lilloi.
 CI-FML 8196, 36.8–49.1 mm SL,
Argentina, El Rey National Park, Río Popayán.

Scale bar = 1 cm. 

Characidium lilloi, new species

Etymology.—This species is named in honor of the Argentine naturalist Miguel Lillo (1862–1931), a pioneer who recognized the importance of public investment in science and education. In his commitment to advancing these fields, Lillo donated his personal assets before his death, ensuring the continuity of his legacy through several key institutions. These include the Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, the Fundación Miguel Lillo, and the Unidad Ejecutora Lillo–CONICET, all of which have played significant roles in the development of science and education in Argentina. The specific name lilloi, thus, not only pays tribute to Lillo’s contributions but also honors the dedication of public workers in Argentina who promote and contribute to the progress of science, education, and technology.   

Guillermo E. Terán, V. Ezequiel Méttola, Felipe Alonso, Martín M. Montes, Alejandro Méndez-López, Guido Miranda, Gastón Aguilera and J. Marcos Mirande. 2026. A New Species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Northwestern La Plata Basin in Argentina. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 114(2):283-298 DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025064 [23 June 2026]

  x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/2069532500280381641

Utilizando un enfoque integrador que combina análisis moleculares y morfológicos, se describe Characidium lilloi, una nueva especie proveniente del sector andino del noroeste de la cuenca del Plata, específicamente de las cuencas altas de los ríos Bermejo y Juramento en Argentina. Los ejemplares fueron examinados en cuanto a caracteres morfométricos, merísticos y osteológicos. Se realizaron análisis genéticos basados en las secuencias de los genes mitocondriales COI y CYTB con el fin de inferir sus relaciones filogenéticas. La nueva especie se distingue por una combinación única de caracteres morfológicos incluyendo el istmo sin escamas, ausencia de bandas oscuras o manchas en las aletas, presencia de 7 a 13 barras transversales regulares, 14 escamas alrededor del pedúnculo caudal, 35 a 37 escamas en la serie longitudinal, y lóbulos nasales altamente desarrollados; y evidencia molecular. Characidium lilloi, nueva especie, se encuentra estrechamente relacionada con C. fasciatum y C. gomesi, y representa el primer miembro conocido del Clado C2 en el noroeste de la cuenca del Plata. Desde el punto de vista ecológico, C. lilloi, nueva especie, habita ríos de montaña de corriente rápida, dentro de las ecorregiones de las Yungas y el Chaco. Este hallazgo resalta al noroeste de la cuenca del Plata como un hotspot biogeográfico de endemismos, y refuerza su importancia como una región de alta prioridad para la conservación de ambientes dulceacuícolas.

[Herpetology • 2026] Adenomera varcena • A New Species of Terrestrial Foam-Nesting Frog (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from the Várzea Forests of Western Amazonia

Adenomera varcena 

Borburema, Moraes, Santos, Ron, Haddad, Giaretta & Carvalho, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2025033 

  x.com/santiak 

  x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

Cryptic diversity within species poses a challenge to traditional taxonomy, often leading to underestimation of species richness and incorrect assessments of extinction risks. The taxonomy of Adenomera frogs has greatly benefited from the integrated assessment of morphological, acoustic, and DNA sequence data. Here we address a taxonomic problem by analyzing the external morphology, color patterns, advertisement calls, and genetic variation of one of the nine molecular lineages of the Adenomera simonstuarti species complex, distributed in western Amazonia. Based on novel data from the upper Juruá River, in northwestern Brazil and Ecuador, we found that this lineage exhibits significant differences in morphology (body size), coloration (absence of a solid stripe on the ventral surface of the forearm), and calls (nonpulsed and formed by a single type of note) in comparison with congeners. This combination of phenotypic traits supports the taxonomic distinction of this lineage, which is formally described as a new species. Interestingly, the new species uses várzea (seasonally flooded) forests as its calling and breeding habitat, a unique feature among forest-dwelling Amazonian species of the genus, which are always associated with terra firme (non-flooded) forests. This study reinforces the relevance of acoustic mating signals combined with DNA sequences in uncovering new species, contributing to a better understanding of the anuran diversity in Amazonia.

Life colors of type specimens of Adenomera varcena, new species, from the upper Juruá River, southwestern Brazilian Amazonia.
 (A–B) Holotype (UFMG-AMP 21999, male); (C–D) female paratype (CFBH 45999)

  x.com/IchsAndHerps

Adenomera varcena sp. nov. 

 Etymology.—The epithet varcena is a noun used in Old Latin documents to refer to a floodplain or fertile swath of land on the river bank. The word is cognate with the Portuguese noun “várzea.” The epithet alludes to the várzea forests of western Amazonia, as in the upper Juruá River, the ecosystem used by the new species as calling and breeding sites. Occurrence records in Ecuador include other habitats.

Marianna S. Borburema, Leandro J. C. L. Moraes, Marcus Thadeu T. Santos, Santiago R. Ron, Célio F. B. Haddad, Ariovaldo A. Giaretta and Thiago R. Carvalho. 2026. A New Species of Terrestrial Foam-Nesting Frog (Adenomera, Leptodactylidae) from the Várzea Forests of Western Amazonia. Ichthyology & Herpetology.  114(2):204-216. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2025033 [15 May 2026]

 x.com/santiak/status/2059625569680073046

 x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/2059343264180752721

La diversidad críptica dentro de las especies plantea un desafío a la taxonomía tradicional, lo que ocasiona una subestimación de la riqueza de especies y evaluaciones incorrectas del riesgo de extinción. La taxonomía de las ranas del género Adenomera ha experimentado un avance notable mediante la evaluación integrada de datos morfológicos, acústicos y de secuencias de ADN. En este estudio, abordamos un problema taxonómico mediante el análisis de la morfología externa, los patrones de color, los cantos de anuncio y la variación genética de uno de los nueve linajes moleculares del complejo de especies de Adenomera simonstuarti, distribuido en la Amazonia occidental. Con base en nuevos datos del alto río Juruá, en el noroeste de Brasil, y Ecuador, encontramos que este linaje presenta diferencias significativas en morfología (tamaño corporal), coloración (ausencia de una banda sólida en la superficie ventral del antebrazo) y cantos (no pulsados y formados por un solo tipo de nota) en comparación con sus congéneres. Esta combinación de caracteres fenotípicos apoya la distinción taxonómica de este linaje, que se describe formalmente como nueva especie. Curiosamente, la nueva especie utiliza bosques de várzea (inundados estacionalmente) como su hábitat de vocalización y reproducción, una característica única entre las especies amazónicas del género que utilizan hábitas boscosos, específicamente asociadas a bosques de tierra firme (no inundados). Este estudio refuerza la relevancia de las señales acústicas reproductivas combinadas con secuencias de ADN para descubrir especies nuevas, contribuyendo a una mejor comprensión de la diversidad de anuros en la Amazonia.

[Ichthyology • 2025] Channa bhoi • A New Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India

 

Channa bhoi

 Praveenraj, Moulitharan, Ryndongsngi, Thackeray, Naveen & Kumar, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024079  

 facebook.com: Jayasimhan Praveenraj

 Abstract

Channa bhoi, a new species of snakehead fish, is described from the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, India. It belongs to the Gachua group and differs from all its related congeners in having a combination of the following characters: a unique color pattern consisting of a bluish-gray body with lateral scale rows possessing a single, minute black spot on each scale, visibly arranged as 8–9 horizontal rows of broken lines, more transverse scale rows from post-drop to anal fin, more pored lateral-line scales, and a grayish-yellow pectoral fin with 6–8 thin, ochre-yellow to cream bands appearing in a wavy pattern. It differs from all its related congeners by a genetic distance of 3.3–20.4% in the cox1 gene.

 

Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Nallathambi Moulitharan, Aristone M. Ryndongsngi, Tejas Thackeray, Ravi Shanthy Naveen and Annam Pavan Kumar. 2025. A New Species of Snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(4); 712-722. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024079  (11 December 2025) 

 facebook.com/PraveenRaj39750121/posts/25661895420088799

[Ichthyology • 2025] Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi • Phylogenetic Relationships and Historical Biogeography of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae), with Description of a New Species from the Orinoco Basin, Colombia

(A) Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi Cortés-Hernández & DoNascimiento, ,
Holotype, IAvH-P 9723, 87.9 mm SL, Colombia, Casanare, Aguazul, río Únete;
(B) C. boquillae, IAvH-P 13552, 62.0 mm SL, Colombia, Quindío, Finlandia, El Membrillal; (C) C. cf. insidiosa, MHNU-I 1159, 59.5 mm SL, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, río Ocoa; (D) C. nasus, CIUA 7809, 68.4 mm SL, Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Ansermanuevo, quebrada el Chanco (photo by José Luis Londoño-López); 

in Cortés-Hernández, Márquez et DoNascimiento, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025051 

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

 

Abstract

Cetopsorhamdia as currently classified is corroborated as non-monophyletic, based on a comprehensive multilocus phylogenetic analysis, with complete taxonomic representation from northern South America, and including its type species. However, a subgroup of species that agrees with a previous phylogenetic definition of the genus, based on morphology, is recovered as monophyletic and is designated herein as Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto. A new species from piedmont tributaries of the Meta and Guaviare Rivers, Orinoco basin in Colombia, was recovered as sister to remaining cis-Andean species of the sensu stricto concept of the genus and is described here. The new species is distinguished from all sensu stricto congeners by a unique combination of characters: distal end of pectoral fin surpassing dorsal-fin origin, adipose-fin base short (12.9–15.9% of SL), lower lobe of caudal fin longer than upper lobe (31.7–37.3% of SL), body homogeneously brown, and 35–36 total vertebrae. A clear vicariant cis- and trans-Andean pattern is obtained for species of Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto, predating isolation of present Magdalena and Lake Maracaibo basins by orogenesis of the Eastern Cordillera and Mérida Andes, respectively.

Left lateral view of (A) Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi, holotype, IAvH-P 9723, 87.9 mm SL, Colombia, Casanare, Aguazul, río Únete;
(B) C. boquillae, IAvH-P 13552, 62.0 mm SL, Colombia, Quindío, Finlandia, El Membrillal; (C) C. cf. insidiosa, MHNU-I 1159, 59.5 mm SL, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, río Ocoa;
 (D) C. nasus, CIUA 7809, 68.4 mm SL, Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Ansermanuevo, quebrada el Chanco (photo by José Luis Londoño-López); (E) C. picklei, IAvH-P 11805, 125.5 mm SL, Colombia, Norte de Santander, río Zulia. Scale bar 5 mm.

Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi Cortés-Hernández and DoNascimiento, new species 

Etymology.—The specific epithet honors Hernando Ramírez Gil, for his invaluable contribution to the knowledge and conservation of ornamental and food fishes in Colombia

Miguel Ángel Cortés-Hernández, Edna J. Márquez, and Carlos DoNascimiento. 2025. Phylogenetic Relationships and Historical Biogeography of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae), with Description of a New Species from the Orinoco Basin, Colombia. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(4), 667-681. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025051 (28 November 2025). 

  x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1995693220760854554

Cetopsorhamdia como es actualmente clasificado es corroborado como no monofilético, con base en un análisis filogenético multilocus exhaustivo, con representación taxonómica completa del norte de Sudamérica, e incluyendo su especie tipo. Sin embargo, un subgrupo de especies que concuerda con una definición filogenética previa del género, con base en morfología, es recuperado como monofilético y es designado aquí como Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto. Una especie nueva de tributarios de piedemonte de los ríos Meta y Guaviare, cuenca del Orinoco en Colombia, fue recuperada como hermana de las especies cisandinas del concepto sensu stricto del género y es descrita aquí. La especie nueva se distingue de todos sus cóngeneres sensu stricto por una combinación única de caracteres: extremo distal de la aleta pectoral sobrepasando el origen de la aleta dorsal, base de la aleta adiposa corta (12,9–15,9% de LE); lóbulo inferior de la aleta caudal más largo que el lóbulo superior (31,7–37,3% de LE), cuerpo homogéneamente marrón y 35–36 vértebras totales. Un claro patrón vicariante cis y transandino es obtenido para las especies de Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto, antecediendo el aislamiento de las actuales cuencas del Magdalena y del lago de Maracaibo, por la orogénesis de la cordillera oriental y de los Andes de Mérida, respectivamente.

[Ichthyology • 2025] Sternarchorhynchus guayaberensis • A New Species of Sternarchorhynchus (Gymnotiformes: Apteronotidae) from the Guayabero River, Orinoco Basin, Colombia, with Comments on the Phylogeny of the Genus

Sternarchorhynchus guayaberensis

Ochoa, Albornoz-Garzón & DoNascimiento, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024068  

  x.com/IchsAndHerps/st

Abstract

Sternarchorhynchus guayaberensis is a new species described from tributaries of the Guayabero River, upper Guaviare River drainage, Orinoco River basin in Colombia. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by the following unique combination of characters: presence of a narrow, lightly colored stripe on the mid-dorsal region of head and body; anal fin dusky; 5–8 dentary teeth in the outer row; scales along mid-dorsal region of body sparse, hidden by overlying skin; 8–9 scales above lateral line at mid-body; lateral line reaching posteriorly to base of caudal fin; 26–29 anterior unbranched anal-fin rays; 172–186 total anal-fin rays; 17–19 caudal-fin rays; 16 precaudal vertebrae; as well as several morphometric proportions: distance from snout to anus (11.4–16.5% of LEA), preanal distance (14.1–20.5% of LEA), head length (21.4–28.0% of LEA), distance from posterior naris to snout (10.9–12.3% of HL), head width (19.5–21.6% of HL), pectoral-fin length (28.7–37.4% of HL), head depth at eye (27.1–31.4% of HL), head depth at nape (39.6–41.9% of HL), interocular width (5.7–6.8% of HL), and postocular distance (37.9–40.5% of HL). Sternarchorhynchus guayaberensis, new species, is most similar in general appearance to S. mendesi, a species with a restricted distribution in the Gulf of Paria basin, in northeastern Venezuela. A total evidence phylogenetic analysis recovered the new species within a clade including S. higuchii and S. mendesi, as successive sister species to a well-supported clade composed of S. marreroi and the sister pair of S. guayaberensis, new species, and S. yepezi. Sternarchorhynchus higuchii and S. mendesi exhibit a putatively narrow distribution, in common with S. guayaberensis, new species, while S. marreroi and S. yepezi are widely distributed in the Orinoco River basin.

Sternarchorhynchus guayaberensis, holotype, IAvH-P 19765, 184.3 mm TL,
live specimen before preservation.

Photograph: M. H. Sabaj. x.com/IchsAndHerps

Scale bar = 1 cm.

Sternarchorhynchus guayaberensis, new species

Luz Eneida Ochoa, Juan Gabriel Albornoz-Garzón and Carlos DoNascimiento. 2025. A New Species of Sternarchorhynchus (Gymnotiformes: Apteronotidae) from the Guayabero River, Orinoco Basin, Colombia, with Comments on the Phylogeny of the Genus. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(3):540-551. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024068 [26 September 2025]

  x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1972699558585962915

 

Sternarchorhynchus guayaberensis es una especie nueva descrita para tributarios del río Guayabero, cuenca alta del río Guaviare, cuenca del rio Orinoco en Colombia. La especie nueva se distingue de todos sus congéneres por la siguiente combinación única de caracteres: presencia de una franja estrecha clara sobre la región mediodorsal de la cabeza y el cuerpo; aleta anal oscura; 5–8 dientes en la hilera externa del dentario; escamas a lo largo de la región mediodorsal del cuerpo dispersas, ocultas por piel sobrepuesta; 8–9 escamas encima de la línea lateral en la mitad del cuerpo; línea lateral alcanzando posteriormente la base de la aleta caudal; 26–29 radios anteriores simples de la aleta anal; 172–186 radios totales de la aleta anal; 17–19 radios de la aleta caudal; 16 vértebras precaudales; así como también varias proporciones morfométricas: distancia desde el hocico al ano (11.4–16.5% de LFA), distancia preanal (14.1–20.5% de LFA), longitud de la cabeza (21.4–28.0% de LFA), distancia desde la narina posterior al hocico (10.9–12.3% de LC), ancho de la cabeza (19.5–21.6% de LC), longitud de la aleta pectoral (28.7–37.4% de LC), altura de la cabeza a nivel del ojo (27.1–31.4% de LC), altura de la cabeza a nivel de la nuca (39.6–41.9% de LC), ancho interocular (5.7–6.8% de LC) y distancia postocular (37.9–40.5% de LC). Sternarchorhynchus guayaberensis es más similar en apariencia general a S. mendesi, una especie con una distribución restringida a la cuenca del Golfo de Paria, en el nororiente de Venezuela. Un análisis filogenético de evidencia total recuperó la especie nueva dentro de un clado incluyendo S. higuchii y S. mendesi, como especies hermanas sucesivas de un clado bien soportado compuesto por S. marreroi y el par hermano de S. guayaberensis y S. yepezi. Sternarchorhynchus higuchii y S. mendesi exhiben una distribución putativamente estrecha, en común con S. guayaberensis, mientras que S. marreroi y S. yepezi están ampliamente distribuidas en la cuenca del río Orinoco.

[Herpetology • 2025] Pachydactylus namibensis & P. ovahimba • Two New Species of Pachydactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Kaokoveld

Parrinha, Marques, Picelli, Jordaan, Bishop-Schouster, Heinicke, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024108  

  x.com/IchsAndHerps

 Abstract 

Recent surveys in southwestern Angola uncovered cryptic diversity within Pachydactylus caraculicus. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA recover three distinct lineages. Two of these lineages, characterized by their typical banded dorsal pattern, show clear geographic structuring: a “northern” lineage corresponding to true P. caraculicus, and a distinct “southern” lineage extending into neighboring Namibia. The third lineage, sister to the clade of banded caraculicus, comprises morphologically divergent specimens resembling P. punctatus. All three lineages within the P. caraculicus complex are diagnosable based on morphological and coloration characters. We formally describe the two unnamed lineages of P. caraculicus as new species and discuss these findings in the biogeographic context of the Kaokoveld's lizard fauna.

Pachydactylus namibensis, new species 

Namibe Thick-Toed Gecko 

Osga de Dedos Grossos do Namibe 

Etymology.—The specific epithet namibensis is here applied as a substantive in apposition and is given in reference to the known distribution of the species in Namibe Province, Angola. We suggest “Namibe Thick-Toed Gecko” and “Osga de Dedos Grossos do Namibe” as the English and Portuguese common names, respectively. 

Pachydactylus ovahimba, new species  

Himba Thick-Toed Gecko 

Osga de Dedos Grossos Himba

Etymology.—The specific epithet ovahimba is a noun in apposition, given in honor of the dominant ethnolinguistic group in the region where the species is known from. The OvaHimba are a semi-nomadic Herero people who inhabit the Kaokoveld of northwestern Namibia and southwestern Angola, a harsh and rugged region that roughly corresponds to the distribution of the newly described species. The name is given in recognition of the support and enthusiasm received from the Himba people during fieldwork. We suggest “Himba Thick-Toed Gecko” and “Osga de Dedos Grossos Himba” as the English and Portuguese common names, respectively.

Diogo Parrinha, Mariana P. Marques, Amanda M. Picelli, Adriaan Jordaan, Lacey J. Bishop-Schouster, Matthew P. Heinicke, Aaron M. Bauer and Luis M. P. Ceríaco. 2025. Two New Species of Pachydactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Kaokoveld. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(3); 412-432. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024108 (8 August 2025)

  x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1957833346387431573 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Ernstichthys casalinuovoi • A New Species of the Banjo Catfish Genus Ernstichthys (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the Bermejo River Drainage, La Plata Basin, Argentina

 

 Ernstichthys casalinuovoi

Aguilera, Terán, Méndez-López, Montes & Carvalho, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024072

 Abstract 

The upper Bermejo River basin houses a great diversity of fishes, represented by the endemic species, the shared fauna between the Paraguay and the Amazon basins, and the elements from the Paraná River basin. During recent surveys in the area, many specimens of an undescribed Ernstichthys were collected in four different localities of northwestern Argentina and are herein described as a new species. The new species, Ernstichthys casalinuovoi, is distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by a combination of characters including the number of lateral plates on the body, the shape of the second pre-anal-fin plate, the presence of a rictal barbel, the coloration pattern, the number of total vertebrae, the unbranched maxillary barbel, and the number of serrations on the posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine, among others. The large batch used to describe Ernstichthys casalinuovoi, new species, has allowed us to detect characters that should be treated carefully in the description of species belonging to Ernstichthys such as the number of serrations on the posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine or the overlap between bony elements on the caudal peduncle given that they could vary according to ontogeny. The new species herein described represents the fifth species of the genus and the first record of Ernstichthys and the Hoplomyzontinae in Argentina.

 Ernstichthys casalinuovoi, holotype, CI-FML 8098, 34.3 mm SL,
live specimen before fixation.

Ernstichthys casalinuovoi, new species

Gastón Aguilera, Guillermo E. Terán, Alejandro Méndez-López, Martín Miguel Montes and Tiago P. Carvalho. 2025. A New Species of the Banjo Catfish Genus Ernstichthys (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from the Bermejo River Drainage, La Plata Basin, Argentina. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(3); 527-539. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024072 (3 September 2025) 

https://x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1965468040268841329

[Ichthyology • 2025] Careproctus colliculi, C. yanceyi & Paraliparis em • Descriptions of Three Newly Discovered Abyssal Snailfishes (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) from the Eastern Pacific Ocean

 

Careproctus colliculi Gerringer, 

in Gerringer, Suplicz, Palmeri, Fregosi, Woodworth, McMahon, Shepard, Peoples et Drazen, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024069

Abstract  

Three species of snailfishes (family Liparidae) are described from single collections based on morphological and genetic evidence, from the eastern abyssal Pacific, depths 3,268–4,119 m. Careproctus colliculi, new species, the Bumpy Snailfish, can be identified by its pink color in life, 22 pectoral-fin rays (uppermost rays long), round head, eight caudal rays, large eye, and well-developed pterygiophores that form a large suction disk. Careproctus yanceyi, new species, the Dark Snailfish, bears a moderate ventral suction disk (<3% standard length), single nostrils, six branchiostegal rays, and is distinct from other eastern Pacific deepwater snailfishes in having a fully black body with a rounded head and horizontal mouth. Additional defining characters include a small gill opening located entirely above the pectoral fin, two pectoral radials, and 22 pectoral-fin rays. Paraliparis em, new species, the Sleek Snailfish, is distinguished from other snailfishes by its long, black, laterally compressed body, absence of a suction disk, prominently angled jaw, single pectoral-fin radial, anteriorly positioned anus, and five branchiostegal rays. Each of these three taxa has a distinct mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence compared to all other sequenced snailfishes. Genetically, Paraliparis em, new species, is most similar to P. wolffi from the Crozet Basin in the Indian Ocean, as well as bearing similarity to the northeastern Pacific snailfishes P. megalopus and P. ulochir, together known as Paraliparis Clade I. Careproctus yanceyi, new species, shows little similarity in COI sequences to other taxa and perhaps represents a distinct clade in the family. The COI sequence of Careproctus colliculi, new species, fits in the Osteocareprocta clade, most similar to Careproctus continentalis, C. discoveryae, C. longipectoralis, and Osteodiscus cascadiae. Paraliparis em, new species, and Careproctus yanceyi, new species, show significant morphological and genetic divergence from one another, despite both being black snailfishes collected on the same submersible dive. These findings reveal cryptic diversity in deep-sea snailfishes and highlight the necessity of combined imaging, morphological, and genetic approaches to studying fish biodiversity. These three newly discovered species begin to fill an important sampling gap for the family Liparidae and demonstrate the importance of snailfishes in communities of the abyssal seafloor.

In situ imagery of Careproctus colliculi, collected by the ROV Doc Ricketts, 3,263 m, Monterey Bay, California, USA. Copyright: MBARI (used with permission).

Careproctus colliculi Gerringer, new species

  Bumpy Snailfish

Diagnosis.—Careproctus colliculi is distinguished from other eastern Pacific deep-water congeners by its well-developed suction disk, anteriorly positioned anus, simple canine teeth, 22 pectoral-fin rays, the upper ∼4 of which extend well beyond the other rays, round head, eight caudal-fin rays, large eye, and pink coloration with bumpy flesh, particularly anteriorly, in life.

Etymology.—Careproctus colliculi is named for the distinctive small bumps (from the Greek) that cover the skin, particularly the head and anterior portion of the fish in life (Fig. 5).

Careproctus yanceyi Gerringer, new species

  Dark Snailfish

Diagnosis.—Careproctus yanceyi is distinguished from other deep-water congeners in the eastern Pacific by the combination of the following characters: black body with rounded head and horizontal mouth, simple canine teeth, along with a moderate, but developed ventral suction disk (<3% SL), and small gill opening located entirely above the pectoral fin, which has 22 fin rays and two pectoral radials.

Etymology.—It is a privilege to name this species in recognition of Dr. Paul Yancey, Whitman College, USA, to honor his significant contributions to the field of deep-sea biology and fish physiology and in sincere gratitude for his generous mentorship and support.

Paraliparis em Gerringer, new species

  Sleek Snailfish

Etymology.—Paraliparis em is named after its collection site, Station M, where it has been regularly observed. The name honors the invaluable contribution of time series data, such as those from Station M, and the many people who make long-term monitoring of biological communities possible.

Mackenzie E. Gerringer, Sarah Suplicz, Jessica L. Palmeri, Lydia Fregosi, Brett H. Woodworth, Emily McMahon, Samantha Shepard, Logan M. Peoples and Jeffrey C. Drazen. 2025. Descriptions of Three Newly Discovered Abyssal Snailfishes (Liparidae) from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(3); 487-506. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024069 (27 August 2025)

[Ichthyology • 2024] Gigantactis paresca • A New Species of the Anglerfish Genus Gigantactis (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) from the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, an Ecosystem Threatened by Deep-Sea Mining

 

Gigantactis paresca

Rickle, 2024

 DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023056 

Abstract  

A new species of Gigantactis is described from a single female collected from the eastern North Pacific. As with others of this genus, this species is distinguished by its unique luring apparatus, most obviously through the presence of a relatively short illicium, bearing a secondary escal-like appendage.

Gigantactis paresca sp. nov.

Samantha Z. Rickle. 2024. A New Species of the Anglerfish Genus Gigantactis (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) from the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, an Ecosystem Threatened by Deep-Sea Mining. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(2); 153-155. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023056 (17 May 2024) 

https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/soestwp/announce/news/new-deep-sea-anglerfish-top-10-2024/

[Ichthyology • 2025] Imparfinis arceae • Integrative Taxonomy Reveals a New Species of Imparfinis (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Upper Xingu River Basin

Imparfinis arceae

 Silva, Sabaj, Carvalho & Oliveira, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023097 

Abstract  

Imparfinis is a genus of small catfishes with 21 valid species broadly distributed throughout the main river basins of the Neotropical region. Here, a new species of Imparfinis is described from the headwaters of the Rio Xingu. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the presence of a wide dark stripe from snout tip to caudal peduncle sharply contrasting pale underside and aligned with dark stripe centered on dorsal portion of lower caudal-fin lobe, 11–12 gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial, 39 vertebrae, maxillary barbel surpassing vertical through dorsal-fin origin, and absence of short, flexible extension of the anteriormost pectoral, dorsal, and upper caudal-fin rays. In addition, assemble species by automatic partitioning (ASAP) and the Poisson tree processes model (bPTP) analyses support the validity of this new species. Our molecular phylogeny based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene (COI) corroborates the placement of the new species in Imparfinis and its close relationship with I. guttatus. Species delimitation in Imparfinis is discussed.

Imparfinis arceae
Left column: holotype, MCP 55325, 47.9 mm SL.
Right column: ANSP 187252, from top to bottom: 50.5 mm SL; 43.9 mm SL; 40.6 mm SL; 36.9 mm SL.

Imparfinis arceae, new species 

Etymology.—The specific name, arceae, honors Dr. Mariangeles Arce Hernández, Executive Director of the Center for Systematic Biology and Evolution at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, for her valuable contributions to studies of the systematics and evolution of catfishes. A genitive noun.

 

Gabriel de Souza da Costa e Silva, Mark Henry Sabaj, Kaylane Rodrigues de Carvalho and Claudio Oliveira. 2025. Integrative Taxonomy Reveals a New Species of Imparfinis (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Upper Xingu River Basin. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(1); 143-153. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023097 (3 April 2025) 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Coloconger paucitubus • Species of the Eel Family Colocongridae (Order Anguilliformes), with Description of a New Species

Coloconger paucitubus, the holotype, MNHN 2006-0384. 

 

Ho, Smith & Pogonoski, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024034 

Drawn by Y.-K. Kiang.

 Abstract  

The short-tail eel family Colocongridae is a group of small to moderately large eels found in the mid- to upper-continental slope of all oceans except the eastern and central Pacific. The taxonomy of this group is still poorly known, and many diagnostic characteristics have never been tested and verified. Museum specimens were examined, and data were taken by following methods provided in previous studies, as well as some newly introduced. A total of seven species are recorded for the only genus, Coloconger, including a new species described herein from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The diagnostic characters distinguishing species of Coloconger are discussed, comments are made on previous records, and a key to all known species is provided. Morphology of the post-metamorphic stage and transforming leptocephalus is also provided.

Coloconger paucitubus, new species, from the holotype, MNHN 2006-0384.
(A) Lateral view. (B) Lateral view of head. (C) Dorsal view of head.

Drawn by Y.-K. Kiang.

Coloconger paucitubus, new species

English name: Solomon Short-tailed Conger

Diagnosis.—A species of Coloconger that differs from its congeners by having relatively few head sensory pores, total head pores usually 30–34, with 1 or 2 SO over posterior nostrils, IO usually 9 or 10, POM usually 11 or 12, and ST consistently 3; PDV 13–18, PAV 76–86, and TV 141–150; mouth cavity dark blue and gill chamber uniformly dark brown; rictus reaching vertical through posterior margin of pupil to posterior margin of eye; no anterior intermaxillary teeth; and body uniformly light brown to black, with lateral-line tubes darkened.

Etymology.—The specific name is a combination of Latin pauci (few) and tubus (tube), referring to the diagnostic low sensory tube (pore) count on the head in comparison to other species of the genus. A noun in apposition.

 Hsuan-Ching Ho, David G. Smith and John J. Pogonoski. 2025. Species of the Eel Family Colocongridae (Order Anguilliformes), with Description of a New Species. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(1); 154-178. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024034 (10 April 2025)  

x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1913275825081774130

[Ichthyology • 2025] Hypanus rubioi • A New Species of the Genus Hypanus (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

Hypanus rubioi

Mejía-Falla, Navia, Cardeñosa & Tavera, 2025

 

Longnose Pacific Stingray | Raya picuda  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024010 

 Abstract 

A new species of stingray belonging to the genus Hypanus is described in this study based on data collected in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) region of Colombia. This new species stands out within the genus by its unique spade-shaped disc with a width-to-length ratio ranging from 1.0 to 1.1, whereas its obtuse snout extends 29–30% of the disc width (DW). This species also stands out due to its large size (125 cm DW). Notably, it has three distinctive rows of enlarged denticles on its mid-scapular area, with the central row extending back to the caudal sting. Additionally, it possesses a long tail that measures 2.2–2.5 times the DW, tapering smoothly. Molecular data also revealed significant differences between this new species and its congeners using COI. The phylogenetic analysis recovered Hypanus rubioi, new species, as the sister species to the western Atlantic Longnose Stingray H. guttatus, with an uncorrected genetic distance of 2.27 to 2.94%. The preliminary ecological niche modeling further indicates that this newly described species is likely associated with coastal regions in the ETP, ranging from central Mexico to northern Peru, with backlight and salinity as the most influential variables. These findings contribute to our understanding of the biodiversity within the genus Hypanus and the ecological distribution of this novel species in the ETP. 

Hypanus rubioi, new species

Specimens of Hypanus rubioi, new species, caught in artisanal fishing operations in Charambirá, Colombian Pacific Ocean (courtesy of WCS Colombia, Julian Caicedo).

Hypanus rubioi, new species

Longnose Pacific Stingray

Spanish name: Raya picuda

Etymology.—The name rubioi comes from the professor Efrain Rubio, who worked for many decades as ichthyology teacher at Universidad del Valle. Dr. Rubio was one of the first researchers interested in the fish fauna of the Colombian Pacific. During all these years at Universidad del Valle, he started the ichthyology collection (CIRUV) in addition to training many generations of young ichthyologists interested in the Pacific fishes of Colombia.

P. A. Mejía-Falla, A. F. Navia, D. Cardeñosa and J. Tavera. 2025. New Species of the Genus Hypanus (Dasyatidae) from the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(1); 44-60. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024010  (18 February 2025) 

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