[Phycology • 2026] Halymenia dracophylla & H. elegans (Rhodophyta: Halymeniales) • Systematic Revision of branched Halymenia from the Philippines

Halymenia elegans Tahil & Showe M.Lin, 

in Tahil, Lin, Dumilag et Liao, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2026.2738911 

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ABSTRACT

Despite early documentation of Halymenia species in the Philippines, the species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of this genus in the region, and its connections to neighbouring areas, have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we used rbcL sequence data to infer interspecific relationships among Philippine and global Halymenia species. Molecular analyses identified at least nine Halymenia species in the Philippines, including two newly described taxa – H. dracophylla sp. nov. and H. elegans sp. nov. – alongside several species commonly found throughout the IndoPacific (e.g. H. durvillei, H. tondoana, H. malaysiana, H. maculata, H. dilatata). Phylogenetic analysis showed that H. dracophylla is a sister species to the H. durvillei complex, but it can be readily distinguished by its thallus bearing numerous strap-shaped, short bladelets and having relatively large carposporophytes (260−380 µm in diameter). Conversely, H. elegans forms a lineage sister to a larger clade of branched Indo-Pacific species and differs from the other species by possessing thin, membranous thallus blades and having smaller carposporophytes (100−115 µm in diameter). The discovery of these two new species, along with the identification of additional cryptic taxa through molecular analyses, reveals that Halymenia diversity in the Philippines is greater than previously recognized. These findings highlight the need for continued investigation into the taxonomy and biogeography of Halymenia in the Indo-Pacific region.

 KEYWORDS: Cryptic species, Halymenia dracophylla sp. nov., Halymenia elegans sp. nov., marine red algae, Philippines, taxonomy

Halymenia dracophylla Tahil & Showe M.Lin sp. nov. 
Fig. 2. Holotype specimen (NTOU002614), a female gametophyte showing densely overlapping bladelets along the thallus margins.
Fig. 3. Isotype specimen (NTOU002618), a tetrasporophyte showing a deeply branched thallus blade arising from a short stipe (arrow).

Scale bars: Figs 2, 3 = 5 cm.

Halymenia dracophylla Tahil & Showe M.Lin, sp. nov.  

ETYMOLOGY: ‘dracophylla’ refers to the thallus blades swinging underwater, resembling flying dragons.

DISTRIBUTION, HABITAT AND SEASONALITY: Only known from the province of Sorsogon in southern Luzon. Plants were found during the late dry season (May) in the Philippines, in deeper subtidal areas (6–8 m in depth), growing on coral rubble and rocks. The fringing reef habitat is characterized by strong water currents and pronounced tidal waves.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Luzon Island: FMB Resort, Sorsogon, coll. J. Dig & C. Pangantihon 7 May 2024 (tetrasporic and female, NTOU-002614–002616).

Halymenia elegans Tahil & Showe M.Lin sp. nov. 
 Fig. 20. Holotype specimen (NTOU002610), a female gametophyte showing a palmate-shaped blade (white arrow) and feathery branches bearing numerous small bladelets (black arrows) with dentate margins.
Fig. 21. Isotype specimen (NTOU002611), a tetrasporophyte showing broad blades bearing irregularly arranged marginal bladelets (black arrows) and surface tiny bladelets (white arrowheads).  

Scale bars: Figs 20, 21 = 5 cm.

Halymenia elegans Tahil & Showe M.Lin sp. nov. 

ETYMOLOGY: ‘elegans’ referring to its showy and beautiful thallus blades.

DISTRIBUTION, HABITAT AND SEASONALITY: Only known from the type locality. Plants were found during the early dry season (January) in the Philippines, growing on shaded rocks in the reef adjacent to an estuary and extensive mangrove area on the island of Sanga-Sanga.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Sanga-Sanga Island, Tawi-Tawi: Lakit-Lakit, coll. A. Tahil, 28 January 2024 (tetrasporic & female, NTOU002610–002613).

Arkady A. Tahil, Showe-Mei Lin, Richard V. Dumilag and Lawrence M. Liao. 2026. Systematic Revision of branched Halymenia (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta) from the Philippines, including the Description of H. dracophylla sp. nov. and H. elegans sp. nov. European Journal of Phycology. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2026.2738911 [22 Oct 2026]

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[Ichthyology • 2026] Chromis veneta • Resolving Cryptic Diversity in the Chromis viridis species complex (Blenniiformes: Pomacentridae): a multilocus phylogenetic and morphometric reassessment of species boundaries

 

Chromis veneta 

Rekha, Jayakumar, Abhilash, Ahamed Rasheeq, Saikrishnan, Vallarasu, Gladston, Chakraborty & Ajithkumar, 2026

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1922804

Abstract

The blue-green damselfish, Chromis viridis (Cuvier, 1830), is widely distributed across Indo-Pacific coral reefs and is among the most heavily traded marine ornamental fishes. Recent molecular studies have suggested the presence of cryptic diversity within the C. viridis complex, but species boundaries remain unresolved. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses incorporating three mitochondrial markers—cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), cytochrome b (cytb), and the mitochondrial control region (D-loop)—and two nuclear markers, recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG1) and recombination-activating gene 2 (RAG2), were performed to assess lineage diversification within the Chromis viridis species complex. Specimens collected from the Lakshadweep Archipelago and the Gulf of Mannar, India, formed a distinct and well-supported lineage that was clearly separated from C. viridis sensu stricto and other congeners in phylogenetic reconstructions and genetic distance analyses. Multiple species-delimitation approaches consistently supported the recognition of this lineage as an independently evolving taxon, and morphometric analyses revealed corresponding differences in body proportions and meristic characters. Based on the concordance of molecular and morphological evidence, a new species, Chromis veneta sp. nov., is herein described from the Indian Ocean. The new species differs from C. viridis in having a relatively elongate body, narrower caudal peduncle, distinctive body pigmentation, yellowish to orangish distal fin margins, and a deeply forked caudal fin with elongate lobe tips. Additional diagnostic features include differences in dentition, gill-raker counts and sagittal otolith morphology. The discovery of C. veneta sp. nov. highlights underestimated diversity within the C. viridis complex and underscores the importance of integrative taxonomy in revealing cryptic reef-fish diversity.

Keywords: Chromis veneta sp. nov., Chromis viridis complex, cryptic species diversity, species delimitation, multilocus phylogenetics, integrative taxonomy, morphometric analysis, Pomacentridae

 

Chromis veneta sp. nov., freshly collected holotype, NBFGR/POMCVEN, 52.0 mm SL, Agatti Island.

Caption Male of Chromis veneta sp. nov. (64.51 mm SL) in live breeding coloration.

Chromis veneta sp. nov. in its natural coral reef habitat at Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, associated with branching Acropora corals and occurring sympatrically with Chromis viridis, Pomacentrus pavo, and Dascyllus aruanus.

Chromis veneta sp. nov.

 Diagnosis: Chromis veneta sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays XII, 9–10 (usually 10); anal-fin rays II, 9–10 (usually 10); pectoral-fin rays 16–17 (usually 17); pelvic-fin rays I, 5; principal caudal-fin rays 8 + 7; spiniform caudal rays 3; tubed lateral-line scales 15–16; gill rakers 9–10 + 23–26 (usually 9 + 24), total 33–35 (usually 33); body depth 2.27–2.56 in SL; caudal-peduncle depth 0.63–0.77 in head length; and caudal-peduncle length 0.51–0.73 in head length. In life, the body is bright aquamarine-green with a subtle iridescent blue-green sheen. Each scale on the upper and middle flanks is narrowly edged with yellow-green, forming a fine reticulate pattern that becomes more conspicuous under illumination. The ventral surface is pale silvery white. A diffuse black patch is present at the upper base of the pectoral fin and is more conspicuous in live specimens. A fine, continuous blue-green stripe extends from the tip of the snout to the anterior margin of the orbit. Reproductively active individuals further exhibit distinct yellowish to amber pigmentation along the distal margins of the dorsal and anal fins.

Etymology: The specific epithet, veneta is derived from the Latin venetus, meaning “sea-blue” or “azure,” referring to the characteristic of blue green to turquoise coloration exhibited by the species in live condition. The name is treated as an adjective in agreement with the generic name Chromis.

 

M. U. Rekha, Teena Jayakumar T. K., Abhilash C. P. Ahamed Rasheeq A., Saikrishnan K. R., Vallarasu R., Gladston Y., Kajal Chakraborty and Ajithkumar T. T. 2026. Resolving Cryptic Diversity in the Chromis viridis species complex (Pomacentridae): a multilocus phylogenetic and morphometric reassessment of species boundaries. Front. Mar. Sci. 13; 1922804. DOI: doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1922804 [04 September 2026]

[Cnidaria • 2026] Paraplexaura binyuani • A New Gorgonian (Octocorallia: Acanthogorgiidae) from the Huaguang Atoll, Xisha Islands, South China Sea

 

Paraplexaura binyuani 

You, Xia & Liu, 2026. 

斌源似丛柳珊瑚  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18030166 

Abstract

A new shallow-water gorgonian coral species in the family Acanthogorgiidae, Paraplexaura binyuani sp. nov., is described from a specimen collected at Huaguang Atoll in the South China Sea at a depth of 22 m. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by abundant polyp sclerites, predominantly flattened rods, and by the coenenchyme bearing numerous large spindles reaching up to 0.6 mm in length, which are approximately two to three times longer than those reported for most described species of Paraplexaura. Phylogenomic analyses based on ultraconserved elements (UCEs) recover Paraplexaura as monophyletic and place P. binyuani sp. nov. as sister to P. cryptotheca, consistent with its morphological distinctiveness and supporting its recognition as a separate species.

Keywords: Malacalcyonacea; shallow-water coral; taxonomy; morphology; ultraconserved elements

 The external morphology and polyps of Paraplexaura binyuani sp. nov. Holotype, GXTCMU-2025-HT005.
(A,C) in situ; (B) After collection; (D) Frontal view of a branch; (E) Polyps under SEM.

 Scale bars indicate 1 cm in (B), 5 mm in (D), 100 μm in (E).

Paraplexaura binyuani sp. nov.

Etymology. The new species is named after Dr. Binyuan He, principal investigator of the Guangxi Academy of Oceanography, and for his great contribution to benthos research of Guangxi. The Chinese name of the new species is “斌源似丛柳珊瑚”

Distribution and habitat. Known only from the subtidal zone of the Huaguang Atoll on the Chinese coast of the South China Sea with a water depth of 22 m. Colony attached to a rocky substrate.

 

Li You, Fei Xia and Xinming Liu. 2026. A New Gorgonian Paraplexaura binyuani sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Acanthogorgiidae) from the Huaguang Atoll, Xisha Islands, South China Sea. Diversity. 18(3), 166. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18030166 [9 March 2026]

[Cnidaria • 2026] Chironex blakangmati • Chironex box jellyfishes (Cubozoa: Chirodropida) in Singapore: New Species, and Range Extension of C. indrasaksajiae

Chironex blakangmati

Iesa, Ames, Yap & Huang, 2026 

 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 74

Abstract

 Two venomous box jellyfish species of the genus Chironex Southcott, 1956 (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida) were collected from Singapore’s coastal waters: Chironex indrasaksajiae Sucharitakul, 2017 and a novel species described herein as Chironex blakangmati, new species. Chironex indrasaksajiae was collected from both the Johor and Singapore Straits around mainland Singapore. Chironex blakangmati, new species, was collected from Sentosa Island along the Singapore Strait and is the fourth species described in the genus. While C. blakangmati’s volcano-shaped pedalial canal and tentacle number are similar to C. yamaguchii Lewis & Bentlage, 2009, its elongated, sharp-tipped velarial canals and DNA sequences distinguish it from other Chironex species. Comparisons of Chironex blakangmati, new species, with C. yamaguchii and C. fleckeri reveal novel morphological differences at the terminal end of the perradial lappet along the velarium edge, where C. blakangmati, new species, lacks velarial canals extending from the perradial lappet terminus. Juvenile Chironex yamaguchii specimens were examined and ontogenetic variations of velarial canals are herein reported. Preliminary cnidome analysis reveals eight types of nematocysts observed in C. blakangmati, new species, five types in C. indrasaksajiae, and five types in C. yamaguchii. Molecular phylogenetic reconstruction places C. blakangmati, new species, in a clade distinct from its congeners, as sister group to C. yamaguchii based on 16S rRNA gene analysis but diverging earlier than the clade comprising C. yamaguchii and C. indrasaksajiae based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene analysis for which sequence data are comparatively limited. Understanding the biodiversity and seasonality of venomous cubomedusae will help mitigate the risk they pose to human health and safety during maritime activities. 

Key words. 16S rRNA, COI barcoding, marine biodiversity, phylogenetic analysis, Southeast Asia, venomous

Chironex blakangmati, new species, from Singapore.
A, live individual (paratype, ZRC.CNI.1462), lateral perradius view; B, live individual (holotype, ZRC.CNI.3014), lateral perradius view; C, cockscomb gastric saccule (sac); D, gastric cirri (gc); E, rhopalial niche front view; F, rhopalial niche side view (paratype, ZRC.CNI.1462); G, rhopalial niche side view (holotype, ZRC.CNI.3014); H, tentacle contracted with alternating brown dark bands; I, tentacle stretched; J, preserved tentacle with hollow cross section (arrow); K, pedalium with volcano pedalial canal bend (pcb) marked by arrow; L, U-shaped alternating tentacle pattern with gap marked by an arrow; M, adradial positions (ad) marked by arrows, and rhopalial niche at perradial position (per); N, gastric saccules (sac) surrounding cruciform manubrium (man); O, velarium at perradial position with frenulum (fre) arrowed, lappet terminating in simple triangular tip; P, velarium with candelabrum velarial canal pattern (holotype, ZRC.CNI.3014). rh = rhopalium, rhO = rhopalial ostium, co = convex boundary.

Chironex blakangmati, new species 

Diagnosis. Chironex with conical to cuboidal bell. Seven tentacles per pedalium, branching U-shaped alternating. Pedalial canal bend volcano shaped. Tips of velarial canals sharp towards velarial margin (Fig. 11D), with simple triangular tip at edge of velarium in perradial position (Fig. 3O & Fig. 12). Absence of velarial canals at perradial position where frenulum tapers off (Fig. 12D). 

Etymology. This species is named using Bahasa Melayu, the Austronesian language spoken in the region and the national language of Singapore, for Sentosa Island from which the animal was collected. Sentosa Island was historically referred to as “Pulau Blakang Mati”, meaning “Island of Death Behind” and, as such, “blakangmati” in denoting the geographic location is a noun in apposition. 

Iffah Iesa, Cheryl Lewis Ames, Nicholas Wei Liang Yap and Danwei Huang. 2026. Chironex box jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida) in Singapore: Chironex blakangmati, new species, and range extension of C. indrasaksajiae. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 74: 383–402. DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2026-0026 [15 May 2026]

[Crustacea • 2025] Umalia modesta • A New Species of Frog Crab Genus Umalia Guinot, 1993 (Brachyura: Raninidae) from the South China Sea, with A Key to Species in the Genus

 

Umalia modesta

Ng, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.18353/crustacea.54.0_53

Abstract 

A new species of raninid frog crab, Umalia modesta n. sp., is described from the northern part of the South China Sea, near Tungsha Islands. The species is morphologically most similar to U. chinensis (Chen & Sun, 2002) (from southern China) and U. tenuiocellus (Davie & Short, 1989) (from Australia) but can easily be distinguished from them by its carapace form, well developed cornea, and structures of the rostrum, thoracic sternum, third maxilliped and ambulatory legs.  

Key words: Tungsha Islands, Taiwan, Raninoidea, new species, comparative taxonomy, genus key

Umalia modesta n. sp., holotype female (11.0×14.0 mm) (ZRC 2024.0500), South China Sea.
A, overall dorsal view; B, frontal half of carapace (dorsal view); C, frontal view of cephalothorax; D, left anterolateral view of cephalothorax; E, third maxillipeds.

Umalia modesta n. sp., male, station CP4115,
southwest of Tungsha Island, South China Sea [specimen not examined]

[Photograph: T.-Y. Chan].

Superfamily Raninoidea De Haan, 1839 

Family Raninidae De Haan, 1839 

Subfamily Notopodinae Serène & Umali, 1972 

Umalia Guinot, 1993

Umalia modesta, new species 

Diagnosis: Carapace shape trapezoidal, anterior part much wider than posterior part, lateral margins almost straight, subparallel; carapace width more than 0.7 total length; fronto-orbital distance less than half width of carapace; anterior ...

Etymology: From the Latin “modesta” for unassuming, alluding to the simple characters of the species

Peter K. L. Ng. 2025. On A New Species of Frog Crab, Umalia modesta n. sp. (Brachyura: Raninidae) from the South China Sea, with A Key to Species in the Genus. Crustacean Research. 54; 53-61. DOI: doi.org/10.18353/crustacea.54.0_53 [September 27, 2025]

[Crustacea • 2026] Frodromia elegans, F. granulosa, ... • Revision of Frodromia McLay, 1993 (Brachyura: Dromiidae) and the Status of Frodromiinae Števčić, 2005

A, Frodromia atypica (Sakai, 1936),; B, F. reticulata (Sakai, 1974);
C, F. elegans, new species, holotype male, Taiwan; D, F. granulosa, new species, holotype male, Vanuatu;
 E, F, F. iners, new species, holotype male, Philippines. 

Ng, 2026 

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 74: 

Photographs: C, T.-Y. Chan; D, J.C.E. Mendoza; E, F, P.K.L. Ng.

Abstract

 The taxonomy of the West Pacific dromiid genus, Frodromia McLay, 1993, is revised using a suite of characters pertaining to the carapace form and armature, proportions of the ambulatory dactylus, and structures of the pereopods, thoracic sternum, male pleon, and gonopods. The identity of the poorly known type species, F. atypica (Sakai, 1936), is clarified and the species is rediagnosed and illustrated based on the single non-type dried specimen available. Frodromia reticulata (Sakai, 1974) is also rediagnosed on the basis of a series of Japanese specimens. The material identified as F. atypica by McLay (1993) from New Caledonia and the Indonesian Moluccas is here shown to belong to two new species, F. granulosa and F. caileani, respectively; with F. granulosa also reported from Vanuatu. Two other new species, F. elegans and F. iners, are described from the South China Sea and the Philippines, respectively. As a result, Frodromia is hereby classified in the subfamily Frodromiinae Števčić, 2005, which was originally established as a tribe in Sphaerodromiinae Guinot & Tavares, 2003, and which is here redefined and rediagnosed.

Key words. sponge crab, Dromioidea, systematics, subfamily definition, new species, key to taxa, Indo-West Pacific

Colour in life. A, Frodromia atypica (Sakai, 1936), after Sakai (1936: pl. 2 fig. 1); B, F. reticulata (Sakai, 1974), after Sakai (1976: pl. 5 fig. 1);
C, F. elegans, new species, holotype male (6.6 × 7.5 mm) (ZRC 2024.0144), Taiwan; D, F. granulosa, new species, holotype male (6.5 × 7.1 mm) (ZRC 2024.0517), Vanuatu;
E, F, F. iners, new species, holotype male (6.3 × 7.0 mm) (ZRC 2024.0518), Philippines [partly covered with sand particles and debris].

Photographs: C, T.-Y. Chan; D, J.C.E. Mendoza; E, F, P.K.L. Ng.

Frodromia granulosa 

F. caileani 

F. elegans 

 F. iners

PETER K. L. NG. 2026. Revision of Frodromia McLay, 1993 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Dromiidae) and the Status of Frodromiinae Števčić, 2005. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 74: 332–358. DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2026-0023  [4 May 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2021] Lethrinus mitchelli • A New Species of Emperor Fish (Acanthuriformes: Lethrinidae) from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

Lethrinus mitchelli

Allen, Victor & Erdmann, 2021

DOI: doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5172763 

Abstract 

A new species of emperor fish, Lethrinus mitchelli, is described on the basis of three specimens, 109.4–111.3 mm SL, collected from 20 m at the East Cape region of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. It is similar to the sympatric relatives L. semicinctus and L. rubrioperculatus, but differs in color pattern and has a narrower cheek (cheek height 3.2–3.6 in head length vs. 2.4–2.9). Other diagnostic features include head length (2.7 in SL) greater than body depth (3.0–3.1 in SL); the snout excluding the lip 1.3–1.4 in cheek height; the snout profile nearly straight, without a prominent hump, and about 55° to the upper jaw; conical lateral jaw teeth; the interorbital area nearly flat or convex; the fourth dorsal-fin spine longest; lateral-line scales 47; transverse scale rows below and above the lateral line 15 and 4.5 rows; and a fully-scaled area adjacent to the prominent bony spine at the posteriormost margin of the opercle (excluding fleshy flap). The new species has a distinctive color pattern: brown dorsally, whitish ventrally, with a broad, brown, posteriorly tapering band on the midlateral body, partially split anteriorly by a relatively broad, ascending diagonal white band. Lethrinus mitchelli is 6.11% sequence divergent (pairwise) in the mtDNA COI marker from its nearest relative, L. semicinctus, also from the East Indies. A table of COI divergences among mtDNA lineages assigned to 27 of the 28 known species of Lethrinus shows a set of distinctly different lineages, from 3.32% to 20.85% divergent from each other (minimum interspecific distances). 

Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, phylogenetics, coral reef fishes, Indo-Pacific, DNA barcodes, mtDNA COI 

Lethrinus mitchelli n. sp.
blotchy pattern on rubble bottom, about 200 mm SL, East Cape Region, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
 preserved holotype, 110.1 mm SL, East Cape Region, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

photos: G.R. Allen.

Lethrinus mitchelli n. sp.
[upper] about 200 mm SL, East Cape Region, Milne Bay Prov., Papua New Guinea; 
[lower] blotchy pattern on rubble bottom, about 200 mm SL, East Cape Region, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

photos: G.R. Allen

 Allen, G.R., Victor, B.C. and Erdmann, M.V. 2021. Lethrinus mitchelli, A New Species of Emperor Fish (Teleostei: Lethrinidae) from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 38, 66–77. DOI: doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5172763 

[Phycology • 2026] Lobophora lewmanomontiae, L. ogawae, ... • A Survey along the East Coast of Thailand reveals High Diversity in the Genus Lobophora (Dictyotales: Phaeophyceae): with the Description of Four New Species

 

Lobophora lewmanomontiae A. M. Klomjit, J. Praiboon & N. Muangmai sp. nov.
 Lobophora ogawae A. M. Klomjit, C. W. Vieira & N. Muangmai sp. nov. 
Lobophora thiemmedhii A. M. Klomjit, C. W. Vieira & N. Muangmai sp. nov. 
Lobophora velasquezii A. M. Klomjit, S. G. A. Draisma & N. Muangmai sp. nov. 

in Klomjit, Draisma, Praiboon, Jurejan, Sutti, Sun, Vieira et Muangmai, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.4490/algae.2026.41.2.2  

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 ABSTRACT

Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) is an ecologically important seaweed genus in tropical and subtropical marine ecosystems. This alga exhibits cryptic diversity and morphological plasticity, which require taxonomic delineations that primarily depend on DNA analyses, complemented by morphological and ecological data. Species diversity and distribution within Southeast Asia remain understudied compared to well-documented regions such as the Caribbean and the western Pacific. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the genus Lobophora along the east coast of Thailand, integrating DNA-based surveys with morphological analyses. Extensive sampling across the Gulf of Thailand revealed 14 well-supported monophyletic clades of Lobophora. Among these, we described four new species (L. lewmanomontiae sp. nov., L. ogawae sp. nov., L. thiemmedhii sp. nov., and L. velasquezii sp. nov.) and reported three new national records (L. abscondita, L. henae, and L. quangtriensis), thereby bringing the Thai total to 21 species. When combined with previous records, 30 species have now been recorded from Southeast Asia, with 12 of which are endemic to the region. This study also emphasizes the importance of extensive sampling across broader areas, which enhances our understanding of biogeographic distributions and their implications for coastal ecosystem management.

Key words: DNA barcoding; Gulf of Thailand; macroalgae; Phaeophyceae; phylogeny; species diversity; taxonomy

In situ photographs of four new Lobophora species from east coast of Thailand.
(A) Lobophora lewmanomontiae sp. nov. (THNHM-P-2021-0314). (B) Lobophora ogawae sp. nov. (THNHM-P-2021-0310).
(C) Lobophora thiemmedhii sp. nov. (THNHM-P-2022-02470). (D) Lobophora velasquezii sp. nov. (THNHM-P-2022-0237).

Scale bars represent: A, 3 cm; B, 1 cm; C & D, 2 cm.

Lobophora lewmanomontiae A. M. Klomjit, J. Praiboon & N. Muangmai sp. nov. 

Lobophora ogawae A. M. Klomjit, C. W. Vieira & N. Muangmai sp. nov.

Lobophora thiemmedhii A. M. Klomjit, C. W. Vieira & N. Muangmai sp. nov.

Lobophora velasquezii A. M. Klomjit, S. G. A. Draisma & N. Muangmai sp. nov.

Ex situ photographs, transversal (Top) and longitudinal (Bottom) section on holotype specimens.
(A–C) Lobophora lewmanomontiae sp. nov.
(D–F) Lobophora ogawae sp. nov.
(G–I) Lobophora thiemmedhii sp. nov.
(J–L) Lobophora velasquezii sp. nov.

Scale bars represent: A, 2 cm; D & J, 0.5 cm; G, 1 cm.

Distribution pattern of Lobophora species along the east coast of Thailand. The black lines on the map represent the geographic borders of Thai province. The marine territories of the provinces where Lobophora species were identified, are highlighted in colors other than blue. The black dots indicated specific locations where Lobophora samples were collected. The numbers in parentheses next to the species names indicate the number of samples identified in each province. The table on the right lists the Lobophora species found in each province, with circles indicating species presence. Provinces ranked left to right by geographic location starting from east to west and then north to south.

Anirut Klomjit, Stefano G. A. Draisma, Jantana Praiboon, Narapat Jurejan, Suttikarn Sutti, Zhongmin Sun, Christophe Vieira and Narongrit Muangmai. 2026. A Survey along the East Coast of Thailand reveals High Diversity in the Genus Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae): with the Description of Four New Species. Algae. 41(1); 77-94. DOI: doi.org/10.4490/algae.2026.41.2.2 [March 15, 2026] 

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[Ichthyology • 2026] Crossorhombus pescadores • A New lefteye Flounder of the Genus Crossorhombus (Teleostei: Bothidae) from Penghu Islands, western Taiwan

Crossorhombus pescadores 

 Amaoka, Su & Ho, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1273.167628

Abstract

A new lefteye flounder, Crossorhombus pescadores sp. nov., is described based on five specimens collected from Penghu Islands. This new species differs from the other four congeners by having a pair of small black spots on the caudal fin, a horizontal triangular bluish-black marking on the blind side of body in male, the front wings of the marking reaching the base of dorsal and anal fins, and a combination of morphometric characters, including a larger head, deeper body, smaller eyes, fewer dorsal- and anal-fin rays and lateral-line scales, and other characters. A key to all five nominal species of Crossorhombus is provided.

Key words: Biodiversity, ichthyology, identification key, sexual dimorphism, taxonomy, western Pacific

Crossorhombus pescadores sp. nov., NMMB-P 42260, holotype, male, 99.8 mm SL, preserved.
A. Ocular side; B. Blind side.

Paratypes of Crossorhombus pescadores sp. nov., showing ocular sides (odd numbers) and blind sides (even numbers).
A. HUMZ 237066, immature male, 74.8 mm SL; B. NMMB-P 42263, female, 92.4 mm SL; C. NMMB-P 42262, immature female, 58.0 mm SL.

 Crossorhombus pescadores sp. nov

Diagnosis. A species of Crossorhombus differing from its congeners in having: caudal fin with light-gray band along posterior sub-margin; a pair of small black spots on band at upper and lower fourth rays, respectively; a bluish-black, horizontal triangular marking on blind side of body in male; a series of dark blotches along dorsal and ventral margins of body; combination of some meristic and proportional characters: large head; small upper and lower eyes; slightly longer pectoral-fin on ocular side; fewer dorsal- and anal- fin rays and fewer scales in lateral line and others.

Etymology. The specific name “pescadores” is the old name of the type locality, meaning “fishermen” in Portuguese. It is treated as a noun in apposition.

 Kunio Amaoka, Yo Su and Hsuan-Ching Ho. 2026. A New lefteye Flounder of the Genus Crossorhombus (Teleostei, Bothidae) from Penghu Islands, western Taiwan. ZooKeys. 1273: 15-25. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1273.167628 [13 Mar. 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Butis bargabhimae • A New Species of butid fish (Gobiiformes: Butidae) from the Rupnarayan River, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

  

Butis bargabhimae

Maiti, Mandal, Das, Pahari & Bhattacharya, 2026  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.9 

  academia.edu/164972645

 

Abstract

Butis bargabhimae sp. nov. is morphologically similar to B. koilomatodon and B. delagoensis but can be distinguished from both of these morphologically by the presence of interorbital scales (IOS 2–3/7–8/2–3), auxiliary scales, bands on the pectoral fin, and the absence of a row of alternating blackish and yellowish spots at the base of the caudal fin. The NCBI BLAST result of COI gene shows 86% similarity with both B. koilomatodon and B. delagoensis. The COI sequence MN171371.1 submitted as B. koilomatodon from Bangladesh shows 99% similarity with B. bargabhimae sp. nov. and belongs to the same clade rather than the clade of B. koilomatodon from the state of Kerala in India and those from other countries. It seems B. koilomatodon from Bangladesh is a misidentification and should be included under B. bargabhimae sp. nov. Likewise COI sequence of B. koilomatodon, as reported earlier by Pahari et al. (2024), suggests this was a misidentification and should be redesignated as B. delagoensis.

Pisces, Estuarine fish, gudgeon goby, mitochondrial COI, short snout Butis

Butis bargabhimae sp. nov. Holotype Female (Reg. No. ZSI FF 10992).
I: Longer 3 rd and 4 th spine. II: Oblique dark bands on body. III: Dark median spot at pectoral fin base. IV: Light and dark alternate bands on pectoral fin.

Butis bargabhimae sp. nov.

Subhadeep MAITI, Sudipta MANDAL, Mitali DAS, Priti Ranjan PAHARI and Tanmay BHATTACHARYA. 2026. Butis bargabhimae sp. nov., A New Species of butid fish (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Butidae) from the Rupnarayan River, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. Zootaxa. 5763(4); 588-596. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.4.9 [2026-03-05]

  academia.edu/164972645/Butis_bargabhimae_A_new_species_of_butid_fish_from_the_Rupnarayan_River_Purba_Medinipur_West_Bengal_India

[Crustacea • 2021] Macromedaeus adelus • A New Species of intertidal xanthid crab of the Genus Macromedaeus Ward, 1942 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Xanthidae) from Singapore

Macromedaeus adelus

Mendoza, 2021

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69 

  x.com/Mendoza_JCE

Abstract

 Four species of marine crab (Brachyura) are reported for the first time from Singapore. Three of these have been previously reported from other localities in the Indo-West Pacific region, while one is a new species described herein. The camptandriid crab, Exagorium fidelisi Naruse, Chung & Tangah, 2015, originally described from northeastern Sabah, Malaysia, is reported from the mangroves of northern Singapore. Two xanthid crabs are newly recorded as well: Hepatoporus guinotae (Zarenkov, 1971) and Medaeops edwardsi Guinot, 1967, previously described from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, respectively. Another xanthid crab, Macromedaeus adelus, new species, is described from the intertidal areas of Singapore. It is most similar to M. distinguendus (De Haan, 1835) and M. voeltzkowi (Lenz, 1905), primarily in having a distinctly areolated and granular carapace and having four teeth on the carapace anterolateral margin. It can, however, be distinguished from congeners by morphological features of the carapace, chelipeds, ambulatory legs, and the male first gonopods. 

Key words. Xanthidae, Camptandriidae, taxonomy, biodiversity, Macromedaeus adelus, Hepatoporus, Exagorium

Live colouration. Macromedaeus adelus, new species (ZRC 2017.0466), West Coast Park, Singapore.
A, paratype, male, 16.0 × 10.3 mm; B, paratype, male, 11.8 × 7.7 mm.

Scale bar: A, B = 5.0 mm.

Macromedaeus adelus, new species

 

Etymology. The specific epithet of the new species is derived from the Greek “adelos”, meaning “unseen, unknown, and obscure”, because the true identity of this crab remained concealed for many decades. Used as a Latin adjective.

Jose Christopher E. Mendoza. 2021. Marine Crabs new to Singapore, with A Description of A New Species of intertidal xanthid crab of the Genus Macromedaeus Ward, 1942 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69: 463–480. [5 November 2021]

  x.com/Mendoza_JCE/status/1456821180103462914

[Ichthyology • 2025] Aepysomanthias & Poroanthias gen. nov., Pelontrus, Zalanthias, ... • A 40-year Taxonomic Enigma: Multigene Phylogeny Resolves the Polyphyly of Plectranthias (Perciformes: Anthiadidae) and supports A Revised Taxonomy

Plectranthias, Pelontrus, Sayonara, Xenanthias, Zalanthias, 
 Aepysomanthias and Poroanthias Tang & Chen gen. nov. 

in Tang et Chen, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf148 

  facebook.com/TVictorCN

 

Abstract

Anthiadidae, a family of shallow and deep-water reef-associated fishes, include about 250 species distributed widely from tropical to temperate regions, with the majority found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific (IWP). Despite their broad distribution, the phylogeny and taxonomy of this family remain unresolved, particularly at the generic level, due to challenges in sampling from deep-water zones. Plectranthias, the most species-rich genus, has been suspected of non-monophyly since its last revision over 40 years ago. In this study, we explore the phylogenetic relationships of anthiadids using a multigene dataset (one mitochondrial and four nuclear genes) from 103 specimens across 19 genera, with a focus on IWP Plectranthias. Our results confirm the polyphyly of Plectranthias, revealing seven distinct clades. Based on this new phylogenetic framework and morphological re-examinations, we propose a taxonomic revision, including the resurrection of the genera Pelontrus, Sayonara, Xenanthias, and Zalanthias, and the establishment of Aepysomanthias and Poroanthias Tang and Chen gen. nov. The revised taxonomy restricts Plectranthias to 20 currently recognized species.

 

systematics, taxonomic revision, anthias, Indo-West Pacific, Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos, osteology, diagnostic characters, Serranidae, new genus

 

Chi-Ngai Tang and Wei-Jen Chen. 2025. A 40-year Taxonomic Enigma: Multigene Phylogeny Resolves the Polyphyly of Plectranthias (Perciformes: Anthiadidae) and supports A Revised Taxonomy. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 205(3); zlaf148. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf148 [11 November 2025]  

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