[Crustacea • 2026] Pilumnus guadeloupensis • A New Species of Pilumnus Leach, 1816 (Decapoda: Brachyura) from Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles

 

Pilumnus guadeloupensis 

Magalhães, Oliveira-Rogeri, Felder & Mantelatto, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.5252/zoosystema2026v48a16

 Abstract  

Pilumnus Leach, 1861 is a speciose cosmopolitan genus of marine crabs typical from rocky and coral coastal environments and known to occur in tropical and temperate oceans and seas worldwide, including the waters of western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea surrounding the Lesser Antilles, a recognized hotspot of biodiversity in Caribbean. Despite recent sampling efforts, this region remains underexplored, limiting understanding of its marine fauna. To address this gap, several field expeditions have been carried out, including KARUBENTHOS 2012. This expedition extensively collected specimens of various taxonomic groups, expanding documentation of biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles. Among collections, a unique specimen of Pilumnus was recognized and analyzed through morphological and molecular approaches. Genetic analyses of this specimen, a component of molecular phylogenetic studies previously conducted by our team, confirmed its divergence from previously described species. Herein, we performed a thorough morphological examination analyzing most of the taxonomic informative characters used in species descriptions of representatives of Pilumnus. Based on the presently accessed morphological features and previously detected molecular divergence, a new species, Pilumnus guadeloupensis n. sp., is described. This species can be distinguished from others from the genus mainly by the ornamentation and tuberculation patterns of pereopods, number of anterolateral prominences and shape of the carapace. Detailed morphological comparisons with congeners, alongside a comprehensive review of the literature, are provided.

KEYWORDS: Caribbean, KARUBENTHOS 2012, morphology, Pilumnidae, new species, 

Habitus of alcohol-preserved holotype of Pilumnus guadeloupensis n. sp., male (CW = 6.44 mm),  MNHN-IU-2013-16321:
A, dorsal; B, ventral.

 Scale bar: 2 mm.

Holotype of Pilumnus guadeloupensis n. sp., male (CW = 6.44 mm),  MNHN-IU-2013-16321:
A, entire specimen on dorsal view; B, left third maxilliped, external; C, outer surface of major chela; D, left first gonopod, mesial; E, pleon and telson.

 Scale bars (mm): A, 3 mm; B, 0.7 mm; C, 2.5 mm; D, 0.2 mm; E, 1.5 mm.

Alcohol-preserved holotype of Pilumnus guadeloupensis n. sp., male (CW = 6.44 mm),  MNHN-IU-2013-16321:
A, habitus, frontal; B, carapace front, dorsal; C, left anterolateral carapace margin, dorsal; D, left suborbital and pterygostomial carapace regions, ventral; E, left third maxilliped, external; F, left (major) cheliped, dorsal; G, right (minor) chela, external; H, left (major) chela, external; I, right pereopods 4 and 5, meri, carpi, and propodi, dorsal; J, anterior sternites and pereopod coxae, ventral; K, sternopleonal cavity with pleonal lock button; L, left first gonopod, mesial. Not to scale.

Phylum ARTHROPODA Latreille, 1829

Class MALACOSTRACA Latreille, 1802

Order DECAPODA Latreille, 1802

Infraorder BRACHYURA Latreille, 1802

Family PILUMNIDAE Samouelle, 1819

Genus Pilumnus Leach, 1816

Pilumnus guadeloupensis n. sp.

 

Diagnosis. — Carapace anterodorsally with short pubescence; frontal, protogastric, and hepatic regions of dorsal surface with strong tubercules; supraorbital margins strongly toothed; anterolateral margin with four teeth, anteriormost of which formed by outer orbital tooth. Major chela palm with outer surface nearly smooth and glabrous. Ambulatory pereopods with merus dorsal margin mostly smooth, single subdistal denticle on dorsal margin of meri of pereopods 2-4; carpi and propodi with prominent spiniform tubercles.

Etymology. — The specific epithet guadeloupensis refers to Guadeloupe, the type locality of the species, and it is used here as an adjective.

 

Tatiana Magalhães, Lucas Oliveira-Rogeri, Darryl L. Felder and Fernando L. Mantelatto. 2026. A New Species of Pilumnus Leach, 1816 (Decapoda, Brachyura) from Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, with morphological comparisons to regional congeners. Zoosystema. 48 (16), 389-399. DOI: doi.org/10.5252/zoosystema2026v48a16 (3 July 2026)

Une nouvelle espèce de Pilumnus Leach, 1816 (Decapoda, Brachyura) de Guadeloupe, Petites Antilles, et comparaisons morphologiques avec les espèces régionales apparentées.

Pilumnus Leach, 1861 est un genre cosmopolite de crabes marins, typique des environnements côtiers rocheux et coralliens. Ces animaux sont présents dans les océans et mers tropicaux et tempérés du monde entier, notamment dans les eaux de l'Atlantique ouest et la mer des Caraïbes, y compris dans les eaux entourant les Petites Antilles, un point chaud de biodiversité en région caraïbe. Malgré de récents efforts d'échantillonnage, cette région reste sous-explorée, ce qui limite la connaissance de sa faune marine. Pour combler cette lacune, plusieurs expéditions de terrain ont été menées, dont KARUBENTHOS 2012. Cette expédition a permis de collecter de nombreux spécimens de divers groupes taxonomiques, enrichissant ainsi nos connaissances sur la biodiversité des Petites Antilles. Parmi les spécimens collectés, un spécimen unique de Pilumnus a été identifié et analysé par des approches morphologiques et moléculaires. Les analyses génétiques de ce spécimen, réalisées dans le cadre d'études de phylogénie moléculaire précédemment menées par notre équipe, ont confirmé sa divergence avec les espèces précédemment décrites. Un examen morphologique approfondi analysant la plupart des caractères taxonomiques informatifs utilisés dans les descriptions des espèces de Pilumnus a été réalisé. Sur la base des caractéristiques morphologiques décrites dans cette étude et des divergences moléculaires précédemment détectées, une nouvelle espèce, Pilumnus guadeloupensis n. sp., est décrite. Cette espèce se distingue des autres espèces du genre principalement par l'ornementation et les tubercules des péréiopodes, le nombre de proéminences antérolatérales et la forme de la carapace. Des comparaisons morphologiques détaillées avec ses congénères, ainsi qu'une revue exhaustive de la littérature, sont fournies.

Caraïbes, KARUBENTHOS 2012, morphologie, Pilumnidae, espèce nouvelle

[Crustacea • 2026] Lemurophusa empusa & Balssiathelphusa inopinata • Revision of the Southeast Asian freshwater crab Genus Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae)

Lemurophusa empusa

Ng & Guinot, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.5252/zoosystema2026v48a18 

 Abstract 

The systematics of the gecarcinucid genus Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969 is revised. Balssiathelphusa has an atypical distribution pattern for a freshwater crab genus, with the four known species recorded from Sumatra, Borneo and Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. The type species, Para-Perithelphusa sucki Balss, 1937 [sic, see infra], is redescribed and figured, and the genus is redefined to include B. sucki, B. cursor Ng, 1986, from East Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo, and a new species, B. inopinata n. sp., also from East Kalimantan. The type locality of B. sucki was reported as southeastern Sumatra, but the available evidence suggests the holotype was actually collected from South Kalimantan in Borneo. Balssiathelphusa natunaensis Bott, 1970, from Natuna Island, is transferred to a new monotypic genus, Natunusa n. gen., while B. phasma Ng & Guinot, 2014, collected from a cave in East Kalimantan, is referred to a separate genus, Lemurophusa n. gen. A new species, L. empusa n. gen., n. sp., is also described from another karst system in East Kalimantan, whereas a juvenile female from a nearby cave in East Kalimantan is treated as Lemurophusa sp. Particular attention was paid to the thoracic sternum and its sutures, to the median bridges between the sternites, as well to the median line, characters often overlooked but that are particularly useful in this group of small gecarcinucid crabs.

KEYWORDS: Borneo, Sumatra, Natuna Islands, Kalimantan, Gecarcinucoidea, freshwater crab, cave crab, new genera, new species 

 

Superfamily Gecarcinucoidea Rathbun, 1904

Family Gecarcinucidae Rathbun, 1904

Genus Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969

Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969: 364; 1970: 98. — Ng 1986a: 207.

Included species. — Balssiathelphusa sucki (Balss, 1937), B. cursor Ng, 1986; B. inopinata n. sp.

Balssiathelphusa inopinata n. sp.

Etymology. — The name is derived from the Latin “inopinatus” for “unexpected” as it had been previously believed that Nobili's (1903) record was Balssiathelphusa cursor and not a new species.

Natunusa natunaensis (Bott, 1970) n. comb., ♂ 12.9 × 11.3 mm (ZRC 2021.0831), Natuna Island:
A, overall dorsal habitus; B, dorsal view of carapace; C, frontal view of cephalothorax; D, frontal median triangle, antennules, antennae and epistome; E, buccal cavity, anterior thoracic sternum, telson and pleonal somites 5 and 6; F, posterior thoracic sternum and pleonal somites 1-4; G, sternopleonal cavity.

Genus Natunusa n. gen.

 

Type species. — Balssiathelphusa natunaensis Bott, 1970, 

by original designation and monotypy.

Diagnosis. — Carapace quadrate, just wider than long; carapace not high, height to width ratio 0.4; epigastric cristae rugose, low but visible, not cristate; postorbital cristae low, rugose, discernible, not cristate; frontal margin divided into two low lobes; frontal median triangle distinct, with dorsal crista straight; external orbital tooth with outer margin 3.0-4.0 times length of inner margin; epibranchial tooth small, low, separated from margin by small notch; rest of anterolateral margins gently convex; posterolateral ...

Etymology. — The name is derived from the name of the type locality, Natuna Island, in arbitrary combination with -phusa, a common suffix for gecarcinucid genera. The gender of the name is feminine.

Included species. — Natunusa natunaensis (Bott, 1970) n. comb.

Lemurophusa empusa n. gen., n. sp.:
 A, C, holotype, ♀ 24.2 × 18.5 mm (MZB Cru), Kalimantan;
B, D, paratype ♀ 22.2 × 17.2 mm (MZB Cru), Kalimantan.
A, B, overall dorsal habitus; C, D, dorsal view of carapace.

Genus Lemurophusa n. gen. 

Type species. — Balssiathelphusa phasma Ng & Guinot, 2014, 

by present designation.

Included species. — Lemurophusa phasma (Ng & Guinot, 2014) n. comb.; Lemurophusa empusa n. sp.

Diagnosis. — Carapace transversely ovate, wider than long, carapace not high, height to width ratio 0.4; epigastric cristae low, rugose but visible; postorbital cristae low, rugose, just discernible, not cristate; frontal margin divided into two low lobes; frontal median triangle distinct, with dorsal crista medially bent, fused with lateral cristae; external orbital tooth distinct, with outer margin about twice length of inner margin; epibranchial tooth small, low, separated from margin by notch; rest of anterolateral margins ...

Etymology. — The name is derived from the Latin word “lēmurēs” for “spirits of the dead”; in arbitrary combination with -phusa, a common suffix for gecarcinucid genera. This alludes to the cave habitat of the species. The gender of the name is feminine.

Lemurophusa empusa n. sp.

Etymology. — The species is named after Empusa, a demigoddess of Greek mythology. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Peter K. L. Ng and Danièle Guinot. 2026. Revision of the Southeast Asian freshwater crab Genus Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Gecarcinucidae). Zoosystema. 48 (18); 557-587. DOI: doi.org/10.5252/zoosystema2026v48a18 (13 July 2026)

Révision du genre de crabes d'eau douce d'Asie du Sud-Est Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Gecarcinucidae).

Bornéo, Sumatra, îles Natuna, Kalimantan, Gecarcinucoidea, crabe d'eau douce, crabe cavernicole, genres nouveaux, espèces nouvelles

[Crustacea • 2026] Bogidiella isajii & B. painushima • Two New Species of the Genus Bogidiella (Amphipoda: Bogidiellidae) from Japan

Bogidiella painushima 

Tomikawa, Yoshimura, Ugomeki & Shimomura, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5831.3.5  

 www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Abstract

Two new species of bogidiellid amphipods, Bogidiella isajii and B. painushima are described from an anchialine undersea cave in Minamidaito Island and freshwater flowing through a cave in Ishigaki Island, Ryukyu Islands. Bogidiella isajii sp. nov. differs from its congeners in the absence of an inner ramus on the pleopods, armature of uropods 1 and 2 rami, and shape of the telson. Bogidiella painushima sp. nov. is morphologically similar to B. aprutina and B. broodbakkeri, but differs from these two species in the shape of antennal sinus of the head, size of antenna 2 peduncular article 2 gland cone, armature of the accessory setal row of the mandible, shape of gnathopod 1 propodus and pereopod 7 coxa, and armature of the telson. Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I from paratypes of the two new species were determined for future studies.

Crustacea, brackish, COI, freshwater, Okinawa, taxonomy

Bogidiella painushima sp. nov. 

 

KO TOMIKAWA, HIRO YOSHIMURA, MUSHI UGOMEKI and MICHITAKA SHIMOMURA. 2026. Two New Species of the Genus Bogidiella (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Bogidiellidae) from Japan.  Zootaxa. 5831(3); 399-412. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5831.3.5 [2026-06-16]  

Two eyeless shrimp-like species found in Japan’s groundwater are new to science

Finding new species in unassuming settings brings light to further exploration and conservation efforts to preserve the unique diversity in groundwater environments

https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/news/99063

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1140243

[Crustacea • 2026] Cambarus emegi • A New Stream-dwelling Species of Cambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from Virginia and Pennsylvania (USA) with Notes on its Distribution, Ecology, and Conservation Status

 

Cambarus emegi 

Lieb, Williams, Foltz & Loughman, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5857.2.5 

  facebook.com/WLUCrayfish

Abstract

A new species of crayfish, Cambarus emegi sp. nov., is described from the upper James and Roanoke River basins in Virginia and the lower Delaware River basin in Pennsylvania, where it occurs in streams and small rivers. The species was formerly part of the Cambarus acuminatus species complex (Cambarus species C complex), a long-standing taxonomic enigma that is widely distributed across the Atlantic slope drainages of eastern North America. Cambarus emegi sp. nov. can be distinguished from Cambarus acuminatus due to the absence of a well-defined subpalmar tubercle, greater number of punctations across its areola, and differences in the mesial process of the form I male gonopod. Coloration and pattern in life differ between the two species. Additionally, the distributions of C. emegi sp. nov. and C. acuminatus are separated by hundreds of kilometers. The ranges of two other undescribed members of the Cambarus species C complex border that of C. emegi sp. nov. in Virginia. These species do not appear to overlap geographically; C. emegi sp. nov. is confined to the Ridge and Valley physiographic province, whereas the two undescribed species are found in the Blue Ridge and northern inner Piedmont regions. Cambarus emegi sp. nov. is morphologically similar but visually and genetically different from the undescribed species directly to the south in the upper Roanoke River system. Cambarus emegi sp. nov. is both visually and morphologically similar but genetically distinct from the undescribed species immediately downstream in the James River basin. Cambarus emegi sp. nov. is threatened by several potentially interacting factors including invasive crayfishes, narrow range, and urban and agricultural development. Alarmingly, the species is being rapidly replaced by invasive Faxonius species across a substantial part of its range. This paper represents an important step in providing the information needed to conserve and manage Cambarus emegi sp. nov.

Crustacea, Cambarus species C., Cambarus acuminatus, new species, Ridge and Valley, Northern Piedmont, Delaware, James, Roanoke, invasive crayfish

 Cambarus emegi sp. nov., color in life: (a) holotype, NCSM 95987; (b) allotype, NCSM 95988.

Life color and color pattern of adult  Cambarus emegi sp. nov.:
 (a) dorsal view; (b) oblique lateral view (photo credit Zackary A. Graham).

 Life color and color pattern of juvenile  Cambarus emegi sp. nov. 

Cambarus emegi sp. nov. 

Diagnosis.—Body and eyes pigmented. Rostrum weakly to moderately excavated and ventrally deflected anteriorly; rostral margins subparallel, pronounced and entire through acumen, and more thickened posteriorly than anteriorly; acumen acuminate with prominent dorsally deflected spiniform tubercle at terminus. Areola 2.2–3.6 (¯x=2.7, n=42, s=0.4) times as long as wide, with 6–10 (¯x=8.5, n=42, s= 0.7) punctations across narrowest point. Lateral portion of branchiostegal region of carapace heavily punctate; hepatic regions also punctate with welldeveloped tubercles. Strong cervical spines present; branchiostegal spine prominent; postorbital ridge terminating anteriorly in spiniform tubercle or spine. Weak to acute suborbital angle typically present, rarely absent; suborbital angle terminating anteriorly in spiniform tubercle or spine. Antennal basipodite spines prominent; ischiopodite spines present but not prominent.

Etymology.—Derived from the Turkish work “emeği” meaning “labor of” or “hard work of”, which seems appropriate given this project required many years and the collection of thousands of specimens from South Carolina to Pennsylvania. Additionally, the name honors Emily (Em) and Megan (Meg) Lieb, the senior author’s two daughters, who happily accompanied him on many crayfish sampling trips as children and later helped him collect C. emegi sp. nov. from sites in its Pennsylvania range. 

Common name.—We propose Enigma Crayfish as the common name.

David A. LIEB, Bronwyn W. WILLIAMS, David A. FOLTZ II and Zachary J. LOUGHMAN. 2026. Description of A New Stream-dwelling Species of Cambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from Virginia and Pennsylvania (USA) with Notes on its Distribution, Ecology, and Conservation Status.  Zootaxa. 5857(2); 299-316. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5857.2.5 [2026-07-29]

 facebook.com/WLUCrayfish/posts/1731022025695189 

[Entomology • 2026] Hexacentrus bidentatus & H. nanlingensis • Two New Species of the Genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Hexacentrinae) from China

Hexacentrus nanlingensis  

Ren, Xiong, Zhang & Shi, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.8

 Abstract

This paper reports two new species of the genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 from Guangxi and Guangdong, China, i.e. Hexacentrus bidentatus sp. nov. and Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov. In addition, morphological characters and ecological photographs are provided. The male calling songs are also presented for both new species and Hexacentrus expansus Wang & Shi, 2005 for the first time.

Orthoptera, Hexacentrus, new species, bioacoustics, Guangxi, Guangdong, China

Lateral habitus of Hexacentrus spp.:
A, C, E. H. bidentatus sp. nov.: A. female; C, E. male;
B, H. H. nanlingensis sp. nov.: B. female; H. male;
D. H. expansus Wang & Shi, 2005 (male); F. H. formosanus Chen & He, 2021(male). 

A–B. Hexacentrus expansus Wang & Shi, 2005;
C–D. Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov.

(Photographed by Tao Zhang).

Hexacentrus bidentatus sp. nov. 

Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov. 

 

BINGYU REN, ZIJIAN XIONG, TAO ZHANG and FUMING SHI. 2266. Two New Species of the genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 (Tettigoniidae: Hexacentrinae) from China.  Zootaxa. 5862(2); 347-358. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.8 [2026-08-05]

[Mollusca • 2022] Dendronotus shpataki • A New Species of the Genus Dendronotus (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Sea of Japan: a contribution of citizen science to marine zoology

  

Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov. in natural environment.

Ekimova, Mikhlina, Antokhina & Schepetov, 2022

 

DOI: doi.org/10.31610/zsr/2022.31.1.3 

  Researchgate.net/publication/358210579

Photos by Andrey Shpatak.

Abstract

 The nudibranch genus Dendronotus Alder et Hancock, 1845 is a common component of boreal and arctic ecosystems, which has recently received a considerable attention due to its high cryptic diversity. Here we describe a new species Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov. from the northwestern Sea of Japan, using the material and observations provided by Andrey Shpatak, a local citizen, diver and underwater photographer. We studied morphological features of the new species, including external morphology, coloration, jaw and radular morphology, and configuration of the reproductive system, as well as its ecological traits including possible diet preferences. We obtained DNA sequences and reconstructed the phylogeny by Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood approaches using four molecular markers (mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA, and nuclear histone H3 and 28S rRNA), and tested the boundaries between the species by calculating the uncorrected p-distances and automatic species delimitation methods ABGD and GMYC. Our results show that D. shpataki sp. nov. differs both morphologically and genetically from all other Dendronotus species. The new species possibly represents a unique example of local endemism, being found in a single locality, while other local Dendronotus species demonstrate wide distribution in the North-West Pacific. We also report on a considerable wearing of the radular teeth during feeding, which is a remarkable case for the Dendronotus.

Key words: North-West Pacific, biodiversity, morphology, radula, molecular markers, phylogeny, Nudibranchia, Dendronotidae, Dendronotus, new species

Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov., general appearance of living specimens.
 Holotype: dorsal view (A), lateral view (B) and ventral view (C).
Paratypes, dorsal view: adult specimens MIMB42309 (D), MIMB42308 (E), MIMB42305 (F)
and juvenile MIMB42306 (G). 

Scale bar: 5 mm.

Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov. in natural environment.
 Paratype MIMB42302 (A–C); the first documented finding of the new species in May 2015,
 the specimen was not collected (D); paratypes MIMB42303 (E, F).

Photos by Andrey Shpatak.

Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov.

I.A. Ekimova, A.L. Mikhlina, T.I. Antokhina and D.M. Schepetov. 2022. A Description of Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov. (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Sea of Japan: a contribution of citizen science to marine zoology. Zoosystematica Rossica. 31(1); 3–19. DOI: 10.31610/zsr/2022.31.1.3 

  Researchgate.net/publication/358210579_A_description_of_Dendronotus_shpataki_from_the_Sea_of_Japan

[Paleontology • 2026] Pygocephalus brymboensis • A New pygocephalomorph Crustacean from the Brymbo Fossil Forest (Moscovian), North Wales, UK and A Reassessment of the Genus Pygocephalus

Pygocephalus brymboensis 

Astrop, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2699904

Abstract

The genus Pygocephalus was one of the first groups of eumalacostracan Crustacea to explore and adapt to the new and dynamic freshwater systems created by the Earth’s earliest established rainforest in the Carboniferous. Characterized by a flattened body with a distinct carapace covering the thorax and well-developed pleon, Pygocephalus is regularly recovered from what were the braided rivers of the Carbonifeorus forests of Europe and North America. In this paper a new species of Pygocephalus, Pygocephalus brymboensis sp. nov., is described from the Moscovian of North Wales, primarily distinguished by a carapace that is slightly broader than long, a rostrum equal in length to the carapace and a unique pleural morphology. This study explores the position of P. brymboensis within Pygocephalomorpha and investigates the use of non-carapace-based morphometry as a tool for exploring morphological relationships between related taxa. The description of this species and exploration of the taxonomic history of the genus highlights the need for close examination of historical collections for the identification of subtle morphological differences, particularly in collections primarily amalgamated from multiple geographically disparate ex situ localities.

 

Keywords: Carboniferous, Crustacea, fossil forest, Pygocephalus

Systematic palaeontology

Class Malacostraca Latreille, 1802

Subclass Eumalacostraca Grobben, 1892

Order Pygocephalomorpha Beurlen, 1930

Family Pygocephalidae Brooks, 1962

Genus Pygocephalus Huxley, 1857

Type species. Pygocephalus cooperi Huxley, 1857

Other included species. Pygocephalus aisenvergi (Birshteyn, 1967); Pygocephalus dubius (Prestwich, 1840); Pygocephalus brymboensis (this study)

Diagnosis (after Schram, 1979). Carapace without hepatic spines. Females with oostegites and seminal receptacle. Telson narrows posteriorly in two abrupt steps with furcal lobes at each narrowing.

 Top: Pygocephalus brymboensis holotype BB0366 (NMW) from the Bashkirian (Brymbo, Denbighshire Coalfield) of North Wales (part and counterpart). Bottom: Inferred anatomy.

Abbreviations: Ant1, remnants of first antenna; Ant2, distal flagelliform part of 2nd antenna; B, branchial region of carapace; Ba, basis; Bc, brancial chamber; Ca, carpus; Co, coxa; cvg, cervical groove; D, remains of the digestive tract; Gntbs, gnathobase; Gs, gastric spine; H, hepatic region of the carapace; Im, ischiomerus; Mxpd, remnants of maxipilleds; Pr, propodus; Prpd, pereopod; R, rostrum; S, scaphocerite, Tel, telson; TelL, telson lobe; TelS, telson spine; U, uropod; 1–5, antennal segments; VII–XII, thoracic sternites. Dashed line = inferred reconstruction of carapace margin. 

Scale bar = 10 mm. Original image reproduced with permission of Peter Appleton.

 Artistic reconstruction of Pygocephalus brymboensis

(credit: William Norris). 

Scale bar = 5 mm.

Pygocephalus brymboensis sp. nov.

Derivation of name. From Brymbo, the Welsh village in which the host deposit resides.

 

Tim Astrop. 2026. A New pygocephalomorph Crustacean from the Brymbo Fossil Forest (Moscovian), North Wales, UK and A Reassessment of the Genus Pygocephalus. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 24(2); 2699904. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2699904 [03 Aug 2026]

[Paleontology • 2021] Priscaleclercera christae • Taxonomic Revision of Fossil Psilodercidae and Ochyroceratidae Spiders (Araneae: Synspermiata), with A New Species of Priscaleclercera from mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber, northern Myanmar

 

Priscaleclercera christae

Magalhaes, Porta, Wunderlich, Proud, Ramírez & Pérez-González, 2021

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104751  

  x.com/6eyes8legs 

 Researchgate.net/publication/348281048

Highlights

• We revise the types of most known psilodercid and ochyroceratid spiders in amber.

• We describe a new Priscaleclercera species from Late Cretaceous Burmese amber.

• Priscaleclercera is a crown-group psilodercid, close to Althepus and Leclercera.

• Late Cretaceous Burmese amber contains 11 species of psilodercids.

• Arachnolithulus, preserved in Dominican amber, is an Ochyroceratinae.

Abstract

Psilodercidae contains some 200 known extant species of small spiders that live in tropical rainforests and caves and is mainly restricted to the Oriental biogeographic realm. Interestingly, at least ten different fossil species have been described from inclusions in Late Cretaceous Burmese amber. This suggests the family has been diversifying in the region for ∼100 million years. In this paper, we revise the taxonomy of fossil species of this family and the closely related Ochyroceratidae, based on the re-examination of type specimens of described species. We find that ten Cretaceous species described in the psilodercid genera Priscaleclercera and Aculeatosoma are valid, and present new illustrations of their type material. The genus Propterpsiloderces apparently does not belong to Psilodercidae, but rather to a family representing a stem lineage within Scytodoidea. Ochyroceratidae is represented in the fossil record by a single ochyroceratine genus from Miocene Dominican amber, Arachnolithulus. The original combination of the extant species Leclercera spinata Deeleman-Reinhold, 1995 is reinstated by transferring it from Priscaleclercera, leaving this latter genus as a strictly fossil taxon. Finally, we present the description of a hitherto unknown species of Priscaleclercera from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, Priscaleclercera christae sp. nov., bringing the total number of congeners to ten. By studying its morphological features, we argue that Priscaleclercera is a crown-group Psilodercidae, closely related to the Althepus–Leclercera lineage. The high species diversity of Priscaleclercera indicates that Psilodercidae was already a diverse component of the Oriental tropical forests during the Cretaceous.

Keywords: Aculeatosoma, Arachnolithulus, Cretaceous, Myanmar, Synspermiata

Priscaleclercera christae sp. nov.

 

 Ivan L.F. Magalhaes, Andrés O. Porta, Jörg Wunderlich, Daniel N. Proud, Martín J. Ramírez and Abel Pérez-González. 2021. Taxonomic Revision of Fossil Psilodercidae and Ochyroceratidae Spiders (Araneae: Synspermiata), with A New Species of Priscaleclercera from mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber, northern Myanmar. Cretaceous Research. In Press, 104751. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104751 [5 January 2021]

 twitter.com/6eyes8legs/status/1346826645638946825 

 Researchgate.net/publication/348281048_Taxonomic_revision_of_fossil_Psilodercidae_and_Ochyroceratidae_spiders_with_a_new_species_of_Priscaleclercera_from_mid-Cretaceous_Burmese_amber

 

[Entomology • 2024] Melanabropsis formosensis & M. guizhouensis • Macropterous Species of Genus Melanabropsis Wang & Liu, 2020 (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Anabropsini) from Taiwan and Guizhou

Melanabropsis formosensis   

 Chen, 2024 

    

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5538.5.5

 

Abstract

The genus Melanabropsis currently consists of four micropterous species and one macropterous species from continental Asia and west Pacific islands. Yin (2024) predicted several potential habitats suitable for Melanabropsis species including Taiwan and Guizhou. In this study two additional new species from Taiwan and Guizhou are described, confirming the distribution prediction proposed by Yin. The distribution pattern of seven Melanabropsis species is discussed.

Orthoptera, Taiwan, Melanabropsis, taxonomy, new species, tegmina, distribution

Melanabropsis formosensis & 

Melanabropsis guizhouensis

Po-Wei CHEN. 2024. Macropterous Species of Genus Melanabropsis Wang & Liu, 2020 (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Anabropsini) from the localities predicted in a previous study.  Zootaxa. 5538(5); 457-464. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5538.5.5 [2024-11-19]

 facebook.com/100011515621580/posts/2136055463454954

facebook.com/MGOrthoptera/posts/1142514841212225

[Mollusca • 2026] Fansipanica milae, Vinatachea porcellana, ... • New taxa of Camaenidae (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) from northern Vietnam

Fansipanica milae Páll-Gergely & Dedov,

   

in Páll-Gergely, Gojšina et Dedov, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1280.185160

 

Abstract

The following new taxa are described from northern Vietnam: Fansipanica milae Páll-Gergely & Dedov, gen et sp. nov., Ducanhia Páll-Gergely, gen. nov. (type species: Helix balansai Morlet, 1886), Vinatachea porcellana Páll-Gergely, sp. nov. The reproductive anatomy of all three species is described. Helix (Chloritis) gereti Bavay & Dautzenberg, 1900 is moved to Fansipanica gen nov., and Camaena delsaerdti Thach & F. Huber, 2018 is moved to Vinatachea.

Key words: Anatomy, Fansipan Mountains, new species, systematics, taxonomy

Fansipanica milae gen. et sp. nov. 
A–C. Living specimen, D. Habitat. 

 

Fansipanica milae Páll-Gergely & Dedov, gen et sp. nov., 

Ducanhia Páll-Gergely, gen. nov. 

(type species: Helix balansai Morlet, 1886), 

Vinatachea porcellana Páll-Gergely, sp. nov. 

Barna Páll-Gergely, Vukašin Gojšina and Ivailo Dedov. 2026. New taxa of Camaenidae from northern Vietnam (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora). ZooKeys. 1280: 365-392. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1280.185160 [28 May 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Cicero spectabilis • Aptian archaeoniscid isopod from the Araripe Basin supports Tethyan-linked dispersal into Gondwanan lacustrine systems

Cicero spectabilis 

Lima, Anker, Heads, Pinheiro & Santana, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59890-0

Life reconstruction of Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. in the Aptian lacustrine environment of the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin, Brazil, showing several individuals scavenging on a dead fish (Dastilbe) on the lake floor, surrounded by aquatic vegetation (Notocyamus hydrophobus), fishes and arthropods.  

 Illustration by Maurílio Oliveira (paleoartist, MN/UFRJ).

Abstract

A new genus and species of fossil isopod, Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. is described from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Nova Olinda Member of the Crato Formation, Araripe Sedimentary Basin, Ceará, northeastern Brazil. The holotype, preserved in laminated limestones, represents the first confirmed record of the family Archaeoniscidae within this stratigraphic unit and extends the previously known paleogeographic distribution of archaeoniscid-like isopods into Gondwana lacustrine settings. The new genus is distinguished from other taxa currently referred to Archaeoniscidae—Archaeoniscus, Ferreniscus and Codoisopus, by its broad, ovate body, distinctive antennular subdivision, and a fan-like caudal structure formed by birramous uropods with well-differentiated exopod and endopod, combined with a rounded subrectangular pleotelson bearing a row of posterior setae. The exceptional preservation of C. spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. enables a detailed assessment of functionally relevant characters and supports interpretation of a benthic lifestyle on soft, low-energy substrates. A conservative concept of the family and a combination of body, pleon-pleotelson and antennular features justifies the placement of Cicero n. gen. within this extinct sphaeromatidean lineage. Within this framework, the occurrence C. spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. in a stratified lacustrine system of the Araripe Basin, together with other Mesozoic archaeoniscid-like records, suggest that some lineages currently assigned to Archaeoniscidae were able to colonize a range of non-marine environments during the Early Cretaceous, while also underscoring the need for a comprehensive phylogenetic reassessment of the group.

Keywords: Malacostraca, Sphaeromatidea, Fossil isopod, Crustacean, Santana group, Archaeoniscidae, Crato formation

Holotype of Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. from the Aptian Nova Olinda Member of the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin, Brazil (MPSC 9701). A, Ventral view of the specimen preserved in laminated limestone. B, Interpretative line drawing highlighting cephalic appendages, pereopods, pleon, pleotelson, and uropods. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp.

Life reconstruction of Cicero spectabilis n. gen. n. sp. in the Aptian lacustrine environment of the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin, Brazil, showing several individuals scavenging on a dead fish (Dastilbe) on the lake floor, surrounded by aquatic vegetation (Notocyamus hydrophobus), fishes and arthropods. Coloration and most dorsal features are conjectural and based on extant sphaeromatidean isopods. Illustration by Maurílio Oliveira (paleoartist, MN/UFRJ).

Daniel Lima, Arthur Anker, Sam W. Heads, Allysson P. Pinheiro and William Santana. 2026. Aptian archaeoniscid isopod from the Araripe Basin supports Tethyan-linked dispersal into Gondwanan lacustrine systems. Scientific Reports. 16: 23631. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59890-0 [19 July 2026]

 

[PaleoEntomology • 2026] Icaroramus perisi • A Firefly Relative that Smelled and Glowed: Evidence for Complex Signalling Systems in Cretaceous lampyroids

Icaroramus perisi Li, Kundrata & Cai 

in Li, Kundrata, Huang, Myint et Cai, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0295 

Artwork by Ding-Hua Yang

Abstract

The evolution of insect sensory and signalling systems has played a key role in arthropod diversification, yet direct fossil evidence illuminating their early history remains rare. Lampyroids, including fireflies and their relatives, are notable for their elaborately modified antennae and bioluminescence. These characteristics make them an exceptional model for understanding the coevolution of sensory and signalling modalities. Here we describe Icaroramus perisi gen. et sp. nov. from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, a lampyroid beetle tentatively placed within Cretophengodidae. Icaroramus is exceptional in possessing both extraordinarily elaborate antennae and a well-developed photic organ. Its 12-segmented quadriheteroramose antennae represent an antennal architecture unknown among extant and fossil beetles. Functionally, these antennae likely combined an expanded olfactory surface area with differentiated sensory fields, enhancing the detection of pheromonal cues. Mate location was therefore probably mediated primarily by pheromones, whereas bioluminescence may have retained its plesiomorphic role in aposematic defence. This discovery expands the known morphological and ecological diversity of Cretaceous lampyroids and provides new insight into the origins of complex signalling strategies in fireflies and their relatives.

Keywords: Cretophengodidae, Kachin amber, heteroramose antenna, mating strategy, bioluminescence  

  

Icaroramus perisi, holotype, NIGP209038.
(A, B) Habitus, dorsal and ventral views, under reflected illumination. (C) Schematic reconstruction of antenna (proportions approximate).

Scale bars: 2 mm in (A,B).

Systematic palaeontology

Order Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Superfamily Elateroidea Leach, 1815

Family (?) Cretophengodidae Li et al., 2021

Genus Icaroramus Li, Kundrata & Cai gen. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Antennae 12-segmented; antennomeres 4–11 quadriheteroramose, each with two morphologically different pairs of rami (figures 1C, 2A–C) (antennomeres 4–11 biramose in Cretophengodes Li et al.). Pronotum with posterior angles acute and shortly produced posteriorly (figure 1A) (posterior pronotal angles obtuse in Cretophengodes). Prosternum in front of coxae longer than longitudinal diameter of procoxal cavity; prosternal process extending well beyond procoxae and fitting into mesoventral cavity (figure 2D). Mesoventral cavity well developed (figure 2E). Abdomen with six ventrites; ventrite 6 with entire surface luminous (figure 1B) (possible luminous organ present on medial portions of abdominal ventrites 1–3 in Cretophengodes).

Etymology. The generic name is formed from Icarus, the mythological figure who flew too close to the Sun and fell into the sea, and ramus, referring to the multiple long rami on each antennomere. It metaphorically evokes an evolutionary ‘overreach’, a unique antennal elaboration that was lost and not inherited by extant lineages. The name is masculine in gender.

Icaroramus perisi Li, Kundrata, Cai sp. nov.  

Etymology. The species is named after the palaeoentomologist Dr David Peris.

 

Artistic reconstruction of Icaroramus perisi glowing in mid-Cretaceous forest.

 

Yan-Da Li; Robin Kundrata; Diying Huang; Tin Aung Myint; Chenyang Cai. 2026. A Firefly Relative that Smelled and Glowed: Evidence for Complex Signalling Systems in Cretaceous lampyroids. Proc. R. Soc. B (2026) 293 (2075): 20260295. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0295 [29 Jul 2026]

Cretaceous Beetle Fossil Reveals Early Evolution of Firefly Sensory and Signaling Systems

https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research-news/202607/t20260729_1179346.shtml