[Entomology • 2026] Rivetina archibaldi (Mantodea: Rivetinidae) • A New praying mantis from the Zagros Oak Forests of Iran

 Rivetina archibaldi  Kolnegari, 

in Kolnegari, Handal et Khormizi, 2026   

  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.174839

Abstract

Iran, the world’s 18th-largest country, harbors a wide range of habitats and a rich diversity of Mantodea. The genus Rivetina Berland & Chopard, 1922 is represented in Iran by several morphologically similar ground-dwelling species. Here, we describe Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. from the Zagros oak forests of Lorestan Province, western Iran. The new species is diagnosed based on external morphology and male genital structures and is compared with congeners occurring in Iran and Iraq. A dichotomous key to the Iranian species of Rivetina is also provided.

Keywords: Ground-dwelling mantis, Lorestan Province, Middle East, Persian Plateau

Head and pronotum of Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. male (A, C) and female (B, D).

Live habitus of  Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (A, C) male and (B, D) female.

Family Rivetinidae Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Subfamily Rivetininae Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Tribe Rivetinini Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Genus Rivetina Berland & Chopard, 1922

Rivetina archibaldi Kolnegari, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis.— The metazone minimum width is distinctly smaller in Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (mean = 1.78 mm) than in all examined congeners. The new species is morphologically similar to R. dolichoptera but differs in the shape of the pronotum, the shorter supra-anal plate, and distinct features of the male genitalia.

Etymology.— The specific epithet archibaldi is dedicated to Dr. George Archibald, a renowned conservationist who has devoted more than half a century of his life to the protection of wildlife, especially cranes (Aves, Gruidae), around the world. His lifelong efforts have played a central role in saving several crane species from extinction and in promoting the conservation of these legendary and symbolic birds across continents, including in the Middle East and Iran. The name honors his remarkable contribution to avian conservation and his inspiring legacy in global ornithology.

 Mahmood Kolnegari, Elias Handal and Mahdi Zare Khormizi. 2026. Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (Mantodea, Rivetinidae), A New praying mantis from the Zagros Oak Forests of Iran. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 35(2): 283-292. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.174839 [12 Jun 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Stygioides hecate • A Golden Shadow in the Mountains: A New Stygioides Bruand, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) from Turkey

 Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen, 

in Japaridze, Junnilainen et Sihvonen, 2026.  

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.8

 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Stygioides Bruand, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is described from central Turkey. Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov. is based on material collected in the Sultan Daðlarý Mountains (Konya Province). The new species is characterised by its distinct wing coloration in females. Adults are diurnal, as in other members of the genus, and were collected by daytime netting. DNA barcode data (COI) are provided and compared with available sequences in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD Systems), supporting the distinctiveness of the new taxon. The discovery of this species increases the number of Stygioides species to 10 and those from Turkey to three, thus contributing to a better understanding of the diversity and distribution of the genus in the Palaearctic realm.

Lepidoptera, carpenter moths, DNA barcoding, Heteroneura, Middle East

Adults of Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov.
 A–B. Paratype male, dorsal and ventral view and associated labels.
C–D. Holotype female, dorsal and ventral view and associated labels.

Scale bar: 10 mm

Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Males of S. hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov. differ from S. nupponenorum by the presence of a distinct white tip of the male abdomen and white scales on the antennae, the absence of brown piliform scales on the abdomen, a narrower apex of the valvae, and a shorter saccus (Figs 1A–1B, 2 C; cf. Lingenhöle et al. 2016: fig. 6; Yakovlev 2011: fig. 35). Females are readily distinguished from all congeners by the presence of golden-yellow scales on the antennae, head, thorax and wings (Figs 1C–1D; cf. Lingenhöle et al. 2017: figs 1–3, 9; Japaridze et al. 2025b: fig. 22).

Etymology: The species name is derived from Hecate, the ancient Greek goddess associated with the night and commonly depicted carrying yellow or golden torches. This name alludes to the coloration of the holotype female, which is predominantly black with yellow-golden scales on the wings, thorax, head, and antennae.

LASHA-GIORGI JAPARIDZE, JARI JUNNILAINEN and PASI SIHVONEN. 2026. A Golden Shadow in the Mountains: A New Stygioides Bruand, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) from Turkey.  Zootaxa. 5821(2); 274-280. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.8 [2026-05-29]

[Botany • 2021] Dionysia jamzadiae (Primulaceae) • A New Species from the Fars Province of Iran

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, 

in Lidén, Irvine, Alvén et Mehregan, 2021. 

DOI: doi.org/10.24823/EJB.2021.396

ABSTRACT

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, from the east Zagros Mountains, Fars, Iran, is described as new to science. It belongs in section Dionysiopsis and is similar to D. oreodoxa Bornm. but differs in, for example, its sparsely glandular hairy or almost glabrous corolla with emarginated lobes (densely non-glandular pubescent with entire lobes in D. oreodoxa). Dionysia jamzadiae is known from two places and is quite abundant at the type locality.

Keywords: New species, Fars, Iran, Dionysia

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, sp. nov.
Brevistylous (A) and longistylous (B) plants in the type locality.

 Photograph: M. Lidén.

 

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, sp. nov.

Differs from Dionysia oreodoxa Bornm., to which it is most similar, in its sparsely glandular hairy or almost glabrous corolla with emarginate lobes (versus densely non-glandular pubescent with entire lobes).

 

 

M. Lidén, M. Irvine, A. Alvén and I. Mehregan. 2021. Dionysia jamzadiae (Primulaceae), A New Species from the Fars Province of Iran. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 78; DOI: doi.org/10.24823/EJB.2021.396 [2021-12-02]

Researchgate.net/publication/356756037_DIONYSIA_JAMZADIAE_A_NEW_SPECIES_FROM_THE_FARS_PROVINCE_OF_IRAN

[Crustacea • 2026] Caridina tashanica • A New cave Shrimp Species (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Sulphidic Water in southwestern Iran

 Caridina tashanica sp. nov. (both ovigerous females)
from Tashan Cave, Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran.

 Jugovic, Malek Hosseini & Zakšek,

in Jugovic, Malek Hosseini, Fatemi, Flot, Kuntner et Zakšek, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.184889

Abstract

A new cave species of atyid shrimp of the genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 was discovered during a survey of a subterranean habitat in southwestern Iran (Khuzestan Province, Tashan Cave). This is the first record of a cave atyid shrimp in Iran and the first documented occurrence of a Caridina species inhabiting sulphidic groundwater. Phylogenetic analyses and genetic distances support the status of Caridina tashanica sp. nov. as a distinct species, closely related to C. shahrazadae. Morphologically, the new species is characterised by reduced eyes and pigmentation, and by an extremely elongated rostrum with numerous teeth. Males have specific, triangular endopodite of pleopod I, and a rod-like appendix masculina of pleopod II with numerous long setae. Ovigerous females lay relatively large, oval, white eggs, which clearly indicate a landlocked life cycle. This study contributes to the knowledge of atyid shrimps in the Middle East and to the subterranean biodiversity of the sulphidic Tashan Cave ecosystem in Iran.

Keywords: Atyids, groundwater, Middle East, subterranean, sulphidic, Tashan Cave

Photo of two cave shrimps Caridina tashanica sp. nov. (both ovigerous females) from Tashan Cave, Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran.

Photo credit: YF and MJMH, photographed on 8 December 2018.

Caridina tashanica Jugovic, Malek Hosseini & Zakšek, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Caridina tashanica sp. nov. is the only species of cave shrimp (depigmented and with strongly reduced eyes without pigmentation; Fig. 6) from Iran of the family Atyidae. It is characterised by an extremely long rostrum (Fig. 3) with numerous teeth (13–19+3–5/9–22), uropodal diaeresis with 7–10 spiniform setae and 4–6 pairs of dorsomarginal spiniform setae on the telson of which the distal pair is dorsomarginal-terminal. Propodus of pereiopod III and V bears only 7–14 and 9–18 spiniform setae, respectively, while dactylus of pereiopod V bears ...

 Jure Jugovic, Mohammad-Javad Malek Hosseini, Yaser Fatemi, Jean-François Flot, Matjaž Kuntner and Valerija Zakšek. 2026. Caridina tashanica sp. nov., A New cave Shrimp Species (Decapoda, Atyidae) from Sulphidic Water in southwestern Iran. Subterranean Biology. 55: 137-160. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.184889 [23 Mar 2026]

[Botany • 2025] Psephellus avajiqensis (Asteraceae: Cardueae) • A New Species from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran

 

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh, 

in Rezaei, Saeidi et Negaresh, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.062.0149

 anbf.bsky.social

 Abstract  

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh sp. nova (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran. It resembles P. xanthocephalus subsp. xanthocephalus but differs from it by having a densely greyish-floccose-tomentose indumentum on both sides of leaves; undivided basal and lower cauline leaves; oblanceolate and wider median cauline leaves; hemispherical and wider involucres; denticulate and shiny white appendages; white flowers; shorter central floret; purplish achenes; and longer pappus. The chromosome number of P. avajiqensis, counted from root tips, is 2n = 2x = 30.

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh sp. nova

Elham Rezaei, Hojjatollah Saeidi and Kazem Negaresh. 2025. Psephellus avajiqensis (Asteraceae, Cardueae), A New Species from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran. Annales Botanici Fennici. 62(1); 315-320. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.062.0149 (5 November 2025)

https://bsky.app/profile/anbf.bsky.social

[Botany • 2025] Jurinea kuhrangensis (Asteraceae: Cardueae) • A notable New narrow-endemic Species from the subalpine region of western Iran

 

Jurinea kuhrangensis Zeraatkar & Shirmardi,
   

Zeraatkar, Shirmardi et Mokhtarpour, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04984

Abstract

Extensive field studies in remote areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran, resulted in the identification of a novel Jurinea species (Asteraceae: subtribe Saussureinae). Jurinea kuhrangensis sp. nov., a chasmophytic species endemic to limestone outcrops in the subalpine region of Kuhrang County, is formally documented in this study. Morphologically, it is similar to Jurinea meda and Jurinea prasinophylla, but is easily distinguished by several morphological traits, including plant height, leaf morphology, bracts, corolla, stamens and achene characteristics. This study provides a detailed description and diagnostic features of the new species. The data include images of the achene taken under stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope, photographs of the habitus, and phenological observations. A comparative table and color photographs are also presented to highlight distinctions from closely related species. Additionally, its IUCN Red List status, ecological observations, and a distribution map are presented.

Keywords: Cardueae, narrow endemics, remote area, Zagros Mountains

Jurinea kuhrangensis sp. nov. at flowering (June 2023).

Photos (a) and (b): Amin Zeraatkar, (c) and (d): Hamzehali Shirmardi.

Jurinea kuhrangensis sp. nov. in natural habitat (June 2023).

 Photos (a): Amin Zeraatkar; (b): Hamzehali Shirmardi.

Jurinea kuhrangensis Zeraatkar & Shirmardi sp. nov.  

Etymology: The new species is named after Kuhrang County, Iran, where it grows.

Description: Plant suffruticose-caespitose, cushion-shaped, dwarf, dense, often with numerous sterile rosettes; many-branched, 2–10 cm high, tomentose, villose-arachnoideus, glandulose with sessile glands; collar covered with remnants of petiole sheaths, woolly. Acaulescent, nearly acaulescent or stem simple, short, up to 4.5 cm long, scape-like, with solitary head (monocephalous), sometimes two-branched in upper part, with branches tapering to a solitary head, densely covered by whitish tomentose or partly villous or tomentose-villous indumentum, glandulose, 0.5–1.0 mm in diameter. Leaves herbaceous, ± rosulate, glandulose, adaxially greenish blue, with dense–sparse tomentose to partly villous ...

Amin Zeraatkar, Hamzehali Shirmardi and Touraj Mokhtarpour. 2025. A notable New narrow-endemic Species of Jurinea (Asteraceae) from the subalpine region of western Iran. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04984 [06 October 2025] 

[Botany • 2025] Myosotis persica (Boraginaceae) • A New Species from alpine wetlands of NW Iran

 

Myosotis persica  Bidarlord, Akbarnejad & F. Ghahrem.,

in Bidarlord, Akbarnejad, Riahi, Hoseini et Ghahremaninejad, 2025. 

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2112  

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice

Abstract

A new species, Myosotis persica, is described and illustrated from the alpine wetlands of the Talesh Mountains in northwestern Iran, a transitional zone between the Irano-Turanian and Euro-Siberian floristic regions. Morphological distinctiveness and phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences support its recognition as a species new to science. Morphological comparisons indicate that M. persica is closely allied to M. koelzii, M. ramosissima, and M. diminuta but can be distinguished by its dwarf habit, branched filiform stems, patent to erect leaf hairs, deeply lobed calyx, and nutlet morphology. Phylogenetic reconstruction confirms its placement within Myosotis subgen. Myosotis, forming a supported clade with M. koelzii and M. ramosissima. With an estimated extent of occurrence less than 10 km² and a total population size under 1500 individuals, the species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under IUCN criteria. The findings underscore the importance of conserving alpine wetland habitats and provide new insights into species diversification within the genus Myosotis in south-western Asia.

Keyword: alpine wetland, Ardabil, forget-me-nots, Irano-Turanian region, taxonomy, Talesh Mountains

Myosotis persica:
A.-B. in flower (bar 1 cm), C. in fruit, D. habitat, E. pedicel and calyx in fruiting, .F. calyx in flowering and gynoecium (bar 1 mm), G. corolla with anthers and faucal scales (bar 1 mm), H. erem (nutlet) in both side (bar 1 mm), I. SEM photos of nutlet attachment scar (bar 0.1 mm), J. basal leaf, K. stem leaf (bar 1 mm), from the holotype.

Myosotis persica Bidarlord, Akbarnejad & F. Ghahrem., sp. nov.  

 Diagnosis. Differs from M. koelzii, M. diminuta, and M. ramosissima by its dwarf habit, branched filiform ascending to prostrate stem, obovate to oblong leaves with patent to erect hairs, deeply lobed calyx with dense appressed straight hairs, and nutlets with marginally grooved areolae (Table 2).

Mahmoud Bidarlord, Bahareh Akbarnejad, Mehrshid Riahi, Ehsan Hoseini, Farrokh Ghahremaninejad. 2025. Myosotis persica (Boraginaceae), A New Species from alpine wetlands of NW Iran. Taiwania. 70(4); 585-590.  DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.585

https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2112 [2025 August 06] 

  facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/1158669379617085

[Botany • 2025] Bellevalia iranica (Asparagaceae: Scilloideae) • A New Species from Iran

 

Bellevalia iranica Alipour, Eker & Majidi,

in Alipour, Majidi et Eker, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.697.2.7

facebook.com: Sajad Alipour

Abstract

A new species, Bellevalia iranica Alipour, Eker, & Majidi (Asparagaceae) from Iran, is described and illustrated. It is superficially similar to B. cyanopoda, but differs from it mainly in: shape and size of the flowers, the length of the pedicels, and the non-elongating scape in fruit, shape and size of the capsules, the length of leaves, and the shape of raceme as well as altitude and flowering period characteristics. Also, it is partly similar to B. shiraziana, but differs from it mainly in: color of outer tunic, number of leaves, number of flowers in the raceme and raceme size, short pedicels, the shape, color and size of flowers, size and color of lobes. A comprehensive description, diagnostic characters, original photographs, geographical distribution, conservation assessment, and taxonomic comments on the new species are presented.

Monocots, Bellevalia cyanopoda, B. shiraziana, new taxon, taxonomy, Zagros Mountains

  

 Bellevalia iranica Alipour, Eker, & Majidi

Sajad ALİPOUR, Ramiar MAJİDİ and İsmail EKER. 2025. Bellevalia iranica (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), A New Species from Iran. Phytotaxa. 697(2); 213-218. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.697.2.7 [2025-04-15]

  facebook.com/100022442722283/posts/1859906844767388

[Ichthyology • 2025] Tariqilabeo iranicus • A New Species of labeonine fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Makran Basin in Iran

Tariqilabeo iranicus 

Esmaeili, Sayyadzadeh, Masoumi, Hashemi & Echreshavi, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5620.3.3

Abstract

A new species of labeonine fish, Tariqilabeo iranicus sp. nov. is described from the Makran drainage basin of Iran. It is distinguished from its closest congener, Tariqilabeo diplochilus, by having a silvery spot on the operculum, and a snout shorter than the postorbital length. It is further distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: 34–36 lateral-line scales, 11–14 predorsal scales, 22–24 total gill rakers on the first branchial arch, 3+8 ½ dorsal-fin rays, 14–16 pectoral-fin rays, 9 pelvic-fin rays, 3+5½ anal-fin rays, 2–3 scales between anal-fin origin and anus, 7–8 scales between posteriormost pelvic-fin base and anus, 2 pairs of small barbels, presence of fringes on the rostral fold, and absence of horny tubercles on snout and cheek in males. Tariqilabeo iranicus sp. nov. is further distinguished from T. diplochilus by a K2P nearest-neighbor distance of 4% in the COI barcode region. A key to the species of Tariqilabeo is also presented.

Freshwater fish, Taxonomy, Labeonine, Gonorhynchus, Crossocheilus, COI, Iran, Pisces

Tariqilabeo iranicus sp. nov.

Hamid Reza ESMAEILI, Golnaz SAYYADZADEH, Amir Hassan MASOUMI, Seyed Hassan HASHEMI and Sorour ECHRESHAVI. 2025. Tariqilabeo iranicus, A New Species of labeonine fish from the Makran Basin in Iran (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).  Zootaxa. 5620(3); 437-450. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5620.3.3 [2025-04-10]

[Botany • 2025] Dionysia persica (Primulaceae) • A New Species from Shiraz, Iran

 

Dionysia persica Majidi & Alipour, 

in Alipour, Majidi et Jalilian, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.694.1.7   

 facebook.com: Sajad Alipour 

 

Abstract

A new species, Dionysia persica Majidi & Alipour (Primulaceae) from Shiraz, Iran, is described and illustrated. It is similar to Dionysia bokharii but differs in leaves with usually deeply lobed and pinnately veined with weakly sclerified veins, much shorter calyx and corolla tube, smaller corolla limb with narrower and more distinctly emarginate lobes, and fewer ovules and seeds. Unlike all other Iranian Dionysia species, it is homostylous. A detailed description, photographs, geographical distribution, conservation assessment, and taxonomic comments on the new species are presented.

Dionysia bokharii, Iran, Koh Sorkh, new taxon, Shiraz, taxonomy, Eudicots

Dionysia persica Majidi & Alipour sp. nov.

Sajad ALİPOUR, Ramiar MAJİDİ and Nastaran JALILIAN. 2025. Dionysia persica (Primulaceae), A New Species from Shiraz, Iran.  Phytotaxa. 694(1); 86-92. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.694.1.7 [2025-03-18]

  facebook.com/100022442722283/posts/1837318840359522

[Entomology • 2025] Sinaiella azadi • A New praying mantis Species (Mantodea: Toxoderidae) from Western Asia (Iran and Armenia)

Sinaiella azadi  

Kolnegari, Schwarz, Ghrejyan & Borer, 2025  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.1.4  

 Researchgate.net/publication/389393887 

 

Abstract

The Mantodea fauna of Iran comprises nine families and at least 40 species. Scientific surveys conducted by Iranian entomologists have recently led to an increased knowledge on the diversity and biology of mantises. Among the Mantodea species dispersed in Iran, the family Toxoderidae has been regarded as a group of highly cryptic praying mantids with greatly elongated bodies in common. Up to now, six species of this family have been reported from Iran, entirely from the southern half of the country. Herein, we describe Sinaiella azadi sp. nov. from the Markazi Province, in central Iran. Moreover, our ex-situ investigation led to the identification of this new species from a preserved collection in Armenia. These findings considerably extend the known distribution of the genus Sinaiella Uvarov, 1924 beyond the Arabian Peninsula. We also discuss the genus and include a proposed dichotomous key to the Sinaiella species.

Mantodea, Arabian Peninsula, Lobothespis vignai, Markazi Province, Persian Plateau, Yerevan

Sinaiella azadi sp. nov.
A‒C) Holotype male. A) Antepenultimate instar. B) Last instar. C) Adult.
D, E) Allotype female. D) Antepenultimate instar. E) Adult. 
Gurehzar, Shazand County, Markazi Province, Iran, type locality of Sinaiella azadi sp. nov.

 Sinaiella azadi sp. nov.

Mahmood KOLNEGARI, Christian J. SCHWARZ, Tigran GHREJYAN and Matthias BORER. 2025. Sinaiella azadi sp. nov. (Mantodea: Toxoderidae); A New praying mantis Species from Western Asia (Iran and Armenia).  Zootaxa. 5594(1); 98-110 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.1.4 [2025-02-27]   Researchgate.net/publication/389393887_Sinaiella_azadi_sp_nov_a_new_praying_mantis_species_from_Western_Asia_Iran_and_Armenia

[Botany • 2024] Fritillaria pavehensis (Liliaceae) • A New Species from Western Iran

 

Fritillaria pavehensis Advay & Tekşen, 

in Advay, Tekşen et Soleimani, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.061.0109  

 Researchgate.net/publication/378242173

Abstract  

Fritillaria pavehensis Advay & Tekşen (Liliaceae) is described as a new species from Kermanshah Province in western Iran. In general habit, it resembles F. kurdica, F. crassifolia and F. hakkarensis of the informal F. crassifolia group, but differs from them by the shape and size of its lowest leaves and bracts, shape and colour of perigone segments, and style branches' length. A detailed taxonomic description, diagnostic characters, images, geographical distribution, habitat, phenology and conservation assessment are presented.

Fritillaria pavehensis Advay & Tekşen sp. nov.

A-C:Fritillaria pavehensis; D: F. kurdica; E-F: F. hakkarensis

 

Mahfouz Advay, Mehtap Tekşen and Fahmi Soleimani. 2024. Fritillaria pavehensis (Liliaceae), A New Species from Western Iran. Annales Botanici Fennici. 61(1); 55-61. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.061.0109 (8 February 2024) 

 Researchgate.net/publication/378242173_Fritillaria_pavehensis_A_New_Species_from_Western_Iran

[Botany • 2020] Allium schisticola (Amaryllidaceae) • A New Species of Allium sect. Melanocrommyum from West Azarbaijan (Iran), with peculiar morphological characters and an unexpected phylogenetic position

 

 Allium schisticola R.M. Fritsch, Moazzeni & Dolatyari, 

in Dolatyari, Moazzeni, Hosseini, Blattner et Fritsch, 2020. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.450.3.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/342549771

Abstract

Allium schisticola is described from West Azarbaijan (Iran) as a new species. It is closely related to A. sabalense and A. sahandicum in having a similar flower color but differs by leaf, filament, and tepal characters. We investigated the phylogenetic relationship of the new species based on sequences of the chloroplast trnL-trnF and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions in A. subg. Melanocrommyum compared with 109 accessions of this subgenus. Our results confirm its placement in A. subg. Melanocrommyum. However, the ITS tree showed that the new species should belong to A. sect. Melanocrommyum despite the fact that it represents many morphological characters of A. sect. Acanthoprason. Most peculiar for the new species are obtuse tepals broadest near the tip (vs. very narrowly lanceolate up to triangular tepals in A. sect. Acanthoprason), with adaxially inconspicuous median vein (vs. conspicuous median vein in sect. Acanthoprason). The new species is diploid with a chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 16. Karyotype features and meiotic chromosomes behavior are presented for the new taxon. A detailed morphological description, illustrations, and a distribution map of the new species are given.

Keywords: Allium sabalense, Allium sahandicum, Iran, phylogeny, section Acanthoprason, subg. Melanocrommyum, Monocots

 Allium schisticola
  A-C: Cultivated plant at anthesis. D-F: Plants in their natural habitat; D: Plant in the fruiting stage; E: Close-up of fruits; F: Bulb; G: Seeds (Millimeter paper as background).

All photos by Hamid Moazzeni.

Allium schisticola R.M. Fritsch, Moazzeni & Dolatyari, sp. nov.

Alireza DOLATYARI, Hamid MOAZZENI, Saeide HOSSEINI, Frank R. BLATTNER and Reinhard M. FRITSCH. 2020. Allium schisticola, A New Species with peculiar morphological characters and an unexpected phylogenetic position. Phytotaxa. 450(3):246-256. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.450.3.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/342549771_Allium_schisticola_a_new_species_and_an_unexpected_phylogenetic_position

[Crustacea • 2024] Stenasellus stygopersicus • A Second Species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Isopoda: Stenasellidae) from sulfidic groundwater of Iran described using morphological and molecular methods

 

[A] Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel sp. nov. in sulfidic water of Chah Kabootari Cave, Iran.
[B, C] S. tashanicus Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Fatemi, Malek-Hosseini & Kuntner, 2018 in Tashan Cave, Iran.  

 Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini, Issartel, Konecny-Dupré, Kuntner, Fatemi, Flot, Douady et Malard, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2024.968.2733

Abstract

We report on a new species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Isopoda, Stenasellidae) from groundwater of Iran. Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel sp. nov. inhabits the Chah Kabootari Cave that is adjacent to the Tashan Cave, the type locality of the first recorded species of Stenasellidae from Iran, Stenasellus tashanicus Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Fatemi, Malek-Hosseini & Kuntner, 2018. Both caves are fed by sulfidic groundwater and belong to the Tashan-Chah Kabootari species-rich aquifer on the Zagros Mountains. Both species are characterized by a large body size (≥ 20 mm), a female-biased sexual size dimorphism, and a distinct black-pigmented Bellonci’s organ. Stenasellus stygopersicus differs from S. tashanicus by a short and wide protopodite of pleopod I, setae set essentially along the apical margin of pleopod I exopodite, the subequal length and width of the male pleopod II protopodite, and deeply bilobed endopodites of pleopods III–V. Molecular evidence suggests that while Stenasellus stygopersicus is sister to S. tashanicus, the species are genetically distinguishable, with divergence time estimates ranging from 23 to 39.8 Ma.

Keywords: biodiversity, phylogeny, Stenasellidae, groundwater, sulfidic cave

 A. Five specimens of Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel sp. nov. in sulfidic water of Chah Kabootari Cave, Iran.
B. A specimen of S. tashanicus Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Fatemi, Malek-Hosseini & Kuntner, 2018 in Tashan Cave, Iran. C. Another specimen of S. tashanicus, hanging on the white biofilm floating at the surface of sulfidic water in Tashan Cave, Iran.

Order Isopoda Latreille, 1816

Superfamily Aselloidea Latreille, 1802

Family Stenasellidae Dudich, 1924

Genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897

Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Body dorsal smooth, pleotelson being barely longer than its width (about 1.1 its width), short antennula (in males with only up to 34 segments in flagellum), barely overreaching antennal peduncle ( Fig. 3  ). Antenna with minute squama, ultimate segment of mandible palp without setae ( Fig. 3  ). Short and wide (length <width) protopodite of pleopod I, setae only along mesiodistal margin of pleopod I exopodite ( Fig. 5  ). Pleopod II protopodite subequal in length and width, exopodite segment II with only about 10 (9–11) plumose setae; endopod of pleopods III–V in males distally deeply bifurcated (i.e. bifurcation overreaches half of endopodite III–V length). A species with strongly female-biased sexual dimorphism in body size.

Etymology: The name of the new species is formed from the prefix ‘stygo’ (from ancient Greek ‘stýx’), a common prefix used to refer to groundwater dwelling animals, and the Latin word ‘persicus’ referring to Persia.

Jure Jugovic, Mohammad Javad Malek-Hosseini, Colin Issartel, Lara Konecny-Dupré, Matjaž Kuntner, Yaser Fatemi, Jean-François Flot, Christophe J. Douady and Florian Malard. 2024. A Second Species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Isopoda, Stenasellidae) from sulfidic groundwater of Iran described using morphological and molecular methods. European Journal of Taxonomy. 968(1); 256–274. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2024.968.2733