[Botany • 2026] Puya ukumari (Bromeliaceae: Puyoideae) • A New montane bromeliad Species from southeastern Peru

Puya ukumari  Treviño, Yuca & Gouda, 

in Yuca-Palomino, Mamani-Mayta, Champi-Charalla, Condori-Cuti, Llacta-Gomez, Treviño-Zevallos, Gouda, Forsyth, Whitworth et Pillco-Huarcaya, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.280.211255

Abstract

Montane forests of the Tropical Andes are among the most diverse and endemic-rich ecosystems in the world; however, they remain insufficiently documented, particularly in remote and topographically complex landscapes. Here, we describe Puya ukumari sp. nov. (Bromeliaceae), a new species from humid montane forests and forest–puna ecotonal habitats in the Kosñipata and Mapacho valleys of southeastern Peru, occurring at elevations between 2,300 and 3,300 m a.s.l. The species was first detected during a long-term ecological monitoring program in the region but remained unrecognized for several years due to the limited number of recorded flowering individuals. Its taxonomic identity became evident following the observation of flowering plants during field surveys conducted in 2025. Puya ukumari resembles P. lineata in possessing a simple, nodding, dark-colored inflorescence; however, it is readily distinguished by its considerably larger flowering plant height (160–200 cm vs. 40–80 cm), significantly wider inflorescence diameter (11–12.5 cm vs. 3.5–6 cm), larger lanate sepals (30–33 × 15–18 mm vs. 13–18 × 6–10 mm and floccose), and markedly darker, nearly black petals. These characters support its recognition as a distinct taxon within the group of Puya species with simple inflorescences. The species is currently known from a limited number of confirmed localities within a restricted elevational range. Based on its distribution and the observed threats to its habitat, a preliminary conservation assessment suggests that it should be classified as Endangered (EN) according to IUCN Red List criteria.

Key words: Bromeliaceae, montane forest, Peru, plant taxonomy, Tropical Andes

 

Puya ukumari sp. nov.
A. Habit; B. Lateral view of the flower and longitudinal section of the flower; C. Androecium and gynoecium; D. Stigma with spirally twisted lobes; E. Adaxial and abaxial views of the floral bract; F. Juvenile leaves; G. Spine; H. Blade indument and marginal leaf spines; I. Upper inflorescence bracts near the flowers; J. Basal inflorescence bracts; K. Lateral view of the fruit; L. Bottom view of the fruit; M. Transverse section of the fruit; N. Winged seed.

Illustration by Nidia Sanchez.

Puya ukumari sp. nov.
 A. Inflorescence; B. Frontal view of the flower; C. Lateral view of the flower; D. Longitudinal section of the flower; E1. Androecium and gynoecium; E2. Dorsifixed anthers; E3. Stigma with spirally twisted lobes; F1. Upper right petal; F2. Upper left petal; F3. Lower petal; G1. Adaxial view of the floral bract; G2. Abaxial view of the floral bract; H1. Perianth dissection, showing sepals and petals; H2. Sepal apex; H3. Petal apex. Photographs by Jhon Yuca.

Ecological context, floral visitors, and early regeneration of Puya ukumari sp. nov. 
a. Habitat in humid upper montane forest and forest–puna ecotone, showing rocky slopes and discontinuous canopy where the species occurs;
b. Diurnal floral visitor (bee, Apis mellifera) interacting with flowers during anthesis; c. Diurnal floral visitor Boissonneaua matthewsii approaching the inflorescence; d. Nocturnal floral visitor (Anoura sp.) recorded by camera trap during night activity;
e. Seed germination and early seedling development under ambient montane forest conditions at Wayqecha Biological Station. Scale bar: 5 mm.

Puya ukumari Treviño, Yuca & Gouda, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Puya ukumari is similar to P. lineata but is readily distinguished by its much larger flowering size (160–200 cm vs. 40–80 cm), significantly wider inflorescence (11–12.5 cm in diameter vs. 3.5–6 cm), and much larger sepals (30–33 × 15–18 mm vs. 13–18 × 6–10 mm), which are lanate in P. ukumari and floccose in P. lineata, as well as by its markedly darker petals (nearly black vs. blue).

Etymology. The specific epithet ukumari is a noun in apposition derived from the Quechua word “ukumari”, meaning Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus). The species is dedicated to the Andean bear in recognition of the ecological importance of Puya species as a key component of its diet and of their close association within Andean montane ecosystems.

 Jhon A. Yuca-Palomino, Norma G. Mamani-Mayta, Luis A. Champi-Charalla, Elias Condori-Cuti, Narciso Llacta-Gomez, Italo F. Treviño-Zevallos, Eric J. Gouda, Adrian Forsyth, Andrew Whitworth and Ruthmery Pillco-Huarcaya. 2026. Puya ukumari sp. nov. (Bromeliaceae, Puyoideae), A New montane bromeliad Species from southeastern Peru. PhytoKeys. 280: 113-131. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.280.211255 [15-10-2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Peckoltia kahxi • A New Species of Peckoltia (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rapids of rio Trombetas Basin, Brazi

 

 Peckoltia kahxi

Dopazo, Araújo, Akama & Wosiacki, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2026-0053

Abstract

A new species of Peckoltia is described from the rio Trombetas basin, Pará State, Brazil. The new species was investigated by morphological and molecular dataset and it can be distinguished from its congeners by: (1) mottled appearance, without defined spots or patches on the head and body, (2) partially naked abdomen with clusters of plates on the lateral sides of the abdomen from the pectoral to the pelvic region, (3) higher numbers of teeth on both jaws, (4) short odontodes in the cheek, (5) dark spots on the interradial membranes on all fins, (6) four saddles along the body, (7) lower lips with rounded papillae, (8) yellow stripes of the head obliquely positioned on head, not larger than eye orbit, (9) upper lip completely dark, and (10) dorsal margin of the hyomandibula concave. Genetic analysis revealed a genetic divergence of 2.3 to 15% between the new species and other species of the genus. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis based on a mitochondrial gene (Cytb) was conducted and the species was recognized as a monophyletic unit. The description of the new species contributes to the knowledge of the Trombetas River basin, a little-known tributary on the left bank of the Amazon River.

Keywords: Amazon basin; Ancistrini; Armoured catfish; Rheophilic species; Taxonomy

 Peckoltia kahxi, new species

 Manuela Dopazo, lFelipe Arian de Andrade Araújo, Alberto Akama and Wolmar Benjamin Wosiacki. 2026. A New Species of Peckoltia (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rapids of rio Trombetas Basin, Brazil. Neotrop. ichthyol. 24(3); DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2026-0053

 

[Arachnida • 2026] Charinus paradoxus• A New whip spider Species (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Colombia

 

Charinus paradoxus 

Alvarez-Garcia, Suárez-Martínez, & Torres, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.3.4  

  x.com/LSuarezm_8legs

Abstract

The genus Charinus is currently represented in Colombia by four species: C. miskito, C. mocoa, C. rocamadre, and C. santandereanus. In this study, we describe and illustrate a new species, Charinus paradoxus sp. nov.. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the absence of median eyes and median ocular tubercle, the presence of three dorsal spines on the pedipalp femur, the first tarsal article of leg I being considerably longer than the second, and the morphology of the glandular openings of the atrium in the female gonopods, which are button-shaped. Additionally, we provide an identification key for the species of Charinus recorded from Colombia and a distribution map of the genus in the country. With the description of this new species, the number of Charinus species known from Colombia increases to five.

Amblypygi, amblypygid, Colombian Caribbean region, morphology, scanning electron microscopy, taxonomy

Charinus paradoxus sp. nov.

Deivys M. ALVAREZ-GARCIA, Leiner A. SUÁREZ-MARTÍNEZ and Richard A. TORRES. 2026. Charinus paradoxus sp. nov. (Amblypygi: Charontidae), A New whip spider Species from Colombia. Zootaxa. 5886(3); 406-422. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.3.4 [2026-10-05]

  x.com/LSuarezm_8legs/status/2107619102122532916

[Herpetology • 2026] Scinax divae, S. galacticus & S. guapore • A Taxonomic Revision of Scinax nebulosus (Anura: Hylidae) with the Revalidation of Scinax cynocephalus and the Description of Three New Species

Scinax nebulosus (Spix, 1824) from Curionópolis municipality, Pará state, Brazil
(A-C) Scinax divae sp. nov. from Ipú municipality, Ceará state, Brazil,
(D-F) S. galacticus sp. nov. from Alter do Chão, Santarém municipality, Pará state, Brazil, 
(G-I) S. guapore sp. nov. from Cotriguaçu municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil 

 Ramos, Fouquet, Roberto, Perez, Ferrão, De Carvalho, Almeida, Gordo, Dantas, Chaparro, De Moura & Ávila, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.26059 

 Abstract  

The Spix's snouted treefrog Scinax nebulosus is one of 13 recognised species in the Scinax rostratus group, distributed from the Guiana region through eastern and southwestern Amazonia to north-eastern Brazil. Previous molecular studies identified up to five evolutionary lineages, raising taxonomic uncertainties. Here, we integrate mitochondrial (16S rRNA, n = 121), morphological (n = 587), and bioacoustic (n = 335) data to test species boundaries within the S. nebulosus complex. DNA-based delimitation recovered seven operational taxonomic units (OTUs), six of which were supported by morphological and bioacoustic evidence and thus recognised as confirmed candidate species (CCS). Two OTUs correspond to the nominal species S. nebulosus and S. constrictus. The lineage from the Guiana region corresponds to Scinax cynocephalus (Hyla cynocephala), which we resurrect from synonymy with S. nebulosus. The remaining three CCS are described as new species, being one from the northern portion of north-eastern Brazil, another from the Xingu-Tapajós interfluve and the region north of the lower River Amazon, and another from southwestern Brazilian and Bolivian Amazonia. Given acoustic divergence among populations from north-eastern Brazil, we suspect the existence of additional species or introgression, which deserves further investigation using genomic data and finer-scale phenotypic examination.

KEYWORDS: cryptic diversity, Integrative taxonomy, Neotropics, Scinax rostratus group, Scinaxini

Specimens of Scinax nebulosus from Curionópolis municipality, Pará state, Brazil (L2, A-C), S. constrictus from Barra do Garças municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil (L3, D-F) and S. cynocephalus from Sipaliwini district, Suriname (L5, G-I) in life.

Scinax nebulosus (Spix, 1824) (L2)

Scinax constrictus (Lima et al., 2005) (L3)

Scinax cynocephalus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) stat. rev. (L5)

Specimens of Scinax divae sp. nov. from Ipú municipality, Ceará state, Brazil (L1 E, A-C), S. galacticus sp. nov. from Alter do Chão, Santarém municipality, Pará state, Brazil (L6, D-F) and S. guapore sp. nov. from Cotriguaçu municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil (L7, G-I) in life.

 

Scinax divae sp. nov. (L1 East)

Etymology: The specific epithet divae is a noun in the genitive case and a matronym for the herpetologist Diva Maria Borges Nojosa, honouring her pioneering work with the herpetofauna of the brejos-de-altitude, humid highland in the state of Ceará. It also recognises her role as the director of the Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará (NUROF-UFC), where she made significant contributions to the formation of numerous herpetologists throughout her career as a professor at the institution.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 23.9-31.0 mm, x̄ = 26.3 ± 1.5 in males and 28.3-40.0 mm, x̄ = 35.3 ± 3.1 in females; males have a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or nearly acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being rounded (Ch.3.0), nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding (Ch.3.2) in lateral view; females have a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded head (Ch.1.1) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or nearly acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding ...

 

Scinax galacticus sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet galacticus is formed from the Latin (galactic + Latin adjectival suffix –us), derived from the Greek ‘γάλα’, ‘γάλακτος’ (gála, gálaktos = ‘milk’), meaning ‘galaxy’ or ‘pertaining to a galaxy’. The name is treated as an adjective and refers to the pattern of blotches covering almost the entire inner surface of the thighs and the heavily speckled ventral pattern observed in some specimens, resembling a starry sky.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 21.9-32.4 mm, x̄ = 26.4 ± 2.3 in males and 30.8-40.7 mm, x̄ = 35.9 ± 3.3 in females; males have a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded snout in dorsal view (Ch.2.0), being rounded (Ch.3.0) or nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) in lateral view; females have a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded (Ch.1.1) head with a rounded snout (Ch.2.0) in dorsal view, being rounded (Ch.3.0) or nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) in lateral view; nostrils not prominent in dorsal view (Ch.4.0); pointed tubercle on the snout absent (Ch.5.0) or slight (Ch.5.1) not forming a small proboscis; conical process on the heel indistinct (Ch.12.0) or small (Ch.12.1); females with a compound pectoral fold ...

Scinax guapore sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet guapore is a noun in apposition and a toponym referring to the River Guaporé, one of the main watercourses in the region where the new species occurs. This river also marks the border between Brazil and Bolivia. The name originates from Tupi-Guarani and probably means ‘deserted valley’ or ‘river with waterfalls’.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 21.3-29.2 mm, x̄ = 25.8 ± 1.9 in males and 31.0-36.3 mm, x̄ = 33.5 ± 2.1 in females; males with a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being protruding (Ch.3.2) or acute (Ch.3.3) in lateral view; females with a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded (Ch.1.1) head with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding (Ch.3.2) in lateral view; nostrils prominent in ...

 

Antônio R.L. Ramos, Antoine Fouquet, Igor J. Roberto, Renata Perez, Miquéias Ferrão, Vinícius T. De Carvalho, Alexandre P. Almeida, Marcelo Gordo, Silionamã P. Dantas, Juan C. Chaparro, Geraldo J.B. De Moura and Robson W. Ávila. 2026. A Taxonomic Revision of Scinax nebulosus (Anura: Hylidae) with the Revalidation of Scinax cynocephalus and the Description of Three New Species. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 75 (26059), 26059.1-37. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.26059 (29 September 2026)

[Herpetology • 2026] Ololygon cataguas • A New Species of Ololygon (Anura: Hylidae) from the Zona Da Mata Region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

 

Ololygon cataguas

 Folly, Assis, Santana, Lacerda, Lourenço & Feio, 2026

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00007 

 Abstract  

We describe a new species of Ololygon from the Ololygon catharinae species group. Ololygon sp. nov. is known only from the Atlantic Forest of Cataguases municipality, Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais state, southeast Brazil. The new species of treefrog is characterized by the combination of the following characters: medium size (male snout–vent length [SVL] 21.7–24.7 mm, female SVL 27.1–33.8 mm); snout rounded with mucronate tip in dorsal view; males with vocal slits present; vocal sac not expanded externally; interocular region with a w-shaped blotch not exceeding beyond the anterior margin of tympanic level; males with hypertrophied forearms; dorsal portion of the iris homogeneously pigmented; males with nuptial pads protruding; males with a developed pair of inguinal glands; in life, inguinal region and hidden surfaces of thigh with irregular dark brown spots on a white or slightly bluish background; in life, overall night coloration beige in males; call duration of 0.17–0.45 s; call composed of 4–10 notes; note duration of 3–28 ms; note emission rate of 16.8–32.5 notes per second; notes composed of 2–14 pulses; call with a dominant frequency of 2.67–4.56 kHz. We also show data about its habitat, natural history, and conservation and suggest a new diagnostic character for some species belonging to the Ololygon species.

KEYWORDS: Atlantic forest, bioacoustics, Scinaxini, taxonomy

Live topotypical specimens of Ololygon cataguas sp. nov.:
(A, B, C) males and (D) female. (E) Recently killed male.

Photos: C.L. Assis and H. Folly.

Ololygon cataguas sp. nov.

Etymology.—“Cataguas” refers to an indigenous ethnic group that lived in the forests of the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais. Furthermore, the municipality where the type series was collected is called Cataguases. The name is used here as a noun in apposition.

 

 

Henrique Folly, Clodoaldo L. Assis, Diego J. Santana, João V. A. Lacerda, Ana Carolina C. Lourenço and Renato N. Feio. 2026. A New Species of Ololygon (Anura: Hylidae) from the Zona Da Mata Region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Herpetologica. 82(1); 241-256. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00007  (30 September 2026) 

[Herpetology • 2026] Liolaemus arequipensis • Taxonomic Nightmare: Hard Species Delimitation in Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) Lizards of the Peruvian High Andean Plateau with a Description of A New Cryptic Species

Liolaemus arequipensis 

Huamaní-Valderrama, De la Riva, Salas, Santa-Cruz, Salazar, Sites & Aguilar-Puntriano, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18100588

Abstract

Liolaemus species are the only lizards inhabiting the cold and hypoxic environments of the high Andean plateau. However, delimiting species within the Liolaemus montanus group across this region remains exceptionally challenging. Two taxonomically difficult groups in this area, the L. annectens and L. signifer complexes, comprise valid species and unassigned populations that require extensive taxonomic revision using modern species delimitation approaches. In this study, we perform phylogenetic, single-locus species delimitation and nuclear network analyses on these complexes. Our results show that within the L. annectens and L. signifer complexes, three and one lineages, respectively, are congruent with mitochondrial evidence and at least one haplotype network. L. annectens is supported by mitochondrial evidence but lacks unique haplotypes in both nuclear networks, and L. signifer shows inconclusive support by both mitochondrial and nuclear evidence. Based on these molecular results and morphological analyses, we describe a new Andean cryptic species, Liolaemus arequipensis sp. nov. from southern Peru.

Keywords: phylogeny; integrative taxonomy; single-locus delimitation; morphology; Liolaemus; Peru

 Holotype of Liolaemus arequipensis sp. nov., dorsal (A), ventral (B) and lateral (C) views.

Photographed by C. Salas.

Liolaemus arequipensis sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the Peruvian region of “Arequipa”, where the species was collected. The epithet arequipensis is an adjective in the nominative singular.

Ling Huamaní-Valderrama, Ignacio De la Riva, Cinthya Salas, Roy Santa-Cruz , Esther Salazar, Jack W. Sites, Jr. and César Aguilar-Puntriano. 2026. Taxonomic Nightmare: Hard Species Delimitation in Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) Lizards of the Peruvian High Andean Plateau with a Description of a New Cryptic Species. Diversity. 18(10), 588; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18100588

[Herpetology • 2026] Excidobates perplexus • Tiny Jewels of the Forest: A New and Endangered Species of Excidobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from southeastern Ecuador

Excidobates perplexus

Sánchez-Nivicela, Falcón-Reibán, Lituma, Fajardo-Torres, Urgiles, Apunte-Ramos & Ron, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.2.2

 instagram.com/jaime.f.torres

Abstract

Poison dart frogs are one of the most studied and charismatic groups of amphibians, yet diversity within small and geographically restricted genera such as Excidobates remains incompletely understood. Until recently, this genus was known to comprise only three species distributed across the eastern mountain ranges of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Here, we describe a new species represented by two populations in southern Ecuador: one from the eastern slopes of the Andes and another from north of Cordillera del Cóndor. The new species is more closely related to Excidobates mysteriosus, from which it differs by a genetic distance of 2.7–3.5% (16S rRNA gene) and markedly distinctive morphology such as 15.1–18.3 mm on snout-vent length and strongly granular skin. The two populations of the new species differ markedly in color from each other and from E. mysteriosus: scarlet red mottled dorsal coloration on a black background and a red-orange and black reticulated venter in the Central Andean Cordillera population, and green dorsal coloration with inconspicuous yellow spots and a yellow and black reticulated venter in the Cordillera del Cóndor population. Its advertisement call has 24–26 pulses, dominant frequency 4781.3–5062.5 Hz, and 0.51–0.56 s duration. The two populations are separated by 65 km, inhabit different forest types and have a genetic distance of 0.6–0.7%. Despite the marked color and habitat differences, the combined evidence indicates that the two populations represent polymorphic variants of the same species. Because the new species faces severe and imminent threats, including large and medium-scale mining, hydroelectric development, and illegal wildlife trade, we propose to assign it to the Red List category as Critically Endangered. Our findings highlight the rich but still underestimated amphibian diversity of the southeastern Ecuadorian Andes and underscore the urgent need for conservation actions in these regions.

Amphibia, Andes, conservation, Ecuador, phylogeny, taxonomy

  

 

Excidobates perplexus sp. nov. 

JUAN C. SÁNCHEZ-NIVICELA, JOSÉ M. FALCÓN-REIBÁN, MICHELLE CABRERA LITUMA, JAIME D. FAJARDO-TORRES, VERÓNICA L. URGILES, KATHERINE APUNTE-RAMOS, SANTIAGO R. RON. 2026. Tiny Jewels of the Forest: A New and Endangered Species of Excidobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from southeastern Ecuador.  Zootaxa. 5886(2); 193-217. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.2.2 [2026-10-02]

 instagram.com/jaime.f.torres/p/DeANVImH52N/

[Ichthyology • 2026] Hypomasticus rectangulatus • A New Species of Hypomasticus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Vila Nova River, State of Amapá, Brazil

Hypomasticus rectangulatus

Ito, Gama, Sabaj & Birindelli, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025102 

 Abstract  

A new species of Hypomasticus is described from the Vila Nova River, a left-bank tributary to the lower Amazon in the state of Amapá, Brazil. The new taxon belongs to the Hypomasticus granti group, a clade recently corroborated by molecular phylogenetics, and is diagnosed by a color pattern distinctive among anostomids: midlateral side with dusky rectangular blotch extending from the opercle to near vertical through dorsal-fin origin and followed by three dark oblong (vertically elongated) blotches well separated on posterior half of body, and (in adults) scales in anterior portion of lateral line and flanking rows with a dark spot at their base, forming three longitudinal rows within the dusky rectangular blotch. It further differs from congeners by having 32–34 perforated lateral-line scales and 12 circumpeduncular scale rows. Osteological examination revealed polymorphism in the number of dentary teeth regarding the presence of a fifth tooth, a condition previously observed in other members of the H. granti group. Sexual dimorphism was recorded with males exhibiting hypertrophy of the first pair of ribs, a condition previously unknown within this clade.

Hypomasticus rectangulatus.
(A) IEPA 5637, holotype, 213.3 mm SL and (B) IEPA 5417, paratype, 89.84 mm SL. Brazil, Amapa´ state, municipality of Mazaga˜o, rio Vila Nova. Photos by M. Sabaj. Scale = 1 cm.

Hypomasticus rectangulatus sp. nov. 

Etymology.—The specific epithet rectangulatus is derived from the Latin word meaning rectangular or right-angled, in reference to the distinctive rectangular blotch present on the anterior midlateral region of the body. An adjective.

 

Ian Solon Bortoloci Ito, Cecile de Souza Gama, Mark Henry Sabaj and José Luís Olivan Birindelli. 2026. A New Species of Hypomasticus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Vila Nova River, State of Amapá, Brazil. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 114(3); 507-519. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025102 (22 September 2026)

[Herpetology • 2026] Niceforonia florezarum • A New Species of Niceforonia (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Colombian Massif, southwestern Colombia

Niceforonia florezarum

Pisso-Florez, Cardona-Giraldo, Ramírez-Chaves, Liévano-Bonilla, Mazepa & Mulder, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.1  

  facebook.com/IZBDLab

Abstract

The genus Niceforonia currently includes 17 species of small, terrestrial, direct-developing frogs distributed from Colombia to northern Peru. In Colombia, 11 species of Niceforonia have been reported, with five of these restricted to high Andean ecosystems, including Páramos. Field surveys conducted between 2017 and 2023, in the Páramo ecosystems of the Puracé National Park and its buffer zone, in southwestern Colombia, revealed a previously unidentified species of Niceforonia. Through an integration of phylogenetic, ecological, bioacoustic, and morphological analyses, we identified unique traits that support the recognition of this population as a new species of Niceforonia, restricted to Páramo and Subpáramo habitats over 3300 m in the Colombian Massif. The new species is sister to Niceforonia brunnea, which occurs 195 kilometers further south in the Department of Nariño of southwestern Colombia and northern Ecuador. With the discovery of this new species, Colombia now hosts 12 species of Niceforonia, six of which inhabit Páramo ecosystems. Our study expands the taxonomic knowledge of the genus and underscores the importance of further exploration in high-Andean ecosystems of southwestern Colombia, where biodiversity remains underexplored.

Amphibia, amphibians, Andes, Páramo, Puracé National Park, Terrarana

Niceforonia florezarum

 

Gustavo Adolfo PISSO-FLOREZ, Alexandra CARDONA-GIRALDO, Héctor E. RAMÍREZ-CHAVES, Andrés Felipe LIÉVANO-BONILLA, Glib O. MAZEPA and Kevin P. MULDER. 2026. A New Species of Niceforonia (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Colombian Massif, southwestern Colombia.  Zootaxa. 5881(3); 301-326. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.1  [2026-09-22] 

 facebook.com/IZBDLab/posts/1853143722328113

 

[Botany • 2026] Neea myrciifolia (Nyctaginaceae: Pisonieae) • A New Species discovered in central Peru

 

Neea myrciifolia  D.S.Costa & Farroñay,

in Costa, Farroñay, Rossetto, Gonzáles et Giacomin, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10369-7

Summary

Neea myrciifolia D.S.Costa & Farroñay (Nyctaginaceae, Pisonieae) a new species found exclusively in central Peru, in montane forest remnants, is here described, more than 90 years after the last Neea species was described for the country. Images of the morphological structures, a distribution map and a provisional conservation status of the new species, as well as taxonomic notes on morphologically similar species, are provided.

Key Words: endemism, Neotropical flora, Pisonieae, Reserva Comunal Yanesha, taxonomy

Neea myrciifolia.
A – B branches with pistillate flowers and fruits; C – D pistillate inflorescence.
A, C from R. Rojas 5731; B, D from R. Vásquez 36005.

photos by: Rocío del Pilar Rojas Gonzáles & Rodolfo Vásquez.

Neea myrciifolia D.S.Costa & Farroñay, sp. nov. 

Recognition. Neea myrciifolia can be easily distinguished from all other species in the genus by a unique combination of vegetative and reproductive characters: opposite leaves with abaxial surface with a verrucose texture covered with sparse, pubescent to tomentose, reddish trichomes, globose 2-branched inflorescences with tubular staminate and pistillate flowers and patent, open, deltoid perianth lobes.

Etymology. The specific epithet "myrciifolia" refers to the vegetative resemblance, e.g. opposite leaves and brochidodromus venation, to the genus Myrcia DC. (Myrtaceae).

Daniel da Silva Costa, Francisco Farroñay, Elson Felipe Sandoli Rossetto, Rocío del Pilar Rojas Gonzáles and Leandro L. Giacomin. 2026. Discovering Neea myrciifolia: the first New Species of Neea from Peru in over 90 years.  Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10369-7 [03 August 2026]

x.com/manuelujan/status/2088201291327488285

[Mammalogy • 2026] Phylogenomics and Museomics reveal Five distinct Species of Tiger Cats (Carnivora: Felidae: Leopardus) in South America

 

Leopardus tilcayo  Nogales-Ascarrunz, Aliaga-Rossel, Lescroart & Eizirik, 

in Lescroart, Nogales-Ascarrunz, Cassatt-Johnstone, Bonilla-Sánchez, ... et Eizirik, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.059

Highlights: 

• First discovery of a novel cat species in over a century: Leopardus tilcayo

• Description of a novel cat subspecies: Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo

• Phylogenomic resolution of the tiger cat complex, revealing five distinct species

• Museomics and novel approaches to assess evolutionary history and genomic diversity

Summary

The evolutionary history of elusive organisms can be characterized through genomic analyses, which have the power to reveal previously unknown taxa even in groups assumed to be well studied, such as cats. We have analyzed complete genomes of 38 individuals from the Neotropical cat genus Leopardus, including 26 individuals representing multiple evolutionary units of the contentious tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus) species complex. Eight genomes were generated from museum specimens, which allowed the first genetic assessment of the type locality for L. tigrinus in the Guiana Shield. We found that this complex comprises five distinct species, including a novel cat species, discovered in the Bolivian Yungas and described in this study as L. tilcayo. The Peruvian Yungas unit of this complex also represents a distinct taxonomic entity, which we describe here as a novel subspecies, L. tigrinus antisuyo. Our phylogenomic analyses resolve the evolutionary relationships among the tiger cat geographic units, thus stabilizing their recalcitrant taxonomy and enabling adequate conservation assessment of these threatened felids. We also address other aspects of their evolution, including biogeography, past episodes of interspecies admixture, demographic history of each taxonomic unit, and temporal changes in genetic diversity. Altogether, our results clarify the evolutionary history of a complex radiation of wild cats, reveal novel taxa, and serve as a basis for conservation planning on behalf of these elusive wild cats.

 

Keywords: Bolivian Yungas, Peruvian Yungas, Felidae, Guiana Shield, historic DNA, Leopardus, museomics, concordance vector, new species, tilcayo

 

Live specimen of Leopardus tilcayo (sample ID: L. tilcayo BOl-2, voucher ID: MNHN-L2), a newly described tiger cat species from the Bolivian Yungas.

Photo by Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz

 

Family Felidae Batsch, 1788 

Subfamily Felinae Batsch, 1788 

 Leopardus Gray, 1842

Leopardus tilcayo sp. nov. Nogales-Ascarrunz, Aliaga-Rossel, Lescroart & Eizirik 

Type material: Holotype: CBF-11990, adult male. Live-captured and held in captivity, genome sequences NCBI SRA accession SRX30196846. Date: 09-2021; collectors: E. Aliaga-Rosel and P. Nogales-Ascarrunz (see Data S1).

Type locality: La Paz, Nor Yungas, near Arapata village (1,570 m above sea level [a.s.l.]), Bolivia. Coordinates: −16.248594, −67.634691 (WGS84).

Etymology: This species is named after the local name “tilcayo” used for this felid, which is widely known in the Bolivian Yungas zone. The name is treated as an unchanged noun in apposition.

Vernacular name: We propose “tilcayo” as the English common name, preserving the traditional local designation in recognition of its cultural and regional relevance.

Diagnosis: Leopardus tilcayo differs from L. pardinoides by its shorter pelage, lower contrast pattern, more expanded and irregular open rosettes, less bushy tail, and the absence of broad and complete caudal bands (see Data S1). It differs from L. tigrinus by its larger and more irregular flank markings, longer and fuller tail, and irregular caudal blotches. It differs from L. guttulus by its larger, more heterogeneous markings, lower dorsal contrast, and relatively longer tail. L. tilcayo can be distinguished from other Leopardus taxa by a large number of molecular characters. In the nuclear genome, among the 29,288,951 transversion variants, on average 1,392,646 sites differentiate L. tilcayo from L. t. antisuyo and 1,491,301 sites differentiate L. tilcayo from L. pardinoides. For simplicity we provide a list of diagnostic mitochondrial DNA sites (see Data S1).

Jonas Lescroart, Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, Molly Cassatt-Johnstone, Alejandra Bonilla-Sánchez, Caroline Charão Sartor, Fernando Angulo, Jorge L. Ramirez, Larissa Rosa de Oliveira, Tadeu Gomes de Oliveira, Beth Shapiro, Enzo Aliaga-Rossel, Hannes Svardal and Eduardo Eizirik. 2026. Phylogenomics and Museomics reveal Five distinct Species of Tiger Cats in South America. Current Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.059 [September 17, 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Leucheria melorum (Asteraceae: Nassauvieae) • A New Species from the Patagonian Andes

 

Leucheria melorum Horton & Picca, 

in Horton & Picca, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.774.3.4 

 

Abstract

A new species of Leucheria endemic to the Patagonian Andes in northern Neuquén, Argentina, is reported. Leucheria melorum is characterized by its cushion-like growth habit composed of dense woolly rosettes, rhizomes covered by persistent old leaves, and capitula with white to pink flower corollas. The species inhabits high-elevation volcanic environments (2550–2900 m a.s.l.) on the Domuyo and the Wayle massifs. We provide a detailed morphological description, illustrations highlighting the diagnostic morphological traits and a key for distinguishing L. melorum from related species. Based on the IUCN criteria and categories, a preliminary conservation status assessment is also given.

 Eudicots, Flora Altoandina, Leucheria, Nassauvieae, Patagonia

A. General view of the habitat of Leucheria melorum on Cerro Wayle at 2900 m a.s.l. with the Volcán Tromen in the background; B. Several dense rosettes; C. Rosette with capitula at different developmental stages; D. Close-up view of some flowering capitula; E. Fruit; F. Photomicrograph of the cypsela surface showing characteristic twin trichomes (indicated by white arrows) and biseriate glandular trichomes (indicated by black arrows).

Photos A, C, E & F: Pablo Picca; B & D: J. Felipe Horton.

Leucheria melorum.
A. Habit; B. Leaf, adaxial view; C. Scape and capitulum; D. Inner phyllary, dorsal view; E. Outer phyllary, dorsal view; F. Bract-like phyllary, dorsal view; G. Flower; H. Flower (ovary and pappus removed); I. Stamens; J. Fruit.

Line drawings by Angélica Marino.

Leucheria melorum Horton & Picca, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:—Leucheria melorum is morphologically similar to L. candidissima and L. millefolium, which are also present in the northern Neuquén volcanic massifs. However, the new species is readily distinguished by its compact, cushion-like growth habit. It further differs from both by having very short stems (vs. more or less elongated in L. candidissima and L. millefolium), flabelliform leaf blades (vs. lanceolate in L. candidissima and elliptic in L. millefolium) and by having bi- or tri-pinnatisect leaves with oblong segments closely approximated towards the apex (vs. pinnatisect with an elongate terminal lobe in L. candidissima and bi- or tri-pinnatisect with rhomboidal segments in L. millefolium; segments regularly distributed along the rachis in both species).

Etymology:—The specific epithet honors Mabel and Sergio MELO, a couple of dedicated naturalists, who were the first people to collect specimens of this new species. Their keen observations of the high Andean flora and kind cooperation were very important to the recognition of this novelty.

Juan Felipe HORTON and Pablo I. PICCA. 2026. A New Species of Leucheria (Nassauvieae, Asteraceae) from the Patagonian Andes.  Phytotaxa. 774(3); 241-251. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.774.3.4 [2026-09-17]