[Crustacea • 2025] Trichocallia delicatula • A New Genus and Species of the Ghost-shrimp Family Callianideidae (Decapoda: Axiidea) from the Caribbean coast of Panama

Trichocallia delicatula   

Anker, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2025.65.009

Abstract   

A peculiar new species of ghost-shrimp from Bocas del Toro Archipelago on the Caribbean coast of Panama is assigned to the genus Trichocallia gen. nov. in the family Callianideidae. The holotype and presently the only known specimen of Trichocallia delicatula sp. nov. was collected with a suction pump on a silty-muddy bottom under a network of decomposing and partly overgrown mangrove roots. The new genus appears to be most closely related to Callianidea H. Milne Edwards, 1837, with two species in the Indo-West Pacific, and Paracallianidea Sakai, 1992, with two species, one in the western Atlantic and one in the eastern Pacific.

Keywords: Malacostraca, Decapod crustacean, New taxon, Caribbean Sea, West Atlantic, Marine biodiversity

Trichocallia gen. nov.  

 Trichocallia delicatula sp. nov. 

Arthur Anker. 2025. A New Genus and Species of the Ghost-shrimp Family Callianideidae from the Caribbean coast of Panama (Decapoda: Axiidea). Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia. 65; e202565009.  DOI: doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2025.65.009

[Chilopoda • 2023] Plutogeophilus jurupariquibaba • Assessing Troglomorphic and Phylogenetically Informative Traits in Troglobionts: A New Cave-dwelling Centipede (Geophilidae) illuminates the Evolution of A Soil-dwelling Lineage

 Plutogeophilus jurupariquibaba

Bonato & Ferreira, 2023

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-023-00618-7 

Abstract

Cave-dwelling species are of special interest in evolutionary biology, because (i) many share particular traits associated with the cave habitat (troglomorphic traits), and (ii) some represent relict lineages that may conserve ancestral traits or possibly transitional traits, which may provide insights into the evolution of other highly derived species. However, these different kinds of characters are hard to assess thoroughly in troglobionts belonging to little known terrestrial arthropod groups. We describe a new species of centipedes from the Areias System caves, Brazil, namely, Plutogeophilus jurupariquibaba gen.n. sp.n., which adds to the few putative troglobionts known among Chilopoda Geophilomorpha. We analyzed a suite of characters in the light of a phylogenetic analysis and by direct comparison with epigean relatives, controlling for interindividual variation and its confounding sources. We found that: (i) troglomorphic traits of P. jurupariquibaba may include large body, elongate antennae, elongate legs and claws, and possibly also elongate setae and large coxal pores; (ii) the cave-dwelling Plutogeophilus is the sister lineage of the soil-dwelling Macronicophilus, whose morphology is highly derived and whose phylogenetic position remained unclear; (iii) compared with other extant geophilids, symplesiomorphic traits and apparently intermediate traits found in Plutogeophilus provide insights on the origin of the morphology of Macronicophilus, suggesting a stepwise modification of labrum, forcipular apparatus and ultimate legs, and the derivation of the unique rounded and spiny tip of the second maxillae from a pointed claw.

Keywords: Neotropics, Chilopoda, Macronicophilus, Plutogeophilus jurupariquibaba, Transitional morphology, Troglomorphy

 Plutogeophilus jurupariquibaba gen.n. sp.n.:
a anterior part of body, dorsal view; b–c head and forcipular segment, dorsal and ventral views, respectively; d–e posterior part of body, dorsal and ventral views, respectively.

 Photos: ♂, ISLA 11879, holotype. Scale bars: 0.4 µm

Living specimen of Plutogeophilus jurupariquibaba gen.n. sp.n. in the Areias de Cima cave, 7.IV.2012 (photo by Robson Zampaulo)

 

Plutogeophilus gen.n. 

Etymology: from the ancient Greek “Ploutōn,” who was the ruler of the underworld in classical mythology.

 Plutogeophilus jurupariquibaba sp.n.

Etymology: from the Tupi-Guarani “jurupariquibaba,” which literally means “devil’s comb” and is used by Brazilian Indians to refer to centipedes.

Lucio Bonato and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira. 2023. Assessing Troglomorphic and Phylogenetically Informative Traits in Troglobionts: A New Cave-dwelling Centipede illuminates the Evolution of A Soil-dwelling Lineage (Chilopoda: Geophilidae). Organisms Diversity & Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-023-00618-7 

 

[Arachnida • 2025] Spinepeira erwini & Scoloderus neilli • New astonishing Species of Orb-weaving Spiders (Araneae: Araneidae) from Ecuador [A Web of Canopy Discoveries Part I]

Spinepeira erwini

Díaz-Guevara & Dupérré, 2025.  

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5660.4.9

 

Abstract 

Two new species from the family Araneidae are described: a new species from the monotypic orb-weaving genus Spinepeira Levi, 1995, Spinepeira erwini sp. nov. (♀), and a new species of Scoloderus Simon, 1887, Scoloderus neilli sp. nov. (♀), are described from the Ecuadorian Amazon. Both species were collected with insecticidal canopy knockdown. Furthermore, herein, we present the first images of Spinepeira’s internal genitalia, and the first country record of Pozonia Schenkel, 1953 is reported with Pozonia bacillifera (Simon, 1897) collected in the canopy of Tiputini in Ecuador.

Araneae, Fogging, canopy knockdown, orb-weaver

\

Spinepeira erwini sp. nov. 

David R. DÍAZ-GUEVARA and Nadine DUPÉRRÉ. 2025. A Web of Canopy Discoveries Part I (Araneae: Araneidae). New astonishing Species of Orb-weaving Spiders from Ecuador and the first country record of Pozonia Schenkel, 1953.  Zootaxa. 5660(4); 587-595. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5660.4.9 [2025-07-11]

[Crustacea • 2025] Caribodillo martinicensis • A New Genus and Species of terrestrial isopod (Oniscidea: Armadillidae) endemic to Martinique

Caribodillo martinicensis  

Kästle, Binder, Jones & Coulis, 2025

  

 sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47/29

 Researchgate.net/publication/397676418

The terrestrial isopods of the family Armadillidae Brandt, 1833 are poorly known in tropical regions, many new species remain to be described and the classification of many already described species requires revision. The aim of this work is to improve our knowledge of the terrestrial isopods of this family in Martinique, an island in the Lesser Antilles archipelago. The species Caribodillo martinicensis n. gen., n. sp. is described, and a genetic barcode (CO1) is provided. Furthermore, the relationship between Caribodillo n. gen., and Venezillo Verhoeff, 1928 is discussed. The species constitutes the second Armadillidae endemic to the Lesser Antilles, the first one being Cubaris depressa (Dollfuss, 1896) from Saint-Vincent. In addition to increasing our knowledge on the invertebrate biodiversity of the lesser Antilles, the description of this new genus will facilitate the taxonomy of Armadillidae species in the region.

Keywords: Caribbean, Lesser Antilles, Neotropics, Venezillo, woodlice, fluorescence, barcoding, new species, new genus

Caribodillo martinicensis n. gen., n. sp. 

 

 

Benedikt KÄSTLE, Stephanie BINDER, Nathan T. JONES and Mathieu COULIS. 2025. Description of A New Genus and Species of terrestrial isopod (Oniscidea, Armadillidae) endemic to Martinique. Zoosystema. 47(29); 721-729. DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2025v47a29 [14 November 2025]

  sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47/29

 Researchgate.net/publication/397676418_a_new_genus_and_species_of_terrestrial_isopod_endemic_to_Martinique

[Arachnida • 2024] Plesiopelma arevaloae • A New Species of Plesiopelma (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae) from Uruguay

Plesiopelma arevaloae 

Arias, Hilario, Ferretti & Pérez-Miles, 2024

  https://boletimcn.museu-goeldi.br/bcnaturais 

 Researchgate.net/publication/391256408

Abstract

We describe and illustrate a new tarantula species of the genus Plesiopelma from Lavalleja and Maldonado, Uruguay. Plesiopelma arevaloae sp. nov. is distinguished from other known species by morphological characters and molecular evidence.

Keywords: Taxonomy, Morphology, Molecular, Tarantula

Plesiopelma arevaloae sp. nov.

Victoria Arias, Maite Hilario, Nelson Ferretti and Fernando Pérez-Miles. 2024. A New Species of Plesiopelma from Uruguay (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae).  Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Ciências Naturais. 19(3); DOI: doi.org/10.46357/bcnaturais.v19i3.1001  

https://boletimcn.museu-goeldi.br/bcnaturais/en/article/view/1001

 Researchgate.net/publication/391256408_A_new_species_of_Plesiopelma_from_Uruguay

[Entomology • 2025] Acrotaphus guacas • A New Andean Species of Acrotaphus Townes, 1960 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) from the Central Cordillera, and A Taxonomic Key to Colombian Species

 

 Acrotaphus guacas Álvarez-Arellano,

in Álvarez-Arellano, Palacios-Castro et Pádua, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5719.2.6 

 x.com/alvarez_arellan

Abstract

A new species of Acrotaphus Townes, 1960 from the Colombian Andes is described and illustrated: Acrotaphus guacas, sp. nov. In addition, an identification key to all species recorded from Colombia is provided.

Hymenoptera, Parasitoid wasps, taxonomy, Darwin wasps, biodiversity, South America

Acrotaphus guacas Álvarez-Arellano, sp. nov.

Diego ÁLVAREZ-ARELLANO, Shirley PALACIOS-CASTRO and Diego G. PÁDUA. 2025. A New Andean Species of Acrotaphus Townes, 1960 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) from the Central Cordillera, and A Taxonomic Key to Colombian Species.  Zootaxa. 5719(2); 271-276. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5719.2.6 [2025-11-12] 

 x.com/alvarez_arellan/status/1988453848139104260

 

[Arachnida • 2025] Tepuithele nangaritza • A New Genus in the mygalomorph Spider (Mygalomorphae: Ischnothelidae) from Ecuador

Tepuithele nangaritza

Dupérré & Tapia, 2025 

 DOI: doi.org/10.13156/arac.2025.20.2.238

 Abstract  

A new genus from the mygalomorph family Ischnothelidae is described from Ecuador. Tepuithele n. gen. was collected in the Tepui formation found in the Zamora Chinchipe province, Ecuador. The new species, Tepuithele nangaritza n. sp. (♂♀), possesses a unique combination of morphological characters not found in any other members of the family: male chelicerae with large forward prongs, leg I without tibial apophysis, and metatarsus I without keel. Images of both male and female are presented, in addition to a distribution map.

KEYWORDS: cheliceral prong, diversity, taxonomy, Tepui formation

Tepuithele n. gen.

  Tepuithele nangaritza n. sp.

 

Nadine Dupérré and Elicio Tapia. 2025. A New Genus in the mygalomorph Spider Family Ischnothelidae, Tepuithele n. gen., from Ecuador. Arachnology. 20(2); 238-244. DOI: doi.org/10.13156/arac.2025.20.2.238 (7 July 2025) 

[Entomology • 2025] Agoo kizini & A. palmalopezi • Two New Species of the Palm-feeding Planthopper Genus Agoo (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Derbidae) from southern Mexico

 

 Agoo kizini Pinedo-Escatel & Blanco-Rodríguez, 

in Palma-Cancino, Pinedo-Escatel, Blanco-Rodríguez, Bahder et Ortiz-Garcia, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.2.8  

  Researchgate.net/publication/396371622

Two new species of the genus Agoo Bahder & Bartlett, A. kizini Pinedo-Escatel & Blanco-Rodríguez sp. nov. from the Yucatán Peninsula and A. palmalopezi Pinedo-Escatel & Blanco-Rodríguez sp. nov. from the state of Tabasco, Mexico are described and illustrated. Sequence data for the 18S rRNA and COX1 genes of A. kizini are provided and a distributional map of both species is also given. Specimens were found in association with palms, representing the first record of Agoo in Mexico.

Hemiptera, Derbinae, Cenchreini, Arecaceae, Yucatán, Peninsula Tabasco

Pablo José PALMA-CANCINO, J. Adilson PINEDO-ESCATEL, Edith BLANCO-RODRÍGUEZ, B. W. BAHDER and Carlos Fredy ORTIZ-GARCÍA. 2025. Two New Species of the Palm-feeding Planthopper Genus Agoo (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Derbidae) from southern Mexico. Zootaxa. 5706(2); 279-291. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.2.8 [2025-10-10]  Researchgate.net/publication/396371622

 facebook.com/61559290136234/posts/122206562306309671

 Researchgate.net/publication/396371622_Two_new_species_of_Agoo_from_southern_Mexico

[Crustacea • 2022] Iansaoniscus leilae & I. paulae • Two New troglobitic Species of Iansaoniscus (Isopoda: Pudeoniscidae) from Brazilian caves

Iansaoniscus paulae

Cardoso, Bastos-Pereira & Ferreira, 2022

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.43.81308 

Abstract

Iansaoniscus species are troglobitic terrestrial isopods of the Pudeoniscidae family. In this work two new species are described from caves in the Bahia state, northeastern Brazil; I. leilae sp. nov. from Toca do Gonçalo cave, in the municipality of Campo Formoso; and I. paulae sp. nov. from Lapa do Bode cave in the municipality of Itaeté. Additionally, ecological notes and conservation status are provided for both new species.

Keywords: Cave fauna, Neotropics, Oniscidea, terrestrial isopods, troglobites

Iansaoniscus leilae sp. nov. habitat
A Toca do Gonçalo cave entrance B cave floor in the inner portion of the cave, where specimens were found C water table at the cave lower level D adult specimen inside the cave, frontal view E adult specimen inside the cave, lateral view F diesel pump installed inside the cave in the 70’s G electric pump installed inside the cave in 2010.

Iansaoniscus paulae sp. nov. habitat
 A limestone bordering the Paraguaçu river, where the Lapa do Bode cave’s entrance is located B one of the entrances of Lapa do Bode cave C a secondary entrance of Lapa do Bode cave D adult specimen inside the cave.

 Giovanna Monticelli Cardoso, Rafaela Bastos-Pereira and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira. 2022. Two New troglobitic Species of Iansaoniscus from Brazilian caves (Crustacea, Isopoda, Pudeoniscidae). Subterranean Biology. 43: 127-143. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.43.81308 

[Arachnida • 2025] Eutichurus luisdiaz, E. muisca, E. tibacuy, ... • Unveiling the Diversity of Eutichurus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Cheiracanthiidae) in Colombia: New Species, records and comments on their distribution

Eutichurus luisdiaz

Casas, Villarreal-Blanco, Morales, Osorio & Martínez, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5691.3.2 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395523154 

 www.instagram.com/sistematicartropodos_ua

 

Abstract

The taxonomic knowledge of Eutichurus Simon, 1897 in Colombia, currently represented by eight species, is increased with the description of six new species: Eutichurus luisdiazi sp. nov. (♂♀), Eutichurus tibacuy sp. nov. (♂♀), Eutichurus meta sp. nov. (♂♀), Eutichurus yariguies sp. nov. (♀), Eutichurus muisca sp. nov. (♂), and Eutichurus andresgarcia sp. nov. (♂). In addition, new morphological data are provided for Eutichurus arnoi Bonaldo, 1994, whose male is described for the first time. Furthermore, the first accurate locality record for E. cumbia Bonaldo & Ramírez, 2018 in Tabio, Cundinamarca is presented. New records from Colombia are also provided for Eutichurus marquesae Bonaldo, 1994, Eutichurus tropicus (L. Koch, 1866) and Eutichurus valderramai Bonaldo, 1994. We provide an updated taxonomic key and new distribution maps for all the species included in this study, as well as new photographic documentation for several species previously known to occur in Colombia (E. arnoi, E. cumbia, E. putus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1898, E. tropicus, E. marquesae, and E. valderramai). Additionally, specimens of E. putus, E. sigillatus Chickering, 1937 and E. furcifer, from non-Colombian localities, are photographed here for the first time, accompanied by comments regarding their geographic distribution. With the new species proposed herein, the genus is now represented by 14 species in the country.

Araneae, Dionycha, Taxonomy, Morphology, Neotropical Region

 A–D. Habitat and specimen of Eutichurus luisdiaz sp. nov.
A–B General view of the area and vegetation of La Guajira, Colombia (A landscape view, B vegetation view).
Male C–D natural habitus (C juvenile specimen on a log (UARC:AR311), D adult dorsal view (UARC: A296).

Eutichurus luisdiazi sp. nov. (♂♀),

 Eutichurus tibacuy sp. nov. (♂♀), 

Eutichurus meta sp. nov. (♂♀), 

Eutichurus yariguies sp. nov. (♀), 

Eutichurus muisca sp. nov. (♂), 

Eutichurus andresgarcia sp. nov. (♂)

Cristian M. CASAS, Eduardo VILLARREAL-BLANCO, Adriana MORALES, Carlos OSORIO and Leonel MARTÍNEZ. 2025. Unveiling the Diversity of Eutichurus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Cheiracanthiidae) in Colombia: New Species, records and comments on their distribution. Zootaxa. 5691(3); 399-448. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5691.3.2 [2025-09-10] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395523154_Unveiling_the_diversity_of_Eutichurus_in_Colombia_new_species_records_and_comments_on_their_distribution 

 www.instagram.com/p/DOwZBvLkSt1/?img_index=1%2Fsistematicartropodos_ua

[Arachnida • 2024] Eutichurus tendetza • On the first Subandean Species of Eutichurus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Cheiracanthiidae) from the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador

Eutichurus tendetza

Peñaherrera-R, Guerrero-Campoverde, Guerrero-Molina & Cisneros-Heredia, 2024

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5477.2.8  

facebook.com/PedroPenaherreRaromero

A new species of Eutichurus is described from Cordillera del Condor, Ecuador.

Araneae, Cheiracanthiidae, Ecuador

Eutichurus tendetza sp. nov.

Pedro Peñaherrera-R, Ariel Guerrero-Campoverde, Tomás Guerrero-Molina and Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia. 2024. On the first Subandean Species of Eutichurus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Cheiracanthiidae) from the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador. Zootaxa. 5477(2); 246-250. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5477.2.8  [July 2024] 

 facebook.com/PedroPenaherreRaromero/posts/7922573411170797

 x.com/USFQZoologia/status/1811400831855624361

  x.com/CisnerosHeredia/status/1811360741171003796

   

[Arachnida • 2023] Ummidia solana, Neischnocolus mecana, ... • Four New Species of mygalomorph spiders (Araneae, Halonoproctidae and Theraphosidae) from the Colombian Pacific Region (Bahía Solano, Chocó)

Ummidia solana sp. nov., habitus A holotype male B paratype female.

Neischnocolus mecana sp. nov., habitus 

A holotype male B paratype female.

Euthycaelus cunampia sp. nov., holotype male, habitus.

Melloina pacifica sp. nov., holotype male, habitus.

 Echeverri, Torres, Pinel et Perafán, 2023

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1166.101069

Abstract

The Colombian Pacific coast is an amazing natural region, immersed in one of the most unknown biodiversity hotspots in the world. An expedition carried out in the north of this area, at the Jardín Botánico del Pacífico (JBP) in Bahía Solano, Chocó, focused on studying the diversity of the mygalomorph spider fauna, allowed us to discover four new species included in the families Halonoproctidae and Theraphosidae. The trapdoor species Ummidia solana sp. nov., and the theraphosids species Euthycaelus cunampia sp. nov. (Schismatothelinae), Melloina pacifica sp. nov. (Glabropelmatinae), and Neischnocolus mecana sp. nov. (Theraphosinae) are illustrated, diagnosed, and described in detail. Photographs of somatic features and copulatory organs and a distribution map are provided. Morphological, taxonomical, and biogeographical aspects are discussed for each species. All these taxonomic novelties represent the first records of these genera for the region, expanding the range of geographic distribution of each of them. This work constitutes the first effort focused on characterizing the community of Mygalomorphae species in the Chocó Biogeographic Region.

Key words: Chocó Biogeographic Region, Euthycaelus, Mecana, Melloina, Neischnocolus, tarantula, trapdoor spider, Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena hotspot, Ummidia

Halonoproctidae

Ummidia solana sp. nov. , 

Theraphosidae

Euthycaelus cunampia sp. nov. (Schismatothelinae), 

Melloina pacifica sp. nov. (Glabropelmatinae), 

Neischnocolus mecana sp. nov. (Theraphosinae)

 Mariana Echeverri, Sebastián Gómez Torres, Nicolás Pinel and Carlos Perafán. 2023. Four New Species of mygalomorph spiders (Araneae, Halonoproctidae and Theraphosidae) from the Colombian Pacific Region (Bahía Solano, Chocó). ZooKeys. 1166: 49-90.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1166.101069

[Invertebrate • 2020] Mongeperipatus kekoldi • A New Giant Velvet Worm (Onychophora: Peripatidae) from Costa Rica suggests absence of the Genus Peripatus in Central America

Mongeperipatus, gen. nov. 
Barquero-González, Sánchez-Vargas & Morera-Brenes,
Mongeperipatus kekoldi 

González, Sánchez-Vargas & Morera-Brenes, 2020

DOI: doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v68i1.37675  

  Researchgate.net/publication/339080977

Abstract

Introduction: Neotropical onychophoran taxonomy and diversity has been poorly investigated. Recent studies have discovered problems in species classification: they have questioned the accepted genera and the actual number of species. This is true in Costa Rica, where several unidentified species have been reported. Objective: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the occurrence of the accepted genera in this country, and to describe a new genus and species from Central America. 

Methods: In 2017, we collected one onychophoran in the Keköldi Indigenous Reserve in Talamanca, Limón, Costa Rica. The specimen gave birth to several offspring. Therefore, seven organisms were analyzed. Light microscopy was used to observe the gross morphology in all samples. The detailed morphology was studied in the biggest specimen with scanning electron microscopy; after that, we performed a phylogenetic analysis with the corresponding sequence of COI. 

Results: According to our results, a new genus and species of giant onychophoran was found. The genus was identified by its giant size, apical piece of seven scale ranks, large conical primary papillae, dorso-median furrow flanked by two-three accessory papillae, the absence of hyaline organs and a marked sexual dimorphism with respect to the number of legs. The new species presents a particular head pattern, as well as novel structures like cephalic papillae, accessory papillae with rudimentary apical pieces, and a lack of antennal chemoreceptors. Phylogenetic analysis rendered our genus as monophyletic and includes Peripatus solorzanoi, which is grouped within the Central American clade. As our species is clustered inside the Costa Rica-Panamanian group, it is not related to the Caribbean Island nor Guyanan Shield samples, home of Epiperipatus and Peripatus respectively. Therefore, we suggest that those genera do not occur in Central America, and a new genus exists: Mongeperipatus, gen. nov. 

Conclusion: We concluded that Costa Rica is home to a diversity of undescribed onychophorans that requires specific studies to help clarify the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the group to justify their protection.

Keywords: onychophoran speciation, Costa Rican biodiversity, endemism, saproxilic taxa, phylogenetics

Mongeperipatus kekoldi gen. et sp. nov.
A. Adult specimen with bluish grey coloration and two rows of yellow papillae, its offspring has a pinkish brown color; B. Our biggest female size almost resembles that of Mongeperipatus solorzanoi; C. Female in its natural habitat.

Family PERIPATIDAE Bouvier, 1902 

Genus Mongeperipatus, gen. nov. 

Barquero-González, Sánchez-Vargas & Morera-Brenes

 Type species: Mongeperipatus keköldi, gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Giant size in adults, biggest specimens reach between 18-22 cm in length; dorsal integument with large conical shaped primary papillae (Fig. 3B, Fig. 4B).Dorso-median furrow is flanked by two-three accessory papillae (Fig. 5A).Conical apical piece with four to seven scale ranks and a central sensory bristle, thorn-shaped, straight or slightly curved with an ornamented base (Fig. 5B, Fig. 5C). Hyaline organs are absent (Fig. 5D). A marked sexual dimorphism is seen in the number of legs (32-34 pairs in males and 37-41 pairs in females).

Mongeperipatus keköldi, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is named in honor of its type locality: the Keköldi Indigenous Reserve. The Bribri indigenous group gave the reserve’s name. It means “río bastón del awá” or “the river that supports the awá”. Awá means doctor in the Bribri language.

Mongeperipatus solorzanoi (Morera-Brenes & Monge-Najera, 2010). comb. nov.

 

José Pablo Barquero González, Steven Sánchez-Vargas and Bernal Morera-Brenes. 2020. A New Giant Velvet Worm from Costa Rica suggests absence of the Genus Peripatus (Onychophora: Peripatidae) in Central America. Revista de biologia tropical. 68(1) DOI: doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v68i1.37675 

 revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/37675

  Researchgate.net/publication/339080977_A_new_giant_velvet_worm_from_Costa_Rica 

[Entomology • 2025] Nudopeza cura, N. glypha, N. rutilans, N. sirena, N. zostera, ... • Nudopeza, a New Genus of Neotropical Micropezidae (Diptera)

 

  Nudopeza cura 
Nudopeza glypha

Marshall. 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5020019

 

Abstract

The Neotropical genus Nudopeza (Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae) is described for a group of 41 species, including Nudopeza tapanti sp. nov. (type species) and Nudopeza pronigra (Hennig) n. comb. for Grallipeza pronigra Hennig 1934, Nudopeza arcuata (Hennig) n. comb. for Grallipeza arcuata Hennig 1934, and the following 38 additional new species: N. cegex sp. nov, N. cura sp. nov, N. duplitheca sp. nov, N. gilli sp. nov., N. glypha sp. nov., N. gracei sp. nov., N. hansoni sp. nov., N. horologia sp. nov., N. laselva sp. nov., N. mephitis sp. nov., N. mexicana sp. nov., N. micromephitis sp. nov., N. nigrivertex sp. nov., N. nigriscutellum sp. nov., N. nudarcuata sp. nov., N. penai sp. nov., N. palenque sp. nov., N. paramephitis sp. nov., N. peruviensis sp. nov., N. quadrivitta sp. nov., N. ruficincta sp. nov., N. rutilans sp. nov, N. sirena sp. nov., N. sumaco sp. nov., N. trinidadensis sp. nov., N. uniseta sp. nov., N. variterga sp. nov., N. venezuelensis sp. nov., N. verpa sp. nov., N. versivitta sp. nov., N. viriola sp. nov., N. viva sp. nov., N. yungasensis sp. nov., N. zarza sp. nov., N. zostera sp. nov., N. zumera sp. nov., N. zygoma sp. nov., and N. zytha sp. nov.

Keywords: new species; new combinations; Grallipeza

Nudopeza New Genus

Type species: Nudopeza tapanti sp. nov., current designation.

  Etymology: The generic name Nudopeza was used informally for many years to refer to species with a bare arista but otherwise superficially similar to Grallipeza. Because the name has been widely used as a manuscript name it is retained and formalized here even though the generic concept is now expanded to include species with a plumose or pubescent arista.

  Diagnosis: Most species of Nudopeza, including the type species, have a conspicuous white or centrally white scutellum, a white postpronotum flanked mesally by a characteristic black spot, an all or mostly black frontal vitta, and an angled black line dividing the fronto-orbital plate into a pale lower (frontal) plate and a variously pigmented upper (orbital) plate (the net effect is usually a black “V” running eye to eye across the black or mostly black frontal vitta). Male terminalia of most species are simple, with the basal distiphallus ending in a broad phallic bulb as in Grallipeza, although a few males have a short (N. verpa group) to moderately long (N. zostera) distal distiphallus beyond the phallic bulb and two species (N. mexicana sp. nov., N. glypha sp. nov.) have an extraordinarily long distal distiphallus extending far anteriorly into the abdomen along with a correspondingly elongate hypandrium. Female N. glypha and N. mexicana have extremely long spermathecal ducts that seem to correspond with the elongate male phallus. The spermathecal complex of most Nudopeza species includes a simple primary spermathecal duct running to a pair of long, characteristically twisted and often ornamented spermathecal stems; the secondary spermathecal duct is usually very small with a single small or entirely atrophied spermatheca, but some species have both the primary and secondary spermathecae and associated ducts strongly developed. A few species, including the type, have two pairs of spermathecae. One unusual species (N. penai sp. nov) is the only known micropezid with five spermathecae.

 Nudopeza cura sp. nov. Costa Rica (MNCR).
(A). Topotypic ♀, habitus. (B). Head and notum. (C). Spermathecae and associated structures. (D). ♂ Terminalia, left ventrolateral. (E). Phallus.

Nudopeza glypha sp. nov. Costa Rica, living flies (DEBU). (A,B). ♂♂. (C). ♀.

 Nudopeza rutilans sp. nov., ♀♀ Peru.
(A). holotype, living (MUSM). (B). Spermathecae and associated structures (DEBU). (C). paratype, living (DEBU).

 Nudopeza venezuelensis sp. nov. holotype ♀, Venezuela (DEBU).
(A). Head and thorax. (B,D). Habitus, lateral and dorsolateral. (C). Spermathecae and associated structures.

 Stephen A. Marshall. 2025. Nudopeza, a New Genus of Neotropical Micropezidae (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae). Taxonomy. 5(2), 19; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5020019 [12 April 2025]

[Diplopoda • 2025] Pleonaraius spelaeus • Into the Depths of Patagonia: The First Troglobitic Species of Pleonaraius Attems, 1898 (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae) from Argentina

Pleonaraius spelaeus 

Romero-Rincon & Ferreira, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda3030013 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395231965

Abstract

A new troglobitic species of Dalodesmidae, Pleonaraius spelaeus n. sp., is described from Rolo Vergara Cave, Neuquén Province, Argentina. This species represents the fourth known troglobitic member of the family, the first troglobitic species of Dalodesmidae recorded in South America, and the first known troglobitic millipede from Argentina. Pleonaraius spelaeus n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by the absence of cuticular pigmentation and a unique combination of gonopodal characters. Ecological notes, a key, and a distribution map of Pleonaraius species are also provided.

Keywords: cave; Diplopoda; key; new species; taxonomy

 (A) Aereal view of the area where the cave in which Pleonaraius spelaeus n. sp. was found (yellow arrow indicates the cave entrance); (B) cave entrance at the bottom of the sinkhole; (C) cave conduct where the specimens were found and collected; (D) living male.

Pleonaraius spelaeus n. sp.

Diagnosis. Based on the gonopodal conformation, the new species differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: mb simple (vs. bifurcated and complex in P. omalonotus) and directed ventrad at its apex (vs. directed laterad in P. pachyskeles and P. omalonotus). lb simple with apex acuminate (vs. apex suberect in P. pachyskeles). Presence of pr as in P. pachyskeles (vs. absence in P. omalonotus).

Etymology. Spelaeus, adjective in the masculine gender. The epithet as a reference to the Latin word spelaeus, meaning “cave”.

Distribution. Only known from in Rolo Vergara Cave, municipality of Chos Malal, Neuquén Province, Argentina (Figure 5).

  Juan Romero-Rincon and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira. 2025. Into the Depths of Patagonia: The First Troglobitic Species of Pleonaraius Attems, 1898 (Polydesmida, Dalodesmidae) from Argentina. Arthropoda. 3(3), 13. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda3030013 [3 September 2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395231965_The_First_Troglobitic_Pleonaraius_from_Argentina