[Crustacea • 2025] Cambarus ocoeensis • A New Species of Crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Ocoee River Basin of Tennessee, USA

 

Cambarus ocoeensis 

 Thoma & Williams, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.1.7  

  Researchgate.net/publication/390392403 

  facebook.com/RogerFThoma

Abstract

Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov. is described from the Ocoee River Gorge area of Tennessee. The species is morphologically most similar to Cambarus hiwasseensis Hobbs, 1981, but differs from C. hiwasseensis in the following ways: first pereopod chelae in general less sculpted, usually with one row of palmer tubercles, if second row present very weakly developed and consisting of six or fewer tubercles, lateral margin not costate, lateral impression weak at most but usually absent; areola length 2.5–4.1 times greater than width, having 5–8 punctations in narrowest part; size at maturity smaller with MI ranging from 21.8 to 30.9 mm total carapace length (24.6–40.0 mm in C. hiwasseensis); and antennal scale broadest at midpoint. It can be distinguished from other morphologically similar species—those with acuminate rostra—from the Hiwassee River basin of northern Georgia, southeast Tennessee, and western North Carolina area in lacking lateral rostral spines/tubercles and cervical spines. Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov. is genetically most closely related to an undescribed member of the Cambarus bartonii (Fabricius, 1798) species complex.

 

Crustacea, C. hiwasseensis, C. bartonii, C. howardi, Hiwassee River basin, species complex

Type material of Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov.:
 A–C, E, G–I, holotype MI (OSUMC #10897); F, allotypic paratypefemale (OSUMC #10898); D, morphotypic paratype MII (OSUMC #10899).
A–carapace, dorsal view; B–gonopod, lateralview; C–gonopod, mesial view; D–gonopod, lateral view; E–antennal scale, dorsal view; F–annulus ventralis; G–pereopods3–5, right side ventral views; H–epistome; I–right chela, dorsal view. 

Color image of Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov., holotype (OSUMC #10897).

Image captured in lab under artificial light.

Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov. 

Roger F. THOMA and Bronwyn W. WILLIAMS. 2025. Cambarus ocoeensis, A New Species of Crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Ocoee River Basin of Tennessee, USA.  Zootaxa. 5618(1); 106-118. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.1.7 [2025-04-01] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/390392403_Cambarus_ocoeensis_a_new_species_of_crayfish_from_the_Ocoee_River_Basin_of_Tennessee_USA

  facebook.com/RogerFThoma/posts/10228373600190065

[Botany • 2026] Syngonium turipachense (Araceae) • A New Species of Syngonium sect. Syngonium from Chiapas, Mexico

Syngonium turipachense 

in Jiménez, Pérez-Farrera, Croat, Martínez-Martínez, Méndez, Hentrich et Aguilar-Rodríguez, 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.3.6 

   facebook.com/Unicach

 

The genus Syngonium is represented in Mexico by ten species, seven of which are registered for the state of Chiapas. During fieldwork between 2020 and 2025 in Berriozabal, Chiapas, we discovered an undescribed species of Syngonium sect. Syngonium that is morphologically similar to S. neglectum, but differing from that species in having one or two inflorescences per axil, glaucous stems and spathe tube, a spathe blade almost twice as long as the staminate portion of the spadix, staminate flowers retuse at the apex, glaucous immature infructescence and the spathe not persistent in mature fruits.

Aroid, Berriozabal, Reserva La Pera, Syngonium angustatum, Syngonium neglectum, Monocots

Syngonium turipachense

PEDRO DÍAZ JIMÉNEZ, MIGUEL ÁNGEL PÉREZ-FARRERA, THOMAS B. CROAT, MAURICIO GERÓNIMO MARTÍNEZ-MARTÍNEZ, GASPAR MORENO MÉNDEZ, HEIKO HENTRICH, PEDRO A. AGUILAR-RODRÍGUEZ. 2026. A New Species of Syngonium sect. Syngonium (Araceae) from Chiapas, Mexico.  Phytotaxa. 750(3); 207-215. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.3.6 [2026-04-07]

  facebook.com/Unicach/posts/1360714109410395

[Entomology • 2026] Oxyporus amigo • A New Species of Oxyporus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxyporinae) from western Mexico

 

 Oxyporus amigo

Navarrete-Heredia & Reyes-Hernández, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5837.1.7

Abstract

A new species, Oxyporus amigo, is described from Jalisco and Michoacán, Mexico. The new species is diagnosed and illustrated. Additionally, Oxyporus mexicanus Fauvel, 1865 is recorded for the first time from the state of Aguascalientes, based on specimens collected in Monte Grande, San José de Gracia.

Coleoptera, Oxyporinae, rove beetles, taxonomy, new species, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Habitus of Oxyporus amigo sp. nov.:
 1) holotype, male, dorsal view; 2) paratype, female, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1 mm

Aedeagus of Oxyporus amigo sp. nov. (holotype, male);
3) Parameral view; 4) Left lateral view; 5) Right lateral view; 6) Antiparameral view.

Scale bars: 1 mm.

JOSÉ L. NAVARRETE-HEREDIA and JOSÉ L. REYES-HERNÁNDEZ. 2026. A New Species of Oxyporus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxyporinae) from western Mexico and New Record from Aguascalientes for O. mexicanus Fauvel. Zootaxa. 5837(1); 154-160. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5837.1.7 [2026-06-22]

[Arachnida • 2026] Trogloraptor tulishpun • A New northern Species of Trogloraptor (Araneae: Trogloraptoridae), Genetic Diversity and Natural History

 

 Trogloraptor tulishpun Jones & Binford,

in Jones, Watson, Hedin et Binford, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.1.5 

photos by M. Hedin

Abstract

We present a morphological description of a recently discovered species of spider in the family Trogloraptoridae from the Columbia River Gorge in northwestern Oregon. The family was previously monotypic (Trogloraptor marchingtoni) and only known from populations near the southwestern Oregon—northern California border. Trogloraptor tulishpun sp. nov. retains the key family synapomorphy, distinctive subsegmented raptorial tarsi, and an oblique membranous division of the basal segment of the anterior lateral spinnerets. Trogloraptor tulishpun is distinguished from T. marchingtoni by its color pattern, clypeal height, vulvar and palp structure. We have found T. tulishpun in four localities in the Columbia River Gorge, which show little mitochondrial sequence divergence from one another, but are highly genetically distinct from T. marchingtoni. Trogloraptor tulishpun is found in basalt features, including lava tubes and shallow talus caves, and has been observed to eat arachnids and moths, making them top predators in these environments.

Araneae, arachnophagy, caves, invertebrate conservation, mitochondrial divergence, subterranean biodiversity

Habitus of live Trogloraptor tulishpun from Herman Creek Talus Cave.
A male in captivity, B female in captivity,
C male in Herman Creek Talus Cave, D female in Herman Creek Talus Cave on sparse web,
 E male on non Trogloraptor web, F female in Herman Creek Talus Cave.

(all photos by M. Hedin)

Habitus of male Trogloraptor tulishpun (holotype, USNMENT02418340) from Herman Creek Talus Cave.
A, B dorsal views, C, E ventral views, D anterior view.

Trogloraptor tulishpun, Jones and Binford, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. Trogloraptor tulishpun resembles T. marchingtoni (Griswold et al., 2012) by its similar carapace and abdominal shape and coloration, its subsegmented raptorial tarsi, and the partly sclerotized genital region (Figs 2, 3, 5, 7). It is clearly distinguished by its conspicuous scalloped patterning along the lateral and posterior edges of the carapace which is absent in T. marchingtoni. The abdominal patterning is different from the chevron pattern of T. marchingtoni, with oval-shaped spots down the center of the dorsal side that have a thin line of beige down the ...

Etymology. Tulishpun (pronounced too-lish-pun) is a word, simplified for ease of pronunciation, from the Sahaptin River dialect meaning “cave predator, owner of the domain”. The Sahaptin River dialect is from the Columbia River area, the type locality of this species, and the name was given to us by elders from the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. The specific epithet is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

 

MADELINE M. JONES, FINN WATSON, MARSHAL HEDIN and GRETA J. BINFORD. 2026. Beneath the Surface: A New northern Species of Trogloraptor (Araneae: Trogloraptoridae), Genetic Diversity and Natural History.  Zootaxa. 5828(1); 103-116. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.1.5 [2026-06-08]

[Paleontology • 2026] Labrujasuchus expectatus • A New shuvosaurid (Archosauria: Poposauroidea) from the Late Triassic (Norian) Hayden Quarry of New Mexico, U.S.A.

Labrujasuchus expectatus

Turner, Kernan, Laing, Pritchard, Stocker, Irmis, Smith, Werning & Nesbitt, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2618182

Artwork: Jorge Gonzalez/NHMLAC Dinosaur Institute

ABSTRACT

Bipedal shuvosaurid archosaurs were present for much of the Late Triassic Period. The clade is particularly diverse in Upper Triassic assemblages in the western U.S.A. Isolated bones are easily differentiated from contemporary archosaurs, but the two named North American species, Shuvosaurus inexpectatus and Effigia okeeffeae, display remarkably similar skeletons. Here we describe a new shuvosaurid species, Labrujasuchus expectatus, gen. et sp. nov., from the middle Norian (∼212 Ma) Hayden Quarry of northern New Mexico, U.S.A., located within the Petrified Forest Member of the Chinle Formation, that fills the temporal gap between the two species. The holotype consists of a partial skeleton, with additional shuvosaurid material from the Hayden Quarry likely pertaining to this taxon. This taxon is distinguished by four autapomorphies and assignable to Shuvosauridae based on a deep fossa present on the posterodorsal edge of the coracoid, the proximal portion of the humerus less than twice the width of the midshaft, the anteromedial tuber of the femur large and ‘hooked’ posteriorly, and a ventrally descended posterolateral portion of the femoral head. Recent Bayesian estimates of archosaur phylogeny and divergence times suggested a Middle Triassic split for Shuvosauridae as well as a decrease in the rate of morphological evolution for the clade relative to that of other archosaurs. The anatomical similarity of L. expectatus with other shuvosaurids is consistent with these estimated low rates, and the long gaps in the fossil record for the clade suggest that much of their evolutionary history remains to be sampled.

Reconstruction of Labrujasuchus expectatus, a new species of Shuvosauridae from Late Triassic rocks of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.

Artwork: Jorge Gonzalez/NHMLAC Dinosaur Institute

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

ARCHOSAURIA Cope, 1870 (sensu Gauthier & Padian, 1985)

SUCHIA Krebs, 1974 (sensu Benton & Clark 1988)

SHUVOSAURIDAE Chatterjee, 1993 (sensu Nesbitt, 2011)

LABRUJASUCHUS gen. nov.

Type Species—Labrujasuchus expectatus

Etymology—The generic name Labrujasuchus (“la-broo-ha-soo-kus”) is derived from “Ranchos de los Brujos,” Ranch of the Witches, an old Spanish name for the Ghost Ranch area, and the Greek word Σοῦχος (suchus) meaning “crocodile.” It is masculine in gender.

 

LABRUJASUCHUS EXPECTATUS sp. nov.

Etymology—From the Latin “expectatus” for expected or awaited.

The species name is based on the anticipated nature of a shuvosaurid discovery at the Hayden Quarry.

Alan H. Turner, Ciara E. Kernan, Adam Laing, Adam C. Pritchard, Michelle R. Stocker, Randall B. Irmis, Nathan D. Smith, Sarah Werning and Sterling J. Nesbitt. 2026. A New shuvosaurid (Archosauria, Poposauroidea) from the Late Triassic (Norian) Hayden Quarry of New Mexico, U.S.A. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.  e2618182 DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2618182  [26 May 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Dioon nuusaviorum (Zamiaceae) • A striking New Species from pine and pine-oak forest of Guerrero, Mexico

Dioon nuusaviorum Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor. & D.W.Stev.,   

in Martínez-Domínguez, Nicolalde-Morejón, Stevenson, Lorea-Hernández et Vergara-Silva, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.274.173907 

Abstract

Taxonomic studies in cycad genera using multiple approaches have refined the delimitation of many species. In the case of Dioon Lindl., a Mesoamerican genus, a reliable classification has been achieved through taxonomic work carried out since the description of the genus and pioneering studies in Mexico during the 1980–90s. Here, we describe a new species from Guerrero based on evidence collected from populations encountered during fieldwork carried out in 2019. These populations had previously been considered morphologically similar to Dioon holmgrenii De Luca, Sabato & Vázq. Torres, which has a markedly disjunct distribution in Oaxaca. After studying herbarium specimens and making extensive observations on vegetative and reproductive structures from different populations in Oaxaca, we have concluded that the disjunct populations analysed in 2019 represent a distinct and new species of Dioon, separate from the two most phenotypically similar species—namely, D. stevensonii Nic.-Mor. & Vovides and D. holmgrenii. A key to geographically proximal and morphologically similar species as well as to the other species occurring in Guerrero and Oaxaca States is also presented. The proposed new species, Dioon nuusaviorum Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor. & D.W.Stev., is endemic to Guerrero and inhabits pine and pine-oak forest. Its conservation status, assessed on the based IUCN guidelines and criteria, qualifies as Endangered.

Key words: Cycadales, cycads, Mesoamerica, Neotropics, Sierra Madre del Sur

Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov.
A. Ovulate strobilus; B. Megasporophyll; C. Basal scale of megasporophyll; D. Microsporophyll; E. Leaflets variation; F. Cataphylls; G. Seeds variation; H. New leaves; I. Leaves at emergence; J. Leaf at maturity.

Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov., in habitat.
 A. Ovuliferous plant in habitat; B. Eumaeus sp; C. Population in La Trinidad; D. Vegetation view; E. Ovulate strobilus at maturity in habitat. 

Dioon nuusaviorum Mart.-Domínguez, Nic.-Mor. & D.W.Stev., sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov. differs from D. holmgrenii by having leaflets imbricate to strongly imbricate, each with three to six long marginal teeth (0.26–0.37 cm long), a margin of the leaflets curved acroscopically, microsporophylls with an acuminate apex and megasporophylls with an apiculate apex. In contrast, D. holmgrenii has non-imbricate leaflets (generally a 0.2–1.0 cm between leaflets) with two to five short teeth on the distal margin (0.15–0.29 cm long), a margin of the leaflets straight, microsporophylls with an acute apex and megasporophylls with an acuminate apex. In comparison to D. stevensonii, this new species differs by its light green leaflets at emergence (vs golden), leaflet imbricate to strongly imbricate (vs not imbricate), acuminate apex of microsporophylls (vs acute), tomentose indument and narrowly-triangular megasporophylls at maturity (vs pubescent at base or scarcely pubescent and triangular).

Comparison of leaflets of Dioon holmgrenii, D. stevensonii and Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov.
A. D. stevensonii; B. D. holmgrenii; C. Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov.;
D. D. stevensonii (F. Nicolalde-Morejón et al. 1554, CIB); E. D. holmgrenii (Brigada T. Walters s/n [3997], XAL); F. D. holmgrenii (F. Nicolalde-Morejón et al. 1468, XAL); G. Dioon nuusaviorum sp. nov. (L. Martínez-Domínguez et al. 1745, CIB).

 Lilí Martínez-Domínguez, Fernando Nicolalde-Morejón, Dennis Wm. Stevenson, Francisco G. Lorea-Hernández and Francisco Vergara-Silva. 2026. A striking New Species of Dioon (Zamiaceae) from pine and pine-oak forest of Guerrero, Mexico. PhytoKeys. 274: 229-245. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.274.173907 [11 May 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Tylosaurus rex • A gigantic New Species of Tylosaurus (Squamata: Mosasauridae) from Texas: and A revised character list for phylogenetic analyses of Mosasauridae

Tylosaurus rex

Zietlow, Polcyn & Tykoski, 2026

 

hdl.handle.net/2246/7549 

 x.com/TyrantLzrdQueen

Abstract

At least four subfamily-level clades of mosasaurs are broadly recognized (Mosasaurinae, Plioplatecarpinae, Tylosaurinae, Halisaurinae), each of which independently evolved flippers and other aquatic adaptations, including large body size. Tylosaurine mosasaurs are distinguished from other mosasaurs, in part, by edentulous extensions of both upper and lower jaws, proportionally long tails, and poorly ossified limbs, and they were the first mosasaur clade to achieve gigantic (>8 m) body size. Several tylosaurine species are known from Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Africa, and Antarctica, but they were most common in the Western Interior Seaway of North America. Here, we describe a new species, Tylosaurus rex, sp. nov., from the Campanian of Texas and analyze tylosaurine in-group systematics using a significantly updated phylogenetic character list. Our new species is distinguished by a unique suite of characters, including some associated with increased jaw and neck musculature, and others that may be convergent with other giant mosasaur species (e.g., Mosasaurus). Body length estimates for specimens referred to our new species are consistently larger (7.7–13.2 m) than those for the largest Niobrara species, T. proriger (3.9–9.5 m), although it is unclear whether this is a taxonomic signal or taphonomic bias. Several specimens that we refer to T. rex were previously referred to T. proriger in various collections databases, and some of the traits distinguishing them had been previously attributed to ontogenetic differences. However, we rule out this possibility as specimens of T. proriger and T. rex that do overlap in size can be differentiated by unique suites of diagnostic characters. The implicit association between body size and ontogeny, as well as the general absence of reliable locality and stratigraphic data associated with historical collections of North American mosasaurs, raises the possibility of the presence of other currently unrecognized species, previously dismissed as ontogenetic stages of other species.

 

Keywords: Tylosaurus rex, Tylosaurus, Texas, Classification, Mosasauridae, Phylogeny 

The holotype for the newly described Tylosaurus rex is a giant specimen displayed at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas that was first discovered in 1979.

 Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Tylosaurus rex, sp. nov.

A reconstruction of Tylosaurus rex in the Cretaceous-era Western Interior Seaway of North America

artwork by Alderon Games - Path of Titans

Zietlow, Amelia R.; Polcyn, Michael J. and Tykoski, Ronald S. 2026. A gigantic New Species of Tylosaurus (Squamata, Mosasauridae) from Texas: and A revised character list for phylogenetic analyses of Mosasauridae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 482; DOI: 10.1206/0003-0090.482.1.1 https://hdl.handle.net/2246/7549

  x.com/TyrantLzrdQueen/status/2057493465521393765

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Cimolodon desosai • Cranial and Postcranial Remains of A New Species of Cimolodon (Multituberculata: Cimolodontidae) from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) El Gallo Formation of Baja California, México

Cimolodon desosai

Mantilla, Newbins, Fastovsky, Zhang, Montellano-Ballesteros, Alcántara & Chen, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2641109

Illustration by Andrey Atuchin

ABSTRACT

Late Cretaceous mammals from North America are predominantly known from isolated teeth and fragmentary jaws and from localities representing coastal lowlands along the Western Interior Seaway. Here, we report craniodental and associated postcranial remains of a new species of the cimolodontid multituberculate genus Cimolodon from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) El Gallo Formation of Baja California, México. The specimen was deposited along the Pacific Coast between 75.17 ± 0.30 Ma and 74.55 ± 0.18 Ma. It represents the most complete mammal known from the Mesozoic of México and one of the best known cimolodontan multituberculates from North America. Morphologically, the new species, Cimolodon desosai, is most like C. nitidus, but differences include upper anterior premolar shape, molar cusp formulae, and relative length proportions of the cheek teeth. Phylogenetic analysis supports placement of the new species within Cimolodon and Ptilodontoidea, but uncertainties remain regarding relationships among cimolodontan families. Using the craniodental and postcranial data, we quantitatively reconstruct C. desosai as a small-bodied (∼100 g), animal-dominated omnivore with a scansorial locomotor mode. With the new taxonomic occurrence, the El Gallo mammalian local fauna is now known from 16 specimens referred to three multituberculate species (Mesodma cf. M. formosa, ?Stygimys sp., and Cimolodon desosai), one metatherian (Pediomys sp.), and one eutherian (Gallolestes pachymandibularis). Although further sampling is needed, the mammalian local fauna presently shows greatest biogeographic affinities with the Terlingua local fauna of western Texas.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

MAMMALIA Linnaeus, 1758

MULTITUBERCULATA Cope, 1884

CIMOLODONTA McKenna, 1975

PTILODONTOIDEA Sloan and Van Valen, 1965

CIMOLODONTIDAE McKenna, 1975

CIMOLODON Marsh, 1889

CIMOLODON DESOSAI, sp. nov.

Partial cranium of the holotype of Cimolodon desosai (IGM 14691).
Images are three-dimensional surface renderings from μCT scans in: A, anterior; B, stereo dorsal; C, stereo ventral; D, left lateral; and E, right lateral views of the partial cranium; and F, occlusal view of the right upper cheek tooth row in high magnification. Dashed white lines represent interpreted position of cranial bone sutures.

Abbreviations: al, anterior lamina; fr, frontal; iof, intraorbital foramen; mx, maxilla; na, nasal; naf, nasal foramen; otc, orbitotemporal canal; pa, parietal; pav, palatal vacuity; pmx, premaxilla; pop, postorbital process; sq, squamosal; zpm, zygomatic process of the maxilla. Scale bar equals 10 mm for A–E and 2 mm for F.

Cimolodon desosai on the tree with a fruit in its mouth. It was about the size of a golden hamster. It likely scampered on the ground and in the trees and ate fruits and insects.

Illustration by Andrey Atuchin

 

 

Gregory P. Wilson Mantilla, Isiah R. Newbins, David E. Fastovsky, Yue Zhang, Marisol Montellano-Ballesteros, Dalia García Alcántara and Meng Chen. 2026. Cranial and Postcranial Remains of A New Species of Cimolodon (Mammalia, Multituberculata, Cimolodontidae) from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) El Gallo Formation of Baja California, México. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2641109. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2641109  [22 Apr 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Echeveria zoquitlanensis (Crassulaceae) • A New microendemic Species from Oaxaca, Mexico

Echeveria zoquitlanensis J. Aragón-Parada & P. Carrillo,

in Aragón-Parada et Carrillo-Reyes. 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.17129/botsci.3802  

 facebook.com/JuvenalAragonParada

Abstract

Background: Echeveria (Crassulaceae) is an American genus distributed from Mexico to South America. The genus has 132 species recorded in Mexico, where the state of Oaxaca with 56 species has the greatest richness of the genus. The exploration of the high mountains of Santa María Zoquitlán led us to discover a population of Echeveria that differed from previously known species.

Questions: Does the Echeveria population from the high areas of the municipality of Santa María Zoquitlán, Oaxaca represent a new species? 

Methods: Morphological comparison with the closely related taxa E. islasiae, E. longissima, E. longissima subsp. brachyantha, and E. longissima var. aztatlensis. Evaluation of conservation status based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Results: We described and illustrated Echeveria zoquitlanensis from Santa María Zoquitlán, Oaxaca, Mexico as a new species. Due their long corollas and styles, the new species were placed in the series Longistylae, mapped its distribution, and determined its conservation status category as critically endangered (CR B1; B2). It differs from the other members of the series by its very long (up to 3.7 cm) crimson red homochromatic flowers, and pale pink to red pistils.

Conclusions: Echeveria zoquitlanensis is the species with the largest flowers within the genus. Exploration carried out in isolated areas in Oaxaca favor the discovery of additional new species that would increase the large diversity of the state.

Keywords: endemism, New species, Sierra Madre del Sur, Zoquitlán, Saxifragales

Echeveria zoquitlanensis J. Aragón-Parada & P. Carrillo, sp. nov.

 

Juvenal Aragón-Parada and Pablo Carrillo-Reyes. 2026. Echeveria zoquitlanensis (Crassulaceae), A New microendemic Species from Oaxaca, Mexico.  Botanical Sciences. 104(2); 601-610. DOI: doi.org/10.17129/botsci.3802 [2026-04-01]

 facebook.com/JuvenalAragonParada/posts/10242202083289028

[Paleontology • 2026] Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa • A Short-snouted ‘sphenosuchian’ with unusual Feeding Anatomy demonstrates that Ecological Specialization occurred early in Crocodylomorph Evolution

 

Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa

Margulis-Ohnuma, Ruebenstahl, Meyer & Bhullar, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0130 

Art by Julio Lacerda

Abstract

The early evolution and diversification of Crocodylomorpha is a key component of vertebrate evolution on land but is somewhat poorly understood as a result of limited data. We describe Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa gen. et sp. nov., an early crocodylomorph from the Late Triassic of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, whose cranial anatomy is divergent from that of other early crocodylomorphs (including Hesperosuchus agilis, to which it had been tentatively assigned), featuring an unusually short and osteologically reinforced facial region. A robust upper temporal arch and prominent surangular ridge indicate the presence of well-developed superficial external adductor musculature, which is divergent relative to pseudosuchians generally. These autapomorphies suggest specialization for a powerful bite. Bayesian and maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses find E. lacrimosa outside of an H. agilis clade, near the base of Crocodylomorpha. The specializations of E. lacrimosa therefore represent the beginnings of ecological diversification within Crocodylomorpha among animals of a similar size, predating the Late Triassic appearance of Crocodyliformes and the Jurassic radiation of mesoeucrocodylians. Coexistence in the same single-event death assemblage of E. lacrimosa and H. agilis—two small early crocodylomorphs with functionally significant anatomical differences—suggests partitioning of terrestrial carnivorous niches within the ‘sphenosuchian’ grade.

Keywords: Crocodylomorpha, Sphenosuchia, Triassic, Hesperosuchus agilis, phylogenetics

Photographs and line drawings of the skull of Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa as preserved and prepared in right ventrolateral view (a, c) and left dorsolateral view (b, d). Grey shading represents matrix or bones of other individuals; halftone represents areas of breakage.

Abbreviations: an, angular; e, ectopterygoid; f, frontal; j, jugal; l, lacrimal; m, maxilla; n, nasal; pa, prearticular; pb, palpebral; pl, palatine; pm, premaxilla; po, postorbital; pt, pterygoid; sa, surangular; tpt, transverse process of the pterygoid. Scale bar is 2 cm.

 

ARCHOSAURIA Cope, 1869 (Gauthier & Padian [2020])

PSEUDOSUCHIA Zittel, 1887 

CROCODYLOMORPHA Hay, 1930 (emend. Walker [1970])

Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa gen. et sp. nov.

 

 Etymology: Eosphorosuchus derives from ‘Eosphoros,’ one of two Greek gods representing the planet Venus and the counterpart of Hesperos. As Eosphoros was the ‘dawn-bringer’, this name highlights both the dawning of crocodylomorph ecological diversity and the close historic association of this specimen with the genus Hesperosuchus. ‘Suchus’ derives from ‘soukhos’, Greek for crocodile. The specific epithet lacrimosa refers to the distinctive lacrimal region.

 

Miranda Margulis-Ohnuma; Alexander A. Ruebenstahl; Dalton L. Meyer and Bhart-Anjan S. Bhullar. 2026. A Short-snouted ‘sphenosuchian’ with unusual Feeding Anatomy demonstrates that Ecological Specialization occurred early in Crocodylomorph Evolution. Proc Biol Sci . 293 (2069): 20260130. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0130 [15 Apr 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Ptychotherates bucculentus • A New Taxon of saurischian Dinosaur (Saurischia: Morphoraptor) from the Coelophysis Quarry of New Mexico, USA (Triassic: latest Norian or Rhaetian) highlights herrerasaurian diversity in the latest Triassic

 

Ptychotherates bucculentus 

Srivastava & Nesbitt, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70069 

Abstract

The most complete record of the earliest dinosaur lineages is from the Carnian from the higher latitudes of Pangea (e.g. present-day Brazil, Argentina), but dinosaurian assemblages from the upper stages of the Upper Triassic are better known from the low latitudes of Pangea (present day southwestern USA). How early carnivorous dinosaurian diversity matches or mismatches at various latitudes remains to be documented because of uncertainty around the spatio-temporal ranges and phylogenetic relationships of early dinosaur lineages. We examine low-latitude diversity patterns through the lens of the saurischian dinosaur Tawa hallae and close relatives, including a new species, Ptychotherates bucculentus gen. et sp. nov. The new taxon is known from an incomplete but well-preserved skull (CM 31368) from the uppermost Triassic Coelophysis Quarry in northern New Mexico. The new taxon clearly shares synapomorphies with Tawa hallae, such as distinctive fossae on the quadrate and otoccipital and a dorsoventrally tall and laterally flat jugal. However, the new taxon is distinguishable from all other coeval ornithodirans by a combination of many character states, including the proportionally dorsoventrally deepest jugal known for any Triassic-aged dinosaur. Higher-palaeolatitude ecosystems across Pangea show a complete turnover of carnivorous dinosaurs by neotheropods in the Norian and Rhaetian, but the ‘Chindesaurus–Tawa’ clade (Morphoraptora clade nov.) coexisted with neotheropods possibly until the End-Triassic Extinction Event. This suggests a low-latitude ‘museum’ where early-diverging lineages survived much longer than at higher latitudes, and that the End-Triassic Extinction Event affected dinosaur diversity more than previously hypothesized.

Keywords: biogeography, Saurischia, extinction, skull, phylogenetics, clade longevity

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

DINOSAURIA Owen 1842 sensu Langer et al. 2020

SAURISCHIA Seeley 1888 sensu Gauthier et al. 2020

Clade MORPHORAPTORA nov.

Derivation of name: Morphe from the Greek for ‘form, shape’ and raptor from the Latin for ‘robber’, describing the morphological convergence between members of this clade and Theropoda, as if this clade is ‘stealing’ morphology. ‘Morphoraptor’ loosely translates to ‘bodysnatcher’, in honour of the 2007 song by Radiohead in the album In Rainbows, which author S. Srivastava listened to hundreds of times while preparing this manuscript.

The posterior portion of the skull Ptychotherates bucculentus (CM 31368) in posterior view.

Abbreviations: ar, articular bo, basioccipital; bt, basituber; f, frontal; fm, foramen magnum; fno, fenestra ovalis; pa, parietal; par, paroccipital process of the otoccipital; mf, metotic foramen; n, nasal; pbs, parabasisphenoid; pf, prefrontal; po, postorbital; ptf, posttemporal fenestra; qj, quadratojugal; qu, quadrate; rap, retroarticular process; so, supraoccipital; sq, squamosal; st, stapes. Crossed circle indicates posterior direction out of page. Scale bar represents 1 cm.

Digital reconstruction of the skull of Ptychotherates bucculentus (CM 31368) in left lateral view. Dashed lines indicate extrapolation and the coloured infill indicates known bone presence.

Abbreviations: eaf, external antorbital fenestra; en, external naris; emf, external mandibular fenestra; itf, infratemporal fenestra; orb, orbit. Arrow indicates anterior direction. Scale bar represents 2 cm.

 

Genus Ptychotherates nov.

 

Derivation of name: Ptycho from the Greek for ‘fold’ because of the numerous and challenging axes of reorientation on elements of the holotype. Therates from the Greek for ‘hunter’, for the carnivorous habits inferred from its teeth.

 Ptychotherates bucculentus sp. nov.  

Derivation of name: The species epithet is Latin for ‘with full cheeks’ in reference to the exceptionally tall jugal.

 

Diagnosis: Ptychotherates bucculentus bears the following combination of character states (local autapomorphies indicated with *): supratemporal fossa present on posterior portion of the frontal and dorsal surface of the parietal; tapering dorsal process of the maxilla; maxilla lacking antorbital fossa on its posterior portion ventral to the antorbital fenestra; prefrontal symmetrical in lateral view*; jugal body proportionally dorsoventrally deep* (i.e. more than three times as deep as the jugal posterior process, deeper than the length of postorbital ventral process, and more than half the height of the quadrate main body; Table 1); laterally extensive ventral process (= crista interfenestralis) of the otoccipital; ventral process of squamosal anteroposteriorly wide with a lateral fossa on the posterior part; retroarticular process upturned immediately posterior to glenoid; anterolateral portion of postorbital dorsally overhanging orbit; postorbital dorsolaterally overlapping the squamosal; posttemporal fenestra as wide as foramen magnum; nasal and frontals flat dorsally; serrated and recurved teeth with fine serrations (4–5 per 1 mm in the maxilla, 5–6 per 1 mm in the dentary) with pointed apices of the serrations.

Artistic rendition of Ptychotherates bucculentus.

Artwork by Megan Sodano 

 

Simba Srivastava and Sterling J. Nesbitt. 2026. A New Taxon of saurischian Dinosaur from the Coelophysis Quarry of New Mexico, USA (Triassic: latest Norian or Rhaetian) highlights herrerasaurian diversity in the latest Triassic. Papers in Palaeontology. 12(2); e70069. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70069 [14 April 2026]