[Entomology • 2026] Ancyroleon, Melanobaliga, Orientaleon gen. n., ... • UCE Phylogenomics improves the Classification of the cosmopolitan Pit-building Antlion tribe Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Myrmeleontinae)

 

Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., 
Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., 
Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., ...

in Zheng, Badano, Machado, Tu, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck, Nel, Winterton et Liu, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70040

Abstract

Myrmeleontini is a widespread antlion tribe within the lacewing family Myrmeleontidae, well known for its larvae building cone-shaped pits in sandy soil to trap prey. The monophyly of the tribe is well supported, but the monophyly of many genera within the tribe as well as the definition of the genus Myrmeleon Linnaeus has long been questioned. Here, we present a phylogenomic analysis of Myrmeleontini with emphasis on the Eurasian fauna, using ultraconserved elements (UCE) data. Our results recovered Myrmeleon as a diverse grade, with Baliga Navás, Callistoleon Banks, Euroleon Esben-Petersen, Hagenomyia Banks and Megistoleon Navás deeply nested within it. Based on our sampling of type species of many genera (including those synonymized with Myrmeleon) and detailed morphological comparisons, we provide a new phylogeny-based classification of Myrmeleontini. Accordingly, Myrmeleon s. str. only refers to the formerly recognized M. formicarius group from Palaearctic region. The status of 12 genera that were previously considered as junior synonyms of Myrmeleon is restored (i.e., Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., Bordus Navás stat. rev., Callistoleon Banks stat. rev., Cocius Navás stat. rev., Enza Navás stat. rev., Macroleon Banks stat. rev., Moreyus Navás stat. rev., Morter Navás stat. rev., Neleon Navás stat. rev., Neseurus Navás stat. rev., Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev. and Tafanerus Navás stat rev.), while Neohornius stat. rev., previously treated as a subgenus of Myrmeleon, is herein elevated to genus. Additionally, based on comprehensive sampling from the Oriental region, five new genera from this region are described, that is, Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n. and Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n.

Keywords: biogeography, classification, lacewing, phylogeny, systematics

Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., 

Bordus Navás stat. rev., 

Callistoleon Banks stat. rev., 

Cocius Navás stat. rev., 

Enza Navás stat. rev., 

Macroleon Banks stat. rev., 

Moreyus Navás stat. rev., 

Morter Navás stat. rev., 

Neleon Navás stat. rev., 

Neseurus Navás stat. rev., 

Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev. 

Tafanerus Navás stat rev.

Neohornius stat. rev.

 five new genera:

 Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., 

Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. 

Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., 

Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n. 

Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n.

 

Yuchen Zheng, Davide Badano, Renato Jose Pires Machado, Yuezheng Tu, Ulrike Aspöck, Horst Aspöck, André Nel, Shaun W. Winterton and Xingyue Liu. 2026. UCE Phylogenomics improves the Classification of the cosmopolitan Pit-building Antlion tribe Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Myrmeleontinae). Systematic Entomology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70040 [27 March 2026]

 

[Entomology • 2025] Ectropoceros sagittalis • Discovery of Ectropoceros Diakonoff (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) in Japan, with Description of A New Species

Ectropoceros sagittalis 

 Park, Tomura, Yagi & Hirowatari, 2025 

 DOI: doi.org/10.12976/jib/2025.72.1.2  

 x.com/HandalPark

 

Abstract

In this study, we describe Ectropoceros sagittalis sp. nov. from Japan. This, to the best of our knowledge, is the first record of the genus from the Palaearctic region. Photographs of adult female specimens, pupa, and their genitalia are presented, and their biology is described. We also provide a world checklist for the genus Ectropoceros.

DNA barcoding, Oriental region, Palaearctic region, Taxonomy, Tineoidea, World catalogue

 

Ectropoceros sagittalis sp. nov.

 

Jinhyeong PARK, Shunsuke TOMURA, Sadahisa YAGI and Toshiya HIROWATARI. 2025. Discovery of Ectropoceros Diakonoff in Japan (Lepidoptera, Tineidae), with Description of A New Species. Journal of Insect Biodiversity. 72(1); 16-27. DOI: doi.org/10.12976/jib/2025.72.1.2 [19 Nov. 2025] 

 x.com/HandalPark/status/1990981069638934950

[Mollusca • 2025] Caucasopsiinae subfam. nov. • Little Treasures hidden in the Darkness: Diversity and Phylogeny of stygobiotic Hydrobiidae (Gastropoda) of the Caucasus

Caucasopsiinae Chertoprud & Vinarski,

in Chertoprud, Ekimova, Palatov, Grego, Mumladze et Vinarski, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108439 

Highlights

• Hydrobiidae inhabit groundwaters on both south and north sides of the Great Caucasus.

• Caucasian hydrobiids are represented by three distinct phylogenetic lineages of subfamily taxonomical rank.

• A new subfamily of Hydrobiidae endemic to the Caucasus is described.

• A high morphological variability in the shell morphology within Caucasopsiinae subfam.nov. has been revealed.

• Female reproductive system morphology better supports high-level taxa phylogeny than other features.

Abstract

Hydrobiidae is the most diverse and species-rich freshwater gastropod family in the Palearctic. Their diversity in the Caucasus region remains largely unexplored and the phylogenetic relationships with European taxa have not been clarified yet. The primary objective of this study is to perform a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the stygobiotic Hydrobiidae of the Caucasus with an increased taxon sampling and incorporation of multiple molecular markers. We show that the Caucasian hydrobiids are represented by three distinct lineages of a subfamily rank: (1) Caucasopsiinae subfam. nov., comprises most of the stygobiotic hydrobiid genera endemic to Caucasus; (2) Belgrandiellinae includes a single stygobiotic genus Sitnikovia and a complex of crenobiotic genera; (3) Islamiinae is represented by a single monotypic genus. The Caucasian stygobiotic hydrobiids are represented by 13 genera, five of which were identified as new for science, and at least 37 species, including a significant number (20 species) of putative new taxa. Analysis of the soft-body anatomy revealed that the female reproductive system showed the best congruence with the phylogenetic relationships. Shell morphology showed high variability at both inter- and intrageneric level, questioning the generic assignment of species based on empty shells. The Caucasian stygobiotic Hydrobiidae show high endemism at all taxonomical levels from species to subfamilies, which probably reflects their long evolution in relative isolation from the hydrobiid clades inhabiting other regions.

 

Keywords: Groundwater ecosystems, Integrative taxonomy, Freshwater snails, Endemism, New Subfamily, Springsnails

Class Gastropoda Cuvier, 1795

Subclass Caenogastropoda Cox, 1960

Superfamily Truncatelloidea Gray, 1840

Family Hydrobiidae W. Stimpson, 1865

Subfamily Caucasopsiinae Chertoprud et Vinarski, n. Subf.

Type genus: Caucasopsis Grego et Mumladze, 2020

Type species: Caucasopsis letsurtsume Grego et Mumladze, 2020

Shells of Caucasian Hydrobiidae (SEM photographs):
A – Caucasopsis sp. 3; B – Caucasopsis sp. 8; C – Caucasopsis letsurtsume, conic form; D – Caucasopsis letsurtsume, robust form;
E – Pontohoratia birsteini; F – Caucasopsis vinarskii comb. nov.; G – Imeretiopsis gorgoleti;
 H – Schapsugia pulcherrima; I – Gen. 2; J – Gen. 1; K – Caucasogeyeria chrysomallos; L – Gen. 3; M – Sitnikovia megruli.

Elizaveta Chertoprud, Irina Ekimova, Dmitry Palatov, Jozef Grego, Levan Mumladze and Maxim Vinarski. 2025. Little Treasures hidden in the Darkness: Diversity and Phylogeny of stygobiotic Hydrobiidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of the Caucasus. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.  213, 108439. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108439 

[Entomology • 2025] Rediscovery of Pseudomyrmecion ramalium Bedel, 1885 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): A rare endemic saproxylic Longhorn Beetle in the Djebel Edough Forest, Algeria

 

Pseudomyrmecion ramalium Bedel, 1885

in Hadiby, Boukheroufa, Vitali, ... et Sakraoui, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.7 

 Researchgate.net/publication/391546832

Abstract

The rediscovery of Pseudomyrmecion ramalium Bedel, 1885, a rare and endemic saproxylic longhorn beetle, in the Djebel Edough forest in Algeria is reported. Hind wings are for the first time showed and described, evidencing the brachyptery of this species. Erroneous nomenclatorial, biological and chorological data referred by previous authors are discussed and corrected. This species, which had not been observed in the region since 1900, is an obligate saproxylic insect exclusively associated with the Algerian oak Quercus canariensis Willd. Classified as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List due to its rarity and the threats to its habitat, P. ramalium represents a conservation priority. Its rediscovery highlights the need for further research to assess the current state of its population and better understand its ecological requirements. This information will be crucial for developing effective conservation strategies and preserving its fragile habitat.

Coleoptera, Rediscovery, Pseudomyrmecion ramalium, saproxylic beetle, endangered species, Djebel Edough forest

Capture site and field photos in the Edough forest massif (North-East Algeria).

Pseudomyrmecion ramalium Bedel, 1885, male, from Edough forest (Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria).
Dorsal view, tegmen, median lobe and hind wings. Scale bar = 1 mm. (Photo and drawings F. Vitali).

RACHED HADIBY, MEHDI BOUKHEROUFA, FRANCESCO VITALI, YASMINE ADJAMI, ABDELAZIZ FRIH, FERIEL SAKRAOUI. 2025. Rediscovery of Pseudomyrmecion ramalium Bedel, 1885: A rare endemic saproxylic Longhorn Beetle in the Djebel Edough Forest, Algeria (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae).  Zootaxa. 5632(3);547-556. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.7 [2025-05-08]

 Researchgate.net/publication/391546832_Rediscovery_of_Pseudomyrmecion_ramalium_in_the_Djebel_Edough_Forest_Algeria

[Entomology • 2024] Phylogeographic Analyses of western Palearctic Scaurus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) reveal undetected taxonomic substructure along the pre-Saharian Atlantic Coast of western Africa

[a–c] Scaurus gigas Waltl, 1835  and  [d–f] S. ferreri  Español, 1943.
Specimens photographed are from (a) Meia Praia, Lagos (Portugal), (b) Chipiona, Cádiz (Spain), (d) Aglou Plage (Morocco) and (e) Deghaimis (Morocco).
Landscape images represent (c) the northernmost range of S. gigas (near Sines, Portugal)
and (f) one of the northern locations of S. ferreri at Aglou Plage (Morocco).

in Duque-Amado, García-París et Sánchez-Vialas, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.82.e132546

Abstract

Phylogeography stands as a key tool to explore evolutionary patterns and processes, playing a crucial role in delimiting evolutionary units. Identifying these units is essential for providing robust taxonomic decisions. In this study, we present a comprehensive phylogeographical framework of Scaurus uncinus (Forster, 1771) and Scaurus gigas Waltl, 1835 across the Iberian Peninsula and North-western Africa, where they are widely co-distributed, coexisting in several localities on both sides of Strait of Gibraltar. Our results show that the Strait of Gibraltar did not act as a geographical barrier for these species, revealing shared mitochondrial haplotypes and nuclear alleles between populations on both sides. However, the Souss Valley in Morocco appears to have historically served as a significant geographical barrier within the S. gigas lineage, leading to the divergence of two morphologically distinct sublineages, one to the north (S. gigas) and the other to the south (S. ferreri stat. nov.). In addition, we point out a case of cytonuclear discordance between S. uncinus and S. gigas in the southwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, suggesting the occurrence of an ancient event of genetic introgression between the two species.

Keywords: Allele networks, cyto-nuclear discordances gene flow, genetic isolation, haplotype networks, introgression, mitochondrial DNA

Live specimens and typical habitat of Scaurus gigas (a–c) and S. ferreri (d–f).
Specimens photographed are from (a) Meia Praia, Lagos (Portugal), (b) Chipiona, Cádiz (Spain), (d) Aglou Plage (Morocco) and (e) Deghaimis (Morocco).
Landscape images represent (c) the northernmost range of S. gigas (near Sines, Portugal) and (f) one of the northern locations of S. ferreri at Aglou Plage (Morocco).  

Carmen Duque-Amado, Mario García-París, Alberto Sánchez-Vialas. 2024. Phylogeographic Analyses of western Palearctic Scaurus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) reveal undetected taxonomic substructure along the pre-Saharian Atlantic Coast of western Africa. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 82: 707-717. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.82.e132546

[Arachnida • 2024] Typhlonesticus angelicus & T. santinellii • Two New Subterranean Typhlonesticus (Araneae: Nesticidae) from the Alps with Notes on their Ecology, Distribution and Conservation

[A, D] Typhlonesticus angelicus sp. nov., [B, F] T. morisii (Brignoli) and [C, H] T. santinellii sp. nov. 

in Isaia, Nicolosi, Infuso et Ribera, 2024.

 DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e106948

Abstract

The spider genus Typhlonesticus Kulczyński, 1914 (Araneae: Nesticidae) includes seven species, most of which exhibiting strict preference for caves, abandoned mines and other subterranean habitats. In Italy the genus is represented by two species: T. morisii (Brignoli, 1975), an extremely narrow endemic species from SW-Alps with a very high level of subterranean adaptation and T. idriacus (Roewer, 1931), showing a much wider distribution in NE-Italy and poor adaptations to subterranean life. Our recent biospeleological surveys in the Alps lead to the discovery of new populations of highly troglomorphic Typhlonesticus that proved to belong to two new species based on morphological and molecular data. Considering the rarity of these new species, we provide general information on their ecology and distribution, including a comparative analysis of troglomorphic traits in Typhlonesticus in relation to biogeographic factors. Information on the conservation status, useful for assessing their extinction risk based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines, is also provided.

Keywords: Alpine subterranean fauna, Biogeography, Endemic species, Extinction risk, Systematics, Troglomorphism

Live specimens of Typhlonesticus angelicus sp. nov. (A male), T. morisii (Brignoli) (B female) and T. santinellii sp. nov. (C female) in their natural habitats.
The entrance of Grotta superiore delle Camoscere [Pi 250], type locality of T. angelicus sp. nov. (D), the military bunker of Sotterranei di Vernante, type locality of T. morisii (Brignoli) (E, F);
the walls of “Galleria del Pozzo’’ within the mining complex of Gorno, type locality of T. santinellii sp. nov. (G); the entrance of Murdosso cave [Lo BG 7407], where the first female of T. santinellii sp. nov. was collected during the unblocking operations of the cave conducted by the local speleological groups “Underland” and “I Tassi” (H).

Family Nesticidae Simon, 1894

Genus Typhlonesticus Kulczyński, 1914

 Typhlonesticus angelicus Isaia and Ribera, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is dedicated to Angelo Morisi (1943–2016) beloved Piedmontese natural scientist, expert in reptiles, amphibians, cave-dwelling invertebrates, freshwater macroinvertebrates, fishes and lichens. Angelo was a kind-hearted, altruist and caring natural scientist, pioneer of the biospeleological research in Piedmont, and first collector of several rare troglobiont species that still carry his name, including Typhlonesticus morisii, sister species of T. angelicus sp. nov. The specific epithet is in form of adjective and conjugates the name of Angelo and the features of benevolent immortal beings with a translucent body of light, barely visible to the human eye.

  Typhlonesticus santinellii Isaia and Ribera, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is dedicated to the speleologist Roberto “Robertone” Santinelli, who first collected the female specimen in Murdosso cave, allowing the diagnosis of the new species. Noun in genitive.

Conclusions: 

Combining morphological and genetic evidence, we revealed the existence of two new species of Typhlonesticus, the oldest evolutionary lineage of Nesticid spiders in Europe. The new species are characterised by a high level of adaptation to the subterranean environment, confirming the extraordinary richness of subterranean diversity in the Alps. Using a trait-based approach, we inferred how highly troglomorphic Typhlonesticus are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, and in particular we interpreted their isolation and their small distribution ranges as critical conditions amplifying their extinction risk, especially from a global warming perspective. We particularly address this issue by recommending further studies focusing on the thermal tolerance of these species, aiming at understanding their possible response to increasing global temperatures.

  Marco Isaia, Giuseppe Nicolosi, Alessandro Infuso and Carles Ribera. 2024. Two New Subterranean Typhlonesticus (Araneae: Nesticidae) from the Alps with Notes on their Ecology, Distribution and Conservation. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 81: 801-818. DOI:  10.3897/asp.81.e106948

[Paleontology • 2023] Theatops groehni • An Eocene Fossil plutoniumid Centipede: A New Species of Theatops (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Plutoniumidae) from Baltic Amber

 Theatops groehni 

Edgecombe, Strange, Popovici, West & Vahtera, 2023

 

DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2023.2228796 

  twitter.com/JournalSystPal

 

Abstract

Four specimens of the same species of scolopendromorph centipede from Eocene Baltic amber provide the first fossil occurrence of the family Plutoniumidae, a clade represented by seven extant species. The fossil material, documented by light microscopy and computed microtomography, is assigned to the genus Theatops Newport, Citation1844, which currently has a disjunct distribution in temperate North America, the Mediterranean region, and central China. The Eocene species is diagnostically distinct from extant congeners and is formally described as Theatops groehni sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis of combined morphological and molecular data for three loci finds T. groehni to be nested within crown-group Plutoniumidae. The discovery of T. groehni constrains the minimal divergence date for crown-group Plutoniumidae and is consistent with hypotheses regarding the extent and nature of tropical to warm temperate European forests during the Eocene. The fossil reinforces the hypothesis that the distribution of Plutoniumidae, once more geographically widespread, has been pruned by extinction.

 

Keywords: Scolopendromorpha, Plutoniumidae, Theatops, Baltic Amber, Eocene

 Theatops groehni sp. nov.

Gregory D. Edgecombe, Susan E. Strange, George Popovici, Taylor West and Varpu Vahtera. 2023. An Eocene Fossil plutoniumid Centipede: A New Species of Theatops from Baltic Amber (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 21(1): 2228796. DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2023.2228796

  twitter.com/WildWildTWest/status/1681691972208152577

  twitter.com/JournalSystPal/status/1683472488133545989

[Entomology • 2023] Corniphora yanbianensis • A New Genus of Scuttle Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) from China

Corniphora yanbianensis

Liu, 2023

  www.zootax.com.cn/EN/10.11865/zs.2023402

China, acrossing the Palaearctic and the Oriental Regions, is rich in phorid diversity. During the last decade, considerable progresses have been made on Phoridae fauna study, especially on the amount increase of genera and species described (e.g. Liu, 2001, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021; Liu & Yang, 2016; Liu & Disney, 2022). However, our knowledge on the phorid fauna of China is still limited. Because of the small size and sex dimorphism in Phoridae, their species identification is usually difficult. Investigating phorid resources remains an important task at present. In the ongoing study, some curious specimens have unique combination of characters and could not be assigned to any known genus. Therefore, a new genus with a new species is proposed and described, namely Corniphora yanbianensis gen. & sp. nov. It seems closely related to the genus Phalacrotophora Enderlein, 1912 based on the characters of frons, anterodorsal and posterodorsal rows of setulae of hind tibia, and male terminalia.

...

Corniphora yanbianensis gen. et sp. nov.
 1. Body, left view. 2. Head, anterior view. 3. Head, anterior view, showing pedicel. 4. Wing. 5. Fore leg, posterior view. 6. Mid leg, anterior view. 7. Hind leg, anterior view. 8. Male terminalia, left view. 9. Male terminalia, right view. Scale bars: 1=1.0mm; 2–7=0.2mm; 8–9=0.1mm.

Guangchun Liu. 2023. A New Genus of Scuttle Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) from China, with Description of A New Species. Zoological Systematics. 48(4): 361-364 DOI: 10.11865/zs.2023402

  www.zootax.com.cn/EN/10.11865/zs.2023402

[Mammalogy • 2024] Spermophilus vorontsovi • Traditional Multilocus Phylogeny fails to fully resolve Palearctic Ground Squirrels Genus Spermophilus (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Marmotini) Relationships but reveals A New Species endemic to West Siberia

Spermophilus vorontsovi

Simonov, Lopatina, Titov, Ivanova, Brandler, Surin, Matrosova, Dvilis, Oreshkova, Kapustina, Golenishchev & Ermakov, 2024

  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108057

Highlights: 

• The first multi-locus and complete taxon sampling phylogeny of Palaearctic ground squirrels.

• Four major clades diverged during the Late Miocene.

• The main speciation events took place during the Calabrian stage of the Pleistocene.

• A new species from West Siberia is discovered and described.

Abstract

Previous efforts to reconstruct evolutionary history of Palearctic ground squirrels within the genus Spermophilus have primarily relied on a single mitochondrial marker for phylogenetic data. In this study, we present the first phylogeny with comprehensive taxon sampling of Spermophilus via a conventional multilocus approach utilizing five mitochondrial and five nuclear markers. Through application of the multispecies coalescent model, we constructed a species tree revealing four distinct clades that diverged during the Late Miocene. These clades are 1) S. alaschanicus and S. dauricus from East Asia; 2) S. musicus and S. pygmaeus from East Europe and northwestern Central Asia; 3) the subgenus Colobotis found across Central Asia and its adjacent regions and encompassing S. brevicauda, S. erythrogenys, S. fulvus, S. major, S. pallidicauda, S. ralli, S. relictus, S. selevini, and S. vorontsovi sp. nov.; and 4) a Central/Eastern Europe and Asia Minor clade comprising S. citellus, S. taurensis, S. xanthoprymnus, S. suslicus, and S. odessanus. The latter clade lacked strong support owing to uncertainty of taxonomic placement of S. odessanus and S. suslicus. Resolving relationships within the subgenus Colobotis, which radiated rapidly, remains challenging likely because of incomplete lineage sorting and introgressive hybridization. Most of modern Spermophilus species diversified during the Early–Middle Pleistocene (2.2–1.0 million years ago). We propose a revised taxonomic classification for the genus Spermophilus by recognizing 18 species including a newly identified one (S. vorontsovi sp. nov.), which is found only in a limited area in the southeast of West Siberia. Employing genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping, we substantiated the role of the Ob River as a major barrier ensuring robust isolation of this taxon from S. erythrogenys. Despite its inherent limitations, the traditional multilocus approach remains a valuable tool for resolving relationships and can provide important insights into otherwise poorly understood groups. It is imperative to recognize that additional efforts are needed to definitively determine phylogenetic relationships between certain species of Palearctic ground squirrels.

 

Keywords: Species tree, Riverine barrier, MIG-seq, Marmotini, North Eurasia

Spermophilus vorontsovi 

Evgeniy Simonov, Natalia V. Lopatina, Sergey V. Titov, Anastasiya D. Ivanova, Oleg V. Brandler, Vadim L. Surin, Vera A. Matrosova, Alisa E. Dvilis, Nataliya V. Oreshkova, Svetlana Yu. Kapustina, Fedor N. Golenishchev and Oleg A. Ermakov. 2024. Traditional Multilocus Phylogeny fails to fully resolve Palearctic Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus) Relationships but reveals A New Species endemic to West Siberia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 195, 108057. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108057

[Mammalogy • 2023] Myotis nustrale • Newly described and already Endangered: A New mammal Species endemic to Corsica (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Myotis nustrale Ruedi, Beuneux & Puechmaille, 

in Puechmaille, Dool, Beuneux et Ruedi, 2023. 

 DOI: 10.35929/RSZ.0108 

 Researchgate.net/publication/374825218

Abstract

The Myotis nattereri species complex has been the focus of several recent morphological and molecular surveys to assess the species status of various named forms, including three informally referred to as Myotis sp. A, M. sp. B and M. sp. C. The first two forms have now been formally described as distinct biological species, and named M. crypticus and M. zenatius, respectively, both distinct from the nominotypical M. nattereri s. str. and M. escalerai. The latter form, Myotis sp. C is known only from Corsica. Here we demonstrate that this form has not only unique mitochondrial haplotypes but also several nuclear alleles that are divergent and not found anywhere else, which emphasizes its long independent evolution. We therefore confirm its specific status and describe it as a new species. Its ecology and rupicolous roosting habits resemble those of the Iberian M. escalerai, but it is otherwise morphologically most similar to M. crypticus. This new species is endemic to Corsica and is apparently very rare and essentially localised to mountain forests. Owing to its restricted distribution, its small population size, and limited population connectivity, it seems highly vulnerable to climate change and thus should be classified as endangered.

KEYWORDS: cryptic species, DNA, Myotis, nuclear loci, taxonomy, Vespertilionidae

External characters of Myotis nustrale sp. nov. Panels are close-ups of the female holotype (MNHN-ZM-2023-12), except the lower right one which is a picture from a released adult individual (Photo © Yann Le Bris). The upper left panel illustrates the stiff hairs running along the uropatagium, viewed from below. The upper right panel is the right foot with wing insertion to the base of the outer toe, in ventral view. The lower left panel illustrates the long and straight tragus and unnotched ear of the female holotype. On the portrait of the live individual, notice the black chin spot on the lower lip.

Portraits and hind feet (dorsal view) of an adult female Myotis nustrale sp. nov. caught near Bavella, in southern Corsica (left) and an adult female M. crypticus from the Jura mountains in Switzerland (right). Notice that the latter individual has a faint line bordering the lower lip, while the former has a much more conspicuous chin spot. Wing insertion to the outer toe is, however, identical in both species. For the left individual, the wing was not stretched while it was stretched for the right individual.

Myotis nustrale sp. nov. Ruedi, Beuneux & Puechmaille

Distribution: This species is endemic to the island of Corsica (France), in the Mediterranean Sea (Fig. 1).

Diagnosis: Medium sized Myotis (W 5.5-9.5 g; FA 38.4-41.3 mm) with relatively long, unnotched ears; tragus straight, reaching beyond half the length of the conch (Fig. 5). The long, unkeeled and S-shaped calcar running along the proximal half of the uropatagium, as well as the stiff hairs visible on the trailing edge of the uropatagium are typical features of all taxa in the Myotis nattereri species complex. Stiff hairs of the uropatagium occur in two rows, with only few hairs being reflected backwards (Fig. 5).

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Etymology: The specific epithet nustrale is a pronoun in apposition meaning “ours - le notre” in the Corsican language.

Sébastien J. Puechmaille, Serena Dool, Gregory Beuneux and Manuel Ruedi. 2023. Newly described and already Endangered: A New mammal Species endemic to Corsica. Revue suisse de Zoologie. 130(2); 335-351 (2023). DOI: 10.35929/RSZ.0108

  Researchgate.net/publication/374825218_a_new_mammal_species_endemic_to_Corsica

Myotis nattereri représente un complexe d'espèces qui a mobilisé l'attention récente de morphologistes et de généticiens pour définir le statut spécifique de diverses formes, y compris celles informellement connues sous l'appellation de Myotis sp. A, M. sp. B et M. sp. C. Les deux premières formes ont depuis été reconnues comme espèces à part entière et nommées respectivement M. crypticus et M. zenatius; elles diffèrent des espèces nominales M. nattereri au sens strict et M. escalerai. La dernière forme, Myotis sp. C, n'est connue que de Corse. Nous démontrons ici qu'elle possède non seulement des haplotypes mitochondriaux uniques, mais aussi plusieurs allèles nucléaires divergents que l'on ne retrouve nulle part ailleurs et qui démontrent une longue évolution indépendante de ce taxon. Ceci confirme son statut spécifique et nous la décrivons par conséquent comme espèce nouvelle. Son mode de vie et ses affinités rupicoles la rapprochent de l'espèce ibérique M. escalerai, bien que morphologiquement elle soit plus semblable à M. crypticus. Cette nouvelle espèce est endémique de Corse et y est apparemment très rare et presque exclusivement localisée aux régions montagneuses boisées. En raison de sa distribution restreinte, de la petite taille de ses populations, et de la connectivité restreinte de ses populations, elle semble très vulnérable au changement climatique et devrait être classée comme espèce en danger.

[Ornithology • 2023] Molecular and Acoustic Evidence Support the Species Status of Anthus rubescens rubescens and Anthus [rubescens] japonicus (Passeriformes: Motacillidae)

Breeding, migrating and wintering distributions of Palearctic Anthus [rubescens] japonicus and Nearctic Anthus rubescens rubescens/alticola subspecies groups 

in Doniol-Valcroze, Coiffard, Alström, Robb, Dufour et Crochet, 2023. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5343.2.4

(from BirdLife International 2022; illustration @Andrew Birch)

Abstract

The Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens comprises two allopatric subspecies groups: A. r. rubescens and A. r. alticola in North America and A. [r.] japonicus in north-east Asia. Despite their great morphological resemblance in breeding plumage, most individuals can be assigned to one or the other subspecies group in non-breeding plumage. Allopatric distributions, morphological differentiation and previously reported molecular divergence suggested the need for additional taxonomic study to assess the rank of these two populations. To resolve the taxonomy of the Buff-bellied Pipit species complex we analysed i) two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) loci and ii) nine bioacoustic parameters across 69 sound recordings (338 flight calls) recovered from public databases using principal component analysis and Euclidean distance measures. By comparing our mtDNA and call divergence measures with similar values measured between long-recognised species pairs of the genus, we show that the level of mitochondrial and acoustic divergence between the two Buff-bellied Pipit subspecies groups is typical of species-level divergence in the genus Anthus. Therefore, we recommend splitting the Buff-bellied Pipit species complex into two species: Anthus rubescens (American Pipit) and Anthus japonicus (Siberian Pipit). Our results also suggest that the Water Pipit A. spinoletta deserves taxonomic reassessment as its lineages are highly divergent in acoustics and mtDNA, while mtDNA relationships suggest paraphyly relative to the Rock Pipit A. petrosus. Our work highlights the crucial importance of integrative approaches in taxonomy and the usefulness of bioacoustics in studying cryptic diversity.

Key­­words: American Pipit, Buff-bellied Pipit, Beringia, Bird, Speciation, Palearctic, Nearctic

Breeding, migrating and wintering distributions of Palearctic Anthus [rubescens] japonicus and Nearctic Anthus rubescens rubescens/alticola subspecies groups (from BirdLife International 2022; illustration @Andrew Birch). Circles indicate origins of sequenced individuals and triangles indicate origins of analysed recordings of calls. Localities outside of the usual range of the species complex (e.g., Ireland, Oman and Israel) are not figured here.

Paul Doniol-Valcroze, Paul Coiffard, Per Alström, Magnus Robb, Paul Dufour and Pierre-André Crochet. 2023. Molecular and Acoustic Evidence Support the Species Status of Anthus rubescens rubescens and Anthus [rubescens] japonicus (Passeriformes: Motacillidae).  Zootaxa. 5343(2); 173-192. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5343.2.4

 www.birdguides.com/articles/research-shows-buff-bellied-pipit-is-two-species/

[Herpetology • 2023] Darevskia arribasi • A New Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 (Sauria: Lacertidae) from South Ossetia

 Darevskia arribasi

 Tuniyev, Petrova & Lotiev, 2023

DOI: 10.30906/1026-2296-2023-30-4-237-248 

 Researchgate.net/publication/373513974

Abstract

A new species of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 — Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. is described from vicinity of Ertso Lake in South Ossetia. In comparison of Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. with other species of the «saxicola-brauneri» complex [D. lindholmi (Szczerbak, 1962), D. saxicola (Eversmann, 1834), D. brauneri (Mehely, 1909) (including D. b. brauneri, D. b. myusserica Doronin, 2011, D. b. darevskyi (Szczerbak, 1962), and D. szczerbaki (Lukina, 1963)], the new species is characterized by the smallest body size among all representatives of this complex L♂♂ — 55 – 62 mm; ♀♀ — 58 – 63 mm. The number of scales around the middle of the body (Sq.) in D. arribasi sp. nov. (52 – 58, more often 54 – 56) also significantly less than for D. saxicola sensu lato in generally. Along the throat from ear to ear fold there are 36 – 42 scales, less than in D. saxicola sensu lato. Two large preanal shields present in front of the anal shield in half of the individuals examined; in a quarter of individuals on both sides of the small central preanal there are by one enlarged lateral preanal shield, in another quarter all preanal shields are of the same size. Central temporal (Massetericum) always developed; always six pair of mandibulars, three in contact; collar straight, extremely rarely slightly serrated; ribs on the caudal scales are expressed to some extent; rostral usually separated from frontonasal by nasal shields. The coloration of adult males is olive-lettuce, or olive-brown from above; adult females are grey-brown; juvenile coloration coffee-brown with the blue and black spots on the edge of the outer ventral shields at the middle of trunk. Taxonomical status of new species is well supported with result of analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b data.

Keywords: Caucasus; South Ossetia; Darevskia arribasi sp. nov.

Holotype of Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. (SNP No. 1928).

Boris S. Tuniyev, T. V. Petrova, K. Yu. Lotiev. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 from South Ossetia (Reptilia: Sauria: Lacertidae). Russian Journal of Herpetology.  30(4); 237-248. DOI: 10.30906/1026-2296-2023-30-4-237-248

  Researchgate.net/publication/373513974_A_New_Species_of_Darevskia_from_South_Ossetia

[Herpetology • 2019] Darevskia aghasyani • A New lizard Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997 (Lacertidae) from Southern Armenia

Darevskia aghasyani 

 Tuniyev & Petrova, 2019

DOI: 10.31610/trudyzin/2019.323.2.136

  Researchgate.net/publication/334051669

Abstract

A new species of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997 – Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov. is described from Urts Ridge in Southern Armenia. This species is characterized by a combination of the following characters: small size L – 49–54 mm, L. cd – 107, Sq – 52–56, Ventr – 26–27, G – 24, P. g. – 32–34, P. fm. – 18–20; it is painted in brownish-beige tones from above; the belly is whitish in both sexes, males in the anal area have yellow with ochre femoral pores; bluish spots appear on the edge of the outer ventral shields at the middle of trunk through one shield; on the sides of the trunk (chest area) there are two blue spots in males and one in females; rostral is separated from frontonasal by nasal shields and it does not touch the nostril; upper postocular is twice wider than upper temporal shield; posterior temporal shields are not pronounced, or slightly pronounced; in front of central temporal (Massetericum), there is one enlarged temporal shield; along the throat from ear to ear fold there are 32-34 scales; two large preanal shields present in front of the anal shield. A comparison of Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov. with other species of the genus from Armenia and representatives of “raddei” complex from neighboring regions of Turkey and Iran (Darevskia dahli (Darevsky, 1957), D. unisexualis (Darevsky, 1966), D. raddei (Boettger, 1892), D. raddei vanensis (Eiselt et al., 1993), D. nairensis (Darevsky, 1967), and D. defilippii (Camerano, 1877)) is given. Conservation status of taxa assessed as CR B2ac(iv) "CRITICALLY ENDANGERED".

Key words: conservation assessment, Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov., South Armenia, Urts Ridge

Holotype of Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov.

View of dorsal (A) and ventral (B) sides of the type specimens of Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov., top – male (holotype – SNP No. 1770a), the female below (paratype – SNP No. 1770b).

 Pholidosis and coloration of anal and perianal area of the holotype of Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov.

Family Lacertidae Bonaparte, 1831 

Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997 

Darevskia aghasyani Tuniyev et Petrova sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Small sized lizard. It is painted in brownish-beige tones from above (Fig. 4A). The belly is whitish in both sexes, males have yellow with ochre femoral pores in the anal area (Fig. 4B). Bluish spots appear on the edge of the outer ventral shields at the middle of the trunk through one shield. On the sides of the trunk (chest area) there are two blue spots in males and one in females. Rostral is separated from frontonasal by nasal shields and it does not touch the nostril. Upper postocular is twice wider than upper temporal shield. Posterior temporal shields are not pronounced, or slightly pronounced. In front of central temporal (Massetericum), there is one enlarged temporal shield. Along the throat from ear to ear fold there are 32–34 scales. Two large preanal shields present in front of the anal shield.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of the famous herpetologist – Aram Levonovich Aghasyan, who studies reptiles of Armenia and has made a huge contribution to the development of protected areas (econet) of Armenia.

 

B.S. Tuniyev and T.V. Petrova. 2019. A New lizard Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997 from Southern Armenia. Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS. 323(2); 136–148. DOI: 10.31610/trudyzin/2019.323.2.136

  Researchgate.net/publication/334051669_A_new_lizard_of_the_genus_Darevskia_from_Armenia