[Herpetology • 2026] Nadzikambia nubila, N. evanescens, N. franklinae & N. goodallae • Sky Islands of Mozambique harbour Cryptic Species of Chameleons: Description of Four New Species of Sylvan Chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae: Nadzikambia Tilbury, Tolley & Branch, 2006)

 A adult male Nadzikambia mlanjensis (Broadley, 1965); B adult male N. baylissi Branch & Tolley, 2010;
C adult male Nadzikambia franklinae sp. nov.; D adult male N. goodallae sp. nov.;
E adult male N. evanescens sp. nov.; F adult female N. nubila sp. nov. 

Tolley & Conradie, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.76.e178403 

  

Abstract

Several populations of forest-living chameleons in the genus Nadzikambia have been recorded from the montane sky island forests in northern Mozambique. These populations have not been evaluated for their species status, despite the potential for these allopatric populations having diverged at the species level due to vicariance of forest since the mid-Miocene. With only two described species of Nadzikambia, we hypothesised that candidate (new) species occur on each of four additional montane sky islands surveyed. We applied an integrative taxonomic approach to evaluate this, using morphological and genetic data collected from each population. Their distributions were mapped, the morphological dataset was quantitatively analysed using a multivariate analysis, and one nuclear and three mitochondrial genes were sequenced to generate a phylogeny and allele networks. Independent species delimitation analyses were applied to the genetic dataset (mPTP, SpeciesIdentifier, p distances) as supporting evidence for candidate species. By applying integrative taxonomy under the General Lineage Species Concept, we find support for four new species of Nadzikambia. The montane forests where they occur have declined in extent due to slash and burn agriculture and these forest endemics are presumed to be in a proportional decline as their habitat contracts. By examining historical and present-day satellite imagery, we show that all Nadzikambia species have lost significant proportions of their range. Given they do not occur outside these forests, these species are in imminent danger of extinction.

Keywords: Africa, Chamaeleonidae, conservation priority, Critically Endangered, habitat loss, morphological conservatism, reptiles, species declines, species delimitation, taxonomy

 

Life photos of Nadzikambia: A adult male N. mlanjensis (PEM R18445), B adult male N. baylissi (unvouchered specimen),
C adult holotype male N. franklinae sp. nov. (PEM R21165), D adult holotype male N. goodallae sp. nov. (PEM R24394),
E adult holotype male N. evanescens sp. nov. (PEM R24372), F adult paratype female N. nubila sp. nov. (NHMUK 2025.3278).

Nadzikambia franklinae sp. nov.

Namuli sylvan chameleon

Etymology. The new species is named after the British chemist Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958) whose work on X-Ray crystallography, particularly her legendary “photo 51”, revealed the structure of DNA (Franklin and Gosling 1953). Her ground-breaking work subsequently allowed for the field of phylogenetics to develop, decades later. Today, nearly all modern taxonomy is phylogenetically informed, including the description of N. franklinae sp. nov.

Nadzikambia goodallae sp. nov.

Ribáuè sylvan chameleon

Etymology. This species is named after Jane Goodall (1934–2025), an inspirational scientist who lived and worked in Africa throughout her lengthy career. Although her work was dedicated to the study of Pan troglodytes, the Chimpanzee, she spent much of her life living and working in tropical forest, in particular at Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Like her own study species, this chameleon is a forest endemic and the destruction of forest, and other habitats, both at Mount Ribáuè as well as within the home range of P. troglodytes in Central and West Africa is causing forest-living species to decline to the brink of extinction.

Nadzikambia evanescens sp. nov.

Inago sylvan chameleon

Etymology. This species is named Nadzikambia evanescens with the specific epithet from the Latin ‘evanescens’ meaning ‘vanishing’. The name is a present participle that can be used as an adjective or a noun in apposition, and the specific epithet is the same for all genders. The etymology is to highlight the rapidly vanishing forest on Mount Inago and the peril that this species is currently under. The forest has already been reduced to a few small patches, and the uncontrolled conversion of forest to agriculture is continuing. The consequence could be the demise of this endemic forest species, if action is not taken to stop the forest destruction.

Nadzikambia nubila sp. nov.

Chiperone sylvan chameleon

Etymology. This species is named after the “Ciperoni” – the term used locally for the weather that brings heavy clouds and orographic rainfall to the area. The cloud sustains the mid-elevation wet forest on this mountain. The epithet ‘nubila’ is derived from the Latin ‘nubilus’ meaning “cloudy,” and is modified to the feminine form to agree with the feminine gender of the genus Nadzikambia.

 Krystal Tolley and Werner Conradie. 2026. Sky Islands of Mozambique harbour Cryptic Species of Chameleons: Description of Four New Species of Sylvan Chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae: Nadzikambia Tilbury, Tolley & Branch, 2006). Vertebrate Zoology. 76: 207-246. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.76.e178403 [21 Apr 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Allohistium anas • Genomic and Phenotypic Delimitation of Species in a Temperate Aquatic Biodiversity Hotspot

 

Allohistium anas Near & MacGuigan,

in MacGuigan, Taylor, Ghezelayagh, Wood, Simmons, Mollish et Near, 2025. 

Cinder Darter  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaf083 

Abstract

Biologists have relied on morphological characteristics to identify, define, and formally describe species for the past 250 years. The advent of phylogenetic species concepts and the introduction of molecular data have spawned new species delimitation methods applicable to a wide range of eukaryotic lineages. However, these approaches heavily emphasize genomic data, often overlooking phenotypic traits. We present and implement a species delimitation approach that utilizes genome-wide markers from ddRAD-seq and meristic morphological traits, which have long been used to identify and delineate fish species. Our methodology employs unsupervised machine learning to analyze morphological data without a priori species assignments, allowing phenotypic patterns to emerge independently from genomic-based species delimitation. We apply our combined genomic and phenotypic methodology to the freshwater systems of Southeastern North America, a biodiversity hotspot where conservation efforts are hampered by an incomplete knowledge of species diversity. Our investigation focuses on the darter clade Allohistium, a threatened lineage comprising two described species. Through phylogenomic, population genetic, and phenotypic model comparisons, we provide evidence supporting the delimitation of a third species of Allohistium, which we formally describe. Our approach shows how unsupervised machine learning can reveal cryptic morphological diversity that might otherwise be obscured by taxonomic preconceptions. This study demonstrates that model testing using diverse lines of evidence yields a more comprehensive, data-driven hypothesis of species diversity.

Darters, ddRAD-seq, methodology, North America, phenotype, species delimitation

Live photographs of Allohistium specimens.

Photo credit to Jon M. Mollish. YPM = Yale Peabody Museum, YFTC = Yale Fish Tissue Collection.

Allohistium anas Near and MacGuigan new species

Cinder Darter

Diagnosis. Allohistium anas differs from Allohistium cinereum and Allohistium maydeni by a higher number of lateral line scales (Supplementary Table S4), modally 43 versus 42 vertebrae (Shepard and Burr 1984), a larger proportion of individuals with greater than 80% of the cheek covered with scales, and more than 50% of the individuals with 10–40% of the nape covered with scales. In addition, Allohistium anas is never resolved as the sister lineage of Allohistium cinereum sensu stricto in mtDNA gene trees (Powers et al. 2004, 2012) or phylogenomic analyses of ddRAD-seq loci (see below). Allohistium maydeni differs from Allohistium anas and Allohistium cinereum in having modally 11 versus 12 dorsal fin spines (Supplementary Table S5; Powers et al. 2012), 12 versus 13 dorsal fin rays (Supplementary Table S6; Powers et al. 2012), and the presence of conspicuous red coloration on the skin covering the upper and lower oral jaws (Fig. 2).

Etymology. The species name anas is from the Latin word for duck, in reference to the distribution of the species in the Duck River system. The common name Cinder Darter is in reference to the common name of A. cinerum, the Ashy Darter.

Daniel J MacGuigan , Adam Taylor , Ava Ghezelayagh , Julia E Wood , Jeffrey W Simmons , Jon M Mollish and Thomas J Near. 2025. Genomic and Phenotypic Delimitation of Species in a Temperate Aquatic Biodiversity Hotspot. Systematic Biology. syaf083. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaf083 [27 November 2025]

[Ornithology • 2026] Pulsatrix perspicillata & Pulsatrix pulsatrix • Museomics resolves 200 years of Taxonomic Uncertainty: Strix pulsatrix Wied, 1820 (Strigiformes: Strigidae) is A Valid Species

in Bolívar-Leguizamón, Corrêa, Bencke et Silveira. 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108488

Artwork by Eduardo Brettas
 instagram.com/EduardoBrettas

 

Highlights

• Pulsatrix perspicillata is an owl found from Mexico to Argentina and Brazil.

• The taxonomic position of the P. p. pulsatrix subspecies is a matter of controversy.

• Historical DNA shows great divergence between the pulsatrix and perspicillata taxa.

• The pulsatrix-perspicillata clade is sister to a melanota-koeniswaldiana clade.

• Pleistocene climatic oscillations influenced the diversification of the genus.

• We proposed elevating the subspecies pulsatrix of P. perspicillata to species status.

Abstract

The identification of valid species is central to biology, and genetic data have been essential in uncovering new taxonomic units across groups. For polytypic taxa, genetics helps distinguish valid units from natural variation. Pulsatrix perspicillata (Spectacled Owl) is a widespread polytypic species with six recognized subspecies. We used genetic data and museomics techniques to: (i) test the validity of Strix pulsatrix Wied, 1820 (=Pulsatrix perspicillata pulsatrix) as a species distinct from Pulsatrix perspicillata; and (ii) estimate the phylogenetic relationships and divergence times within the genus Pulsatrix Kaup, 1848. We conducted population structure and phylogenetic analyses using SNPs matrices and alignments of Ultraconserved Elements (UCEs) from 16 individuals of Pulsatrix spp., including four historical samples of P. p. pulsatrix. Additionally, we sequenced the mtDNA-ND2 gene from 38 samples representing all known Pulsatrix species to further elucidate phylogenetic relationships and estimate divergence times. Our results indicate that Pulsatrix perspicillata pulsatrix represents an independent lineage from P. perspicillata, as supported by its reciprocal monophyly and distinct population structure. UCE analyses also grouped P. koeniswaldiana (Tawny-browed Owl) and P. melanota (Band-bellied Owl) into a distinct cluster. Phylogenetic analyses based on both UCEs and mtDNA-ND2 sequences support the monophyly of the genus Pulsatrix. Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana and P. melanota form a monophyletic group that is sister to P. perspicillata. Pulsatrix diverged in the Late Miocene and diversified in the Pliocene-Quaternary. The evolutionary history of Pulsatrix appears to have been influenced by (a) the final phase of the Andean uplift and (b) climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene. Pulsatrix p. pulsatrix shows genetic divergence consistent with a species-level split from P. perspicillata, and we henceforth recognize it as Pulsatrix pulsatrix (Wied 1820). We recommend future studies to assess its current distribution and inform the development of conservation strategies.

 

Keywords: Museomics, UCEsmt-ND2, Pulsatrix, Spectacled Owl, Neotropics, Systematics, Phylogeography 

 

Pulsatrix perspicillata 

Sergio D. Bolívar-Leguizamón, Aline Henrique Corrêa, Glayson Ariel Bencke and Luís F. Silveira. 2026. Museomics resolves 200 years of Taxonomic Uncertainty: Strix pulsatrix Wied, 1820 (Strigiformes, Strigidae) is A Valid Species. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 108488. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108488 [27 October 2025]

 instagram.com/p/DSI6x84EpMR 

[Herpetology • 2025] Ptenopus adamanteus, P. circumsyrticus, P. sceletus, ... • Singing on Key: An integrative Taxonomic Revision of Barking Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Ptenopus) with six additional species and keys for morphology and advertisement calls

Ptenopus adamanteus 

 Ptenopus circumsyrticus

Ptenopus sceletus 

Becker, Alexander & Tolley, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.75.e153514

 

Abstract

Barking geckos, Ptenopus Gray, 1866 are burrowing geckos that occur across the xeric regions of southern Africa. They possess unique vocal abilities, with males producing loud advertisement calls to attract females. The taxonomy of the genus has remained stable for six decades, with three recognised species: Ptenopus garrulus (Smith, 1849), P. kochi Haacke, 1964, and P. carpi Brain, 1962. Within P. garrulus, two subspecies have been recognised since 1935: the nominotypical form (P. g. garrulus) and P. g. maculatus Gray, 1866. A recent phylogenetic analysis of the genus found that it contains eight to ten putative species. We used an integrated taxonomic approach to delimit a total of nine species, including evidence from phylogenetics, ecology, calls, and morphology. Ptenopus g. maculatus is elevated to full species, thereby restricting the geographic range of P. garrulus sensu stricto to the greater Kalahari. Additionally, four new species are named which were previously included in ‘P. g. maculatus’: Ptenopus adamanteus sp. nov. from the southern Namib Desert, P. circumsyrticus sp. nov. from the central Namib Desert, P. kenkenses sp. nov. from the northern Nama Karoo, and P. australis sp. nov. from southern Nama Karoo. As a result, the range of P. maculatus sensu stricto is restricted to the central northern Namib Desert. Furthermore, one new species previously included in P. carpi is named P. sceletus sp. nov. from the Skeleton Coast (northern coastal Namib Desert), thereby restricting the range of P. carpi sensu stricto to a small strip of coastal Namib Desert between the Swakop and Kuiseb rivers. The Namib Desert is the centre of diversity for the genus Ptenopus, containing seven of the nine species including the oldest divergent lineages. Two species-level keys are provided: a morphological key and a unique bioacoustic key to the advertisement calls.

Keywords: Bioacoustics, mate selection, phylogeography, substrate specificity, systematics

Life colour variation and substrate matching in Ptenopus adamanteus sp. nov.
(A–D: northern populations; E–H: southern populations):
A NMNW R11390 (holotype), from Grosse Bucht, ||Karas Region, Namibia (–26.7338, 15.1041); B, C NMNW R11393 (paratype) from near locality A (–26.7208, 15.1026); D NMNW R11391 (allotype), from locality A;
E NMNW R11610 from 30 km E of Port Nolloth, Northern Cape Province, South Africa (–29.3049, 17.1836), not on native substrate; F NMNW R11611 from the same locality as E on native substrate; G NMNW R11598 from Oranjemund, ||Karas Region, Namibia (–28.5541, 16.4982); H unvouchered specimen from Port Nolloth (–29.2403, 16.8631), only 30 km W of locality of E/F.

Photos by Francois S. Becker.

Life colour variation in Ptenopus circumsyrticus sp. nov.:
 A NMNW R11394 (holotype) from Gobabeb, Erongo Region, Namibia (–23.5732, 15.0368); B FB2003 (unvouchered) from Keerwerder, NamibRand, Hardap Region, Namibia (–24.9818, 15.9338); C, D FB2080 from NE of Gobabeb (–23.3175, 15.5700); E unvouchered specimen from near locality of C; F NMNW R11355 (paratype) from near locality of B (–24.9495, 16.0397). Photos by Francois S. Becker.

Life colour variation and substrate matching in Ptenopus kenkenses sp. nov.:
 A, C NMNW R11388 (paratype) from Giant’s Playground, ||Karas Region, Namibia (–26.4538, 18.3097); B NMNW R11655 from S of Aus, ||Karas Region, Namibia (–26.7073, 16.2829); D NMNW R11648 from locality B; E FB454 from W of Aus (–26.5700, 15.8389); F FB456 from W of Aus (–26.6478, 16.2147). Photos by Francois S. Becker.

Life colour variation in Ptenopus sceletus sp. nov.:
 A NMNW R12103 (paratype) from N of Swakopmund, Erongo Region, Namibia (–22.6259, 14.5457); B NMNW R12101 (allotype) from locality A; C NMNW R11763 from Hoanib River, Kunene Region, Nambia (–19.3539, 13.1453); D NMNW R11754 from Henties Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia (–22.1584, 14.3086); E NMNW R12100 (holotype) and NMNW R011771 from the same locality as A, showing sexual dichromatism in gular patches of this species (male gular patch may be divided or undivided, while female only has slight shades of yellow on lateral edges); F NMNW R11771 from N of Swakop River near Swakopmund (–22.6652, 14.57619) and NMNW R11755 from N of the Omaruru River near Henties Bay (–21.7703, 14.5520), showing iris colour variation from silver (most common in the sourthern extreme of the range) to brown (more common further north). Photos by Francois S. Becker.

Ptenopus adamanteus sp. nov. 

Ptenopus australis sp. nov.

Ptenopus circumsyrticus sp. nov.

Ptenopus kenkenses sp. nov.

Ptenopus sceletus sp. nov.

Ptenopus maculatus (raised from a subspecies)

François S. Becker, Graham J. Alexander, Krystal A. Tolley. 2025. Singing on Key: An integrative Taxonomic Revision of Barking Geckos (Gekkonidae: Ptenopus) with six additional species and keys for morphology and advertisement calls. Vertebrate Zoology. 75: 277-323.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.75.e153514

[Herpetology • 2024] Hemidactylus gubanensis & H. huluul • Two New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the coastal areas of northern Somaliland

Hemidactylus gubanensis 

Mazuch, Janák, Velenská, Nistri, Elmi & Šmíd, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2024.2376119 

 Researchgate.net/publication/383304075 

Abstract

The taxonomy of many Hemidactylus geckos from the Horn of Africa has recently been evaluated. However, the lack of fresh material for some species and also regions has led to the misidentification of some taxa and an underestimation of the true diversity in others. In this study we analyse new material of Hemidactylus collected from poorly known coastal areas of northern Somaliland. Our results support the existence of two yet undescribed species within the arid clade. One of the new species is small-sized and closely related to H. afarensis from the Afar Triangle in Ethiopia, and together with two other species (H. foudaii, H. sinaitus) forms the monophyletic group for which we propose here the name sinaitus species group. The other new species is medium to large-sized, known from only one locality, and belongs to the macropholis species group, where it is a sister species of H. macropholis. Both new endemic species from the northern coastal hyper-arid plains highlight the role of northern Somaliland as an important biodiversity hotspot. Furthermore, our results show pronounced genetic diversity within H. macropholis, and imply possible existence of cryptic taxa within the species. Hemidactylus arnoldi and H. tropidolepis have, for the first time, been sequenced and placed in a phylogenetic context in this study. Our results confirm that H. tropidolepis is nested within the African radiation and is most closely related to H. funaiolii. Hemidactylus arnoldi clustered within the Arabian radiation of Hemidactylus and it was recovered as a sister lineage to all other species of the radiation.

Keywords: Gekkota, Horn of Africa, lizards, morphology, reptiles, Somalia, taxonomy

 Hemidactylus gubanensis sp. nov.

Hemidactylus huluul sp. nov.

 

Tomáš Mazuch, Vojtěch Janák, Doubravka Velenská, Annamaria Nistri, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi and Jiří Šmíd. 2024. Two New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the coastal areas of northern Somaliland. African Zoology. 59(2); 77-100 [22 Aug 2024]

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2024.2376119 

Researchgate.net/publication/383304075_Two_new_species_of_Hemidactylus_from_the_coastal_areas_of_northern_Somaliland

[Mammalogy • 2025] Murina alvarezi, M. philippinensis, M. luzonensis, ... • Systematics and Biogeography of Tube-nosed Bats, Murina (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), from the Philippines with Descriptions of Six New Species

 Murina alvarezi (A, paratype, FMNH 205827), M. baletei (B, holotype, FMNH 205411), 
M. luzonensis (C, holotype FMNH 190764), M. philippinensis (D, holotype, FMNH 205834)

Eger, Sedlock, Lim & Heaney, 2025  

   DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5691.1.1

 photos by J. Sedlock & D. Balete. 

Abstract

Murina is a wide-ranging genus of insectivorous bats that occurs throughout Asia whose known diversity has recently been increasing with the description of 26 new species in the past 20 years. The Philippine archipelago—mostly comprised of islands with oceanic origin and thus a history of isolation—has produced a fauna rich in endemic species, including bats. Here, we describe the morphological and genetic diversity among Murina specimens collected from across the Philippine islands and compare them to representatives from the Southeast Asian mainland and adjacent islands. Our results show that the wide-spread M. cyclotis represents a radiation, beginning around 11 mya, of five distinct Murina species endemic to the Philippines, including three single-island endemics. These five new M. cyclotis group species are mostly allopatric in distribution, except for two species—the smallest and largest that occur in the Philippines—that co-occur on Mindanao Island. Our study documents Murina suilla, a species occurring in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, and only occurring on Mindoro and Palawan Islands within the Philippines. Additionally, we describe a new species that is sister to M. suilla and is widespread across the Philippine archipelago. Overall, our study has increased the number of Philippine Murina species from two to seven. As the first phylogeographic analysis of a laryngeal echolocating bat genus within the Philippines, our study provides evidence that the diversification of understory insectivorous bats largely echoes that of fruit bats (Pteropodidae), which is characterized by endemic Philippine lineages that are primarily confined to known biogeographic regions that constitute sets of modern islands that were connected during the last ice age, or to individual oceanic islands. We hypothesize that subsequent phylogeographic investigations of other bat taxa may reveal similar, previously unrecognized, endemic radiations within the highly biodiverse Philippines.

Mammalia, diversification, endemism, Miocene, phylogeny, oceanic islands, species limits, Southeast Asia

Representative photographs of Murina alvarezi (A, paratype, FMNH 205827; photo: J. Sedlock), M. baletei (B, holotype, FMNH 205411; photo: D. Balete),
M. luzonensis (C, holotype FMNH 190764; photo: D. Balete), M. philippinensis (D, holotype, FMNH 205834; photo: J. Sedlock).

Judith L. EGER, Jodi L. SEDLOCK, Burton K. LIM and Lawrence R. HEANEY. 2025. Systematics and Biogeography of Tube-nosed Bats, Murina (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), from the Philippines with Descriptions of Six New Species.  Zootaxa. 5691(1); 1-44. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5691.1.1 [2025-09-08]

[Mammalogy • 2024] Phylogeny, Biogeography, and Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Afro-Arabian Rodent Genus Ochromyscus (Muridae: Murinae: Praomyini)

 

the Afro-Arabian rodent Genus Ochromyscus (Muridae: Murinae: Praomyini)

in Meheretu, Mikula, Frynta, Frýdlová, Mulualem, Lavrenchenko, Kostin, Elmi, Šumbera et Bryja, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad158

https://sev-in.ru

Abstract

The analyses of Plio-Pleistocene speciation processes in the Horn of Africa are relevant for understanding the evolution of biodiversity patterns of this understudied part of the world. Here we analyse comprehensive genomic and morphological data of the recently delimited murid genus Ochromyscus, one of the few with Afro-Arabian distribution. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, we delimit three species in the genus: two in eastern Africa (O. brockmani and O. niveiventris) and one in southern Arabia (O. yemeni), and detail their distribution, genetic structure, and evolutionary history. Despite their morphological similarity, the three species split before the Pleistocene, and their interspecific genetic divergence level is comparable to that between sister genera of murine rodents. The split between two taxa living on opposite sides of the Red Sea (O. brockmani vs. O. yemeni) is younger than the separation of their ancestor and O. niveiventris living in eastern Africa. The colonization of Arabia can be explained either by the presence of a relatively recent continental bridge or by the past occurrence of the genus along the eastern coast of the Red Sea and subsequent spreading through the Sinai Peninsula.

ddRAD, Horn of Africa, integrative taxonomy, phylogeography, rodents, Somali-Masai savanna

Ochromyscus brockmani (Thomas, 1906)

Brockman’s white-bellied rocky mouse.

Ochromyscus niveiventris (Osgood, 1910)

Snowy white-bellied rocky mouse. 

The Latin name ‘niveiventris’ means ‘snowy-white-bellied’. 

Because the English genus name is ‘white-bellied rocky mouse’ (Nicolas et al., 2021), we propose to simplify the English name to avoid redundant use of ‘white-bellied’.

Ochromyscus yemeni (Sanborn and Hoogstraal, 1953)

Yemen white-bellied rocky mouse.

Yonas Meheretu, Ondřej Mikula, Daniel Frynta, Petra Frýdlová, Getachew Mulualem, Leonid A Lavrenchenko, Danila S Kostin, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi, Radim Šumbera and Josef Bryja. 2024. Phylogeny, Biogeography, and Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Afro-Arabian Rodent Genus Ochromyscus (Muridae: Murinae: Praomyini). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202(1); zlad158. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad158 [04 November 2023]

Study of mammal evolutionary histories sheds light on existence of continental bridge between Africa and Arabian Peninsula  https://sev-in.ru/en/node/4067

  x.com/iee_ras/status/1888935922411999442

[Mammalogy • 2021] Chingawaemys gen. nov., Montemys gen. nov. & Ochromyscus gen. nov. ... • Phylogenomics of African Radiation of Praomyini Rodents (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae): First fully resolved Phylogeny, Evolutionary History and Delimitation of Extant Genera

 

Chingawaemys Lavrenchenko, Mikula & Bryja, gen. nov. 
Congomys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov.
Ochromyscus Nicolas, Mikula & Bryja, gen. nov.

Serengetimys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 
Montemys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 

in Nicolas, Mikula, Lavrenchenko, Šumbera, Bartáková, Bryjová, Meheretu, Verheyen, Missoup, Lemmon, Lemmon et Bryja, 2021. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107263 

 

Highlights: 

• Fully resolved phylogeny of a highly diversified group of African mammals using genome-scale data.

• Mechanisms of adaptive radiation in Late Miocene/Early Pliocene.

• Delimitation of monophyletic genera in Praomyini rodents.

• Discovery of a new mammal genus in Ethiopian forests.

Abstract

The tribe Praomyini is a diversified group including 64 species and eight extant rodent genera. They live in a broad spectrum of habitats across whole sub-Saharan Africa. Members of this tribe are often very abundant, they have a key ecological role in ecosystems, they are hosts of many potentially pathogenic microorganisms and comprise numerous agricultural pests. Although this tribe is well supported by both molecular and morphological data, its intergeneric relationships and the species contents of several genera are not yet fully resolved. Recent molecular data suggest that at least three genera in current sense are paraphyletic. However, in these studies the species sampling was sparse and the resolution of relationships among genera was poor, probably due to a fast radiation of the tribe dated to the Miocene and insufficient amount of genetic data. Here we used genomic scale data (395 nuclear loci = 610,965 bp long alignment and mitogenomes = 14,745 bp) and produced the first fully resolved species tree containing most major lineages of the Praomyini tribe (i.e. all but one currently delimited genera and major intrageneric clades). Results of a fossil-based divergence dating analysis suggest that the radiation started during the Messinian stage (ca. 7 Ma) and was likely linked to a fragmentation of the pan-African Miocene forest. Some lineages remained in the rain forests, while many others adapted to a broad spectrum of new open lowland and montane habitats that appeared at the beginning of Pliocene. Our analyses clearly confirmed the presence of three polyphyletic genera (Praomys, Myomyscus and Mastomys). We review current knowledge of these three genera and suggest corresponding taxonomic changes. To keep genera monophyletic, we propose taxonomic re-arrangements and delimit four new genera. Furthermore, we discovered a new highly divergent genetic lineage of Praomyini in southwestern Ethiopia, which is described as a new species and genus.

Graphical abstract

 

Keywords: Late Miocene, Radiation, Anchored phylogenomics, Rodentia, Tropical Africa, Complete mitochondrial DNA, Taxonomy

Praomys Thomas, 1915

Montemys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Epimys delectorum Thomas, 1910. 

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 8, 6: 430.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of Latin “montem” (mountain) and greek “mys” (mouse). Oldfield Thomas described the type species of this genus in 1910 from S Malawi, Mulanje (=Mlanji) Plateau, 5500 ft., and all known populations of the genus are known to live in montane forests of Eastern Africa (Bryja et al., 2014, Carleton and Stanley, 2012).

Species included: Montemys delectorum (Thomas, 1910).

English name: Several names were previously proposed for this species: Delicate Soft-furred Mice, Delectable Soft-furred Mouse, Delicate Praomys and East African Praomys (Wilson et al., 2017). Given that it is no longer included in the genus Praomys and that the term “soft-furred” is usually used for Praomys species, we propose to use the name Delicate Montane Mouse for Montemys delectorum.

Congomys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Praomys tullbergi lukolelae Hatt, 1934. 

Am. Mus. Novit., 708: 13.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of “Congo” (geographical name) and “mys” (=mouse). The name acknowledges the Congo Basin, where the two currently known species of this genus are endemic.

Species included: Congomys lukolelae (Hatt, 1934); 

Congomys verschureni (Verheyen & Van der Straeten, 1977).

English names: Several names were previously proposed for C. lukolelae (Lukolela soft-furred mouse, Lukolela Praomys and Lukolela Swamp rat) and C. verschureni (Verschuren’s Praomys or Verschuren Swamp rat) (Wilson et al., 2017). Given that these species are no longer included into the genus Praomys and that the term “soft-furred” is usually used for Praomys species, we propose using the names Lukolela Swamp rat for C. lukolelae and Verschuren’s Swamp rat for C. verschureni.

Myomyscus

 Species included: M. verreauxii (Smith, 1834)

English name: The names Verreaux’s Meadow Mouse, Verreaux’s Myomyscus, Verreaux’s White-footed Rat and White-footed Mouse are commonly used for this species (Wilson et al. 2017). We propose to retain the name Verreaux’s Meadow Mouse for this species.

Ochromyscus Nicolas, Mikula & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Mus brockmani Thomas, 1906. 

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 7, 18: 298.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of “ωχρος” [ochros] (which means “pale” in Greek) and “myscus” (derived from myskos = small mouse, diminutive of mys = mouse). The name acknowledges the typical color of these rodents, which has no bright hue.

 

Species included: Ochromyscus brockmani (Thomas, 1906); 

Ochromyscus yemeni (Sanborn & Hoogstraal, 1953).

English name: We propose the name White-bellied Rocky mouse, because the purely white belly is typical of all species within this genus and they are most abundant in rocky outcrops.

Serengetimys Nicolas & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Rattus pernanus Kershaw, 1921. 

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, 8: 568.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of “Serengenti” (geographical name) and “mys” (=mouse). P. S. Kershaw described the type species of this genus in 1921 from Amala (=upper course of Mara) River in southern Kenya. All known records (except an aberrant specimen from Eastern Tanzania and an unconfirmed record from Rwanda) of this monotypic genus are from the so-called Serengeti ecosystem with prevailing grasslands in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya (Van der Straeten, 1999).

Species included: Serengetimys pernanus (Kershaw, 1921).

English name: Dwarf Serengeti mouse. Happold (2013) proposed the English name “Dwarf Multimammate Mouse”, because it was thought that the species belong to the genus Mastomys (“multimammate mice”). However, our first observation of a lactating female from southern Kenya revealed that they have only five pairs of nipples.

Mastomys 

Mastomys angolensis (Bocage, 1890), comb. nov.

Species included: M. angolensis (Bocage, 1890), M. awashensis Lavrenchenko, Likhnova & Baskevich, 1998, M. coucha (Smith, 1834), M. erythroleucus (Temminck, 1853), M. huberti (Wroughton, 1909), M. kollmannspergeri (Petter, 1957), M. natalensis (Smith, 1834), M. shortridgei (St. Leger, 1933)

Chingawaemys Lavrenchenko, Mikula & Bryja, gen. nov. 

Type species: Chingawaemys rarus, 

the new species described below.

Etymology: The new generic name is a masculine noun composed of “Chingawa” (geographical name) and the Greek “mys”, referring to mouse, or rat in this case. The name acknowledges the Chingawa Forest, where the single known species of this genus is endemic.

Chingawaemys rarus Lavrenchenko, Mikula & Bryja, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species name is derived from the Latin word “rarus” – rare (see Ecology).

English name: We propose the vernacular name “Chingawa Forest Rat” for Chingawaemys rarus sp. nov. The name reflects that this rare rodent appears to be endemic to the unique Chingawa Forest.

 

 

Violaine Nicolas, Ondřej Mikula, Leonid A. Lavrenchenko, Radim Šumbera, Veronika Bartáková, Anna Bryjová, Yonas Meheretu, Erik Verheyen, Alain Didier Missoup, Alan R. Lemmon, Emily Moriarty Lemmon and Josef Bryja. 2021. Phylogenomics of African Radiation of Praomyini (Muridae: Murinae) Rodents: First fully resolved Phylogeny, Evolutionary History and Delimitation of Extant Genera. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 163, 107263. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107263 

[Botany • 2024] Pilea monroi (Urticaceae) • Genetic and Morphological Differentiation among Populations of the narrowly endemic and Karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla

 

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez 

& Pilea pteridophylla A. K. Monro,  

in Lagos-Báez, Licona-Vera, Gómez-Domínguez, Ornelas, Vásquez-Aguilar, Hurtado-Reveles et Ortiz-Rodriguez, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-024-00638-x  

 x.com/AndrsErnestoOr1

Abstract

In this study, the influence of geographic isolation on the levels of morphological and genetic differentiation among populations of the karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla (Urticaceae) was evaluated. Based on our results, there is a strong morphological differentiation among the only two know populations of Pilea pteridophylla. Both populations can be clearly differentiated based on vegetative and reproductive characters, and the observed variation is geographically structured. Moreover, our genetic data from the chloroplast genome show strong levels of population differentiation and no shared haplotypes were observed between populations. Also, our estimation of divergence times supports a long-term isolation hypothesis between populations. Based on our results, dispersal seed limitation, long-term forest isolation and topographic heterogeneity (local adaptation) are related to high levels of endemism and species turnover in the mountain karst forests of Mexico.

 

Keywords: Endemic, Neotropics, Mexico, Phylogeography, Speciation, Tropical rainforest

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez (Urticaceae).
 A Habit, plant with pistillate inflorescences. B Stem, a leafless portion with inflorescences. C Flower bud. D Staminate flower with four stamens and four tepals. E Infructescence. F Stem portion with pistillate inflorescences.

Drawn by Robin Pérez Lucas based on Lagos-Báez 57 (MEXU)

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez & Pilea pteridophylla A. K. Monro 
B Individual from the Chiapas population (Blue). C Individual from the Tabasco population (Red)

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. & Lagos-Báez sp. nov.  

Similar to Pilea pteridophylla in general fern-like appearance, but clearly differentiated by its dentate (vs. pectinate) leaves, and larger stem and leaf size. Furthermore, they are allopatrically distributed and under different environmental conditions.

Etymology: Pilea monroi named in honour of Dr Alex Monro, taxonomist, specialist in the genus Pilea (Urticaceae) and especially interested in the study of the plant diversity in the karstic forests of America and China.

Notes: Pilea monroi is the only species in Mexico with linear lanceolate, deeply dentate leaves, and like Pilea pteridophylla, its fern-like appearance makes it easily distinguishable from other species. However, the leaf margins of Pilea monroi are dentate and not pectinate as in Pilea pteridophylla.

...

  

Karina Lagos-Báez, Yuyini Licona-Vera, Héctor Gómez-Domínguez, Juan Francisco Ornelas, Antonio Acini Vásquez-Aguilar, Leopoldo Hurtado-Reveles and Andrés Ernesto Ortiz-Rodriguez. 2024. Genetic and Morphological Differentiation among Populations of the narrowly endemic and Karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla (Urticaceae).  Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 24, 149–162. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-024-00638-x

   x.com/AndrsErnestoOr1/status/1764034789709951281

[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

[Herpetology • 2024] Hidden on the Roof of the World: Mitochondrial Data Reveals Exceptional Genetic Diversity of Himalayan Ablepharine Skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae)

Diversity of the Asian Ablepharine skinks from mtDNA sequences:
Protoblepharus (blue), the Ablepharus sikkimensis group (yellow), the Ablepharus himalayanus group (red), and the Ablepharus ladacensis group (green).

in Bragin, Litvinchuk, Borkin, Melnikov, Skorinov, ...et Poyarkov, 2024. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2024-31-6-351-368

  Researchgate.net/publication/387296242 

  facebook.com/NickPoyarkov

Abstract

Snake-eyed, or ablepharine skinks, are common residents of the highest mountain ranges on Earth, including the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, Karakoram, Pamir, and Tian Shan, colloquially known as the Roof of the World. Historically, these skinks were alternatively assigned to the genera Scincella, Ablepharus, Asymblepharus, and Himalblepharus, but recent revisions proposed to group them in only two genera, namely Protoblepharus (the eastern Himalayan taxa) and Ablepharus (all other taxa). The taxonomy of this group yet remains in a state of flux due to the limited informativeness of available phylogenies (often with little material from the Himalayan region), discrepancies in morphological patterns of variation, and the potentially high yet unconsidered degree of diversity of the group. To shed some light, we assess the mitochondrial diversity and evolution of Himalayan snake-eyed skinks based on >200 individuals sampled across Pakistan, India, Nepal, and China, representing nine out of ten Himalaya currently recognized species. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 2998 bp of mitochondrial sequences (12S, 16S, ND2, cyt b). Our analyses reveal a remarkably high cryptic diversity, including 14 to 16 species-level lineages within Ablepharus and four species-level lineages within Protoblepharus, which would substantially increase the number of species by at least twofold. This hidden diversity highlights the Himalayas as a center of phylogeographic diversification and endemism, likely shaped by geological and climatic factors associated with orogenesis, which now houses over half of the ablepharine skink species.

Keywords: Ablepharus; biogeography; distribution; Himalaya; Himalblepharus; lizards; mtDNA barcoding; Protoblepharus; Sphenomorphinae

Distribution of the major clades of Ablepharus: Protoblepharus (blue), the Ablepharus sikkimensis group (yellow), the Ablepharus himalayanus group (red), the Ablepharus ladacensis group (green), and the ‘core’ Ablepharus with fully or partially fused eyelids (white).
Distribution of the Ablepharine skinks in the Himalaya: Protoblepharus (blue), the Ablepharus sikkimensis group (yellow), the Ablepharus himalayanus group (red), and the Ablepharus ladacensis group (green).

Andrey M. Bragin, Spartak N. Litvinchuk, Leo J. Borkin, Daniel A. Melnikov, Dmitriy V. Skorinov, Daniel Jablonski, Rafaqat Masroor, Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Zeeshan A. Mirza, Christophe Dufresnes and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. Hidden on the Roof of the World: Mitochondrial Data Reveals Exceptional Genetic Diversity of Himalayan Ablepharine Skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae). Russian Journal of Herpetology. 31(6); 351 – 368. DOI: doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2024-31-6-351-368

  Researchgate.net/publication/387296242_DIVERSITY_OF_HIMALAYAN_Ablepharine_SKINKS

  facebook.com/NickPoyarkov/posts/10231542599622451