[Entomology • 2026] Leptogenys distincta & L. gastrolucida • Two New Species of Ant Genus Leptogenys (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India, with an updated key to the known Oriental species

Leptogenys distincta  
 Leptogenys gastrolucida

Baidwan, Kapoor & Bharti, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2657496

 

ABSTRACT

Two new species of the genus Leptogenys are described based on the worker caste, namely Leptogenys distincta sp. n. and Leptogenys gastrolucida sp. n. from India. The male of L. gastrolucida sp. n. is also reported and described. An updated dichotomous key to the 60 known species of Leptogenys from the Oriental region is provided.

 

KEYWORDS: Taxonomy, Indo-Burma, biodiversity, description

 

 Leptogenys distincta sp. n.  

Leptogenys gastrolucida sp. n.  

Parvinder Singh Baidwan, Rakeshwar Kapoor and Himender Bharti. 2026. Two New Species of Ant Genus Leptogenys (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India, with an updated key to the known Oriental species. Journal of Natural History. 60(25-28); 1357-1397. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2657496 [08 Jun 2026] 

[Entomology • 2026] Pseudocapritermes novus • A New Species of Soil-dwelling Termites (Blattodea: Termitidae: Mirocapritermitinae) from the Indian Subcontinent

Pseudocapritermes novus Rituparna, Baraik & Rajmohana, 

in Sengupta, Baraik, Rajmohana, Debnath, Dinesh et Chinu, 2026. 

https://jibs.modares.ac.ir 

 Researchgate.net/publication/404799169

Abstract

The present study reports a new species, Pseudocapritermes novus Rituparna, Baraik & Rajmohana sp. nov. from West Bengal, India. Species description followed an integrative taxonomic approach by including a mitochondrial 16S rRNA genetic sequence with comprehensive morphological characteristics of the soldier caste. Additionally, the first mt 16S rRNA gene sequence for the recently identified Pseudocapritermes kunjepu Mathew, 2020, is presented in the study. Digital photos of the new species are also included, along with an identification key to the soldier castes of all species of the genus reported from the Indian sub-continent. Association of Pericapritermes semarangi (Holmgren, 1913) with the new species is also recorded in the study.

 

Keywords: Inquiline, mitochondrial 16S rRNA, molecular phylogeny, Pericapritermes, Pseudocapritermes, taxonomy

Pseudocapritermes novus Rituparna, Baraik & Rajmohana sp. nov., Soldier:
A. General habitus, lateral view; B. Postmentum; C. Mandibles; D. Head capsule, dorsal view; E. Head capsule, ventral view; F. Labrum marked with an arrow (the extended process of the anterolateral corner of the labrum is broken on the right side); G. Antennae.

Pseudocapritermes novus Rituparna, Baraik & Rajmohana sp. nov. 

  

Rituparna Sengupta, Balmohan Baraik, Rajmohana K., Rupam Debnath, K. P. Dinesh and Ipe Chinu. 2026. Description of A New Species of Soil-dwelling Termites (Blattodea: Termitidae: Mirocapritermitinae) from the Indian subcontinent. The Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics. DOI: 10.48311/jibs.12.03.537 [13 May 2026] 

https://jibs.modares.ac.ir/article_28644.html

 Researchgate.net/publication/404799169_a_new_species_of_Pseudocapritermes_from_the_Indian_subcontinent

[Herpetology • 2026] Mesalina bishnoi • A Novel Species of Mesalina Gray, 1838 (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Rajasthan, India

 

Mesalina bishnoi

Ray, Khandal, Sharma, Das, Roy, Girija Sethy & Mohapatra, 2026

 

https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi 

Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Mesalina from Rajasthan, India. The new species is genetically distinct and belongs to the M. watsonana species complex, and differs from all other congeners in a combination of morphological characters, such as 10 upper labials; eight lower labials; two large transparent shields of lower eyelid accompanied with three smaller shields; scales on tibia keeled; ventral plates in eight straight longitudinal series, ventral plates in 30 transverse rows; 34 dorsal granular scales across middle of back; nine collars; five submaxillaries; 24 gulars; four supraoculars; 6-7 supraciliaries; one very large preanal shield surrounded above and at the sides by two rows of smaller scales; 14 femoral pores on each side of the thigh, narrowly separated by 2 scales; 21 lamellae under fourth toe.

Keywords: Desert biogeographic zone, long-tailed, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy

Mesalina bishnoi sp. nov.
(A–C) holotype (ZSI-R-29523) (in life),
(D) habitat in the type locality.

Mesalina bishnoi sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet bishnoi (noun in apposition) honours the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan, India, an indigenous socio-ecological group renowned for their long-standing traditions of biodiversity conservation and sustainable coexistence with wildlife. Bishnoi cultural tenets, grounded in a deep reverence for nature, have contributed to the protection of numerous desert species and ecosystems in the Thar Desert since the 15th century. By naming this species Mesalina bishnoi, we recognise and celebrate the enduring environmental stewardship of the Bishnoi people and their contribution to the preservation of arid-zone herpetofauna. 

 

  Sumidh Ray, Dharmendra Khandal, Vivek Sharma, Anirban Das, Priyanjoli Roy, Priyadarsi Girija Sankar Sethy, Pratyush P. Mohapatra. 2026. Description of A Novel Species of Mesalina Gray, 1838 (Reptilia: Sauria: Lacertidae) from Rajasthan, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 126(2); 141-151. DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v126/i2/2026/173143 

https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi/article/view/173143

  https://x.com/dharmkhandal/status/2060010700089483475

[Botany • 2026] Gentiana macneilliana (Gentianaceae) • A New Species Sikkim Himalaya (India) based on Morphological and Molecular Data

Gentiana macneilliana A.K.Halder & D.Maity, 

in Halder, Saha, Dwivedi, Banerjee, Jha, Pradhan, Maity et Pandey, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.2089

Abstract

Gentiana macneilliana (Gentianaceae), a new species from North Sikkim, in the Eastern Himalayan region of India, is described, illustrated and discussed. It is morphologically similar to Gentiana lacinulata T.N.Ho of Gentiana sect. Chondrophyllae Bunge but differs markedly in having acute and usually mucronate leaf apex, ovate corolla lobes with acuminate apex, much longer plicae (1.5–2.6 mm), which are more than half as long as corolla lobes, and longer pedicel (up to 8 mm). This new species also resembles Gentiana muscicola C.Marquand (Gentiana sect. Chondrophyllae) but can easily be differentiated by its unique corolla lobe, shorter petiole, narrowly based leaf lamina, longer pedicel and shorter style. The affinity of the new species with Gentiana grata Harry Sm., a member of the same section, is also highlighted. A taxonomic description, images and illustrations of the new taxon are provided, along with a discussion of closely related taxa.

Keywords: Gentiana sect. Chondrophyllae, Eastern Himalaya, ITS, IUCN, trnL-F, new species

Gentiana macneilliana A.K.Halder & D.Maity, sp. nov.
A, Habitat; B and C, habit; D, open flower

Photographs: A. K. Halder (A–D) 

Gentiana macneilliana A.K.Halder & D.Maity, sp. nov.

Gentiana macneilliana is morphologically most similar to Gentiana lacinulata but differs from that species by its short petiole, 0.5–1.5 mm long (vs up to 3 mm); acute and usually mucronate leaf apex (vs obtuse leaf apex); narrowly revolute leaf margin (vs flat leaf margin); longer pedicel, up to 8 mm long (vs up to 3 mm long); ovate corolla lobes with acuminate apex (vs suborbicular with obtuse-rounded or rounded apex); much longer plicae, 1.5–2.6 mm long (vs 0.7–1 mm); and plicae more than 1/2 as long as corolla lobes (vs less than 1/3 as long as corolla lobes). It also resembles Gentiana muscicola but can be differentiated from that species by its unique ovate, acuminate corolla lobes with erose margin and distinctly contracted base (vs ovate–lanceolate or ovate–triangular, obtuse or subacute lobes with entire margin and widened base); short petiole, 0.5–1.5 mm long (vs up to 2.5 mm); narrowed leaf bases (vs rounded to cordate leaf bases); long pedicel, up to 8 mm (vs up to 3.1 mm); and short style, 1.5–1.9 mm (vs 3–4 mm). 

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘macneilliana’ is given in honour of Dr John McNeill, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (E), the legendary taxonomist and nomenclature specialist, who has given immense support with the nomenclature of Indian Gentiana.

A.K. Halder, S. Saha, M. D. Dwivedi, A. Banerjee, B. K. Jha, D. K. Pradhan, D. Maity and A. K. Pandey. 2026. Gentiana macneilliana (GENTIANACEAE), A New Species Sikkim Himalaya (India) based on Morphological and Molecular Data. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 83; 1-21. DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.2089 [2026-05-18]

[Botany • 2026] Impatiens lancifolia (Balsaminaceae) • A New scapigerous Species from the Peak Wilderness [Sri Lankan Balsaminaceae Study I]

Impatiens lancifolia C.Bandara, Atthanagoda & Kariyawasam, 

in Bandara, Atthanagoda, Adhikari et Kariyawasam, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.758.3.6  

 facebook.com: Champika BANDARA  

 

Abstract 

Impatiens lancifolia (Balsaminaceae), a new scapigerous species is described from the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Central Highlands of Sri Lanka based on the morphological evidence. This new species resembles I. scapiflora and I. acaulis but, differs by having almost glabrous, lanceolate leaves with scattered hairs along the midrib and lateral veins, 2–3 pairs of lateral nerves, reddish stamen apex forming a red colour ring around androecium. A completed description, photographs, illustration and notes on their ecology and distribution are provided.

Balsam hotspot, Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, Endemic flora, scapigerous, taxonomy, Eudicots

Impatiens lancifolia C.Bandara, Atthanagoda & Kariyawasam sp. nov.

 

CHAMPIKA BANDARA, ANUSHA GAYAN ATTHANAGODA, HIMASH ADHIKARI and ISURU U. KARIYAWASAM. 2026. Sri Lankan Balsaminaceae Study I: Impatiens lancifolia, A New scapigerous Species from the Peak Wilderness.  Phytotaxa. 758(3); 277-284. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.758.3.6 [2026-05-26]

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ආවේණික පළමු හා එකම scapigerous කූඩලු විශේෂය

The first and only scapigerous scapigerous species endemic to Sri Lanka

 facebook.com/ChampikaBANDARA127982/posts/122222896418309457

 

[Entomology • 2026] Diaphanes meghalayanus & D. mawlynnong • Two New firefly Species of the Genus Diaphanes Motschulsky, 1853 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India

 

[A–B] Diaphanes meghalayanus sp. nov.;
[C–D] D. mawlynnong sp. nov.   

Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang, 

in Nonglang, Wijekoon, Ryndong, Das, Sengupta et Shangpliang, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.48311/jibs.12.02.415  

facebook.com: Chandana Wijekoon

Abstract

Two new Diaphanes Motschulsky 1853 species, D. meghalayanus Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang sp. nov., and D. mawlynnong Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang sp. nov., from Meghalaya, Northeast India, are described. Diaphanes meghalayanus sp. nov., is characterised by a unique colour pattern of the central disc, the absence of a typical circular pronotal areolet area, brownish-yellow pronotum and elytra, and other specific features of male genitalia. Diaphanes mawlynnong sp. nov., is distinct with rare moniliform antennae, circular-shaped pronotal areolet areas with blunt posterior lateral corners, and specific genital aedeagus characters. The female of D. mawlynnong sp. nov., which is apterous, was found in the same habitat where its males were associated. 13 Diaphanes species have been recorded from India, and with the discovery of these two new species, the number of Diaphanes species recorded in the country increases to 15. This knowledge significantly contributes to the existing information gap of Diaphanes diversity and distribution in this region.

 

Keywords: Biodiversity Hotspot, Indo-Burma, Lampyrids, Oriental, taxonomy

 

 General habitus of two new Diaphanes species from India, males.
A–B. Diaphanes meghalayanus sp. nov.; C–D. Diaphanes mawlynnong sp. nov.,
A., C. Dorsal view; B., D. Ventral view.

Diaphanes meghalayanus Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang sp. nov. 

Diaphanes mawlynnong Nonglang, Das & Shangpliang sp. nov. 

Emma Magdalene Nonglang, Chandana Dammika Wijekoon, Memorial M Ryndong, Dhiraj Kumar Das, Samrat Sengupta and Jane Wanry Shangpliang. 2026. Two New firefly Species of the Genus Diaphanes Motschulsky, 1853 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics. 12(2); 415-429. DOI: doi.org/10.48311/jibs.12.02.415 [2026-04-25]

https://www.biotaxa.org/jibs/article/view/87726

 facebook.com/ChandanaWijekoon3/posts/27450493694537347

[Herpetology • 2026] Amolops kamal • A New cascade frog of the Genus Amolops Cope (1865) (Anura: Ranidae) from Nagaland, North-East India

Amolops kamal 

Saikia, Sinha, Shabnam, Konwar, Borthakur & Dinesh, 2026

Nagaland Cascade Frog  ||  https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi 

Abstract

The Asian cascade-dwelling frog genus Amolops currently comprises 90 recognised species, with 20 species reported from India. These species are generally classified into ten species groups based on morphological similarities, of which in India, Amolops species are mainly categorised across three groups: A. marmoratus group, A. monticola group and A. viridimaculatus group, with the first group being the most diverse, represented by eight species. Previous studies on the A. indoburmanensis species group and A. marmoratus species group suggest a species complex encompassing multiple cryptic lineages. Between 2022 and 2024, many Amolops specimens tentatively assigned to A. indoburmanensis sensu lato were collected from different parts of North-East India. Morphological variations and molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed multiple distinct lineages within this complex, confirming the paraphyly of the nomen A. indoburmanensis. Herein, we describe a new Amolops species belonging to the A. indoburmanensis species complex from North-East India, Amolops kamal sp. nov. from Nagaland state. The study underscores the rich hidden diversity within the Amolops genus and highlights the importance of integrated morphological and molecular approaches in resolving amphibian taxonomy in the region.

Keywords: Amolops indoburmanensis, Amolops kamal sp. nov., paraphyly, Jotsoma, Kohima

Amolops kamal sp. nov. in live condition.

Amolops kamal sp. nov. 

Nagaland Cascade Frog

  

   Bhaskar Saikia, Bikramjit Sinha, A. Shabnam, Prabir Narayan Konwar, Mridul Kumar Borthakur and K. P. Dinesh. 2026. Description of A New cascade frog of the Genus Amolops Cope (1865) (Anura: Ranidae) from Nagaland, North-East India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 126(2); 131-140. DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v126/i2/2026/173119

https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi/article/view/173119

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Metapterodon anari • Hyaenodonta from the Middle to Late Miocene deposits of the Siwaliks of Pakistan with a brief account of Indian subcontinent hyaenodonts

 

Metapterodon anari 

Mahmood, Abbas, Jasinski, Babar & Khan, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12542-025-00766-5  

 x.com/StevenJasinski

 reconstruction by Sergey Krasovskiy

Abstract

New fossil material identified as ‘creodonts,’ particularly hyaenodonts, from the Siwaliks of Pakistan provide significant new information on this important group of carnivores. Three hyaenodont taxa are identified based on these new fossils. Deciduous dental remains identified as ?Megistotherium/Hyainailouros sp. provide important new data on large hyaenodonts and their presence in the Miocene of southern Asia. Fossils identified as Hyaenodon cf. H. pervagus potentially provide important new temporal and biogeographic data on a highly speciose genus of hyaenodont. While the genus is known throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere (Asia, Europe, North America), these new fossils represent the first record of the genus from the Siwaliks, expanding its range in southern Asia. They also represent the youngest temporal occurrence of the genus (Middle Miocene). Another fossil represents a new species, Metapterodon anari sp. nov. This genus was previously tentatively identified from the Siwaliks, but this new material provides definitive evidence of its presence. Not only does this confirm its presence in the Miocene Siwalik deposits of the Indian subcontinent but also represents an important temporal occurrence for the genus. It represents the youngest occurrence of the genus worldwide but may also represent the youngest occurrence of any hyaenodont. The new material provides important new data on some of the less well-known ‘creodonts’ of the Siwaliks, and this data is important for not only our understanding of some of the youngest hyaenodonts near their eventual extinction, but the complex mammal communities preserved on the Indian subcontinent.

Keywords: Hyaenodonta, Siwaliks, Metapterodon, Hyaenodon, Miocene, Biostratigraphy

Siwalik fossil referred to Metapterodon anari sp. nov.
 (A–C), PUPC 19/99 (holotype), nearly complete left m3 in A occlusal, B buccal (labial), and C lingual views.

 bk buccal keel, n notch, pcd paraconid, popcd postparacristid, ppcd preparacristid, pprcd preprotocristid, prcd protoconid, tc talonid cuspid, wf wear facet. Scale bar is 10 mm

Metapterodon anari sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A large species of the genus Metapterodon with large distal (= posterior) lower molars; below the apex of m3, inflated paraconid and protoconid separated by extremely narrow, shallow conspicuous notch; protoconid larger and higher than paraconid; presence of large, distinct buccal keel on the base of paraconid; and extremely reduced unicuspidate talonid.

Holotype. PUPC 19/99, nearly complete left m3 (Fig. 3).

Type locality and age. Y311 (10.063 Ma), Sethi Nagri locality, Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan.

Horizon. Nagri Formation of Middle Siwalik subgroup (early Late Miocene).

Etymology. Named after Mr. Anar Khan (late), a host and guide in Hasnot and surrounding areas, who served national and international researchers for more than 50 years.

Biogeographic distribution of Hyaenodon species.

Biogeographic distribution of Hyaenodon species.

Metapterodon anari sp. nov.

 reconstruction by Sergey Krasovskiy

  

 

Khalid Mahmood, Sayyed Ghyour Abbas, Steven E. Jasinski, Muhammad Adeeb Babar and Muhammad Akbar Khan. 2026. Hyaenodonta from the Middle to Late Miocene deposits of the Siwaliks of Pakistan with a brief account of Indian subcontinent hyaenodonts. PalZ. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12542-025-00766-5 [16 April 2026] 

 x.com/StevenJasinski/status/2060104303272919118

https://www.harrisburgu.edu/news/2026-05-27-new-species-carnivorous-mammals/

[Herpetology • 2026] Trachischium lalremsangai • A New Species of Fossorial Snake of the Genus Trachischium Günther, 1858, from the Indo–Burma Biodiversity Hotspot

Trachischium lalremsangai 

Bhardwaj, Bal, Tluanga & Mirza, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e187919  

facebook.com/snakeszeeshan

Abstract

A new species of fossorial natricine snake, Trachischium lalremsangai sp. nov., is described from the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The holotype was collected from Murlen National Park, Mizoram, near the India–Myanmar border, while the paratype originated from Haka Township, Chin State, Myanmar. Based on morphological and molecular data, the new species is related to T. reticulata (Blyth); however, it can be diagnosed from members of the genus Trachischium by possessing 13 dorsal scale rows, two postoculars, one anterior temporal scale, and two posterior temporal scales, in addition to distinctive colouration and other scalation details. The discovery of several new snake species within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot underscores the need for increased research efforts and funding dedicated to this region in the near future.

Key Words: Blythia, Colubridae, Myanmar, Natricinae, northeast India, phylogeny, taxonomy

Trachischium lalremsangai sp. nov. holotype male MZMU 3757 in situ.

Trachischium lalremsangai sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A large-sized member of the genus reaching SVL of 351–432 mm. Dorsal scales smooth and iridescent, arranged in 13 rows throughout the body. Supralabials 5–6, 3rd and 4th in contact with orbit. Paired prefrontals; a pair of postoculars. Temporals 1+2. Ventrals 135 (+3–4 preventrals) and 28–29 subcaudals paired. Dorsum brown and ventrally, anterior one quarter of the snake is creamish white, while the rest is a shade of brown that has sparse white speckles.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym honouring Prof. Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga of Mizoram University for his contributions to herpetology in Northeast India, his guidance to numerous students, and his facilitation of research throughout the region and the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

 Virender K. Bhardwaj, Amit K. Bal, Chhangte L. Tluanga and Zeeshan A. Mirza. 2026. A New Species of Fossorial Snake of the Genus Trachischium Günther, 1858, from the Indo–Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. Herpetozoa. 39: 203-215. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e187919 [19 May 2026]

 facebook.com/snakeszeeshan/posts/10165693872266424

[Botany • 2026] Sonerila roxburghii (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from the southern Western Ghats, India

 

Sonerila roxburghii  Resmi, Nampy & Karthig., 

in Resmi, Nampy, Francis, Mohan et Karthigeyan, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0119

Abstract

Sonerila roxburghii Resmi, Nampy & Karthig. (Melastomataceae) is described as a new species from the Mankulam Reserve forest in the southern Western Ghats, India. It is morphologically similar to S. grandiflora and S. sadasivanii but differs from them by having terete stems, lanceolate to elliptic leaves with a cuneate and attenuate base, 3–10-flowered cymes, obscurely 6-ribbed hypanthia, acuminate to rostrate anthers, and 6-ribbed capsules.

Sonerila roxburghii. — A–E: Plants in natural habitats (A–C from Nallathanni, near Kurumalai bridge on 9 December 2025; D and E from Mankulam Reserve forest, near Lakshmi Tea estate on 20 December 2019).

Sonerila roxburghii (holotype material). — A and B: Habit. — C and D: Flowering shoots. — E: Leaves, adaxial view. — F: Leaves, abaxial view. — G: Stem. — H: Leaf base.

Sonerila roxburghii (holotype material). — A: Flowering shoot with inflorescences. — B: Base of stem. — C and D: Inflorescence. — E: Flower. — F: Hypanthium. — G: Petals, adaxial view. — H: Petals, abaxial view. — I: Hypanthium with stamens and pistil. — J: Hypanthium with pistil. — K: Style and stigma. — L: Stamens. — M: Immature capsule.

Sonerila roxburghii Resmi, Nampy & Karthig., sp. nova 

 

Etymology. The specific epithet roxburghii honours William Roxburgh (1751–1815) for his valuable contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Sonerila.

Comparison of morphological characters among
Sonerila roxburghii (A1, B1 and C1; holotype material),
S. grandiflora (A2, B2 and C2; Resmi S., Krishnapriya M.P. & Santhosh Nampy 164464, CALI) and
S. sadasivanii (A3, B3 and C3; from Resmi S. & Santhosh Nampy 168287, CALI).
 A1–A3: Habit. — B1–B3: Inflorescence. — C1–C3: Leaves, adaxial view.

 

Resmi S., Nampy S., Francis D., Mohan V. & Karthigeyan K. 2026. Sonerila roxburghii (Melastomataceae), A New Species from the southern Western Ghats, India.  Annales Botanici Fennici. 62(1); 125–134, DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0119 (7 May 2026) 

    

[Entomology • 2026] Teulisna breveprocessa & T. nicobara • Two New Species and A New Species Record of Genus Teulisna Walker (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) from India

[1-2]. Teulisna breveprocessa sp. nov., Devikulam, Kerala, India;
[3] T. ruma (Swinhoe. 1889), Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu, India; [4] T. basigera (Walker [1865]), Tamil Nadu, India (NZCZSI); [5] T. inducta (Walker 1864), Naduvattam, Tamil Nadu, India;
[6-8]. T. nicobara sp. nov., Great Nicobar Islands, Govind Nagar, India.

S. Singh, N. Singh & Joshi, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2026.03.007

Abstract

Two new species of the genus Teulisna Walker, 1862 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lithosiina) are described from India: T. (Cossa) breveprocessa sp. nov. (from the Western Ghats of Kerala) and T. (Tegulata) nicobara sp. nov. (from the Great Nicobar Island). The former is diagnosed with its close congeners in the subgenus Cossa Walker: T. (C.) ruma (Swinhoe, [1890] 1889), T. (C.) munnara Volynkin, 2023, T. (C.) basigera (Walker, [1865]) and T. (C.) inducta (Walker, [1865]), whereas the latter is diagnosed with T. (Tegulata) chiloides chiloides (Walker 1862). T. (Poikilothosia) sayinyingpo Huang, Volynkin & Černý, 2025, from Arunachal Pradesh, which is a new record to India.

Keywords: Kerala, Lithosiina, Nicobar Islands, NorthEast Himalaya, Tegulata, Western Ghats

Habitus of Teulisna spp.
1. Teulisna breveprocessa sp. nov., m# HT, Devikulam, Kerala, India (NZCZSI); 2. T. breveprocessa sp. nov., m# PT, Devikulam, Kerala, India (NZCZSI);
3. T. ruma (Swinhoe. 1889) m# Avalanchi, Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu, India (NZCZSI); 4. T. basigera (Walker [1865]) m# Pykara, Tamil Nadu, India (NZCZSI);
5. T. inducta (Walker 1864), m#, Naduvattam, Tamil Nadu, India (NZCZSI);
6. T. nicobara sp. nov., m# HT Great Nicobar Islands, Govind Nagar, India (NZCZSI); 7. T. nicobara sp. nov., m# PT Great Nicobar Islands, Govind Nagar, India (NZCZSI); 8. T. nicobara sp. nov., f# PT, Great Nicobar Islands, Govind Nagar, India (NZCZSI);
9. T. sayinyingpo Huang, Volynkin & Černý, 2025 m#, Sela, Arunachal Pradesh, India (NZCZSI); 10. T. sayinyingpo Huang, Volynkin & Černý, 2025 f#, Sela, Arunachal Pradesh, India (NZCZSI).

Teulisna (Cossa) breveprocessa sp. nov. (from the Western Ghats of Kerala) 

T. (Tegulata) nicobara sp. nov. (from the Great Nicobar Island).

Santosh Singh, Navneet Singh and Rahul Joshi. 2026. Two New Species and A New Species Record of Genus Teulisna Walker (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) from India. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2026.03.007 [20 April 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Ingerana occidens • A river in between: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the Garo and Khasi Hills, with A Redescription of Ingerana borealis (Annandale) from the Abor Hills, India

 Ingerana occidens 

Naveen, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2656411

 

ABSTRACT

I assessed morphological variation between two populations previously treated as Ingerana borealis, occurring allopatrically on either side of a prominent biogeographic barrier, the Brahmaputra River. Significant morphological differences were found between the population from the Garo and Khasi Hills (south of the Brahmaputra River) and the topotypic population of I. borealis from the Abor Hills (north of the river). Therefore, I provide a redescription of I. borealis based on topotypic material and restrict its distribution to regions north of the Brahmaputra. Based on a 16S rRNA gene fragment (446 bp), this lineage is found to be deeply divergent, showing 23.1–24.6% divergence from some sequences labelled and referred to as ‘true’ Ingerana tenasserimensis and 17.9 to 18.3% divergence from the Ingerana sp. occurring in the Khasi and Garo hill ranges south of the Brahmaputra. The Khasi and Garo hill populations also show 21.8 to 23.2% divergence from I. tenasserimensis and multiple morphological differences. Based on these differences between this distinct population and other known Ingerana species, I describe it as a new species here. The sequences of Ingerana species included in this study were not recovered as a monophyletic group in the phylogeny, suggesting that the genus-level taxonomy of this group may require further revision, or that some sequences may be misidentified. However, given the lack of information for some of these sequences, resolving this issue is beyond the scope of the present study; therefore, all taxa examined here are provisionally retained within Ingerana, following previous studies.

 

KEYWORDS: 16S rRNA, allopatry, Amphibia, biogeographic barrier, Brahmaputra River, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma region, occidens, paraphyletic, systematics

 Ingerana borealis in life.
(A) Female topotype (BNHS 6842); (B) male topotype (BNHS 6844).

Ingerana borealis (Annandale)

Diagnosis: A small-sized dicroglossid frog, distinguished by the following combination of characters: snout–vent length (SVL) ranging from 29.4 to 29.9 mm in adult males (n = 2) and 31.0 mm in a single adult female; head wider than long; supratympanic fold weakly developed; tympanum indistinct; thigh length greater than shank length (SHL/TL = 0.94); fingertips rounded to very small discs; dorsal surface prominently wrinkled; flanks wrinkled; ventral surface smooth; toe tips bearing small, rounded discs.

 Ingerana occidens sp. n. in life.
 (A) Male holotype (BNHS 6845); (B) female referred material (PU RSN A27); (C) female paratype (BNHS 6847).

 Habitat of  Ingerana occidens sp. n. 
 (A) Type locality, a stream near Wari Chora, Agalgre, South Garo Hills; B) A stream near Mawlynnong village, East Khasi Hills.

Ingerana occidens Naveen sp. n.

Definition: SVL 21.5–23.05 mm in adult males (n = 2) and 25.02–26.0 mm in females (n = 3); head wider than long; supratympanic fold well developed; tympanum distinct, circular, elevated in the centre to form a protrusion, more than half the diameter of the eye (VTYD/EL = 0.72–0.91) (n = 4); thigh length shorter than shank length; fingertips rounded to very small discs; dorsal surface weakly wrinkled; flanks wrinkled; ventral surface smooth; toe tips bearing small, rounded discs.

Etymology: 

Ingerana borealis was named borealis based on the Latin word for ‘north’. Although Annandale (1912) did not provide an explicit reason, the epithet likely reflects the species’ range being farther north than the known distribution of the South Indian endemic genus Micrixalus Boulenger, 1888, to which it was originally assigned. And this reasoning also applies to Ingerana, as it remains the northernmost known member of the genus based on currently available data.

The new species described herein is named occidens, derived from the Latin term ‘occidens’, meaning ‘west’, in reference to its range occurring west of the ranges of the two other currently recognised congeners. The distribution of this species thus marks the westernmost known extent of the genus’ range. The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition.

The recommended English common name is western trickle frog.

 Map showing type localities and records from this study of the two Ingerana species from the Eastern Himalayas, separated by the Brahmaputra River.

 

 

R. S. Naveen. 2026. A river in between: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the Garo and Khasi Hills, with A Redescription of Ingerana borealis (Annandale) from the Abor Hills, India. Journal of Natural History. 60(17-20); 1105-1125. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2656411 [27 Apr 2026]