[Cnidaria • 2026] Paraplexaura binyuani • A New Gorgonian (Octocorallia: Acanthogorgiidae) from the Huaguang Atoll, Xisha Islands, South China Sea

 

Paraplexaura binyuani 

You, Xia & Liu, 2026. 

斌源似丛柳珊瑚  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18030166 

Abstract

A new shallow-water gorgonian coral species in the family Acanthogorgiidae, Paraplexaura binyuani sp. nov., is described from a specimen collected at Huaguang Atoll in the South China Sea at a depth of 22 m. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by abundant polyp sclerites, predominantly flattened rods, and by the coenenchyme bearing numerous large spindles reaching up to 0.6 mm in length, which are approximately two to three times longer than those reported for most described species of Paraplexaura. Phylogenomic analyses based on ultraconserved elements (UCEs) recover Paraplexaura as monophyletic and place P. binyuani sp. nov. as sister to P. cryptotheca, consistent with its morphological distinctiveness and supporting its recognition as a separate species.

Keywords: Malacalcyonacea; shallow-water coral; taxonomy; morphology; ultraconserved elements

 The external morphology and polyps of Paraplexaura binyuani sp. nov. Holotype, GXTCMU-2025-HT005.
(A,C) in situ; (B) After collection; (D) Frontal view of a branch; (E) Polyps under SEM.

 Scale bars indicate 1 cm in (B), 5 mm in (D), 100 μm in (E).

Paraplexaura binyuani sp. nov.

Etymology. The new species is named after Dr. Binyuan He, principal investigator of the Guangxi Academy of Oceanography, and for his great contribution to benthos research of Guangxi. The Chinese name of the new species is “斌源似丛柳珊瑚”

Distribution and habitat. Known only from the subtidal zone of the Huaguang Atoll on the Chinese coast of the South China Sea with a water depth of 22 m. Colony attached to a rocky substrate.

 

Li You, Fei Xia and Xinming Liu. 2026. A New Gorgonian Paraplexaura binyuani sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Acanthogorgiidae) from the Huaguang Atoll, Xisha Islands, South China Sea. Diversity. 18(3), 166. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18030166 [9 March 2026]

[Mollusca • 2024] Chaetoderma shenloong • Integrative Taxonomy of A New giant Deep-sea Caudofoveate from South China Sea cold seeps

Chaetoderma shenloong  

Chen, Liu, Gu, Qiu & Sun, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.125409 

Abstract

Caudofoveata is a class of worm-like molluscs (aplacophorans) that typically have an infaunal lifestyle, burrowing in soft bottoms in a wide range of marine habitats from shallow to deep waters. Here, we describe a very large new species of caudofoveate from South China Sea methane seeps growing up to 154 mm in length: Chaetoderma shenloong sp. nov. It is the first caudofoveate to be named from a chemosynthetic ecosystem and the first aplacophoran mollusc associated with seeps. Our new species stands out from other Pacific Chaetoderma species by its large size, a wide body relative to its length, a barely sclerotised radula, and the presence of isosceles-triangular sclerites. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene placed it within a paraphyletic clade comprising Chaetodermatidae and Limifossoridae, in line with a previous phylogenetic analysis. This also revealed that C. shenloong sp. nov. is conspecific with a Chaetoderma sp. whose whole genome was recently sequenced and assembled but remained undescribed until now. The most closely related species with an available COI sequence was C. felderi, the largest caudofoveate species recorded. Our discovery suggests caudofoveates may be present in other seeps globally but so far neglected; a potential example is C. felderi from the Gulf of Mexico, where seeps are abundant but whose exact habitat remains unclear.

Key Words: Aplacophora, Caudofoveata, chemosynthetic, F site, Haima, hydrocarbon seep, Jiaolong Ridge, new species

Chaetoderma shenloong sp. nov., photographs of preserved-type specimens.
A. Holotype (TMBC031015), lowercase Roman numerals indicate the six body regions from where sclerites were examined: i) peribuccal region, ii) foregut region, iii) midgut region, iv) midgut sac region, v) prepallial region, and vi) pallial region; B. Holotype (TMBC031015), enlarged dorsal view of the prepallial and pallial regions; C. Paratype 1 (TMBC031016); D. Paratype 2 (TMBC031017). Arrowheads indicate the anterior end of the animal.

Chaetoderma shenloong sp. nov. 

  Chong Chen, Xu Liu, Xinyu Gu, Jian-Wen Qiu and Jin Sun. 2024. Integrative Taxonomy of A New giant Deep-sea Caudofoveate from South China Sea cold seeps. Zoosystematics and Evolution 100(3): 841-850. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.125409 

[Mollusca • 2025] Chaetoderma naga • A Second Species of Giant caudofoveate Worm-mollusc from Haima Cold Seep in the South China Sea

 

Chaetoderma naga

 Liu, Chen, Gu & Sun, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2025.2566524  

 x.com/squamiferum

ABSTRACT

Deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems such as hydrothermal vents and hydrocarbon seeps are home to numerous endemic species. Despite decades of exploration, the diversity of minor animal groups such as aplacophoran molluscs in these systems remain understudied. The recent discovery of Chaetoderma shenloong, a giant caudofoveate from Haima cold seep in the South China Sea, marked the first aplacophoran from cold seeps and the first caudofoveate from chemosynthetic systems overall. Here, we report another giant caudofoveate species from Haima seep – Chaetoderma naga sp. nov. This new species is morphologically closest to C. shenloong, but differ significantly in spicule morphology where the distribution of isosceles-triangle shaped spicules differ and that the needle-like spicules are much longer and thicker in C. shenloong. Molecular phylogenetic reconstruction based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene recovered C. naga n. sp. as sister to C. shenloong among those with data available, with a K2P genetic distance of 17% supporting the status of C. naga n. sp. as a separate species. Our discovery highlights the presence of overlooked biodiversity within sediments of chemosynthetic ecosystems and reinforces the possibility of a high caudofoveate diversity in such environments.

KEYWORDS: Chaetoderma, chemosynthetic, Aplacophora, Caudofoveata, new species, hydrocarbon seep

Chaetoderma naga sp. nov.

 

Xu Liu, Chong Chen, Xinyu Gu and Jin Sun. 2025. A Second Species of Giant caudofoveate Worm-mollusc from Haima cold seep in the South China Sea. Molluscan Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2025.2566524 [10 Oct 2025]

 x.com/squamiferum/status/1976683955484348468

[Ichthyology • 2018] Epinephelus craigi • A New Species of Grouper (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from the South China Sea

Epinephelus craigi  

 Frable, Tucker & Walker, 2018

  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9

Illustration by Emilie Stump.  twitter.com/Frable

Abstract

A new species of grouper, Epinephelus craigi sp. nov., from the South China Sea is described from 17 specimens (104–250 mm SL). The new species is distinguished from Epinephelus stictus (Randall and Allen 1987) with which it has historically been conflated, based on coloration, meristics, morphology, and genetics. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. has a unique color pattern of irregular squarish, dark brown blotches interrupting lighter brown bars along the lateral midline of the body, and small dots on the dorsal surface of the body. Additionally, E. craigi sp. nov. has a longer upper jaw, shorter snout length, narrower interorbital width, and shorter caudal peduncle than E. stictus. Both E. stictus and the new species are relatively deep-water species, with the new species occurring to at least 93 m. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. is known from the South China Sea and E. stictus is known from Western Australia and southern Indonesia, suggesting allopatric and anti-equatorial distributions. DNA sequence divergence data of the mitochondrial COI gene further supports the distinction of E. craigi sp. nov. from E. stictus.

Keywords: Epinephelus stictus, Five-bar grouper, Species description, Cytochrome oxidase I 

Composite illustration of Epinephelus craigi, based on multiple specimens and market photographs, approximately 175 mm SL.

Illustration by Emilie Stump. 

Epinephelus craigi sp. nov.

(New English name: Brokenbar Grouper; 

Chinese name in Hong Kong: Cheung-pei-paan) 

....

Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Dr. Matthew T. Craig for his significant contributions to the conservation and scientific understanding of groupers and their relatives.

Benjamin W. Frable, Sarah J. Tucker and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2018. A New Species of Grouper, Epinephelus craigi (Perciformes: Epinephelidae), from the South China Sea. Ichthyological Research.  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9  

twitter.com/Frable/status/1061002418102489088

[Crustacea • 2017] Homolidae from the South China Sea, with Descriptions of Two New Species of Homologenus A. Milne-Edwards, in Henderson, 1888, and the Identities of Homologenus malayensis and Lamoha superciliosa

Fig. 24.   Homolidae from the  South China Sea. Colour in life.
A, Lamoha longirostris (Chen, 1986), female (24.9 × 20.3 mm);
 B, Lamoha murotoensis (Sakai, 1979), male (20.8 × 18.4 mm); C, Paromola macrochira Sakai, 1961, female (16.5 × 11.4 mm); D, Paromola macrochira Sakai, 1961, female (16.3 × 11.1 mm); E, Moloha majora (Kubo, 1936), male (54.8 × 47.8 mm); F, Homolochunia gadaletae Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995, ovigerous female (34.1 × 26.4 mm); G, Homolomania sibogae Ihle, 1912, male (15.4 × 11.3 mm); H, Paromolopsis boasi Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891, male (20.1 × 17.7 mm). 

Ng & Richer de Forges, 2017. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 65

 LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg/nus

Abstract

 Recent collections from southern Taiwan and the South China Sea obtained 10 species of homolid crabs, of which two species of Homologenus A. Milne-Edwards, in Henderson, 1888, are described as new. The taxonomy of the allied H. malayensis Ihle, 1912, from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is also clarified. The identity of Lamoha superciliosa (Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891) s. str. from the Indian Ocean is discussed and specimens from East Asian seas that had been referred to this species are here shown to be conspecific with L. longirostris (Chen, 1986) instead. The taxonomy of L. superciliosa and L. longirostris is treated.

 Key words. Taxonomy, new species, South China Sea, deep sea, homolid crabs, Homologenus

Fig. 24. Colour in life, A–H from South China Sea;
I, J from Papua New Guinea and Bismarck Sea.
A, Lamoha longirostris (Chen, 1986), female (24.9 × 20.3 mm) (ZRC 2016.0555); B, Lamoha murotoensis (Sakai, 1979), male (20.8 × 18.4 mm) (ZRC 2016.0200); C, Paromola macrochira Sakai, 1961, female (16.5 × 11.4 mm) (ZRC 2016.0560); D, Paromola macrochira Sakai, 1961, female (16.3 × 11.1 mm) (ZRC 2016.0562); E, Moloha majora (Kubo, 1936), male (54.8 × 47.8 mm) (ZRC 2016.0197); F, Homolochunia gadaletae Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995, ovigerous female (34.1 × 26.4 mm) (ZRC 2016.0198); G, Homolomania sibogae Ihle, 1912, male (15.4 × 11.3 mm) (ZRC 2016.0199); H, Paromolopsis boasi Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891, male (20.1 × 17.7 mm) (ZRC 2016.0565);
I, Homologenus malayensis Ihle, 1912, ovigerous female (16.0 × 13.9 mm) (MNHN-IU-2015-80); J, Homologenus malayensis Ihle, 1912, ovigerous female (14.9 × 9.9 mm) (MNHN-IU-2014-8052). 

Homologenus exilis n. sp.

Etymology. From the Latin “exilis” meaning “thin or slender”, alluding to the relatively long ambulatory legs of the species when compared to the other new species, H. brevipes. Used as a noun in apposition.

Homologenus brevipes n. sp. 

Etymology. The name alludes to the relatively shorter ambulatory legs of this species when compared to those of the allied new species, H. exilis. Used as a noun in apposition.

Peter K. L. Ng and Bertrand Richer de Forges. 2017. On A Collection of Homolidae from the South China Sea, with Descriptions of Two New Species of Homologenus A. Milne-Edwards, in Henderson, 1888, and the Identities of Homologenus malayensis Ihle, 1912, and Lamoha superciliosa (Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891).
 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 65: 243–268. 

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/vol65/65rbz243-268.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2016] Cynoglossus nanhaiensis • A New Species of Tongue Sole (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae: Cynoglossus) from coastal waters of the South China Sea

Cynoglossus nanhaiensis 

Wang, Munroe & Kong, 2016

 DOI: 10.2988/0006-324X-129.Q2.129 

Abstract

A new tongue sole, Cynoglossus nanhaiensis, described from 21 specimens (101.0–133.7 mm SL) collected in coastal waters of the South China Sea, is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: 3 ocular-side lateral lines; no blind-side lateral lines; 2 ocular-side nostrils; 8 caudal-fin rays; 49–51 total vertebrae; 64–73 scales in the midlateral line; 11–12 scales in diagonal series between midlateral and dorsal lateral lines; 99–108 dorsal-fin rays; 77–82 anal-fin rays; pores of lateral-line scales tubular, with conspicuously black tips posteriorly; and with light- to medium-brown ocular-side background coloration overlain by numerous, small, irregular, dark blotches forming a series of narrow, interrupted, longitudinal stripes, with many specimens also featuring two large, brown spots on their caudal region. Among congeners, C. nanhaiensis is most similar to C. maccullochi Norman, 1926, described from specimens taken off Queensland, Australia, but differs in its ocular-side pigmentation (conspicuous longitudinal series of irregular blotches and caudal spots absent in C. maccullochi) and body depth. Features of C. nanhaiensis are also reminiscent of those reported for C. dollfusi (Chabanaud, 1931), a poorly-known nominal species from the Red Sea, and C. itinus (Snyder, 1909), a better-known species occurring in marine waters off Japan and Southeast Asia. Cynoglossus nanhaiensis differs from both species in having two (vs. one) ocular-side nostrils. Cynoglossus itinus also lacks the series of conspicuous, darkly-pigmented, interrupted, longitudinal stripes on the ocular side that are characteristic of C. nanhaiensis. Cynoglossus nanhaiensis is further distinguished from C. dollfusi in having only a single pelvic fin (vs. two in C. dollfusi). Cynoglossus nanhaiensis occurs in coastal waters of the South China Sea off southern China and Viet Nam.

Keywords: Flatfish, Tonguefish, Cynoglossid tongue sole

Fig. 1. Cynoglossus nanhaiensis, new species, holotype (fresh condition), SCSMBC007425, male, 127.6 mm SL.
A. Ocular side. B. Blind side. (Photograph: Z.-M. Wang). 

Distribution.— Based on fishery landings, this species occurs in coastal waters off Sanya and Lingshui, Hainan Province; Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China; two specimens were collected off Viet Nam, one in the Gulf of Tonkin (20°46′29.99″N, 107°04′40.8″E) and the other off Phan Thiet (10°55′20″N, 108°06′34″E).

Etymology.— The name, nanhaiensis, is derived from the Chinese word, Nanhai, meaning South China Sea, in reference to localities where most specimens were collected.

Zhong-Ming Wang, Thomas A. Munroe and Xiao-Yu Kong. 2016. A New Species of Tongue Sole (Pisces: Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae: Cynoglossus) from coastal waters of the South China Sea. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 129(1); 129-143. DOI: 10.2988/0006-324X-129.Q2.129