[Arachnida • 2025] Troglorhopalurus iuiu • Taxonomy and Distribution of the Cave-Dwelling Scorpions Troglorhopalurus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), with the Description of a New Cave-Restricted Species

Habitus of live specimens of Troglorhopalurus,
including T. translucidus (A), T. lacrau (B–E), and T. iuiu n. sp. (F–H).
(A) Adult female from Gruta Rio dos Pombos cave, Andaraí;
(B) adult female from Lapa do Bode, Itaeté; (C) adult female from Gruta da Mangabeira cave, Ituaçu; (D) juvenile from Gruta Moreno cave, Nova Redenção; (E) juvenile from Gruta do Calixto, Iramaia;
Troglorhopalurus iuiu n. sp. (F) adult female from Gruta do Sepultamento, Iuiú; (G) juvenile from Lapa do Baixão cave, Iuiú; (H) juvenile from Toca Fria cave, Iuiú. 

 Carvalho, Silva, de Souza & Ferreira, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda3020006 

Photos: L.S. Carvalho (A,B), R.L. Ferreira (C–H).

Abstract

The genus Troglorhopalurus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is endemic to northeastern Brazil and comprises cave-dwelling species with limited distributions. Based on newly collected specimens, this study provides a description of a new cave-dwelling Troglorhopalurus species and the first detailed description of the male hemispermatophore of the genus. Troglorhopalurus iuiu n. sp. is diagnosed based on morphometric characters, distinct carapace granulation, and differences in the pedipalps and metasomal carinae and peg sensillae shape. The hemispermatophore of Troglorhopalurus is like other Centruroidinae species, with internal, external, and basal lobes. Additionally, we discuss the distribution and conservation status of Troglorhopalurus species. Troglorhopalurus lacrau distribution range is extended based on additional epigean and hypogean records. This species may be reassessed from data deficient to least concern. Based on the limited localities and declining habitat quality, we propose that T. iuiu n. sp. be considered endangered. This research underscores the importance of further sampling to explore species-specific variations and promote conservation efforts for these ecologically specialized scorpions.

Keywords: Arachnida; Centruroidinae; taxonomy; hemispermatophore; conservation status

Habitus of live specimens of Troglorhopalurus, including T. translucidus (A), T. lacrau (B–E), and T. iuiu n. sp. (F–H).
(A) Adult female from Gruta Rio dos Pombos cave, Andaraí; (B) adult female from Lapa do Bode, Itaeté; (C) adult female from Gruta da Mangabeira cave, Ituaçu; (D) juvenile from Gruta Moreno cave, Nova Redenção; (E) juvenile from Gruta do Calixto, Iramaia; (F) adult female from Gruta do Sepultamento, Iuiú; (G) juvenile from Lapa do Baixão cave, Iuiú; (H) juvenile from Toca Fria cave, Iuiú.

 Photos: L.S. Carvalho (A,B), R.L. Ferreira (C–H).

Troglorhopalurus iuiu n. sp. 

Diagnosis. Troglorhopalurus iuiu n. sp. is most similar to T. lacrau. Both species share a light-brownish coloration in adult specimens, lack remarkably elongated pedipalps and metasoma segments, and have a rhomboid subaculear tubercle, distinguishing them from T. translucidus (Figure 1A). In T. translucidus, adults have a black base coloration, elongated pedipalps and metasomal segments, and spinoid subaculear tubercle (Figure 1A). Troglorhopalurus iuiu n. sp. differs from T. lacrau by the following characteristics: (1) The carapace of T. iuiu n. sp. is mostly covered by fine granules (e.g., in the area between the anterior median and the anterior lateral carinae) and vestigial carinae (e.g., anterior central submedian, posterior central submedian, and posterior submedian carinae; Figure 2C,D), but coarse granules and well-marked carinae are found in ...

Leonardo Sousa Carvalho, Maria Idalete Lopes Silva, Priscila Emanuela de Souza and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira. 2026. Taxonomy and Distribution of the Cave-Dwelling Scorpions Troglorhopalurus (Scorpiones, Buthidae), with the Description of a New Cave-Restricted Species. Arthropoda. 3(2), 6. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda3020006 [7 April 2025]

[Chilopoda • 2026] Otostigmus troglobius • A New troglomorphic Centipede Species of Genus Otostigmus Porat, 1876 (Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae: Otostigminae) from Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

 

Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) troglobius Chagas-Jr.,

 in Chagas-Jr et Fernandes, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.58.198345 

Scale bars: 1 mm (A, B, C, E, F); 0.1 mm (D).

Abstract

A new troglomorphic species of the genus Otostigmus Porat, 1876 has been discovered in two hypogenic caves in Serra da Bodoquena National Park, a hotspot for Brazil’s subterranean fauna. This represents the second troglobitic Otostigmus species in the world. The newly described species, Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) troglobius sp. nov., was based on molecular and morphological data. Although the specimens do not occur in the same cave, species delimitation analysis using a mitochondrial marker Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I (COI) grouped the new species into a congruent MOTU. Morphologically, the new species closely resembles O. tidius Chamberlin, 1914 due to the median keels on the tergites and the short, incomplete sutures on the sternites. The new discovery underscores the importance of conserving the caves in Serra da Bodoquena.

Keywords: Barcoding, caves, Chilopoda, Parotostigmus

Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) troglobius sp. nov. (Holotype CZUFMT-MY 02507):
A. Cephalic plate, antennae and first tergites; B. Cephalic plate and tergite 1; C. Forcipular coxosternite; D. Forcipular coxosternite, showing the tooth plate; E. Tergites 11–14, dorsal view; F. Tergites 17–19, dorsal view.

Scale bars: 1 mm (A, B, C, E, F); 0.1 mm (D).

Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) troglobius Chagas-Jr., sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Long antennae, with 17 articles; legs 1–4 with one tibial spur, and legs 1–17 with two tarsal spurs; Tergites 1–3 without sutures, 4–7 with short sutures in anterior margin, and 8–20 with complete paramedian sutures; tergites 7–20 with a longitudinal keel; sternites 3–16 with short sutures on anterior margin, and sternites 6–16 with two shallow rounded depressions; legs 21 very long, slender and cylindrical.

Etymology. Species name is a Latin word meaning “troglobiont”, an animal that lives only in caves, referring to the habitat of the species.

Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) troglobius sp. nov. (Holotype CZUFMT-MY 02507):
A. Cephalic plate, antennae and first tergites; B. Cephalic plate and tergite 1; C. Forcipular coxosternite; D. Forcipular coxosternite, showing the tooth plate; E. Tergites 11–14, dorsal view; F. Tergites 17–19, dorsal view.

Scale bars: 1 mm (A, B, C, E, F); 0.1 mm (D).

Amazonas Chagas-Jr. and Heloisa Barbosa Fernandes. 2026. A New troglomorphic Centipede Species of Genus Otostigmus Porat, 1876 (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae, Otostigminae) from Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Subterranean Biology.58: 27-42. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.58.198345 [02-09-2026]

[Crustacea • 2026] Bogidiella isajii & B. painushima • Two New Species of the Genus Bogidiella (Amphipoda: Bogidiellidae) from Japan

Bogidiella painushima 

Tomikawa, Yoshimura, Ugomeki & Shimomura, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5831.3.5  

 www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Abstract

Two new species of bogidiellid amphipods, Bogidiella isajii and B. painushima are described from an anchialine undersea cave in Minamidaito Island and freshwater flowing through a cave in Ishigaki Island, Ryukyu Islands. Bogidiella isajii sp. nov. differs from its congeners in the absence of an inner ramus on the pleopods, armature of uropods 1 and 2 rami, and shape of the telson. Bogidiella painushima sp. nov. is morphologically similar to B. aprutina and B. broodbakkeri, but differs from these two species in the shape of antennal sinus of the head, size of antenna 2 peduncular article 2 gland cone, armature of the accessory setal row of the mandible, shape of gnathopod 1 propodus and pereopod 7 coxa, and armature of the telson. Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I from paratypes of the two new species were determined for future studies.

Crustacea, brackish, COI, freshwater, Okinawa, taxonomy

Bogidiella painushima sp. nov. 

 

KO TOMIKAWA, HIRO YOSHIMURA, MUSHI UGOMEKI and MICHITAKA SHIMOMURA. 2026. Two New Species of the Genus Bogidiella (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Bogidiellidae) from Japan.  Zootaxa. 5831(3); 399-412. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5831.3.5 [2026-06-16]  

Two eyeless shrimp-like species found in Japan’s groundwater are new to science

Finding new species in unassuming settings brings light to further exploration and conservation efforts to preserve the unique diversity in groundwater environments

https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/news/99063

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1140243

[Ichthyology • 2026] Rakthamichthys anchi • A New Species of phreatobitic synbranchid eel (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) from Assam, India

 

Rakthamichthys anchi 

Britz, Pinion, Marak, Velentina & Lokeshwor, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5857.3.3

Abstract

Rakthamichthys anchi, a new species of phreatobitic synbranchid is described from wells in a small village in Goalpara District, Assam, Northeast India. It is distinguished from the northeastern Indian R. rongsaw, and the Western Ghats congeners R. roseni, R. digressus, and R. mumba by absence of lateral-line canal pores in the frontal. From R. roseni, R. digressus, and R. mumba, it is further distinguished by more preanal vertebrae (90–100 vs. 76–88 in) and from R. indicus by more vertebrae (159 vs.162–169). It is also distinguished from the Western Ghats species by an uncorrected p-distance of ~15–20% in the barcoding gene. From R. roseni, the only Western Ghats species for which detailed osteological information is available, R. anchi is distinguished by several anatomical characters. The discovery of R. anchi from wells in the same village in which Gitchak nakana Britz et al. [2026] was recently described highlights the presence of a formerly unknown and highly dynamic subterranean habitat: the groundwater aquifers in alluvial deposits in northeast India.

Pisces, swamp eels, groundwater, well, subterranean fishes, micro-CT, skeleton

Ralf BRITZ, Amanda K. PINION, Wimarithy K. MARAK, Kangjam VELENTINA and Yumnam LOKESHWOR. 2026. Rakthamichthys anchi, A New Species of phreatobitic synbranchid eel from Assam.  Zootaxa. 5857(3); 462-482. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5857.3.3 [2026-07-30]

[Mollusca • 2026] Cyllena hermes • From the Dark to the Light: A New Genus and Species of stygobiont hydrobiid (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Hydrobiidae) from southern Greece

Cyllena hermes  Radea & Protopapas,

in Radea, Protopapas, Parmakelis et Koskeridou, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.57.189090

Abstract

A new stygobiont hydrobiid genus and species is described from the Stymphalia karst basin (Peloponnese, Greece). Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov. is distinguished from other valvatiform or valvatiform–planorboid stygobiont hydrobiids by a unique combination of shell and anatomical characters, supporting the establishment of a new monotypic genus. It is currently known from a single karstic spring connected to the subterranean hydrological network of the Stymphalia polje, indicating a highly localized distribution. Following a precautionary approach, and in accordance with IUCN criteria, the species is here considered to qualify as Vulnerable (VU D2). The discovery of the new genus contributes to the documentation of subterranean aquatic gastropod diversity in Greece and emphasizes the need for further targeted exploration of karst ecosystems in the region.

Keywords: Endemism, Hydrobiidae, IUCN, Peloponnese, karst aquifer

Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov.
Shell views of collected specimens. A, G, J, M, P dorsal views B, H, K, N, Q ventral views C–E, I, L, O, R lateral views F operculum A–E holotype.

 Scale bar: 1 mm.

Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov.
Views from a single immature specimen. A dorsal view B ventral view C, D lateral view E–G scanning electron micrographs of shell and protoconch respectively.

Scale bars: 1 mm (A–E); 100 μm (F); 50 μm (G).

Systematic description

Class Gastropoda Cuvier, 1795

Subclass Caenogastropoda Cox in Moore, 1960

Order Littorinimorpha Golikov & Starobogatov, 1975

Superfamily Truncatelloidea J.E. Gray, 1840

Family Hydrobiidae W. Stimpson, 1865

Cyllena Radea & Protopapas, 2026, gen. nov. 

Type species. Cyllena hermes sp. nov. by original designation.

Diagnosis. Shell minute, valvatiform to planorboid; umbilicus wide, with earlier whorls visible; soft body unpigmented; eyes absent; bursa copulatrix pyriform; a single seminal receptacle [proximal, rs2 (Radoman 1973)] large and irregular in shape; penis large, dorso-ventrally flattened, distally blunt with papilla and proximally folded, bearing a single, elongate, blunt, medial lobe.

Etymology. The generic name derives from the Greek mythology: Cyllena (Κυλλήνη in Greek) was a nymph of Mt Kyllini, Korinthia, Peloponnese, and the nurturer of the god Hermes. Gender feminine.

Cyllena hermes Radea & Protopapas, 2026, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name, used in apposition, is derived from Greek mythology. Hermes (Ἑρμῆς in Greek) was one of the twelve Olympian gods, the messenger of the other Olympian deities, and was born in a cave on Mt Kyllini.

Live specimens of Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov.
A–F live mature specimen, shown from the moment of emergence from the shell to active locomotion while foraging 
G–I another mature specimen; White arrows indicate the direction of movement J immature specimen floating at the water surface while feeding
K caddisfly case (Insecta, Trichoptera) constructed from gastropod shells, including shells of Cyllena hermes gen. et sp. nov. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Canella Radea, Dimitrios Protopapas, Aristeidis Parmakelis and Efterpi Koskeridou. 2026. From the Dark to the Light: A New Genus and Species of stygobiont hydrobiid (Caenogastropoda, Truncatelloidea) from southern Greece. Subterranean Biology. 57: 1-21. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.57.189090  [18 Jun 2026]

 

 

[Mollusca • 2026] Georissa meghalayaensis & Acmella bensoni • New Species of Georissa (Gastropoda: Hydrocenidae) and Acmella (Gastropoda: Assimineidae), with new records of Georissa from Northeast India

 

Georissa meghalayaensis sp. nov. and
Acmella bensoni sp. nov. 

 Das & Aravind, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1060.3284 

 x.com/atree_org

Abstract

The present study describes one new species each of Georissa and Acmella from Northeast India. Georissa meghalayaensis sp. nov. and Acmella bensoni sp. nov. are described from Krem Puri, Meghalaya. In addition, Georissa sp. was newly recorded from a soil-leaf litter sample collected at the Sadu Chiru waterfall area in Manipur, and Georissa sarrita was newly recorded from Tuipui in Mizoram. All species were identified based on morphological features, with shell sculpture and suture being the primary distinguishing characters. Notably, all the species from Meghalaya were found inside caves, except for Georissa meghalayaensis (Krem Puri), which was found at the edge of the cave entrance on a wet, moss-covered rocky wall. Further studies are required to confirm the true cavernicolous nature of these microsnails.

Keywords: biodiversity hotspot, cave biodiversity, conchology, conservation, endemics

Georissa meghalayaensis sp. nov. 

Acmella bensoni sp. nov. 

Nipu Kumar Das and Neelavar Ananthram Aravind. 2026. New Species of Georissa (Gastropoda: Hydrocenidae) and Acmella (Gastropoda: Assimineidae), with new records of Georissa from Northeast India.  European Journal of Taxonomy, 1060(1); 1–27. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1060.3284 [2026-05-27] 

 x.com/atree_org/status/2065383012116627609

[Funga • 2025] Samsoniella scoliopterygis (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) • A New Species of Samsoniella on the herald moth, Scoliopteryx libatrix (Noctuoidea: Erebidae), from caves in the British Isles

Samsoniella scoliopterygis  H.C. Evans & J.P.M. Araújo,

in Evans, Fogg, Buddie, Yeap et Araújo. 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3114/fuse.2025.15.09 

 

Abstract

Samsoniella scoliopterygis (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales), pathogenic on the herald moth Scoliopteryx libatrix (Erebidae: Noctuoidea), is described as a new species, based on morphological, ecological and molecular evidence. Infected specimens of this troglophilic moth were recorded from caves, as well as from a copper mine, in southern England (Devon, Norfolk), Northern Ireland (Fermanagh) and the Republic of Ireland (Sligo). The moths were found consistently on the cave floor or rock ledges, rather than on the ceiling amongst the overwintering, healthy moth populations; producing multiple, white or non-pigmented clavae of the cordyceps-like sexual morph. Synnemata of the asexual morph occurred sporadically in situ but were produced consistently in vitro. The ecology and taxonomy are discussed in relation to previous records of entomopathogenic fungi on Scoliopteryx libatrix and other trogloxene moths.

 Keywords: Samsoniella scoliopterygis; ecology; entomopathogenic fungi; new taxon; phylogenetics; systematics 

Samsoniella scoliopterygis sp. nov., holotype IMI 507611.
A, B. Sexual morph on herald moth, (Scoliopteryx libatrix), dried specimen from floor of Boho Caves (Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland), showing the superficial perithecia on stromata emerging from the dorsal surface and orifices (mouth and anus). C, D. Transverse section of an ascostroma showing the superficial, flask-shaped perithecia with a wide, prominent neck region and wall. E. Perithecial tip showing the asci and ascospores oozing from the ostiole. F. Ascus showing prominent cap.

 Scale bars: A, B = 2 mm; C = 100 µm; D = 30 µm; E = 15 µm; F = 5 µm.

Samsoniella scoliopterygis, IMI 507613, on herald moths in situ in Boho Caves, July 2024.
 A. Infected moth on ledge in twilight zone (arrow), ca. 6 m from cave entrance in background. B. Close-up of stromata showing the white, superficial, crowded perithecia. C–E. Infected moths in various positions within the dark zone of the cave system, all with white stromata.

Scale bars: B = 1 mm; C, E = 8 mm; D = 5 mm.

Samsoniella scoliopterygis H.C. Evans & J.P.M. Araújo, sp. nov.

 

H.C. Evans, T. Fogg, A.G. Buddie, Y.T. Yeap and J.P.M. Araújo. 2025. A New Species of Samsoniella (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales) on the herald moth, Scoliopteryx libatrix (Erebidae: Noctuoidea), from caves in the British Isles. Fungal Systematics and Evolution. 15(1); 201-224. DOI: doi.org/10.3114/fuse.2025.15.09 (June 2025) 

x.com/joaofungo/status/1885628021882659155

[Arachnida • 2025] Pinelema aurata, P. cavernalis, P. onganh, ... • Hidden in the Dark: Five New Species of Pinelema (Araneae: Telemidae) from Caves in northern Vietnam with Remarks on the Genus Diversity and Conservation

Pinelema spp. in life. 
[A-C] Pinelema onganh, new species;
[D-F] P. cavernalis, new species;
[G-H] P. aurata, new species; [I] P. huifengi, new species 

Ballarin, Nguyen & Eguchi, 2025

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 73: 

 Abstract 

 Five new cave-dwelling species of the genus Pinelema Wang & Li, 2012 from northern Vietnam are described based on both sexes: Pinelema onganh, new species; P. cavernalis, new species; P. huifengi, new species; and P. nagaoi, new species, from Cao Bang Province, and P. aurata, new species, from Dien Bien Province. Three of these species exhibit marked morphological adaptations to subterranean life, including the absence of eyes, depigmentation, and leg elongation. For each species, detailed images of their diagnostic characters are provided. When possible, barcode sequences of the new species are obtained and compared with published Pinelema sequences in a pairwise analysis to assess the interspecific genetic variation of the genus. The significance of Pinelema species diversity in the Southeast Asian karst regions is also briefly discussed, along with conservation challenges linked to their strict habitat requirements.

 Key words. COI barcode, conservation, diversity, Southeast Asia, subterranean environment

Pinelema spp. in life. 
A, P. onganh, new species, male holotype; B, ditto, adult female; C, ditto, juvenile;
 D, P. cavernalis, new species, male holotype; E, ditto, adult female; F, ditto, adult female with egg sac;
G, P. aurata, new species, adult female; H, ditto, adult female with egg sac; I, P. huifengi, new species, adult female.

Francesco Ballarin, Anh D. Nguyen and Katsuyuki Eguchi. 2025. Hidden in the Dark: Five New Species of Pinelema (Araneae: Telemidae) from Caves in northern Vietnam with remarks on the Genus diversity and conservation. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 73: 548–567. [17 October 2025]

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

 

 Trogloraptor tulishpun Jones & Binford,

in Jones, Watson, Hedin et Binford, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.1.5 

photos by M. Hedin

Abstract

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

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

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

(all photos by M. Hedin)

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

Trogloraptor tulishpun, Jones and Binford, sp. nov.  

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

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

 

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

[Entomology • 2026] Dolichopoda balrogi • Delving too Deep: Morphological and Molecular Description of A New Cave-dwelling Dolichopoda (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) from Kastellorizo Island, Greece

 

  Dolichopoda balrogi  Kalaentzis & Alexiou, 

 A. Female individual. B. Male individual. C. Juvenile.

in Kalaentzis, Alexiou, Christopoulos, Minoudi, Koutsogiannopoulos, Kotselis et Triantafyllidis, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.187943

Photos: K. Kalaentzis.

Abstract

A new species of cave cricket, Dolichopoda balrogi sp. nov., is described from the Greek island of Kastellorizo (Dodecanese, Levantine Sea). The species is documented from artificial subterranean habitats, as no accessible natural caves are known on the island. Detailed morphological analysis of both sexes reveals a unique combination of characters, including the structure of the male epiphallus, the shape of the tenth tergite, the presence of styli on the male subgenital plate, and the morphology of the female ovipositor, which clearly differentiate it from all known congeners. Comparative morphology indicates strong affinities with Anatolian species of Dolichopoda, particularly D. sbordonii and D. lycia, and no close relationship with the Aegean species complex occurring on islands of East Aegean and the adjacent Anatolian coast. These affinities are further supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred from DNA barcoding. Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses consistently recover the Kastellorizo lineage as a distinct and well-supported clade nested within the southwestern Anatolian lineage of the genus. The discovery of D. balrogi sp. nov. represents the first documented occurrence of an Anatolian lineage of Dolichopoda within European territory, underscoring the unique biogeographical character of Kastellorizo as a Greek territory with pronounced Anatolian biogeographical affinities. This finding emphasizes the importance of integrated morphological and molecular approaches in resolving species boundaries and evolutionary relationships and contributes to the growing evidence of underestimated biodiversity in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Keywords: Anatolia, artificial tunnel, DNA barcoding, endemic species, Megisti, molecular phylogeny, new species, subterranean fauna

Individuals of the newly discovered Dolichopoda balrogi sp. nov. in the artificial tunnel of Kastellorizo on 17 October 2025.
 A. Female individual. B. Male individual. C. Juvenile.

Photo credit: K. Kalaentzis.

Dolichopoda (Dolichopoda) balrogi Kalaentzis & Alexiou, sp. nov.

Diagnosis.— Because of the unarmed fore and middle femora, the new species described here belongs to the genus Dolichopoda. It is a member of subgenus Dolichopoda because of the absence of spines on all femora, the presence of spines on the fore tibia, and the non-bifurcated median process of the epiphallus. The new species is similar to D. sbordonii, a species endemic to the adjacent Anatolian coast. Both share a non-bilobate median process of epiphallus and the presence of styli at the subgenital plate of the male. The new species differs mainly in the shape of the median process of epiphallus (trapezoidal vs triangular) and the shape of the X tergite of the male (traces of lateral lobes vs lateral lobes). The female of D. sbordonii differs mainly by the shorter ovipositor with smaller number of denticles on the ventral valve. Dolichopoda lycia is a species also present on the adjacent coast. It shares with D. balrogi sp. nov. the shape of the tenth male tergite, with only inconspicuous lateral lobes and a similar ovipositor in females, with 15 denticles on the ventral valve. It differs in the bilobed median process of the epiphallus and the absence of styli.

 Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Sotiris Alexiou, Apostolos Christopoulos, Styliani Minoudi, David Koutsogiannopoulos, Christos Kotselis and Alexandros Triantafyllidis. 2026. Delving too Deep: Morphological and Molecular Description of the Cave-dwelling Dolichopoda balrogi sp. nov. (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) from Kastellorizo Island, Greece. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 35(2): 259-266. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.187943 [27 May 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Oreonectes weii • A New endemic Species (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) within the Yangtze River Basin and its Monsoon-driven Evolutionary Diversification

Oreonectes weii

Luo, Ling, Cao, Zhou & Huang, 2026

 

魏氏岭鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186155 

Abstract

A new species Oreonectes weii sp. nov., is described that was collected from Shanggao County, Jiangxi Province, China, located at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Delta. This naming honors the globally distinguished conservation biologist Fu-Wen Wei for his exceptional and pioneering contributions to biodiversity conservation and research. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of meristic and morphological characters, including fin-ray counts, body coloration, eye normal, number of lateral-line pores, and gill-raker counts. Genetically, it forms a distinct lineage in the mitochondrial Cyt b-based phylogeny and exhibits a genetic distance of 6.3% from its sister species, O. polystigmus. We further estimated divergence time within the genus Oreonectes, which indicates an origin in the Late Oligocene (~27.06 Ma) and a most recent common ancestor at ~13.91 Ma. Our biogeographic analyses suggest that the Guijiang-Hejiang River Basin likely served as a source area for the genus’ dispersal into adjacent basins, and that the new species probably originated from a dispersal event of its ancestral population from the Pearl River Basin to the Yangtze River Basin during the Late Miocene (~6.78 Ma). Lineage-divergence dynamics indicate that cladogenesis began around 28 Ma, accelerated markedly at ~18 Ma, peaked at ~6 Ma, and subsequently showed a gradual decline. The current diversity pattern of Oreonectes may have been shaped primarily by dispersal mediated by enhanced precipitation under the East Asian monsoon climate, with subsequent erosion-induced geographical isolation likely promoting speciation and diversification within the genus.

Key Words: Biogeography, cryptic species, morphology, taxonomy, phylogeny, Yangtze River

Ecological photographs and habitats.
A, B. Oreonectes weii sp. nov.; C. O. guidongensis; D. O. polystigmus;
E. Outside the cave; F. Inside the cave.

Oreonectes weii sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Oreonectes weii sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) coloration pattern present and irregular black spots scattered on the lateral body surface and caudal fin; (2) eyes normal; (3) well-developed posterior chamber of air-bladder; (4) cephalic lateral-line system with 4 + 10 infraorbital canal pores and six preoperculo-mandibular canal pores; (5) 9–10 branched pectoral-fin rays, length 16.0–24.3% SL; (6) tip of pelvic fin not reaching the anus; (7) caudal fin truncated, with 14 branched caudal-fin rays; (8) 10 inner gill rakers on the first gill arch; (9) tip of maxillary barbel not reaching the posterior margin of the operculum.

Etymology. The specific epithet “weii” is a genitive noun derived from the surname of Academician Fu-Wen Wei (魏辅文), an eminent conservation biologist. The name is given in honor of his outstanding contributions to the study and conservation of biodiversity in China. We suggest the English common name for this species is the “Wei’s Mountain Loach”, and its Chinese name is “Wèi Shì Lǐng Qiū” (魏氏岭鳅).

 Tao Luo, Wen-Qing Ling, Hai-Lin Cao, Jiang Zhou and Guang-Ping Huang. 2026. A New endemic Species Oreonectes weii sp. nov. (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) within the Yangtze River Basin and its Monsoon-driven Evolutionary Diversification. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(3): 751-765. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186155 [14 May 2026]

[Invertebrate • 2025] Alloscopus sago & A. jantapasoae • Two New Species of the Genus Alloscopus Börner, 1906 (Collembola: Orchesellidae: Heteromurinae) from southern Thailand

Alloscopus sago Jantarit & Manee, sp. nov.  
   A. jantapasoae Jantarit, Nilsai & Manee, sp. nov.

in Jantarit, Manee, Nilsai, Mitpuangchon et Pimsai, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1245.148100 

Abstract 

Two new species of Alloscopus Börner (Orchesellidae: Heteromurinae) are discovered and described from southern Thailand. The first species, Alloscopus sago Jantarit & Manee, sp. nov. was found in a sago palm forest (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.), a true sago palm species native to Southeast Asia and typically located in lowland freshwater swamps in Phatthalung Province. The second species, A. jantapasoae Jantarit, Nilsai & Manee, sp. nov. was sampled from a dark zone within a cave environment in Trang Province. Both species are characterized by the absence of eyes and mucronal spines, the presence of a PAO, two rows of smooth chaetae on the manubrium, and dental spines. However, they differ in several morphological features, including the number of macrochaetae on the ‘A’ series of the head, Th. II and Abd. IV; labial basis chaetotaxy; the presence of smooth chaetae on tibiotarsi; the number of chaetae on both the anterior and posterior ventral tube; and the number of the inter-teeth on the claw. The discovery of these two new species increases the total number of Alloscopus species recorded in Thailand to six species with a total of 17 recognized species globally. An updated key to the world species of Alloscopus is also provided.   

Key words: Cave, chaetotaxy, Entomobryoidea, sago palm, taxonomy

Alloscopus sago Jantarit & Manee, sp. nov.   

 A. jantapasoae Jantarit, Nilsai & Manee, sp. nov.

 Sopark Jantarit, Nongnapat Manee, Areeruk Nilsai, Natrada Mitpuangchon and Awatsaya Pimsai. 2025. Two New Species of the Genus Alloscopus Börner, 1906 (Collembola, Orchesellidae, Heteromurinae) from southern Thailand. ZooKeys. 1245: 357-381. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1245.148100 

 

 

[Crustacea • 2026] Stenasellus angiangensis • An updated Phylogeny of the Family Stenasellidae (Isopoda), with A New Species of Stenasellus from southern Vietnam

 

 Stenasellus angiangensis Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Douady & Malard,

in Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Deharveng, Konecny-Dupré, Douady et Malard, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.185185 

Abstract

Our current understanding of the molecular systematics of Stenasellidae, a species-rich family of obligate groundwater isopods known from Africa, Asia, Europe and North-America, is based primarily on specimens of the genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 collected in Europe. Here, we provide an updated phylogeny of the family comprising specimens of Stenasellus collected from multiple countries in Asia, including Iran, Turkmenistan, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam as well as specimens of Metastenasellus Magniez, 1979 collected in Africa. First, we used COI-based molecular species delimitation methods to delimit putative species within the family Stenasellidae. Second, we built a phylogeny of the Stenasellidae comprising 48 putative species, for which two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes were available. Third, we describe Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. from the hyporheic zone of streams located in mountainous islands of the Mekong River Delta, the first representative of the family Stenasellidae described from Vietnam. We show that the number of putative species delimited using various COI-based molecular species delimitation methods largely surpass the number of species described based on morphological criteria. The four-gene phylogeny reveals, for the first time, a robustly supported and broadly distributed Asian clade comprising Stenasellus species from Iran, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam, including Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. as the sister taxon to Stenasellus cambodianus Boutin & Magniez, 1985 from southern Cambodia. Our phylogeny strongly questions the monophyly of the genus Stenasellus, even though the latter cannot be definitively rejected due to difficulties in resolving the phylogenetic relationships among the clades identified within stenasellids.

Keywords: Asellota, Asia, Diversity, groundwater, Indochina, Peracarida, subterranean

Order Isopoda Latreille, 1816

Suborder Asellota Latreille, 1802

Family Stenasellidae Dudich, 1924

Genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897

Stenasellus angiangensis Marin, Palatov, Thinh, Douady & Malard, sp. nov.

The habitat (a) and general view (b–d) of Stenasellus angiangensis sp. nov. in the An Giang Province, Mekong Delta area in southern Vietnam. Specimens were collected using a hand net in the hyporheic zone and springs of mountainous streams.

 Ivan N. Marin, Dmitry M. Palatov, Nguyễn Văn Thinh, Louis Deharveng, Lara Konecny-Dupré, Christophe J. Douady and Florian Malard. 2026. An updated Phylogeny of the Family Stenasellidae (Crustacea, Isopoda), with A New Species of Stenasellus from southern Vietnam. Subterranean Biology. 55: 187-215.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.185185 [15 Apr 2026]