[Fungi • 2023] Scleroderma erubescens, S. vinaceum, ... (Boletales: Sclerodermataceae) • Four New Species from Southwestern China

 (A, B) Scleroderma erubescens;
(E) S. separatum; (G) S. squamulosum;
(H, I) S. vinaceum 

Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou,

in Wu, Zhou, Qu et Ge, 2023. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d15060775 

  Researchgate.net/publication/371614300

Scale bars = 1 cm.

Abstract

The genus Scleroderma contains gasteroid basidiomycetes, which form globose spores with echinulate to reticulate ornamentation on the surface. Based on the morphological observations in combination with molecular data, four new species, S. erubescens, S. separatum, S. squamulosum, and S. vinaceum, were described from Yunnan, southwestern China. Images of fresh basidiomata and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of basidiospores are provided. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences show that these four new taxa belong to the Scleroderma section Scleroderma.

Keywords: four new species; Boletales; ectomycorrhizal fungi; Sclerodermataceae; taxonomy

 Basidiomata of Scleroderma species.
 (A, B) Scleroderma erubescens ((A) Z. W. Ge 4356; (B) Z. W. Ge 4828, holotype).
(C–E) Scleroderma separatum ((C) Z. W. Ge 4148, holotype; (D) Z. W. Ge 5394; (E) L. R. Zhou 31).
(F, G) Scleroderma squamulosum ((F) Y. J. Hao 373, holotype; (G) L. P. Tang 821).
(H, I) Scleroderma vinaceum ((H) J. Qin 197; (I) Z. W. Ge 5651).

Scale bars = 1 cm.

Scleroderma erubescens Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Differs from the similar S. verrucosum in having smaller basidiomata that turn reddish purple to blackish red after injury, smaller basidiospores with longer spikes, a thinner peridium, and hyphae with clamp connections.

Etymology: The species epithet refers to the basidiomata turning reddish purple to blackish red when bruised.

Scleroderma separatum Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, sp. nov. 

 

Diagnosis: Differs from Scleroderma albidum in having warty, peelable squamules on the peridium, smaller basidospores, and clamp connections at the hyphae of the rhizomorphs.

 Etymology: The species epithet refers to the peelable squamules on the peridium.

Scleroderma squamulosum Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Differs from the similar species Scleroderma areolatum in having a well-developed stipe, light-colored basidiomata, and smaller basidospores, with abundant attachments.

 Etymology: “squamulosum” refers to the scattered, tiny, and thin squamules on the stipes.

Scleroderma vinaceum Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Differs from the similar species Scleroderma verrucosum in the peridium, changing color to vinaceous after damage, with a longer stipe and smaller basidiomata.

 Etymology: “vinaceum” refers to the basidiomata turning vinaceous when bruised.

 Rui Wu, Lvrong Zhou, Hua Qu and Zai-Wei Ge. 2023. Updates on Scleroderma: Four New Species of Section Scleroderma from Southwestern China. Diversity. 15(6), 775. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d15060775  [15 June 2023] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/371614300_Four_New_Species_of_Scleroderma_from_Southwestern_China

[Fungi • 2026] Dianjunus rex gen. et sp. nov. • Unearthing a fungal Giant: Dianjunaceae fam. nov., A Novel Paleocene Lineage of Xylariales (Ascomycota: Sordariomycetes)

 

Dianjunaceae fam. nov.
Dianjunus rex F.Q. Yu, Pérez-Moreno & Senan.,

in Song, Yan, Pérez-Moreno, Zhang, Yang, Xie, Su, J. Liu, Wang, D. Liu, Z. Yang, C. Yang, W. Liu, Shi, Wan, Cheewangkoon, Dai, Senanayake et Yu, 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2026.1940464

 

Abstract

During mycological surveys in Yunnan Province, China, specimens of a fungus producing massive, upright stromata up to 50 cm high and individually 2.2 kg in weight were sampled. Through an integrative taxonomic approach combining detailed morphology, multilocus phylogeny [internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (RPB2), and beta-tubulin (TUB2)], and phylogenomic analyses, this fungus is proposed as the new species Dianjunus rex gen. et sp. nov., the type of the new family Dianjunaceae (Xylariales). Phylogenetic analyses robustly place Dianjunaceae as a distinct sister clade to Graphostromataceae. Divergence time estimation dates the origin of this family to the early Paleocene (~65 million years ago), coinciding with the period following the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) extinction, when an estimated 75% of all plant and animal species went extinct, and a significant ecological reorganization of life on Earth happened. The stromata of D. rex represent the largest fructifications documented within the Ascomycota, significantly expanding the known morphological range of the Xylariales. The study provides a comprehensive description, including a nodulisporium-like anamorph with periconiella-like branching patterns, and discusses the taxon’s phylogenetic placement and distinctive morphology. This discovery highlights the unexplored fungal diversity in East Asian forests.

Keywords: divergence time, genome sequences, large stromata, morphology, novel taxa

Stromata of Dianjunus rex in the field.
(a, c, d, f) Stromata attached to host roots. (b, e, g, h) Stromata around host plant. (a) Collectors. (i) Total weight of largest bilobedstromata.

Dianjunus rex (HKAS148941, holotype).
(a) Stromata. (b) Yellow powdery layer on outer crust covering ostioles. (c) Ostiole opening on stromatic surface. (d) Vertical cross section of ascoma. (e) Peridium. (f) Stromatic tissues in 5% (w/v) KOH. (g) Horizontal section through the stromata. (h) Apical ring in water. (i) Apical ring in Melzer’s reagent. (j) Apical ring in Lugol’s reagent after pretreatment with 3% (w/v) KOH. (k) Apical ring in Lugol’s reagent. (l) S-shaped germ-slits in ascospores in Melzer’s reagent. (m-p) Asci in water. (q-zf) Ascospores in water.

Scale bars: a = 15 cm, b, c, e = 100 µm, d = 750 µm, g = 250 µm, l = 20 µm, m-p = 50 µm, h-k, q-zf = 10 µm.

Dianjunaceae F.Q. Yu, Pérez-Moreno & Senan., fam. nov.

Etymology: Based on the type genus Dianjunus.

Diagnosis: Dianjunaceae is distinguished from other families in Xylariales by having large stromata with persistent powdery-fibrous surface, unique S-shaped germ slit in ascospores, the inverted-trapezoid, amyloid apical ring in Melzer’s reagent, and nodulisporium-like anamorph with periconiella-like branching patterns produce distantly-packed branchlets bearing cluster of cylindrical, conidiogenous cells.

 

Dianjunus F.Q. Yu, Pérez-Moreno & Senan., gen. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from the “Dian Kingdom”, a historical society situated in the region of present-day Yunnan Province in southwestern China where the samples were collected. The epithet is combined with the Chinese word “jūn”, meaning ‘mushroom’ or ‘fungus’.

Dianjunus rex F.Q. Yu, Pérez-Moreno & Senan., sp. nov. 

Etymology: The species epithet rex (Latin = king) refers to the large size and majestic appearance of the stromata.

Jing Song, Zhuyue Yan, Jesús Pérez-Moreno, Fengming Zhang, Shimei Yang, Tao Xie, Luofeng Su, Jianwei Liu, Yanliang Wang, Dong Liu, Zhenyan Yang, Chengmo Yang, Wei Liu, Xiaofei Shi, Shanping Wan, Ratchadawan Cheewangkoon, Dongqin Dai, Indunil C. Senanayake and Fuqiang Yu. 2026. Unearthing a fungal Giant: Dianjunaceae fam. nov., A Novel Paleocene Lineage of Xylariales harboring Dianjunus rex gen. et sp. nov. Front. Fungal Biol. 7; 1940464. DOI: doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2026.1940464 [29 September 2026]

[PaleoIchthyology • 2022] Dianodipterus huizeensis • A New dipnoan Genus (Sarcopterygii: Dipnoi) from the Middle Devonian of Huize, Yunnan, China

Dianodipterus huizeensis

Luo, Cui, Qiao & Zhu, 2022

DOI: doi.org/0.1080/14772019.2022.2042409 

 Researchgate.net/publication/359575707

 

Abstract

A new genus and species of tooth-plated lungfishes, Dianodipterus huizeensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Qujing Formation (late Eifelian, Middle Devonian) of Huize County, Qujing, north-eastern Yunnan, China. It differs from other lungfishes in the small proportion of the tooth-bearing part on the pterygoid (less than one-quarter), the extensively developed anteromedial edentulous portion of the pterygoid, and tooth rows few in number (only four). Phylogenetic analysis reveals that Dianodipterus is more plesiomorphic than Dipterus, yet crownward of Melanognathus. As the ninth Devonian lungfish genus from China, the new taxon displays a novel schema of lungfish dentition and increases the diversity of early lungfishes.

Keywords: Dipnoi, Middle Devonian, dentition, vomer, phylogeny, China

Dianodipterus huizeensis gen. et sp. nov.

Yanchao Luo, Xindong Cui, Tuo Qiao and Min Zhu. 2022. A New dipnoan Genus from the Middle Devonian of Huize, Yunnan, China. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 19(18); 1303-1315 DOI: doi.org/0.1080/14772019.2022.2042409 [29 Mar 2022]

 Researchgate.net/publication/359575707_A_new_dipnoan_genus_from_the_Middle_Devonian_of_Huize_Yunnan_China

x.com/ChinaScience/status/1514136308083412994

[Botany • 2026] Musa dulongjiangensis (Musaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, southwest China

Musa dulongjiangensis H.B.Yang, 

 

in Yang, Q.-L. Wang, Wu, Chen, Han, Huang, Yuan et J.-B. Wang, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.280.196585

Abstract

Musa dulongjiangensis (Musaceae), a new species of the genus Musa endemic to Yunnan, southwestern China, is described and illustrated in this study. This new species is morphologically similar to M. puspanjaliae, but can be clearly distinguished by a combination of morphological characters. Its female bud bracts are dark purple externally and purple internally, with 6–7 basal female flowers arranged in two rows; the base of the compound tepal bears distinct and dense red stripes, the ovary is pale green and glabrous. The male bud bracts are consistent in color with female bracts, dark purple externally and purple internally, and are non-revolute before abscission. Each bract bears approximately twenty male flowers arranged in two rows, with pinkish-purple anther lobes. The fruit bunch is lax, consisting of upward-curving fruits. Typically, each bunch possesses eight hands, with 6–7 fruits per hand, and the pedicels are obviously developed.

Key words: Musa, Musa dulongjiangensis, new species, taxonomy

Musa dulongjiangensis H.B.Yang, sp. nov.
A. Plants in the habitat; B. Mature fruiting bunch; C. Inflorescence with flowers; D. Internally of female bud bracts; E. Basal female flowers and ovaries; F. (-1, -2, -3) compound tepal, free tepal, sterile stamen and stigma of female flower; G. Male bud; H. Internally of male bud bract; J. (-1, -2, -3) compound tepal, free tepal and stamen of male flower; K. Hand of fruits; L. Individual fruit and curved; M. Ovules in 2 rows per locule.

Scale bars: 5 cm (C, G, H); 1 cm (E, F, J, L, M).

Musa dulongjiangensis H.B.Yang, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. M. dulongjiangensis is similar in morphology to M. puspanjaliae, but they differ significantly in the following morphological features. Sterile bracts 2 (vs. 4), female bud bracts dark purple externally (vs. greenish-yellow or purple), female flowers, 6–7 flowered in two rows (vs. 13–16 flowered in two rows), ovary pale green, glabrous (vs. cream, slightly pubescent), compound tepal 3 cm long, base with distinct and dense red stripes (vs. 5 cm long, without red stripes), free tepal broadly ovate (vs. oblong ovate to triangular), male bud bracts unrevolute before falling (vs. revolute before falling), male buds uncovered with persistent dry old bracts (vs. covered with persistent dry old bracts), male buds incompletely fall off (vs. fall off completely), male flowers on average 20 per bract in 2 rows (vs. 22 per bracts in 2 rows), anthers lobe pinkish purple (vs. creamy to pale pink); fruit bunch lax, with 8 hands and 6–7 fruits per hand, in 2 rows (vs. very compact, with 8 hands; fruits 15 per hand, in 2 rows), individual fruit curved upward (vs. straight), fruits with short pedicel (vs. sessile).

  Hu-Biao Yang, Qing-Long Wang, Yun-Yuan Wu, Jin-Hua Chen, Peng Han, Ming-Zhong Huang, Lang-Xing Yuan and Jia-Bao Wang. 2026. Musa dulongjiangensis (Musaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, southwest China. PhytoKeys. 280: 83-91. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.280.196585 [14-10-2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Dianhaia heptacantha • A non-biomineralized trilobitomorph euarthropod (Trilobitomorpha: Helmetiida: Helmetiidae) with appendicular morphology from the early Cambrian Chengjiang Biota, China

 

Dianhaia heptacantha 

Zhu, Zeng, Liu & Zhao, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.1017/jpa.2026.10257

Abstract

Helmetiida is a major group of Trilobitomorpha and Artiopoda known from Cambrian Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten. Phylogenetic studies have suggested that they are closely related to trilobites as their possible sister taxon. With seven genera and eight species, Helmetiida has only been found in the Burgess Shale and the Chengjiang biota. Here we describe a new helmetiid, Dianhaia heptacantha n. gen. n. sp., from the early Cambrian Chengjiang biota (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 3), Yunnan Province, South China. Dianhaia heptacantha n. gen. n. sp. possesses an anterior sclerite that is diagnostic of Helmetiida. The semicircular cephalon bears a pair of short genal spines. The thorax consists of seven tergites, each having a pair of long pleural spines and showing edge-to-edge articulation. The pygidium carries one short terminal spine and three pairs of long lateral spines. Dianhaia heptacantha n. gen. n. sp. is distinguished from other helmetiids by different numbers of thoracic tergites and pygidial spines. Computed microtomography shows that D. heptacantha n. gen. n. sp. has a pair of antennae and 13 pairs of homonomous biramous appendages. Each biramous appendage consists of a gnathobasic protopodite, seven-podomerous endopodite, and a lobate exopodite with lamellae. Phylogenetic analysis of Artiopoda resolved Dianhaia n. gen. as the sister taxon of Haifengella within Helmetiida. The discovery of this new helmetiid enriches the taxonomic diversity and appendicular morphoanatomy of Cambrian trilobitomorphs from the Chengjiang biota.

Systematic paleontology

Euarthropoda Lankester, 1904

Artiopoda Hou and Bergström, 1997

Trilobitomorpha Størmer, 1944

Conciliterga Hou and Bergström, 1997

Helmetiida Novozhilov, 1960

Helmetiidae Simonetta and Delle Cave, 1975

Included genera: Helmetia Walcott, 1918; Kuamaia Hou, 1987; Rhombicalvaria Hou, 1987; Haifengella Zhao et al., 2014.

Dianhaia heptacantha n. gen. n. sp. from the Cambrian Stage 3 Chengjiang biota, holotype NIGP 203984, part and counterpart.
(1, 2, 4–9) Part, NIGP 203984a; (1) whole specimen; (2) interpretative drawing; (4) endopodite; (5) a thoracic biramous appendage; (6) exopodite; (7) setae on the exopodite; (8) spines on the pleural spine; (9) spines on the pygidium.
(3) Counterpart, NIGP 203984b.

Scale bars represent 5 mm (1, 2), 1 mm (3, 7), 2 mm (4–6, 8, 9).

 Abbreviations: as, anterior sclerite; ce, cephalic segment; cs, cephalic shield; cw, claw; ed, endite; en, endopodite; ex, exopodite; gs, genal spine; gn, gnathobase; hy, hypostome; lm, lamella; ls, lateral spine; ps, pleural spine; pt, protopodite; py, pygidium; sp, marginal spine; ts, terminal spine; T1–7, thoracic tergite 1–7; xs, setae on exopodite.

Dianhaia heptacantha n. gen. n. sp. from the Cambrian Stage 3 Chengjiang biota, paratype NIGP 203985.
(1) Whole specimen; (2) interpretative drawing; (3) pygidial segments; (4) cephalic and anterior thoracic segments with appendages; (5) marginal spines on the pygidial pleural spine; (6) marginal spines on the pygidium; (7) whole appendage; (8) endopodite; (9) setae on exopodite. Scale bars represent: 5 mm (1, 2), 2 mm (3), 1 mm (4–9).

Abbreviations: as, anterior sclerite; en, endopodite; ex, exopodite; ls, lateral spine; ps, pleural spine; pt, protopodite; py, pygidium; sp, marginal spine; st, sternite; ts, terminal spine; T1–7, thoracic tergite 1–7; xs, setae on exopodite.

Genus Dianhaia new genus

Etymology: Derived from Dianhai, another name of the Dian Lake, which is close to the fossil locality.

Remarks: Dianhaia n. gen. has an oval anterior sclerite and tergites with edge-to-edge articulation, supporting its assignment to Helmetiida. Its well-developed segmental boundaries and several large pygidial spines indicate that it was a member of Helmetiidae (Losso et al., 2025). Different from Helmetia and Kuamaia, Dianhaia n. gen. has long pleural spines and pygidial spines that are similar to the counterparts in Rhombicalvaria and Haifengella (Hou and Bergström, 1997; Zhao et al., 2014; Losso et al., 2025). But compared with Rhombicalvaria and Haifengella, Dianhaia n. gen. has different numbers of thoracic tergites and pygidial spines, suggesting it is a separate genus.

Dianhaia heptacantha new species

Holotype: NIGP 203984a, b, part and counterpart.

Materials: Holotype (NIGP 203984a, b); paratype (NIGP 203985).

Diagnosis: The cephalic shield possesses a pair of short genal spines. The thorax comprises seven thoracic tergites with long pleural spines. The semicircular pygidium bears one very short terminal spine and three pairs of long lateral spines. Biramous appendages have an undivided long-ovate flap with marginal setae and imbricated lamellae.

Occurrence: Maotianshan Shale Member, Yu’anshan Formation, Wutingaspis–Eoredlichia trilobite Zone, Cambrian Series 2, Stage 3, Jianshan section, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.

Etymology: Hepta means seven in Greek. Acantha means spine in Greek. The name derives from the seven pairs of thoracic spines and seven pygidial spines in this species.

Reconstruction of the helmetiid euarthropod Dianhaia heptacantha n. gen. n. sp. from the Cambrian Stage 3 Chengjiang biota.
 (1) Dorsal view; (2) ventral view. 
 Morphology of the articular membrane and position of antennae are inferred. The number of antennal podomeres was referred from Kuamaia lata.

 

Yuyan Zhu, Han Zeng, Yao Liu and Fangchen Zhao. 2026.  A non-biomineralized trilobitomorph euarthropod (Helmetiida) with appendicular morphology from the early Cambrian Chengjiang Biota, China. Journal of Paleontology.  First View, pp. 1 - 10. DOI: doi.org/10.1017/jpa.2026.10257 [07 October 2026]

[PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Dianoconodon youngi • Fossils document Evolutionary Changes of jaw joint to mammalian middle ear

 

Dianoconodon youngi 

Mao, C. Zhang, Ren, T. Wang, G. Wang, F. Zhang, Rich, Vickers-Rich & Meng, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07235-0  

 Researchgate.net/publication/379540254

Reconstruction by Chuang Zhao

Abstract

The dual jaw joint of Morganucodon consists of the dentary–squamosal joint laterally and the articular–quadrate one medially. The articular–quadrate joint and its associated post-dentary bones constitute the precursor of the mammalian middle ear. Fossils documenting the transition from such a precursor to the mammalian middle ear are poor, resulting in inconsistent interpretations of this hallmark apparatus in the earliest stage of mammaliaform evolution. Here we report mandibular middle ears from two Jurassic mammaliaforms: a new morganucodontan-like species and a pseudotribosphenic shuotheriid species. The morganucodontan-like species shows many previously unknown post-dentary bone morphologies and exhibits features that suggest a loss of load-bearing function in its articular–quadrate joint. The middle ear of the shuotheriid approaches the mammalian condition in that it has features that are suitable for an exclusively auditory function, although the post-dentary bones are still attached to the dentary. With size reduction of the jaw-joint bones, the quadrate shifts medially at different degrees in relation to the articular in the two mammaliaforms. These changes provide evidence of a gradual loss of load-bearing function in the articular–quadrate jaw joint—a prerequisite for the detachment of the post-dentary bones from the dentary and the eventual breakdown of the Meckel’s cartilage during the evolution of mammaliaforms.

Reconstruction of the newly described species Dianoconodon youngi.

illustration by Chuang Zhao 

Mammaliaformes Rowe, 1988

Dianoconodon youngi gen. et. sp. nov.

Holotype. A complete skull with associated dentitions and partialpostcranial skeleton (IVPP V4257, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontologyand Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing) (Figs. 1and 2; Methods and Extended Data Figs. 1–6).

Etymology. Dian, the short form (Chinese phonetic Pinyin) of Yunnan Province, where the Lufeng fossil site is located; konos, Greek ‘cone’ or ‘cusp’; odon, Greek ‘tooth’. The specific name honours C. C. Young, who initiated the study of mammaliamorphs in Lufeng.  

Mandibular middle ears and transformation of the articular-quadrate joints in mammaliaforms. 

Fangyuan Mao, Chi Zhang, Jicheng Ren, Tao Wang, Guofu Wang, Fakui Zhang, Thomas Rich, Patricia Vickers-Rich and Jin Meng. 2024. Fossils document Evolutionary Changes of jaw joint to mammalian middle ear. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07235-0 [03 April 2024]

 Researchgate.net/publication/379540254_Fossils_document_evolutionary_changes_of_jaw_joint_to_mammalian_middle_ear

 

[Paleontology • 2026] Yujingia glutenotunica • Cambrian Fossils illuminate the ambulacrarian common ancestor

 

Yujingia glutenotunica 

He, Mussini, Han, Reich, Ou, Cheng & Shu, 2026 

胶膜玉净虫  |  DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.053

Highlights: 

• A new early Cambrian ambulacrarian, Yujingia, preserves soft parts and tentacles

• Yujingia possesses pinnate appendages with filter-feeding grooves

• Phylogenetic analyses place Yujingia near the common ancestor of extant Ambulacraria

• The fossils suggest living ambulacrarians evolved from tentaculate suspension feeders

Summary

The origins of ambulacrarians, which comprise the morphologically disparate echinoderms (sea stars and their relatives) and the worm-like hemichordates, are poorly constrained, obscuring the assembly of their exceptionally disparate body plans. We describe Yujingia glutenotunica, an ambulacrarian from the early Cambrian Chengjiang biota (518 Ma). Yujingia combines a simple cylindrical body plan with a crown of specialized appendages, including pinnate arms bearing filter-feeding grooves and alternating side-branches. Phylogenetic analyses recover Yujingia within a grade of tentaculate fossils immediately basal to the last common ancestor of all modern ambulacrarians. These results suggest that ambulacrarians evolved from semi-sessile organisms with complex suspension-feeding adaptations, otherwise only found in crown-group echinoderms and tentaculate hemichordates (pterobranchs). Yujingia fills a key gap in the early deuterostome fossil record, thus challenging the conventional worm-like, pharyngeal filter-feeder models for the ambulacrarian last common ancestor and supporting unexpectedly deep origins for the echinoderm and pterobranch body plans.

Keywords: Ambulacraria, Chengjiang biota, deuterostome evolution

Systematic paleontology

Superphylum Ambulacraria

Phylum, Class, Order, Family indet.

Yujingia glutenotunica gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name Yujingia refers to the Dharma Vessel held by Guanyin, one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism, in reference to the fossil’s overall shape. The specific name glutenotunica is derived from the Latin words gluten and tunica, which refers to the optically light body preserved around the visceral mass of the fossil. ...

Kaiyue He, Giovanni Mussini, Jian Han, Mike Reich, Qiang Ou, Meirong Cheng and Degan Shu. 2026. Cambrian Fossils illuminate the ambulacrarian common ancestor. Current Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.053 [September 16, 2026]

[Arachnida • 2026] Pancorius subyingjiang, P. yangming & P. yunnan • Three New Species of Pancorius Simon, 1902 (Araneae: Salticidae) from China

 

Pancorius yangming 

Zhou, Wang & Peng, 2026

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.1.12 

 

Abstract

Three new species of Pancorius Simon, 1902 are described from China and named as P. subyingjiang sp. nov. (female), P. yangming sp. nov. (male, female) and P. yunnan sp. nov. (female). Detailed descriptions, photos of somatic features and copulatory organs, as well as a distribution map are provided. Nucleotide data for the barcoding gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of P. yangming sp. nov. (male, female) are provided.

Araneae, morphology, Plexippinae, taxonomy, South China

 

YUCHEN ZHOU, SHULIN WANG and XIANJIN PENG. 2026. Three New Species of Pancorius Simon, 1902 (Araneae: Salticidae) from China.  Zootaxa. 5782(1); 193-200. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5782.1.12  [2026-03-23]

[Herpetology • 2026] Acanthosaura aurantiogularis • A New Species of the Genus Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 (Lacertilia: Agamidae) from the China-Myanmar Border Region in southwestern Yunnan Province, China

Acanthosaura aurantiogularis Wang, Lu & Che, 

in Wang, Lu, Zhao, Shi, Wan, Zhu, Jin et Che, 2026

橙喉棘蜥 | Orange-throated Pricklenape  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1290.195408

Abstract

Using an integrative dataset of both mitochondrial DNA and morphological data, we describe a new species of the genus Acanthosaura from the China-Myanmar border region in Menglian County, Pu’er, Yunnan Province, China. The new species, Acanthosaura aurantiogularis sp. nov., is sister to A. tongbiguanensis, and it can be readily diagnosed from all recognized congeners by its bright orange gular coloration in the male, flesh colored oral cavity, moderate post-orbital spines and occipital spines, five or six well-developed nuchal crest scales, and a distinct dorsal coloration. We recommend further comprehensive phylogenetic studies of the genus and highlighted the understudied agamid diversity in northeastern Myanmar.

Key words: Agamid, Burma, cross-border, distribution, Draconinae, Pricklenape, taxonomy

Comparison between males (left column) and females (right column) of Acanthosaura aurantiogularis sp. nov. (top row, A, B) and closely related A. tongbiguanensis (bottom row, C, D) in life.

Photos by Zhuo-Yu Lu and Kai Wang.

Holotype male of Acanthosaura aurantiogularis sp. nov. (KIZ 61664) in life,
showing lateral overview (A), lateral closeup of body and head (B), ventral overview (C), and closeup of oral cavity (D).

Photos by Zhuo-Yu Lu.

Paratype female of Acanthosaura aurantiogularis sp. nov. (KIZ 61665) in life,
showing lateral overview (A), lateral closeup of body and head (B), ventral overview (C), and closeup of oral cavity (D).

Photos by Zhuo-Yu Lu.

 

Acanthosaura aurantiogularis Wang, Lu & Che, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Acanthosaura aurantiogularis sp. nov. can be diagnosed from congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) tail short, TAL 167% SVL in female; (2) length of post-orbital and occipital spines moderate, LOPS 11.0–15.1% HL, LLOC 9.5–15.9% HL; (3) nuchal crest erected, 5 or 6, discontinuous from dorsal crests, TNCL 13.8–18.7% HL; (4) diastema short, composed of 6–8 small scales; (5) dorsal crest erected, anterior most one shorter than nuchal, decreasing in length posteriorly; (6) enlarged middorsal crest scales 41; (7) gular pouch moderately developed, transverse gular fold ...

Etymology. The specific epithet aurantiogularis is a compound Neo-Latin adjective derived from the Latin aurantius, meaning “orange-colored,” and gularis, meaning “the throat”. This nomenclature is a direct descriptor of the lizard’s most striking and diagnostic morphological feature: the vibrant, unmarked orange-yellow gular pouch in males. The suggested Chinese common name is “橙喉棘蜥” (Pinyin: Chéng Hóu Jí Xī), and the suggested English common name is Orange-throated Pricklenape.

 Kai WANG, Zhuo-Yu LU, Gui-Gang ZHAO, Wei SHI, Ru-Wen WAN, Na ZHU, Jie-Qiong JIN and Jing CHE. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 (Reptilia, Lacertilia, Agamidae) from the China-Myanmar Border Region in southwestern Yunnan Province, China. ZooKeys. 1290: 319-337.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1290.195408 [27 Aug 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Primula exserta (Primulaceae) • A New Species in Primula sect. Aleuritia from Yunnan, China

 

Primula exserta Lei Cai, Gui L.Zhang & Z.K.Wu, 

in Yang, Zhang, Zheng, Ye, Tan, Cai et Wum 2026. 

大围山报春  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.278.202553

Abstract

Primula exserta Lei Cai, Gui L. Zhang & Z. K. Wu, a new species of Primulaceae from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Morphological evidence supports its placement within Primula sect. Aleuritia, a section characterized by entirely glabrous plants that lack scales at the base of the leaf rosette, has a moderate to small habit and typically bears farina on the foliage and scape. The new species differs from other members of this section by its petiole with broad wings, 7–8-lobed corolla and calyx, corresponding 7–8 stamens, and elongated filaments and a style exserted far beyond the mouth of the corolla tube. Information on its distribution, a morphological comparison with related species, and a preliminary assessment of its conservation status are also provided.

Key words: Conservation status, diversity, nomenclature, Primula, taxonomy, Yunnan

Primula exserta sp. nov.
A. Habitat; B. Habit during flowering; C. Lateral view of the plant; D. Leaves, left: upper surface, right: lower surface; E. Flower, frontal view; F. Flower, lateral view; G. Dissected corolla showing the anthers and stigmas; H. Dissected corolla with the ovary; I. Dissected calyx.  

Primula exserta sp. nov.
A. Flowering habit; B. Leaves, left: upper surface, right: lower surface; C. Flower, lateral view; D. Dissected corolla showing the anthers and stigmas; E. Dissected calyx.

Drawn by Ms. Yang-yang Zheng.

Primula exserta Lei Cai, Gui L.Zhang & Z.K.Wu, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. This new species is most similar to P. membranifolia, P. pengzhouensis, and P. mianyangensis within the same section, all of which share the following characteristics: aboveground parts farinose, calyx campanulate or narrowly campanulate, and leaves obovate or sub-spatulate. However, it is distinguished from the three species mentioned above by the following morphological features: petiole with broad wings, 7–8-lobed corolla and calyx, corresponding 7–8 stamens, floral type uniform: stamens of all flowers inserted at the middle of the corolla tube, free from the tube at the mouth, extending ca. 5 mm beyond the tube, style 2.5–3 cm long, longer than the stamens (Figs 1, 2). A comparison of plant photographs of P. exserta with P. membranifolia, P. pengzhouensis, and P. mianyangensis is provided in Fig. 3, and the main morphological differences are summarized in Table 1.

Etymology. The specific epithet exserta is derived from the Latin exsertus, meaning “protruding” or “extended outward,” alluding to the style and stamens that are distinctly exserted beyond the mouth of the corolla tube, a key diagnostic character distinguishing this species from its congeners in P. sect. Aleuritia.

Vernacular name. Simplified Chinese: 大围山报春; 

Chinese Mandarin: “dà wéi shān bào chūn.”

 Li Yang, Gui-Liang Zhang, Yang-Yang Zheng, Qing-Qing Ye, Xin Tan, Lei Cai and Zhi-Kun Wu. 2026. Primula exserta (Primulaceae), A New Species in Primula sect. Aleuritia from Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 278: 117-125. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.278.202553 [14 Aug 2026] 

[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] Bataspis crux • A galeaspid (jawless stem gnathostome) from the Lochkovian of Yunnan with a batwing-shaped head adapted for hydrodynamic efficiency

 

Bataspis crux

Meng, Ferrón, Pisani, Gai & Donoghue, 2026 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/pala.70081

Life restoration by Dinghua Yang.

Abstract

Galeaspids are an extinct group of jawless fishes from the Silurian–Devonian of China and northern Vietnam that are key to understanding the origin of vertebrate anatomical innovations. A new eugaleaspid, Bataspis crux gen. et sp. nov., is described based on fossil material from the Lochkovian (Early Devonian) Xishancun Formation of Qujing, Yunnan, China. Bataspis crux possesses a suite of unusual features, especially its bat-wing-like cornual processes that are seamlessly integrated with a brim-like rostral margin without a rostral process, constituting a unique morphology for galeaspids. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inference all support membership in the family Tridensaspidae. We employed computational fluid dynamics to infer the hydrodynamic properties of the headshield of B. crux. Our analysis reveals that this species achieves an exceptionally high lift-to-drag ratio; the highest recorded among known galeaspids. This remarkable efficiency stems from its low drag across various angles of attack, coupled with passive lift generation through the exploitation of the Bernoulli effect by the airfoil cross-section of the cornual processes. This suggests that the species was an effective gliding cruiser, outperforming not only galeaspids but also other stem gnathostomes, such as osteostracans and pteraspidomorphs. These results provide new insights into our understanding of the evolution of Tridensaspidae, the ecological habits of stem gnathostomes and convergence in the evolutionary assembly of the gnathostome bodyplan.

Keywords: galeaspid, phylogenetic analysis, hydrodynamic analysis, lift-to-drag ratio, convergence, morphological function

Bataspis crux, holotype, IVPP V30969: A, internal mould in dorsal view; B, external mould in ventral view.

Abbreviations: c, cornual process; dcm, dorsal commissure; ic, inner cornual process; ifc, infraorbital canal; ldc, lateral dorsal canal; ltc, lateral transverse canal; mdc, median dorsal canal; md.o, median dorsal opening; orb, orbital opening; pi, pineal opening; se, serrated edge; soc2, posterior supraorbital canal; v.mtc, vestige of the median transverse canal; vr, ventral rim.

 All scale bars represent 1 cm.

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

Subphylum VERTEBRATA-CRANIATA Linnaeus 1758

Infraphylum GNATHOSTOMATA Cope 1889

Subclass GALEASPIDA Tarlo 1967

Order EUGALEASPIFORMES (Liu 1965) Liu 1980

Family TRIDENSASPIDAE Liu 1986

Genus Bataspis nov.

 

Derivation of name: Bat from English, the shape of the cornual processes of Bataspis is similar to the membranous wings in bats.

Type species: Bataspis crux sp. nov.

Differential diagnosis: Bataspis is assigned to Eugaleaspiformes because it exhibits a suite of diagnostic features in morphology: subtriangular headshield with cornual and inner cornual processes, slit-like median dorsal opening, and typical eugaleaspid-type sensory canals. Although Bataspis lacks a rostral angle or process, its diagnostic specialized laterally-projecting processes suggest it differs from the members of Shuyuidae, Sinogaleaspidae, and Eugaleaspidae and can be assigned to Tridensaspidae. Compared with other members of Tridensaspidae, the absence of the rostral angle and the presence of vestiges of the median transverse canal distinguish Bataspis and Falxcornus; the lack of the rostral process constitute a diagnostic difference between Bataspis and the sister group including Pterogonaspis and Tridensaspis. Additionally, Bataspis contains serrations along with the margin connecting the cornual and inner cornual processes and the lateral margins of the median dorsal opening that differ from Falxcornus.

Bataspis crux sp. nov.

 

Derivation of name: The verb ‘to cruise’, in the sense of ‘to move from one side to the other’, is derived (via Norse and Old English) from the Latin crux (cross).

Holotype: A nearly complete headshield and its counterpart, IVPP V30969 (Fig. 1A–B).

Locality & horizon: Near the Qujing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Qilin District, Qujing City, Yunnan Province, Xishancun Formation, Cuifengshan Group, Lochkovian, Early Devonian.

Diagnosis: Medium-sized tridensaspid fish; subtriangular headshield; arcuate rostral margin without rostral angle and process; cornual process spine-like, projecting posterolaterally; lobular inner cornual process projecting posteriorly, slightly stronger than cornual process; the angle between the cornual and inner cornual processes exceeding 90° (sickle-like); margin of the headshield connecting the cornual and inner cornual processes serrated; median dorsal opening slit-like (length/width >6) with nearly parallel lateral serrated margins, the posterior margin almost level with the centra of the orbital openings, and its middle part convex forward; orbital opening large, round, and dorsally positioned; pineal opening small, round, beyond the posterior margin of the orbital opening; sensory canal system typical eugaleaspid-type, with three pairs of lateral transverse canals and vestiges of the median transverse canal.

Artistic life restoration of Bataspis crux.

Artwork by Dinghua Yang.

CONCLUSION: 

We describe Bataspis crux, a new species of galeaspid from Xishancun Formation in the Early Devonian (Lochkovian age) of Yunnan, China. Our phylogenetic analyses ally the new genus to the family Tridensaspidae, sister to the clade of Pterogonaspis and Tridensaspis, and sharing with Falxcornus the status as the oldest known tridensaspids. The results of probabilistic phylogenetic methods indicate that more data are needed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of galeaspids such as the family Shuyuidae. Bataspis crux extends beyond the range of phenotypic variation known previously for galeaspids. The unique morphological features of this bat-like jawless fish result in a high lift-to-drag ratio when at low angles of attack. Our results reveal the breadth of locomotor capabilities available to galeaspids and other jawless stem-gnathostomes, demonstrating that an absence of flexible paired fins was not an impediment to ecological diversity.

Xinyuan Meng, Humberto G. Ferrón, Davide Pisani, Zhikun Gai and Philip C. J. Donoghue. 2026. Bataspis crux, a galeaspid (jawless stem gnathostome) from the Lochkovian of Yunnan with a batwing-shaped head adapted for hydrodynamic efficiency. Palaeontology.  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/pala.70081 [04 August 2026]