[Arachnida • 2026] Charinus paradoxus• A New whip spider Species (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Colombia

 

Charinus paradoxus 

Alvarez-Garcia, Suárez-Martínez, & Torres, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.3.4  

  x.com/LSuarezm_8legs

Abstract

The genus Charinus is currently represented in Colombia by four species: C. miskito, C. mocoa, C. rocamadre, and C. santandereanus. In this study, we describe and illustrate a new species, Charinus paradoxus sp. nov.. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the absence of median eyes and median ocular tubercle, the presence of three dorsal spines on the pedipalp femur, the first tarsal article of leg I being considerably longer than the second, and the morphology of the glandular openings of the atrium in the female gonopods, which are button-shaped. Additionally, we provide an identification key for the species of Charinus recorded from Colombia and a distribution map of the genus in the country. With the description of this new species, the number of Charinus species known from Colombia increases to five.

Amblypygi, amblypygid, Colombian Caribbean region, morphology, scanning electron microscopy, taxonomy

Charinus paradoxus sp. nov.

Deivys M. ALVAREZ-GARCIA, Leiner A. SUÁREZ-MARTÍNEZ and Richard A. TORRES. 2026. Charinus paradoxus sp. nov. (Amblypygi: Charontidae), A New whip spider Species from Colombia. Zootaxa. 5886(3); 406-422. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.3.4 [2026-10-05]

  x.com/LSuarezm_8legs/status/2107619102122532916

[Herpetology • 2026] Excidobates perplexus • Tiny Jewels of the Forest: A New and Endangered Species of Excidobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from southeastern Ecuador

Excidobates perplexus

Sánchez-Nivicela, Falcón-Reibán, Lituma, Fajardo-Torres, Urgiles, Apunte-Ramos & Ron, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.2.2

 instagram.com/jaime.f.torres

Abstract

Poison dart frogs are one of the most studied and charismatic groups of amphibians, yet diversity within small and geographically restricted genera such as Excidobates remains incompletely understood. Until recently, this genus was known to comprise only three species distributed across the eastern mountain ranges of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Here, we describe a new species represented by two populations in southern Ecuador: one from the eastern slopes of the Andes and another from north of Cordillera del Cóndor. The new species is more closely related to Excidobates mysteriosus, from which it differs by a genetic distance of 2.7–3.5% (16S rRNA gene) and markedly distinctive morphology such as 15.1–18.3 mm on snout-vent length and strongly granular skin. The two populations of the new species differ markedly in color from each other and from E. mysteriosus: scarlet red mottled dorsal coloration on a black background and a red-orange and black reticulated venter in the Central Andean Cordillera population, and green dorsal coloration with inconspicuous yellow spots and a yellow and black reticulated venter in the Cordillera del Cóndor population. Its advertisement call has 24–26 pulses, dominant frequency 4781.3–5062.5 Hz, and 0.51–0.56 s duration. The two populations are separated by 65 km, inhabit different forest types and have a genetic distance of 0.6–0.7%. Despite the marked color and habitat differences, the combined evidence indicates that the two populations represent polymorphic variants of the same species. Because the new species faces severe and imminent threats, including large and medium-scale mining, hydroelectric development, and illegal wildlife trade, we propose to assign it to the Red List category as Critically Endangered. Our findings highlight the rich but still underestimated amphibian diversity of the southeastern Ecuadorian Andes and underscore the urgent need for conservation actions in these regions.

Amphibia, Andes, conservation, Ecuador, phylogeny, taxonomy

  

 

Excidobates perplexus sp. nov. 

JUAN C. SÁNCHEZ-NIVICELA, JOSÉ M. FALCÓN-REIBÁN, MICHELLE CABRERA LITUMA, JAIME D. FAJARDO-TORRES, VERÓNICA L. URGILES, KATHERINE APUNTE-RAMOS, SANTIAGO R. RON. 2026. Tiny Jewels of the Forest: A New and Endangered Species of Excidobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from southeastern Ecuador.  Zootaxa. 5886(2); 193-217. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.2.2 [2026-10-02]

 instagram.com/jaime.f.torres/p/DeANVImH52N/

[Herpetology • 2026] Southern Philippine Forest Frogs (Anura; Ceratobatrachidae: Platymantis) confused with P. dorsalis: Validation and Resurrection of P. jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920), and Description of A New Species: Platymantis habagatan

 

Platymantis jagorii (Peters, 1863);   P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920); 

Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan

Pitogo, Hoskins, Tesfazion, Meneses, Cannon, Supsup, Decena, Sanguila & Brown, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5884.2.3  

  facebook.com/KierPitogo14

 

Abstract

Terrestrial ground frogs of the genus Platymantis exhibit conserved external morphology, resulting in long-standing taxonomic uncertainty concerning the identity of purportedly widespread populations. One such case involves the broad application of the name Platymantis dorsalis (Duméril, 1853) (subgenus Lupacolus; a northern and central Philippine species) to terrestrial ground frogs in the archipelago’s southern Mindanao biogeographic region. In the southern Philippines, earlier names historically applied to Mindanao faunal region populations were later placed in synonymy with P. dorsalis. Here, we re-evaluate the taxonomic status of terrestrial Platymantis populations from the Mindanao biogeographic region, incorporating phylogenetic, morphological, and acoustic data derived from three decades of field-based natural history observations and specimen collections. Our analyses demonstrate that southern populations presently referred to P. dorsalis in the southern Philippines form three distinct evolutionary lineages, are quite distantly related to P. dorsalis (subgenus Lupacolus), and two of which actually fall into a different subgenus (Lahatnanguri). These lineages exhibit pronounced morphological disparity and acoustic divergence from one another (and, unsurprisingly, from P. dorsalis), supporting their recognition as distinct species. Based on accompanying morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic data presented here, we therefore resurrect P. (Lahatnanguri) jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. (Lupacolus) laticeps (Taylor, 1920) from the synonymy of P. dorsalis and describe a new cryptic species, Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan sp. nov. This taxonomic clarification resolves a prolonged misapplication of the name P. dorsalis to populations on Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Biliran, Basilan, Camiguin Sur, Dinagat, and Siargao islands and provides a long-overdue framework for future systematics and conservation assessments of Philippine terrestrial ground frogs, particularly those from the southern portions of the archipelago.

Amphibia, Mindanao, amphibians, taxonomy, Lahatnanguri, Lupacolus, Platymantis dorsalis, adaptive radiation

P. (Lahatnanguri) jagorii (Peters, 1863) 

P. (Lupacolus) laticeps (Taylor, 1920)

Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan sp. nov. 

KIER MITCHEL E. PITOGO, KREW HOSKINS, FABEN HANA TESFAZION, CAMILA G. MENESES, HAYDEN W. CANNON, CHRISTIAN E. SUPSUP, SYRUS CESAR P. DECENA, MARITES B. SANGUILA and RAFE M. BROWN. 2026. Southern Philippine Forest Frogs (Anura; Ceratobatrachidae: Platymantis) confused with P. dorsalis: Validation and Resurrection of P. jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920), and  Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 5884(2); 271-300. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5884.2.3 [2026-09-28]

  facebook.com/KierPitogo14/posts/29137023565890106

 x.com/kieralreefs/status/2104365976540315669

   

[Herpetology • 2026] Niceforonia florezarum • A New Species of Niceforonia (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Colombian Massif, southwestern Colombia

Niceforonia florezarum

Pisso-Florez, Cardona-Giraldo, Ramírez-Chaves, Liévano-Bonilla, Mazepa & Mulder, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.1  

  facebook.com/IZBDLab

Abstract

The genus Niceforonia currently includes 17 species of small, terrestrial, direct-developing frogs distributed from Colombia to northern Peru. In Colombia, 11 species of Niceforonia have been reported, with five of these restricted to high Andean ecosystems, including Páramos. Field surveys conducted between 2017 and 2023, in the Páramo ecosystems of the Puracé National Park and its buffer zone, in southwestern Colombia, revealed a previously unidentified species of Niceforonia. Through an integration of phylogenetic, ecological, bioacoustic, and morphological analyses, we identified unique traits that support the recognition of this population as a new species of Niceforonia, restricted to Páramo and Subpáramo habitats over 3300 m in the Colombian Massif. The new species is sister to Niceforonia brunnea, which occurs 195 kilometers further south in the Department of Nariño of southwestern Colombia and northern Ecuador. With the discovery of this new species, Colombia now hosts 12 species of Niceforonia, six of which inhabit Páramo ecosystems. Our study expands the taxonomic knowledge of the genus and underscores the importance of further exploration in high-Andean ecosystems of southwestern Colombia, where biodiversity remains underexplored.

Amphibia, amphibians, Andes, Páramo, Puracé National Park, Terrarana

Niceforonia florezarum

 

Gustavo Adolfo PISSO-FLOREZ, Alexandra CARDONA-GIRALDO, Héctor E. RAMÍREZ-CHAVES, Andrés Felipe LIÉVANO-BONILLA, Glib O. MAZEPA and Kevin P. MULDER. 2026. A New Species of Niceforonia (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Colombian Massif, southwestern Colombia.  Zootaxa. 5881(3); 301-326. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.1  [2026-09-22] 

 facebook.com/IZBDLab/posts/1853143722328113

 

[Entomology • 2024] Tembelingiola biaculeata, T. kabili & Pteroplistes silam • New Species of little-known Crickets from the Subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera: Grylloidea) from Sabah and Contribution to their Bioacoustics

  

Tembelingiola biaculeata Tan, Gorochov & Robillard,

in Tan, Gorochov, Japir, Chung et Robillard, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5506.2.3 

 sabaes.sabah.gov.my

Abstract

Recent fieldwork in eastern Sabah led to the discovery of new little-known crickets from the subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea). Three new species are described: Tembelingiola biaculeata sp. nov. and Tembelingiola kabili sp. nov. from Sepilok; Pteroplistes silam sp. nov. from Mount Silam. Previously, the calling song of only one species of Pteroplistinae was known. Here, the calling songs of the three new species, as well as that of Pteroplistes lagrecai Gorochov, 2004, are also described for the first time. Therefore, distinctive calling songs for five species and three genera of Pteroplistinae are presently known.

Orthoptera, Borneo, calling song, Pteroplistes, Southeast Asia, sympatry, Tembelingiola

Tembelingiola biaculeata sp. nov. 

Tembelingiola kabili sp. nov. from Sepilok

Pteroplistes silam sp. nov. from Mount Silam.

Ming Kai TAN, ANDREI GOROCHOV, RAZY JAPIR, ARTHUR Y.C. CHUNG and TONY ROBILLARD. 2024. New Species of little-known Crickets from the Subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) from Sabah and Contribution to their Bioacoustics.  Zootaxa. 5506(2); 205-226. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5506.2.3 [2024-09-06] 

 sabaes.sabah.gov.my/resource/research-publication/25

[Herpetology • 2026] Ingerana aizawl • Leaping from a University Campus to the Scientific Records: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, 1987 (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Mizoram, India

Ingerana aizawl

Lalremsanga, Bharali, Dawngliana, Hlychho, Malsawmtluanga, Bhattacharjee, Hazarika, Das & Purkayastha, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.2.3

 

Abstract

Populations of Ingerana Dubois (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Mizoram, northeastern India, have historically been assigned to Ingerana borealis (Annandale), however recent taxonomic reassessment questioned their identity. We evaluated these populations using an integrative approach combining external morphology and mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence data. Phylogenetic analyses recovered the Mizoram population as a distinct lineage within Ingerana, while morphological comparisons revealed multiple diagnostic differences from recognised congeners. Based on these data, we recognise the Mizoram population as a distinct species. It differs from I. borealis, I. occidens, and I. tenasserimensis by a unique combination of body size, tympanic morphology, dorsal skin texture, and proportional morphometric characters. Our findings resolve the taxonomic identity of Ingerana populations from Mizoram and suggest that species diversity within the genus in northeastern India remains underestimated.

Amphibia, 16S rRNA, Aizawl, new species, northeastern India

Ingerana aizawl

HMAR TLAWMTE LALREMSANGA, MANMATH BHARALI, MALSAWM DAWNGLIANA, MARA DUASA HLYCHHO, MALSAWMTLUANGA, RUPANKAR BHATTACHARJEE, ARUP KUMAR HAZARIKA, NILUTPAL DAS and JAYADITYA PURKAYASTHA. 2026. Leaping from a University Campus to the Scientific Records: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, 1987 (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Mizoram, India.  Zootaxa. 5878(2); 224-236. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.2.3 [2026-09-14]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Parachiloglanis gurungi • A New Species of Torrent Catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from western Bhutan

 Parachiloglanis gurungi

Thoni & Gurung, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.9 

 facebook.com: Ryan Thoni

 

Abstract

A new species of Parachiloglanis is described, based on specimens collected from the Kalikhola stream, a tributary of the Jaldhaka River, Samtse Dzongkhag, Bhutan. Parachiloglanis gurungi, new species, differs from its congeners in having a white bar on anterior flanks on dorsum of the body, white spot at the upper caudal-peduncle base, short and deep caudal peduncle, long predorsum, and differences in vomerine toothplate shape. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit B (cytb) gene sequences reveal lineage independence, corroborating its distinct status and establishing it as a sibling species to Parachiloglanis hodgarti.

 Pisces, Glyptosterninae, Teesta River, Samtse, Siluriformes

Parachiloglanis gurungi sp. nov. 

RYAN J. THONI and MER MAN GURUNG. 2026. Parachiloglanis gurungi, A New Species of Torrent Catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from western Bhutan.  Zootaxa. 5881(3); 437-444. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.9 [2026-09-22] 

  facebook.com/RyanThoni7/posts/10175905154200623

[Entomology • 2026] Paragomphus matroka • A New Hooktail Species (Odonata: Gomphidae) from the Rainforests of eastern Madagascar

 

Paragomphus matroka

Bedjanič, Bernard, Daraż & Yu, 2026  

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4

Abstract  

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Madagascar, Taolagnaro District, Iaboakoho, Réserve de Ressources Naturelles de la Forêt Naturelle de Tsitongambarika, Ampasy; Lat. -24.57840°, Lon. 47.14493°; 4.xii.2024; to be deposited in RMNH, Leiden), is described as new to science. The new endemic species is known only from the holotype, the paratype deposited in the MNHN, Paris, and an additional specimen deposited in NHRS, Stockholm. It has been recorded from three localities in the eastern part of the island, scattered over a distance of 1,033 km, within the Madagascar Humid Forests ecoregion. Despite the pronounced variation in the colour pattern, the three known specimens are interpreted as conspecific based on concordant diagnostic morphological characters, particularly the nearly identical structure of the secondary genitalia and cerci. The new species is related to P. fritillarius (Selys, 1892) and P. sofiae Bernard & Daraż, 2026. From these two more brightly coloured, spotted Hooktail species, P. matroka sp. nov. differs in its considerably darker colouration, a reduced pattern of smaller light markings on the synthorax, and clearly different secondary genitalia. The discovery of a new species underlines the need for additional intensive odonatological studies in Madagascar. Improving knowledge of species distributions, taxonomy, phenology and ecological requirements is crucial, especially in the context of threat assessments and conservation of endemic odonate fauna. 

Odonata, dragonflies, Anisoptera, endemic, new species, Paragomphus fritillarius, taxonomy, biogeography, Malagasy Region 

 

Male of Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. (holotype, type locality); 
(a) habitus in lateral view; (b) synthorax in lateral view; (c) secondary genitalia and part of proximal portion of hind wing with anal triangle and tornus; (d) head in dorsofrontal view; (e) penis in lateral view, subsequently expanded; (f) caudal appendages in lateral view; (g) S7–10 and caudal appendages in ventral view; (h) S7–10 and caudal appendages in dorsal view.

Photographs by Kuang-Ping Yu & Matjaž Bedjanič. 

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov., male (paratype, MNHN Paris; Moramanga District, central-eastern Madagascar).
 (a) habitus in dorsal view and labels; (b) head, thorax and anterior part of abdomen (S1–4) in lateral view; (c), (d), and (e) S10 and caudal appendages in dorsal, lateral and ventral view, respectively; (f) secondary genitalia in lateral view, with penis partly exposed; (g) secondary genitalia in ventral view; (h) secondary genitalia in lateroventral view to show hook of the posterior hamule hidden behind its outline. 

Photographs by Bogusław Daraż.

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov., male holotype, colouration in life:
 (a) dorsolateral view; (b) frontolateral view (Right tributary of the ampasy River 700 m NW of ampasy Research Station, tsitongambarika, anosy Region, southeastern Madagascar; 4.xii.2024).

Photographs by Matjaž Bedjanič. 

Paragomphus matroka sp. nov. 

Common name (en): Dark Hooktail  

 Nom commun (fr): Paragomphe sombre

Differential diagnosis. Paragomphus matroka is a large, dark endemic representative of the genus, belonging to a group of two additional endemic Madagascan species with a “spotted” thorax—P. fritillarius and P. sofiae—which closely resemble each other and are characterized by brighter, predominantly yellow-and-black colouration.

The new species remotely resembles P. fritillarius in the pattern of yellow spots on the synthorax and abdomen, the reddish-brown terminal abdominal segments, and the general shape of the cerci. However, it is readily distinguished by its overall darker colouration and the unique morphology of the hamules. the most significant colouration differences occur on the face, which is predominantly brown in P. matroka, versus interspersed yellow and black in P. fritillarius, and on the dark brown synthorax sides, where the yellow spots within the mesepimeral and metepimeral stripes are distinctly ...

Etymology. the species epithet is to be treated as a noun in apposition. it is derived from the Malagasy word “matroka”, meaning “dark-coloured” and it refers to the relatively dark colouration of the new species in comparison to its congeners.

Matjaž BEDJANIČ, Rafał BERNARD, Bogusław DARAŻ and Kuang-Ping YU. 2026. Paragomphus matroka sp. nov.—A New Hooktail Species from the Rainforests of eastern Madagascar (Odonata: Gomphidae).  Zootaxa. 5821(2); 219-235. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.4 [2026-05-29]

[Herpetology • 2026] Cyrtodactylus mursalensis • A New Species of Bent-toed Gecko Genus Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Mursala Island, Indonesia

Cyrtodactylus mursalensis 

Muammar, Martamenggala, Siregar, Pradana, Putra, Hamidy, Smith & Riyanto, 2026

Cicak Jari Lengkung Pulau Mursala | DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.4.6 

 

Abstract

Here we describe a new bent-toed gecko of the genus Cyrtodactylus from Mursala, a small island adjacent to Sumatra, Indonesia. The new species is easily distinguished from its congeners by its known maximum SVL 100 mm, tubercles present on dorsal surface of brachium, ventrolateral body folds present, 20–22 irregular dorsal tubercle rows at midbody, 34–35 paravertebral tubercles series, 38–42 ventral scale rows across belly, precloacal depression in slit form, single precloacal pore sunken into precloacal depression present in male, absent in female, females with a single large elongated apical precloacal scale, abrupt transition between the enlarged femorals and the adjacent scales on the posterior margin of the thigh, 23–24 subdigital lamellae on fourth toe, and lacking median enlarge subequal scales.

Reptilia, Cyrtodactylus, Mursala Island, Sumatra, endemic

Holotype of Cyrtodactylus mursalensis sp. nov. MZB.Lace15711.
 (A) Dorsolateral view. (B) Dorsal view in head down orientation.

Photographs by Muammar.

Cyrtodactylus mursalaensis sp. nov.  

Recommended English common name: Mursala’s Bent-toed Gecko 

Recommended Indonesia common name: Cicak Jari Lengkung Pulau Mursala

Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes C. mursalaensis sp. nov. from all other congeners: adult male reaching 99.2 mm SVL and female 100 mm SVL; tubercles present on dorsal surface of brachium; ventrolateral body folds present; 20–22 irregular dorsal tubercle rows at midbody; 34–35 paravertebral tubercles series; 38–42 ventral scale rows across belly; precloacal depression in slit form; single precloacal pore sunken into precloacal depression present in male, absent in female; Females with a single large elongated apical precloacal scale; abrupt transition between the enlarged femorals and the adjacent scales on the posterior margin of the thigh; 23–24 subdigital lamellae on fourth toe; and subequal median subcaudal scales not transversely enlarged.

 Habitat of Cyrtodactylus mursalensis sp. nov. in Mursala Island, Indonesia.

Photographs by Muammar.

Muammar MUAMMAR, Andri I.S. MARTAMENGGALA, Akhmad J. SIREGAR, Tengku G. PRADANA, Chairunas A. PUTRA, Amir HAMIDY, Eric N. SMITH and Awal RIYANTO. 2026. Description of New Species of Bent-toed Gecko Genus Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Mursala Island, Indonesia.  Zootaxa. 5878(4); 573-588. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.4.6 [2026-09-16]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Opsarius geminus • A New danionid fish (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) from the Western Ghats, India and Revalidation of Barilius papillatus Day 1869

 

 Opsarius geminus

Vijayakrishnan, Nallathambi, Jayasimhan, & Knight, 2026

Barilius papillatus Day 1869

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.4.7

Abstract

Opsarius geminus, a new species of danionid fish is described from the Krishna River, Western Ghats, India. It can be distinguished from its congeners in the Western Ghats by possessing a combination of the following characters: unique colour pattern consisting of 9–11 blue bars that are 2–3 scales wide; 46–51 lateral-line scales; 20–23 pre-dorsal scales; barbels absent; length of last dorsal-fin ray almost equal to, or greater than length of first dorsal-fin ray; 7 ½–8½ dorsal-fin branched rays and 10½–11½ anal-fin branched rays. Barilius papillatus Day 1869, currently a synonym of Opsarius barna (Hamilton, 1822) is redescribed, based on the syntype and fresh specimens, and a lectotype is designated to fix its identity. Opsarius papillatus can be diagnosed from all its congeners in India, by possessing a combination of the following characters: colour pattern consisting of 7–9 blue bars that are 1–2 scales wide; 39–41 lateral-line scales; 15–18 pre-dorsal scales; barbels absent; length of last dorsal-fin ray shorter than length of first dorsal-fin ray; 7½ dorsal-fin branched rays and 10½ anal-fin branched rays.

Pisces, new species, Opsarius barna, Krishna River, Mahanadi River, Eastern ghats

 

 

BALAJI VIJAYAKRISHNAN, MOULITHARAN NALLATHAMBI, PRAVEENRAJ JAYASIMHAN, J.D. MARCUS KNIGHT. 2026. Opsarius geminus, A New danionid fish from the Western Ghats, India and Revalidation of Barilius papillatus Day 1869 (Teleostei: Danionidae).  Zootaxa. 5878(4); 589-600. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.4.7 [2026-09-16]

  facebook.com/praveenraj.39750121/posts/28655245830753728

[Invertebrate • 2026] Polycapus rubrum, Stelletta plana, ... • Four New Demosponges from Alaska and the Designation of A New Genus in Hymedesmiidae (Heteroscleromorpha, Poecilosclerida)

 

Stelletta plana sp. nov.

Polycapus rubrum gen. nov. & sp. nov.

Lehnert, Rooney & Everett, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5857.2.6 

www.fisheries.NOAA.gov 

 

Abstract

An investigation of Alaska’s extraordinarily rich sponge fauna was conducted utilizing samples retained as bycatch during National Marine Fisheries Service stock assessment bottom trawl surveys in the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands between 1997 and 2021. Subsequent analysis of the samples revealed four new species, which are representatives of four different orders of demosponges: Cladocroce cylindrica sp. nov., Julavis borealis sp. nov., Polycapus rubrum gen. nov. & sp. nov., and Stelletta plana sp. nov.. The new species are described and compared to congeners. Polycapus rubrum was assigned to the Hymedesmiidae but the combination of acanthoxeas and chelae does not occur in any other existing genus within the family which necessitates a new genus. These new collections further highlight the richness of the sponge fauna from the region.

Porifera, new species, North Pacific, Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska, Tetractinellida, Axinellida, Haplosclerida, Stelletta, Polycapus, Julavis, Cladocroce, 28S

Cladocroce cylindrica, is a stalked, branching sponge distinguished by a unique spicule framework that forms a complex, web-like network. 

Julavis borealis, grows like a thin mat over organisms. Its presence in Alaska represents a massive high-latitude geographic leap for a group previously found only in warm, tropical environments. 

Cladocroce cylindrica sp. nov.  

Julavis borealis sp. nov.  

Polycapus rubrum gen. nov. & sp. nov. 

Stelletta plana sp. nov.

Helmut LEHNERT, Sean C. ROONEY and Meredith V. EVERETT. 2026. Four New Demosponges from Alaska and the Designation of A New Genus in Hymedesmiidae (Heteroscleromorpha, Poecilosclerida).  Zootaxa. 5857(2); 317-334. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5857.2.6 [2026-07-29]

Nine Species of Deep-Sea Sponges Discovered in Alaska

www.fisheries.NOAA.gov/feature-story/nine-species-deep-sea-sponges-discovered-alaska

[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] Dibamus alfredi & D. somsaki • Long time no see: Rediscovery, first Molecular data, and Redescriptions of Two rare Dibamus Species (Squamata: Dibamidae) from Thailand

 

Dibamus somsaki Honda, Nabhitabhata, Ota & Hikida, 1997;
[A & B]  Dibamus alfredi Taylor, 1962

in Kliukin, Pawangkhanant, Aksornneam, Kaosung, Nguyen, Bragin, Gorin, Suwannapoom, Thammachoti Charunrochana et Poyarkov, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5875.4.1

 facebook.com: Nguyen Van Tan 

Abstract

Alfred’s blind skink, Dibamus alfredi Taylor, 1962, and Somsak’s blind skink, Dibamus somsaki Honda, Nabhitabhata, Ota & Hikida, 1997, are two poorly known and rarely recorded members of the family Dibamidae endemic to Thailand. Since their original descriptions based on specimens collected in Pattani Province in 1960 and Chanthaburi Province in 1995, respectively, both species have remained extremely elusive and no molecular data have been available to date. Here, we report new records of D. alfredi from Yala Province in southern Thailand and of D. somsaki from Chanthaburi Province in eastern Thailand, providing important new locality data for these rare Thai endemics. Based on newly collected material, we present revised diagnoses and detailed redescriptions of both species and provide osteological descriptions of D. alfredi and D. somsaki based on micro-CT data for the first time. In addition, we present the first molecular data for both species based on mitochondrial DNA sequences of three gene fragments (16S rRNA, ND2, and COI) and reconstruct an updated phylogeny of the family Dibamidae. Our analyses confirm that D. alfredi and D. somsaki represent two deeply divergent evolutionary lineages within the genus Dibamus.

Reptilia, Dibamus alfredi, Dibamus somsaki, blind skinks, rediscovery, molecular phylogeny, osteology, Indochina

Dibamus somsaki in life (ZMMU re-18399), female from Makham district, Chanthaburi, Thailand.

Photograph by P. Pawangkhanant.

Dibamus alfredi in life.
(A) female(B) male; from Yala, Thailand.

 Photographs by N.A. Poyarkov (A) and A. Kaosung (B).

Alfred’s blind skink, Dibamus alfredi Taylor, 1962

Somsak’s blind skink, Dibamus somsaki Honda, Nabhitabhata, Ota & Hikida, 1997

Nikita S. KLIUKIN, Parinya PAWANGKHANANT, Akrachai AKSORNNEAM, Andaman KAOSUNG, Tan Van NGUYEN, Andrey M. BRAGIN, Vladislav A. GORIN, Chatmongkon SUWANNAPOOM, Panupong THAMMACHOTI CHARUNROCHANA and Nikolay A. POYARKOV. 2026. Long time no see: Rediscovery, first Molecular data, and Redescriptions of Two rare Dibamus Species from Thailand (Squamata: Dibamidae).  Zootaxa. 5875(4); 301-332. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5875.4.1 [2026-09-07]

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