[Botany • 2026] Leucheria melorum (Asteraceae: Nassauvieae) • A New Species from the Patagonian Andes

 

Leucheria melorum Horton & Picca, 

in Horton & Picca, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.774.3.4 

 

Abstract

A new species of Leucheria endemic to the Patagonian Andes in northern Neuquén, Argentina, is reported. Leucheria melorum is characterized by its cushion-like growth habit composed of dense woolly rosettes, rhizomes covered by persistent old leaves, and capitula with white to pink flower corollas. The species inhabits high-elevation volcanic environments (2550–2900 m a.s.l.) on the Domuyo and the Wayle massifs. We provide a detailed morphological description, illustrations highlighting the diagnostic morphological traits and a key for distinguishing L. melorum from related species. Based on the IUCN criteria and categories, a preliminary conservation status assessment is also given.

 Eudicots, Flora Altoandina, Leucheria, Nassauvieae, Patagonia

A. General view of the habitat of Leucheria melorum on Cerro Wayle at 2900 m a.s.l. with the Volcán Tromen in the background; B. Several dense rosettes; C. Rosette with capitula at different developmental stages; D. Close-up view of some flowering capitula; E. Fruit; F. Photomicrograph of the cypsela surface showing characteristic twin trichomes (indicated by white arrows) and biseriate glandular trichomes (indicated by black arrows).

Photos A, C, E & F: Pablo Picca; B & D: J. Felipe Horton.

Leucheria melorum.
A. Habit; B. Leaf, adaxial view; C. Scape and capitulum; D. Inner phyllary, dorsal view; E. Outer phyllary, dorsal view; F. Bract-like phyllary, dorsal view; G. Flower; H. Flower (ovary and pappus removed); I. Stamens; J. Fruit.

Line drawings by Angélica Marino.

Leucheria melorum Horton & Picca, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:—Leucheria melorum is morphologically similar to L. candidissima and L. millefolium, which are also present in the northern Neuquén volcanic massifs. However, the new species is readily distinguished by its compact, cushion-like growth habit. It further differs from both by having very short stems (vs. more or less elongated in L. candidissima and L. millefolium), flabelliform leaf blades (vs. lanceolate in L. candidissima and elliptic in L. millefolium) and by having bi- or tri-pinnatisect leaves with oblong segments closely approximated towards the apex (vs. pinnatisect with an elongate terminal lobe in L. candidissima and bi- or tri-pinnatisect with rhomboidal segments in L. millefolium; segments regularly distributed along the rachis in both species).

Etymology:—The specific epithet honors Mabel and Sergio MELO, a couple of dedicated naturalists, who were the first people to collect specimens of this new species. Their keen observations of the high Andean flora and kind cooperation were very important to the recognition of this novelty.

Juan Felipe HORTON and Pablo I. PICCA. 2026. A New Species of Leucheria (Nassauvieae, Asteraceae) from the Patagonian Andes.  Phytotaxa. 774(3); 241-251. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.774.3.4 [2026-09-17]

[Botany • 2026] Begonia salog (Begoniaceae, sect. Baryandra) • A New endemic Species from southeastern Luzon, Philippines

 

Begonia salog Dela Cruz, Bucay, Corre, & Valiente, 

in Dela Cruz, Bucay, Corre, Valiente, Tandang et Chung, 2026. 

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2212 

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice

 

Abstract

Begonia salog, a member of section Baryandra, is characterized by rhizomatous growth, axillary protandrous inflorescences with boat-shaped bracts, and ovaries with bifid placentae. While sharing glandular hairs on the inflorescence with B. caramoanensis, it is distinguished by puberulent petioles (vs. tomentose), broadly serrated, non-ciliate leaf margins (vs. shallowly undulate and ciliate), a glabrous abaxial leaf surface (vs. pilose), glabrous bracts (vs. glandular-hairy), and a glabrous ovary (vs. glandular-hairy). Begonia salog is described here as a new species from the karst landscapes of southeastern Luzon, Philippines, with notes on its ecology and habitat, and a preliminary IUCN-based conservation assessment.

Keyword: Begonia caramoanensis, biodiversity conservation, comparative morphology, plant endemism, species delimitation

Begonia salog Dela Cruz, Bucay, Corre, & Valiente.
A. Habitat and habit; B. Rhizome, showing stipules and petiole base; C. Petiole showing vestiture; D. Adaxial leaf lamina; E. Abaxial leaf lamina; F. Staminate flower, face view; G. Pistillate flower, face view; H. Staminate flower, side view; I. Pistillate flower, side view; J. Inflorescence; K. Immature staminate flower showing the bracts and vestiture; L. Dissected stipule; M. Capsule; N. Ovary cross-section.

All from C.J.P. Dela Cruz 0016 (Holotype, PNH)

Begonia salog Dela Cruz, Bucay, Corre, & Valiente, sp nov.

 (§ Baryandra) 

Diagnosis: Begonia salog is characterized by its rhizomatous growth habit, axillary protandrous inflorescences with boat-shaped bracts, and an ovary exhibiting bifid placentation. Begonia salog is morphologically similar to B. caramoanensis (Rubite et al., 2020) in possessing glandular hairs on the inflorescences, but it can be distinguished by several key morphological traits. These include its puberulent (vs. tomentose) petioles; broadly serrate, non-ciliate leaf margins (vs. shallowly undulate to almost entire and ciliate); a glabrous abaxial lamina (vs. pilose with lightgreen to maroon hispid hairs denser along the veins) abaxial leaf lamina; glabrous (vs. glandular-hairy) bracts; and a glabrous (vs. glandular-hairy) ovary. Additional diagnostic differences between the two taxa are detailed in Table 1

Etymology: The epithet salog comes from the Bicolano word meaning ‘river,’ referring to the habitat where the plant was first documented.

Cyrus Job P. Dela Cruz, Mark Angelo C. Bucay, Karen B. Corre, Judy Ann V. Valiente, Danilo N. Tandang and Kuo-Fang Chung. 2026. Begonia salog (Begoniaceae, section Baryandra), A New endemic Species from southeastern Luzon, Philippines.  Taiwania. 71(4); 632-637 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.632 [10 August 2026] 

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2212 

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/1469592045191482

[Botany • 2026] Begonia andariasii (Begoniaceae) • A New Species from Mamasa, Sulawesi

 

Begonia andariasii  Mustaqim & Ardi,

in Mustaqim et Ardi, 2026.  

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2213 

Abstract

Begonia andariasii (Begoniaceae) is described as a new species endemic to Mamasa Regency, Sulawesi Barat Province, Indonesia. The species is provisionally assigned as Critically Endangered (CR). Detailed descriptions, distribution, photographs, and discussions are given.

Keyword: Begonia ranoposoensis, Cucurbitales, herbs, Indonesia, taxonomy, Wallacea

Morphology of Begonia andariasii.
A. Wild plants. B. Stipule. C. Leaf, adaxial. D. Leaf, abaxial. E. Inflorescence. F. Male flower, lateral view. G. Male flower, frontal view. H. Stamens. I. Female flowers. J. Female flower, frontal view. K. Style and stigmas. L. Cross-section of ovary, also showing placentae. M. Capsules.

Photographs: A–E, F–G by Andarias Sambokaraeng and H–M by Wendy A. Mustaqim,

Begonia andariasii Mustaqim & Ardi, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Begonia andariasii is similar to B. ranoposoensis Saleh, Bandjolu & Ardi but differs in being consistently erect (vs. semi-erect to creeping), longer stipules (14–16 vs. 6‒11 mm long), male inflorescences consisting of 1–2 compressed monochasia, with up to 7 flowers (vs. a thyrse composed of up to 18 partial inflorescences, each compressed-subumbellate and bearing 4–12 flowers), male flowers with more anthers (43–47 vs. 21–29), longer female inflorescence peduncle (9–36 mm vs. 1–3 mm), longer fruiting pedicels (5–6 mm vs. up to 4 mm) and a longer capsule (20–22 mm vs. 9–17 mm). 

Etymology: Named in honour of Andarias Sambokaraeng, also known as Andre, a local plant enthusiast and conservationist whose contributions have revealed the plant diversity of Mamasa to the scientific community and the public.

 Wendy A. Mustaqim and Wisnu H. Ardi. 2026. Begonia andariasii (Begoniaceae), A New Species from Mamasa, Sulawesi.  Taiwania. 71(4); 638-642 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.638 [11 August 2026] 

  taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2213

[Botany • 2026] Begonia trichopetiolata (Begoniaceae, sect. Baryandra) • A New Species from Bukidnon, Central Mindanao, the Philippines

 

Begonia trichopetiolata  Medecilo, Rubite & Caballes, 

in Medecilo-Guiang, Rubite, Vallejos, Atay et Caballes, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.773.2.5  

 facebook.com: Ken Bien Mar CABALLES

Illustrated by Julieferd Torres facebook.com: Ferd Torres

 Researchgate.net/publication/414085231

Abstract

Begonia trichopetiolata from Bukidnon, Central Mindanao, is described and illustrated as a new species endemic to the Philippines. It closely resembles B. mabuhayensis from Surigao del Sur, Eastern Mindanao; however, it differs in having triangular, keeled stipules, densely villose petioles, leaves with 10 primary veins and non-repand margin, shorter inflorescences and primary peduncles, larger bracts, and smaller capsules. Following IUCN Red List criteria, we propose B. trichopetiolata as Critically Endangered (CR). This discovery raises the total number of Begonia species in Bukidnon to 14 and marks the third member of Begonia section Baryandra recorded in the province.

Eudicots, Critically endangered, karst forest, limestone, Mindanao, Philippine endemic

Begonia trichopetiolata.
A. Habit; B. Detail of petiole; C. Leaf abaxial surface; D. Staminate flower bud; E. Staminate flowerfront view; F. Staminate flower lateral view; G. Stamens; H. Anther and filament; I. Pistillate flower front view; J. Pistillate flower lateralview; K. Stigma and style; L. Lateral view of the stipule; M. Anterior view of the stipule; N. Cross section of the ovary; O. Capsule.

Illustrated by Julieferd Torres. 

Begonia trichopetiolata Medecilo, Rubite & Caballes sp. nov. 

§ Baryandra

Etymology:—The specific epithet trichopetiolata refers to the petioles entirely and densely covered with long white hairs.

Maria Melanie P. MEDECILO-GUIANG, Rosario R. RUBITE, Christian Jay S. VALLEJOS, Jasten Kerk A. ATAY and Ken Bien Mar L. CABALLES. 2026. Begonia trichopetiolata (section Baryandra, Begoniaceae), A New Species from Bukidnon, Central Mindanao, the Philippines.  Phytotaxa. 773(2); 162-170. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.773.2.5 [2026-09-08]

 facebook.com/kenbienmar.potato/posts/28547966154832893

 facebook.com/ferdtorresssss/posts/28045322301814879

 Researchgate.net/publication/414085231_Begonia_trichopetiolata_a_new_species_from_Central_Mindanao_the_Philippines

[Paleontology • 2026] Mandrasuchus milleri • A New alligatorid (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) from the Early Paleocene (Danian) of the Denver Basin supports earliest Paleocene North American alligatorid radiation

 

Mandrasuchus milleri

Lessner, Sherman, Petermann, Panigot, Duffy & Lyson, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2712566 

Illustration by Andrey Atuchin

ABSTRACT

The North American eusuchian fossil record through the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) mass extinction shows a remarkable increase in diversity across the K–Pg boundary through the early Eocene. This is in contrast to most other vertebrate clades. Despite the group’s uninterrupted existence across the K–Pg boundary, gaps remain in the alligatorid fossil record, particularly near the K–Pg boundary and geographically in Colorado. Here we describe a new alligatorid, Mandrasuchus milleri, gen. et sp. nov., from the lower Paleocene Denver Formation of Corral Bluffs, Colorado, represented by over 15 specimens. We identify a globidontan alligatorine by the globular caudal dentition and blunted rostrum. Regardless of precise taxonomic assignment, the alligatorid is stratigraphically the earliest confirmed alligatorine, with diagnostic crania from ∼350 kyrs (Puercan 2 North American Land Mammal Age [NALMA]) and referred globular teeth from ∼200 kyrs (Puercan 1 NALMA) post-K–Pg mass extinction. The alligatorine is a new representative of a largely unresolved portion of the crocodylian phylogeny, and its addition could help resolve relationships of early diverging alligatorids and taxa historically referred to Allognathosuchus. This taxon’s distinct rostral morphology and globidont dentition suggest its ability to engage in a macrogeneralist diet. Dietary niche partitioning is likely present in this ecosystem as M. milleri lived alongside the generalist macrocarnivore Borealosuchus sternbergii, the other known Denver Formation crocodylian. The eusuchian survivorship across the K–Pg mass extinction and the morphological diversity of these apex freshwater predators underscores the degree to which freshwater terrestrial ecosystems were buffered from Earth's last mass extinction.

Mandrasuchus milleri hunting crayfish along a river bank in Colorado some 65.5 million years ago.

 Mandrasuchus milleri, gen. et sp. nov.

Emily J. Lessner, Sadie M. Sherman, Holger Petermann, Eldon Panigot, Franklin Duffy and Tyler R. Lyson. 2026. New alligatorid, Mandrasuchus milleri, from the Early Paleocene (Danian) of the Denver Basin supports earliest Paleocene North American alligatorid radiation. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2712566. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2712566 [02 Sep 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Sonerila taynguyenensis (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from the Central Highlands of Southern Vietnam

Sonerila taynguyenensis Dinh, C.H. Nguyen & C.W. Lin,  

in Dinh, Nguyen, Duong et Lin, 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0128  

 facebook.com: Lin CW

 facebook.com/DiepDinhQuang

 Abstract

Sonerila taynguyenensis Dinh, C.H. Nguyen & C.W. Lin (Melastomataceae) is described as a new species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It is morphologically similar especially to S. montana in its erect habit, ovate-lanceolate leaves and the presence of gland-tipped trichomes on the pedicels and hypanthium. It can, however, be readily distinguished by having a quadrangular to obtusely quadrangular stem (vs. terete), acrodromous to subacrodromous venation (vs. pinnate), larger petals up to 16 × 7 mm (vs. up to 9.5 × 6 mm) and 7–8 mm long anthers (vs. ca. 6.5 mm). Sonerila taynguyenensis is also compared with S. tenue. Based on the available data and following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, S. taynguyenensis is tentatively assessed as Least Concern (LC).

Sonerila taynguyenensis (from the holotype). 
A and A': Flowering branches. — B and B': Portion of leaf, adaxial surface. — B”: Portion of leaf, abaxial surface. — C: Portion of stem and petioles. — D and E: Hypanthium close-up. — F–I: Different trichomes in indumentum of reproductive structures. — J and J': Flower, frontal and side views. — K–K”': Stamens, frontal and side views. — L: Bracts. — M–M”: Hypanthiums. — N: Vertical section of ovary. — O: Old capsule.

Sonerila taynguyenensis (B–J from the holotype). 
A: Flowering plant in natural habitat (photographed at Dak Rong Commune on 2 March 2025). — B: Flowering plant. — C: Flowering branches. — D and E: Leaves, adaxial and abaxial surfaces. — F: Stem, petioles and portions of leaf. — G: Inflorescences. — H: Flowers, frontal and side views. — I: Stamens. — J: Vertical section of ovary.

Sonerila taynguyenensis (B–G from para-type NHC 20260118006). 
 A: Flowering plant in natural habitat (photographed at Kbang Commune, Gia Lai Province, 19 January 2026). — B: Flowering plant. — C: Leaves, adaxial and abaxial surfaces. — D: Leaf, adaxial surface. — E: Leaf, abaxial surface. — F: Stem and petioles. — G: Cross section of ovary.

 Quang Diep Dinh, Cuong Huu Nguyen, Nam Van Duong and Che-Wei Lin. 2026. Sonerila taynguyenensis (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), A New Species from the Central Highlands of Southern Vietnam. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1); 213-219. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0128 (24 August 2026) 

facebook.com/Darthvaderiana/posts/10234214243881113

 facebook.com/DiepDinhQuang/posts/28871757869091548

[Botany • 2026] Didymocarpus nautiyalii (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Didymocarpus nautiyalii M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar, 

in Khanal, Borah, Taram, Das, Rai, Rawat et Kumar, 2026.

taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2215

Abstract

Didymocarpus nautiyalii M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar (Gesneriaceae) is described as a new species from Shi-Yomi District, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. It resembles D. albiflorus Souvann. & Phonep. in its habit, leaves, few-flowered inflorescences and slightly pouched infundibuliform corolla with an expanded mouth, but differs in its much shorter stem, sessile to very short petioles, coriaceous lamina, 1–3-flowered cymes, smaller campanulate calyx, shorter bluish-purple corolla, and a glabrous ovary. The species is assessed as Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Keyword: Didymocarpoideae, Didymocarpus albiflorus, Didymocarpus nautiyalii, Eastern Himalaya, endemic

Madhusudhan Khanal, Dipankar Borah, Momang Taram, Niku Das, Santosh Kumar Rai, Sandeep Rawat, Devendra Kumar. 2026. A New Species of Didymocarpus Wall. (Gesneriaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Taiwania. 71(4); 649-654 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.649 [2026 August 13]

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2215

[Botany • 2026] Selaginella jobii (Selaginellaceae) • A New Species from the southern Western Ghats in Kerala, India

 

Selaginella jobii Alen Alex, Abhilash, Gayathri, Sojan, V. Suresh & Leeja,

in Alen, Abhilash, Gayathri, Arya, Kumar, Sojan, Suresh, Antony et Leeja, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0127 

 Abstract

Selaginella jobii Alen Alex, Abhilash, Gayathri, Sojan, V. Suresh & Leeja, sp. nova (Selaginellaceae) is described as a new lycophyte species from the southern Western Ghats in Kerala, India. It morphologically resembles S. tenera, but can be distinguished by its small habit, basal rhizophores, median leaf traits, lack of vegetative buds and tapering strobili. The taxonomic delimitation is strongly supported by multivariate morphometric analysis (PCA) of macro- and micromorphological traits. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the rbcL gene places S. jobii as a sister to S. miniatospora. Growing on shaded laterite habitats in Palakkad, the species has an Area of Occupancy of less than 10 km2. Consequently, it is preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) following the IUCN criteria.

Selaginella jobii (from the holotype).
— A: Habit. — B: Rhizophore. — C: Stem. — D: Axillary leaf. — E: Lateral leaf. — F: Median leaf. — G: Strobili, dorsal view. — H: Strobili, ventral view. — I: Ventral sporophyll with megasporangium. — J: Ventral sporophyll with microsporangium. — K: Dorsal sporophyll with microsporangium.

Selaginella jobii Alen Alex, Abhilash, Gayathri, Sojan, V. Suresh & Leeja, sp. nova  

Etymology. The specific epithet jobii honours Dr Joseph Job, retired Associate Professor of Botany, St. Berchmans College, Changanassery, Kerala, India. An exemplary educator, Dr Job inspired numerous students, including the first author, to pursue science.

Diagnosis. Selaginella jobii is morphologically similar to S. tenera and S. miniatospora, but can be distinguished by its lean, non-spreading habit with exclusively basal rhizophores, tapering strobili featuring a distinct apical microsporangiate zone, and regular verrucate ornamentation on the megaspores. A comprehensive morphological comparison of these taxa is provided in Table 1.

Alex Philip Alen, Kalathil Sethumadhavan Abhilash, Thekkekara Suresh Gayathri, Sindhu Arya, Venugopalan Nair Saradamma Anil Kumar, Jose Sojan, Veerankutty Suresh, Raju Antony and Lakshmanan Leeja. 2026. Selaginella jobii (Selaginellaceae), A New Species from Kerala, India. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1);201-211. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0127 (13 August 2026)  

[Ichthyology • 2026] Petulanos jasteri • A New Species of Petulanos (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Rio Araguari, Amapá State, Brazil

 

Petulanos jasteri

Birindelli, Lima & Gama, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025080

Abstract

The Neotropical family Anostomidae comprises over 150 valid species, though its true diversity remains underestimated. The genus Petulanos currently includes four species distributed across northern South America, all characterized by upturned mouths, compressed multicuspid dentition, and distinctive color patterns. In this study, we describe Petulanos jasteri, a new species apparently endemic to the rio Araguari, Amapá state, Brazil. Despite hosting extensive protected areas, Amapá remains poorly surveyed, and its ichthyofauna is still insufficiently documented. The new species is readily distinguished from congeners by its color pattern, consisting of three vertically elongated dark blotches on the posterior half of the trunk (without pale margins) combined with eight to ten dark vertical bars. It lacks the horizontal stripes that characterize P. brevior, as well as the rounded blotch above the pectoral fin present in P. intermedius, P. plicatus, and P. spiloclistron, and has 38 or 39 lateral-line scales (vs. 40 to 42 in P. spiloclistron). Osteological characters confirm its assignment to Petulanos, sharing synapomorphies such as four branchiostegal rays, bicuspid symphyseal premaxillary tooth, symplectic with a distinctive triangular ventral lamina, and open cranial fontanel. Petulanos jasteri, new species, is the first species of the genus reported from the rio Araguari. Its discovery emphasizes the underestimated diversity of the Anostomidae and highlights the need for further surveys and integrative studies in poorly explored basins of northern Brazil.

Petulanos jasteri.
(A) Holotype, IEPA 6078, 72.9 mm SL, Amapá, Ferreira Gomes, rio Mutum, tributary to rio Araguari, at Parque Nacional Montanhas do Tumucumaque.
(B) Paratype, ZUEC 14774, 83.7 mm SL, Amapá, Ferreira Gomes, rio Araguari.
(C) Paratype, ANSP 211099 (ex. IEPA 6079), 64.1 mm SL, rio Mutum, tributary to rio Araguari, at Parque Nacional Montanhas do Tumucumaque, photographed alive.

Scale bar = 10 mm. 

Petulanos jasteri, a new species 

Etymology.—The specific name jasteri honors Dr. Christoph Bernhard Jaster, formerly chief of the Tumucumaque National Park and the Amapá National Forest, for having made possible many field expeditions in these Conservation Units for the IEPA Ichthyology team, being a great supporter of basic science and biological surveys at Amapá State.

José L. O. Birindelli, Flávio C. T. Lima, Cecile S. Gama. 2026. New Species of Petulanos (Characiformes, Anostomidae) from the Rio Araguari, Amapá State, Brazil. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 114(3):451-460. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025080 [28 August 2026]

[Arachnida • 2021] Loxosceles coheni & L. turanensis • ‘Burning Violin’: The Medically Important Spider Genus Loxosceles (Araneae: Sicariidae) in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, with Two New Species

Loxosceles coheni

Zamani, Mirshamsi & Marusik, 2021

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa257 

  facebook.com/AZamni

 

Abstract

The taxonomic status of the medically important spider genus Loxosceles Heineken et Lowe, 1832 (Sicariidae) in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan is revised. Two species are described as new to science: Loxosceles coheni sp. n. (♂♀, southwestern Iran) and Loxosceles turanensis sp. n. (♂♀, southern Turkmenistan and eastern Iran). Additionally, Loxosceles alicea Gertsch, 1967 syn. n. (♀, Peru) is synonymized with Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820). The local distribution of all treated species is mapped (including several new records), and reported cases of loxoscelism from this region are briefly reviewed.

Keywords: Central Asia, loxoscelism, Peru, recluse spiders, violin spiders

Taxonomy

Family Sicariidae Keyserling, 1880

Genus Loxosceles Heineken et Lowe, 1832

Type species. Scytodes rufescens Dufour, 1820, 

by subsequent designation of Bonnet (1957).

Loxosceles coheni sp. n.

Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Leonard Norman Cohen (21 September 1934 to 7 November 2016), a Canadian singer, songwriter, poet, novelist, and the most favorite artist of the first author, because his music kept him working during the long, cold, and dark winters of Finland.

Loxosceles turanensis sp. n.

  

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to Turan, a term of Iranian origin referring to a historical region in Central Asia and northeastern Iran, in which the currently known range of the new species is located.

Loxosceles persica Ribera et Zamani, 2017

Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820)

Alireza Zamani, Omid Mirshamsi and Yuri M Marusik. 2021. ‘Burning Violin’: The Medically Important Spider Genus Loxosceles (Araneae: Sicariidae) in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, with Two New Species. Journal of Medical Entomology. 58(2); 666–675. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa257

  facebook.com/AZamni/posts/10217225792468659

New Species of Recluse Spider Named for Leonard Cohen

 entomologytoday.org/2021/01/08/new-species-recluse-spider-named-for-leonard-cohen

[Entomology • 2025] Lyriothemis abrahami • A New Species of Lyriothemis Brauer, 1868 (Odonata: Libellulidae) from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India

 

Lyriothemis abrahami  Sadasivan, Jose, Nair & Palot, 

in Sadasivan, Jose, Palot, Sudheer, Augustine, Kochunarayanan, Nair et George, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.33307/entomon.v50i2.1470  

Researchgate.net/publication/393568494

Abstract

A new species of phytotelma-breeding dragonfly, Lyriothemis abrahami sp. nov., is described from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. The new taxon was previously misidentified as L. flava Oguma, 1915 (= L. tricolor Ris, 1916). In contrast to L. flava, the new species is sexually dimorphic, with males easily identified based on the characteristic shape of the hamules. Females are identified by their jet black and yellow colour with triangular yellow streaks on the dorsum of the abdomen and the distinct triangular shape of the vulvar lamina. Photographs of mature adults, tenerals, hamules, illustrations of vesica seminalis, vulvar lamina, and a key to Lyriothemis of the Indian subcontinent are provided.

KEY WORDS: Anisoptera, new taxon, taxonomy, dragonfly, phytotelmata, Kerala

Lyriothemis abrahami sp. nov. Holotype TORG # 1053.
A–lateral view of the holotype; B–close-up of head; C–lateral view of segment 2; D–dorsal view of head, prothorax and synthorax; E–lateral view of head, prothorax, and synthorax; F–dorsal view of abdomen; G–lateral view of abdomen; H–dorsal view of S8–10, and anal appendages; I–lateral view of S8–10, and anal appendages. © Kalesh Sadasivan

Lyriothemis abrahami sp. nov. in life.
A–mature male from Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary © Kalesh Sadasivan; B–lateral view of a teneral male © Jebine Jose; C–dorsal view of a teneral male © Jebine Jose; D–lateral view of a teneral female © Jebine Jose; E–dorsal view of a teneral female © Jebine Jose; F–female ovipositing in a phytotelma © Jebine Jose. (B–E, reared from the larvae collected in Pooyamkutty, Ernakulam District, Kerala)

Lyriothemis abrahami Sadasivan, Jose, Nair & Palot, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Males of Lyriothemis abrahami sp. nov. are identified by the combination of the following characters: two short oval paradorsal streaks on the mesepisternum not extending halfway up the thorax towards the alar sinus; anterolateral yellow thoracic band as broad as or narrower than the black area just posterior to it; in anteroventral view hamule trapezoid, higher than wide; hamular inferolateral angle right-angled and well-defined, medial border with a distinct insinuation at the junction of its inferior and middle third, inferior border straight. The elongated shape of the hamule is a distinct characteristic of the new taxon. Sexual dimorphism is strongly exhibited in L. abrahami sp. nov., with the females identified by their jet-black and yellow colour with characteristic triangular yellow streaks on the dorsum of the abdomen and the distinct triangular shape of the vulvar lamina. The new species is endemic to the Western Ghats of Peninsular India, south of Coorg, and its distribution does not overlap with the range of L. flava, as far as it is known.

Etymology. The species is named after Dr. Abraham Samuel, a pioneer of odonatology from Kerala, for his contributions to the field and his constant encouragement to the authors. The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case.

Kalesh Sadasivan, Jebine Jose, Muhamed Jafer Palot, Shanas Sudheer, Toms Augustine, Baiju Kochunarayanan, Vinayan Padmanabhan Nair and Maya George. 2025. A New Species of Lyriothemis Brauer, 1868 (Odonata, Libellulidae) from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India.  ENTOMON. 50(2); 203-214. DOI: doi.org/10.33307/entomon.v50i2.1470 [2025-06-30]

 Researchgate.net/publication/393568494_A_new_species_of_Lyriothemis_from_the_Western_Ghats_of_Peninsular_India

[Botany • 2026] Gaultheria watsonii (Ericaceae) • A New Species from Sikim Himalaya

 

Gaultheria watsonii D.Maity, A.K.Halder and S.Saha,

in Maity, Halder, Saha, Panda, Jha et Pradhan, 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.3606

Abstract

A new species of Gaultheria L. (Ericaceae) from the Sikkim Himalaya, Gaultheria watsonii, is described and illustrated. This species is  morphologically most similar to Gaultheria heteromera in terms of habit, especially in its procumbent branchlets and tetramerous flowers. However, it can be readily distinguished from all other known species of the genus, including Gaultheria heteromera, by its unique combination of morphological characters, namely prostrate habit with procumbent branchlets, adaxially smooth and smaller leaf blades with strongly acute and mucronulate apices, pseudoterminal 2- to 4-flowered racemes, longer rachis, shorter pedicel, 4-merous flowers, and ovary sparsely white hispidulous with conspicuously 8- to 10-lobed discs. Based on its limited geographical distribution and the continuing decline in habitat quality, the conservation status of the new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(iii)] according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Keywords: Critically Endangered (CR), Gaultheria series Leucothoides (Airy Shaw) D. J. Middleton, Himalaya, IUCN

Gaultheria watsonii D.Maity, A.K.Halder and S.Saha, sp. nov.
 A, Habit and habitat; B, inflorescence; C, flower.

Photographs: A. K. Halder.

Gaultheria watsonii D.Maity, A.K.Halder and S.Saha, sp. nov.

The new species is most similar to Gaultheria heteromera, from which it differs by having smaller leaf blades (4–10 × 3–5 mm vs 8–25(–30) × 5–14 mm), strongly acute leaf apex (vs obtuse), smaller petioles (0.5–0.75 mm vs 1–3 mm), pseudoterminal racemes (vs pseudoterminal and axillary), longer rachis (5–15 mm vs 3–6(–10) mm), shorter pedicel (1–1.75 mm vs 3–6 mm), bract and bracteoles with margins densely ciliolate (vs eciliolate), 8 stamens (vs 8 or 9), and ovary with conspicuous shallowly lobed disc (vs disc absent). In Gaultheria heteromera the veins on the adaxial surface of leaves are distinctly impressed, forming prominent reticulations, whereas in the new species although sometimes the midvein is slightly depressed adaxially, the secondary and tertiary veins are not impressed and thus the upper surface appears smooth. Moreover, in Gaultheria watsonii the ovary is sparsely white-hispidulous, whereas in G. heteromera the ovary is densely hispidulous.

D. Maity, A. K. Halder, S. Saha, S. Panda, B. K. Jha and D. K. Pradhan. 2026. GAULTHERIA WATSONII (ERICACEAE): A New Species from Sikim HIMALAYA. EDINBURGH JOURNAL OF BOTANY. 83, 3606. DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.3606 [2026-08-24]

[Botany • 2026] Typhonium boonmae • A New Species from central Thailand [Studies on Typhonium (Araceae: Areae) of Thailand VI]

 Typhonium boonmae K.Z.Hein, P.Saensouk & Saensouk,

in P. Saensouk, S. Saensouk, Hein, Rakarcha et Chanthavongsa, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05154

Abstract

A species new to science, Typhonium boonmae K.Z.Hein, P.Saensouk and Saensouk, is described and illustrated from Saraburi and Lop Buri Provinces, central Thailand. A detailed description, color plates, comparisons with similar taxa, phenology, distribution, ecology, and a preliminary conservation status assessment are provided.

Keywords: colluvial deposit, Indochina, pedatisect leaf blade, Typhonium bognerianum, Typhonium watanabei

Typhonium boonmae sp. nov. 
(A) Excavated flowering individuals, (B) leaf blade of mature leaf (left showing adaxial surface, right showing abaxial surface), (C) leaf blade of first seasonal leaf (left showing adaxial surface, right showing abaxial surface), (D) leaf blade of juvenile leaf (left showing adaxial surface, right showing abaxial surface), (E) inflorescence at pistillate anthesis (left showing front view, middle showing back view, right showing side view), (F) spadix at pistillate anthesis (nearside of spathe artificially removed), (G) detail of spadix showing pistillate zone, sterile interstice, and staminate zone (nearside of spathe artificially removed).

Scale bars: (A) = 5 cm, (B), (C), (E), and (F) = 2 cm, (D) = 1 cm, (G) = 5 mm. 

Photos by T. Boonma and K. Z. Hein.

Typhonium boonmae K.Z.Hein, P.Saensouk & Saensouk sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: A species similar to T. bognerianum J.Murata and Sookch. (Hetterscheid et al. 2001) (Fig. 3A) and T. watanabei J.Murata, Sookch. and Hett. (Murata et al. 2002) (Fig. 3C) in having pedatisect leaf blades with five to seven narrowly linear lobes and similar inflorescence morphology. Typhonium boonmae differs from T. bognerianum by having a stigma narrower than the ovary (versus stigma wider than the ovary), staminodes arranged in a single whorl accompanied by an upper incomplete whorl (versus staminodes arranged in 6–7 whorls), and a sessile appendix (versus stipitate appendix). Typhonium boonmae differs from T. watanabei by having filiform staminodes with acute apices (versus clavate-fusiform staminodes with obtuse or rounded apices), a staminate zone diameter equal to the diameter of the appendix at its base (versus appendix base wider than staminate zone), and a pale yellow to pinkish-orange appendix (versus blackish-grey appendix).

Typhonium boonmae sp. nov. (A) Mature flowering individuals in a clump in situ, (B) inflorescences in situ, left one at post-staminate anthesis and right one at pistillate anthesis.

Photos by T. Boonma and K. Z. Hein.

Details of spadices of Typhonium species with pedatisect leaf blades having narrowly linear lobes (spathe artificially removed).
(A) T. bognerianum, (B) T. boonmae sp. nov., (C) T. watanabei, (D) T. vietnamense, (E) T. lineare, (F) T. pallescens, (G) T. edule.

Photos by K. Z. Hein ((A), (B), (C), (F) and (G), Nguyen Van Canh (D), and Vuong Ba Truong (E)).

Piyaporn Saensouk, Surapon Saensouk, Khant Zaw Hein, Sarayut Rakarcha and Khamfa Chanthavongsa. 2026. Studies on Typhonium (Araceae – Areae) of Thailand VI: Typhonium boonmae sp. nov. from central Thailand. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05154 [31 August 2026]