[Ichthyology • 2026] Glyptothorax jiwanae • A New Species of the Sisorid Catfish Genus Glyptothorax (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from Nepal

 

 Glyptothorax jiwanae

Haggard, Ng, Edds & Conway, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025050  

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

Glyptothorax jiwanae, new species, is described in this study based on 42 specimens, 41–133 mm SL, from Nepal. It is distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters, including presence of longitudinal striae on the gular region, presence of adhesive papillae on the lower lip, premaxillary teeth hidden when the mouth is closed, nasal barbel reaching posterior to eye, skin flaps along the posterior edges of the maxillary and inner and outer mandibular barbels extending for half or less of barbel length, round eye, thoracic adhesive apparatus (TAA) consisting only of longitudinally oriented striae, an elongate, oval depression within the medial pit of the TAA, finely tuberculate skin, pelvic origin at a vertical through or slightly anterior to the base of the last dorsal-fin ray, length of adipose-fin base 14.9–18.4% SL, i,7,8,i caudal-fin rays, caudal-fin lobes approximately equal in length, and slightly asymmetrical procurrent rays.

 Glyptothorax jiwanae, KU 28638, holotype, 55.4 mm SL, Nepal, Rautahat/Sarlahi, Bagmati River. Scale bar = 5 mm.

Glyptothorax jiwanae, new species 

Etymology.— This species is named after Dr. Jiwan Shrestha, for her pioneering work on elucidating the ichthyofaunal diversity of Nepal. A noun in the genitive.

 

Angela Haggard, Heok Hee Ng, David R. Edds and Kevin W. Conway. 2026. A New Species of the Sisorid Catfish Genus Glyptothorax from Nepal (Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 114(3):439-450. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025050 [20 August 2026]

 x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/2091934920453062812

[Herpetology • 2026] Ovophis medogensis • A New Species of the Genus Ovophis (Serpentes: Viperidae) from Xizang, China

 Ovophis medogensis 

 Liao, Shi, Luo, Huang, Lin, Giri & Wang, 2026

墨脱烙铁头蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0067

Abstract

In 1981, Hoge & Romano-Hoge (1981) erected the genus Ovophis, one of the most widely distributed snake groups in Asia. Its distribution ranges westward from eastern Asia to Nepal, encompassing the entire East Asia and the Indochinese Peninsula. During recent herpetological surveys conducted near Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, a previously undescribed snake species was discovered. Based on integrated morphological and molecular evidence, this species is herein described as a new taxon: Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. This new species can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following combination of characters: possesses off-white spots on the ventral surface; lacks irregular markings on the dorsal surface of the head; body short and stout, with a brown dorsal ground color bearing 19-20 irregular black butterfly-shaped blotches; presence of a brownish-orange postorbital stripe; vertically elliptical pupil, brownish-black in color; dorsal surface of the tail with white dots extending to the tail tip; infralabials: 11 (12)/11 (10); the first and second pairs of infralabials in contact with chin shields; supralabials: mostly 8, occasionally 9; ventrals: 132-138; subcaudals: 39-49, mostly paired; dorsal scale rows 23-23-19; Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species forms a well-supported distinct lineage, with a Bayesian posterior probability (BPP) of 1.00 and an ultrafast bootstrap (UFB) value of 100. Analyses of uncorrected pairwise genetic distances based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene showed that the genetic distances between the new species and other known species of the genus Ovophis range from 0.055 (vs. Ovophis monticola) to 0.135 (vs. Ovophis tonkinensis). The discovery of this new species further enhances our understanding of biodiversity in the eastern Himalayas and provides valuable insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the genus.

Keywords: Medog, Cryptic diversity, Ovophis medogensis sp. nov., pit-viper, Eastern Himalayas

Photographs of individuals of  Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. (CIB 122660) in life.
Full view (A), dorsal view of head (B), left lateral view of head (C), and right lateral view of head (D).

Photographed by Shengchao SHI. 

The holotype (Adult male, specimen No. CIB 122661) of Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. in preservation.
Dorsal view of the body (A); ventral view of the body (B); dorsal view of the head (C); ventral view of the head (D); dorsal view of the midbody (E); right lateral view of the head (F); left lateral view of the head (G); ventral view of the midbody (H); lateral view of the midbody (I); dorsal view of the tail (J).

Photographed by Dihao WU.

Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. Liao, Shi, Luo, Huang, Lin, Rohit and Wang  

Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Ovophis characterized by the following combination of characters: tail length to total length (TaL/TL) ratio 0.179–0.181 (N=4); internasal scales undivided or separated by 1 scale; second supralabial bordering the loreal pit; dorsal scale rows (DSR) 23(25)–23–19 (N=4); ventrals scales (VEN) 132–138 (N=4), bearing strong keels along the dorsal region; subcaudals scales (SC) 39–49 (N=4), mostly paired with occasional single undivided scales; third supralabial distinctly larger than the fourth (N=4); dorsal surface of the head lacking distinct markings; postocular region to neck with orange-red coloration; neck marked by two approximately parallel stripes; dorsal body brownish-yellow with irregular black, butterfly-shaped blotches; and dorsal surface of the tail or named with a continuous series of white spots.

Comparison of live morphologies of genus Ovophis from the Eastern Himalayan Region. Includes the following specimens: (A1–A3) O . monticola, (B1–B3) O. medogensis sp. nov., and (C1–C3) O. zayuensis.
O . monticola: A1 is one adult individual from Chhaimale, Nepal; A2 is one adult male individual from Majua, West Bengal, India; A3 is one adult male individual from Mangan, Sikkim, India;
O. medogensis sp. nov.: B1 is one juvenile individual from Medog, Xizang, China; B2 is one adult female individual from Medog, Xizang, China; B3 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China;
O. zayuensis: C1 is one adult female individual from Medog, Xizang, China; C2 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China; and C3 is one adult male individual from Medog, Xizang, China.

Photographic credits: (A1) photographed by Rohit GIRI; (A2, A3) photographed by Prajjwal RAY. (A2, A3) cited from the iNaturalist.org occurrence dataset (https://doi.org/10.15468/ab3s5x) via GBIF.org, used under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), with record numbers: A2 No. 248018996 and A3 No. 423862755. (B1, B2, C2, C3) photographed by Shengchao SHI, (B3) photographed by Zhonghao LUO, and (C1) photographed by Dihao WU.

Type locality habitat of Ovophis medogensis sp. nov. in Beibeng Township, Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China.
A: Microhabitat; B: Overall habitat.

Photographed by Linghong LIAO. 

Etymology: The specific epithet medogensis refers to Medog County, the type locality of this species, and is chosen in recognition of the region’s exceptional herpetological diversity, which has facilitated the discovery of this new taxon. The proposed Chinese common name is “墨脱烙铁头蛇” (Mòtuō Làotiětóu Shé), directly derived from the type locality. The English common name is proposed as “Medog Pitviper”.

Linghong LIAO, Shengchao Shi, Zhonghao Luo, Yun Huang, Yiheng Lin, Rohit Giri and Bin Wang. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981 (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Xizang, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0067 [May 9, 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Didymocarpus alboroseus, D. hongsonensis, D. mekongensis, D. niveus, ... • Ten New Species of Didymocarpus (Gesneriaceae: Didymocarpoideae) from Thailand

กระดิ่งดอยตุง Didymocarpus alboroseus Nangngam & de Bult; 

ข้าวก่ำภูวัว D. phuwuaensis Nangngam, D.J.Middleton & Suddee; 

ม่วงสามหมอก D. hongsonensis Nangngam, Punchay & Suksathan, 

in Nangngam, Middleton, Suksathan et Suddee. 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2026.54.2.13

Abstract

Ten new species of the genus Didymocarpus are described from Thailand: Didymocarpus alboroseus, D. flaviflorus, D. hongsonensis, D. kiewbangii, D. kwanjaiae, D. mekongensis, D. niveus, D. phuwuaensis, D. suchartii and D. vilaiwaniae. Full descriptions, distributions, ecology and colour plates are provided for all taxa. These additional new species increase the total number of Didymocarpus in Thailand to thirty-five species, and therefore, a key to the species of Didymocarpus in Thailand is also provided in this paper.

Keywords: Flora of Thailand, taxonomy, Didymocarpinae, Trichosporeae

Didymocarpus alboroseus Nangngam & de Bult:
A. habit showing leaves and dichasial cyme inflorescence; B. corolla shape; C. flower in bud and immature capsule.

Photographs: All by Thanakorn Wongsa.

Didymocarpus alboroseus Nangngam & de Bult, sp. nov.

Vernacular.— Krading doi tung (กระดิ่งดอยตุง)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to the corolla colour with the white tube and lobes reddish brown to orange brownish inside.

Didymocarpus flaviflorus Nangngam, Suksathan & Rujich., sp. nov.

 This species is similar to Didymocarpus citrinus Ridl. in the corolla colour but they differ in corolla size (c. 3.5 cm long in Didymocarpus flaviflorus, 2–2.7 cm long in D. citrinus), calyx shape (tubular in Didymocarpus flaviflorus, lobes free in D. citrinus), and in leaf shape and margin (elliptic-oblong and denticulate in D. flaviflorus, ovate to ovate-lanceolate and serrate in D. citrinus).

Vernacular.— Krading lueang wiangchai (กระดิ่งเหลืองเวียงชัย) (Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to the bright yellow corolla.

Didymocarpus hongsonensis Nangngam, Punchay & Suksathan:
A. habit and habitat; B. corolla front view and young fruits; C. corolla shape side view; D. opened flower showing stamens, staminodes and pistil; E. stamens showing anthers coherent.

Photographs: All by Kittiyut Punchay.

 Didymocarpus hongsonensis Nangngam, Punchay & Suksathan, sp. nov.

Vernacular.— Muang sam mok (ม่วงสามหมอก)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to Mae Hong Son Province, the type locality.

Didymocarpus kiewbangii Nangngam & Suddee, sp. nov.

This species is similar to Didymocarpus insulsus Craib in general appearance and in having 5 free calyx lobes but differs in the leaf arrangement and a longer corolla (leaves opposite and corolla c. 3 cm long in D. kiewbangii, ternate and c. 2.5 cm long in D. insulsus).

Vernacular.— Muang si kieobang (ม่วงศรีเขียวบาง)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet is given in honour of Mr Wittawat Kiewbang, a former BKF staff member who has accompanied botanists to various parts of the country and contributed valuable photographs and specimens.

Didymocarpus kwanjaiae Nangngam & Suddee:
A. Habit and habitat; B. flower showing calyx and corolla shape; C. opened corolla showing stamens, staminodes and pistil; D. flower bud.

Photographs: All by Kwanjai Khammmongkol.

Didymocarpus kwanjaiae Nangngam & Suddee, sp. nov.

This species is similar to Didymocarpus middletonii Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane from Laos in the red corolla colour but differs in the calyx tube campanulate and glabrous (tube campanulate and glabrous in D. kwanjaiae, tube urceolate and with multicellular eglandular hairs in D. middletonii).

Vernacular.— Krading Daeng Phaseeda (กระดิ่งแดงผาสีดา)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet is given in honour of Dr Kwanjai Khammongkol, the former chief assistant of Phu Langka National Park and the collector of the known specimens.

Didymocarpus mekongensis Nangngam & Suddee, sp. nov.

 This species is similar to Didymocarpus biserratus Barnett in having a united and glabrous calyx tube and a funnelform and glabrous corolla but differs in having a symmetrical tubular white-cream and greenish-whitish calyx tube and a white corolla (asymmetrical green-maroon to purple campanulate calyx tube and dark violet corolla in D. biserratus). It is also similar to D. niveus in the white corolla but differs in the symmetrical calyx (asymmetrical in D. niveus) and corolla size (c. 2.5 cm long in D. mekongensis, c. 3.5 cm long in D. niveus).

Vernacular. — Krading Khao Lam Kong (กระดิ่งขาวลําโขง)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to the Mekong Basin, the type locality.

Didymocarpus niveus Nangngam, Vidthay., Wongsa & Suddee:
 A. corolla front view; B. inflorescence, cyme 3–5-flowered; C. ovary and stigma. D. stamens showing anthers coherent and 2 longer staminodes.

Photographs: A–B by Pranee Nangngam; C by Thanakorn Wongsa.

Didymocarpus niveus Nangngam, Vidthay., Wongsa & Suddee, sp. nov.

This species is similar to Didymocarpus mekongensis Nangngam & Suddee in its white funnelform corolla but differs in having a longer calyx tube and corolla (calyx tube 8–10 mm long and corolla c. 3.5 cm long in D. niveus vs calyx tube c. 5 mm long and corolla c. 2.5 cm long in D. mekongensis).

Vernacular.— Krading Khao Khun Phawo (กระดิ่งขาวขุนพะวอ)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to the snow-white colour of the corolla.

Didymocarpus phuwuaensis Nangngam, D.J.Middleton & Suddee:
 A. habit; B. capsules; C. inflorescence and front view of corolla; D. side view of corolla.

Photographs: All by Wittawat Kiewbang.

Didymocarpus phuwuaensis Nangngam, D.J.Middleton & Suddee, sp. nov.

  This species is similar to Didymocarpus formosus Nangngam & D.J.Middleton in the large paired bracts and funnelform corolla but differs in having bracts not embracing the calyx in bud, a ubular calyx tube, and a dark purple corolla (bracts embracing calyx in bud, campanulate calyx tube, and dark red maroon corolla in D. formosus).

Vernacular.— Khao kam phu wua (ข้าวกําภูวัว)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, the type locality.

Didymocarpus suchartii Nangngam, Makerd & Suddee, sp.nov.

This species is similar to Didymocarpus megaphyllus Barnett in the corolla covered with multi-cellular glandular hairs but differs in having calyx lobes free, ovary with multicellular glandular hairs, corolla dark purple (calyx formed into a campanulate tube at base, ovary glabrous, corolla crimson-red in D. megaphyllus). Also similar to D. hongsonensisin having a dark purple funnelform corolla but differs in having calyx lobes free (formed into a tube at base in D. hongsonensis).

Vernacular.— Muang chan hom huan (ม่วงจันทร์หอมหวล)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet is given in honour of Mr Suchart Chanhomhual, who has contributed a lot to protecting plant diversity in Umphang District, and for his photographs and the type collection.

Didymocarpus vilaiwaniae Nangngam, Moungmaith. & Chamch., sp. nov.

This species is similar to Didymocarpus glandulosus (W.W.Smith) W.T.Wang var. minor (W.T.Wang) W.T.Wang from South China in general appearance and in having free calyx lobes and a salverform corolla but differs in leaf characters (leaves congested at the top of stem and silvery on upper surface in D. vilaiwaniae, scattered along stem and not silvery on upper surface in D. glandulosus var. minor).

Vernacular.— Muang Si Anusarn (ม่วงศรีอนุสาร)(Proposed here).

Etymology.— The specific epithet is given in honour of Associate Prof. Dr Vilaiwan Anusarnsunthorn, the founder of CMUB herbarium.

Pranee Nangngam, David J. Middleton, Piyakaset Suksathan and Somran Suddee. 2026. Ten New Species of Didymocarpus (Gesneriaceae: Didymocarpoideae) from Thailand. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany). 54(2); 128-149. DOI: doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2026.54.2.13 [2026-08-19]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Laimosemion laranja • A New killifish of the Genus Laimosemion (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from Rio Cajari in the Brazilian Amazon

Laimosemion laranja 

Abrantes, Lima, Nielsen, de Lira, da Silva & Berbel-Filho, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.187659

Abstract

Based on morphological and molecular evidence, this study describes a new species of rivulid of the genus Laimosemion from the lower Rio Amazonas Basin in the south of the state of Amapá in northern Brazil. The new species, Laimosemion laranja sp. nov., exhibits a color pattern characteristic of the L. geayi species group, consisting of longitudinal rows of spots on the anterior portion of flank and oblique chevron-shaped bars on the posterior portion of flank. It can be distinguished from its congeners by unique combination of characters, including position of dorsal-fin origin relative to anal-fin rays, frontal squamation pattern of head, counts of transverse and longitudinal scale series, fin-ray counts, vertebral count, osteology of caudal fin, and number of neuromasts in infraorbital series. Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene indicates that the new species diverges genetically by 5.3% from its closest relatives, L. agilae and L. strigatus, by 9.2% from L. dibaphus, and 12.3% from L. geayi. We further discuss the systematic relationships within the L. geayi species group and the conservation status of the new species based on IUCN criteria, including recommendations for its conservation.

Key Words: Amapá State, Amazonas Estuary and Coastal Drainages Ecoregion, Amazonian ichthyofauna, conservation

Laimosemion laranja new species
 Holotype [INPA–ICT 062600], male, 26.8 mm SL; 
 Paratype [INPA–ICT 062601], female, 20.1 mm SL 
Brazil, Amapá, Laranjal do Jari, Rio Cajari, Amazonas Basin.

photos: Y. Abrantes. 

 

Laimosemion laranja sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Laimosemion laranja differs from the six congeners of the L. geayi group by having eight scales in transverse series (vs.7 in L. dibaphus and L. strigatus, 9 in L. geayi, 9–10 in L. agilae and L. cladophorus, and 9–11 in L. mabura). It can be distinguished from all other congeners of the L. geayi group, except L. agilae and L. cladophorus, by dorsal-fin origin positioned on transversal plane through bases of 4th–6th anal-fin rays in both sexes (vs. of 7th–8th anal-fin rays). It differs from L. agilae by frontal squamation pattern of head (E squamation vs. F squamation) and from ...

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘laranja’ is a name with a dual allusion. It refers to the bright orange color pattern on males of the new species (‘laranja’ means the color, as it also means the fruit in Portuguese), and is also an homage to the municipality of Laranjal do Jari, founded on December 17, 1987, in the south of Amapá State, Brazil, from where the species is currently only found. A noun in apposition.

Sampling localities of Laimosemion laranja new species.
 Localities one and two (A, B), and the type locality (C). Brazil, Amapá, Laranjal do Jari, Rio Cajari, Amazonas Basin.

 Photos: W.M. Berbel-Filho.

Yuri Gomes Abrantes, Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima, Dalton Tavares Bressane Nielsen, Fabio Origuela de Lira, Márcio Joaquim da Silva, Waldir Miron Berbel-Filho. 2026. A New killifish of the Genus Laimosemion (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae) from Rio Cajari in the Brazilian Amazon. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(4): 1079-1088. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.187659 [20 Aug 2026]

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

Bogidiella painushima 

Tomikawa, Yoshimura, Ugomeki & Shimomura, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5831.3.5  

 www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Abstract

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

Crustacea, brackish, COI, freshwater, Okinawa, taxonomy

Bogidiella painushima sp. nov. 

 

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

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

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

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

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

[Botany • 2026] Sonerila namii (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species from Central Highlands, Vietnam

 

Sonerila namii  C. H. Nguyen, Aver. & C. W. Lin, 

in Nguyen, Averyanov et Lin. 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.14258/turczaninowia.29.2.11 

 facebook.com/Darthvaderiana 

Abstract

A new species, Sonerila namii, is described from Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The new species shares several morphological similarities with S. repens but differs in having a stem covered with golden-brown to maroon hispid or hispid-hirsute hairs (vs. white woolly), a leaf blade bearing white hirsute or gland-tipped hirsute hairs on both surfaces (vs. pubescent with simple hairs), about 6 pairs of secondary veins (vs. 2 or 3 pairs), a hypanthium with white hispid or gland-tipped hispid hairs and minute glandular trichomes (vs. woolly simple hairs), and petals up to 2.3 cm long (vs. up to 1.2 cm). According to the IUCN criteria, it may tentatively be assessed as Least Concern (LC).

Keywords: endemism, flora of Vietnam, Melastomataceae tribe Sonerileae, plant diversity, plant taxonomy

Sonerila namii:
 A – habit; B, B’ – portions of leaf, adaxial and abaxial surfaces; C, D, E – indumentum of reproductive structures: C – villous-hirsute or gland-tipped hirsute indumentum on leaf, D – minutely glandular trichomes on vegetative parts, E – gland-tipped hispid on hypanthium and abaxially of petals; F, F’ – flower, frontal and side views; G, G’ – stamens, frontal and side views; H – hypanthium; I – longitudinal section of ovary.

Drawing by Che Wei Lin from the holotype NHC-20251015010.

Sonerila namii:
A – habit and habitat; B – habit; C – flowering branch; D – leaves; E – portions of leaf, adaxial surface; F – same, abaxial surface; G – hypanthium, petals, stamens, and styles; H – longitudinal section of ovary; I – longitudinal section of immature fruit; J – cross section of immature fruit.

Photos A by Tinh Van Lam; photos B – J by Cuong Huu Nguyen of plants used for the preparation of type herbarium specimen NHC-20251015010.

Sonerila namii C. H. Nguyen, Aver. et C. W. Lin, sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet honors a postgraduate student from Vietnam National Forestry University, Duong Van Nam, who collected and provided specimens of this new species. 

 

Cuong H. Nguyen, Leonid V. Averyanov and Che W. Lin. 2026. Sonerila namii (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), A New Species from Central Highlands, Vietnam. Turczaninowia. 29(2); 110–115. 

DOI: doi.org/10.14258/turczaninowia.29.2.11 

 facebook.com/Darthvaderiana/posts/10233777096872711

[Entomology • 2026] Hexacentrus bidentatus & H. nanlingensis • Two New Species of the Genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Hexacentrinae) from China

Hexacentrus nanlingensis  

Ren, Xiong, Zhang & Shi, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.8

 Abstract

This paper reports two new species of the genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 from Guangxi and Guangdong, China, i.e. Hexacentrus bidentatus sp. nov. and Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov. In addition, morphological characters and ecological photographs are provided. The male calling songs are also presented for both new species and Hexacentrus expansus Wang & Shi, 2005 for the first time.

Orthoptera, Hexacentrus, new species, bioacoustics, Guangxi, Guangdong, China

Lateral habitus of Hexacentrus spp.:
A, C, E. H. bidentatus sp. nov.: A. female; C, E. male;
B, H. H. nanlingensis sp. nov.: B. female; H. male;
D. H. expansus Wang & Shi, 2005 (male); F. H. formosanus Chen & He, 2021(male). 

A–B. Hexacentrus expansus Wang & Shi, 2005;
C–D. Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov.

(Photographed by Tao Zhang).

Hexacentrus bidentatus sp. nov. 

Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov. 

 

BINGYU REN, ZIJIAN XIONG, TAO ZHANG and FUMING SHI. 2266. Two New Species of the genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 (Tettigoniidae: Hexacentrinae) from China.  Zootaxa. 5862(2); 347-358. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.8 [2026-08-05]

[Mollusca • 2022] Dendronotus shpataki • A New Species of the Genus Dendronotus (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Sea of Japan: a contribution of citizen science to marine zoology

  

Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov. in natural environment.

Ekimova, Mikhlina, Antokhina & Schepetov, 2022

 

DOI: doi.org/10.31610/zsr/2022.31.1.3 

  Researchgate.net/publication/358210579

Photos by Andrey Shpatak.

Abstract

 The nudibranch genus Dendronotus Alder et Hancock, 1845 is a common component of boreal and arctic ecosystems, which has recently received a considerable attention due to its high cryptic diversity. Here we describe a new species Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov. from the northwestern Sea of Japan, using the material and observations provided by Andrey Shpatak, a local citizen, diver and underwater photographer. We studied morphological features of the new species, including external morphology, coloration, jaw and radular morphology, and configuration of the reproductive system, as well as its ecological traits including possible diet preferences. We obtained DNA sequences and reconstructed the phylogeny by Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood approaches using four molecular markers (mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA, and nuclear histone H3 and 28S rRNA), and tested the boundaries between the species by calculating the uncorrected p-distances and automatic species delimitation methods ABGD and GMYC. Our results show that D. shpataki sp. nov. differs both morphologically and genetically from all other Dendronotus species. The new species possibly represents a unique example of local endemism, being found in a single locality, while other local Dendronotus species demonstrate wide distribution in the North-West Pacific. We also report on a considerable wearing of the radular teeth during feeding, which is a remarkable case for the Dendronotus.

Key words: North-West Pacific, biodiversity, morphology, radula, molecular markers, phylogeny, Nudibranchia, Dendronotidae, Dendronotus, new species

Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov., general appearance of living specimens.
 Holotype: dorsal view (A), lateral view (B) and ventral view (C).
Paratypes, dorsal view: adult specimens MIMB42309 (D), MIMB42308 (E), MIMB42305 (F)
and juvenile MIMB42306 (G). 

Scale bar: 5 mm.

Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov. in natural environment.
 Paratype MIMB42302 (A–C); the first documented finding of the new species in May 2015,
 the specimen was not collected (D); paratypes MIMB42303 (E, F).

Photos by Andrey Shpatak.

Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov.

I.A. Ekimova, A.L. Mikhlina, T.I. Antokhina and D.M. Schepetov. 2022. A Description of Dendronotus shpataki sp. nov. (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Sea of Japan: a contribution of citizen science to marine zoology. Zoosystematica Rossica. 31(1); 3–19. DOI: 10.31610/zsr/2022.31.1.3 

  Researchgate.net/publication/358210579_A_description_of_Dendronotus_shpataki_from_the_Sea_of_Japan

[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]