[Herpetology • 2025] Elaiophis gen. n. • Generic Affinities of African House Snakes Revised: A New Genus for Lamprophis inornatus (Serpentes: Lamprophiidae: Lamprophiinae: Boaedontini)

 

  Elaiophis inornatus (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) comb. n.

Elaiophis gen. n. 

Tiutenko, Maliuk & Koch, 2025

 Salamandra. 61(2); 

Abstract

 This article is the second part of a revision of the systematics of Boaedontini Dowling, 1969 and a follow-up to the work by Tiutenko et al. (2022). As a result of morphological and phylogenetic analyses, further taxonomic actions are taken in the genus Lycodonomorphus Fitzinger, 1843. Lamprophis inornatus Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854, a species initially described in the genus Lamprophis and subsequently assigned to Lycodonomorphus, is here transferred to a new monotypic genus on a basis of combined criteria including genetic distance, morphology, ecology and biogeography. For improved taxonomic stability of the species and the new genus, a neotype for L. inornatus is designated from the specimen ZFMK 032712. The lectotype of Boodon infernalis Günther, 1858 is designated from one of three extant syntypes NHMUK 1858.4.11.5 and the type locality of this species, that is currently treated as a junior synonym of L. inornatus, is restricted to Durban, South Africa. The name ‘infernalis’ should be available if the species status of this northern clade would become restored. Lycodonomorphus subtaeniatus Laurent, 1954, another former Lycodonomorphus species long assumed to be a member of Boaedon, is here formally assigned to this genus and tentatively placed next to Boaedon upembae (Laurent, 1954) and Boaedon virgatus (Hallowell, 1854) on a basis of pholidosis, cranial morphology and dentition. The tribe Boaedontini now contains nine genera that can be separated by morphological characters according to the proposed key. The genus Lycodonomorphus still requires attention of taxonomists, as it contains species, such as L. bicolor, L. laevissimus, L. leleupi, L. mlanjensis, L. obscuriventris, and L. whytii, with uncertain taxonomic position and in this sense has to be viewed as sensu lato.

Key words. Squamata, Elaiophis, nomenclature, osteology, skull, taxonomy

Adult specimens of Elaiophis inornatus comb. n. from Makhanda / Grahamstown, Eastern Cape (A), and Haenertsburg, Limpopo (B).

Photographs by G. K. Nicolau.

Head morphology details (drawings) and general appearance of
Boaedon capensis (A), Lycodonomorphus rufulus (B),
Lamprophis aurora (C), Lycodonomorphus inornatus (D).

Photographs by L. Kemp (A–C) and G. K. Nicolau (D).

Elaiophis gen. n. 

Type species: Lamprophis inornatus Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854,

 by present designation. 

Diagnosis: Body cylindric, moderately short. Head moderately depressed. Eye medium-sized to small. Tail short, representing ca. 12–15% of the total length. Head trapezoidal, broader posteriorly, moderately distinct from neck. Snout blunt, square-shaped. Rostral rather large, approximately as high as broad, well visible from below and above. Nasal divided. Eye medium-sized, with wide sub-elliptical pupil. Anterior chin shields equal in size to the posterior or slightly longer. Loreal single, rectangular, horizontally elongate. No labial pits. No loreal grooves. Dorsal scales with two apical pits, arranged in 23 rows at the middle of the body. Subcaudals paired. Anal entire. 18–19 maxillary, 10–11 palatine, 17–19 pterygoid, 20–23 mandibular teeth. No diastemata. Maxillary teeth subequal. Mandibular teeth 2–7 strongly enlarged. Hemipenis bilobal, shallowly forked; sulcus spermaticus centrifugal, dividing approximately half way up shaft. Dorsal colour olive-green, olive, dark brownish olive, glaucous, dark neutral grey. Ventral colour cream white, or pale neutral grey

Content: The genus is currently monotypic, containing one species – Elaiophis inornatus (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) comb. n.

Etymology: In South Africa where this snake is distributed it is called ‘Olive Snake’ in English, or ’Olyfslang’ in Afrikaans. Both names refer to the dorsal colour. The new genus name ‘Elaiophis’ is a translation of these vernacular names into Latin, being a compound of the Greek words ὄφις (snake) and ἐλαία (olive). Since the head of the nominal compound (‘ophis’) is masculine, the new noun is of the same gender. As English name for the new genus, we suggest ‘African olive snakes’.

Tiutenko, A., A. Maliuk and C. Koch. 2025. Generic Affinities of African House Snakes Revised: A New Genus for Lamprophis inornatus (Serpentes: Lamprophiidae: Lamprophiinae: Boaedontini).  Salamandra. 61(2); 215-239. 

https://www.salamandra-journal.com/index.php/contents/2025-vol-61/2182-tiutenko,-a-,-a-maliuk-c-koch/file

[Botany • 2024] Aspidistra yangchunensis (Asparagaceae) • A New Species from Guangdong, China

Aspidistra yangchunensis S.P.Dong & Z.L., 

in Dong, Huang et Ning, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.647.1.6

 

Abstract

Aspidistra yangchunensis, a new species of Asparagaceae from Guangdong, southern China, is described and illustrated. Aspidistra yangchunensis resembles A. subrotata, but can be distinguished by the syntepalous part of perigone almost flat, 4 alternate perigone lobes folded at base in full bloom, pure white pistil, lower surface of stigma folds inward to form a circular inner space.

morphology, plant diversity, taxonomy, Monocots

Aspidistra yangchunensis S.P.Dong & Z.L.Ning

Shu-Peng DONG, Yi HUANG and Zu-Lin NING. 2024. Aspidistra yangchunensis (Asparagaceae), A New Species from Guangdong, China.  Phytotaxa. 647(1); 115-120. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.647.1.6 [2024-05-08]

http://english.scib.cas.cn/news/202405/t20240517_663078.html

[PaleoBotany • 2025] Karkenia bracteata • A New Species of Karkenia (Ginkgoales: Karkeniaceae) from the Lower Jurassic of East Siberia (Russia): palaeobiogeographical and evolutionary implications

 

Karkenia bracteata

Frolov, Enushchenko & Mashchuk, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70019

 x.com/ThePalAss

 

Abstract

The family Karkeniaceae is the most ancient of the Ginkgoales. It is known from the lower Permian to the Lower Cretaceous. Cladistic analysis has shown that Karkeniaceae represents a distinct lineage among the Mesozoic ginkgoaleans and is much closer to Trichopitys. However, the absence of the complex ovule shoots of ginkgoaleans with remains of ‘intercalated bracts’ in the palaeontological record makes it difficult to reconstruct the transformation series linking Trichopityaceae to Karkeniaceae. Here, we report Karkenia bracteata sp. nov. from the Lower Jurassic of East Siberia (Russia). We examined impressions and compressions using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Karkenia bracteata consists of the main axis bearing helically arranged bract–ovule complexes, each composed of a long laminar bract subtending and sheathing an ovule stalk with a single ovule. The presence of a bract distinguishes this species from all known Karkenia. However, the ovule structure, stomatal guard cells and megaspore membrane indicate that the new species belongs to Karkeniaceae. Karkenia could have evolved from Trichopitys due to reduction and condensation from an ancestral state. The ovulate short shoots must have fused to form a compact structure, while the main axis was strongly reduced. The leaves of such branches became reduced and further disappeared. Therefore, the leaves of the intermediate form between Trichopitys and Karkenia must have been bracts. Thus, K. bracteata corresponds to the hypothetical intermediate form linking Trichopityaceae to Karkeniaceae and confirms the hypothesis of the cone-like nature of Karkenia megastrobili.

Keywords: Trichopitys, Sphenobaiera, Ginkgoales, palaeobiogeography, compound seed cone, intercalated bract

Karkenia bracteata sp. nov. 

Andrey О. Frolov, Ilya V. Enushchenko and Irina M. Mashchuk. 2025. A New Species of Karkenia (Karkeniaceae, Ginkgoales) from the Lower Jurassic of East Siberia (Russia): palaeobiogeographical and evolutionary implications. Papers in Palaeontology. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70019 [02 June 2025]

 x.com/ThePalAss/status/1929929547681542238

[Botany • 2021] Pseuduvaria kwangtungensis (Annonaceae) • A Second Species of Pseuduvaria in China: The Identity of the Enigmatic Species Meiogyne kwangtungensis

 Pseuduvaria kwangtungensis (P.T.Li) Qing L.Wang & B.Xue,

in Q.L. Wang, Zhang, Shao, Z.-N. Wang et Xue, 2021.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.172.61025

Photos: Q. L. Wang (A–I); B. Xue (J, K).

Abstract

Meiogyne kwangtungensis is a rare species endemic to Hainan, China, known just from two fruiting collections made in the 1930s. Although it was published under the name Meiogyne in 1976, it was suggested that it might be better placed within Pseuduvaria or Mitrephora. For decades, this species was never collected again, thus its true generic affinity remained unresolved due to the lack of flowers. During a field exploration in Hainan, we re-discovered this species and collected a flowering specimen for the first time. The flower immediately confirmed its affinity with Pseuduvaria. Phylogenetic analyses of five chloroplast regions (psbA-trnH, trnL-F, matK, rbcL, and atpB-rbcL; ca. 4.2 kb, 70 accessions) also unambiguously placed Meiogyne kwangtungensis in the Pseuduvaria clade (PP = 1.00, ML BS = 99%). Morphologically, it is most similar to P. multiovulata which is endemic to Myanmar and Thailand, both with often-paired flowers, long pedicels and short peduncles, and often 1–2 monocarps. However, it differs in having smaller flowers with kidney-shaped glands on the inner petals, fewer stamens and carpels, smaller ovoid monocarps with an apicule and fewer seeds. On the basis of the combined molecular phylogenetic and morphological data, we propose a new combination, Pseuduvaria kwangtungensis (P.T.Li) Qing L.Wang & B.Xue. A full description including floral characters and a color plate are provided here for this species. A key to species in the genus Pseuduvaria in China is also provided.

Keywords: Annonaceae, Meiogyne, molecular phylogeny, morphology, Pseuduvaria

 Morphology of Pseuduvaria kwangtungensis, comb. nov.
 A flowering branch B inflorescence C bottom view of a male flower D side view of a male flower E male flower, top view, inner petals manually separated to show adaxial inner petal surface with paired glands F a female flower G gynoecium of the female flower, showing three carpels and two staminodes (with black and white arrows) H fruits I inside of a monocarp, showing seeds in two series J Single dried seed, showing the grooved raphe K section of the seed, showing the spiniform endosperm rumination.

Photos: Q. L. Wang (A–I); B. Xue (J, K).

 Qing-Long Wang, Hui Zhang, Yun-Yun Shao, Zhu-Nian Wang and Bine Xue. 2021. A Second Species of Pseuduvaria in China: The Identity of the Enigmatic Species Meiogyne kwangtungensis. PhytoKeys. 172: 1-15. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.172.61025

[Herpetology • 2025] Paragehyra tsaranoro • A New microendemic Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Paragehyra) from the small forest fragments of south-eastern Madagascar

Paragehyra tsaranoro

Belluardo, Piccoli, Lobón-Rovira, Alves, Rasoazanany, Andreone, Rosa & Crottini, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1240.151016 

Abstract

Historically, herpetological research in Madagascar has largely overlooked small forest fragments outside the country protected area network. Despite substantial declines in species diversity compared to large continuous forests, these fragments continue to sustain diverse herpetological communities and frequently harbour microendemic species. We describe a new gecko belonging to the genus Paragehyra, apparently microendemic to small and isolated forest fragments surrounding the Andringitra Massif in south-eastern Madagascar. Paragehyra tsaranoro sp. nov. is different from its congeneric species based on genetic distances in mitochondrial markers (16S and COI), phylogenetic position, and the lack of haplotype sharing at one nuclear locus (POMC). The new species is also distinguishable from its congeners based on a combination of 14 morphological characters. New genetic and morphological data are also provided for the sympatric P. felicitae and we propose a new assessment of its conservation status within the IUCN Red List. Paragehyra tsaranoro sp. nov. and P. felicitae are mostly found in forest fragments managed by local communities (community-managed reserves) outside legally protected areas. This study highlights the importance of community-based management for the conservation of local herpetofauna, particularly in regions heavily impacted by anthropogenic pressure and largely unsuitable for forest-dwelling species. The findings emphasise the importance of conducting research on small forest fragments, as they are essential for completing the inventory of Malagasy herpetofauna.

Key words: Community-based management, deforestation, integrative taxonomy, mitochondrial DNA, morphology, nuclear DNA, reptiles

Photographs of Paragehyra tsaranoro sp. nov.
A holotype ZSM 11/2023 (ACZCV765) from Tsaranoro B ACZC10947 from Tsaranoro (voucher not collected)
C, E paratype ZSM 10/2023 (ACZCV600) from Iantaranomby (western slopes of Andringitra National Park)
D ACZC10946 from Tsaranoro (voucher not collected) F ACZC10951 from Tsaranoro (voucher not collected).

See Suppl. material 1 for sampling information and associated sequences available for these individuals. Photographs by Javier Lobón-Rovira. Species names anticipate the taxonomic decisions proposed in this study.

Paragehyra tsaranoro sp. nov.

 Francesco Belluardo, Costanza Piccoli, Javier Lobón-Rovira, Ivo Oliveira Alves, Malalatiana Rasoazanany, Franco Andreone, Gonçalo M. Rosa and Angelica Crottini. 2025. A New microendemic Gecko from the small forest fragments of south-eastern Madagascar (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Paragehyra). ZooKeys. 1240: 1-38. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1240.151016 

 

[Entomology • 2025] Caliphaea sinuofurcata • A New Species of Caliphaea (Odonata: Calopterygidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Caliphaea sinuofurcata

 Sawant, Joshi, Pawar, Nawge & Kunte, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.6

Abstract

We describe a new species, Caliphaea sinuofurcata sp. nov., based on two male and one female specimens collected from Upper Siang District and Lower Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The newly described species can be distinguished from its congeners by characteristic shape of paraproct and genital ligula. Additionally, we provide illustrations of the male caudal appendages for all known Caliphaea spp.

Odonata, species description, species discovery, Indian Odonata, Dibang valley, Upper Siang District

 

Caliphaea sinuofurcata sp. nov.

Dattaprasad SAWANT, Shantanu JOSHI, Ujwala PAWAR, Viraj NAWGE and Krushnamegh KUNTE. 2025. Caliphaea sinuofurcata sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Calopterygidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India.  Zootaxa. 5637(1); 139-154. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.6 [2025-05-20]

[Paleontology • 2025] Lunataspis gundersoni • Exceptionally preserved Ovaries in An ancient Horseshoe Crab

Lunataspis gundersoni and comparative material of Limulus polyphemus (B-C).
(A) Holotype (specimen UWGM 4087). Expanded views of ovarian network are shown with eggs indicated by white arrows.

(B) Developing eggs sampled from a single gravid Limulus polyphemus.
(C) Ovarian network of Limulus polyphemus showing ovarian tubes.

(D) Interpretive drawing of holotype with ovarian tissue (orange), fossil surface (beige), cuticle (russet), and burrow trace (brown). (E) Holotype counterpart. (F) Paratype (UWGM 6422).

Lamsdell, Falk, Hegna & Meyer, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1130/G53317.1 

Abbreviations: cu—cuticle; e—eggs; ft—free tergite; la—leperditid arthropod; le—lateral eye; mn—median node; on—ovarian network; ot—ovarian tubes; pc— prosomal carapace; pt—pretelson; te—telson; tf—trace fossil; th—thoracetron;

 

Horseshoe crabs are an ancient lineage of aquatic chelicerate arthropods traditionally considered to be “living fossils” exhibiting limited morphological change throughout their evolution. This paradigm is challenged by the divergent morphologies of Paleozoic and Mesozoic xiphosurans in nonmarine environments, which show greater variation of prosomal carapace shape. Marine horseshoe crabs appear to exhibit a more conservative evolutionary history punctuated by marked increases in body size during the Carboniferous and Jurassic. However, interpretation of horseshoe crab evolutionary trends is complicated by uncertainty over whether the smaller Paleozoic species represent adults or juveniles. Here, we describe a diminutive 445-million-year-old horseshoe crab, Lunataspis gundersoni sp. nov., preserving details of ovarian structures in the prosoma. Unique among Xiphosura, the new species possesses an unusually prolongated prosoma, indicating early morphological variation within the group. However, the female reproductive system appears identical to that of extant Tachypleinae. Critically, the presence of eggs demonstrates that the specimens are adults and that horseshoe crabs were significantly smaller in size during the Paleozoic. Lunataspis gundersoni displays a mixture of divergent external and conserved internal anatomy that reveals mosaic evolutionary patterns and illustrates early morphological variation among marine Xiphosura.

Lunataspis gundersoni and comparative material of Limulus polyphemus.
(A) Holotype (specimen UWGM 4087). Expanded views of ovarian network are shown with eggs indicated by white arrows. (B) Developing eggs sampled from a single gravid Limulus polyphemus. (C) Ovarian network of Limulus polyphemus showing ovarian tubes. (D) Interpretive drawing of holotype with ovarian tissue (orange), fossil surface (beige), cuticle (russet), and burrow trace (brown). (E) Holotype counterpart. (F) Paratype (UWGM 6422).

Abbreviations: cu—cuticle; e—eggs; ft—free tergite; la—leperditid arthropod; le—lateral eye; mn—median node; on—ovarian network; ot—ovarian tubes; pc— prosomal carapace; pt—pretelson; te—telson; tf—trace fossil; th—thoracetron;

Arthropoda Gravenhorst, 1843 

Chelicerata Heymons, 1901 

Xiphosura Latreille, 1802 

Lunataspis Rudkin, Young & Nowlan, 2008

Lunataspis gundersoni sp. nov.

 Etymology. Named in honor of the late Gerald Gunderson, co-discoverer of the Big Hill biota.

Diagnosis. Xiphosura with curved genal expansion of prosomal carapace; low ophthalmic ridges present posterior to lateral eyes; cardiac lobe comprising slight swelling without lateral furrows; opisthosoma with two freely articulating tergites anterior to thoracetron; thoracetron comprising six fused segments, segmental boundaries expressed axially; postabdomen comprising four freely articulating ankylosed segments, pretelsonic segment elongated; axial nodes present centrally on each opisthosomal segment excepting the pretelson; telson lanceolate. Differentiated from other Lunataspis species by the shovel-shaped anterior prolongation of the prosomal carapace.

James C. Lamsdell; Amanda R. Falk; Thomas A. Hegna and Ronald C. Meyer. 2025. Exceptionally preserved Ovaries in An ancient Horseshoe Crab. Geology. DOI: doi.org/10.1130/G53317.1 [May 29, 2025]

[Paleontology • 2025] Primicaris larvaformis • A tiny Cambrian stem-mandibulate reveals Independent Evolution of Limb Ttagmatization and Specialization in early Euarthropods

Primicaris larvaformis  Zhang, Han, Zhang, Liu & Shu, 2003

in Liu, Zeng, Zhao, Y. Zhu, Li, Yin et M. Zhu, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03544-0 

Abstract

The mandibulate euarthropods are the most speciose animal group, but the evolutionary gaps in origin of mandibulate body plan remain unresolved. Marrellomorphs, a common Paleozoic euarthropod group, had a long evolutionary history from Cambrian to Devonian. With computed microtomography, here we report the fine-scale soft-bodied morphoanatomy of the oldest marrellomorph Primicaris larvaformis, a millimeters-sized euarthropod from the ~ 518-million-year-old Chengjiang biota, China. Primicaris possesses a body plan featuring morphologically similar post-antennular biramous appendages, but also mandibulate diagnostic features including multi-segmented exopodites, a well-developed and differentiated hypostome-labrum complex, and a pancrustacean-like topological configuration of frontalmost three pairs of appendages. Phylogenetic analysis resolves Acercostraca and Marrellida as stem-Mandibulata. The undifferentiated post-antennular appendages in Primicaris suggest a possibility that the head appendages acquired a crown-mandibulate configuration before their morphological specialization in mandibulate origin. The emergence of novel appendage morphotypes in Acercostraca and Marrellida reveals that the complexity of limb tagmatization evolved independently in different Euarthropoda clades.

Keywords: Computed tomography, Limb tagmatization, Euarthropod, Mandibulate, Chengjiang biota, Cambrian explosion

Overall morphology of Primicaris larvaformis.
 (a) NIGP 200783A, optical photo, ventral view. (b, c) Juvenile specimens. (b) NIGP 200792, optical photo, ventral view. (c) NIGP 200791A, optical photo, dorsal view. (d, e) NIGP 200812 (see also in Fig. 3). (d) Optical photo, dorsal view. (e) Tomographic maximum projection image, dorsal view. (f) NIGP 200798A, optical photo, ventral view. (g) NIGP 200809A, optical photo, dorsal view. (h) NIGP 200810, optical photo, dorsal view. (i) NIGP 200813A, optical photo, ventral view. (j, k) NIGP 200799. (j) Optical photo, dorsal view. (k) SEM-EDS map of carbon. (i, m) NIGP 200817. (l) Optical photo, dorsal view. (m) SEM-EDS map of iron.

 a1–14, post-antennular appendage 1–14; ab, anterior border; an, antennule; ax, axial region; ba, base of appendage; dv, gut diverticulae; eb, eye bulge; er, eye ridge; gt, gut; ls1–11, lateral spine of dorsal shield 1–11; pl, pleural region; ps, posterior spine of dorsal shield; rg, ridge of dorsal shield; st, setae. 

Scale bars represent: 0.5 mm (a–m).

Systematic palaeontology

Phylum Euarthropoda Lankaster, 1904.

Order Acercostraca Lehmann, 1955.

Genus Primicaris Zhang, Han, Zhang, Liu and Shu, 2003

Primicaris larvaformis Zhang, Han, Zhang, Liu and Shu, 2003

Emended diagnosis: Small euarthropod with a body length less than 6 mm. Undivided dorsal shield with up to twelve pairs of lateral marginal spines and a pair of posterior spines. One pair of uniramous antennules is followed by up to 14 homonomous pairs of biramous appendages (emended from ref. 13).

 

Yao Liu, Han Zeng, Fangchen Zhao, Yuyan Zhu, Yimeng Li, Zongjun Yin and Maoyan Zhu. 2025. A tiny Cambrian stem-mandibulate reveals Independent Evolution of Limb Ttagmatization and Specialization in early Euarthropods. Scientific Reports. 15: 19115. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03544-0 [31 May 2025]

[Botany • 2022] Gonolobus caamalii (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae: Gonolobeae) • Twice Lost, Twice Found: A New Species with A Reappraisal of the Genus in the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic Province

 

 Gonolobus caamalii Carnevali & R. Duno, 

in Carnevali, Romero-Gonzalez, Tapia-Muñoz, Ramírez-Morillo, Ramírez-Díaz, Cetzal-Ix, Duno de Stefano et Romero-Soler, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.530.2.2 

Abstract

Gonolobus is reassessed in the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic Province (YPBP). The genus consists of seven taxa in the area: six species and two subspecies. These include a taxon that we propose here as a new species and the treatment of G. yucatanensis as a subspecies of G. stenanthus and the new combination G. stenanthus subsp. yucatanensis is proposed. These two taxa are endemic to the YPBP. The other species are G. barbatus (for which we propose a lectotype), G. cteniophorus, G. fraternus, G. glaberrimus, and G. leianthus. The new species is Gonolobus caamalii Carnevali & R. Duno, restricted to the Yucatán state in Mexico and distinguished by its corolla lobes with a dark purple (almost black) longitudinal, callose band along the proximal 2/3 on the right side of the lobes and a 1.1–1.3 mm broad, annular, continuous dark purple-black band surrounding the gynostemium and corona at the base of the corolla lobes. It appears related to G. leianthus from southern Megamexico, a species from humid forests at higher elevations and that differs in its larger flowers with broader corolla lobes and a strikingly different color pattern in the flowers. The new species is described, illustrated, and discussed. Entries for all Gonolobus species from the YPBP include a brief discussion and specimen citations. The conservation status of the Gonolobus taxa endemic to the YPBP are assessed either as as Endangered (EN) or as Near threatened (NT). Distributional maps for all Gonolobus from the area covered are presented. Finally, we offer a key to Gonolobus of the YPBP.

Keywords: Gonolobus barbatus, G. fraternus, G. glaberrimus, G. leianthus, G. stenanthus, milkweeds, new species, taxonomy, Eudicots

 Gonolobus caamalii Carnevali & R. Duno.
A. Habit of a flowering plant with flower buds. B. Frontal view of the flower. C. Abaxial view of the corolla, calyx removed. D. Abaxial view of the calyx. E. Abaxial view of the calix. F. Gynostemium detached from the corolla. G. Abaxial view of the corona, with sectioned bilocular ovary. H. Corona, adaxial view. I–J. Abaxial (I) and adaxial (J) views of detached anthers, without appendages. K. Pollinarium, upside down. Based upon G. Carnevali 8579 (CICY, spirits).

  

  Gonolobus caamalii Carnevali & R. Duno 

Eponymy: Named after Miguel Ángel Caamal Dzul, of Chan Yokdzonot 2, Yucatán, who collected for the second time this interesting species. He has a keen eye for rare plants and enthusiastically collects, cultivates, and photographs the native flora.

 

German Carnevali, Gustavo A. Romero-Gonzalez, José Luis Tapia-Muñoz, Ivón M. Ramírez-Morillo, Claudia J. Ramírez-Díaz, William Cetzal-Ix, Rodrigo Duno de Stefano, Katya J. Romero-Soler. 2022. Twice Lost, Twice Found: A New Species of Gonolobus (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) with A Reappraisal of the Genus in the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic Province. Phytotaxa. 530(2); 141-162. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.530.2.2 

 facebook.com/groups/2781373131937103/posts/6782800925127617/

 twitter.com/PlantaMexicana/status/1480573607302635523

[Botany • 2022] Ceriscoides glabra (Rubiaceae: Gardenieae) • A New Species from Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve, southern Vietnam

 

Ceriscoides glabra B.H.Quang, N.T.Cuong, T.D.Binh & Nuraliev, 

in Binh, Quang, Cuong, Quynh, Hoan, Hai, Nguyen et Nuraliev. 2022.

 Kon Chu Rang 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.574.2.4 

 

Abstract

Ceriscoides glabra, a new species of the tribe Gardenieae (Rubiaceae), is described and illustrated. The species was discovered in 2017–2018 in Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve (Gia Lai Province, southern Vietnam), in the vicinity of the locally well-known K50 waterfall, also known as Hang En waterfall. The new species differs from its congeners by the following features: plant entirely glabrous, leaf blade mostly less than 6.5 cm long and less than 4 cm wide, with 3–4 pairs of secondary veins and without domatia, calyx in female flowers glabrous with lobes more than 9 mm long, and corolla lobes in female flowers more than 10 mm long and distinctly longer than wide.

Keywords: brachyblasts, Eastern Indochina, floral dimorphism, Gia Lai Province, plant diversity, plant taxonomy, thorns, Eudicots 

  

Ceriscoides glabra

Tran Duc Binh, Bui Hong Quang, Nguyen The Cuong, Ha Quy Quynh, Duong Thi Hoan, Do Van Hai, Khang Sinh Nguyen and Maxim S. Nuraliev. 2022. Ceriscoides glabra (Gardenieae: Rubiaceae), A New Species from Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve, southern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 574(2); 158-164. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.574.2.4 

  twitter.com/DiepDinh8/status/1597716551964061696

 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Garra magnarostrum • A New Species of cyprinid fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Brahmaputra River Drainage, Northeastern India

  

Garra magnarostrum

Singh, Tudu & Gurumayum, 2024 

Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 124(3); 

RecordsofZSI.com/index.php/zsoi

Abstract

Garra magnarostrum sp. nov. is described from the Ranga River, Brahmaputra River drainage in Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is distinguished from congeners in the Indian sub-continent, Myanmar and China in having (vs. lacking) many small and budding tubercles on the ventral side of the transverse lobe of the snout. It further differs from congeners in having a combination of the following characters: a multilobed proboscis on the snout, a long head, a long snout, small eye, a deep caudal peduncle, a small gular disc, 14½ branched pectoral-fin rays, 33 lateral line scales, 11 predorsal scales, 13 circumpeduncular scales and presence of multicuspid tubercles on the snout.

Keywords: Cyprinidae, India, New Species, Ranga River

Garra magnarostrum sp. nov.

 Pratima Singh, Asha Kiran Tudu and Shantabala Devi Gurumayum. 2024. Garra magnarostrum, A New Species of cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Brahmaputra River drainage, Northeastern India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 124(3); 219–227. DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v124/i3/2024/172296 

https://RecordsofZSI.com/index.php/zsoi/article/view/172296

 

[Paleontology • 2025] Megaglomerospora lealiae • A new fossil fungus (Glomeromycetes) from upper Carboniferous of Portugal: the Largest glomeromycotan fungal spores

 

Megaglomerospora lealiae

in Correia, Sá et Pereira, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.geobios.2024.11.010 

 facebook.com: Pedro Correia

 

Highlights: 

• Fossil fungi discovered in the continental Carboniferous of Portugal.

• New fossil fungus is erected based on a dense cluster of unusual silicified large spores.

• Megaglomerospora lealiae is the first record of Glomeromycotan fungal spores from the Carboniferous of Iberia.

• Megaglomerospora lealiae represents the largest Glomeromycotan fungal spores documented so far.

• New insights on the diversity of the Glomeromycotan spores and the Carboniferous endomycorrhizal fungi.

Abstract

A new genus and species of fossil fungus, Megaglomerospora lealiae, is described from the Buçaco Carboniferous Basin (upper Stephanian C, Upper Pennsylvanian, upper Carboniferous), in central western Portugal. The new fossil fungus consists of a dense cluster of silicified large spores. These new fungal spores are oblong, subelliptical to subspherical-shaped, with a glabrous surface characterized by having a lipid-filled lumen, and display a strong septate-like hypha attached. The presence of lobe-shaped germination shields suggests close affinities to Diversisporales (Glomeromycota). Megaglomerospora lealiae nov. gen., nov. sp. is remarkably distinctive because it is by far the largest fossil fungal spore (∼1.6 mm long) documented for the phylum Glomeromycota. This is the first report of an endomycorrhizal‐like fungus from the Carboniferous of Iberia.

 

Systematic palaeomycology

Domain Eukaryota Chatton, 1925

Kingdom Fungi Moore, 1980

Division Glomeromycota Walker et Schüßler, 2004

Class Glomeromycetes Cavalier-Smith, 1998

Order Diversisporales Walker et Schüßler, 2004

Family Incertae sedis

Genus Megaglomerospora Correia, Sá et Pereira, nov.

 

Pedro Correia, Artur A. Sá and Zélia Pereira. 2025. Megaglomerospora lealiae nov. gen., nov. sp. from the upper Carboniferous of Portugal: the Largest glomeromycotan fungal spores. Geobios. 91; 1-9. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.geobios.2024.11.010

  facebook.com/PedroCorreia372/posts/10237198422838704

[Paleontology • 2025] Itaguyra occulta • Continuous presence of dinosauromorphs in South America throughout the Middle to the Late Triassic

  

 Itaguyra occulta 

 Neto, Pretto, Martinelli, Battista, Garcia, Müller, Schmitt, Melo, Francischini, Schultz, Pinheiro, Soares & Kellner, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99362-5

Abstract

The dawn of dinosaurs is marked by the appearance of the saurischian lineages in the Late Triassic fossil record, around 230 million years ago. This early burst of diversification of the group is majoritarily represented by sauropodomorphs and herrerasaurids in late Carnian to early Norian of Brazil, Argentina, India, and Zimbabwe. However, “silesaurids”, an older and enigmatic group of quadrupedal dinosauromorphs, were recently found, in some works, as stem ornithischians. In this scenario, dinosaurs would have originated far earlier than the end of the Ladinian, a time in which “silesaurids” are already spread through Gondwana. Despite being also recorded in more recent dinosaur-bearing beds in Brazil, “silesaurids” are absent in strata from the early Carnian, an important time frame for dinosaur evolution. Here we present a new “silesaurid”, Itaguyra occulta gen. et sp. nov., that fills up the remaining gap of occurrence of these dinosauromorphs and provides new clues to the success of these putative early ornithischians.

ARCHOSAURIA Cope, 1869 (sensu Gauthier and Padian, 1985).

AVEMETATARSALIA Gauthier, 1986 (sensu Sereno, 1991).

DINOSAUROMORPHA Benton, 1985 (sensu Ezcurra et al. 2020).

Itaguyra occulta gen. nov. et sp. nov.

 

Etymology: The genus name combines the native Tupi words Ita- (= stone) and -guyra (= bird), referring to the avemetatarsalian nature of the specimen. The specific epithet, derived from Latin, means hidden and refers to the fact that the remains were initially identified as being “mixed up” with other indeterminate cynodont fragments with which they had been collected.

The new “silesaurid” Itaguyra occulta gen. et sp. nov.
 (A) Holotype UFRGS-PV-1365-T. (B) Placement of Rio Grande do Sul State (RS) in Brazil. (C) Exposure of the Santa Maria Supersequence in RS. (D) Locality of the type material (red star) and other correlated localities (pink stars). (E) Restoration of the skeleton (artwork by Maurício Garcia) with known elements in pink.

Holotype: UFRGS-PV-1365(a)-T, a left ilium (Fig. 1A).

Paratype: UFRGS-PV-1365(b)-T, associated ischium (Fig. 1A).

Type and referred locality: The type-materials were collected in the Schoenstatt Sanctuary fossil site (52°27′0.5″ W; 29°44′26.2″ S), in the Santa Cruz do Sul municipality (Fig. 1D), Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

Diagnosis: Itaguyra occulta differs from all other known “silesaurids” with comparable material in (*local autapomorphy): having a faint crest connecting the preacetabular process and the supracetabular crest of the ilium, unlike the prominent ridge of most “silesaurids”*; height of the postacetabular process sub-equal to the height of the acetabulum (shared with Silesaurus opolensis and Kwanasaurus williamparkeri), differing from Lutungutali sitwensis and Gamatavus antiquus (see Discussion); supracetabular crest rounded (shared with Asilisaurus kongwe, Lewisuchus admixtus, Lutungutali sitwensis, and Gamatavus antiquus), unlike the straight outline of Ignotosaurus fragilis, and Kwanasaurus williamparkeri; brevis fossa almost entire visible in lateral view (shared with Silesaurus opolensis Kwanasaurus williamparkeri), being different from Lewisuchus admixtus and Asilisaurus kongwe which are more ventrally oriented; presence of a triangular process continuous to the posterior margin of the brevis fossa (absent in Gamatavus antiquus); triangular ventral margin of the medial wall of the iliac acetabulum (shared with Asilisaurus kongwe, Lutungutali sitwensis, Ignotosaurus fragilis and probably Gamatavus antiquus, but not with Silesaurus opolensis and Kwanasaurus williamparkeri); and, tall shaft of the ischium* (see Discussion).

Worldwide record of “silesaurids” through the Triassic. Paleogeographic maps of the world during the Anisan to Norian, showing the occurrences of ‘silesaurids’.

 Silhouettes not to scale, redrawn from different sources. Silhouettes based on the artwork of Matheus Fernandes Gadelha, Maurício Garcia and Voltaire D. Paes Neto.

 

Voltaire D. Paes Neto, Flávio A. Pretto, Agustín G. Martinelli, Francesco Battista, Maurício Garcia, Rodrigo T. Müller, Mauricio R. Schmitt, Tomaz P. Melo, Heitor Francischini, Cesar L. Schultz, Felipe Pinheiro, Marina B. Soares and Alexander W. Kellner. 2025. Continuous presence of dinosauromorphs in South America throughout the Middle to the Late Triassic. Scientific Reports. 15, 18498.  DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99362-5 [30 May 2025]

 

[PaleoEntomology• 2025] Ampatiri eloisae • Back to the Poop: the Oldest Hexapod Scales discovered within a Triassic Coprolite from Argentina

Ampatiri eloisae

Fiorelli, Vera, Perez Loinaze, Torréns, Ezcurra, Lara & Desojo, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2025.105584 

 facebook.com/CRILAR CONICET

  facebook.com/LucasEFiorelli

Artwork by Ezequiel Vera

Highlights: 

• After end-Permian mass extinction, the Triassic witnessed a super-radiation of modern insects (i.e., hymenopterans, dipterans, and lepidopterans).

• We report the oldest known record of hexapod scales, which were recovered from a megaherbivore dicynodont coprolite.

• The coprolite comes from a communal latrine in lower Carnian deposits (∼236 Ma) of the Chañares Formation, NW Argentina.

• The unique combination of features (e.g., ornamented hollow scales with internal lumen) suggests lepidopteran affinities.

• The Chañares scales contribute to the temporal mismatch between phylogenomic and fossil evidence of lepidopterans.

Abstract

Life on Earth nearly came to an end during the end-Permian mass extinction (EPME; c. 252 Ma). In its aftermath, the Triassic witnessed the adaptation of survivors to a postapocalyptic world and the establishment of modern ecosystems. Inland, these changes included an outstanding turnover between amniote groups triggered by the diversification of plants and arthropods. A super-radiation of morphologically modern insects occurred in the Triassic, including some of their most successful and ecologically relevant groups, such as Diptera (flies and mosquitoes) and Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). Here, we describe the oldest evidence of hexapod scales, preserved within a megaherbivorous kannemeyeriiform dicynodont coprolite. This specimen comes from a communal latrine in the lower Carnian deposits (∼236 Ma) of the Chañares Formation, La Rioja Province, northwestern Argentina. The tiny fossil scales are hollow and ornamented, which is a synapomorphy of Lepidoptera and suggests that they could belong to this group. If this is the case, the Chañares scales would partially fill the temporal mismatch between phylogenomic date and the fossil evidence of butterflies and moths because they preceded the previously oldest lepidopteran record by c. 35 million years. Moreover, the scales have a combination of features present in early diverging glossatan lepidopterans. The inclusion of the temporal data provided by the Chañares scales into an updated temporal calibration of lepidopteran phylogeny shows that the proboscis, a key evolutionary novelty for the group (Glossata), evolved between c. 260–244 Ma. Thus, the proboscis-bearing lepidopterans would be part of the repertory of new plants and animals that diversified during the aftermath of the EPME.

 

Systematic palaeontology

Euarthropoda Walossek, 1999

Hexapoda Latreille, 1825

cf. Lepidoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Ampatiri eloisae gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The type series of Ampatiri eloisae is distinguished from other hexapod and lepidopteran scales because of the following combination of character states (autapomorphies indicated with an asterisk): hollow bilayer scales–synapomorphy of Glossata–ornamented by dense longitudinal ridges with some dichotomous or anastomosed ridges; up to 70 longitudinal ridges on the upper ...

 

 

Lucas E. Fiorelli, Ezequiel I. Vera, Valeria S. Perez Loinaze, Javier Torréns, Martín D. Ezcurra, María B. Lara and Julia B. Desojo. 2025. Back to the Poop: the Oldest Hexapod Scales discovered within a Triassic Coprolite from Argentina. Journal of South American Earth Sciences. 162, 105584. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2025.105584 [15 August 2025] 

 facebook.com/CRILARCONICET2025/posts/122130311492798720

  facebook.com/LucasEFiorelli/posts/10051832691597706