[Herpetology • 2025] Tachymenoides goodallae • A New Species of Tachymenoides (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Tachymenini) from Peru with Comments on the Taxonomic Status of Galvarinus tarmensis (Walker, 1945)

 

Tachymenoides goodallae 

 Lehr, Lundberg, Cusi, Sites, Torres & Aguilar-Puntriano, 2025.

Goodall’s Slender Snake  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5020018 

Abstract

We describe a new species of snake of the genus Tachymenoides using molecular and morphological evidence. The description is based on 21 specimens (4 females, 17 males) obtained in the regions of Pasco, Junín, and Puno between 2190 and 3050 m elevation. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree based on two mitochondrial (12S and cyt-b) genes and one nuclear (c-mos) gene shows that the new species is the sister taxon of T. affinis and distinct from Galvarinus tarmensis, which we transfer back to Tachymenis. The new species has smooth dorsal scales without apical pits usually in 19/17/15 series, 1 preocular, 2 postoculars, 1 loreal undivided nasal scale, 8 supralabials (4th and 5th in contact with the eye), 9 infralabials, 1–2+2–3 temporals, 139–157 ventrals, 52–67 subcaudals, and a divided cloacal scale. The longest specimen, a male, had a total length of 559 mm. Two females contained six and five eggs with small embryos. In life, the dorsum and flanks are olive brown to pale grayish brown with scattered black and cream flecks and no longitudinal stripes. Ventral coloration is highly variable, nearly uniformly black, mottled gray and dark-gray, mottled pale gray and tan, or pale grayish tan. Usually, three irregularly shaped, narrow, longitudinal ventral stripes are present. The iris is brown with a distinct yellowish-tan ringlet.

Keywords: Squamata; reptiles; snakes; Andes; Pasco region; Junín region; Puno region; Tachymenis tarmensis

 

 Living holotype of Tachymenoides goodallae sp. nov. (MUSM 31152) in dorsolateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral views (C). Total length of the snake is 524 mm.

 Photos by Edgar Lehr.

 Head of the living holotype of  Tachymenoides goodallae sp. nov. (MUSM 31152) in lateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral (C) views. The head length is 13.8 mm.

Photos by Edgar Lehr.

 Family Dipsadidae Bonaparte, 1838 

Tribe Tachymenini Bailey, 1967 

Genus Tachymenoides Trevine et al., 2022 

Tachymenoides goodallae sp. nov. 

Lehr, Lundberg, Cusi, Sites, Torres and Aguilar-Puntriano, 2025.

 

Galvarinus tarmensis in Trevine et al. [2022].

Thamnodynastes sp. in Lehr et al. [2019].

Diagnosis: Usually 1 preocular, 10 maxillary teeth; 9 dentary teeth; dorsal scale rows smooth in 19/17/15 series; dorsal scales lacking apical pits; 140–157 ventrals in males (n = 17), 139–142 ventrals in females (n = 4); 52–67 paired subcaudals in males (n = 17), 52–56 paired subcaudals in females (n = 4); hemipenes with pronounced and deep spinulate calyces on the base of capitulum and distal portion of hemipenial body, extending onto half of the body on the asulcate side with the first proximal row of calyces distinctly larger, containing 9 calyces; in real life, the dorsum and flanks are olive brown to pale grayish brown with scattered black and cream flecks and no longitudinal stripes; the flanks are olive brown, dark brown, or dark gray, and darker than the dorsum toward the posterior body end; the head is laterally pale grayish brown or cream with a dark-brown lateral stripe from the nose to postoculars and diagonally to corner of the mouth, and contrasting dark-brown flecks on the cream supralabials and infralabials; the iris is brown with a distinct yellowish-tan ringlet; the ventral coloration is highly variable: nearly uniformly black, gray, and mottled dark gray; pale gray and mottled tan; or pale grayish tan; and usually, three irregularly shaped, narrow, longitudinal ventral stripes are present (one midventral and one ventrolateral on each side).

Life specimens of Tachymenoides goodallae sp. nov.
 (A): male (MUSM 23485, total length 534 mm) from Chacos (Pasco); (B): female (MUSM 23470) from Ingenio (Junín);
(C): male (MUSM 17813, total length 511 mm) between Auquimarca and Uchuerta (Pasco); (D): female (uncollected, total length 670 mm) from Auquimarca (Pasco);
(E): female (uncollected, total length 430 mm) from Auquimarca (Pasco); (F): male (ML 446, total length 410 mm) from Puagmaray (Pasco).

Photos by Mikael Lundberg.

Etymology: We dedicate this species to ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall for her scientific accomplishments and worldwide conservation activism, which inspire and encourage people to protect biodiversity. The English Common Name is Goodall’s Slender Snake.

 Edgar Lehr, Mikael Lundberg, Juan Carlos Cusi, Jack W. Sites, Jr., Claudia Torres and César Aguilar-Puntriano. 2025. A New Species of Tachymenoides (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Tachymenini) from Peru with Comments on the Taxonomic Status of Galvarinus tarmensis (Walker, 1945). Taxonomy. 2025, 5(2), 18; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5020018 [2 April 2025]

  

[Ichthyology • 2025] Hypoplectrus espinosai (Teleostei: Serranidae) • A New hamlet on Coral Reefs in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico

Phenotypic variation of Hypoplectrus espinosai 

Puebla, Aguilar-Perera, Robertson & Domínguez-Domínguez, 

 

  in Puebla, Aguilar-Perera, Helmkampf, Robertson, C.J. Estapé, A.M. Estapé et Domínguez-Domínguez, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.4.3

Photographs from Alacranes reef by Carlos and Allison Estapé (a, b, c, d), Isai Dominguez Guerrero (e), and Alfonso Aguilar-Perera (f).

Abstract

The hamlets (Hypoplectrus spp., Teleostei: Serranidae) are a group of small predatory reef-associated fishes endemic to the tropical northwestern Atlantic that are characterized by an exceptionally high diversification rate. Currently 18 species are recognized, with seven described or redescribed in the last 14 years. Here, we describe the Campeche Bank hamlet, Hypoplectrus espinosai sp. nov. As indicated by its common name, this species is distributed throughout the Campeche Bank in the southwest Gulf of Mexico. Hypoplectrus espinosai sp. nov. differs from two similar hamlets, the butter hamlet H. unicolor (Walbaum) and the Veracruz hamlet H. castroaguirrei Del Moral Flores, Tello-Musi & Martínez-Pérez in terms of geographic distribution and color pattern. Furthermore, phylogenetic and population genetic analyses based on whole-genome data from 68 individuals indicate that H. espinosai sp. nov. is genetically distinct from H. unicolor and H. castroaguirrei.

Pisces, Gulf of Mexico, Campeche Bank, Serranidae, reef fishes, hamlets, Hypoplectrus

Phenotypic variation of Hypoplectrus espinosai sp.  nov. A black saddle blotch covers the caudal  peduncle  and extends over the posterior part of the body, sometimes over the posterior border of the dorsal fin. Note the consistency of the thin vertical lines.

Photographs from Alacranes reef by Carlos and Allison Estapé (a, b, c, d), Isai Dominguez Guerrero (e), and Alfonso Aguilar-Perera (f).

Hypoplectrus espinosai sp. nov. Puebla, Aguilar-Perera, Robertson & Domínguez-Domínguez 2025 

English common name: Campeche Bank hamlet 

Spanish common names: mero del Banco de Campeche (AFS), vaca del Banco de Campeche (FAO), hamlet del Banco de Campeche (vernacular) 

Diagnosis. Hypoplectrus  espinosai sp.  nov. is distinguished  from  all named congeners  by  coloration. Body white with thin vertical lines but no bars (or very faint). Black spot on snout surrounded by electric blue lines. Caudal peduncle entirely covered by black saddle blotch, which extends over posterior part of body, and sometimes over posterior part of dorsal fin. Black saddle blotch is more extensive than in H. unicolor. Black eye-mask characteristic of H. castroaguirrei absent.

Etymology. We assign the species name espinosai sp. nov. in honor of Héctor Salvador Espinosa Pérez (1954–2022), a dedicated Mexican ichthyologist, founder of the Mexican Ichthyological Society and curator of the Mexican National Fish Collection. The common name refers  to  the  geographic distribution of the species, the  Campeche Bank off the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, Mexico.

Oscar PUEBLA, Alfonso AGUILAR-PERERA, Martin HELMKAMPF, D. Ross ROBERTSON, Carlos J. ESTAPÉ, Allison Morgan ESTAPÉ and Omar DOMÍNGUEZ-DOMÍNGUEZ. 2025. Hypoplectrus espinosai sp. nov. (Teleostei: Serranidae), A New hamlet on Coral Reefs in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. Zootaxa. 5618(4); 509-524. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.4.3 [2025-04-04]

[PaleoEntomology • 2025] Trichopria electrosinica • The First fossil Species of Trichopria Ashmead, 1893 (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) from the Miocene Zhangpu Biota, China

 

 Trichopria electrosinica   

Brazidec & Perrichot, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2025.200939 

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Illustration by Laura Bruneau.

 

Abstract

Following studies of the aculeate families Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Formicidae, and Apidae, we report here the Diapriidae, the fifth hymenopteran family from the middle Miocene Zhangpu amber of China. A fossil species belonging to Trichopria Ashmead, 1893 is described and figured from a male specimen. The new extinct species, Trichopria electrosinica n. sp., is characterized by the subround and hypognathous head, the flagellomeres each with 6–8 long setae, the metanotum with longitudinal keels, the petiole two times longer than wide and carinate, and the fore basitarsomere with a row of setae along the inner margin. Trichopria is one of the largest diapriid genus, with some species used in pest control program against fruit flies, but Trichopria electrosinica n. sp. is its first described fossil species. Its absence in older and long-known deposits is indicative of the disparate Diapriidae fossil record. Its occurrence in both China and Dominican Republic during the Miocene suggests that the genus was already widespread at that time.

Keywords: Systematics, China, amber, parasitic Hymenoptera, Diapriinae

 Trichopria electrosinica n. sp., holotype, NIGP206901.
(A) Habitus in left lateral view. (B) Detail of fore leg (arrow: fore basitarsomere). (C) Detail of anterior and mid tarsi.

Scale bars = 0.5 mm for (A); 0.25 mm for (B); 0.125 mm for (C).

Artistic illustration of  Trichopria electrosinica n. sp. in the Miocene Zhangpu forest.

Illustration by Laura Bruneau.

Order Hymenoptera Linnæus, 1758

Superfamily Diaprioidea Haliday, 1833

Family Diapriidae Haliday, 1833

Subfamily Diapriinae Haliday, 1833

Genus Trichopria Ashmead, 1893

Trichopria electrosinica n. sp.

 Type locality: Zhangpu County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, China.

Horizon: Sedimentary layer II, Fotan Group; middle Miocene (Langhian), 14.7 Ma.

Diagnosis (male): Head subround, hypognathous (Fig. 2A); antennal shelf weakly prominent; eye located medially on head (Fig. 2A); scape 5 times longer than wide, clavate and compressed (Fig. 2A); flagellomere 1 almost cylindrical (Fig. 2B); flagellomeres 2–11 longer than wide, widened apico-medially (node-like); flagellomeres with whorled long setae (Fig. 2A); pronotum and propleuron with developed cushion of setae (Fig. 2C); scutellum with median carina, without posterior pits (Fig. 2D); metanotum with longitudinal keels (Fig. 2D); fore wing stigmal vein pointed (Fig. 2F); fore basitarsomere curved with row of long erect setae along inner margin (Fig. 1B); petiole carinate, 2 times longer than wide (Fig. 2E).

Etymology: Combination of electro-, from the Greek electron meaning amber, and -sinica, for the geographical origin, China.

Manuel Brazidec and Vincent Perrichot. 2025. The First fossil Species of Trichopria Ashmead, 1893 (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) from the Miocene Zhangpu biota. Palaeoworld. In Press, 200939. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2025.200939

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[Diplopoda • 2025] Tylopus tropicalis, T namnonensis & T. khikheb • Three New Species of the Oriental Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from China and Laos

Likhitrakarn, Lips, Golovatch, Jeratthitikul, Panha & Sutcharit, 2025  

 

 sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47 

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Three new species of Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 are described, one from southwestern China, T. tropicalis Likhitrakarn, n. sp., and two from Laos, T. namnonensis Likhitrakarn, n. sp. and T. khikheb Likhitrakarn, n. sp. Keys are compiled to all nine and 15 species of Tylopus currently known to occur in China and Laos, respectively.

Keywords: Sulciferini, key, Indochina, endemism, new species

Natdanai LIKHITRAKARN, Josiane LIPS, Sergei I. GOLOVATCH, Ekgachai JERATTHITIKUL, Somsak PANHA and Chirasak SUTCHARIT. 2025. Three New Species of the Oriental Millipede Genus Tylopus Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) from China and Laos. Zoosystema. 47(5); 75-88. https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47  

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[Crustacea • 2025] Bathynomus wilsoni • The Deepest known Supergiant deep-sea isopod: A New Species (Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from the Sulu Sea, Philippines

 

Bathynomus wilsoni 

Ahyong, 2025

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY . 73; 

Abstract

 A new species of supergiant isopod, Bathynomus wilsoni, is described from the Sulu Sea, Philippines, from a depth of 2,500 m, the deepest record for the genus. Bathynomus wilsoni is the fifth Indo-West Pacific species having upcurved posterior spines on the pleotelson in adults and is readily distinguished from these species by the combination of longer posterolateral cephalic incisions, proportionally wider uropodal exopods with a more strongly convex lateral margin and a near semi-circular pleotelson with a bifid instead of simple apex on the central spine. The new species is most similar to B. kensleyi Lowry & Dempsey, 2006, from northeastern Australia, a species with which it has been previously confused, but further differs in the stouter uropodal exopod, the shape of the pleotelson and ornamentation of the anterior surface of the cephalon. Given that 26% of the 23 named extant species of Bathynomus were described within the last decade, species richness in the genus is probably significantly underestimated. Aspects of diagnostic characters of B. kensleyi and allies are also discussed. 

Key words. Bathynomus, giant isopod, Sulu Sea, South China Sea, Philippines

Bathynomus wilsoni, new species, female holotype, 215 mm, Sulu Sea, Philippines, AM P42711:
A, cephalon, oblique anterior view; B, clypeal region; C, pleotelson; D, pleotelson central spine; E, right uropod, dorsal view; F, left uropod, ventral view; G, posterior pleonites, pleotelson and uropod, right oblique lateral view; H, pleotelson, right lateral view; I, pereonites 6–7 coxal plates, pleonites 1–5 pleura, right lateral view; J, pereonites 4–7 and pleonites 1–5, right lateral view.

Bathynomus wilsoni, new species, Sulu Sea, Philippines, colour when fresh: dorsal and ventral habitus: A, B, female holotype, 215 mm, AM P42711; C, D, male paratype, 212 mm, ZRC 2025.0098.

(Photographs: G.D. Wilson).

Bathynomus wilsoni, new species 

Diagnosis. Cephalon anteromedian surface without shallow, irregularly ridged sulcus; cephalic ridge above eyes discontinuous; maxillipedal somite incisions deep, extending inward from posterolateral margin for length equivalent to about ⅓ distance between left and right incisions. Pleonites 1–5 combined length 17–18% body length; pleonites 3–5 pleural apices extending posteriorly to about same level or ...

Etymology. The type specimens were collected during the Scripps Institution of Oceanography expedition, PAPATUA, and brought to the Australian Museum by George D. F. (Buz) Wilson, my former Professor. It is most fitting to name the new species after Buz.

SHANE T. AHYONG. 2025. The Deepest known Supergiant deep-sea isopod: Bathynomus wilsoni, A New Species from the Sulu Sea, Philippines (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY . 73; 169–183. 

[PaleoIchthyology • 2023] Iridopristis parrisi • An earliest Paleocene squirrelfish (Beryciformes: Holocentroidea) and its bearing on the timescale of holocentroid evolution

Iridopristis parrisi

Andrews, Schein & Friedman, 2023

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2023.2168571 

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Abstract

The record of articulated marine fish fossils during the latest Cretaceous and earliest Cenozoic is sparse. The oldest-known definitive squirrelfishes and soldierfishes, like the first examples of many extant reef-dwelling clades, are known from early Eocene deposits of Europe. Here, we describe a new genus and species of holocentroid (Teleostei: Beryciformes: Holocentroidea) based on material from three individuals from early Paleocene (Danian) deposits of New Jersey, USA using micro-computed tomography. The specimens comprise a three-dimensionally preserved skull and partial postcranium, plus two isolated neurocrania. The new taxon, †Iridopristis parrisi, possesses a unique combination of characters, including a heterosulcoid otolith morphology and an edentulous premaxillary tooth-gap, while lacking a newly proposed character for the remainder of Cenozoic holocentroids: a lamina on the lateral surface of the anguloarticular, anterior to the jaw joint. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of morphological, stratigraphical and molecular data under the fossilized birth-death process finds that the new taxon branches from the holocentrid stem, where it is joined by two of the three squirrelfish genera from the early Eocene (Ypresian) of Bolca, Italy. We estimate a Danian divergence between Myripristinae and Holocentrinae, the two reciprocally monophyletic subfamilies of Holocentridae. Our analysis suggests that several holocentroid lineages crossed the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary.

 

Keywords: Acanthomorpha, Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary, squirrelfishes, computed tomography, Bayesian phylogenetics, parsimony

Skull and abdomen of †Iridopristis parrisi in left lateral view.
Holotype (NJSM GP12145), Hornerstown Formation, early Paleocene (Danian), New Jersey, USA.
A, specimen photograph and B, rendered µCT model.

Skeletal regions highlighted as follows: neurocranium (pink), suspensorium (purple), circumorbitals (coral), jaws (light blue), opercles (light orange), ventral hyoid (light green), gill skeleton (dark green), pectoral girdle (yellow), abdominal scales (dark orange), vertebral column (red). Arrow indicates anatomical anterior. Scale bar represents 5 cm.

 Squamation of †Iridopristis parrisi. Holotype (NJSM GP12145), Hornerstown Formation, early Paleocene (Danian), New Jersey, USA.
Photographs of the A, cheek and B, abdominal squamation. Arrows indicate anatomical anterior. Scale bars represent 1 cm.

Infraclass Teleostei Müller, 1845

Subsection Acanthomorphata Rosen, 1973

Order Beryciformes Regan, 1911 sensu Dornburg & Near, 2021

Superfamily Holocentroidea Richardson, 1846 sensu Gayet, 1980b

Genus † Iridopristis gen. nov.

† Iridopristis parrisi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Holocentroid with the unique combination of the following characters: orbital branch of the supraorbital sensory canal with a separate opening from the main channel of the canal; large supraoccipital crest which is triangular in lateral aspect and borders the foramen magnum; parasphenoid with ventrolateral wings; lack of a berycimorph foramen in the anterior ceratohyal; deeply notched ventral surface of the anterior ceratohyal to accommodate branchiostegals; elongate postmaxillary process of the premaxilla; maxillary shaft approximately cylindrical in cross-section and elongate; presence of an alveolar platform expanded outwardly at the symphyseal area of the dentary; distinct edentulous concavity along the mesial margin of the premaxilla; unornamented triangular facet present on the posterolateral surface of the maxilla; edentulous ectopterygoid; head of quadrate posterior to orbital margin; an unexpanded otic bulla; an otolith morphology more similar to that found in holocentrine squirrelfishes (heterosulcoid) than the specialized phenotype of myripristine soldierfishes; lack of a dorsally projecting lamina directly anterior to the anguloarticular-quadrate joint on the lateral surface of the anguloarticular; eleven abdominal centra; cycloid scales with spinoid posterior edge.

Derivation of name: 

The prefix of the generic name (Irido-) from the Greek genitive declension of iridis, meaning ‘rainbow’, and serving as the etymological root for the element iridium. This refers dually to the mosaic nature of characters present in the specimen, and for its occurrence close to the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary, known for its famous iridium anomaly (Alvarez et al., 1980). The suffix -pristis from the Greek for ‘saw’ (entering zoological usage in this context via Cuvier, 1829), used in the extant holocentrid genera Myripristis and Pristilepis, and referring to the holocentrid affinity for bearing coarse squamation.

The specific name is in honour of David Parris, Curator Emeritus of Natural History at the New Jersey State Museum, for his discovery of the specimens described here, and in appreciation of his life-long devotion to the study of the North American fossil fauna.

Conclusions: 

†Iridopristis parrisi presents as an articulated skull and abdomen from the early Danian Hornerstown Formation of New Jersey, USA. Inclusion of the specimen in a phylogenetic analysis suggests that it is a stem-member of Holocentridae, along with the Ypresian-age †Berybolcensis and †Tenuicentrum. The new species possesses multiple characters that align it more closely to Cenozoic holocentroids than to Cretaceous holocentroids, including: a separate opening of the orbital branch of the supraorbital sensory canal, ventrolateral wings of the parasphenoid, an anterior ceratohyal with no foramen, and deep notches along the ventral margin of the anterior ceratohyal to accommodate branchiostegals. Character state optimization supports character state acquisitions prior to the origin of †Iridopristis parrisi that have previously been interpreted as derived states for the subclade Myripristinae: an alveolar platform expanded near the symphysis to overhang the lateral margin of the dentary, and a concave tooth gap at the mesial margin of the premaxilla. This finding necessitates a deeper examination of phenotypic synapomorphies to support the subfamily Myripristinae. Three-dimensionally preserved fossil fishes of Danian age are rare, and further excavation of the greensand formations along the mid-Atlantic of the USA may offer greater insight into the faunal composition and evolutionary dynamics during the critical early Palaeogene history of marine spiny-rayed fishes. 

James V. Andrews, Jason P. Schein and Matt Friedman. 2023. An earliest Paleocene squirrelfish (Teleostei: Beryciformes: Holocentroidea) and its bearing on the timescale of holocentroid evolution. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 2(1);  2168571. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2023.2168571 

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[Botany • 2025] Sonerila cornuta & S. phaluongensis (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • New Species from northern Vietnam

 

Sonerila cornuta & S. phaluongensis 

K.S. Nguyen, Aver. & C.W. Lin, 

in Nguyen, Averyanov et Lin, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.696.2.5 

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Abstract

Two new species, Sonerila cornuta and S. phaluongensis, discovered in Vietnam, are described and illustrated. The first, superficially similar to S. reptans, however, it is distinguished by an obclavate hypanthium (vs. cylindrical-campanulate or obconical) and purple anthers (vs. yellow), with the base having two prominent S-curved lobes (vs. lobes at the base of anther short, inconspicuous). The second, is morphologically similar to Sonerila betongensis but differs in having a quadrangular, 4-winged stem (vs. terete), glabrous leaves (vs. densely hispid), shortly cylindrical hypanthium (vs. cupuliform to campanulate) that is sparsely covered with glandular hispid hairs (vs. relatively densely hispid with simple hairs), and the anther base with two prominent lobes (vs. small, inconspicuous). In addition to the formal description, line drawings, color plates, information on distribution, ecology, and conservation status, as well as comparisons with morphologically similar species, are provided for each species.

endemism, flora of Vietnam, Melastomataceae tribe Sonerileae, Pha Luong Mountain, Phu Xai Lai Leng Mountain, plant diversity, plant taxonomy, Xuan Nha Natural Reserve, Eudicots

Sonerila cornuta K.S. Nguyen, Aver. & C.W. Lin, 

Sonerila phaluongensis K.S. Nguyen, Aver. & C.W. Lin 

Khang Sinh NGUYEN, Leonid V. AVERYANOV and Che Wei LIN. 2025. New Species, Sonerila cornuta and S. phaluongensis (Melastomataceae), from northern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 696(2); 158-168. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.696.2.5 [2025-04-01] 

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[Botany • 2025] Impatiens maolanensis (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species of Impatiens in a tiankeng from Guizhou, China

 

 Impatiens maolanensis Zhi-Bin Xiong & Q.Y.Wen, 

in Li, Wen, Wang, Huang, Xiong, Deng, Yi et Tang, 2025.  

茂兰凤仙花  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.142981

Abstract

Impatiens maolanensis Z.B.Xiong & Q.Y.Wen (Balsaminaceae), a new species of Impatiens subg. Clavicarpa from Maolan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China, is described. The new species grows in a tiankeng (a large, naturally formed pit) connected to a dried-up underground river. I. maolanensis is similar to I. auriculata Chang Y. Xia & S. X. Yu, I. liboensis K. M. Liu & R. P. Kuang and I. tianlinensis S. X. Yu & L. J. Zhang, but differs from the latter three species in terms of orange-red flowers, roots, stems, bracts, dorsal petals, lateral sepals, lower sepals, pollen grains and seeds micromorphology. The micromorphological characteristics and surface patterning of pollen grains and seeds of the new species were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pollen grains of I. maolanensis are triangular-round in polar view and elliptical in equatorial view. The pollen exine has an irregular and relatively smooth reticulate ornamentation, and under high magnification, granular protrusions can be observed. Seeds of I. maolanensis are black and narrowly ellipsoid. The seed coat has reticulate ornamentation with slightly sunken meshes, folded base, and granular protrusions within the meshes. Morphological and micromorphology evidence support the establishment of the new species. Our study provides detailed information on the new species, including morphological characteristics, phenology, photographs, palynology, seed micromorphology, etymology, habitat and distribution, and conservation assessment.

Key words: Balsaminaceae, morphology, new species, SEM, taxonomy

Habitat and morphology of Impatiens maolanensis Zhi-Bin Xiong & Q.Y.Wen, sp. nov.
A–C habitat D plant E front view of flower F–H different views of flower I anatomy of flower J root K capsule L seed

 (Photographed by Zhi-Bin Xiong and Qin-Ying Wen).

 Impatiens maolanensis Zhibin Xiong & Qinying Wen, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Impatiens maolanensis is similar to I. auriculata (Figs 2A–G, 3E–H, 4D–F), I. liboensis (Figs 2H–N, 3I–L, 4G–I) and I. tianlinensis (Zeng et al. 2015, 2016) but its characteristics are significantly different from the latter three species in terms of orange-red flowers, thick fibrous root, stem with leaf scars and nodes, petioles, sessile or nearly sessile, bracts, outer lateral sepals, dorsal petal, lower sepal, and fruit color (Table 1).

...

 Bai-Zhu Li, Qin-Ying Wen, Jin-Dong Wang, Xiao-Xiang Huang, Zhi-Bin Xiong, Zhi-Juan Deng, Yin Yi and Xiao-Xin Tang. 2025. Impatiens maolanensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species of Impatiens in a tiankeng from Guizhou, China. PhytoKeys 254: 189-200. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.142981

[Botany • 2025] Lagenandra rubra (Araceae) • A New endemic Species from Sinharaja Man and Biosphere Reserve, Sri Lanka

 Lagenandra rubra  

in Madola, Jayasinghe, D. Yakandawala et K. Yakandawala. 2025.   

DOI: doi.lorg/10.11646/phytotaxa.689.2.6 

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Abstract

During the revision of the genus Lagenandra in Sri Lanka we encountered a new species Lagenandra rubra from the Sinharaja Man and Biosphere Reserve of Sri Lanka. The new species can be differentiated from all other described Lagenandra species by its glossy dark red-maroon twisted limb and the absence of warts on the spathe. With the newly described species, the number of endemic Sri Lankan species of Lagenandra rises to fourteen, and the global total rises to twenty-three. Based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, the new species is assessed as Critically Endangered under Criterion CR B1ab (ii, iii, iv, v) +2ab (ii, iii, iv, v).

Biodiversity conservation, Critically endangered, flora of Sri Lanka, Ornamental aquatic plants, Taxonomy, Monocots 

Indrakeela MADOLA, Himesh JAYASINGHE, Deepthi YAKANDAWALA and Kapila YAKANDAWALA. 2025. Lagenandra rubra (Araceae), A New endemic Species from Sinharaja Man and Biosphere Reserve, Sri Lanka.  Phytotaxa. 689(2); 233-242. DOI: doi.lorg/10.11646/phytotaxa.689.2.6 [2025-02-24] 

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[Botany • 2025] Dasymaschalon buengkanicum (Annonaceae) • A New Species from Northeastern Thailand

Dasymaschalon buengkanicum Uearee, Damth. & Chaowasku, 

in Ue-aree, Damthongdee, Wiya et Chaowasku. 2025. 

โปร่งกิ่วบึงกาฬ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.062.0108  

 facebook.com: Tanawat Chaowasku

Dasymaschalon buengkanicum Uearee, Damth. & Chaowasku (Annonaceae), a new species from northeastern Thailand is described and illustrated. It is morphologically most similar to D. lomentaceum, but differs from it by having sparser indumentum on young twigs, thicker and wider leaf blade, longer flowering pedicel and petals, dissimilar colour of petals at maturity, and smaller monocarp constrictions to monocarp width ratio.

Dasymaschalon buengkanicum Uearee, Damth. & Chaowasku, sp. nov.

โปร่งกิ่วบึงกาฬ

Phasit Ue-aree, Anissara Damthongdee, Chattida Wiya, and Tanawat Chaowasku. 2025. Dasymaschalon buengkanicum (Annonaceae), a New Species from Northeastern Thailand. Annales Botanici Fennici. 62(1), 49-53. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.062.0108 (20 February 2025). 

 facebook.com/100008389413642/posts/4010881329201475

[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Down to Earth: Therian Mammals became more Terrestrial towards the End of the Cretaceous

 

Dryolestes, a Late Jurassic relative of the Cretaceous therians

in Janis, Martín-Serra, Theodor et Scott, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/pala.70004

 Artwork by James Brown.

Abstract

The end Cretaceous extinctions had a profound effect on mammalian diversity, especially on metatherians (marsupials and their extinct relatives). Could mammalian substrate preference have influenced differential survival patterns? The plant fossil record shows changing angiosperm leaf anatomy during the last ten million years of the Cretaceous that would have resulted in a greater richness of terrestrial understory habitats, and work by other researchers implies that terrestrial (vs arboreal) substrate preference promoted increased survival over the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary for both mammals and birds. Here we use fragmentary postcranial remains of Late Cretaceous mammals and show that, at least in the Western Interior of North America, therian mammals were becoming more terrestrial in their locomotor mode towards the end of the Cretaceous.

Keywords: Mesozoic mammal, postcranial anatomy, locomotor mode, Cretaceous habitat, end Cretaceous extinction

Dryolestes (left) and Haldanodon (right), two creatures from the Late Jurassic period,

Digital reconstruction by James Brown, in consultation Pamela G. Gill.

 Copyright Pamela G. Gill.

Dryolestes, a Late Jurassic relative of the Cretaceous therians.

 Artwork by James Brown. Pamela Gill

Christine M. Janis, Alberto Martín-Serra, Jessica M. Theodor and Craig S. Scott. 2025. Down to Earth: Therian Mammals became more Terrestrial towards the End of the Cretaceous. Palaeontology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/pala.70004 [01 April 2025] 

Researchers unlock life secrets of Jurassic mammals using X-ray imaging

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/biosci/news/2024/08/researchers-unlock-life-secrets-of-jurassic-mammals-using-xray-imaging.page

[Paleontology• 2025] Dysopodus gezei • A 125 Million-year-old freshwater Isopod shines new light on the Origin of Subterranean Freshwater Species

 

Dysopodus gezei 

Schädel, Azar, El Hajj, Maksoud & Robin, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241512 

 x.com/RobinNinon1

Artwork by Aldrich Hezekiah

Abstract

Here, we report fossil isopods preserved in laminated oil-shale mudstone (dysodile) from the Lower Cretaceous of Lebanon (Lower Barremian, 125 Ma, Grès du Liban Alloformation, Jezzine District). Based on a variety of proxies, their palaeoenvironments are determined to have been a shallow freshwater lake. The fossil isopods were studied using modern imaging techniques, such as multispectral imaging and photometric stereo, allowing for a detailed comparison of these specimens with comparable extant and fossil taxa. The conspecific fossils are herein recognized as remains of a new species—†Dysopodus gezei gen. et sp. nov.—of uncertain affinity within Cymothoida and bearing a strong resemblance to its non-parasitic lineages (Cirolanidae). A conspicuous pleotelson and uropod morphology set it apart from most species, with the notable exception of †Pseudoplakolana chiapaneca gen. nov. et comb. nov. from the Cretaceous of Mexico, originally attributed to an Australasian lineage (herein disputed). So far, the biogeographical distribution of the peri-Mediterranean underground fauna has predominantly been explained through a passive isolation process of former marine species, driven by regressing coastlines. Stemming from a freshwater lake environment, the 125 million-year-old fossils from Lebanon provide an unconventional perspective on the evolutionary origin of extant cave- and groundwater-dwelling cymothoidans.

  †Dysopodus gezei gen. et sp. nov., holotype CRU 63124/1, micro-photographic images.
(a) coaxial white light, cross-polarized. (b) visible light-induced luminescence, excitation maximum 435 nm (violet), collected light 835 nm ± 70 nm (infrared). (c) false-colour image derived from multispectral imaging, blue channel: excitation maximum 385 nm (UV), collected light 360 nm ± 23 nm (UV), green channel: excitation maximum 490 nm (cyan), collected light 571 nm ± 72 nm (yellow), red channel: excitation maximum 435 nm (violet), collected light 835 nm ± 70 nm.

 Scale bar: 3 mm. at, antenna; atl, antennula; c, carpus; plt, pleotelson; pp, propodus; pr1−2, pereonites 1−2; un, uropodal endopod; ux, uropodal exopod; ?, unknown structure, likely not part of the isopod.

 Palaeoenvironmental habitat reconstruction for †Dysopodus gezei gen. et sp. nov. (foreground) - a Barremian freshwater lake in the region of present-day Bkassine (Lebanon).

Artwork by Aldrich Hezekiah.

Mario Schädel, Dany Azar, Layla El Hajj, Sibelle Maksoud and Ninon Robin. 2025. A 125 Million-year-old freshwater Isopod shines new light on the Origin of Subterranean Freshwater Species. R. Soc. Open Sci. 12; 241512. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241512 [02 April 2025]

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