[Paleontology • 2025] Darwinopterus camposi • A New Species of Darwinopterus (Pterosauria: Wukongopteridae) from western Liaoning provides some new information on the Ontogeny of this clade

 

Darwinopterus camposi

Cheng, Jiang, Bantim, Sayão, Saraiva, Meng, Kellner & Wang, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202520240707 

Researchgate.net/publication/389307719

Abstract

The Wukongopteridae is an important pterosaur clade from the Yanliao Biota, combining features of basal and derived pterosaurs. So far, the Wukongopteridae consists of five species divided into three genera: Wukongopterus lii, Darwinopterus modularis, Darwinopterus linglongtaensis, Darwinopterus robustodens, and Kunpengopterus sinensis. Here we report a new species, Darwinopterus camposi sp. nov., based on an almost complete skeleton (IVPP V 17957). The new species is referred to Darwinopterus due to the presence of an elongated posterior region of the skull and the bony premaxillary crest that starts about the anterior margin of the nasoantorbital fenestra. It differs from all other wukongopterids by having the dorsal margin of the premaxillary crest straight, without an extensive dorsal projection and presenting a smooth lateral surface. Furthermore, D. camposi sp. nov. has eighteen and fourteen teeth on each side of the upper and lower jaws, respectively, and the fourth phalanx of the wing finger shorter than the first. IVPP V 17957 shows some fused postcranial bones, like the extensor tendon process to the first wing finger phalanx, but also has unfused premaxilla and frontal, which provides further information about wukongopterid ontogeny.

Key words: Pterosauria; Wukongopteridae; ontogeny; Yanliao Biota; Middle-Late Jurassic; China

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

Pterosauria Kaup 1834

Wukongopteridae Wang, Kellner, Jiang and Meng 2009

Darwinopterus Lü, Unwin, Jin, Liu and Ji 2010

Darwinopterus camposi sp. nov.

 Holotype: Almost complete skeleton lacking the distal end of the tail and hindlimbs, housed at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing, under the number IVPP V 17957 (Figs. 1-Fig. 4).

Etymology: In honor to Dr. Diogenes de Almeida Campos, an important geologist and vertebrate paleontologist who has contributed to pterosaur research and the cooperation between Brazilian and Chinese paleontologists.

 

Cheng, X.; Jiang, S.; Bantim, R. A. M.; Sayão, J. M.; Saraiva, A. Á. F.; Meng, X.; Kellner, A. W. A.; Wang, X. 2025. A New Species of Darwinopterus (Wukongopteridae, Pterosauria) from western Liaoning provides some new information on the Ontogeny of this clade. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências. 97 (Suppl. 1). e20240707. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202520240707

 Researchgate.net/publication/389307719_A_new_species_of_Darwinopterus_from_Liaoning_CHINA 

[Herpetology • 2025] Rupirana kaatinga • A New species of Rupirana (Heyer, 1999) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Serra do Assuruá, center-north of Bahia state, Brazil

 

Rupirana kaatinga

Mângia, Amaral, Müller & Santana. 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24121 

 Abstract  

The Caatinga, a semi-arid region with drought-adapted vegetation, supports unique biodiversity, including numerous endemic species. Serra do Assuruá in Bahia is one such high-altitude area, rich in ecological niches but largely understudied, especially regarding amphibians, and lacks conservation units. During fieldwork, we discovered a new Rupirana species approximately 200 km beyond its known range. Previously, Rupirana had remained monotypic for over two decades, restricted to the campo rupestre ecosystem in the northern mountain ranges of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia. This unexpected finding in Serra do Assuruá prompted detailed morphological, acoustic, and molecular analyses, confirming it as a new endemic species for the region. While wind farm expansion in remote areas like the Caatinga has enabled important scientific discoveries, including this Rupirana, it also poses risks to biodiversity through habitat changes. These findings highlight the need for enhanced conservation planning in the Caatinga biome, as such discoveries underscore both the ecological value and the vulnerability of these fragile ecosystems. Therefore, balancing renewable energy development with conservation efforts through rigorous environmental assessments is essential to protect these fragile ecosystems.

KEYWORDS: Amphibia, Caatinga, conservation, taxonomy

Live specimens of Rupirana kaatinga sp. nov.:
 A) adult male (ZUFMS-AMP20347, field number MAP 8594, SVL 30.45 mm), B), C) and D) adult males not collected,
E) paratype (juvenile ZUFMS-AMP20354, field number MAP 8599), and F) juvenile not collected.

Rupirana kaatinga sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Diagnosed by the following combination of characters: 1) snout vent-length of 26.41-30.45 mm in adult males, 2) snout round in profile and from above, 3) smooth skin on the dorsum, including the arms, legs, and upper eyelids, with only a few small, scattered tubercles, 4) belly and gular region is cream-coloured with light grey vermicular spots, 5) advertisement call lasting 0.075-0.135 s, with 20 pulses per call, 191.7 pulses/s, and a dominant frequency of 1,378.1-1,722.7 Hz.

Etymology: The name ‘Caatinga’ is derived from the Tupi-Guarani language and means ‘white forest’ (‘ka’a’ (forest) + ‘ting’ (white) + ‘–a’ (noun-forming suffix)). This name alludes to the whitish landscape presented by the vegetation during the dry season, when most plants shed their leaves, and the trunks become whitish and dry. The pronounced seasonality in this region significantly influences the life cycles of organisms inhabiting this type of environment to a lesser or more noticeable extent for some species, even determining whether a particular species is recorded in the area or not. We named this new species after the Caatinga region due to its endemism and strong connection to the cycles of rain and drought within this domain (see below). The specific epithet kaatinga is treated as a noun in apposition.

Sarah Mângia, Guilherme do Amaral, Márcia Müller and Diego J. Santana. 2025. New species of Rupirana (Heyer, 1999) (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Serra do Assuruá, center-north of Bahia state, Brazil. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 74 (24121), 24121.1-16. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24121 (14 March 2025) 

 

[Botany • 2025] Alpinia spongioides (Zingiberaceae: Alpinieae) • A New Species from Dinagat Islands, Philippines

Alpinia spongioides Naive, Ruales, Beltran & Rozano, 

in Ruales, Beltran, Rozano, Jumawan et Naive, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04642

  facebook.com/JecoJedRuales

Abstract

Alpinia spongioides Naive, Ruales, Beltran & Rozano, is described here as a new species from Dinagat Islands, Philippines. The species belongs to Alpinia sect. Alpinia subsect. Presleia by having small flowers and quadrilobed labellum. It resembles Alpinia foxworthyi but differs by its puberulent ligule with ciliate margin, longer petiole, calyx, filament, as well as an ecristate anther. This paper provides a detailed description, colour plates, and information on its phenology, habitat and distribution, as well as a provisional conservation status assessment. The discovery of this species through recent botanical surveys in eastern Mindanao brings the total number of known Alpinia subsect. Presleia species in the Philippines to 15.

Keywords: Alpinia zerumbet clade, biodiversity, Caraga Region, subsect. Presleia, Southeastern Philippines

Jeco Jed J. Ruales, Darlo Novo M. Beltran, Ralph R. J. E. Rozano, Jess H. Jumawan and Mark Arcebal K. Naive. 2025. Alpinia spongioides (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Dinagat Islands, Philippines. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04642

  facebook.com/JecoJedRuales/posts/9273008416129284

[Botany • 2025] Petrocodon zhonglii (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from South China

Petrocodon zhonglii  X.Z. Shi, J.X. Fu & Li H. Yang, 

in Shi, Fu, Pan, Kang et Yang, 2025.

钟离石山苣苔  ||  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2060

Abstract

Petrocodon zhonglii, a new species of Gesneriaceae from the Danxia landform in Jiangxi, South China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to P. coriaceifolius and P. hancei, but differs from the latter two by its ventricose corolla tube and stipitate capsule. The new species can further be distinguished from P. coriaceifolius by its longer pedicel, and from P. hancei by its sparsely strigillose leaf blade with entire to slightly serrate margins and two conspicuous stigma lobes. In addition, the new species exhibits obvious phylogenetic distance, different phenology and ecological niche to its morphologically similar species. According to current information, the conservation status of the new species should be assessed as Data Deficient (DD) based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keyword: Flora of Danxia landform, Jiangxi, morphology, Petrocodon coriaceifolius, Petrocodon hancei, taxonomy

Petrocodon zhonglii sp. nov.
A. habit, B. adaxial top. and abaxial bottom (leaf blade surfaces insert showing indumentum), C. dissected calyx lobes, D. flower top view, E. flower side view, F. opened flower showing stamens and staminodes inserts showing filaments and dehiscent anthers., G. pistil with sepals removed, H. young fruit.

All photos by Xi-Zuo Shi.

Petrocodon zhonglii sp. nov.
A-B. habitat, C. habit, D. flowering cyme, E. flower in oblique front view.

Photos by Fu-Tao Zhuang (A) and Xi-Zuo Shi (B–E).

Petrocodon zhonglii X.Z. Shi, J.X. Fu & Li H. Yang, sp. nov. 钟离石山苣苔

Diagnosis: Petrocodon zhonglii differs from P. coriaceifolius and P. hancei by its ventricose corolla tube and stipitate capsule. In addition, it can be easily distinguished from P. coriaceifolius by its longer pedicel (12–25 mm vs. 3–5 mm), and from P. hancei by its sparsely strigillose leaf blade with entire to slightly serrate margin (vs. densely strigillose, obviously denticulate margin) and two conspicuous stigma lobes (vs. compressed and inconspicuous).

  

Xi-Zuo Shi, Jia-Xin Fu, Bo Pan, Ming Kang and Li-Hua Yang. 2025. Petrocodon zhonglii (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from South China. Taiwania. 70(2); 193-199. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.193 https://taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2060

[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Mesozoic Mammaliaforms illuminate the Origins of Pelage Coloration

in Li, D’Alba, Debruyn, Dobson, Zhou, ... Shawkey, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.ads9734 

Artwork by Chuang ZHAO

Abstract

Pelage coloration, which serves numerous functions, is crucial to the evolution of behavior, physiology, and habitat preferences of mammals. However, little is known about the coloration of Mesozoic mammaliaforms that coevolved with dinosaurs. In this study, we used a dataset of melanosome (melanin-containing organelle) morphology and quantitatively measured hair colors from 116 extant mammals to reliably reconstruct the coloration of six Mesozoic mammaliaforms, including a previously undescribed euharamiyidan. Unlike the highly diverse melanosomes discovered in feathered dinosaurs, hairs in six mammaliaforms of different lineages and diverse ecomorphotypes showed uniform melanosome geometry, corresponding to dark-brown coloration consistent with crypsis and nocturnality. Our results suggest that the melanosome variation and color expansion seen in extant mammals may have occurred during their rapid radiation and diversification after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction.

Ruoshuang Li, Liliana D’Alba, Gerben Debruyn, Jessica L. Dobson, Chang-Fu Zhou, ..., and Matthew D. Shawkey. 2025. Mesozoic Mammaliaforms illuminate the Origins of Pelage Coloration. Science. 387(6739); 1193-1198.  DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.ads9734 

https://www.cugb.edu.cn/jdxw/47835.jhtml 

Editor’s summary: In the past decade or so, the identification of melanosomes in some dinosaur feathers and skin has led to the suggestion that many bore bright and complex coloration. Less work has been done to explore the coloration of early mammals. Li et al. looked at melanosome patterns in multiple species of Mesozoic mammals and compared these with those seen in more than 100 species of extant mammals. There was little color variation, and the animals were entirely dark in color. The authors argue that this was likely due to the animals’ nocturnal nature, and that brighter and more varied colors in mammals may have arisen after the extinction of dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period. —Sacha Vignieri

  

[Botany • 2025] Vriesea serraourensis (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) • A New Species from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

Vriesea serraourensis  E.H. Souza & Leme, 

in E.H.D. Souza, Fernandez, Ferreira, Aona, F.V.D. Souza et Leme, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.691.2.7 

 facebook.com/EvertonHiloSOUZA

Abstract

We describe, discuss, and illustrate Vriesea serraourensis, a new species from the Chapada Diamantina in the municipality of Barra da Estiva and Ituaçu, Bahia, Brazil, here considered a critically endangered species. The new species is morphologically related to V. bahiana but clearly differs from it by its larger size, longer and fewer leaves, inflorescence branches forming an internal angle of 30o–45o with the main axis, sepals yellow and ovate, petals narrowly obovate, whitish-yellow towards the base and yellow at the apex, and basal petal appendages with acuminate or irregularly bidentate apex. Additionally, we provide the phenology of the new species.

Bromeliads, Flora of Bahia, Poales, Campo rupestre, Rocky ecosystems, Monocots

   

Vriesea serraourensis, sp. nov.

Everton Hilo De SOUZA, Eduardo P. FERNANDEZ, Glaucia C. FERREIRA, Lidyanne Y. S. AONA, Fernanda V. D. SOUZA and Elton M. C. LEME. 2025. Vriesea serraourensis (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae), A New Species from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil.  Phytotaxa. 691(2); 211-220. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.691.2.7 [2025-03-06]

 facebook.com/EvertonHiloSOUZA/posts/10222800447358513

ESPECIAL MEIO AMBIENTE BAHIA - Nova espécie de bromélia descoberta já é ameaçada de extinção

 https://cerradoruralagronegocios.com.br/Publicacao.aspx?id=575472

[Botany • 2025] Nepenthes maagnawense (Nepenthaceae) • A New Species of Pitcher Plant from Mt. Maagnaw, Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon, Central Mindanao, Philippines

Nepenthes maagnawense  

in Lagunday et Amoroso, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.693.1.6 

 facebook.com/LAGUNDAYNoel

 

Abstract

Nepenthes maagnawense sp. nov. (section Alatae), restricted in the shrublands at 2300–2700 m a.s.l. in Mt. Maagnaw (Range, Bukidnon, Philippines), is here described. It differs from N. kitanglad in having terete non-angular climbing stem (vs. angular), inconspicuous pennate veins (vs. distinct), aerial pitchers that are broadest in the upper 1/3rd (vs. broadest in the lower 1/3rd), and a triangular aerial pitcher lid central basal appendage (vs. absent). The species is assessed as Endangered according to IUCN criteria. The population size is estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals. Known only from the type locality and probably site endemic to Mt. Maagnaw, Kitanglad Range, Lantapan, Bukidnon, Central Mindanao, Philippines.

Nepenthes, new species, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Eudicots

Noel E. LAGUNDAY and Victor B. AMOROSO. 2025. Nepenthes maagnawense (Nepenthaceae), A New Species of Pitcher Plant from Mt. Maagnaw, Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon, Central Mindanao, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 693(1); 87-94. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.693.1.6 [2025-03-11]

  facebook.com/LAGUNDAYNoel/posts/657732226940804

[Crustacea • 2025] Paraclimenes frigo • A New Species of Paraclimenes (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from New Zealand Waters

Paraclimenes frigo 

De Grave & Forman, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5590.1.7 

 Researchgate.net/publication/389145891

 

Abstract

A new species of the palaemonid genus Paraclimenes is described from relatively deep water in New Zealand. The new species can easily be distinguished from the only other two known species in the genus by the non-spatulate chela of the first pereiopod, the size of the uropods and the produced distal telson margin.

Crustacea, New species, New Zealand, Palaemonidae

Paraclimenes frigo sp. nov. 

Sammy De GRAVE and Jeff FORMAN. 2025. A New Species of Paraclimenes from New Zealand Waters (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae).  Zootaxa. 5590(1); 124-132. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5590.1.7 [2025-02-20]

  Researchgate.net/publication/389145891_A_new_species_of_Paraclimenes_from_New_Zealand_waters

[Ichthyology • 2025] Ariosoma tamilicum • A New eel Species (Anguilliformes: Congridae) from the Indian Waters

 

Ariosoma tamilicum

Kodeeswaran, Acharya, Mohapatra & Ajith Kumar, 2025  

  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5604.1.7

Abstract

The identity of Ariosoma dolichopterum in Indian waters has revised. Ariosoma dolichopterum from India is an undescribed species and described herein as Ariosoma tamilicum sp. nov. based on morphology and molecular studies. Ariosoma tamilicum is morphologically closely related to Ariosoma emmae from the Taiwan waters but exhibits 13.4% genetic divergence in mitochondrial CO1 gene sequences. The formal description for the new species is provided and discussed.

Pisces, Congridae, molecular analysis, new species, taxonomy

 

Paramasivam KODEESWARAN, Smrutirekha ACHARYA, Anil MOHAPATRA and T. T. AJITH KUMAR. 2025. Ariosoma tamilicum (Anguilliformes: Congridae): A New eel Species from the Indian waters.  Zootaxa. 5604(1); 69-76. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5604.1.7 [2025-03-12]

[Paleontology • 2025] The Re-description of Liaoningotitan sinensis Zhou et al., 2018

Liaoningotitan sinensis Zhou, Wu, Sekiya & Dong, 2018

in Shan, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19154  

Abstract 

Liaoningotitan sinensis is one of three sauropod species found in the Jehol Biota. Liaoningotitan sinensis is from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Liaoning, China. The discovery of Liaoningotitan sinensis was an important breakthrough for researching the diversity of giant herbivorous animals in the Jehol Biota. However, the research and analysis of Liaoningotitan sinensis are not yet complete. This study presents a comprehensive research and analysis of Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype. First, the skull, vertebrae, pelvic girdle, and appendicular elements of Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype were carefully reexamined, leading to the discovery of mosaic evolution occurring in the skull and the identification of one new autapomorphy of humerus of Liaoningotitan sinensis: the attachment point of coracobrachialis muscle on the anterior surface of the proximal end of the humerus is flat. Second, the characteristics of the Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype and other well-preserved sauropod dinosaurs were used to reconstruct the skull of Liaoningotitan sinensis. Next, Euhelopus zdanskyi was used to reconstruct the body type of Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype, the result indicating that Liaoningotitan sinensis was approximately 10 m in length. Finally, TNT software was utilized to analyze the phylogenetic position of Liaoningotitan sinensis, with the result indicating that Liaoningotitan sinensis can be classified into the Euhelopodidae.

Skull of Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype PMOL-AD00112.

Preserved elements of Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype PMOL-AD00112. 

Edited from Euhelopus zdanskyi, a preserved complete Titanosauriform dinosaur. 

Painted by Gallipus (a net ID of helper https://www.deviantart.com/yty2000) Scale bar: 1 m.

Conclusion: 

The Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype is a partial skeleton from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, a formation famous for Jehol Biota. It displays some characteristics that suggest Liaoningotitan sinensis is a valid species that can be distinguished from other Titanosauriformes dinosaurs. This analysis classifies Liaoningotitan sinensis into Euhelopodidae, indicating that members of Euhelopodidae family inhabited this biota, which increases the known diversity of sauropod dinosaurs in the Jehol Biota. The research on the skull of Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype indicated that mosaic evolution is present in the Liaoningotitan, and it is in the transitional phase from early-diverging Titanosauriformes to late-diverging Titanosauriformes. The body type reconstruction of Liaoningotitan, which is referred to Euhelopus zdanskyi, shows that the Liaoningotitan sinensis holotype is more than 10 m long. Therefore, it is a medium-sized sauropod dinosaur. However, the unfused sacral vertebrae indicated the holotype is an immature specimen. In the end, we concluded the skull type of the Titanosauriformes. We got four types, indicating that the evolution of the Titanosauriformes may be more complex than we considered in the past.

Bingqing Shan​. 2025. The Re-description of Liaoningotitan sinensis Zhou et al., 2018. PeerJ. 13:e19154. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19154  

[Arachnida • 2024] Hamataliwa cordivulva, Tapponia auriola, T. rarobulbus, ... • Integrative Species Delimitation and Five New Species of Lynx Spiders (Araneae: Oxyopidae) in Taiwan

 

[A] Hamadruas hieroglyphica (Thorell, 1887);

[B], Hamataliwa cordivulva sp. nov. Lo, Cheng & Lin, 2024;

[C] Oxyopes macilentus L. Koch, 1878; [D] Peucetia latikae Tikader, 1970, 

in Lo, Cheng & Lin, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301776

Abstract

An accurate assessment of species diversity is a cornerstone of biology and conservation. The lynx spiders (Araneae: Oxyopidae) represent one of the most diverse and widespread cursorial spider groups, however their species richness in Asia is highly underestimated. In this study, we revised species diversity with extensive taxon sampling in Taiwan and explored species boundaries based on morphological traits and genetic data using a two-step approach of molecular species delimitation. Firstly, we employed a single COI dataset and applied two genetic distance-based methods: ABGD and ASAP, and two topology-based methods: GMYC and bPTP. Secondly, we further analyzed the lineages that were not consistently delimited, and incorporated H3 to the dataset for a coalescent-based analysis using BPP. A total of eight morphological species were recognized, including five new species, Hamataliwa cordivulva sp. nov., Hamat. leporauris sp. nov., Tapponia auriola sp. nov., T. parva sp. nov. and T. rarobulbus sp. nov., and three newly recorded species, Hamadruas hieroglyphica (Thorell, 1887), Hamat. foveata Tang & Li, 2012 and Peucetia latikae Tikader, 1970. All eight morphological species exhibited reciprocally monophyletic lineages. The results of molecular-based delimitation analyses suggested a variety of species hypotheses that did not fully correspond to the eight morphological species. We found that Hamat. cordivulva sp. nov. and Hamat. foveata showed shallow genetic differentiation in the COI, but they were unequivocally distinguishable according to their genitalia. In contrast, T. parva sp. nov. represented a deep divergent lineage, while differences of genitalia were not detected. This study highlights the need to comprehensively employ multiple evidence and methods to delineate species boundaries and the values of diagnostic morphological characters for taxonomic studies in lynx spiders.

 

Maternal egg-guarding behavior of oxyopids.
A, Hamadruas hieroglyphica, 2014 Oct. 28, Fuyang National Park, Taipei; B, Hamataliwa cordivulva sp. nov., 2014 Aug. 18, Taichung;
C, Oxyopes macilentus, 2014 Oct. 20, Qipan village, Yunlin; D, Peucetia latikae, 2018 Oct. 09, Dakeng, Taichung (photo by Sung-Yan Wei)

Hamataliwa cordivulva sp. nov., 

Hamataliwa leporauris sp. nov., 

Tapponia auriola sp. nov., 

T. parva sp. nov. 

T. rarobulbus sp. nov.

Ying-Yuan Lo, Ren-Chung Cheng and Chung-Ping Lin. 2024. Integrative Species Delimitation and Five New Species of Lynx Spiders (Araneae, Oxyopidae) in Taiwan. PLoS ONE. 19(5): e0301776. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301776 [May 9, 2024]

 

[Entomology • 2025] Pitambara acuminata & P. ruiliensis • Two New Species of the Planthopper Genus Pitambara Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Lophopidae) from Yunnan Province of China

  

 [A-B] Pitambara acuminata Lv & Chen, and 
 [C-D] P. ruiliensis Lv & Chen, 

in Lv, Yang, Zhang et Chen, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2025.102380 

Highlights

• Two new species of the Lophopid planthopper genus Pitambara Distant, 1906 are described and illustrated.

• An updated identification key and checklist to all known species of Pitambara Distant, 1906 are given.

• Geographic distributions of all known species of Pitambara Distant, 1906 are provided.

Abstract

Two new species of the lophopid planthopper genus Pitambara Distant, 1906 (Lophopidae, Lophopinae) from Southwest China, Yunnan Province are described and illustrated: P. acuminata Lv & Chen, sp. nov. and P. ruiliensis Lv & Chen, sp. nov.. An updated identification key and checklist to all known species of the genus Pitambara are given, as well as a map of their geographic distributions.

  

Keywords: Lophopinae, Morphology, Oriental region, Taxonomy

Pitambara acuminata Lv & Chen, sp. nov. 

 P. ruiliensis Lv & Chen, sp. nov.

 

Shasha Lv, Lin Yang, Yubo Zhang and Xiangsheng Chen. 2025. Two New Species of the Planthopper Genus Pitambara Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Lophopidae) from Yunnan Province of China. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 102380. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2025.102380 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Gobiodon spadix • A New Coral Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from southern Japan

 

Gobiodon spadix

Sato & Motomura, 2024

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00950-8 

Abstract

Gobiodon spadix sp. nov. is described on the basis of 37 specimens from Kyushu, and the Osumi and Tokara Islands, southern Japan. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays VI-I, 9–11 (modally 9); anal-fin rays I, 8 or 9 (8); pectoral-fin rays 19–21 (20); body depth at pelvic-fin origin 32.4–38.3% (mean 36.0%) of standard length; distance between first dorsal-fin origin to dorsal-most point of pectoral-fin base 50.4–64.8% (55.2%) of head length (HL); pectoral fin relatively long, its length 90.6–112.5% (100.8%) of HL; groove between isthmus and interopercle absent; body uniformly reddish-brown; coloration of all fins darker than that of body; and five narrow vertical bluish stripes on lateral surface of head. The new species is currently known from southern Japan, Papua New Guinea, and northeastern Australia.

Keywords: Taxonomy, Coral reefs, Gobiodon quinquestrigatus, Gobiodon bilineatus, Acropora 

Holotype of Gobiodon spadix sp. nov. (KAUM–I. 185291, 31.3 mm SL, Satsuma Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan).
a–c Fresh specimen; d living specimen with host coral (Acropora solitaryensis); e preserved specimen.

a, d, e Lateral, b dorsal, and c ventral views

Gobiodon spadix sp. nov.

(New English name: Akane Coral Goby; 

new standard Japanese name: Akane-kobanhaze)

Etymology. The specific name “spadix” is derived from Latin meaning “reddish-brown”, in reference to the ground coloration of the head and body.

Masayuki C. Sato and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2024. Gobiodon spadix, A New Coral Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from southern Japan.  Ichthyological Research. 71; 422–431. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00950-8