Taxonomy

New surveys on the Brazilian tropical coast revealed new occurrences of five species in Styelidae (Stolonia sabulosa, Amphicarpa paucigonas, Polyandrocarpa anguinea Polycarpa insulsa, Styela plicata) and one in Molgulidae (Molgula davidi). The species here described represent either the expansion of their geographic distribution in the country or new records for the country. Some of these species have disjunct or wide geographical distributions, and the possibility of their introduction as exotic fauna is discussed. We also present the first field pictures of Stolonia sabulosa and Amphicarpa paucigonas and a detailed description and figures for all species. Full article

We describe three new species: Canthon mezcalis Moctezuma, Sánchez-Huerta, and Halffter sp. nov. from the Valles Centrales region in Oaxaca, Mexico; Canthon hondurensis Moctezuma and Sánchez-Huerta sp. nov. from Honduras; and Canthon woodruffi Moctezuma and Sánchez-Huerta sp. nov. from Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Through the examination of external and genital morphology, Bayesian inference, and genetic distances based on the Kimura two-parameter model of nucleotide substitution, we confidently determined that the C. indigaceus species group is a monophyletic unit, which is integrated by a set of cryptic species. Full article

Athysanini is one of the largest tribes within Deltocephalinae, which is a vast cosmopolitan subfamily of leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with many genera known to occur in the Neotropical realm. Peruvian forests house up to 16 genera of Athysanini and, so far, are strongly restricted to this region. In this contribution, a new species of the leafhopper genus Andanus Linnavuori, 1959, Andanus acanthophallussp. nov., is described based on pinned museum specimens. Illustrations and a diagnosis for all species to segregate them in the genus are provided. A dichotomous key to all known species and distributional notes are also given. The new species can be easily separated from others by (1) overall color light orange to stramineous, (2) the pronotum lacking marks or transverse medial bands, (3) a row of very long fine setae on the outer lateral margin of the subgenital plate, (4) apophysis of style straight without lateral projection but minute tooth on inner side, and (5) an aedeagal apex bifid with a pair of processes directed anterad and posterad. The valid status and current position of Andanus based on similarities to other Neotropical genera is discussed. Full article

Mastogloia is a large, morphologically diverse genus of primarily benthic marine species defined by the presence of partecta (chambers) on the valvocopula (girdle band next to the valve). Several genera have been found with valves that resemble Mastogloia but lack the ring of partecta; the most diverse group is in freshwaters, especially Aneumastus, but there are two marine genera, both monotypic. A third such species has been found in Cuba and is described here as Paramastogloia cubana gen. nov., sp. nov. Paramastogloia cubana, Mastoneis biformis, and Mastogloiopsis biseriata each resemble the valve structure of some species of Mastogloia but do not resemble one another. Paramastogloia is indistinguishable in light microscopy (LM) from naviculoid diatoms and had been identified as Navicula cf. sovereigniae. The resemblance of P. cubana to Mastogloia is in the areolae, particularly to those of M. umbra, M. dicephala, and M. mammosa, three species not likely to be in one monophyletic group. Mastoneis has been observed in LM from widespread warm-water localities and resembles some Mastogloia in having costae extending partway across the virgae (interstriae); new ultrastructural details are presented showing the girdle bands and absence of partecta, and a clearer genus diagnosis is proposed. The third genus, Mastogloiopsis, was established with ultrastructure and resembles species of Mastogloia sec. Marginulatae. The range of areolar characters that might be admissible to Paramastogloia is unknown, so the generic diagnosis has been left imprecise to allow for the possibility of other species. The relationships among these genera await genetic studies, which are still scarce in Mastogloiaceae. Full article

The taxonomic positions of species in the genus Setina are poorly known and not well established, with ongoing uncertainties in their classification. In this work, the distribution of Setina irrorella pseudoirrorella Freina and Witt, 1985, and Setina cantabrica Freina and Witt, 1985, in Spain and Portugal is updated, expanding their distribution area based on revised bibliographic data and information provided by researchers and public or private collections. The taxonomic status of the binomial flavicans–irrorella and cantabrica–roscida are discussed, and their specific validity is analysed, comparing the differences observed between these taxa, which are studied on the basis of external morphological characteristics, genitalia, and molecular genetics. An updated distribution map is presented. The authors conclude that S. cantabrica and S. i. pseudoirrorella are the only two species of the genus Setina present in the Iberian Peninsula. Full article

Cnidarian jellyfish (Medusozoa) comprise approximately 3800 known species which play important roles for marine ecosystem. This study aimed to understand the diversity of cnidarian jellyfish and symbiosis among marine organisms. The taxonomy of the family Zancleidae (Hydrozoa, Anthoathecata) has been problematic because of the limited differences in morphological characteristics between species. This family comprises approximately 40 species belonging to four genera: Apatizanclea, Halocoryne, Zanclea, and Zanclella. In this study, we describe a new species of hydromedusa belonging to the family Zancleidae found in Japanese waters. Zanclea innocens sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Zanclea species by the presence of nematocyst clusters on the exumbrella, slightly thickened apical projection, four narrow exumbrellar nematocyst pouches on ridges often reaching the umbrella apex, four marginal bulbs, and two tentacles. Additionally, Zanclea medusopolypata was recorded for the first time in Japanese waters. This paper provides taxonomic keys for the identification of species in the genus Zanclea. Full article

Four new dung beetle species of the genus Onthophagus Latreille from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Bénin, and Cameroon are described, and a fragment of their COI gene is sequenced. The coprophagous Onthophagus (Trichonthophagus) sylviae sp. nov. from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso is most similar to Onthophagus pallidus d’Orbigny from Cameroon, but it is more elongated, more silky than shiny, and has no dark spot on the third elytral interstria. Onthophagus odikpatra sp. nov. (18th group of d’Orbigny) from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon feeds on carrion, including dead millipedes and fish, and dung. It is most similar to Onthophagus baloghi Balthasar from Central Africa but has simple punctures on the sides of the pronotum. Onthophagus chinonophilus sp. nov. from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, which feeds on freshly dead millipedes and is attracted by their quinonous defensive secretions; it also belongs to the 18th group in d’Orbigny’s classification. Small and medium individuals resemble small Onthophagus latigibber d’Orbigny but differ in shape and sculpture of the pronotum. Small individuals are also similar to Onthophagus tschadensis Balthasar (19th group) but differ in the shape of the aedeagus. The generalist feeder Onthophagus (Tiaronthophagus) necneavius sp. nov. (24th group) from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Bénin is most similar to Onthophagus naevius from Zambia, DR Congo, and Tanzania, but it is smaller, shiny all over; the sides of pronotum behind anterior angles are almost straight, not distinctly emarginate, and the frons is densely covered with fine punctures. COI barcode sequences were provided for all four new species, but the poor sampling of Onthophagus in GenBank prevents meaningful analysis of species relationships on the basis of COI barcodes at this point. Full article

In this study, we provide a comprehensive description of a newly identified eutardigrade species, Mesobiotus longiconicus sp. nov., based on an integrative approach combining morphological and genetic data. The species was discovered at Lajuma Research Centre, Republic of South Africa, and is classified within the harmsworthi group. It can be differentiated from its closest relatives—Meb. barabanovi, Meb. ethiopicus, Meb. harmsworthi, Meb. reinhardti, and Meb. skorackii—by distinct morphological and morphometric characteristics of the bucco-pharyngeal apparatus, claws, and eggs. These morphological differences are further validated by genetic analyses using four molecular markers: 28S rRNA, 18S rRNA, COI, and ITS2. Additionally, two other tardigrade species were identified in the same locality, including Minibiotus pentannulatus, which is now recorded for the second time outside its type locality. With this discovery, the total number of tardigrade taxa reported from South Africa reaches 101, including Meb. longiconicus sp. nov. Full article

The Neotropical genus Nudopeza (Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae) is described for a group of 41 species, including Nudopeza tapanti sp. nov. (type species) and Nudopeza pronigra (Hennig) n. comb. for Grallipeza pronigra Hennig 1934, Nudopeza arcuata (Hennig) n. comb. for Grallipeza arcuata Hennig 1934, and the following 38 additional new species: N. cegex sp. nov, N. cura sp. nov, N. duplitheca sp. nov, N. gilli sp. nov., N. glypha sp. nov., N. gracei sp. nov., N. hansoni sp. nov., N. horologia sp. nov., N. laselva sp. nov., N. mephitis sp. nov., N. mexicana sp. nov., N. micromephitis sp. nov., N. nigrivertex sp. nov., N. nigriscutellum sp. nov., N. nudarcuata sp. nov., N. penai sp. nov., N. palenque sp. nov., N. paramephitis sp. nov., N. peruviensis sp. nov., N. quadrivitta sp. nov., N. ruficincta sp. nov., N. rutilans sp. nov, N. sirena sp. nov., N. sumaco sp. nov., N. trinidadensis sp. nov., N. uniseta sp. nov., N. variterga sp. nov., N. venezuelensis sp. nov., N. verpa sp. nov., N. versivitta sp. nov., N. viriola sp. nov., N. viva sp. nov., N. yungasensis sp. nov., N. zarza sp. nov., N. zostera sp. nov., N. zumera sp. nov., N. zygoma sp. nov., and N. zytha sp. nov. Full article

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. Full article

In this study on diatoms, which are unicellular microalgae with a siliceous cell wall, images obtained by electron microscopy were used to compare three taxa from East Asia that were referred as Cyclotella hubeiana, Discostella guiyangensis and “Cyclotella fottii” in the original studies. Morphometrical and morphological analyses indicate that these three taxa are conspecific. The distinctive morphological features of this species are the following: one rimoportula located on the valve mantle within the ring of marginal fultoportulae, marginal fultoportulae situated on costae with internally two satellite pores positioned circumferentially (laterally) and externally long tubular opening, biseriate striae and branching costae. A comparison of these morphological features with those of Discostella and Cyclotella species and a re-assessment of the existing molecular data suggest that this species could be separated from both these genera. On this basis, we describe the new genus Discocyclus gen. nov. with Discocyclus hubeianus comb. nov. as the type species. Full article

The freshwater cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis raciborskii is an invasive species that was originally described as tropical and is now widely distributed in temperate regions. The current taxonomic position was established based on a multilevel approach with the morphological description of natural populations as well as their ultrastructural, physiological and molecular characterization. The practical problem in identifying this species is that the morphology of the trichome in the natural environment can vary considerably during population growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological variability of R. raciborskii during its blooming in a temperate floodplain lake on the Middle Danube (Europe). In both cases, only straight trichomes were found. Young trichomes with one or two acuminate ends and without heterocytes, referred to as primary filaments, can be exclusively monodominant at the beginning of bloom formation and remain dominant throughout the year, leading to taxonomic confusion. In mature populations, the different morphological forms of secondary filaments may differ in the size of the filaments and in the number and size of akinetes and heterocytes formed in the trichomes. The correct taxonomic identification and early detection of R. raciborskii in natural freshwaters is extremely important for the successful control of the spread of this potentially toxic species. Full article

In this paper, Sedum yongkangense is described as a new species based on morphological and molecular analyses, and its taxonomic relationships are discussed. Morphological analysis indicates S. yongkangense should be classified in the genus Sedum L. sect. Sedum and is distinct from the related species S. ryukyuense, S. mukojimense and S. boninense in having the morphology of a biennial life form; spreading cymes with numerous flowers; unequal, linear, terete sepals; horizontally spreading follicles; and an inland habitat. Molecular analysis of sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) also demonstrates that S. yongkangense has a highest similarity of only 87.21% with any known species. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that S. yongkangense should be closely related to S. bulbiferum, but the latter differs in having the morphology of a perennial life form; a congested fertile stem; axillary bulbils of leaves; a spatulate-oblanceolate and flat leaf blade; lanceolate to oblanceolate and flat sepals; and deep yellow anthers and spreading follicles. Full article

The authors have completed the study of the genera Cervellaea Borovec & Meregalli, 2021, and Namaquania Borovec & Meregalli, 2021, two of the seven genera of the tribe Namaini Meregalli & Borovec, 2021. The type species of the two genera are re-described, to match their descriptions with that of the other species, and eight new species are described: Cervellaea acutifrons sp. n. (type locality: Western Cape, Cederberg Mts.); C. griseoscapa sp. n. (type locality: Northern Cape, near Botterkloof Pass); C. oberprieleri sp. n. (type locality: Northern Cape, SE of Nieuwoudtville); C. prima sp. n. (type locality: Western Cape, SW of Vanrhynsdorp); C. troetroe sp. n. (type locality: Western Cape, Vanrhynsdorp); Namaquania basteriana sp. n. (type locality: Northern Cape, W of Eksteenfontein); N. inopinata sp. n. (type locality: Northern Cape, N of Port Nolloth); and N. rotundiseta sp. n. (type locality: Northern Cape, Ploeberg Mt.). A key to the species of the genera Cervellaea and Namaquania is given. Full article

A new species of Solenopsis (Campanulaceae), S. gutermannii is described and illustrated. It is endemic to Kefalonia island, Greece, where it is very rare and localized in flat clay surfaces that are periodically submerged. This species is a very small annual hygrophyte, characterized by rosulate leaves or with slightly caulescent stems, long-pedunculated flowers, bilabiate corolla, and papillate near the throat. It exhibits close affinities primarily with S. minuta, with which it was previously identified, and additionally with S. antiphonitis, due to similarities in habit and certain flower traits. Nevertheless, several relevant morphological features serve to distinguish it from these species. Its morphology, seed coat and pollen SEM micro-sculpturing, ecology, phenology, distribution, conservation status, and taxonomic relationships are also examined. Full article

Based on several sources of evidence from morphology, the micromorphology of the abaxial leaf epidermis, and a phylogenetic analysis using complete chloroplast genome data, a new combination and two new synonyms are reported in the genus Indocalamus Nakai. Indocalamus cordatus T. H. Wen et Y. Zou is synonymized with I. tessellatus (Munro) P. C. Keng, and I. chebalingensis W. T. Lin is synonymized with I. multinerus (W. T. Lin et Z. M. Wu) W. T. Lin. As a new combination, I. mollis (H. R. Zhao et Y. L. Yang) L. Q. Gao, W. G. Zhang et G. Y. Yang was created and is supplementally described. In addition, the lectotype of I. multinerus is designated herein. Full article

The Canthon indigaceus species group represents a Typical Neotropical distributional pattern with wide penetration into the Mexican Transition Zone. This group consists of three species: C. (C.) indigaceus LeConte; C. (C.) chiapas Robinson; and C. (C.) chevrolati Harold. In this study, a new species for the group is described, C. (C.) cuixmala, collected along the tropical region of the Pacific coast and the Balsas River basin. The taxonomic status of members of the group were evaluated by comparing morphological characteristics and their biogeographic distributions. An updated dichotomous key is provided to separate members of this species group. Full article

Within the Rubiaceae family, the genus Randia comprises approximately 90 species, with significant morphological diversity in growth forms, leaf shapes, and floral sexuality. In particular, Randia aculeata is a taxonomically challenging species distributed from the southern United States to South America and the Antilles that exhibits high morphological variability and ecological adaptability. One of its synonyms is Randia tomatillo, originally described from coastal dunes in Veracruz, Mexico, and it has been inconsistently described in the taxonomic literature either as a distinct species or as a synonym for R. aculeata. This study aimed to resolve the taxonomic identity of R. tomatillo through morphological observations from herbarium specimens, and transverse sections from mature leaves were observed using SEM microscopy to explore crystal types. Morphological traits, such as lifeform, twig pubescence, stipule persistence, fruit size, and pericarp texture, are critical in distinguishing R. tomatillo from morphologically related species, such as R. aculeata and Randia thurberi. Anatomical features, particularly the presence of prisms in the leaf mesophyll and epidermis, are unique to R. tomatillo, suggesting their diagnostic value. Ecological adaptations, such as scandent growth and spongy pericarps for hydrochorous fruit dispersal, further support its distinction as a species adapted to coastal environments. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive taxonomic reassessment of Randia, integrating morphological, anatomical, and ecological evidence. Full article

Freshwater oligochaetes, belonging to the class Oligochaeta, are vital components of aquatic ecosystems globally, contributing significantly to nutrient cycling, sediment dynamics, and overall ecosystem function. Despite their ecological importance, freshwater oligochaetes in Korea remain relatively understudied compared to other aquatic organisms. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the diversity and ecological roles of freshwater oligochaetes in Korean aquatic ecosystems. We identified nine species across six genera and two subfamilies from samples collected from various freshwater environments in Korea. This research contributes valuable taxonomic knowledge and highlights the ecological significance of freshwater oligochaetes in Korean aquatic ecosystems. Full article