Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is often underdocumented at the species level in routine monitoring and regulatory assessments, where vegetation is commonly recorded without species-level identification. Here, we present a summary of existing records and field collections made in the Pennsylvania portion of Monongahela River system. Our findings suggest that the dominant SAV in this river is hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle], one of the most aggressive invasive macrophytes in North America. Further, our recent collections indicate the presence of other invasives: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) and curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.). Native species such as coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) and vallisneria (Vallisneria americana Michx.) were present but not prominent in sampled locations. The documentation of H. verticillata and other non-native invasive SAV species suggests that the Monongahela River is now hosting an invasive epidemic, one that may have widespread ecological implications.

This issue of New Mineral Names provides a summary of the newly described minerals from 2024 and selected information for recent descriptions from September 2024 to January 2025. New mineral name trends and observations are presented with an objective examination of new species and their broader implications. All minerals presented have been approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (IMA-CNMNC).

Ianthinite ([U24+(UO2)4O6(OH)4(H2O)4]·5H2O) is an exotic mineral that possesses U in both tetravalent and hexavalent xidation states and is structurally related to the U3O8 polymorphs, which are commonly encountered echnogenic materials in the nuclear fuel cycle. Despite the similarities between U3O8 and ianthinite, and he importance of ianthinite in U paragenesis, no Raman spectra have been reported for this mineral. To gain a more complete understanding of how structural attributes of ianthinite give rise to observable spectroscopic features and how these may relate to important materials in the nuclear fuel cycle, we provide for the first time, Raman spectra of ianthinite. Ianthinite readily oxidizes in ambient conditions, complicating analysis of phase-pure material. Several analytical methods are employed herein to decouple the Raman features of ianthinite from its alteration product(s). First, a simple difference spectrum is presented, then results of Raman spectroscopic mapping are employed, finally, we use a novel processing and analysis method. Each analysis method provides different insight into structural features that are unique to ianthinite, in particular, features that are attributable to U(IV) in distorted octahedral coordination in both ianthinite and U3O8 phases.

Abstract This edition of New Mineral Names provides selected information for the newly approved minerals, nomenclature, and classification changes from the period February to July 2026, as well as brief summaries of some new mineral species published from February through August 2026. All minerals presented have been approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (IMA-CNMNC).

A resurvey of Phyllophaga Harris in Ames, Iowa, USA was compared with historical collections from 1992-1994 to assess long-term changes in species composition. Ten species were recorded in 2025 versus 13 in 1992-1994. Only six (Knoch), Phyllophaga iniplicita (Horn), and Phyllophaga spreta (Horn), were shared across both survey periods. Turnover was driven largely by low-abundance species, but included a meaningful compositional shift involving a moderately abundant taxon. Phyllophaga forbesi Glasgow is recorded as a new state record. Two morphological anomalies were observed: a specimen of P. crenulata with a bifurcated protibia bearing two complete tarsi, and a male lacking genitalia.