Antipathidae Ehrenberg, 1834 is the largest family within the order Antipatharia (commonly known as black corals), and includes corals distributed worldwide from shallow to deep waters. With over 124 nominal species, Antipathidae comprises taxa with diverse morphologies, whose taxonomic boundaries, diversity, and distribution remain poorly resolved due to morphological convergence, limited sampling, and discordance between genetic and morphological evidence. Here, we integrated phylogenomic analyses from target-capture of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and exon loci with detailed morphological analyses for a total of 107 black coral specimens, including 70 collected from the Red Sea between 3 and 623 m water depth, 18 from the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans between 3 and 26 m water depth, and 19 specimens from museum collections, five of which representing type material. Moreover, previously published UCE data from 77 specimens was included in the analysis. Our results supported the resurrection of the family Stichopathidae Roule, 1905 to accommodate the genera Cirrhipathes de Blainville, 1830 and Stichopathes Brook, 1889, formerly assigned to Antipathidae. We described three new genera, Multilobopathes gen. nov., Papillopathes gen. nov., and Opreskopathes gen. nov., to accommodate species previously assigned to Antipathes Pallas, 1766, including newly discovered taxa from the Red Sea. Antipathes lentipinna is reassigned to Multilobopathes lentipinna (Brook, 1889) comb. nov., Antipathes grandis to Papillopathes grandis (Verrill, 1928) comb. nov., Antipathes caribbeana, Antipathes umbratica, and Antipathes rubusiformis are reassigned to Opreskopathes caribbeana (Opresko, 1996), Opreskopathes umbratica (Opresko, 1996), and Opreskopathes rubusiformis (Warner & Opresko, 2004) comb. nov., respectively. Finally, four new species, Multilobopathes ornatus sp. nov., Multilobopathes intricatus sp. nov., Multilobopathes densispinosus sp. nov., and Stichopathes arenicola sp. nov., are described from the Red Sea. Our results provide the first step towards a comprehensive revision of the diversity and distribution of the order Antipatharia.
Artoria Thorell, 1877 is revised for the Northern Territory and Queensland. Three species are recorded from the Northern Territory: A. parvula Thorell, 1877 (♂♀, type species), A. superelliptica sp. nov. (♀) and A. vectis sp. nov. (♂♀). Twenty-seven species (including 18 new ones) are recorded from Queensland: A. albopilata (Urquhart, 1893) (♂♀), A. berenice (L. Koch, 1877) (♂♀), A. bicornuta sp. nov. (♂), A. catinata sp. nov. (♂♀), A. coclearia sp. nov. (♂♀), A. cunicularia sp. nov. (♂♀), A. geniculata sp. nov. (♂♀), A. globula sp. nov. (♂♀), A. grahammilledgei Framenau & Baehr, 2018 (♂♀), A. halterata sp. nov. (♀), A. hamifera sp. nov. (♂♀), A. laciniata sp. nov. (♀), A. lineata (L. Koch, 1877) (♂♀), A. lingulata sp. nov. (♂♀), A. mckayi Framenau, 2002 (♂♀), A. nasuta sp. nov. (♂), A. orcina sp. nov. (♂♀), A. proboscidea sp. nov. (♂♀), A. quadrata Framenau, 2002 (♂♀), A. reniformis sp. nov. (♀), A. scapulata sp. nov. (♀), A. semicircularis sp. nov. (♂), A. terania Framenau & Baehr, 2018 (♂♀), A. triangularis Framenau, 2002 (♂♀), A. velata sp. nov. (♂), A. victoriensis Framenau, Gotch & Austin, 2006 (♂♀) and A. werrikimbe sp. nov. (♂♀). This study also added 13 new species of Artoria to New South Wales, seven of these species endemic to the state—A. abscondita sp. nov. (♀), A. ancorata sp. nov. (♀), A. cucurbita sp. nov. (♀), A. limitata sp. nov. (♀), A. longinqua sp. nov. (♀), A. serpentidens sp. nov. (♂♀), and A. tenuis sp. nov. (♀), and one also occurring in the Australian Capital Territory—A. pedroi sp. nov. (♂♀). Summing up, 39 species are taxonomically treated in this paper, including 28 new ones. In addition, we propose the beaury and lingulata species-groups, and redefine the lineata species-group based on male and female genital characters.
The present contribution provides a consensus classification of the arachnid Order Scorpiones C.L. Koch, 1850, and updates the counts of extant and extinct genera and species through the end of 2025. Including the revisions implemented herein, there are 459 genus-group names available in Scorpiones by the end of 2025. Of these, 318 refer to currently accepted extant genera (220), subfossil genera (1) and extinct genera (97). Fifty-four genus-group names are newly synonymized, raising to 145 the number in synonymy, whereas sixteen genus-group names are revalidated and/or newly elevated to the rank of genus. Including the revisions implemented herein, Scorpiones includes 3,089 currently accepted species-group names (2,918 extant species, 1 subfossil species, and 170 extinct species) and 22 nomina dubia. Forty-seven species-group names are newly synonymized, whereas 43 species-group names are revalidated and/or newly elevated to the rank of species. 197 (62%) of the currently accepted genus-group names were described since 1950. Despite this descriptive activity, the suprageneric phylogeny and classification of Recent scorpions remains in a state of flux and largely decoupled from the phylogeny and classification of fossil forms.
Based on existing collections and new field collections, 339 new species and 18 new genera of Pselaphinae are described from Ecuador. The majority of these taxa originate from cloud forest sites in Pichincha, Tungurahua, Carchi, Cotopaxi, and Napo Provinces. A smaller proportion are from coastal forests (Guayas, Manabí, Santa Elena, and Esmeraldas Provinces), as well as Amazonian lowlands (Sucumbíos, Orellana, Pastaza, and Napo Provinces) and Páramo sites at high elevations (Carchí, Pichincha, Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cañar, and Azuay Provinces). Most species are known from single sites, with only a small number spanning multiple sites, suggesting a highly diverse fauna characterized by high local endemicity. The following 339 species are described as spp. nov.: Batrisini: 41 species of Arthmius LeConte (A. orientalis, A. cruciatus, A. rikchak, A. imitator, A. recaldeorum, A. menguali, A. calcaratus, A. awki, A. festivus, A. galeatus, A. penicillus, A. politus, A. smithae, A. atillo, A. igneus, A. aculeus, A. turgidus, A. canandensis, A. villamarini, A. mindoensis, A. tungurahua, A. pachamama, A. francoi, A. minor, A. dolens, A. condor, A. montanus, A. papyrus, A. cuyabeno, A. orbis, A. aries, A. anzus, A. sumak, A. pazminoi, A. rex, A. intricatus, A. insectus, A. tigrillo, A. discors, A. cervoides, A. amazonus), Iteticus oculatus, two species of Oxarthrius Reitter (O. formicatus, O. tiputinus), five species of Syrbatus Reitter (S. cununero, S. chelatus, S. spicatus, S. triceratops, S. yarinae), Syrmocerus swingi; Clavigerini: four species of Fustiger LeConte (F. bucina, F. canistrum, F. chuku, F. tullu); Bythinoplectini: ten species of Besucheteidos Comellini (B. alternans, B. sofiae, B. ecominga, B. egens, B. perpolita, B. kapya, B. otonga, B. shina, B. simbanai, B. dilatata), five species of Hendecameros Comellini (H. cabezon, H. ceiba, H. grandis, H. tenuis, H. tumes); Dimerini: seven species of Barroeuplectoides Park (B. cujigualpai, B. donaritae, B. dracula, B. micros, B. obliquus, B. pululahuae, B. pyramicus), two species of Tuberoplectus Park (T. conjugator, T. licens); Euplectini: Euplectamecia suffusa; Jubini: six species of Arctophysis (A. lanigera, A. marginata, A. nebulosa, A. orellanae, A. rara, A. sumaco), three species of Barrojuba Park (B. penicillata, B. solea, B. tetricum), three species of Endytocera Sharp (E. conjectrix, E. rostrata, E. serrata), 72 species of Jubus Schaufuss (J. placero, J. basantesi, J. pichinchae, J. fuscus, J. mashi, J. pinzai, J. intrepidus, J. paku, J. indiscretus, J. pusillus, J. cribratus, J. digitatus, J. tishechkini, J. dentiventer, J. acuminatus, J. pseudacuminatus, J. telus, J. katsu, J. perplexus, J. effertus, J. pectineus, J. effeminatus, J. gyrus, J. excavatus, J. diazi, J. mutabilis, J. cavus, J. piscator, J. stipulatus, J. reptans, J. tetrad, J. clavus, J. vortex, J. cochleatus, J. arquus, J. sextus, J. parallelus, J. kiru, J. triticius, J. humboldti, J. monilicornis, J. triangularis, J. marissae, J. amplexus, J. sulcatus, J. culebrillas, J. cusicayo, J. ataorupagui, J. chongon, J. depressus, J. lunaris, J. limaorum, J. pendulus, J. tibiodentatus, J. spiralis, J. iactus, J. fraternus, J. denticulatus, J. risus, J. vulgus, J. pradoi, J. specus, J. kutsi, J. ruku, J. superbus, J. sebagoides, J. lyriformis, J. compactus, J. vipereus, J. cinctus, J. tamizado, J. tumidus), four species of Phamisus Aubé (P. angelicus, P. beatus, P. cataracta, P. hatunpaku), 19 species of Sebaga Raffray (S. colunca, S. sapan, S. nocturna, S. agilis, S. bifoveata, S. scurra, S. calcis, S. ampla, S. prodigiosa, S. pulga, S. alpina, S. cirrata, S. simia, S. karu, S. rumipamba, S. laxa, S. ukupacha, S. diffusa, S. renata); Metopiasini: Rhinoscepsis diabolicus; Trichonychini: Biblomelba umbracula, five species of Chakanamecia gen. nov. (C. daga [the type species], C. micra, C. mora, C. panoptes, C. pichan), Thesiastes stellata, three species of Thesium Casey (T. apicale, T. crenulatum, T. magnaclavus), three species of Verabarolus Park (V. obcasus, V. puyu, V. scabrifrons), Cupiloides joniceus gen. and sp. nov., two species of Dalmosanus Park (D. carinatus, D. myops), Melba tabugae, three species of Pachamelba gen. nov. (P. otongachi, P. subtilis, P. yanayacu [type species]), Trimiopsis peragena, Meandrophilus petrus gen. and sp. nov., Placamecia virgenensis gen. and sp. nov.; Trogastrini: three species of Rhexius LeConte (R. acutigens, R. collaris, R. micros), nine species of Eurhexius Sharp (E. profundus, E. pilosus, E. cavipygus, E. dentipes, E. mirapygus, E. sol, E. excavatus, E. unguifer, E. napoensis), five species of Kapyatrog gen. nov. (K. chevere [type species], K. hirsutus, K. mayu, K. pichi, K. saladero), five species of Rhexinia LeConte (R. laloloori, R. seca, R. purun, R. asperata, R. spinipes), six species of Xerhius Raffray (X. blanco, X. confundens, X. crucifer, X. flordelis, X. multidentatus, X. undulatus), two species of Allparhexius gen. nov. (A. barbatus [type species], A. cuspidatus), two species of Mukirhexius gen. nov. (M. furtivus, M. microps [type species]), seven species of Tinkuna gen. nov. (T. andina, T. borea, T. geniculata, T. gracilis [type species], T. inquisitor, T. jarrini, T. josti); Euplectitae, incertae sedis: Formivagus bullatus gen. and sp. nov., Kunkashka sumaco gen. and sp. nov.; Brachyglutini: 19 species of Euphalepsus Reitter (E. arguelloi, E. globosus, E. tactus, E. disobediens, E. foedus, E. gemellus, E. inclani, E. lopezi, E. obediens, E. sinchi, E. supercilius, E. syrbatoides, E. tuberculigens, E. vibrissus, E. abrazero, E. bidens, E. gigas, E. illuminatus, E. yunkaruna), four species of Nanocephalus gen. nov. (N. chinchin [type species], N. macrops, N. tenuis, N. timens), 15 species of Globa Raffray (G. angulipes, G. armada, G. ascia, G. dientita, G. falx, G. herniata, G. inflexa, G. mola, G. nauta, G. orbifer, G. pantex, G. pernix, G. pustulifer, G. vex, G. wira), two species of Muyu gen. nov. (M. huambulae [type species], M. merae), three species of Pelota gen. nov. (P. astada [type species], P. monocera, P. riparia), five species of Reichenbachia Jeannel (R. anka, R. anxia, R. cosangae, R. garciae, R. atricornis), two species of Scalenarthrus LeConte (S. calix, S. umina), Decarthron varita, three species of Eupsenius LeConte (E. crassus, E. deflexus, E. quil), Eupsenina guayasensis, five species of Tumbaga gen. nov. (T. chiruisla, T. esmeralda, T. guandera, T. montana [type species], T. ukumari); Iniocyphini: Batriphysis constrictus, Batrisobryaxis bipox, Dalmoburis amator, Dalmonexus bellator, two species of Trimicerus Motschulsky (T. fenestratus, T. horarius); Proterini: three species of Harmomima Raffray (H. glabra, H. prominens, H. sulcata), two species of Nunkui gen. nov. (N. lineata [type species], N. parallela); Goniaceritae, incertae sedis: four species of Ayapuna gen. nov. (A. advector, A. goaltalensis, A. sculptilis, A. tunda [type species]), two species of Zhapra gen. nov. (Z. candelaria, Z. maldonadae [type species]); Tyrini: Cercoceropsis pacifica, Circocerus kuru, six species of Hamotus Aubé (H. asymmetricus, H. auritus, H. cactus, H. horrens, H. obliquus, H. manabensis), and three species of Ephimia Reitter (E. arcifer, E. confusa, E. hanak). Basándonos en colecciones existentes y nuevas recolectas de campo, se describen 339 nuevas especies y 18 nuevos géneros de Pselaphinae de Ecuador. La mayoría de estos taxones provienen de bosques nubosos en las provincias de Pichincha, Tungurahua, Carchi, Cotopaxi y Napo. Una menor proporción proviene de bosques costeros (provincias de Guayas, Manabí, Santa Elena y Esmeraldas), así como de las tierras bajas amazónicas (provincias de Sucumbíos, Orellana, Pastaza y Napo) y de páramos de alta montaña (provincias de Carchi, Pichincha, Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cañar y Azuay). La mayoría de las especies se conocen de un solo sitio, y solo un pequeño número se encuentra en múltiples sitios, lo que sugiere una fauna altamente diversa caracterizada por una alta endemicidad local. Las siguientes 339 especies se describen como spp. nov.: Batrisini: 41 especies de Arthmius LeConte (A. orientalis, A. cruciatus, A. rikchak, A. imitator, A. recaldeorum, A. menguali, A. calcaratus, A. awki, A. festivus, A. galeatus, A. penicillus, A. politus, A. smithae, A. atillo, A. igneus, A. aculeus, A. turgidus, A. canandensis, A. villamarini, A. mindoensis, A. tungurahua, A. pachamama, A. francoi, A. minor, A. dolens, A. condor, A. montanus, A. papyrus, A. cuyabeno, A. orbis, A. aries, A. anzus, A. sumak, A. pazminoi, A. rex, A. intricatus, A. insectus, A. tigrillo, A. discors, A. cervoides, A. amazonus), Iteticus oculatus, dos especies de Oxarthrius Reitter (O. formicatus, O. tiputinus), cinco especies de Syrbatus Reitter (S. cununero, S. chelatus, S. spicatus, S. triceratops, S. yarinae), Syrmocerus swingi; Clavigerini: cuatro especies de Fustiger LeConte (F. bucina, F. canistrum, F. chuku, F. tullu); Bythinoplectini: diez especies de Besucheteidos Comellini (B. alternans, B. sofiae, B. ecominga, B. egens, B. perpolita, B. kapya, B. otonga, B. shina, B. simbanai, B. dilatata), cinco especies de Hendecameros Comellini (H. cabezon, H. ceiba, H. grandis, H. tenuis, H. tumes); Dimerini: siete especies de Barroeuplectoides Park (B. cujigualpai, B. donaritae, B. dracula, B. micros, B. obliquus, B. pululahuae, B. pyramicus), dos especies de Tuberoplectus Park (T. conjugator, T. licens); Euplectini: Euplectamecia suffusa; Jubini: seis especies de Arctophysis (A. lanigera, A. marginata, A. nebulosa, A. orellanae, A. rara, A. sumaco), tres especies de Barrojuba Park (B. penicillata, B. solea, B. tetricum), tres especies de Endytocera Sharp (E. conjectrix, E. rostrata, E. serrata), 72 especies de Jubus Schaufuss (J. placero, J. basantesi, J. pichinchae, J. fuscus, J. mashi, J. pinzai, J. intrepidus, J. paku, J. indiscretus, J. pusillus, J. cribratus, J. digitatus, J. tishechkini, J. dentiventer, J. acuminatus, J. pseudacuminatus, J. telus, J. katsu, J. perplexus, J. effertus, J. pectineus, J. effeminatus, J. gyrus, J. excavatus, J. diazi, J. mutabilis, J. cavus, J. piscator, J. stipulatus, J. reptans, J. tetrad, J. clavus, J. vortex, J. cochleatus, J. arquus, J. sextus, J. parallelus, J. kiru, J. triticius, J. humboldti, J. monilicornis, J. triangularis, J. marissae, J. amplexus, J. sulcatus, J. culebrillas, J. cusicayo, J. ataorupagui, J. chongon, J. depressus, J. lunaris, J. limaorum, J. pendulus, J. tibiodentatus, J. spiralis, J. iactus, J. fraternus, J. denticulatus, J. risus, J. vulgus, J. pradoi, J. specus, J. kutsi, J. ruku, J. superbus, J. sebagoides, J. lyriformis, J. compactus, J. vipereus, J. cinctus, J. tamizado, J. tumidus), cuatro especies de Phamisus Aubé (P. angelicus, P. beatus, P. cataracta, P. hatunpaku), 19 especies de Sebaga Raffray (S. colunca, S. sapan, S. nocturna, S. agilis, S. bifoveata, S. scurra, S. calcis, S. ampla, S. prodigiosa, S. pulga, S. alpina, S. cirrata, S. simia, S. karu, S. rumipamba, S. laxa, S. ukupacha, S. diffusa, S. renata); Metopiasini: Rhinoscepsis diabolicus; Trichonychini: Biblomelba umbracula, cinco especies de Chakanamecia gen. nov. (C. daga [especie tipo], C. micra, C. mora, C. panoptes, C. pichan), Thesiastes stellata, tres especies de Thesium Casey (T. apicale, T. crenulatum, T. magnaclavus), tres especies de Verabarolus Park (V. obcasus, V. puyu, V. scabrifrons), Cupiloides joniceus gen. y sp. nov., dos especies de Dalmosanus Park (D. carinatus, D. myops), Melba tabugae, tres especies de Pachamelba gen. nov. (P. otongachi, P. subtilis, P. yanayacu [especie tipo]), Trimiopsis peragena, Meandrophilus petrus gen. y sp. nov., Placamecia virgenensis gen. y sp. nov.; Trogastrini: tres especies de Rhexius LeConte (R. acutigens, R. collaris, R. micros), nueve especies de Eurhexius Sharp (E. profundus, E. pilosus, E. cavipygus, E. dentipes, E. mirapygus, E. sol, E. excavatus, E. unguifer, E. napoensis), cinco especies de Kapyatrog gen. nov. (K. chevere [especie tipo], K. hirsutus, K. mayu, K. pichi, K. saladero), cinco especies de Rhexinia LeConte (R. laloloori, R. seca, R. purun, R. asperata, R. spinipes), seis especies de Xerhius Raffray (X. blanco, X. confundens, X. crucifer, X. flordelis, X. multidentatus, X. undulatus), dos especies de Allparhexius gen. nov. (A. barbatus [especie tipo], A. cuspidatus), dos especies de Mukirhexius gen. nov. (M. furtivus, M. microps [especie tipo]), siete especies de Tinkuna gen. nov. (T. andina, T. borea, T. geniculata, T. gracilis [especie tipo], T. inquisitor, T. jarrini, T. josti); Euplectitae, incertae sedis: Formivagus bullatus gen. y sp. nov., Kunkashka sumaco gen. y sp. nov.; Brachyglutini: 19 especies de Euphalepsus Reitter (E. arguelloi, E. globosus, E. tactus, E. disobediens, E. foedus, E. gemellus, E. inclani, E. lopezi, E. obediens, E. sinchi, E. supercilius, E. syrbatoides, E. tuberculigens, E. vibrissus, E. abrazero, E. bidens, E. gigas, E. illuminatus, E. yunkaruna), cuatro especies de Nanocephalus gen. nov. (N. chinchin [especie tipo], N. macrops, N. tenuis, N. timens), 15 especies de Globa Raffray (G. angulipes, G. armada, G. ascia, G. dientita, G. falx, G. herniata, G. inflexa, G. mola, G. nauta, G. orbifer, G. pantex, G. pernix, G. pustulifer, G. vex, G. wira), dos especies de Muyu gen. nov. (M. huambulae [especie tipo], M. merae), tres especies de Pelota gen. nov. (P. astada [especie tipo], P. monocera, P. riparia), cinco especies de Reichenbachia Jeannel (R. anka, R. anxia, R. cosangae, R. garciae, R. atricornis), dos especies de Scalenarthrus LeConte (S. calix, S. umina), Decarthron varita, tres especies de Eupsenius LeConte (E. crassus, E. deflexus, E. quil), Eupsenina guayasensis, cinco especies de Tumbaga gen. nov. (T. chiruisla, T. esmeralda, T. guandera, T. montana [especie tipo], T. ukumari); Iniocyphini: Batriphysis constrictus, Batrisobryaxis bipox, Dalmoburis amator, Dalmonexus bellator, dos especies de Trimicerus Motschulsky (T. fenestratus, T. horarius); Proterini: tres especies de Harmomima Raffray (H. glabra, H. prominens, H. sulcata), dos especies de Nunkui gen. nov. (N. lineata [especie tipo], N. parallela); Goniaceritae, incertae sedis: cuatro especies de Ayapuna gen. nov. (A. advector, A. goaltalensis, A. sculptilis, A. tunda [especie tipo]), dos especies de Zhapra gen. nov. (Z. candelaria, Z. maldonadae [especie tipo]); Tyrini: Cercoceropsis pacifica, Circocerus kuru, seis especies de Hamotus Aubé (H. asymmetricus, H. auritus, H. cactus, H. horrens, H. obliquus, H. manabensis), y tres especies de Ephimia Reitter (E. arcifer, E. confusa, E. hanak).
We introduce BlasTax, a standalone software tool wrapping the BLAST algorithm for finding regions of similarity between nucleotide and amino acid sequences. BlasTax is designed to serve both general users of local BLAST who seek a simple and user-friendly interface, and taxonomists engaged in phylogenomics and museomics projects. BlasTax is driven by a graphical user interface that makes various BLAST functions accessible without separately installing the BLAST+ executables. It introduces several advanced modes to retrieve matching reads from FASTQ files of high-throughput sequencing of archival DNA from recent or historical collection material, to append matching sequences to existing alignments, or to decontaminate sequence data sets from sequences of non-target taxa. The program also comprises functions for the preparation of sequence files to be used as reference or query for BLAST, as well as utilities for sequence merging based on species labels, codon trimming and codon-aware multiple sequence alignments.
Opiliones is one of the most diverse orders of Chelicerata, ranking behind Araneae, Acariformes, and Parasitiformes in species richness. The group currently comprises approximately 6,900 valid and 1,500 invalid species, organized in about 1,700 valid and 800 invalid genera, yielding a remarkably low species-to-genus ratio of roughly 4:1 that reflects a history of naming monotypic genera based on a lack of phylogenetic understanding. In this contribution, we present an updated list of all genera of Opiliones, valid and invalid, organized by family-group taxa within each of the four suborders, Cyphophthalmi, Eupnoi, Dyspnoi and Lanitores. We also propose generic reallocations and nomenclatural corrections to improve the consistency of suprageneric classification. Specifically: the fossil genus † Halitherses Giribet & Dunlop, 2005 is placed in the new superfamily † Halithersoidea stat. nov. within Dyspnoi; the family Trionyxellidae Roewer, 1912 is synonymized with Assamiidae Sørensen, 1884; Goniosomoides Mello-Leitão, 1932 is synonymized with Deltaspidium Roewer, 1927, and Deltaspidium viridans (Mello-Leitão, 1932) comb. nov. is treated as a nomen inquirendum; the East Asian harvestman genus Pseudoliobunum A. Müller, 1914 is resurrected from the synonymy of Leiobunum C.L. Koch, 1839 under its correct original spelling, correcting the unjustified emendation Pseudoleiobunum Tan, Tsurusaki, Fong & Zhang, 2025 introduced by Tan et al. (2025), and eleven species previously assigned to Nelima Roewer, 1910 or Leiobunum are formally transferred to Pseudoliobunum; Paralus Roewer, 1949 was incorrectly considered a junior homonym of Paralus Rafinesque, 1815 (nomen nudum; Mollusca, Gastropoda) by Özdikmen (2006), who proposed the unnecessary replacement name Neoparalus Özdikmen, 2006—this misinterpretation is recognized and corrected here for the first time; Zalmoxis dentata Thorell, 1891 is herein designated as type species of Zalmoxida Roewer, 1912; and Triaenonyx stewartius Hogg, 1910 is herein designated as type species of Metanuncia Roewer, 1915.
We report on 27 asteroid specimens collected by the RV Falkor, using the ROV SuBastian, from mesophotic depths on Ashmore Reef in Western Australia, 2021. Of the total, 10 new species were collected, 9 of which are described here. Sixteen species were new occurrences for Western Australia. One additional shallow water species was observed at mesophotic depths but not collected. Each collected specimen was identified as a different species. In the Valvatida, this included Goniasteridae (n=9), Mithrodiidae (n=1), Ophidiasteridae (n=4), Asterinidae (n=3), Asterodiscididae (n=2), Oreasteridae (n=2), Podosphaerasteridae (n=1), and the Echinasteridae (n=3). Also present were two non-valvatidan groups, a brisingid from the Forcipulatacea and a new species of pterasterid in the genus Euretaster from the Velatida. Consistent with other accounts of mesophotic asteroid distribution, some of the species observed here, such as the goniasterid Churaumiastra hoshi Mah et al. 2024 have been found to be widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific.
The Goniasteridae is the most diverse family of living asteroids, containing the greatest number of described genera and species. Herein, 28 new species, 3 new genera and 19 new records are described from New Caledonia, almost entirely from deep-sea settings (>200 m). An accounting of the goniasterid fauna shows a total of over 70 species, in 38 genera from 3 subfamilies. If this is considered relative to the total known number of goniasterid species, this accounts for nearly 20% of total species and 46% of genera are represented from this region suggesting that the goniasterid diversity in this area is relatively high.
The present work reports on the discovery of a new sand swimming lizard (Scincidae: Scincinae) in Madagascar. This limbless and eyeless skink was found during fieldwork in the northern part of the “great white sand belt”, a series of patchy white sand areas encircling the island’s western sedimentary basins. The new taxon shows a distinctive combination of derived morphological traits (miniaturized, limbless, elongated body, with absent or scale-covered eyes and ear openings, and a reduced head scale pattern) reminiscent of other Malagasy fossorial skinks adapted to sandy habitats (e.g. Voeltzkowia, Grandidierina and some Paracontias). Phylogenetic analyses based on two datasets (multilocus DNA from Sanger sequencing and genome-wide DNA sequences derived from double-digest Restriction Associated DNA [ddRAD]) reveal a highly divergent phylogenetic position of this taxon and, given its distinct morphology, justify its description as a new species in a new genus, Zig zag gen. nov. & sp. nov. This marks the first genuine field discovery of a new genus of Scincidae in Madagascar since the 19th century, i.e., the discovery of a formerly unknown deep clade rather than an identification (and split) from an already recognized genus. Our results also shed light on the ancient evolutionary history of this taxon and its sister clade, Paracontias. Finally, the present work explores the factors that may explain why ecosystems characterized by white sand substrates, an ecosystem often neglected in biodiversity research, but present in various regions of the globe (e.g., Florida sand scrub, South American WS savannah, Indonesian Keranga) have seemingly so frequently promoted the convergent evolution of fossorial squamates.
There are eleven genus-group names available in the arachnid Order Ricinulei Thorell, 1876 by the end of 2025. Ten of these refer to currently accepted genera: three extant and seven extinct. One genus-group name is in synonymy. Six (60%) of the currently accepted genera were described since 1950. Ricinulei includes 127 currently accepted species-group names (104 extant species and 23 extinct species) and two nomina dubia. The phylogeny and suprageneric classification of the order remain poorly understood and some of the extant genera appear to be paraphyletic.
Thirty-six genus-group names are available in the arachnid Order Thelyphonida Latreille, 1804 by the end of 2025. Thirty of these refer to currently accepted genera: 20 extant and ten extinct. Six genus-group names are in synonymy. Eighteen (60%) of the currently accepted genera were described since 1950. Thelyphonida includes 138 currently accepted species-group names (123 extant species, including three extant subspecies elevated to the rank of species herein, and 15 extinct species) and a nomen dubium. The phylogeny and suprageneric classification of the order remain poorly understood and several subfamilies appear to be paraphyletic. The systematics of Asian thelyphonids lags far behind that of New World thelyphonids.
Bivalve pedicellariae are a prominent yet poorly understood morphological feature observed within specific groups within the Valvatida (Asteroidea) and have been used primarily as a taxonomic character. Seven new species, including the new genus Astrophylax which features prominent bivalve pedicellariae are described herein. In situ observations of shallow and deep-sea taxa provide possible insight into bivalve pedicellariae function. An overview of taxa which contain bivalve pedicellariae, primarily in the Goniasteridae but also the Oreasteridae and the Asteropseidae is also included. A survey of these taxa and their pedicellariae, including trends in abundance, biogeography, and depth provide further context for the understanding of these unusual characters, especially within the Goniasteridae and the Oreasteridae.
The arachnid order Pseudoscorpiones currently comprises 603 available genus-group names, of which 473 are recognised as valid extant genera and nine as valid extant subgenera. There are also 92 junior synonyms or homonyms. A further 24 genera are only known from fossils (ranging from the Devonian to the Cenozoic), with three additional genus-group names based on fossils are synonyms. There are also two nomina dubia that cannot be assigned to a family. The current classification recognises four suborders and 27 families, with one of these suborders represented by a single species known only from Devonian fossils. The extant fauna comprises 4,109 valid species and 126 valid subspecies, with 403 species-group names in synonymy. There are also 65 fossil species. The rate of discovery of new taxa, including genera and species, continues unabated. The gender of the genus-group names Zaona Chamberlin, 1925, Parazaona Beier, 1932 and Pseudozaona Beier, 1932 are assessed.
Eighty-one genus-group names are available in the arachnid Order Schizomida Petrunkevitch, 1945 by the end of 2025. All except one genus, i.e., 72 extant genera and eight extinct genera, are currently accepted. Seventy-four (91%) of the currently accepted genera were described since 1950. Schizomida includes 395 currently accepted species-group names (381 extant species and 14 extinct species) and a nomen dubium. Despite this descriptive activity, the suprageneric classification of Schizomida is poorly structured as phylogenetic relationships remain largely uninvestigated. Many recent genera are monotypic and narrowly delimited whereas several older genera appear to be paraphyletic. The systematics of African and Asian schizomids lags far behind that of Australian and New World schizomids.
Eight genus-group names are available in the arachnid Order Palpigradi Thorell, 1888 by the end of 2025. All of these refer to currently accepted genera: six extant and two extinct. Four (50%) of the currently accepted genera have been described since 1950. Palpigradi includes 138 currently accepted species-group names (136 extant species, including 13 extant subspecies elevated to the rank of species herein, and two extinct species). The phylogeny and suprageneric classification of the order remain poorly understood.
A super-rich and extremely diverse assemblage of insect fossils has been well-documented from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber (ca. 99 Ma) in the Kachin State of northern Myanmar. In contrast, only four beetle (Coleoptera) species have formally been described from the slightly older Lower Cretaceous Hkamti (Khamti) amber (ca. 110 Ma), also originating from northern Myanmar’s Sagaing Region. The polyphagan beetle superfamily Staphylinoidea, encompassing approximately 75,000 species, is among the largest superfamilies in the animal kingdom. This study records 11 staphylinoid fossils, providing a comprehensive overview of the Hkamti amber biota. These fossils were classified into three families (Hydraenidae, Colonidae, and Staphylinidae). The highest paleodiversity was observed in the rove beetle family Staphylinidae; nine specimens from six staphylinid subfamilies (Osoriinae, Tachyporinae, Aleocharinae, Steninae, Solieriinae, and Scydmaeninae) were identified. With the exception of Steninae, all are reported for the first time from Hkamti amber. Notably, the discoveries of colonid, osoriine, aleocharine, and stenine (previously recorded) beetles represent the oldest known fossils for these groups. Additionally, the hydraenid and tachyporine fossils are the earliest biological amber inclusions reported for their respective familiy or subfamiliy. Three new species are herein described: Colonellus (Colonellus) hkamtiensis sp. nov. (Colonidae), Cretochirus elongatus sp. nov. (Staphylinidae: Osoriinae: Leptochirini), and Prosolierius antennatus sp. nov. (Staphylinidae: Solieriinae). These findings underscore the presence of a potentially diverse Staphylinoidea paleofauna in Hkamti amber, although it remains likely underestimated, warranting further investigation. This study highlights a striking similarity in entomofaunal composition between the Hkamti and Kachin amber deposits, supporting a previously suggested close affinity between the two. Additionally, the fossils described here provide valuable calibration points for future molecular dating analyses.
There are about 1000 genus-group names, available and unavailable, in the laprostict subfamilies of Scarabaeidae by 31 July 2025. Of these, 689 refer to currently accepted genera, mainly in the Aphodiinae (381) and the Scarabaeinae (283). A further >320 genus-group names are given subgeneric rank or placed in synonymy or homonymy. The chronology of descriptions of currently valid genera shows different patterns between the Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae, with a significant increase in numbers of aphodiine genera since the 1980s due to the splitting of Aphodius Hellwig, 1798. We predict that discovery of new genera, as well as the potential for further splitting of mega-genera such as Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 with elevation of subgenera to full generic level, will continue the upward trend, albeit somewhat balanced by combining some of the numerous monobasic genera.
The Afrotropical endemic platystomatine genus Engistoneura Loew, 1873 is revised taxonomically, based on the study of name-bearing types of all described species and varieties, material housed in museums around the world and recently collected specimens from the rainforests of Central and West Africa. Following revisionary study, the genus now comprises 22 species, six previously described, namely: E. currani Steyskal, 1965 (Liberia), E. flavipennis Hendel, 1914 (Ghana), E. lugens (Fabricius, 1794) (Guinea and Sierra Leone), E. moerens (Fabricius, 1794) (Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria and Togo), E. obscura Hendel, 1914 (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo) and E. parallela (Wiedemann, 1830) (Sierra Leone) and 16 species are described and figured as new to science, namely: E. ankasa, sp. nov. (Ghana), E. biseriata, sp. nov. (Côte d’Ivoire), E. circumfusus, sp. nov. (Guinea), E. deemingi, sp. nov. (Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Togo), E. distincta, sp. nov. (Liberia and Sierra Leone), E. elvillah, sp. nov. (Guinea), E. hemifascia, sp. nov. (Côte d’Ivoire), E. hexafascia, sp. nov. (Sierra Leone), E. kachana, sp. nov. (Ghana), E. maya, sp. nov. (Guinea), E. mcalpinei, sp. nov. (Sierra Leone), E. nebula, sp. nov. (Sierra Leone), E. fatima, sp. nov. (Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone), E. ghanensis, sp. nov. (Ghana), E. smithi, sp. nov. (Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana) and E. vicina, sp. nov. (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, ?Gabon, Guinea and Liberia). The following nomenclatorial acts are proposed: E. catogastera (Bigot, 1891) syn. n. is sunk as a junior synonym of E. moerens; E. unilineata Bezzi, 1914 is removed from the genus Engistoneura and placed in new combination as Peltacanthina (Peltacanthina) unilineata (Bezzi, 1914) comb. n.; the variety names E. catogastera var. melanopleura Enderlein, 1924, syn. n., E. obscura var. duplicata Enderlein, 1924, syn. n. and E. obscura var. interrupa Enderlein, 1924, syn. n. are all sunk as junior synonyms of E. moerens and the variety name E. obscura var. simplex Enderlein, 1924, syn. n. is sunk as a junior synonym of E. obscura Hendel, 1914. Bezzi’s (1908) synonymy of E. albovaria (Walker, 1853) as a junior synonym of E. moerens (Fabricius, 1794) is here confirmed and upheld, based on the examination of the name-bearing types of both species. Lectotypes are designated for the following 18 taxa: E. albolineata Bezzi, 1908, E. bicolor Bezzi, 1908, E. catogastera var. melanopleura Enderlein, 1924, E. cohaesa Speiser, 1911, E. flavipennis Hendel, 1914, E. guttata Bezzi, 1908, E. obscura Hendel, 1914, E. obscura var. duplicata Enderlein, 1924, E. obscura var. interrupta Enderlein, 1924, E. obscura var. simplex Enderlein, 1924, E. octodecim Speiser, 1911, E. surniipennis Speiser, 1911, E. unilineata Bezzi, 1914, Megaglossa catogastera Bigot, 1891, Musca lugens Fabricius, 1794, Mu. moerens Fabricius, 1794, Ortalis parallela Wiedemann, 1830 and Trypeta albovaria Walker, 1853. An identification key to the 22 species is provided and the distributions of the species are mapped and biogeography of the genus is discussed in relation to the Riverine Barriers Hypothesis, the Refuge Hypothesis, forest fragmentation and elevational considerations. Although the limited distribution of some species appear to be bounded by rivers, examination of collective patterns indicate that forest refugia rather than rivers appear to have driven diversification and speciation in the genus.
In this contribution on the taxonomy and biogeography of Micranops Cameron, 1913 (Staphylinidae: Paederinae: Lathrobiini: Scopaeina) in the Palearctic and Paleotropics, twenty new species are described, twelve species are redescribed, four lectotypes are designated, two new synonymies are established, new distributional data are published, and an identification key is presented. New species: M. angkorensis sp. nov. (Cambodia), M. australasiaticus sp. nov. (Australia, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste), M. bhamoensis sp. nov. (Myanmar), M. cuccodoroi sp. nov. (India), M. cultifer sp. nov. (Laos), M. hermani sp. nov. (Myanmar), M. indicus sp. nov. (India), M. malukensis sp. nov. (Indonesia), M. manyarensis sp. nov. (Tansania), M. nepalicus sp. nov. (Nepal), M. nyikensis sp. nov. (Malawi), M. orientasiaticus sp. nov. (China, Japan), M. palliduloides sp. nov. (Indonesia, The Philippines), M. rougemonti sp. nov. (India), M. sagittifer sp. nov. (China), M. siebertae sp. nov. (Ruanda), M. taiwanensis sp. nov. (Taiwan), M. transafricanus sp. nov. (Afrotropics), M. transversosetatus sp. nov. (Thailand), M. vietnamensis sp. nov. (Vietnam). A significant number of previously named species is redescribed: M. brachyceroides (Fagel, 1973) (Afrotropical Region), M. brachycerus (Fauvel, 1900) (Democratic Republic of the Congo), M. caelebs (Fagel, 1973) (Democratic Republic of the Congo), M. hoyoensis (Fagel, 1973) (Democratic Republic of the Congo), M. lacustris (Bernhauer, 1937) (Afrotropical Region), M. obscurellus (Cameron, 1932) (Malay Peninsula), M. pallidulus (Kraatz, 1859) (Paleotropics), M. planiusculus (Kraatz, 1859) (Mainland Southeast Asia), M. pokharensis (Coiffait, 1981) (Indian Subcontinent), M. subapterus (Cameron, 1951) (Angola), M. upembanus (Fagel, 1973) (Democratic Republic of the Congo), M. viti Assing, 2021 (Indian Subcontinent). Lectotypes are designated for M. brachycerus, M. obscurellus, M. planiusculus, and M. subapterus. New synonyms: M. hustachei (Coiffait, 1987), syn. nov. = M. pokharensis; M. yemenicus (Coiffait, 1981), syn. nov. = M. pallidulus. Four species described by Fagel (1973) are for the first time illustrated by photographs of their holotypes: M. lwiroensis (aedeagus), M. mabalianus (aedeagus), M. ruwenzoricus (aedeagus), M. zambezianus (habitus). The previously unknown aedeagus of M. spelaeus Frisch & Oromí, 2006 is illustrated. New country records: M. brachyceroides (Burkina Faso, Niger), M. caelebs (Kenya), M. hoyoensis (South Africa), M. lacustris (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Senegal, South Sudan), M. pallidulus (Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Laos, Malaysia, Mali, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen), M. planiusculus (Cambodia, Vietnam), M. pokharensis (India, Sri Lanka), M. upembanus (Burundi), M. viti (India, Sri Lanka). The infrageneric phylogeny of Micranops is discussed, and the current definition of the genus extended as follows: The trichobothrial cavity is not always separated from the posterior margin of the eye, but is connected to it in macrophthalmous, macropterous species. The dorsomidlongitudinal split of the aedeagus is absent or reduced in some species. Thus, both a trichobothrial cavity separated from the eye and the presence of a dorsomidlongitudinal, aedeagal split are present in many species, but not genus diagnostic.
The former family Pseudopomyzidae is revised. Morphological characters and multiple genes are used to assess relationships among the families of Nerioidea, concluding that the family Pseudopomyzidae as currently defined is paraphyletic with respect to Cypselosomatidae Hendel; the family Cypselosomatidae is therefore redefined to include the Pseudopomyzidae. The subgeneric classification of the large genus Pseudopomyza Strobl is updated by synonymizing the subgenera Macalpinella Papp and Rhinopomyzella Hennig with Pseudopomyza s.s., and reinstating the subgenus Heluscolia (Harrison), resulting in four valid subgenera: Apops McAlpine, Dete McAlpine, Heluscolia and Pseudopomyza s.s. The subgenus Apops is composed of two previously included species (P. flavitarsis (Harrison) (New Zealand) and P. arenae McAlpine (Australia, Tasmania)) and three new species (P. chilensis Yau and Marshall (Chile), P. medianentis Yau and Marshall (Australia, Western Australia) and P. nigritarsis Yau and Marshall (New Zealand)). The subgenus Dete includes P. collessi McAlpine (Australia). The subgenus Heluscolia includes P. antipoda (Harrison) and P. brevis (Harrison), both from the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. The subgenus Pseudopomyza includes P. aristata (Harrison) (New Zealand), P. atrimana (Meigen) (Palaearctic), P. brevicaudata (Harrison) (New Zealand), P. brevifacies (Papp) (Oriental and Palaearctic) and the P. nigrimana species group (formerly treated as the subgenus Rhinopomyzella). The P. nigrimana species group, shown here to be the sister group to P. atrimana, includes P. albimana (Hennig), P. nigrimana (Hennig) and fifteen new species (P. adunca Yau and Marshall, P. ampliata Yau and Marshall, P. angustifrons Yau and Marshall, P. binaevia Yau and Marshall, P. brunneicacumen Yau and Marshall, P. cordata Yau and Marshall, P. cyathiformis Yau and Marshall, P. flavicacumen Yau and Marshall, P. gambiformis Yau and Marshall, P. inflexa Yau and Marshall, P. machaera Yau and Marshall, P. parabinaevia Yau and Marshall, P. proboscis Yau and Marshall, P. prolata Yau and Marshall, P. simulatrix Yau and Marshall).
