A new genus and species of Cyclopidae (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) from the hyporheic zone of small rivers in Tatarstan (Russia) is described. The diagnosis of Tatarocyclops dayanae gen. et sp. nov. includes: female antennule 11-segmented; first to fourth swimming legs with two-segmented exopods and endopods; endopod of the fourth leg with two apical spines; and fifth leg two-segmented, not fused to the somite. The new genus shares a two-segmented fifth leg with Reidcyclops Karanovic, 2000, but differs from it and from other genera of the Mixocyclops Kiefer, 1944 group by the following combination: mandibular palp with one seta; maxilliped armature formula 2.2.1.2; first swimming leg basis with inner spine; spine formula of the second exopodal segments of the first to fourth swimming legs 2.3.3.3; third swimming leg without sexual dimorphism; fourth swimming leg endopod with two apical spines; and distal segment of the fifth leg with two setae. Among Cyclopidae with 9–11-segmented antennules, Tatarocyclops gen. nov. is distinctly separated by its unique combination of characters, especially the two-segmented fifth leg. The discovery of a stygobiotic cyclopid genus in the Middle Volga region aligns with recent findings of endemic amphipods in the same area and highlights a previously unexplored diversity of groundwater fauna, which is important for understanding the biogeography of Palearctic freshwater crustaceans.
Coralsnakes of the genus Micrurus Wagler, 1824 contain approximately 89 species distributed from the United States to Argentina. The genus Micrurus comprises numerous species and presents important taxonomic challenges, particularly in lineages where morphological similarity among species complicates species delimitation. Many species have been described based on subtle morphological differences and/or inadequate molecular analyses. In this study, we focused on cis-Andean monadal coralsnakes using an integrative taxonomic approach that combines a multilocus dataset of mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (nDNA) gene fragments with morphological data, ecological niche models (ENMs), and extent of occurrence (EOO) analyses to assess species boundaries and infer phylogenetic relationships. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies revealed discrepancies between morphology-based taxonomy and molecular data. Among our findings, we support the junior synonymization of M. petersi Roze, 1967, M. peruvianus Schmidt, 1936, M. steindachneri (Werner, 1901), and M. tikuna Feitosa, Da Silva Jr., Pires, Zaher & Prudente, 2015, with M. ornatissimus (Jan, 1858), and of M. albicinctus Amaral, 1926, M. annellatus annellatus (Peters, 1871), M. a. balzani (Boulenger, 1898), and M. bolivianus Roze, 1967, with M. corallinus (Merrem, 1820). In contrast, our results confirm the distinctiveness of M. langsdorffi (Wagler, 1824) and M. medemi Roze, 1967 as separate evolutionary lineages, warranting their recognition as valid species. Multivariate analyses of morphometric traits showed limited differentiation among the three focal species in both sexes. Discriminant analysis of localities in environmental niche space showed an overall classification accuracy of 92.2%. The distributions of M. langsdorffi and M. ornatissimus broadly overlap, indicating sympatry, whereas both species are allopatric with respect to M. corallinus. Both occur between the Amazon and Negro rivers, whereas M. corallinus is distributed south of the Amazon River, with an isolated population in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. These disjunctions are consistent with Wallace’s Riverine Barrier Hypothesis, suggesting river systems as major isolating factors. Micrurus medemi occurs along the eastern Andean foothills of Colombia. These results indicate that past morphology-based and/or organellar DNA-based taxonomic studies have overestimated species diversity. Our study highlights the importance of integrative taxonomy for accurately delimiting species and improving our understanding of the evolutionary history of monadal coralsnakes.
Since the first half of the 19th century, the limestones of Vertus Mont Aimé (Marne) and Bois d’Esmans (Seine-et-Marne) have been confused with the Danian pisolitic limestone and their malacological content has been the subject of partial lists. For the first time, the complete description of the malacofauna of these limestones is provided. Its study is based on recent samples (fieldtrips in 2014 and 2017) and a new examination of material collected by the previous authors. As a result, 57 taxa were recognised, including 31 formally identified species; nine species are in open nomenclature and the other taxa identified at the higher ranks. Among these, 14 species of gastropods, including a new genus and 5 species of bivalves, are newly described: ?Calliostoma monswavinarensis sp. nov., Sparnollonia bicarinata gen. et sp. nov., ?Tectus acmantensis sp. nov., ?Tectus fraterculus sp. nov., ?Tectus senarmonti sp. nov., ?Clypeostoma vertusensis sp. nov., Calliomphalus (Planolateralus) montenati sp. nov., Rhinoclavis parvisulcatus sp. nov., ?Vicinocerithium heberti sp. nov., Granulolabium cretaceum sp. nov., Haustator bergierensis sp. nov., Sveltella binkhorsti sp. nov., Fusinus bouchardae sp. nov., ?Pseudopisania cretacea sp. nov., Nucula bauti sp. nov., Arca (s. str.) submontensis sp. nov., Plicatula pacaudi sp. nov., Bathytormus sparnacensis sp. nov. and Chama loubryi sp. nov. This fauna was previously unknown from the Paris Basin or even from Northwestern Europe. With the exception of endemic taxa which are dominant, it shares significantly more species with the Maastrichtian of Limburg (28% of the assemblage) than with the Danian of the Paris Basin (9% of the assemblage). This allows it to be attributed to the Maastrichtian age, in accordance with other palaeontological data on ostracods, chondrichthyans, large benthic Foraminifera and mosasaurs discovered recently. The assemblages at Vertus and Mont Aimé indicate palaeoenvironments deposited under shallow waters (with some brackish elements), probably close to the coastline. Therefore, this study highlights the distinctive character of the faunal content of the limestones of Vertus Mont Aimé and Bois d’Esmans, which constitute a unique Maastrichtian formation in the Paris Basin and which can be called the Vertus-Mont Aimé-Esmans Formation.
The genus Eustigmaeus Berlese, 1910 contains over 140 known species distributed worldwide, including parasites of sandflies and moss-feeders. Here, we examine the taxonomic status of five previously unidentified species of Eustigmaeus from Japan. Two species with broad geographic ranges in Shikoku and Honshu islands are described as E. specialis sp. nov. and E. saxicola sp. nov. Eustigmaeus grandis Khaustov, 2019 is recorded for the first time in Japan and exhibits considerable morphological variation. The remaining two species are tentatively identified as E. cf. etruscus (Berlese, 1910) and E. cf. clavatus (Canestrini & Fanzago, 1876).
Four new species of the genus Psechrus Thorell, 1878 are described from Yunnan Province, China: Psechrus luopingensis sp. nov. (♂♀), P. mingshengi sp. nov. (♂♀), P. cornutus sp. nov. (♂♀) and P. cordatus sp. nov. (♂♀). Detailed morphological descriptions, photographs of living specimens, and a distribution map of the new species are provided.
The Phanaeus chalcomelas species group includes coprophagous and necrophagous South American scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) that are widely distributed in the Amazon Basin and along the eastern slopes of the Andes. The group is characterized by the distinctly punctuated elytral striae and the black rugosities on the pronotum. It is composed of five species: Phanaeus chalcomelas (Perty, 1830); P. cambeforti Arnaud, 1982; P. meleagris Blanchard, 1845; P. lecourti Arnaud, 2000 and P. achilles Boheman, 1858. The P .chalcomelas group was revised based on the external morphology and the morphology of the medial endophallite, which are illustrated for the first time. We provide a new diagnosis of the P. chalcomelas group, along with updated geographical distribution maps and diagnosis of previously described species. The P. chalcomelas species group now comprises seven species: two new species described herein, one revalidated, and four previously described: P. cambeforti, P. chalcomelas, P. lecourti, P. meleagris, P. minos Erichson, 1847 stat. rev., P. divisor sp. nov., and P. mariocupelloi sp. nov. Based on morphological evidence and previous molecular studies, we propose the new Phanaeus achilles species group to include: P. achilles, P. arnaudorum sp. nov., and the subfossil species P. violetae Zunino, 2013.
Cyclocephala everardoi Grossi, Santos & Almeida, 2016 and Cyclocephala machadoi Grossi, Santos & Almeida, 2016 comprise a distinct species group within Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821. This group was previously characterized by species with subtrapezoidal or parabolic clypeus, large eyes, antennae with long lamellae and parameres with a spine-like process on each lateroventral region. Here, two new species of the group are described from Brazil: Cyclocephala catimbauensis sp. nov., from the Caatinga biome in Pernambuco state, and Cyclocephala nhumirim sp. nov., from the Pantanal biome in Mato Grosso do Sul state. The new species are illustrated along with their differential diagnoses. An identification key and a distribution map for species of the group are provided. Additionally, a brief discussion on the characters that define the “machadoi” group is also presented.
Eight new species of pseudoscorpions belonging to the genus Pseudochthonius Balzan, 1892 are described from the semi-arid region of Brazil. Comprehensive morphological descriptions, diagnostic characters, detailed illustrations, and ecological remarks of the habitats are provided for Pseudochthonius celestialis sp. nov., P. caritas sp. nov., P. patientia sp. nov., P. temperantia sp. nov., P. diligentia sp. nov., P. castitas sp. nov., P. humilitas sp. nov., and P. benignitas sp. nov. In addition, we present a brief discussion of the potential factors underlying the remarkable congeneric species richness observed in this geographically restricted region, as well as the principal threats faced by these species. These findings underscore the importance of conserving caves in order to protect their highly specialized fauna, with particular emphasis on the genus Pseudochthonius, which is increasingly recognized as strongly associated with subterranean environments.
Spelaeometra D. Polhemus & Ferreira, 2018 is a rare genus within the family Hydrometridae, currently composed exclusively of cave-dwelling species. Herein, we describe two new troglobitic species of this enigmatic genus from southwestern Bahia, Brazil: Spelaeometra ybykoara sp. nov. from the municipality of Carinhanha, and Spelaeometra iuiu sp. nov. from the municipality of Iuiú. The new species are primarily distinguished by diagnostic differences in the morphology of the male genitalia and, despite extensive sampling in surrounding caves, are currently known only from their respective type localities. Moreover the taxonomic descriptions, we provide new information on ecology, habitat characteristics, and potential threats affecting both species. Additionally, we present new remarks on Spelaeometra gruta Polhemus & Ferreira, 2018, and on the elusive, rarely collected species Cephalometra pallida D. Polhemus & Ferreira, 2018, providing new information on their natural history.
The family Cirratulidae is a diverse group of benthic polychaetes with about 400 species described worldwide. Fifty-eight nominal species are recorded in Europe, but recent DNA analyses have revealed that between 83 and 96 additional species inhabit European benthic environments and probably most of them are still undescribed. In this paper, two historical species are re-described due to the lack of details about some relevant morphological characters in the original descriptions: Aphelochaeta marioni (Saint-Joseph, 1894) and Aphelochaeta mcintoshi (Southern, 1914) comb. nov. Following these redescriptions, three new species of the genera Aphelochaeta and Tharyx are described: Aphelochaeta annae sp. nov., Aphelochaeta elinorae sp. nov. and Tharyx emmae sp. nov. Finally, new records of Tharyx maryae Blake & Göransson, 2015, Tharyx robustus Blake & Göransson, 2015 and Kirkegaardia serrata (Eliason, 1962) are presented along with a description of the material examined.
The ʻcampo rupestreʼ is a montane vegetation mosaic associated with rocky outcrops, with outstanding levels of species diversity and endemism. Among its most diverse lineages, Rubiaceae ranks among the ten richest families. Hexasepalum Bartl. ex DC. is nested in the Spermacoce clade of Spermacoceae, the largest predominantly herbaceous tribe in the Rubiaceae. The genus comprises 14 accepted species and is distributed mostly in the Americas. Brazil is home to eight species, occurring mainly in the Caatinga and Cerrado (including the ʻcampo rupestreʼ) domains. The analysis of specimens collected in the ʻcampo rupestreʼ of Bahia (NE Brazil) and Minas Gerais (SE Brazil) revealed two species new to science. Hexasepalum bacigalupoae Cabaña Fader & E.L.Cabral sp. nov. and Hexasepalum motaviananum Cabaña Fader, J.A.M.Carmo & R.M.Salas sp. nov. are described and illustrated. We comment on their distribution, habitat, and taxonomy. We also provide an updated key to the species of Hexasepalum in the Americas. Hexasepalum bacigalupoae and H. motaviananum are preliminarily assessed as Endangered and Critically Endangered, respectively, underscoring the crucial importance of conserving the ʻcampo rupestreʼ.
Two new species of Trichorhina Budde-Lund, 1908, the most diverse genus of the family Platyarthridae, are described from the Ibero-Balearic region: T. guadianensis sp. nov. (Portugal) and T. malacitana sp. nov. (Spain). The two species are distinguished by differences in dorsal integument texture, scale-setae arrangement, shape of the telson, posterior pereonites margins, and male pleopod 1. Trichorhina guadianensis sp. nov. is characterised by a smooth dorsal integument with longitudinal lines of fan-shaped scale-setae of different sizes, rounded posterior margins of pereonites 1–4, triangular telson, and a heart-shaped male pleopod 1 exopod. Trichorhina malacitana sp. nov. is characterised by the absence of pigmentation and eyes, transverse lines of fan-shaped scale-setae, triangular telson, and an oval male pleopod 1 exopod. The position of the noduli laterales on the pereonites provides additional diagnostic characters for the identification of all species of the genus. A revised dichotomous key for all species of Trichorhina in the Ibero-Balearic region is provided.
The Savignia genus group includes nine morphologically complex yet similar genera where species were assigned based mainly on the cephalic lobes. Among these genera, males of Diplocephalus Bertkau, 1883, Savignia Blackwall, 1833 and Araeoncus Simon, 1884 show some of the most extraordinary cephalic lobes among dwarf spiders (Linyphiidae, Erigoninae). In this study we undertake the first phylogenetic analysis of the Savignia genus group. We use 269 morphological characters (175 newly defined) and 70 taxa (59 ingroup taxa) to reconstruct the relationships and evolutionary trends of cephalic lobes in this lineage. Our findings show that cephalic lobes with varying shapes and sizes appear in several Savignia genus group lineages, highlighting that it is not a good diagnostic character. The high support in several clades allows the redefinition of the genera Savignia, Diplocephalus, Araeoncus, Erigonella Dahl, 1901, Dicymbium Menge, 1868 and Glyphesis Simon, 1926 based on synapomorphies and leads to new species assignments. Our results also show that while genera are well supported, their interrelationships are not, suggesting that genera closely related with the Savignia genus group may need further revision. Simplified, the generic relationships of the Savignia genus group are Glyphesis (Dicymbium ((Erigonella (Hemistajus resurrected rank, Savignia)) (Diastanillus (Diplocephalus, Araeoncus))).
A new genus of Issidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) belonging to the tribe Parahiraciini Cheng & Yang, 1991, Dayhiracia gen. nov., is erected to accommodate a new species Dayhiracia circularis gen. et sp. nov. from Nakhon Si Thamarat Province in Thailand. Illustrations of habitus and terminalia of the new species are given as well as a distribution map and a photograph of a live specimen. The Thai fauna of the family Issidae now counts ten species in five genera.
A new genus of Issidae in the tribe Sarimini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha), Pseudomiklukha gen. nov. is described to accommodate two species from Borneo. The type species is new to science and described as Pseudomiklukha auriculata gen. et sp. nov. The second species is Nikomiklukha maclayi Gnezdilov, 2010, which is transferred to the new genus, and the new combination Pseudomiklukha maclayi (Gnezdilov, 2010) gen. et comb. nov. is proposed. Another new species is described in the genus Nikomiklukha Gnezdilov, 2010, Nikomiklukha floreni sp. nov., also from Borneo. Distribution maps and illustrations of specimens and terminalia are provided.
The goblin spider genus Orchestina Simon, 1882 (Araneae: Oonopidae) in Japan has been revised, recognizing nine species including two new species and four species newly recorded from Japan: O. okitsui Oi, 1958 (♂♀), O. flava Ono, 2005 (♂♀), O. sanguinea Oi, 1955 (♀), O. saaristoi Henrard & Jocqué, 2012 (♂♀, new record), O. saltitans Banks, 1894 (♂♀, new record), O. colubrina Liu, Henrard & Xu, 2019 (♂, new record), O. pavesii (Simon, 1873) (♂♀, new record), O. nojimai sp. nov. (♀) and O. insulana sp. nov. (♀). A literature survey revealed errors in the correspondences between figures and captions in a pictorial book, which likely led to the misidentification of the synanthropically introduced species O. saltitans as the forest-dwelling native species O. okitsui. The misrepresentation also gave rise to the erroneous assumption that the male of O. sanguinea had been described, although no male specimen has actually been reported. In addition, Orchestina flagella Saaristo & van Harten, 2006, is here synonymized with O. saltitans (O. flagella syn. nov.). This study provides photographs and illustrations of nine Orchestina species, including the type specimens of O. okitsui, O. flava and O. sanguinea, notes on their habitats, distribution maps, supplemental molecular data, and a graphical character matrix of Orchestina species in Japan.
Abstract. We present the latest results of our studies on spiders in Morocco, based on material sampled between 2021 and 2025. A total of eight caves were surveyed in the Tazekka NP and the Beni Snassen massif. Several other habitats were also surveyed (e.g., coastal habitats, mixed forests, arid stony grasslands, shrubby slopes, lapiaz, etc.). In total, 40 species belonging to 10 families were recorded. Sixteen species are described as new to science: Agelescape atlas Lecigne sp. nov.; Berlandina campestris Lecigne & Moutaouakil sp. nov.; Dysdera asaahil Lecigne sp. nov.; D. sidimaafa Lecigne sp. nov.; Gorbiscape dayetchiker Lecigne sp. nov.; G. hichamelguerrouji Lecigne sp. nov.; G. littoralis Lecigne sp. nov.; Nomisia tazekka Lecigne sp. nov.; Oecobius diafa Lecigne & Lips sp. nov.; O. tiznit Lecigne sp. nov.; Scotophaeus amicitiae Lecigne, Moutaouakil & Lips sp. nov.; Zelotes pax Lecigne & Moutaouakil sp. nov.; Z. rex Lecigne sp. nov.; Z. subcallidus Lecigne sp. nov.; two of which may be considered troglophile, i.e., Lycosoides jlida Lecigne sp. nov. or troglobitic, i.e., Lepthyphantes s. lat. ntafaghi Lecigne sp. nov. The males of Diplocephalus bosmansi Lecigne, 2025 and Lepthyphantes noeli Barrientos & Brañas, 2024 are described for the first time. The findings of several other species are noteworthy (either endemic or recently described species, but also species with a poorly known taxonomy, ecology or distribution) and hence represent important records for specific knowledge, both at national and local scales, e.g., Gorbiscape amazighus, Zamani & Marusik 2025; Liocranum atlasicum Zamani & Marusik, 2025; Mogrus sahariensis Berland & Millot, 1941; Pecado impudicus (Denis, 1945) or Zodarion maghrebense Bosmans & Benhalima, 2020. It was found that Tetragnatha nitens (Audouin, 1826) (Lecigne et al. 2025: 146, fig. 90c–e) was misidentified and this record refers to Tetragnatha bogotensis Keyserling, 1865. The species is new to Morocco. Zodarion camillae Lecigne, 2025 was transferred to Acanthinozodium Denis, 1966 and a new combination was established: A. camillae (Lecigne, 2025) comb. nov. Zelotes scrutatus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) syn. nov. is synonymised with Zelotes erythrocephalus (Lucas, 1846).
The hoverfly genus Pipizella Rondani, 1856 (Diptera: Syrphidae: Pipizinae) is represented by three species in Finland, the widespread Palaearctic species Pipizella viduata (Linnaeus, 1758), and two rare Palaearctic species, Pipizella certa Violovitsh, 1981 and Pipizella obscura van Steenis & Lucas, 2011. Hitherto, species identification of Finnish Pipizella spp. was feasible only for the male sex using morphological characteristics of the male genitalia. This study focussed on identifying candidate female specimens of P. certa and P. obscura using morphological hypotheses. We generated mtDNA COI barcodes for males and females of selected Pipizella specimens. The barcoding results corroborated the employed morphological hypotheses by linking the unknown female sex with the correct male species identity. The hitherto unknown females of P. certa and P. obscura are here morphologically described for the first time. We provide and clarify diagnostic characters to separate both sexes of the three Pipizella species occurring in Finland. We provide the first DNA barcode sequences for both sexes of P. obscura.
The Parallelodontidae are a long-living family in the bivalve superfamily Arcoidea, ranging from the Devonian to the Recent. Their fossil taxonomic diversity, however, is poorly known – especially so for the Palaeozoic. Here, we intend to fill this gap and provide a list of all Palaeozoic genus- and species-group names of the family published in the literature. This nomenclator compiles details on type species (genus-group names), type locality, type horizon and type material (species-group names), along with information on the original source, as well as remarks on taxonomic status, nomenclature and systematic placement. The catalogue encompasses 16 genus-group names (eleven of which are currently considered as valid) and 247 species-group names (213 valid) proposed within or currently attributed to the Parallelodontidae. Our contribution uncovers numerous widely unknown taxa and reveals an unexpected diversity of the family during the Palaeozoic, thus serving as a basis for future revision and completion of taxonomic databases.
In this study, we examined ostracode biodiversity and species taxonomy, based on morphological characteristics, from the sulfate-bicarbonate rich, oligotrophic, and freshwater Bacalar hydrological system. A total of 19 species belonging to five subfamilies were identified. Here, we describe five new species: Cypris nicte Macario-González & Cohuo sp. nov., Pseudocandona tzabek Macario-González & Cohuo sp. nov., Thalassocypria zazilha Macario-González & Cohuo sp. nov., Dolerocypria maanik Macario-González & Cohuo sp. nov., and Cyprideis ichkabal Macario-González & Cohuo sp. nov. These species are clearly distinguished from their congeners by valve outline, overall shape, or appendages morphology, particularly the male sexual appendages. Thalassocypria Hartmann, 1957, Dolerocypria Tressler, 1937, Perissocythere Stephenson, 1938, and Cyprideis Jones, 1857 are distributed worldwide only in estuarine, anchialine, and marine environments. However, their continued presence in the Bacalar system at sporadically sampling for a decade suggests that the species have successfully colonized, naturalized to freshwater, and becoming established residents, likely supported by the carbonate-related high conductivity waters. We discuss the hypothetical mechanisms underlying their inland colonization and highlight the relevance of Bacalar system as a potential ecological niche supporting their freshwater establishment and distribution.
