Taxonomy

The Macaronesian archipelagos harbor a highly endemic fauna of the flatid genus Cyphopterum Melichar, 1905, characterized by pronounced insular diversification. Despite approximately 80% of its species being unique to the region, the morphology and biology of their immature stages remain virtually unknown. This lack of ontogenetic data has long hindered more thorough studies on these planthoppers. To address this gap, the present study provides the first comprehensive description of all five nymphal instars of Cyphopterum retusum (Walker, 1851) and C. fauveli Noualhier, 1897 from the Madeira archipelago. Nymphs were reared under controlled laboratory conditions to analyze developmental duration, survival rates, and morphological features. Our results demonstrate that nymphal morphology offers robust diagnostic characters. Specifically, body size, species-specific coloration, and integumentary textures distinguish the two species, whereas body size combined with the number of metatibial spines and tarsomeres and the number and arrangement of sensory pits, allow for reliable instar determination. These findings fill a significant gap in the knowledge of the family Flatidae and provide essential tools for the conservation and monitoring of these endemic lineages in vulnerable Macaronesian ecosystems. Full article

Gymnodiptychus Herzenstein, 1892, a genus of the subfamily Schizopygopsinae, currently comprises three valid species: Gymnodiptychus dybowskii, Gymnodiptychus pachycheilus, and Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies have suggested that the genus is not monophyletic, but the taxonomic status of Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus has not been comprehensively reassessed. In this study, we conducted an integrative taxonomic investigation of Gymnodiptychus based on mitochondrial genome data, combined with morphological and osteological evidence. Phylogenetic analyses using the concatenated sequences of 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes and two ribosomal RNA genes recovered Gymnodiptychus as non-monophyletic. Gymnodiptychus dybowskii and Gymnodiptychus pachycheilus formed a monophyletic clade sister to Diptychus, whereas Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus formed an independent lineage sister to Schizopygopsis. Genetic distance analyses further revealed substantial divergence between Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus and other members of Gymnodiptychus. Morphological and osteological comparisons demonstrated that Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus differs markedly from the other two species, Gymnodiptychus dybowskii and Gymnodiptychus pachycheilus, in lacking pectoral girdle scales, possessing extremely reduced maxillary barbels, having a terminal mouth, and lacking the supraorbital bone. Based on this combined evidence, we establish the new genus Gaoligongia gen. nov. for Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus Mo, 1989, which is herein reassigned as Gaoligongia integrigymnata (Mo, 1989), comb. nov. We also provide a revised diagnosis of Gymnodiptychus and a key to the genera of Schizopygopsinae. Full article

This study presents a cytogenetic and comparative analysis of three rare terrestrial orchid species from Thailand: Habenaria janellehayneana, H. rhodocheila, and Nervilia khaoyaica. Somatic chromosome numbers, karyotype structures, and chromosomal morphology were investigated using conventional cytological techniques. The results revealed that both H. janellehayneana and H. rhodocheila possess a chromosome number of 2n = 42 with a fundamental number (NF) of 84, whereas N. khaoyaica has 2n = 36 and NF = 72. Karyotype formulas were determined as 11m + 10sm for H. janellehayneana, 21m for H. rhodocheila, and 2m + 16sm for N. khaoyaica, all indicating symmetrical karyotypes. Multivariate analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering, were applied to both morphological and karyological datasets. The results demonstrated clear separation between genera along the primary component axis, while species within Habenaria were distinguished along the secondary axis. Karyotype-based PCA further supported distinct chromosomal patterns among all three species, despite identical chromosome numbers in the two Habenaria taxa. This study provides the first cytogenetic report for these species and highlights the importance of chromosome structure, particularly centromere position and arm ratio, in species delimitation. The findings contribute valuable baseline data for taxonomy, evolutionary studies, and conservation of Orchidaceae in Thailand. Full article

Macroevolutionary analysis evaluating structural monophyly as descent with modification allows recasting of taxa in terms of physics as evolutionary mechanics. There are four natural ranks, as generalized taxa: the species, genus, lineage, and metalineage, each with distinctive evolutionary processes. The species is the smallest group of organisms whose traits exclude two-sigma of uncertainty and otherwise are active in processes at the genus level. The genus is a complex engine using the Rule of Four and the Pareto Fractal Dimension to fashion and control changes over time in minimally monophyletic groups. Immediate descendant species are limited to four per genus. The lineage is modeled as a caulogram, a stem-taxon tree of present-day species and genera arranged in a timelike sequence. The metalineage is an informationally structured n-tuple set of caulograms for one lineage as calculated at successive times in the past following a morphological clock. Metalineages reveal sustained similar numbers of species across ca. 100 million years, or four or five ticks of a Nemesis extinction clock. Force values associated with evolutionary processes are calculated and compared for two bryophyte lineages at species, genus, and lineage levels. These comparisons include Efficiency Ratio and Evolutionary Force, as well as analogues of classical mechanics: evolutionary distance, velocity, acceleration, force, work, and kinetic energy. A geometric explanation is offered for the Rule of Four constraining the size of minimally monophyletic groups. Full article

Identification keys are important aspects of taxonomic research, but their quality varies substantially. I surveyed all the keys associated with the description of new non-insect animal genera that were available to me (through online and library resources or emailed pdfs received upon request from authors) published in 2021 and 2022. I found 50 keys in 45 papers that permitted the identification of 441 genera, of which 82 were newly described. I assessed the same variables as treated in an earlier paper that dealt only with insects over the same time period. Of the 17 variables evaluated as to whether the key was as useful as possible or whether it was suboptimal, an average of 5.6 were found wanting, very similar to the average for insects (5.7). Important differences between insect and non-insect datasets are: (i) the relatively lower frequency of identification keys associated with the description of new genera in non-insects, (ii) the relatively higher level in the taxonomic hierarchy to which the keys applied in non-insects and (iii) the higher proportion of keys that were to the global fauna in non-insect papers. The frequencies of occurrence of suboptimality among the 17 variables were also similar between the two datasets. Evaluation of non-insect papers suggested several additional recommendations for authors to bear in mind when constructing a key above those resulting from a similar survey of insects. Full article

Two new species of the subfamily Lecithocerinae (Gelechioidea, Lecithoceridae); Notioseus liberianus Park & Karisch, sp. nov. and Lecithocera maruana Park & Karisch, sp. nov., are described from the Nimba Mountains, bordering Guinea and Liberia. At the same time, Dragmatucha flavoaurea Park & Karisch, 2022, is transferred to Notioseus Park, 2018, resulting in a new combination Notioseus flavoaurea (Park & Karisch, 2022), comb. nov. This species is reported for the first time from Liberia and Guinea, and the male is described and illustrated for the first time, including details of the male genitalia. In addition, Pectinimura paraliberalis Park, 2023, P. bongoensis Park, 2023, and Homaloxestis rawlinsi Park, 2018, are reported from Liberia for the first time. The female genitalia of P. paraliberalis are also newly described and illustrated. Full article

Two new species of Lonchaeidae in the genus Lonchaea, namely Lonchaea desirade sp. nov. and Lonchaea minutissima sp. nov., are described from the island of Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles, an island group in the southern Caribbean Sea. The genitalia of the new species are figured, and comparison is made with other similar species in the Neotropical fauna. Previous lonchaeid records for the Caribbean islands are reviewed. Full article

Knowledge of the biology of the genus Vitis has undergone a profound transformation, evolving from the morphological descriptions of classical ampelography to the high-resolution analyses enabled by modern phylogenomics. This review explores the “Paradox of the Vine”—the remarkable phenotypic plasticity that historically complicated botanical nomenclature—and examines how genomic tools have helped resolve many of these long-standing taxonomic challenges. We trace the development of grapevine genomics from the first near-homozygous reference genome (PN40024) to the current era of telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies and phased diploid genomes. Attention is given to the genomic “dark matter” represented by transposable elements and structural variation, which contribute substantially to varietal identity and species-specific adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Advances in bioinformatic methodologies, including pangenome graph construction and machine learning-based variant detection, now enable clonal discrimination and complex parentage analysis with unprecedented precision. The definition of genuine wild grapevines (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) remains a critical issue in studies of grapevine evolution, domestication, and genome structure. The traditional concept of wild populations free from introgression by cultivated grapevines has been increasingly challenged by ecological observations and molecular evidence. Distinguishing truly wild populations from feral lineages is therefore essential for reconstructing the history of grapevine domestication and understanding patterns of gene flow between cultivated and wild compartments. Future progress in Vitis systematics will depend on the integration of genomic, ecological, and morphometric approaches. We propose that the next generation of grapevine taxonomy will combine the historical insights of ampelography with high-throughput phenotyping and comprehensive pangenomic resources, leading to a predictive and evolutionarily informed framework for the classification of Vitis species and cultivars. Full article

The Tabanidae fauna of Uruguay has historically received limited attention, with most records dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries and concentrated near Montevideo. Here, we provide an updated synthesis of the Uruguayan Tabanidae fauna based on a comprehensive review of the literature, examination of historical material, recent field surveys, and validated records from citizen science. We recognized 52 valid species in 15 genera and six tribes, representing approximately 1% of the world diversity of the family. Four species are currently considered to be endemic to Uruguay. Since the last national revision, species richness has increased by 12%, largely through overlooked bibliographic records, the re-examination of museum specimens, and new distributional data. The fauna is dominated by the subfamily Tabaninae, particularly the tribes Diachlorini and Tabanini, whereas Pangoniinae is poorly represented. Males are described for 62% of the species, but immature stages are known for fewer than 20%, highlighting significant gaps in knowledge. Distributional data reveal a strong spatial bias: nearly half of the species are known from a single department, and four departments still lack records. A comparison with the Brazilian Pampa suggests that only slightly more than half of the species are shared, indicating that the regional fauna remains incompletely documented. Primary-type specimens are predominantly housed in European institutions, reflecting the historical development of Neotropical dipterology and the absence of resident specialists. Overall, our results suggest that the apparent modest diversity of Uruguayan Tabanidae likely reflects historical sampling bias, rather than true faunal impoverishment. Expanded field surveys and integrative taxonomic approaches are essential to clarify species limits, document immature stages, and better understand the biogeography of horse flies in the Pampa biome. Full article

The delimitation of cryptic species represents one of the main challenges, particularly in groups with low external morphological differentiation. In this context, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enables the detection of diagnostic characters at the microscale. This study evaluates the potential of ocular morphology for interspecific discrimination within a group of species of the genus Temnothorax. A total of 246 workers from 52 nests, 13 populations, and 8 species from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa were analyzed. Morphometric variables related to compound eyes were quantified from SEM images (ommatidia number, interommatidial setae, eye diameter). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, effect size estimation (η²), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Random Forest models. All variables showed significant differences among species (p < 0.001), with varying discriminative power. Variables related to ommatidial organization exhibited the highest classification performance, achieving high rates of correct species assignment in multivariate analyses. The use of nest-level means values substantially improved classification accuracy. These results demonstrate that ocular morphology analyzed through SEM represents a promising complementary tool for species discrimination in Temnothorax, complementing traditional and molecular approaches. Full article

Wilsonosaura Lehr, Moravec, Von May, 2020, was described as a monotypic genus from central Peru, based on genetic and morphological characters. This genus is easily distinguished from other lizards in the gymnophthalmid subfamily Cercosaurini, except for Proctoporus, by the presence of an undivided translucent lower palpebral disk, weakly keeled dorsal scales, and the absence of preanal pores. Morphological synapomorphies to distinguish Wilsonosaura and Proctoporus have not been identified. Consequently, differentiation of both genera continues to require molecular analysis. We describe a new species of Wilsonosaura based on morphological and DNA sequence data and extend the geographic distribution of this genus by 88.53 km to the southeast of Ayacucho, Peru, from the nearest known record to date. The new species is known only from the Ayacucho Department, Huamanga and Huanta Provinces, in the eastern Andes, between 2674 and 2800 m a.s.l., where it inhabits humid areas along riverbanks, urban areas, and farming areas and can be found under rocks, logs, and urban buildings. Wilsonosaura sp. nov. can be distinguished from W. josyi by the absence of fusion of the first superciliary and first supraocular scales, a lower count of scales in the mid-body, a higher scale row count on the side of the neck, a smaller size, and a different coloration pattern. Full article

Opuntia miquihuanensis (Cactaceae: Opuntioideae), a new species endemic to the locality Peña-Aserradero, part of the Sierra Madre Oriental, Tamaulipas, Mexico, is formally described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analyses used maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, based on sequences of trnL-trnF, psbJ-petA, matK, ycf1, ppc and ITS. The micromorphology of spines, epidermis, stoma, and pollen was characterized with scanning electron microscopy. Opuntia miquihuanensis is recovered as a supported species within Opuntia s.str. Full article

In this study a new species of Pedicularis, P. dieshanensis, is described. It is endemic to the Die Mountains, China, and grows on the alpine meadow at the edge of the fir forest at elevations of 3150–3500 m. This species is characterized by the presence of cauline leaves in trimerous or tetramerous whorls, a pinnatifid leaf margin, purple corolla, galea with a conical beak, slightly tilted to the left, and hairless filaments. The new species morphologically resembles P. cheilanthifolia and P. anas, with its leaves in trimerous or tetramerous whorls, the beaked and toothless corolla galea, bases of petioles of leaves and bracts that are not connate or cupular, flowers more than 10 mm in diameter, and a corolla tube decurved in the calyx tube. But the new species differs from P. cheilanthifolia by having a pinnatifid leaf margin, shorter galea, longer beak and hairless filaments, and it differs from P. anas by having a pinnatifid leaf margin, stable flower color and longer beak. In this paper, a detailed description of the new species including data on its habitat, ecology, phenology, and conservation status; a distribution map; a detailed illustration; field photographs; and a comparison with closely related species is provided. Full article

The taxonomy and distribution of Kaempferia subgen. Protanthium (Zingiberaceae) in Myanmar remain incompletely documented despite the botanical significance of the region. This study aims to clarify the diversity and taxonomic status of species belonging to this subgenus in Myanmar through field investigations and herbarium studies. Detailed morphological examinations of newly collected and previously documented specimens were conducted to evaluate diagnostic characters and species delimitation. As a result, Kaempferia kayinensis is described in this paper as a new species from Kayin State, southeastern Myanmar, and K. simaoensis Y.Y.Qian as a new country record. In addition, the taxonomic status of K. parishii Hook.f. is reassessed and reinstated based on morphological evidence, distinguishing it from K. ovalifolia Roxb. These findings confirm the presence of four species of Kaempferia subgen. Protanthium in Myanmar (K. kayinensis, K. parishii, K. rotunda, and K. simaoensis) and increase the number of known Kaempferia species in the country to twelve. The results highlight the importance of continued floristic and taxonomic studies to better document the diversity of Kaempferia in Myanmar. Full article

Decomposing whale carcasses on the seabed (whale falls) are known to support distinct communities, with many taxa new to science. This paper describes a new polynoid species, Macellicephala irisae sp. nov., from a natural whale fall at 1240 m depth in Santa Catalina Basin off California, USA. The new species was associated with a cladorhizid sponge growing on a bone, transitioning from the sulphophilic to reef stage. We also highlight the biodiversity of exclusively deep-sea Macellicephalinae subfamily and its most species-rich genus Macellicephala. Morphological and molecular data support the description of the new species, which is also placed within a phylogenetic context using COI, 16S and 18S markers. The new species possesses distinctive filamentous notochaetae not previously reported in Macellicephala, and with the future increase in taxon coverage, an erection of new genus may be warranted. Full article

Among the life forms that have adapted to the harsh Antarctic environment, springtails and mites are the most abundant arthropod groups of the terrestrial ecosystem, both in continental and maritime Antarctica. The study of the systematics of these organisms originates at the beginning of the last century and, in recent years, has received considerable contributions. The taxonomy of springtail species from continental Antarctica has undergone more systematic revisions by way of the integration of modern morphological characters and molecular techniques, the latter of which prompted us to further investigate the morphology of supposed “cryptic species” within the springtail Cryptopygus terranovus from Victoria Land, Antarctica. In this study, a careful morphological analysis was conducted to parse these strongly divergent genetic lineages in order to characterize, from a morphological point of view, these new taxonomic entities. Results from our investigation reveal consistent morphological differences that strongly coincide with geographic and previously reported molecular evidence. With this, we have described two new species, C. fratii sp. nov. and C. dallaii sp. nov., bringing the total number of species of Cryptopygus within continental Antarctica to six. Full article

A new species, Anthurium elsieae, from the Amapá State Forest in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon is described and illustrated. Belonging to the Anthurium sect. Schizoplacium, the species differs from its Amazonian congeners, A. pentaphyllum and A. eminens, by a unique combination of morphological characters, including a short petiole (10–13 cm), inconspicuous venation with a marginal collective vein, and a notably short spadix (ca. 1.7 cm long). Detailed morphological descriptions, habitat information, and diagnostic features are provided. The species appears to be narrowly distributed, occurring at approximately 30 m elevation in terra firme forest. An identification key to the species of Anthurium sect. Schizoplacium is also presented. The discovery of this species highlights the relevance of continued taxonomic and floristic efforts for improving biodiversity knowledge in the Amazon domain and supporting conservation planning. Full article

Colocasia kerrii Gagnep. has been treated as a synonym of C. fallax Schott in both the Flora of China and the Flora of Thailand accounts of Colocasia. However, detailed examination of the type material and additional specimens clearly demonstrates that C. kerrii is a distinct species. It can be readily distinguished from C. fallax and other species of Colocasia by the combination of the following characters: a spathe that is only strongly constricted between the spathe base and limb; a spathe limb reflexed and slightly coiled at staminate anthesis; a sessile or subsessile spadix; subsessile stigmas with very short styles; and a sterile zone between the pistillate and staminate zones nearly as long as the pistillate zone and covered with elongate, rhombo-hexagonal synandrodes. The specific status of C. kerrii is therefore reinstated. It is compared with the later described C. bicolor C.L.Long & L.M.Cao, which is here placed in synonymy. The name Colocasia kerrii Gagnep. is lectotypified, and an amended description, updated distribution data, ecological notes, and a preliminary IUCN conservation assessment are provided. Full article

A new species of Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 is described from Al Ula Governorate, Al Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia. Scorpio furvus sp. nov. is distinguished from closely related congeners, including S. fuscus, S. kruglovi, S. palmatus, S. jordanensis, and S. yemenensis, by a unique combination of morphological characters notably the granulation pattern of the pedipalp chela, metasomal proportions, pectinal structure and length, and overall dark coloration. Morphometric comparisons further support its distinct status. The discovery of this species highlights the underestimated diversity of the genus Scorpio in the Arabian Peninsula and reinforces the view that the Scorpio maurus complex comprises multiple geographically restricted taxa requiring continued integrative taxonomic investigation. Full article