The 50 most-cited articles in Zootaxa, 2023

The hard tick family Ixodidae currently comprises 762 species worldwide, but an analysis of the occurrence of these species in the world´s countries, territories, zoogeographic regions (Afrotropical, Australasian, Nearctic, Neotropical, Oriental, Palearctic) and remote islands has not been attempted since 2009. Here, we present and critically discuss distributional data for all currently accepted ixodid species known from 226 countries and territories in six zoogeographic realms. This summary of ixodid tick biogeography should prove to be a valuable reference for biologists interested in ticks as organisms as well as specialists focusing on tick-borne diseases. Data for all species treated here were derived from a literature search that ended on March 31, 2022.

At a time when nature conservation has become essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of our environment, it is widely acknowledged that conservation actions must be implemented within a solid taxonomic framework. In preparation for the upcoming update of the IUCN Red List, we here update the European checklist of the wild bees (sensu the IUCN geographical framework). The original checklist, published in 2014, was revised for the first time in 2017. In the present revision, we add one genus, four subgenera and 67 species recently described, 40 species newly recorded since the latest revision (including two species that are not native to Europe), 26 species overlooked in the previous European checklists and 63 published synonymies. We provide original records for eight species previously unknown to the continent and, as original taxonomic acts, we provide three new synonyms, we consider two names as nomina nuda, ten names as nomina dubia, three as species inquirenda, synonymize three species and exclude 40 species from the previous checklist. Around a hundred other taxonomic…

In the current paper we present an updated checklist of all the megadrile earthworms (Crassiclitellata: Annelida) in the world, and notes on the distribution of families worldwide. Biogeographic responses to geological phenomena including plate tectonics, as well as to past and present climate and habitat distributions, are the main factors determining the present distribution of earthworm families. A total of ca. 5,738 species/subspecies (5,406 species and 332 unique subspecies; i.e., not counting the nomino-typical subspecies) belonging to 23 families (including one non-crassiclitellate family: Moniligastridae) are currently recognized worldwide, of which three families (Tritogeniidae and Kazimierzidae from Southern Africa and Arecoidae, a new family from Brazil described herein), 35 genera and close to 1200 new taxa (including subspecies) were described in the 21st century. Nonetheless, the large number of still undescribed species will likely increase this value to well over 8,000 species. Ten families are monospecific and/or monogeneric and have a mostly restricted…

Beginning about 80 years ago, the recognition of morphological varieties of mosquitoes was gradually replaced by the recognition of subspecies. As an examination of revisionary and detailed taxonomic studies of mosquitoes clearly shows, subspecies are untenable concepts which have been synonymized with nominotypical forms or recognized as distinct species. Thus, from our perspective, subspecies is not a functional or practical taxonomic rank. Consequently, in this study we critically assessed the taxonomic status of the 120 nominal taxa distinguished as subspecies before now to determine whether they should be recognized as separate species or synonymous names. As a result, 96 subspecies are formally elevated to specific rank, 22 are relegated to synonymy with nominotypical forms, one is considered a nomen dubium, one a species inquirenda and the names of four nominal species regarded as synonyms are revalidated. The subspecies and their new status are listed in a conspectus. The revalidated species include Anopheles argentinus (Brèthes, 1912), from synonymy with An.…

The present work is an update and a substantial expansion of Barker & Walker (2014). Barker & Walker (2014) dealt with 16 species of particular importance to domestic animals and humans whereas the present work deals with all 125 of the species known from Australasia; that is Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, Sulawesi, and the islands of the western Pacific. These comprise 102 species of ixodid (hard) ticks and 23 species of argasid (soft) ticks.

A synthesis of planthopper suprafamilial and familial classification is provided and discussed, solving some nomenclatural issues for the group, and adopting an enriched presentation with a clear distinction between the taxon name and its concept.

An illustrated guide to the tribe Coccinellini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccinellinae) of the Indian Subcontinent comprising 119 species of 30 genera is presented. Brief diagnostic accounts of the genera and the species included therein are given with supporting illustrations of diagnostic characters, including genitalia, wherever available. Details of distribution, prey and plant associations, and seasonal occurrence are provided based on collections, label data and literature. For 31 species, illustrations of the life stages are included to facilitate the field identification of the immature stages. Adalia puetzi Iablokoff-Khnzorian, 1986 is synonymized with Adalia simmondsi Kapur & Sudha Rao, 1962 (new synonym). Oenopia smetanai Canepari, 1997 is removed from synonymy with O. flavidbrunna Jing, 1986 and restored as a valid species (status revised). Illeis kapuri Anand, Gupta & Ghai is transferred to Ortalia Mulsant, 1850 (new combination). Two new species, Harmonia andamanensis sp. n. and Phrynocaria prathapani sp. n. are described and illustrated from the Andamans and the…

The psyllid fauna of the Canary Islands is reviewed on the basis of recent field work on Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, as well as the examination of material deposited in several collections. Two new genera and 16 new species are described: Drepanoza Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard gen. nov., Percyella Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard gen. nov., Agonoscena atlantica Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., A. sinuata Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., Arytaina meridionalis Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., Cacopsylla crenulatae Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., C. falcicauda Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., Diaphorina gonzalezi Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., Drepanoza canariensis Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., D. fruticulosi Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., D. molinai Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., Euphyllura confusa Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., Percyella benahorita Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., P. canari Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., P. gomerita Bastin, Burckhardt & Ouvrard sp. nov., P.…

A new formal classification for the largest genus of Perlinae, Neoperla, is introduced to replace the artificial split of the genus into two informal groups. Globally, there are close to 300 named species, with the number rising all the time. The monophyletic clymene-group is assigned to Neoperla (Neoperla) with ~ 140 species in North America, Africa and parts of Asia; its seven main subgroups are briefly characterized. The polyphyletic Asian montivaga-group is replaced by two monophyletic subgenera, N. (Borneella), new subgenus (six species), and N. (Formosita) Klaplek, new status (~125 species). Five species groups in N. (Formosita) are recognized and diagnosed. For 85% of the species known by mid-2023 (DeWalt et al. 2023), their assignment to supra-specific taxa is summarized in a table, while a further 40 species cannot be placed at present. Some additions, remarks and corrections to the phylogenetically oriented synopsis of Perlinae by Sivec, Stark & Uchida (1988) are made. The new species N.(F.) fasciata is named. Eighty-eight figures, including numerous new original…

A catalogue of world species of Lonchaeidae is provided. Ten valid genera and 611 valid species in two subfamilies are listed. For each valid species the list includes author, year of publication, full publication name, page number of original description and, where known, type locality and type depository. All validly named taxa described before 1 January 2023 are included and for species where there are issues relating to taxonomy, distribution, type status or type depositories, 84 supplementary notes are provided. Colour plates are provided showing a representative species of each genus. The world distribution of Lonchaeidae is tabulated by genus, species and biogeographical realm. Details on species that occur in more than one realm and information on online maps that are available for each species is provided. A synopsis of the fauna of each realm is given that includes references to the key literature sources. The use of following nominal genus as valid is necessary due to the previously used nominal genus not meeting ICZN publication standards: Priscoearomyia Morge, 1963a…

A new species of Gnorimoschemini (Gelechiidae), Klimeschiopsis arnoldfransorum sp. nov., is described from specimens collected in Spain. The species is most closely related to Klimeschiopsis terroris (Hartig, 1938), with which it was hitherto mixed, but differs particularly by its small size with reduced yellowish-white forewing markings, the characters of the male and female genitalia, and the highly divergent DNA barcode (cytochrome c-oxidase subunit 1). Adult and genitalia of both sexes are figured. Finally, a checklist of the genus is provided.

Eucosma subvittana is resurrected from synonymy with E. cana (Haworth, 1811) and redescribed from extensive material collected in Greece (Crete) and Tunisia. It is distinguished from the similar E. cana by constant differences in wing pattern and the female genitalia, whereas the male genitalia are inseparable. A lectotype of E. subvittana is designated in order to fix the identity of this species. Adults and genitalia of both species are figured extensively. Furthermore, the DNA barcodes (cytochrome c-oxidase subunit 1) of both species are clearly divergent. In comparison, several cryptic taxa of related species-groups are genetically inseparable.

A new species of the currently Oriental alleculine genus Oracula Novák, 2019 is described from the Eocene Rovno amber, Ukraine: O. campbelli sp. n. This is the first report of a representative of the family Tenebrionidae from this Lagerstätte. Extant species of Oracula occur in Nepal, southern China (Yunnan), Thailand, Laos and Indonesia. The newly discovered extinct species is similar to extant O. amica Novák, 2019 from Nepal.

The hammerhead worms constitute a land planarian subfamily (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Bipaliinae) that is popular among natural historians as well as citizen scientists due to their characteristic semi-lunar-shaped head, the striking colours of many species, and the worldwide presence of introduced species, which has raised much concern about their putative impact on the receiving ecosystems. Despite such current awareness, the majority of Bipaliinae species was described before the second half of the 20th century. Over the past few decades, description of new species has been rather scarce. In the present paper, we describe twelve new species and two new genera from Madagascar, Borneo, and Japan, mainly using specimens that form part of the collections of Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden. Species identification has been based on morphology, inner anatomy, and, when available, molecular information. Our molecular phylogenetic tree suggests that either Malagasy or Bornean representatives form the sister-group to the rest of Bipaliinae. The phylogeny suggests also that the…

We present an in-depth revision of the Batillariidae and Potamididae from the Oligocene to the Pliocene of the Paratethys Sea, covering a geographic area of about 3 million km2 and a temporal frame of 23 Ma. A strong focus of this paper is laid on the consideration of rare and little known literature describing especially faunas from areas of the Eastern Paratethys Sea. The whereabouts of type material was evaluated and lectotypes are defined wherever necessary to clarify the status of most of the available names. In total, we traced 236 species-level names, which have been proposed for Paratethyan Batillariidae and Potamididae. After critical revision, only 28 of these names are accepted herein as valid species. This means that about 90% of the names found in the literature represent junior synonyms or misidentifications. Despite the tendency of several species to form convergent morphologies, the development of early teleoconch whorls allows a clear separation at the genus level. The Paratethyan Batillariidae and Potamididae are placed herein into 10 genera, of which Pustulosia…

An integrative taxonomic analysis recovers a distinctive new species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from Satun Province in extreme southern Thailand as the sister species to the Cyrtodactylus intermedius group of southern Indochina, approximately 600 km to the northeast across the Gulf of Thailand. Based on 1449 base pairs of the mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and its flanking tRNAs, the new species, C. disjunctus sp. nov., bears a pairwise sequence divergence from the mean divergences of the intermedius group species ranging from 17.923.6%. Three different principal component analyses (PCA) and a multiple factor analysis (MFA) recover C. disjunctus sp. nov. as a highly distinctive karst cave-adapted species based on morphology and color pattern. Its sister species relationship to the intermedius groupto which it is added herefurther underscores a growing body of analyses that have recovered a trans-Gulf of Thailand connection across the submerged Sunda Shelf between the southern Thai-Malay Peninsula and southern Indochina. Fragmented karstic…

An updated checklist of freshwater fishes occurring in the Philippines is presented, with notes on their distribution and conservation status. Information was systematically and comprehensively reviewed, and compiled from current and historical sources including published literature, institutional reports, museum records, and online databases. Results indicate a total of 374 fish species within 29 orders and 78 families to occur in the country. Two hundred and twenty-five (60.16%) species are native, of which 85 (22.73%) are endemic; and an additional 64 (17.11%) are non-native. Gobiiformes is the most diverse order (114 species, 5 families), followed by Cypriniformes (54 species, 4 families) and Perciformes (28 species, 13 families). The most speciose family is Gobiidae (89 species), which represents 23.80% of the total fish diversity. Conservation status based on the IUCN Red List indicates that 57 (15.24%) fish species are assessed as "Data Deficient", 188 (50.27%) are "Least Concern", nine (2.41%) are "Near Threatened", 22 (5.88%) are "Vulnerable", 20 (5.35%) are "Endangered",…

A synopsis of the Palaearctic species of the ant genus Cardiocondyla Emery 1869 is provided. The four species groups which are of Palaearctic origin or which are restricted in their distribution to this faunal zone, the C. elegans, C. ulianini, C. batesii and C. stambuloffii group-consisting of 25 recognized species-are taxonomically revised. Further nine species belonging to species groups of Ethiopic and Oriental origin which may penetrate into and build up true outdoor populations in the southern Palaearctic are only treated in the determination key. The main working rationale of this revision is Numeric Morphology-Based Alpha-Taxonomy (NUMOBAT) with formation of species hypotheses largely based on exploratory data analyses and checking these hypotheses by discriminant analysis. NUMOBAT data of the species considered comprise 727 worker samples with 1555 individuals and 23,300 primary data. Including high-resolution photos of surface microstructures, all species are depicted by z-stack imaging in four standard visual positions. Numeric data on 19 phenotypical characters are…

Andrena is the second most speciose genus of bees, but much taxonomic work is still required to describe taxa from its centre of diversity-the Old World Mediterranean basin including Turkey to Central Asia-as well as to resolve nomenclatural issues. An additional 16 new species discovered in museum collections are described here: Andrena (Taeniandrena) laevicorpus spec. nov. and Andrena (Ulandrena) graciliata spec. nov. from Cyprus; Andrena (Taeniandrena) taedium spec. nov. from Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, and Iran; Andrena (incertae sedis) maharashtra spec. nov. from India; Andrena (Leimelissa) claves spec. nov. from Kazakhstan; Andrena (Hoplandrena) cephalgia spec. nov. from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan; Andrena (Habromelissa) angustula spec. nov. from Mongolia; Andrena (Tarsandrena) palliata spec. nov. from Mongolia & China; and Andrena (Graecandrena) peculiaris spec. nov., Andrena (incertae sedis) colatorium spec. nov., Andrena (incertae sedis) discordia spec. nov., Andrena (incertae sedis) orichalcum spec. nov., Andrena (Melandrena) nox spec. nov., Andrena (Margandrena)…

With alarming frequency, significant collections in natural history museums have been destroyed or damaged through insurrections, cyclones, wars, fires, floods, or earthquakes particularly in the nineteenth century but continuing into the twentieth century with World War II bombings, fires, and earthquakes being the primary causes of loss in fifty-seven institutions across thirty countries. We review the loss or damage of museum collections globally, and their varied causes. We emphasize the benefits of dispersal of a sample of paratypes across institutions as an essential feature of taxonomic practice. We argue that museums do not own type material but are acting as perpetual custodians of type material on behalf of science and society in general, and that museums, therefore, have an obligation to minimize the risk to their collections. The significance of the loss of type material would be ameliorated if, when there are numerous paratypes or syntypes, members of a type series were distributed among several institutions. This is currently common practice but historically this was…

An annotated checklist of the marine amphipods recorded from Indian waters is compiled from the available peer-reviewed literature. A total of 266 species belonging to 133 genera and 56 families are listed. The maximum numbers of species were recorded from the South Indian Ecoregion (177 species, 98 genera, 47 families), followed by the Western India Ecoregion (101 species, 72 genera, 36 families), the Eastern Indian Ecoregion (99 species, 65 genera, 35 families), the Northern Bay of Bengal Ecoregion (92 species, 53 genera, 29 families), the Maldives Ecoregion (32 species, 24 genera, 16 families), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Ecoregion (31 species, 22 genera, 18 families). Notes on the questionable identifications and records of some amphipods are also provided.

We report the presence of the invasive ambrosia beetle, Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff, 1868), for the first time in South America. The identity is established by morphological and molecular methods, although the sequences suggest that it represents a separate haplotype from the populations that have caused significant damage in South Africa, Israel, and California, and is most phylogenetically similar to specimens from Asia and greenhouses in Europe. This pest is one of the most successful invaders, causing high economic and ecological impacts in the regions where it is introduced. Our records are from the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, one of the most populated and largest port cities in South America, where attacks by this beetle are present on a wide range of living street trees. The large number of trees attacked and the new records of reproductive host species suggest that the beetle is already established and widespread in the citys urban forest. This context implies that the beetle may pose a threat to the urban and natural environment, as well as to the forests and fruit…

Seven genera and seven species of Lasiocampidae are newly recorded from the Zanzibar Island (Unguja): Bombycopsis C. & R. Felder, 1874 with Bombycopsis nigrovittata Aurivillius, 1927; Pallastica Zolotuhin & Gurkovich, 2009 with an unidentified species; Dollmania Tams, 1930 with an unidentified species; Mallocampa Aurivillius, 1902 with Mallocampa leighi Aurivillius, 1922; Eucraera Tams, 1930 with Eucraera witti Prozorov, 2016; Philotherma Möschler, 1887 with Philotherma montibia Strand, 1912; and Odontopacha Aurivillius, 1909 with Odontopacha fenestrata Aurivillius, 1909. The species are followed with taxonomic notes updating the status and distribution of the taxa. Bombycopsis nigrovittata is shown to have the maximum p-distance of 0.3% in cytochrome c oxidase I from Bombycopsis pallida Joannou & Krüger, 2009. Two specimens of Pallastica sp. from Zanzibar are different in wing coloration but identical genetically, both are 0.8-1.2% far from sequenced specimens collected in southern Malawi and eastern Zimbabwe and altogether 3.0-3.8% far from the Zambian and Malawian populations…

The nectar-feeding bats of the genus Anoura are widely distributed in the Neotropics, but are most speciose in the Andes. Anoura cultrata is a rare mid-elevation bat occurring in South and Central America. It is thought to be one of the few bat species exemplifying a latitudinal cline in body size. We address three systematic and biogeographic questions: 1) is the geographic variation in A. cultrata continuous, as argued to justify its current monotypic status? 2) do ecogeographic barriers to dispersal affect such variation? and 3) how do the genetic divergence and biogeography of the species compare to those of other members of the genus? To answer these questions, we used morphometric analyses, ecological niche modeling, and DNA barcoding. We divided the samples of A. cultrata into six geographic groups, delimited by topographic depressions separating mountain systems. We did not find significant correlations between body size and the geographic coordinates within five groups. Therefore, we conclude that ecogeographic barriers to dispersal between the regions occupied by such…

Costa do Descobrimento is located in southern Bahia, Brazil, and only 22 species of sponges (Porifera) were known from the area until now, despite its important reef formations. In the present study, we report a checklist of the sponges of Costa do Descobrimento and their distribution in the studied reefs, with several species illustrated in life. We also describe nine new sponge records for this region, some of which are new records for Brazil, or new records of species previously only poorly known. We present alpha and beta diversity indices and compare the sponge assemblage of the sampled locations. Four reefs were considered: two fringing reefs (Arraial D'Ajuda-AA and Coroa Vermelha / Mutá-CVM) and two offshore Municipal Marine Park "Parque Municipal Marinho- (P.M.M. Coroa Alta-CA and P.M.M. Recife de Fora-RF). A total of 229 specimens were collected (224 Demospongiae, 2 Homoscleromorpha and 3 Calcarea). These were classified in 101 morphotypes. Studied materials included representatives of 15 orders, 34 families and 48 genera. The richest orders are Haplosclerida (29 spp.),…

The Arabian Peninsula comprises the seven countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen (including the Socotra archipelago), covering an area of more than 3 million km). Although arid habitats cover most parts of the Arabian Peninsula, the region has several freshwater systems and comprises all or parts of four freshwater ecoregions basins that support a variety of inland aquatics including fishes. The current checklist provides all fish species in inland waters of the Arabian Peninsula including all recognized and named taxa, documenting recent changes and controversies in nomenclature, records, taxonomic status, occurrence, synonyms, common English name, range distribution, and conservation status based on several field surveys throughout the area and available articles. The confirmed inland ichthyodiversity of the Arabian Peninsula comprise 48 species belonging to 25 genera, 14 families, nine orders, and a class. Among these, 10 species (20.8%) are alien, and 21 species (52.3%) are considered endemic to the Arabian Peninsula.…

Research studies and conservation actions aimed at improving conditions for bees require a basic understanding of which species are present in a given region. The US state of Minnesota occupies a unique geographic position at the confluence of eastern deciduous forests, northern boreal forests, and western tallgrass prairie, which has led to a diverse and unique bee fauna. In recent years there have been multiple ongoing bee-focused inventory and research projects in Minnesota. Combined with the historic specimens housed in the University of Minnesota Insect Collection and other regional collections, these furnished a wealth of specimens available to form the basis of a statewide checklist. Here, we present the first comprehensive checklist of Minnesota bee species, documenting a total of 508 species in 45 genera. County-level occurrence data is included for each species, and further information on distribution and rarity is included for species of regional or national interest. Some species have their taxonomy clarified, with Perdita citrinella Graenicher, 1910 syn. nov. recognized…

Little is still known about the diversity and evolution of marine arthrotardigrades, as they are generally difficult to sample, resulting in a limited amount of molecular data for barcoding and phylogenetic studies. With the current study, we provide the first investigation into COI haplotype diversity in a marine tanarctid and at the same time readdress arthrotardigrade phylogeny. Specifically, we provide COI mtDNA, 18S and 28S rDNA sequences from a population of Actinarctus doryphorus (Tanarctidae) sampled off the coast of Roscoff, France and further provide new 18S sequences from two marine echiniscoidids. A. doryphorus COI sequences confirmed the presence of a single species and further revealed five haplotypes shared among nine sequenced individuals. Our 18S and 28S rDNA datasets were individually and combined analysed with Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood. Actinarctus doryphorus was placed together with Tanarctus sequences within a maximally supported Tanarctidae, confirming previous interpretations that the clade is distinct from Halechiniscidae. Although several…

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents host many endemic species adapted to these chemosynthesis-based ecosystems. The exploration of vent fields including those in the tropical Pacific is currently accelerating, due to the development of deep-sea mining for valuable minerals. Molecular evidence has shown that many vent endemic gastropod lineages include sibling species pairs in adjacent oceanic basins. While the fauna of the Manus Basin is relatively well described, many lineages in adjacent regions in North Fiji or Lau Basins are recognised as separate species, but unnamed. Valuable material from this fauna was studied by Lothar A. Beck in the 1990s, who fully drafted descriptions for these species, but did not publish them. Beck's manuscript names, prior to the present study, represented real species but nomina nuda without taxonomic validity. Here we present the descriptions of seven new species and one new genus, extracted from Beck's unpublished manuscript that was rediscovered after his death in 2020. The publication of these descriptions makes them taxonomically available and respects…

Pocillopora tuahiniensis sp. nov. is described based on mitochondrial and nuclear genomic data, algal symbiont genetic data, geographic isolation, and its distribution pattern within reefs that is distinct from other sympatric Pocillopora species (Johnston et al. 2022a, b). Mitochondrial and nuclear genomic data reveal that P. tuahiniensis sp. nov. is a unique species, sister to P. verrucosa, and in a clade different from that of P. meandrina (Johnston et al. 2022a). However, the gross in situ colony appearance of P. tuahiniensis sp. nov. cannot easily be differentiated from that of P. verrucosa or P. meandrina at Moorea. By sequencing the mtORF region, P. tuahiniensis sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from other Pocillopora species. Pocillopora tuahiniensis sp. nov. has so far been sampled in French Polynesia, Ducie Island, and Rapa Nui (Armstrong et al. 2023; Edmunds et al. 2016; Forsman et al. 2013; Glin et al. 2017; Mayfield et al. 2015; Oury et al. 2021; Voolstra et al. 2023). On the fore reefs of Moorea, P. tuahiniensis sp. nov. is very abundant 10 m and is one of the most…

Ixodes chacoensis n. sp. is described based on males, females, nymphs and larvae collected from vegetation, ungulates and passerine birds in northeastern Argentina. Ixodes affinis Neumann, 1899 is redescribed based on the original type specimens (females) from Leopardus pardalis, and from recently collected specimens from Costa Rica. Ixodes keiransi n. sp., previously treated as North American populations of Ixodes affinis, is described based on males and females from carnivores and ungulates from the southeastern United States. Concatenated total evidence phylogenetics based on combined DNA sequence analyses from mitochondrial genes (12SrDNA, 16SrDNA and COI) and a nuclear gene (ITS2) corroborate the recognition of these species.

We describe a new species of the genus Achalinus Peters, 1869 from Daming Mountain, Shanglin County, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, based on a single adult male specimen. It can be distinguished from all the other species in Achalinus by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) a bright yellow collar around the neck, extending forward to the ventral of the head; (2) tail length comparatively long, TaL/Tol ratio 0.25; (3) DSR 23-23-23, moderately keeled; (4) VS 3+162; (5) SC 74, unpaired; (6) cloacal plate entire; (7) SPL 6, the fourth and fifth in contact with the eye; (8) IFL 6, the first three touching the first pair of chin shields; (9) a single loreal; (10) length of suture between internasal significantly longer than that between prefrontal, LSBI/LSBP ratio 1.34; (11) two pairs of chin shields; (12) longitudinal vertebral line absent. In addition, the uncorrected p-distances between the new species and other known congeners ranged from 6.3% to 25.4% for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1). With the addition of the new species the…

The Afrotropical species hitherto considered to belong to the genera Paratettix Bolivar, 1887, Leptacrydium Chopard, 1950 and Hedotettix Bolivar, 1887 are reviewed, and two new genera, Alienitettix nov. gen. and Rectitettix nov. gen., are established. Four new species are described: Alienitettix usambarensis nov. sp., Leptacrydium femurcrassum nov. sp., Leptacrydium rhombeum nov. sp. and Rectitettix burri nov. sp. Several new combinations are created: Alienitettix gilloni (Günther, 1979) nov. comb. for Paratettix gilloni, Alienitettix villiersi (Günther, 1979) nov. comb. for Paratettix villiersi, Hippodes abidjanensis (Günther, 1979) nov. comb. for Coptotettix abidjanensis, Leptacrydium nanum (Bruner, 1910) nov. comb. for Tetrix nanus and Paratettix royi (Günther, 1979) nov. comb. for Leptacrydium royi. Paratettix angustivertex Bolivar, 1908 is resurrected. It is discussed whether the North American Tetrix arenosa (Burmeister, 1838) belongs to Tetrix and Tetrigini. The following synonyms are established: Coptotettix annulipes Karsch, 1890 nov. syn. and C. convexus Hancock, 1910 nov.…

As a result of the revision of adult males as well as available literature data, 26 species of the subfamily Diamesinae are registered for the Caucasus, belonging to 5 genera. Four species are recorded for the first time for this region, one species, D. elbrusica sp. nov., and one subspecies, D. sakartvella gidanica subsp. nov., are new to science and are described. Six species are classified as endemics of the Caucasus. Distribution of other species of Caucasian Diamesinae is discussed. DNA barcodes of 102 specimens and 20 species of four genera, Boreoheptagyia Brundin, Diamesa Meigen, Pseudodiamesa Goetghebuer and Syndiamesa Kieffer were obtained in this study. Of these, 12 species were deposed in the GenBank and BOLD systems for the first time. We have established that D. cinerella group includes D. kasymovi and probably D. lavillei whereas D. zernyi group includes D. vaillanti and D. valentinae. Highly supported phylogeny and results of species delimitation suggest the description of D. elbrusica sp. nov. and D. sakartvella gidanica subsp. nov. Ps. aff. branickii and Ps. aff.…

Based on morphological and molecular analyses, we herein describe a new species of Achalinus from northern Vietnam. Achalinus quangi sp. nov. differs from its sister taxon, A. emilyae, and other members of the genus Achalinus by at least 4% in terms of genetic divergence based on fragments of the mitochondrial COI and Cytb genes and a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) maxillary teeth 27-29; (2) suture between the internasals distinctly longer than that between the prefrontals; (3) loreal not fused with prefrontal, extending from the nasal to the eye; (4) supralabials six; (5) infralabials five; (6) postocular absent, temporals 2+2, only the upper one in broad contact with eye; (7) dorsal scales in 25(23)-23-23(21) rows, keeled; (8) ventrals 139-141 in males, 141-154 in females; (9) subcaudals 75-84 in males, 69 in the female, all unpaired; (10) cloacal entire; (11) dorsum reddish brown to brown. Achalinus quangi sp. nov. consists of two subclades, the first one occurring on the northern side of the Da River in Son La and Tuyen Quang provinces and another…

Electroanellus belokobylskiji Simutnik gen. et sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is described and illustrated based on a male specimen from late Eocene Danish amber. The presence of an anellus between the pedicel and the first funicular segment is the main difference between the new taxon and most extant encyrtids, as well as all described fossil species. The new fossil also differs from all known Eocene Encyrtidae by its relatively short marginal vein, which is as long as broad. The placement of the new genus in the subfamily Tetracneminae is supported by the absence of the filum spinosum of the linea calva.

In the frame of our investigations on the systematics of the complex of species of Trimeresurus albolabris, we came across specimens from Myanmar variously referred to as Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, 1842 or T. septentrionalis Kramer, 1977 in the literature. We describe a new species of green pitviper of the genus Trimeresurus Lacpde, 1804 from central and southern Myanmar based on molecular analyses drawn from previously published phylogenies and new morphological data. This new species, Trimeresurus uetzi sp. nov., is broadly similar to both Trimeresurus albolabris and T. septentrionalis, but it differs from these latter species by a series of morphological characters such as presence of white pre- and postocular streaks in male, iris copper in male or green gold in female, more ventral plates, and a much shorter hemipenis. We compare this new species with Trimeresurus albolabris as currently defined and other species of this complex. We also emphasize the need for additional integrated studies on Trimeresurus albolabris sensu lato populations distributed in southern Indochina…

Revision of the guttata-group of Alona s. lato justifies its translocation to the genus Prendalona Sousa, Elmoor-Loureiro & Santos, 2018. Emended diagnosis of the genus and diagnoses for all its species are provided. Prendalona belong to the Hexalona-clade of Alona s. lato, it is a sister-group of genus Flavalona Sinev & Dumont, 2016, but differs from the latter in: (1) minute lateral head pores without any pockets below, (2) absence of the genital process on male postabdomen, and (3) absence of inner setae on endites 1-2 of thoracic limb I. Morphology of North American P. barbulata (Megard, 1967) and widely distributed P. guttata (Sars, 1862) is investigated in detail for the first time. Prendalona julietae sp. nov.,sibling-species of P. guttata, is described from Brazil. Global diversity and distribution patterns of Prendalona are discussed.

We present here the first observation of Bipalium admarginatum de Beauchamp, 1933 since its original description 90 years ago. Three specimens were found on Perhentian Kecil Island, off Terengganu State, Malaysia and photographed in the field, and two were collected. This report thus includes the first colour photographs published for this species, from a locality close to the type-locality, Tioman Island (which is ca. 200 km south of the locality in this study, on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia). We describe the external morphology and colour pattern of the species, which correspond well to the original description, itself based only on two preserved specimens. We performed an in-depth molecular characterisation of the species, including its complete mitochondrial genome, the 18S sequence and elongation 1-alpha (EF1-α) sequence. In addition, EF1-α sequences were also retrieved for 5 additional geoplanid species. No tRNA-Thr could be detected in the mitogenome of B. admarginatum, a lack already reported in several species of geoplanids, but we found a 13 bp sequence that…

Anurans of the family Centrolenidae are a highly diverse clade of Neotropical treefrogs. In the last two decades, glassfrogs have become a model system for studies in ecology and evolutionary biology, in part because their taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships are considered relatively well established. However, there are still many gaps in our knowledge, for example, which morphological characters are important for species delimitation. Consequently, several species complexes in Centrolenidae remain unresolved. Using data on external and internal morphology of adult individuals, tadpoles, advertisement call traits and genetic sequences, we describe a new species of glassfrog (Nymphargus pijao sp. nov.) endemic to Colombia that has been previously missasigned to Nymphargus griffithsi. We include in this description data of three phenotypic characters related to pectoral musculature and testis size, which have been traditionally overlooked in studies about the taxonomy and systematics of glassfrogs. In addition, we present details of a low-cost method implemented in the field to…

The primitive ptyctimous mites are one of the most important groups of oribatid mites (Acari), with almost cosmopolitan distribution, except for the Arctic and the Antarctic regions. These mites occur especially in places where there is decaying organic matter. In this study, a detailed catalogue of all known ptyctimous mite species in the world is presented. The catalogue provides information about the zoogeographical distribution of each species, discusses important nomenclatural issues and addresses some remarks. Besides this, it also contains useful data on known juvenile instars of 47 species. The catalogue also presents a classification of the higher taxa of eight families, four subfamilies, 42 genera, 15 subgenera, the taxonomic characteristics and the information about the zoogeographical distribution of 1458 valid known species from all over the world. Among them, 231 species and one genus are enumerated as synonyms, nine homonyms, one rejected name, one genus inquirenda, 41 species inquirendae, four subspecies inquirendae, one genus incertae sedis, 39 species incertae…

New Guinea has the most diverse insular frog fauna in the world, and rates of species discovery and description have increased rapidly in the last two decades. Pelodryadid treefrogs are the second most diverse family of anurans on the island but their taxonomy, relationships, and especially ecology remain poorly documented. Based on differences in morphology, advertisement calls (where available) and phylogenetic analyses of a 787 base pair alignment from the mitochondrial ND4 gene and flanking tRNA, we describe five new species of small treefrogs from hill and lower montane forests in the high rainfall belt that straddles the southern versant of Papua New Guinea's Central Cordillera. Three of these species are known only from forest growing on karst substrates, adding to the growing number of herpetofauna species currently known only from the extensive karst habitats of Papua New Guinea's South-fold Mountains. We also describe the arboreal breeding strategies of two of the new species, and report obligate treehole (phytotelm) breeding in New Guinean frogs for the first time. The…

Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) are parasitoids and a natural enemy of a wide range of holometabolous insects and spiders and are considered one of the largest families in the animal kingdom. Unfortunately, there are great gaps in the knowledge of this family in Colombia. This study aims to expand the knowledge of Darwin wasps in Colombia, through new records for the country and especially the department of Antioquia. We present the diagnosis and digital images of the recorded species, and we describe for the first time the males of three species of Dolichomitus Smith, 1877: D. mariajosae Araujo & Pádua, 2020; D. menai Araujo & Pádua, 2020; D. orejuelai Araujo & Pádua, 2020.

Two new species, Leptobrachella phiaoacensis sp. nov. and Leptobrachella phiadenensis sp. nov., are described from Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam based on genetic divergence and morphological differences. Leptobrachella phiaoacensis sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: size medium (27.833.3 mm in five adult males and 31.541.8 mm in five adult females); head longer than wide; tympanum distinct; dorsal skin shagreened with fine tubercles; toes webbing rudimentary, with narrow lateral fringes; supratympanic fold edged by a distinct black line; the presence of a dark brown triangle in interorbital region and a W-shaped marking in scapular region; belly from pinkish white to white with dark brown specking on belly periphery; iris bicolored copper in upper part, fading to silvery grey in lower part. Leptobrachella phiadenensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: size medium (27.628.6 mm in two adult females); head wider than long; tympanum distinct; skin on…

Herein we propose a new name, Lepidocyrtus (Fractocyrtus) amazonaensis nom. nov. Cipola, to replace L. americanus Cipola & Bellini 2018, a combination preoccupied by Marlatt (1896). In addition to new geographic records for the species, two new species of Fractocyrtus are described: L. (Fractocyrtus) andensis sp. nov. from the Colombian Andes and L. (Fractocyrtus) chicomendesi sp. nov. from the Occidental Brazilian Amazon. The new species differs from other members of the subgenus in body color, dorsal chaetotaxy of the head, chaetotaxy of the third and fourth abdominal segment, postlabial chaetotaxy, trochanteral organ, collophore and furcula, beyond morphology on the lateral process of the labial papilla E. New patterns of body pseudopores are described and added to the new diagnosis for the subgenus. Fractocyrtus now has four species, with distribution from the Andes to the Oriental Brazilian Amazon.

Although Costa Rica occupies a mere 0.03% of the Earths land area, it nevertheless has recorded within its borders approximately 5% of the global diversity of mammals, thus making it one of the worlds megadiverse countries. Over the past ten years, 22 species have been added to the countrys inventory, bringing the total number known as here documented to 271; Chiroptera account for ten of these, having grown to 124 from 114; rodents have increased by eight species, from 47 to 55, with the caveat that we include three invasive species of Muridae that have gone feral. In contrast, the number of orders has decreased by one, by Artiodactyla incorporating the former Cetacea. Notes are provided for all taxonomic novelties since the last update. Since the first taxonomic compendium of the mammals of Costa Rica in 1869, the number of known species has grown by approximately 1.22 species year-1 (R2 = 0.96). Since 1983 however, this growth rate has been 1.64 species year-1 (R2 = 0.98). Despite this strong growth, an asymptote in the number of known species has not been reached. Conservation…

The present checklist of the spiders (Araneae) of Algeria is based on literature items published from 1846 to 2022. Altogether 876 species belonging to 51 families are listed. Taxonomic references are mentioned for each species, with indication of synonymous usage or taxa changes. Information about species distribution in the Algerian provinces is also provided, revealing significant disparities in knowledge about each province. Linyphiids present the highest number of known species (155) and the highest endemic richness (54 species). Eight families are represented by a single species. 227 species are known exclusively from Algeria. Moreover, a comparison was executed between the results reported in Algeria and those reported in the neighboring countries (Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya).

Many of Australias smaller marsupial species have been taxonomically described in just the past 50 years, and the Dasyuridae, a speciose family of carnivores, is known to harbour many cryptic taxa. Evidence from molecular studies is being increasingly utilised to help revise species boundaries and focus taxonomic efforts, and research over the past two decades has identified several undescribed genetic lineages within the dasyurid genus Planigale. Here, we describe two new species, Planigale kendricki sp. nov. (formerly known as Planigale 1) and P. tealei sp. nov. (formerly known as Planigale sp. Mt Tom Price). The two new species have broadly overlapping distributions in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The new species are genetically distinct from each other and from all other members of the genus, at both mitochondrial and nuclear loci, and morphologically, in both external and craniodental characters. The new species are found in regional sympatry within the Pilbara but occupy different habitat types at local scales. This work makes a start at resolving the cryptic…

Adults of the African species of the genus Neoperla Needham, 1905 (Plecoptera: Perlidae: Perlinae) are revised, and 82 valid species are recognised. Of the original 29 named species, 14 valid ones are redescribed from types, nine lectotypes are designated, and nine new synonymies are proposed. Sixty-two new species are named, and several additional new species only known from material insufficient for formal description are listed. There are one unavailable nomen nudum and three doubtful names. Diagnostic morphological traits of the recognised species are described and illustrated in detail where available of males, females, and eggs. Dichotomous keys to all species are provided. Mitochondrial DNA-data of 71 species-group taxa are available, which permits reliable association of sexes and minimises the risk of synonymies between species known from only one sex. Importantly, this includes DNA sequences from 50 holotypes. The DNA-data will also permit future monitoring with eDNA sequencing and identification of nymphs, which are probably important but so far unidentifiable…

Tree-kangaroos of the genus Dendrolagus occupy forest habitats of New Guinea and extreme northeastern Australia, but their evolutionary history is poorly known. Descriptions in the 2000s of near-complete Pleistocene skeletons belonging to larger-bodied species in the now-extinct genus Bohra broadened our understanding of morphological variation in the group and have since helped us to identify unassigned fossils in museum collections, as well as to reassign species previously placed in other genera. Here we describe these fossils and analyse tree-kangaroo systematics via comparative osteology. Including B. planei sp. nov., B. bandharr comb. nov. and B. bila comb. nov., we recognise the existence of at least seven late Cenozoic species of Bohra, with a maximum of three in any one assemblage. All tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagina subtribe nov.) exhibit skeletal adaptations reflective of greater joint flexibility and manoeuvrability, particularly in the hindlimb, compared with other macropodids. The Pliocene species of Bohra retained the stepped calcaneocuboid articulation characteristic of…