Species Nova Research Articles

A new species of Languidipes Hubbard (Ephemeroptera, Polymitarcyidae) from Borneo.

The genus Languidipes is currently represented by three species distributed in southeastern Asia, India, and Sri Lanka. Languidipes corporaali is the most widely distributed species, and both, male and female imagos, as well as nymphs, are known. In contrast, the other species, L. taprobanes and L. lithophagus, are only known from nymphs. Here, we describe a new species, Languidipes janae sp nov, based on male imagos collected from Borneo, Indonesia. This new species is characterized by the presence of ommation on mesonotum, and penis almost completely divided, with sub-quadrate base and a small outer projection basal to the long and slender distal arms. This constitutes the first record of the genus for Borneo. A cladistic analysis of the subfamily Asthenopodinae supports its taxonomic status.

Characterization of a novel root-associated diazotrophic rare PGPR taxa, Aquabacter pokkalii sp. nov., isolated from pokkali rice: new insights into the plant-associated lifestyle and brackish adaptation

Salinity impacts crop growth and productivity and lowers the activities of rhizosphere microbiota. The identification and utilization of habitat-specific salinity-adapted plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are considered alternative strategies to improve the growth and yields of crops in salinity-affected coastal agricultural fields. In this study, we characterize strain L1I39T, the first Aquabacter species with PGPR traits isolated from a salt-tolerant pokkali rice cultivated in brackish environments. L1I39T is positive for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and nitrogen fixation and can promote pokkali rice growth by supplying fixed nitrogen under a nitrogen-deficient seawater condition. Importantly, enhanced plant growth and efficient root colonization were evident in L1I39T-inoculated plants grown under 20% seawater but not in zero-seawater conditions, identifying brackish conditions as a key local environmental factor critical for L1I39T-pokkali rice symbiosis. Detailed physiological studies revealed that L1I39T is well-adapted to brackish environments. In-depth genome analysis of L1I39T identified multiple gene systems contributing to its plant-associated lifestyle and brackish adaptations. The 16S rRNA-based metagenomic study identified L1I39T as an important rare PGPR taxon. Based on the polyphasic taxonomy analysis, we established strain L1I39T as a novel Aquabacter species and proposed Aquabacter pokkalii sp nov. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of a marine-adapted PGPR strain L1I39T that may perform a substantial role in host growth and health in nitrogen-poor brackish environments.

<i>Elytroatra</i> Daccordi, status novus, e descrizione di <i>E. caroli</i>, species nova, di Bolivia con brevi note su alcuni generi di Chrysomelinae Doryphorini neotropicali ad esso affini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Elytroatra Daccordi, status novus, and description of E. caroli, species nova, from Bolivia with brief notes on some related neotropical genera of Chrysomelinae Doryphorini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Elytroatra Daccordi 2008 is raised to genus level from its original status as subgenus of Proseicela Chevrolat 1836. The new status is proposed in consideration of the wide clypeus, almost smooth, the supra-orbital area strongly raised, with the eyes placed at its vertex so that the head appears notably transversally widened, absence of metathoracic wings, elytral shape elongate with a narrow apical angle (nearly 60°), for the presence of a wide, continuous, bulgy elytral lateral callus, narrow and elongated femora and particularly narrow and elongated tibiae. Type species of the genus is Elytrosphaera melas Jolivet 1950. Elytroatra caroli sp. n. is here described from the same biogeographic region of the Bolivian Yungas. and is the second known species of the genus. Elytroatra caroli sp. n. can be separated at first glance from its relative E. melas for its thoroughly shining black coloration, absence of two symmetrical pores at sides of pronotal disc, the shape of aedeagus with the apex narrower and elongated and shorter and less arcuate tegmen. [Article in Italian]

Solihabitans fulvus gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Pseudonocardiaceae isolated from soil.

A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out on an actinobacterial strain (AN110305T) isolated from soil sampled in the Republic of Korea. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of strain AN110305T with Actinomycetia, with highest pairwise sequence similarities to Goodfellowiella coeruleoviolacea DSM 43935T (97.6%), Umezawaea tangerina MK27-91F2T (97.0%), Kutzneria chonburiensis NBRC 110610T (96.9%), Kutzneria buriramensis A-T 1846T (96.8%), Umezawaea endophytica YIM 2047XT (96.8%), Kutzneria albida NRRL B-24060T (96.7%) and Saccharothrix coeruleofusca NRRL B-16115T (96.6%). Cells of strain AN110305T formed pale-yellow colonies on Reasoner's 2A agar. MK-9 (H4) (68%) and MK-10 (H4) (32%) were the predominant menaquinones. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethyl ethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified aminophospholipid were major polar lipids. Iso-C16:0 (24.5%), anteiso-C15:0 (19.3%), anteiso-C17:0 (15.7%) and iso-C15:0 (15.2%) were the major fatty acids and meso-diaminopimelic acid was the pepdidoglycan. The cell-wall sugars were composed of galactose, glucose, mannose and ribose. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.7 mol%. Based on genotypic and phenotypic data, strain AN110305T could be distinguished from all genera within the family Pseudonocardiaceae and represents a novel genus and species named Solihabitans fulvus gen. nov., sp nov. The type strain is AN110305T (=KCTC 39307T =DSM 103572T).

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Humans, Animals, and Water in Zambia: A Systematic Review

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals that are emerging with a serious public health impact particularly in individuals with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes. Recent scientific evidence is shifting from NTMs being known as traditional environmental organisms to serious pathogenic organisms in both animals and humans. In humans, factors attributable to this rise have been linked mainly to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome pandemic. In recent years there has been an increase in multidrug resistant Tuberculosis in Zambia and it is thought that NTMs could possibly be the cause. This study was therefore formulated to review available information on the prevalence of NTM in humans, animals and the environment, species distribution, zoonotic potential and public health importance in Zambia. This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was done in PubMed and Google scholar using predefined search terms such as ‘nontuberculous mycobacteria’, ‘atypical mycobacteria’, ‘mycobacteria other than mycobacterium tuberculosis’ and ‘Zambia’, in combination with Boolean operators (AND, OR). This particular systematic review draws findings based on literature search between 2000 and 2020. Through literature search 243 papers were identified, 23 duplicates were identified and removed and 206 articles were excluded as they did not meet the inclusion criteria. The full text of the remaining 14 articles were considered for this review. The overall prevalence of NTM in humans was 24.39%, in water 21.5%, in animals 16.05% of which the prevalence in cattle was 14.81% and Kafue Lechwe 1.23%. Mycobacterium intracellulare was the most common isolated nontuberculous mycobacteria in humans and cattle while Mycobacterium gordonae was the most common in water, and Mycobacterium stomatepiae sp Nov in Kafue Lechwe. Nontuberculous mycobacteria are an emerging public health threat in Zambia both in humans and animals and this calls for the need for molecular information on the zoonotic transmission of nontuberculous mycobacteria. Increased awareness of nontuberculous mycobacteria diseases among clinicians and laboratory personnel is crucial for patient management and an essential step for facilitating the identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria species in laboratories.

(055–064) Proposals to clarify Articles 6.9–6.13 and Article 41

(055–064) Proposals to clarify Articles 6.9–6.13 and Article 41

Out of Bound: A New Threatened Harlequin Toad (Bufonidae, Atelopus) from the Outer Borders of the Guiana Shield in Central Amazonia Described through Integrative Taxonomy

We used integrative taxonomy to describe a new species of Atelopus from the lowlands of Central Amazonia in the region of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The new species is geographically isolated from the southernmost species of Atelopus of the Guiana Shield. Atelopus manauensis species nova (sp. nov.) is characterized by the combination of the following characteristics: male snout-vent length range (SVL = 19.1–26.4 mm; n = 11); dorsal and lateral skin smooth; ventral surface entirely white or white with cream-colored gular region; fingers and toes lacking subarticular tubercles and fringes. The advertisement call of the new species has a call duration of 689–840 ms, contains 15–26 pulses, is emitted at an average pulse rate of 25.5 pulses per second, and has a dominant frequency ranging 3088–3610 Hz. The genetic divergence between the new species and its morphologically most similar congeners (A. spumarius and A. pulcher) is greater than 4%. Atelopus manauensis sp. nov. is closely related to species of the A. hoogmoedi complex inhabiting the Guiana Shield. The new species has a small geographic distribution (approximately 4500 km2) in a landscape that is strongly threatened by the growth of Manaus, the largest city in Brazilian Amazonia. The new species is considered critically endangered and in need of urgent conservation measures.

Lentzea indica sp. nov., a novel actinobacteria isolated from Indian Himalayan-soil.

A novel actinobacterium, strain PSKA42T was isolated from a soil sample of Kashmir Himalaya, India (latitude: 34°-01' N; longitude: 74°-47' E; altitude: 5328 ft). The morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics predicted that PSKA42T belongs to the genera Lentzea. Using the Ezbiocloud server it has also been manifested that the 16S rRNA gene sequence of PSKA42 was 98.4% similar with Lentzea guizhouensis DHSC013T, Lentzea albidocapillata subsp. violacea IMSNU50388T; 98.26% similar with Lentzea aerocolonigenes NRRLB-3298T, Lentzea albidocapillata subsp. albidocapillata NRRLB-24057T and 98.19% similar with Lentzea californiensis DSM43393T. Whole-genome average nucleotide identity values between PSKA42T and L. guizhouensis DHSC013T, L. albidocapillata subsp. violaera IMSNU50388T, L. aerocolonigenes NRRLB-3298T, L. albidocapillata subsp. albidocapillata NRRLB-24057T, L. californiensis DSM43393T, L. flaviverucosa As40578T were 84.94%, 85.8%, 87.15%, 87.71%, 79.29, and 87.22%, respectively, suggesting that PSKA42T represented a new species. In-silco genome-to-genome distances analysis and MLSA with selected housekeeping genes also indicated that the isolate should be assigned to a new species under the genus Lentzea. Analysis of the whole-cell hydrolysate found mannose and ribose as major sugar while cell wall amino acid was identified as meso-diaminopimelic acid. Major fatty acids (> 5%) were observed as 15:0 iso (23.81%), and 16:0 iso (26.11%). PSKA42 contains polyketide synthase type-I genes but unable to show antimicrobial activity in laboratory conditions. The average GC content in its genome is 68.3%. Further, based on physicochemical, chemotaxonomic markers and molecular analysis, PSKA42T can be assigned as novel species of Lentzea, we proposed Lentzea indica sp nov. The type strain is PSKA42T (JCM 33729T, MTCC 12936T, MCC 4127T).

A Vivid Orange New Genus and Species of Braconid-Mimicking Clearwing Moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) Found Puddling on Plecoptera Exuviae.

A clearwing moth with a distinct orange, black and white colour pattern was found sucking up fluids from Plecoptera (stonefly) exuviae on rocks, surrounded by water, on a river bank in Thailand. During this process, known as puddling, the sesiid ejected brown liquid, indicating that it was not imbibing water alone. The behaviour was documented via video recording. Morphological and DNA analyses indicate that the moth is a new genus and species of the tribe Osminiini and it is described herein as Aurantiosphecia piotrii genus et species nova. Two species of Aschistophleps Hampson, 1893 have been transferred to the newly established genus. The barcode sequence of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene was obtained with universal invertebrate primers after two sets of standard Lepidoptera primers failed to generate a product. Sections on behaviour, conditions of occurrence and possible mimicry models are included. The unique colouration and body posture of A. piotrii suggest that it is a braconid wasp mimic, with the mimicry model potentially also being the sesiid’s parasitoid.

Exploration of four new Kanchuria sp. of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from the North Eastern Region of India using DNA bar-coding approach

The present investigation was carried out on the earthworms collected from the reserve forests of Meghalaya, which is a part of the North Eastern Region of India, a hot spot of biodiversity to assess diverse earthworms. We adopted integrative approaches involving morphoanatomical taxonomy and cytochrome oxidase 1 sequences using DNA barcoding technique to discriminate different species of Kanchuria genus. The exploration revealed the presence of six Kanchuria species among which four are new: Kanchuria daribokgrensis sp nov, Kanchuria karorensis sp nov, Kanchuria makhulensis sp nov, and Kanchuria mohiskulensis sp nov. Moreover, the species of Kanchuri turaensis and Kanchuri octotheca were additionally identified. The maximum intraspecific and minimum interspecific divergence of six Kanchuria species recorded were 6.11% and 14.85%, respectively. The neighbor-joining tree was constructed using the K2P substitution model, and species discovery was achieved by Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and Barcode Index Number analysis. The study presented the detailed descriptions and illustrations of six species including four new species of Kanchuria supplemented with their DNA barcodes from Meghalaya (North Eastern Region) to facilitate future species identification.

A New Species of Paraturbanella Remane, 1927 (Gastrotricha, Macrodasyida) from the Brazilian Coast, and the Molecular Phylogeny of Turbanellidae Remane, 1926

The family Turbanellidae includes Paraturbanella and five other genera. Despite the fact that the monophyly of these genera were not satisfactorily tested, species belonging to the genus Paraturbanella are distinguished from turbanellids by sharing a peculiar group of tubes on the ventrolateral side of the anterior pharyngeal region known as “dohrni” tubes. In this study, Paraturbanella tricaudata species nova (sp. nov.) from the intertidal zone of a sandy beach in Trindade (Rio de Janeiro State) and the sublittoral sand of Prumirim Island (São Paulo State), Brazil, is described. The new species can be distinguished from all other Paraturbanella species by the presence of three caudal cones (one medial and two laterals to it) and peculiar arrangement of the male system. This is the first description of a Paraturbanella species from Brazil and the third registered from the Southern Hemisphere (as opposed to 19 species in the Northern Hemisphere); thus, knowledge of marine gastrotrichs biodiversity in this region is far from satisfactory.

Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of the Etiological Agent of Canine Orchiepididymitis Smooth Brucella sp. BCCN84.3.

Members of the genus Brucella cluster in two phylogenetic groups: classical and non-classical species. The former group is composed of Brucella species that cause disease in mammals, including humans. A Brucella species, labeled as Brucella sp. BCCN84.3, was isolated from the testes of a Saint Bernard dog suffering orchiepididymitis, in Costa Rica. Following standard microbiological methods, the bacterium was first defined as “Brucella melitensis biovar 2.” Further molecular typing, identified the strain as an atypical “Brucella suis.” Distinctive Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 markers, absent in other Brucella species and strains, were revealed by fatty acid methyl ester analysis, high resolution melting PCR and omp25 and omp2a/omp2b gene diversity. Analysis of multiple loci variable number of tandem repeats and whole genome sequencing demonstrated that this isolate was different from the currently described Brucella species. The smooth Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 clusters together with the classical Brucella clade and displays all the genes required for virulence. Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 is a species nova taxonomical entity displaying pathogenicity; therefore, relevant for differential diagnoses in the context of brucellosis. Considering the debate on the Brucella species concept, there is a need to describe the extant taxonomical entities of these pathogens in order to understand the dispersion and evolution.

A new (singleton) rainfrog of the Pristimantis myersi Group (Amphibia: Craugastoridae) from the northern Andes of Ecuador.

Reserva Las Gralarias is one of the best-studied localities of the Ecuadorian Andes in terms of its batrachofauna. However, as expected in any community, some species are rare and, therefore, their discovery and description are problematic. Herein, based on a single specimen, we describe Pristimantis gralarias sp nov. Even though we are aware of the problems associated to singleton species (i.e., unknown intraspecific variation, limited ecological information), our efforts to finding additional specimens have been unsuccessful. Thus, given the importance of species descriptions in threatened areas (e.g. Andes), and that the new taxon is supported by both morphological and genetic data, we consider that the description is justified. Pristimantis gralarias sp nov is easily distinguished from all other members of the P. myersi group by its long and slender fingers and toes, with discs that are not expanded laterally (or are only slightly expanded). Furthermore, the new species is characterized by having a black venter with minute white spots and a red groin. A molecular phylogeny corroborates the placement of the new species in the P. myersi group and its distinctiveness in relation to other species. Finally, we discuss on the limitations and advantages associated to species descriptions based on one or few specimens.

Analysis of research status and hotspots of snail intestinal flora based on bibliometrics

To understand the current research focus and trends in the field of snail intestinal flora. The literature focusing on snail intestinal flora and published from 1998 to 2017 were retrieved from the core database of Web of Science. The quantitative analysis of literature was then conducted by using CiteSpace software based on the bibliometricsmethod.The research trends were then summarized systematically, and the potential research fronts and focuses were explored. Totally 139 articles were identified in the field of snail intestinal flora. The top three countries with highest publications included the United States of American, Brazil, and South Korea; while the top three institutions were Kyung Hee University, Osvaldo Cruz Foundation, and Oxford University. Five terms were identified as the key words in this field, including diversity, cellulose, Achatina fulica, lignocelluloses, and species nova. Meanwhile, 5 critical papers with the citation frequency over 15 were recognized, and 5 study clusters were formed including the application, diversity, and function of intestinal flora, difference of snail source and flora, and newly discovered bacteria in the snail intestine. The current research focuses on intestinal flora of snails include the diversity, function and application of intestinal flora.

Pronectria japonicaSpecies Nova and a Key to the Lichenicolous Fungi and Lichens Growing on Ochrolechia

Zhurbenko M.P., Tadome K. & Ohmura Y. 2018: Pronectria japonica species nova and a key to the lichenicolous fungi and lichens growing on Ochrolechia. – Herzogia 31: 494–504.Pronectria japonica growing on an unidentified Ochrolechia species is described as new to science. Dactylospora glaucomarioides, D. cf. pertusariicola, Lichenodiplis anomala, L. ochrolechiae, and Sagediopsis campsteriana are newly reported for Japan. Pyrenidium actinellum s. l. is for the first time documented on Ochrolechia. A key to the known species of lichenicolous fungi and lichens growing on Ochrolechia is presented.

Formal Instatement of Allographa (Graphidaceae): How to Deal with a Hyperdiverse Genus Complex with Cryptic Differentiation and Paucity of Molecular Data

Lucking R. & Kalb K. 2018: Formal instatement of Allographa (Graphidaceae): how to deal with a hyperdiverse genus complex with cryptic differentiation and paucity of molecular data. – Herzogia 31: 535–561. Previous molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that the genus Graphis sensu Staiger (Ascomycota: Ostropales: Graphidaceae) represents two separate, only distantly related lineages. Graphis s.str. comprises the species of the G. scripta and G. subserpentina groups (‘Eugraphis’), as well as part of the G. striatula group. For the segregate genus, the name Allographa is available, and this genus includes the G. acharii, G. dussii, G. marginata, G. nuda, and G. symplecta groups, plus part of the G. striatula group. Allographa is closer to the core Graphidaceae (Diorygma, Glyphis, Pallidogramme, Phaeographis, Platygramme, Platythecium, Sarcographa, Thalloloma, Thecaria), whereas Graphis s.str. is sister to this entire clade and takes a more isolated position on a very long branch. A previously published study of 313 taxa, using morphology-based phylogenetic binning, supported the placement of 103 species of Graphis s.lat. in Allographa. This analysis is here emended to include 453 taxa currently placed in Graphis and Hemithecium, with the result that based on molecular and binning data, 182 species are to be placed in Allographa and 271 to be retained or placed in Graphis. Two species, namely Allographa lutea and A. hypostictica, had already been described in that genus, leaving 180 additional combinations, 28 of which are being proposed in a parallel paper; the remaining new combinations (plus one replacement name) in Allographa and Graphis are proposed here. Two names are validated, namely Allographa anguilliradians Lucking ex Lucking species nova and Allographa uruguayensis Lucking ex Lucking species nova. Two new synonyms are established: Graphis ferrugineodisca Seavey & J.Seavey [= Glyphis atrofusca (Mull.Arg.) Lucking, synonymum novum], and G. mikuraensis Y.Ohmura & M.Nakan. [= Graphis srilankensis Weerakoon, Wijey. & Lumbsch, synonymum novum].

Novosphingobium pokkalii sp nov, a novel rhizosphere-associated bacterium with plant beneficial properties isolated from saline-tolerant pokkali rice

Pokkali rice varieties are known for their saline tolerance when specifically grown in coastal saline affected agri-fields of southern Kerala. These fields are prone to seawater intrusion. During characterization of phytobeneficial rhizobacteria from this pokkali rice, L3E4T was isolated. This strain showed some plant growth-promoting functions (production of indole acetic acid (IAA), acetoin, and siderophore), biofilm formation and capacity to use a wide range of plant-derived organic compounds. In planta assay under axenic conditions showed a positive effect of L3E4T on pokkali rice growth; importantly, it was able to attach and colonize pokkali rice roots in the presence of natural seawater, a key adaptation required for survival in pokkali rice fields. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA, recA, and gyrB gene sequences showed that strain L3E4T belongs to the genus Novosphingobium, with Novosphingobium capsulatum GIFU 11526T and Novosphingobium rhizosphaerae JM.1T being the nearest phylogenetic relatives. In addition, DNA–DNA hybridization analysis and phenotypic traits established that this strain belongs to a novel Novosphingobium species, for which we propose the name Novosphingobium pokkalii sp. nov. The type strain is represented by strain L3E4T (=MTCC 12357T = KCTC 42224T).

Revision of the genus Promicrogaster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, with a key to all species previously described from Mesoamerica

The genus Promicrogaster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica, is revised. A key is provided to all new species as well as those previously described from Mesoamerica. A total of 21 species, all authored by Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, are described as species nova: alexmartinezi, andreyvallejosi, brandondinartei, daniellopezi, daretrizoi, eddycastroi, eimyobandoae, fabiancastroi, fabriciocambroneroi, hillaryvillafuerteae, kevinmartinezi, kiralycastilloae, leilycastilloae, liagrantae, luismendezi, monteverdensis, naomiduarteae, pablouzagai, ronycastilloi, sebastiancambroneroi, tracyvindasae. A species previously described from India is considered as incertae sedis. Promicrogaster is considered to be restricted to the New World, with the vast majority of the species found in the Neotropics and a few extending north to the Nearctic. Almost 60% of the known species in ACG are found in cloud forests at over 1,000 m altitude. All of the verified and authenticated host records for Promicrogaster are from caterpillars living more deeply inside plant tissue than simply in rolled leaf structures – although no host data from ACG is available.

An enigmatic aquatic snake from the Cenomanian of Northern South America.

We report the first record of a snake from the Cretaceous of northern South America. The remains come from the La Luna Formation (La Aguada Member, Cenomanian of Venezuela) and consist of several vertebrae, which belong to the precloacal region of the vertebral column. Comparisons to extant and extinct snakes show that the remains represent a new taxon, Lunaophis aquaticus gen. et sp nov. An aquatic mode of life is supported by the ventral position of the ribs, indicating a laterally compressed body. The systematic relationships of this new taxon are difficult to determine due to the scarcity of fossil material; it is, however, a representative of an early lineage of snakes that exploited tropical marine pelagic environments, as reflected by the depositional conditions of the La Aguada Member. Lunaophis is also the first aquatic snake from the Cenomanian found outside of the African and European Tethyan and Boreal Zones.

A new, subalpine species of Daphnia (Cladocera, Anomopoda) in the D. carinata species complex, in the South Island, New Zealand

Until recently, only one native and three apparently introduced Daphnia species were known from New Zealand. We demonstrate that (1) Daphnia in subalpine habitats in southern New Zealand differ morphologically and genetically from the native taxon previously labelled Daphnia carinata to merit species nova status and (2) the name of the latter should revert to D. thomsoni, used by Sars (1894) for Daphnia described from New Zealand mud. We compare some key characteristics and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) sequences of the New Zealand native and other morphologically similar species. Distinctive characteristics of subalpine populations, described as Daphnia tewaipounamu sp. nov., are a wide cephalic shield with lateral flanges curving dorsally via rounded fornices, dorsal cervical depression variably expressed as a ‘step’ in the cephalic shield exuviae and retention of ephippia within shed carapace exoskeletons long after ecdysis. CO1 sequences revealed that D. tewaipounamu sp. nov. belongs to the D. carinata complex but is highly divergent (>14%) from other known members of this complex. New Zealand D. thomsoni is divergent (>15%) from D. carinata s.s. However, it is not endemic to New Zealand, as we confirmed its presence in Tasmania, and some Australian populations are closely related to it.