Undescribed Species Research Articles

First record of a hydrozoan (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) growing on a sigalionid scaleworm (Annelida, Sigalionidae)

The scaleworm Pelogenia fimbriata (Hartman, 1939) collected from Secas Islands, Panama, during the Allan Hancock Pacific Expedition in 1916, was not only recognized as an undescribed species at the time of discovery but has also revealed a new finding almost nine decades after its description. A paratype of P. fimbriata was examined in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, USA and the hydroid Bimeria vestita Wright, 1959 was found attached to an anterior scale of the worm. The interaction between B. vestita and P. fimbriata in this study represents the first record of epibiosis of a hydroid on a sigalionid scaleworm. This discovery contributes to our understanding of epibiosis in Hydrozoa and opens new avenues for further research in this area.

A new species of Namib Day Gecko (Gekkonidae: Rhoptropus Peters, 1869) from the Serra da Neve inselberg, southwestern Angola

The genus Rhoptropus comprises nine recognized species of diurnal geckos endemic to the arid regions of Angola and Namibia. Seven species occur in Angola, including the widespread R. boultoni and the poorly known Angolan endemics R. benguellensis and R. montanus, formerly recognized as subspecies of R. boultoni. While R. benguellensis is relatively widespread in the Angolan Escarpment highlands, R. montanus is geographically restricted to the Huíla Plateau. Recent fieldwork on the Serra da Neve inselberg, a herpetological diversity hotspot in southwestern Angola, revealed the presence of an undescribed species of Rhoptropus at an elevation of approximately 1600 m. An integrative taxonomic approach combining coloration, morphological and molecular data supports the recognition of this population as a distinct taxonomic unit with affinities to R. montanus, which we describe herein as Rhoptropus nivimontanus sp. nov. The discovery of a new species of Rhoptropus endemic to Serra da Neve is discussed in the biogeographic context of the region.

Generic delimitation in the Cyphotheca-Plagiopetalum-Sporoxeia clade.

The Cyphotheca-Plagiopetalum-Sporoxeia clade (Sonerileae, Melastomataceae) comprises Cyphotheca Diels, Plagiopetalum Rehder, SporoxeiaW.W.Sm., and some species of the highly polyphyletic Phyllagathis Blume, as well as some undescribed species, which requires taxonomic revision at the generic level. In this study, we expanded taxon sampling of the CPS clade and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships using genomic SNPs and whole plastomes assembled from genome resequencing data. We recognized six subclades in the CPS clade and observed strong cytonuclear incongruences within and among subclades. Gene tree simulation and Patterson's D-statistic indicated that the conflicting phylogenetic signals were mainly caused by incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization/introgression. Molecular and morphological divergence among species of the CPS clade were evaluated using principal component analysis. Genomic SNP data clearly separated the six subclades, whereas the boundaries of some subclades were obscure in the plots of morphological data. Through reconstruction of morphological characteristics, we found a high level of homoplasy for some characters but also identified potential synapomorphies for the lineages. Based on the results, a revised generic classification is proposed for the CPS clade. Specifically, we expand Cyphotheca, Plagiopetalum, and Sporoxeia to include additional species, and establish three new genera, namely Chiehchenii, Neophyllagathis, and Sporotheca. A description and a list of species are provided for each of the six genera. Four new species are described.

Identification of Starmerella aleppica f.a., sp. nov. and large indels in the rRNA cistron that split the Starmerella genus.

Yeast strains representing a novel asexual ascomycetous species were isolated from seven Malva sylvestris flowers. Sequencing of the chromosomal regions coding for the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit ribosomal RNA, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 segments and parts of the gene coding for the small subunit ribosomal RNA showed that the isolates were conspecific. Comparative analysis of these sequences and the corresponding sequences of the type strains of ascomycetous yeasts revealed that the strains represent a hitherto undescribed species belonging to the sensu stricto subclade of the genus Starmerella. The new species is osmotolerant and can develop invasive pseudohyphae, but does not form spores. For the new species, the name Starmerella aleppica f.a. (forma asexualis) is proposed. The holotype, preserved in a metabolically inactive state, is CBS 12960T (extype cultures: 2-1361 and CCY 90-2-1, NCAIM Y.02123). The GenBank accession numbers of barcode sequences are JX515983 (D1/D2 domain), JX515985 (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and partial 18S rRNA gene), PQ613837 (TEF1 partial sequence) and PQ613838 (RPB2 partial sequence). MycoBank: MB855459. The analysis of the D1/D2 and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of the type strains of species of the genus identified multiple multinucleotide indels that can be used as taxonomic markers (InDel markers). The indel patterns of the subclades are very different and homogeneous within the subclades. This result reinforces the idea raised, but also refuted, in previous studies that the Starmerella subclades may represent different genera.

Integrative use of DNA barcode and morphology reveal high level of diversity in the ornamental fish on the lower Amazon basin.

The Amazon basin is the world's largest hydrographic basin, in terms of both its total area and its species diversity, with more than 2,700 species of fish. Despite this diversity, the data available on the fish fauna of the Amazon basin are still relatively scant and incomplete, in particular from the streams and floodplain lakes of the lower Amazon, which may contain a large proportion of the still undescribed species of the basin. Many of these species are expected to be of interest to the ornamental fish market. The investigation of the diversity of potential ornamental fish using molecular tools is even more limited. Given this scenario, the present study employed DNA barcoding to investigate the diversity of ornamental fish found in two streams and a floodplain lake of the lower Amazon. The mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase I (MT-CO1) molecular marker was used to identify the taxa, in combination with morphological keys. A total of 51 ornamental species were identified, representing 13 families and three orders. A majority of the species were found at only one of the sampling points, which indicates that the distribution of the species is influenced by ecological factors. The most speciose order was the Characiformes, followed by the Cichliformes and Siluriformes, while the family with the greatest diversity of species was the Acestrorhamphidae (31.3% of the total number of species), followed by the Cichlidae (27.4%), and the Lebiasinidae (9.8%). One specie was registered in the region of the lower Amazon for the first time, and evidence was found of the possible existence of species not formally described of Aphyocharax, Astyanax, Apareiodon and Hemigrammus.

A new species of Arctodiaptomus Kiefer, 1932 (Copepoda: Diaptomidae) from the Kumaun Himalaya of India

A new species of the freshwater copepod genus Arctodiaptomus is described from a high-altitude lake of Kumaun Himalaya. The undescribed species differs from their congeners by the presence of a strong comb-shape denticulated spine at the antepenultimate segment of male right antennule. Basis of the male fifth right leg possess a butterfly shape hyaline membrane on the inner lateral side; 2-segmented endopod with board distinct proximal segment. Endopodite of the female fifth leg is elongated round apex without any septum. The identified diaptomid tends to be restricted in the Himalayan region; it seems apparently isolated from the purported main area of the origin.

Reassessment of characters of the ‘Orientomiris-group’, with descriptions of three new genera and eight new species of the tribe Mirini from the Oriental Region (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae)

Possession of stridulatory devices (serrated forewing edge and metafemoral plectra) is suggested as a useful taxonomic character for classification of the complex group comprising Creontiades Distant, 1883, Megacoelum Fieber, 1858, Orientomiris Yasunaga, 1997 and an additional superficially similar taxon which is provisionally called the Orientomiris-group. Three new genera, Muttiocapsus gen. nov., Nythomiris gen. nov. and Sakaeratiella gen. nov., are proposed to accommodate two unique undescribed species from the Oriental Region and a known taxon, Adelphocorisella adelphocoroides Yasunaga, Shishido & Yamada, 2016 from Thailand, respectively. Accordingly, a new combination, Sakaeratiella adelphocoroides comb. nov., is established. Four new species of Orientomiris Yasunaga, 1997 from Peninsular Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand are also described.

Contributions to the Inocybe umbratica-paludinella (Agaricales) Group in China: Taxonomy, Species Diversity, and Molecular Phylogeny.

Inocybe is the largest genus in the family Inocybaceae, with approximately 1000 species worldwide. Basic data on the species diversity, geographic distribution, and the infrageneric framework of Inocybe are still incomplete because of the intricate nature of this genus, which includes numerous unrecognized taxa that exist around the world. A multigene phylogeny of the I. umbratica-paludinella group, initially designated as the "I. angustifolia subgroup", was conducted using the ITS-28S-rpb2 nucleotide datasets. The seven species, I. alabamensis, I. angustifolia, I. argenteolutea, I. olivaceonigra, I. paludinella, I. subangustifolia, and I. umbratica, were confirmed as members of this species group. At the genus level, the I. umbratica-paludinella group is a sister to the lineage of the unifying I. castanea and an undescribed species. Inocybe sect. Umbraticae sect. nov. was proposed to accommodate species in the I. umbratica-paludinella group and the I. castanea lineage. This section now comprises eight documented species and nine new species from China, as described in this paper. Additionally, new geographical distributions of I. angustifolia and I. castanea in China are reported. The nine new species and I. angustifolia, I. castanea, I. olivaceonigra, and I. umbratica are described in detail and illustrated herein with color plates based on Chinese materials. A global key to 17 species in the section Umbraticae is provided. The results of the current study provide a more detailed basis for the accurate identification of species in the I. umbratica-paludinella group and a better understanding of their phylogenetic placement.

Clarification of Prosthechea guttata (Orchidaceae) and description of an “old” new Prosthechea species from southern Mexico and Guatemala

Background: Epidendrum guttatum A.Rich. & Galeotti, based on specimens collected by Galeotti in Mexico in 1840, was predated by E. guttatum L. and replaced by Encyclia guttata Schltr. and subsequently by superfluous Epidendrum maculosum Ames, F.T.Hubb. & C.Schweinf. Questions: The study aimed to show that the concept of Prosthechea guttata of recent authors was based on a misinterpretation of its type material, resulting in the application of the name to a different, undescribed species. Studied species: Prosthechea guttata (Schltr.) Christenson and P. sanchezii Salazar, R.Jiménez & T.L.Vieira. Study site and dates: Southern Mexico and Guatemala, 2004-2024. Methods: Study of type material and its comparison with recent collections; field work; documental and herbarium research. Results: The identity of Epidendrum guttatum A.Rich. & Galeotti (now Prosthechea guttata) is clarified, showing that recent authors have misinterpreted that morphologically distinctive species restricted to the Sierra Madre del Sur, Oaxaca, Mexico, confusing it with an undescribed species distributed east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico and in Guatemala. The latter is proposed here as a new species, Prosthechea sanchezii, distinguished from genuine P. guttata, and all other Prosthechea species, mainly by the echinate-warty crests on the outer surface of the sepals. Conclusions: Prosthechea guttata and P. sanchezii are two distinct species historically confused but easily distinguished by morphological attributes, each distributed on opposite sides of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

A new species in the mealybug genus Pseudococcus Westwood (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) from Indonesia

The mealybug genus Pseudococcus Westwood (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) contains several important agricultural and/or horticultural pests in southern Asia, where information on species diversity and distributions is still incomplete. While studying the mealybug fauna in southern Sumatra, Indonesia in 2022, an undescribed species of Pseudococcus on Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae) was collected. The species is described as Pseudococcus iffahae Zarkani & Kaydan sp. nov.; it has similarities with P. philippinicus Williams, P. longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) and P. odermatti Miller & Williams, with which it is compared. Photomicrographs and a taxonomic illustration of P. iffahae, and an identification key to species of Pseudococcus recorded in Indonesia, Southeast and southern Asia, are provided.

Species diversity in the new lamprey genus Occidentis, formerly classified as western North American ‘Lampetra’

Accurate taxonomy is fundamental to the study and conservation of biodiversity. Because of their morphological similarities, most brook and river lampreys in western North America have been placed in the genus Lampetra along with lampreys from Eurasia and eastern North America. However, molecular-based phylogenetic studies dating back several decades indicate that lampreys from Pacific drainages are genetically distinct from Atlantic Lampetra. Reviewing previous phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes for Northern Hemisphere lampreys, we assign these western North American brook and river lampreys to a new genus, Occidentis. To assess species diversity within Occidentis, we performed a species delimitation analysis using all publicly available cytochrome b sequences of the genus. Similar to previous studies, O. ayresii and O. richardsoni were not reciprocally monophyletic and are best categorized as life history variants of a single species. In addition to O. pacifica, O. hubbsi, and the diverse O. ayresii species complex, as many as seven undescribed candidate species from Oregon and California were identified, supporting results from previous studies with more geographically limited datasets. One specimen from Paynes Creek, California, was identified as a candidate species, although this single individual showed minimal interspecific divergence (1.34%) with O. hubbsi. Further genetic assessment along with information on morphology and phylogeography is needed to determine whether the variation observed between groups of candidate species represents distinct species or divergent lineages within a species complex. Additional sampling will inform whether there are additional species not currently represented in this dataset. Thus, the number of species formally recognized under Occidentis is subject to change with new information. Systematic assessment of the distribution and phylogenetic complexity within Occidentis will enhance our understanding of its evolutionary history and taxonomic diversity, which will guide efforts to conserve the biodiversity of lampreys.

Taxonomy, phylogeny and ecology of a new bambusicolous Resupinatus species (Agaricales, Resupinataceae) from Northern Thailand

The exploration of the fungal diversity associated with bamboos in Northern Thailand has yielded a hitherto undescribed species, Resupinatus reviviscens sp. nov. It is characterized by brownish grey to dark grey basidiomata, basal hairs forming an off-white to yellowish grey subiculum-like felt and composed of hyphae that are thin-walled near the apex and thick-walled near the base, broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores, lack of cheilocystidia and presence of clavate pleurocystidia, and habitat on bamboo culms. Additionally, it has distinct ITS sequences and forms a supported species-level clade separated from other Resupinatus species as revealed by the ML phylogenetic analysis combining ITS and LSU sequences.

Sabah’s hidden giant: Nepenthes pongoides (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic tropical pitcher plant from northern Borneo

Context A poorly characterised carnivorous tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthes) was identified from old reports of a rarely visited low-elevation ultramafic peak in central Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Potentially apomorphic characters in the limited photographic evidence available led the authors to hypothesise that the taxon represented an undescribed species. Aims To locate and document the unknown taxon in situ and, if appropriate, gather sufficient data and voucher material to enable its formal description and associated conservation status assessment. Methods An expedition was made to the type locality to make field observations of the taxon, record habitat, population and ecological data such as infauna, prey spectra and numbers of individuals, and to collect representative vouchers, minimising negative impacts on the small population by taking material in the form of terminal cuttings to allow for the in situ regeneration of sampled individuals from axillary nodes. Key results Nepenthes pongoides is described and illustrated as new to science. The species is characterised by its large size, peltate tendril exsertion, absence of upper pitchers and extremely well-developed, persistent indumentum of long, coarse, dark reddish trichomes, the extent of which is unsurpassed in any other known Bornean Nepenthes species. Conclusions One of the largest species of Nepenthes described in recent years, N. pongoides is endemic to the relatively low-elevation ultramafic Meliau Range of central Sabah. Only 39 mature individuals have been observed across two subpopulations, therefore the species is here assessed as CR (Critically Endangered) under the IUCN Red List criteria owing to its extremely small population size, limited area of occurrence and very high threat of unsustainable poaching for the horticultural trade. As is the case for many microendemic species, the taxon is extremely vulnerable to stochastic events such as fire which, on sufficient scale, could represent extinction level events. Implications The documentation of such remarkable new species in comparatively well-explored rainforest regions such as those of northern Borneo highlights the importance of targeted exploration in remaining wilderness areas to uncover hidden biodiversity. Doing so closes gaps in scientific knowledge, and specifically increases the critical taxonomic and ecological knowledge necessary to support the development and implementation of conservation measures required to reduce the risk of species extinction and concomitant loss of biodiversity.

Phylogeographic pattern and taxonomic revision of the Kaloula baleata species complex (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae) with description of two new species from Indochina

Despite increased attention by molecular taxonomists, the herpetofauna of Southeast Asia still hides many undescribed species among far-ranging taxa. In this study, we re-examine the mitochondrial diversity of painted frogs of the microhylid genus Kaloula, based on ~2,455 bp of published and new 12S and 16S rRNA sequences, and describe two new species from the tropical forests of southern Vietnam and central Laos based on integrative evidence. These species, which belong to the K. baleata complex, feature species-level mitochondrial divergence (> 4.4% at 16S rRNA) and are both morphologically well-differentiated from each other and from the recently described K. indochinensis, to which they were previously confounded. Comparative examinations also indicate distinct male advertisement calls and unique coloration features. Based on genetic barcoding, we preliminarily revise the species distribution ranges in the K. baleata complex, which support a general pattern of biogeographic partitioning that has been widely retrieved among the Indochinese amphibians studied so far. Molecular diversity within K. baleata further suggests genetic structure across Sundaland, namely three shallow mitochondrial haplogroups worthy of fine-scale phylogeographic and taxonomic investigations. Furthermore, our study highlights the propensity of amphibian species “hidden in plain sight,” even among recently studied taxa, thus calling for caution when specifying type specimens—the type series of K. indochinensis, described in 2013, includes specimens of the one of the new species. Our study emphasizes the continued need for thorough herpetological surveys even in supposedly well-known parts of Indochina and sets the ground for future research in Kaloula painted frogs, notably to test evolutionary and taxonomic hypotheses with genomic loci.

A new rainbow gudgeon of Sarcocheilichthys (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Fujian Province, China with redescriptions of S. hainanensis

The teleostean family Cyprinidae is a megadiverse fish taxon that occupies most of the freshwater biomes of the world. The cyprinid genus Sarcocheilichthys of the subfamily Gobioninae is represented by a total of 14 nominal species, most of which are distributed in the vast continent of China. Our recent field collections and surveys in river systems of Fujian Province, southern China, had discovered a cyprinid fish that was recognized herein as a Sarcocheilichthys species new to science. The undescribed species, temporarily known as the Hanjiang rainbow gudgeon, is most similar to S. nigripinnis but can be well distinguished by differences in meristic counts, dorsal fin blotch patterns, and the morphology of oromandibular structures and genital organs. A detailed redescription of the valid Hainan rainbow gudgeon, S. hainanensis, is also provided herein.

A new brackish goby of Drombus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Taiwan with short comments on related gobiid species

The brackish environments of Taiwan were relatively unexplored and therefore houses many cryptic fish species, some of which were still unknown to science till this day. After our repeated estuarine surveys and collections, it was encountered an undescribed species of genus Drombus, that can be clearly separated from its congeners by the following unique combinations of characters: (a) dorsal fin elements VI-I, 10; anal fin elements I, 9; pectoral fin elements modally 17; (b) longitudinal scale rows 32–34; transverse scale rows modally 13; predorsal scale rows 9–10; and (c) specific coloration: body brownish with dark red spots scattered; first dorsal fin dusky with a black blotch. The brief morphological comparisons of the new species with its congeners is also provided herein.

An updated checklist of fishes of Dongsha Island, Taiwan, northern South China Sea.

Dongsha Island, situated in the northern part of the South China Sea, is surrounded by coral reefs and deep-sea habitats. The coastal areas of the atoll, a marine protected area, serve as important nursery habitats for many reef fish species. At the same time, the offshore deep-sea continental slopes are historically important fishing grounds. Although previous inventories primarily focused on coral reef fishes within the atoll listing 652 species from 73 families, comprehensive surveys of fishes from deeper waters have been incomplete. In this study, the species composition of the fish fauna around Dongsha was updated by analyzing large volumes of frozen bycatch from commercial deep-sea trawlers operating in the area for the past four years and reviewing the existing literature. The species list increased to 1087 species belonging to 167 families, including several documented as new records and potentially undescribed species. This updated checklist also includes images of each species and most of their sagittal otoliths. This will assist further taxonomic work and significantly enhance understanding of marine biodiversity in the South China Sea.

Description of Wickerhamia europaea sp. nov. and revisitation of the ascospore number of W. fluorescens.

During the course of two independent studies, six conspecific yeast strains were recovered from flowers, soil, bird faeces and wood of different geographical origins. The six strains share identical DNA sequences in two barcoding regions, the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2). According to sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis, they represent an undescribed Wickerhamia species. The novel species is not only genetically distinct from W. fluorescens, the single species of the genus but can also be distinguished from it by some phenotypic characters. We propose Wickerhamia europaea sp. nov. (holotype: NCAIM Y.01938; isotype: CBS 18675; MycoBank no.: 856571) to accommodate the above noted strains. Under certain fermentation conditions, we detected the production of phenyllactic acid, a potential broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound against food-borne pathogens, by the type strain of the novel species, although in smaller concentrations than in the case of W. fluorescens. Comparing our observations on the formation and properties of the ascospores of Wickerhamia europaea sp. nov. and the ambiguous data on the number of ascospores per ascus of W. fluorescens, we suggest a possible explanation to reconcile the different data regarding the number of ascospores per ascus formed by W. fluorescens.

Diversity of Cytospora Species Associated with Trunk Diseases of Prunus persica (Peach) in Northern China.

Peach (Prunus persica) is widely cultivated in China, but fungal diseases, particularly Cytospora canker, significantly impact tree health, reducing fruit yield and economic value. This disease mainly weakens tree branches and trunks, sometimes leading to tree death. There are no updated studies on the diversity of Cytospora species associated with peach Cytospora canker in northern China. To determine the Cytospora species associated with this disease, we surveyed five provinces from 2022 to 2023, collecting 72 disease samples with symptoms including branches with black fruiting bodies, cankers, cracking, dieback, and gummosis. Through morphology and multi-loci phylogeny, 127 isolates were identified into four known (C. ailanthicola, C. erumpens, C. leucostoma, and C. leucosperma) and two previously undescribed species (C. gansuensis sp. nov. and C. qinanensis sp. nov.). Cytospora leucostoma (73.60%) was the most abundant. Pathogenicity tests indicated that except for C. ailanthicola, all other species were pathogenic to peach, with C. erumpens being the most aggressive. This study is the first to report the novel host association of C. erumpens on peaches globally and represents the first comprehensive investigation of Cytospora species associated with canker diseases in the main peach production area in northern China, offering a foundation for developing effective disease management strategies.

New geometrid moths from Iraqi Kurdistan (Lepidoptera, Geometridae: Sterrhinae, Larentiinae).

A large number of geometrid moths was collected by the first author in Iraqi Kurdistan including several undescribed species and subspecies. In this paper we describe three new geometrid taxa: Idaea medianocturna walaila ssp. nov., Lulavia mahwii sp. nov. and Protorhoe drechseli nebuloides ssp. nov. We present differential diagnoses and images of adult moths and genitalia.