Zootaxa

**Integrative description of Testechiniscus impenetrabilis sp. nov. (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscoidea) from Novaya Zemlya (Russia), with a discussion on the genus diagnosis and distribution**

2026-05-26T11:03:51+12:00

In this paper we describe Testechiniscus impenetrabilis sp. nov., a new tardigrade species from Novaya Zemlya, Russia, using morphological and morphometric analyses conducted with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as genetic analysis based on four molecular markers (three nuclear: 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-1, and a mitochondrial: COI). Upon examination of both type species T. spitsbergensis and T. impenetrabilis sp. nov., we describe internal leg plates as a new character for the genus Testechiniscus, thereby amending the genus diagnosis. This study also presents new data on the geographic distribution of Testechiniscus.

Mediodactylus orientalis (Štěpánek, 1937) (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Greece

2026-05-26T11:05:47+12:00

Mediodactylus orientalis reaches its western distributional margin in the eastern Aegean Sea, but its occurrence in Greece has long remained poorly resolved because of morphological similarity and historical taxonomic confusion with other congeners. We synthesize all available evidence for Greece by integrating published and genetically verified records with unpublished museum material and targeted field observations to refine the species’ insular range and ecological profile. We examined 53 specimens housed in the Natural History Museum Vienna (NHMW) from the Ikaria–Fourni–Patmos Island systems and generated new mitochondrial COI sequences for selected specimens, which we compared with publicly available reference data. Greek populations form a largely near-coastal chain from Ikaria and the Fourni complex in the north to the Patmos, Arki, and Lipsi groups in the Dodecanese. We document three new Greek island records (Kentronissi, Ayios Georgios, Ayia Thekla), extending the confirmed distribution within the Patmos complex. We also provide the first genetic confirmation for the Lipsi group and identify a fine-scale island-by-island distributional boundary with M. kotschyi toward the Cyclades and southern Dodecanese. High intraspecific diversity across geographically proximate Greek islands and the adjacent Turkish mainland suggests a distribution shaped by past vicariant events. Field observations on Ikaria indicate a saxicolous, nocturnal ecology and an elevational occurrence of up to 750 m a.s.l. Remaining distribution gaps, especially the Leros–Kalymnos–Kos–Pserimos area, represent a priority zone for testing contact, coexistence, and possible anthropogenic dispersal.

**A new subspecies of Mecopomorphus amurensis (Heyden, 1884) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Conoderinae, Mecopini) from Okinawa-jima Island, the Ryukyus, Japan**

2026-05-26T11:07:11+12:00

The taxonomy of the genus Mecopomorphus Hustache, 1920 (Curculionidae: Conoderinae: Mecopini) is reviewed. A new subspecies, M. amurensis okinawaensis Fujisawa & Yoshitake subsp. nov., is described from Okinawa-jima Island, the Ryukyus, southwestern Japan. A detailed synonymic list is provided for Mecopomorphus amurensis (Heyden, 1884), the type species of the genus. Ecological and distributional information on the two subspecies of M. amurensis is provided. A key to known species and subspecies of Mecopomorphus is also provided.

**New species and bioacoustics of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) from Sulu Archipelago and Borneo’s Sabah**

2026-05-26T11:08:28+12:00

Two new species of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) are described from Sulu Archipelago: Varitrella (Cantotrella) sulu Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. and Varitrella (Cantotrella) alternata Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. The calling songs of Varitrella (Cantotrella) sulu Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. and Varitrella (Cantotrella) trusmadi Gorochov, 2014 are also described.

**Revision of the Jorama Bark Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Landrevinae) from the Philippines**

2026-05-26T11:10:02+12:00

The subgenus Jorama Otte, 1988 of the genus Duolandrevus Kirby, 1906 is reinstated to full generic status. Jorama now comprises of ten species with two subspecies. Five species and two subspecies occur in the Philippines. Here two new species of Jorama are described from Siquijor Island and Negros Oriental: Jorama bulalakaw sp. nov. and Jorama talinis sp. nov., respectively. A key to species of Jorama is also presented.

**A new Nemesia species from Spanish Catalonia (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Nemesiidae, Haplonemesia)**

2026-05-26T11:11:19+12:00

Both sexes of Nemesia gavarrensis sp. nov. are described from northeastern Spanish Catalonia. N. gavarrensis is considered the fourth species to be included in the subgenus Haplonemesia Simon 1914, that furthermore includes: N. simoni Pickard-Cambridge 1874, N. crassimana Simon 1873, N. raripila Simon 1914. Haplonemesia is a morphologically, geographically and ecologically unified group of four nominal species inhabiting sheltered habitats in and around the eastern Pyrenees. A key to distinguish Haplonemesia species is provided.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Isobinema luisdearmasi sp. nov. (Oxyuridomorpha: Thelastomatoidea: Travassosinematidae) from the mole cricket Gryllotalpa orientalis Burmeister, 1838 (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) in Japan

2026-05-26T11:12:40+12:00

Isobinema luisdearmasi sp. nov. (Nematoda: Oxyuridomorpha: Travassosinematidae) is described from the mole cricket Gryllotalpa orientalis Burmeister, 1838 (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The females of I. luisdearmasi sp. nov. are similar to I. flagellocercum Rao, 1958 (type species of the genus) by some morphometric variables overlapping in both species, namely the body length and the comparative length of the oesophagus and tail. The new species can be differentiated from I. flagellocercum by its comparatively slender body and larger eggs. Isobinema luisdearmasi sp. nov. lacks lateral alae, which are present in I. flagellocercum. The new species differs from I. indicum Singh & Singh, 1990 by its slightly longer body, comparatively shorter oesophagus and tail, and more posterior vulva. Isobinema jairajpurii Singh & Malti, 2003 is larger than I. luisdearmasi sp. nov.; its body is more robust, and its oesophagus and tail are comparatively shorter. Isobinema neoflagellocercum Padmaja & Lakshmi, 1994 differs from I. luisdearmasi sp. nov. by its more anterior vulva. The nomenclature of the species of Isobinema as well as Binema ornata Travassos, 1925, was corrected in order to match the gender of generic and specific epithets. Additionally, the genus Hindustanicola Morffe & García, 2023, is considered a junior synonym of Hexasinghiella Ceccolini & Cianferoni, 2021. Isobinema dimorphicaudum Parveen & Jairajpuri, 1982 is proposed as species inquirenda, since the identity of the species cannot be reliably determined. The phylogeny of I. luisdearmasi sp. nov. is inferred by the D2-D3 domains of the 28S rDNA, the 18S rDNA, and the mitochondrial COI. For all three markers, the new species was recovered in a clade with other taxa from mole crickets. In the case of the COI, the only marker with an available sequence of I. flagellocercum, both species form a monophyletic clade.

Loxophyllum clampi sp. nov., a new pleurostomatid ciliate (Protozoa, Ciliophora) from the Yellow River Delta, China

2026-05-26T11:13:55+12:00

The taxonomy of Pleurostomatida, a classical and complex group of ciliates, remains to be fully clarified in certain respects. In this study, we conducted a biodiversity survey of ciliates in the Yellow River Delta Wetland, leading to the discovery and identification of a new species in the genus Loxophyllum based on integrative approaches including morphological observation, protargol staining, and SSU rDNA sequences comparisons. The new species is characterized by the following key features: right somatic kineties not forming a suture and gradually shortening along the perioral kinety; extrusomes distributed along both ventral and dorsal margins, clustered on the dorsal margin to form multiple warts; usually possessing multiple irregularly shaped macronuclear nodules; multiple contractile vacuoles mostly located along the dorsal margin, with the largest one situated subcaudally; 10–16 right somatic kineties and 7–10 left somatic kineties. Additionally, its phylogenetic position based on the SSU rDNA sequence was also discussed.

**Two new fossil species of the genus Pheidole (Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from Oligo-Miocene Mexican amber**

2026-05-26T11:15:15+12:00

The hyperdiverse genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839 is poorly represented in the fossil record. Most species described to date originate from the Dominican and Mexican amber Lagerstätten. In this study, two new species from Oligo-Miocene Mexican amber are described and illustrated. Pheidole ambrata sp. nov. is described based on a syninclusion of one major worker and one minor putative worker, while Pheidole capitomagna sp. nov. is described from a single major worker. This work increases the diversity of the genus in Mexican amber to five species, and the global fossil record to ten. The discovery of these new species provides evidence of the morphological stabilization of the genus in the Neotropics.

**Redescription of a poorly known soft scale insect, Pulvinaria ixorae Green (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from India, with biological notes and a new distribution record**

2026-05-26T11:16:30+12:00

Pulvinaria ixorae Green, 1909 is a soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) originally described from Sri Lanka and later recorded from other parts of the Indian subcontinent, but its diagnostic characteristics, distribution, and ecology remain inadequately documented. In the present study, the adult female of P. ixorae is redescribed in detail, based on fresh specimens collected from Odisha, India, and is illustrated from slide-mounted specimens, to facilitate accurate identification and to distinguish it from other closely related members of Pulvinaria. Ecological observations are also given, including the host-plant association, a predatory natural enemy (Jauravia sp., Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and the relationship between P. ixorae and an attendant ant. The redescription and new information provide a better understanding of the taxonomy and ecology of this potentially economically important soft scale species.