Zootaxa

New genera and species of bamboo leafhopper tribes Mukariini and Punctulini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) in Thailand

2025-12-31T07:35:53+13:00

Leafhoppers of the tribes Mukariini and Punctulini of the subfamily Deltocephalinae collected using Malaise traps in National Parks of Thailand were studied. This resulted in the discovery of several new genera and species of these two tribes. New taxa of Mukriini discovered include Advita gen. nov. with its type species A. maculata sp. nov., Flatfronta thaiensis sp. nov., Mohunia qudripunctata sp. nov., Myittana (Myittana) fuscovenosa sp. nov., Myittana (Savasa) alata sp. nov., M. (S.) duvidha sp. nov., M. (S.) tuberculata sp. nov., M. (S.) unica sp. nov., Scaphotettix chaturdanta sp. nov., Setubandha gen. nov., with its type species S. attenuata sp. nov. and Thaimukaria gen. nov. with its type species T. spinosa sp. nov.. New taxa recognised in the tribe Punctulini include Clavoreticula gen. nov. with its type species Clavoreticula (Clavoreticula) biprocessa sp. nov., C. (C.) triprocessa sp. nov., Clavoreticula (Radana) subgen. nov. with its type species C. (R.) circinantis sp. nov., Cornutipyga gen. nov. with its type species C. ventriprocessa sp. nov., Thaipunctulus gen. nov. with its type species T. bidentis sp. nov.. The following species of Mukariini are new records for Thailand: Myittana (Benglebra) alami (Mahmood & Ahmed), Myittana (Myittana) modesta Distant and Scaphotettix striatus Dai & Zhang. All the taxa dealt with are described and or diagnosed and illustrated. Keys to identify the world genera of Mukariini and Punculini are also provided.

**A new species of the genus Calamaria H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827 (Squamata: Calamariidae) from Mizoram State, India**

2025-12-31T07:36:35+13:00

We describe a new species of the genus Calamaria from Mizoram State, Northeast India, based on a combination of morphological and molecular evidence. Calamaria mizoramensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters, including: 8–11 enlarged maxillary teeth; rostral higher than wide; prefrontal shorter than frontal and contacting the first two supralabials; mental not in contact with anterior chin shields; dorsal scales in 13–13–13 rows, smooth throughout; a single preocular and postocular; four supralabials, with the 2^nd and 3^rd ones contacting the eye; five infralabials; six scales surrounding the paraparietal; 147–175 ventrals; 13–27 paired subcaudals; a relatively short tail (10.3–13.1% in males, 4.7–6.5% of total length), thick and nearly cylindrical, terminating in an obtuse tip; dark brown to blackish-brown, with three to six longitudinal rows of slightly paler or dark-edged scales forming indistinct stripes of variable clarity along the body and a faint pale nuchal ring; a yellow ventral surface with dark outer corners on the ventral scales; and a broad, distinct median black stripe on the ventral surface of the tail. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene suggests that the new species represents a deeply divergent lineage within the genus Calamaria, with sister relationships to a clade that includes the remaining species from Indochina and East Asia. The genetic divergence of the new species from all its congeners for which the homologous sequences are available is also very high (minimal uncorrected p-distance of 15.3%). The new species is currently known from montane evergreen forests of Mizoram State, India (from elevations of 670–1,295 m asl.). This discovery adds to the growing number of herpetological findings in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and reinforces the need to reassess the complex taxonomy of the genus Calamaria. In addition, we provide the first comprehensive and updated checklist of the herpetofauna of Mizoram State, documenting 169 species, including 52 amphibians and 117 reptiles.

**The signipennis-group and testaceiceps-group of Rhaconotus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) in Vietnam, with descriptions of new species**

2025-12-31T07:37:33+13:00

A total of 14 species of Rhaconotus signipennis group and R. testaceiceps group from Vietnam were treated, including seven new species from the R. signipennis group, viz. Rhaconotus bachmanus Long, sp. nov.; R. elongatus Long, sp. nov.; R. expinus Long, sp. nov.; R. flavicorpus Long, sp. nov.; R. hatinh Long, sp. nov.; R. laithieu Long, sp. nov., R. logoxamat Long, sp. nov. and one species from the R. testaceiceps group, namely R. tamchuc Long & Pham, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. A key to species of R. signipennis group and R. testaceiceps group from the Oriental region is also provided.

A catalogue of coral reef fishes from the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia

2025-12-31T07:38:15+13:00

This study provides the first comprehensive checklist of coral reef fishes from the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA), Sabah, Malaysia, a strictly no-take marine protected area (MPA) in the Sulu Sea. Based on underwater surveys and intercepted trawl landings conducted between 2006 and 2023, we recorded 622 species representing 73 families. The most species-rich families were Labridae (74 species), Pomacentridae (61), and Gobiidae (57), together with six other families that collectively comprised 55% of all records. The Coral Reef Fish Diversity Index (CFDI) estimated a potential richness of 647 species. Thirty-six species are listed on the IUCN Red List, including four Critically Endangered elasmobranchs, with Rhina ancylostoma (Bowmouth Guitarfish) representing the first record for SIMCA. Eight species are listed under CITES Appendix II, and three are regulated by Malaysian law. Long-term monitoring was essential for detecting cryptic, nocturnal, and wide-ranging taxa that would likely have been overlooked in short-term studies. These results demonstrate the value of sustained protection in maintaining high species diversity and provide a baseline for future biodiversity management and conservation planning in Malaysia’s Coral Triangle waters.

The genus Micrurus Wagler, 1824 (Serpentes: Elapidae) in the Northern Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with new data on rare Micrurus potyguara

2025-12-31T07:38:59+13:00

New World coralsnakes (Leptomicrurus Schmidt, 1937, Micruroides Schmidt, 1928 and Micrurus Wagler, 1824) are distributed in North, Central and South America, being divided into two monophyletic groups regarding the number of triads. The South American triad group is represented by 22 species inhabiting diverse habitats including tropical forests such as the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, as well as open vegetation formations like the Cerrado and the Caatinga. There are many information gaps within these species regarding their distribution. Herein, we provide the potential distribution of three species occurring in the northern Brazilian Atlantic Forest, also known as the Pernambuco Endemism Center (PEC). In addition to the potential distributions, we furnished an identification key for the species. Finally, we added new data on morphological and color variation from examining 13 new individuals of Micrurus potyguara as well as an expansion of its geographic distribution. The variation of meristic characteristics refers to the number of ventral and subcaudal scales. The new record expanded the geographic distribution to about 200 Km south of João Pessoa in Paraíba State, the type locality, to Maragogi in Alagoas State. The potential distributions show that the main area of the species is under great pressure due to fragmentation and habitat loss.

**Unveiling a hidden wanderer in the NE Atlantic: a new species of Scalibregma (Annelida, Scalibregmatidae)**

2025-12-31T07:39:54+13:00

During a biodiversity survey conducted in the Bay of Biscay (Northeast Atlantic Ocean, France) within the framework of offshore wind energy development, a new species of Scalibregma was identified. This species is morphologically and genetically (16S rDNA and COI) characterized, and compared with its nearest congeners. A key for Scalibregma species with branchiae from chaetigers 3 to 5 and DNA sequences for S. celticum Mackie, 1991 and S. inflatum Rathke, 1843 occurring in the same area, are provided as well. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis using the COI gene, S. celticum is found as sister species of S. drouali sp. nov. Morphologically, the new species is closest to S. stenocerum (Bertelsen & Weston, 1980), but it differs by having a distinct mid-ventral row with large (double) epidermal pads and the presence of hirsute capillaries instead of inconspicuous mid-ventral line and only smooth capillaries as observed in S. stenocerum. The new species potentially occurs from Atlantic French coast (Bay of Biscay) to Moroccan coast between 55 to 104 m depth.

**A new species of Clypeodytes Régimbart, 1894 from Palawan, Philippines (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Bidessini)**

2025-12-31T07:40:29+13:00

The diving beetle Clypeodytes nicolaii sp. nov. is described from northern Palawan. It is the first species of the genus Clypeodytes Régimbart, 1894 recorded from the Philippines and belongs to the subgenus Clypeodytes. Diagnostic morphological characters of the new species are illustrated and a detailed habitat description as well as its geographic distribution are presented. Clypeodytes nicolaii sp. nov. can be easily distinguished by the presence of short elytral striae, the shape of the median lobe, the elytral colouration and the completely yellowish head.

**Revision of Prismognathus Motschulsky, 1860 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in Taiwan**

2025-12-31T07:41:12+13:00

This study revises the taxonomy of the genus Prismognathus Motschulsky, 1860 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) endemic to Taiwan. To resolve nomenclatural ambiguity, the author designated a neotype for P. formosanus Nagel, 1928, whose type specimen has been lost. Morphological and distributional analysis confirmed that P. piluensis Sakaino, 1992 represents only intraspecific variation, leading to the new synonym: P. formosanus Nagel, 1928 = P. piluensis Sakaino, 1992, new synonymy. Furthermore, examination of the holotypes determined that P. davidis nigerrimus Sakaino & Yu, 1993 is a junior synonym of P. davidis cheni Bomans & Ratti, 1973, confirming that color polymorphism alone is insufficient for subspecific division. This revision clarifies the classification of Prismognathus in Taiwan.

**Description of the final stadium larva of Priscagrion kiautai Zhou & Wilson (Zygoptera: Priscagrionidae)**

2025-12-31T07:41:47+13:00

**A note on the recognition of genera Amphilius and Anoplopterus within mountain catfishes (Amphiliidae: Amphiliinae) of Africa**

2025-12-31T07:42:22+13:00