Zootaxa

Olmecadrilus gen. nov. (Annelida, Crassiclitellata), a new acanthodrilid meroic earthworm genus from eastern Mexico including the description of three new species

2026-01-20T11:21:43+13:00

Olmecadrilus gen. nov. an acanthodrilid meroic earthworm genus is described from the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico. The new genus is characterized by a single gizzard, calciferous glands in segments 9–14 of the lamellar type, meronephridia (tufts in first segments, several closed parietal micronephridia in most of the body and paired medial open megameronephridia in last segments), last hearts in segment 13, tubular prostates in segments 17 and 19, spermathecae with diverticula and without genital nor penial setae. The genus included now five species, two formerly described in Ramiellona (Olmecadrilus mexicanus (Gates 1962) and Olmecadrilus wilsoni (Righi 1972)) and three new species described in this paper and sampled from tropical rain forests of Los Tuxtlas mountains, Veracruz. The new species Olmecadrilus tuxtlensis gen. et sp. nov., Olmecadrilus ocarinus sp. nov. and Olmecadrilus titepetlensis sp. nov., are separated by size, pigment, pattern of genital marks, shape of the spermatheca, and the position of seminal vesicles. We discuss the relationship of Olmecadrilus gen. nov. with other meroic (Ramiellona) and holoic genera (Kaxdrilus, Balanteodrilus) that present a single gizzard and calciferous glands, including comments on its relation with other meroic genera with multiple gizzards (Dichogaster, Eutrigaster, Zapatadrilus) also present in Mexico. Finally, a brief discussion is provided on the relationships of the meroic monogiceriat Mexican genera and other similar genera from India, Australia and New Zealand.

First description of the male of Lycodon irwini Naveen, Zeeshan, Mirza, Choure & Chandramouli, 2025 (Squamata: Colubridae), with an updated account of the herpetofauna of the Great Nicobar Islands, India

2026-01-20T11:22:31+13:00

Lycodon irwini Naveen, Zeeshan, Mirza, Choure & Chandramouli, 2025 was recently described from three female specimens collected in the Nicobar Islands, India. Until now, no male individuals had been reported, leaving potential sexual dimorphism and several diagnostic characters insufficiently understood. Here, we provide the first morphological description of the male and refine the species diagnosis using information from both sexes. In addition, an updated identification key to the species of the Lycodon subcinctus complex is presented. We also compile an updated checklist of 74 species of amphibians and reptiles recorded from the Nicobar Islands.

Description of a freshwater eeltail catfish (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from sandstone habitat in the eastern Kimberley, Western Australia

2026-01-20T11:23:34+13:00

The Kimberley region of north-western Australia is an exceptional region for endemic freshwater fishes. During a survey program in partnership with local land and sea rangers in the eastern Kimberley in 2014, an unusual morphotype of an eeltail catfish (Plotosidae) was recorded, featuring a moderately extended caudodorsal fin, small first dorsal fin, hard sharp fin spines and depressed head, collectively representing a unique combination of characters. Nuclear and mitochondrial genetic assessments confirmed the presence of a distinct candidate species. Combined lines of evidence are used to describe Neosilurus manjandi sp. nov. The recorded habitat consists of sandstone upland streams and gorges in the Pentecost and Drysdale river catchments. Preliminary genetic data for Kimberley freshwater plotosids reveal the presence of several other cryptic lineages that warrant further genetic and taxonomic assessments. Maintaining refuge pools is a likely key conservation consideration for the new species in the face of any future catchment modification and climate change.

**A new goanna lizard allied with Varanus glauerti from northern Australia**

2026-01-20T11:24:26+13:00

Here we describe a species from the subgenus Odatria that is allied with the Kimberley Rock Goanna, Varanus glauerti. The new species, Varanus fyfei sp. nov., is highly distinct from V. glauerti in nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic analyses and can be morphologically diagnosed on dorsal and tail colour patterns. The new species appears to be a short-range endemic restricted primarily to sandstone ranges and isolated hills of the north-western Northern Territory. It is mostly saxicoline inhabiting sheer rock faces in gorges and utilises horizontal crevices fractionally wider than their head depth on the rock face and at least 2m above ground level as night-time refugia. The species forages diurnally for small lizards and insects on vertical rock-faces. We also demonstrate two evolutionary lineages within V. glauerti, from the east and west Kimberley. The lineages can be distinguished in nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic analyses and on dorsal and tail colour patterns and body size. One of our west Kimberley samples is a hybrid, but the ranges of both lineages in the central Kimberley need further definition to better understand the degree of gene flow between the two and typotypic material of V. glauerti Mertens needs examination to establish the taxonomic provenance of the type, which is in poor condition.

Checklist of echinoderms caught as by-catch along the Algerian coast, with newly recorded species

2026-01-20T11:25:17+13:00

Echinoderms are found across a wide bathymetric range. Generally, the deep-sea environments remain inaccessible for sampling, however, by-catch serves as an opportunistic source for collecting and studying marine invertebrates from different depths. In this study, samples were collected from three sectors of the Algerian coast: East (Annaba), Central (Algiers, Tipasa) and West (Mostaganem) between November 2021 and May 2024, and identified based on morphological criteria. A total of 26 echinoderm species were recorded. Two asteroids belonging to the order Valvatida are reported for the first time on the Algerian coast: Anseropoda placenta (Pennant, 1777) found in the western sector and Peltaster placenta (Müller & Troschel, 1842) in the eastern sector. The echinoid of the order Camarodonta, Gracilechinus acutus (Lamarck, 1816) is also recorded for the first time in the eastern and western sectors. In parallel, a detailed literature review allowed the documentation of all echinoderm species previously reported along the Algerian coast, bringing the total number of known echinoderm species to 72 to date.

**A new species of Leporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the rio Jequitinhonha, eastern Brazil**

2026-01-20T11:26:04+13:00

A new species of Leporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) is described from tributaries of the upper rio Jequitinhonha basin, eastern Brazil, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is distinguished from congeners by the unique combination of three premaxillary and four dentary teeth, 12 scale rows around the caudal peduncle, three large dark midlateral blotches on the body, and a conspicuous red spot on the posterior portion of the upper lip. It is further characterized by its reduced body size, with the largest known specimen reaching only 128.6 mm of standard length, an uncommon condition among anostomids. DNA barcoding analyses (COI) revealed genetic divergences ranging from 3.8% to 8.5% from its closest congeners (L. microphthalmus and L. amblyrhynchus) and consistently recovered all specimens of the new species as a distinct Molecular Operational Taxonomic Unit. Phylogenetic analyses placed the new species within the L. melanopleura clade, together with L. amblyrhynchus, L. melanopleura, L. melanopleurodes, and L. microphthalmus. The species is endemic to a restricted area of the rio Jequitinhonha basin, where its populations are likely severely fragmented and threatened by multiple anthropogenic impacts. The discovery of this small-sized anostomid adds to the growing evidence of high levels of endemism and conservation concerns in eastern Brazilian coastal drainages.

**A review of the whitefly genus Aleurocanthus Quaintance & Baker (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from China, with description of two new species and two new records**

2026-01-20T11:26:52+13:00

The whitefly genus Aleurocanthus Quaintance & Baker is revised from China. Two new species viz., A. latifolii sp. nov. and A. macropodi sp. nov., are described and illustrated. Aleurocanthus chiengmaiensis Takahashi and A. clitoriae Jesudasan and David are recorded for the first time from China. The occurrence of an undescribed Aleurocanthus species in China is documented. Sexual dimorphism observed in the puparia of A. clitoriae is presented. New host plant records are indicated. An identification key to the puparia of Aleurocanthus species known from China is provided.

Epimeria potiguarensis nom. nov., a replacement name for Epimeria colemani Souza-Filho, Guedes-Silva & Andrade, 2024 (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Epimeriidae), preoccupied by Epimeria (Drakepimeria) colemani d’Udekem d’Acoz & Verheye, 2017

2026-01-20T11:27:56+13:00