Zootaxa

Deep-sea gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in soft sediments of the Colombian Pacific Ocean: Biodiversity and ecology

2026-05-05T11:03:23+12:00

Deep sea gastropod fauna in the offshore Colombian Pacific is poorly known. This paper presents results from the first quantitative inventory of gastropods inhabiting soft bottoms in the region, based on samples collected during two scientific expeditions. In 2002, 39 trawl samples were collected at water depths 70–500 m offshore the Colombian Department of Chocó, using the R/V ARC Malpelo. In 2012, 15 trawl samples were collected from 200–1,000 m water depth, with the shrimp boat M/N Perla Verde, offshore of the Department of Nariño. We identified a total of 3,432 mollusks, both live specimens and empty shells. Studied specimens were distributed among four subclasses, eight orders, 36 families, 59 genera, and 85 morphospecies. Information on their abundance, distribution, feeding strategies, and ecology is provided in the present study. The Order Neogastropoda accounted for the greatest number of species (46). Most individuals (95.4%) were collected offshore of Chocó, with the remaining 4.6% from the area offshore of Nariño. The most abundant species in the samples was the scavenger Nassarius miser (Dall, 1908), which comprised 59.2% of the total individuals. The family with the greatest number of species (9) was Pseudomelatomidae. This study identified 39 previously not reported species range extensions in the offshore Colombian Pacific, greatly increasing the known species diversity from the region. We encountered three distinct species assemblages that differed across water depth: i) continental shelf; ii) shelf–slope transition, and iii) upper slope. Water depth was determined to be the primary factor that influenced the distribution of the recorded species, with the greatest species richness observed on the continental shelf. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of the gastropod species that inhabit the Colombian Pacific Ocean, the Panamic Province, and the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Such information is crucial for conservation initiatives in biologically diverse areas offshore of developing countries, particularly in the face of rapid habitat change.

**Striking, slender, and secretly spinose: A revision of the snake mantises of the genus Kongobatha (Mantodea: Nanomantidae: Fulciniinae: Neomantini)**

2026-05-05T11:04:21+12:00

Kongobatha is one of the most commonly encountered of all Australian mantis genera, and yet despite this, very little is known about the taxonomy or biology of the genus. Described to include a single Australian species, K. diademata, the only subsequent work on the genus has been the description of a second species from New Guinea, K. papua. We here describe three additional species, K. spinosistyla Connors sp. nov., K. serpens Connors sp. nov., and K. rufilinea Connors sp. nov., and redescribe K. diademata and K. papua in detail, the latter of which is recorded from Australia for the first time. We also describe for the first time the unusual, heavily spinose styli of male Kongobatha. These are apparently unique among Mantodea as a whole, but their function remains unknown.

Southwestern Atlantic species of Austinixa Heard & Manning, 1997 (Brachyura, Pinnotheridae): redescription of A. leptodactyla (Coelho, 1997) and A. patagoniensis (Rathbun, 1918), and remarks on the taxonomic status of A. aidae (Righi, 1967)

2026-05-05T11:06:33+12:00

The genus Austinixa is one of the most studied pinnotherid genera from both taxonomic and phylogenetic perspectives. However, the three species from the southwestern Atlantic, A. aidae, A. leptodactyla and A. patagoniensis have been underrepresented or absent from phylogenetic analyses. Recently, A. leptodactyla was redescribed and A. roblesi was determined to be its junior synonym. We have analyzed specimens belonging to all three species and constructed a rediagnosis and redescription of A. leptodactyla and A. patagoniensis. The distribution of A. aidae is restricted to southern São Paulo (Brazil), given that no specimens from any localities further south of this area were found. Austinixa leptodactyla is distinct from A. roblesi, and although they share several morphological characteristics, we propose herein that the latter it is not a junior synonym of A. leptodactyla. These two species, along with A. marianae, are very similar with all possessing a depression on the pereopod 4 merus. Austinixa leptodactyla can be distinguished from A. marianae by the shape of the male pleon and first male gonopod, and from A. roblesi by the shape and proportions of the male telson. Lastly, the morphology of A. patagoniensis is very distinct from that of all other species of the genus, including the branchial ridge that extends to the orbits or nearly so, and the overall morphology of the first male gonopod.

Description before extinction: a new genus and ninth species of indigenous Polydesmida from Madagascar (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae)

2026-05-05T11:07:31+12:00

Madagascar’s microendemism is not restricted to large rainforests, but also still exists in small, isolated fragments of natural vegetation. One such fragment is the Lavasoa-Ambatotsirongorongo protected area in southeastern Madagascar, where less than 92 ha of humid forest continue to face deforestation, but to which several species are endemic and critically endangered, including three species of millipedes. Here, we describe Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. (Polydesmida: Dalodesmidae), a locally endemic Polydesmida only found in the Lavasoa-Ambatotsirongorongo area. With our here described addition, Polydesmida remain rare on Madagascar, with only four genera and nine known species, all belonging to the family Dalodesmidae. Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. shares its small size (10–25 mm) and light/brown colouration with Dalodesmus Cook, 1896, Eutubercularium Brölemann, 1916, and Phymatodesmus de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897, but differs conspicuously in somatic (paraterga projecting weakly before tergite 6, elongated shape of metatergal tubercles, paraprocts (pa) with dorsal setose knobs) and sexual characters (stoutly fused femorites and a unique five-branched gonopod with a retrorse branch). Here, we describe Alafanahydesmus lavasoa gen. nov., sp. nov. integratively, providing the first molecular data for Malagasy Dalodesmidae—via partial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences (GenBank PX922879–PX922581) and pioneer the first microcomputed tomography (μCT) images for a member of the family, alongside with multilayer photographs and scanning electron microscopy images.

A new contribution to the study of subfamily Tridenchthoniinae Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones: Chthoniidae) from the late Eocene Baltic amber with the description of Baltochthonius andrushchenkoi gen. et sp. nov. and Heterolophus eridanus sp. nov.

2026-05-05T11:08:27+12:00

Here we describe two new fossil species and one new genus of pseudoscorpions, found in the late Eocene Baltic amber. Baltochthonius andrushchenkoi gen. et sp. nov. and Heterolophus eridanus sp. nov. are assigned to the subfamily Tridenchthoniinae (Pseudoscorpiones: Chthoniidae). We present an updated diagnostic key for the tribes, genera and subgenera of Tridenchthoniinae. The biogeographic, paleohabitat and ecological features of new species are presented and compared to the related extinct and extant species of the subfamily Tridenchthoniinae.

**New contributions to the Aegean Dasumia Thorell, 1875 (Araneae, Dysderidae, Harpacteinae) from Türkiye**

2026-05-05T11:10:17+12:00

Three new species of Dasumia (D. efe sp. nov., D. saruhan sp. nov. and D. turcica sp. nov.) from the Aegean region of Türkiye are described from both sexes. The type localities of all three described species are in Manisa province; however, D. efe sp. nov. was also collected in İzmir province. All three new species resemble their European counterparts in the general characteristics of their copulatory organs. Detailed morphological descriptions, diagnoses, photographs and illustrations of the copulatory organs of the new species are provided.

**A new species of Coraebus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) related to C. davidis, with a new country record for the genus**

2026-05-05T11:11:21+12:00

Coraebus aquamarinus sp. nov., a new buprestid species from Nantou County, Taiwan Island, is described. It is illustrated, thoroughly described, and compared with the most similar species Coraebus davidis Fairmaire, 1886. Figures of dorsal views and specific structures of several similar species are presented for comparison. Quercus glauca, the host plant of the new species, is reported and discussed. Coraebus chucki Kubáň, 1997 from Yunnan is recorded here as a new country record for China.

Tanzanocapsus magnus gen. and sp. nov., a new genus and a new species from Tanzania (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae: Mirini)

2026-05-05T11:12:14+12:00

A new genus and a new species, Tanzanocapsus magnus gen. et sp. nov. (Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae: Mirini), are described from Tanzania. Detailed descriptions and diagnoses of the genus and species, based on external and genitalic morphology, are provided and illustrated with stereomicroscope and SEM images.

A new wasp-mimicking clearwing moth from Uganda (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Sesiini)

2026-05-05T11:13:15+12:00

In this study a new genus of Sesiini, Pseudodelta gen. nov., and its type species Pseudodelta melas sp. nov., are described from the Ziika (Zika) Forest, Uganda. This highly mimetic species bears a striking resemblance to Delta emarginatum (Linnaeus, 1758), the black mud wasp widespread in Africa, which is probably its model.

Pushta mordovensis, a new genus and species of Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Russia

2026-05-05T11:14:06+12:00

A new genus and species of the subfamily Sisyrostolinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Pushta mordovensis gen. nov. & sp. nov., are described from the Republic of Mordovia in the European part of Russia. This is the first record of Sisyrostolinae from Europe. The new genus is distinguished by the following combination of characters: fore wing with areolet, fore tibia with apical tooth, tarsal claws pectinate, propodeum without carinae, laterotergite 2 weakly separated from its tergite, and ovipositor with nodus and ventral teeth.

**First record of Lepidosaphes cycadicola Kuwana, 1931 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) from Uzbekistan**

2026-05-05T11:14:53+12:00

Taxonomic inflation and inconsistent standards: A re-evaluation of the nested phylogeny and biogeography of Lucanus kanoi kavulunganus Wu, Tsai, Chien, Chung, Lai, Hou & Hwang, 2026 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

2026-05-05T11:15:49+12:00