Zootaxa

Illustrated catalogue of type specimens of Acridoidea and Pyrgomorphoidea (Insecta: Orthoptera) in the collection of Shaanxi Normal University

XIONGYAN YIN — 2026-01-12

Specimen collections serve as core archives for global biodiversity. Particularly during periods of massive species population decline, physical specimens remain irreplaceable for biodiversity research and conservation. In this era of rapid digital advancement, traditional value and digital potential of specimens resonate in synergy. Digitization further transforms them into resources accessible across time and space. Among these collection specimens, type specimens are of paramount importance, they not only serve as the basis for species naming (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, ICZN), but also form as the core reference for morphological, biogeographical, and conservation biology research. Should their information be lost or the specimens themselves damaged, subsequent related studies would lose their verifiable foundation. Currently, despite the global surge in specimen digitization, most museums have yet to establish comprehensive digital management systems covering the entire workflow. Consequently, type specimen inventories remain essential foundational reference materials for taxonomists undertaking clade revision work. To address this, this paper compiles Orthoptera specimens in relatively good condition from the Zoological and Botanical Museum of Shaanxi Normal University (SNNU), providing detailed documentation of 140 specimens labeled as “types”. These specimens belong to Acridoidea and Pyrgomorphoidea, comprising 4 families, 14 subfamilies, and 69 genera. According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the aforementioned 140 type specimens represent 140 valid species. This paper provides high–resolution illustrations and complete original literature for all taxonomic units, aiming to offer a systematic guide for taxonomic research on specimens of Acridoidea and Pyrgomorphoidea within the order Orthoptera.

**Five new species of the Zethus spinosus species group (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae, Zethus)**

ANA HELENA CRUCIOL — 2026-01-12

Among the Neotropical genera of Eumeninae, Zethus Fabricius, 1804, has the largest number of species and is divided into six subgenera in this region. The genus is further divided into 29 species groups, one of which is the Zethus spinosus group. This study provides a taxonomic review of the Zethus spinosus group based on external morphology with the objective of designating and describing five new species: Z. lioneli Cruciol & Lopes, sp. nov. from Bolívia, Z. platinotus Cruciol, Stange & Lopes, sp. nov. from Brazil, Z. platynotatus Cruciol, Stange & Lopes, sp. nov. from Bolívia, Z. semilunaris Cruciol, Stange & Lopes, sp. nov. from Brazil, and Z. semiplanus Cruciol & Lopes, sp. nov. from Argentina.

**A new species of Thelepus (Annelida, Terebelliformia) from Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, and its associated scaleworm Lepidonotus hupferi Augener, 1918 (Annelida, Polynoidae)**

NICOLAS LAVESQUE — 2026-01-12

To date, only one species of the terebellid polychaete genus Thelepus Leuckart, 1849 has been described from Africa: T. pequenianus Augener, 1918. During a 2024 biodiversity survey in Arguin National Park (Mauritania), we discovered a second African species that we describe as Thelepus arguinensis sp. nov. It is characterised by notopodia restricted to only 20–35% of the body, three pairs of branchiae, each with numerous filaments, dorsal branchial gap absent, and thoracic uncini lacking a prow. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S and COI sequences confirm its distinctiveness from all congeners with available data. We also redescribe the polynoid Lepidonotus hupferi Augener, 1918 found sharing the tubes of some specimens of T. arguinensis sp. nov. and provide the first molecular data for the species, while extending its known distribution to Mauritania. This study documents a previously unreported facultative, likely commensalistic, association between the two species, highlighting both the underestimated diversity of West African polychaetes and the limited knowledge on the terebellid–polynoid relationships in the region.

Capila jayadeva Moore, 1866 is a sexually dimorphic and male polymorphic species including six subspecies (Hesperiidae, Pyrginae)

GUO-XI XUE — 2026-01-12

Despite the conspicuous different appearances in the males, Capila jayadeva Moore, 1866, C. translucida (Leech, 1893), C. hainana mackwoodi (Evans, 1914) and C. barroni (Riley & Godfrey, 1921) are proved to be conspecific based on an analysis of the 658 bp COI gene sequences, and the result is supported by the genitalia morphology. Considering the distinguishable wing patterns in the male and the allopatric distribution, the following subspecific combinations are proposed: C. jayadeva translucida, C. jayadeva mackwoodi, C. jayadeva barroni and C. jayadeva arooni Eliot, 1987. Therefore, with the nominate subspecies and C. jayadeva khambounei Uehara, 2024, the sexually dimorphic C. jayadeva currently includes six subspecies.

**Two new earthworm species of the genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Highlands of Vietnam**

QUOC T. PHAN — 2026-01-12

Two new earthworm Metaphire species are described from Highlands of Vietnam, namely Metaphire mangcanhensis sp. nov. and Metaphire dalatensis sp. nov. The former belonging to M. merabahensis species-group, is characterized by three pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8, first dorsal pore at 12/13, a pair of three genital markings clustered in vii, and simple intestinal caeca while the latter belonging to M. houlleti species-group, is distinguished by first dorsal pore at 10/11, male pore distance about 0.33 body circumference, ampulla duct distally enlarged, and lacking penial setae. The COI barcodes are also provided for both species.

Oncerochara bolitocharoides gen. et sp. nov., of the tribe Homalotini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from Japan

TAKUTO HASHIZUME — 2026-01-12

A highly distinctive member of the tribe Homalotini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) is described from Honshu, Japan, as a new genus and species, Oncerochara bolitocharoides Hashizume & Maruyama, gen. et sp. nov. This taxon is similar to the members of the genus Bolitochara Mannerheim, 1830, but can be clearly distinguished by a broad maxillary galea and clearly transverse pronotum. In particular, the shape of the galea is highly distinctive within the subtribe and may indicate a specialized adaptation for feeding. The species is known from only two specimens. This discovery highlights the hidden diversity of Japanese Aleocharinae and underscores the importance of investigating overlooked ecological niches to fully understand aleocharine biodiversity.

**A new species of Lycidioides Ando (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Stenochiinae) from the Malay Peninsula, with the first record of the genus outside Borneo**

MAKITO HANAI — 2026-01-12

A new species of the tenebrionid genus Lycidioides Ando, 2003, L. cheongi sp. nov., is described from the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia). This study reports the first record of the genus in the Malay Peninsula, representing the first record of the genus outside Borneo. A key to known species of the genus is also provided. Additionally, the phylogenetic position of the genus is inferred from the morphology of defensive glands, and its potential as a useful material for future biogeographical research is also discussed.

The Pselaphinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) of Madagascar. XI. First records with two new species of Pselaphinae from Ambohidray New Protected Area

RICCA RAVELOSON — 2026-01-12

Ambohidray, located in eastern Madagascar, has recently been designated as a New Protected Area (NPA). For the first time in this protected area, the litter dwelling beetle fauna, particularly the Pselaphinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), was collected to improve knowledge and promote the conservation of its entomofaunal diversity. Five species of Pselaphinae were collected by sifting of leaf litter. Two new species, Ctenistes longantennatus sp. nov. and Franziotus ambohidray sp. nov. were discovered and they are described and illustrated here. The photo of Franziotus corresponds to an undetermined species from Analamazaotra National Park. A key for species of Franziotus is provided. The distribution of all genera known from the Ambohidray NPA is discussed.

**Contribution to the knowledge of Autolyca herculeana (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae): record from Honduras and first descriptions of the female and eggs**

ALLYSON OVIEDO-MAAS — 2026-01-12

The presence of Autolyca herculeana Conle & Hennemann, 2002 is here documented from Honduras with precise locality data. Although Honduras had previously been included in global checklists of the genus, no published material with specific localities was available. This study also provides the first morphological descriptions of the female and eggs of the species, as well as notes on the species’ natural history, contributing to the current knowledge of the genus in Central America.

On the permanent invalidity of certain eucerine bee names (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Eucerini)

THOMAS J. WOOD — 2026-01-12

**New data on the genus Yoshiakioclytus Niisato, 2007 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)**

PING WANG — 2026-01-12