Zootaxa

Endemism and regionalization in the Andes: What do reptiles tell us?

JUAN MANUEL DÍAZ GÓMEZ — 2025-12-22

This study aims to establish a biogeographic regionalization of the Andes in South America through a quantitative analysis focused on reptile distributions. I compiled georeferenced data for 455 species, encompassing 34,192 records, and used two different methodologies to delineate bioregions and areas of endemism. The results reveal 17 bioregions that largely correspond with previously proposed subdivisions, although novel biogeographic units influenced by scale effects may be recognized. Also, 17 areas of endemism were identified, many aligning with key biogeographic provinces such as Puna, Atacama, and Patagonia, emphasizing the importance of reptiles as biogeographic indicators. My comparisons with existing biodiversity hotspots show an overlap with these proposals. The bioregions and areas of endemism, however, are more finely defined than the hotspots. I also compared those areas with areas found by a global regionalization for reptiles. The findings support the utility of quantitative, multi-taxon approaches to biogeographic regionalization, highlighting the complex and mosaic nature of the Andes biota. The existence of some bioregions that aren’t fully congruent with previous proposals suggests the existence of biogeographic patterns that have not yet been recognized. This work underscores the necessity of incorporating reptiles into biodiversity assessments and conservation planning to better capture the region’s endemic diversity and inform targeted protection strategies.

An illustrated account of Stethorini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) predatory on mite pests of banana in India, including description of a new species

J. POORANI — 2025-12-22

Mite pests cause moderate to severe foliar damage in bananas and plantains during summer in India. Though the extent of mite damage on banana during dry spells is often severe, it goes undetected because the symptoms of mite damage are similar to those caused by nutritional deficiency and moisture deficit stress. Many species of Stethorini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), staphylinid beetles and predatory thrips keep the pest mite populations on bananas in check. In this paper, illustrated diagnostic accounts of seven species of Stethorini, including one species of Parastethorus Pang & Mao and six species of Stethorus Weise, that are commonly associated with banana mites in southern states of India are given, with details of distribution, and immature stages, wherever available. One new species, Stethorus (Allostethorus) indicus sp. nov., commonly collected as a predator of spider mites on banana and coconut, is described from Southern India.

**Notes on the genus Asiosilis Wittmer, 1977 (Coleoptera, Cantharidae, Silinae) in northern Borneo**

KAZUHIRO TAKAHASHI — 2025-12-22

A study on the specimens of the genus Asiosilis (Cantharidae, Silinae) collected by Dr. Haruo Matsuzawa in Sabah, northern Borneo, Malaysia, revealed that it contains 17 species, 10 of which are recognized as new species and are described herein under the name of Asiosilis kiapadensis sp. nov., A. mahuaensis sp. nov., A. babagonensis sp. nov., A. sapulutensis sp. nov., A. kinabaluensis sp. nov., A. takizawai sp. nov., A. inanamensis sp. nov., A. tibouensis sp. nov., A. kliasensis sp. nov., and A. ranauensis sp. nov. The remaining seven previously known species are redescribed. A key to the species of the genus Asiosilis found in Sabah is also provided. Male habitus, antenna, pronotum, and aedeagus of all species are illustrated. The term “basal piece” has been used by Wittmer in his monograph to describe a part of aedeagus; however, we have concluded that the name is inappropriate judging from its origin and have proposed the term “paramere” as an alternative.

A new ismarid wasp (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea) from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber

VASILISA G. CHEMYREVA — 2025-12-22

The first undoubted discovery of a parasitoid ismarid wasp from Cenomanian Kachin amber is presented here. A new genus and species, Thyburia christophi gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated, based on a female holotype. The family Ismaridae is synonymised with the family Diapriidae and is considered here as the subfamily Ismarinae. The taxonomy of ismarids and the diagnosis of the subfamily Ismarinae are clarified and discussed.

**Overview of Octavius of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Euaesthetinae) with descriptions of eight new species**

JIŘÍ JANÁK — 2025-12-22

Sixteen named species of the genus Octavius Fauvel, 1873 from Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa were recognised. Eight species are described as new: Octavius barbetonensis Janák, sp. nov., O. hamifer Janák, sp. nov., O. hastifer Janák, sp. nov., O. jaloszynskii Janák, sp. nov., O. klipkraalensis Janák, sp. nov., O. mariepskopensis Janák, sp. nov., O. pinnaculus Janák, sp. nov., and O. woodbushensis Janák, sp. nov. Distribution records of eight species of Octavius are presented, and all species are illustrated. Locality data of two additional unnamed species known only in females are presented.

**A new species of the stag beetle genus Prismognathus Motschulsky, 1860 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae) from China**

YI-FAN WANG — 2025-12-22

Prismognathus zhihongi Wang & Huang, sp. nov., a new species from Hunan, China is described. Habitus and diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated. Differential diagnosis from related species P. katsurai Ikeda, 1997 is also provided.

**Redescription of Prochas theclae Walkley, 1959 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae) with additional new records for the genus in the Neotropical region**

ALVARO DORIA DOS SANTOS — 2025-12-22

The Campopleginae wasp genus Prochas Walkley, 1959 is a small genus with three of its five described species found in the Neotropical region: P. brasiliensis Onody & Penteado-Dias, 2015, P. shimborii Onody & Penteado-Dias, 2015, and P. theclae Walkley, 1959. In this study, we expand the knowledge of the distribution and morphology of all three Neotropical Prochas species. We examined and analyzed specimens from various entomological collections, providing new distributional records and morphological data. To date, Prochas theclae has only been recorded from its type locality in Trinidad. Herein we record the first continental record for P. theclae, with new occurrences in eight Brazilian states, as well as additional records for P. brasiliensis in Brazil and Argentina, and P. shimborii in Colombia. The rediscovery of P. theclae across a continental range, along with the analysis of its morphological variation, provides an updated and more robust diagnosis of the species and refines the taxonomic knowledge of Prochas in the Neotropical region.

**New record and characters of the abyssal cyclostome bryozoan Pandanipora fragilis from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Atlantic Ocean**

ANDREI V. GRISCHENKO — 2025-12-22

**†Rhombocorixa: replacement generic name for †Rhomboidella Mazzoni & Hünicken, 1987 (Hemiptera: Corixidae)**

KEITH EDKINS — 2025-12-22

Nomenclatural note on a genus-group name in Pronophilina butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae, Satyrini)

TOMASZ W. PYRCZ — 2025-12-22