Zootaxa

Burrowed through time: Exploring the enigmatic Cossidae moths of Georgia

LASHA GIORGI JAPARIDZE — 2025-10-07

This study provides a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the carpenter moth family Cossidae (Lepidoptera: Cossoidea) in Georgia, located within the South Caucasus region. Integrating historical records, museum collections, and recent field surveys, we present an updated fauna comprising 22 species across 13 genera. Five species are described here as new to science: Dyspessa confusa Japaridze, Makharadze, Seropian, sp. nov. (♂), Dyspessa parvana Japaridze, Makharadze, Seropian, sp. nov. (♂), Stygioides jarii Japaridze, Makharadze, Seropian, sp. nov. (♂), Stygioides mirifica Japaridze, Makharadze, Bulbulashvili, Seropian, sp. nov. (♂♀), and Phragmataecia ignota Japaridze, Makharadze, Seropian, sp. nov. (♂) The genus Stygioides Braund, 1853 is recorded from Georgia for the first time. Additionally, Deserticossus volgensis (Christoph, 1893), Dyspessa cerberus Daniel, 1939, and D. tsvetaevi Yakovlev, 2008 are newly recorded from the South Caucasus. Based on re-examination of material, Dyspessa alpherakyi Christoph, 1885, D. pallidata Staudinger, 1892, and Isoceras bipunctatum Staudinger, 1887 are excluded from the Georgian fauna. The name Holcocerus didmanidzae Yakovlev, 2006 is corrected to Holcocerus didmanidzeae Yakovlev, 2006 in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Detailed collection data, diagnostic images, and COI barcode sequences of eight species are provided to support future ecological and biogeographical studies.

Exaeretia terskeella Lvovsky, 2016 (Lepidoptera, Depressariidae), a little-known species described from Kyrgyzstan: the first Exaeretia species with brachypterous female

JAN ŠUMPICH — 2025-10-07

In this paper, the previously unknown female of Exaeretia terskeella Lvovsky, 2016 is described from Kungey Ala-Too Range, part of northern Tien Shan in Kyrgyzstan. The female has reduced wings, making it the first documented case of brachyptery in the genus. Exaeretia terskeella is closely related to E. lvovskyi Buchner, Junnilainen & Nupponen, 2019, in which sexual dimorphism is not present. Externally, E. terskeella is most similar to E. nebulosella (Caradja, 1920), the female of which is unknown. Photographs of adults and genitalia of both sexes of E. terskeella are provided. Exaeretia lvovskyi is recorded for the first time from Kyrgyzstan.

**Review of Placocoris Mayr, 1864 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Discocephalinae: Ochlerini)**

VINÍCIUS GOMES SAMPAIO — 2025-10-07

Placocoris Mayr, 1864 (Pentatomidae: Discocephalinae) is a Neotropical genus with two known species, Placocoris viridis Mayr, 1864 and Placocoris albovenosus Kormilev, 1949. Placocoris is easily distinguished from other Neotropical pentatomids by having a strongly flat body, and armed femora. The genus was recently transfered to the tribe Ochlerini based on morphological similarities with the genera in the Janeirona Distant, 1911 clade. In this study we review Placocoris, describing for the first time the internal genitalia of the two species. We highlight the peculiar sexual dimorphism of the hind femora in both species. A distribution map is provided.

**The Doring River population of Pseudobarbus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) does not merit formal description**

FATAH ZAREI — 2025-10-07

Until the early 2000s, only seven species were recognized within the cyprinid genus Pseudobarbus, based solely on morphology. However, the integration of molecular data, expanded sampling, and reexamination of ichthyological collections revealed eighteen lineages, most of which have since been taxonomically resolved through revalidations or new species descriptions. The application of three core criteria, (i) moderate to deep genetic divergence, (ii) presence of diagnostic morphological differences, and (iii) occurrence in discrete river systems or catchments, has guided these species delimitations and resulted in an increase from seven to 15 valid species over the past decade. Applying these criteria, this study evaluates the taxonomic status of the Doring River lineage of P. phlegethon in comparison with the topotypic Olifants River lineage. The two lineages show low genetic divergence (1.3%), the lowest recorded in the genus, and complete overlap in all morphological characters examined, precluding a morphological diagnosis. Of the three criteria, only the third, i.e., distinct geographic distributions, is met by the ‘Doring’ and ‘Olifants’ lineages of P. phlegethon; therefore, we adopt a conservative approach, treating them as allopatric populations of the same species.

***Orchestia mauritanica* sp. nov. (Amphipoda: Talitridae), a new sand hopper from Mauritania with a Comprehensive Key to the World Species of *Orchestia***

FARZANEH MOMTAZI — 2025-10-07

A new species of Orchestia Leach, 1814 is described based on two specimens sampled at the Banc d’Arguin National Park in Mauritania. The new species belongs to the group of Orchestia species with an irregular carpus on the seventh pereopod that includes also O. aestuarensis Wildish, 1987 and O. mediterranea Costa, 1853. Orchestia mauritanica sp. nov. can be distinguished from other group members by lacking a concavity on the posterior margin on the basis of the seventh pereopod and by having the posterior margin on the male second gnathopod with a straight distal margin followed by a proximal shelf. The species description is based on detailed illustrations and micro-CT imaging. An identification key to the Orchestia species of the world is provided.

**A new melanistic species of Megacampsomeris Betrem, 1928 from the Philippines and taxonomic reassessment of Laevicampsomeris luzonensis (Rohwer, 1921) (Hymenoptera, Scoliidae, Campsomerini)**

JEAN-BAPTISTE CASTAGNET — 2025-10-07

A new species of Megacampsomeris Betrem, 1928 (Hymenoptera, Scoliidae, Campsomerini) from Mindanao in the Philippines, Megacampsomeris funesta Castagnet & Cabon, sp. nov., is described and illustrated on the basis of both sexes. This new species, entirely melanistic with brown pilosity, is similar in habitus to M. habrocoma (Smith, 1855), M. laevivertex Betrem, 1928, and M. malaccensis Betrem, 1928 from Indonesia but differs mainly in its finer, denser and often coalescent punctation. In addition, the examination of multiple Laevicampsomeris luzonensis (Rohwer, 1921) specimens, including male genitalia, supports its reallocation to the genus Megacampsomeris. Thus the new combination is proposed: Megacampsomeris luzonensis (Rohwer, 1921), comb. nov. Finally, M. asiatica (de Saussure, 1858) and M. prismatica (Smith, 1855) are removed from the Philippines fauna. A determination key and an updated list of Megacampsomeris species from the Philippines are given.

Sulcosticta fliedneri sp. nov. (Odonata: Platystictidae), a new damselfly from Luzon, Philippines

QUOC TOAN PHAN — 2025-10-07

Sulcosticta fliedneri sp. nov. (holotype ♂, 15.25326° N, 121.39115° E, 65 m a.s.l., Dingalan, Aurora, Luzon, deposited at Cavite State University, Philippines) is described from Luzon Island based on specimens of both sexes. The new species is diagnosed by the distinctive morphology of the male’s anal appendages: cerci robust with a small distal tubercle and paraprocts black, acutely curved at the tip.

Festucalex rosa, a new species of pipefish (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) from the Seychelles, western Indian Ocean

DAIJIRO YUKI — 2025-10-07

The new pipefish Festucalex rosa sp. nov. is described from a single specimen collected from D'Arros Island, Seychelles, representing only the second species of Festucalex recorded from the western Indian Ocean. The new species is similar to other members of the genus, including F. armillatus Prokofiev 2016, F. gibbsi Dawson 1977, F. prolixus Dawson 1984, and F. wassi Dawson 1977 in possessing two ridges on the pectoral-fin base, but is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: 17 trunk rings; 34 tail rings; 21 dorsal-fin rays; 14 or 15 pectoral-fin rays; snout length 46.3% of head length; and lateral trunk ridge terminating at the anal ring. A possible conspecific record from Kosi Bay, South Africa, is noted.

Zootaxa

Burrowed through time: Exploring the enigmatic Cossidae moths of Georgia

Exaeretia terskeella Lvovsky, 2016 (Lepidoptera, Depressariidae), a little-known species described from Kyrgyzstan: the first Exaeretia species with brachypterous female

Review of Placocoris Mayr, 1864 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Discocephalinae: Ochlerini)

The Doring River population of Pseudobarbus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) does not merit formal description