Zootaxa

Five new Amphibolips Reinhard, 1865 (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) species from western and southern Mexico: expanding the diversity of oak gall wasps and revealing the largest oak apple gall in the Americas

DOHUGLAS ELISEO CASTILLEJOS-LEMUS — 2026-03-27

Five new species of oak gall wasps of the genus Amphibolips Reinhard, 1865 (Cynipidae, Cynipini) are described from Mexico. Amphibolips megalokokka Nieves-Aldrey & Castillejos-Lemus sp. nov. and Amphibolips oyamai Castillejos-Lemus & Nieves-Aldrey sp. nov. from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) exhibit unique morphological characteristics within the genus, particularly in gall morphology. Three additional species, Amphibolips zapoteco Nieves-Aldrey & Castillejos-Lemus sp. nov., Amphibolips idiopteryx Nieves-Aldrey & Castillejos-Lemus sp. nov. and Amphibolips darioi Castillejos-Lemus & Nieves-Aldrey sp. nov., are described from Oaxaca State. These Oaxacan species show remarkable morphological similarity while providing important insights into the relationships among species within the Oaxacan clade. Based on a prior phylogenetic study using ultraconserved elements, we describe these five new species with supporting evidence from both morphology and molecular data. We also examined the great morphological variation in Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt species, including both generations of one species, and discusses species richness, phylogenetic relationships, and taxonomic challenges within the genus.

**Review of West Indian Asyndetus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), with descriptions of five new species**

JUSTIN B. RUNYON — 2026-03-27

The species of Asyndetus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) occurring in the West Indies are reviewed and nine species are recognized, including five new species: A. ammophilus Loew, A. atratus sp. nov., A. caribeus sp. nov., A. erosicornis sp. nov., A. flabellifer sp. nov., A. fratellus Aldrich, A. interruptus (Loew), A. pogonops Robinson and A. virginensis sp. nov. An unnamed tenth species, known from females, is reported. Males of the new species have partly sclerotized, mandible-like labella, which is rare in brachyceran Diptera. Previous reports of A. syntormoides Wheeler in the West Indies are determined to be erroneous. The following new synonyms are proposed: Asyndetus deficiens Robinson = A. fratellus, syn. nov.; A. dominicensis Robinson = A. fratellus, syn. nov.; A. exiguus Van Duzee = A. fratellus, syn. nov. and A. currani Van Duzee = A. fratellus, syn. nov. The species are illustrated, distributions mapped, and a key to males is provided.

**A systematic review of the Limnonectes hascheanus-limborgi complex (Anura: Dicroglossidae), with the description of a new species from Peninsular Malaysia**

BEI ZOU — 2026-03-27

The taxonomic confusion of the Limnonectes hascheanus-limborgi complex in Peninsular Malaysia has lasted for more than a decade since the presence of L. limborgi was reported in the country based on molecular data in 2014. Before that, L. hascheanus was thought to be the only species of L. hascheaus-limborgi complex occurring in Peninsular Malaysia. Currently, comprehensive approaches using molecular and morphological analyses corroborate the existence of a new species, Limnonectes corvus sp. nov. from Peninsular Malaysia. Limnonectes corvus sp. nov. is syntopic with L. hascheanus in some localities but differs by having an average uncorrected p-distance of 7.8% based on the 16S rRNA gene and the following diagnostic morphological characteristics: (1) small size with SVL 21.59–35.45 mm in males, SVL 28.74–35.78 mm in females; (2) short, stocky and robust body; (3) males lack external vocal sacs; (4) loreal region slightly concave; (5) tympanum approximately 2/3 of the eye diameter; (6) distinct supratympanic fold along the tympanum extending to supra-axillary region; (7) smooth skin without dense cluster of granular warts on super-axillary and cloacal region (8) fingertips with terminal bulbs; (9) relative finger lengths III>I=II>IV or III>IV=I=II; (10) inner metatarsal tubercle distinctly raised and less than 50% of the length of the first toe; (11) dermal ridge along the outer metatarsal; (12) toes basally webbed, with webbing extending to middle subarticular tubercle of the fourth toe with webbing formula as follow: I 1^-–2 II 0⁺–2²/₃ III 1⁺–3 IV 3–1¹/₂ V or I 1^-–2 II 1⁺–2½ III 1½–3 IV 3–2^-IV; (13) enlarged odontoids are present in both males and females. The current study found that previously reported populations of L. limborgi in Peninsular Malaysia are misidentifications of the new species L. corvus sp. nov. and we update its distribution to the east of the Bintang range to include the Sekayu lowland forest in Terengganu in the north and Ketumbar Hill, Kuala Lumpur, and Tioman Island in the south.

Nemipterid fishes (Spariformes, Nemipteridae) of Tanzania, with description of a new species of Parascolopsis and new records of Nemipterus elaine and Parascolopsis akatamae

PATROBA MATIKU — 2026-03-27

Eight species of nemipterid fishes (Nemipteridae) in three genera, collected in coastal waters of Tanzania, are reviewed. Six species were collected during an ecosystem survey conducted by the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen off the coast of Tanzania in 2023 (Nemipterus bipunctatus, N. elaine, N. zysron, Parascolopsis flavimarginatus sp. nov., Scolopsis bimaculata, and S. curite) and two species were found in a museum collection (Parascolopsis akatamae and Scolopsis ghanam). Among these, Nemipterus elaine, previously known only from Mozambique, is recorded from Tanzania for the first time; previous records of N. japonicus and N. randalli from the southwestern Indian Ocean can also be attributed to N. elaine. Parascolopsis akatamae is a new record for Tanzania. Parascolopsis flavimarginatus sp. nov., described from a single specimen, is morphologically similar to P. akatamae and P. eriomma in possessing a high number of gill rakers on the first gill arch (16–19 in these three species, vs. 8–14 gill rakers in other congeners), but can be distinguished by scales on top of head extending forward to above the anterior margin of pupil (vs. scales not extending anterior to a line through middle of eye), and the spinous portion of the dorsal fin being translucent with a broad yellow margin (vs. spinous portion entirely salmon pink, a mixture of salmon pink and yellow, or with a broad reddish margin). Parascolopsis flavimarginatus sp. nov. further differs from all other species of the genus in having a more slender body (body depth of 3.6 in SL, vs. 2.4–3.3 in SL in other species). In addition, the new species differs from all congeners except Parascolopsis tosensis in having a lower number of pectoral-fin rays (14 vs. 15–17 in other species). Descriptions of each species are based on voucher specimens and are accompanied by photographs of fresh specimens. Using tissue samples obtained from fresh voucher material, a phylogenetic analysis of the COI gene region was conducted for all eight species collected from Tanzanian waters.

**Rediscovery and redescription of an endemic land snail from Vietnam: Cyclotus simonianus (Heude, 1886) with its phylogenetic position**

THINH GIA TRAN — 2026-03-27

Since its original description in 1886, Cyclotus simonianus (Heude, 1886) has remained poorly studied and its taxonomic status has not been critically reassessed. In this study, we rediscovered this species from Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam, and provide a detailed redescription based on new shell and anatomical characters. Molecular analyses based on COI sequences confirm its placement within the genus Cyclotus Swainson 1840, although relationships within the genus remain unresolved due to limited comparative data. Based on morphological evidence, we consider Rhiostoma tieni Thach, 2024 to be a junior synonym of C. simonianus.

Descriptions of pupae of five Pimeliinae species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Alxa Plateau, China

GUANG-HUI SHEN — 2026-03-27

The pupal stages of five Pimeliine species occurring in the Alxa Plateau are described and illustrated in detail: Anatolica mucronata Reitter, 1889 (Tentyriini Eschscholtz, 1831), Mantichorula grandis Semenow, 1893 (Pimeliini Latreille, 1802), Trigonocnera pseudopimelia pseudopimelia (Reitter, 1889) (Pimeliini Latreille, 1802), Mantichorula semenowi Reitter, 1889 (Pimeliini Latreille, 1802), and Cyphogenia chinensis (Faldermann, 1835) (Akidini Billberg, 1820).

**Two new cavernicolous Ephippiochthonius species from Caucasian caves in Georgia (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones)**

MARIAM GOGSHELIDZE — 2026-03-27

Two new cavernicolous pseudoscorpion species, Ephippiochthonius boritiensis sp. nov. from Kozmani Cave, and Ephippiochthonius trapezoides sp. nov. from Tsintskila Cave in Georgia (Caucasus) are described and illustrated. Furthermore, a key for all epigean and cavernicolous Ephippiochthonius species in Georgia is also provided.

**A new species of the rare cleptoparasitic bee genus Ptilocleptis (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) from Mexico**

GERARDO QUINTOS-ANDRADE — 2026-03-27

Sphecodini is a tribe with worldwide distribution, exhibiting a distinctive western hemispherical fauna composed of six genera and approximately 138 species. Among these genera, Ptilocleptis is unique due to its distinctive synapomorphies and its rarity in entomological collections. In this study, Ptilocleptis mictlan Quintos-Andrade sp. nov. is described from Mexico, new distributional records of P. tomentosa Michener within Mexico are presented, and an identification key to the species of Ptilocleptis is provided. The diversity of Ptilocleptis, its potential hosts, and most important diagnostic characters to delimit species are discussed.

**A new replacement name for Homalota denticulata Cameron, 1920 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae)**

TAKUTO HASHIZUME — 2026-03-27

**First observations of Depastrum cyathiforme (M. Sars, 1846) (Cnidaria, Staurozoa) after nearly five decades**

LUCÍLIA SOUZA MIRANDA — 2026-03-27

**BioBlitzed: The first record of Brachyponera chinensis (Emery, 1895) in Germany (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)**

BRENDON E. BOUDINOT — 2026-03-27

We report the first confirmed occurrence in Germany of the Asian needle ant, Brachyponera chinensis (Emery, 1895), from a complete outdoor colony collected in the Rosensteinpark of Stuttgart during a BioBlitz on 2 June 2025. Based on additional records from Rosensteinpark, it appears that this may be an established local population, capable of surviving over winter, in contrast to other, incidental occurrences in the country. Brachyponera chinensis is native to East Asia and is known as both an ecologically disruptive invasive in parts of the southeastern United States and as a species of medical concern due to allergic reactions from their stings. To aid in morphology-based identification, we refine the diagnosis of this species relative to close congeners. Our record, verified by voucher specimens and morphological comparison, represents a potential early-stage introduction of B. chinensis into Central Europe. The species was likely introduced to the Rosensteinpark through horticultural specimen transfer, as the park includes the zoological-botanical garden Wilhelma. The finding raises questions about possible urban establishment and future spread and emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of the ant fauna in Germany.

**The advertisement call of the Short-legged Toads Brachytarsophrys orientalis (Anura, Megophryidae) from southern China**

XIAO-GANG WU — 2026-03-27