Zootaxa

**A new species of Dibamus from the Central Highlands of Vietnam with redescription of Dibamus montanus Smith, 1921 (Squamata: Dibamidae)**

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

The Langbian Blind Skink, Dibamus montanus Smith, 1921, was described more than 100 years ago based on two specimens from Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam. Herein, we provide a revised diagnosis of D. montanus based on re-examination of the type series and two additional specimens collected during our recent field survey in Lam Dong Province, southern Vietnam. Furthermore, we describe a new species of dibamid lizard based on a single specimen collected from Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Gia Lai Province, central Vietnam, which was previously confused with D. montanus. We present an updated genealogy for the family Dibamidae based on three mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA, ND2, and COI) and demonstrate that D. montanus and the Gia Lai specimen form two deeply divergent matrilines with sequence divergence p = 18.6% in the ND2 gene and p = 6.4% in the 16S rRNA gene. The new species Dibamus annae sp. nov. can be readily distinguished from D. montanus and other congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: labial and nasal sutures present and complete; rostral suture present and incomplete; three scales posterior to interparietal; maximum SVL of 92.7 mm; tail comparatively long, TL comprising 18.9% of SVL in a single male; two scales bordering the posteromedial edge of the first infralabial; the medial sublabial scale not enlarged; 19 midbody scale rows; 21 transverse scale rows just posterior to head; 18 transverse scale rows just anterior to vent; 180 ventral scales; 45 subcaudal scales; relative size of frontal to frontonasal 136.3%; relative size of interparietal to nuchal scale 133.9%. Our study brings the total number of species in the genus Dibamus to 28; Dibamus annae sp. nov. is the ninth species of Dibamus recorded from Vietnam, which further highlights the importance of this country as a center of reptilian diversity in Southeast Asia. We also provide an identification key for the species of Dibamus that occur in Indochina.

**Distribution, host plant association, and morphological diagnosis of adults and larvae of Haplothrips biroi (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)**

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

Haplothrips biroi (Priesner) is known from several southern European countries and is here newly recorded from southwestern Slovakia. The host plant is confirmed as Ballota nigra [Lamiaceae], with 107 female and 25 male adults collected, and the species successfully reared on the host leaves. Key morphological features of adults and larvae are illustrated, and the ecological implication of the record briefly discussed.

**Phenotypic variability in the western grass snake Natrix astreptophora, with description of a new subspecies from Morocco**

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

Based on a large sample of 920 Natrix astreptophora (López Seoane, 1884) from Western Europe and 32 specimens from North Africa, we examine phenotypic variation in this species. In agreement with genetic findings of previous phylogeographic studies, we distinguish three subspecies. The nominotypical subspecies is distributed in the European part of the distribution range. Natrix astreptophora algerica (Hecht, 1930) lives in northeastern Algeria and northern Tunisia. Moroccan grass snakes represent Natrix astreptophora soumiafahdae subsp. nov., which is described here as new to science. All three subspecies differ in coloration and pattern and represent three deeply divergent genetic lineages as reflected by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Natrix astreptophora soumiafahdae subsp. nov. is very rare and has a fragmented distribution range. It represents an evolutionarily significant conservation unit for which conservation measures are needed. In addition, across the distribution range of the nominotypical subspecies, three non-melanistic phenotypes can be distinguished that also differ in coloration and pattern. One of these phenotypes is widespread across the whole European range, while two are geographically restricted to the north and west of the Iberian Peninsula, respectively, where they may co-occur with the other phenotypes. In addition, there is a clear correlation between the distribution of melanistic grass snakes and latitude; 45 of the 46 melanistic N. a. astreptophora were recorded from the northern and northwestern Iberian Peninsula. There are no records for melanistic grass snakes in North Africa.

New records of two goby species from Taiwan, northwestern Pacific Ocean (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae)

YO SU, YU-CHIEH HSU, HSUAN-CHING HO — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

Two goby species, Egglestonichthys melanoptera (Visweswara Rao, 1971) and Obliquogobius yamadai Shibukawa & Aonuma, 2007, are recorded for the first time from southwestern Taiwan based on specimens collected by bottom trawl. The former is represented by four specimens, representing its northernmost distributed range. The latter is represented by a single specimen, marking the first record of the genus and species from Taiwan. This finding fills the distribution gap between Japan and the region spanning southern Indonesia to northwestern Australia. Detailed descriptions and photographs are presented, with comparisons to previously documented specimens and notes on morphological variation.

Comparative morphology of the mouthparts of weevils of the subfamily Curculioninae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

SERGEY A. KURBATOV — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

The mouthparts of 57 mainly Palaearctic species of the subfamily Curculioninae, belonging to 41 genera of 17 tribes, are studied and illustrated. Descriptions of various characters of mandibles, maxillae and labia of the mentioned taxonomic group are given. The conformity of the structure of mouthparts to the accepted taxonomic pattern of the studied taxa is evaluated.

A new species of Ceroplastes (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from southwest China evidenced by morphological and molecular data, with a discussion on the variation in the number of clear areas in the C. floridensis species-group

PENGCHEN LI, XUBO WANG — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

A new species of wax scale, Ceroplastes planoides Li & Wang, sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), from Yunnan Province, China., is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on COI and 28S genes confirms the monophyly of this new species. A key to the currently known species of the genus Ceroplastes in China is provided, along with a discussion on the variation in the number of clear areas within the C. floridensis species group.

Cladocoryne spongicola, a new species of tropical, sponge-associated athecate hydroid (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

HORIA R. GALEA, WIDIASTUTI WIDIASTUTI, DAVIDE MAGGIONI — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

A new species of Cladocoryne Rotch, 1871, C. spongicola sp. nov., a hydroid strictly associated to a host demosponge, is described from shallow waters in the NE of the island of Bali, Indonesia. Its cnidome lacks the distinctive elliptic macrobasic euryteles of the substrate generalist C. haddoni Kirkpatrick, 1890, retaining only the elongate counterpart, common to most species of the genus. Its gonophores are eumedusoids with four marginal bulbs, a canal system, and four basal interradial nematocyst pads. A morphological comparison with its congeners is provided. A multilocus (16S, 18S, 28S rRNA and COI) phylogenetic analysis confirms its divergence from C. floccosa Rotch, 1871 and C. haddoni, two of its congeners for which sequence data are available so far.

New records of the subfamily Phycitinae (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) from Hormozgan Province of Iran, with description of a new species from Mangrove habitats

HELEN ALIPANAH — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

The Phycitinae specimens collected mainly in the Mangrove habitats of the Hormozgan Province in Iran were examined. Falckia slamkaiella, sp. nov. is described as new. The genera Falckia Slamka, 2019, Remanephycis Roesler, 1989 and Cherchera Dumont, 1932, and the following four species namely, Remanephycis sudanella Roesler, 1989, Cherchera abatesella Dumont, 1932, Phycita judaica Amsel, 1935, and Saluria eremica Asselbergs, 2008 are reported as new for the fauna of Iran. The diagnostic features of the above-mentioned species are discussed and illustrated.

**A new genus for Hysteropterum dolichotum Gnezdilov et Mazzoni, 2004 (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea, Issidae), with description of fifth instar nymph**

VLADIMIR M. GNEZDILOV — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200

A new genus, Ptychopterum gen. nov., is erected to accommodate Hysteropterum dolichotum Gnezdilov et Mazzoni, 2004, with a new combination proposed—Ptychopterum dolichotum (Gnezdilov et Mazzoni, 2004), comb. nov. The species is redescribed along with fifth instar nymph, and female genitalia structures are described and illustrated for the first time.

**Correction of the holotype and type locality of Dendrobates duellmani Schulte, 1999 (Anura: Dendrobatidae)**

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200