Zootaxa

Dragons of the deep (Stomiiformes: Stomiidae): Evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of the barbeled dragonfishes (Stomiinae) and viperfishes (Chauliodontinae)

2026-02-11T11:19:03+13:00

The stomiiforms are a diverse radiation of ray-finned fishes found in pelagic deep-sea environments, with taxa encompassing the barbeled dragonfishes including more than 350 species placed in the family Stomiidae. Barbeled dragonfishes are a diverse lineage of stomiiforms with most taxa and nearly all stomiines having a bioluminescent chin barbel that is hypothesized to be used for conspecific communication and prey attraction. Prior studies on the evolutionary relationships of the stomiids have produced conflicting hypotheses regarding the monophyly of the order’s families and subfamilies and the interrelationships among genera. In this study, we investigate the evolutionary relationships among the stomiids and present a novel hypothesis of evolutionary relationships for the family based on data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs), protein-coding gene fragments, and morphology. Our combined dataset includes 29 of the 35 currently recognized stomiid genera sensu Smith et al. (2024) with taxonomic representatives from all previously recognized stomiid subfamilies and tribes. Our resulting evolutionary hypotheses conflict with the current classification of the family, rendering several currently recognized clades as para- or polyphyletic. These findings necessitate a revised classification that reflects monophyletic groups. Herein, we present a revised classification of the Stomiidae that recognizes the distinct tribal lineages of the barbeled dragonfishes.

Economidichthys mornosensis, a new freshwater sand-goby from Greece (Teleostei: Oxudercidae)

2026-02-11T11:19:51+13:00

Economidichthys mornosensis, a new species, is described from the Mornos River delta in southwestern Greece. It is related to Economidichthys pygmaeus, from which it is distinguished by having a large black blotch on the first dorsal fin in males, a short perianal organ, and a scaleless back along the complete base of the second dorsal fin. Molecular data suggest that the new species can be distinguished from E. pygmaeus by a minimum K2P distance of 5.7 % in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Economidichthys mornosensis is endemic to a very small area, and potentially Critically Endangered.

**A revision of the genus Boesemania (Acanthuriformes: Sciaenidae), with clarification of the taxonomic status of Bahaba polykladiskos (Bleeker, 1852), and comments on its conservation**

2026-02-11T11:20:52+13:00

The family Sciaenidae comprises around 300 species and 70 genera, with the Indo-West Pacific (IWP) region exhibiting the highest species richness. The genus Boesemania Trewavas, 1977 was established as a monotypic group based on the swim bladder and otolith morphology of Johnius microlepis Bleeker. Corvina polykladiskos Bleeker was recognized as the third species of the genus Bahaba. Based on recent morphology and molecular evidence, we assign Bahaba polykladiskos to the genus Boesemania. Boesemania polykladiskos is distinguished from Boesemania microlepis by its distinctly larger scales, the number of lateral-line, upper and lower trans-lateral-line rows, and sagitta and swim-bladder morphology. Phylogenetic analysis of 24 sciaenid species representing 23 genera from the Indo-West Pacific region further confirms that Boesemania is monophyletic and that Boesemania polykladiskos is the sister species of Boesemania microlepis. The two Boesemania species are commercially important fish in their native range and play an essential role in the global luxury dried swim-bladder trade. However, significant knowledge gaps persist regarding their ecology, biology, and population status. Consequently, this paper also addresses the need for further research and conservation measures for these species.

**Taxonomic turmoil around the genus Anoplistes Audinet-Serville, 1833 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the Uvs Nuur Basin: a new species, a new synonym, and a species reinstatement**

2026-02-11T11:22:11+13:00

Anoplistes minutus Hammarström, 1892 stat. rev., previously regarded as a subspecies of A. halodendri (Pallas, 1773), is reinstated as a valid species based on its clear morphological difference from the latter. This taxonomic decision automatically implies that all specimens of A. halodendri from Mongolia, incorrectly assigned to A. halodendri minutus sensu Danilevsky and Smetana (2010), should be referred to the nominotypical subspecies. Subsequently, A. tuvensis syn. nov. is considered as a junior synonym of A. minutus stat. rev.: Anoplistes minutus Hammarström, 1892 = Anoplistes tuvensis (Tsherepanov, 1978). Finally, Anoplistes pseudotuvensis sp. nov. from northwestern Mongolia is described based on a series of six specimens collected in 1963 and a detailed morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy. This overlooked taxon was previously confused and misidentified with A. tuvensis syn. nov., owing to their similar distribution areas, or misidentified with A. mongolicus Ganglbauer, 1889. The new species can be easily distinguished morphologically from A. minutus stat. rev. (= A. tuvensis syn. nov.) as they belong to different species groups. The two taxa also differ ecologically, being associated with different host plants and occurring in distinct habitats, as presented in this paper. Habitus of all the above-mentioned taxa is illustrated with high-resolution stacked images. The description of this new species and the reassessment of the two remaining taxa contribute to resolving the complex taxonomy of the genus and provides a basis for future revision integrating morphological, ecological, and molecular data.

**A morphologically unusual new species of Phanuromyia Dodd (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) from India**

2026-02-11T11:23:01+13:00

Phanuromyia levigata Abitha, Rajmohana and Debnath sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is described from India incorporating both morphological and molecular characterizations. Among the members of Phanuromyia, this species is unusual in having prominent facial and malar striae. A multigene maximum likelihood tree based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I and nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA gene sequences is provided to support its taxonomic placement. Additionally, a modified key to the species of Phanuromyia from India is provided.

**A FAIR description of an unusual new species of Furconthophagus Zunino, 1979 from Western Africa (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Onthophagus)**

2026-02-11T11:23:58+13:00

Onthophagus (Furconthophagus) genieri Montanaro, sp. nov. from Bakor Forest in Senegal is described and illustrated. The new taxon is unusual in having transversely truncated protibiae in both sexes, similarly to the species of Caccobius Thomson, 1859. Its placement within the subgenus Furconthophagus Zunino, 1979 is discussed in light of morphological evidence. FAIR taxonomic approaches (semantic taxonomic description, nanopublications, Darwin Core format) are used to make the data easily accessible and computationally reusable.

**Beneath cryptic spots: A taxonomic re-evaluation of Mesalina guttulata (Squamata: Lacertidae) in Syria**

2026-02-11T11:24:45+13:00