Zootaxa

Bats of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: A revised checklist with significant new records

2026-03-10T11:53:04+13:00

We present updated baseline information on bats inhabiting the Vietnamese Mekong Delta based on literature review and field expeditions between 2018 and 2024. In total, 32 bat species from six families were documented across 23 study sites within the delta. Our integrated analyses of morphological and acoustic data along with mitochondrial sequences reveal two new country records (Rhinolophus thailandensis and Hipposideros kingstonae) and novel populations of relict forms in several species’ complexes (R. macrotis, R. marshalli, and H. galeritus). These findings indicate that bat populations in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta include previously undocumented diversity and unique evolutionary patterns. However, bats and other wildlife within the delta face escalating threats from the synergistic effects of anthropogenic activities (e.g., unsustainable land-use and farming practices, illegal hunting, wind energy development) and climate change. Compounding these threats, public awareness of the importance of bat conservation remains limited and misperceptions of bats as sources of zoonotic diseases remains widespread. We advocate for urgent implementation of multidisciplinary initiatives to conserve the unique biodiversity of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta and achieve sustainable development goals.

**Redescription of Enhydrosoma sarsi (Scott, 1905) (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Cletodidae T. Scott) from the western Baltic Sea (Germany) and remarks on the systematics of Enhydrosoma Boeck, 1873**

2026-03-10T11:54:34+13:00

Findings of Enhydrosoma sarsi (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Cletodidae T. Scott) in the Fehmarn Belt (western Baltic Sea, Germany) during the “MGF Ostsee” research mission enabled a comprehensive and detailed redescription of the species. This prompted a morphology-based phylogenetic study aiming to establish (i) Enhydrosoma as a monophylum and (ii) E. sarsi as a phylogenetically justifiable, distinct species. The phylogenetic characterisation of Enhydrosoma, based on 79 morphological characters, was subject to some reservations, because the four recognised apomorphies also occurred, at least sporadically, in the here compared genera Geehydrosoma, Kollerua, Limnocletodes, Schizacron, Spinapecruris and Strongylacron. In contrast, E. sarsi could be clearly characterised as a distinct species on the basis of six autapomorphies in mainly the antennula. Mitochondrial COI and nuclear 18S (V1–V2) sequence data obtained for selected Enhydrosoma species were used to reinforce morphological identifications and to support the phylogenetic framework. In the course of our phylogenetic analysis, it was noted that two of the 37 species currently assigned to Enhydrosoma must be excluded from the genus. Enhydrosoma pectinatum was transferred to the genus Geehydrosoma as G. pectinatum comb. nov., and E. wellsi to Cletodes as C. wellsi comb. nov. Further inconsistencies with regard to the characterisation of Enhydrosoma and the systematic relationships within the Cletodidae are illustrated with examples. They underline the need for a revision of the Cletodidae, with particular importance dedicated to the redescription of already known species.

**Additions to the knowledge of Stylogeocoris and Umbrageocoris of Australia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Geocoridae)**

2026-03-10T11:55:32+13:00

The recent discovery of the type specimen of Geocoris provisus Bergroth, 1895 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Geocoridae) has necessitated the following new subjective synonymy: Stylogeocoris provisus (Bergroth, 1895), comb. nov. = Stylogeocoris elongatus (Distant, 1901), syn. nov. Umbrageocoris malipatili Kóbor, 2022 is redescribed and illustrated, comparative notes are provided for Umbrageocoris Kóbor, 2019 and Geocoris Fallén, 1814 as well as for some species of these two genera from Australia. Stylogeocoris bicoloratus Malipatil, sp. nov. is described, and an updated key to the species of genus Stylogeocoris Montandon, 1913 is presented.

A new species of spined loach from the southern Shikoku Island, Japan (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae)

2026-03-10T11:56:21+13:00

Cobitis tosaensis, a new species of spined loach, is described from southern Shikoku Island, Japan. It is distinguished from its nearest congener, C. biwae, by the following combination of characters: Suborbital spine with three pointed ends, lamina circularis kitchen-knife shaped, Z2 almost thick as eye diameter in many individuals, two black spots on surface layer of caudal-fin base—both usually separated from upper and lower, two light greyish spots on deeper layer of caudal-fin base—both separated from upper and lower.

**A review of the rare subgenus Carinichelonus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from India with description of one new species**

2026-03-10T11:57:08+13:00

The rare subgenus Carinichelonus Tobius, 2000 of the braconid genus Chelonus Panzer, 1806 from India is reviewed and Chelonus (Carinichelonus) mahadeb Ghosh & Sengupta sp. nov. is described and illustrated from North-East India. A taxonomic key to extant species of Carinichelonus is provided along with distribution details. Distribution range for Chelonus (Carinichelonus) siangensis Ranjith & Priyadarsanan, 2023 is extended.

Amblyceps vayavy, a new catfish from the northern part of the Western Ghats, India (Teleostei: Amblycipitidae)

2026-03-10T11:58:00+13:00

Amblyceps vayavy, a new species of amblycipitid catfish, is described from the northern part of the Western Ghats Hotspot, India. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners in having the following combination of characters: forked caudal fin, adipose-fin separate from dorsal procurrent part of the caudal fin, centrally projecting hooks on proximal lepidotrichia of median caudal-fin rays absent, incomplete lateral line, lower jaw longer than upper, anal-fin base 15.3–15.9% SL, body depth at anus 14.7–15.3% SL, and adipose-fin base length 21.8–22.3% SL.

New records and new species of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Vashlovani National Park, Georgia-Sakartvelo

2026-03-10T11:58:49+13:00

During a survey of the Vashlovani National Park, Georgia (Sakartvelo), we have collected and identified 25 genera and 43 species of Encyrtidae. The genus Monstranusia Trjapitzin and nine species are new records for the Caucasus, and 7 species are new records for Georgia. Two new species of Anagyrus, A. kvesitadzei Japoshvili, sp. nov. and A. maro, Japoshvili, sp. nov., are described. Total number of encyrtid species distributed in Georgia now reaches 252.

**Three new species and new records of the genus Eusphalerum Kraatz, 1857 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Eusphalerini) from Taiwan**

2026-03-10T11:59:34+13:00

Taxonomic and faunistic data for six species of the genus Eusphalerum Kraatz, 1857 of Taiwan are presented. Three new species of the pollens group from one locality in Nantou county (Hsinyi township, Tatachia) are described and illustrated: Eu. geiseri sp. nov., Eu. leei sp. nov. and Eu. sacrum sp. nov. Eusphalerum contortispinum Zanetti, 1998 and Eu. luteoides Zanetti, 1998 are recorded from Nantou, and Eu. dubitatum Zanetti, 1998 from Pingtung counties for the first time respectively.

**On a record of Taractes rubescens (Teleostei: Scombriformes: Bramidae) from the Mediterranean Sea**

2026-03-10T12:00:17+13:00

Here we report the second record of the keeltail pomfret Taractes rubescens (Jordan & Evermann) in the Mediterranean Sea, providing new morphological and genetic data on this rare species in the basin. The use of an integrated taxonomic approach is essential for documenting biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in light of ongoing environmental changes; in our case, it unambiguously identified the species as T. rubescens. The specimen was a maturing male measuring 842 mm TL and weighing 8.721 kg. All meristic counts and proportional morphometric measurements of T. rubescens based on the present specimen agreed with ranges reported by other authors. Data on this species from the Mediterranean Sea remain scarce, and further records are needed to better understand its abundance, distribution and origin.

**A new species of Addyme, Addyme hircicornisjuxta Yu & Cho, sp. nov. to science, from Southeast Asia**

2026-03-10T12:01:12+13:00

Addyme Walker, 1863 is a genus in Phycitinae, distributed from Asia to Oceania. In this study, we present a new species belong to Addyme, Addyme hircicornisjuxta Yu & Cho, sp. nov. from Laos, and Vietnam. We provide a detailed morphological description and illustrations of the adult and male genitalia, together with comparative images of related species.

**Taxonomic notes on Nemoura banatica Kis, 1965 and Nemoura marginata Pictet, 1836 (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from the Jura Mountains**

2026-03-10T12:01:57+13:00

**Taxonomic summary of Crowsoniellidae (Coleoptera), with verification of the publication date of Crowsoniella Pace and Crowsoniella relicta Pace**

2026-03-10T12:02:42+13:00