Zootaxa

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the family Macromiidae (Odonata) worldwide based on a mitochondrial and two nuclear markers, with a short overview of its taxonomic history

2025-04-11T10:35:03+12:00

Three molecular markers (two traditional and a new one), the barcoding fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene, the nuclear ITS region of the nucleolus organiser, and the nuclear histone H3–H4 region including partial sequences of the highly conserved genes of core histones H3 and H4 and the non-coding spacer between them, were sequenced in 38 (31% of all) species of Macromiidae, representing all its four genera. Besides, 15 species of the related incertae sedis genera Macromidia Martin, 1907, Idionyx Hagen, 1867 and Oxygastra Selys, 1870 were sequenced. Available sequences of the concerned groups were also adopted from GenBank. All markers resolved Macromiidae as a monophyletic clade with the highest support. In contrast, our markers did not resolve the expected monophyletic branch containing the incertae sedis genera. Didymops transversa (Say, 1840) clustered with Macromia Rambur, 1842 in most trees as an inner lineage in the Macromia cluster. For this reason, we restored the synonymy of Didymops Rambur, 1842 with Macromia. Epophthalmia Burmeister, 1839 and Phyllomacromia Selys, 1878 were resolved as sister branches, as proposed before on morphological basis. On the species level, Macromia fraenata Martin, 1907, Macromia clio Ris, 1916 and Macromia kubokaiya Asahina, 1964 were restored as valid species names. Macromia flavocolorata Fraser, 1922 was downgraded to the subspecies Macromia calliope flavocolorata, stat rev., but the name Macromia miniata Fraser, 1924 was restored as valid species name to denote the species of the Western Ghats of India once considered as M. flavocolorata as well. The synonymy of M. cupricincta Fraser, 1924 and M. berlandi Lieftinck, 1941 at the species level were confirmed but the latter was treated as M. cupricincta berlandi stat. rev. Macromia hamata Zhou, 2003 was synonymised to Macromia manchurica Asahina, 1964. The presence of Epophthalmia vittata Burmeister, 1839 in Indochina as a common species was confirmed. The situation with Macromia callisto Laidlaw, 1922 remains obscure.

**A new species of the thorid shrimp genus Heptacarpus Holmes, 1900 (Decapoda: Caridea) from Japan**

2025-04-11T10:35:01+12:00

The thorid shrimp genus Heptacarpus Holmes, 1900 is currently represented by 34 species (De Grave & Fransen 2011; Komai 2023; DecaNet 2025). These species are exclusively found in the North Pacific, inhabiting various environments from coastal waters to the continental slope, reaching depths of up to 1580 m (Hayashi 1979; Butler 1980; Wicksten 1990; Komai & Ivanov 2008; Komai & Komatsu 2009). From East Asian waters, 16 species have been recorded, of which 13 species are restricted to the area (Hayashi 1979, 1992; Hayashi & Chiba 1987, 1989; Komai & Ivanov 2008; Kim 2012; Xu & Li 2015; Komai 2023).

During a study of material dredged from the coastal waters south of Izu Peninsula, central Japan, two specimens somewhat resembling Heptacarpus geniculatus (Stimpson, 1860) and H. longirostris (Kobjakova, 1936), were found. Through a combination of morphological comparison and phylogenetic analysis utilizing the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, the study uncovered a previously unknown species. Here the new species, H. elatus, is described and illustrated.

**New species of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of the genera Ommatocepheus (Cepheusidae) and Eremella (Eremellidae) from Mexico**

2025-04-11T10:35:00+12:00

Two new species of oribatid mites are described: Ommatocepheus quetzalli Revelo & Martínez sp. nov. and Eremella (Licnocepheus) cochlearia Revelo & Martínez sp. nov., both collected from bark of Abies religiosa in Monte Tlaloc, Mexico. The genus Ommatocepheus is reported for the first time in Mexico and the Neotropical region. Ommatocepheus quetzalli sp. nov. is distinguished from close related species by the size of adanal setae, shape and size of the interlamellar setae, and the thickness of the lamellar protrusions. A brief description of the tritonymph and dichotomous keys are provided for all species of the genus Ommatocepheus. Eremella (Licnocepheus) cochlearia sp. nov. differs from E. (Licnocepheus) matildebellae Mahunka & Palacios Vargas, 1995, by its cymbiform notogastral, lamellar, and interlamellar setae, short and globose bothridial seta, and smooth ventral tegument.

**The third extinct representative of the genus Europs Wollaston, 1854 (Coleoptera: Nitiduloidea: Monotomidae) in Baltic amber**

2025-04-11T10:34:59+12:00

The third fossil minute-clubbed beetle of the extant genus Europs Wollaston, 1854 (Coleoptera: Monotomidae), E. carsteni sp. nov., is described, diagnosed and illustrated from Eocene Baltic amber. This Palaeogene species can be distinguished from the known Eocene congeners by triangular femoral lines with long longitudinal linear extension produced beyond the middle of abdominal ventrite 1 and by the finely setose dorsum.

**Description of the first species of the genus Archaeopodagrion (Philogeniidae: Odonata) from the Colombian Central Andes**

2025-04-11T10:34:57+12:00

Archaeopodagrion oelmannae sp. nov. is described from the northern Central Colombian Andes, representing the first record of the genus in the Central Cordillera. The species seems to be very rare, only one male specimen found after an extensive sampling effort. The species is probably endangered, as it has been found only in a small protected forest in a region where the habitat is threatened by agricultural expansion. This paper also presents a novel taxonomic key for the genus based on the prothorax of the males and a distribution map for all species in the genus.

**Two new species of the genus Nygmia Hübner, 1820 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Lymantriinae) from China**

2025-04-11T10:34:56+12:00

Two new species of the genus Nygmia Hübner, 1820, Nygmia linzhiensis Pan & Ouyang, sp. nov. and Nygmia motuoensis Pan & Ouyang, sp. nov., are described. Adults and genitalia are illustrated.

**Taxonomic notes on the leafhopper genus Scaphoideus Uhler (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Scaphoidini) from Pakistan, with description of a new species**

2025-04-11T10:34:54+12:00

A new leafhopper species: Scaphoideus dentarcus sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Pakistan. The type specimen of the new species is deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC). A key to Scaphoideus from Pakistan is provided.