Zootaxa

**Description of a new species of African pipistrelle-like bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Afronycteris)**

2026-03-04T10:40:36+13:00

The taxonomy of the small, sub-Saharan, insectivorous bat, Afronycteris helios (Heller, 1912), has been unresolved for decades. The name A. cf. helios was introduced in the literature to recognise bats found in east and southern Africa that were like A. helios but had glands on the uropatagium. Cranio-dental morphology, bacular morphology, and molecular genetics (albeit the latter two being without representation of A. helios), provided evidence to formally describe “A. cf. helios”, which is currently known from Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa. Bayesian analyses based on cytochrome oxidase b, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, and 12S rRNA confirm that it belongs to the genus Afronycteris with A. nanus (Peter, 1852) and A. helios. These analyses also revealed genetic, bacular, and cranio-dental morphological differences within A. nanus, which are described here. Pending a more thorough geographic analysis, including all existing synonyms, A. cf. nanus has been introduced to refer to bats that were smaller than A. nanus. Although co-occurring in north-eastern parts of South Africa, A. cf. nanus has a more westerly distribution extending to west Africa, relative to the more easterly distribution of A. nanus. Afronycteris sp. nov. showed at least a 6.9%, 3.4% and 2.9% nucleotide difference to its nearest relative based on cytochrome oxidase b, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, and 12S rRNA respectively. It is cranio-dentally smaller than A. helios, slightly smaller than A. nanus, and larger than A. cf. nanus, with a distinct baculum, and a unique pair of glands on the uropatagium.

**Revisiting the Taxonomy of Javan Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae), with the Description of a New Species**

2026-03-04T10:41:25+13:00

The genus Philautus comprises 52 recognized species, three of which are currently known from Java and are endemic to the island. We conducted extensive fieldwork across Central Java between 2017 and 2025 to reassess the taxonomy of Philautus in this understudied region. We clarified species boundaries and uncovered cryptic diversity within this genus by employing an integrative framework that combined morphological assessments, molecular phylogenetics, and bioacoustic analyses. Our results include a redescription of P. jacobsoni and the formal description of a newly identified montane species, Philautus candrageni sp. nov., from Mount Merapi. We also provide further insights into the taxonomic status of Philautus pallidipes. These findings reveal considerable taxonomic complexity and previously overlooked diversity within Java’s montane amphibian assemblages. They also underscore the importance of sustained integrative research and advocate for targeted conservation efforts for Philautus species across the island.

Larval morphology of Agnoshydrus Biström, Nilsson & Wewalka, 1997: description of A. thailandicus Okada, 2024 and phylogenetic comparison with other known Hyphydrini (Coleoptera: Adephaga, Dytiscidae)

2026-03-04T10:42:30+13:00

The three larval instars of the Thailand endemic Agnoshydrus thailandicus Okada, 2024 are described for the first time, including a detailed chaetotaxy analysis of the cephalic capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment, and urogomphi. The phylogenetic position of Agnoshydrus Biström, Nilsson & Wewalka, 1997 is studied based on a cladistic analysis of 12 Hyphydrini species (nine genera) and 59 morphological larval characters. Although the phylogenetic relationships of Agnoshydrus within the tribe Hyphydrini remain unresolved, it seems reasonable to suggest a closer relationship with Desmopachria Babington, 1842, Hovahydrus Biström, 1982, and Microdytes J. Balfour-Browne, 1946.

**Two new species of Anelytra (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Agraeciini) from Visayas, Philippines, with the descriptions of their calling songs**

2026-03-04T10:43:18+13:00

Two new species of Anelytra are described from Negros and Siquijor Islands from the Visayas in the Philippines: Anelytra (Anelytra) melanopa sp. nov. and Anelytra (Anelytra) siquijor sp. nov., respectively. These represent the second and third Anelytra species to be found in the Philippines. The calling songs of both species are also described. Additionally, Axylus negros Ingrisch, 2015 is recorded in Siquijor Island and its calling song described for the first time.

**A new species of Ptyctolaemus (Squamata: Agamidae) from Kachin State, Myanmar**

2026-03-04T10:44:15+13:00

The genus Ptyctolaemus (Peters, 1864) has a restricted distribution in northeast India, Indo-Burma and Indochina region. Ptyctolaemus currently includes six nominal species. Previous molecular studies suggested the presence of a genetically distinct lineage from northern Myanmar. I studied a historic series of Ptyctolaemus specimens collected from Myanmar housed at the Natural History Museum in London (n=29) and the California Academy of Sciences (n=17) in the USA. The specimens collected from Kachin State in northern Myanmar are morphologically distinct from the currently recognised species and are described here as a new species. The addition of another new species of Ptyctolaemus highlights the underestimated diversity of agamid lizards in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. An identification key to the species in the genus Ptyctolaemus is provided herein.

**Three new species of Gnosonesima Reisinger, 1926 (Platyhelminthes: Gnosonesimida) from the subtropical Western Atlantic**

2026-03-04T10:45:02+13:00

Three new species of Gnosonesima from the eastern coast of Florida, United States, are described herein. This discovery provides new insights into one of the least-studied genus of Platyhelminthes Rhabditophora, which until now comprised only six known species. The new taxa, G. laumeri sp. nov., G. smithi sp. nov., and G. spinifera sp. nov., are primarily distinguished by the sclerotised armature of the male copulatory organ. Additional traits, including the presence or absence of eyes and pigmentation, and the structure of the female system further support their delimitation.

The first black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) from the Lowermost Eocene Oise amber (France)

2026-03-04T10:45:46+13:00

Simulium (Hellichiella) oisense sp. nov., oldest representative of this subgenus, is described from the Lowermost Eocene amber of Oise (Northern France). It shares with this subgenus the pedicel significantly larger than first flagellomere; radius with hair dorsobasally; scutum unpatterned; sensory vesicle typically occupying about one fourth or less of palpomere II; pedisulcus shallow; claws each with basal thumblike; precoxal bridge complete. Compared to the fossil species currently attributed to this subgenus, it is characterized by the presence of 10 antennomeres, palpomere IV shorter than palpomeres II+III, and pedisulcus well distinct. The extant species of this subgenus are Holarctic, living in small sandy streams and under rather cold to cool climates, which does correspond to the paleoenvironment but not the warm paleoclimate of the Oise amber deposit. The subgenus is otherwise known by one species from the Baltic amber and one from the Rovno amber, both Middle Eocene.

A new species and new records of Perlodidae (Plecoptera) from China

2026-03-04T10:46:35+13:00

Megarcys changbaishana sp. nov. from Changbai Mountain in Jilin Province, China, is described and compared with similar perlodid taxa and congeners. Isoperla altaica Šamal, 1939 and I. mongolica Zhiltzova, 1972 are reported for the first time from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. Diagnostic features of these species are illustrated with color images.

**Two new species and first record of the genus Therion (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Anomaloninae) from Peru**

2026-03-04T10:47:24+13:00

Therion Curtis currently includes 26 valid species, but only three species are known from South America, with no species known from Peru. The genus is reported for the first time from Peru and two new species are described: T. bifidus sp. nov. and T. blancasi sp. nov.. Illustrations and diagnoses for all South American species is presented together with a key for the Neotropical species.

**Redescription of Stempellinella apicula Guo & Wang, 2005 (Diptera: Chironomidae) via DNA barcodes**

2026-03-04T10:48:08+13:00