https://mapress.com/zt/issue/feed Zootaxa 2025-07-11T10:22:58+12:00 Dr Zhi-Qiang Zhang zed@mapress.com Open Journal Systems <p><strong>Zootaxa</strong> is a mega-journal for zoological taxonomists in the world</p> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.1 <strong>Otolith morphometric analysis of North Bornean Ariidae (Siluriformes): new insights and taxonomic implications</strong> 2025-07-10T10:35:00+12:00 ADIBAH JOHARI adibahsyahirah97@gmail.com LÁSZLÓ KOCSIS laszlo.kocsis@unil.ch AMAJIDA ROSLIM amajida.roslim@ubd.edu.bn ILMAN HAZIQ ilmanhaziqhjabdullah@gmail.com <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This study examines the morphometric variation of lapilli otoliths in selected modern sea catfish species (Ariidae, Siluriformes) from northern Borneo. Given the pronounced similarity in otolith shape and anatomical features among these taxa, traditional taxonomic discrimination is often challenging, particularly at the species or genus level. To assess the taxonomic utility of otolith morphology, 216 otoliths from 12 species were analyzed using high-resolution imaging, a suite of shape indices (<em>e.g.</em>, form factor, roundness), and precise measurements of defined ventral features (<em>e.g.</em>, linea basalis). Seventeen morphometric parameters were subjected to various statistical analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), which delineated two major groups based on otolith shape. The rounded group comprised species from the genera <em>Hexanematichthys</em>, <em>Netuma</em> (two species), and <em>Plicofollis</em> (two species), while the elongated group included species from <em>Arius</em> (three species), <em>Batrachocephalus</em>, <em>Cryptarius</em>, <em>Kyataphisa</em>, and <em>Osteogeneiosus</em>. Subsequent statistical comparisons of selected morphological parameters revealed significant differences among some taxa. <em>Hexanematichthys sagor</em> exhibited a distinctly circular otolith morphology, characterized by a low aspect ratio (AR) and a uniquely oriented distal edge (AP6). Within the elongated group, although the parameters varied less, their combined assessment showed promise in differentiating certain taxa, such as <em>Cryptarius</em> and <em>Osteogeneiosus</em>, particularly through measurements of the otolith central area (R1), incisura linea basalis width (AP1), and otolith thickness ratio (R2). These findings demonstrate that even subtle morphological differences in otoliths can be quantitatively resolved to enhance taxonomic differentiation among ariid catfishes.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.2 <strong><em>Asiopisinus</em> gen. nov., a new genus of the family Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833 (Araneae, Theridiidae) from eastern Asia</strong> 2025-07-10T10:35:59+12:00 CHANGHAO HU changhaohu1998@gmail.com MIAN WEI 302661197@qq.com JIE LIU jieliu@hubu.edu.cn XIANG XU xux@hunnu.edu.cn <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Based on morphological evidence and prior molecular phylogenetic results by Liu <em>et al.</em>, a new genus, <em>Asiopisinus</em> <strong>gen. nov.</strong>, is described from East Asia. The new genus comprises <em>A. cheni</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (♂♀) as the type species, along with seven species transferred from <em>Episinus</em> Walckenaer, 1809: <em>A. anfu</em> (Liang, Liu, Yin &amp; Yu, 2025) <strong>comb. nov.</strong>, <em>A. baoshanensis </em>(Liu, Irfan &amp; Peng, 2019)<strong> comb. nov.</strong>, <em>A. implicatus</em> (Liang, Liu, Yin &amp; Yu, 2025)<strong> comb. nov.</strong>, <em>A. nubilus </em>(Yaginuma, 1960)<strong> comb. nov.</strong>, <em>A. ornithorhynchus </em>(Liu, Agnarsson, Liu &amp; Zhu, 2022)<strong> comb. nov.</strong>, <em>A. pseudonubilus</em> (Liang, Liu, Yin &amp; Yu, 2025)<strong> comb. nov.</strong>, and <em>A. yoshidai</em> (Okuma, 1994)<strong> comb. nov.</strong>. The male of <em>A. implicatus</em> (Liang, Liu, Yin &amp; Yu, 2025)<strong> comb. nov. </strong>is described for the first time. In addition, remarks and photos of some Chinese <em>Episinus</em> species are provided. The distribution records of all <em>Asiopisinus</em> <strong>gen. nov.</strong> species have been mapped.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.3 <strong>Neotype designations for <em>Hyla geographica</em> Spix, 1824 and <em>Hyla geographica</em> var. sive <em>semilineata</em> Spix, 1824, and comments on the phylogeny, taxonomy, and diversity of the <em>Boana semilineata</em> species group (Anura: Hylidae)</strong> 2025-07-10T10:37:03+12:00 GISELE F. CASSUNDÉ gi.cassunde@hotmail.com MARCELO J. STURARO marcelosturaro@gmail.com ADRIANO O. MACIEL aombiologo@yahoo.com.br GERALDO R. LIMA-FILHO geraldorlfilho@gmail.com MARIANA L. LYRA marillyra@gmail.com MIGUEL T. RODRIGUES mturodri@usp.br CÉLIO F. B. HADDAD celio.haddad@unesp.br ALEXANDRE ALEIXO alexandre.aleixo@itv.org PEDRO PELOSO pedropeloso@gmail.com <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The uncertain identities of <em>Hyla geographica</em> Spix, 1824 (= <em>Boana geographica</em>) and <em>Hyla geographica </em>var. sive <em>semilineata</em> Spix, 1824 (= <em>Boana semilineata) </em>are long-standing problems in the taxonomy of the <em>Boana semilineata</em> species group. Several factors have contributed to this issue, such as the loss of specimens upon which both original descriptions were based, unclear identities of various synonyms, the morphological characters that vary widely and are used for diagnosis, and the scarcity of topotypical samples. Herein, we reanalyze the phylogenetic relationships among species within the <em>B. semilineata </em>group based on genetic data from the mitochondrial genes <em>16S</em> and <em>COI</em>. We also report on additional topotypical material, including topotypes of most taxa under the synonymy of both <em>B. geographica</em> and<em> B. semilineata</em>. To alleviate some of the taxonomy confusion in the group, we designate neotypes for <em>B. geographica</em> and<em> B. semilineata</em> and review the taxonomy of the group.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.4 <strong>A new species in the <em>Fejervarya limnocharis</em> species complex (Amphibia: Dicroglossidae)</strong> 2025-07-10T10:38:10+12:00 HAOJIE TONG tonghaojie@cjlu.edu.cn KAIXIN WANG xj17756670665@163.com JUN XU 944947333@qq.com JUNRU GUO rachelgjr@126.com YAXIN GUO 2462335226@qq.com SHUANGYUE SHI 2932289565@qq.com YUANTING JIN jinyuanting@126.com <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <em>Fejervarya limnocharis</em> is a dicroglossid species complex distributed across east and southeast Asia, comprising four species. We previously found populations from Zhoushan Archipelago should be a distinct species with independent evolutionary history, through systematic classification based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and eight nuclear DNA loci, belonging to the fifth species in the complex. In this study, we described this new species as <em>Fejervarya zhoushanensis</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong> by further comparing its genetic and morphological characteristics with its sister lineage <em>F. kawamurai</em>. The new species exhibited distinct genetic differences, as evidenced by genomic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. Morphological distinctions include larger snout-to-vent length (SVL), longer head length (HL), larger eye diameter (ED), greater distance between aeddistance anterior eye corners (AED), longer forearm length (FLL) and foot length (FL). Additionally, males exhibited larger tympanum diameter (TD), snout length (SL) and inner metatarsal tubercle length (IMTL); while females showed longer hindlimb length (HLL). These differences enabled clear taxonomic separation between <em>F. zhoushanensis</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong> and <em>F. kawamurai</em>.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.5 <strong>Taxonomic study of Japanese species of the genus <em>Gibberifera</em> Obraztsov (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae), with a description of a new species</strong> 2025-07-10T10:39:12+12:00 IKUMI KAWASHIMA ikusea2325@gmail.com YUKI MATSUI mothya22@gmail.com SADAHISA YAGI yagi.sadahisa@gmail.com <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Gibberifera xylosmae</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong>, whose larvae feed on <em>Xylosma congesta</em> (Salicaceae), is described in Japan. Photographs of adults, male and female genitalia of the three Japanese <em>Gibberifera </em>species are provided. The diagnosis, a key, and DNA barcodes of Japanese <em>Gibberifera</em> species are also presented. Intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances between Japanese <em>Gibberifera</em> species and other congeners are also provided.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.6 <strong>First report of the non-marine ostracod fauna from the Lower Cretaceous Xiaonangou Formation of the Baishan Basin, NE China</strong> 2025-07-10T10:40:04+12:00 YAQIONG WANG yqwang@nigpas.ac.cn <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The non-marine ostracod fauna from the Xiaonangou Formation in the Baishan Basin is described in detail and illustrated for the first time. Eight samples from the Guanghuanjie-Yumuqiaozi section were analyzed, and seven taxa were identified, including <em>Cypridea</em> sp., <em>Mongolocypris</em> <em>shai</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong>, <em>Lycopterocypris sinuolata</em>, <em>Lycopterocypris </em>sp., <em>Candona praevara</em>, Candonidae gen. indet. sp. and <em>Cyclocypris invalida</em>. This comprehensive taxonomic study not only enhances our understanding of Cretaceous non-marine ostracods in China but also provides the first precise age constraint for the Xiaonangou Formation using ostracod biostratigraphic correlation. Based on ostracod biostratigraphic correlation, the age of the Xiaonangou Formation has been identified as early Albian. Additionally, this study supports the hypothesis of invertebrate faunal exchange in northeastern China during the Early Cretaceous.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.7 <strong><em>Daphnia</em> (<em>Ctenodaphnia</em>) <em>mediterranea</em> Alonso, 1985 (Crustacea: Cladocera) as a Mediterranean species penetrating also the Ponto-Caspian region, a rare case for the cladocerans</strong> 2025-07-10T10:40:53+12:00 PETR G. GARIBIAN petr.garibyan21@mail.ru DMITRY D. PEREBOEV dm.pereboev@gmail.com ALEXEY A. KOTOV alexey-a-kotov@yandex.ru <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The aim of this communication is to report on our discovery of a population of <em>Daphnia </em>(<em>Ctenodaphnia</em>)<em> mediterranea</em> Alonso, 1985 in the Kalmyk Republic representing a new record for the fauna of Russia and demonstrating the presence of this Mediterranean taxon in the Ponto-Caspian Region. Genetic information on our <em>D</em>. (<em>C</em>.) <em>mediterranea</em> from Kalmykia was obtained from a single specimen subjected to a complete genome study. Previously it was shown that <em>D</em>. (<em>C</em>.) <em>mediterranea</em> belongs to the Major Clade 2 of <em>D</em>. (<em>Ctenodaphnia</em>). Here we have demonstrated, based on two mitochondrial loci (fragments of 12S + COI genes), the existence within the latter of a remarkable Sub-clade 2, containing at least three species with very distant distribution ranges but with a similar biology: they inhabit mainly “refugial” brackish waters, and <em>D</em>. (<em>C</em>.) <em>mediterranea</em> belongs there. Evolution of the latter seems to be related to Paratethys basin evolution. We can hypothesize that the lowlands around Paratethys (and its subsequent remains) have provided the populations of aquatic invertebrates with numerous shallow water bodies with different salinities, including those with a high mineralization, which now represent a home of <em>D. </em>(<em>C.</em>) <em>metiterranea</em>.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.8 <strong>Discovery of the aleocharine tribe Diestotini in Japan, Ogasawara Islands, with description of a new species of the genus <em>Diestota</em> Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)</strong> 2025-07-10T10:41:43+12:00 TAKUTO HASHIZUME 0214sakana@gmail.com TOSHIO KISHIMOTO tetrabothrus@gmail.com <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Diestota </em>(<em>Diestota</em>)<em> ogasawarana </em>Hashizume &amp; Kishimoto, <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Diestotini) is described as the first representative of the genus <em>Diestota</em> Mulsant &amp; Rey, 1870, and the tribe Diestotini from Japan. <em>Aphaenoglossa </em>Peyerimhoff, 1937, the subgenus of <em>Diestota</em>, is elevated to the generic rank.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.9 <strong>A web of canopy discoveries part I (Araneae: Araneidae). New astonishing species of orb-weaving spiders from Ecuador and the first country record of <em>Pozonia</em> Schenkel, 1953</strong> 2025-07-10T10:42:30+12:00 DAVID R. DÍAZ-GUEVARA davidiazgue@gmail.com NADINE DUPÉRRÉ n.duperre@leibniz-lib.de <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two new species from the family Araneidae are described: a new species from the monotypic orb-weaving genus <em>Spinepeira</em> Levi, 1995,<em> Spinepeira erwini</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (<strong>♀</strong>), and a new species of <em>Scoloderus</em> Simon, 1887, <em>Scoloderus neilli</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (<strong>♀</strong>), are described from the Ecuadorian Amazon. Both species were collected with insecticidal canopy knockdown. Furthermore, herein, we present the first images of <em>Spinepeira</em>’s internal genitalia, and the first country record of <em>Pozonia</em> Schenkel, 1953 is reported with <em>Pozonia bacillifera</em> (Simon, 1897) collected in the canopy of Tiputini in Ecuador.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5660.4.10 <strong><em>Atriadops</em> Wandolleck, 1897 (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) recorded for the first time from Ecuador</strong> 2025-07-10T10:43:16+12:00 XIMO MENGUAL x.mengual@leibniz-lib.de MARTIN HAUSER phycus@gmail.com <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The genus <em>Atriadops</em> Wandolleck, 1897 (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) occurs in the Neotropical, Afrotropical, Indomalayan and Australasian Regions. It is easily recognized by not having ocelli and the vestigial mouthparts. Out of the seven recognized species worldwide, only one is present in the Neotropics, <em>A. macula</em> (Wiedemann, 1824). We report the first record of <em>Atriadops</em> from Ecuador, a female of <em>A. macula</em>, from the Napo Province, provide the first DNA barcode for the species, and discuss the possible reasons for the low number of records of this genus. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> 2025-07-11T00:00:00+12:00 Copyright (c) 2025