Zootaxa

**The discovery of the male Lepeophtheirus lichiae Barnard, 1948 (Copepoda: Caligidae) from the Eastern Mediterranean with morphological description and molecular phylogenetic analysis**

SERDAR SÖNMEZ — 2025-11-27

The male of a poorly known and rare siphonostomatoid copepod Lepeophtheirus lichiae Barnard, 1948 is described for the first time based on a single specimen collected from the lateral body surface of the common leerfish, Lichia amia (Linnaeus), caught in the Gulf of Taşucu, Mersin, Türkiye. Supplementary data on female morphology are provided using newly collected specimens and modern imaging techniques, including Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), which revealed several previously overlooked features. Although molecular data could not be obtained from the male, comparative morphological analysis across the genus Lepeophtheirus supports its conspecific identity with the female. Among the 123 valid species in the genus, both sexes are known for 77, of which only 11—including L. lichiae—possess a two-segmented abdomen. The male of L. lichiae differs from all other two-segmented congeners in several diagnostic traits, such as the proportions of the abdominal and anal somites, the shape of the myxal process, and the configuration of the sternal furca. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial COI and nuclear 18S rRNA sequences position L. lichiae as an independent lineage within Lepeophtheirus. The integration of morphological and molecular evidence presented here enhances understanding of the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of this rare species. Additionally, analyses of the L. hospitalis complex support the reinstatement of L. kareii Yamaguti, 1936 as a valid species, distinct from L. hospitalis Fraser, 1920.

**A new species of Tenthras from Central America and new records of Cerambycinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from Belize**

LARRY G. BEZARK — 2025-11-27

A new species, Tenthras centralis is described from Guatemala and Belize. Country records are provided for 52 species newly recorded from Belize: Amphelictus hovorei Eya & Chemsak, 2003; Coleoxestia nitida (Bates, 1872); Poeciloxestia lanceolata Fragoso, 1978; Jupoata rufipennis (Gory, 1831); Megacyllene angulata (Fabricius, 1775); Neoclytus acteon (Chevrolat, 1860); Pirangoclytus mundus (Chevrolat, 1860); Pirangoclytus latithorax (Martins & Galileo, 2008); Unaiuba vitellina (Martins & Galileo, 2008); Ornithia mexicana (Sturm, 1843); Beraba piriana Martins, 1997; Eburia aegrota Bates, 1880; Eburia cubae Fisher, 1932; Eburia hovorei Noguera, 2002; Eburia stigma (Olivier, 1800); Eburodacrys asperula Bates, 1880; Eburodacrys triocellata (Stål, 1857); Pantomallus fuligineus Bates, 1872; Niophis antennata (Martins, Chemsak & Linsley, 1966); Aneflus (Protaneflus) minutivestis Chemsak & Linsley, 1963; Anelaphus eximius (Bates, 1885); Anelaphus giesberti Chemsak & Linsley, 1979; Anelaphus inermis (Newman, 1840); Mallocera spinicollis Bates, 1872; Nephalioides nigriventris (Bates, 1874); Poecilomallus palpalis Bates, 1892; Psyrassa bicolor García & Toledo, 2022; Psyrassa subpicea (White, 1853); Psyrassa xestioides (Bates, 1872); Trichophoroides albisparsus (Bates, 1872); Anatinomma alveolatum Bates, 1892; Heteraneflus castaneus Chemsak & Linsley, 1963; Gnomidolon basicoeruleum Martins, 1962; Ozodes multituberculatus Bates, 1870; Ozodes xanthophasma Bates, 1872; Coscinedes gracilis Bates, 1885; Obrium albifasciatum Bates, 1872; Atenizus laticeps Bates, 1867; Atenizus simplex Bates, 1884; Bromiades brachyptera (Chevrolat, 1838); Forficuladeres sexualis (Linsley, 1934); Dihammaphora dispar Chevrolat, 1859; Euderces velutinus (Fisher, 1931); Tetranodus reticeps (Bates, 1880); Gigantotrichoderes flabellicornis (Zajciw, 1965); Engyum virgulatum (Bates, 1880); Heterachthes wappesi Martins & Napp, 1986; Neocompsa alacris (Bates, 1885); Neocompsa mexicana (Thomson, 1865); Neocompsa thelgema Martins, 1971; Compsibidion vanum (Thomson, 1867); and Diasporidion duplicatum (Gounelle, 1909).

Three new species of Sandalodesmus Silvestri, 1902 from the last intact stretches of Atlantic Forest in Brazil (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae: Sandalodesmini)

THIAGO D. FIGUEIREDO — 2025-11-27

Three new species of the millipede genus Sandalodesmus Silvestri, 1902 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae) are described from the southeastern coast of Brazil: Sandalodesmus peruibe sp. nov., Sandalodesmus jureia sp. nov., and Sandalodesmus fandango sp. nov. These new species co-occur at the same locality: a protected area within the Atlantic Forest, Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins. They are morphologically distinct by the structure of their gonopods. In addition, a revised identification key to all known species of Sandalodesmus is provided.

First adult of false flower beetle (Coleoptera: Scraptiidae) from mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar, with taxonomical notes and a checklist of fossil representatives of the family

VITALII ALEKSEEV — 2025-11-27

Cretoscraptella crucifera gen. et sp. nov. is described as the first named representative of the tribe Allopodini (Scraptiidae) from the Mesozoic amber deposits, based on a single adult beetle inclusion in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, northern Myanmar (ca. 99 Ma). The systematic placement of Quasianisoxya curonensis Alekseev, 2015 (originally attributed to Melandryidae) and Samlandotoma seidlitzi Alekseev, 2019 (family incertae sedis within Tenebrionoidea) from Baltic amber are revisited. These previously misplaced Cenozoic species are transferred to the tribe Scraptiini within Scraptiidae. A checklist of known fossil scraptiids beetles (18 described species in 9 genera) is compiled and provided.

**First record of Aenigmarachne Schmidt, 2005 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Colombia, with the description of a new species and the first described female**

LUIS M. OSORIO — 2025-11-27

The previously monotypic genus Aenigmarachne Schmidt, 2005, known only from a single male specimen collected presumably in Isla el Coco, Costa Rica, is reported here for the first time in Colombia, with the description of a new species based on male and female specimens. Thus, we expand the known geographic range of the genus and enhance our understanding of Theraphosinae diversity in northern South America and Colombia. Additionally, we provide detailed observations on the urticating setae in the species and discuss aspects of its natural history.

**First description of ant-mutualism, nymphal morphology and vibrational signals in the genus Nicomia Stål (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Nicomiinae)**

CAMILO FLÓREZ-V — 2025-11-27

We report for the first time ant mutualism in treehoppers of the genus Nicomia Stål (Membracidae: Nicomiinae), observed within ant shelters constructed by ants of the genus Pheidole Westwood (Myrmicinae). The nymphs of Nicomia pulchella Albertson are described for the first time, and their morphological similarities with other membracid groups possessing cryptic nymphs are discussed. We recorded vibrational signals of N. pulchella produced within nymph and adult aggregations while interacting with ants, and signals made from two adults of Nicomia cf. jucunda Albertson. Additionally, this study provides the first record of the genus Nicomia for Colombia.

The Loranthaceae-feeding leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) from Japan, with a description of new species

HIROAKI SHIGETOH — 2025-11-27

Three leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) are observed to feed on the Loranthaceae plant, Taxillus yadoriki (Siebold ex Maxim.) Danser from Japan for the first time: Cryptocephalus (C.) tsutsumiuchii sp. nov., C. (C.) perelegans Baly, 1873 (both Cryptocephalinae), and Cleoporus variabilis (Baly, 1874) (Eumolpinae). These two Cryptocephalus are distributed sympatrically, and they may have speciated through a change in their host plant.

The first wood gnat (Diptera: Anisopodidae) from the Oligocene of Luberon (France)

FLORENCE HEBERT — 2025-11-27

The anisopodid Sylvicola vacherensis sp. nov. is described from the Oligocene of Luberon (France) on the basis of a unique specimen from the locality of Pichovet (Luberon), well known for its very rich and diverse vertebrate assemblage. The Anisopodidae are very rare in the lacustrine paleolakes of Provence, despite their larvae are saprophagous, while the bibionid flies, with very similar biology, are extremely frequent and dominate the insect assemblages.

**A new species for euphorine genus Proclithrophorus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae) from China**

HAIYUE YU — 2025-11-27

A new species of the genus Proclithrophorus Tobias and Belokobylskij, 1981, from Mt Gaoligong National Nature Reserve, Yunnan, SW China: Proclithrophorus gaoligongensis Yao sp. n. is described and illustrated with colorful images which is the first time for the genus. Additional revisional notes on Proclithrophorus are provided as is a key to all three known species of this genus.