Zootaxa

**Corrected identity of the alien sea anemone Cereus pedunculatus (Pennant, 1777) (Actiniaria: Sagartiidae) in South Africa**

MIRANDA N. ANDERSEN — 2026-06-03

Inconspicuous and cryptic invertebrates are often overlooked due to taxonomic challenges associated with identifying them. This is true of an alien sea anemone known from South Africa. Originally identified as Sagartia (now Cylista) ornata (Holdsworth, 1855), the anemone was first documented in Langebaan Lagoon Marine Protected Area in 2001 and has since spread within the lagoon. In recent years, questions have been raised about the validity of the species determination. We used a combination of histology, cnidom assays, specimen dissections, and molecular analyses to evaluate the identity of specimens previously identified as C. ornata and determined that they represent a population of the European daisy anemone, Cereus pedunculatus (Pennant, 1777). This marks the first documented occurrence of C. pedunculatus outside its native range.

**Two new species of Eukiefferiella Thienemann (Diptera, Chironomidae) from northern Finland**

JANNE RAUNIO — 2026-06-03

The genus Eukiefferiella is one of the most species-rich genera within Chironomidae, but its northern European diversity is comparatively low. In this study, we describe two new species of this genus, Eukiefferiella paasivirtai sp. nov. and Eukiefferialla viljamii sp. nov., from northern Finland, based on molecular barcoding data and the morphology of adult males and pupal exuviae. Molecular analyses indicate that the closest known relatives of both species occur in North America (minimum K2P interspecific distances 8.6 % and 9.0 %). The morphology of the adult males and molecular analysis places both species in the Eukiefferiella gracei group. ASAP analysis supported morphological species delimitation, with a 4.5 % threshold separating the ten studied Eukiefferiella taxa. The restricted northern distribution of the two new species suggests ecological specialization to subarctic river ecosystems. Keys to pupal exuviae of northern European Eukiefferiella species and to adult males of the E. gracei group are provided.

**Rediscovery of the free-living nematode genus Metachromadoroides Timm, 1961 (Desmodorida: Desmodoridae) after 60 years from the Bay of Bengal, with the description of two new species**

CHAITI MANNA — 2026-06-03

The free-living nematode genus Metachromadoroides Timm, 1961 (Desmodorida: Desmodoridae) is rediscovered after a gap of 60 years from the Bay of Bengal mudflats. Two new species viz., Metachromadoroides champensis sp. nov., distinguishable from congeners by the presence of 14–19 pairs of precloacal supplements and two pairs of post-anal ventral protuberances on tail, and Metachromadoroides hamatus sp. nov. distinguishable from congeners by the presence of arcuated spicules with distal hook, and gubernaculum with dorsal apophysis distally bent, are described herein with light microscopic images and illustrations. Comparison with congeners of the genus Metachromadoroides and an identification key to species based on males are also provided.

**Atypical reproductive processes in a new species of marine Nematoda Spirobolbolaimus franciscus sp. nov. (Desmodorida, Microlaimidae) from Brazil**

MARIA CRISTINA DA SILVA — 2026-06-03

A new deep-sea species of the genus Spirobolbolaimus, S. franciscus sp. nov., has been discovered. It closely resembles S. pernambucanus Manoel, Neres & Esteves 2024, in general appearance and head region. Still, it differs in terms of larger body size (average 2665 µm in males, 2563 µm in females) compared to 1716 µm (holotype), and longer spicules (average = 68 µm) compared to 54 µm, with a c’ value of 2 versus 4. However, the main diagnostic feature that distinguishes the new species from all other species of the genus is a previously unrecorded “pin”-like secretion structure in the males vas deferens, as well as the presence of an inner spermatophore-like structure with the wall formed by a similar derived secretory product in the females. The new species also closely resembles S. undulatus Shi & Xu 2016, in most features, such as body length, spicules length, and sperm cell size; however, it clearly differs in its feeding apparatus, having only three teeth and lacking numerous small additional teeth. Additionally, Spirobolbolaimus franciscus sp. nov. possesses elongated oval sperm cells and also presents pin-like structures with a triangular head and spiniform corpus. Both features are discussed.

**Description of two new species of Termes (Isoptera: Termitidae) from Colombia and Venezuela using morphological and mitochondrial data**

NICOLAS FONTAINE — 2026-06-03

Two new species of the genus Termes Linnaeus are described through an integrative approach, combining whole mitogenome sequencing and comparative morphology across all neotropical congeneric species. Our maximum-likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction places the two new species in a clade sister to the T. fatalis species complex. Termes chocoensis sp. nov. was found along the Pacific coast of Colombia, and Termes atlanticus sp. nov. near the Atlantic coast and in Venezuela. Their soldiers differ from those of other Termes species in terms of head, pronotum, and mandible measurements. Workers exhibit a distinctive armature of the enteric valve, which is currently the only diagnostic character separating T. fatalis from T. atlanticus sp. nov. and T. medioculatus from T. chocoensis sp. nov., highlighting the criticality of examining multiple castes when identifying Termes specimens.

**A novel ant-attended species of Ceroplastes Gray (Hemiptera: Coccidae: Ceroplastinae) from Colombia and a key to species of the genus recorded from the country**

TAKUMASA KONDO — 2026-06-03

A new species of wax scale, Ceroplastes flavus Kondo & Peronti, sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae: Ceroplastinae) from Colombia is described and illustrated, based on the adult female and first-instar nymph. It was collected from inside ant carton shelters made by an Azteca sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae) on mango (Mangifera indica) and soursop (Annona muricata). A taxonomic key to species of Ceroplastes Gray known from Colombia is provided. The morphological similarity of the new species to other Neotropical Ceroplastes species is discussed.

Two new species of the barbeled dragonfish genus Eustomias (Teleostei: Stomiiformes: Stomiidae) from the North Pacific Ocean, with a key to species of the subgenus Triclonostomias

KATSUYA KIMURA — 2026-06-03

Two new barbeled dragonfishes, Eustomias oshoromaru sp. nov. and E. clarkei sp. nov., are described on the basis of a single specimen collected from the Ogasawara Islands and two specimens from the Hawaiian Islands, respectively. The two new species are included in the subgenus Triclonostomias Regan & Trewavas, 1930, characterized primarily by 8 pelvic-fin rays, and 3 branches arising together from the externally pigmented barbel stem. Both species are similar to E. furcifer Regan & Trewavas, 1930 and E. drechseli Regan & Trewavas, 1930 in having the barbel swollen and externally unpigmented distal to the origins of the barbel branches. However, E. oshoromaru sp. nov. is distinguishable from these species by the following combination of characters: 5 pectoral-fin rays; 3 barbel branches arising together from a part slightly before the barbel mid-point [barbel stem base to origin of branches 45.1% of barbel length (BL)]; terminal swelling with single lengthwise dark line extending to near base of terminal bulb. Eustomias clarkei sp. nov. is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: 7 pectoral-fin rays; 3 barbel branches arising together from a part clearly beyond the barbel mid-point (barbel stem base to origins of branches ca. 67.8–76.3% of BL); proximal part of medial barbel branch with single elaborately ramified branch; single lengthwise dark line on terminal swelling barely reaching mid-point. A revised diagnosis of the subgenus Triclonostomias and key to species are also provided.

**Taxonomic research of a new species collected from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Anteholosticha lhasaensis sp. nov. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia)**

LING ZHAI — 2026-06-03

Anteholosticha lhasaensis sp. nov., a new soil ciliate isolated from the top 5 cm of soil in Lhasa, Tibet, China, is characterized by: body size in vivo 95–155 × 30–40 µm; 4–6 transverse cirri in J-shaped row; one pretransverse ventral cirrus located close to the right transverse cirrus; four dorsal kineties. Phylogenetic analyses based on small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences place it within a moderately supported clade (ML/BI = 73%/0.99) with Wilbertophrya sinica; morphologically, however, it is distinct in possessing a buccal cirrus and pretransverse ventral cirrus. As in previous studies, Anteholosticha remains non-monophyletic; this taxon further underscores the genus’s urgent need for revision. The comprehensive morphological and molecular data herein expand documentation of the “Holosticha complex” and provide a critical high-altitude reference for future taxonomic studies.

**A new species of Dudusa (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) from the Oriental Region with an annotated checklist of the genus**

YEONG-BIN CHA — 2026-06-03

The present paper describes a new species of Dudusa Walker, 1865, D. levis Cha & Kim sp. nov. and provides an annotated checklist of the genus. Figures of adults and genitalia of the examined species are provided.

**First fossil record of the genus Australomymar Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) with description of a new species from Baltic amber**

FILIP PAWLUK — 2026-06-03

Australomymar losinnoense sp. nov. is described from a female preserved in Eocene Baltic amber from Poland, which represents the first fossil record of Australomymar Girault. The species is placed in Australomymar based on the combination of 4-segmented tarsi, a 6-segmented funicle with an entire clava, a relatively broad fore wing with long venation, and a distinctly exserted ovipositor. The new species differs from extant congeners in antennal proportions, absence of a diagonal fold or line of setae on the fore wing, and ovipositor sheath length relative to the gaster. This discovery extends the known temporal range of Australomymar to the Eocene and indicates a broader past geographical distribution of the genus.

Uncovering the caddisfly fauna of Iraq (Insecta: Trichoptera): two new species and new records from Iraqi Kurdistan

FARHAD A. KHUDHUR — 2026-06-03

The caddisfly fauna of Iraq remains one of the least studied in the Middle East, with only five species recorded to date. In this paper, we report two genera, i.e., Psilopterna Martynov 1914 and Stenophylax Kolenati 1848, for the first time from Iraq. Furthermore, we describe two new species, Hydropsyche kurdica sp. nov. and Stenophylax kurdistanicus sp. nov., based on males collected from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In addition, we discuss the occurrence of Hydropsyche consanguinea McLachlan 1884 in the country. The discovery of two new species and additional faunistic records highlights the need for further taxonomic and ecological studies of Iraqi freshwater ecosystems, which are likely to harbor interesting aquatic insect diversity.

Erratum: LUIZ AUGUSTO PADILHA SANTOS, JOSÉ ANTÔNIO MARIN FERNANDES & GUSTAVO COSTA TAVARES (2026) Almost a century later, the description of the second species of Hebardinella Chopard, 1932 (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae), and the first record of the genus in Brazil. Zootaxa, 5785 (2): 382–389.

LUIZ AUGUSTO PADILHA SANTOS — 2026-06-03