Zootaxa

**A new endemic species of Spelobia and new records of Sphaeroceridae (Diptera) from Azores, with notes on their biogeography**

JINDŘICH ROHÁČEK — 2026-06-15

A synopsis of Sphaeroceridae (lesser dung flies) of Azores is given, with critical revision of published records and presentation of data based on newly obtained material. A total of 42 species are confirmed to occur in the Azorean archipelago, of which 10 species are recorded for the first time, including a new endemic species of Limosininae from Terceira I.: Spelobia rhomboidea sp. nov. is described and illustrated in detail and its relationship to the S. pseudosetaria group is discussed. General information on biology and distribution of all species is provided. The biogeography of sphaerocerid species known from Azores is discussed; they are classified according to presupposed region of origin, with remarks on probable introduction routes. A vast majority of species are widespread, often symbovilous or synanthropic taxa introduced recently to Azores by means of human-assisted dispersal. Others include two species of Nearctic, 2 of Afrotropical, 1 of Mediterranean, 1 of Macaronesian but none of Neotropical origin. Most importantly, three species are endemic to Azores: the paludicolous Rachispoda atrolimosa (Frey, 1945) obviously evolved from an early introduction from N. America; the apterous Pteremis apterina Roháček, 2024; and the brachypterous Spelobia rhomboidea sp. nov., both the latter being terricolous inhabitants of leaf-litter stratum of laurel forests. The diversity and qualitative composition of faunas of Sphaeroceridae in the Canary Is., Madeira and Azores are compared and discussed.

Two new species of stingless bee-mimicking flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) from the Colombian Amazonian rainforest

AUGUSTO LEÓN MONTOYA — 2026-06-15

Two new species of flower flies that mimic stingless bees are described, belonging to the genera Carreramyia Doesburg and Hypselosyrphus Hull (Diptera: Syrphidae: Microdontinae) from the Colombian Amazon rainforest. Carreramyia tacita sp. nov. and Hypselosyrphus macagualensis sp. nov. are described and compared with congeneric species, supported by photographs and comparison of diagnostic characters. Modifications to previous keys are provided.

A new Erichsonius species from Taiwan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae): descriptions of adult and larva associated by DNA barcodes, and a checklist of Oriental and East Palaearctic species of the genus

MANFRED UHLIG — 2026-06-15

Erichsonius (Sectophilonthus) huisunensis sp. nov. from Taiwan is described and photo-documented in detail, based on adult males, females, and larvae. It differs from other known Erichsonius species by its unusually brightly coloured elytra, but shows affinity to the Oriental group of winged, sparsely punctate smaller species with abdominal segments IV–V widest and with larger eyes. The species is common and widespread in the Central Mountain Range in Taiwan at altitudes 400–1800 m, where it inhabits forest floor and leaf litter. DNA barcodes are provided for the holotype and several paratypes. The late-instar larvae of the new species, associated with adults by DNA barcodes are also described and illustrated. A checklist of Erichsonius species occurring in the Oriental and East-Palaearctic regions, along with their type locality and distribution data, is also provided.

**Description of a new species of Eucypris Vávra, 1891 (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from a hot spring in western Türkiye**

DERYA AKDEMİR — 2026-06-15

A new freshwater ostracod species, Eucypris kulkoyluoglui sp. nov., is described from a low-temperature geothermal rheocrene spring in western Türkiye based on detailed morphological examination of female and male specimens, and is distinguished from its congeners by a unique combination of diagnostic characters (e.g., natatory setae exceeding the antennal claw tips; mandibular terminal segment with three long and one short smooth claws; maxillule terminal segment with four well-developed smooth setae; first thoracopod endopod two-segmented; d2 seta absent on the second thoracopod). Eucypris kulkoyluoglui sp. nov. shows notable morphological similarities to the recently described Cypriot species E. denktasi and E. lefkosaensis, including the absence of the d2 seta on the second thoracopod. These shared features may suggest a possible affinity among these species and could reflect regional biogeographic patterns. In males of the new species, the presence of distinctive clasping organs, hemipenes with triangular outer processes, and a reduced number of whorls in the Zenker organ distiguishes them from other Eucypris males. In addition to this, a strongly female-biased sex ratio could be associated with a mixed reproductive system combining sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction. The occurrence of E. kulkoyluoglui sp. nov. in an environmentally extreme yet stable geothermal spring suggests notable thermal tolerance and ecological specialization, highlighting geothermal freshwater systems as overlooked reservoirs of ostracod diversity.

**Prevailing usage versus priority: a revision of the types and nomenclature of the Pionus menstruus (Linnaeus, 1766) species group (Aves: Psittacidae)**

GUY M. KIRWAN — 2026-06-15

The taxonomy of Pionus menstruus has been relatively settled for at least the last 50 years, although a few recent authorities have split the Atlantic Forest population (P. m. reichenowi) from the other two subspecies (P. m. menstruus over much of Amazonia and P. m. rubrigularis in southern Central America to South America north and west of the Andes). Treated as a synonym of P. m. menstruus since the 1930s, the name Psittacus cobaltinus Massena, 1854, was generally thought to have been based on two specimens, both juveniles, said to be from ‘Colombia’. In our judgement one of these specimens (in the Natural History Museum, Tring) pertains to P. m. reichenowi and the other (at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, Philadelphia) to P. m. menstruus. However, a reconsideration of the available evidence indicates that there is no rationale to believe that the Philadelphia specimen is a syntype and that Psittacus cobaltinus was probably based on a single specimen. All of the evidence, some of it previously unpublished, demonstrates that the Tring individual is that specimen. Because Psittacus cobaltinus has been used as a valid name since 1899, it cannot be considered a nomen oblitum under Art. 23.9 (specifically Art. 23.9.1.1 is not met). Given that Pionias Reichenowi Heine, 1884, has been in regular use only c.50 years, we advocate that priority be respected and Massena’s name is used, it being the senior synonym for this population. Available information indicates that the type material (three syntypes, in the Museum Heineanum, Halberstadt, and Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin) pertaining to Pionias Reichenowi was also mixed, although two of the specimens are either lost or destroyed. Nevertheless, to fix the taxonomic identity of this name unequivocally in favour of its long-standing attribution, we precautionarily designate the apparently only surviving syntype, in Halberstadt, as the lectotype of P. m. reichenowi. This designation will permit anyone who wishes to make an application to the ICZN in favour of prevailing usage for reichenowi over cobaltinus to do so from a solid base. Finally, there is evidence that Psittacus menstruus Linnaeus, 1766, was itself based on materials pertaining to more than one parrot species. As a result, a neotype is designated that accords with prevailing usage. The new arrangement for the species group is as follows: Pionus menstruus (Linnaeus, 1766), with subspecies P. m. rubrigularis Cabanis, 1881, and P. m. cobaltinus Massena, 1854 (syn. Pionias Reichenowi Heine, 1884, and P. m. cyanescens O. M. O. Pinto, 1960).

**Crossing 5,000 km: A new species of Litarachna (Acari: Hydrachnidia) and the molecular connectivity of marine mites across the Indian Ocean**

VLADIMIR PEŠIĆ — 2026-06-15

Pontarachnidae, the only family of Hydrachnidia inhabiting marine environments, utilize diverse dispersal mechanisms to inhabit broad geographic ranges. Recent molecular studies in semi-enclosed basins, such as the Mediterranean and Red Seas, have challenged the dispersal capabilities of species like Litarachna communis and Pontarachna punctulum, which were previously assumed to be widely distributed. In this study, we employed an integrative taxonomic approach to examine pontarachnid mites from the Indian Ocean. We describe a new species, Litarachna almiri sp. nov., identified from both Mauritius and Thailand. This disjunct distribution, spanning nearly 5,500 km, demonstrates that mites within the Indian Ocean, a fully integrated component of the global ocean system, can achieve significant long-distance dispersal. Additionally, we provide the first molecular confirmations for Litarachna denhami (Kenya), L. triangularis (Thailand), and Pontarachna cf. australis (Kenya). These findings emphasize the necessity of further taxonomic clarification and molecular analysis of type-locality material to resolve the distribution patterns of marine mites accurately.

**Description of a new species Drepanosticta minhanhiana sp. nov. and detailed structural notes on D. halterata (Brauer, 1868) from Luzon, the Philippines (Odonata: Platystictidae)**

QUOC TOAN PHAN — 2026-06-15

Drepanosticta minhanhiana sp. nov. (holotype ♂: 15.26416° N, 121.35115° E; 69 m a.s.l.; deposited at Cavite State University, Philippines) is described from Luzon Island, the Philippines, based on specimens of both sexes. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the differential characters of the male prothorax and by the structure of anal appendages. Additional descriptive notes, as well as detailed morphological photographs and illustrations of both the male and female of D. halterata (Brauer, 1868), are also provided.

**Chromosomal and distributional insights into the cytoforms of Simulium ruficorne (Diptera: Simuliidae)**

PETER H. ADLER — 2026-06-15

Analysis of the giant polytene chromosomes from larvae collected at four locations near the distributional periphery of Simulium ruficorne Macquart revealed a new cytoform, “E”, from Mauritius and a new country record, Greece (Crete), for Europe. Samples from Crete and Israel represent the widespread cytoform A, specifically cytoform A1. With the discovery of cytoform E, about 215 km from the type locality of S. ruficorne on Réunion, the new chromosomal insights draw us closer to the possibility of recognizing distinct species within S. ruficorne. Of the six cytoforms of S. ruficorne, E is chromosomally most similar to cytoform A1/A2. The discovery of S. ruficorne breeding in Crete mirrors previous recent discoveries of breeding populations on other islands, such as Madeira and Majorca. We suggest that females of S. ruficorne are highly adapted to finding suitable habitat for the preimaginal stages, often small, intermittent, flows, and have persisted undetected on these islands for long periods of time, perhaps aided by resistant eggs.

**A new euphorine species of the genus Perilitus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a novel parasite of adult Episomus turritus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)**

SHUNPEI FUJIE — 2026-06-15

A new species of euphorine parasitoid wasp, Perilitus mahout Fujie sp. nov. from Japan was discovered by rearing adult Episomus turritus Chevrolat, 1863 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). This is the first report of an adult parasitoid of Episomus turritus.

**On the subgenus Eurysunius Reitter of Türkiye XI. Two new species from central eastern Anatolia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae, Astenus)**

SİNAN ANLAŞ — 2026-06-15

Two species of the subgenus Eurysunius Reitter (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae: Astenus) from central eastern Anatolia in Türkiye are herein described and illustrated: Astenus bingolense sp. nov. from Bingöl Province and A. suphanicus sp. nov. from Bitlis and Ağrı provinces. With these additions, the subgenus is currently represented in Türkiye by 33 species, 32 of which are endemic to the country. Updated distributional data for the species from Türkiye are provided, and their occurrences within Türkiye are presented on a map.

**On fork-tailed crab spiders: Two new species of Sidymella Strand, 1942 (Araneae: Thomisidae) from Ecuador**

DAVID R. DÍAZ-GUEVARA — 2026-06-15

Two new species from the family Thomisidae are described from Ecuador: Sidymella ayahuma sp. nov. from the Andean chocó region in Northwestern Ecuador (♀) and Sidymella malefica sp. nov. (♀) from the Andes region in central Ecuador.

**The second species of Cyanocypus He & Zhou (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) with remarks on the systematic position of the genus**

FANG-SHUO HU — 2026-06-15

We describe a second species in the hitherto monotypic genus Cyanocypus He & Zhou, C. aeneus sp. nov. and examined additional specimens of C. leukos He & Zhou, all material coming from northern Vietnam. These additions allow to improve the diagnosis of Cyanocypus, extend the known distribution of this genus and C. leukos to northern Vietnam and further discuss synapomorphic characters of the Ocypus-group of genera. We provide illustrations of both C. aeneus sp. nov. and C. leukos.