Zootaxa

Systematics of Quaternary and recent marine ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea, Ostracoda, Podocopida) from South Africa. Part 1. Hemicytheridae, Trachyleberidae

NATALIA I. DYKAN — 2026-02-18

The article is a continuation of systematic studies of marine ostracods of South Africa. The synonymies of the species Aurila dayii (Aurila strongyle “syn. nov.”) and Aurila petricola (Hemicythere? sp. “syn. nov.”) are proposed. For the first time, diagnostic characters of the species Hemicythere californiensis, Aurila petricola, Aurila kliei, and Mutilus bensonmaddocksorum have been identified. The presence/absence of the diagnostic “Aurila-Tooth” and its variability in the species Aurila dayii and Aurila petricola are discussed. SEM/DM images of generic and specific taxonomic characters are given. For the first time, sexual dimorphism of the shell was identified for the species Hemicythere californiensis and Urocythereis arcana, and supplemented for Aurila dayii, A. petricola, A. kliei, Mutilus bensonmaddocksorum, and M. malloryi. North Atlantic, North Pacific, and endemic zoogeographical groups of ostracods were identified, and it was concluded that endemics (70% of the total number of described species) dominate the biotopes of the southern and eastern coasts of South Africa. Data on the ecology, stratigraphic position, and geographical distribution of South African ostracods have been supplemented. Conclusions were made regarding the varying degrees of study of ostracods of the genera Hemicythere, Aurila, Mutilus, Urocythereis, and the need for further study of intraspecific variability, sexual dimorphism, and ontogenesis of ostracods in shell morphology, which are important for correct species identification.

The wily planthopper: A new genus and species of Flatidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Fulgoroidea) from Florida with implications for the American Selizini

SOLOMON V. HENDRIX — 2026-02-18

The flatid genus Vafer gen. nov. is described to accommodate two species: a new species from Florida, Vafer contractus sp. nov., and the Mexican species, Vafer plebeius (Kirkaldy) comb. nov., the latter transferred from Ormenis Stål. Vafer contractus sp. nov. is likely adventive to Florida from Central America. Vafer gen. nov. is placed in Flatinae, tribe Selizini. An amended diagnosis of Selizini is provided in the context of American taxa with representative genera illustrated and a list of included taxa. A key to the selizine genera north of Mexico is provided, and the historic composition of the tribe is reviewed. Two tribes are described from genera segregated from Selizini: Dascalini tribe nov. (accommodating Dascalia Stål, Leptodascalia Melichar, Locrona Fennah, and Pseudodascalia Melichar) and Exomini tribe nov. (accommodating Deocerus Metcalf & Bruner, Exoma Melichar, and Samcerus Medler). The genera Acanthoflata Fieber, Arelate Stål, Byllisana Metcalf & Bruner, and Ormenina Fennah are transferred to Selizini from other tribes. The genera Capistra Fennah and Eurocalia Van Duzee are transferred from Phromniini and Selizini, respectively, to Flatoidini (Flatoidinae).

Exploration of the Iziko South African Museum's polychaete collection and description of new species of Spaghetti worms (Annelida, Terebelliformia), part two

NICOLAS LAVESQUE — 2026-02-18

In this study, we redescribe Thelepus pequenianus Augener, 1918 and describe five new species of Thelepus from the southern Africa region, based on specimens stored for several decades in the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town. Thelepus branchi sp. nov., has branchiae separated by a wide medial gap and with the first pair having about 15 filaments, the notopodia present on about the anterior 50% of the body, the uncini with a terminal dorsal button and a straight base, and finally a pygidium crenulated, without papillae. Thelepus dayi. sp. nov., lacks eyespots, has notopodia present almost to the pygidium, the branchial filaments arising from glandular patches with a large medial gap between them, and the uncini with a terminal dorsal button and a short ventral prow. Thelepus mandelai sp. nov., is the only African species with the uncini arranged in complete circular loops. Thelepus mozambiquensis sp. nov., has notopodia present on half of its body and the number of branchial filaments decreasing substantially from 1^st to 3^rd pair of branchiae, which are separated by a large medial gap, the uncini with a terminal dorsal button and a strongly curved base, and the pygidium slightly crenulated. Finally, the fifth new species, T. ubebe sp. nov., has eyespots, about the same number of branchial filaments on all three pairs of branchiae, which arise from small glandular patches with a small medial gap, the notopodia limited to the anterior third of the body, the uncini with a sub-terminal dorsal button and the pygidium with short papillae.

**Taxonomic review of Catrimania (Hemiptera: Cercopidae: Ischnorhininae)**

MONARA LOVATI DOS SANTOS — 2026-02-18

This study presents a review of Catrimania, including the redescriptions of C. insignis, C. longula, and C. semivitrea, as well as the description of four new species distributed across Brazil and Peru. Distribution maps for the species were provided. C. albifascia is recorded for the first time in Brazil. The new species are illustrated, and an identification key to species in the genus is provided.

**Description of Mesoaphyosemion izyarae (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a new killifish species from southern Equatorial Guinea**

RAINER SONNENBERG — 2026-02-18

Mesoaphyosemion izyarae sp. nov., is described from a small left-bank tributary of the Mitemele River in southern Equatorial Guinea. The new species is distinguished from all other described Mesoaphyosemion species by a unique combination of male colouration characters: dorsal fin yellow with red streaks between fin rays; anal and pelvic fins yellow with black or dark red margin, basally light blue, caudal fin in centre black with red streaks between fin rays, broad yellow area on dorsal and ventral margin, body metallic light blue with more or regular rows of red dots on side, posteriorly denser and forming a reticulated pattern. The species status is supported by mtDNA analyses, including nine of the eleven described valid Mesoaphyosemion species.

New distribution records from Turkey: A checklist of earthworm species (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) from Akdag (Kutahya) with records of some endemic, peregrine taxa and other faunal elements

IBRAHIM TAVUC — 2026-02-18

This study presents a list of earthworm species distributed in the Akdag region, located within the boundaries of the Simav district of Kutahya in northwestern Turkey, and provides new distribution records for some species belonging to the fauna of Turkey. The aim of the study is to contribute to the body of knowledge on the geographic distribution of Turkey’s earthworm fauna. In this context, a soil earthworm inventory was conducted at 118 sampling points in May 2018, and a total of 447 earthworm specimens were collected. As a result of taxonomic studies, six genera and 11 taxa belonging to the Lumbricidae family were identified. Three of these taxa are endemic (Dendrobaena nivalis, Spermophorodrilus vignai and Spermophorodrilus simsoni), one is a Trans-Aegean element (Proctodrilus tuberculatus), one is a Mediterranean element (Dendrobaena byblica), two are Caucasus-Anatolian elements (D. schmidti tellermanica, D. pentheri), and four are peregrine (Octolasion lacteum, Aporrectodea rosea, A. caliginosa, Bimastos rubidus). The species Dendrobaena byblica, Bimastos rubidus, Dendrobaena schmidti tellermanica, and Spermophorodrilus simsoni have been reported for the first time in the Kutahya region. This data indicates that Kutahya is a new distribution area for these taxa. The coexistence of endemics, faunal elements and peregrine species highlights Akdag’s significance as a biogeographic transition zone. Furthermore, the presence of taxa with diverse geographical origins indicates that earthworm communities in Akdag harbor significant ecological and functional diversity. These findings contribute significantly to the understanding of earthworm biogeography in Turkey. Furthermore, the simultaneous presence of endemics, faunal elements and peregrine species highlights their critical roles in shaping regional earthworm communities and provides a basis for future ecological and conservation-oriented studies.

A new Jurassic neuropteran larva (Neuroptera: Osmyloidea)

BOWEN KONG — 2026-02-18

Neuroptera, a small relict Order of Insecta that experienced rapid species diversification during the Mesozoic Era, is known by diverse extinct lineages preserved in compression fossils or amber. Current knowledge of Mesozoic neuropteran diversity primarily relies on adults, while the contemporaneous larvae, particularly those of Jurassic lacewings, are relatively rare. Herein, a third Jurassic neuropteran larva from the Daohugou Beds of China, namely Quadraticaput scleroticum gen. et sp. nov., is described. The previously published genus, Natator Kong, Shih, Ren & Wang, 2024, is found to be a junior homonym and revised to Yongling Kong, Shih, Ren & Wang nom. nov.. Additionally, based on the new material, the description of Girafficervix baii Du, Niu & Bao, 2023 is updated, and a detailed morphological comparison is conducted among all three Jurassic neuropteran larvae.

**A new species of Radotanypus Fittkau & Murray, 1985 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from China**

YI-NI ZHANG — 2026-02-18