Zootaxa https://mapress.com/zt <p><strong>Zootaxa</strong> is a mega-journal for zoological taxonomists in the world</p> en-US zed@mapress.com (Dr Zhi-Qiang Zhang) zed@mapress.com (Magnolia Press Journal Support Team) Fri, 06 Jun 2025 11:50:35 +1200 OJS 3.3.0.6 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 <strong><em>Khoisan</em>, a new genus of Cyclominae from South Africa, with nine new species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)</strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.1 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A new genus, <em>Khoisan </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec, is described, comprising nine new species from the western part of the Republic of South Africa: <em>Khoisan triarthrus </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa, Namaqua National Park, south of Soebatsfontein); <em>Khoisan albogibbosus </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa, Northern Cape, nr. Danielskuil); <em>Khoisan mendeli </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa, Western Cape, W of Robertson); <em>Khoisan harani </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa,, Western cape, 50 km NE Ceres); <em>Khoisan umbrosus </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa, Western Cape, Stellenbosch, Marais Park); <em>Khoisan karooicus </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa, Western Cape, Karoo National Park); <em>Khoisan maddocki </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa, Eastern Cape, Blinkwater, near Fort Beaufort); <em>Khoisan javalae </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa, Western Cape, S of Ladismith); <em>Khoisan oneili </em>Meregalli &amp; Borovec <strong>sp. nov.</strong> (type locality: South Africa, Eastern Cape, Uitenhage). The taxonomic position and the hypothetical relationships of the genus are discussed, a key to the species is given and all species distributions are mapped.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> MASSIMO MEREGALLI, ROMAN BOROVEC Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.1 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 <strong>An updated ichthyofaunal checklist for the Nigerian Lagos Lagoon with notes on nomenclatural changes and the conservation status of species</strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.2 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">An updated checklist of fishes occurring in the Nigerian Lagos Lagoon (NLL) is presented, with notes on species’ additions, nomenclatural revisions, and conservation status. Information was compiled from various sources, including published primary literature and field surveys. Our study takes a cautious approach by omitting previous inventory records without clear species-level identification and records outside the species’ true geographic range. Of the species previously reported in primary literature, seventeen were geographically misattributed while 11 underwent recent taxonomic revisions. Our field surveys included 39 species, out of which 15 that had not yet been previously reported from NLL which represent new species additions to the inventory. Following the removal of erroneous species records, our study indicated a total of 113 species from 85 genera, 52 families, and 20 orders from NLL. Conservation assessment based on the IUCN Red List indicates that 11 species are assessed as “Data Deficient”, 91 as “Least Concern”, five as “Near Threatened”, five as “Vulnerable”, and one as “Endangered”. Our study highlights the rich ichthyofaunal diversity of NLL and underscores the importance of accurate species identification and distribution data for conservation planning. Furthermore, we recommend further studies on various aspects of the fish biology and threats to advance scientific research and develop conservation plans for the fish species of NLL. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> SEGUN OLAYINKA OLADIPO, AMAYA EVERETT, OLABISI TAWAKALIT ATOFARATI, KENNEDY K. SMITH, IFEANYI C. NNEJI, KEHINDE MORUF ADELAKUN, LOTANNA MICAH NNEJI Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.2 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 <strong>Ecology, morphology and distribution of <em>Anisota finlaysoni</em> Riotte (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae)</strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.3 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Identifying the conservation needs of the short-horned oakworm, <em>Anisota finlaysoni</em> Riotte, has been hampered by incomplete resolution of species boundaries and geographic ranges of the <em>Anisota senatoria</em> species-group. Here, the life history, morphology, occurrence, and DNA barcode variation of <em>A</em>. <em>finlaysoni</em> and <em>A</em>. <em>senatoria</em> are compared across a transect of three key geographic regions in Ontario, Canada. Contrary to recent range depictions, our results show that <em>A</em>. <em>finlaysoni</em> is currently confirmed to occur only in the region of eastern Lake Ontario’s north shore. Previous information on morphological characters used to distinguish <em>A</em>. <em>finlaysoni</em> is incomplete or erroneous. Lake Erie populations most recently assigned to <em>A</em>. <em>finlaysoni</em> exhibit some <em>finlaysoni</em>-like larval traits, but adult phenotype of all examined material is indistinguishable from <em>A</em>. <em>senatoria</em> of the Lake Huron region, and unlike topotypical <em>A. finlaysoni</em>. Although the cryptic occurrence of <em>A</em>. <em>finlaysoni</em> in the Lake Erie region cannot be ruled out, current data indicate that this species has a much smaller global range than previously believed, and is separated by a geographic gap of about 200 km from the nearest <em>A</em>. <em>senatoria</em> populations. Re-assignment of the Lake Erie populations from <em>A</em>. <em>finlaysoni</em> to <em>A</em>. <em>senatoria</em>, and the recognition of some peripheral occurrence records as historical errors, results in a significantly smaller global range for <em>A</em>. <em>finlaysoni</em>. DNA barcode data for the genus <em>Anisota</em> are at odds with current taxonomy, limiting the utility of barcodes in discriminating species of the <em>senatoria</em>-group. Because <em>A</em>. <em>finlaysoni</em> is distinct morphologically as adults and larvae from geographically nearby populations of <em>A</em>. <em>senatoria</em>, it should continue to be treated as a distinct species pending convincing evidence to the contrary.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> B. CHRISTIAN SCHMIDT, MARY GARTSHORE Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.3 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 <strong><em>Persis</em> (<em>Anapersis</em>) Fennah, 1952 (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Derbidae) from Brazil and identification key to the New World species</strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.4 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We report, for the first time, the occurrence of the subgenus <em>Persis</em> (<em>Anapersis</em>) in Brazil, based on the description of <em>P</em>. (<em>Anapersis</em>) <em>takiyae</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong>. A key to the subgenera of <em>Persis</em>, as well as to six species of <em>Persis</em> (<em>Anapersis</em>) is provided.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> INEZITA CANTANHEDE, EDUARDA FERNANDA GOMES VIEGAS, ROSALY ALE-ROCHA Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.4 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 <strong>A new species of <em>Sibon</em> (Serpentes, Dipsadini) from French Guiana and amended diagnosis of <em>Sibon nebulatus</em></strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.5 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Specimens of snakes from Mexico to northeastern Brazil have been assigned to the taxon <em>Sibon nebulatus</em>. Recent molecular data confirmed the previous suspicions that these specimens in fact belong to distinct species. After examination of the holotype and recently collected specimens, we provide an amended diagnosis and restrict the range of <em>S. nebulatus</em> to northern South America, implying that Central American populations belong to one or several undescribed species. We also describe <em>Sibon nigralbus</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong>, a new species from the Guiana region. Further investigation is needed to clarify the status of populations in Pará state, Brazil, and in the Magdalena valley in Colombia, where additional species possibly occur.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ANTOINE FOUQUET, ALEJANDRO ARTEAGA, ÁTILAS R. DE SOUSA, ROBSON W. AVILA Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.5 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 <strong>A new species of the genus <em>Allomicythus</em>, with a first record and the description of the male of <em>Echemus viveki</em> Gajbe, 1989 (Araneae, Gnaphosidae) from China</strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.6 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two species of the spider family Gnaphosidae are reported from China. A new species of the genus <em>Allomicythus</em> Ono, 2009 is described from Fujian province, <em>Allomicythus youzi</em> <strong>sp. nov. </strong>(<span style="color: #231f20;">♂</span>). The genus <em>Echemus </em>Simon, 1878 is recorded for the first time from China. The male of <em>Echemus viveki</em> Gajbe, 1989 is described for the first time and the female is redescribed. Detailed morphological descriptions, photographs, SEMs of the body and genitalia, and a distribution map of these two species are provided.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ZIMIN JIANG, XIAOQI NING, YANBIN YAO, ZHONGJING WANG, KEKE LIU Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.6 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 <strong>An unexpected discovery: the first species of <em>Paraneseuthia</em> Franz from the Mascarene Islands (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)</strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.7 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000009;"><em>Paraneseuthia disjuncta</em></span> <span style="color: #000009;"><strong>sp. nov. </strong></span><span style="color: #000009;">is described, based on a male collected in Île aux Aigrettes, a small island off the south-east coast of Mauritius. Females of unknown species are also recorded from Réunion. This is the first record of this genus outside Eurasia and Australia-Oceania, greatly extending the known range of </span><span style="color: #000009;"><em>Paraneseuthia</em></span><span style="color: #000009;">. World checklist of </span><span style="color: #000009;"><em>Paraneseuthia</em></span><span style="color: #000009;"> is given, and a distribution map of nominal species is presented.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> PAWEŁ JAŁOSZYŃSKI Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.7 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 <strong>Another brushstroke on the cynipoid painting: a new species of <em>Andricus</em> (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) from Türkiye</strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.8 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A study on midge galls found on oaks has led to the description of a new species, <em>Andricus katilmisi</em> <strong>sp. nov.</strong> from Türkiye. When considered in terms of its morphological characteristics and biological associations, the new species exhibits an unusual combination of gall inducers and inquilines. The diagnostic characters, morphological description, biological relationships, life cycle, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the new species are provided. Owing to its distinctive life strategy, the new species is discussed within the broader context of cynipoid evolution.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> MUSA TATAROĞLU Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.8 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 <strong>On the rare species of <em>Dicordylus</em> Lacordaire and <em>Homalocerus</em> Schoenherr (Coleoptera, Belidae) with notes on male terminalia of <em>D. vanini</em> Mermudes</strong> https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.9 <p lang="en-GB" align="left"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">New distribution data are presented for the rare belid species <em>Homalocerus antennalis </em>Hustache, 1940, <em>H. lyciformis </em>(Germar, 1833) and <em>Dicordylus serranus</em> Vanin, 1976<strong>. </strong>A description of the male terminalia is presented for the first time for <em>D.</em> <em>vanini </em>Mermudes, 2006 and a neotype is designated for this species as the holotype (and only known specimen) was destroyed in the fire at the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro on September 2, 2018. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> JOSÉ RICARDO M. MERMUDES Copyright (c) 2025 https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5646.1.9 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200