ZooKeys最新文献

Two new species of hypselostomatid land microsnails, Hypselostoma pongrati Tanmuangpak & S. Tumpeesuwan, sp. nov. from Nong Bua Lamphu Province and H. sichomphuense Tanmuangpak & S. Tumpeesuwan, sp. nov. from Khon Kaen Province, are described based on the morphology of their shell, radula, and genital system. Both new species are very similar in shell shape to H. phupaman from Chaiyaphum Province, possessing a double-keeled last whorl. However, H. pongrati Tanmuangpak & S. Tumpeesuwan, sp. nov. is distinguished by the absence of apertural barriers, whereas H. sichomphuense Tanmuangpak & S. Tumpeesuwan, sp. nov. possesses three apertural barriers, and H. phupaman possesses six or seven. The three species were found on isolated limestone hills in the Chaiyaphum-Khon Kaen-Nong Bua Lamphu-Loei area.

The genus-level classification of the ant subfamily Ponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is revised based on a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of more than 2,300 ultraconserved element (UCE) loci across 1,170 sampled specimens representing 1,020 taxa (600 valid species and 420 morphospecies) and all described ponerine genera known from workers. While most previously defined genus groups are recovered as monophyletic, several genera are shown to be polyphyletic or paraphyletic. To resolve these inconsistencies, four new genera are described: Boltonopone gen. nov., Makebapone gen. nov., Subiridopone gen. nov., and Sritoponera gen. nov. Xiphopelta stat. rev. is revalidated and Euponera is restricted by expanding Fisheropone to absorb a paraphyletic assemblage. Mesoponera is split into four lineages, resulting in transfers to Makebapone, Subiridopone, and Xiphopelta. Iroponera syn. nov. is synonymized under Cryptopone and additional new synonymies at both the generic and species levels are established. Morphological diagnoses are revised for each affected genus, and updated species lists and new combinations are provided. The updated classification recognizes 54 valid genera within Ponerinae and acknowledges an additional lineage that will be formally described in a subsequent publication. To support identification and comparative studies, revised keys to all extant Ponerinae genera are provided, presented by biogeographic region (African and Malagasy, Palearctic-Indomalaya-Australasia, and New World). This classification is intended to provide a stable, phylogenetically informed framework for future research on ponerine ants.

Scutigeromorph centipedes are morphologically distinctive myriapods that have historically received limited scientific attention, particularly in China. The taxonomy of the genus Thereuopoda Verhoeff, 1904 has remained largely unresolved since the late 1970s, and recent molecular evidence has indicated the presence of cryptic species within this group. In this study, we describe two new species, T. kaijiangensis sp. nov. Ji, Shen & Zhang from Kaijiang County, Dazhou City, Sichuan Province, China, and T. edgecombei sp. nov. Ji, Liu & Zhang from Chengmai County, Hainan Province, China. Comprehensive morphological descriptions and detailed illustrations are provided for both species, along with an updated diagnostic key to all currently recognized Thereuopoda species in China. Phylogenetic analyses conducted using both maximum-likelihood and Bayesian-inference methods consistently support the monophyly of the genus Thereuopoda and further validate the taxonomic distinctness of the two newly described species.

A new ostracod species, Heterocypris exodonta Bonilla-Flores & Karanovic, sp. nov. is described from a high-altitude temporary pond near Nam Co, Southern Tibetan Plateau. Detailed morphological analyses of valves, soft body, and the partial mitochondrial COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) sequence distinguish this species from its close congeners, Heterocypris incongruens and Heterocypris salina. Key taxonomic features include the morphology of the female genital lobe and the structure of the internal opening of normal pores, particularly variations in the female genital aperture at the intersection of the seminal duct and the oviduct. Pore openings in H. exodonta Bonilla-Flores & Karanovic, sp. nov. and H. incongruens exhibit a turbine shape, while in H. salina they display a simple aperture. Phylogenetic analysis based on the COI dataset supports the new species description and suggests potential synonymy and cryptic species within the H. salina and H. incongruens complexes. Ecologically, these species mainly inhabit temporary water bodies with high oxygen levels and likely follow an r-type ecological strategy, being opportunistic in colonizing new habitats, reproducing via parthenogenesis, and undergoing rapid population growth. This study enhances the understanding of Southern Tibetan Plateau ostracod biodiversity, providing crucial morphological and molecular data for species identification, particularly for parthenogenetic species lacking standard male morphological characters. Additionally, this research offers methods to prevent misidentifications and misinterpretations in (paleo-)ecological studies, contributing significantly to the broader knowledge of taxonomy and ecology of ostracods from the Southern Tibetan Plateau. Due to the high morphological plasticity of Heterocypris incongruens, our findings highlight the need for caution when identifying similar species, as external resemblance may conceal genetic divergence.

Two new species of the gastropod family Trochidae, Trochus nanhai sp. nov. and Trochus parvus sp. nov., are described from the South China Sea. Morphological comparisons and species delimitation analyses based on molecular phylogeny support the distinctiveness of the two species. Trochus nanhai sp. nov. exhibits substantial variation in shell morphology, which increases the difficulty of morphological characterization. Nevertheless, it can be distinguished by diagnostic characters such as the presence and arrangement of pustules along the suture of each whorl. Additionally, multiple species delimitation methods (ASAP, ABGD, bPTP and GMYC) revealed potential taxonomic inconsistencies within previously identified Trochus species. To assist visualization and facilitate future taxonomic studies, we applied 3D modeling techniques and extracted geometric morphometric parameters of two new species. Detailed morphological descriptions, diagnostic characters, illustrations, and 3D models are provided. This study enhances our understanding of Trochus diversity and taxonomy.

The Drawida japonica (Michaelsen, 1892) species complex is a cosmopolitan earthworm group that is widely distributed throughout Asia, and has a high degree of diversity. Nonetheless, the species composition of this species complex remains ambiguous due to limited taxonomic investigation. An integrative taxonomic approach, incorporating both morphological and molecular datasets, is herein applied to elucidate the D. japonica species complex across East Asia, with the objective of delimiting putative new species. External and internal morphological characters were examined for taxonomic identification. For molecular phylogenetic analysis, one mitochondrial marker, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), and three nuclear loci, namely 28S rRNA (28S), A-kinase anchor protein 17A (AKAP17), and flavin adenine dinucleotide synthetase 1 (FLAD1) were used. Species delimitation was performed using three complementary methodological frameworks: Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP), the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) phylogenetic approach, and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP). Congruent species boundaries were recovered across all analyses, with the single exception of the GMYC model applied to the mitochondrial COI data set. Furthermore, the interspecific K2P genetic distance exceeded 15%. This study has delimited two new species, namely D. henanensis sp. nov. and D. sinensis sp. nov. The two new species represent the first additions to the species complex in the past decade, thereby significantly contributing to our understanding of Drawida earthworm diversity in Asia.

Three new species of freshwater snails are described from Lake Bitahai, a small plateau lake located in the high altitude region of northwestern Yunnan, China: Valvata bitaensis Zhang, sp. nov., Gyraulus semskyinyizla Zhang, sp. nov., and Radix shangrila Zhang, sp. nov. These new species can be distinguished from their congeners by morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Valvata bitaensis Zhang, sp. nov. has an aperture that is always detached from the body whorl, while its shell is sometimes uncoiled. Gyraulus semskyinyizla Zhang, sp. nov. can be distinguished from its sister species Gyraulus chinensis by its rough periostracum and mantle roof with dense fine black dots. Radix shangrila Zhang, sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the morphology of its columellar lip and mantle pigments. Following the discovery of these three new freshwater snail species, Lake Bitahai now harbours five endemic species, highlighting its significant value for biodiversity conservation.

Four new crane fly species of the subgenus Tipula (Vestiplex) Bezzi, 1924, T. (V.) apteroidessp. nov. (Yunnan), T. (V.) bidentatasp. nov. (Sichuan), T. (V.) spinaventralissp. nov. (Sichuan) and T. (V.) ventrobasilatasp. nov. (Sichuan) are described and illustrated, providing discussion on separation of the newly described species from other closely related species. The male genitalia of T. (V.) aestiva Savchenko, 1960 is illustrated and redescribed.

Reports of cases of cryptic and pseudocryptic speciation have increased in the last decade among marine invertebrates thanks to the use of integrative taxonomy that combines all available data sources to correctly establish species boundaries, now routinely incorporated into classical taxonomical studies. This approach has enhanced our understanding of the real biodiversity of a given area, which has fundamental implications for conservation and management of marine ecosystems. Among polychaete annelids, considered one of the most ubiquitous and abundant groups in our oceans, there are numerous documented cases of cryptic and pseudocryptic speciation, mainly in those highly diverse families as Syllidae Grube, 1850. One of the most recent cases of species complex has been reported in Syllis prolifera Krohn, 1852 - traditionally considered a widespread, cosmopolitan species - and now recognised as a pseudocryptic complex in the western Mediterranean Sea. However, its broader distribution suggests that additional pseudocryptic lineages may exist in other regions of the Mediterranean basin. In this study, newly collected specimens from the Greek islands of Crete and Mykonos are combined with all previously published data on the S. prolifera complex, aiming to assess the existence of additional putative Mediterranean species. Combining morphological, biogeographical, and molecular data (COI, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA markers) the presence of at least three more novel lineages for the eastern Mediterranean Sea is revealed. However, unlike previous studies, no clear diagnostic morphological characters were found for each lineage, suggesting that the complex includes both pseudocryptic and cryptic potential new species. Our results further reinforce the view that species diversity within the family Syllidae remains underestimated and highlight the necessity of integrative studies to accurately assess marine invertebrate biodiversity.

A synopsis of the species of the genus Zaitzevia Champion, 1923 from Shaanxi Province (China) is provided. Five new species are described: Z. coronifer sp. nov., Z. disparilis sp. nov., Z. hybrida sp. nov., Z. pilosa sp. nov., and Z. robusta sp. nov. These five new species are not confined to Shaanxi but recorded also from other provinces: Z. coronifer (Hubei), Z. disparilis (Anhui, Gansu, Guizhou, Hunan), Z. hybrida (Gansu, Sichuan, Yunnan), Z. pilosa (Hubei, Hunan), and Z. robusta (Hubei, Sichuan). A key to the six Zaitzevia species currently known from Shaanxi, as well as photographs of the habitus and the aedeagi, are provided. The morphological delimitation of the genera Zaitzevia and Zaitzeviaria Nomura, 1959 is briefly discussed on the basis of the newly established Zaitzevia hybrida species group, which is wide-spread in the Himalaya and China and combines diagnostic characters of Zaitzevia as well as Zaitzeviaria. In addition, an updated checklist of the 21 species of Zaitzevia now recorded from China is presented. The genus Zaitzevia is recorded for the first time from Anhui, Gansu, and Guizhou. Zaitzevia fengtongzhaiensis Jiang & Chen, 2023 is recorded for the first time from Gansu and Yunnan. Based on particular morphological characters, the specimens recorded by Bian and Zhang (2022) from Shaanxi and Yunnan as Z. chenzhitengi are here regarded as a closely related, undescribed species.