[Botany • 2025] Boswellia hesperia (Burseraceae) • A New Species from Socotra

Boswellia hesperia Thulin, M.H.Weber & Rzepecky, 

in Thulin, Weber, Mubarak et Rzepecky, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04728

Researchgate.net/publication/389133907

Abstract

The new species Boswellia hesperia Thulin, M.H.Weber and Rzepecky is described, illustrated and mapped. It is a dwarf tree, restricted to westernmost Socotra (Yemen), growing on limestone rocks, in which the usually prostrate stems tend to fill out holes and crevices. It differs from B. nana Hepper, another dwarf tree endemic to Socotra but restricted to the easternmost parts of the island, by having leaves densely pubescent with whitish hairs beneath and by its smaller flowers and fruits.

Keywords: dwarf tree, frankincense, taxonomy, Yemen

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov. from mountain ridge above Neet, 5–6 km from the coast, Socotra, 18 May 2021.
(A) plant filling out crevice in limestone rock, leafless, showing reddish white flowers and fruits, (B) leafless plant with flowers and fruits. Photographs by Alain Rzepecky.

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov. from the type locality above Neet in Socotra, 30 Apr. 2023.
(A) plant showing upper surfaces of leaves and 5- or 4-merous flowers with reddish white petals, (B) flowers, showing calyx and outside of petals, and undersides of leaves with dense indumentum of crisped whitish hairs, (C) plant showing 3-locular fruit. Photographs by Michael Weber.

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov. from above Neet, Socotra, 17 May 2024.
 (A) plant showing flower and 4-locular fruits, (B) plant showing 4-merous flowers with cream or whitish petals, (C) plant showing 3-merous flower with whitish petals. Photographs by Michael Weber.

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov.
(A) flower, top view, (B) detail of petal margin, (C) flower, side view, (D) fruit, (E) pyrene, ventral view, (F) pyrene, dorsal view, (G) leaf from short shoot, upper side, (H) leaf from short shoot, lower side, (I) leaf from long shoot, upper side, (J) portion of plant with leaves, (K) long shoot, (L) seedling, showing lobed cotyledons. Drawing by Alain Rzepecky.

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov., plant filling out hole in limestone rock, showing leaves and reddish flowers; above Neet, Socotra, 31 Oct. 2007. Photograph by Lisa Banfield.

Boswellia hesperia Thulin, M.H.Weber and Rzepecky, sp. nov.  

A dwarf tree similar to Boswellia nana Hepper, but differing by having leaves densely pubescent with ± crisped whitish hairs (versus glabrous or subglabrous) beneath, smaller flowers with petals 3–4 mm (versus 4.5–5.5 mm) long and smaller fruits (5–7 mm versus ca 10 mm long).

Etymology: The epithet ‘hesperia' (Latin, western) refers to the distribution of this species that is restricted to the westernmost part of Socotra.

Mats Thulin, Michael Weber, Sami Ali Mohammed Mubarak and Alain Rzepecky. 2025. Boswellia hesperia sp. nov. (Burseraceae) from Socotra. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04728

 Researchgate.net/publication/389133907_Boswellia_hesperia_sp_nov_from_Socotra

[Botany • 2024] Pilea monroi (Urticaceae) • Genetic and Morphological Differentiation among Populations of the narrowly endemic and Karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla

 

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez 

& Pilea pteridophylla A. K. Monro,  

in Lagos-Báez, Licona-Vera, Gómez-Domínguez, Ornelas, Vásquez-Aguilar, Hurtado-Reveles et Ortiz-Rodriguez, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-024-00638-x  

 x.com/AndrsErnestoOr1

Abstract

In this study, the influence of geographic isolation on the levels of morphological and genetic differentiation among populations of the karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla (Urticaceae) was evaluated. Based on our results, there is a strong morphological differentiation among the only two know populations of Pilea pteridophylla. Both populations can be clearly differentiated based on vegetative and reproductive characters, and the observed variation is geographically structured. Moreover, our genetic data from the chloroplast genome show strong levels of population differentiation and no shared haplotypes were observed between populations. Also, our estimation of divergence times supports a long-term isolation hypothesis between populations. Based on our results, dispersal seed limitation, long-term forest isolation and topographic heterogeneity (local adaptation) are related to high levels of endemism and species turnover in the mountain karst forests of Mexico.

 

Keywords: Endemic, Neotropics, Mexico, Phylogeography, Speciation, Tropical rainforest

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez (Urticaceae).
 A Habit, plant with pistillate inflorescences. B Stem, a leafless portion with inflorescences. C Flower bud. D Staminate flower with four stamens and four tepals. E Infructescence. F Stem portion with pistillate inflorescences.

Drawn by Robin Pérez Lucas based on Lagos-Báez 57 (MEXU)

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. and Lagos-Báez & Pilea pteridophylla A. K. Monro 
B Individual from the Chiapas population (Blue). C Individual from the Tabasco population (Red)

Pilea monroi Ortiz-Rodr. & Lagos-Báez sp. nov.  

Similar to Pilea pteridophylla in general fern-like appearance, but clearly differentiated by its dentate (vs. pectinate) leaves, and larger stem and leaf size. Furthermore, they are allopatrically distributed and under different environmental conditions.

Etymology: Pilea monroi named in honour of Dr Alex Monro, taxonomist, specialist in the genus Pilea (Urticaceae) and especially interested in the study of the plant diversity in the karstic forests of America and China.

Notes: Pilea monroi is the only species in Mexico with linear lanceolate, deeply dentate leaves, and like Pilea pteridophylla, its fern-like appearance makes it easily distinguishable from other species. However, the leaf margins of Pilea monroi are dentate and not pectinate as in Pilea pteridophylla.

...

  

Karina Lagos-Báez, Yuyini Licona-Vera, Héctor Gómez-Domínguez, Juan Francisco Ornelas, Antonio Acini Vásquez-Aguilar, Leopoldo Hurtado-Reveles and Andrés Ernesto Ortiz-Rodriguez. 2024. Genetic and Morphological Differentiation among Populations of the narrowly endemic and Karst forest-adapted Pilea pteridophylla (Urticaceae).  Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 24, 149–162. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s13127-024-00638-x

   x.com/AndrsErnestoOr1/status/1764034789709951281

[Botany • 2025] Viola xinchengensis (Violaceae) • A New Species from central Guangxi, China

 

Viola xinchengensis Y.Nong & G.Y.Wei, 

in Wei, Xu, Li, Feng, Hu, Yang, Qu et Nong, 2025. 

忻城堇菜  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.253.128972

Abstract

Viola xinchengensis (Violaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is established on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. This new species resembles V. lucens, but differs from the latter by its stipules margin long fimbriate-dentate (vs. fimbriate-dentate), stolon absent (vs. stolon slender, often producing a new plant at the top) and sepals 4–6 mm, glabrous (vs. 2.5–3 mm, villous). Viola xinchengensis is similar to V. fargesii, but it can be easily distinguished by its pedicels sparsely white villous (vs. densely spreading white puberulous), stolon absent (vs. stolon longer, elongated, puberulous, sometimes stem-like) and sepals 4–6 mm, glabrous (vs. 7–9 mm, puberulous). Our morphology analysis confirms that the new species belongs to V. sect. Plagiostigma subsect. Diffusae. Photographs, an illustration, a distribution map and comparisons with the most similar species are also provided.

Key words: Morphology, new species, sinkhole, taxonomy, Viola

Line drawing of Viola xinchengensis Y.Nong & G.Y.Wei
A flowering plant B flower C anterior petal D upper petal E lateral petal F ovary and style G stamens and pistil H stipule.

Drawn by Xin-cheng Qu.

Viola xinchengensis Y.Nong & G.Y.Wei
A plant (top view) B plant (flowering) C flowers (lateral view) D flower (front view) E petals F lateral petal G–I ovary and style J stamens K–M capsule N seeds O leaf (adaxial surface) P leaf (abaxial surface) Q stipules R bract S habitat

 (Photographed and edited by You Nong).

 

 Viola xinchengensis Y.Nong & G.Y.Wei, sp. nov.

 Chinese name. xīn chéng jǐn cài (忻城堇菜).

Diagnosis. Viola xinchengensis is most similar to V. lucens, but differs from the latter by its stipules margin long fimbriate-dentate (vs. fimbriate-dentate), stolon absent (vs. stolon slender, often producing a new plant at the top) and sepals 4–6 mm, glabrous (vs. 2.5–3 mm, villous). Viola xinchengensis is similar to V. fargesii, but it can be easily distinguished by its pedicels sparsely white villous (vs. densely spreading white puberulous) and sepals 4–6 mm, glabrous (vs. 7–9 mm, puberulous). More detailed morphological differences amongst the three similar species are shown in Table 2.

...

Etymology. The specific epithet “xinchengensis” refers to the type locality, Xincheng County (忻城县), which is situated in central Guangxi, southwest China.

 Gui-Yuan Wei, Chuan-Gui Xu, Ying-Jing Li, Bin Feng, Qi-Min Hu, Chao Yang, Xin-Cheng Qu and You Nong. 2025. Viola xinchengensis (Violaceae), A New Species from central Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 253: 143-154. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.253.128972

[Botany • 2025] Petrolamium crnojevicii • Morphology and Molecules revealed A remarkable New Genus of Lamiaceae, a surprising discovery in south-eastern Europe

Petrolamium crnojevicii  Dragićević, Vuksanović & Surina, 

in Surina, Vuksanović, Dragićević, Glasnović, Siljak-Yakovlev, Balant, Radosavljević, Xiang et Li, 2025.   

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/tax.13313

Abstract

Petrolamium crnojevicii gen. & sp. nov., a new distinct and remarkable monotypic genus of Lamiaceae, was discovered in the Dinaric karst of southern Montenegro. This taxon exhibits a unique combination of morphological traits, including eglandular, mostly glabrous reniform leaves with 5–7 lobes and prominent hydatodes at their tips. Its small pedicellate flowers feature included anthers and styles within the corolla tube, a straight, narrow, and emarginate to bifurcate posterior corolla lip, and an anterior lip with entire, broadly elliptic-oblong lateral lobes. The trigonous mericarps have a truncated apex and bear fatty tissue. Notably, Petrolamium has a unique chromosome number of 2n = 32. A molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on 79 plastid protein-coding genes and 5 chloroplast markers placed Petrolamium in the subfamily Lamioideae, where it forms a distinct lineage, sister to the other members of the tribe Lamieae. Petrolamium is also unique from an ecological point of view, as it exclusively inhabits floristically depauperate calcareous rock crevices in a very restricted distribution range. This makes P. crnojevicii a critically endangered species according to IUCN criteria and emphasizes the need for immediate conservation efforts. This study highlights the importance of ongoing floristic exploration, demonstrating that even in regions long considered botanically well-known, important discoveries can still emerge, including within extensively investigated plant families like the Lamiaceae.

Keywords: Lamioideae, Mediterranean, molecular phylogeny, new genus, Petrolamium, systematics

 

  

Petrolamium crnojevicii Dragićević, Vuksanović & Surina, gen. et sp. nov.

Boštjan Surina, Snežana Vuksanović, Snežana Dragićević, Peter Glasnović, Sonja Siljak-Yakovlev, Manica Balant, Ivan Radosavljević, Chun-Lei Xiang and Bo Li. 2025.  Morphology and Molecules revealed A remarkable New Genus of Lamiaceae, a surprising discovery in south-eastern Europe. TAXON. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/tax.13313 [18 February 2025]

 

[Botany • 2025] Tilia saxatilis (Malvaceae) • A New Species from limestone areas of Guangxi, China

 

Tilia saxatilis Z.C.Lu & W.B.Xu,   

in Lu, Chang, Mo, Wu et Xu, 2025.

石山椴  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.141836 

 

Abstract

Tilia saxatilis Z.C.Lu & W.B.Xu, a new species was discovered in limestone areas of Guangxi, China. The morphology shows that T. saxatilis is similar to T. tuan Szyszyl., but differs by having leaf blades that are oblong or ovate-oblong, entire margins, fruit ellipsoid, 5-angled, apex acute.

Key words: Malvaceae, morphology, new species, taxonomy, Tilia tuan

Tilia saxatilis sp. nov.
 A habit B winter buds C flowering branches D trunk E fruiting branches F habitat (White circle shows where the new species grow).

Tilia saxatilis sp. nov.
A leaf in abaxial view (Red circle shows tuft domatia in vein axils) B bract in abaxial view C bract and cyme D bract and infructescence E flower in frontal view F flower in lateral view G flower in dorsal view H dissection of flower I fruits J seeds.

 Tilia saxatilis Z.C.Lu & W.B.Xu, sp. nov.

 Chinese name: shí shān duàn (石山椴)

Diagnosis: This new species is similar to Tilia tuan Szyszyl., but differs in having leaf blades that are oblong or ovate-oblong (vs. narrowly ovate or ovate-oblong to ovate-orbicular), margins entire (vs. entire or with a few minute teeth near apex or prominently dentate); fruit ellipsoid (vs. globose or obovoid-globose), 5-angled (vs. not ridged), apex acute (vs. rounded).

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘saxatilis’ refers to the limestone habitats of this new species.

Zhao-Cen Lu, Shi-Li Chang, Ming-Lin Mo, You-Dong Wu and Wei-Bin Xu. 2025. Tilia saxatilis (Malvaceae), A New Species from limestone areas of Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 251: 233-240. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.141836 

[Botany • 2024] Begonia fangchengensis (Begoniaceae, sect. Diploclinium) • A New Species from Guangxi, South China

 

 Begonia fangchengensis  Y.N.Huang, X.X. Feng & R.K.Li,  

Hu, Y.-N. Huang, Zhang, Chen, S.-S. Huang, Li, Wang et Feng, 2024. 

防城秋海棠  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.249.133724

Abstract

Although Guangxi represents one of the distribution centres of begonias in China, the sect. Diploclinium (Wright) A. DC is not well documented herein. In this article, we illustrate a new species belonging to this section, Begonia fangchengensis Y.N.Huang, X.X. Feng & R.K.Li, which has been discovered in southern Guangxi. Begonia fangchengensis mostly resembles B. rotundilimba in elliptic leaf blade, palmate veins, dichasial cyme, three styles, axile placentation, and unequally 3-winged capsule. On the other hand, B. fangchengensis is characterized by creeping rhizome, pilose stipule, red and densely pilose petiole, pubescent leaf blade and pilose inflorescence bract, sparsely pilose ovary and the zygomorphic androecium, differing from the erect stem at anthesis, the green and densely villous petiole, the glabrous stipule, leaf blade, inflorescence bract, ovary and actinomorphic androecium in B. rotundilimba. Considering its small population size and narrow distribution, its conservation status is categorized as ‘Endangered (D)’ according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Key words: Limestone karst, morphology, new taxon, south China, taxonomy

 Begonia fangchengensis 
A habitat B stipule C, D bracts of inflorescences E, F front and back view of staminate flower G androecium H stamens I, J pistillate flower with 3 or 5 tepals K styles L styles and ovary M–Q ovary section from upper to lower positions.

Drawn by Yunxiao Liu 

Habitat and morphology of Begonia fangchengensis
A habitat B flowering plant C creeping rhizome D stipules E leaf blade (adaxial) F, G leaf blade (abaxial) H juvenile leaf I inflorescence J bracts K, L front and side views of staminate flower M, N front and side views of androecium O stamens P pistillate flower with 3 tepals Q, R, S pistillate flower with 5 tepals T stigmas and ovary U ovary sections from upper to lower positions V capsule

(Photos by Z.X. Liu).

 Begonia fangchengensis Y.N.Huang, X.X.Feng & R.K.Li, sp. nov.

 Chinese name: 防城秋海棠

Diagnosis: Begonia fangchengensis mostly resembles B. rotundilimba in its elliptic leaf blade, palmate veins, dichasial cyme, three styles, axile placentation, and unequally 3-winged capsule. However, there are creeping rhizome, pilose stipule, red and densely pilose petiole, pubescent leaf blade and pilose inflorescence bract, sparsely pilose ovary and the zygomorphic androecium in B. fangchengensis. These characters differ from the erect stem at anthesis, the green and densely villous petiole, the glabrous stipule, leaf blade, inflorescence bract, ovary and actinomorphic androecium in B. rotundilimba.

Etymology: The specific epithet “fangchengensis” refers to the Fangcheng District, Guangxi where the species is distributed.

 Ping-Ting Hu, Yu-Ni Huang, Meng-Ni Zhang, Bi-Xuan Chen, Shu-Shu Huang, Ren-Kun Li, Wen-Guang Wang and Xin-Xin Feng. 2024. A New Species in Begonia sect. Diploclinium (Begoniaceae) from Guangxi, South China. PhytoKeys. 249: 277-285. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.249.133724

[Herpetology • 2025] Protobothrops flavirostris • A New endemic Karst-associated Species of Lance-headed Pit Viper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Protobothrops) from Laos

Protobothrops flavirostris 

Grassby-Lewis, Brakels, Maury, Sitthivong, Frohlich, Pawangkhanant, Idiiatullina, Nguyen & Poyarkov, 2025

Vang Vieng Lance-headed pit viper | ງູເພົາກະບາຄໍກົບ || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e146004  

Abstract

We describe a new species of lance-headed pit viper from north-western Laos, based on morphological and molecular (6092 bp from cyt b, ND4, COI, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes and c-mos and RAG1 nuclear DNA genes) lines of evidence. Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. is easily distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: dorsal scales in 23–21–17 rows, all keeled; ventral scales 215; subcaudal scales 79, all paired; supralabials 7–8; infralabials 10; horn-like projections on supraoculars absent; head triangular with a typical lance-shaped pattern on its dorsal surface; three faint dark vertical stripes on the snout; head blackish-brown with rostral, nasals, preoculars, loreals and the two anterior supralabials, as well as the anterior parts of supraoculars yellow-orange; dorsal surfaces of body and tail brown or greyish-brown, dorsum with large dark reddish-brown cross-shaped blotches, edged in black, somewhat fused together forming an interrupted zigzag line and a row of large brown ventrolateral blotches on each side. The new species differs from the morphologically similar species Protobothrops kelomohy by a significant divergence in cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (p = 7.8%). The new species is currently known only from tropical limestone forest of Vientiane Province, north-western Laos (elevation 362 m a.s.l.). We suggest the new species be considered as Endangered (EN) following the IUCN’s Red List categories.

Key Words: Indochina, limestone, morphology, molecular phylogeny, Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov., systematics, Vientiane Province

Family Viperidae Oppel, 1811

Subfamily Crotalinae Oppel, 1811

Genus Protobothrops Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1983

The holotype of Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. in life in situ (NUOL 2024.89, adult female).

photograph by R.J. Grassby-Lewis.

The holotype of Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. in life (NUOL 2024.89, adult female)
A general dorsal view B general ventral view C lateral view of the head, right side D lateral view of the head, left side E dorsal view of the head; F Ventral view of the head.

photographs by R.J. Grassby-Lewis (A, B, D–F) and N. Maury (C).

Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. differs from other members of the genus Protobothrops by the following combination of the morphological characters: dorsal scales in 23–21–17 rows, all keeled; ventral scales 215; subcaudal scales 79, all paired; supralabials 7–8; infralabials 10; horn-like projection on supraocular absent; head triangular with a typical lance-shaped pattern on dorsal surface; three faint dark vertical stripes on snout; head blackish-brown with rostral, nasals, preoculars, loreals and the two anterior supralabials, as well as the anterior parts of supraoculars yellow-orange; dorsal surfaces of body and tail brown or greyish-brown, dorsum with large dark reddish-brown cross-shaped blotches, edged with black, somewhat fused together forming an interrupted zigzag line; and a row of large brown ventrolateral blotches on each side.

Etymology. The specific name “flavirostris” is a Latin adjective in the nominative singular, masculine gender, derived from Latin words “flāvus” for “yellow” and “rostrum” for “snout” or “beak” and is given in reference to the characteristic yellowish colouration of the snout in the new species. 

We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Vang Vieng lance-headed pit viper” (in English), “Ngu Phao Ka Ba Khor Kop” (“ງູເພົາກະບາຄໍກົບ”, in Lao) and “Laosskiy habu” (“Лаосский хабу”, in Russian). Furthermore, the new species is well-known to the Hmong people living in village communities around Vang Vieng and their local name for this species is “nan jaow ka,” which is roughly translated as “a snake that can open its mouth very wide” or “big-mouthed snake”.

Habitat of Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. 
 Macrohabitat of the new species at the type locality, Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, Laos (A); uncollected adult snake (sex unknown) from Nang Oua Khiam Cave, Vang Vieng, Vientian, Laos in life in situ (B); uncollected adult snake (sex unknown) from Khan Kham Cave, Vang Vieng, Vientian, Laos in life in situ (C).

photographs by P. Brakels (A); J. Wohlschiess (B); and P.L. Stenger (C).

 

 Rupert J. Grassby-Lewis, Peter Brakels, Nathanaël Maury, Saly Sitthivong, David Frohlich, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Tan Van Nguyen and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2025. A New endemic Karst-associated Species of Lance-headed Pit Viper (Squamata, Viperidae, Protobothrops) from Laos. Herpetozoa. 38: 43-60. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e146004  

[Botany • 2020] Primulina spiradiclioides (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from limestone areas in Guangxi, China

Primulina spiradiclioides Z.B. Xin & F. Wen,

in Xin, Huang, Fu, Li, Wang et Wen, 2020. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.057.0408 

 Researchgate.net/publication/342178681

Abstract

Primulina spiradiclioides Z.B. Xin & F. Wen (Gesneriaceae), a new species from limestone areas in Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. It resembles P. curvituba, but can be easily distinguished from it by several characters, especially by its straight corolla tube. We found only one population with fewer than 200 mature individuals at the type locality.

 

Primulina spiradiclioides Z.B. Xin & F. Wen

Zi-Bing Xin, Zhang-Jie Huang, Long-Fei Fu, Shu Li, Bing-Mou Wang and Fang Wen. 2020. Primulina spiradiclioides (Gesneriaceae), a New Species from Limestone Areas in Guangxi, China.  Annales Botanici Fennici. 57(4-6); 245-248. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.057.0408 [28 October 2020]

  Researchgate.net/publication/342178681_Primulina_spiradiclioides_Gesneriaceae_a_New_Species_from_Limestone_Areas_in_Guangxi_China

[Ichthyology • 2025] Barbodes klapanunggalensis • A New Species of blind subterranean fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Klapanunggal Karst Area, West Java, Indonesia

Barbodes klapanunggalensis Wibowo, Rahmadi & Lumbantobing, 

 in Wibowo, Willyanto, Dharmayanthi, Rahmadi et Lumbantobing, 2025. Barbodes 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.135950 

facebook.com/Daniel Lumbantobing

Abstract

Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov. is described on the basis of two specimens collected from the subterranean cave system of Klapanunggal karst area, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, Java Island, Indonesia. The new species is unique among its congeners in completely lacking eyes, its ocular vestige being marked by an orbital concavity fully covered with skin, and with no orbital rim. It also differs distinctly from most species of Barbodes by having relatively long paired fins (pectoral fin 26.0–31.4% SL; pelvic fin 21.5–24.4% SL), the adpressed tips of each overlapping the basal area of the adjacent posterior (pelvic and anal, respectively) fins; and the presence of a short pelvic axillary scale with a rounded posterior margin. Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov. is further distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: head length 32.9–35.3% SL; pre-pectoral fin length 32.6–33.6% SL; pre-pelvic fin length 54.0–59.6% SL; anal-fin base length 9.7–11.8% SL; caudal peduncle depth 13.2–18.2% SL; completely nonpigmented body; and all fins with translucent interradial membranes and light cream to brownish rays. As reflected by its highly troglomorphic features, the new species is strictly adapted to cave habitats. Its small population size, coupled with a high level of potential threats to its known habitat, suggest that future conservation efforts will become necessary.

Key words: Cave-dwelling fish, coloration, endemic, morphology, silvery barbs

Photographs of the holotype of Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov.
 A in situ photograph, from video; B picture 

photos taken in 2020 by M. Iqbal Willyanto.

 Barbodes klapanunggalensis Wibowo, Rahmadi & Lumbantobing, sp. nov.

  English name: Klapanunggal Blind Cave Barb 

New Indonesian name: Wader Gua Buta Klapanunggal

   

Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov., 
MZB.26657, holotype, 63.8 mm SL; MZB.26656, paratype, 73.0 mm SL
A fresh B preserved C radiograph.

Diagnosis. A species of Barbodes distinguished from all its congeners by the absence of eyes, as the eye is vestigially replaced by an orbital concavity being fully closed by an epidermal layer, while lacking the orbital rim. The species is also uniquely diagnosed by having relatively long pectoral and pelvic fins, with their adpressed tips each extending past the vertical through the insertion or origin of the next fin posterior to the tip, as to further pass posteriorly about two scales in anteroposterior; and by the presence of a relatively short and rounded axillary pelvic-fin scale, with tip not reaching posterior edge of pelvic-fin base. It is further distinguished from other Barbodes species in having by the following combination of characters: head length 32.9–35.3% of SL; pre-pectoral fin length 32.6–33.6% of SL; pre-pelvic fin length 54.0–59.6% of SL; pectoral fin length 26.0–31.4% of SL; pelvic fin length 21.5–24.4% of SL; anal-fin base length 9.7–11.8% of SL; caudal peduncle depth 13.2–18.2% of SL; body without pigmentation (black dots, bars, stripes, blotches, and triangular markings all absent from lateral surface); all fins with translucent interradial membrane and light cream to brownish rays.

Etymology: The specific epithet klapanunggalensis is derived from the type locality, the Klapanunggal karst area, which includes the Cisodong 1 Cave, Nambo Village. The name reflects the unique habitat and geological significance of the Klapanunggal karst area, where the species is likely endemic.

 Kunto Wibowo, M. Iqbal Willyanto, Anik Budhi Dharmayanthi, Cahyo Rahmadi and Daniel Natanael Lumbantobing. 2025. Barbodes klapanunggalensis, A New Species of blind subterranean fish (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) from Klapanunggal Karst Area, West Java, Indonesia, with notes on its conservation. ZooKeys. 1229: 43-59. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.135950

 facebook.com/danil.petek/posts/10108699470827574

[Herpetology • 2025] A Preliminary Assessment of the Diversity in the Frog Genus Anilany (Anura: Microhylidae: Cophylinae) with Description of Anilany karsticola, A New Species from western Madagascar

 

Anilany karsticola

Petzold, Glaw, Mullin, Rakotoarison, Raselimanana, Crottini, Orozco-terWengel, Köhler, Prötzel, Vences, Hofreiter & Scherz, 2025 

SALAMANDRA. 61(1) 

www.MarkScherz.com

Abstract

 The cophyline microhylid frog genus Anilany was established as a monotypic genus in 2016 for the miniaturised species Anilany helenae (Vallan, 2000), from the type locality Ambohitantely, a patch of rainforest surrounded by savannah in central Madagascar. Fieldwork conducted over the past two decades identified three unexpected populations from Bemaraha, Mahajanga, and Beanka from limestone caves near sea level in arid western and northwestern Madagascar, which were assigned to the genus Anilany based on diagnostic morphological features. We generated new data for specimens of the Ambohitantely, Bemaraha, and Mahajanga populations to test if all three populations belong to one or multiple species, studying their genetic variability based on mitochondrial (16S rRNA, COI) and nuclear (BDNF, RAG-1) genes, as well as morphological and osteological data. We identify several previously unknown diagnostic characters of the skeleton of Anilany compared to its closest relatives, Rhombophryne and Stumpffia, but no skeletal features that can be used to reliably distinguish among Anilany populations. Based on concordant genetic and morphological differences, we formally describe the population from the limestone karsts of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, formerly considered candidate species Anilany sp. Ca14, as a new species, Anilany karsticola sp. n. It can be distinguished from other Anilany lineages by larger size and shorter relative tibia length, uncorrected p-distances in DNA sequences of the 16S gene amounting to 2.6% and a lack of allele sharing in the analysed fragments of the nuclear genes BDNF and RAG-1. More data, especially advertisement call recordings and additional specimens, are required from other locations for a more thorough assessment of the genus and the distribution of its species.

Key words. Amphibia, Anura, Anilany karsticola sp. n., citizen science, iNaturalist, molecular genetics, morphology, osteo­logy, systematics.

Anilany karsticola sp. n. from Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in life:
(a, b) adult female holotype ZSM 21/2006 (FGZC 711) in dorsolateral (a) and ventral (b) views;
(c, d) paratype ZSM 22/2006 (FGZC 712) in dorsolateral (c) and ventral (d) views;
(e–g) paratype UADBA-A 25660 (FGZC 713) in dorsolateral (e) and ventral (f) views, with a closeup of the hand (g) illustrating expanded digits only present on fingers 3 and 4;
(h, i) paratype UADBA-A 25663 (FGZC 714) in dorsolateral (h) and ventral (i) views.

Anilany karsticola sp. n. 

Diagnosis: The new species is assigned to the genus Anilany on the basis of its small size combined with expanded terminal discs and T-shaped terminal phalanges, short parasphenoid, broad, angled postchoanal vomers, absence of a neopalatine, and close genetic afnities with A. helenae. It can be distinguished from populations of its only described congener, A. helenae, by larger adult body size (adult SVL 15.7–17.4 mm vs. 13.8–15.0 mm Ambohitantely and 12.7 mm Mahajanga) and relative shorter tibia length (TIBL/SVL 0.42–0.46 vs. 0.48 Ambohitantely and 0.47– 0.50 Mahajanga). Furthermore, A. karsticola sp. n. is distinguished from all other genetic lineages of Anilany by the ... 

Etymology: The species epithet karsticola is a first-declension noun derived from the German word ‘Karst’ (a craggy limestone formation), and the Latin lexical suffix ‘-cola’ meaning ‘inhabitor’, in refection of ecology of this species, which has only been found in and near caves in limestone karst within the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. The species name is considered as a noun in apposition.

Anilany cf. helenae specimens from Anjajavy:
(a) a putatively adult specimen in dorsolateral view showing contrasting chevron patterning dorsally, and visible expansion of terminal finger discs, typical of this genus. This specimen was observed in dry coastal forest (b); (c) an adult specimen in posterodorsolateral view, showing the dark dorsal chevron and expanded finger discs. Tis specimen was observed in a cave (d), above which was forest like that shown in (b).

Photographs by Justin Gerlach

Petzold, A., F. Glaw, K. E. Mullin, A. Rakotoarison, A. P. Raselimanana, A. Crottini, P. Orozco-terWengel, J. Köhler, D. Prötzel, M. Vences, M. Hofreiter and M. D. Scherz. 2025. A Preliminary Assessment of the Diversity in the Frog Genus Anilany (Microhylidae: Cophylinae) with Description of A New Species from western Madagascar. SALAMANDRA. 61(1); 70-94. 

http://www.MarkScherz.com/archives/6117

[Botany • 2024] Petrocodon gracilis (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from southwestern Guangxi, China

 

Petrocodon gracilis T. Ding & B. Pan, 

in Ding, Liu, Zhang, Wang, Huang, Lin, Pan et Li, 2024. 

细瓣石山苣苔 ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70670 

Researchgate.net/publication/386229258

ABSTRACT

The genus Petrocodon is renowned for its remarkably diverse floral morphology, exhibiting a high level of disparity compared to most genera within Gesneriaceae. In this study, we present a detailed description and illustration of Petrocodon gracilis T. Ding & B. Pan, a new species with unique floral features that is native to Guangxi, China. This species is geographically close to P. jingxiensis H.S. Gao & W.B. Xu and is indistinguishable from P. jingxiensis in vegetative characteristics. However, it can be clearly distinguished from the latter by its shorter pedicels, slender tubular corolla, shorter corolla tube, distinctly unequal corolla lobes with upper ones linear and reflexed and lower ones oblanceolate, and included chiritoid-like stigma. The presence of linear upper lobes and the chiritoid-like stigma has not been previously reported in Petrocodon, and the emergence of this new species will further expand the morphospace occupied by this morphologically diverse genus.

Keywords: disparity, floral morphology, Gesneriaceae, pollination taxonomy

Petrocodon gracilis:
(a) habitat, (b) habit, (c) inflorescence, (d) corolla in the front view, (e) corolla in the side view, (f) longitudinal section of the corolla, (g) capsule, (h1) stigma in a bud, and (h2–h4) stigmas in opening flowers.

Petrocodon gracilis T. Ding & B. Pan, sp. nov.  

 Diagnosis: The new species is most similar to P. jingxiensis but can be distinguished from the latter by the short pedicels of 1–4 mm long (vs. long pedicels 10–22 mm), a slender tubular corolla (vs. narrowly funnel-shaped corolla), a short corolla tube of 8–12 mm long (vs. a long corolla tube of 15–25 mm long), distinctly unequal corolla lobes with the upper ones linear and reflexed and the lower ones oblanceolate (vs. subequal ovate corolla lobes with the upper ones erect), and included stigma (vs. exserted stigma).

Etymology: The species epithet is derived from the almost linear upper corolla lobes. The Chinese name given is Xi Ban Shi Shan Ju Tai (细瓣石山苣苔).

 

Tao Ding, Ming Liu, Qiang Zhang, Peng-Fei Wang, Xing Huang, Yan-Xiang Lin, Bo Pan and Peng-Wei Li. 2024. Petrocodon gracilis (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from southwestern Guangxi, China. Ecology and Evolution. 14(12); e70670. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70670

 Researchgate.net/publication/386229258_Petrocodon_gracilis_a_New_Species_from_Guangxi_China