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Friday, September 19th, 2025
| Time | Event | ||||||||
| 6:32a | [Herpetology • 2025] Ablepharus todingensis • A New Species of Ablepharus (Sauria: Scincidae) from western Xizang, China
Abstract The genus Ablepharus represents a morphologically diverse group of lizards, comprising approximately 19 species distributed across Asia. However, due to challenges in sample collection, the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus remain poorly resolved. In this study, we identified and described a novel species of Ablepharus from western Xizang, China, through morphological analysis and molecular phylogenetics. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on mitochondrial DNA (ND2) sequences showed that the new species formed a strongly supported sister lineage with A. ladacensis and A. himalayanus, while exhibiting significant genetic divergence from all other congeners. In addition to its genetic distinctiveness, the new species can be characterized by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) eyelids partially fused; (2) tympanum sunken; (3) supranasal scales absent; (4) prefrontals separated from each other; (5) supraoculars 4; (6) supralabials 7, 6th largest; (7) infralabials 6 or 7; (8) scale rows across neck and back 6; (9) scales encircling midbody 32; (10) midventral scales from last chinshield to precloaca 72-80; (11) subcaudals 110-125; (12) lamellae beneath 4th finger 13-16, beneath 4th toe 18-21; (13) body brownish-olive, devoid of spots, venter brick-red. This study highlights the underexplored species diversity within Ablepharus in China and provides new insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the genus. taxonomy, phylogeny, lizard, new species, new record, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau
Peng Guo, Kai Wang, Songwen Tan, Yayong Wu and Jing Che. 2025. A New Species of Ablepharus (Sauria: Scincidae) from western Xizang, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2025.0011 [Sep 5, 2025]  | ||||||||
| 6:33a | [Herpetology • 2025] Diploderma bifluviale • A New Species of Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Squamata: Agamidae) discovered in the upper Dadu River valley of the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, China
Abstract A new species of the genus Diploderma is described from the upper Dadu River Valley in the Hengduan mountains of Sichuan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial ND2 gene revealed that the new species, Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov., forms a distinct lineage within the Diploderma flaviceps group with an uncorrected genetic distance of ≥3.88%. Morphologically, the new species differs from its congeners by a combination of characters, including a shorter snout-vent length (SVL 62.51–72.55 mm), a shorter tail (TAL/SVL ratio 1.37–1.56), concealed tympanum, absence of a gular spot, and lemon-chiffon dorsolateral stripes with serrated edges in males. Additionally, Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov. exhibits unique coloration traits such as a wheat-colored tongue and the fourth toe with claw reaching either the tympanum or the area between shoulder and tympanum when hind limbs adpressed forward. The species inhabits semi-arid shrublands in warm-dry valleys at elevations of 2,187–2,525 m – a habitat that is distinct from those of its closest relatives. This discovery highlights the understudied biodiversity of the upper Dadu River. Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov. represents the 49th species of the genus and expands our understanding of morphological and ecological diversity within the D. flaviceps group. Key words: Agamidae, Barkam City, dry valley, Eastern Tibetan Plateau, Jinchuan County, lizard, ND2, taxonomy   Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov. Fengjing Liu, Yayong Wu, Jindong Zhang, Guang Yang, Shuo Liu, Xue Chen, Jiang Chang, Qiang Xie and Bo Cai. 2025. A New Species of Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Squamata, Agamidae) discovered in the upper Dadu River valley of the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, China. ZooKeys. 1251: 17-38. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.153705  | ||||||||
| 6:33a | [Herpetology • 2025] Kalophrynus minutus • A New Kalophrynus Species (Anura: Microhylidae) from Sabah, Malaysia [Composition and Distribution of Frogs in Crocker Range Park, Sabah, Malaysia]
Abstract Background: We monitored five localities within Crocker Range Park, one of the protected forests administered by Sabah Parks in the Malaysian part of Borneo. The sites selected were at various elevations: lowland sites at 260 m and 499 m a.s.l.; montane sites at 1,216 m, 1,260 m and 1,477 m a.s.l. Forty species were encountered in this study. New discoveries were also found during the course of our three-year period survey (October 2003–October 2006). New information: The discoveries include amongst others, the Sabah endemics of Meristogenys, two new records for Sabah: Sarawakiphrys dringi (Inger, Stuebing and Tan, 1995), and Pelophryne rhopophilia Inger and Stuebing, 1996, as well as a new species, Kalophrynus minutus sp. nov., described herein. These findings provide evidence of many unknown species still waiting to be discovered. These discoveries also add significantly to our understanding of the distribution of frog species in Borneo as a whole, showing that species formerly thought to be very restricted geographically actually have much greater and more extensive distributions within Borneo. Keywords: frogs, Kalophrynus, distribution, tropical, protected forest, Crocker Range, Borneo 
 Kalophrynus minutus Imbun, Fui Lian, Lakim & Majuakim, sp. nov. Diagnosis: A small species of Kalophrynus, adults < 25 mm; fourth finger with a single subarticular tubercle, free portion of fourth finger less than length of terminal phalanx of third finger; fifth toe shorter than third; a large black inguinal ocellus. Etymology: The specific epithet is taken from the Latin adjective minutus for small, in reference to the new species having the smallest maximum body size in the genus Kalophrynus. Paul Imbun, Tan Fui Lian, Maklarin Lakim and Luiza Majuakim. 2025. Composition and Distribution of Frogs in Crocker Range Park, Sabah, Malaysia, with A Description of A New Kalophrynus (Anura, Microhylidae) Species. Biodiversity Data Journal. 13: e157470. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e157470 | ||||||||
| 8:43a | [Botany • 2025] Heptapleurum assamicum (Araliaceae) • A New Species From Assam, India
ABSTRACT A new species, Heptapleurum assamicum (Araliaceae), is described and illustrated from Assam, India. It was discovered during floristic documentation conducted in the Kopili River basin, in the Dima Hasao and West Karbi Anglong districts. The species is distinguished by a unique combination of morphological characters. Detailed comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided to support its recognition as a distinct species. Keywords: Araliaceae, Assam, Heptapleurum, new species, Northeast India
Heptapleurum assamicum S. Dey & Barbhuiya sp. nov. Santanu Dey, Hussain A. Barbhuiya, Jayanta Das and Deepak Kumar Baruah. 2025. Heptapleurum assamicum (Araliaceae): A New Species From Assam, India. Feddes Repertorium. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70021 [27 July 2025] | ||||||||
| 2:41p | [Botany • 2025] Ceratostema limonensis (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae) • A New Species from the Province of Morona-Santiago, Ecuador
Abstract A new species of Ceratostema (Vaccinieae) from south-eastern Ecuador is here described and illustrated. Ceratostema limonensis is distinguished by the singular, subflexuous young branches. The new species is compared to the morphologically similar C. gualaquizensis, which differs by the subterete, longer rachis and shorter corollas with narrower monochromatic corolla lobes. A brief history of the species from the tribe Vaccinieae in Ecuador is provided. Further taxonomic discussions, distribution and conservation status for the new species are provided in this paper. Key words: Amazon, Andes, premontane forest, rainforest, taxonomy 
Ceratostema limonensis M.M.Jiménez & H.Garzón, sp. nov. Diagnosis. Ceratostema limonensis is morphologically similar to C. gualaquizensis, but differs by the longer (4.8–5.1 mm vs. 1 mm long), subterete (vs. obconical) rhachis; the shorter (1.4–1.8 mm vs. 3.4–4.7 mm long), ovate-deltate (vs. narrowly lanceolate) calyx lobes; the shorter corolla (2.9 cm vs. 4.5–4.7 cm long) with narrower lobes (2.3 mm vs. 3.7–4.0 mm wide), that have the same colour as the rest of the corolla (vs. black at the apex and inside); and the shorter (3.1–3.3 cm vs. 4.6–4.7 cm long), pilose (vs. glabrous) filaments. Marco M. Jiménez, Gabriel A. Iturralde, Diego Gutiérrez del Pozo, Nadia Lapo-González, J. R. Kuethe and Henry X. Garzón-Suárez. 2025. Ceratostema limonensis (Ericaceae), A New Species from the Province of Morona-Santiago, Ecuador. PhytoKeys. 263: 37-47. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.263.159645 |
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