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Monday, September 22nd, 2025
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 12:23a | [Mammalogy • 2025] Crocidura stanleyi • Integrative Taxonomic Revision of endemic Dwarf Shrews Genus Crocidura (Soricidae) from the Ethiopian Highlands
Abstract The biodiversity of the Ethiopian Highlands features a significant level of endemism. Among its diverse fauna, the genus Crocidura (Soricidae), with many cryptic species, remains poorly documented, particularly for species of minute size. This study describes a newly discovered minute shrew – one of the smallest mammals worldwide – and addresses the taxonomy of the so-called ‘Afromontane clade’ of Crocidura in Ethiopia. We combined extensive field sampling of recent and historical specimens with advanced genetic analyses (genome skimming, Illumina sequencing, and cytb phylogenetics) and morphological examination (external and craniodental) to delineate the new species and address taxonomic affinities among other minute Crocidura from Ethiopia. One of our newly collected forms represents a distinct genetic lineage, corresponding with unique physical characteristics such as tail length and cranial features. Its discovery highlights the rich, yet still incompletely understood, mammalian diversity in the Ethiopian Highlands and underscores the importance of integrating morphological and molecular data in taxonomic studies. KEYWORDS: cryptic species, minute shrews, biodiversity, taxonomy, museomics, Morphometrics     Crocidura stanleyi, sp. nov. Evan W. Craig, Anna Bryjová, Josef Bryja, Yonas Meheretu, Leonid A. Lavrenchenko and Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans. 2025. Integrative Taxonomic Revision of endemic Dwarf Shrews from the Ethiopian Highlands. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 74 (25060), 25060.1-18. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.25060 (20 August 2025)  | ||||||
| 9:47a | [Herpetology • 2025] Boulenophrys gutu • A New Species of Boulenophrys (Anura: Megophyridae) from Mt. Hengshan, Hunan Province, China, with Re-Description on B. hengshanensis
Abstract Boulenophrys gutu sp. nov. was described from Mt. Hengshan, and B. hengshanensis was re-described based on the holotype and newly collected specimens using phylogenetic and morphological evidence. The new species forms an independent clade, and it is diagnosed by a combination of following characters: (1) male SVL 34.4–44.7 mm (n = 7), female SVL 36.2–52.8 mm (n = 8); (2) dorsal surface of head, body, and limbs relatively smooth; (3) vomerine ridge weak, vomerine teeth absent; (4) narrow lateral fringes on toes; (5) heels moderate long, meeting when thighs are positioned at right angles to body; (6) supratympanic fold behind tympanum thick, distinctly enlarged with thickness near diameter of tympanum; (7) inner metatarsal tubercle small (IMT/SVL 4.4–5.2%); (8) several large dark brown patches along both ventrolateral sides of abdomen; (9) coloration of inner and outer metacarpal tubercle, inner metatarsal tubercle, and tip of digits ivory. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and COI genes revealed that B. hengshanensis is sister to B. wugongensis. Morphological comparisons showed that B. hengshanensis is diagnosed by a combination of following characters: (1) moderate body size, male SVL 34.4–38.0 mm (n = 9), female SVL 48.4 mm (n = 1); (2) weak vomerine ridge, absence of vomerine teeth; (3) tongue not notched behind; (4) a small horn-like tubercle on upper eyelid; (5) rudimentary webbing between toes; (6) narrow lateral fringes on toes; (7) heels relatively short, not meeting when thighs are positioned at right angles to body; (8) supratympanic fold behind tympanum narrow, not distinctly enlarged; (9) a pair of dark brown broad stripes along ventrolateral sides of abdomen; (10) dense creamy white dots present on lower abdomen, merge with deep brown patches without clear boundary. Keywords: Boulenophrys gutu; Boulenophrys hengshanensis; taxonomy; phylogeny; morphology
Boulenophrys gutu sp. nov. Kuang, Wei, and Shi Diagnosis. Boulenophrys gutu sp. nov. is distinguished from congeners by a combination of following characters: (1) male SVL 34.4–44.7 mm (n = 7), female SVL 36.2–52.8 mm (n = 8); (2) dorsal surface of the head, body, and limbs relatively smooth; (3) vomerine ridge weak, vomerine teeth absent; (4) narrow lateral fringes on toes; (5) heels moderate long, meeting when thighs are positioned at right angles to body; (6) supratympanic fold behind tympanum thick, distinctly enlarged with thickness near diameter of tympanum; (7) inner metatarsal tubercle small (IMT/SVL 4.4–5.2%); (8) several large dark brown patches along both ventrolateral sides of abdomen; (9) coloration of inner and outer metacarpal tubercle, inner metatarsal tubercle, and tip of digits ivory. Etymology. The specific epithet gutu (顾莵 in Chinese) refers to the “toad” on the moon in ancient Chinese poetry Tian Wen (天问) by Qu Yuan (屈原, 340–278 BC) of Chu State (楚国) in the Warring States Period. The poetry documented many questions about nature, including why there is “toad” on the moon (厥利维何，而顾菟在腹). This species is named to commemorate the shared spirit of exploration of humankind. We suggest 顾莵角蟾 [ɡùtù jiǎo chán] as the Chinese name. Dai-Yong Kuang, Yi-Fu Wei, Yi-Sha Luo, Kang-Wen Pei, Ying-Yue Cao, Meng-Fei Zhang, Tai-Fu Huang, Ling Pu and Sheng-Chao Shi. 2025. A New Species of Boulenophrys (Megophyridae) from Mt. Hengshan, Hunan Province, China, with Re-Description on B. hengshanensis. Animals. 15(18), 2745. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15182745 [19 September 2025] (This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution, Diversity, and Conservation of Herpetofauna: Second Edition)  Simple Summary: The genus Boulenophrys is a diverse group of Megophryinae found in southeastern Asia and southern China. In 2023, B. hengshanensis was described from Mt. Hengshan, Hunan Province, South-central China. However, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we found that the type specimens of recently described species B. hengshanensis actually included specimens of two species. Hence, we revised the description and diagnosis of B. hengshanensis based on the holotype (HUNL 0706000A), the female paratype (HUNL 1997:6–17), and nine newly collected specimens provided in this study, and described the other species from Mt. Hengshan as B. gutu sp. nov. | ||||||
| 2:25p | [Botany • 2025] Vanilla baosangii (Orchidaceae: Vanilloideae) • A New Species from the Central Highlands of southern Vietnam
Abstract Vanilla baosangii discovered in the Central Highlands of southern Vietnam (Don Duong District, Lam Dong Province), is described and illustrated. In floral morphology the new species is similar to Vanilla siamensis and V. tiendatii in having hairs on the apex of the epichile and hairy column. However, it differs from V. siamensis in fewer, but densely arranged, flattened, often forked hairs on median lip lobe, a verruculose surface between the hairy epichle and bunch of scales, two warty keels forming a groove inside the claw, lip side-lobes surface with four to five distinct verruculose lines, lateral wings of clinandrium prominent, semi-circular, and anther cap ca. 4 mm long, with 2 forward curved horns. From V. tiendatii the new species differs in having larger elliptic leaves 18–26 cm long, an inflorescence bearing up to 25 flowers, lip apex with a group of fat branched hairs 4–7 mm long, and column with dense long hairs at apex, much longer than those in the basal half. According to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria V. baosangii is assessed as a Critically Endangered. An identification key to all species to Vanilla known in Vietnam is provided, based on recent taxonomic treatments. Flora of Vietnam, Miguelia, Orchid, plant diversity, plant endemism, plant geography, plant taxonomy, Vanilloideae, Monocots     Vanilla baosangii sp. nov. MINH QUAN DANG, LEONID V. AVERYANOV, TATIANA V. MAISAK, THI THUY NHAN TRAN, VAN CANH NGUYEN, VAN SON DANG, HUU DUC HUYNH, TRUONG GIANG NGUYEN, QUANG TAM TRUONG, BA VUONG TRUONG. 2025. Vanilla baosangii (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae), A New Species from the Central Highlands of southern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 718(1); 59-66. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.718.1.6 [2025-09-16] facebook.com/SangLoc58/posts/31394524340192884 | ||||||
| 3:01p | [Herpetology • 2025] Taxonomic Status of Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in: Steindachner, 1867 with Notes on Coryphophylax subcristatus (Blyth, “1860” 1861)
Abstract The insular agamid genus Coryphophylax Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867, is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. These diurnal lizards are currently represented by two putative species, Coryphophylax subcristatus (Blyth, “1860” 1861) and Coryphophylax brevicauda Harikrishnan, Vasudevan, Chandramouli, Choudhury, Dutta & Das, 2012. The species C. subcristatus is said to be distributed through the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, even across the Ten Degree Channel, which is a recognised biogeographic barrier. A reassessment of the taxonomy of C. subcristatus shows the population south of the Ten Degree Channel, for which the nomen Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867 is available, to be distinct. The results are based on morphological data from museum material, including type specimens and mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences. The members of the genus Coryphophylax are abundant and widespread across the islands and may serve as an illuminating example for studying the patterns of colonization and diversification across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867
Zeeshan A. Mirza, Saunak Pal, Tejas Thackeray, Harshil Patel and Aaron M. Bauer. 2025. Taxonomic Status of Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in: Steindachner, 1867 with Notes on Coryphophylax subcristatus (Blyth, “1860” 1861) PeerJ. 13:e19841. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19841 [September 19, 2025] |
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