[Herpetology • 2026] Scinax divae, S. galacticus & S. guapore • A Taxonomic Revision of Scinax nebulosus (Anura: Hylidae) with the Revalidation of Scinax cynocephalus and the Description of Three New Species

Scinax nebulosus (Spix, 1824) from Curionópolis municipality, Pará state, Brazil
(A-C) Scinax divae sp. nov. from Ipú municipality, Ceará state, Brazil,
(D-F) S. galacticus sp. nov. from Alter do Chão, Santarém municipality, Pará state, Brazil, 
(G-I) S. guapore sp. nov. from Cotriguaçu municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil 

 Ramos, Fouquet, Roberto, Perez, Ferrão, De Carvalho, Almeida, Gordo, Dantas, Chaparro, De Moura & Ávila, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.26059 

 Abstract  

The Spix's snouted treefrog Scinax nebulosus is one of 13 recognised species in the Scinax rostratus group, distributed from the Guiana region through eastern and southwestern Amazonia to north-eastern Brazil. Previous molecular studies identified up to five evolutionary lineages, raising taxonomic uncertainties. Here, we integrate mitochondrial (16S rRNA, n = 121), morphological (n = 587), and bioacoustic (n = 335) data to test species boundaries within the S. nebulosus complex. DNA-based delimitation recovered seven operational taxonomic units (OTUs), six of which were supported by morphological and bioacoustic evidence and thus recognised as confirmed candidate species (CCS). Two OTUs correspond to the nominal species S. nebulosus and S. constrictus. The lineage from the Guiana region corresponds to Scinax cynocephalus (Hyla cynocephala), which we resurrect from synonymy with S. nebulosus. The remaining three CCS are described as new species, being one from the northern portion of north-eastern Brazil, another from the Xingu-Tapajós interfluve and the region north of the lower River Amazon, and another from southwestern Brazilian and Bolivian Amazonia. Given acoustic divergence among populations from north-eastern Brazil, we suspect the existence of additional species or introgression, which deserves further investigation using genomic data and finer-scale phenotypic examination.

KEYWORDS: cryptic diversity, Integrative taxonomy, Neotropics, Scinax rostratus group, Scinaxini

Specimens of Scinax nebulosus from Curionópolis municipality, Pará state, Brazil (L2, A-C), S. constrictus from Barra do Garças municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil (L3, D-F) and S. cynocephalus from Sipaliwini district, Suriname (L5, G-I) in life.

Scinax nebulosus (Spix, 1824) (L2)

Scinax constrictus (Lima et al., 2005) (L3)

Scinax cynocephalus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) stat. rev. (L5)

Specimens of Scinax divae sp. nov. from Ipú municipality, Ceará state, Brazil (L1 E, A-C), S. galacticus sp. nov. from Alter do Chão, Santarém municipality, Pará state, Brazil (L6, D-F) and S. guapore sp. nov. from Cotriguaçu municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil (L7, G-I) in life.

 

Scinax divae sp. nov. (L1 East)

Etymology: The specific epithet divae is a noun in the genitive case and a matronym for the herpetologist Diva Maria Borges Nojosa, honouring her pioneering work with the herpetofauna of the brejos-de-altitude, humid highland in the state of Ceará. It also recognises her role as the director of the Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará (NUROF-UFC), where she made significant contributions to the formation of numerous herpetologists throughout her career as a professor at the institution.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 23.9-31.0 mm, x̄ = 26.3 ± 1.5 in males and 28.3-40.0 mm, x̄ = 35.3 ± 3.1 in females; males have a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or nearly acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being rounded (Ch.3.0), nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding (Ch.3.2) in lateral view; females have a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded head (Ch.1.1) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or nearly acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding ...

 

Scinax galacticus sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet galacticus is formed from the Latin (galactic + Latin adjectival suffix –us), derived from the Greek ‘γάλα’, ‘γάλακτος’ (gála, gálaktos = ‘milk’), meaning ‘galaxy’ or ‘pertaining to a galaxy’. The name is treated as an adjective and refers to the pattern of blotches covering almost the entire inner surface of the thighs and the heavily speckled ventral pattern observed in some specimens, resembling a starry sky.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 21.9-32.4 mm, x̄ = 26.4 ± 2.3 in males and 30.8-40.7 mm, x̄ = 35.9 ± 3.3 in females; males have a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded snout in dorsal view (Ch.2.0), being rounded (Ch.3.0) or nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) in lateral view; females have a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded (Ch.1.1) head with a rounded snout (Ch.2.0) in dorsal view, being rounded (Ch.3.0) or nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) in lateral view; nostrils not prominent in dorsal view (Ch.4.0); pointed tubercle on the snout absent (Ch.5.0) or slight (Ch.5.1) not forming a small proboscis; conical process on the heel indistinct (Ch.12.0) or small (Ch.12.1); females with a compound pectoral fold ...

Scinax guapore sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet guapore is a noun in apposition and a toponym referring to the River Guaporé, one of the main watercourses in the region where the new species occurs. This river also marks the border between Brazil and Bolivia. The name originates from Tupi-Guarani and probably means ‘deserted valley’ or ‘river with waterfalls’.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 21.3-29.2 mm, x̄ = 25.8 ± 1.9 in males and 31.0-36.3 mm, x̄ = 33.5 ± 2.1 in females; males with a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being protruding (Ch.3.2) or acute (Ch.3.3) in lateral view; females with a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded (Ch.1.1) head with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding (Ch.3.2) in lateral view; nostrils prominent in ...

 

Antônio R.L. Ramos, Antoine Fouquet, Igor J. Roberto, Renata Perez, Miquéias Ferrão, Vinícius T. De Carvalho, Alexandre P. Almeida, Marcelo Gordo, Silionamã P. Dantas, Juan C. Chaparro, Geraldo J.B. De Moura and Robson W. Ávila. 2026. A Taxonomic Revision of Scinax nebulosus (Anura: Hylidae) with the Revalidation of Scinax cynocephalus and the Description of Three New Species. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 75 (26059), 26059.1-37. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.26059 (29 September 2026)

[Herpetology • 2026] Ololygon cataguas • A New Species of Ololygon (Anura: Hylidae) from the Zona Da Mata Region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

 

Ololygon cataguas

 Folly, Assis, Santana, Lacerda, Lourenço & Feio, 2026

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00007 

 Abstract  

We describe a new species of Ololygon from the Ololygon catharinae species group. Ololygon sp. nov. is known only from the Atlantic Forest of Cataguases municipality, Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais state, southeast Brazil. The new species of treefrog is characterized by the combination of the following characters: medium size (male snout–vent length [SVL] 21.7–24.7 mm, female SVL 27.1–33.8 mm); snout rounded with mucronate tip in dorsal view; males with vocal slits present; vocal sac not expanded externally; interocular region with a w-shaped blotch not exceeding beyond the anterior margin of tympanic level; males with hypertrophied forearms; dorsal portion of the iris homogeneously pigmented; males with nuptial pads protruding; males with a developed pair of inguinal glands; in life, inguinal region and hidden surfaces of thigh with irregular dark brown spots on a white or slightly bluish background; in life, overall night coloration beige in males; call duration of 0.17–0.45 s; call composed of 4–10 notes; note duration of 3–28 ms; note emission rate of 16.8–32.5 notes per second; notes composed of 2–14 pulses; call with a dominant frequency of 2.67–4.56 kHz. We also show data about its habitat, natural history, and conservation and suggest a new diagnostic character for some species belonging to the Ololygon species.

KEYWORDS: Atlantic forest, bioacoustics, Scinaxini, taxonomy

Live topotypical specimens of Ololygon cataguas sp. nov.:
(A, B, C) males and (D) female. (E) Recently killed male.

Photos: C.L. Assis and H. Folly.

Ololygon cataguas sp. nov.

Etymology.—“Cataguas” refers to an indigenous ethnic group that lived in the forests of the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais. Furthermore, the municipality where the type series was collected is called Cataguases. The name is used here as a noun in apposition.

 

 

Henrique Folly, Clodoaldo L. Assis, Diego J. Santana, João V. A. Lacerda, Ana Carolina C. Lourenço and Renato N. Feio. 2026. A New Species of Ololygon (Anura: Hylidae) from the Zona Da Mata Region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Herpetologica. 82(1); 241-256. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00007  (30 September 2026) 

[Herpetology • 2026] Excidobates perplexus • Tiny Jewels of the Forest: A New and Endangered Species of Excidobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from southeastern Ecuador

Excidobates perplexus

Sánchez-Nivicela, Falcón-Reibán, Lituma, Fajardo-Torres, Urgiles, Apunte-Ramos & Ron, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.2.2

 instagram.com/jaime.f.torres

Abstract

Poison dart frogs are one of the most studied and charismatic groups of amphibians, yet diversity within small and geographically restricted genera such as Excidobates remains incompletely understood. Until recently, this genus was known to comprise only three species distributed across the eastern mountain ranges of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Here, we describe a new species represented by two populations in southern Ecuador: one from the eastern slopes of the Andes and another from north of Cordillera del Cóndor. The new species is more closely related to Excidobates mysteriosus, from which it differs by a genetic distance of 2.7–3.5% (16S rRNA gene) and markedly distinctive morphology such as 15.1–18.3 mm on snout-vent length and strongly granular skin. The two populations of the new species differ markedly in color from each other and from E. mysteriosus: scarlet red mottled dorsal coloration on a black background and a red-orange and black reticulated venter in the Central Andean Cordillera population, and green dorsal coloration with inconspicuous yellow spots and a yellow and black reticulated venter in the Cordillera del Cóndor population. Its advertisement call has 24–26 pulses, dominant frequency 4781.3–5062.5 Hz, and 0.51–0.56 s duration. The two populations are separated by 65 km, inhabit different forest types and have a genetic distance of 0.6–0.7%. Despite the marked color and habitat differences, the combined evidence indicates that the two populations represent polymorphic variants of the same species. Because the new species faces severe and imminent threats, including large and medium-scale mining, hydroelectric development, and illegal wildlife trade, we propose to assign it to the Red List category as Critically Endangered. Our findings highlight the rich but still underestimated amphibian diversity of the southeastern Ecuadorian Andes and underscore the urgent need for conservation actions in these regions.

Amphibia, Andes, conservation, Ecuador, phylogeny, taxonomy

  

 

Excidobates perplexus sp. nov. 

JUAN C. SÁNCHEZ-NIVICELA, JOSÉ M. FALCÓN-REIBÁN, MICHELLE CABRERA LITUMA, JAIME D. FAJARDO-TORRES, VERÓNICA L. URGILES, KATHERINE APUNTE-RAMOS, SANTIAGO R. RON. 2026. Tiny Jewels of the Forest: A New and Endangered Species of Excidobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from southeastern Ecuador.  Zootaxa. 5886(2); 193-217. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.2.2 [2026-10-02]

 instagram.com/jaime.f.torres/p/DeANVImH52N/

[Herpetology • 2026] Southern Philippine Forest Frogs (Anura; Ceratobatrachidae: Platymantis) confused with P. dorsalis: Validation and Resurrection of P. jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920), and Description of A New Species: Platymantis habagatan

 

Platymantis jagorii (Peters, 1863);   P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920); 

Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan

Pitogo, Hoskins, Tesfazion, Meneses, Cannon, Supsup, Decena, Sanguila & Brown, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5884.2.3  

  facebook.com/KierPitogo14

 

Abstract

Terrestrial ground frogs of the genus Platymantis exhibit conserved external morphology, resulting in long-standing taxonomic uncertainty concerning the identity of purportedly widespread populations. One such case involves the broad application of the name Platymantis dorsalis (Duméril, 1853) (subgenus Lupacolus; a northern and central Philippine species) to terrestrial ground frogs in the archipelago’s southern Mindanao biogeographic region. In the southern Philippines, earlier names historically applied to Mindanao faunal region populations were later placed in synonymy with P. dorsalis. Here, we re-evaluate the taxonomic status of terrestrial Platymantis populations from the Mindanao biogeographic region, incorporating phylogenetic, morphological, and acoustic data derived from three decades of field-based natural history observations and specimen collections. Our analyses demonstrate that southern populations presently referred to P. dorsalis in the southern Philippines form three distinct evolutionary lineages, are quite distantly related to P. dorsalis (subgenus Lupacolus), and two of which actually fall into a different subgenus (Lahatnanguri). These lineages exhibit pronounced morphological disparity and acoustic divergence from one another (and, unsurprisingly, from P. dorsalis), supporting their recognition as distinct species. Based on accompanying morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic data presented here, we therefore resurrect P. (Lahatnanguri) jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. (Lupacolus) laticeps (Taylor, 1920) from the synonymy of P. dorsalis and describe a new cryptic species, Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan sp. nov. This taxonomic clarification resolves a prolonged misapplication of the name P. dorsalis to populations on Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Biliran, Basilan, Camiguin Sur, Dinagat, and Siargao islands and provides a long-overdue framework for future systematics and conservation assessments of Philippine terrestrial ground frogs, particularly those from the southern portions of the archipelago.

Amphibia, Mindanao, amphibians, taxonomy, Lahatnanguri, Lupacolus, Platymantis dorsalis, adaptive radiation

P. (Lahatnanguri) jagorii (Peters, 1863) 

P. (Lupacolus) laticeps (Taylor, 1920)

Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan sp. nov. 

KIER MITCHEL E. PITOGO, KREW HOSKINS, FABEN HANA TESFAZION, CAMILA G. MENESES, HAYDEN W. CANNON, CHRISTIAN E. SUPSUP, SYRUS CESAR P. DECENA, MARITES B. SANGUILA and RAFE M. BROWN. 2026. Southern Philippine Forest Frogs (Anura; Ceratobatrachidae: Platymantis) confused with P. dorsalis: Validation and Resurrection of P. jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920), and  Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 5884(2); 271-300. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5884.2.3 [2026-09-28]

  facebook.com/KierPitogo14/posts/29137023565890106

 x.com/kieralreefs/status/2104365976540315669

   

[Entomology • 2024] Tembelingiola biaculeata, T. kabili & Pteroplistes silam • New Species of little-known Crickets from the Subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera: Grylloidea) from Sabah and Contribution to their Bioacoustics

  

Tembelingiola biaculeata Tan, Gorochov & Robillard,

in Tan, Gorochov, Japir, Chung et Robillard, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5506.2.3 

 sabaes.sabah.gov.my

Abstract

Recent fieldwork in eastern Sabah led to the discovery of new little-known crickets from the subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea). Three new species are described: Tembelingiola biaculeata sp. nov. and Tembelingiola kabili sp. nov. from Sepilok; Pteroplistes silam sp. nov. from Mount Silam. Previously, the calling song of only one species of Pteroplistinae was known. Here, the calling songs of the three new species, as well as that of Pteroplistes lagrecai Gorochov, 2004, are also described for the first time. Therefore, distinctive calling songs for five species and three genera of Pteroplistinae are presently known.

Orthoptera, Borneo, calling song, Pteroplistes, Southeast Asia, sympatry, Tembelingiola

Tembelingiola biaculeata sp. nov. 

Tembelingiola kabili sp. nov. from Sepilok

Pteroplistes silam sp. nov. from Mount Silam.

Ming Kai TAN, ANDREI GOROCHOV, RAZY JAPIR, ARTHUR Y.C. CHUNG and TONY ROBILLARD. 2024. New Species of little-known Crickets from the Subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) from Sabah and Contribution to their Bioacoustics.  Zootaxa. 5506(2); 205-226. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5506.2.3 [2024-09-06] 

 sabaes.sabah.gov.my/resource/research-publication/25

[Entomology • 2026] Hexacentrus bidentatus & H. nanlingensis • Two New Species of the Genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Hexacentrinae) from China

Hexacentrus nanlingensis  

Ren, Xiong, Zhang & Shi, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.8

 Abstract

This paper reports two new species of the genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 from Guangxi and Guangdong, China, i.e. Hexacentrus bidentatus sp. nov. and Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov. In addition, morphological characters and ecological photographs are provided. The male calling songs are also presented for both new species and Hexacentrus expansus Wang & Shi, 2005 for the first time.

Orthoptera, Hexacentrus, new species, bioacoustics, Guangxi, Guangdong, China

Lateral habitus of Hexacentrus spp.:
A, C, E. H. bidentatus sp. nov.: A. female; C, E. male;
B, H. H. nanlingensis sp. nov.: B. female; H. male;
D. H. expansus Wang & Shi, 2005 (male); F. H. formosanus Chen & He, 2021(male). 

A–B. Hexacentrus expansus Wang & Shi, 2005;
C–D. Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov.

(Photographed by Tao Zhang).

Hexacentrus bidentatus sp. nov. 

Hexacentrus nanlingensis sp. nov. 

 

BINGYU REN, ZIJIAN XIONG, TAO ZHANG and FUMING SHI. 2266. Two New Species of the genus Hexacentrus Serville, 1831 (Tettigoniidae: Hexacentrinae) from China.  Zootaxa. 5862(2); 347-358. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.8 [2026-08-05]

[Herpetology • 2026] Gracixalus damingshanensis • A New Species of Gracixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Damingshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China

 

 Gracixalus damingshanensis 

Chen & Li, 2026  

大明山纤树蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186426 

 Photographs by Wei-Cai Chen.

Abstract

A new species of Gracixalus is described from central Guangxi, China. Gracixalus damingshanensis sp. nov. resembles G. jinxiuensis, G. huaping, and G. liusanjieae, but differs from all known congeners by a combination of morphological, molecular, and acoustic characters. Diagnostic characters include SVL 27.3–32.3 mm in males (n = 4) and 32.4–40.1 mm in females (n = 3); rough dorsal skin with scattered tubercles; grayish ventral surfaces with light brown spotting; fingers without webbing; white tubercles along the margins of the upper and lower jaws and on the limbs; absence of vomerine teeth; tibiotarsal articulation reaching the middle of the eye; granular skin on the throat, chest, and belly; heels not meeting when the thighs are held at right angles to the body; a distinct nuptial pad on Finger I; a single internal subgular vocal sac with paired oval openings bordered by gray rims; a golden-brown iris; and advertisement calls containing 2–5 notes. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences recovered the new species as a distinct lineage sister to the clade comprising G. jinxiuensis and G. huaping. The species is currently known only from evergreen and bamboo forests above 900 m a.s.l. in Damingshan National Nature Reserve.

Key Words: Bioacoustics, morphology, phylogeny, shrub frogs, taxonomy

 

Holotype (NNU202103010) of Gracixalus damingshanensis sp. nov.
 A. Dorsal view; B. Dorsolateral view; C. Ventral view; D. Ventral view of right hand; E. Nuptial pad on Finger I; F. Ventral view of left foot. Photographs by Wei-Cai Chen.

Color variation among paratypes of Gracixalus damingshanensis sp. nov. 
 A1, A2. Dorsal and ventral views of male NNU202103008;
B1, B2. Dorsal and ventral views of male NNU202103009;
C1, C2. Dorsal and ventral views of male NNU202103011;
D1, D2. Dorsal and ventral views of female NNU202103007.

 Photographs by Wei-Cai Chen.

Gracixalus damingshanensis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. Gracixalus damingshanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) SVL 27.3–32.3 mm in males (n = 4) and 32.4–40.1 mm in females (n = 3); (2) dorsal surface rough, with scattered tubercles; (3) throat, chest, and ventral surface grayish with light brown spotting; (4) fingers without webbing; (5) white tubercles along the margins of the upper and lower jaws and on limb surfaces; (6) vomerine teeth absent; (7) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the middle of the eye; (8) skin of throat, chest, and ...

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘damingshanensis’ refers to Damingshan National Nature Reserve in Nanning, Guangxi, China, where the species was discovered. We propose “Damingshan Tree Frog” as the English common name and “Dà Míng Shān Xiān Shù Wā“ (大明山纤树蛙) as the Chinese common name.

Wei-Cai Chen and Peng Li. 2026. A New Species of Gracixalus (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Damingshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(4): 989-1003. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186426 

[Herpetology • 2026] Isthmohyla nacientes • A New Species of Stream-Breeding Isthmohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Costa Rica

 

Isthmohyla nacientes  

Chaves-Acuña, Abarca, Navarro-Picado, Hidalgo-Mora, Ureña-Chaves, Valverde-Castillo, Chaves, Bolaños & Faivovich, 2026

   

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024066 

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

We describe a new species of the Isthmohyla tica group that occurs along the montane regions of the central Pacific of Costa Rica, between 1,400 and 2,000 masl. Although the new species is the sister taxon of a clade including an unde-scribed species and I. rivularis, it is more similar to I. tica. However, the new species can be distinguished because the flanks have scattered, distinct, round and irregular dark blotches or spots and because the advertisement call is comprised by a single, tonal note, typically emitted singly or in series, at dominant frequencies of 4,048–4,909 Hz, with a duration of 10–50 ms. The new species exhibits a broad acoustic repertoire composed of advertisement, release, and courtship calls, with the latter being emitted underwater. We discuss our findings with respect to adult and larval morphology, reproductive biology, and bioacoustics of the I. tica group.

Isthmohyla nacientes in life.
 (A) Holotype (UCR 24345), dorsal coloration at night. (B) Lateral view of male paratype (UCR 24367). (C) Ventral view of male paratype (UCR 24367), showing orange coloration on the hidden and ventral surfaces of the thighs and shank. (D) Male paratype (UCR 23770) showing bilobate, translucent vocal sac. (E) Lateral view of female paratype (UCR 24368).

Photos: B, C, and E by Gabriel Ureña

Isthmohyla nacientes, new species  

 

Etymology.—The specific epithet “nacientes” refers to the crucial role of headwaters and springs (nacientes in Spanish) in the habitat and life cycle of the new species and its stream-breeding congeners. This name highlights the species’ association with aquatic environments, particularly the springs found in its range, acknowledging the ecological significance of these water sources.

Wagner Chaves-Acuña, Juan Abarca, Jonathan Navarro-Picado, Esteban Hidalgo-Mora, Marilyn Ureña-Chaves, Alejandro Valverde-Castillo, Gerardo Chaves, Federico Bolaños and Julián Faivovich. 2026. A New Species of Stream-Breeding Isthmohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Costa Rica. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 114(2); 337-356. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024066 (3 July 2026) x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/2076689784525717838

  

We describe a new species of the Isthmohyla tica group that occurs along the montane regions of the central Pacific of Costa Rica, between 1,400 and 2,000 masl. Although the new species is the sister taxon of a clade including an undescribed species and I. rivularis, it is more similar to I. tica. However, the new species can be distinguished because the flanks have scattered, distinct, round and irregular dark blotches or spots and because the advertisement call is comprised by a single, tonal note, typically emitted singly or in series, at dominant frequencies of 4,048–4,909 Hz, with a duration of 10–50 ms. The new species exhibits a broad acoustic repertoire composed of advertisement, release, and courtship calls, with the latter being emitted underwater. We discuss our findings with respect to adult and larval morphology, reproductive biology, and bioacoustics of the I. tica group.

[Herpetology • 2026] Allobates tanaru • The First Chlorotic Species of the Superfamily Dendrobatoidea: A New Nurse Frog of the Allobates albiventris Complex (Anura: Aromobatidae) with remarkably greenish hatchlings from Brazilian Amazonia

 Allobates tanaru 

Dantas, Ferrão, Cunha-Machado & Lima, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.3099/0006-9698-579.1.1

 Abstract -

While many frogs around the world have blue-green tissues because of the accumulation of a pigment called biliverdin, this had never been observed in nurse or poison frogs until now. In this study, we describe a new species of nurse frog from southwestern Amazonia that breaks new ground in Neotropical amphibian taxonomy: It is the first chlorotic species—with greenish hatchlings—ever recorded in the large superfamily Dendrobatoidea. Previously lumped within Allobates albiventris, integrative taxonomy reveals it as a distinct species, supported by a set of morphological and bioacoustic traits. It differs from most of its congeners by a call consisting of a pair of notes emitted in a single exhalation; males with lateral expansions on fingers II and III, and a white vocal sac covered with melanophores; dark brown oocytes, hatchlings with greenish yolk, and tadpoles with two or three short, pyramidal papillae distributed in a single row on each lateral margin of the anterior lip. Beyond its diagnostic features, this discovery is notable because chlorotic tissues were previously unknown in Dendrobatoidea, a superfamily with more than 350 species known for its terrestrial habitat, territoriality, carrying behavior, and nonchlorotic adults. The distinctive greenish hue seen in embryos of certain species, particularly in the new Allobates, may serve as an adaptation for predator avoidance, and it also highlights the ecological plasticity and morphological diversity within the genus. This opens fresh avenues to study the ecological, evolutionary, and developmental significance of biliverdin in frogs using a lineage wherein the biology contrasts with classic model species.

KEYWORDS: biodiversity, chlorosis, Integrative taxonomy, Madeira River, new species, species delimitation

Color in life of adults of Allobates tanaru sp. nov.
(A–C) Female, INPA-H 45548, SVL 17.4 mm. (D–F) Female, MPEG 45484, SVL 17.5 mm.
(G, I) Male, INPA-H 45552, SVL 17.0 mm. (H) Female, INPA-H 45549, SVL 16.9 mm.
(J–L) Male, INPA-H 45554, SVL 15.8 mm.

Allobates tanaru sp. nov. Dantas, Ferrão & Lima

  

Etymology: The specific epithet tanaru is a noun in apposition and honors the indigenous Tanaru, known in Portuguese as Índio Tanaru and Índio do Buraco (Indigenous Tanaru and Indigenous of the Hole, respectively). Tanaru died on 23 August 2022; he was the last representative individual of a poorly known ethnic group that lived in Rondônia, Brazil. His people were exterminated by gunmen at the behest of illegal loggers in 1995. After that, Tanaru lived isolated for almost 30 years in the Tanaru Indigenous Land, located in the southeast Rondônia, approximately 700 km from Rondônia's capital. Because the Tanaru Indigenous Land does not have a consolidated land demarcation and is surrounded by agricultural farms, the land suffers continuous threats and attacks, some of which started just some days after Tanaru's death. The indigenous Txai Suruí, from the Suruí ethnic group, said: “Known for his solitude, Tanaru resisted the contact with non-indigenous people until his last days after so much trauma and violence. His territory must continue to represent resistance and must be preserved and cared for, becoming a permanent conservation area.”

Vernacular names: Tanaru's nurse frog (English),
Rana Cuidadora de Tanaru (Spanish),
Rãzinha Cuidadora do Tanaru (Portuguese).

Diagnosis: A nurse frog Allobates characterized by the following combination of characters. Small-bodied species, SVL 14.1–17.0 mm (n = 18) in males and 16.9–18.2 mm (n = 9) in females; granular dorsal skin; one subarticular tubercle on finger IV; tip of finger IV reaches the distal phalanx of finger III; cream dorsum with contrasting brown marks; dorsolateral stripe present; conspicuous ventrolateral line absent; translucent-white vocal sac; white ventral surface in males; white chest and belly in females; and dorsal surface of fingers brown. Advertisement calls characterized by the emission of two notes in a single exhalation; with a call duration of 64 ± 4 ms (57–69 ms); first note (18 ± 2 ms; 16–22 ms) shorter than the second (27 ± 2 ms; 24–32 ms); an intercall interval of 275 ± 24 ms (220–309 ms); an intercall-series interval 854 ± 123 ms (645–1,118 ms); and a dominant frequency of 5,518 ± 200 Hz (5,168–5,879 Hz). Hatchlings with greenish yolk. Exotrophic tadpoles with an oral disc; labial keratodont row formula 2(2)/3(1); 13–15 pyramidal and cylindrical papillae on posterior labium; three pyramidal papillae at each end of the posterior labium; cylindrical papillae on the central portion of posterior labium; posterior labium length formulae P-I = P-II > P-III; and light-brown melanophores on tail and fins not forming blotches or spots.

Coloration of freshly laid eggs (A), embryos (B), and hatchlings (C) of  Allobates tanaru sp. nov.

 

 

Silionamã Pereira Dantas, Miquéias Ferrão, Antônio Saulo Cunha-Machado and Albertina Pimentel Lima. 2026. The First Chlorotic Species of the Superfamily Dendrobatoidea: A New Nurse Frog of the Allobates albiventris Complex (Anura, Aromobatidae) with remarkably greenish hatchlings from Brazilian Amazonia. Breviora. 579 (1), 1-35. DOI: doi.org/10.3099/0006-9698-579.1.1 (8 July 2026) 

[Herpetology • 2026] Dendropsophus liliae • A New Species of Dendropsophus (Anura: Hylidae) of the D. ruschii group from the Atlantic Forest in Serra da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Dendropsophus liliae

Santana, Shepard, Carvalho, Müller, Assis & Feio, 2026 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0351087 

 

Abstract

The Dendropsophus ruschii species group currently comprises two species with disjunct distributions between the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon. Based on an integrative approach combining morphological, acoustic, and molecular data (mtDNA barcoding), we describe a new species from the Serra da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dendropsophus liliae sp. nov. is diagnosed by its small size, rounded digital discs, presence of a calcar appendage, dark red iris, and a distinct white stripe from the snout to the upper eyelid. This discovery expands the known diversity of the group and represents its most inland record within the Atlantic Forest.

Live specimens of Dendropsophus liliae sp. nov. from Serra do Brigadeiro (type locality).
 (A) Holotype adult male (MZUFV20707), (B) paratype adult male (ZUFMS-AMP7816), (C–F) unvouchered adult males.

Photographs by D.J. Santana (A–B) and C.L. Assis (C–F).

Published under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Dendropsophus liliae sp. nov.  

   

Diagnosis.—We assigned the new species to the genus Dendropsophus and to the D. ruschii species group based on phylogenetic results (see Results below). In addition, the new species morphologically resembles other species of the D. ruschii group, especially D. ruschii, which exhibit white marks on the head and flanks. Dendropsophus liliae sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners within the D. ruschii group by the combination of the following features: (1) small size, adult males 16.0–19.5 mm SVL; (2) dominant frequency of the advertisement call from 6030 to 6630 Hz; (3) rounded discs on fingers and toes; (4) presence of sparse small granules on the dorsum; (5) presence of a calcar appendage; (6) eyes dark red; (7) overall dorsal coloration brown; (8) nuptial pad poorly developed; (9) wide head HW/SVL = 0.30–0.34; (10) a well-marked white line running from the posterior edge of the upper eyelid to the tip of the snout.

Etymology.— The specific epithet liliae is a patronym honoring Prof. Lília Maria Fraga Tostes (in memoriam) for her extensive contributions to biology education, her friendship, and her mentorship of DJS during his undergraduate studies. Prof. Lília, affectionately known as “Lilinha,” was a dear friend and a charismatic teacher widely known by the citizens of Muriaé, Minas Gerais (the hometown of DJS). Her kindness and charisma inspired many students to pursue careers in the biological sciences, and several of her former students are now professors who continue to carry her lessons forward.

 

Diego J. Santana, Donald B. Shepard, Priscila S. Carvalho, Márcia M. P. Müller, Clodoaldo L. Assis and Renato N. Feio. 2026. A New Species of Dendropsophus (Anura, Hylidae) of the D. ruschii group from the Atlantic Forest in Serra da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais, Brazil. PLoS One. 21(6): e0351087. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0351087 [June 23, 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Montana tomorri & M. dani • Two New Species of Bush-crickets (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from the Mountains of south Albania

 

(A–D) Montana tomorri and (G–H) Montana dani 

Puskás, Lemonnier-Darcemont, Willemse, Chobanov, Heller, Halimi, Darcemont, Kotitsa& Szövényi, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.2.3

Abstract

Two new taxa of Platycleidini have been discovered in southern Albania, with one of them extending its range to the Greek border. In this paper, we analyse their morphological features, the characteristics of their acoustic signals, and phylogenetic relationships. These taxa clearly belong to the cluster of species comprising the four genera Montana, Amedegnatiana, Parnassiana, and Metrioptera s. str. The results of this study suggest their placement within the genus Montana, and we describe two new species: Montana tomorri sp. nov. and Montana dani sp. nov. Our findings highlight the urgent need for a reassessment of the tribe Platycleidini using integrative approaches that incorporate molecular and bioacoustic data, in order to better understand monophyletic groups and evaluate the consistency of current generic classifications.

Orthoptera, balkans, mountain endemism, Platycleidini, bioacoustics, phylogeny

habitus and colour variation of Montana tomorri sp. nov. from Tomorr Mt. (A–D) 

 

habitus and colour variation of M. dani sp. nov. from Trebeshina Mt. (E–H).

GELLÉRT PUSKÁS, MICHÈLE LEMONNIER-DARCEMONT, LUC WILLEMSE, DRAGAN CHOBANOV, KLAUS-GERHARD HELLER, ELTJON HALIMI, CHRISTIAN DARCEMONT, NEFELI KOTITSA, GERGELY SZÖVÉNYI. 2026. Montana tomorri and Montana dani (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), Two New Species of Bush-crickets from the Mountains of south Albania. Zootaxa. 5828(2); 225-255. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.2.3 [2026-06-09]

[Entomology • 2026] Varitrella sulu & V. alternata • New Species and Bioacoustics of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) from Sulu Archipelago and Borneo’s Sabah

 

Varitrella (Cantotrella) sulu Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, 

in Haibil, Nuñeza, Damit, Japir, Chung et Tan, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.1.4 

facebook.com: Arthur CHUNG 

 

Abstract

Two new species of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) are described from Sulu Archipelago: Varitrella (Cantotrella) sulu Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. and Varitrella (Cantotrella) alternata Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. The calling songs of Varitrella (Cantotrella) sulu Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. and Varitrella (Cantotrella) trusmadi Gorochov, 2014 are also described.

Orthoptera, Calling songs, East Malaysia, Philippines, Podoscirtini, Southeast Asia

Varitrella (Cantotrella) sulu Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. 

Varitrella (Cantotrella) alternata Haibil, Nuñeza & Tan, sp. nov. 

HELEN H. HAIBIL, OLGA MACAS NUÑEZA, DAYANG FAZRINAH BINTI AWG DAMIT, RAZY JAPIR, ARTHUR Y.C. CHUNG and MING KAI TAN. 2026. New Species and Bioacoustics of Varitrella (Cantotrella) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) from Sulu Archipelago and Borneo’s Sabah.  Zootaxa. 5821(1); 61-77. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.1.4 [2026-05-28]

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