[Botany • 2026] Primula panzhouensis (Primulaceae) • Phylogeny and Comparative chloroplast Genomics reveal A rare New short-styled homostylous Species from southwestern China

 

Primula panzhouensis Z.K.Wu,   

in Ye, Liu, Guo, Deng, Zhou et Wu, 2026. 

盘州报春  |  DOI: doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1934280

Abstract

Based on comparative chloroplast genomes (cp genomes) and phylogenetic analyses integrated with morphological evidence, this study investigated the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships of an extremely rare short-styled homostylous lineage of Primula from southwestern China, providing new molecular insights into the delimitation of this complex group. Complete cp genomes were sequenced and comparatively analyzed for one putative new taxon, Primula panzhouensis, and 15 representative samples within Sect. Petiolares from southwestern China. The cp genome characteristics, simple sequence repeat (SSR) patterns, codon usage bias, inverted repeat (IR) boundary variations, and nucleotide diversity patterns were systematically evaluated. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses were conducted based on complete cp genome sequences, and an integrative taxonomic assessment was performed by combining cp genomic evidence with morphological comparisons. All 16 cp genomes exhibited a typical quadripartite structure, with genome sizes ranging from 151,076 to 153,420 bp. The overall cp genome structure and gene composition were highly conserved, although interspecific variations were detected in IR boundary regions, SSR distributions, and highly variable regions, including trnH-psbA and ycf1. The sequenced cp genome of P. panzhouensis exhibited several distinctive structural features and sequence variation patterns compared with closely related taxa. ML and BI analyses consistently recovered P. panzhouensis as a distinct cp lineage within Sect. Petiolares with strong support. Morphological comparisons further demonstrated that P. panzhouensis possesses the short-styled homostyly trait and can be distinguished from related taxa by differences in floral style structure, corolla morphology, scape length, and leaf characteristics. Integrating cp genomic evidence, phylogenetic relationships, and morphological traits, our results support the recognition of P. panzhouensis as a distinct taxonomic entity, which is herein described as a new species, Primula panzhouensis Z.K.Wu, sp. nov. This study demonstrates that comparative cp genomics integrated with phylogenetic analyses can effectively assist in resolving lineage relationships and taxonomic boundaries in complex groups of Primula. It also identifies an extremely rare short-styled homostylous species, providing valuable material for further investigating the evolution of floral diversity and its potential evolutionary significance in Primula.

Keywords: chloroplast genomics, molecular phylogeny, morphological taxonomy, Primula panzhouensis, Primula sect. Petiolares, short-styled homostylous species

Primula panzhouensis Z.K.Wu, sp. nov.

 Diagnosis: The new species is morphologically similar to P. esquirolii, P. bergenioides, and P. hookeri, and all four species exhibit morphological characteristics consistent with the diagnostic features of Sect. Petiolares. It differs from P. esquirolii primarily in that the latter produces few or no new leaves during the flowering period, has a relatively long corolla tube, and bears extremely shortened scapes that are usually less than 1 cm in height or nearly absent. In addition, P. esquirolii is homostylous with long-style flowers, whereas the new species possesses a short corolla tube, well-developed scapes, and produces numerous new leaves during anthesis. Compared with the heterostylous P. bergenioides, the new species is readily ...

  Etymology: The specific epithet of the new species is taken from the Chinese Pinyin “Panzhou”, the name of the county in western Guizhou, China, where the type specimen was collected (Figure 15).

 Vernacular name: Chinese mandarin: pán zhōu bào chūn (盘州报春).

 

Qing-qing Ye, Yong-lin Liu, Ying Guo, Qiang Deng, Wei Zhou and Zhi-kun Wu. 2026. Phylogeny and Comparative chloroplast Genomics reveal A rare New short-styled homostylous Species of Primula (Primulaceae) from southwestern China. Front. Plant Sci. 17:1934280. DOI: doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1934280  [29 September 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Phylogenomic Analysis of Madagascar's Baobabs (Malvaceae: Adansonia) reveals admixed populations and supports Resurrection of a previously described species

 Approximate ranges of the six baobab species (Adansonia) of Madagascar.  

in Karimi, Grover, Wendel et Baum, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/tax.70176

 Photos: B & C, Nisa Karimi; D, Cyrille Cornu.

Abstract

Baobab trees (Adansonia) are iconic members of Madagascar's biota that serve as emblems for the island's unique biodiversity. Despite this recognition, many questions remain regarding evolutionary relationships and species limits within the genus. We used custom-designed targeted sequence capture data to obtain phased allelic sequences for hundreds of nuclear loci and plastomes. Using broad geographic sampling, representing all species in the genus, and including a few possible hybrid individuals, we reconstructed the population history of Malagasy baobabs using network inference methods to detect reticulation. We obtained a species tree that is well supported, but with clear cases of reticulation, most notably admixture between Adansonia rubrostipa and A. madagascariensis in northwestern Madagascar, and instances of introgression involving the widespread species, A. za. Analysis of exclusivity factors suggests elevating one variety of A. za to the species rank, and also raises the possibility, pending additional sampling, of splitting A. rubrostipa into two species. We discuss the implications of gene flow on species delimitation and diversification in the context of conservation efforts for these iconic and threatened trees. Given our results, we formally resurrect the species A. bozy from A. za var. bozy, thus raising the number of endemic Malagasy baobab species from six to seven.

Keywords: conservation, exclusivity factors, hybridization, introgression, phylogenetic networks, species delimitation

A, Approximate ranges of the six baobab species (Adansonia) of Madagascar. Samples analysed are indicated on the map by coloured points. Stars indicate sampled individuals of possible hybrid origin based on morphological traits that are intermediate between two currently recognized species;
B, Images of trees, flowers, and fruit for the six species of baobab endemic to Madagascar;
C, Photo of a flower of the possible A. za × A. perrieri individual; D, Photo of the putative A. rubrostipa × A. madagascariensis individual. 

 Photos: B & C, Nisa Karimi; D, Cyrille Cornu.

  

Nisa Karimi, Corrinne E. Grover, Jonathan F. Wendel and David A. Baum. 2026. Phylogenomic Analysis of Madagascar's Baobabs reveals admixed populations and supports Resurrection of a previously described species. TAXON. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/tax.70176 [12 July 2026]

[Mammalogy • 2026] Phylogenomics and Museomics reveal Five distinct Species of Tiger Cats (Carnivora: Felidae: Leopardus) in South America

 

Leopardus tilcayo  Nogales-Ascarrunz, Aliaga-Rossel, Lescroart & Eizirik, 

in Lescroart, Nogales-Ascarrunz, Cassatt-Johnstone, Bonilla-Sánchez, ... et Eizirik, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.059

Highlights: 

• First discovery of a novel cat species in over a century: Leopardus tilcayo

• Description of a novel cat subspecies: Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo

• Phylogenomic resolution of the tiger cat complex, revealing five distinct species

• Museomics and novel approaches to assess evolutionary history and genomic diversity

Summary

The evolutionary history of elusive organisms can be characterized through genomic analyses, which have the power to reveal previously unknown taxa even in groups assumed to be well studied, such as cats. We have analyzed complete genomes of 38 individuals from the Neotropical cat genus Leopardus, including 26 individuals representing multiple evolutionary units of the contentious tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus) species complex. Eight genomes were generated from museum specimens, which allowed the first genetic assessment of the type locality for L. tigrinus in the Guiana Shield. We found that this complex comprises five distinct species, including a novel cat species, discovered in the Bolivian Yungas and described in this study as L. tilcayo. The Peruvian Yungas unit of this complex also represents a distinct taxonomic entity, which we describe here as a novel subspecies, L. tigrinus antisuyo. Our phylogenomic analyses resolve the evolutionary relationships among the tiger cat geographic units, thus stabilizing their recalcitrant taxonomy and enabling adequate conservation assessment of these threatened felids. We also address other aspects of their evolution, including biogeography, past episodes of interspecies admixture, demographic history of each taxonomic unit, and temporal changes in genetic diversity. Altogether, our results clarify the evolutionary history of a complex radiation of wild cats, reveal novel taxa, and serve as a basis for conservation planning on behalf of these elusive wild cats.

 

Keywords: Bolivian Yungas, Peruvian Yungas, Felidae, Guiana Shield, historic DNA, Leopardus, museomics, concordance vector, new species, tilcayo

 

Live specimen of Leopardus tilcayo (sample ID: L. tilcayo BOl-2, voucher ID: MNHN-L2), a newly described tiger cat species from the Bolivian Yungas.

Photo by Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz

 

Family Felidae Batsch, 1788 

Subfamily Felinae Batsch, 1788 

 Leopardus Gray, 1842

Leopardus tilcayo sp. nov. Nogales-Ascarrunz, Aliaga-Rossel, Lescroart & Eizirik 

Type material: Holotype: CBF-11990, adult male. Live-captured and held in captivity, genome sequences NCBI SRA accession SRX30196846. Date: 09-2021; collectors: E. Aliaga-Rosel and P. Nogales-Ascarrunz (see Data S1).

Type locality: La Paz, Nor Yungas, near Arapata village (1,570 m above sea level [a.s.l.]), Bolivia. Coordinates: −16.248594, −67.634691 (WGS84).

Etymology: This species is named after the local name “tilcayo” used for this felid, which is widely known in the Bolivian Yungas zone. The name is treated as an unchanged noun in apposition.

Vernacular name: We propose “tilcayo” as the English common name, preserving the traditional local designation in recognition of its cultural and regional relevance.

Diagnosis: Leopardus tilcayo differs from L. pardinoides by its shorter pelage, lower contrast pattern, more expanded and irregular open rosettes, less bushy tail, and the absence of broad and complete caudal bands (see Data S1). It differs from L. tigrinus by its larger and more irregular flank markings, longer and fuller tail, and irregular caudal blotches. It differs from L. guttulus by its larger, more heterogeneous markings, lower dorsal contrast, and relatively longer tail. L. tilcayo can be distinguished from other Leopardus taxa by a large number of molecular characters. In the nuclear genome, among the 29,288,951 transversion variants, on average 1,392,646 sites differentiate L. tilcayo from L. t. antisuyo and 1,491,301 sites differentiate L. tilcayo from L. pardinoides. For simplicity we provide a list of diagnostic mitochondrial DNA sites (see Data S1).

Jonas Lescroart, Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, Molly Cassatt-Johnstone, Alejandra Bonilla-Sánchez, Caroline Charão Sartor, Fernando Angulo, Jorge L. Ramirez, Larissa Rosa de Oliveira, Tadeu Gomes de Oliveira, Beth Shapiro, Enzo Aliaga-Rossel, Hannes Svardal and Eduardo Eizirik. 2026. Phylogenomics and Museomics reveal Five distinct Species of Tiger Cats in South America. Current Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.059 [September 17, 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] The prolonged Reemergence of Megapredatory Pelagic Fishes

  

the diversification of living large-bodied (> 2 m) marine predatory fishes such as tunas and mackerels (Scombridae)

in Brownstein, Alencar, Kindsvater, Thacker, Wainwright, Near et Harrington, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.1257 

 x.com/ChaseBrownstein

 

Abstract

The assembly of modern ocean ecosystems was fundamentally affected by the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K-Pg) mass extinction. Among the casualties of this event were many extinct clades of large pelagic predatory fishes. The extinction of these lineages is thought to have created ecological opportunity that spurred the diversification of living large-bodied (> 2 m) marine predatory fishes such as tunas and mackerels (Scombridae). However, it remains unclear whether a large, endothermic body plan evolved in tunas and mackerels directly after the K-Pg boundary or in a stepwise manner throughout the Cenozoic. Here, we demonstrate that Scombridae, which includes half of living endothermic ray-finned fish species, evolved endothermy and large body sizes long after the initial radiation of the clade at the K-Pg boundary. Our time-calibrated phylogeny also reveals that the origins of endothermy, large body size and increased longevity in true tunas are staggered over evolutionary time. These findings indicate that the evolution of large endothermic scombrids was not triggered by the K-Pg extinction and substantiate the protracted development of the endothermic predatory body plans of tunas and relatives over more than 50 million years of evolutionary history.

Keywords: Scombridae, tunas, phylogenomics, K-Pg mass extinction, endothermy

Origin of large body sizes in Scombridae. The phylogeny is coloured according to the ancestral state reconstruction for log-transformed standard length. Warmer colours indicate body sizes approaching 4 m. Body size increases over 2 m are denoted by Roman numerals. The innermost dashed circle indicates the K-Pg boundary. Illustrations of scombrids are by Julie Johnson (lifesciencestudios.com).

Tempo of trait shifts in Scombridae. Inferred histories of significant trait optima shifts across Scombridae plotted on the time-calibrated phylogeny of this clade. Shifts inferred with over 30% posterior probability are included. The full bayou outputs are in the electronic supplementary material associated with this article. Illustrations of scombrids are by Julie Johnson (lifesciencestudios.com).

Chase D. Brownstein; Laura R. V. Alencar; Holly K. Kindsvater; Christine E. Thacker; Dylan K. Wainwright; Thomas J. Near and Richard C. Harrington. 2026. The prolonged Reemergence of Megapredatory Pelagic Fishes.  Proc Biol Sci. 293 (2074): 20261257. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.1257 [08 Jul 2026] 

 x.com/ChaseBrownstein/status/2074791152318865890

[Mammalogy • 2026] Revalidation of Manis aurita based on integrative genomic and morphological evidence

 

Manis aurita Hodgson, 1836

in Koju, Zeng, Zhang, Yao, Huang, Wang, Hawkins, Hinckley, Flores, Guo, Li, Maharjan, Byanjankar, Huang, Yu, Leng, He, Feijó et Hua, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10314-9

Abstract

Pangolins face severe conservation threats globally, necessitating accurate taxonomy for effective conservation. Previous genomic research on the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) identified two deeply divergent lineages (MPA and MPB), suggesting underestimated species diversity. The recent description of M. indoburmanica (corresponding to MPB), however, did not assess its relationship with historical names, particularly the subspecies M. p. aurita, leaving the group’s taxonomic status uncertain. To resolve this issue, we employed an integrative framework, analyzing genomic and morphological data from museum specimens including the lectotype of M. p. aurita to clarify phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy within M. pentadactyla sensu lato. Our results demonstrate that MPB, which includes both M. indoburmanica and M. p. aurita, is geographically restricted to the southern Himalayas and thus distinct from other M. pentadactyla populations. Genomic analyses indicate the two clades diverged ~1.8 Ma and have remained largely isolated, with only minimal gene flow with congeners. Furthermore, morphometric analyses of both cranial and external features reveal consistent and significant differentiation between the Himalayan lineage (MPB) and M. pentadactyla sensu stricto. Collectively, these congruent findings provide unequivocal support for the revalidation of Manis aurita Hodgson, 1836, thereby establishing it as a distinct extant species of Asian pangolin.

Manis aurita Hodgson, 1836

 

 

Narayan Prasad Koju, Zeling Zeng, Guihua Zhang, Zhicheng Yao, Xia Huang, Xiaoyun Wang, Melissa T. R. Hawkins, Arlo Hinckley, Mary Faith C. Flores, Ce Guo, Jun Li, Devendra Maharjan, Saraswoti Byanjankar, Lianghua Huang, Wenhua Yu, Liang Leng, Kai He, Anderson Feijó and Yan Hua. 2026. Revalidation of Manis aurita based on integrative genomic and morphological evidence. Communications Biology. 9: 770. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10314-9 [01 July 2026]

  

[Botany • 2026] Leptochilus yangjiangensis (Polypodiaceae) • A New Fern Species From Guangdong, China

Leptochilus yangjiangensis F. G. Wang, Y. Huang & H. J. Zhou,

in Zhou, T. Wang, Huang, Fang, Zhang, G.-D. Chen, H.-F. Chen et F.-G. Wang, 2026. 

阳江线蕨  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73621

ABSTRACT

A new fern species, Leptochilus yangjiangensis (Polypodiaceae), was discovered during field surveys in Ziluo Mountain, Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province, China. This study provides a detailed morphological description and illustrations of the new species. Morphologically, this species resembles Leptochilus pedunculatus and L. ovatus in plant height, petiole morphology, and soral morphology, but differs from them in its coriaceous laminae and lanceolate fertile fronds. To confirm its taxonomic status, phylogenetic analyses based on three plastid genome regions (rbcL, trnL-F, and rps4+rps4-trnS) indicated that the new species forms a distinct and well-supported monophyletic clade and is sister to L. dolichophyllus. Furthermore, the complete plastid genome of this new species is reported for the first time. Preliminarily assessed as Data Deficient (DD) according to IUCN guidelines, this new species enriches the diversity of Leptochilus.

Keywords: Leptochilus, morphology, new species, phylogenetic analysis, plastid genome

Habitat and morphology of Leptochilus yangjiangensis.
(A) Habitat. (B) Whole plant. (C) Habit. (D) Close-up of fronds with sori. (E) Scale structure under a biological microscope. (F) Spore morphology under a scanning electron microscope.

Photographs by Guo-Di Chen (A–D).

Leptochilus yangjiangensis F. G. Wang, Y. Huang & H. J. Zhou, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Leptochilus yangjiangensis is similar to both L. pedunculatus and L. ovatus, but can be distinguished by the following diagnostic characters (Table 2): (1) lamina coriaceous (vs. herbaceous in both L. pedunculatus and L. ovatus); (2) fertile fronds lanceolate (vs. ovate-lanceolate in both L. pedunculatus and L. ovatus); (3) life form lithophytic (vs. lithophytic in L. pedunculatus and hemiepiphytic in L. ovatus). Additionally, it can be distinguished from its sister species L. dolichophyllus by the smaller plant size (fertile fronds 26.0–43.0 cm long vs. 43.0–60.0 cm long in L. dolichophyllus) and distinct life form (lithophytic vs. hemiepiphytic in L. dolichophyllus).

Hua-Jing Zhou, Ting Wang, Yi Huang, Yu-Han Fang, Bin Zhang, Guo-Di Chen, Hong-Feng Chen and Fa-Guo Wang. 2026. Leptochilus yangjiangensis (Polypodiaceae), a New Fern Species From Guangdong, China. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73621 [14 May 2026]

 

[Cnidaria • 2026] Rhytisma acoronatum, R. calyaceum, R. karibu, ... • Phylogenomics-guided Revision of the Genus Rhytisma Alderslade, 2000 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Lemnaliidae), with Descriptions of Six New Sspecies

 

(a, b) Rhytisma karibu sp. nov., 

(c, d) R. acoronatum sp. nov. 

(e, f) R. oblongum sp. nov.

 (c) R. inaequale sp. nov., with expanded polyps 

(d) R. calyaceum sp. nov., with partially expanded polyps 

(e) R. sperkolae sp. nov., polyps partly expanded

Samimi-Namin, Benayahu, Durkin, Ekins, Quattrini & McFadden, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1071/IS25068 

Photographs by Y. Benayahu, and M. Ekins.

 

The genus Rhytisma Alderslade, 2000 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Lemnaliidae), formerly comprising four nominal species (R. fulvum, R. fuscum, R. monticulum and R. rubiginosum), is revised using an integrative approach. We combine morphological and phylogenomic data for newly collected and historical specimens. A neotype is designated for R. fulvum and a lectotype for R. fuscum to stabilise the application of these names. Six new species are described from the Indo-Pacific: R. acoronatum sp. nov., R. calyaceum sp. nov., R. oblongum sp. nov., R. inaequale sp. nov., R. karibu sp. nov. and R. sperkolae sp. nov. Species delimitation is supported by discrete combinations of morphological characters – particularly those of the tentacle and polyp sclerites – as well as multi-locus DNA barcoding and phylogenomic analyses of conserved elements (UCE and exon loci). Our findings highlight the diagnostic value of tentacle sclerites and reveal extensive species-level diversity that was previously obscured by insufficient morphological examination. The revised genus currently comprises 10 valid species, many of which display restricted geographic distributions, reflecting patterns of regional endemism in Indo-Pacific octocoral assemblages. These results underscore the importance of integrative taxonomy in uncovering hidden biodiversity.

 

Keywords: biogeography, DNA barcoding, endemism, Indo-Pacific, integrative taxonomy, neotype, soft corals, species delimitation, taxonomic revision, ultraconserved elements

Underwater images of Rhytisma species in their respective type localities.
(a, b) Rhytisma fulvum yellow colour and grey colour morphs, polyps partly expanded
(c) R. inaequale sp. nov., with expanded polyps (d) R. calyaceum sp. nov., with partially expanded polyps
(e) R. sperkolae sp. nov., mat morphology reflects underlying irregular reef substrate, polyps partly expanded. (f) R. monticulum with expanded polyps.

Photographs by (a–c, e) Y. Benayahu, (d, f) M. Ekins.

Underwater images of Rhytisma species in their respective type localities.
(a, b) Rhytisma karibu sp. nov., growing on seagrass blades and reef substrate (c, d) R. acoronatum sp. nov. (e, f) R. oblongum sp. nov. 

Photographs by (a, b, e, f) Y. Benayahu, and (c, d) M. Ekins.

Rhytisma acoronatum sp. nov., R. calyaceum sp. nov., 

R. oblongum sp. nov., R. inaequale sp. nov., 

R. karibu sp. nov. and R. sperkolae sp. nov. 

Kaveh Samimi-Namin, Yehuda Benayahu, Kathleen M. Durkin, Merrick Ekins, Andrea M. Quattrini and Catherine S. McFadden. 2026. Phylogenomics-guided Revision of the Genus Rhytisma Alderslade, 2000 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Lemnaliidae), with Descriptions of Six New Sspecies. Invertebr Syst. 40(3); IS25068. DOI: doi.org/10.1071/IS25068   [30 March 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Ancyroleon, Melanobaliga, Orientaleon gen. n., ... • UCE Phylogenomics improves the Classification of the cosmopolitan Pit-building Antlion tribe Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Myrmeleontinae)

 

Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., 
Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., 
Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., ...

in Zheng, Badano, Machado, Tu, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck, Nel, Winterton et Liu, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70040

Abstract

Myrmeleontini is a widespread antlion tribe within the lacewing family Myrmeleontidae, well known for its larvae building cone-shaped pits in sandy soil to trap prey. The monophyly of the tribe is well supported, but the monophyly of many genera within the tribe as well as the definition of the genus Myrmeleon Linnaeus has long been questioned. Here, we present a phylogenomic analysis of Myrmeleontini with emphasis on the Eurasian fauna, using ultraconserved elements (UCE) data. Our results recovered Myrmeleon as a diverse grade, with Baliga Navás, Callistoleon Banks, Euroleon Esben-Petersen, Hagenomyia Banks and Megistoleon Navás deeply nested within it. Based on our sampling of type species of many genera (including those synonymized with Myrmeleon) and detailed morphological comparisons, we provide a new phylogeny-based classification of Myrmeleontini. Accordingly, Myrmeleon s. str. only refers to the formerly recognized M. formicarius group from Palaearctic region. The status of 12 genera that were previously considered as junior synonyms of Myrmeleon is restored (i.e., Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., Bordus Navás stat. rev., Callistoleon Banks stat. rev., Cocius Navás stat. rev., Enza Navás stat. rev., Macroleon Banks stat. rev., Moreyus Navás stat. rev., Morter Navás stat. rev., Neleon Navás stat. rev., Neseurus Navás stat. rev., Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev. and Tafanerus Navás stat rev.), while Neohornius stat. rev., previously treated as a subgenus of Myrmeleon, is herein elevated to genus. Additionally, based on comprehensive sampling from the Oriental region, five new genera from this region are described, that is, Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n. and Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n.

Keywords: biogeography, classification, lacewing, phylogeny, systematics

Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., 

Bordus Navás stat. rev., 

Callistoleon Banks stat. rev., 

Cocius Navás stat. rev., 

Enza Navás stat. rev., 

Macroleon Banks stat. rev., 

Moreyus Navás stat. rev., 

Morter Navás stat. rev., 

Neleon Navás stat. rev., 

Neseurus Navás stat. rev., 

Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev. 

Tafanerus Navás stat rev.

Neohornius stat. rev.

 five new genera:

 Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., 

Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. 

Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., 

Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n. 

Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n.

 

Yuchen Zheng, Davide Badano, Renato Jose Pires Machado, Yuezheng Tu, Ulrike Aspöck, Horst Aspöck, André Nel, Shaun W. Winterton and Xingyue Liu. 2026. UCE Phylogenomics improves the Classification of the cosmopolitan Pit-building Antlion tribe Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Myrmeleontinae). Systematic Entomology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70040 [27 March 2026]

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Allohistium anas • Genomic and Phenotypic Delimitation of Species in a Temperate Aquatic Biodiversity Hotspot

 

Allohistium anas Near & MacGuigan,

in MacGuigan, Taylor, Ghezelayagh, Wood, Simmons, Mollish et Near, 2025. 

Cinder Darter  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaf083 

Abstract

Biologists have relied on morphological characteristics to identify, define, and formally describe species for the past 250 years. The advent of phylogenetic species concepts and the introduction of molecular data have spawned new species delimitation methods applicable to a wide range of eukaryotic lineages. However, these approaches heavily emphasize genomic data, often overlooking phenotypic traits. We present and implement a species delimitation approach that utilizes genome-wide markers from ddRAD-seq and meristic morphological traits, which have long been used to identify and delineate fish species. Our methodology employs unsupervised machine learning to analyze morphological data without a priori species assignments, allowing phenotypic patterns to emerge independently from genomic-based species delimitation. We apply our combined genomic and phenotypic methodology to the freshwater systems of Southeastern North America, a biodiversity hotspot where conservation efforts are hampered by an incomplete knowledge of species diversity. Our investigation focuses on the darter clade Allohistium, a threatened lineage comprising two described species. Through phylogenomic, population genetic, and phenotypic model comparisons, we provide evidence supporting the delimitation of a third species of Allohistium, which we formally describe. Our approach shows how unsupervised machine learning can reveal cryptic morphological diversity that might otherwise be obscured by taxonomic preconceptions. This study demonstrates that model testing using diverse lines of evidence yields a more comprehensive, data-driven hypothesis of species diversity.

Darters, ddRAD-seq, methodology, North America, phenotype, species delimitation

Live photographs of Allohistium specimens.

Photo credit to Jon M. Mollish. YPM = Yale Peabody Museum, YFTC = Yale Fish Tissue Collection.

Allohistium anas Near and MacGuigan new species

Cinder Darter

Diagnosis. Allohistium anas differs from Allohistium cinereum and Allohistium maydeni by a higher number of lateral line scales (Supplementary Table S4), modally 43 versus 42 vertebrae (Shepard and Burr 1984), a larger proportion of individuals with greater than 80% of the cheek covered with scales, and more than 50% of the individuals with 10–40% of the nape covered with scales. In addition, Allohistium anas is never resolved as the sister lineage of Allohistium cinereum sensu stricto in mtDNA gene trees (Powers et al. 2004, 2012) or phylogenomic analyses of ddRAD-seq loci (see below). Allohistium maydeni differs from Allohistium anas and Allohistium cinereum in having modally 11 versus 12 dorsal fin spines (Supplementary Table S5; Powers et al. 2012), 12 versus 13 dorsal fin rays (Supplementary Table S6; Powers et al. 2012), and the presence of conspicuous red coloration on the skin covering the upper and lower oral jaws (Fig. 2).

Etymology. The species name anas is from the Latin word for duck, in reference to the distribution of the species in the Duck River system. The common name Cinder Darter is in reference to the common name of A. cinerum, the Ashy Darter.

Daniel J MacGuigan , Adam Taylor , Ava Ghezelayagh , Julia E Wood , Jeffrey W Simmons , Jon M Mollish and Thomas J Near. 2025. Genomic and Phenotypic Delimitation of Species in a Temperate Aquatic Biodiversity Hotspot. Systematic Biology. syaf083. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaf083 [27 November 2025]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Psalidodon terezinhae, P. velhochico & P. paiva • Unraveling a 150-Year-Old Enigma: Psalidodon rivularis (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae: Acestrorhampinae), a Species Complex or a Polymorphic Species

 (a, b) Psalidodon terezinhae 
 (c, d) h  P. velhochico 
 (e, f) P. paiva  

Rodrigues-Oliveira, Assis, Pimente, Soares, Silva, Rocha, Menegidio, Pasa & Kavalco, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/biology14121793

Abstract

Psalidodon rivularis, a fish endemic to the São Francisco River Basin and known as “piaba do córrego,” has long been regarded as a widely distributed species complex, exhibiting remarkable morphological and cytogenetic variation, even in sympatry. This study aims to determine whether P. rivularis represents a single polymorphic species or a group of cryptic species. We analyzed meristic, morphometric, and karyotypic data from 419 specimens identified as P. rivularis, as well as from the related species Astyanax turmalinensis and Hyphessobrycon santae. Additionally, we inferred the phylogeny of the group using NGS data from 25 individuals, incorporating both mitochondrial and nuclear genomic sequences. Our integrative results support the recognition of at least five distinct species within the P. rivularis complex. The true P. rivularis (called morphotype 1) has 46 chromosomes, while the others have 50 and differ in both morphology and distribution. One of these corresponds to Psalidodon santae comb. nov.—which includes A. turmalinensis as a junior synonym—and three others are newly described species. These findings clarify the diversity of fishes in the São Francisco River Basin and highlight the importance of conserving its unique freshwater ecosystems.

Keywords: cytotypes; cryptic species; phylogenomics; morphometrics

Psalidodon terezinhae (a) holotype, LaGEEvo 27-4521, 53.0 mm SL, Lage stream, Abaeté River drainage and (b) LaGEEvo 35-529, 45.0 mm SL, Funchal River, Indaiá River drainage.
  P. velhochico (c) holotype, LaGEEvo 28-5079, 77.0 mm SL, Rasga Canga Waterfall, São Francisco River drainage and (d) LaGEEvo 51-4999, 75.0 mm SL, Casca d’Anta Waterfall, São Francisco River drainage.
P. paiva (e) holotype, LaGEEvo 29-2072, 62.0 mm SL, Bonito stream, Borrachudo River drainage and (f) LaGEEvo 55, 34.5 mm SL, Usina do Abaeté dam Lagoon, Abaeté River drainage.

Psalidodon terezinhae sp. nov.

Psalidodon velhochico sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet velhochico is used as a noun in apposition and refers to the popular nickname of the São Francisco River in Brazil, affectionately called “Velho Chico” (“Old Chico”) by Brazilians.

Psalidodon paiva sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition and honors the Paiva family, whose life, portrayed in the Brazilian Oscar-winning film “Ainda Estou Aqui” (2024), was profoundly affected by the imprisonment, disappearance, and execution of the family patriarch, Rubens Paiva, during the Brazilian military dictatorship.

Igor Henrique Rodrigues-Oliveira, Priscila Martins de Assis, Luiz Guilherme Pereira Pimente, Rafael Augusto Silva Soares, Iuri Batista da Silva, Renan Rodrigues Rocha, Fabiano Bezerra Menegidio, Rubens Pasa and Karine Frehner Kavalco. 2025. Unraveling a 150-Year-Old Enigma: Psalidodon rivularis (Acestrorhamphidae: Acestrorhampinae), a Species Complex or a Polymorphic Species. Biology. 14(12), 1793. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/biology14121793 [16 December 2025]

 

Simple Summary: This study investigates a group of closely related fish species from southeastern Brazil known as the Psalidodon rivularis complex. These fishes are very similar in appearance, which has made it difficult to know exactly how many species exist. By combining information from their body shape, body measurements, chromosome counts, and DNA, we found that what was once thought to be a single species includes at least five distinct ones. The true P. rivularis has 46 chromosomes, while the others have 50. One of them corresponds to Psalidodon santae, which was previously classified in another genus, and three are new species described here. Our results also suggest that their diversity arose through processes such as changes in chromosome numbers, hybridization between populations, and morphological divergence, potentially within broader scenarios that may involve vicariant or adaptive processes. These fishes live in small rivers and streams of the Upper São Francisco River basin, environments that are rich in unique species but threatened by human activities. Recognizing and protecting these new species is essential for conserving the biodiversity of Brazilian freshwater ecosystems.

[Botany • 2026] Aletris medogensis (Nartheciaceae) • Integrating Morphology and Chloroplast Genomics: A New East Asian Species of Aletris with Insights Into Regional Phylogeny and Evolution

 

Aletris medogensis  W.B.Ju, Y.L.Qiu & Bo Xu,

in X. Li, Qiu, J.-T. Li, Xu, Yu et Ju, 2026. 

墨脱粉条儿菜  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72654

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ABSTRACT

The genus Aletris L. (Nartheciaceae) encompasses approximately 21–24 species distributed in East Asia and North America, yet taxonomic ambiguity persists due to overlapping morphological traits among closely related species. During fieldwork in southeastern Xizang, China, a morphologically distinct candidate species, Aletris medogensis, was discovered. To validate its taxonomic status and explore evolutionary relationships within East Asian Aletris, we integrated detailed morphological observation with comparative chloroplast phylogenomics. The newly proposed species is characterized by creeping stolons, narrow leaves, and glandular-pubescent inflorescences. Comparative analysis of 14 East Asian Aletris complete chloroplast genomes revealed a conserved quadripartite structure with species-specific variations, including pseudogenization of ycf1, loss of rrn4.5, and shifts in IR boundaries. Phylogenomic analyses strongly supported A. medogensis as a distinct species closely related to A. alpestris. We identified 18 hypervariable regions as potential molecular markers and detected signals of positive selection in genes ccsA, cemA, and rps12, suggesting adaptive evolution. This study confirms the recognition of A. medogensis as a new species endemic to the eastern Himalayas and demonstrates the utility of chloroplast genomics in resolving taxonomic complexity and understanding evolutionary mechanisms in Aletris.

Keywords: Aletris medogensis, comparative chloroplast genome analysis, East Asia, IR boundary dynamics, molecular markers, Nartheciaceae, selective pressure

Aletris medogensis. Lateral (a), front (b), and back (c) views of the flower. (d) Stamens. (e) Ovary and stigma. (f) Inflorescence. (g) Scape. (h) Bracteate leaf. (i) Leaf. (k) Roots. (l) Plant.

Aletris medogensis W.B.Ju, Y.L.Qiu & Bo Xu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Aletris medogensis is morphologically most similar to Aletris alpestris, but it can be distinguished from the latter in having narrower leaves (0.45–0.9 mm wide vs. 1–2.5 mm wide) and an obtuse apex (vs. an acuminate apex); the flower pedicels are extremely short, the rachis has densely glandular hairs (vs. sparsely puberulent), the two bracts are unequal in length and shorter than the flowers (vs. one of them 1–4 × flower length). Lobes are obtuse to rounded at the apex (vs. the apex being obtuse to acute).

 Etymology: Located in southeastern Xizang Autonomous Region, Medog (Pinyin spelling “motuo”) County is one of the biodiversity hotspots in China, which has rich plant diversity in the Eastern Himalaya (Qiu et al. 2022). The new species, Aletris medogensis, is found in this region and is named after the geographic location. Its Chinese name, mo tuo fen tiao er cai (墨脱粉条儿菜).

Habit of Aletris medogensis on moss-covered rocks along streams

(photographed by Wen-Bin Ju).

 

Xiong Li, Yong-Ling Qiu, Jiang-Tao Li, Bo Xu, Qi Yu and Wen-Bin Ju. 2026. Integrating Morphology and Chloroplast Genomics: A New East Asian Species of Aletris (Nartheciaceae) With Insights Into Regional Phylogeny and Evolution. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72654 [05 January 2026]

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