On the availability of the recently proposed nomen Leptodactylus avivoca (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

In a recent contribution to the systematics of Leptodactylus Fitzinger, 1826 frogs endemic to the Brazilian campo rupestre (Carvalho et al. 2021), we revealed a genetically divergent lineage as an unnamed species distributed in the northern portion of the Espinhaço Mountain Range (EMR). The species was named and described as Leptodactylus avivoca in the taxonomic account section of the same paper, where a definition and diagnosis were provided to satisfy the provisions regarding the availability and validity of new nomina (see Chapters 4 and 6 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, hereinafter the Code; Anonymous 1999). On that occasion, because of space limits imposed by the journal, we had to transfer most of the new species description into an Appendix, keeping in the main publication only the minimum requirements that would satisfy the rules and recommendations governed by the Code, thereby ensuring the availability and validity of the proposed new name. As a result of the transference from the main text to the Appendix, we ended up not taking notice that the species’ holotype had not been fixed in the main publication and appeared only as part of Appendix S1. Additionally, this Appendix was made available only as Online Supporting Material (Carvalho et al. 2021: Appendix S1) and not published alongside the main publication in the printed version. That rendered the proposition of Leptodactylus avivoca as originally published an atelonym (sensu Dubois 2011), i.e. an unavailable nomen (sensu Dubois 2000) as a consequence of the lack of explicit fixation of a holotype and statement of the collection where it was deposited in the main publication (Article 16.4 of the Code). In this paper, we intend to correct this nomenclatural oversight by proposing a new (homographic) nomen for the new Leptodactylus species, which corresponds to a genetic lineage endemic to the northern portion of the EMR, and also provide a definition and differential diagnosis in its own clade (L. plaumanni clade; sensu Carvalho et al. 2021).

Redefinition of Steriphodon Abeille de Perrin, 1895 (Coleoptera: Anthicidae), with a new species description, checklist, and key to species

Steriphodon Abeille de Perrin, 1895, a small genus of Eurygeniinae (Anthicidae) is reviewed. Critical morphology of the genus is reassessed and discussed. An annotated checklist, key to species and new records are provided. Steriphodon ottomerkli sp. nov. from the Balochistan Province, Pakistan is described and illustrated.

A new species of Ephoron Williamson, 1802 (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcyidae) from Thailand

The genus Ephoron Williamson, 1802 is widely distributed around the world. In Thailand, only Ephoron indicus Pictet, 1843 was reported in 1961. In this study, a new Ephoron mayfly is described as Ephoron ookaewae sp. nov. In this new species description, the morphological characteristics of larvae and eggs in addition to adults are also shown in detail. Number of tubercles on mandibular tusks, and a median frontal process in larvae, distinguish Ephoron ookaewae sp. nov. from other Ephoron species. Their polar cap shape and a concave indentation in their eggs are also unusual. In addition, the mitochondrial DNA COI sequence data of the newly described Ephoron ookaewae sp. nov. is registered in GenBank. Registration of sequence data for the DNA barcode region of Ephoron mayflies inhabiting the Oriental region remains limited, however it will be useful for future research.

Integrative taxonomy and a new species description in the sturtevanti subgroup of the Drosophila saltans group (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Although the biological concept of species is well established in animals, sometimes the decision about the specific status of a new species is difficult and hence requires support of an integrative analysis of several character sets. To date, the species Drosophila sturtevanti, D. magalhaesi, D. milleri and D. dacunhai, belonging to the sturtevanti subgroup of the Neotropical saltans species group, are identified mainly by the aedeagus morphology, but also present some differences in spot coloration and patterning of the female sixth tergite and in the shape and size of the spermathecae, parallel to a pattern of reproductive isolation. In the present study, we describe a novel saltans group species from French Guiana belonging to the sturtevanti subgroup. Our species designation is based on an integrative approach covering (i) aedeagi and spermathecae morphology by scanning electron microscopy, (ii) analysis of female sixth-tergite color, (iii) morphometrical analysis of aedeagi and wings, (iv) analysis of partial sequence of the COI, COII and ND4 mitochondrial genes as well as (v) intercrosses for analysis of reproductive isolation. The comparative analysis of the results on these markers with those of D. sturtevanti, D. milleri and D. dacunhai supports that this line belongs to a new species of the sturtevanti subgroup that we name Drosophila lehrmanae sp. nov. in honor of Prof. Lee Ehrman´s 85th birthday.

Cytogenetics, Geographic Distribution, Conservation, and a New Species of Macrotorus (Mollinedioideae, Monimiaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract—A new species of Macrotorus (Monimiaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest is here described and illustrated: Macrotorus genuflexus. This species, restricted to the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve (situated in the central region of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil), is the second in the genus Macrotorus. The new species description is based on morphological and cytogenetic (karyotype and genome size) comparative analyses. We also report a new record of Macrotorus utriculatus for the state of Bahia, confirming a potential distribution modelling prediction, and provide comments for the conservation of both species.

A new Indian species of Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 closely related to R. sanguineus Beddome, 1863 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae)

A new species of the uropeltid (shieldtail snake) genus Rhinophis is described based on a type series of seven specimens from the Wayanad region of the Western Ghats of peninsular India. The holotype was collected before 1880 but had been misidentified as the phenotypically similar and parapatric (possibly partly sympatric) R. sanguineus. Rhinophis karinthandani sp. nov. is diagnosed by a combination of 15 dorsal scale rows at midbody, 4–8 pairs of subcaudal scales, colour pattern (uniformly dark above, whitish below with extensive dark mottling), and by its distinct mitochondrial DNA sequences (e.g. >7.6% uncorrected p-distance for nd4). Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicates that the new species is most closely related to R. sanguineus among currently recognised species, with this pair most closely related to the partly sympatric R. melanoleucus. The new species description brings the number of currently recognised species in the genus to 24, six of which are endemic to India and 18 endemic to Sri Lanka. A new key to the identification of Indian species of Rhinophis is provided.

Two new tardigrade species (Echiniscidae and Doryphoribiidae) from the Salta province (Argentina)

Tardigrades from Argentina are poorly known. Two new species from the Salta province are described in the present contribution: Pseudechiniscus saltensis sp. nov., and Doryphoribius cephalogibbosus sp. nov. The former species belongs to the novaezeelandiae group and, apart from the nominal species of the group, it is similar to nine congeneric species by the following characters: the absence of spines on legs I and lateral papillae, the scapular plate with a transversal fold, the presence of projections at the posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate, caudal plate not faceted, and cuticular ornamentation in the form of heads (capituli) of endocuticular pillars, protruding through epicuticle and joined by striae. However, the new species differs from all of them in important qualitative (e.g. colour, different division of plates, details of cuticular ornamentation, claws etc.) and morphometric characters. The new species exhibits a unique morphology of gonopore and anus. Doryphoribius cephalogibbosus sp. nov., by the presence of two macroplacoids, dorsal gibbosities, and inhabiting terrestrial environment, belongs to the flavus group and differs from all members of the group in having ten, instead of nine, rows of gibbosities (X:2-4-6- 6-6-6-6-4-2-2+2[LI–III]), with as a peculiar exclusive character, the presence of the two cephalic gibbosities, never reported in other Doryphoribius species. Moreover, the new species differs from the other species of the group by morphometric and more detailed morphological characters. The new species description also gave an occasion to discuss the issue of gibbosity arrangement in other species and address the morphology of claw accessory points.

Synopsis of the genus Diabroctis Gistel, 1857 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) with a new species description

This paper provides a synopsis of the South American genus Diabroctis Gistel, 1858. Five species are assigned to the genus. The type species D. mimas is widely distributed and shows considerable morphological variation in male secondary sexual characters. A substantial number of morphological and geographic data are used to provide an updated diagnosis of this species, and to describe intraspecific variation. A new Brazilian species is described as Diabroctis pseudomimas sp. nov., which has been recognized among specimens confused with D. mimas (Linnaeus) in entomological collections. Additionally, the subspecies D. mimas venezuelensis is elevated to species level. Lectotypes are designated for Phanaeus mirabilis and Phanaeus mimaeformis. Diagnoses, distribution data, and an identification key are provided for all species included in the genus.