Species New to Science

 

YUAN Ziming, JIANG Wei and SHA Zhongli. 2025. A New Species of Gaillardiellus Guinot, 1976 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Xanthidae) from the coral reefs of the South China Sea. ZooKeys. 1234: 1-17. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1234.144026

  Chinese common name: 虎伯寮勺蝉

 

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Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Chinese name (in Pinyin) of the type locality “Huboliao”. The name is a noun in apposition.

Sha-Sha Lv, Hong-Xing Li, Lin Yang, Yu-Bo Zhang and Xiang-Sheng Chen. 2025. Two New Species of the Genus Malaxa Melichar, 1914 from China (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Delphacidae, Tropidocephalini). ZooKeys. 1229: 275-287. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.143177 

Abstract

Nidirana okinavana (Boettger, 1895) is a small-sized ranid species belonging to the East Asian genus Nidirana Dubois, 1992. Previous studies have indicated that this species was exclusively distributed on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands in the southern Ryukyus, as well as two extremely small wetland habitats in central Taiwan. Such a restricted distribution makes it one of the most endangered frog species in both Taiwan and Japan. By using molecular, morphological, and acoustic analyses, our study reveals significant divergence between the Taiwanese and Japanese clades, supporting the recognition of the Taiwanese clade as a distinct species, described herein as Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. Compared to Nidirana okinavana sensu stricto from the southern Ryukyus, the Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. is characterized by a significantly smaller and non-overlapping body size, relatively longer forelimbs and hindlimbs, smaller internostril and interorbital distances, with a higher number of cross bands on thigh and shank. Acoustic analyses reveal that the Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. produces calls with a rapid tempo and higher pulse number, with a higher dominant frequency compared to the Japanese clade. Due to the extremely limited distribution of this species to two small sites on Taiwan, and continuing decline in quality of its habitat, we propose that it should be classified as Critically Endangered (CR) under the IUCN criteria. Immediate and comprehensive in situ and ex situ conservation actions are necessary to ensure the sustainable viability of the population.

Key words: Acoustic analysis, Iriomote Island, Ishigaki Island, morphology, Nidirana okinavana

Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov. is described on the basis of two specimens collected from the subterranean cave system of Klapanunggal karst area, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, Java Island, Indonesia. The new species is unique among its congeners in completely lacking eyes, its ocular vestige being marked by an orbital concavity fully covered with skin, and with no orbital rim. It also differs distinctly from most species of Barbodes by having relatively long paired fins (pectoral fin 26.0–31.4% SL; pelvic fin 21.5–24.4% SL), the adpressed tips of each overlapping the basal area of the adjacent posterior (pelvic and anal, respectively) fins; and the presence of a short pelvic axillary scale with a rounded posterior margin. Barbodes klapanunggalensis sp. nov. is further distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: head length 32.9–35.3% SL; pre-pectoral fin length 32.6–33.6% SL; pre-pelvic fin length 54.0–59.6% SL; anal-fin base length 9.7–11.8% SL; caudal peduncle depth 13.2–18.2% SL; completely nonpigmented body; and all fins with translucent interradial membranes and light cream to brownish rays. As reflected by its highly troglomorphic features, the new species is strictly adapted to cave habitats. Its small population size, coupled with a high level of potential threats to its known habitat, suggest that future conservation efforts will become necessary.

Key words: Cave-dwelling fish, coloration, endemic, morphology, silvery barbs

 Barbodes klapanunggalensis Wibowo, Rahmadi & Lumbantobing, sp. nov.

  English name: Klapanunggal Blind Cave Barb 

New Indonesian name: Wader Gua Buta Klapanunggal

   

Diagnosis. A species of Barbodes distinguished from all its congeners by the absence of eyes, as the eye is vestigially replaced by an orbital concavity being fully closed by an epidermal layer, while lacking the orbital rim. The species is also uniquely diagnosed by having relatively long pectoral and pelvic fins, with their adpressed tips each extending past the vertical through the insertion or origin of the next fin posterior to the tip, as to further pass posteriorly about two scales in anteroposterior; and by the presence of a relatively short and rounded axillary pelvic-fin scale, with tip not reaching posterior edge of pelvic-fin base. It is further distinguished from other Barbodes species in having by the following combination of characters: head length 32.9–35.3% of SL; pre-pectoral fin length 32.6–33.6% of SL; pre-pelvic fin length 54.0–59.6% of SL; pectoral fin length 26.0–31.4% of SL; pelvic fin length 21.5–24.4% of SL; anal-fin base length 9.7–11.8% of SL; caudal peduncle depth 13.2–18.2% of SL; body without pigmentation (black dots, bars, stripes, blotches, and triangular markings all absent from lateral surface); all fins with translucent interradial membrane and light cream to brownish rays.

Etymology: The specific epithet klapanunggalensis is derived from the type locality, the Klapanunggal karst area, which includes the Cisodong 1 Cave, Nambo Village. The name reflects the unique habitat and geological significance of the Klapanunggal karst area, where the species is likely endemic.