Latest news with #Zootaxa
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Peculiar new ‘dwarf' species found in towering cathedrals of rocks in Madagascar
In northwestern Madagascar, the landscape is defined by a forest of towering jagged limestone peaks called 'tsingys.' In Malagasy, the word translates to a place 'where one cannot walk barefoot.' But this terrain is no problem for a specialized dwarf creature that calls the karstic plateau home. Lygodactylus andavambato is a new 'peculiar' species of dwarf gecko recently discovered in the caves and narrow rock crevices of Tsingy de Namoroka National Park during a field expedition in 2023, according to a study published July 23 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. Lygodactylus andavambato is unique for its relatively 'slender' build compared to the 'robust' appearance of other closely related species, researchers said. It has a distinct banding pattern on its tail and in life, their bodies have an 'intense' contrast of brown and yellow colors, researchers said. Including its tail, the new species is just over 2.5 inches long. Most of the specimens were 'collected on large and smooth whitish limestone walls, at eye-level, either at the entrances of caves or along relatively dark corridors of fresh air running right through the massif,' according to the study. Others, however, were found 'outside of the very heart of the Tsingy massif' in the neighboring savanna near clusters of rock slabs, the study said. This suggests the new dwarf gecko is not strictly a cave-dweller, but rather, a species that requires narrow rock crevices to shelter. Lygodactylus andavambato is one of three new dwarf gecko species discovered during the 2023 expeditions to the region. The research team included Miguel Vences, Cecilia Herrmann, Malte Multzsch, Sven Gippner, Delina Razafimanafo, Ny Ando Rahagalala, Sandratra Rakotomanga, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Frank Glaw and Aurélien Miralles.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
ZSI scientists discover a wolf spider, and four wasp species from West Bengal
Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have announced the discovery of a new species of wolf spider, and four new species of spider-egg parasitic wasps, all from the State of West Bengal in the month of July. The newly described spider, Piratula acuminata, marks the first record of the genus Piratula in India. Discovered on Sagar island, part of the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans delta, this ground-dwelling wolf spider belongs to the family Lycosidae, commonly known as wolf spiders. Agile and nocturnal, they do not weave webs but ambush prey with precision and speed. 'This is a medium-sized spider, roughly eight to 10 millimetres in length,' Souvik Sen, lead author of the study from the ZSI, Kolkata, said. The details of the study have been published in the international peer reviewed journal Zootaxa, under the title 'First record of the genus Piratula Roewer, 1960from India, with the description of a new species'. The species is distinguished by a creamy-white body interspersed with brown and chalk-white spots, and unique genital structures. 'The unique morphological features of this spider immediately indicated it was an undocumented species,' Dr. Sen said, adding that the team of researchers conducted extensive morphological analysis over several weeks to confirm the findings. Along with Dr. Sen, Sudhin P.P. of the ZSI worked on the discovery, in collaboration with Pradeep M. Sankaran from Sacred Heart College, Kochi. The spider species was found in the estuarine mudflats of Sagar island, an area shaped by the river Ganga's alluvial deposits, and renowned for its high yet largely untapped biodiversity. Earlier this month in a separate study ZSI researchers led by K. Rajmohana identified and described four new species of parasitoid wasps belonging to the genus Idris (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). These tiny wasps — Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus, and Idris longiscapus — were collected from agroecosystems and semi-natural habitats across West Bengal between 2021 and 2023. These wasps, no more than a few millimetres long, are primary egg parasitoids of jumping spiders (Salticidae), and exhibit an unusual behaviour known as gregarious parasitism, where multiple wasps emerge from a single spider egg sac. 'This work underscores how much remains hidden in our own backyards,' said Dr. Rajmohana, Scientist E at the ZSI, whose team combined classical morphological taxonomy with DNA barcoding to confirm the presence of a new species. The findings were published recently in the European Journal of Taxonomy in a paper titled Description of four new species of Idris Forsters, 1856 ( Hymenoptera : Scelioniadate) India 'This integrative approach is now essential for accurate species delimitation, especially in micro-fauna where physical differences are minimal,' K.P. Dinesh from ZSI Pune, co-author of the paper, said. Parasitoid wasps like Idris play a key role in regulating spider populations and maintaining arthropod community balance. 'These discoveries reaffirm the significance of systematic taxonomy and modern molecular tools in uncovering India's hidden biodiversity. They also strengthen our national mission to document life forms before they are lost to climate change and habitat degradation,' lauding the teams for these discoveries, Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI, said. While the specimens of Piratula acuminata were collected exclusively from Sagar island, the Idris wasps were gathered from multiple districts across West Bengal, pointing to both the ecological specificity and the wide-ranging diversity harboured by these regions.
Miami Herald
22-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Clawed creature with ‘bent' toes found along road in India. It's a new species
Along a narrow mountain road snaking through the Himalayas, a clawed creature with 'bent' toes moved along the ground. Its coppery eyes scanned the charred landscape, but it wasn't the only one looking around. Visiting scientists noticed the patterned animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers ventured into the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, in May 2024 to survey its reptiles and amphibians. The state sits in the western Himalayas, a 'known biodiversity hotspot' with some 'less well-investigated' areas, according to a study published July 22 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. During their surveys, researchers stopped on a road at the 'outskirts' of a village and found four unfamiliar-looking lizards, the study said. Intrigued, they took a closer look at the animals, analyzed its DNA and realized they'd identified a new species: Cyrtodactylus himachalensis, or the Himachal bent-toed gecko. Himachal bent-toed geckos are considered 'medium-sized,' reaching over 4 inches in length, the study said. They have 'slender' limbs and 'relatively short' arms. Their fingers and toes are 'short,' 'strongly flexed at (the) joints' and 'equipped with robust recurved claws.' Photos show the new species' 'vivid' pattern. The geckos vary in hue, but generally have a lighter brown body with darker brownish-black patches running down their backs and limbs. Himachal bent-toed geckos were found 'along a road' at an elevation of 4,400 feet, the study said. The area had 'recently burned, and the floor of the forest was blackened due to the fire. The density of the lizards was low, likely due to the forest degradation and construction work along the road.' Much about the lifestyle and behavior of the new species remains unknown. Researchers said they named the new species after Himachal Pradesh where it was first discovered and, so far, the only place where it has been found. This state is in northern India, bordering Tibet. Himachal bent-toed geckos were identified by their scales, pores, coloring, texture and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 4% genetic divergence from related species. The research team included Virender Bhardwaj, Jayaditya Purkayastha, H. T. Lalremsanga and Zeeshan Mirza. The team also discovered a second new species of bent-toed gecko in Jammu and Kashmir.
Miami Herald
21-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Creature discovered near waterfall on perilous island mountain is a new species
In 1991, researchers made an 'extremely steep and rugged' trek up one of Papua New Guinea's tallest mountains to survey wildlife in this rarely seen and poorly understood landscape. As they scoured the area, researchers turned over several rocks in the 'splash zone' of a waterfall on Mount Capella in the Star Mountains to reveal several unusual frogs, according to a study published July 15 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. They collected three specimens and continued with their work. Despite days and nights of searching the surrounding forest and shallow pools — all while avoiding dangerous hidden sinkholes — the frogs were found nowhere else except the stream at the base of the waterfall, researchers said. Now, nearly 35 years after the creatures were discovered, researchers have confirmed the frogs represent a new species called Litoria stellarum, or the Star Mountains torrent tree frog. The new species is described as being medium-sized at just over an inch and a half, with a 'robust' body and long toes that extend into a disc-shape at their tips. Its body is mostly brown with patches of light green. It also has silver irises flecked with brown, researchers said. Based on the species' size, snout shape, 'reduced webbing on hands, and ecology,' researchers said they are confident the new species is closely related to other local stream-breeding Litoria species, particularly Litoria becki. The Star Mountains torrent tree frog is the third species of frog found only in the very limited 'microhabitat' in 'the high elevations in the Star Mountains,' according to researchers. The Star Mountains torrent tree frog was discovered near the Dokfuma Meadow, a 'boggy' alpine meadow dominated by ferns, moss mounds and wet mossy alpine forests, according to the study. The new species is adapted to cold conditions, with temperatures at the time of its discovery ranging between 33 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. In New Guinea, areas roughly 10,000 feet above seal level 'are typically not suitable for agriculture and are sparsely inhabited, so direct habitat loss is unlikely to be a major threat,' researchers said. However, as the global climate warms, mountain species that have adjusted to colder temperatures will eventually run out of 'upslope' habitat to migrate to as their old environments become uninhabitable, researchers said. Researchers said additional study is needed to better understand the species' ecology and potential threats in order to estimate its conservation status. It is currently listed as 'data deficient' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, according to the study. Additional field studies, however, may prove difficult, according to researchers. 'It is unlikely that this remote region will be accessible again in the near future because there are no roads or airstrips in the vicinity.' The Star Mountains are on the western border of Papua New Guinea. The research team included Stephen J. Richards, Gregory R. Johnston and Paul M. Oliver.
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Spectacular' sapphire-blue species discovered on Angola's highest mountain peak
On Angola's highest mountain, a brilliant sapphire-colored butterfly was observed basking in the sun. After flying about and surveying its territory, the creature spent 'long periods sunning itself' on the side of a tree in the high-altitude forests on Mount Moco. Now, researcher Alan John Gardiner has determined the remarkable specimen is actually a new species of Iolaus butterfly, according to a study published July 8 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. Iolaus francisi, or the Francis's gorgeous sapphire, is described as having wings with an upper side that's shiny blue and black and an underside that is 'silver white,' according to the study. The coloration on the species upper wings can reflect different shades of blue depending on the angle and the light, Gardiner said. It's hind wings have a pattern that resembles a large eye called an 'eyespot,' according to the study. This patterning can serve as a defense against predators. 'It is remarkable that such spectacular invertebrates as I. francisi remain undocumented,' Gardiner said in the study. The study suggests the number of butterfly species in Angola may be greatly underestimated, with many yet undiscovered. The current figure of 792 recorded species may actually be 1,100 to 1,600, according to Gardiner. To date, Francis's gorgeous sapphire has only been found in Angola's central highlands forests, at elevations of about 5,000 feet. These forests are extremely fragmented, however, and getting smaller due to human pressures, according to Gardiner. 'Only a few patches of relatively undisturbed habitat remain,' Gardiner said. 'They remain mostly due to their being inaccessible as they are on steep slopes or in rugged rocky areas.' These patches are under threat from agriculture, logging, excessive fires and high livestock densities, and they're rapidly being depleted, Gardiner said. The study calls for a greater push to document new species and protect the areas in which they are found.
