Member of SCNAT

Under the umbrella of the SSS, biologists from different fields are dedicated to the interests of systematics and taxonomy. The SSS serves as a competent contact for the scientists and the society, and maintains an international exchange.more

Image: C.Schüssler, stock.adobe.commore

New Species 2021

160 New Species in 2021

Crepidotus innuopurpureus
Image: M.D. Barrett

1 fungus from Australia

Publication: Crepidotus innuopurpureus McMull.-Fish., T. Lebel, Senn-Irlet, sp. nov.

Authors: Sapphire McMullan-Fisher, Teresa Lebel, Beatrice Senn-Irlet

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland; Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Australia; State Herbarium of South Australia.

Echinodera stuebeni
Image: C. German

1 beetle from Greece

Publication: Description of a new species of the genus Echinodera Wollaston, 1863 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and supplement to the weevil fauna of Kefalonia Island (Greece).

Authors: Christoph Germann and André Schütte

Naturhistorisches Museum Basel, Switzerland; Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany.

Clivina excisa
Image: M. Balkenohl
Pethia  castor
Image: M. Kottelat

2 cyprinid fishes from Myanmar

Publication: Two new species of Pethia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), representing a sympatric species pair, from the Ayeyarwady drainage, Myanmar.

Authors: Kevin W. Conway, Amanda K. Pinion & Maurice Kottelat

Delémont, Switzerland; Texas A&M University, USA; Australian Museum Research Institute, Australia; Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore.

Bagarius vegrandis
Image: M. Kottelat

1 catfish from Indochina

Publication: Description of Bagarius vegrandis, a new species of sisorid catfish from Indochina (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes), with notes on the identity of Bagarius bagarius.

Authors: HEOK HEE NG & MAURICE KOTTELAT

Delémont, Switzerland; Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore

Nemacheilus argyrogaster
Image: M. Kottelat

1 loach from Laos

Publication: ‘Nemacheilus’ argyrogaster, a new species of loach from southern Laos (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

Authors: MAURICE KOTTELAT

Delémont, Switzerland

Pseudobagarius eustictus
Image: M. Kottelat

1 catfish from Laos

Publication: Pseudobagarius eustictus, a new species of catfish from northern Laos (Siluriformes:
Akysidae).

Authors: HEOK HEE NG & MAURICE KOTTELAT

Delémont, Switzerland; Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore

Cerinomyces aeneus
Image: J.C. Zamora

24 fungi from worldwide forests

Publication: Revision of Cerinomyces (Dacrymycetes, Basidiomycota) with notes on morphologically and historically related taxa.

Authors: A.Savchenko, J.C.Zamora, T.Shirouzu, V.Spirin, V.Malysheva, U.Kõljalg, O.Miettinen

Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques, Geneva, Switzerland; Natural History Museum & Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia; Uppsala University, Sweden; Mie University, Japan; Finnish Museum of Natural History, Finland; Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Scaphisoma sekerkai
Image: I. Löbl

2 beetles from China

Publication: Scaphisomatini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scaphidiinae) from two biosphere reserves in eastern China, with descriptions of two new species.

Authors: Ivan LÖBL & Jiří HÁJEK

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; National Museum, Praha, Czech Republic.

Nabepselaphus nepalensis
Image: I. Löbl

12 beetles from the Himalaya

Publication: On the Himalayan Pselaphini (Insecta: Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) (book chapter in Biodiversität und Naturausstattung im Himalaya VII. - Erfurt 2021).

Aurthors: Ivan Löbl & Ján Kodada

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.

Colophorina baru
Image: D. Burckhardt

2 jumping plant lice from Brazil

Publication: Two new species of Colophorina Capener, 1973 (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Psyllidae) from Brazil associated with Dipteryx (Fabaceae) with comments on Colophorina and Euryconus Aulmann, 1912.

Authors: Daniel Burckhardt, Dalva L. Queiroz

Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland; Embrapa Florestas, Colombo, Brazil

Mitrapsylla rupestris
Image: D. Burckhardt

1 jumping plant louse from Brazil

Publication: Mitrapsylla rupestris sp. nov., a psyllid (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) associated with Poiretia bahiana (Fabaceae) endemic to the Espinhaço mountain range (Brazil, Bahía).

Authors: Daniel Burckhardt, Dalva L. Queiroz

Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland; Embrapa Florestas, Colombo, Brazil.

2 jumping plant lice from Malaysia

Publication: On some Ctenarytaina species (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) from Gunung Kinabalu (Malaysia, Sabah).

Author: Daniel Burckhardt

Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland.

Queiroziella euterpe
Image: D. Burckhardt

5 jumping plant-lice from Brazil

Publication: Queiroziella gen. nov., a new genus of jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) from Southern Brazil associated with Mimosa scabrella (Leguminosae).

Authors: Daniel Burckhardt

Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland.

Diaphorina pfanderae
Image: D. Burckhardt

1 jumping plant louse from Cameroon

Publication: Diaphorina pfanderae Aléné and Burckhardt sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Psyllidae) and its association with ants on Ozoroa pulcherrima (Anacardiaceae).

Authors: Aléné C.D., Latar Vernyuy N., Djieto-Lordon C. & Burckhardt D.

Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland; University of Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Takobia sinusopalpata
Image: J.-L. Gattoliat

2 mayflies from Central Asia

Publication: Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Takobia Novikova & Kluge, 1987 (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) in Central Asia.

Authors: Pavel Sroka, Zohar Yanai, Dmitry Palatov, Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, & University of Lausanne, Switzerland; Institute of Entomology, Czech Republic; The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History,Tel Aviv, Israel; Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Moscow, Russia.

Neohagenulus hodeceki
Image: Mi. Sartori

1 mayfly from Hispaniola

Publication: A new species of Neohagenulus Traver, 1938 from Hispaniola (Ephemeroptera, Leptophlebiidae, Hagenulinae, Hagenulini).

Authors: Michel Sartori

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne.

1 chironomid from Switzerland

Publication: Pseudorthocladius immezensis sp. n., a new relict species inhabiting the Macun high-alpine stream, Swiss Alps (Diptera: Chironomidae).

Authors: Joel Moubayed-Breil and Brigitte Lods-Crozet

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, Switzerland; Montpellier, France.

10 beetles from New Guinea and the Moluccas

Publication: A review of the Bironium Csiki, 1909 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scaphidiinae) of New Guinea and the Moluccas.

Author: Ivan Löbl

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland

Labiobaetis toraja
Image: J.-L. Gattolliat

6 mayflies from the the Wallacea region

Publication: New species of Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge from Southeast Asia and New Guinea (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae).

Authors: Thomas Kaltenbach & Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, & University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Staurodiscus luteus
Image: P. Schuchert

6 hydromedusae from the Gulfstream off Florida

Publication: Hydromedusae observed during night dives in the Gulf Stream.

Authors: Peter Schuchert, Richard Collins

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Boca Raton, Florida, USA

Afroromieuxia bernardlandryi
Image: G. Bassi

5 moths from Africa

Publication: New genera and species of Afrotropical Ancylolomiini Ragonot, 1889 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae sensu lato: Crambinae).

Author: Graziano Bassi

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Avigliana (Torino), Italy.

1 barklouse from Armenia

Publication: A new species of Prionoglaris Enderlein (Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’: Prionoglarididae) from an Armenian cave, with an account of the distribution of the genus.

Author: Charles Lienhard

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland

Spiniglans thomassankara
Image: J. Mariaux

2 cestodes from Ivory Coast

Publication: Two new species of Cestoda (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae) from Ploceidae and Passeridae (Aves: Passeriformes) in Côte d’Ivoire.

Auteur: Jean Mariaux

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland

Syleter gradus
Image: Michael Balkenohl

2 bettles from Borneo

Publication: Revisiting the Oriental genus Syleter Andrewes, 1941 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Clivinini).

Author: Michael Balkenohl

Bonstetten, Switzerland

Note: this work also includes the description of a new genus and of a new subspecies.

Pandanus grayorum
Image: M. Callmander

1 pandanus from Australia

Publication: Pandanus grayorum (Pandanaceae), a new species endemic to north-eastern Queensland (Australia).

Authors: Martin W. Callmander, Sven Buerki, Frank A. Zich, Ashley R. Field and Timothy Gallaher

Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques, Geneva, Switzerland; Boise State University & Bishop Museum, USA; Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University, Queensland Herbarium & CSIRO, Australia

Vitex rabenantoandroi
Image: Martin W. Callmander

3 shrubs from Madagascar

Publication: Towards a Revision of the Genus Vitex (Lamiaceae) in Madagascar. II: Three New Species from the Littoral Forests.

Authors: Martin W. Callmander & Peter B. Phillipson

Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques, Geneva, Switzerland; Missouri Botanical Garden, USA & Institut de Systématique, Évolution, et Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France.

Kalanchoe darainensis
Image: L. Nusbaumer

1 Crassulaceae from Madagascar

Publication: Kalanchoe darainensis (Crassulaceae), a new species from northeastern Madagascar.

Authors: David-Paul Klein, Ronen Shtein, Louis Nusbaumer & Martin W. Callmander

Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques, Geneva, Switzerland; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany; The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel

Diptychophora galvani
Image: B. Landry

3 moths from Brazil

Publication: A taxonomic review of the genus Diptychophora Zeller (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae sensu lato, Crambinae) in Brazil, with descriptions of three new species.

Authors: Bernard Landry & Vitor O. Becker

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Serra Bonita Reserve, Bahia, Brazil

Note for Diptychophora galvani Landry & Becker: This new taxon is named in honour of Dr Ricardo Magnus Osório Galvão, professor of the Institute of Physics of the University of São Paulo, for his courage in the face of professional adversity. The orange colour of the moth’s forewings are reminiscent of the devastating fires that had become more prevalent in the Amazon in 2019, compared to 2018, based on Dr Galvão and his team’s scientific data that cost Dr Galvão his position of Director of the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research in August 2019.

Philautus nepenthophilus
Image: Laurence Etter

1 frog from Borneo

Publication: Out of the trap: A new phytothelm-breeding species of Philautus and an updated phylogeny of Bornean bush frogs
(Anura: Rhacophoridae).

Authors: Laurence Etter, Alexander Haas, Chien C. Lee, Pui Yong Min, Indraneil Das, Stefan T. Hertwig

University of Bern & Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern, Switzerland; Universität Hamburg, Germany; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia

Note: The ecology of the new species of Philautus is closely associated with the carnivorous pitcher plant, Nepenthes mollis.

Niphargus arolaensis
Image: Roman Alther

1 amphipod from Switzerland

Publication: Citizen science approach reveals groundwater fauna in Switzerland and a new species of Niphargus (Amphipoda, Niphargidae).

Authors: Roman Alther, Nicole Bongni, Špela Borko, Cene Fišer, Florian Altermatt

Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology & University of Zurich, Switzerland; University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Note: This new species, Niphargus arolaensis, was found in close vicinity to the Aare, hence its name.

Apodera angatakere
Image: E. Mitchell

1 amoeba from New Zealand

Publication: Superficially described and ignored for 92years, rediscovered and emended: Apodera angatakere (Amoebozoa: Arcellinida: Hyalospheniformes) is a new flagship testate amoeba taxon from Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Authors: Clément Duckert, Quentin Blandenier, Michelle McKeown, Holden Hohaia, Stefan Luketa, Janet Wilmshurst, Enrique Lara, Edward A. D. Mitchell

University of Neuchâtel, Jardin Botanique de Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand; University of Novi Sad, Serbia; Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Spain

Iberomeryx miaoi
Image: B. Mennecart

2 ruminants from China

Publication: Ruminants reveal Eocene Asiatic palaeobiogeographical provinces as the origin of diachronous mammalian Oligocene dispersals into Europe.

Authors: Bastien Mennecart, Manuela Aiglstorfer, Yikun Li, Chunxiao Li & ShiQi W

Naturhistorisches Museum Basel, Switzerland; Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Austria; Nanjing University, Chinese Academy of Science, China

Note: Iberomeryx miaoi pushes back the oldest known crown ruminant (here a Tragulidae) from at least 3 millions of years being 37 millions of years (interesting for molecular calibration). Moreover, the presence of this taxa in Southeastern Asia confirms that dispersals from Asia to Europe during the Paleogene occurred in 2 different waves, the first one at 34 Mya originating from Central Asia and a second one at 31 Mya originating from South Asia.

The second new species (Chiyoumeryx flavimperatoris), also a new genus of ruminant, highlights the early radiation of the ruminant in Asia during the Eocene. This taxa helps to understand the paleobiogeographical provinces in Asia during that time, with a Central/Northern province more arid than the Southern one.

Amphimoschus xishuiensis
Image: B. Mennecart

1 pecoran from China

Publication: The early evolution of cranial appendages in Bovoidea revealed by new species of Amphimoschus (Mammalia: Ruminantia) from China.

Authors: Yi-Kun Li, Bastien Mennecart, Manuela Aiglstorfer, Xi-Jun Ni, Qiang Li, Tao Deng

Natural History Museum Basel, Switzerland; Nanjing University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; Naturhistorisches Museum Mainz, Germany

Note: The 3D reconstruction is available on open access here

The origin of the appendages is something not clearly understood in the ruminant fossil record and evolution. This new ruminant species from China displays a proto-horns structure that was not known until now. These proto-appendages may be at the origin of the cranial appendages (horns) observed today in all Bovidae.

Dabulamanzia mayottensis
Image: J.-L. Gattolliat

2 mayflies from the Comoros and Mayotte

Publication: The Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) of the Comoros and Mayotte.

Authors: Thomas Kaltenbach, Nathalie Mary, Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, & University of Lausanne, Switzerland; ETHYC’O, New Caledonia

Labiobaetis academicus
Image: J.-L- Gattolliat

1 mayfly from Papua

Publication: Discovery of a new mayfly species (ephemeroptera, baetidae) near Cenderawasih University campus in Papua, Indonesia.

Authors: Thomas Kaltenbach, Suriani Surbakti, Nikita J. Kluge, Jean-Luc Gattolliat, Michel Sartori and Michael Balke

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, & University of Lausanne, Switzerland; Cenderawasih University, Indonesia; Saint-Petersburg State University, Russia; 5SNSB-Zoologische Staatssammlung München, Germany.

Labiobaetis ediai
Image: J.-L. Gattolliat

1 mayfly from West Africa

Publication: Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge in West Africa (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae), with description of a new species.

Authors: Thomas Kaltenbach, Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, & University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Paegniodes sapanensis
Image: M. Sartori

1 mayfly from Thailand

Publication: First record of Paegniodes Eaton, 1881 (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae) from Thailand with description of a new species.

Authors: Boonsatien Boonsoong, Chonlakran Auychinda, Michel Sartori, Nuttakun Khanyom

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, & University of Lausanne, Switzerland; ZMKU, Zoological Museum of Kasetsart University, Kasetsart University, and Wittayanusorn School, Thailand

Clivina germann
Image: Michael BALKENOHL

13 beetles from Asia

Publication: Revision of the Clivina castanea species-group from Asia (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Clivinini).

Author: Michael BALKENOHL

Bonstetten, Switzerland

Dyschirius rekawaianus
Image: Michael BALKENOHL

1 beetle from Sri Lanka

Publication: On the subfamily Scaritinae BONELLI, 1810 from Sri Lanka, with the description of a new species (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Scaritinae).

Author: Michael BALKENOHL

Bonstetten, Switzerland

2 beetles from Borneo

Publication: On the Bornean species of Scaphoxium LÖBL, 1979 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scaphidiinae).

Author: Ivan Löbl

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland

Calotes goetzi
Image: A. Schmitz

3 agamid lizards

Publication: Integrative approach to resolve the Calotes mystaceus Duméril & Bibron, 1837 species complex (Squamata: Agamidae).

Authors: Philipp Wagner, Flora Ihlow, Timo Hartmann, Morris Flecks, Andreas Schmitz, Wolfgang Böhme

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Allwetterzoo Münster, Münster, Germany; Villanova University, Villanova, USA; Museum of Zoology Senckenberg, Dresde, Germany; Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany.

Pseudoendorchis megalonemi
Image: A. de Chambrier

1 cestode from Peru

Publication: Description of the first species of Pseudoendorchis (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) with uniloculate suckers from the pimelodid catfish Megalonema platycephalum, with comments on the taxonomic importance of the terminal vagina.

Authors: Philippe Vieira Alves, Alain de Chambrier, Tomáš Scholz

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Biology Centre of the CzechAcademy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.

Megarthrus heise
Image: G. Cuccodoro

1 beetle from China

Publication: Megarthrus of China. Part 3. Comments on the occurrence of Megarthrus nitidulus Kraatz, 1857 in China, and description of a new species, with notes on teratology and phoretic acari in the genus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Proteininae).

Authors: Zhang, S., Cuccodoro, G., Chen, L. & Liu Z. P.

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.

5 beetles from the Philippines

Publication: Contribution to the knowledge of the Scaphisomatini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scaphidiinae) of Mindanao, Philippines.

Author: Ivan Löbl

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland

Achilia quanrantena
Image: G. Cuccodoro

3 beetles from Chile

Publication: Part 7. Revision of Achilia Reitter, 1890: A. cosmoptera species group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae).

Authors: Kurbatov, S. A., Cuccodoro, G. & Sabella, G

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali dell’Università – sezione Biologia Animale, Catania, Italy; Museum of Entomology, All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center, Bykovo, Russia.

V-flight intercept tra
Image: I. Löbl

4 beetles from the USA

Publication: Scaphisomatini of Arizona (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scaphidiinae) collected by V-Flight Intercept Traps.

Authors: Ivan Löbl, Richard A. B. Leschen & William B. Warner

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Manaaki Whenua, Landcare Research, new Zealand; Chandler, USA.

7 beetles from Malaysia

Publication: On the Baeocera Erichson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scaphidiinae) of Sabah, Malaysia, and a tale on mystified biodiversity.

Authors: Ivan Löbl & Aleš Smetana

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Canadian National Collection of Insects, Canada.

Procerobaetis totuspinosus
Image: J.-L. Gattolliat

1 mayfly from Thailand

Publication: A new species and first record of the genus Procerobaetis Kaltenbach & Gattolliat, 2020 (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) from Thailand.

Authors: Chanaporn Suttinun, Thomas Kaltenbach, Jean-Luc Gattolliat, Boonsatien Boonsoong

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, & University of Lausanne, Switzerland; Kasetsart University, Thailand.

Labiobaetis excavatus
Image: J.-L. Gattolliat

1 mayfly from Ethiopia

Publication: Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge in Ethiopia (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae), with description of a new species.

Authors: Thomas Kaltenbach & Jean-Luc Gattolliat

Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, & University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Obhylius
Image: C. Germann

2 beetles from Borneo

Publication: Two new Cotasteromimina from Borneo (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Molytinae).

Author: Christoph Germann

Naturhistorisches Museum Basel, Switzerland

Afroedura donveae
Image: Werner Conradie

4 geckos from Angola

Publication: Rock island melody: A revision of the Afroedura bogerti Loveridge, 1944 group, with descriptions of four new endemic species from Angola.

Authors: William R. Branch, Andreas Schmitz, Javier Lobón-Rovira, Ninda L. Baptista, Telmo António, Werner Conradie

Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland; Port Elizabeth Museum & Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Universidade do Porto, Portugal; Instituto Superior de Ciências da Educação da Huíla, Angola; Namibia University of Science and Technology, Namibia.

Diptychophora galvani
Image: B. Landry

A Brazilian moth elected species of the year of the Swiss Systematics Society

This moth, with a wingspan of 10 to 12 mm, is known only from a few specimens from the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso. The species was dedicated to Professor Ricardo Galvão, the former director of the Brazilian National Institute of Space Research (INPE), who opposed the Brazilian government's devastating biodiversity policy.