Pensoft Editorial Team

Remarkable Bat Discoveries from the ZooKeys Archives

These discoveries, ranging from a species rediscovered after a century to new regional records, emphasise the impressive diversity of bats.

Bats are nocturnal mammals that are critical to healthy ecosystems around the globe; they act as pollinators, seed dispersers, and natural pest controllers. In honour of Bat Appreciation Day (17 April), we are highlighting some of the most interesting bats published in our open-access journal ZooKeys.

The following discoveries, ranging from a species rediscovered after a century to new regional records, emphasise the remarkable diversity of bats and the ongoing efforts of researchers to understand and protect them.

The Strange Big-eared Brown Bat (Histiotus alienus)

Adult male of *Histiotus alienus*, captured on the municipality of Palmas, Paraná state, Brazil. (Image credit: Cláudio et al.).

For over a hundred years, the strange big-eared brown bat was known only from a single specimen collected in Uruguay in 1916. This elusive species remained unseen by the scientific community for a century, leading to significant uncertainty regarding its biology and true distribution.

However, a study led by Brazilian researchers documents the rediscovery of this bat in the Palmas Grasslands of southern Brazil, providing the first confirmed record for the country. This finding significantly expands the known range of the species and offers researchers the first opportunity to provide a detailed redescription.

Histiotus alienus is distinguished by its large and oval ears that are connected by a low skin fold. Its fur is a deep, dark brown on the back, while the underside is slightly paler. The rediscovery occurred in a unique landscape characterised by high-altitude grasslands and Araucaria forests, a habitat that is increasingly threatened by human activity.

Learn more: Cláudio VC, Almeida B, Novaes RLM, Navarro MA, Tiepolo LM, Moratelli R (2023) Rediscovery of Histiotus alienus Thomas, 1916 a century after its description (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae): distribution extension and redescription. ZooKeys 1174: 273-287. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1174.108553

The Flat-skulled Woolly Bat (Kerivoula depressa)

*Kerivoula depressa*. (Image credit: Liang et al.).

The world of bat taxonomy is constantly shifting as researchers use new tools to differentiate species that look nearly identical. Another study formally documents the first records of the flat-skulled woolly bat, Kerivoula depressa, in China.

Previously, many woolly bats in the region were grouped together under other names, but detailed morphological and genetic analysis confirmed that K. depressa is a distinct part of the Chinese fauna, specifically in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces.

The defining feature of this species is its notably flattened braincase. This physical trait is an evolutionary adaptation that allows the bat to roost in very narrow spaces, such as the hollow internodes of bamboo. The bat has woolly fur that ranges from buff brown to dark brown, and it is relatively small in size.

The presence of this specialist bat in China highlights the complexity of tropical forest ecosystems and the need for further taxonomic work to correctly identify and conserve local biodiversity.

Learn more: Liang X, Xie H, Li Y, Huang Z, Li S, Wu Y, Yu W (2023) First record of the flat-skulled woolly bat Kerivoula depressa and the Indochinese woolly bat K. dongduongana (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in China. ZooKeys 1149: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1149.85821

The Lesser False Vampire Bat (Megaderma spasma)

*Megaderma* *spasma*. (Image credit: Cook-Price et al.).

Islands often host a high number of unique species, yet their mammalian populations are frequently understudied. A comprehensive survey on Ko Pha-ngan, an island off the coast of Thailand, identifies the lesser false vampire bat, Megaderma spasma, as a new record for the island.

This species is a member of a group known for their distinctive appearance and predatory habits. While its name might sound ominous, it does not feed on blood; instead, it preys on insects and occasionally small vertebrates.

The lesser false vampire bat is easily recognised by its exceptionally large ears that are joined at the base and the absence of a visible external tail. During the survey, researchers found this species in a variety of environments, including national park forests, disturbed forest fragments, and areas with human settlements.

The discovery of M. spasma and eighteen other new records on Ko Pha-ngan demonstrates the importance of conducting biodiversity surveys in tourist-heavy regions to inform better conservation policies.

Learn more: Cook-Price DR, Petko ON, Makchai S, Artchawakom T, Suwanwaree P (2025) Mammal diversity survey of Ko Pha-ngan in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. ZooKeys 1229: 77-102. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.118127

The Grey-bellied Dwarf Dog-faced Bat (Molossops griseiventer)

Details specimen of *Molossops* *temminckii*. (Image credit: Ramírez-Chaves et al.).

Some species remain hidden until scientists take a closer look at existing museum collections and genetic data. For years, the grey-bellied dwarf dog-faced bat was considered a synonym of the more common Molossops temminckii. However, a recent revision has revalidated Molossops griseiventer as a separate species.

This grey-bellied dwarf dog-faced bat can be identified by its characteristic greyish ventral fur and specific cranial proportions. Beyond its appearance, the revalidation of this species has major implications for its protection. Unlike its more widespread relatives, M. griseiventer is restricted to the inter-Andean valleys of Colombia, a region heavily impacted by agricultural development.

Because it is now recognised as an endangered species, conservationists can advocate for specific protections for its remaining habitat. This case proves that understanding the true diversity of bats is a prerequisite for effective conservation.

Learn more: Ramírez-Chaves HE, Morales-Martínez DM, Martínez-Medina D, Ossa-López PA, Rivera-Páez FA (2023) Revising the diversity within the Dwarf Dog-faced Bat, Molossops temminckii (Chiroptera, Molossidae), with the revalidation of the endangered Molossops griseiventer. ZooKeys 1180: 237-256. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1180.109091

The stories of these four species remind us that our understanding of biodiversity is always evolving. Through continued exploration and open-access publishing, we can better appreciate and protect the bats that share our planet.

Once again, Happy Bat Appreciation Day from ZooKeys and Pensoft Publishers!

For more articles on zoology, visit the ZooKeys website and follow the journal on BlueSky and Facebook.

Agricultural and Environmental Modelling (AEM): A New Chapter for Modelling Science Publishing

Pensoft’s Agricultural & Environmental Modelling journal broadens its scope and strengthens its Open Science commitment across agri-food & environmental research.

Today marks the official relaunch of the Food and Ecological Systems Modelling Journal (FESMJ) under a new name – Agricultural and Environmental Modelling (AEM), an open-access journal dedicated to advancing the science and practice of computational and mathematical modelling across agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and environmental sciences.

The first editorial published under the AEM name sets out the journal’s expanded vision, its new article types, and its call to the modelling community.

What Has Changed and What Has Not

AEM retains the founding mission of its predecessors: to make ‘modelling research objects citable, discoverable, and reusable’ and transparent. The journal’s commitment to open access, rigorous peer review, and the recognition of modelling as a first-class scientific endeavour remains unchanged. Publication in AEM remains entirely free for all authors.

What has changed is the scope and structure. The journal’s disciplinary scope now spans the full breadth of modelling in the agricultural and environmental sciences, including management systems, production dynamics, agroecological modelling, as well as food safety, production, quality and supply-chain control, biotechnological research, socio-ecological systems, resource management and more.

Publishing the Full Modelling Lifecycle

A defining feature of AEM is its structured range of article types, designed to give formal, peer-reviewed recognition to each group of authors at every stage of a model’s development.

A complex model is not born in a single paper: it emerges through cycles of formal specification, software implementation, calibration, testing, and application, often carried out by different teams across different project phases. Each of those steps represents genuine scientific work; each deserves recognition.
reads the editorial

Among the most distinctive publication types is the Formal Model, which offers a citable recognition for foundational mathematical and conceptual design. Alongside the more standard article types, such as Review Article; Research Article; and Short Communication, AEM also welcomes contributions framed as Model Testing and Calibration; Model Implementation and Documentation; Software Description; and Data Paper. For each article, the journal’s team has provided an article template to assist authors.

Commitment to Open Science and Reproducibility

AEM is built around the FAIR principles – Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability – these are applied to data, code, and models as peer-reviewed outputs. As such, the journal mandates that all underlying data and source code are made openly available; while machine-learning methods must follow the DOME-ML reproducibility guidelines.

Published on Pensoft’s ARPHA Platform, the journal establishes transparency standards and requires author declarations for LLM use. AEM is archived in CLOCKSS, Zenodo, Portico, and Zendy, and indexed in more than 40 services, including AGRICOLA, Cabells, CABI, FAO AGRIS, and ResearchGate.

Recent research

Overview diagram of the conceptual population model for APODEMUS. The model simulates the wood mouse life cycle, growth and reproduction. Landscape composition is captured by habitat types (numbers) and influences the space use of the simulated wood mice. Exposures can be linked to the use of defined habitat patches and types. Credit to Singer et al., 2026

The most recent paper demonstrates how the Formal Model article type has been utilised to describe APODEMUS, a spatially-explicit simulation model designed to improve pesticide risk assessments for the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in European agricultural landscapes. The model provides regulators with a rigorous, transparent blueprint for evaluating how agricultural pesticides affect wild animal populations at the landscape scale.

An Invitation: Submissions and Editorial Board Applications

AEM welcomes submissions from researchers across all disciplines within its scope – whether describing a formal mathematical framework, documenting the calibration of a long-standing model, sharing data, or presenting a new computational workflow. Authors are encouraged to contact the editors directly to discuss specific publication needs.

The journal also welcomes applications from editors worldwide who share AEM’s vision. Experts willing to actively contribute to this unique journal and its community are invited to get in touch via the journal website.

Agricultural and Environmental Modelling is the first journal designed around the full lifecycle of modelling research, from formal specification to calibration, implementation, and application. Every contribution is important; every contribution is citable; credit where credit is due.
commented the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Christopher Topping

The renaming reflects a natural evolution of the journal’s mission. Agricultural and Environmental Modelling better represents the breadth of work it publishes – spanning the full spectrum of modelling across agricultural, food, and environmental sciences – and reaffirms the journal’s founding commitment to Open Science and to recognising every stage of model development as rigorous scientific work in its own right.
added Pensoft’s founder and CEO, Prof. Lyubomir Penev

You can follow the journal on social media – Bluesky, Facebook and LinkedIn, and sign up for the journal’s email newsletter through the journal’s homepage.

Original sources:

Topping CJ, Nogoy N, Boyadzhieva I, Stoev P, Penev L (2026) A journal by modellers, for modellers: Introducing Agricultural and Environmental Modelling. Agricultural and Environmental Modelling 8: e194160. https://doi.org/10.3897/aem.8.194160

Singer A, Schmolke A, Becher MA, von Blanckenhagen F, van den Brink N, Grimm T, Ibrahim L, Imholt C, Jacob J, Jakoby O, Laucht S, Løvik AN, Martin T, Muñoz CC, Preuss TG, Galic N (2026) Concept for APODEMUS – a wood mouse population model for pesticide risk assessment. Food and Ecological Systems Modelling Journal 7: e175714. https://doi.org/10.3897/fmj.7.175714

The Giants of the Reef: New Citizen Science Project Races to Document Centennial Corals

Ancient, massive coral reef colonies hold scientific treasures but remain largely unknown – now they are being mapped with the help of citizen science.

Guest blog post by Federica Siena

Coral reefs hide “scientific treasures” that have survived for centuries, yet many of these giant, ancient organisms remain largely unknown to science. A new study published in the journal Nature Conservation introduces “Map the Giants,” a pioneering citizen-science initiative launched by researchers from the University of Milano-Bicocca to find these giant coral colonies before they are lost to escalating global pressures.

Map the Giants® was born from a sobering yet stimulating realization by the research team: despite their centennial age and their remarkable sizes – defined by the project as colonies measuring at least 5 meters in length – these colonies lack formal recognition. This leaves them vulnerable to disappearance simply because we do not know they exist.

A Mission of Discovery

Coral giant, video credit to Map the Giants®

While these coral giants have withstood the elements for hundreds of years, the last century has brought unprecedented local and global threats. “We are in a race to recognize these organisms. They have survived for centuries, but modern pressures are increasing so rapidly that some colonies may disappear before they are even documented,” the authors emphasized the urgency.

The research highlights that identifying these giants is not just a scientific necessity, but a vital tool for fostering ocean literacy and raising awareness among local stakeholders and the broader community – a goal made possible through a standardized reporting protocol and multi-expert validation that ensures robust data collection regardless of the contributor’s background.

Secrets of Survival

Pavona cf. clavus from Vietnam, 195 metres in perimeter. Credits to Anuar Abdulla
Turbinaria sp. measuring 11m in diameter. Credits to Map the Giants
Pavona sp. from Indonesia measuring 78 m in perimeter. Credits to Easy Divers Bali

The team searched for more than just size; they also looked for vital clues to “coral resilience“. Long-lived giant corals act as high-resolution time capsules, archiving centuries of past climate and environmental conditions within their skeletons.

By locating and studying these ancient survivors, we hope to unlock the genetic secrets and traits that have enabled these specific individuals to resist and acclimatize to environmental changes.
researchers explained

Furthermore, the project aims to provide a validated sampling frame to support peer-reviewed studies on resilient “super-corals,” which could help future-proof and restore the reefs of tomorrow. Ultimately, by identifying these culturally and ecologically valuable colonies, the researchers plan to collaborate with stakeholders to explore protection measures and establish them as marine monuments.

The Power of the Community

@pensoft.publishers
Some #corals have been alive for CENTURIES – and scientists are just now racing to find them before they disappear. 🪸 “Map the Giants” is a new citizen science project tracking coral colonies 5+ metres long. In just 18 months, contributors from 22 countries have already added 133 verified entries to the global database. 👐Pretty incredible what a community can do. Photo and video credit to: Map the Giants, Luca Fallati, Federica Siena, Anuar Abdulla and Easy Divers Bali #coralreefs #science #marine #climatechange
♬ mirage – théos & Antent

The project has already seen remarkable success. In its first 18 months, the initiative received 195 submissions from 22 countries, resulting in 133 validated entries added to the public database. Most surprisingly, the project reports of an incredibly large Porites sp. coral measuring over 60 metres in linear length or a Pavona cf. clavus over 195 metres in perimeter, offering new inspirations for future scientific research.

Citizen science is pivotal. The sheer scale of coral reefs requires a concerted effort. Anyone with a camera and a snorkel can join us. A simple report of a giant’s existence is the first step in recognizing and studying them.
said the project lead Prof. Simone Montano

How to Join the Search

The project is designed for total accessibility. Through a dedicated website (www.mapthegiants.com) and social media presence, the public can contribute data and learn about the beauty and fragility of reef ecosystems. The adaptable protocol ensures that whilst data are robust, the background of the contributor will only affect the level of complexity of the data, not the report on its own. By turning divers and reef users into “coral seekers,” the project aims to bridge the gap between professional science and community-led conservation.

Original source:

Siena FM, Gabbiadini A, Fallati L, Galli P, Montano S (2026) Map the Giants: a new citizen-science portal to map, study and protect the largest coral colonies. Nature Conservation 63: 127-151. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.63.182923

Meet the Crevice Weaver: A Newly Discovered Urban Spider from Colombia

The Pikelinia floydmuraria, a new addition to the South American Pikelinia population, was observed in Colombia’s department of Tolima and is now described in the journal Zoosystematics and Evolution.

A team of researchers from institutions across South America have expanded scholarly knowledge of the Pikelinia spider genus, with their recent discovery of a new crevice weaver species: Pikelinia floydmuraria.

The new species name is a creative tribute to the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, while simultaneously referencing the spider’s specific habitat. “Muraria,” derived from the Latin word for “wall”, reflects the species’ tendency to reside in the walls of buildings, though indeed also alludes to the iconic Pink Floyd album, The Wall.

A photo of the wall were these spiders live in Armenia, Quindío. Photo credit to Leonardo Delgado-Santa.
Pikelinia floydmuraria, male paratype. Credit to Leonardo Delgado-Santa.

These findings are described in greater detail in the open-access journal Zoosystematics and Evolution (ZSE) and serve as a particularly important contribution to the wider study of synanthropic spiders – species that have adapted to human-created environments. Despite the ecological importance of these spiders in Colombia, research into their biology and nutritional ecology has received little attention. The discovery of the Pikelinia floydmuraria, alongside observations of additional populations in neighbouring Colombian departments, holds the potential to remedy this problem.

The species establishment

The first regional review of the genus Pikelinia was established in 1946 by the Brazilian zoologist Mello-Leitão. For decades, the genus remained obscure, with species often misidentified or “lumped” into the type genus Filistata, most commonly found in the Mediterranean region.

In 2022, however, a major study redefined Pikelinia as part of a distinct South American spider group. Pikelinia floydmuraria is the most recent addition to the genus and provides considerable insight into the dietary composition of these crevice weavers.

Skilled hunters

Pikelinia floydmuraria from Tolima, Female Juvenile, attacking a cockroach on the web. Credit: Julio C. González-Gómez.
Pikelinia floydmuraria from Tolima, Female Juvenile, attacking a cockroach on the web. Credit: Julio C. González-Gómez.

These spiders are skilled hunters, primarily feeding on insects including flies, beetles and ants. Remarkably, they are capable of taking down prey up to six times their own size and often build their webs near streetlights to catch insects attracted to the glow. The above figure provides a visual representation of the spider’s predatory behaviour in urban habitats, demonstrating its ability to prey on insects larger than itself.By keeping these insect populations under control, crevice weavers thus maintain a healthier balance in the Colombian urban environment.

The research team behind this discovery, led by Osvaldo Villarreal and Leonardo Delgado-Santa, note that Pikelinia floydmuraria only measure about 3 to 4 millimetres in length. One of their most unique internal features is found in the females, which contain reproductive organs comprising long and slender tubes that are shaped like the letter “S”. In urban environments, they can be found tucked in the cracks and crevices of building walls, with observed concentrations reaching between 20 and 30 spiders in a single square metre.

*Pikelinia fasciata, female from Galapagos A. Habitus (dorsal view). Credit: Andrea C. Roman.*

The researchers further observed that Pikelinia floydmuraria is a very close relative of another species called Pikelinia fasciata, which lives in the Galapagos Islands. Despite being separated by the Pacific Ocean and Andes mountain range, the two look almost exactly alike, leaving scientists to wonder: how did such similar spiders end up so far apart? It remains a mystery as to whether these traits reflect shared ancestry or similar ecological adaptations.

Nonetheless, the two can be differentiated by the appearance of their legs, with the Colombian spider displaying solid-colours, and the Galapagos featuring darker rings by contrast. The Galapagos female spiders additionally have shorter and straighter reproductive organs in comparison to the Colombian female.

Further research needed

@pensoft.publishers
🎸🕸️ Meet the latest rock star of the #spider world: Pikelinia floydmuraria. 🕷️Recently discovered in Colombia, this species was officially named after @Pink Floyd as a tribute to both their iconic album “The Wall” and the spider’s favourite hangout: urban city walls. ➡️ Follow the link to read more about this discovery: https://zse.pensoft.net/article/175423/ ➡️Or see the blog post here: https://blog.pensoft.net/2026/04/14/meet-the-crevice-weaver-a-newly-discovered-urban-spider-from-colombia/ #arachnid #spiders #newspecies #science
♬ original sound – Pensoft Publishers

In order to better determine whether Pikelinia floydmuraria is a unique species native to Colombia, the South American researchers suggest the implementation of DNA barcoding in future studies. This will provide genetic evidence that could help map the evolutionary history of Pikelinia floydmuraria. A DNA-based dietary analysis, meanwhile, would quantify the extent to which these spiders operate as natural urban pest regulators.

Whether they are just “another web in the wall” or a relative from the Galapagos, the discovery of Pikelinia floydmuraria represents a significant advancement in our understanding of South American spider taxonomy. By identifying this new Colombian species and providing the first-ever detailed anatomical description for its relative, Pikelinia fasciata, researchers have expanded scientific knowledge of the Pikelinia genus.

Pikelinia floydmuraria may be small and “comfortably numb” to the bustle of the city, but their impact on maintaining a healthy urban ecosystem is anything but quiet.

Original source

Villarreal O, Delgado-Santa L, González-Gómez JC, Rodríguez-Castro GA, Román AC, Agudelo E, García LF (2026) Another web in the wall: A new Pikelinia Mello-Leitão, 1946 (Araneae, Filistatidae) from Colombia, with notes on its diet and description of the female genitalia of P. fasciata (Banks, 1902). Zoosystematics and Evolution 102(1): 357-366. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.175423

Lost, Hidden, and Found: The Herpetofauna of Samar’s Karst Labyrinth

A recent field study to document reptile and amphibian diversity found in Samar Natural Park (SINP) and Samar Island unveils fascinating results.

Guest Blog Post by the Research Team of Samar Island’s Herpetofauna

In the darkness of the Samar rainforest, a flash of color stopped the research team in their tracks. Their headlamps illuminated a small shrub on a worn limestone trail, revealing a tiny pink snake. With a quiet sense of triumph, Yñigo del Prado readied his camera and leaned forward to photograph the coiled serpent within the branches of the shrub.

Although unknown to del Prado’s research team at the time, their rediscovery of the rare blindsnake Ramphotyphlops marxi would become one of the significant findings of the most recent comprehensive field study to document reptile and amphibian diversity found in Samar Natural Park (SINP) and Samar Island. Indeed, first recorded by the eminent zoologist Dioscoro Rabor in 1957 and unseen since, the snake is now a key highlight of the the survey, now published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.

*Ramphotyphlops marxi* – Marx’s worm snake. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).

“Samar Island is a biological frontier hiding in plain sight,” remarks Arvin Diesmos, a former curator in herpetology at the National Museum of the Philippines, and present senior director at the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. He was part of an expedition team from the Herpetological Research Collection of the University of Santo Tomas to survey the biodiversity of Samar Island Natural Park.

The primary goal of the expedition was to generate updated and comprehensive data on the terrestrial vertebrate fauna—from amphibians and reptiles to birds and mammals—that aim to strengthen the scientific foundation for the nomination of SINP to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The diverse team of biologists was assembled by UST Assistant Professor Mae Diesmos and head of UST–HRC, to spearhead the terrestrial faunal surveys, while project was designed by Professor Eric Zerrudo, also from UST, and the director of the Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics.

Together with biologists from the University of the Philippines in Diliman and Los Banos campus, in close partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Samar provincial government, the project undertook a month-long biodiversity survey of the karst rainforest of SINP – a ~333,339 hectare protected area of intact lowland forest over limestone and a Key Biodiversity Area in the Philippines.

Karst rainforest of SINP. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).

At an estimated area of ca 1,310,700 ha, Samar and the nearby island of Leyte count as one of the largest islands of the Philippines. While Samar has gradually experienced progressive decline in forest cover over the last couple of decades, its interior still houses one of the largest intact labyrinths of habitats spanning karst rainforest and cave systems.

“The reptiles and amphibians in limestone karst systems have evolved in remarkable ways. Every major survey [we] conducted reveals something new, something previously undetected just hiding under the woodworks. Which tells us that Samar remains one of the most important—and often understudied, biodiversity strongholds in the eastern region of the Philippines.”
Mae Diesmos

Though, perhaps “understudied” is an overstatement. A number of biological surveys have been conducted in SINP, as referenced in the article, with some of the extensive surveys dating back as early as the 1850s.

With the benefit of hindsight, the team integrated historical records into their paper, updating species names and distributions to match current classifications. This process effectively cleared up past confusion over identification. In addition, the larger taxon-based field biologists from UST and UP, allowed for more targeted sampling of several taxonomic groups. Increasing the sampling effort subsequently led to more extraordinary discoveries.

Case in point, the team found an additional 39 new records of reptiles and amphibians that bolstered the listing in SINP to a total of 79 species, and new distribution records of three species previously unknown from the island. And of course, there was the collection of the two specimens of R. marxi, whose existence had only been known from two historical records.

Dog-toothed cat snake. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).
Bornean keeled pit viper. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).
Philippine shrub snake. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).

Striped leaf gecko. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).

Acquiring this valuable data was by no means a simple task. The herpetology team was beset by the onset of the monsoon season, meaning that dry transect walks and even dry clothing were rare. The team also faced the strong currents and high rapids of the adjacent Ulot River as they moved from one site to another, and endured sandfly-infested campsites.

Ulot River Stream. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).

Encounters with local herpetofauna were always a joy. In the search for unique and cryptic species of lizards and snakes, the herpetology team relied on some tried and tested methods such as targeted microhabitat sampling of decaying logs, forest litter, and stream banks to look for fossorial species. Some methods were largely improvised; collapsible fishing poles became indispensable to shake down arboreal species or at the very least, encourage them to descend from the canopies.

Some species, however, had to be approached differently, as was the case for Platymantis bayani. The species is part of a larger complex of limestone frogs that could be found in karst formations in the Philippines, and each known species is unique to the location where it is found. On more than one occasion, the herpetology team had to search through overgrown limestone crevices; in others, the group descended into the depths of massive limestone caves in the dark to search for these elusive frogs.

*Platymantis bayani* – Walter’s limestone frog. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).

But Filipinos are nothing if resilient, as a local adage goes. Certainly, Mae Diesmos and her team had their work cut out for them. The officials of the Samar provincial government were notably also very thorough in their coordination and movement across study sites, to ensure the safety of the team. This highlights the importance of collaborative work between research institutions and local government units and stakeholders. Research is considerably more difficult without proper funding and local coordination.

This issue is not unique to Samar. Limited and precious funding to support scientific research remains a challenge to sustain biodiversity surveys across many islands and regions of the country. Much work remains to be done because numerous areas and habitats still lack detailed biodiversity surveys. Field biologists and conservationists have, for many decades now, been locked in a dizzying and (at times) disheartening race against habitat destruction and population decline of key species.

Semper’s forest dragon. (Image credit: Yñigo del Prado).

As more field studies continue, Samar and nearby islands will likely continue to reveal even more of its hidden biodiversity. An inspiring reminder to future researchers that even in the 21^st century, the rainforest of the Philippines still holds many scientific discoveries waiting to be made.

Original source:

Diesmos MLL, del Prado YLC, Kim PMM, Caguimbal NALE, Venturina REL, Lorenzo II AN, Diesmos AC (2026) Amphibians and reptiles of Samar Island Natural Park, Philippines, with an updated checklist, a rediscovery, and new records for Samar Island. ZooKeys 1269: 303-328. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1269.173854

For more articles on zoology, visit the ZooKeys website and follow the journal on BlueSky and Facebook.

What lives 10 km below the surface? A new look at life in Japan’s deepest ocean trenches

A new study in Biodiversity Data Journal provides baseline data on habitats and organism interactions in Japan’s deepest ocean trenches.

Guest blog post by Dr. Denise Swanborn

The Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre at the University of Western Australia specialises in exploring life in the most extreme parts of the ocean – the abyssal (about 3,000-6,000 meters deep) and hadal (anything deeper than 6,000 meters) zones.

Reaching these depths is not easy. It takes specialised vessels, full-ocean depth-rated equipment, and enormous coordination and planning. Months – sometimes years – of preparation all lead up to a few weeks at sea.

In 2022, during a two-month expedition funded by Caladan Oceanic and Inkfish aboard the vessel DSSV Pressure Drop, together with scientists from the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, we descended into some of the deepest places around Japan: The Japan Trench, Ryukyu Trench and Izu-Ogasawara Trench – the latter reaching nearly 10 km below the ocean’s surface.

Bathymetry of the Northwest Pacific Ocean with specific study areas labelled. Inset maps relate to individual study sites described here in: Japan Trench (A), Boso triple junction (B), Izu-Ogasawara Trench (C) and Ryukyu Trench (D), with locations of submersible dives and lander deployments indicated. All regional elevation data sourced from the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO Compilation Group 2024) and multibeam bathymetry data at study sites acquired for this study onboard DSSV Pressure Drop, which was supplemented with GEBCO data for the Ryukyu Trench (D). Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026.

Results are now available in “Faunal biodiversity of the lower abyssal and hadal zones of the Japan, Ryukyu and Izu-Ogasawara trenches (NW Pacific Ocean; 4534-9775 m)“, published in the Biodiversity Data Journal. We logged about 460 h of seafloor video footage, documenting at least 108 morphotaxa (distinct visual organism groups) between 4,534 and 9,775 m depth.

The bigger picture

We used two methods to document deep-sea life – crewed submersible transects and free-fall baited landers. This combination enabled us to build the most comprehensive visual baseline yet for abyssal and hadal megafauna in the Northwest Pacific to date.

The submersible ‘Limiting factor’ before the expedition launch. Photo credit to Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
The ‘Limiting Factor’ submersible descending. Photo credit to Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
The submersible observed from the lander. Photo credit to Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish, Caladan Oceanic.

Subduction trenches, such as the Japan Trench, Ryukyu Trench, and Izu-Ogasawara Trench, are the planet’s deepest geological features. They are formed by the process of subduction, in which one tectonic plate is forced beneath another. Although this movement is slow on human timescales – cms per year – over millions of years, it carves long, narrow depressions in the seafloor that reach extreme depths, reshaping entire ocean basins.

These subduction zones are also known for major seismic events, such as earthquakes, which can trigger submarine landslides, remobilising sediment and rapidly transporting material into the trenches.

The trenches we studied are situated along some of the most tectonically active margins on Earth. Combined with the effects of depth, high hydrostatic pressure, near-freezing temperatures, and lack of sunlight, life in subduction trenches is shaped by a remarkable combination of forces. Understanding biodiversity in these systems, therefore, also means consideration of the unique environmental context that has shaped the ecosystems observed today.

Why this study matters

Videos from the submersible data collected in the Japan Trench in 2022. Video credit to Inkfish, Caladan Oceanic and The University of Western Australia.

Historically, our understanding of abyssal and hadal ecosystems, including those associated with subduction features, relied largely on trawls and physical samples. While these methods provide essential information, they can damage fragile organisms and rarely capture behaviour or ecological context.

Although observing them in their own habitat is still rare, image-based identification is central to biodiversity science at extreme depths. But without illustrated guides, consistent identification is difficult, often leaving researchers like ourselves with limited reference material.

So, this study was not simply about observing deep-sea organisms, but also aimed to establish a foundation for future research at these depths. With the help of taxonomic experts worldwide, we wanted to create baseline biodiversity data for the region at these depths – information that can inform imagery-based surveys and targeted specimen collection on subsequent expedition.

What did we see?

The submersible surveys enabled us to traverse different habitats and observe animals in their natural environment. Just as importantly, the submersible dives allowed us to record behaviour – something that remains poorly documented at these depths.

Bassozetus sp. at a 6,600 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
Snailfish and Eurythenes sp., feeding off the baited lander at 7,500 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.

Among the most striking encounters were dense aggregations of stalked crinoids at 9,137 m (forming a “crinoid meadow”), with hundreds of individuals anchored to rocks and terraces. We also observed carnivorous sponges at nearly 10 km depth, and filter-feeding isopods perched along rock edges.

Crinoid meadow at a 9,300 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
Crinoid on a rock at a 9,100 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
Isopods at a 7,500 m depth. Credit to Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
Supergiant amphipod and Pseudoliparis fish at 7,000 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.

Meanwhile, baited landers revealed a different side of the ecosystem: the mobile scavenger and predator communities. They are deployed from the surface and free-fall to the seabed.

Once settled, they record everything that approaches the bait – mostly crustaceans and fish. We caught footage of supergiant amphipods (Alicella gigantea), predatory amphipods hunting smaller prey, and perhaps most excitingly, a snailfish feeding at depths down to 8,336 m – the deepest in-situ observation of a fish to date.

Macrouridae species and snailfish feeding on the baited lander at a 7,300 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceaninc.

Together, these two approaches revealed complementary parts of the same system and show that the hadal environment supports a remarkable diversity of life, with organisms highly adapted to conditions considered extreme by human standards.

Rarities and mysteries

Video footage of the mysterious organism. Footage credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.

Even with high-definition footage and international taxonomic expertise, some animals remain enigmatic. Twice, we filmed a slow-gliding animal that we have not been able to confidently assign to any phylum. Some thought they looked like nudibranchs, others like sea cucumbers, but nobody could agree.

Foraminifera (Monothalamea). **A, B** Clusters associated with metal debris; C clusters associated with wood debris; D dense localised patches; E clusters not associated with foreign objects; F patch of xenophyophore-like spherical structures. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026

Then there were xenophyophores: giant, single-celled organisms that build elaborate homes out of sediment. While a few morphotypes could be identified, the overall diversity and number of species remain uncertain.

Are the studied trenches the same?

@pensoft.publishers
😯Fascinating new #study recorded 108 morphotaxa from 4,500m down to the #hadal depths of 9,775m, revealing the hidden life of the NW Pacific trenches. 🎥They analyzed 460 hours of video from landers & submersibles across the Japan, Ryukyu, and Izu-Ogasawara trenches. 👇Full study here: https://doi.org/10.3897 /BDJ.14.e182172 📗You can read all about it on Pensoft’s blog 👇 https://blog.pensoft.net/2026/04/06/what-lives-10-km-below-the-surface-a-new-look-at-life-in-japans-deepest-ocean-trenches/ Research center: Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre. Main funders of the expedition: Inkfish, Caladan Oceanic #deepsea #sciencetok #research
♬ THE MOON – Camargguinho

One of the most exciting aspects of this study was the ability to compare three separate subduction trenches. Broadly, many morphotaxa were shared across all three but local patterns differed. The Japan Trench hosted the highest number of observed morphotaxa, likely influenced by both sampling effort and environmental heterogeneity.

The Izu-Ogasawara Trench, the deepest surveyed, showed dramatic biological aggregations in its deepest parts. The Ryukyu Trench, despite being about as deep as the Japan Trench, lacked several taxa present in the other trenches. The differences in community composition and diversity likely reflect variations in depth, tectonic setting and nutrient input from surface waters.

Final thoughts

By integrating footage from submersible transects and baited lander deployments, we gained an unprecedented picture of the habitats and biodiversity of the Japanese subduction trenches.

Rock and various fauna and litter at 7,500 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceaninc.

Our observations show that these systems are shaped by a complex interplay of geological processes, productivity, disturbance and depth. While it’s easy to think of deep-sea trenches as untouched wilderness, our findings also showed evidence of human-derived debris, likely transported by downslope processes.

More than anything, the hadal zone remains one of Earth’s least-explored and most intriguing frontiers. As technological capabilities advance, continued exploration will be essential for uncovering the mechanisms that sustain life at these depths.

Original source:

Jamieson AJ, Swanborn DJB, Bond T, Cundy MC, Fujiwara Y, Lindsay D, Stott MS, Kitazato H (2026) Faunal biodiversity of the lower abyssal and hadal zones of the Japan, Ryukyu and Izu-Ogasawara trenches (NW Pacific Ocean; 4534-9775 m). Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e182172. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e182172

Microscopic Coils and Coffee Trees Lead to an Amazing New Fungal Discovery

Two new species of fungi have been found living on dead coffee plant branches in China’s Yunnan Province.

Yunnan Province in southwestern China is a global biodiversity hotspot, accommodating an incredible variety of plants and animals. It is also the heart of China’s coffee industry, with Yunnan accounting for almost all of the country’s coffee production. However, coffee plants are very common hosts for many types of fungi, which can act as harmful diseases, harmless residents, or natural recyclers – these factors can impact the plant’s health and how much coffee it produces.

A new study published in the open-access journal MycoKeys, and led by Mei-Yan Han of Chiang Mai University, revealed two novel species of Neohelicomyces fungi: Neohelicomyces coffeae and Neohelicomyces puerensis. While studying the fungi that live on Coffea arabica, the team spotted these unique organisms growing on dead coffee branches. This discovery underscores the need for further investigations into the fungal diversity of the region.

Both species are characterised by their coil-shaped structures which appear as glistening white patches on coffee plants. Specifically, N. coffeae features short stems and small, multi-sectioned spores, while N. puerensis is distinguished by its tightly coiled filaments and unbranched stems. While the former is named after the host genus Coffea, the latter references the locality in which both species were found: Pu’er City.

Neohelicomyces coffeae (GMB-W1490, holotype). Photo credit: Mei-Yan Han et al.
Neohelicomyces puerensis (GMB-W1485, holotype). Photo credit: Mei-Yan Han et al.

Importantly, these fungi are classified as saprophytic because they were found growing exclusively on the dead branches of coffee plants rather than on living tissue. Functioning as nature’s essential recyclers, they obtain their energy by breaking down complex organic materials like wood and cellulose. Therefore, by decomposing this dead matter, both play a vital role in the coffee ecosystem by unlocking trapped nutrients and returning them to the soil. This incentive subsequently helps support the growth of the surrounding living coffee plants.

Saprophytic fungi are additionally being studied as potential sources for new medicines and agricultural tools. Scientists have found that the family to which these new species belong, Tubeufiaceae, can produce natural chemicals that fight off bacteria, other fungi, and even certain types of cancer. Specifically, researchers have already discovered compounds related to Neohelicomyces species that show promise in slowing the growth of human cancer cells.

As of 2026, there are 36 known species of Neohelicomyces, with the vast majority found in China – particularly in Guizhou and Yunnan provinces – though they also appear in Europe and North America. By expanding their known diversity specifically in agricultural environments, researchers have shed light on their ecological potentials, and have called attention to their future biotechnological applications.

Following these discoveries, it is certain that the future of fungal research is starting to brew.

Original source:

Han M-Y, Yang J-Y, Karunarathna SC, Kumla J, Lu L, Zheng D-G, Elgorban AM, Alfagham AT, Yu F-Q, Dai D-Q, Zhang L-J, Suwannarach N, Tibpromma S (2026) Two new Neohelicomyces species (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) associated with Coffea arabica L. in Yunnan Province, China. MycoKeys 127: 343-362. https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.127.173937

A new crab is settling in the Mediterranean: early evidence of establishment of a Lessepsian species in the Ionian Sea

New research reveals the rapid expansion of the portunid crab, Gonioinfradens giardi, highlighting ongoing biological changes in the Mediterranean Sea.

Guest blog post by Francesco Tiralongo

The Mediterranean Sea is undergoing rapid ecological transformations driven by climate change and human-mediated species introductions. Among the most striking processes is the increasing arrival and establishment of non-indigenous species entering through the Suez Canal, a phenomenon known as Lessepsian migration.

A new study published in Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria documents the rapid expansion of the Indo-Pacific swimming crab Gonioinfradens giardi in the Ionian Sea, off the coast of Italy. Following the first confirmed Italian record – a single specimen collected at Portopalo di Capo Passero in November 2025 – researchers documented 11 additional individuals between November 2025 and January 2026, providing early evidence that the species has moved beyond sporadic occurrence and may already be establishing stable populations in the region.

@pensoft.publishers
🦀A new study highlights the rapid expansion and early establishment of the non-indigenous Indo-Pacific swimming crab, Gonioinfradens giardi, along the Ionian coast of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea The research was published in the open-access journal Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria. 👉Full article here: Tiralongo F, Leotta P, Accolla H, Tibullo D, Felici A (2026) Rapid expansion of a Lessepsian migrant crab, Gonioinfradens giardi (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae), in the Ionian Sea: New records and early evidence of establishment. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 56: 145-149. https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.56.185183 #invasivespecies #conservation #italy
♬ Aesthetic – BoominBeats

Our findings suggest that Gonioinfradens giardi is transitioning from occasional records to a more consistent presence in the central Mediterranean. This raises important questions about its potential ecological role and interactions with native species.
explains Francesco Tiralongo, lead author of the study

To reconstruct the current distribution of the species, the newly collected data integrates recent records with field observations obtained through a collaboration with local fishers utilizing standard artisanal fishing gears.

The haul of a dozen individuals within a two-month period indicates that environmental conditions are becoming more favorable for its persistence. Furthermore, these captures mark the westernmost presence of the species in the Mediterranean Sea to date.

Distribution map of *Gonioinfradens* *giardi*; new records along the Ionian coast of Sicily are shown in yellow (circles), while the red circle indicates the first published record. Credit to Tiralongo et al., 2026

The rapid emergence of this species highlights how dynamic and responsive Mediterranean ecosystems are to ongoing environmental changes. Documenting these early phases of establishment is crucial for understanding future ecological scenarios and supporting informed management decisions.
adds Alberto Felici, co-author of the study

The establishment of non-indigenous crustaceans may have cascading effects on local ecosystems, including competition with native species and potential implications for fisheries. While the long-term impacts of G. giardi remain uncertain, its rapid spread reflects broader changes already underway in Mediterranean marine biodiversity.

*Gonioinfradens giardi*, credit to Francesco Tiralongo.

This case adds to a growing list of species reshaping Mediterranean ecosystems. Continuous monitoring, including contributions from fishers and citizen scientists, will be essential to track these dynamics and support adaptive management strategies.
Tiralongo adds

A YouTube video by the study’s lead author, Francesco Tiralongo, in which he introduces Gonioinfradens giardi – a species relatively unknown in the Mediterranean – explains its origin, describes how it entered the ecosystem, and outlines its current distribution in Italian waters as well as its potential impacts on ecosystems and fisheries.

The study contributes to the expanding body of evidence that the Mediterranean Sea is becoming a hotspot for biological invasions, emphasizing the need for coordinated research and monitoring efforts at regional and basin-wide scales.

Original source:

Tiralongo F, Leotta P, Accolla H, Tibullo D, Felici A (2026) Rapid expansion of a Lessepsian migrant crab, Gonioinfradens giardi (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae), in the Ionian Sea: New records and early evidence of establishment. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 56: 145-149. https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.56.185183

Two New Gecko Species Discovered in Vietnam, One Named After Herpetologist Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler

Two new species of half leaf-fingered geckos have been discovered in Vietnam, one was named in honor of the renowned herpetologist Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler.

Guest blog post by Minh Duc Le

The half leaf-fingered geckos (Hemiphyllodactylus) are a diverse group with more than 70 recognized species and a distribution range from southern India and Sri Lanka, through Indochina and Southeast Asia, to the western Pacific region.

As a result of its cryptic lifestyle and small body size, its diversity had been neglected until a recent surge of integrative taxonomic research, which combines different lines of evidence, most importantly molecular and morphological data.

Over the last ten years, more than 60 members of the genus (~85% of its diversity) have been newly described. Vietnam is a hot spot for new species discoveries with at least 10 congeners uncovered in recent years, including H. banaensis, H. bonkowskii, H. cattien, H. dalatensis, H. lungcuensis, H. nahangensis, H. ngocsonensis, H. vanhoensis, H. yenchauensis, and H. zugi.

Male *Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri*. Photo credit to Anh Van Pham.

A newly published paper in ZooKeys reveals another new species within Hemiphyllodactylus, Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri, from Copia Nature Reserve, Son La Province, northwestern Vietnam.

The new species is currently known only from this protected area, established in 2002. Although its range is estimated at less than 50 km², the area has been experiencing severe habitat degradation, primarily as a result of road construction and timber logging.

The new species honours Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler, a world-class herpetologist and conservation biologist of Cologne Zoo and the University of Cologne, who has made remarkable contributions to biodiversity research and conservation in Southeast Asia, especially to its the herpetofauna. Prof. Ziegler was involved in the descriptions of seven Hemiphyllodactylus species from Vietnam.

In addition to his more than three decades of engagement in taxonomic and ecological studies – spanning lizards, snakes, turtles, salamanders, frogs, and other vertebrates and invertebrates – Prof. Ziegler has made substantial contributions across herpetology broadly.

More recently, he has actively developed in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures to safeguard some of Vietnam’s most endangered species, including the Crocodile Lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus), the Vietnamese Knobby Newt (Tylototriton vietnamensis), the Cat Ba Leopard Gecko (Goniurosaurus catbaensis), and the Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis).

As for Hemiphyllodactylus, the current taxonomy is believed to substantially underestimate its diversity, especially in the karst ecosystem, as recent discoveries demonstrate that this particular habitat harbors a high number of cryptic species.

Adult male *Hemiphyllodactylus* *pakhaensis*. Credit to Ha HB et al., 2026

Coinciding with the publication of H. ziegleri, another karst-dwelling species – H. pakhaensis from Son La Province – was reported in ZooKeys. These discoveries bring the total species count to 12, suggesting that additional surveys in remote areas of the country and elsewhere in Southeast Asia will likely reveal many new congeners and highlight the importance of this unique, but highly imperiled ecosystem.

Original sources

Pham AV, Nguyen TQ, Pham CT, Ngo HT, Le MD (2026) Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri sp. nov. (Squamata, Gekkonidae), a new karst-dwelling gecko species from Son La Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys 1268: 75-94. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.174678

Ha HB, Hoang TT, Nguyen MD, Ha NV, Luu VQ (2026) A new species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Son La Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys 1268: 163-188. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.177040

Revisiting Acalypha: Integrating global knowledge and taxonomy for drug discovery

This diverse genus of flowering plants holds significant medicinal relevance, and yet remains considerably understood.

Guest Blog Post by Lucía Villaescusa-González and Pablo Muñoz-Rodríguez

Since the first humans learned to distinguish the plant that cured a fever from the one that caused a funeral, we have amassed an extraordinary amount of information about the natural world. Whether used for food, medicine, or shelter, this ethnobotanical knowledge passed down through generations now serves as the foundation for modern experimental research.

Today, researchers explore the world’s plant chemical diversity seeking new compounds and species of medicinal or economic interest. However, discovering these resources and sharing the information effectively depends on one often-overlooked key: naming things correctly.

Taxonomy ensures that, when researchers identify a promising use of a plant, the rest of the scientific community can find that plant again, replicate the results, and build upon them. In a time of accelerated biodiversity loss, taxonomy provides the framework that allows us to document biodiversity and connect knowledge about species before they are lost.

For nearly two decades, our research group has focused on Acalypha, a remarkably diverse genus of flowering plants with approximately 450 species. It is the third largest genus in the family Euphorbiaceae —the same as cassava, poinsettia or the rubber tree— yet many aspects of its biology remain poorly understood. While numerous studies have pointed to the medicinal relevance of Acalypha, the information has historically been scattered across disconnected sources and regions.

*Acalypha mollis* growing at the Naciones Unidas National Park in Guatemala. Author: Gandhi Ponce Juárez – iNaturalist, CC0 licence (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/234908619)

To fully explore a plant group’s potential, we must ensure our knowledge is organised and reliable. This is precisely where taxonomy becomes powerful. In a study recently published in PhytoKeys, we compiled, revised, and standardised existing knowledge about Acalypha uses published worldwide between 1816 and 2024.

Our review, published in the open-access journal PhytoKeys, revealed that nearly 25% of the studies we analysed contained at least one taxonomic error. These errors ranged from the use of non-existent names and already outdated synonyms at the time of publication to “impossible” data, such as species allegedly collected for research in countries thousands of kilometres away from their known distribution range.

By verifying every scientific name against current standards, we were able to provide the first standardised, reliable global synthesis of the genus. Furthermore, this process allowed us to clear the “noise” from the literature and identify exactly which species hold the most promise for future research.

Geographical distribution of *Acalypha* ethnobotanical knowledge. Top: number of studies with ethnobotanical information per country. Bottom: number of species with reported medicinal uses per country. Darker colours indicate higher values. Author: Villaescusa-González et al.

A clearer global picture

Once we brough this information together under a robust taxonomic framework, a much clearer picture of Acalypha medicinal uses emerged. We identified 62 species with documented medicinal uses across 55 countries. While the genus is used globally, pharmacological research is heavily concentrated in India, Nigeria, and Mexico.

In contrast, species-rich countries such as Brazil and Madagascar, with over 40 species each, remain significantly underrepresented. Also, while many species are used locally, a few are globally relevant: Acalypha indica, for example, is used to treat 23 different disease categories, while Acalypha wilkesiana, a common ornamental plant, is linked to 18 disease categories.

Our work revealed that these plants are used not just for human medicine; they are used in veterinary medicine, as pesticides targeting disease-carrying insects, and in ritual contexts. In human health, they most frequently target infectious and parasitic diseases, digestive tract issues, and respiratory symptoms.

Finally, we also detected a big gap between traditional use and modern research: of all species recorded in ethnobotanical surveys, 36 have never been studied in a laboratory. They represent a promising avenue for future research and drug discovery.

*Acalypha argomuelleri*, a shrub growing in the Peruvian Andes. Author: Pablo Muñoz-Rodríguez

Why this matters for the future

The relationship between ethnobotany and experimental biology is widely recognised, and taxonomy plays a key role in bridging these fields. Accurate taxonomic knowledge is essential for ensuring scientific discovery and reproducibility.

When experimental research investigates plants that have been incorrectly identified, it leads to the perpetuation of errors in scientific literature. If pharmacological results are based on misidentified specimens, those experiments cannot be replicated, potentially misleading years of subsequent, expensive medical research.

Glandular hairs in *Acalypha ecklonii*, a species from Southern Africa. Author: Emma Ortúñez & Roberto Gamarra.

By integrating scattered ethnobotanical reports into a standardised, taxonomically reliable system, we wanted to provide a reliable map for all future Acalypha research. This study proves that precise identification is the basis of scientific discovery.

In an era of accelerated biodiversity loss, applying taxonomy to organise and validate the data we have today ensures the discovery of the medicines of tomorrow.

Original source

Villaescusa-González L, Cardiel JM, Montero-Muñoz I, Muñoz-Rodríguez P (2026) Revisiting Acalypha medicinal interest: ethnobotany, experimental studies, and the implications of taxonomic misuse pitfalls. PhytoKeys 270: 119-142. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.270.169087

Don’t forget to also keep yourself up-to-date with the latest discoveries described in PhytoKeys by signing up for the journal newsletter from the PhytoKeys homepage. You can also follow the journal on BlueSky and Facebook.