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1. Molecular data from the holotype of the enigmatic Bornean Black Shrew, Suncus ater Medway, 1965 (Soricidae, Crocidurinae), place it in the genus Palawanosorex

   https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1137.94217  

   Nations, Jonathan A.; Giarla, Thomas C.; Morni, Muhd Amsyari; William Dee, Julius; Swanson, Mark T.; Hiller, Anna E.; Khan, Faisal Ali; Esselstyn, Jacob A. (December 2022, ZooKeys)

   Although Borneo has received more attention from biologists than most other islands in the Malay Archipelago, many questions regarding the systematic relationships of Bornean mammals remain. Using next-generation sequencing technology, we obtained mitochondrial DNA sequences from the holotype ofSuncus ater, the only known specimen of this shrew. Several shrews collected recently in Sarawak are closely aligned, both morphologically and mitochondrially, with the holotype ofS. ater. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial sequences indicate that theS. aterholotype and new Sarawak specimens do not belong to the genusSuncus, but instead are most closely related toPalawanosorex muscorum. Until nowPalawanosorexhas been known only from the neighboring Philippine island of Palawan. Additional sequences from nuclear ultra-conserved elements from the new Sarawak specimens strongly support a sister relationship toP. muscorum. We therefore transferatertoPalawanosorex. The new specimens demonstrate thatP. ateris more widespread in northern Borneo than previously recorded. Continued sampling of Bornean mammal diversity and reexamination of type material are critical in understanding the evolutionary history of the biologically rich Malay Archipelago. 

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2. Target Deformation of the Equus stenonis Holotype Skull: A Virtual Reconstruction

   https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00247  

   Cirilli, O. (June 2020, Frontiers)

   Pandolfi, L. (Ed.)

   Equus stenonis is one of the most prevalent European Pleistocene fossil horses. It is believed to be the possible ancestor of all Old World Early Pleistocene Equus, extant zebras and asses, and as such provides insights into Equus evolution and its biogeography and paleoecology. The Equus stenonis holotype skull (IGF560) was first described by Igino Cocchi in 1867, from the Early Pleistocene locality of Terranuova (Upper Valdarno basin, Italy). IGF560 is a nearly complete, although medio-laterally crushed and badly compressed skull. Here we provide the first application of a new virtual reconstruction protocol, termed Target Deformation, to the Equus stenonis holotype. The protocol extends beyond classic retrodeformation by using target specimens as a guide for the virtual reconstruction. The targets used as a reference are two fragmentary, yet well-preserved E. stenonis skulls, coming from Olivola (Italy; IGF11023) and Dmanisi (Georgia; Dm 5/154.3/4.A4.5), both Early Pleistocene in age. These two specimens do not display any major deformation, but preserve different, only slightly overlapping portions of the skull. The virtual reconstruction protocol we carried out has shown its feasibility, by producing two 3D models whose final morphology is perfectly congruent with the natural variability of a comparative sample of E. stenonis specimens. This study shows the potential of using even broken or otherwise fragmentary specimens to guide retrodeformation in badly distorted and damaged specimens. The application of Target Deformation will allow us to increase the availability of comparative specimens in studies of fossil species morphology and evolution, as well as to the study of taphonomic processes. 

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3. Consequences of the misidentification of museum specimens: the taxonomic status of Canis lupaster soudanicus

   https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa080  

   Kitchener, Andrew C; Machado, Fabio A; Hayssen, Virginia; Moehlman, Patricia D; Viranta, Suvi (August 2020, Journal of Mammalogy)

   Esselstyn, Jacob (Ed.)

   Abstract Researchers are increasingly using museum collections for taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics, and faunal analyses, and they assume that taxonomic identifications on museum labels are correct. However, identifications may be incorrect or out of date, which could result in false conclusions from subsequent research. A recent geometric morphometrics analysis of skulls of African canids by Machado and Teta (2020) suggested that Canis lupaster soudanicus is a junior synonym of Lupulella adusta. However, the holotype of soudanicus was not measured and further investigation of the putative soudanicus specimens used in this study showed that these originally were identified as L. adusta. This original identification was confirmed by dental measurements, which also confirm that the holotype of soudanicus is Canis lupaster. Hence, soudanicus should not be synonymized with L. adusta. This example highlights the importance of careful checking of species identifications of museum specimens prior to research and, where possible, including (holo)types of taxa, before making taxonomic changes that could have important consequences for species conservation and management. 

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4. A reassessment of the latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) pan-trionychid turtle Helopanoplia beecheri comb. nov.

   https://doi.org/10.3897/sjp.145.189487  

   Joyce, Walter G; Girard, Léa C; Lyson, Tyler R (June 2026, Swiss Journal of Palaeontology)

   The pan-trionychidsAspideretes beecheriandHelopanoplia distinctawere named at the beginning of the 20^thcentury based on fossils collected from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Lance Formation of Wyoming. Interestingly, even though numerous additional pan-trionychid remains from Late Cretaceous formations of the Upper Great Plains have since been referred toHelopanoplia distinctabased on its unique surface texture, no additional specimens have been referred toAspideretes beecheri. We figure and describe all material previously referred toAspideretes beecheriand select specimens referred toHelopanoplia distincta. Interspecific and intraspecific variation is assessed by reference to extant trionychids as a basis for taxonomic revision. We re-assign all specimens historically referred toAspideretes beecheritoAxestemys splendidusandAxestemys infernalis. An unusual plastron previously thought to representHelopanoplia distinctais referred toHutchemys walkerorum. Although the type ofHelopanoplia distinctais characterized by a distinct, tuberculate shell surface texture, material previously referred to this taxon suggests that this texture is only occasionally found in some parts of the shell. The holotype ofAspideretes beecheriotherwise shows characteristics consistent with being the subadult of material previously referred toHelopanoplia distincta. We thus conclude that the two taxa are synonymous and form the new combinationHelopanoplia beecheri. We urge caution when identifying fragmentary pan-trionychid remains, as a tuberculate surface texture pattern is found in at least two distinct taxa. We support the conclusion, nonetheless, thatHelopanoplia beecheriis one of only a few turtles to have gone extinct at the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary. 

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5. The Nucras (Squamata: Lacertidae) of the eastern Zambezi River Basin, with the description of a new species from Zambia

   https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.3  

   BAUER, AARON M; CHILDERS, JACKIE L; BURGER, MARIUS (May 2025, Zootaxa)

   The Nucras of the eastern Zambezi River basin region, comprising Zambia, Malawi and central Mozambique have been poorly studied. We re-evaluated the type specimens of Lacerta cameranoi Bedriaga, 1886 and L. tessellata pseudotessellata Bedriaga, 1886, both collected at Tete, Mozambique by Wilhelm Peters in the 1840s. Both are assignable to N. ornata, the most widespread Nucras in the region. However, an additional specimen collected from Tete is referrable to N. holubi, filling a collecting gap for this species between central Zimbabwe and southern Malawi. Nucras records from northeastern Zambia include several N. boulengeri, two photo-vouchered records, one unidentifiable and the other an enigmatic form not consistent with any known species, and a new species from Senga Hill, Northern Province. The new species, Nucras margaritae sp. nov., is known only from its holotype. It is morphologically similar to N. ornata, from which it is separated by 620 airline km, but is deeply genetically divergent from all congeners and is sister to the clade comprising N. holubi, N. ornata, N. damarana and N. intertexta. At least five species of Nucras, four currently named, inhabit the greater eastern Zambezi River basin.   

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