Phylogenetic revision of the Hippasterinae (Goniasteridae; Asteroidea): systematics of deep sea corallivores,including one new genus and three new species

The Hippasterinae is a subfamily within the Goniasteridae, consisting of five genera and 26 species, which occur in cold‐water settings ranging from subtidal to abyssal depths. All known genera were included in a cladistic analysis resulting in two most parsimonious trees, supporting the Hippasterinae as monophyletic. Our review supports Sthenaster emmae gen. et sp. nov. as a new genus and species from the tropical Atlantic and two new Evoplosoma species, Evoplosoma claguei sp. nov. and Evoplosoma voratus sp. nov. from seamounts in the North Pacific. Hippasteria caribaea is reassigned to the genus Gilbertaster, which previously contained a single Pacific species. Our analysis supports Evoplosoma as a derived deep water lineage relative to its continental‐shelf, shallow water sister taxa. The genus Hippasteria contains approximately 15 widely distributed, but similar‐looking species, which occur in the northern and southern hemispheres. Except for Gilbertaster, at least one species in each genus has been observed or is inferred to prey on deep‐sea corals, suggesting that this lineage is important to the conservation of deep‐sea coral habitats. The Hippasterinae shares several morphological similarities with Circeaster and Calliaster, suggesting that they may be related. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 160 , 266–301.     

Systematic revision of the genus Everettia Godwin‐Austen, 1891 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Dyakiidae) in Sabah,northern Borneo

The species of the snail genus Everettia in the Malaysian state of Sabah are superficially similar and difficult to distinguish by their shells. This paper presents new data on the taxonomy and distribution of Everettia in Sabah that have accumulated since the revision by Godwin‐Austen in 1891. By using morphological and molecular phylogenetic approaches, we reveal at least seventeen species of Everettia in Sabah, of which eleven are new to science, namely: Everettia layanglayang sp. nov. , Everettia lapidini sp. nov. , Everettia paulbasintali sp. nov. , Everettia occidentalis sp. nov. , Everettia jasilini sp. nov. , Everettia safriei sp. nov. , Everettia interior sp. nov. , Everettia jucundior sp. nov. , Everettia planispira sp. nov. , Everettia monticola sp. nov. , and Everettia dominiki sp. nov. , and one new subspecies, namely, Everettia corrugata williamsi ssp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial COI and 16S, and nuclear ITS‐1 sequences demonstrates the monophyly of most of the morphologically well‐defined species. Our results show that certain aspects of classical morphology‐based taxonomy for Everettia species, especially with regard to the unique combination of shell surface sculptures, animal head colour, and mantle pigmentation, are solid. A dichotomous key to the Sabah species and subspecies of Everettia is provided. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 515–550.     

First record of the taxon Echinopsyllus (Copepoda,Harpacticoida, Ancorabolidae) from the deep sea of Campos Basin,Brazil, with the description of three new species and their contribution to phylogenetic analysis

New species assignable to the formerly monotypic genus Echinopsyllus (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ancorabolidae) are described from the continental slope of Campos Basin off Brazil in the south‐western Atlantic. Echinopsyllus brasiliensis sp. nov. , Echinopsyllus nogueirae sp. nov. , and Echinopsyllus grohmannae sp. nov. differ from Echinopsyllus normani Sars, 1909 in the cephalothorax having two instead of three pairs of lateral processes, first pair of dorsal cephalothoracic processes being smaller than second pair, second pair of dorsal cephalothoracic processes branched, and segmentation and setation of the swimming legs. The discovery of new species of Echinopsyllus extends the distributional range of the genus to the southern hemisphere and is further evidence for the formerly unexpected wide genus‐level distribution of Ancorabolidae in the world's oceans. The phylogenetic position of Echinopsyllus within Ancorabolinae is discussed. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 52–78.     

Phylogeny of the spider genus Ixchela Huber, 2000 (Araneae: Pholcidae) based on morphological and molecular evidence (CO1 and 16S), with a hypothesized diversification in the Pleistocene

The genus Ixchela Huber is composed of 20 species distributed from north‐eastern Mexico to Central America, including the five new species described here from Mexico: I xchela azteca sp. nov. , I xchela jalisco sp. nov. , I xchela mendozai sp. nov. , I xchela purepecha sp. nov. and I xchela tlayuda sp. nov. We test the monophyly and investigate the phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus Ixchela using morphological and molecular data. Parsimony (PA) analysis of 24 taxa and 40 morphological characters with equal and implied weights supported the monophyly of Ixchela with eight morphological synapomorphies. The PA analyses with equal and implied weights, and separate Bayesian inference (BI) analyses for the CO1 gene (506 characters), concatenated gene fragments CO1 + 16S (885 characters), morphology + CO1 (546 characters) and the combined evidence data set (morphology + CO1 + 16S) (925 characters) support the monophyly of Ixchela. Our preferred topology shows two large clades; clade 1 has a natural distribution in the Mesoamerican biotic component, whereas clade 2 predominates in the Mexican Montane biotic component. The genus Ixchela diverged in the late Miocene, and the divergence between the internal clades in the genus occurred in the late Pliocene; by contrast, most of the speciation events seem to have occurred mainly during the Pleistocene, where climatic changes brought on by repeated glaciations played an important role in the diversification of the genus. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

First fossil Molinaranea Mello‐Leitão, 1940 (Araneae: Araneidae), from middle Miocene Dominican amber,with a phylogenetic and palaeobiogeographical analysis of the genus

The first fossil Molinaranea is described, from middle Miocene Dominican amber. This record extends the known range of the genus back 16 million years; it also extends the geographical range of the genus through time, with extant species known only from Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, and Juan Fernandez Island. A parsimony‐based phylogenetic analysis was performed, which indicates that the fossil species, Molinaranea mitnickii sp. nov. , is nested with Molinaranea magellanica Walckenaer, 1847 and Molinaranea clymene Nicolet, 1849 . A modified Brooks parsimony analysis was conducted in order to examine the biogeography and origins of the fossil species in the Dominican Republic; the analysis suggests that M. mitnickii sp. nov. arrived in Hispaniola from South America as a result of a chance dispersal event. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158 , 711–725.     

Comparative osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Miocaperea pulchra,the first fossil pygmy right whale genus and species (Cetacea,Mysticeti, Neobalaenidae)

A fossil pygmy right whale (Cetacea, Mysticeti, Neobalaenidae) with exquisitely preserved baleen is described for the first time in the history of cetacean palaeontology, providing a wealth of information about the evolutionary history and palaeobiogeography of Neobalaenidae. This exquisitely preserved specimen is assigned to a new genus and species, Miocaperea pulchra gen. et sp. nov. , and differs from Caperea marginata Gray, 1846, the only living taxon currently assigned to Neobalaenidae, in details of the temporal fossa and basicranium. A thorough comparative analysis of the skeleton of M. pulchra gen. et sp. nov. and C. marginata is also provided, and forms the basis of an extensive osteology‐based phylogenetic analysis, confirming the placement of M. pulchra gen. et sp. nov. within Neobalaenidae as well as the monophyly of Neobalaenidae and Balaenidae; the phylogenetic results support the validity of the superfamily Balaenoidea. No relationship with Balaenopteroidea was found by the present study, and thus the balaenopterid‐like morphological features observed in C. marginata must have resulted from parallel evolution. The presence of M. pulchra gen. et sp. nov. around 2000 km north from the northernmost sightings of C. marginata suggests that different ecological conditions were able to support pygmy right whale populations in what is now Peru, and that subsequent environmental change caused a southern shift in the distribution of the living neobalaenid whales. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166 , 876–911.     

Phylogenetic analysis and revision of the linyphiid spider genus Solenysa (Araneae: Linyphiidae: Erigoninae)

In this paper we carry out a taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the linyphiid spider genus Solenysa Simon, 1894. A total of 12 species is treated here, including five new species collected from China and Japan: Solenysa akihisai Tu sp. nov., Solenysa lanyuensis Tu sp. nov., Solenysa retractilis Tu sp. nov., Solenysa tianmushana Tu sp. nov. , and Solenysa yangmingshana Tu sp. nov. Solenysa circularis Gao, Zhu & Sha, 1993 is a junior synonym of Solenysa protrudens Gao, Zhu & Sha, 1993. We have assembled two different character matrices to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of Solenysa. In the first matrix (Matrix 1), five representative species of Solenysa were added to the morphological dataset of Miller & Hormiga to test the monophyly of the genus and its placement within Linyphiidae. The genitalic structures and somatic morphology of Solenysa were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy for the first time. To infer the species‐level phylogenetic relationships of Solenysa we produced a second matrix (Matrix 2) that includes all 12 Solenysa species and six outgroup species chosen from the results of the analysis of the first matrix. The two most parsimonious trees from the analysis of Matrix 1 support the monophyly of Solenysa and its placement within the ‘Distal Erigonines’ clade. The single most parsimonious tree resulting from the analysis of the second matrix suggests that the Solenysa clade includes four monophyletic groups, each group represented by a distinct genitalic pattern. The morphology of Solenysa, both somatic and genitalic, is highly autapomorphic. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161 , 484–530.     

Three new species of deep‐sea Gromia (Protista,Rhizaria) from the bathyal and abyssal Weddell Sea,Antarctica

We describe three new species of the genus Gromia from bathyal and abyssal depths in the Weddell Sea. The new species are characterized by a combination of morphological and molecular criteria. All three species possess a distinct oral capsule and a layer of ‘honeycomb membranes’, which form the inner part of the organic test wall. Both these features are typical of gromiids. Their identification as gromiids is confirmed by analyses of partial small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) gene sequences. Gromia marmorea sp. nov. is a rounded species with a prominent oral capsule and a characteristically mottled appearance. In Gromia melinus sp. nov. , the test surface exhibits a polygonal pattern of ridges, with a layer of clay particles coating the surface between the ridges. Gromia winnetoui sp. nov. represents an elongate morphotype in which the organic test is enclosed within an agglutinated case, a feature previously unknown in gromiids. Phylogenetic analysis using the maximum‐likelihood method revealed that all three species form distinct clades, reflecting the morphological differences among Weddell Sea species, as well as between deep‐water Southern Ocean Gromia and previously described gromiids. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 451–469.     

An integrative approach to characterize cryptic species in the Thoracostoma trachygaster Hope, 1967 complex (Nematoda: Leptosomatidae)

Nematode diversity may seriously be underestimated when taking into account cryptic speciation. Thoracostoma trachygaster is commonly found in kelp holdfasts along the California coastline and was recently shown to consist of at least two distinct molecular clades (I and II). Here, we provide detailed morphological analysis of both clades, based on measurements taken from video vouchers of respectively eight and 16 individuals from the previous study, as well as 80 newly collected specimens from four Californian beaches. The latter were vouchered, measured, and then subjected to molecular analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene, and the ribosomal D2D3 and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. This integrative approach shows that the three molecular clades are phylogenetically and morphologically distinct species, but a combination of morphological characters is needed to distinguish them. Two new species, Thoracostoma fatimae sp. nov. and Thoracostoma igniferum sp. nov. , are identified and described. The spicule length of T. fatimae sp. nov. is significantly shorter than that of T. trachygaster. Thoracostoma igniferum sp. nov. can be distinguished by the irregular posterior edge of the cephalic capsule and the two internal subdorsal tropis‐like projections in the wall of the cephalic capsule, which are lacking in T. fatimae sp. nov. and T. trachygaster. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 18–35.     

The lace web spiders (Araneae,Phyxelididae) of Madagascar: phylogeny,biogeography and taxonomy

We briefly review the potential history of Madagascar as either a Darwinian or a Wallacean island, summarize the phylogenetic evidence regarding the biogeography of Madagascar spiders, examine the dispersal history of the Madagascar Phyxelididae, and monograph the family in Madagascar. Molecular phylogenetic analyses for 32 Malagasy phyxelidid exemplars, nine confamilial outgroup taxa, and seven other more distant outgroups are performed for three nuclear markers and one mitochondrial genetic marker (28S, 18S, H3 and COI) utilizing Bayesian, maximum‐likelihood and parsimony methods. These analyses suggest that there are 14 species of Phyxelididae that may be recognized from Madagascar, that these may be divided into three genera, and that the Malagasy phyxelidids form a monophyletic group, probably resulting from a single invasion of the island by an ancestor from Africa. Two new genera, ten new species, and two new combinations are proposed: Manampoka atsimo gen. nov., sp. nov. ; Rahavavy gen. nov. , including R. ida sp. nov. and R. fanivelona (Griswold, 1990) comb. nov. and R. malagasyana (Griswold, 1990) comb. nov. ; and Ambohima andrefana sp. nov. , A. antsinanana sp. nov. , A. avaratra sp. nov. , A. maizina sp. nov. , A. ranohira sp. nov. , A. vato sp. nov. , A. zandry sp. nov. and A. zoky sp. nov. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 728–810.     

Neglected refugia of biodiversity: mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield two novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes)

Phylogenetic relationships amongst the southern African freshwater crab fauna are reinvestigated following the recent collection of morphologically distinct Potamonautes specimens from remote mountainous regions in Malawi and Mozambique. Specimens were subjected to DNA sequencing of three mtDNA loci, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA and compared to the 14 described species from the region. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference revealed the presence of two novel evolutionary lineages. The phylogeny demonstrates that Potamonautes obesus (A. Milne‐Edwards, 1868) is sister to a morphologically distinct novel species from Mount Namuli in Mozambique. Two sympatric and genetically distinct species from Mount Mulanje, in Malawi (forms A and B) were recognized. Form B is sister to the large‐bodied South African riverine freshwater crabs and represents a novel lineage whereas the remaining species (form A) from Mulanje, in Malawi was sister to samples from Mounts Inago and Mabu, and in Mozambique was identified as Potamonautes choloensis (Chace, 1953). The two novel evolutionary lineages were genetically distinct and morphologically different from the described species in each of the respective regions. Two new freshwater crab species Potamonautes namuliensis sp. nov. and Potamonautes mulanjeensis sp. nov. , are described in the present study. The samples from Mount Mulanje in Malawi, and Mounts Mabu and Inago in Mozambique represent new distribution records for Potamonautes choloensis. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 498–509.     

A new genus of Entiminae from North Africa,supported by a phylogenetic analysis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae)

The genus Holcophloeus gen. nov. is here proposed to include Trachyphloeus cruciatus Seidlitz, 1868, and two new species native to North Africa, based on a phylogenetic analysis and an evaluation of the diagnostic characters. The taxonomic position of Holcophloeus in relation to the tribes Trachyphloeini Lacordaire, 1863, and Holcorhinini Desbrochers, 1898, is discussed, and the new genus is attributed to the Holcorhinini. Holcophloeus laurae sp. nov. from south‐eastern Morocco and Holcophloeus weilli sp. nov. from northern Libya are described and illustrated and a key to the species of the new genus is given. The lectotype of Trachyphloeus cruciatus Seidlitz, 1868, is designated. The genus Massimiellus Borovec, 2009, is transferred from Trachyphloeini to Holcorhinini. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

DNA barcoding and morphology reveal exceptional species diversity of Scoparia (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from the Hailuogou Glacier area,China

The genus Scoparia from the Hailuogou Glacier area in the south‐eastern fringe of the Tibetan Plateau of south‐western China is studied, nine species are revealed by combining DNA barcoding (658 bp of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI) and morphology. Studies show that Scoparia species from the Hailuogou Glacier area are 37.5% as many as all the previously known congeners in China. Six species are described as new to science: S coparia simplicissima Li sp. nov. , S coparia tribulosa Li sp. nov. , S coparia longispina Li sp. nov. , S coparia gibbosa Li sp. nov. , S coparia globosa Li sp. nov. , and S coparia annulata Li sp. nov. The female of Scoparia metaleucalis is described for the first time herein. All species are either diagnosed or described and illustrated, and a map of China showing the topography and localities where Scoparia species are recorded is also provided, including the species number of all the recorded localities. The results reveal the exceptional species diversity of Scoparia from the Hailuogou Glacier area, as well as demonstrate that the integration of DNA barcoding and morphological approaches is highly effective for indentifying scopariine moths in the Hailougou glacier area. All the studied specimens are deposited in the Insect Museum, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

A review of the Iberian Sphingonotini with description of two novel species (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae)

The genus Sphingonotus Fieber, 1853 is one of the most species‐rich grasshopper genera in the world. We studied the morphology of c. 1000 individuals from the Iberian Peninsula to review the taxonomy of the genus and its relatives. Moreover, we inferred a molecular phylogeny of the Iberian Sphingonotini based on two mitochondrial genes. The Iberian and north‐west African Sphingonotini comprise two recent radiations, within which the genetic relationships are not fully resolved. A multivariate morphometric analysis showed that S. azurescens (Rambur, 1838) and S. morini (Defaut, 2005) can be clearly discriminated, supporting their species status. Based upon the combined data, the genus Granada Koçak & Kemal, 2008 is synonymized with Sphingonotus Fieber, 1853 and its type species re‐assigned to Sphingonotus imitans Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882 comb. rev . The data also supported species rank for Sphingonotus lusitanicus Ebner, 1941 comb. rev. Oedipoda callosa Fieber, 1853 is considered as nomen dubium. Two novel species are described: Sphingonotus ( Neosphingonotus ) almeriense Llucià‐Pomares sp. nov . and Sphingonotus (Neosphingonotus) nodulosus Llucia‐Pomares sp. nov. from the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The new species are compared with other Iberian Sphingonotini and a key to the species is provided. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Proposal and Phylogenetic Relationships of Lapsamita,a New Genus of Lapsiines,and Description of a New Species (Araneae,Salticidae)

Lapsamita maddisoni gen. et sp. nov. is described from Bahia, Brazil. The presence of palpal claws in females, long ventral spines on front tibiae and metatarsi and long retrolateral tibial apophyses in male palps suggested that the species was closely related to or even nested within Soesiladeepakius Makhan, 2007. To evaluate its phylogenetic position, a cladistic analysis was carried out using a data matrix comprising 24 morphological characters, scored for 13 taxa. The analysis showed L. maddisoni as the sister group of Soesiladeepakius, supporting the proposal of the new genus. Character evolution is discussed and compared to a previous study on the group.     

Revision and cladistic analysis of the jumping spider genus Onomastus (Araneae: Salticidae)

The jumping spider genus Onomastus Simon, 1900 is revised. Four new species: Onomastus indra sp. nov. , Onomastus kaharian sp. nov. , Onomastus pethiyagodai sp. nov. , and Onomastus rattotensis sp. nov. are described. Parsimony analysis of 26 morphological characters supported the monophyly of Onomastus. Lyssomanes is sister to Onomastus. Onomastus separates into two clades: the widespread South‐East Asia clade and the South Asia clade. The South Asia clade is restricted to the Sri Lanka–Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Species of the South Asia clade appear to be spot endemics, highly in danger of extinction because of habitat loss and climate change. Male palps are complex and species‐specific, suggesting rapid divergent evolution. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 159 , 711–745.     

Revision and phylogenetic assessment of the rove beetle genus Pseudohesperus Hayashi,with broad reference to the subtribe Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini)

This paper studies the phylogeny of the rove beetle subtribe Philonthina, to test its hypothetical monophyly and to unravel the evolutionary relationships of the subtribe and its included genus‐level taxa, with emphasis on the genus Pseudohesperus and its close‐allied relatives. The phylogenetic analyses are based on 105 adult morphological characters and 66 terminal taxa, i.e., all six members of Pseudohesperus, 51 species to represent 29 other genera of the subtribe Philonthina, seven species to represent the other six subtribes of Staphylinini, one species of the tribes Arrowinini, and one of the Platyprosopini. According to the phylogenetic results obtained, the genus Erichsonius should move out from the hitherto‐defined subtribe Philonthina and thus the monophyly of this taxon is challenged. The phylogenetic tree suggests that the genera Hesperus and Belonuchus might not be monophyletic, but the monophyly of Pseudohesperus and the sister relationship between it and Bisnius are well supported. The species‐level phylogenetic relationships of the genus Pseudohesperus reveal a clear pattern of species diversification that can be correlated well with the species' zoogeographical patterns. The paper also revises the taxonomy of Pseudohesperus and describes five new species from China: Pseudohesperus luteus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus pedatiformis Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus tripartitus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus sparsipunctatus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , and Bisnius lubricus Li & Zhou sp. nov. An identification key to the species of Pseudohesperus is provided and their geographical distributions are mapped. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 679–722.     

Cladistics and revision of Alitocoris with considerations on the phylogeny of the Herrichella clade (Hemiptera,Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae,Ochlerini)

Alitocoris Sailer, 1950, consists of four valid species described from Central America. In a recent cladistic analysis of Ochlerini, the genus was considered paraphyletic in the Herrichella Distant, 1911, group of taxa. The present study provides a cladistic analysis of the Herrichella clade, using 88 morphological characters and 40 taxa representing 21 genera of Ochlerini, including all known species of Alitocoris plus 16 new species. Outgroups included Eritrachys bituberculata Ruckes, 1959, Phereclus pluto Stål, 1862, and Adoxoplatys comis Breddin, 1903, with the last used for rooting. The cladistic analysis was conducted using TNT under heuristic searches and implied weighting of characters; 11 K‐values calculated for an average character fit ranged from 50 to 90% of a perfectly hierarchical character. The results corroborated the paraphyly of Alitocoris, calling for changes in the classification of the genus with the proposition of three new genera for two, three, and ten species, respectively, that will be described elsewhere. Alitocoris is redescribed and a key for the species is presented. Alitocoris brunneus, Alitocoris maculosus, and Alitocoris parvus are removed from the genus, and the new species Alitocoris grandis sp. nov. , Alitocoris lateralis sp. nov. , and Alitocoris ornatus sp. nov. are described. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

New species of Hispanomys (Rodentia,Cricetodontinae) from the Upper Miocene of Batallones (Madrid,Spain)

Material of Hispanomys (Rodentia, Cricetodontinae) is described from various localities at Batallones (MN10) (Madrid, Spain). All of it belongs to a single species, which differs from the other known species of the genus and a new taxon, Hispanomys moralesi sp. nov. , is created for it. The samples from the various localities show differences interpreted as being the result of slight age disparities amongst the different sites. Although they were previously thought to be coeval, Batallones 10 is probably older than Batallones 1, which is possibly older than Batallones 3. Hispanomys moralesi sp. nov. is characterized by several morphological features such as the lack of cingula and mesolophs, the presence of well‐developed ectolophs, four‐ or five‐rooted M1, short or absent mesolophids, and reduced and simplified M3. Hispanomys moralesi sp. nov. is a relatively derived species, the evolutionary stage of which is comparable to those of other members of the genus from the Upper Vallesian. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 160 , 725–747.