Newly discovered / described species 2016

Abstract of the discription of a new fish ( Moenkhausia ) species from Brazil :
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Abstract of the discription of a new fish ( Hyphessobrycon ) species from Brazil :
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Abstract of the discription of a new frog-species from Brazil :
A new species of the Scinax catharinae group (Anura: Hylidae) from southeastern Brazil | LOURENÇO | Zootaxa

 

A new European viper: Vipera walser

"A new vertebrate for Europe: the discovery of a range-restricted relict viper in the western Italian Alps"
Samuele Ghielmi et al.
Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 54:

Abstract: We describe Vipera walser, a new viper species from the north-western Italian Alps. Despite an overall morphological resemblance with Vipera berus, the new species is remarkably distinct genetically from both V. berus and other vipers occurring in western Europe and shows closer affinities to species occurring only in the Caucasus. Morphologically, the new species appear to be more similar to V. berus than to its closest relatives occurring in the Caucasus, but can be readily distinguished in most cases by a combination of meristic features as confirmed by discriminant analysis. The extant population shows a very low genetic variability measured with mitochondrial markers, suggesting that the taxon has suffered a serious population reduction/bottleneck in the past. The species is extremely range-restricted (less than 500 km2) and occurs only in two disjunct sites within the high rainfall valleys of the Alps north of Biella. This new species should be classified as globally ‘endangered’ due to its small and fragmented range, and an inferred population decline. The main near-future threats to the species are habitat changes associated with reduced grazing, along with persecution and collecting.

 

The vipers in the area concerned were assumed to be V. berus, on morphological evidence, but have now been found to be very distinct genetically.
So it's not formally a 'split' but one of those discoveries that couldn't really have been made without the science of DNA analysis.

 

Abstract of the discripton of 6 new species of Peacock spiders from Australia :
The Peacock Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae: Maratus ) of the Queensland Museum, including six new species | BAEHR | Zootaxa

 

Rediscovery of several butterfly-species in India :
JoTT | 13 August 2016 | Vol. 8 | No. 8 | Pages: 9053-9124

 

Abstract of the discription of a new catfish-species from Sri Lanka :
Ompok argestes , a new species of silurid catfish endemic to Sri Lanka (Teleostei: Siluridae) | SUDASINGHE | Zootaxa

 

2 new Gecko-species from Oman :
Scientists discover two new species of gecko endemic to Musandam - Oman - Muscat Daily

 

Abstract of the discription of 2 new species of Freshwater crayfish from Brazil :
Two new species of South American freshwater crayfish genus Parastacus   Huxley, 1879 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Parastacidae) | RIBEIRO | Zootaxa

 

Abstract of the discription of 5 new Stick insect species :
Revision of the Oriental subfamily Heteropteryginae Kirby, 1896, with a re-arrangement of the family Heteropterygidae and the descriptions of five new species of Haaniella Kirby, 1904. (Phasmatodea: Areolatae: Heteropterygidae) | HENNEMANN | Zootaxa

 

'Extinct' sponge makes comeback in Singapore

A rare sea creature once thought to be globally extinct was rediscovered in Singapore waters in 2011, to the delight of scientists. It now seems to be thriving.

Last month, researchers from the National Parks Board (NParks) found three more specimens of the Neptune's cup sponge, bringing the total number to five.

The first time the sponge made an appearance after its disappearance in 1908 was near St John's Island five years ago.

Read more (includes video): 'Extinct' sponge makes comeback in Singapore, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

 

Abstract of the discription of a new species of Leaf-toed gecko from Peru :
Applying n-dimensional hypervolumes for species delimitation: unexpected molecular, morphological, and ecological diversity in the Leaf-Toed Gecko Phyllodactylus reissii Peters, 1862 (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) from northern Peru | KOCH | Zootaxa

 

New snake discovered in Madagascar :
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160902142207.htm

 

Discription of a new species of Butterflyfish from Hawaii :
Prognathodes basabei, a new species of butterflyfish (Perciformes, Chaetodontidae) from the Hawaiian Archipelago

 

Abstract of the discription of a new fish-species from Brazil :
A new species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin (Characiformes: Characidae) from rio Aripuanã, rio Madeira basin, Brazil | PASTANA | Zootaxa

 

Discription of a new species of Hermit crab from Venezuela :

A new species of hermit crab of the genus Pagurus Fabricius, 1775 (Crustacea: Anomura: Paguridae) from the southern Caribbean off Venezuela  | LIMA | Zootaxa

 

‘Extinct’ fish found in Lake Constance

Several specimens of the deep-water char, declared extinct in 2008, have been discovered by surprised scientists in Lake Constance as part of a study into fish biodiversity in Alpine lakes.

...

But Projet Lac also brought good news: thanks to a targeted search in Lake Constance, several specimens of the deep-water char (Salvelinus profundus) native to the lake were rediscovered.
This species, frequently caught by Lake Constance fishermen until the 1960s, was declared extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008.
The deep-water char is found at a depth of about 80 metres and feeds on flatworms, small crustaceans and mussels. The size of the population from which these recently found specimens come will be investigated in the future.

Read more: ?Extinct? fish found in Lake Constance - SWI swissinfo.ch

 

Discription of a new genus and species of Freshwater crab from China :
Yuebeipotamon calciatile, a new genus and new species of freshwater crab from southern China (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae)