Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity最新文献

Nicolas Alexander Dalzell (1817–1878) described seven species of Lepidagathis (Acanthaceae). Except for Lepidagathis grandiflora, which was later recognized as Calacanthus, all are retained in the genus Lepidagathis. Of these, five are endemic to peninsular India. While exploring Dalzell’s species, we have made field explorations, consulted Lepidagathis collection at different herbaria, and presented here a synopsis of the genus in India. The nomenclature, taxonomy, distribution, and The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) threat status of Lepidagathis species in India are reviewed. Nomenclature and taxonomic notes on L. cristata and L. cuspidata and the infraspecific taxa in L. pungens, L. incurva are provided. Lepidagathis aristata, a Malaysian species is resurrected; a new name Lepidagathis forskaolii is proposed for the oldest basionym Ruellia aristata. Lepidagathis clavata, L. prostrata, and L. rigida are rare, and only known by a few collections, L. lutea is confined to Konkan and adjoining areas. Lepidagathis cuspidata is collected from its entire geographic range and an overlooked variety, L. cuspidata var. stenostegia is resurrected. Based on live and herbarium collections, a riverine, elliptic-linear-leaved variety elliptica is proposed. Lepidagathis dalzellii, a large flowered new species, allied to L. cuspidata from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Natural Heritage Site (Kaas plateau, Maharashtra) is also described and illustrated.

A new species of Crematogaster Lund, 1831, Crematogaster gypsophila Mohseni, sp. nov., is described based on museum and worker specimens from Iran collected in 2022. Crematogaster gypsophila appears to be well-adapted to gypseous soils. It was found only at one site, a gypsum arid dryland covered with sparse but diverse vegetation, suggesting it may have a narrow niche breadth. Additionally, we present a synoptic list and an identification key to the Iranian Crematogaster species.

In this study, four species of the families Praydidae and Tortricidae, Prays kappa Moriuti, 1977, P. lambda Moriuti, 1977, Matsumuraeses vicina Kuznetzov, 1973, and Phaecasiophora walsinghami Diakonoff, 1959, are reported for the first time from Korea. The description, photographs of adult and genitalia, and host plant are provided.

The monotypic genus Epithemis Laidlaw, 1955, is endemic to the Western Ghats and is represented by the nominate species Epithemis mariae (Laidlaw, 1915). Epithemis mariae is distributed across the Western Ghats, and as part of an ongoing study, we identified a distinct population from Wayanad. Morphological and molecular data for E. mariae and the population from the Wayanad plateau affirm that the two are distinct taxa and allow us to describe a new species. Epithemis wayanadensis sp. nov. is described based on male specimens collected from Wayanad, a part of the Western Ghats in Kerala state, southern India.

Euura tibialis (Newman, 1837) is newly recorded in South Korea, attacking false acacia trees (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) without gall-inducing. This species is native to North America but introduced into Europe and Japan, and is regarded as an invasive alien sawfly. In this study, we present the taxonomic information and brief biological notes of this new insect pest in South Korea as well as genetic data.

The genus Euconnus Thomson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) includes four species in Korea. In this study, E. (s. str.) fustiger and E. (s. str.) dulcis are recorded for the first time Korea and E. (Cladoconnus) rudimentalis is redescribed. As a result, the number of the Korean species of Euconnus is increased to six. A key descriptions, habitus illustrations, diagnostic characters, and a distribution map are provided.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List aims to assess global species distribution rather than specific regional or national distribution units. Most conservation activities are carried out on a national or regional basis; therefore, the demand for a national Red List is very high. This study analyzed the current status of the National Red List of six East Asian countries at a national level. A total of 12,462 taxa were evaluated in the Red List of six East Asian countries, in which China and Taiwan had the highest percentage of evaluated taxa, with more than 99% of native plants assessed in the country. In the threat category of the evaluated list, Japan received the highest rating at 82.8%, whereas China and South Korea received the lowest ratings at 10.9%. More than 85% of the taxa assessed on the Red List in six countries were not assessed on the IUCN Red List, and less than 10% were assessed redundantly in threat categories. The reason for the different evaluations of these two Red Lists is considered to be the setting of the distribution range. It is expected that the present study will serve as a foundation for future research.

The paper contains information on a newly recorded genus Manoba Walker (1864), with four Laotian species (M. lativittata (Moore, 1888), M. gyulaipeteri László, Ronkay & Witt, 2010, M. dorothea László, Ronkay & Ronkay, 2014 and M. tristicta (Hampson, 1900)). Color figures of adults and genitalia of the examined species are provided.

Cephitinea colonella (Erschoff, 1874) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae: Myrmecozelinae) is known as a pest of stored products. However, detailed information on its life history is poor. In the present investigation, larvae of this species feeding on the rice bran were found in a rice mill. In order to make possible the correct identification of the immature stages of C. colonella, their morphology is described and illustrated. In addition, the larval character of the genus is morphologically discussed comparing from allied species.

A new heliozelid moth, Antispila folimansiella Kim & Yagi sp. nov., is described in Japan. This species is characterized by feeding on Hydrangea petiolaris (Hydrangeaceae) and not making a case before pupation, which is an unusual habit in the “Shield Bearer Moths” (Heliozelidae). We compared the new species with other Hydrangea-feeding species by the shape of the genitalia, wing venation, and DNA (cytochrome c oxidase I barcode region). We also provide a redescription of A. hydrangifoliella with intraspecific variation of the wing venation and female genitalia.