Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity最新文献

The unhatched eggs of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) are often found in the hatchery in Melaka, Malaysia, raising concerns if the eggs remain unfertilized. Examining unhatched eggs during post-emergence nest excavation could lead to eggs being mistakenly identified as unfertilized eggs due to the difficulty in differentiating between unfertilized eggs and early embryonic mortality. It is essential to determine the egg fertility of hawksbill turtles in Melaka before concluding that hatching failure is due to infertility. Egg fertility was determined using the white spot method conducted at the beginning of egg incubation on 50 clutches. Mean egg fertility was 85.9%, but the mean hatching success was significantly lower at 57.6% (mean emergence success was 56.8%). The results showed that egg fertility did not reflect hatching success and infertility was unlikely the cause of hatching failure. The huge number of undeveloped eggs may have been due to early embryonic death that went undetected at the end of incubation.

Only 3 species have been recorded in the subtribe Masoreina from Cambodia. This study provides preliminary keys to the genera and species from the Oriental region and reports 3 newly recorded species of this group from Cambodia. Due to the inadequate descriptions of this group, all species examined in this study are provided with redescriptions, including the male genitalia.

We de novo assembled and analysed the chloroplast genomes of Capsella bursa-pastoris, Descurainia sophia, and Lepidium apetalum of the plant family Brassicaceae. These chloroplast genomes exhibited a quadripartite structure characterised by inverted repeat regions (26,268–26,460 bp) separating large single copy (83,771–83,870 bp) and small single copy (17,570–18,014 bp) regions. Genetic analysis revealed 112 unique genes, comprising 78 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 4 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Notably, phylogenetic analysis of 21 species revealed close relationships between C. bursa-pastoris and C. orientalis, D. sophia and D. erodiifolia, and L. apetalum and L. cordatum, with 100% bootstrap support. In conclusion, the analysis of these genomes will contribute to the growing knowledge of chloroplast genomes in the Brassicaceae family and of the specific genera Capsella, Descurainia, and Lepidium.

A taxonomic review of Korean intertidal species of Bryothinusa Casey is presented. Eight species are recognized, five of which are new additions to the Korean fauna (Bryothinusa algarum Sawada, B. hokkaidensis Liu, Ono and Maruyama, B. itsuroi Liu, Ono and Maruyama, B. japonica Liu, Ono and Maruyama, and B. nigra Liu, Ono and Maruyama). Previous record of B. nakanei Sawada was an incorrect identification of B. nigra. A key, diagnoses, habitus photographs, and line drawings of median lobe and spermatheca are provided to facilitate identification.

Hopea bilitonensis Ashton (Dipterocarpaceae) is a small tree endemic to some islands on the east coast of Sumatra, particularly Belitung Island, Indonesia, and the northwest of Malaysia. Forest fragmentation and degradation in Belitung Island could affect population and genetic diversity of this species. The main objectives of this study are to examine genetic diversity and structure of H. bilitonensis on Belitung Island, Sumatra. Multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq) is used for genotyping and SNP detection. Genetic diversity and structure were determined using STRUCTURE analysis. We found that genetic diversity of H. bilitonensis is lower in seedlings than in juvenile and mature individuals. In contrast, inbreeding coefficient is lower in mature individuals than in the seedlings and juveniles. Genetic clusters (K=3) are detected in the early regeneration stages. These genetic structure separates the population of seedling and juvenile stages more clearly than in the mature individuals. Representation of these genetic clusters is essential when collecting propagation material for ex-situ conservation and establishing new populations of this threatened species to ensure its sustainability.

Bird songs and morphometry are frequently used to distinguish bird species which are plumage-cryptic, or to delineate boundaries of subspecies. Rubigula flaviventris, Pycnonotus finlaysoni and Brachypodius melanocephalos have each recognized subspecies along the Thai-Malay Peninsula, however the range-limit of the subspecies distribution is still ambiguous and genetic data from a previous own study suggests a revision of the subspecies distribution and the subspecies barriers is warranted. To analyze the subspecies boundaries based on potential song and morphometric traits, we recorded, measured, and analyzed song characters and morphometry of the three bulbuls along the Thai-Malay Peninsula. The geographic variation of songs and morphometry differs significantly for specific traits; however, we could not find any trait discontinuities that would be in accordance with previously documented phylogeographic divides. Instead trait variation was mostly clinal and followed a North-South gradient in line with Bergmann’s rule. Due to the lack of distinctiveness of any subspecific taxon, we conclude that shallow genetic divides on the Thai-Malay Peninsula are not indicative of potential species-level splits in the three species of our study.

Elaeocarpus glabripetalus Merr. is a notable species within the Elaeocarpus genus, particularly in the temperate regions of China. Distinguished by its cold resistance compared to other species, it encounters challenges in accurate identification, often prone to confusion with other related species. To address this issue, we present the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of E. glabripetalus in this study. The cp genome was 158,144 bp in length including two inverted repeats (IRs) of 27,388 bp, which were separated by large single copy (LSC) and small single copy (SSC) of 85,699 bp and 17,669 bp, respectively. The GC content was 37.1%. The genome encoded 135 functional genes, including 90 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that E. glabripetalus was clustered with other Elaeocarpus species and was a sister to E. sylvestris. This study provided the first report on the complete cp genome of E. glabripetalus, which is useful for further studies on species identification, germplasm conservation, and plant breeding in the Elaeocarpus genus and Elaeocarpaceae family.

The genus Cryptophagus Herbst comprises over 200 described species worldwide, with 10 Korean species. The genus Micrambe Thomson includes 101 species within 3 subgenera, and a single species, Micrambe (s. str.) abietis (Paykull), is recorded in Korea. In this study, two cryptophagid beetle species, Cryptophagus pumilus Reitter and Micrambe (Micrambinus) bimaculata (Panzer), are reported for the first time in the Korean Peninsula. Illustrations of habitus, diagnostic characters, and distribution maps for these two species are provided.

A taxonomic study of Diartiger Sharp has not been performed for the past 30 years in Korea. In this study, Diartiger songxiaobini is recorded for the first time in Korea, and Diartiger fossulatus dentipes is redescribed to facilitate a comparison of Diartiger subgroups and provide a detailed description. Habitus images, diagnostic characters, and a distributional map of the Korean Clavigeritae species were also provided.

Explorations were made to enumerate and document desmid diversity of the Naga thrust abounding crude oil contaminated waterbodies of Southeast Asia. A total of 111 desmid species were recorded belonging to 11 genera under 2 families. Among these, 25 desmid taxa were reported new to Indian flora whose detailed taxonomic account was given. Also, 69 desmid taxa were reported for the first time from the Naga thrust province. Cosmarium was the dominant genus amongst them with 32 species whereas Micrasterias (2 species) and Hyalotheca (2 species) showed least number of species representation.