Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity最新文献

Freshwater plants of Central Asian Mountains (a global biodiversity hotspot) remain poorly studied. We performed extensive field inventory of vascular plants in different types of waterbodies in northeastern Kyrgyzstan. By joint morphological and genetic analysis, we revealed a new, previously undetected, hybrid (Utricularia macrorhiza × U. vulgaris) and demonstrated that Stuckenia amblyphylla should not be treated as a separate species, being rather a lineage of S. filiformis. Besides these new data for global biodiversity, we report three new taxa for Central Asia (Lemna × japonica, Potamogeton berchtoldii × P. pusillus and Sparganium rothertii). We listed seven new species for Kyrgyzstan, that are not rare in Central Asia (Caulinia minor, Lemna gibba, Najas major, Potamogeton berchtoldii, P. nodosus, Spirodela polyrhiza, Zannichellia repens), and provided new data on distribution of nine species in the country. We conclude that focused multi-approach studies of aquatic vascular plants in Central Asia should be continued.

Carabid beetles, are one of the largest taxonomic groups with >40,000 recorded species. Acoptolabrus leechi yooni has been listed as an endangered species in the Republic of Korea. The whole mitochondrial genome of A. leechi yooni consisted of a16,825-bp encompassing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 control region. The DNA sequence comprises 79.4% of A-T region and 20.6% of G-C region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. leechi yooni is very close to A. mirabilissimus mirabilissimus and A. changeonleei. This study provides a complete mitochondrial genome sequence of A. leechi yooni and basic data for protecting the endangered species.

Habenaria reniformis (D.Don) Hook.f. and Liparis deflexa Hook.f. (Orchidaceae), known to be widespread in south and south-east Asia, are now reported here for the first time from Sri Lanka. Detailed taxonomic descriptions on Sri Lankan specimens, information on type, line drawings, notes on habitats, ecology, updated global distribution, and conservation status of these species for Sri Lanka are provided. The total number of the species of family Orchidaceae in Sri Lanka now stands at 199 species with these two additions.

Myristica teysmannii Miq. is an endemic and endangered plant, with narrow distribution to the southern part of East Java, Indonesia. This study was aimed to determine the complete chloroplast genome sequence of M. teysmannii using the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform and reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship with selected Magnoliids taxa. Results showed that the chloroplast genome of M. teysmannii is 155,975 bp in size, with a large single copy region (87,187 bp), a small single copy region (20,656 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (24,066 bp each). The chloroplast genome consists of 126 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes and eight ribosomal RNA and 35 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that M. teysmannii is placed in the Myristica clade along with M. yunnanensis, M. fatua, M. fragrans, and M. argentea. This phylogeny may be used as a foundation for further studies of this endemic and endangered plant species. Additionally, the position of Eusyderoxylon zwageri in the Endocomia clade instead of Lauraceae is surprising; further studies need to be conducted to confirm this finding.

Vatica javanica subsp. javanica is only found in Ciangir and Halimun in West Java, Indonesia. A ≥20-year-old evaluation led to the designation of the subspecies as Critically Endangered. Furthermore, the subspecies is currently not present in ex situ collections. To enhance the conservation of the species, in the present study, we conduct population surveys and plant materials collection. With a total of 625 individuals, we were able to locate the subspecies in both locations by using a concentrated survey strategy. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of the subspecies were 16.26 km² and 12 km², respectively. The populations in both sites were dominated by individuals with dbh <5 cm. Only 45 mature specimens were seen during the surveys. The habitats of the subspecies were characterized by humid and moderate acidic soil, slope topography, and northerly aspects. A total of 125 seedlings were successfully raised from the seeds and are being grown in the Bogor Botanic Gardens as ex situ collections. Based on our research, we propose the category of Critically Endangered (CR) D as the new conservation status of the subspecies. Habitat conversion and degradation were observed to be the main threats to the subspecies. Increasing the protection level of the habitats is urgently needed.

A new species, Cephonodes sanshaensis Deng & Huang, sp. nov. is described from Xisha islands near Sansha City, China. Photographs of the adults and their genitalia are provided. The new species is similar to C. hylas (Linnaeus, 1771) and C. picus (Cramer, 1777) but can be easily distinguished by characters in the male genitalia: the right lobe of the uncus is hook-shaped with distinctly acute apex, the left valva is long and narrow with a truncate apex, and the right valva is broad and knife-shaped. Molecular analysis based on cytochrome c oxidase I gene barcode sequences is used to infer the phylogenetic position of the new species within the genus Cephonodes. An updated key and checklist to the worldwide species of the genus Cephonodes are also provided.

The thread-legged assassin bug Gardena melinarthrum Dohrn, 1860 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) is reported for the first time from Thailand. Morphological data of the female adult, including detailed information of the genitalia, is provided with photographs. We also report the predation of an araneophagic spider Portia sp. (Araneae: Salticidae) by the bug in a spider’s web. It is the occasional observation of intra-guild predation evidence involving an assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Gardena melinarthrum) and a spider (Araneae: Salticidae: Portia sp.) in a riparian habitat.

An annotated checklist of the Korean Arctiinae (Noctuoidea: Erebidae) is presented, containing 76 species in 40 genera. Two genera of Lithosiini, Philenora Rosenstock, 1885, for the species P. latifasciata Inoue & Kobayashi, 1963, from Goeje Is., and Ammatho Walker, 1855, for A. cuneonotatus Walker, 1855, from Ulleung Is., are recorded for the first time in Korea. Illustrations of adult and genitalia figures of the newly recorded species are provided with an updated checklist.

The current status of Lepidium ruderale L. is uncertain in Korea. This alien species was previously reported as a new record of the Korean flora and placed under L. ruderale. Although some taxonomists have suggested that it belongs to another Lepidium taxon, no conclusions have been reached. Therefore, in this study, the holotype and protologue of L. ruderale were obtained and carefully examined. The description of this species is as follows: basal leaves are 1–3 pinnate; cauline leaf blades are linear to lanceolate and entire and ciliate; petals are absent or rudimentary; flowers have two stamens; and fruits are winged at the apex, have an apical notch, and are glabrous. These features distinguish it from other Lepidium species. Examination of numerous specimens and analysis of multiple characteristics demonstrated that the voucher specimens of L. ruderale belong to L. pinnatifidum Ledeb. Therefore, L. ruderale is not distributed in Korea.

The genus Acrotrichis is the largest genus of the family Ptiliidae, which has 233 valid species under the genus. The subgenus Flachiana belonging to the genus Acrotrichis has 10 species and is recognized by their large and domed pronotum and unique genital characteristics. Currently, Acrotrichis lewisii (Matthews, 1884) is the only species reported in Korea under Flachiana, although seven Flachiana species have been recorded in Japan. In this study, we report two additional species, A. similaris Sundt, 1969 and A. yazakii Sundt, 1969 from the Korean peninsula. Illustrations of their habitus, diagnostic characters, distributional map, a key to the Korean Acrotrichis species, and a taxonomic catalogue of the subgenus Flachiana are also provided.