Biodiversity Data Journal最新文献

Background: Chironomidae, commonly known as non-biting midges, are key indicators of the health and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. They are also one of the most abundant and diverse groups of aquatic invertebrates. Although Chironomidae are ecologically important, abundant and diverse, there has been limited focused research on this group in Lithuania. Our study addresses this gap by analysing the diversity of Chironomidae in six Lithuanian streams.

New information: In this study, we present a comprehensive list of Chironomidae collected from six streams with similar hydrological characteristics: three dammed and three undammed. Lithuania is home to 158 species of known species of Chironomidae, comprised of 22 species in the subfamily Tanypodinae, 87 in the Chironominae, 42 in the Orthocladiinae, four in the Diamesinae and three in the Prodiamesinae. Throughout our research, we collected 11,296 chironomid specimens using a D-shaped aquatic net. Amongst these specimens, we identified 89 species representing 65 genera and five subfamilies, including 37 species and 12 genera, were recorded for the first time in Lithuania. The subfamily Chironominae, with 28 genera and 6,816 specimens, has exhibited the highest abundance of non-biting midges both in terms of genera and individuals. Amongst the streams investigated, the Luknelė was the richest in diversity, harbouring 37 genera and 2,657 individuals, accounting for about 55% of the Chironomidae genera found during the research. Our findings significantly enhance the understanding of the Lithuanian Chironomidae fauna, marking the first comprehensive study of such a kind, as previous knowledge of this fauna has been derived only from related studies.

Background: The genus Carnus Nitzsch, 1818 comprises small ectoparasites that feed on the blood of juvenile avians. They are characterised by dealated adults with setose abdominal intersegmental membranes. Carnusorientalis Maa, 1968 was previously recorded in Malaysia and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, parasitising two owl species: Ketupaketupu (Horsfield, 1821) and Otuselegans (Cassin, 1852). This study confirms the occurrence of C.orientalis in Taiwan and presents a new host record, along with COI barcode sequences. Additionally, the study also elucidates the difficulties posed by blood meal contamination and pseudogene amplification as confounding factors intrinsic to the molecular taxonomic delineation of C.orientalis via universal DNA barcoding primers.

New information: The following new information regarding C.orientalis is provided in this study: Carnusorientalis is first recorded in Taiwan, filling the gap in its East Asian distribution. This is also the first record of Carnidae from Taiwan.Otuslettia (Hodgson, 1836) (Aves, Strigidae) is reported as a new host for C.orientalis, identified on a fallen fledgling.Co-amplification of the host's COI is reported in this study using the universal PCR primer set LCO1490/HCO2198. Additionally, the amplification of a COI-like pseudogene using a newly-designed primer set is detected through abnormal translated amino acid sequences and the occurrence of a stop codon.New specific primers for the COI gene of Carnus were designed in this study. The new distribution and ecological data of C.orientalis enhance our understanding of this species. The provision of new COI primers is anticipated to contribute to future studies employing DNA barcoding in bird-parasitic flies.

Background: The genus Micrencaustes Crotch, 1876 (Coleoptera, Cucujoidea, Erotylidae, Erotylinae, Encaustini) includes 44 known species worldwide, 11 species having been reported to occur in China. In recent years, species of genus Micrencaustes in China are constantly being discovered, mainly distributed in southern China.

New information: A new species, Micrencaustes (Mimencaustes) occulta sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Two species, Micrencaustes (Mimencaustes) divisa Arrow, 1925 and Micrencaustes (Micrencaustes) navicularis Arrow, 1921 are recorded from China for the first time. The morphological characteristics of adults of new species are re-described in detail and illustrated. A key to Chinese species of the genus Micrencaustes is provided. The specimens of new species was collected from Yunnan Province and the specimens of Micrencaustes (Mimencaustes) divisa Arrow, 1925 and Micrencaustes (Micrencaustes) navicularis Arrow, 1921 were collected from Hainan Province and Guangdong Province and deposited in the Museum of Hebei University and Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The knowledge on taxonomic diversity of arthropods is key to better understanding the biodiversity patterns and processes and guiding sustainable conservation strategies and practices. In the Azores, terrestrial arthropods are relatively well-inventoried following the publication of comprehensive checklists that have been regularly updated. Nevertheless, every year, new species are found as a result of new arrivals to the Archipelago and from addressing specific taxonomic lacunae. Here, we update the taxonomic terrestrial arthropod biodiversity of the Azores by reporting for the first time 13 species for the Archipelago, namely Oligonychusperseae Tuttle, Baker & Abbatiello, 1976, Textrixpinicola Simon, 1875, Pholcommagibbum (Westring, 1851), Schistocercagregaria (Forsskål, 1775), Phoracantharecurva Newman, 1840, Diachusauratus Fabricius, 1801 Phyllotretaprocera (Redtenbacher, 1849), Phyllotretastriolata (Fabricius, 1803), Diboliaoccultans (Koch, 1803), Pseudolynchiacanariensis (Macquart, 1839), Hermetiaillucens (Linnaeus, 1758), Dryocosmuskuriphilus Yasumatsu, 1951 and Ectemniuscephalotes (Olivier, 1792), and several new species records for specific islands. These species benefitted from the increase in transportation of goods and commodities, both from outside the Archipelago and between islands, to arrive and spread across the Archipelago with some of them posing new challenges to local agriculture, forestry and biodiversity conservation management.

Background: The tribe Tropidocephalini is the second largest tribe of the subfamily Delphacinae, comprising 204 species of 37 genera worldwide. Most species in this tribe feed on bamboo (Bambusoideae) or grasses (Poaceae). In Korea, only three species have been reported.

New information: This tribe is represented by four species in South Korea, including a newly-recorded species, Epeurysadistincta Huang & Ding, 1979. Descriptions and illustrations of the four species and a revised key for the identification of the tribe Tropidocephalini are provided.

Background: The genus Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) was originally described, based on the type species from Sarawak (Malaysia), Leptobrachella mjöbergi Smith. The taxa in the group were previously classified into different genera, i.e, Paramegophrys Liu; Leptolalax Dubois; Lalax Delorme, Dubois, Grosjean & Ohler; and Lalos Dubois, Grosjean, Ohler, Adler & Zhao. However, Yuan et al. synonymised Leptolalax with Leptobrachella in 2017. Members of Leptobrachella inhabit the forest floor and rocky streams in hilly evergreen forests. They are widely distributed from southern China and Myanmar through mainland Indochina to Peninsular Malaysia and the island of Borneo. However, the species diversity of the genus was indicated to be underestimated by phylogenetic analyses and a series of new species have been discovered recently. In Vietnam, 34 species of Leptobrachella are currently known and 75% (or 24 species) have been described or newly recorded from the country since 2010.

New information: We describe a new species, Leptobrachellahuynhi sp. nov., from Sin Ho District, Lai Chau Province. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by genetic divergences ranging from 3.62 to 18.51% (16S rRNA gene) and morphological differences: size medium (SVL 37.8-40.2 mm in adult females); head longer than wide; tympanum distinct; skin on entire dorsum shagreened; toes without webbing and with narrow lateral fringes; supratympanic ridge slightly rough with few nodules; dorsum grey-brown with indistinct dark brown markings; an interorbital region with a stacking double Y-shaped marking; centre of belly creamy-white, outer edges of belly brown with small whitish spots; iris copper. The new species is the 35^th species of the genus Leptobrachella known from Vietnam.

Background: The genus Hydrurus contains a solitary species, Hydrurusfoetidus. Its thalli exhibit a remarkable structure, consisting of a firm central axis surrounded by peripheral branches, all enveloped within a viscous, gelatinous coating. Molecular data pertaining to the genus Hydrurus are scarce, necessitating further investigation into its phylogenetic relationships.

New information: A new site with benthic freshwater alga Hydrurusfoetidus (Villars) Trevisan has been discovered in the Fenhe River in Shanxi Province, China. The physical and chemical parameters of water were meticulously measured and documented. Detailed morphological observations were conducted on the specimen, measuring different cell categories. The SSU, LSU, ITS and rbcL DNA sequence data of H.foetidus collected from Shanxi were determined. An extensive three-gene phylogenetic tree was constructed, revealing a strong relationship between the specimen in this study and H.foetidus specimen from Norway. Time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic analysis further indicated that the genus Hydrurus diverged approximately 125 million years ago (Early Cretaceous), while the two H.foetidus strains from Shanxi, China and Norway diverged approximately 6 million years ago (Neogene). The results of this study supplement new molecular evidence for H.foetidus and contribute significantly to our understanding of the geographical distribution and evolutionary history of the genus Hydrurus.

Background: A new species of the genus Rhopalopsole (Plecoptera, Leuctridae) from Yunnan Province, China, Rhopalopsoledulongjianga sp. nov., is described and illustrated.

New information: This new species is compared to the similar species, Rhopalopsolebispina (Wu, 1949). Additionally, we provide a supplemental description and colour plates of R.bispina. A key to Rhopalopsole species from Yunnan Province, China, is also provided in this paper.