Annotated Checklist of the Terrestrial Gastropods of Nepal

This is the very first checklist of the terrestrial gastropods of Nepal. It includes 138 species and six subspecies, of which 22 species are endemic and four are introduced. It highlights 34 species recorded for the first time in Nepal and provides new distribution records for another 30 species.     

A catalog of mosquito species (Culicidae family) from the Asian region of Russia

A new checklist of mosquitoes (Culicidae) recorded in the Asian part of Russia includes 79 species. The checklist is provided with taxonomic comments and compared with ones compiled by previous authors. In a comparison to the checklist of Kukharchuk (1980) including 73 species, 10 species are added into the present checklist and 6 species mentioned by this author are excluded, as far they were not actually found in Asian part of Russia. The names of 9 species are chanced according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (1966). In the checklist of Stojanovich and Scott (1995) including 64 species, 5 species were included erraneously and 21 species were missed. The classification and valid species names are listed according to the Catalog of the Mosquitoes of the World (Knight, Stone, 1977) and its supplements (Knight, 1978; Ward, 1984, 1992; Gaffigan, Ward, 1985), except 5 species. These species (Aedes implicatus, Ae. esoensis, Ae. rossicus, Ae. albescens, Ae. subdiversus) are considered in the comments to the checklist.     

New records of Malaysian marine algae

Checklists of the marine algae of Malaysia have been published. The last checklist included the marine algae of Singapore. The checklist recorded 212 taxa for the region. This paper lists an additional 7 taxa of Chlorophyta, 18 taxa of Rhodophyta and 5 taxa of Phaeophyta, which had been left out of the last checklist. These include marine algae from Pulau Pinang, Pulau Redang and Pulau Sibu. In addition, new records of Cyanophyta (2 species), Chlorophyta (4 species), Rhodophyta (10 species) and Phaeophyta (3 species) are reported.     

Cladocera from pokhara valley,nepal with notes on distribution

A study made on collections of zooplankton from lakes and ponds in Pokhara Valley, Nepal yielded 23 species of Cladocera of which 1 i species are recorded for the first time in Nepal. This brings the recorded Nepalese Cladocera to 39 species. All the species recorded in the present study are illustrated and described briefly. A compilation of previous and present records is given with a short discussion of the species composition.     

Taxonomic diversity of parasites in agnathans and fishes from the Volga River basin v. Nematoda and Gordiacea

The checklist of Nematoda and Gordiacea parasitizing agnathans and fishes in the Volga River basin is presented. Hosts and areas of distribution are indicated for each parasite species. The checklist includes 39 species and 11 nonidentified larval forms of nematodes from 51 fish species. Larvae of Gordius sp. are found in 5 fish species. The nemadote species Sinoichthyonema amuri have been introduced into the Volga basin occasionally during the process on introduction of fish species from Amur River.     

Trade and legislation: consequences for the conservation of lichens in the Nepal Himalaya

Lichen harvest and trade are closely associated with the livelihood of most of the rural people in Western Nepal. The present study investigates the commercial collection of lichens, quantifies the traded volume and relates it to a market scenario, and discusses conservation measures in relation to established legal practices in Nepal. Data on lichen trade and revenue generated for the 12 years (2000–2011) were collected and analyzed from 74 districts of Nepal. Voucher specimens were deposited at TUCH (Tribhuvan University Central Herbarium) in Nepal. The lichens collected in West Nepal are mainly used in international trade, while those in East Nepal are used locally for food. A total of 20 commercially important species of lichens were identified from five trade centers and one local market. During 2000–2011, Nepal legally exported 2020 tons of lichens and collected NRs 25,293,305 (USD 240,000). The average annual quantity of turnover was 168 tons, though it is estimated that much was exported illegally. The hill districts in Nepal, which traded 1774 tons, were more important for the collection of commercial lichen species than the Mountainous and inner-Tarai districts, which traded 167 and 108 tons, respectively. Through the Forest Act, Forest Regulations and its amendment in 2011, the collection of lichens for harvest, trade and export in any crude or processed form was banned. However, the legislation lacks an effective implementation strategy, and sustainable harvest of lichen resources based on scientific data would better serve local livelihood and lichen conservation in Nepal.     

Polypore diversity in North America with an annotated checklist

Profound changes to the taxonomy and classification of polypores have occurred since the advent of molecular phylogenetics in the 1990s. The last major monograph of North American polypores was published by Gilbertson and Ryvarden in 1986–1987. In the intervening 30 years, new species, new combinations, and new records of polypores were reported from North America. As a result, an updated checklist of North American polypores is needed to reflect the polypore diversity in there. We recognize 492 species of polypores from 146 genera in North America. Of these, 232 species are unchanged from Gilbertson and Ryvarden’s monograph, and 175 species required name or authority changes. In addition, 40 new species and 45 new records published since that monograph are included in the checklist. Among the 492 species of polypores, 486 species from 143 genera belong to 11 orders, while six other species from three genera have uncertain taxonomic position at the order level. Three orders, viz. Polyporales, Hymenochaetales and Russulales, accommodate most of polypore species (93.7 %) and genera (88.8 %). We hope that this updated checklist will inspire future studies in the polypore mycota of North America and contribute to the diversity and systematics of polypores worldwide.     

Patterns and trends in two decades of research on Nepal’s mammalian fauna (2000–2019): examining the past for future implications

Nepal is a global biodiversity hotspot, supporting 213 mammal species with diverse habitats across various landscape types, from the lowland Terai to the high Himalayas. Studies of Nepal’s mammalian fauna are not evenly distributed and better understanding of past biases towards some species, research themes and locations can provide better strategic direction for future research investments. Therefore, we reviewed 575 scientific articles on mammals in Nepal, published between 2000 and 2019 and compiled these in March 2020, to examine trends, patterns and gaps, and pave future plans for mammalian research in Nepal. A positive increase in the number of publications (β?=?0.27?±?0.02SD, P?<?0.00) was observed, with a more than threefold increase between 2010 and 2019 compared to 2000–2009 (t?=?? 6.26, df?=?12.21, P?<?0.000). Analysis of these documents revealed that mammalian researches favored large flagship, threatened species of carnivores inside Nepal’s protected area system. Geographically, mammalian research was not uniform in Nepal, as most studies were concentrated in Bagmati Province and in the Terai and Chure region. Baseline surveys and ecological studies were more common types of research, while studies on the impact of climate change and wildlife trade and poaching, are scant, which deserves a future look. While these studies shape current mammalogy in Nepal, studies of small, uncharismatic species, and in areas outside protected areas and other provinces except Bagmati, Lumbini and Province One are severely lacking. The research identified habitat loss, degradation and human-wildlife conflict as the major threats to the survival of mammalian species in Nepal. Therefore, redesigning and strict implementation of policies based on habitat management and human-wildlife co-existence, including other threat mitigation measures, are warranted. To address knowledge gaps, the prioritization of future research and funding should be focused on relatively unexplored research themes and under-researched provinces. This approach will help to re-align the research focus with the current need, and assist to fully understand and effectively conserve the wealth of mammalian diversity that Nepal holds.

     

Taxonomic diversity of parasites in agnathans and fishes from the Volga River basin. VI. Acanthocephala, Hirudinea and Bivalvia

The checklist of Acanthocephala, Hirudinea, and Bivalvia parasitizing agnathans and fishes in the Volga River basin is presented. Hosts and areas of distribution are indicated for each parasites species. The checklist includes 10 species of acanthocephalans, 7 species of leeches, and 9 species of Bivalvia (at the glochidium stage) from 45 fish species. None of the given parasite species is alien for the Volga River basin.     

Plant endemism in the Nepal Himalayas and phytogeographical implications

Nepal is located in the central part of the greater Himalayan range with a unique series of mountain chains formed by recent mountain building geological events. As one of the youngest mountains in the world it contributes to diversity of plants and also provided barriers to and corridors through which plants migrated during the ice ages. The higher altitudinal variation with the high mountains, deep river valleys and lowland plains combine with the effects of the summer monsoon and dry winter result with an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems including flora and fauna in a relatively small land area. The existing checklists for Nepal record some 6000 species of flowering plants and about 530 ferns. However, the botanical experts estimate that numbers may go up to 7000 when the poorly known remote regions are fully explored. The information on plant endemism in Nepal Himalaya is not adequately known as Nepal is still struggling to complete long awaited Flora of Nepal project. Endemic species are confined to specific areas and are the first to be affected by land use and other global changes. We sought to explore the spatial distribution of endemic plant species in Nepal in relation to the consequences associated with climatic and geologic changes over time in the region with the help of published literature. It was found that the endemism showed marked spatial variation between open moist habitat and dry inner valleys, the former with higher endemism. The updated records showed 312 flowering plant species to be endemic to Nepal with higher endemism around the elevation of 3800e4200 m at sea level. The recent human population explosion, intensified deforestation, habitat fragmentation and modern day environmental changes are posing greater threats to endemic plant in Nepal. The conservation status and threats to these peculiar species are unknown. Nevertheless, environmental degradation and high poverty rates create a potent mix of threats to biodiversity in this landscape.     

中国森林附生维管植物多样性数据集

附生维管植物是热带、亚热带湿性山地森林植物群落中物种最为丰富的类群之一, 在维系森林生物多样性及生态系统功能与服务中发挥着重要作用, 然而附生维管植物调查相对困难, 在多样性调查和统计中往往被忽视, 迄今为止我国尚缺乏全国范围的森林附生维管植物名录。本项研究基于已公开发布的数据库, 搜集并整理了1982-2022年间的关于中国森林附生维管植物研究的文献书籍。首先, 提取文献资料中的有效信息, 依据物种2000中国节点的数据进行标准化校正, 整理出中国森林附生维管植物共计49科246属1,739种, 然后据此编写了相对准确、完整的中国森林附生维管植物物种名录。本名录作为我国第一个全国性森林附生维管植物名录, 可为森林生物多样性保护工作提供重要的数据支持, 并能为深入研究附生维管植物的进化生物学、生物地理学及宏观生态学等领域提供重要的基础信息。     

An annotated checklist of dinoflagellates in the Black Sea

An annotated checklist of free-living dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae) of the Black Sea, based on literature records, is reported and compared to the Mediterranean Sea and world oceans. Toxic species and/or responsible of harmful algal blooms (HAB) are marked in the checklist. From the 267 species (54 genera) listed nearly all taxa can be considered as cosmopolitan and no species as endemic. Several typically Arctic-boreal species (non recorded from the Mediterranean Sea) are reported from the Black Sea. The taxonomy and the biogeography of the taxa are discussed.     

A New Species of Megophryid Frog of the Genus Scutiger from Kangchenjunga Conservation Area,Eastern Nepal

This study investigated the systematics of the megophryid genus Scutiger from eastern and western Nepal using molecular and morphological data. Our results support two divergent lineages, one of which has nuptial spines on the dorsal surface of the first three fingers while the other has spines only on the dorsal surface of the first two fingers. The Ghunsa lineage from eastern Nepal shows significant morphological and molecular differences to other species of genus Scutiger and is here described as a new species. Based on the molecular analysis, the Muktinath lineage from western Nepal is confirmed to be Scutiger boulengeri and represents a species complex widespread throughout the Himalayan region. The newly described taxon is endemic to the eastern Himalayas and currently known only from the Ghunsa valley, Taplejung district, Nepal.     

Climate change‐induced distributional change of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Nepal Himalaya

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) contribute to human well‐being via health and economic benefits. Nepal has recorded 2331 species of MAPs, of which around 300 species are currently under trade. Wild harvested MAPs in Nepal are under increasing pressure from overexploitation for trade and the effects of climate change and development. Despite some localized studies to examine the impact of climate change on MAPs, a consolidated understanding is lacking on how the distribution of major traded species of MAPs will change with future climate change. This study identifies the potential distribution of 29 species of MAPs in Nepal under current and future climate using an ensemble modeling and hotspot approach. Future climate change will reduce climatically suitable areas of two‐third of the studied species and decrease climatically suitable hotspots across elevation, physiography, ecoregions, federal states, and protected areas in Nepal. Reduction in climatically suitable areas for MAPs might have serious consequences for the livelihood of people that depend on the collection and trade of MAPs as well as Nepal''s national economy. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the threats that future climate change may have on distribution of MAPs while designing protected areas and devising environmental conservation and climate adaptation policies.     

An Integrative Taxonomy of Amphibians of Nepal: An Updated Status and Distribution

Amphibians are declining worldwide.At the same time,each year many species of amphibians are described,indicating that biological diversity on Earth remains poorly understood.This is especially true for mountainous regions,such as the Himalayas,which are also regarded as a biodiversity hotspot.However,it is most likely that the current diversity of amphibians in Nepal is highly underestimated.Amphibian inventories by the past researchers primarily used phenotypic characters as the basis for species identification.However,the application of molecular systematics methods to taxonomic studies has successfully uncovered the taxonomic status of several cryptic taxa.This study used both molecular(16 S rDNA sequences)and morphological comparisons and estimated the diversity of amphibians from Nepal.This study reports the occurrence of 38 species of amphibians based on both molecular and morphological comparisons.Among them,three species were recorded for the first time in Nepal.This study also invalids the taxonomic status of Sphaerotheca paschima.This study highlights the importa nce of integrative taxonomic approaches that help to resolve the current taxonomic ambiguities of Nepalese amphibians.     

Checklist of the Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) of Equatorial Guinea (Annobón, Bioko and Río Muni)

This study provides a checklist of the Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) present in Equatorial Guinea, comprising 52 genera and 124 taxa. Seven species are known from Annobón, 33 from Bioko and 109 from Río Muni. The best represented genus is Senna with eight species. In addition, bibliographic references for Caesalpinioideae (Leguminosae) from Equatorial Guinea have been gathered and checked. Fourteen species are included based on literature records, because their distribution ranges suggest they may occur in Equatorial Guinea, 11 introduced species could be naturalized, and 45 taxa are recorded for the first time from the country. This represents an increase of over 35% in the floristic knowledge of Caesalpinioideae from Equatorial Guinea. A statistical summary is presented at the end of the checklist.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 541–562.     

Genetic diversity and geographic distribution of Bemisia tabaci species complex in Nepal

Bemisia tabaci species complex comprises at least 44 cryptic species worldwide. Here, we analyze the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene obtained from 76 samples of B. tabaci collected from 23 districts in Nepal. This is the first genetic and geographic study of B. tabaci species complex in Nepal. Our phylogenetic study identified the presence of three cryptic species—Asia I, Asia II 1, and Asia II 5—with high interspecific but low intraspecific variations. Among the three cryptic species, Asia II 5 was the most prevalent in Nepal, constituting 64.47% of all the sequenced samples. Based on haplotype network analysis of COI sequences, Asia II 1 was more genetically diversified than the other two cryptic species. Our results provided useful information on the genetic diversity and geographic distribution of B. tabaci in Nepal, which help monitor population changes of B. tabaci at cryptic species level and develop sustainable management strategies for its control.     

The known species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psilocybe</Emphasis> (Basidiomycotina,Agaricales, Strophariaceae) in Nepal

Psilocybe percevalii, P. pseudobullacea, and P. subcubensis are reported for the first time from Nepal. Of these threes the latter is the only species with neurotropic properties. Previously, only P. montana and P. coprophila have been reported from Nepal. Psilocybe coprophila, as reported from Nepal, probably represents P. pseudobullacea.     

The Music Indici: its authors, types and localities

The sixty new taxa described in Musci Indici are reviewed. As a result of validation of 54 of these by plates alone, authorities, original specimens and provenance of many have been widely misinterpreted. Evidence from published material, unpublished correspondence and herbarium material demonstrates that W. H. Harvey (1836) is the sole validating author of most of the names; three were validated by J. D. Hooker in 1837, and two names jointly by J. D. Hooker and Harvey in 1840. None was validated by W. J. Hooker, in the past often considered to be the author of some of the names. It is shown that Musci Indici names should be typified by lectotypes; recent typifications of four of the names by ‘holotypes’ and six out of eight published ‘lectotypes’ are untenable as the specimens selected were not original material studied by Harvey, and should be superseded by new lectotypes. Five specimens are selected as new lectotypes. Original material, mostly in Harvey's herbarium in TCD, is identified as most suitable for future lectotypification of the other names. Types for the three names based solely on Royle material are located in LIV and BM. Original Harvey material is also preserved in GL, but most of the Wallich collections in BM, E and elsewhere are not part of the original material. For Neckera blanda no suitable type specimen was located; the original published plate is selected as lectotype with a specimen in BM as a supporting ‘epitype’. Many of the original localities published in 1840 as ‘Nepal’ are shown to be erroneous. As far as possible these are corrected but for some taxa provenance remains doubtful. Twenty-two of the new names are shown not to have been based on material from Nepal; as a result ten species (Acanthorrhynchium papillatum, Brachythecium kamounense, Chaetomitriopsis glaucocarpa, Meiothecium microcarpum, Mitthyridium repens, Rozea fulva, Splachnobryum flaccidum, Sterophyllum radiculosum, Trichosteleum boschii and Trismegistia lancifolia) and Trismegistia lancifolia) are deleted from the Nepal checklist. Twenty-eight of the new species are considered to be reliably based on material from Nepal, and a further five doubtfully so. Rozea microcarpa Broth. is shown to be an synonym of R. fulva (Harv.) M. Fleisch. Past taxonomic confusion between Hypnum cordatum Harv. and Neckera cordata [Hook. ex] Harv. is untangled; the first is shown to be a synonym of Eurhynchium hians (Hedw.) Sande Lac. and the second is the basionym of Penzigiella cordata (Harv.) M. Fleisch.     

A checklist of Dryinidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from Cambodia,with new records

A checklist of Dryinidae from Cambodia is provided. Fourteen species are listed, of which twelve are new records from Cambodia. Distribution and recorded hosts for each species are provided. A key to the species known from Cambodia is also provided.