Dasyatis laosensis,a new whiptailed stingray (family Dasyatidae), from the Mekong River of Laos and Thailand

Synopsis Dasyatis laosensis, a new species, is described from the Mekong River where it forms the border between Laos and Thailand. It is the first member of the genus Dasyatis to be described as an endemic freshwater species from Southeast Asia. Bright orange color on the ventral surface of the disc and similar meristic characters indicate that it may be closely related to Dasyatis akajei, a marine species from southern Japan and China, and to Dasyatis sp. undetermined, from the West River in Guangxi, southern China.     

我国口岸截获芒果象属检疫性有害生物疫情分析

【目的】芒果象属昆虫是我国禁止进境的植物检疫性有害生物,广泛分布于非洲、北美洲和东南亚,寄主为芒果。其生活隐蔽,羽化孔未出现时看不出危害状,危害率可达30%~80%,严重影响芒果的产量和质量。近年来,我国口岸截获的芒果象甲的数量日益增多,表明该类检疫性有害生物传入我国的风险越来越大。【方法】运用Microsoft Excel工作表对2003—2015年全国口岸截获芒果象属有害生物的疫情进行统计分析。【结果】2003—2015年全国口岸共截获芒果象4156批次,22个直属局有截获记录。其中,截获芒果果核象甲3028批次,数量最多,占截获芒果象总批次的72.86%;芒果果实象甲和芒果果肉象甲相对较少,分别为837和291批次。截获芒果象的来源国主要为非洲和东南亚芒果象疫情分布国家和地区,且主要自进境旅客随身携带物中检出。【结论】我国口岸应加大对芒果象的检疫力度,保护我国农林业生产安全。     

Cryptic diversification of the swamp eel Monopterus albus in East and Southeast Asia, with special reference to the Ryukyuan populations

The swamp eel Monopterus albus is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical freshwaters ranging from Southeast Asia to East Asia, and is unique in its ability to breathe air through the buccal mucosa. To examine the genetic structure of this widespread species, molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence (514 bp) were conducted for 84 specimens from 13 localities in Southeast and East Asia. The analyses showed clearly that this species can be genetically delineated into three clades based on geographical populations [China–Japan (Honshu + Kyushu), Ryukyu Islands, and Southeast Asia clades], with each clade exhibiting its own reproductive behavior. Therefore, “M. albus” is believed to be composed of at least three species. The Southeast Asia clade with the highest genetic diversity may include more species. The Ryukyu clade was estimated to have diverged more than 5.7 million years ago, suggesting that the Ryukyuan “M. albus” is native. In contrast, in the China–Japan clade, all haplotypes from Japan were closely related to those from China, suggesting artificial introduction(s).     

广西被子植物二新记录属

在第四次中药资源普查中采集了大量标本,经过对这些标本进行仔细鉴定并查阅相关资料,确定其中两号标本为香茜属(Carlemannia Benth.)和粘腺果属(Commicarpus Standl.)植物。这两属植物在广西尚无报道,为首次记录。香茜属植物叶对生,子房下位,无托叶,雄蕊仅有2枚,这和茜草科相似但又不同,系统位置较混乱,以前曾放于茜草科( Rubiaceae)和忍冬科( Caprifoliaceae)中,最近该属和蜘蛛花属独立成香茜科( Car-lemanniaceae)。该属植物共有3种,沿喜马拉雅山脉向东一直分布到缅甸、越南北部。我国西藏东南、云南南部、广西西北部分布一种即香茜( Carlenannia chinenesis Hook. f.)。粘腺果属是紫茉莉科( Nyctaginaceae)主产热带地区的1个属,全世界约25种分布于热带非洲和阿拉伯半岛南部,在南亚、东南亚和墨西哥至热带美洲也有少量分布。中国产2种,其中广西产1种即中华粘腺果[ Commiaicarpus chinensis ( L.) Heim.]。该种植物分布广泛,从南亚次大陆向东至中南半岛、马来半岛,向北到我国西沙群岛、海南岛以及广州附近,在广西首次记录,产凤山县和凌云县。     

中国兰科大苞兰属一新记录种——淡黑大苞兰

大苞兰属全世界共有23种,主要分布于东南亚各国。我国分布有12种,可以说是该属的分布中心。在2011－2013年期间,对普洱地区兰科植物的野外考察中,发现了该属一个新记录种 Sunipia nigricans Avery-anov,根据该种拉丁名种加词之意将其定为“淡黑大苞兰”。淡黑大苞兰主要特点是花淡黑色、粘盘柄不分叉、顶部连接着4个球形的花粉团,与该属其它所有种类有明显区别。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum</Emphasis> Use in Cambodia: The Continental Region of Southeast Asia Is Not Related to the Dispersal Route of <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. frutescens</Emphasis> in the Ryukyu Islands

Capsicum Use in Cambodia: The Continental Region of Southeast Asia Is Not Related to the Dispersal Route of C. frutescens in the Ryukyu Islands. The local nomenclature and use of Capsicum by Khmer and other ethnic groups in Cambodia and the distribution of the diagnostic ShDH-B isozyme pattern of C. frutescens were studied. People in Cambodia use Capsicum in various ways, not only as a condiment but also as a vegetable, a medicine, and a colorant, and in popular beliefs, agricultural rituals, taboos, and rice malt. The findings showed that the ShDH-B phenotype may not have occurred as a mutation in Asia but in the Americas and then was introduced to Asia. Also, the ShDH-B phenotype is distributed in the insular regions of Southeast and East Asia and Oceania, but seems not to be distributed in the continental region of Southeast Asia. One possible hypothesis is that C. frutescens possessing the ShDH-B phenotype was introduced directly from the Americas via Oceania to the Philippines, and it thereafter dispersed into the insular regions.     

Pliocene climatic change in insular Southeast Asia as an engine of diversification in Ficedula flycatchers

Aims Insular Southeast Asia and adjacent regions are geographically complex, and were dramatically affected by both Pliocene and Pleistocene changes in climate, sea level and geology. These circumstances allow the testing of several biogeographical hypotheses regarding species distribution patterns and phylogeny. Avian species in this area present a challenge to biogeographers, as many are less hindered by barriers that may block the movements of other species. Widely distributed Southeast Asian avian lineages, of which there are many, have been generally neglected. Ficedula flycatchers are distributed across Eurasia, but are most diverse within southern Asia and Southeast Asian and Indo‐Australian islands. We tested the roles of vicariance, dispersal and the evolution of migratory behaviours as mechanisms of speciation within the Ficedula flycatchers, with a focus on species distributed in insular Southeast Asia. Methods Using a published molecular phylogeny of Ficedula flycatchers, we reconstructed ancestral geographical areas using dispersal vicariance analysis, weighted ancestral area analysis, and a maximum likelihood method. We evaluated the evolution of migratory behaviours using maximum likelihood ancestral character state reconstruction. Speciation timing estimates were calculated via local molecular clock methods. Results Ficedula originated in southern mainland Asia, c. 6.5 Ma. Our analyses indicate that two lineages within Ficedula independently and contemporaneously colonized insular Southeast Asia and Indo‐Australia, c. 5 Ma. The potential impact of vicariance due to rising sea levels is difficult to assess in these early colonization events because the ancestral areas to these clades are reconstructed as oceanic islands. Within each of these clades, inter‐island dispersal was critical to species’ diversification across oceanic and continental islands. Furthermore, Pliocene and Pleistocene climatic change may have caused the disjunct island distributions between several pairs of sister taxa. Both vicariance and dispersal shaped the distributions of continental species. Main conclusions This study presents the first evaluation, for Ficedula, of the importance of vicariance and dispersal in shaping distributions, particularly across insular Southeast Asia and Indo‐Australia. Although vicariant speciation may have initially separated the island clades from mainland ancestors, speciation within these clades was driven primarily by dispersal. Our results contribute to the emerging body of literature concluding that dynamic geological processes and climatic change throughout the Pliocene and Pleistocene have been important factors in faunal diversification across continental and oceanic islands.     

Center of genetic diversity and dissemination pathways in mung bean deduced from seed protein electrophoresis

Summary Seed protein of 581 local strains of mung bean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, collected from throughout Asia, were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Eight protein types were recognized based on the combination of four albumin bands and three globulin bands. The frequency of each protein type strain showed a clear geographical cline. The pattern of geographical distribution of the protein types reflected the regions of genetic diversity, and two dissemination pathways in mung bean were proposed. The region of genetic diversity in seed protein was western Asia (Afghanistan-Iran-Iraq area). Mung bean may have spread mainly to the east by two routes from India, where the domestication of mung bean is believed to have occurred. One route led to Southeast Asia; strains consisting of a few protein types with prominent protein type 1 were disseminated from India to the Southeast Asian countreis. Thus, the strain composition in Southeast Asia was very simple, with the strains being similar to one another. Another dissemination pathway may have been the route known as the Silk Road. Since protein type 7 and 8 strains could not be found throughout Southeast Asia, it is assumed that these strains spread from western Asia or India to China and Taiwan via the Silk Road, and not by the route from Southeast Asia.     

Molecular identification of natural hybridization between Melastoma malabathricum and Melastoama beccarianum in Sarawak,Malaysia

Hybridization is very common in flowering plants and it plays a significant role in plant evolution and adaptation. Melastoma L. (Melastomataceae) comprises about 80–90 species in tropical Asia and Oceania, among which 41 species occur in Borneo. Natural hybridization is frequently reported in Melastoma in China, but so far there have been no confirmed cases of hybridization in Southeast Asia (including Borneo), where most species occur. Here, we identified a case of natural hybridization between Melastoma malabathricum L. and Melastoma beccarianum Cogn. in Sarawak, Malaysia, by using sequence data of three nuclear genes and one chloroplast intergenic spacer. Melastoma malabathricum is the most widespread species of this genus, occurring in almost the whole range of this genus, while M. beccarianum is a local species endemic to northern Borneo. Our results showed that natural hybridization and introgression occur between M. malabathricum and M. beccarianum, and the introgression was asymmetrical, mainly from M. malabathricum to M. beccarianum. As adaptive traits can be transferred by introgression, our study suggests that natural hybridization should be a significant mechanism for the evolution and adaptation of Melastoma in Southeast Asia. However, introgression from the common species M. malabathricum to the relatively rare species M. beccarianum may cause the decline of M. beccarianum, incurring conservation concern. With a large number of species of Melastoma and almost year‐around flowering in Southeast Asia, more cases of natural hybridization are expected to be found and identified in near future.     

Population genetic evidence for the east–west division of the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomberomorus commerson,</Emphasis> Perciformes: Teleostei) along Wallace’s Line

Mitochondrial DNA D-loop (control) region (426-bp) was used to infer the genetic structure of Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) from populations in Southeast Asia (Brunei, East and West Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and China) and northern Australia (including western Timor). An east–west division along Wallace’s Line was strongly supported by a significant AMOVA, with 43% of the total sequence variation partitioned among groups of populations. Phylogenetic and network analyses supported two clades: clade A and clade B. Members of clade A were found in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, but not in locations to the west (Gulf of Thailand) or north (China). Clade B was found exclusively in Southeast Asia. Genetic division along Wallace’s Line suggests that co-management of S. commerson populations for future sustainability may not be necessary between Southeast Asian nations and Australia, however all countries should share the task of management of the species in Southeast Asia equally. More detailed genetic studies of S. commerson populations in the region are warranted.     

苹果蓟属,东南亚大陆菊科一新归化属

该文报道了在泰国北部和中国西南部的菊科一个新归化属——苹果蓟属(Centratherum Cass.)。依据所采集的标本,详细描述了该属在东南亚大陆的唯一代表亚种苹果蓟 [Centratherum punctatum Cass. Subsp. fruticosum(S. Vidal)K. Kirkman ex Shih H. Chen, M. J. Wu & S. M. Li],并配以插图。苹果蓟与其所在属的其他种的区别在于该亚种叶片菱形至椭圆形,叶缘具不规则锯齿,先端微尖,总苞片基部硬化,先端无芒。文中还提供了苹果蓟的分布图,并讨论了其可能的传播途径。     

四川省香薷属植物地理分布新记录

报道了四川省香薷属植物地理分布新记录1种——四方蒿(Elsholtzia blanda Benth.)。四方蒿主要分布于中国西南部（云南、贵州、广西）至东南亚及南亚的热带地区,在四川为新记录,且是该种分布区的北缘。凭证标本存放于上海辰山植物园标本馆（CSH）。     

Global invasion history of the Mediterranean recluse spider: a concordance with human expansion

The dispersal of modern humans from their African origins to the rest of the occupied world is a topic of lively debate centering principally on single versus multiple dispersals. The Mediterranean recluse spider Loxosceles rufescens, a significant pest, has gained much of its current distribution through commensalism with humans. Therefore, the matrilineal history of this spider should reflect dispersal patterns of human females. Here, an assessment of genetic variation at mitochondrial markers in 347 colonies of L. rufescens from 104 geographic sites worldwide reveals a north African origin of the global populations of L. rufescens. This involves at least three separate events among which two involve coincidental dispersals, including one to north Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia and the other to north Africa, Europe, and Asia only. North African L. rufescens appear to have expanded initially into Israel and subsequently spread into Greece, where a subset of these populations went eastward into Iran and southeastern Asia. This corresponds to the modern human southern dispersal theory. Chinese populations appear to have expanded approximately 42 710–46 008 yr ago. The initial split between the Greek and Chinese populations dates to 41 412–44 444 yr ago, which coincides with the expansion of modern humans into Southeast and East Asia. Thus, the matrilineal history of Asian L. rufescens tracks the history of human dispersals over tens of thousands of years.     

Evolutionary history of rat‐borne Bartonella: the importance of commensal rats in the dissemination of bacterial infections globally

Emerging pathogens that originate from invasive species have caused numerous significant epidemics. Some bacteria of genus Bartonella are rodent‐borne pathogens that can cause disease in humans and animals alike. We analyzed gltA sequences of 191 strains of rat‐associated bartonellae from 29 rodent species from 17 countries to test the hypotheses that this bacterial complex evolved and diversified in Southeast Asia before being disseminated by commensal rats Rattus rattus (black rat) and Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) to other parts of the globe. The analysis suggests that there have been numerous dispersal events within Asia and introductions from Asia to other regions, with six major clades containing Southeast Asian isolates that appear to have been dispersed globally. Phylogeographic analyses support the hypotheses that these bacteria originated in Southeast Asia and commensal rodents (R. rattus and R. norvegicus) play key roles in the evolution and dissemination of this Bartonella complex throughout the world.     

Patrilineal perspective on the Austronesian diffusion in Mainland Southeast Asia

The Cham people are the major Austronesian speakers of Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) and the reconstruction of the Cham population history can provide insights into their diffusion. In this study, we analyzed non-recombining region of the Y chromosome markers of 177 unrelated males from four populations in MSEA, including 59 Cham, 76 Kinh, 25 Lao, and 17 Thai individuals. Incorporating published data from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), our results indicated that, in general, the Chams are an indigenous Southeast Asian population. The origin of the Cham people involves the genetic admixture of the Austronesian immigrants from Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) with the local populations in MSEA. Discordance between the overall patterns of Y chromosome and mtDNA in the Chams is evidenced by the presence of some Y chromosome lineages that prevail in South Asians. Our results suggest that male-mediated dispersals via the spread of religions and business trade might play an important role in shaping the patrilineal gene pool of the Cham people.     

The Diversity and Geographical Structure of Orientia tsutsugamushi Strains from Scrub Typhus Patients in Laos

Orientia tsutsugamushi is the causative agent of scrub typhus, a disease transmitted by Leptotrombidium mites which is responsible for a severe and under-reported public health burden throughout Southeast Asia. Here we use multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to characterize 74 clinical isolates from three geographic locations in the Lao PDR (Laos), and compare them with isolates described from Udon Thani, northeast Thailand. The data confirm high levels of diversity and recombination within the natural O. tsutsugamushi population, and a rate of mixed infection of ~8%. We compared the relationships and geographical structuring of the strains and populations using allele based approaches (eBURST), phylogenetic approaches, and by calculating F-statistics (F_ST). These analyses all point towards low levels of population differentiation between isolates from Vientiane and Udon Thani, cities which straddle the Mekong River which defines the Lao/Thai border, but with a very distinct population in Salavan, southern Laos. These data highlight how land use, as well as the movement of hosts and vectors, may impact on the epidemiology of zoonotic infections.     

Land use change in Asia and the ecological consequences

Viewed within a historical context, Asia has experienced dramatic land transformations, and currently more than 50% of Asian land area is under agriculture. The consequences of this transformation are manifold. Southeast Asia has the highest deforestation rate of any major tropical region. Many of the world’s large rivers and lakes in Asia have been heavily degraded. About 11 of 19 world megacities with more than 10 million inhabitants are in Asia. These land use activities have resulted in substantial negative ecological consequences, including increased anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, deteriorated air and water quality, alteration of regional climate, an increase of disease and a loss of biodiversity. Although land use occurs at the local level, it has the potential to cause ecological impact across local, regional and global scales. Reducing the negative environmental impacts of land use change while maintaining economic viability and social acceptability is an major challenge for most developing countries in Asia.     

Morphological and molecular investigations of a new family,genus and species of rodent (Mammalia: Rodentia: Hystricognatha) from Lao PDR

During biodiversity surveys in Khammouan Province, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, specimens of an unknown species of hystricognathous rodent were discovered in local markets being sold for food; local hunters explaining that these rock rats were trapped in the nearby limestone karst. These specimens are described here on the basis of their unique combination of external and craniodental features as members of a new family, genus and species, using comparative morphological and molecular data. Phylogenetic analyses of morphological data and of 12S rRNA and cytochrome b are presented on selected taxa from all suborders of Rodentia. The results of the molecular and morphological analyses are compared and provide the basis for a discussion of relationships of the new taxon within the Rodentia and Hystricognatha. The disjunct distribution of hystricognaths is recognised as problematic, with most families occurring in the main distributional area of South America, several others in Africa and only one family distributed in Africa and Asia. The presence of an additional hystricognath family in Southeast Asia poses interesting questions and consideration is given to the way in which this new taxon fits into the theories of the biogeographical and evolutionary history of other hystricognaths. Features of possible ecomorphological significance are briefly discussed, such as the apparent adaptations to a rock dwelling existence evident in various features of the external morphology and comparisons are made to the morphology of other known saxicolous rodents.     

江苏省花椒属(芸香科)植物地理分布新记录

报道江苏省花椒属地理分布新记录植物1种——椿叶花椒(Zanthoxylum ailanthoides Sieb.et Zucc.),并对该省花椒属植物进行了补充记述。椿叶花椒分布于中国东南部(福建、浙江、江西、广东、广西、贵州、四川、云南、台湾)至东亚和东南亚的热带与亚热带地区,在江苏为新记录,且是该种分布的最北界。凭证标本存放于南京师范大学生命科学学院生物标本馆(NJNUH)。     

Global and endemic Asian lineages of the emerging pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis widely infect amphibians in China

Aim Panzootic chytridiomycosis caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is the proximate cause of rapid amphibian declines across diverse biomes. While the origin of Bd remains unclear, increasingly the global trade in amphibians is associated with the spread of the infection. Global samples of Bd genotypes from previously unsampled regions are essential to test this hypothesis. In this paper, we present a study of the prevalence and phylogeny of Bd in both invasive and native amphibian species in markets and in the wild in ten provinces of China. Location China. Method We used a nested PCR assay to amplify the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region of Bd followed by sequencing. Result Our results showed 246 of 2734 amphibians testing positive for Bd, with 157 positive samples in the wild (7.6%) and 89 in markets (13.5%). 30 haplotypes of Bd were identified, including 20 first detections. Introduced Lithobates catesbeianus had the highest prevalence of infection and the largest number of Bd haplotypes in both the wild and markets. Phylogenetic analysis based on 73 haplotypes (57 from Asia and 16 from other continents) showed that a unique, well‐supported, basal haplotype is present in Asia. Phylogeographical analyses revealed that some geographical structure exists amongst a subset of global haplotypes. Main conclusions Strains of the basal haplotype infected Babina pleuraden, an amphibian that is endemic to China, and Andrias japonicus, endemic to Japan, showing that Southeast Asia harbours a novel endemic lineage of amphibian‐associated Bd. Our data suggest that Bd in Asia pre‐dates the expansion of a globalized lineage of Bd, a finding that is indicative of a broader association of amphibians and chytrids than has previously been recognized. More genetic data from Bd isolates are needed to reveal the phylogenetic relationship of Bd in China compared to that found elsewhere.