Species delimitation and phylogeny in the genus Nasutitermes (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) in French Guiana

Species delimitation and identification can be arduous for taxa whose morphologic characters are easily confused, which can hamper global biodiversity assessments and pest species management. Exploratory methods of species delimitation that use DNA sequence as their primary information source to establish group membership and estimate putative species boundaries are useful approaches, complementary to traditional taxonomy. Termites of the genus Nasutitermes make interesting models for the application of such methods. They are dominant in Neotropical primary forests but also represent major agricultural and structural pests. Despite the prevalence, pivotal ecological role and economical impact of this group, the taxonomy of Nasutitermes species mainly depends on unreliable characters of soldier external morphology. Here, we generated robust species hypotheses for 79 Nasutitermes colonies sampled throughout French Guiana without any a priori knowledge of species affiliation. Sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II gene was coupled with exploratory species‐delimitation tools, using the automatic barcode gap discovery method (ABGD) and a generalized mixed Yule‐coalescent model (GMYC) to propose primary species hypotheses (PSHs). PSHs were revaluated using phylogenetic analyses of two more loci (mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2) leading to 16 retained secondary species hypotheses (RSSH). Seven RSSHs, represented by 44/79 of the sampled colonies, were morphologically affiliated to species recognized as pests in the Neotropics, where they represent a real invasive pest potential in the context of growing ecosystem anthropization. Multigenic phylogenies based on combined alignments (1426–1784 bp) were also reconstructed to identify ancestral ecological niches and major‐pest lineages, revealing that Guyanese pest species do not form monophyletic groups.     

四川象尉属二新种（等翅目：尉科）

最近,作者在整理四川省象尉亚科Nasutitermitinae标本时,发现象尉属Nasutitermes Dudley二新种,现记述如下。     

A taxonomic reevaluation of freshwater ostracods (Crustacea,Ostracoda) referred to the genus Cypridopsis Brady, 1868 from Southeast Asia

A taxonomic reevaluation of five species of Southeast Asian freshwater ostracods formerly assigned to the genus Cypridopsis Brady, 1868 has resulted in the retention of Cypridopsis adusta Sars, 1903, Cypridopsis exigua Sars, 1903 and Cypridopsis dubia Sars, 1903 in Cypridopsis and transfer of Cypridopsis albida (Vavra) 1898 and Cypridopsis arsenia Tressler, 1937 to the genus Plesiocypridopsis Rome, 1965.     

Freshwater ostracods (Crustacea: Ostracoda) of the subfamily Dolerocypridinae Triebel, 1961 from Southeast Asia

The systematics of the freshwater ostracods of the subfamily Dolerocypridinae in Southeast Asia is reviewed: A total of five species are known and they are assigned to three genera. Astenocypris papyracea (Sars) 1903 and Dolerocypris sinensis Sars, 1903 are redescribed. Dolerocypris fasciata (Müller) 1776, from Indonesia is figured and the hitherto observed variations are discussed. Dolerocypris pellucida Klie, 1932 is transferred to the genus Tanycypris Triebel, 1959.     

Taxonomic revision of shrews of the genus Crociduras from the Sunda Shelf and Sulawesi with description of two new species (Mammalia: Soricidae)

The skulls of 387 shrews of the genus Crocidura sampled in peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Sulawesi were submitted to principal component and stepwise discriminant analyses. These analyses helped to delineate morphological taxa in this species-rich genus of mammals. Most morphologic groups could be attributed to described species, except one taxon from Sumatra and one from Sulawesi, which are described and named as new. Most of the 21 species recognized in this paper are endemic to one major island. Although Sulawesi has never been connected to the mainland, it supports at least six species, followed by Sumatra (5–6 species), Java and the Malay Peninsula (4 spp) and Borneo (3 spp). C. monticola is apparently the only widespread species whose distribution range covers the entire Malay Archipelago except the Philippines and Sulawesi. In contrast, the continental C. fuliginosa enters only marginally into the Sunda Shelf: its southernmost record is on the Malay Peninsula. This interpretation is completely different from the classical view that C. fuliginosa is a cosmopolitan species occupying the whole of Southeast Asia. Identification keys, tables of measurements and discriminant functions provided in this work may aid in identification of the various species and subspecies of Crocidura living in the Malaya Archipelago.     

A new interstitial ostracod species of the genus Paracobanocythere from Vietnam,with mitochondrial CO1 sequence data of three Asian species

This study is a first report of an interstitial ostracod from Southeast Asia. The ostracod species, Paracobanocythere vietnamensis sp. n., was found in the marine interstitial environment of Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. Thus far, three species of this genus have been described. The morphology of the carapace as well as the appendages of this new species are quite similar to Paracobanocythere hawaiiensis and Paracobanocythere watanabei. However, we found that they could be easily distinguished according to the morphology of the male copulatory organ. Additionally, we estimated the evolutionary distances among these three species based on nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the mitochondrial CO1 gene. Similar morphologies of carapaces and appendages, and relatively small evolutionary distances according to CO1 between Paracobanocythere vietnamensis sp. n. and Paracobanocythere watanabei suggest that these two species are very closely related.     

A new species of Aphis Linnaeus from Guangxi,China (Hemiptera,Aphididae), based on morphological characters and DNA sequences

A new species of the genus Aphis with stridulatory apparatus, Aphis gnetuma Qiao sp. n., feeding on Gnetum parvifolium which is a new host plant record for aphids from Guangxi, China is described. The new species is distinguished by a well-developed median frontal tubercle and body bearing white wax powder in life. The taxonomic position of this new species is supported by analysis results of COI and gnd genes. A key to Aphis species with stridulatory spines on the hind tibiae of apterous viviparous females is provided. The type specimens studied are deposited in the National Zoological Museum of China, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:BBB024DA-8454-4E22-8736-66ED92A3091B.     

Alocanthedon, a new subgenus of Chalicodoma from Southeast Asia (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae)

A new subgenus, Alocanthedon Engel and Gonzalez subgen. n., is described for five species of unusual Southeast Asian bees in the genus Chalicodoma Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau (Megachilinae: Megachilini). The subgenus is most noteworthy for the deep postgenal depression or furrow in males (bordered outwardly near the base of the mandible by a protuberant, thick lamella) and the presence of a dense patch of black setae posteriorly in the forewing medial cell (except in one species) [resembling the dense patch of setae among the submarginal cells of Thrinchostoma Saussure (Halictidae: Halictinae: Halictini)]. The subgenus is characterized and distinguished from the related Callomegachile Michener. A key to the following five species presently included in the subgenus is provided: Chalicodoma aterrimum (Smith), Chalicodoma atratiforme (Meade-Waldo) comb. n., Chalicodoma memecylonae Engel sp. n., Chalicodoma odontophorum Engel sp. n., and Chalicodoma apoicola Engel sp. n.Chalicodoma (Callomegachile) atratiforme sininsulae (Cockerell) is newly placed in synonymy with C. (C.) fulvipenne (Smith). Species have been collected from Memecylaceae (Myrtales) and Fabaceae (Fabales). The phylogenetic relationships of Alocanthedon among other Megachilini are briefly elaborated upon.     

A new species of Odontostilbe cope (Characiformes: Cheirodontinae) from rio Madeira basin diagnosed based on morphological and molecular data

A new species of Odontostilbe is described from the rio Jaciparaná, rio Madeira basin, Rondônia, Brazil. Odontostilbe pacaasnovos differs from all its congeners, except O. pequira, by the colour pattern. Additionally, it differs from its congeners by the terminal mouth, number of cusps in the teeth of the premaxilla (5–7), number of branched rays in the anal fin (19–22), by the shape of dentary teeth (5–7 cusps with central cusp larger and longer than laterals cusps) and by the number of lamellae of the olfactory rosette (17–18 in male and 14 in female). Morphological and molecular comparisons corroborate the distinctiveness between O. pacaasnovos and its congeners, justifying its recognition as a new species.     

Taxonomic notes on Gaudinia (Poaceae) based upon morphological characters and the first record of G. maroccana for Portugal

Gaudinia maroccana is considered a Moroccan endemism. After a qualitative and quantitative study of 13 morphological characters of Gaudinia based upon 43 specimens from western Iberian Peninsula, northwestern Morocco and Azores Islands, with statistical analyses (correspondence analysis, box-plots and cluster), we can conclude that this species also occurs on the coast of Portugal. Some taxonomic remarks on G. fragilis, G. coarctata, G. hispanica and G. valdesii and a key for determination are presented.     

Biogeographical implications of mitochondrial DNA variation in the Bockadam snake (Cerberus rynchops, Serpentes: Homalopsinae) in Southeast Asia

Aim The biogeography of Southeast Asia has been greatly affected by Pleistocene sea‐level changes and the consequent alteration of coastline and land mass configurations. We investigated the effect of these Pleistocene events on genetic divergence in Cerberus rynchops, the Bockdam, an Asian water snake (Homalopsinae) associated with tidal mudflats and coastal mangrove forests in Southeast Asia. Location Localities for the Cerberus included the Andaman sea coast of Thailand, Sumatra, and Borneo (Sunda Shelf localities), the Philippines and Sulawesi, and from northern Australia (Sahul Shelf). Methods We analysed mtDNA sequences (12 s, 16 s, and cyt b) from seven C. rynchops populations (twenty‐six specimens), from two specimens of Cerberus microlepis (a freshwater species known only from Lake Buhi in the Philippines), and from one Enhydris enhyris (Schneider), another homalopsine used as an outgroup. Results We found a strong correlation between genetic divergence and geographical distance (r = 0.922, P < 0.001) and the biogeographic history of the region. Cerberus rynchops populations from the Sunda Shelf localities, the Philippines, Sulawesi and C. microlepis from the Philippines were genetically similar (mean divergence = 2.1%, range = 0.7–2.8%) compared to the C. rynchops population from northern Australia (mean divergence from all other Cerberus populations = 6.6%, range = 6.0–7.3%). This divergence was comparable to that observed between the E. enhydris outgroup and all Cerberus populations (mean distance = 7.3%, range = 6.8–8.6%). Main conclusions These findings suggest a relatively high degree of movement and gene flow among Sunda Shelf localities, the Philippines, and Sulawesi (biogeographic region west of Weber’s Line) and isolation of the northern Australian (Sunda Shelf) Cerberus. Taxa will be differentially affected by these Pleistocene sea level changes dependent on their physiology and ecology. We discuss how the dispersal of the coastal, saltwater tolerant C. rynchops would have been affected by changing configurations of Pleistocene coastlines and the implications of these results for the systematics of Cerberus.     

东亚粗叶木属（茜草科）植物纪要

修订了东亚茜草科粗叶木属植物,新归并１１个种名及２个变种名,建立１个新变种,３个新组合变种和１个新等级亚种。报道２个中国分布新记录种。讨论了一些易于混淆种的界限,以及探讨了一些种的植物地理意义。     

First record of Entelodontidae (Mammalia,Artiodactyla) from the late Eocene of Southeast Asia

We describe two entelodontid upper premolars that were recovered from the late Eocene of the Krabi coal mine in southern Thailand. The size and morphology of the material suggest that it can be referred to Entelodon aff. E. gobiensis, a species known from the late Eocene to the early Oligocene of northern Asia and southern China. The Thai material documents for the first time the southernmost occurrence of entelodontids in Asia during the Paleogene and also suggests that Eocene Southeast Asian mammal localities might potentially yield further entelodontid remains mostly associated with selenodont ungulates.     

Molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships among Australian Nasutitermes and Tumulitermes genera (Isoptera, Nasutitermitinae) inferred from mitochondrial COII and 16S sequences

The subfamily Nasutitermitinae Hare (1937) is a tropical and subtropical group, generally considered as the most specialised subfamily of Termitidae. To highlight some taxonomic inconsistencies, the phylogenetic relationships among seven Australian species, morphologically ascribed to the genera Nasutitermes and Tumulitermes, were studied through the analyses of the mitochondrial markers cytochrome oxidase II and 16S ribosomal RNA genes. In our trees, N. longipennis samples clearly pertain to two different specific entities with an apparently parapatric distribution. Further, the phylogenetic analysis performed on separated and combined data sets shows the placement of Tumulitermes species within a clade grouping Nasutitermes ones, and vice versa. Tests for alternative topologies do not support the monophyly of the genera Nasutitermes and Tumulitermes. Our results confirm the hypothesis that the morphological features used to establish relationships among these species are not phylogenetically decisive.