Cladistic biogeography of the moth tribe Cidariini (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) in the Holarctic and Indo-Chinese regions

A cladistic biogeographic analysis for the Holarctic and Indo-Chinese regions was undertaken based on seven genera of the tribe Cidariini: Cidaria Treitschke, Thera Stephens, Pennithera Viidalepp, Heterothera Inoue, Callabraxas Butler, Gandaritis Moore and Eulithis Httbner. Smallest coincident ranges of two species recognized 11 endemic areas. The study has two aims: to construct a hierarchical structure of those areas, and to recognize dispersal events. Under two assumptions [widespread taxa mapped (identical as assumption 0) and widespread taxa not mapped (identical as assumption 1)] the 11 endemic areas were mapped with 72 taxa. The best resolved area cladograms under the two assumptions differ in the placement of one endemic area, northern Europe. Area relationships found in this present analysis are congruent with the current landmass configurations: (North America, (Europe, (northern India, (southwestern Asia, (Baikal area, (south China, (Taiwan, (Russian Far East, Japan)))))))). These area cladograms postulate at least three vicariance events: (1) between North America and the Palaearctic; (2) western-eastern Palaearctic; (3) northern India–the rest of Asia. The approach to recognize dispersed taxa by pruning each taxon suggests that most dispersal events occurred in East Asia: from the Baikal area or south China to the Russian Far East; and from the Russian Far East to Japan. Relationships among endemic areas are briefly discussed.     

Taxonomy of the Cidariini (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) in Korea (I)

ABSTRACT Among forty species of the Korean Cidariini, a tribe of Larentiinae (Lepidoptera, Geometridae), nineteen species of ten genera are revised: Ecliptopera Warren, Lampropteryx Stephens, Eustroma Hübner, Eveeliptopera Inoue, Lobogonodes Bastelberger, Hysterura Warren, Sibatania Inoue, Eulithis Hiibner, Gandaritis Moore, and Electrophaes Prout. The diagnostic characters and monophyly of each genus are provided. Figures of adults including male and female genitalia, and distribution maps in Korea are also provided.     

Lemyra flammeola (Moore) (Lepidoptera,Arctiidae), new to Korea

An arctiine species Lemyra flammeola (Moore) is newly recorded from Korea. Three specimens of L. flammeola were collected on the island of Jejudo in September of 2009. Here we provide a diagnosis and systematic account of L. flammeola. Up to now 79 species of Arctiidae have been recorded from the Korean peninsula.     

Conservation of Hipparchia autonoe (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Natural Monument in South Korea

Hipparchia autonoe, designated Natural Monument no. 458, is a species inhabiting Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, which is the only habitat of H. autonoe in South Korea. Recently, this species is in danger of extinction as the population has been remarkably reduced because its host plants and nectar plants are gradually disappearing due to plant succession in its habitat. On the climbing road of Jeju Island Eorimok, H. autonoe used to be observed at and above 1300 m a.s.l. However, since Sasa quelpaertensis has recently expanded its habitat up to 1400 m, H. autonoe is now observed at and above 1500 m. In Mongolia, the population of H. autonoe seems quite stable as there are dense populations of a host plant and nectar plants. Accordingly it is judged that we can maintain a stable community for support of H. autonoe if we successfully manage the host plant and nectar plant communities by controlling the density of S. quelpaertensis using biological and physical control methods. Comparative analysis of DNA barcode region of COI (658 bp) was done to check the homogeneity and the genetic diversity of H. autonoe collected in Korea and Mongolia. The DNA sequence difference among individuals collected in South Korea was 0.0–0.2%, and in Mongolia 0.0–1.4%. This confirmed a 0.06–1.2% barcoding gap. We believe that this result will provide basic information useful to guide conservation of H. autonoe in South Korea.     

Evidence for Symbiont-induced Alteration of a Host's Gene Expression: Irreversible Loss of SAM Synthetase from Amoeba proteus

ABSTRACT. Symbiont-bearing xD amoebae no longer produce a 45-kDa cytoplasmic protein that functions as S-adenosylmethionine synthetase in symbiont-free D amoebae. The absence of the protein in xD amoebae is attributable to xD amoeba's failure to transcribe the corresponding gene as a result of harboring bacterial symbionts. However, xD amoebae have about half the level of enzyme activity found in D amoebae, indicating that they use an alternative source for the enzyme. xD amoebae originated from D amoebae by bacterial infection and now depend on their symbionts for survival. xD amoebae exhibit irreversible nucleolar abnormalities when their symbionts are removed, suggesting that X-bacteria supply the needed enzyme. A monoclonal antibody against the 45-kDa protein was produced and used as a probe in cloning its corresponding cDNA. The product of the cDNA was found to have S-adenosylmethionine synthetase activity. These results show how symbiotic X-bacteria may become essential cellular components of amoebae by supplementing a genetic defect for an amoeba's house-keeping gene that is brought about by an action of X-bacteria themselves. This is the first reported example in which symbionts alter the host's gene expression to block the production of an essential protein.     

A Nuclear-Envelope-Specific Protein In Amoeba Proteus Detected With A Monoclonal Antibody

ABSTRACT A protein with two subtypes of 205 and 180 kDa was localized on the nuclear envelope of amoebae as detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining and immuno-electron microscopy using a monoclonal antibody as a probe. Electron microscopic observation showed that the protein was located on the honeycomb lamina of the nuclear envelope. During mitosis, the protein dispersed throughout the cytoplasm but reappeared on the nuclear envelope after the reformation of the envelopes of daughter nuclei. the findings suggested that the protein is a component of the nuclear lamina of amoebae.