New species and new data on Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma) from Eastern Asia and Pacific islands

A Matrilineal Genetic Perspective of Hanging Coffin Custom in Southern China and Northern Thailand.

This study analyzes the autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) variation and the presence of Y chromosomal haplogroups from 44 individuals of the Kayah or Red Karen (KA) in Northern Thailand. The results based on autosomal STRs indicated that the KA exhibited closer genetic relatedness to populations from adjacent regions in Southeast Asia (SEA) than populations from Northeast Asia (NEA) and Tibet. Moreover, an admixed origin of the KA forming three population groups was observed: NEA, Southern China, and Northern Thailand. The NEA populations made a minor genetic contribution to the KA, while the rest came from populations speaking Sino-Tibetan (ST) languages from Southern China and Tai-Kadai (TK) speaking groups from Northern Thailand. The presence of six paternal haplogroups, composed of dual haplogroups prevalent in NEA (NO, N, and D1) and SEA (O2 and O3) as well as the intermediate genetic position of the KA between the SEA and NEA also indicated an admixed origin of male KA lineages. Our genetic results thus agree with findings in linguistics that Karenic languages are ST languages that became heavily influenced by TK during their southward spread. A result of the Mongol invasions during the 13th century A.D. is one possible explanation for genetic contribution of NEA to the KA.

Migration is a microevolutionary process that shapes cultural, societal, and genetic diversity in human populations. While previous genetic studies have examined the effects of migrations in several key areas of the world, there is a paucity of such studies in the upper Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The upper GMS, encompassing northern Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and southern China, has been a major corridor for human migration and interaction between East and Southeast Asian populations for thousands of years. We generated new genome-wide data for Tai-Kadai (TK)-speaking ethnic groups, namely Lue and Yong, from northern Thailand and integrated them with data from the upper GMS and across Asia. Our results highlight the genetic diversity among ethnic groups in the GMS, particularly the genetic continuity of TK migration from southern China to northern Thailand. The TK speakers in Thailand predominantly exhibit multiple ancestries from East Asia and Southeast Asia, with regional differentiations. The TK groups in northern Thailand primarily derive their genetic contributions from Dai-related communities, while northeastern Thai populations show a higher proportion of Lao-related ancestry. Those in central and southern Thailand display additional ancestries from other groups, such as Austroasiatic and South Asian populations. The genetic history of TK-speaking Lue populations illustrates the role of TK migration, founder effects, and historical resettlements in shaping genetic diversity. Overall, analyses of genome-wide data reveal that the genetic background of TK speakers in Thailand is predominantly of East Asian origin, with additional contribution from Southeast Asian populations. This pattern supports the idea of sustained migration from southern China into Thailand, particularly concentrated in the northern part. Our findings reinforce the historical continuity of TK movements across the upper GMS and provide new insights into the genetic and cultural transformations that have shaped present-day Thai populations.

Crane flies (Limoniidae; Limoniinae) were sampled at national parks and protected areas across central to northern Thailand to observe patterns of species richness and faunal turnover in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Prior to sampling, the crane fly fauna of this region was poorly known and no taxonomic keys existed for specimen identification. Utilizing a multi-access taxonomic key to the Limoniinae genera of the Oriental Region designed for this project, identification of collected specimens revealed a crane fly fauna displaying higher richness than inventories from temperate regions. Sixty-six morphospecies from 29 genera/subgenera were collected using a combination of light trapping and Malaise trapping. Richness estimators projected that a total of 70–81 species are to be collected with future sampling, with mountainous northern Thailand projected to have the highest richness. The faunas of Central and Northern Thailand were different, with the north generally composed of more temperate genera and the south composed of more tropical genera. The increased diversity in northern Thailand was significantly influenced by landscape topology. Sampling that spread across two mountain ranges displayed faunas that were divided into both high elevation (>1,000 m) and lower elevation (<1,000 m) faunas. This change in community assemblage across elevation illustrates faunas that were more alike at similar elevations between mountain ranges than they were within national parks.

Storage mites are serious pests of stored animal feeds and animals that consume mite-infested feed could reduce feed intake and eventually cause weight loss. To understand the mite species and infestation rates of them in animal feeds, we conducted a survey of mite infestations in samples of animal feeds from animal feed shops, feed mills, or chicken farms in eight provinces in northern Thailand. High mite infestation rates were observed in chicken feed (42.9%), followed by pig feed (26.7%). No mites were observed in fish and frog feeds. Mites were common in pelleted feeds (n = 96) or raw materials (n = 3), but was never observed in extruded feeds (n = 33). The mite species identified include three storage mites: Suidasia pontifica, Dermatophagoides farinae, and Aleuroglyphus chinensis, as well as the predatory mites Cheyletus malaccensis, Blattisocius keegani, and B. everti. Among them, A. chinensis and B. everti, are newly recorded in Thailand. Suidasia pontifica was dominant in chicken and pig feeds, and could be the major storage mite pest in northern Thailand. Figures and identification keys are provided.

To examine the prevalence and incidence of HIV and syphilis, and risk behaviors for these infections, among 1,172 male commercial sex workers (CSW) followed prospectively from 1989 to 1994 in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Twice yearly visits were conducted by the Thai Ministry of Public Health at all cooperating gay bars and clubs (17 sites) in Chiang Mai City as part of a national HIV sentinel surveillance. Men and boys who agreed were followed prospectively. Sentinel visits included an interview, HIV pre-test counseling, HIV and syphilis serology, condom distribution, and referral for post-test counseling. Participation was voluntary, confidential, and individual HIV results were available only to participating subjects. A total of 219 CSW were seen at least twice, allowing for incidence estimates based on 100 person-years (PY). Median age of male CSW was 20 years. Median time of work as a CSW was 4 months. Most men (57.6%) described themselves as heterosexual. Median number of clients was 2.5 per week, and reported condom use with clients was low: 42% reported inconsistent or no condom use, while 58% reported always using condoms. Reactive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory results were 7.6%, overall, but showed a declining trend. HIV prevalence was 1.4% in June 1989, 13.9% in June 1990, and 20.1% in December 1993, and showed a significant increasing trend. There were 27 incident HIV infections in 227.3 PY of observation, for an overall incidence during the 4.5-year period of 11.9 per 100 PY (95% confidence interval, 7.42-16.38). Male CSW in northern Thailand are at high risk for HIV despite current prevention efforts. The majority are heterosexual, which may be an important epidemiologic link in the spread of HIV between male CSW users and heterosexual women in Thailand.

BackgroundAustroasiatic (AA)-speaking populations in northern Thailand are of significant interest due to their status as indigenous descendants and their location at the crossroads of AA prehistoric distribution across Southern China, the Indian Subcontinent, and Mainland Southeast Asia. However, the complexity of ethnic identification can result in inaccuracies regarding the origin and migration history of these populations. To address this, we have conducted a genome-wide SNP analysis of 89 individuals from two Lavue and three Lwa-endonym populations. We then combined our outcomes with previously published data to elucidate the genetic diversity and clustering of AA groups in northern Thailand.ResultsOur findings align with existing linguistic classifications, revealing different genetic compositions among the three branches of the Mon-Khmer subfamily within the AA family: Monic, Khmuic, and Palaungic. Although the term “Lua” ethnicity is confusingly used to identify ethnic groups belonging to both Khmuic and Palaungic branches, our genomic data indicate that the Khmuic-speaking Lua living on the eastern side of the region are relatively distant from the Palaungic-speaking Lavue and Lwa populations living on the western side. The Lavue populations, primarily inhabiting mountainous areas, exhibit a genetic makeup unique to the AA family, with a close genetic relationship to the Karenic subgroup of the Sino-Tibetan language family. Conversely, the Lwa and Blang populations, residing in lowland river valleys, display genetic signatures resulting from admixture with Tai-Kadai-speaking ethnic groups.ConclusionUtilizing genome-wide SNP markers, our findings indicate genetic heterogeneity among the Lua, Lavue, and Lwa ethnic groups. The intricate interplay of genetics, cultural heritage, and historical influences has shaped these ethnic communities. Our study underscores the importance of accurate ethnic classifications, emphasizing the use of self-identified endonyms, names created and used by the ethnic groups themselves. This approach respects the AA communities in northern Thailand and acknowledges their significant contributions to advancing our understanding of genetic anthropology.

The Khon Mueang represent the major group of people present in today’s northern Thailand. While linguistic and genetic data seem to support a shared ancestry between Khon Mueang and other Tai-Kadai speaking people, the possibility of an admixed origin with contribution from local Mon-Khmer population could not be ruled out. Previous studies conducted on northern Thai people did not provide a definitive answer and, in addition, have largely overlooked the distribution of paternal lineages in the area. In this work we aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of Y paternal lineages in northern Thailand and to explicitly model the origin of the Khon Mueang population. We obtained and analysed new Y chromosomal haplogroup data from more than 500 northern Thai individuals including Khon Mueang, Mon-Khmer and Tai-Kadai. We also explicitly simulated different demographic scenarios, developed to explain the Khon Mueang origin, employing an ABC simulation framework on both mitochondrial and Y microsatellites data. Our results highlighted a similar haplogroup composition of Khon Mueang and Tai-Kadai populations in northern Thailand, with shared high frequencies of haplogroups O-PK4, O-M117 and O-M111. Our ABC simulations also favoured a model in which the ancestors of modern Khon Mueang originated recently after a split from the other Tai-Kadai populations. Our different analyses concluded that the ancestors of Khon Mueang are likely to have originated from the same source of the other Tai-Kadai groups in southern China, with subsequent admixture events involving native Mon-Khmer speakers restricted to some specific populations.

Two large rodents from the Middle Miocene (13.0–12.4 Ma) were discovered at the Chiang Muan Coal Mine, northern Thailand. One, a beaver (Anchitheriomys, Castoridae), has large cheek teeth with a high crown, the crown base wider buccolingually, basically six fossettes/sinuses, enamel foldings strongly complicated, and hypoflexus/flexid shallow dorsoventrally. Based on dental morphology, this form is more similar to Anchitheriomys suevicus from Europe than to Anchitheriomys tungurensis from northern China. The other species is considerably larger than Anchitheriomys, based on incisor measurements, and lacks longitudinal grooves or deep ridges on the enamel surface, which are diagnostic of Anchitheriomys. Furthermore, the inner enamel observed by scanning electron microscope has uniserial Hunter-Schreger bands, similar to castorids rather than hystricids. This species is indeterminate taxonomically, but differs from any rodents known from Asia. The distribution of Anchitheriomys was previously restricted between the latitudes 30°N and 50°N, but this occurrence in northern Thailand at low latitude (ca. 19°N) suggests that it had wider distribution on the Eurasian continent.

Male commercial sex workers (CSWs) in northern Thailand are at high risk for HIV-1 infection and may be exposed to multiple subtypes of HIV-1 through sexual contact with men and women from Thailand, other Asian nations, and the West. We studied 103 male Thai nationals working in gay bars and clubs in Chiang Mai city who participated in the 1994 sentinel surveillance of the Thai Ministry of Public Health using HIV serologic testing, DNA polymerase chain reaction methods, molecular cloning, differential colony hybridization, nucleotide sequencing, and a third hypervariable region (V3) peptide enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay to differentiate subjects infected with HIV-1 subtypes B, E, both, or neither. The majority (58%) reported heterosexual orientation, and 35 (34%) were married. Seventeen (16.5%) were HIV infected: 16 (94%) of 17 had HIV-1 subtype E; 1 had HIV-1 subtype B. Two subjects had dually reactive results by molecular techniques but colony hybridization sequencing revealed only HIV-1 subtype E. HIV-1 subtype E appears to be the predominant clade among male CSWs in northern Thailand. This may have important implications for the global kinetics of the HIV epidemic.

This study documents the morphology and phylogeny of micro-fungi collected from various medicinal plants in southern China and northern Thailand. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses, 100 species are identified and distributed in three classes (Dothideomycetes, Leotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes), 16 orders, 37 families and 67 genera. We introduce one new order, Oncopodiellales, three new families, Catenuliconidiaceae, Diplocladiellaceae and Oncopodiellaceae, one new genus, Biascospora, and 54 new species: Achroiostachys browniana, A. catenate, A. fusiformispora, Acrocalymma xishuiense, Amphisphaeria hibiscicola, Apiculospora thailandensis, Arecophila maolanensis, A. yunanensis, Barriopsis caryotae, Biascospora chishuiensis, Conioscypha synnemata, Diaporthe ervatamiae, D. kunmingensis, D. tu-chungcola, D. xishuiensis, D. hannanensis, Distoseptispora gelatinosa, D. greeniana, Gregatothecium diflugoscola, Helicosporium multiseptatum, Helminthosporium thailandicum, Kalmusia tetrastigmae, Keissleriella yunnana, Lasiodiplodia houttuyniae, L. poacearum, Leptospora houttuyniae, Lophiotrema asexualis, L. guizhouense, Melanopsamma tongrenensis, Memnoniella chiangmaiensis, Murichromolaenicola dendrobii, Neoheleiosa brownii, Neohelicascus guizhouensis, Neohelicomyces sexualis, Neohendersonia tongrenensis, Neomassaria fibraureae, Neoscytalidium dendrobii, Parabahusutrabeeja hyalina, Paramyrothecium xishuiense, Phaeosphaeria boehmeriae, P. guiyangensis, Phaeosphaeriopsis spineleae, Porodiplodia guizhouensis, Psiloglonium bambusicola, P. brownii, P. guizhouense, Roussoella panzhouensis, R. wudangensis, Seriascoma guizhouense, Sphaeropsis guiyangensis, Striaticonidium olivaceobrunnea, Tamhinispora obpyriformis, V. chiangraiensis and Virgatospora thailandica, with illustrations, discussions of their taxonomic placement, and comparisons with morphologically similar taxa. Ten new combinations are introduced: Conioscypha chiangmaiense (≡ Vanakripa chiangmaiense), C. minutiellipsoidea (≡ Vanakripa minutiellipsoidea), Conioscypha obovoidea (≡ Vanakripa obovoidea), Keissleriella acacia (≡ Pleurophoma acaciae), K. italicum (≡ Pleurophoma italica), K. ossicula (≡ Pleurophoma ossicola), K. pleurospora (≡ Phoma pleurospora), Phaeosphaeria brachylaenae (≡ Didymocyrtis brachylaenae), P. pini (≡ Didymocyrtis pini) and P. septata (≡ Didymocyrtis septata). Additionally, we report 31 new host records from medicinal plants and six new geographical records for China and Thailand. We also resolved inter-generic synonymy for three species. A reference specimen is designated for Diplocladiella taurina. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of all these taxa are provided.

To assess the risks for HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among young northern Thai men who have sex with men (MSM), and to examine the possible role of male same-sex behavior in the northern Thai HIV/AIDS epidemic. Two cohorts of northern Thai military conscripts and one cohort of recently discharged conscripts, a total of 2047 men, were studied. Data were collected by interview on behavioral risk factors, and sera were examined for syphilis and HIV-1 antibodies. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with HIV and STD, and to assess the frequency and patterns of same-sex behaviors among these men. Of 2047 men, 134 (6.5%) reported one or more male lifetime sex partners. Of these MSM, 130 (97.0%) also had female partners, and four (3.0%) had exclusively male partners. Compared with men who reported only female sex partners, MSM had a higher number of lifetime sex partners, a higher mean number of female sex partners, more female and male commercial sex worker (CSW) partners, and were more likely to be married. MSM were significantly more likely than exclusively heterosexual men to report having had any STD [odds ratio (OR), 2.72], gonorrhea (OR, 2.05), syphilis (OR, 3.17), non-gonococcal urethritis (OR, 4.54) and penile discharges (OR, 6.24). They were at borderline increased risk for HIV infection [OR, 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.95-2.41]. Men with more than one lifetime male sex partner compared with those with only one partner were significantly more likely to be HIV-infected (OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.09-7.19). Northern Thai MSM are a high-risk population for STD, including HIV. Reported same-sex behavior in this population appears to vary considerably with data collection techniques. HIV and STD prevention strategies aimed at changing unsafe sexual practices may need to be targeted to the general population of young Thai men.

To examine the prevalence and incidence of HIV and syphilis, and risk behaviors for these infections, among 1,172 male commercial sex workers (CSW) followed prospectively from 1989 to 1994 in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.Twice yearly visits were conducted by the Thai Ministry of Public Health at all cooperating gay bars and clubs (17 sites) in Chiang Mai City as part of a national HIV sentinel surveillance. Men and boys who agreed were followed prospectively. Sentinel visits included an interview, HIV pre-test counseling, HIV and syphilis serology, condom distribution, and referral for post-test counseling. Participation was voluntary, confidential, and individual HIV results were available only to participating subjects. A total of 219 CSW were seen at least twice, allowing for incidence estimates based on 100 person-years (PY).Median age of male CSW was 20 years. Median time of work as a CSW was 4 months. Most men (57.6%) described themselves as heterosexual. Median number of clients was 2.5 per week, and reported condom use with clients was low: 42% reported inconsistent or no condom use, while 58% reported always using condoms. Reactive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory results were 7.6%, overall, but showed a declining trend. HIV prevalence was 1.4% in June 1989, 13.9% in June 1990, and 20.1% in December 1993, and showed a significant increasing trend. There were 27 incident HIV infections in 227.3 PY of observation, for an overall incidence during the 4.5-year period of 11.9 per 100 PY (95% confidence interval, 7.42-16.38).Male CSW in northern Thailand are at high risk for HIV despite current prevention efforts. The majority are heterosexual, which may be an important epidemiologic link in the spread of HIV between male CSW users and heterosexual women in Thailand.The first confirmed case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Thailand was that of a Thai male commercial sex worker (CSW) in 1985. Since that time, this disease has manifested itself among injecting drug users, female sex workers, and in the general heterosexual and homosexual population. This paper reports the findings of a 5-year Thai study in which 1172 male CSWs were studied at least once. The purpose of the study was to identify the prevalence, incidence, and risk behaviors of CSWs regarding HIV and syphilis. The HIV prevalence increased from 1.4% in 1989 to 20.1% by 1993. Overall, the HIV prevalence for the 5-year period was statistically significant at 16.6%. Syphilis for this same period was 7.6% HIV infections were confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multivariate analysis was calculated using multiple logistic regression. All CSWs in this study were provided with HIV pre-test counseling, were subjected to HIV and syphilis serology, were given condoms, and were provided with a referral for post-test counseling. Of the 1172 men seen, 219 (18.6%) were seen more than once. 27 cases of HIV infection were confirmed in the latter group (12.3%). Heterosexual men were found to be at lower risk of contracting an HIV infection than homosexual men.

We herein describe a new species, Panaxsiamensis J. Wen, from the tropical monsoon forests in northern Thailand. Panaxsiamensis is characterized by a combination of characters including horizontally elongated rhizomes with thick internodes, 3–5 whorled leaves each with 7–9 sessile and lanceolate leaflets, lanceolate bracteoles not persisting at the fruiting stage, 2-locular ovaries, and red fruits with a black top. The new species is most closely related to Panaxzingiberensis C.Y. Wu & Feng from southeastern Yunnan province of China, sharing the character of sessile leaflets, but differing in that P.siamensis has well developed, elongated rhizomes (vs. compact, ginger-like rhizomes and rootstock in P.zingiberensis), and 7–9 leaflets (vs. (3–) 5–7 leaflets in P.zingiberensis). We also compare Panaxsiamensis to other related Asian Panax species, including P.assamicus Banerjee, P.bipinnatifidus Seem., P.pseudoginseng Wallich, and P.vietnamensis Ha & Grushv. The new taxon is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable (VU D2), according to the IUCN Red List criteria. A taxonomic key is provided to facilitate the identification of P.siamensis and its close allies.

The species from northern Vietnam described as Rana fansipani Bourret, 1939 is shown to be a synonym of the species from northern Thailand described as Rana aenea Smith, 1922. The male secondary sex characters of this species are described in detail for the first time. Combined with a few other characters, they allow this species to be distinguished from the closely related Rana unculuanus Liu, Hu and Yang, 1960 from southern China. Both species should be placed in a subgenus Chaparana (Chaparana), a member of the tribe Paini of the subfamily Dicroglossinae of the Ranidae. In this study, we propose a new statistical method for testing homogeneity of small samples: this consists of considering the values obtained for each specimen and for each regression factor score as morphometric characteristics of this specimen within the frame of this analysis; these values, or some of them, can be used to compare subgroups of specimens by non‐parametric tests such as the Mann–Whitney U test.