Asian Genus Research Articles

A review of the Asian Semigenetta Helbing, 1927 (Viverridae, Feliformia, Carnivora) with a description of two new species, Semigenetta qiae n. sp. from South China and Semigenetta thailandica n. sp. from Thailand

Semigenetta Helbing, 1927 is a small genet-like carnivoran in the family Viverridae Gray, 1821. The genus has a modest diversity in the Miocene of Eurasia. With its first documentation going back to 1850s, the European records are relatively continuous with five currently recognized species. Asian records have a much shorter history of studies with its first record, S. huaiheensis Qiu & Gu, being published in 1986. In the present paper, we review the Asian records of Semigenetta from China and Thailand, which so far are represented by three species based on fragmentary jaws and teeth. We recognize two new species, S. qiae n. sp. from the late Miocene (c. 6.2-6.9 Ma) of Lufeng Basin in central Yunnan Province, South China and S. thailandica n. sp. from the middle Miocene (13.4-13.2 Ma) of Mae Moh Basin in Lampang Province, northern Thailand. Zoogeographically, both S. huaiheensis and S. thailandica n. sp. seem traceable to their European ancestors, as independent immigration events. Semigenetta thailandica n. sp. may have given rise to S. qiae n. sp., i.e., S. thailandica n. sp. and S. qiae n. sp., both recovered from lignitic sediments, potentially form a southeast Asian clade. All Asian Semigenetta occur within the Oriental zoogeographic province, and like their European counterparts, presumably prefer warm, humid, and wooded environments. Their relatively conservative morphology and low diversity seem also indicative of a stable environment in subtropical refugia. Semigenetta qiae n. sp. from Lufeng is the last survivor of the genus in Asia.

Phylogenetic positions of Thai members of Gymnema, Gymnemopsis and Sarcolobus (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Marsdenieae), and two new Sarcolobus species uncovered by morpho-molecular evidence.

The present study assesses the phylogenetic position of certain Thai members of Gymnema, Gymnemopsis, and Sarcolobus in relation to other known Marsdenieae species. Fifteen accessions newly sequenced from Thailand were added to the dataset of the homologous sequences of 125 accessions of Marsdenieae downloaded from GenBank. In our molecular phylogeny, almost all the delimited major clades and their relationships are largely congruent with those revealed in previous studies. The monophyly of Gymnema (including the former Jasminanthes species) and that of Sarcolobus, as presently circumscribed, are confirmed. The new accessions of these two genera from Thailand are well grouped with the members of their respective genera. Our analyses provide the first molecular evidence for recognition of Gymnemopsis, a small Asian genus that has never been included in the previous phylogenetic studies, as a distinct genus. All elements of Gymnemopsis are retrieved as a well-supported monophyletic group that is strongly supported as sister to Lygisma, another small Asian genus that most closely resembles it in growth habit, color of latex, indumentum on plant parts, corona structure and follicle traits. Combined molecular phylogenetic, morphological and ecological data also support recognition of two new Sarcolobus species from Thailand, Sarcolobus busbanianus sp. nov. and S. flavus sp. nov. Similarities and differences between these new species and their close relative, S. carinatus, are discussed. In addition, this study also reveals the first record for Thailand of Gymnema lacei. Keys to the species of Gymnemopsis (for all members of the genus), Gymnema and Sarcolobus (for Thai members of these genera) are provided.

Phylogeny and evolutionary history of Mavropanorpa n. gen. (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

Mavropanorpa n. gen. is an Asian genus of scorpionflies with about 17 species, evidenced as monophyletic mainly because of the crossing of its thin subsidia (accessorial structures of the aedeagus). The genus diversified in continental east Asia before one species reached Japan, founding an evolutionary branch including Mavropanorpa japonica (Thunberg, 1784). The sister species of japonica migrated back to continental China and developed into today's M. kellogi. Lack of a medigynial apodeme in female M. japonica, lewisi and close allies is not plesiomorphic, but a result of reduction. The same holds for the shape of the subsidia and the lack of their crossing in M. japonica and M. kellogi, for which there is a pre-stage in M. nipponensis. Mavropanorpa and the type species of Panorpa, P. communis are compared with each other. A new genus name (Calliopanorpa) is also proposed for Panorpa takenouchii Miyaké, 1908 which is only superficially similar to Mavropanorpa. – Some morphological structures are renamed to avoid confusion with terminology in other insect groups or because unjustified homology might be inferred.

Taxonomic Revision of the Polypodiaceous Genera of India-Iv Polypodium Lineare Complex and Allied Species

The Asiatic genus Lepisorus (J. Smith) Ching consists of about 25 species, majority of which are known from the Sino-Himalayan region. The present paper deals with the taxonomy of Lepisorus species which belong to Polypodium lineare complex. Our studies have revealed that the Himalayan and South Indian material generally placed under P. lineare is a collection of large and variable types and this material has been sorted out into L. nudus (Hook.) Ching, L. amaurolepida(Sledge).Bir & Trikha, L. bicolor Ching, L. pseudonudus Ching, L. angustus Ching, L. ussuriensis (Regel & Maack) Ching, L. contortus Ching and L. tkunbergianus (Kaulf.) Ching. Out of these L. ussuriensis, L. contortus and L. bicolor are new records from the Indian region. Several of these species are sympatric in distribution and are closely allied in the form of the laminae. These are separable mainly on the basis of the outline and structure of scales and spores.

Unraveling the phylogenetics of genetically closely related species, Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, using entire tick mitogenomes and microbiomes

Ticks have a profound impact on public health. Haemaphysalis is one of the most widespread genera in Asia, including Japan. The taxonomy and genetic differentiation of Haemaphysalis spp. is challenging. For instance, previous studies struggled to distinguish Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa due to the dearth of nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in widely used barcoding genes. The classification of H. japonica japonica and its related sub-species Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi or Haemaphysalis jezoensis is also confused due to their high morphological similarity and a lack of molecular data that support the current classification. We used mitogenomes and microbiomes of H. japonica and H. megaspinosa to gain deeper insights into the phylogenetic relationships and genetic divergence between two species. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide sequences of protein-coding genes and ribosomal DNA genes distinguished H. japonica and H. megaspinosa as monophyletic clades, with further subdivision within the H. japonica clade. The 16S rRNA and NAD5 genes were valuable markers for distinguishing H. japonica and H. megaspinosa. Population genetic structure analyses indicated that genetic variation within populations accounted for a large proportion of the total variation compared to variation between populations. Microbiome analyses revealed differences in alpha and beta diversity between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. japonica had the higher diversity. Coxiella sp., a likely endosymbiont, was found in both Haemaphysalis species. The abundance profiles of likely endosymbionts, pathogens, and commensals differed between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. megaspinosa was more diverse.

First fossil pod of Mezoneuron (Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae) in Asia

The genus Mezoneuron Desf. (Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae) comprises 23 extant species distributed throughout the Old World tropics and subtropics, yet its fossil record is scarce with finds restricted to Europe and North America. Here, we report a new Mezoneuron pod fossil from the lower Miocene Sanhaogou Formation of Jinggu Basin in Southwest China, representing the first fossil occurrence of this genus in Asia and the only one within its current distribution range. The fossil presents a vascularized wing along the placental suture and with poorly developed, irregular reticulate venation, which are typical pod characters in Mezoneuron. With detailed morphological observation and comparison, it is assigned as a new species, namely M. zhekunii Y.S. Zhao, L.B. Jia et T. Su sp. nov. Together with the historic and modern distribution of Mezoneuron and its relatives, we propose that Mezoneuron originated in the Northern Hemisphere no later than the middle Eocene. Mezoneuron attained relatively low latitudes in Asia no later than the early Miocene, with our fossil representing the lowest latitudinal record. The oblique and fine wrinkles of pod probably suggest a papery texture and low weight observed in mature pods of some extant Mezoneuron species, which favors wind dispersal.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Chibiraga houshuaii (Lepidoptera, Limacodidae) and its phylogenetic implications

Chibiraga is a mall East Asian genus in the family Limacodidae (slug-moths). The latter includes many agricultural pests. Mitochondrial genome analysis is an important tool for studying insect molecular identification and phylogenetics. However, there are very few mitogenome sequences available for Limacodidae species, and none for the genus Chibiraga at all. To explore the mitogenome features of Chibiraga and verify its phylogenetic position, the complete mitogenome of Chibiraga houshuaii was sequenced and annotated. The complete 15,487 bp genome encoded 37 mitochondrial genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a control region (CR). Most of the PCGs had typical ATN start codons and terminated with TAA or a single T residue. UUA (Leu2), AUU (Ile), UUU (Phe), AUA (Met) and AAU (Asn) were the five most frequently used codons. All tRNAs were folded into cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnS1, which lacked the DHU arm. Phylogenetic analyses within the superfamily Zygaenoidea were performed based on multiple datasets from mitochondrial genes. The results showed that the families Phaudidae, Limacodidae and Zygaenidae were respectively recovered as monophyly; C. houshuaii was clustered in a clade with nettle type larvae in Limacodidae.

New synonymy among gall thrips of the Asian genus Mesothrips, with revision of species from China (Thysanoptera, Haplothripini).

Historical, nomenclatural, technical, and biological problems associated with the 42 species of Mesothrips are discussed. Type specimens have been re-examined of 14 of the 25 species that were described prior to 1930 and remain known only from imperfectly slide-mounted specimens. As a result, seven new synonyms are recognised. From China, six species of Mesothrips have been listed, but the records of M.alluaudi and M.manii are rejected, and three new species are described: M.jianfengisp. nov., M.longistylussp. nov., and M.verniciasp. nov. These three species are divergent from other members of Mesothrips in lacking a prominent fore tarsal tooth and may indicate a possible generic relationship to the flower-living species in the Asian genus Dolichothrips. An illustrated key is provided to the seven Mesothrips species now known from China.

Morphometry of the medicinal species Ajania fastigiata (structure features)

The Asian genus Ajania Poljakov comprises about 30-40 species. Because of its complex taxonomic history with numerous movements of species between the two main groups of Artemisiinae Less., Ajania and individual genera are a particularly interesting group to study. Ajania cover most of the entire distribution range in Central Asia, with most in China, Korea, Japan and the Far East. The purpose of this research work is to clarify the morphological features of Ajania fastigiata (C. Winkl.) Poljakov, diagnostic features of vegetative organs of medicinal plants, which improves the quality of selection of raw materials for use in pharmacology. The material for the study was collected in September 2022. Morphometric data and macro-images were taken using a Levenhuk DTX RC3 remote-controlled microscope. The morphometric features were measured using “ImageJ” software The basic features were based on data from “Flora of Kazakhstan” and ‘Central Asian Explorer”. As a result of analysis of morphometric data Ajania fastigiata for Trans-Ili Alatau determined diagnostic features of vegetative organs of medicinal plants, which can improve the quality of selection of raw materials for use in pharmacology: height from 30 to 110 cm, but in most cases 50-80 cm; stem in the middle part 1.3-1.5 mm; width of septate leaves 0.7-1.0 mm; diameter of the basket 3.5-3.7 mm, stem of the basket 0.6-0.7 mm; diameter of the lower part of the tubular flower 0.5 mm, upper part 0.7 mm.

The reinstatement of Rafflesia banaoana (Rafflesiaceae), and implications for assessing species diversity and conservation requirements of the world's largest flowers

The Southeast Asian genus Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) is famous for possessing the world's largest flowers. All species are rare or threatened, so understanding taxonomic diversity in the genus is crucial for informing effective conservation practice. Here we examine R. banaoana, a poorly known taxon from the remote montane rainforests of the Kalinga Province in the Philippines. This species has been treated as conspecific with R. leonardi, and overlooked in systematic studies. Using stable yet hitherto neglected features such as the stigmatic fascia surface, disk shape, process structure, annulus interior and exterior distinction, and ovary shape, we demonstrate that R. banaoana is morphologically as well as ecologically distinct from R. leonardi, and requires reinstatement at the specific rank. We present our findings in the broader context of complexity in the genus Rafflesia in the Philippines, now considered the center of diversity, with 15 species described to date. We highlight the taxonomically confused R. banaoana as a case for careful observation of previously unexamined morphological characters, as well as ecology, to avoid overlooking cryptic taxa or species complexes and to inform representative sampling in systematic treatments. Such an approach will be essential for enhancing our understanding of the diversity of this enigmatic yet poorly understood genus at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic change and species extinction. In light of our findings, we recommend a holistic approach to the conservation of Rafflesia in the Philippines.

A Synopsis of the New World Genera of Phileurini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), with English and Spanish Keys to the Genera

The 22 genera of New World Phileurini are briefly reviewed and characterized, and English and Spanish keys to all the genera are provided for the first time, thus facilitating generic identifications. Chiliphileurus Endrödi (a junior synonym of the Asian genus Eophileurus Arrow), Moraguesia Dechambre (transferred to Oxyligyrus Arrow in the tribe Pentodontini), and Platyphileurus Ohaus (transferred to the tribe Oryctini) are no longer part of the New World phileurine fauna. The monobasic Phileucourtus Dechambre is considered a junior synonym of Hemiphileurus Kolbe.

Historical diversification of Pseudonympha Wallengren, 1857 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)

ABSTRACT The butterfly genus Pseudonympha and several related genera are endemic to southern Africa. Although many of the species are montane, some inhabit the arid interior of South Africa, offering an opportunity to study the palaeobiogeography of this biome. Morphological data (for all species of Pseudonympha and allied African and Asian genera) and molecular data (WG and COI genes for nine of the 15 species of Pseudonympha and all of the southern African endemic genera of Ypthimina) were compiled. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Pseudonympha apparently originated in the Cape Fold Mountains about 15 Mya ago and spread steadily eastwards and northwards along the Great Escarpment during the aridification of the region, perhaps assisted by orogeny in the east and oceanic cooling in the west. Aridification cycles seem to have intermittently isolated some early lineages in elevated habitats in the interior, so that those lineages show lower speciation rates (or perhaps higher extinction rates) than those in the east. Four species delineation techniques indicated that some species are taxonomically oversplit. Based on genetic polyphyly and morphological similarity, we propose that the status of P. swanepoeli be reduced to that of a subspecies of P. varii, such that all the north-eastern populations from Harrismith to Tzaneen fall under P. varii swanepoeli van Son stat. n., and all the southern populations fall under P. varii varii van Son stat. n. Ultimately, the diversification of both of these lineages seems tied to their host plants’ response to aridification brought on by continental drift and orogeny. Sympatric organisms (eg cicadas) with biologies focused around different resources (eg savanna trees) show other patterns of diversification. The phylogenetic analysis of the subtribe Ypthimina also supports the monophyly of Paternympha, paraphyly of Ypthima, recognition of Thymipa Moore stat. rev. as a phylogenetic independent genus, and new relationships for Strabena. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C3B34CBC-4BC2-44F3-8349-9DBC82FFBBF3

Target capture sequencing for phylogenomic and population studies in the Southeast Asian genusPalaquium(Sapotaceae)

AbstractThe first phylogenomic study using a custom target capture bait panel within the Isonandreae tribe in Sapotaceae is presented. The combination of taxon-specific and universal loci from the Angiosperms353 probe set achieved high species resolution within the genus Palaquium and provides the first phylogenomic insights into Malesian representatives of Sapotaceae, where relationships between taxa often remain poorly understood. The results highlight that generic and some species circumscriptions require further investigation and possible revision: Aulandra longifolia is found to be nested in Palaquium, and P. rostratum within P. microphyllum. Population structure analysis produced limited resolution between and within species, but the bait set was able to recover parameters that are potentially useful in population genomic studies.

Phymatoceros Stotler et al. (Anthocerotophyta) newly recorded from India with a new species, P. binsarensis

ABSTRACT Introduction Phymatoceros Stotler et al., one of the 14 extant genera of hornworts, is known from only two species worldwide. During our studies of Indian hornworts, a distinctly variable population was found at Binsar, Uttarakhand, and sharing the same habitat as Phaeoceros himalayensis (Kashyap) Prosk. ex Bapna & G.G.Vyas and Phaeoceros laevis (L.) Prosk. Methods A critical study of the specimens housed at CSIR–NBRI, Lucknow (LWG) was conducted. An SEM study of spores was also carried out to examine their ultramorphological characters. Key results The plants were found to be remarkably characterised by a narrow thallus with prolific stalked tubers arising from the mid-ventral surface; female plants with short involucres; single rounded to irregular chloroplast per cell, without a pyrenoid; and spore distal face with a large, central, single, pitted central hump, and the proximal face with a distinct single dimple on each tetrahedral area between triradiate rays. A detailed morphotaxonomic account is presented, along with detailed SEM observations of spores of the Indian plants. Conclusion Our critical comparative study has revealed that the plants of the newly recorded population belong to the genus Phymatoceros and are distinct from hitherto known species. They are described here as a new species, Phymatoceros binsarensis A.K.Asthana, D.Shukla & Reesa Gupta, and are the first record of Phymatoceros in India. As such, they represent a remarkable and interesting disjunct occurrence of the genus in Asia, separate from its distribution in four other continents (Africa, Europe, and North and South America).

Southbound - the southernmost record of Tylototriton (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam represents a new species.

A new species of the genus Tylototriton is described from Ngoc Linh Mountain, Kon Tum Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam based on integrative taxonomy, namely by combining molecular and morphological evidence. Tylototritonngoclinhensissp. nov. differs from all other congeners based on morphological data, allopatric distribution, and molecular divergence. In terms of genetic divergence, Tylototritonngoclinhensissp. nov. distinctly differs from the sister species T.panhai (6.77%) and from T.ngarsuensis (12.36%) based on the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene. Tylototritonngoclinhensissp. nov. is a moderate sized and robust salamander species with large cephalic edges, parotoids, and vertebral ridge orange in coloration. The new taxon differs from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: size medium (SVL 60.8-66.5 mm, TL 57.6-61.8 mm in males, and SVL 72.5-75.6 mm, TL 62.9-67.9 mm in females); head longer than wide; parotoids very prominent and enlarged, projecting backwards; tail length shorter than snout-vent length; vertebral ridge large, high and glandular in appearance; 14 large and distinct dorsolateral glandular warts; gular fold present; tips of fore and hind limbs overlapping when adpressed along the body; tips of fingers reaching between eye and nostril when foreleg is laid forward; dorsal surface and lateral sides of the head, upper and lower lips, dorsolateral glandular warts, vertebral ridge, the peripheral area of the cloaca and the ventral edge of the tail orange in coloration; the presence of a distinct black line extending from the posterior end of the eye towards the shoulder. Tylototritonngoclinhensissp. nov. is restricted to evergreen montane forests near water bodies on Ngoc Linh Mountain. We suggest that the new species should be classified as Endangered (EN) in the IUCN Red List. This new important discovery represents the eighth Tylototriton taxon described from Vietnam, and at the same time constitutes the southernmost distributional record for the whole genus in Asia.

Description of Uraechanigromaculata sp. n. (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) from Guizhou, China.

The genus Uraecha Thomson, 1864 is an Asiatic genus. In China, Uraechaangusta (Pascoe, 1856) is the most common species and it is widely distributed in the southern part of the country. Two species, U.angusta and Uraechaobliquefasciata Chiang, 1951, are distributed in Guizhou Province of China. The type locality of the latter is Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province. Uraechanigromaculata sp. n. is described and illustrated. A diagnosis is presented to distinguish this species from its close relatives. It is the third species of the genus Uraecha reported from Guizhou Province.

Mitogenomic phylogenetic analyses provide novel insights into the taxonomic problems of several hesperiid taxa (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

Here, we present new molecular and morphological evidence that contributes towards clarifying the phylogenetic relations within the family Hesperiidae, and overcomes taxonomic problems regarding this family. First, nine new complete mitogenomes, comprising seven newly sequenced species and two samples of previously sequenced species collected from different localities, were obtained and assembled to analyze characteristics. The length of the mitogenomes ranges from 15,284 to 15,853 bp and encodes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region. Two model-based methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships. Based on the mitogenomic phylogenetic analyses and morphological evidence, we claim that the lineage that comprises two Asian genera, Apostictopterus Leech and Barca de Nicéville, should be a tribe Barcini stat. nov. of the subfamily Trapezitinae, Pseudocoladenia dea (Leech, 1894), P. festa (Evans, 1949), and Abraximorpha esta Evans, 1949 are considered distinct species. Finally, we suggest that Lotongus saralus chinensis Evans, 1932 should belong to the genus Acerbas de Nicéville, 1895, namely Acerbas saralus chinensis (Evans, 1932) comb. nov..

DNA vs. Morphology in Delineating Species Boundaries of Endemic Mongolian Eodorcadion Taxa (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

This paper provides the first DNA sequences and phylogenetic insight into the Central Asian genus Eodorcadion. We used four molecular markers (COI, CAD, ITS2, and Histone 3) and investigated COI genetic distances to verify phylogenetic position of closely related taxa endemic to Mongolia of the ‘Eodorcadion intermedium species-group’. Histone3 data are presented for the first time for Cerambycidae species. We also designed new PCR primers for better amplification of the Cerambycidae COI barcode region. Morphology of all targeted taxa was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. Our study showed that while there were very few nucleotide differences among COI sequences of three closely related taxa, such that they shared one haplotype, two of them were grouped separately in the all-data tree, and all three were morphologically distinguishable. Conversely, there was a clear barcode gap between E. intermedium intermedium and all the remaining taxa, including E. intermedium kozlovi. Based on the phylogeny, they belong to two different species-groups; thus, E. kozlovi is herein restored to specific rank. Using Bayesian analysis, we contrasted the COI-based tree with the one supported by nuclear data and showed that COI-only data are not sufficient to resolve the phylogeny of the recently derived flightless groups such as Dorcadionini. We conclude that the Eodorcadion intermedium species-group is a polyphyletic species assemblage, established based on the pattern of the elytral stripes, which may be a case of parallel evolution driven by ecological adaptation.

Descriptions of Three New Species of the Genus Acerataspis Uchida, 1934 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Metopiinae), with an Illustrated Identification Key to Extant Species

The Asian genus Acerataspis Uchida, 1934 is reviewed based on both morphology and DNA barcodes. Ten species are recognized in total, of which three species from Yunnan Province of China are described as new: Acerataspis maliae sp. nov., A. seperata sp. nov. and A. similis sp. nov. The male of A. fukienensis Chao, 1957 is described and illustrated for the first time. The genus is recorded from Thailand and Southeast Asia for the first time. An illustrated key to all known extant species is provided. With the supplement of DNA barcodes, a few diagnostic morphological characters are found useful in species identification.

Geographical distribution of Batrachospermaceae genera in Asia and its environmental factors

Geographical distribution of Batrachospermaceae genera in Asia and its environmental factors