Fauna Of Taiwan Research Articles

Phylogeny, ancestral ranges and reclassification of sand dollars

Classification of the Class Echinoidea is under significant revision in light of emerging molecular phylogenetic evidence. In particular, the sister-group relationships within the superorder Luminacea (Echinoidea: Irregularia) have been considerably updated. However, the placement of many families remains largely unresolved due to a series of incongruent evidence obtained from morphological, paleontological, and genetic data for the majority of extant representatives. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of 25 taxa, belonging to eleven luminacean families. We proposed three new superfamilies: Astriclypeoidea, Mellitoidea, and Taiwanasteroidea (including Dendrasteridae, Taiwanasteridae, Scutellidae, and Echinarachniidae), instead of the currently recognized superfamily Scutelloidea Gray, 1825. In light of the new data obtained from ten additional species, the historical biogeography reconstructed shows that the tropical western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans are the cradle for early sand dollar diversification. Hothouse conditions during the late Cretaceous and early Paleogene were coupled with diversification events of major clades of sand dollars. We also demonstrate that Taiwan fauna can play a key role in terms of understanding the major Cenozoic migration and dispersal events in the evolutionary history of Luminacea.

New faunistical and taxonomic data on oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of Taiwan

The present study is based on oribatid mite material collected in Taiwan in 2017–2019. A list of identified taxa, including 141 species/subspecies from 88 genera and 47 families is provided; of these, 36 species/subspecies, 13 genera and five families are recorded for the first time in the Taiwan fauna, and eight species and one genus are recorded for the first time in the Oriental region. Two new species are described. Tyrphonothrus nivnu n. sp. (description based on adult) is similar to Tyrphonothrus altissimus (Piffl, 1971), T. cajamarcensis (Hammer, 1961) and T. wallworki (Starý and Block, 1995) in general morphological traits (notogastral ridges developed; tridactylous legs; notogastral setae e2, h1, h2, and p2 long, setiform, with attenuate tip, other setae of medium length, setiform; high number of genital setae; absence of notogastral ornamentation; and comparatively large body size), but differs from these listed species by the barbed notogastral setae and comparatively long notogastral setae c1, c2, c3, and e1. Jacotella puyuma n. sp. (description based on adult and tritonymph) is similar to Jacotella neonominata Subías, 2004 in general morphological traits (centrodorsal notogastral part with two longitudinal ridges, posteriorly fused, each ridge with two lateral transverse branches; absence of notogastral ornamentation; notogastral seta h1 distinctly longer than other notogastral setae), but differs from the latter by the narrowly elongate bothridial head, flagellate notogastral setae h1 and p1, the length of notogastral setae, and the absence of additional longitudinal ridges connected lateral branches of median ridges (in adult); and by the long gastronotic seta h1 similar in length to bothridial seta, seta h2 similar to h3 and lp and seta dm clearly longer than da on larval exuvium (in tritonymph).

Checklist of eels of Taiwan (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes): An update.

The eel fauna (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) of Taiwan is increased to 14 families, 79 genera and 232 species. Previous studies (Ho et al., 2015b, c) showed Taiwan had the highest diversity of eels in the world: this is further supported in the present updated work. Elsewhere in this volume, 16 species are newly described and 13 species are newly added to the Taiwanese ichthyofauna, mainly in the families Congridae and Synaphobranchidae. In addition, one new genus and four new species are described from adjacent waters in the Pacific Ocean. A total of 58 new species of the two eel orders are described from Taiwan; 52 of them are valid, and 37 are only found in Taiwan. Four names previously recorded in Taiwan are described as new in present special issue and are removed from the fauna of Taiwan accordingly. This work provides a foundation for the study of eel diversity in Taiwan.

Additions to the oribatid mite fauna of Taiwan, with description of a new species of the genus Lohmannia (Acari, Oribatida)

The present study is based on oribatid mite materials (Acari, Oribatida) collected from Taiwan in 2017. A list of identified taxa, including 109 species/subspecies, 84 genera and 48 families, is presented; of these, 50 species/subspecies, 28 genera and 7 families are recorded for the first time in the fauna of this country, and 8 species and 1 genus are recorded for the first time in the Oriental region. A new species belonging to the genus Lohmannia (Lohmanniidae) is described from soil of the Yangmingshan National Park; L. douhua Ermilov sp. nov. differs from L. pseudoturcmenica Ermilov, 2017 by the broadly phylliform posterior exobothridial setae, narrowly phylliform rostral, epimeral and genital setae and clearly longer notogastral setae. An identification key to the known species of Lohmannia from the Oriental region is presented.

New faunistic and taxonomic data on oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Taiwan

The present study is based on oribatid mite materials (Acari, Oribatida) collected from Taiwan in 2009–2010. A list of identified taxa, including 34 species from 30 genera and 21 families, is presented; of these, the subspecies Tectocepheus velatus sarekensis, the species Suctobelbella (Flagrosuctobelba) cf. elegantula, Paralamellobates misella, Protoribates paracapucinus, Perscheloribates nodosus and Scheloribates (Bischeloribates) dalawaeus, the subgenera Uracrobates (Parauracrobates) and Scheloribates (Bischeloribates), and the genera Scapheremaeus and Brassiella are recorded in the fauna of Taiwan for the first time. The species Camisia hamulifera and Fissicepheus defectus are recorded in the Oriental region for the first time. Two new species belonging to the genera Galumna (Galumnidae) and Uracrobates (Mochlozetidae) are described. Galumna (Galumna) tsengi sp. nov. differs from G. (G.) makilingensis Ermilov, Corpuz-Raros & Tolstikov, 2014 by the clavate heads of the bothridial setae, slightly dilated porose areas Aa in posterolateral parts, not boomerang shaped, and by the erect interlamellar setae, which are shorter than the lamellar setae. Uracrobates (Parauracrobates) newtaipeiensis sp. nov. differs from U. (P.) truncatus Ermilov & Martens, 2015 by the absence of well-developed lateral teeth on the lamellar cusps, foveolate notogaster and anogenital region and the medium length of the anal and adanal setae.

A review of clearwing moths in the tribe Synanthedonini, with descriptions of six new species from Taiwan (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).

The Synanthedonini fauna of Taiwan is reviewed, and a checklist of 9 species for this region is provided. Six new species are described: Paranthrenella dortmundi Liang & Hsu sp. nov., Paranthrenella weiyui Liang & Hsu sp. nov., Ichneumenoptera gryphus Liang & Hsu sp. nov., Kantipuria glansvorax Liang & Hsu sp. nov., Synanthedon ceraunus Liang & Hsu sp. nov., and Synanthedon phoenix Liang & Hsu sp. nov. New records of relationships between host plants and the immatures of Synanthedonini in Taiwan are also provided, with three species feeding on callus tissue of stems of Fagaceae, two on Lauraceae, and one on Rosaceae. One species is an obligatory borer into acorns of Fagaceae, and such kind of feeding strategy is rare among clearwing moths.

Revision of the genus Paridea Baly, 1886 from Taiwan (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae).

The Taiwanese species of the genus Paridea Baly, 1886, are revised. Two new species, Paridea (Semacia) houjayi sp. n. and P. (S.) kaoi sp. n. are described. Both were confused previously with P. (S.) sexmaculata (Laboissière, 1930) and P. (S.) angulicollis (Motschulsky, 1854) respectively. Paridea (P.) sauteri (Chûjô, 1935) and P. (P.) taiwana (Chûjô, 1935) are removed from synonymy with P. (P.) sinensis Laboissière, 1930. The synonymy of Paraulaca flavipennis Chûjô, 1935 with Paridea (Paridea) testacea Gressitt & Kimoto, 1963 is supported. Paridea (Semacia) nigrimarginata Yang, 1991 is regarded as a junior synonym of P. (S.) angulicollis and excluded from the Taiwan fauna. Lectotypes are designated for Paraulaca costata Chûjô, 1935, P. flavipennis Chûjô, 1935, P. taiwana Chûjô, 1935, Semacia nipponensis Laboissière, 1930, and Paridea sinensis Laboissière, 1930.

On some linyphiid spiders from Taiwan (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

Seven linyphiid species are recorded from Taiwan, three of which are new: Maculoncus orientalis n. sp., Oreonetides taiwanus n. sp. and Tapinocyba formosa n. sp. Three species, Micrargus herbigradus (Blackwall, 1854), Oia imadatei (Oi, 1964) and Solenysa longqiensis Li & Song, 1992, are new to the Taiwanese fauna. Based on the new data, the linyphiid fauna of Taiwan is known to contain 20 linyphiid species.

The millipede family Metopidiotrichidae new to the fauna of Taiwan: the description of a new species; a review of and a key to the Chordeumatida occurring in Taiwan (Diplopoda)

The family Metopidiotrichidae and the genus Metopidiothrix Attems, 1907 are formally new to the fauna of Taiwan, due to the discovery of Metopidiothrix taiwanensis sp. nov. The fauna of Chordeumatida of Taiwan is reviewed and keyed, at present containing 13 unquestioned species from three genera and three families. Three further species, one genus and one family are dubious either as taxa or as elements of the Taiwanese fauna, or both. Palaearctic elements, such as Diplomaragnidae and Niponiosomatidae, appear to strongly dominate over austral/tropical ones (Metopidiotrichidae).

New records and molecular characterization of Acrozoanthus (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) and its endosymbionts (Symbiodinium spp.) from Taiwan

During a recent survey of the zoanthid (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) fauna of Taiwan, specimens resembling Acrozoanthus australiae (family Zoanthidae) were found at Kenting and Green Island, Taiwan, attached to eunicid worm tubes growing out from under large Porites coral colonies in coral reef environments. As this species had previously been described only from eunicid worm tubes in mud flats in Australia and Indonesia, and no studies had specifically examined its phylogenetic position, molecular and morphological examinations were conducted to determine the identity of the Taiwan specimens, and its phylogenetic relationships with other Zoanthidae genera and species. At the same time, endosymbiotic Symbiodinium types within specimens were also investigated. Results from the phylogenetic analyses of sequences of three DNA markers [cytochrome oxidase subunit I, mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA, internal transcribed spacer 2 of ribosomal DNA (ITS-2)] strongly suggested that the Taiwan specimens were identical with A. australiae. Based on endosymbiont ITS-2 sequences, these colonies were in symbiosis with Symbiodinium clade D1a (= S. trenchii), theorized to be adapted to both comparatively cold and hot marine environments. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses from all three zoanthid DNA markers suggest that Acrozoanthus may be within the closely related genus Zoanthus. This study demonstrates the overall lack of data on zoanthid species’ distributions, and it is recommended the diversity of zoanthids within the nearby Coral Triangle be investigated to link Indo-Australian zoanthid data with information from Japan and the northwest Pacific.

A checklist of oligochaetes (Annelida) from Taiwan and its adjacent islands

This checklist lists 98 species and subspecies of oligochaetes (Annelida) that have been reported so far as members of the natural fauna of Taiwan and its adjacent Lanyu (Botel Tobago), Gueishan (Turtle) and Penghu (Pescadore) Islands. Terrestrial oligochaetes have been studied for over a century since 1898, particularly intensively in the past ten years. They are represented by 72 species of which 42 (58.3%) species and subspecies are endemic to Taiwan. They belong to the families Moniligastridae, Glossoscolecidae, Lumbricidae, Octochaetidae, Ocnerodrilidae, and Megascolecidae. Megascolecidae is the most dominant family with 63 species, comprising 87.5% of the terrestrial Taiwanese earthworms reported so far. Aquatic oligochaetes have been investigated for about a decade since 1995, and are represented by 26 species. Of them, 25 are in the family Naididae (including Tubificidae) and Eiseniella tetraedra in the family Lumbricidae.

Review of the Tribe Bolboceratini s.l. from Taiwan (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae) with a Key to the Eurasian Genera

Four genera and seven species of the scarab beetle tribe Bolboceratini s.l. in Taiwan are reviewed, including the description of a new species, Bolbelasmus minutus Li & Masumoto. After a detailed comparison with the holotype, Bolbelasmus kurosawai Masumoto is considered a junior synonym of Bolbelasmus coreanus (Kolbe). Bolbelasmus meridionalis Krikken is now excluded from the fauna of Taiwan. Key (males only), redescriptions, illustrations, the type depository, commentary, phenology, geographical distributions, and drawings of the male genitalia of each valid species are included. Additionally, a key to the genera of the Eurasian Bolboceratini s.l. is provided.

Phylogeny of the freshwater crab genus Somanniathelphusa Bott (Decapoda:Parathelphusidae) from Taiwan and the coastal regions of China, with notes on their biogeography

It is generally accepted that the southern part of mainland China was connected to, and then separated from, the island of Taiwan many times as a result of successive glaciation events, the most recent being 15 000 years ago. On the basis of this, many biogeographical hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origins and relationships of the flora and fauna of Taiwan and mainland China. However, no clear genetic evidence from the flora and fauna of Taiwan has been forthcoming to support the geological history or biogeographical hypotheses. Land-locked freshwater crabs of the genus Somanniathelphusa Bott, 1968 (Crustacea : Brachyura : Parathelphusidae) inhabit the lowland coastal plains of East Asia and also Taiwan Island, which is their only known locality outside of the main continent. Of the eight species of Somanniathelphusa known from Taiwan and the coastal regions of China (Fujian, Guangdong and Hong Kong), five are studied here: S. amoyensis Naiyanetr & Dai, 1997; S. taiwanensis Bott, 1968; S. zanklon Ng & Dudgeon, 1992; S. zhangpuensis Naiyanetr & Dai, 1997; and S. zhapoensis Naiyanetr & Dai, 1997. Somanniathelphusa taiwanensis has a restricted range in west-central Taiwan, which has been explained by the invasion of species from the mainland via the landbridge of Taiwan Strait during glaciation. This is confirmed by a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the species and its congeners on the mainland. Based on the comparisons of DNA sequences encoding part of the mitochondrial large subunit (16S) rRNA gene and cytochrome oxidase I (COI), two major groups are discernible. Somanniathelphusa zhapoensis from western Guangdong belongs to its own distinct group. The remaining species belong to the second group, but two constituent clades can be recognised, here referred to as the ‘S. taiwanensis’ and ‘S. zanklon’ clades, respectively. These two clades are currently isolated by a major mountain range between Fujian and Guangdong. The molecular evidence also strongly supports the recent invasion of Taiwan by the genus Somanniathelphusa from Fujian during the last glacial event.

The millipede tribe Nedyopodini, with special reference to the fauna of Taiwan (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae)

The east and southeast Asian millipede tribe Nedyopodini is here restricted to a single genus, Nedyopus Attems, 1914; the following genera are here considered to be junior subjective synonyms: Vaulogerodesmus Brölemann, 1916, Nesodyopus Verhoeff, 1940, n. syn., and Varyomorpha Wang, 1957, n. syn. This taxonomically confused tribe/genus is reviewed and redefined. Based on new collections, the fauna of Taiwan currently contains five Nedyopus species including the redescribed N. hsientienensis (Wang, 1957) and N. pectinatus (Wang, 1957), both n. comb. ex Varyomorpha, as well as the newly described N. caudatus n. sp., N. latus n. sp., and N. wui n. sp. A key to these five species is provided.

The Phlebotomus of Taiwan1

The phlebotomine fauna of Taiwan appears to be closely associated with that of mainland China and Indochina. At present it consists of 4 species, one representing a new subspecies, viz., kiangsuensis Yao & Wu, barraudi Sinton, squamipleuris Newstead and iyengari taiwanensis n. ssp. The first species belongs to the subgenus Phlebotomus sen. str., the remaining ones to Sergentomyia . A key to the species as well as measurements, illustrations, and local distributional records for each are provided.