Northern Indochina Research Articles

Phylogeography of horseshoe bat sarbecoviruses in Vietnam and neighbouring countries. Implications for the origins of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.

Previous studies on horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus spp.) have described many coronaviruses related to SARS-CoV (SARSCoVr) in China and only a few coronaviruses related to SARS-CoV-2 (SARSCoV2r) in Yunnan (southern China), Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Here, we report the results of several field missions carried out in 2017, 2021 and 2022 across Vietnam during which 1218 horseshoe bats were sampled from 19 locations. Sarbecoviruses were detected in 11% of faecal RNA extracts, with much more positives among Rhinolophus thomasi (46%). We assembled 38 Sarbecovirus genomes, including 32 SARSCoVr, four SARSCoV2r, and two recombinants of SARSCoVr and SARSCoV2r (RecSar), one showing a Spike protein very similar to SARS-CoV-2. We detected a bat co-infected with four coronaviruses, including two sarbecoviruses. Our analyses revealed that Sarbecovirus genomes evolve in Vietnam under strong geographical and host constraints. First, we found evidence for a deep separation between viruses from northern Vietnam and those from central and southern Vietnam. Second, we detected only SARSCoVr in Rhinolophus thomasi, both SARSCoVr and SARSCoV2r in Rhinolophus affinis, and only RecSar in Rhinolophus pusillus captured close to the border with China. Third, the bias in favour of Uracil in synonymous third codon positions of SARSCoVr extracted from R. thomasi showed a negative correlation with latitudes. Our results also provided support for an emergence of SARS-CoV in horseshoe bats from northern Yunnan and emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in horseshoe bats from northern Indochina subtropical forests (southern Yunnan, northern Laos and north-western Vietnam).

A New Species of the Genus Tropidophorus Duméril, Bibron, 1839 (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) from China-Vietnam Border Region in Southeastern Yunnan Province, China

Based on morphological and genetic data, we describe a new species of Tropidophorus from the tropical karst landscape in southeastern Yunnan Province, China, close to the Vietnam border. Phylogenetically, the new species forms a clade with T. baviensis, T. murphyi, and T. hainanus, with p-distances ranging from 4.7–5.1% for the 16S gene and 3.9–6.8% for 12S gene. Morphologically, the new species shares the karst morphotype of Tropidophorus, particularly similar as T. murphyi and T. baviensis, in which all having a dorsally compressed head and body, smooth dorsal head scales, and distinctively keeled body scales. However, the new species can be distinguished from these similar species by numbers of supralabial scales, ventral scales, scales around the tail at the10th subcaudal, and a larger body size. We emphasize the urgency of conservation for the tropical karst landscape in northern Indochina.

Distribution Dynamics of Diplopanax stachyanthus Hand.-Mazz. (Mastixiaceae) and Its Implications in Relict Mastixioid Flora Conservation

Climate is a key driver shaping the distribution pattern of organisms. Cenozoic climate change has led to extensive biota turnover. Untangling the distribution dynamics of a representative lineage of flora can provide deep insights into biodiversity conservation. Diplopanax is a notable relict lineage of the Tertiary mastixioid flora with abundant fossils in the Northern Hemisphere. Diplopanax stachyanthus Hand.-Mazz. is a representative relic lineage of the mastixioid flora, which was once widespread in the Northern Hemisphere of the early Tertiary period, but with only endemic distribution in the (sub)tropical humid forests of East Asia. It offers a unique chance to understand how climatic drivers shape the Boreotropical flora. In this research, we investigated the distribution dynamics of D. stachyanthus at the last glacial maximum (LGM), mid-Holocene (MH), current, and three periods of the future (2041–2060, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100) at four shared socio-economic emissions scenarios pathways. Our results indicated that the Precipitation of the Wettest Quarter (32.6%), the Precipitation of the Driest Quarter (21.2%), and the Precipitation of the Coldest Quarter (17.3%) are the key factors affecting its distribution. The current high suitable distribution areas are primarily in southern China and northern Indo-China. The enforced winter monsoon seasons in East Asia since the late Pliocene period are the key climatic drivers reducing its once widespread distribution in the Northern Hemisphere. Under future scenarios, centroid transfer analysis suggests that its distribution center will shift southwestward, but the potentially suitable habitats in the coastal regions of southern China and northern Indo-China will be lost. These coastal populations should be prioritized for ex situ conservation. Expanding the nature reserve within its long-term stable distribution range in southwest China is an effective strategy for the in situ conservation of the ancient mastixioid flora.

A new Chinese Cyclogethes pollen beetle, with an updated key to species of the genus and notes on its phylogenetic positioning (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae).

A peculiar new species of the genus Cyclogethes Kirejtshuk, 1979, C. tibialis sp. nov., is described from Southwestern China (Yunnan). The new species appears to be morphologically rather isolated from the other known members of this essentially Oriental genus (including half a dozen species from Northern Indian subcontinent, Northern Indochina, and Southwestern China). However, it could be more closely related to C. abnormis Kirejtshuk, 1979 from Northern India, Indochina, and Southwestern China, and to C. aldridgei Kirejtshuk, 1980 from Northern India and Nepal, from which it is easily distinguished by the more elongate body shape, and by the markedly sinuate hind tibiae in both sexes (a very unusual character state in Meligethinae, where only males of some species exhibit sexual secondary characters in the tibial shape). The new species also differs from other known taxa of the genus by the shape of the male and female genitalia. The larval hostplants of members of Cyclogethes are thus far unknown, although some clues, also involving the new species described herein, may suggest a relationship with small trees or shrubs of the family Asteraceae. Preliminary and incomplete molecular data on a studied member of the genus (C. abnormis) seems to not disagree with a phylogenetic positioning of Cyclogethes in a clade including the African genera Tarchonanthogethes Audisio & Cline, 2009, its allied Afrotropical taxa, and the Palaearctic genera Meligethes Stephens, 1830 and Brassicogethes Audisio & Cline, 2009. The article includes an updated identification key for all six known species of this genus and an updated map of their known geographic distribution.

Projected ENSO teleconnection on the Southeast Asian climate under global warming

Given the importance of El Niño–Southern oscillation (ENSO) teleconnection on the Southeast Asia (SEA) climate, the ENSO-induced precipitation and near-surface air temperature anomalies over SEA and its twenty sub-regions are compared between historical (1985–2014) and future (2070–2099) simulations using 30 models from Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Future projections suggest that the Philippines, Malay Peninsula, most of the Maritime Continent, and southern Indochina experience reduced (increased) precipitation in the future El Niño (La Niña) summer. Then, during autumn, amplification of ENSO-precipitation teleconnection is projected in the Borneo, Malay Peninsula, and northern Vietnam, raising flood concerns in these sub-regions in future La Niña autumn. During winter, projected ENSO-driven negative anomalies continue intensifying and shifting northeastward, resulting in drier (wetter) conditions for the Philippines and surrounding areas in future El Niño (La Niña). Conversely, a southeastward shift of ENSO-driven precipitation anomalies is projected in the following spring, leading to dampening (an amplification) of teleconnection over the western (eastern) part of SEA. Regarding near-surface air temperature, a ‘land-sea contrast’ pattern is seen, in which intensified ENSO-driven positive (negative) anomalies are projected over land (ocean). At the sub-region scale, robust amplifications in the ENSO teleconnection are mainly observed when only considering the land temperature. The most noticeable future changes are robust amplification of the ENSO-driven positive temperature anomalies in northern Indochina and Myanmar during winter. These sub-regions typically experience a cooler winter, suggesting that wintertime mean temperature there may be much higher under future El Niño conditions. The projected changes in ENSO-driven precipitation and near-surface air temperature anomalies both appear to scale with the radiative forcing, i.e. a higher radiative forcing corresponds to higher teleconnection changes and more sub-regions of SEA experience robust changes. These results suggest that significant ENSO teleconnection changes can be mitigated by minimizing future warming.

Monsoon influence on plant diversity in northern Indochina: Evidence from the late Miocene Yen Bai flora, northern Vietnam

Indochina, as a global biodiversity hotspot, offers the potential for understanding the evolution of biodiversity. However, the historical narrative of plant diversity in this region remains enigmatic due to limited fossil records. Here, we report a newly discovered megafossil flora from the late Miocene of the Yen Bai Basin, northern Vietnam. This megafossil flora suggests that the late Miocene vegetation in northern Vietnam comprised mixed tropical evergreen and deciduous broadleaved forest components mainly characterized by Fabaceae, Fagaceae, and Lauraceae bearing strong resemblance to the modern vegetation in northern Vietnam. Paleoclimate reconstruction for this plant fossil assemblage using the Coexistence Approach indicates a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 18.5–23.0 °C and a mean annual precipitation (MAP) of 1183.1–2078.5 mm. Similarly, employing the Climate-Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program yields an MAT of 21.3 ± 2.3 °C and a growing season precipitation (GSP) of 1328.6 ± 606.0 mm. The length of the growing season was about eleven months. Overall these results indicate a modern-like warm and humid tropical monsoon climate in northern Vietnam during the late Miocene. Climatic comparison of the Yen Bai with other fossil floras in northern Vietnam and southern China reveals the relative stability of temperature seasonality since the middle Eocene but obvious long-term variation in precipitation seasonality, particularly in respect of precipitation during the three consecutive driest months (X3.DRY). This suggests the Asian monsoon in northern Vietnam underwent important changes from the middle Eocene to the late Miocene, and intensified significantly during the middle and late Miocene. Our results show the modernization of plant diversity in northern Indochina had its origin in the Paleogene and further developed in the late Miocene, and was linked to the evolution of the Asian monsoon mainly in terms of changes in dry season precipitation.

COMPARATIVE LEAF ANATOMY OF SOME ASYNEUMA GRISEB. & SCHENK TAXA

Objective: The Asyneuma Griseb. & Schenk is represented by 34 accepted species worldwide and its native range covers a wide area from East Central Europe to Japan and Northern Indo-china. The plants of Asyneuma are characterized by herbaceous, simple or branched inflorescences, purple, violet or blue corolla and capsule fruits. Studies show that the Campanulaceae family contains bioactive compounds phenylethanoid (phenylproponoid), alkaloids, cyanogenetic heteroside, flavonoid, triterpene, anthocyanin, phenolic acid, essential oil, coumarin and polysaccharide. In addition, it is known that plants in the family have antioxidant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiobesity, expectorant antihepatotoxic, antitumoral, antiatherosclerotic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, tonic and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. In this study, the anatomical structures of Asyneuma limonifolium subsp. limonifolium, A. limonifolium subsp. pestalozzae (Boiss.) Damboldt, A. linifolium subsp. linifolium and A. linifolium subsp. nallihanicum Kit Tan & Yıldız leaves were examined. Material and Method: Asyneuma limonifolium subsp. limonifolium, A. limonifolium subsp. pestalozzae (Boiss.) Damboldt, A. linifolium subsp. nallihanicum Kit Tan & Yıldız were collected from Ankara. A. linifolium subsp. linifolium was collected from Antalya. Plant parts preserved in alcohol (70%). Microscopic sections were taken using a razor blade. Tissues were stained with Sartur's reagent and examined with a light microscope. Microphotographs were taken with a camera attached to a light microscope. Result and Discussion: The results showed that, the anatomical structures of the basal and cauline leaves of Asyneuma limonifolium subsp. limonifolium and A. limonifolium subsp. pestalozzae were similar. The leaves are bifacial and the palisade parenchyma 1-2 rows. In addition, the unicellular, non-glandular hairs and anomocytic stomata were observed on both epidermal surfaces. Besides, the leaf of A. linifolium subsp. linifolium is monofacial while that of A. linifolium subsp. nallihanicum is bifacial. Also, unicellular hairs were present on epidermal layer of A. linifolium subsp. linifolium while A. linifolium subsp. nallihanicum were not. The anomocytic stomata were determined on the upper and lower leaf surfaces of both subspecies.

Frontier friction: colonial infrastructures, Chinese (im-)mobility, and the attack on Sam Neua (NE Laos) in 1914

ABSTRACT The 1914 uprising of Sam Neua (Houaphan Province, NE Laos) laid bare complex processes of social and economic mobilization in the mountainous hinterlands of French Indochina. As a first prelude to the upcoming anticolonial struggles in the Lao-Vietnamese borderlands, this heterogeneous movement is only little understood in its sociopolitical and cultural dimensions. Though initiated by armed Chinese bands, the participation of different upland ethnic groups suggests that the uprising was also the result of socioeconomic discontent and disquiet among the local population. At the beginning of the twentieth century, colonial interventions in upland Laos unsettled economic and political configurations, and confronted local powerbrokers with both restrictions and new opportunities. Colonial infrastructure development negatively affected Chinese trade and mobility in northern Indochina – a key factor for the escalation in Sam Neua. By means of combining microhistory and historical anthropology, this paper aims to investigate forms of mobility, mimetic encounters, and shifting conceptions of sociopolitical hierarchies in colonial Indochina that have so far received only scant attention.

Factors Leading to Heavy Rainfall in Southern Taiwan in the Early Mei-Yu Season of 2020

Abstract This paper examines the meteorological factors that led to the record-breaking heavy precipitation event in Taiwan in the early 2020 mei-yu season (15–31 May). The extreme amount of rainfall (an average of 135.9 mm per station) during the 36-h period around 22 May (hereafter Y20R) also set a record. Compared to climatology, the Pacific subtropical high was stronger and the southwesterly monsoonal flow was more intense during the first half of the 2020 mei-yu season, resulting in a stronger moisture conveyor belt over the northern Indo-China Peninsula. The record-breaking precipitation in Y20R was mainly caused by the eastward movement of a southwest vortex (SWV) generated in southwestern China. When the eastern portion of the SWV touched northern Taiwan, its associated west-southwesterly winds and the large-scale southwesterly monsoonal flow transported moisture toward the Taiwan Strait. The moisture-laden southwesterly flow was lifted by the stationary mei-yu front, leading to the heavy rainfall in southern Taiwan. When the SWV passed through northern Taiwan, it became the dominant weather system that enhanced the west-southwesterly winds and transported moisture from South China to Taiwan. The front moved southward through the Taiwan Strait during this period, with its location greatly determining the pattern of rainfall in southern Taiwan. In summary, the most critical factors leading to heavy rainfall in southern Taiwan are the strong 850-hPa southwesterly winds and moisture fluxes associated with the SWV. The other key factors include, in order of sensitivity to rainfall, the distance of the front, the distance of the SWV, the frontal speed, and the intensity of the SWV.

From the ethnomedicinal plants in northern Indochina to the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutic agents

From the ethnomedicinal plants in northern Indochina to the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutic agents

The Interannual Relationship between the Diabatic Heating over the South Asia and the Snow Depth over the Southern Tibetan Plateau in Late Spring to Early Summer: Roles of the Air Temperature

The southern Tibetan Plateau (TP) is snow covered during cold season but exhibits faster snow melting in early summer. Using in situ observations and improved satellite-derived data, the present study indicates that the snow depth (SD) over the southern TP exhibits distinction characteristics between late spring (i.e., P1: April 16th–May 15th) and early summer (i.e., P2: May 16th–June 14th). In terms of climate states, the snow melting rate over the southern TP in P2 is faster than that in P1. The acceleration of snow melting during P2 is mainly found over high elevation areas caused by the increase of local air temperature. Diagnoses of the thermodynamic equation further demonstrate that the warming over the southern TP during the two periods is mainly attributed to the meridional temperature advection and diabatic heating in situ. On the interannual time scale, the SD over the southern TP is closely related to diabatic heating over South Asia. During P1, the diabatic cooling from the southern Bay of Bengal eastward to the western South China Sea suppresses convection over the Bay of Bengal and southern TP and has resulted in an upper-level anomalous cyclone and cold temperature anomalies from the surface to 200 hPa over the southern TP, favoring the above-normal SD over the southern TP. On the other hand, SD over the southern TP in P2 is closely related to diabatic cooling over the northern Indochina Peninsula and diabatic heating over the southern China. But we could not prove that these diabatic heating anomalies can affect the SD over the southern TP by modulating local surface air temperature. This may be limited by the quality of the data and the simulation capability of the simple model.

How Climate Change Impacts the Distribution of Lithocarpus hancei (Fagaceae), a Dominant Tree in East Asian Montane Cloud Forests

Subtropical montane moist evergreen broadleaf forests (MMEBFs) have a unique environmental envelope harboring a high percentage of endemic biota. This ecosystem is highly vulnerable, and little is known about its possible response to future climate change. In this study, we used Lithocarpus hancei (Fagaceae), a dominant tree in East Asian subtropical MMEBFs, as a proxy to investigate MMEBF distribution dynamics and key distribution restriction factors. In total, 607 L. hancei occurrence points were obtained after being gathered and filtered. The random forest model was selected as the best model. Eight environmental variables were selected to simulate the potential suitable areas of L. hancei under the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), present, and future (2041–2060, 2061–2080, 2081–2100) climate change scenarios, including four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5). Our results showed that precipitation of the warmest quarter, the precipitation of the driest month, the mean diurnal range, and temperature seasonality are the key factors affecting the spatial range of L. hancei with 11.2%, 10.9%, 8.1%, and 7.6% contributions, respectively. The current distribution of L. hancei is mainly within East and South China, with a scattered distribution in North Indo-China and the Southeast Himalayas. The highly suitable area only accounts for 9.7% of the total distribution area. The distribution area of the current suitability area is the smallest compared to that under LGM and future scenarios. In all the future climatic scenarios, the highly suitable areas of L. hancei would decrease or even disappear, whereas the medium- and low-suitability areas might increase with the centroid of the total suitable area northern. Its distribution in Central China, the Southern Himalayas, and Northern Indo-China will be lost in the future. Overall, our study predicted a prominent degradation of East Asian MMEBFs in the future. In situ and ex situ conservation on East Asian MMEBFs should be prioritized and enforced.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Quercus kerrii (Fagaceae), and comparative analysis with related species

Quercus kerrii Craib 1911 (section Cyclobalanopsis) is a widespread tree species in the tropical seasonal forests of southwest China and Northern Indo-China areas. In this study, we sequenced, assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast genome of Q. kerrii. The circular genome was 160,743 bp in length and had a GC content of 36.89%. The Q. kerrii chloroplast genome has a typical quadripartite structure, including two inverted repeat regions (length, 25,825 bp; GC content, 42.76%), a large single-copy region (length, 90,196 bp; GC content, 34.74%), and a small single-copy region (length, 18,897 bp; GC content, 30.60%). Genome annotation has indicated that the Q. kerrii chloroplast genome contained 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA, and eight rRNA. The phylogenetic tree showed that Q. kerrii had a close relationship with Q. schottkyana Rehder & E.H.Wilson 1916.

Two new species of the Miltochrista modesta (Leech) species group from Northern Vietnam and South China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae)

Two new species of the genus Miltochrista Hübner, [1819] are described: Miltochrista cornutia Volynkin, Černý & Huang, sp. n. from Northern Vietnam, and Miltochrista hyphenovirgula Huang, Volynkin & Černý, sp. n. from South China (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region). The genitalia of both sexes of Miltochrista auritiformis (Černý, 2009) and Miltochrista cepheus (Černý, 2009) also known from northern Indochina are illustrated and diagnosed for the first time. Miltochrista auritiformis is reported from Vietnam and China (Yunnan) for the first time.

Four new species of the genus Miltochrista Hübner from northern Indochina and Southwest China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae)

Four new species of the genus Miltochrista Hübner, [1819] are described: Miltochrista megalytera sp. n. (Northern Thailand and Northern Vietnam), Miltochrista nujiangia sp. n. (China: Yunnan), Miltochrista fluctuata sp. n. (Northern and Central Thailand), and Miltochrista setozia sp. n. (Northern Vietnam). Miltochrista dankana Volynkin, N. Singh, Černý, Kirti & Datta, 2022 is reported from China (Yunnan Province) for the first time, and its female is correctly illustrated and diagnosed. Adults, male and female genitalia of the new and similar species are illustrated.

Development of late spring–early summer rainstorms in southern East Asia from the eastward propagating mid‐tropospheric cyclones of South Asia

AbstractFrom mid‐May to late June, the eastward propagation of some mid‐tropospheric cyclones (MTCs) originating in the Bay of Bengal (BOB)‐Burma (BUM) region across northern Indochina and southwest China to East Asia are observed. From 1979 to 2016, 137 MTCs were identified for the BOB‐BUM region. Eighty‐eight MTCs were trapped over northern Indochina, but 49 were propagated by the southwesterly flow of the BOB mid‐tropospheric trough to reach East Asia. Thirty‐one moved across Taiwan, but 18 did not. Eventually, all these MTCs moved to Okinawa. The former group of rainstorms produced rainfall ≥100 mm·day−1 over Taiwan, while 44 rainstorms generated rainfall ≥50 mm·day−1 over Okinawa. The 49 eastward propagating through‐Indochina MTCs exhibited the following salient features: (a) initial formation mostly occurred in the mid‐troposphere ahead/within the BOB trough in the morning over the BOB, but in the afternoon‐evening over BUM. (b) The eastward propagating BOB‐BUM MTCs underwent two descending processes: descending one mandatory level 6 hr after formation, and descending again from 700 to 925 hPa over southeastern China to interact with a low‐level cyclonic shear flow. (c) Intensified (weakened) by dipole anomalous circulation cells, the confluent monsoon southwesterly flow west (east) of Taiwan facilitated the merger of the MTC with a local front. (d) Rainfall produced by rainstorms over Taiwan/Okinawa was maintained by the intensified convergence of water vapour flux toward Taiwan/Okinawa. This hydrological process was stronger toward Taiwan than Okinawa and generated more rainfall in the former region. The impact of the BOB‐BUM MTC on East Asian weather is confirmed by this study.

Churingosia, a new subgenus of the genus Manulea Wallengren with descriptions of four new species from the Oriental realm (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae)

A new subgenus of the genus Manulea Wallengren, 1863, Churingosia subgen. n. (type species: Ilema nigripes Hampson, 1900) is described and subdivided into two species groups. Two new combinations are introduced: Manulea (Churingosia) chrysophleps (Hampson, 1895), comb. n. and Manulea (Churingosia) nigripes (Hampson, 1900), comb. n. Four new species are described: Manulea (Churingosia) fardyftera sp. n. from Northeast India, Manulea (Churingosia) reducta sp. n. from northern Myanmar and Northeast India, Manulea (Churingosia) mikrotera sp. n. from northern Myanmar and Northeast India, and Manulea (Churingosia) mavropoda sp. n. from northern Indochina. Lectotypes for Lithosia chrysophleps Hampson, 1895 and Ilema nigripes Hampson, 1900 are designated. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Restricted lithospheric extrusion in the SE Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from anisotropic Rayleigh-wave tomography

Constraining variations of lithospheric structure and deformation across southeastern Tibet and the surrounding region are crucial for understanding the lateral growth of the plateau. Using data from two dense seismic arrays in the SE Tibetan Plateau, we obtained fine-scale Rayleigh-wave phase velocity maps by Eikonal tomography, and further inverted for 3-D shear wave velocity and azimuthal anisotropy of the crust and upper mantle. High velocities and weak lithospheric anisotropy are revealed under Dianzhong Block (DZB), where is covered by the relics of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province, while strong anisotropy is imaged around. We propose that the DZB strengthened by the paleo igneous activity plays an essential role in the evolution along the southeastern plateau margin. On the one hand, the DZB obstructs the migration of plateau material to the southeast. On the other hand, strong deformation is localized along the DZB margins, while the stress due to the plate expansion is transferred further to the Xiaojiang fault, which induced significant deformation within the Yangtze Craton. Furthermore, the lithosphere of DZB deflects the mantle flow driven by the eastward Indian subduction under the northern Indochina block.

The systematic position of puzzling Sino-Himalayan Lophocoleasikkimensis (Lophocoleaceae, Marchantiophyta) is identified.

Lophocoleasikkimensis, a little-known Sino-Himalayan species, was collected in North Vietnam and its taxonomic position was identified by molecular genetic techniques. The species is characterized by generally narrowly pointed leaves, which are not seen in other representatives of Lophocoleaceae. We found that it belongs to the recently described genus Cryptolophocolea, although it is clearly morphologically dissimilar to other members of the genus. We propose a corresponding nomenclature combination: Cryptolophocoleasikkimensis comb. nov. This species is the only one in its genus with a predominantly Sino-Himalayan distribution; the vast majority of congeners are distributed in the Southern Hemisphere (mostly in Australasia). Reports of this species in Vietnam further confirm the close phytogeographic relationships of the flora of northern Indochina with those of the Sino-Himalayas and suggest that this species is found in other parts of the Hoang Lien Range and the southern Hengduan Range.

Maritime Trade and Borderlands in Northern Indochina - Imperial Borderlands: Maps and Territory-Building in the Northern Indochinese Peninsula (1885–1914) By Marie de Rugy. Translated by Saskia Brown. Leiden: Brill, 2021. xvii, 324 pp. ISBN: 9789004456211 (cloth). - A History of Maritime Trade in Northern Vietnam, 12th to 18th Centuries: Archaeological Investigations in Vandon and Phohien By Yuriko Kikuchi. Translated by

Maritime Trade and Borderlands in Northern Indochina - Imperial Borderlands: Maps and Territory-Building in the Northern Indochinese Peninsula (1885–1914) By Marie de Rugy. Translated by Saskia Brown. Leiden: Brill, 2021. xvii, 324 pp. ISBN: 9789004456211 (cloth). - A History of Maritime Trade in Northern Vietnam, 12th to 18th Centuries: Archaeological Investigations in Vandon and Phohien By Yuriko Kikuchi. Translated by Walter Edwards. Singapore: Springer, 2021. xv, 290 pp. ISBN: 9789811646324 (cloth). - Volume 81 Issue 3