Recent Checklist Research Articles

A checklist of endemic plants on the Korean Peninsula II

Following recent taxonomic, distributional, and nomenclatural revisions, an updated checklist of endemic plants on the Korean Peninsula is needed. This study provides an updated checklist of vascular plants endemic to the Korean Peninsula and describes their distribution within administrative provinces. The revised checklist includes 373 endemic taxa (304 species, six subspecies, 49 varieties, and 14 nothospecies) from 179 genera and 64 families, representing 9.5% of the total native flora of the Korean Peninsula. Asteraceae (41 taxa), Ranunculaceae (29 taxa), Liliaceae s.l. (24 taxa), and Rosaceae (22 taxa) were the most widely represented families. Compared with the most recent checklist published in 2017, 39 taxa were excluded from the checklist; one taxon was excluded because it did not have a valid published name, seven taxa were excluded because their natural habitats extended to neighboring countries, four taxa were excluded because they were treated as a rank form, and 27 taxa were excluded because they had been identified as heterotypic synonyms of taxa distributed outside of the Korean Peninsula. Fifty-two new taxa were included based on the literature. This checklist will help to focus conservation efforts and provide a framework for research, protection, and policy implementation related to these endemic taxa.

(2958) Proposal to conserve the name Marattia attenuata (Ptisana attenuata) against M. acuminata (Marattiaceae)

(2958) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Marattia attenuata</i> (<i>Ptisana attenuata</i>) against <i>M. acuminata</i> (<i>Marattiaceae</i>)

A conserved karyotype? Chromosomal rearrangements in Charadrius collaris detected by BAC-FISH.

Charadriidae comprise 142 valid species and the most recent checklist for the occurrence of this family in Brazil describes 11 species. There are few chromosomal studies in Charadriidae, most of them using a conventional approach. In Charadrius, only five species had their karyotypes described by classical cytogenetics, of which four have 2n = 76 (C. hiaticula, C. dubius, C. vociferou and C. collaris) and one 2n = 78 (C. alexandrinus alexandrinus). Among these species, only Charadrius collaris had the karyotype studied by chromosome painting, which allowed the identification of chromosomal homeologies with the karyotypes of Gallus gallus (GGA) and Burhinus oedicnemus (BOE). According to the literature, studies performed with BAC-FISH using probes from Gallus gallus and Taeniopygia guttata (TGU) libraries have shown interactions between macro and microchromosomes and micro inversions in chromosomes previously considered conserved. Other studies have shown the fusion of several microchromosomes, forming new macrochromosomes, leading to a decrease in the 2n of some species. The present study aims to deepen the chromosomal information in Charadrius collaris through the application of BAC-FISH with probes from the GGA and TGU libraries, in order to investigate possible rearrangements within the apparently conserved karyotype of this species, and thus better clarify the evolutionary history of the species. Charadrius collaris presented 2n = 76 and fundamental number (FN) equal to 94. Comparative mapping of BAC probes from GGA and TGU in Charadrius collaris revealed hybridization signals from 26 macrochromosome probes. Probes from microchromosomes 9 to 28 of GGA were also used and revealed 31 hybridization signals. The karyotype is well conserved, but it contains a paracentric and a pericentric inversion on the CCO1 chromosome, a paracentric and a pericentric inversion on the CCO4 and the separation of GGA4 into CCO4 and CCO8, demonstrating that the BAC-FISH approach allows for greater data resolution. More studies are needed to improve the understanding of chromosomal evolution within the order Charadriiformes and thus clarify whether these characteristics demonstrated here are specific traits for Charadrius collaris or if other species share these characteristics.

An updated checklist of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Bulgaria, after 130 years of research.

The Bulgarian myrmecofauna is one of the richest in the Balkans. This is a result of both the physicogeographical and paleoecological features of the area, as well as relatively well-studied fauna. The earliest myrmecological paper on Bulgarian fauna, listing 54 species, was published 130 years ago. The publication was later followed by numerous new faunistic records and three comprehensive reviews that significantly widened knowledge on the ant diversity from this country. The most recent checklist was released 12 years ago and considered 163 ant species from 40 genera. This work provides an updated checklist of 195 ant species from 43 genera occurring in Bulgaria. Since the last Bulgarian catalogue of ants, 44 species have been added, while 24 species have been synonymised or excluded after critical analysis of the last taxonomic revisions. Additionally, we discuss the status and distribution of 12 species described from Bulgaria, 23 species considered endemic and subendemic for this country, 19 species with conservation status and four non-native species.

Annotated checklist of the operculated land snails from Thailand (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Caenogastropoda): the family Pupinidae, with descriptions of several new species and subspecies, and notes on classification of Pupina Vignard, 1829 and Pupinella Gray, 1850 from mainland Southeast Asia.

Thailand is located at the crossroads of several biogeographical regions, and boasts a high level of biodiversity, especially among the malacofauna. The most recent checklist of land snail species in Thailand was compiled more than twenty years ago, and so this checklist needs revision and the addition of newly discovered taxa. This study updates the taxonomy and species list of the operculated land snail family Pupinidae from Thailand. This snail family is diverse and abundant, and can be found in various natural habitats in Southeast Asia. Although the taxonomy of some Southeast Asian pupinid genera has been reviewed, studies of Pupina Vignard, 1829, which contains the highest number of species, and a lesser-known genus Pupinella Gray, 1850 are still lacking. Herein we present an annotated checklist with an up-to-date systematic framework of the Pupinidae in Thailand based on both field investigations and literature surveys, and include the taxonomic treatment of all Pupina and Pupinella species from mainland Southeast Asia. This annotated checklist contains 30 nominal species and two subspecies from seven genera currently known to occur in Thailand. We describe two species of Pseudopomatias (P.doiangkhangensis Jirapatrasilp, sp. nov. and P.pallgergelyi Jirapatrasilp, sp. nov.), five species and one subspecies of Pupina (P.bensoni Jirapatrasilp, sp. nov., P.bilabiata Jirapatrasilp, sp. nov., P.godwinausteni Jirapatrasilp, sp. nov., P.latisulci Jirapatrasilp, sp. nov., P.stoliczkai Jirapatrasilp, sp. nov., and P.dorriisanensis Jirapatrasilp, ssp. nov.) as new to science. New records of Coptocheilussumatranus, Pupinellamansuyi, and Rhaphaulustonkinensis are also reported from Thailand. The mainland Southeast Asian Pupina species are classified into three species groups (Pupinaartata group, Pupinaarula group, and Pupinaaureola group) based on the distinction of shell teeth and canals, and operculum. Three species formerly in Pupina from Vietnam are allocated to Pupinella (P.illustris comb. nov., P.sonlaensis comb. nov., and P.thaitranbaii comb. nov.) due to the presence of a funnel-like anterior canal.

Beyond Value: CheckList for Testing Inferences in Planning-Based RL

Reinforcement learning (RL) agents are commonly evaluated via their expected value over a distribution of test scenarios. Unfortunately, this evaluation approach provides limited evidence for post-deployment generalization beyond the test distribution. In this paper, we address this limitation by extending the recent CheckList testing methodology from natural language processing to planning-based RL. Specifically, we consider testing RL agents that make decisions via online tree search using a learned transition model and value function. The key idea is to improve the assessment of future performance via a CheckList approach for exploring and assessing the agent's inferences during tree search. The approach provides the user with an interface and general query-rule mechanism for identifying potential inference flaws and validating expected inference invariances. We present a user study involving knowledgeable AI researchers using the approach to evaluate an agent trained to play a complex real-time strategy game. The results show the approach is effective in allowing users to identify previously-unknown flaws in the agent's reasoning. In addition, our analysis provides insight into how AI experts use this type of testing approach, which may help improve future instantiations.

Application of DNA Barcoding for Monitoring Madagascar Fish Biodiversity in Coastal Areas

Madagascar is a marine biodiversity hotspot. A recent checklist recorded 1689 marine or transitional water fish species, 2.5% being endemic. To date, studies in this country were mostly focused on adult fishes using morphological-based identification. The early life stages of fishes remain largely understudied. The present work aimed to improve knowledge of fish biodiversity in Madagascar by focusing on post-larval reef fishes and settled juveniles in seagrass meadows of southwest Madagascar by using either species identification keys or DNA barcoding. Up to 119,500 individuals were collected, and 1096 individuals were successfully barcoded. We identified 387 species—85 through their morphology (with 58 unsuccessfully sequenced) and 302 by using CO1 barcoding corresponding to 302 barcode index numbers (BINs). This study added 27 new BINs for the BOLD database, 120 new for Madagascar, but only 159 were assigned a precise species name. By referring to the updated checklist of Madagascar fishes, 10 new species were detected for Madagascar. This number will probably increase when all the barcoded specimens become assigned to precise species names. These preliminary findings stress our poor knowledge of marine fish biodiversity in Madagascar and demonstrate the relevance of DNA barcoding in improving this knowledge.

Unravelling the diversity of the lichen genus Porina (Porinaceae) in Mauritius

Background and aims – Despite the publication of a recent checklist for Mauritius, a small archipelago in the south-western Indian Ocean, our knowledge of the lichen flora of this region remains incomplete. The present contribution is part of an ongoing study of lichen diversity of the islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues. It aims to unravel the diversity of the genus Porina s.l. on these islands and to improve the taxonomy and the phylogeny of the family Porinaceae following the morphological study and the sequencing of recently collected material.Material and methods – Lichens were collected in 2016 and 2019 in a range of environments, from lowland dry habitats up to dense evergreen upland forests on the islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues. In total, 85 samples of Porina were examined using light microscopy. A molecular study using mtSSU sequences was performed in order to investigate the phylogenetic position of the species of Porina occurring in the study area.Key results – The analyses revealed the presence of 23 species of Porina s.l. in Mauritius, while only four were previously accepted for this country. Five new species are described: Porina covidii, P. griffithsii, P. mauritiana, P. nuculoides, and P. rupicola, while two sterile species remain unidentified. The mtSSU phylogenetic tree includes 19 of the 23 species occurring in Mauritius. These species are dispersed throughout the phylogenetic tree, in at least eight main and strongly supported lineages, suggesting multiple colonizations of Mauritius. A new lineage only including Paleotropical and mainly foliicolous species (P. epiphylloides, P. longispora, P. mauritiana, and P. mazosioides) is revealed. Pseudosagedia crocynioides, a species that was previously known only from Florida, is newly reported from Mauritius, highlighting a remarkable disjunct distribution. Photos of each taxon are provided, along with an identification key to all species.Conclusion – The study of the genus Porina in Mauritius highlights a rich flora. The true diversity of Porina species in the south-western Indian Ocean is certainly underestimated and in need of further investigation, while a taxonomic-phylogenetic revision of tropical Porina at a broader geographical scale is highly desirable. The identity of several Mauritian specimens remains uncertain despite the use of molecular data.

Additions to the cuckoo wasps (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae) of Mongolia, with description of eleven new species

An addendum to the recent checklist of the Chrysididae from Mongolia is given. Examination of old museum material and recently collected specimens has led to the discovery of eight new records for the country and eleven new species for science. Eight species are newly recorded from Mongolia: Chrysisinclinata Linsenmaier, 1959, C.martinella du Buysson, 1900, C.speciosa Radoszkowski, 1877, Euchroeuspurpuratus (Fabricius, 1787), Holopygalucida (Lepeletier, 1806), H.similis Mocsáry, 1889, Hedychridiumfemoratum (Dahlbom, 1854) and H.leleji Rosa, 2017. Two species, Hedychridiumcupreum (Dahlbom, 1845) and H.propodeale Rosa, 2017 are excluded from the checklist of Mongolian Chrysididae: the former is described here as H.erythrosomasp. nov., the latter is identified as H.leleji Rosa, 2017. The hitherto unknown male of Chrysismocsaryi Radoszkowski, 1889 is described and illustrated. Eleven new species are described: Chrysisstrakaisp. nov., C.woodisp. nov., Hedychridiumerythrosomasp. nov., H.frontalesp. nov., H.jacobsisp. nov., H.splendenssp. nov., H.striatumsp. nov., H.varvaraesp. nov., H.weiisp. nov., Holopygatyrnerisp. nov., and Philoctetesborekisp. nov. Keys to males and females of all known Mongolian species of Hedychridium Abeille de Perrin, 1878 are provided. The Mongolian cuckoo wasp fauna now comprises 107 species in 18 genera and two subfamilies.

It is high time that taxonomists follow the Code. &lt;br&gt;4. Amphibia of Indochina

A recent checklist of the Amphibia of Indochina contains several nomenclatural errors that should be corrected before they spread: two species-series and two genus-series treated as valid in this work are invalid; the authorships and dates of several family-series and of all class-series nomina mentioned are wrong; the information provided about onomatophores (nomen-bearing specimens and nomina) are incomplete and for some of them inaccurate. Besides, the ergotaxonomy (classification) adopted is methodologically poorly justified, supported mostly by ‘tradition’ and ‘stability’, and therefore arbitrary, heterogeneous and unreliable.

Anacamptodon latidens (Bryophyta, Amblystegiaceae), a new species for Europe

Anacamptodon latidens is discovered in the Russian Caucasus as a species new to the territory of Europe as the latter is defined in recent Checklists. Previously these Caucasian specimens were reported as A. splachnoides, hence the latter species is excluded from moss flora of Russia, although it occurs in Georgia in the Caucasus close to the Russian border. Problems with the morphological delimitation between A. latidens and A. splachnoides are discussed, appearing to be more complicated than it was considered previously. The analysis of DNA sequence data has been undertaken and revealed that Anacamptodon from Dagestan is A. latidens.

Moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) of Delhi, India: An illustrated checklist based on museum specimens and surveys.

BackgroundThere have been several recent checklists, books and publications about Indian moths; however, much of this work has focused on biodiversity hotspots such as North-east India, Western Ghats and Western Himalayas. There is a lack of published literature on urban centres in India, despite the increased need to monitor insects at sites with high levels of human disturbance. In this study, we examine the moths of Delhi, the national capital region of India, one of the fastest growing mega-metropolitan cities. We present a comprehensive checklist of 338 moths species using 8 years of light trapping data (2012-2020) and examining about 2000 specimens from historical collections at the National Pusa Collection of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (NPC-IARI) spanning over 100 years (1907-2020). The checklist comprises moths from 32 families spanning 14 superfamilies with Noctuoidea (48.5%) and Pyraloidea (20.4%) being the the two most dominant superfamilies. We provide links to images of live individuals and pinned specimens for all moths and provide detailed distribution records and an updated taxonomic treatment.New informationThis is the first comprehensive annotated checklist of the moths of Delhi. The present study adds 234 species to the biodiversity of moths from Delhi that were not reported previously, along with illustrations for 195 species.

DNA-based taxonomy of a mangrove-associated community of fishes in Southeast Asia

The Merbok Estuary comprises one of the largest remaining mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia. Its value is significant as it provides important services to local and global communities. It also offers a unique opportunity to study the structure and functioning of mangrove ecosystems. However, its biodiversity is still partially inventoried, limiting its research value. A recent checklist based on morphological examination, reported 138 fish species residing, frequenting or subject to entering the Merbok Estuary. In this work, we reassessed the fish diversity of the Merbok Estuary by DNA barcoding 350 specimens assignable to 134 species initially identified based on morphology. Our results consistently revealed the presence of 139 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs). 123 of them are congruent with morphology-based species delimitation (one species = one MOTU). In two cases, two morphological species share the same MOTU (two species = one MOTU), while we unveiled cryptic diversity (i.e. COI-based genetic variability > 2%) within seven other species (one species = two MOTUs), calling for further taxonomic investigations. This study provides a comprehensive core-list of fish taxa in Merbok Estuary, demonstrating the advantages of combining morphological and molecular evidence to describe diverse but still poorly studied tropical fish communities. It also delivers a large DNA reference collection for brackish fishes occurring in this region which will facilitate further biodiversity-oriented research studies and management activities.

The pantropical moss Plagiomnium rhynchophorum (Mniaceae) disjunct to the Southern Appalachians and Hawaii

Long considered one of the best examples of a moss endemic to the Blue Ridge Escarpment of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, “Mnium carolinianum” has been reduced to synonymy with the widespread pantropical Plagiomnium rhynchophorum. It therefore joins a number of other bryophytes and ferns that represent tropical species disjunct to the moderated microenvironments provided by the deep gorges of these high-rainfall mountains. Our evidence from starch gel electrophoresis of isozymes and sequencing of both chloroplast (rps4 and rpL16) and nuclear (ITS2) DNA supports this taxonomic decision originally proposed by Timo Koponen but largely ignored in recent checklists and floras. A similar situation prevails in Hawaii, where plants previously referred to P. rostratum also proved to be P. rhynchophorum. Both of these species are allopolyploids, expressing fixed heterozygosity at diagnostic loci. Although more extensive sampling of populations and additional genetic markers are desirable, it is clear that P. rhynchophorum combines the genomes of P. maximoviczii and P. integrum, whereas P. rostratum combines the genomes of P. vesicatum and P. integrum. This conclusion is congruent with morphological evidence, which shows the allopolyploids are intermediate or combine diagnostic characters of the progenitor haploids.

DIORYCTRIA ROBINIELLA (MILLIÈRE, 1865) (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) IS A MEMBER OF FAUNA OF CROATIA

The occurrence of Dioryctria robiniella in Croatia is confirmed. The species has a disjunct areal in the Mediterranean area of Europe and it is one of the rarer species of its genus. The presence of this species in Croatia has in the literature been noted before, but has recently been excluded from recent checklists of Pyraloidea of Croatia and the Balkan Peninsula. However, the species indeed occurs in the country and has been recorded at seven localities across the coastal areas, from Pag island in the north down to Konavle area in the south, near the border with Montenegro. Further surveys of other neighbouring countries should reveal additional localities for this species in the Balkan peninsula.

Towards a new flora of Liguria: the usefulness of citizen science through the Wikiplantbase floristic surveys

The current understanding of the richness and distribution of plant species on a national scale, achieved by the recent checklists of Italian flora, is largely based on the quality and thoroughness of the data provided by regional floristic studies. This knowledge benefits from regional databases, such as the Wikiplantbase #Liguria project, which offers an online platform where thousands of geo-referenced floristic records from Liguria (north-western Italy) are stored and freely accessible. In 2019, adopting a citizen science approach, a floristic survey program consisting of 11 excursions opened to the public was implemented, with the aim of deepening the floristic knowledge of some poorly investigated areas of the region. The active collaboration between scientists and volunteers led to the collection of about 4000 floristic data corresponding to more than 800 taxa, including 13 taxa unknown or no longer recorded for Liguria. These results suggest that citizen science can be a useful tool to address the knowledge gaps of regional floras. In particular, collaboration between experts and non-professional botanists allows to collect reliable data even for hardly-to-recognize taxa, contributing to fix some gaps occurring in the Wikiplantbase #Liguria project.

Систематический список амфибий Казахстана: краткая история изучения, современная таксономия, вопросы актуализации

The aim of this article is to briefly describe the history of creation of a recent checklist of amphibians of Kazakhstan. This history as an academic phenomenon begun in the second half of the 18th Century – the time of the scientific travels of Peter Simon Pallas in western Kazakhstan. The very first checklist of amphibians developed for the territory of Kazakhstan was by A.M. Nikolsky in a monograph published in 1918. This forms the basis of all future work and contains scientific names which, for the most part, were interpreted in their correct forms: Ranodon sibiricus, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Rana arvalis, R. asiatica, R. esculenta, and R. temporaria (nine species). Over the next 100 years, in quantitative terms, the checklist did not change much and varied between 10 species and 12 species. Qualitative changes were determined by views on the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships of specific and genera: R. amurensis – R. asiatica, Hynobius – Salamandrella, Rana – Pelophylax, for example. Taxonomic revisions carried out over the last two decades, based mainly on molecular genetic analysis, have made serious adjustments to the checklist of amphibian fauna of Kazakhstan. The species composition of the genera Pelobates (P. verspetinus) and Bufotes (B. sitibundus, B. perrini, B. pewzowi) has been determined and intraspecific heterogeneity of Pelophylax ridibundus has been confirmed in the modern concept of cryptic species complexes. This updating has further prospects and the most important tasks are to survey the northern territories of Kazakhstan adjacent to Russia to confirm or reject the presence of Lissotriton vulgaris, R. temporaria and R. amurensis as well as to continue taxonomic studies regarding the composition of the Bufotes viridis and Pelophylax ridibundus complexes.

Phytoecia (musaria) argus (Frölich, 1793): A new longhorn beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) for the fauna of Serbia

In total, 550 species of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) exist in Europe. The most recent checklist of Cerambycidae family of Serbia cited 265 species and 92 subspecies, belonging to 109 genera, 48 tribes, and six subfamilies in the country. However, the presence of 28 species reported from Serbia is questionable. Here we present the first finding of Phytoecia (Musaria) argus (Frölich, 1793) for the fauna of Serbia. The species was collected in May and June 2018 on Stol mountain (near the town of Bor, Eastern Serbia). Additionally, data on morphology, bionomy and distribution of the longhorn beetle species are given. With this finding, the total number of longhorn beetle species in Serbia is estimated at 266. This species could be used as an indicator for the assessment of the nature value and conservation status of natural habitats in Serbia and Europe.

The Culex Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of French Guiana: A Comprehensive Review With the Description of Three New Species.

The taxonomically intricate genus Culex Linnaeus includes numerous known vector species of parasites and viruses to humans. The aim of this article is to comprehensively review the Culex species which occur in French Guiana to provide a stronger taxonomic foundation for future studies on this genus in South America. The occurrence of Culex species was investigated in light of current taxonomic knowledge through an extensive examination of voucher specimens deposited in the entomological collections of four French depositories and additional specimens recently collected at various localities in French Guiana. Based on this review, 104 Culex species classified in eight subgenera are confirmed to occur in French Guiana. Compared to the most recent checklist, 18 species are added, and 10 species excluded, resulting in a total number of 242 valid mosquito species known to occur in French Guiana. Three nominal species are synonymized, three others are newly described, and a last one is transferred to another informal infrasubgeneric group. Overall, this review also highlights the limits of the use of only bibliographic data when dealing with taxonomically complex groups of insects.

Recent additions to the list of German sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

Two tenthredinid sawfly species are newly recorded in Germany:Pristiphora krausi(Lacourt, 2006) andP. melagoniasp. nov.The latter is also recorded from Greece and Spain. These species belong to thePristiphora depressagroup, as confirmed by genetic data. Additional data are presented for seven other tenthredinid species which have only rarely been recorded in Germany and for which previously-published data are incomplete. Identification keys to the West Palaearctic species ofEurhadinoceraeaand thePristiphora depressagroup are included. Other species of Symphyta, first recorded in Germany since the publication of the most recent checklist, are listed in a table, with references to literature which describes identification characters.