A Revision of the Genus Milesia Latreilla (Diptera: Syrphidae) from China

All Chinese species of the genus Milesia is revised in this paper. Six new synonyms were proposed, which are M. ruiliana Yang et Cheng and M. Tachina Yang et Cheng as synonyms of M. cretosa Hippa; M. maolana Cheng et Yang as synonym of M. ferruginosa Brunetti; M. atricorporis Yang et Cheng as synomym of M. quantula Hippa; M. vesparia Shiraki and M. turgidiverticis Yang et Cheng as synonyms of M. verticalis Brunetti. As far as we know, there are thirteen species distributing in China, among which, M. variegata Brunetti is recorded for the first time to China. An abdominal figure of each species is provided in this paper. Meanwhile, a key to all the Chinese species and a map of geographical distribution of these species are given.

Numerical Taxonomy and Bayes Discriminant Analysis on 42 Fossil Species in Dicksoniaceae from China

As the basal group of Polypodiales, the specific taxonomy of Dicksoniaceae is still being debated. As aquantitative analysis method, numerical taxonomy has been applied to the taxonomic study of many plant families andgenera in recent years due to its simplicity and high accuracy. However, the numerical analysis of the Dicksoniaceae fossilshas not been reported at present. In the present study, the pinnule morphological data of 42 Mesozoic fossil species of theDicksoniaceae were analyzed using cluster analysis, principal component analysis and correlation analysis. The resultsrevealed that 42 taxonomic units could be divided into six representative groups, which are consistent with the traditionaltaxonomy. After screening, an identification key on 28 fossil species of four genera with a definite taxonomic position wasestablished. According to the quantitative analysis, a Bayes discriminant model was established for the selected species.Lastly, the model was tested using the morphological data of the fossil pinnules in Dicksoniaceae from the YaojieFormation, suggesting that the discriminant model is accurate to a certain extent. As a result, the numerical taxonomy canbe applied to the classification of the Dicksoniaceae fossils.

Distribution and Taxonomy of the Subtribe Lagriina (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Lagriini) in China

In this paper, the distribution and taxonomy of the subtribe Lagriina in different provinces and regions of China was summarized. According to related data, different species of the subtribe Lagriina mainly distribute in the south of China. To be specific, Yunnan Province owns the greatest number of species, followed by Fujian Province and Sichuan Province. This study laid the theoretical foundation for further investigation of the evolutionary process of the subtribe Lagriina in China.

New record of the feather star Palaeocomatella hiwia(Echinodermata:Crinoidea:Comatulida)from Zhenbei Seamount in South China Sea:new insights into the taxonomic position of Palaeocomatella

One specimen belonging to the family Comatellinae was collected from the Zhenbei Seamount(332.5–478.2 m)in the South China Sea in July 2022.Based on the morphological characters,the specimen was identified as Palaeocomatella hiwia McKnight,1977.It is first recorded from China Sea and redescribed in detail.This specimen differs from the original description from New Zealand for never showing syzygy at br4+5 or br5+6 on interior and br1+2 on exterior arms.However,it is much conform to the redescription to specimens from Indonesia,with only differences in position of the second syzygy and distalmost pinnule comb.Specimen is deposited in the Institute of Oceanology,Chinese Academy of Sciences.Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial c oxidase subunit I(COI)and 16S rRNA genes indicated that P.hiwia was nested within the tribe Phanogeniini and clustered with Aphanocomaster pulcher.Furthermore,P.hiwia showed same morphological features in terms of mouth placement,comb location,and number of comb teeth rows as other genera of Phanogeniini.Therefore,we suggest that the genus Palaeocomatella should be put in the tribe Phanogeniini.

Taxonomy and Stratigraphy of Late Mesozoic Anurans and Urodeles from China

Three anurans (Callobatrachus sanyanensis, Liaobatrachus grabaui, Mesophryne beipiaoensis) and six urodeles (Laccotriton subsolanus, Liaoxitriton zhongjiani, Jeholotriton paradoxus, Sinerpeton fengshanensis, Chunerpeton tianyiensis, Liaoxitriton daohugouensis) are reported from the late Mesozoic tuff-interbedded lacustrine deposits (mostly of the Jehol Group) in northeastern China. They document the first discovery of Chinese Mesozoic lissamphibians, and their old geological age, superb preservation condition, and large taxoncmic diversity are unique compared with other findings worldwide. The anurans occupy a higher evolutionary position than typical Jurassic taxa, supporting a post-Late Jurassic age of the fossil horizons. The urodeles all have unicapitate ribs, suggesting an evolutionary grade at the cryptobranchoid level, and are advanced in osteological features over non-urodeles from the Middle and Upper Jurassic in England and Central Asia. Some urodeles (Jeholotriton and Chunerpeton) exhibit neotenic features, representing the earliest occurrence among such findings. Six fossil horizons are rscognized for the known Chinese Mesozoic anurans and urodeles: the Daohugou fossil bed, the Dabeigou Formation, the Lujiatun Bed, Jianshangou Bed and Dawangzhangzi Bed of the Yixian Formation, and the Jiufotang Formation. As implied from the osteological and phylogenetical studies, the geological age of these anurans and urodeles is the Early Cretaceous.

Taxonomy of the genus Luprops from China, with description of the larva of Luprops horni(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The genus Luprops Hope, 1833 is distributed in Palaearctic, Oriental, Sino-Japanese and Afrotropical regions, including 3 new Chinese record species described in this paper. Eleven species of this genus are known in China. The new Chinese record species are: L. brancuccii Schawaller, 2013, L. kaszabi Schawaller, 1997 and L. rugosissimus Kaszab, 1980. A key to the known Luprops species and its morphological details are provided. In addition, larva of Luprops horni(Gebien, 1914) is reported for the first time.

Proximal development,systematic taxonomy,and dispersal pattern of the Early-Middle Ordovician graptolite Acrograptus from South China

Based on the well-preserved specimens from the Nanba section in Yiyang, Hunan Province, the definition of the graptolite ge- nus Acrograptus is revised here. The revised Acrograptus is a dichograptid form with stipes subborizontal to deeply declined, sicula long and slender; th 11 budding from the top of the metasicula, proximal development of isograptid type with th 12 as the dicalycal theca; asymmetric proximal end resulting from the divergence of thl1 and thl2 from the sicula at different levels; slender crossing canals composed of extremely slender Acrograptus is assigned to the subfamily Sigmagraptinae prothecae of thlt and thl2. According to the revised definition, of the family Dichograptidae, including six species, i.e., A. affinis （Nicholson）, A. filiformis （Tullberg）, A. gracilis （Tornquist）, A. nicholsoni （Lapworth）, A. pusillus （Tullberg）, and A. saukros （Ni）. During the Early-Middle Ordovician, these six species were widely distributed in South China, especially in the Upper Yangtze Region as well as the central and eastern Jiangnan Region. This study further indicates that Acrograptus first appeared in a deep-water setting on the Jiangnan Slope in South China during early Floian （Tetragraptus approximatus Biozone）, and subsequently expanded into the shallow-water region on the Yangtze Platform due to a remarkable dispersion event in middle Floian （Pendeograptus fruticosus Biozone）. It is here indicated that the dispersal of Acrograptus may be directly controlled by the large-scale transgression event occurring in middle Floian.

Micromorphological Features of Diagnostic Horizons in Several soils in Southwest China: Implication for Soil Taxonomic Classification

The comparative studies on micromorphological features in diagnostic horizons of Stagnic Anthrosols, Ustic Ferrosols and Ustic Vertosols in southwestern China were conducted to underpin the rationale for Chinese Soil Taxonomy. The following findings were explored: (1) Stagnic Anthrosols had the specific micromorphological features, e.g., the humic formation in anthrostagnic epipedon, the platy structures in plow subhorizon, the secondary formation of ferromanganese and the weakly optical-orientation clay domains in hydragric horizon, etc.: (2) The groundmasses of ferric horizon in Ustic Ferrosols appeared in hue of 2.5YR or redder, and had pellicular grain structure; (3) Ustic Vertosols had a crust horizon (Acr), and crack structure dominated in Acr and angular blocky structure in disturbed horizon; (4) Because of the distinct differences in micromorphological features among these three soils, the specific micromorphological features might be employed as diagnostic horizons to differentiate soils while the quantifiable micromorphological features might potentially be selected as diagnostic indices for Chinese soil taxonomic classification.

A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton (Urodela: Salamandridae) from Northeastern Hunan Province, China

We describe a new species from the family Salamandridae from northeastern Hunan Province of China based on morphological and molecular genetic evidences.The new species,Tylototriton liuyangensis,is a member of the T.asperrimus group,and shares a number of similarities with T.wenxianensis and T.broadoridgus.The dorsal surface of the new Tylototriton species is completely black,with nodule-like warts distributed evenly along the lateral margin of dorsal body,and there is no transverse striae between the warts.There are several diagnostic characters of the new species that differ from those of T.wenxianensis and T.broadoridgus as follows：（1）the interorbital space（IOS）is comparatively wide;（2）there is a bony ridge present on the dorsal head surface,running along the upper eyelids;（3）the space between axilla and groin（AGS）is comparatively large,with the mean male AGS approximately equal to 50%of the snout-vent length（SVL）and the mean female AGS being 53%of SVL;and（4）there is a small genital armature on the anterior angle of labial folds present inside the anal fissure of adult males during the breeding season.The result from the molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Tylototriton（including the type specimen of the new species）based on the complete DNA sequence of the mitochondrial ND2 gene（1035 bp）indicated that the new species was similar to T.wenxianensis,T.dabienicus,and T.broadoridgus,but formed an independent clade.This result was consistent with the morphological analysis above,supporting that the Liuyang Population represented a distinct species.

Two new species of Leodamas Kinberg, 1866 (Annelida, Orbiniidae) from China seas

Two species of Leodamas(Annelida,Orbiniidae)from China seas are described based on both material of the Marine Biological Museum(Chinese Academy of Sciences,Qingdao),and newly collected specimens.Leodamas robustus sp.n.is characterized by having uncini arranged in two short rows,anterior row with 3-5 uncini,increasing in size,with uncini on posterior chaetigers thicker,heavier and more curved than those on precedent chaetigers;posterior row with 2-5 uncini,thin and delicate,nearly the same size on all chaetigers,with 2-3 thin capillaries dorsally to two rows of uncini.Leodamas weizhouensis sp.n.is characterized by having delicate pocket-like membrane below and posterior to neuropodia,neuropodia of thoracic chaetigers with fi ve dense rows of uncini.A key to all species of Leodamas from China seas is also provided.

Sexual Dimorphism and Geographic Variation in the Asian Lance-headed Pitviper Protobothrops mucrosquamatus in the China's Mainland

Sexual dimorphism（SD） and geographic variation（GV） are widespread in snakes. Protobothrops mucrosquamatus（Cantor 1839） is one of the most common Asian venomous snakes with a wide geographical distribution. We examined SD and GV patterns for this species by using multivariate statistical analyses of external morphological characters scored from specimens from the China's Mainland. The result displayed that SD was significant in several external characters in P. mucrosquamatus, and the male P. mucrosquamatus formed two distinct clusters（Hainan Island and China's Mainland）, but the females did not. Based on our present work and the other data, we concluded that no significantly intraspecific differentiation is present within this species.

Taxonomic synopsis of Berberis(Berberidaceae)from the northern Hengduan mountains region in China,with descriptions of seven new species

Though Berberis(Berberidaceae)is widely distributed across the Eurasian landmass it is most diverse in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountain(HHM)region.There are more than 200 species in China where it is one of the most common mountain shrubs.The study on the taxonomy and evolution of Berberis in this region can thus provide an important insight into the origin and diversification of its flora.A prerequisite to this is mapping and describing the various species of Berberis in the region-a task that despite recent progress is by no means complete.It is clear that in China there may be a significant number of species still to be described and that even with published species much about their distribution remains to be discovered.As a contribution to the first of these tasks seven new species from the northern Hengduan Mountain of N.Sichuan and S.Qinghai:Berberis chinduensis,Berberis degexianensis,Berberis jiajinshanensis,Berberis jinwu,Berberis litangensis,Berberis longquensis and Berberis riparia,are described here.Differences in overall morphology and especially in floral structures with each other and with similar species of Berberis in the same region are presented.The report is the result of phylogenetic analyses based on plastome and partial nrDNA sequences of both the seven proposed new species and a significant number of similar species already published.Provisional conclusions as to the insights provides on the history of the genetic divergence are discussed.

A taxonomic and distribution revision of Coscinodon cribrosus (Hedw.) Spruce (Grimmiaceae,Bryopsida) in China

In this paper, the taxonomic research history of Coscinodon cribrosus （Hedw.） Spruce is reviewed. A detailed description and illustration of the species are given based on the specimens collected from Mt. Altai of Xinjiang and Mt. Helanshan of Inner Mongolia. The distribution of the species in China is discussed as well.

Newly recorded species of the genus Isohypsibius (Tardigrada;Hypsibiidae) from China

This paper reports two newly recorded species, lsohypsibius lunulatus Iharos, 1966 and lsohypsibiusprosostomus Thulin, 1928, of the genus lsohypsibius （Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae） from China. The specimens of lsohysibius lunulatus were collected from Taibai Mt （34°18′N, 107°42′E） at 2,500 m a.s.1, and those oflsohypsibius prosostomus from Taibai Mt （34°10′N, 107°35′E） at 2,000 m above sea level. All specimens are deposited at the College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China. A key to the Chinese species of lsohypsibius was also given.

Two newly recorded species of the genus Itaquascon(Tardigrada;Hypsibiidae) from China

This paper reports two newly recorded species, Itaquascon placophorum Maucci, 1972 and Itaquascon umbellinae Barros, 1939, of the genus Itaquascon （Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae） from China in the first time. The specimens of Itaquascon placophorum were collected from Tsinling Mountains （33°28′N, 108°29′E） at 2,040 m above the sea level and those ofltaquascon umbellinae from Taibai Mt. （34°21′N, 107°39′E） at 1,500 m above the sea level. All specimens are deposited at the College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China.

Two newly recorded species of the genus Hypsibius (Tardigrada;Hypsi-biidae) from China

This paper reported two newly recorded species, Hypsibius convergens Urbanowicz, 1925 and Hypsibius hypostomus Bartos, 1935, of the genus Hypsibius （Tardigrada; Hypsibiidae） from China. Both species were collected from Taibai Mt, Shaanxi Province. All specimens are deposited at the College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, China.

Vestrogothia spinata(Phosphatocopina,Crustacea),Fossils of Orsten-type Preservation from the Upper Cambrian of Western Hunan,South China

Fossils of Orsten-type preservation represented by the crustacean Skaracarida and Phosphatocopida were found in western Hunan, South China in 2005, including the important phosphatocopid species Vestrogothia spinata based on exquisitely preserved soft-bodied specimens that allow the first growth stage to be reestablished. The taxonomy of Vestrogothia spinata is revised employing the character of a two-divided limb stem of the mandible. A new foundation for the phylogeny of the Phosphatocopina using mandible characters related to crustacean appendages is postulated. Vestrogothia spinata has only previously been found from Sweden.

Five newly recorded species of genus Cassida from Northeast China with one new record species from China

This paper reported five newly recorded species of genus Cassida （Cassida mandli Spaeth, Cassida nobilis Linnaeus, Cassida piperata Hope, Cassida velaris Weise, Cassida amurensis （Kraatz）） in Provinces of Northeast China, and one Cassidinae species （Cassida flaveola Thunberg） newly recorded in China. All the specimens examined are deposited in insect collection at Northeast Forestry University, China. Brief diagnosis of new record species and a key to species of genus Cassida in Northeast China were also provided.

A New Basal Sauropod Dinosaur from the Lufeng Basin,Yunnan Province,Southwestern China

A new dinosaur Chuxiongosaurus lufengensis gen.et sp.nov.is erected based on a nearly complete skull.The taxon is characterized by the lacrimal perpendicular to the ventral margin of the upper jaw,which is similar to that of Thecodontosaurus;a depression present on the dorsal profile of the snout behind the naris;the rostral profile of the maxilla slopes continuously towards the rostral tip;and the presence of 25 dentary teeth.It also displays prosauropod characters such as a relatively long skull,the slope of the maxillary rostral profile,and teeth that do not have basically constricted crowns.The new specimen is more basal than Anchisaurus and represents the first basal sauropod dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of China.

Leptolaimus holovachovi sp. nov. (Nematoda) from Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve, Shenzhen, South China

A new free-living marine nematode species of the genus Leptolaimus belonging to the family Leptolaimidae was collected from intertidal sediments of the Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve,Shenzhen,South China,and it is described here as Leptolaimus holovachovi sp.nov.The new species is characterized by body length 734-896μm in males and 822-941μm in females;papilliform cephalic sensilla;circular amphideal fovea;males with 7-14 anterior midventral alveoli in the pharyngeal region,4-5 midventral tubular precloacal supplements and 4-6 alveolar precloacal supplements;spicules slender,slightly arcuate,proximally cephalated and distally pointed.Plate-like gubernaculum without apophyses.The new species differs from other congener species of the genus by the unique feature of having anterior midventral alveoli in the pharyngeal region.