Contribution to the Knowledge of the Afrotropical Spilomelinae (Lepidoptera, Crambidae): A New Genus in the Tribe Nomophilini Kuznetzov & Stekolnikov 1979 Based on Morphology and DNA Barcoding

The new genus Parathrausta gen.n. in the subfamily Spilomelinae (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) is erected based on a series of specimens collected in the Afrotropical region of Saudi Arabia. The new genus is monotypical, with Parathrausta internervalis sp.n. its type species. The adults of the type species, the male genitalia, the female genitalia and the tympanal organs are described and figured. The new genus is recognized as related by characters in the male and female genitalia with genera in the tribes Steniini Guine, 1854 and Nomophilini Kuznetzov & Stekolnikov, 1979, namely with Bradina Lederer, 1863, Perisyntrocha Meyrick, 1894, Diathrausta Lederer, 1863, Diasemiopsis Munroe, 1957, Diasemiodes Munroe, 1957 and with the genera in the Duponchelia Zeller, 1847 group comprising Duponchelia Zeller, 1847, Penestola Mschler, 1890, Tatobotys Butler, 1880 and Hymenoptychis Zeller, 1852. The character states differentiating the new genus from the comparative genera are discussed. Potential autapomorphies of the new genus are listed. The tribal assignment of the new genus to the Nomophilini Kuznetzov & Stekolnikov, 1979 based on morphological characters is discussed. The support of the tribal and cladistic assignment of the new genus as a sister clade to Diathrausta Lederer, 1863 based phylogenetic analyses (NJ, MP and ML) is shown. An unusually strong genetic divergence of the genus in the COI segment of the mt-DNA based on the Tamura-Nei distance measure from the morphologically related genera is recognized and addressed.

New Genus and Species of Fossil Dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) from the Yixian Formation of Northeastern China

Two well-preserved fossil dragonflies from the Late Mesozoic Yixian Formation, Liaoning Province, China are described and assigned to a new genus, Sopholibellula gen. nov. in Araripelibellulidae Bechly, 1996, closely related to the type genus Araripelibellula. This new genus differs from AraripelibeUula in the following characters： origins of RP and MA distinctly separated at arculus in both pairs of wings; anal loop wider and shorter, with Y-shaped veins inside; MA and IR2 not zigzag; several small intercalary veins present in the postdiscoidal area of hindwing; cells smaller and much more dense, especially in the apex and hind margin; bigger in size. Structures, including head, abdomen and parts of legs, were first described in details of this family.

Phylogenetic and morphological significance of an overlooked flying squirrel(Pteromyini,Rodentia)from the eastern Himalayas with the description of a new genus

The flying squirrels(Pteromyini,Rodentia)are the most diverse and widely distributed group of gliding mammals.Taxonomic boundaries and relationships within flying squirrels remain an area of active research in mammalogy.The discovery of new specimens of Pteromys(Hylopetes)leonardi Thomas,1921,previously considered a synonym of Hylopetes alboniger,in Yunnan Province,China allowed a morphological and genetic reassessment of the status of this taxon.Phylogenetic reconstruction was implemented using sequences of two mitochondrial(12S ribosomal RNA and 16S ribosomal RNA)and one nuclear(interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein)gene fragments.Morphological assessments involved examinations of features preserved on skins,skulls,and penises of museum specimens,supplemented with principal component analysis of craniometric data.Together these assessments revealed that this taxon should be recognized not only as a distinct species,but should also be placed within a new genus,described here as Priapomys gen.nov.

A new genus and species of treefrog from Medog,southeastern Tibet,China(Anura,Rhacophoridae)

A new genus and species of threefrog is described from Medog, southeastern Tibet, China based on morphological and phylogenetic data. The new genus can be distinguished from other treefrog genera by the following combination of characters： （1） body size moderate, 45.0 mm in male; （2） snout rounded; （3） canthus rostralis obtuse and raised prominently, forming a ridge from nostril to anterior corner of eyes; （4） web rudimentary on fingers; （5） web moderately developed on toes; （6） phalange ＂Y＂ shaped, visible from dorsal side of fingers and toes; （7） skin of dorsal surfaces relatively smooth, scatted with small tubercles; （8） iris with a pale yellow, ＂X＂ shaped pattern of pigmentation.

New Genus of the Subfamily Geotrupinae (Coleoptera:Scarabaeoidea:Geotrupindae) from the Jehol Biota

Parageotrupes incanus gen. et sp. nov. （Scarabaeoidea： Geotrupidae： Geotrupinae） is described and illustrated from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning province, China.

Taxonomic notes on Anthomedusae (Cnidaria： Hydrozoa： Hydroidomedusa) from the south-central South China Sea, with a new genus and four new species

This study describes and illustrates four new species Laticanna nanhaiensis Xu, Huang and Wang, gen. nov. and sp. nov., Protiaropsis gemmifera Xu, Huang and Du, sp. nov., Merga nanhaiensis Xu, Huang and Guo, sp. nov. and Rhabdoon apiciloculus Xu, Huang and Du, sp. nov. based on specimens from the south-central South China Sea. Additionally, keys to known genera of family Bythotiaridae and species of genera Protiaropsis, Merga, and Rhabdoon are described. All type specimens are deposited in the South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science.

Parahellenia,a new genus segregated from Hellenia(Costaceae)based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence

Previous studies recognized three major lineages of the family Costaceae:a South American clade,an Asian clade and a Costus clade.However,the genus Hellenia within the Asian clade has been shown to be non-monophyletic and its morphology has not been studied carefully.Therefore,the complete plastid genomes of Hellenia species were obtained and the monophyly of Hellenia was tested through four different datasets in this study.Plastid phylogenomic analyses of Costaceae revealed that Hellenia is strongly supported as paraphyletic.Two major clades are recovered,namely the Hellenia s.s.subclade and the Parahellenia subclade.Phylogenetic analyses based on an enlarged taxon sampling of the Asian clade using a two chloroplast markers dataset(trnK intron and trnL-F spacer)confirmed the paraphyly of Hellenia.Meanwhile,morphological analyses suggested that members of the Parahellenia subclade differ from the remaining Hellenia species in many characters including inflorescences,bracts,stigma,axillary buds,floral tubes and labellum.According to the present molecular and morphological evidence,the latter subclade is recognized as a new genus,Parahellenia.Two new species are described,four new combinations are made,and identification keys are also provided.

A new genus and a new species of Nereidae

-A new genus and a new species have been established on the basis of three specimens collected from Fujian's coastal zone in China. This new genus is named Laevispinereis. Its brief characters are as follows: oral ring of proboscis has papillae, maxillary ring has conical paragnaths; the peristomium greatly expands into a collar; notosetaes are homogomph spinigers, neurosetaes are homogomph spinigers and homogomph falcigers; tip of spinigers setae with minute serratures and smooth on side. The type of genus is Laevispinereis fujianensis sp. nov., it has conical paragnaths on maxillary ring of proboscis: I has Ⅰ; Ⅱ has 6-7: Ⅲ has 12;Ⅳ has 6-7.

Lineaperpetua gen.nov.:a new diatom genus in the Thalassiosirales supported by morphology and molecular data

Based on a combination of morphology and molecular data of ribosomal DNA genes,a new diatom genus Lineaperpetua gen.nov.Yu,You,Kociolek&Wang is described.The features that help define Lineaperpetua at the level of genus include:a tangentially undulated valve face;continuous cribra areolae on the valve interior consisting of pores arranged as strips;single rimoportula located inside the ring of marginal fultoportulae.Additionally,phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear small subunit(SSU)rDNA sequences and nuclear large subunit(LSU)rDNA gene placed the three strains of L.lacustris in a single,monophyletic clade at a considerable sequence distance from the other genera(Thalassiosira,Conticribra,Planktoniella,Shinodiscus,and other genera)belonging to Thalassiosirales.Despite the similarities with some species of Thalassiosira,Conticribra,and Spicaticribra,the suite of features found in Lineaperpetua differentiate it from these other genera.These molecular data and morphological characters suggest an affinity of the new genus to the Thalassiosiraceae.

A new diatom genus Spargeria gen.nov.(Bacillariophyceae)from Xizang,China,and the description of two new species

During our investigation of diatom biodiversity in Xizang,two species exhibited unique morphological features discriminative from all previously known genera.Herein we describe these two species and describe as new the genus,Spargeria gen.nov.The new genus features narrow to wide rectangular valves,narrow valve mantles,filiform raphe branches that occur on the valve face only,terminal raphe fissures straight or slightly deflected to same side,bow-tie shaped central areas,chambered striae present on the valve face only,being absent from the mantle,wider striae near the axial area and very narrow near the margin,multiseriate striae with small and round areolae that are occluded externally.Comparatively,Spargeria zhuii sp.nov.has larger and robust valves,radiate striae,with one divergent stria near the apices,while Spargeria chenia sp.nov.is smaller,with narrow valves,striae slightly radiate in the middle,becoming convergent or parallel near apices.This new genus belongs to the family Pinnulariaceae,and it was compared and contrasted with other genera of this family.Our work suggests the need for continued studies to document the biodiversity of diatoms in Xizang.

Yuzaoea gen. nov., a new biraphid diatom(Bacillariophyceae)genus and its phylogenetic significance

The flexed frustules in pennate diatoms are usually associated with monoraphid diatoms. Interestingly, we found a biraphid diatom species with flexed frustules in an offshore intertidal beach environment on Weizhou Island,Beihai City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Therefore, based on morphological characteristics, we described a new genus of diatoms Yuzaoea sinensis gen. et sp. nov. CH Li, HH Liu, YH Gao & CP Chen. The frustule of this genus is characterized by heterogeneous frustule with one concave valve and one convex valve,complete raphe on both valves, straight and moderately eccentric raphe, uniseriate striae and girdle bands with a single row of areolae. The most identifying feature of this genus was the flexed frustule, which is rare in biraphid diatoms and common in monoraphid diatoms. We compared the morphometric characteristics of genus Yuzaoea with genus Rhoikoneis and several genera within the family Rhoicospheniaceae, including Rhoicosphenia,Campylopyxis, and Cuneolus. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA and rbc L showed that the genus Yuzaoea was the sister group to the clade of Rhoicosphenia with a high support value(bootstrap values = 100%), and the clade “Yuzaoea+Rhoicosphenia” was sister to the clade of monoraphid diatoms, in which the genera Achnanthidium, Planothidium and some Cocconeis with high support values(bootstrap = 100%).Morphologically, the genus Yuzaoea shares many morphological features with monoraphid diatoms like genera Achnanthidium and Planothidium and the members within the Rhoicospheniaceae. Therefore, based on a combined morphological studies and phylogenetic results we suggested that this branch may represented the evolution of one kind monoraphid diatoms, from biraphid diatoms(e.g. genus Yuzaoea), to incompleted biraphid diatoms(e.g. genera Rhoicosphenia, Campylopyxis), to monoraphid diatoms(e.g. genera Achnanthidium and Planothidium).

A new genus and species of Phenacoccinae(Hemiptera:Coccomorpha:Pseudococcidae)from northwestern China

A new genus and species,Sananicoccus nanophytoni gen.&sp.nov.,is described and illustrated based on its adult female,adult male,first-instar nymph and pupa,collected on the leaves of Nanophyton erinaceum(Pall.)Bunge(Chenopodiaceae)from Xinjiang.The new genus is similar to the genus Synacanthococcus Morrison,1920,but differs by the absence of ostioles and dorsal cerarii,and no cerarii situated on a prominent sclerotized area.

One new genus and three new species of wingless grasshoppers from Xizang,China(Orthoptera:Acridoidea)

One new genus and three new species of wingless grasshoppers, i.e, Pseudozubovskia gen. nov., Pseudozubovskia xizangensis sp. nov., Eokingdonella gongbugyanda Sla. nov., Dysanema magna sp. nov. are described. The type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Shaanxi Normal University.

A New Cockroach Genus of the Family Fuziidae from Northeastern China(Insecta:Blattida)

A new genus and two new species of fossil Fuziidae are described and illustrated： Parvifuzia gen. nov., P. marsa sp. nov. and P. brava sp. nov.. Both species were collected from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan, Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia of China. In conjunction with Fuzia Vr（s）ansk（y）,Liang et Ren, 2009, the present findings allow us to demonstrate that members of the family were morphologically diverse, with body length ranging from medium （17 mm） in Fuzia to small （9.7 mm） in the present genus. Wing venation of F. dadao is complicated, but simple in the present species, and apex of male＇s cerci are sharp and forceps-like in F. dadao, but strongly curved inward and round in the new genus.

Taxonomical notes on the family Ptilocodiidae (Anthomedusae) from the central and southern of South China Sea, with a new genus and a new species

This study reviews the Ptilocodiidae from South China Sea, including three species. The diagnoses of the family and each genus are provided. A new genus, Tregouboviopsis Guo, Xu ＆ Huang, gen. nov. is erected, based on the monotypy, Tregouboviopsis perradialis （Xu, Huang ＆ Du, 2012） comb. nov., which is transferred from the genus Tregoubovia. A free eumedusoid of Hydrichthella ocellata Xu, Huang ＆ Wang, sp. nov. is described in the present paper. A key to known genera of family Ptilocodiidae is presented. All type specimens are deposited in the South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science.

A new genus and four new species of Eriophyidae from China(Acari: Eriophyoidea)

One new genus and four new species of eriophyoid mites from Hainan, China are described and illustrated in this paper： Dicoxiseta Wang, Tan ＆ Yang, gem nov., D. litsea Wang, Tan ＆ Yang, sp. nov. infesting Litsea monopetala （Roxb.） Pers. （Lauraceae）, Eriophyes casearius Wang, Yang ＆ Tan, sp. nov. infesting Casearia glomerata Roxb. （Flacourtiaceae）, Phyllocoptruta alstonia Wang, Gu ＆ Tan, sp. nov. infesting Alstonia scholaris （L.） R. Br. （Apocynaceae） and Aculus paederius Wang, Gu ＆ Tan, sp. nov. infesting Paederia scandens （Lour.） Merr. （Rubiaceae）. Tegolophus artocarpi Keifer, 1977 is newly recorded from China. E. casearius Wang, Yang ＆ Tan, sp. nov. distorts severely new foliage of its host plant. Three species, P. alstonia Wang, Gu ＆ Tan, sp. nov., A. paederius Wang, Gu ＆ Tan, sp. nov. and T. artocarpi, cause rust on the undersurfaces of host plants, while D. litsea Wang, Tan ＆ Yang, sp. nov. is a vagrant on the undersurface of host plant leaves, without visible symptom.

A new genus of Pteromalidae(Hymenoptera)with two new species,parasitoids of larvae of Stenocephus fraxini Wei(Hymenoptera:Cephidae)from China

Parasitic wasps reared from larvae of Stenocephus fraxini on Fraxinus chinnensis from Shandong Province,China were found to be two new species of Pteromalidae(Hymenoptera:Chalcidoidea).The characters of marginal vein,antenna,and propodeum show that the new species is close to the members of Cyrtoptyx,but hairs on thorax are white and conspicuous,the dorsellum is relatively large and reticulated,and marginal fringe on fore wing are absent.All characters are sufficient to justify the erection of a new genus,Neocyrtoptyx gen.nov.,to accommodate the new species N.shanghensis sp.nov.and N.exilis sp.nov.

A new genus of scuttle flies(Diptera:Phoridae),with description of a new species from China

A new genus,Sacculiphora gen.nov.,is described from China,with a new species,S.cultrata sp.nov.The new genus seems closely related to the genus Maculiphora Disney.It is distinguished from Maculiphora by the frontal bristle formula of 2-4-4 as opposed to 2-2-4,a strongly developed wing vein Sc,clearly fine veins and a cystiform structure on the inner surface of the male fore femur.

On two new species of the genus Leptomias Faust from Kashmir (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Brachyderinae)

Marshall (1916) referred 26 species to genus Leptomias Fst.and .put generic names Heteromias Fst., Parisomias Fst. and Piazomias Lacd. (part) as its synonyms. Gunther and Zumpt (1933) added Cneorrhinus Redtenb.also in the list of synonyms of Leptomias st.Later on, Aslam (1961) revalidated Parisomias Fst.reshuffled the position of a few species and described a number of new species under the restricted Leptomias Fst.Accordingiy, as many as 32 species were referred to the genus Leptomias Fst.

Muelleria pseudogibbula, a new species from a newly recorded genus(Bacillariophyceae) in China

The genus Muelleria is reported for the first time from China in this paper. The new diatom species M uelleria pseudogibbula sp. nov. was observed during a survey of diatoms from Zoigê Wetland, Sichuan Province, China. The morphological characters of this new species were documented by light and scanning electron microscope and compared with similar species. M. pseudogibbula is characterized by its lanceolate to linear-lanceolate valve outline with rounded apices, two longitudinal canals running parallel to each side of the raphe, proximal ends of the raphe deflected to the same directions and finishing before the first row of areolae, and curved distal raphe ends, forming two divergent branches.