Catalog of insect type specimens preserved at the Kunming Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Science with corrections of some specimens

This article presents a list of insect types preserved in Kunming Natural History Museum of Zoology （KNHMZ）. As of March, 2015, 3412 type specimens belonging to 266 species/subspecies of 37 families in 9 orders （Odonata, Isoptera, Mantodea, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera） are included. Information corrections of some specimens are provided in this article.

Bird species composition and conservation challenges in the Gaoligong Mountains, one of the most diverse bird areas in the world

The Gaoligong Mountains(GLGM),located in southwestern China,extend north to south along the western border of the Hengduan Mountains,spanning approximately 600 km.In this study,we consolidated findings from 17 bird surveys conducted in the GLGM between 2010 and 2022.We found that the GLGM harbors tremendous bird diversity,with a total of 796 documented bird species in the region.Nearly a quarter(23.0%)of these species are listed as state key protected species or as Chinese and global threatened species.Analysis of species richness at the county level showed a decreasing trend with increasing latitude,with the greatest diversity in Yingjiang(661 species).Observations indicated that the GLGM belongs to the Oriental realm,primarily composed of bird species from southern and southwestern China.The GLGM plays an important role in avian conservation by sheltering exceptional bird diversity,providing corridors and flyways for bird migration and dispersal,and mitigating the effects of climate change.In response to the conservation needs of birds and other wildlife,the Chinese government has established numerous protected areas within the GLGM.Despite these efforts,avian conservation still faces considerable challenges in the GLGM due to limitations in the protected area network,transboundary nature of the regions,and existing gaps in monitoring and research.

Harvesting the fruits of the first stage of the Primate Genome Project

Primates are highly successful mammals with significant morphological,behavioral,and physiological diversity.Studying the genomes of non-human primates,as the closest relative of humans,can provide insights into human evolution,genetic structure,and potential drug targets relevant to human health,thus making important contributions to medical research.Additionally,primate genome research can support ecological balance and resource conservation and promote sustainable development and human well-being.Despite the existence of more than 500 primate species belonging to 80 genera and 16 families worldwide,with new species still being discovered in recent years(Fan et al.,2017;Khanal et al.,2021;Roos et al.,2020),genome sequencing efforts have been limited to a relatively small number of species from only 22 genera(Ensembl v103).Notably,approximately 72%of primate genera remain unsequenced,leading to significant knowledge gaps in our understanding of their evolutionary history.This situation presents considerable challenges for the development,utilization,and protection of primate genetic resources.It is for these compelling reasons that we initiated the Primate Genome Project(PGP)(Wu et al.,2022).

Vicariance and monsoon as drivers of diversification of nemacheilid loaches(Teleostei:Cypriniformes)around the Hengduan Mountains of China

DEAR EDITOR,High mountainous terrains facilitate the diversification of biota by providing a variety of opportunities for isolation(Favre et al.,2015).Within the Nemacheilidae family of loaches,the highly diverse Nemacheilini tribe is a polyphyletic group,with extensive distribution across the Indian and Eurasian plates(Chen et al.,2019;Sgouros et al.,2019).

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 glimpse into the biodiversity of insects in Yunnan: An updated and annotated checklist of butterflies(Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea)

DEAR EDITOR, We provide an annotated checklist of the butterflies of Yunnan, which includes 356 genera and 1 300 species in six families. The number of butterfly genera and species in Yunnan accounts for 79.8% and 58.6% of China’s total records, respectively. Thus, our study reveals that Yunnan has the highest butterfly diversity in China. This updated checklist also reports two genera and 18 species newly recorded from China as well as 36 species first recorded from Yunnan.

A New Species of Glyphoglossus Günther,1869(Anura:Microhylidae) from Western Yunnan,China

A new species of microhylid frog of the genus Glyphoglossus Gunther,1869 is described from Huadianba,Cangshan Mountain,Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture,Yunnan Province,China.Glyphoglossus huadianensis,new species,is compared with congeners from China and other parts of Southeast Asia,and was distinguished from the others by the following combination of characters:adult male body size up to 37.8 mm;pupil rounded;supra tympanic fold distinct;tympanum concealed;toe tips obtuse;subarticular tubercles prominent and rounded;foot webbing extensive;outer metatarsal tubercle present;dorsum tuberculate,yellowish-brown/earth-yellow;and a pair of conspicuous large round spots in groin.The new species is the tenth species of Glyphoglossus to be described,and the second known from China.

First record of disk-footed bat Eudiscopus denticulus(Chiroptera,Vespertilionidae)from China and resolution of phylogenetic position of the genus

DEAR EDITOR,The disk-footed bat Eudiscopus denticulus(Osgood,1932)is a rare species in Southeast Asia.During two chiropteran surveys in the summer of 1981 and 2019,eight and three small Myotis-like bats with distinct disk-like hindfeet were collected from Yunnan Province,China,respectively.External,craniodental,and phylogenetic evidence confirmed these specimens as E.denticulus,representing a new genus in China.The complete mitochondrial genome consistently showed robust support for E.denticulus as a basal lineage within Myotinae.The coding patterns and characteristics of its mitochondrial genome were similar to that of other published genomes from Myotis.The echolocation signals of the newly collected individuals were analyzed.The potential distribution range of Eudiscopus in Southeast Asia inferred using the MaxEnt model indicated its potential occurrence along the southern border region of Yunnan,China.

Morphological analysis of the Chinese Cipangopaludina species(Gastropoda; Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae)

Viviparidae are widely distributed around the globe, but there are considerable gaps in the taxonomic record. To date, 18 species of the viviparid genus Cipangopaludina have been recorded in China, but there is substantial disagreement on the validity of this taxonomy. In this study, we described the shell and internal traits of these species to better discuss the validity of related species. We found that C. ampulliformis is synonym of C. lecythis, and C. wingatei is synonym of C. chinensis, while C. ampullacea and C. fluminalis are subspecies of C. lecythis and C. chinensis, respectively. C. dianchiensis should be paled in the genus Margarya, while C. menglaensis and C. yunnanensis belong to genus Mekongia. Totally, this leaves 11 species and 2 subspecies recorded in China. Based on whether these specimens' spiral whorl depth was longer than aperture depth, these species or subspecies can be further divided into two groups, viz. chinensis group and cathayensis group, which can be determined from one another via the ratio of spiral depth and aperture depth, vas deferens and number of secondary branches of vas deferens. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis indicated that body whorl depth, shell width, aperture width and aperture length were main variables during species of Cipangopaludina. A key to all valid Chinese Cipangopaludina species were given.

A new species of Amolops(Anura:Ranidae)from northern Myanmar

DEAR EDITOR,A new species of the genus Amolops,Amolops putaoensis sp.nov.,is described from northern Myanmar.The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters:(1)dorsolateral fold distinct;(2)upper-lip stripe white;(3)male body size 37.6-40.2 mm;(4)ground color of dorsal surface brown,flank green,small warts on dorsum.

First record of the ferret-badger Melogale cucphuongensis Nadler et al., 2011(Carnivora:Mustelidae), with description of a new subspecies, in southeastern China

DEAR EDITOR,The ferret-badger Melogale cucphuongensis was first described from Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam, with no subsequent reports in later years. During our surveys of the Wuyishan Mountains of Fujian Province in southeastern China during May 2018, a Melogale specimen was identified. Analysis based on pelage and skull characteristics as well as molecular data indicated it to be a new subspecies, which we nominated as Melogale cucphuongensis guadunensis subsp. nov. This is the first record of the species in China. Therefore, this research not only expands the distribution range of the species beyond Vietnam, but also indicates that geographic variation of the species should have been proceeding in southeastern China.

First record of Theloderma pyaukkya Dever, 2017(Anura: Rhacophoridae) in China, with range extension of Theloderma moloch(Annandale, 1912) to Yunnan

DEAR EDITOR,Theloderma pyaukkya is recorded for the first time in China based on a specimen collected from western Yunnan.Morphologically,the specimen shows good agreement with the original description of T.pyaukkya,and phylogenetically is clustered with the type specimens and holotype of T.

Initiation of the Primate Genome Project

A crucial step for understanding human evolution is to identify the genomic changes that occurred during primate evolution,thus allowing investigators to reconstruct the ancestral states preceding the human condition.In the past several decades,the primate clade has been a research focus in genome sequencing due to its unique phylogenetic position and key importance.

Differentiation in cranial variables among six species of Hylopetes(Sciurinae: Pteromyini)

There is some discrepancy in the classification of different species of Hylopetes, particularly regarding systematic status of H. electilis and H. phayrei and their relationship to other species. In the present study, for the first time we have brought together six of the nine Hylopetes species and performed statistical analysis of 14 measurable cranial variables, analyzing in total 89 specimens, including H. electilis, H. alboniger, H. phayrei, H. lepidus, H. spadiceus, and H. nigripes. Both univariate and multivariate analysis results indicate that H. electilis can not only be obviously distinguished from H. phayrei, but also clearly differs from the other four Hylopetes species. These results sustain the contention that H. electilis is neither a synonym nor subspecies ofH. phayrei, but should be considered a distinct and valid species. Subsequently, a straightforward discussion on the biogeography of Hylopetes in southeastem Asia gives further insight into the differentiation and variety of species belonging to this genus.

Differentiation in cranial variables among six species of Hylopetes(Sciurinae:Pteromyini)

There is some discrepancy in the classification of different species of Hylopetes,particularly regarding systematic status of H.electilis and H.phayrei and their relationship to other species.In the present study,for the first time we have brought together six of the nine Hylopetes species and performed statistical analysis of 14 measurable cranial variables,analyzing in total 89 specimens,including H.electilis,H.alboniger,H.phayrei,H.lepidus,H.spadiceus,and H.nigripes.Both univariate and multivariate analysis results indicate that H.electilis can not only be obviously distinguished from H.phayrei,but also clearly differs from the other four Hylopetes species.These results sustain the contention that H.electilis is neither a synonym nor subspecies of H.phayrei,but should be considered a distinct and valid species.Subsequently,a straightforward discussion on the biogeography of Hylopetes in southeastern Asia gives further insight into the differentiation and variety of species belonging to this genus.

Unveiling the functional and evolutionary landscape of RNA editing in chicken using genomics and transcriptomics

The evolutionary and functional features of RNA editing are well studied in mammals,cephalopods,and insects,but not in birds.Here,we integrated transcriptomic and whole-genomic analyses to exhaustively characterize the expansive repertoire of adenosine-to-inosine(A-to-I)RNA editing sites(RESs)in the chicken.In addition,we investigated the evolutionary status of the chicken editome as a potential mechanism of domestication.We detected the lowest editing level in the liver of chickens,compared to muscles in humans,and found higher editing activity and specificity in the brain than in non-neural tissues,consistent with the brain’s functional complexity.To a certain extent,specific editing activity may account for the specific functions of tissues.Our results also revealed that sequences critical to RES secondary structures remained conserved within avian evolution.Furthermore,the RNA editome was shaped by purifying selection during chicken domestication and most RESs may have served as a selection pool for a few functional RESs involved in chicken domestication,including evolution of nervous and immune systems.Regulation of RNA editing in chickens by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA(ADAR)enzymes may be affected by non-ADAR factors whose expression levels changed widely after ADAR knockdown.Collectively,we provide comprehensive lists of candidate RESs and non-ADAR-editing regulators in the chicken,thus contributing to our current understanding of the functions and evolution of RNA editing in animals.

High association strengths are linked to phenotypic similarity,including plumage color and patterns,of participants in mixed-species bird flocks of southwestern China

Participants in mixed-species bird flocks(MSFs)have been shown to associate with species that are similar in body size,diet,and evolutionary history,suggesting that facilitation structures these assemblages.In addition,several studies have suggested that species in MsFs resemble each other in their plumage,but this question has not been systematically investigated for any MsF system.During the nonbreeding season of 2020 and 2021,we sampled 585 MSFs on 14 transects in 2 habitats of Tongbiguang Nature Reserve in western Yunnan Province,China.We performed social network analysis and the Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure to evaluate the effect of 4 species traits(body size,overall plumage color,distinctive plumage patterns,and diet)and evolutionary history on species association strength at the whole-MSF and within-MSF levels.All 41 significant relationships showed that species with stronger associations were more similar in their various traits.Body size had the strongest effect on association strength,followed by phylogeny,plumage patterns,and plumage color;diet had the weakest effect.Our results are consistent with the hypotheses that the benefits of associating with phenotypically similar species outweigh the potential costs of interspecific competition,and that trait matching can occur in plumage characteristics,albeit more weakly than in other traits.Several explanations exist as to why similarities in plumage may occur in MSFs,including that they could reduce predators'ability to target phenotypically"odd"individuals.Whether trait matching in plumage occurs through assortative processes in ecological time or is influenced by co-evolution requires furtherstudy.

Wildfire associated with a deciduous broadleaved forest from the Neogene Baoshan Basin at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

Wildfire bears a close relationship with vegetation as its fuel source.The southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau witnesses frequent wildfires among various types of vegetation,whereas such wide in-teractions between wildfire and vegetation remain poorly studied from geological times.In this study,we reported a local fire using sedimentary macroscopic charcoals from the latest Miocene to early Pliocene of the Baoshan Basin in this region,and then inferred the local vegetation at the time of the fire event based chiefly on the coexistent fruit and seed fossil assemblage.Our taxonomic results show that the charcoal assemblage is probably dominated by broadleaved plants and the fruit and seed fossil assemblage is apparently dominated by Salix(Salicaceae)followed by Sambucus(Adoxaceae),suggesting a deciduous broadleaved forest in which the fire likely occurred.Under a seasonally dry climate associated with the Asian monsoon,this type of vegetation might be prone to natural fire,because in the wet rainy season the plants grew well to accumulate biofuel and in the dry season abundant ground litter resulting from leaf decay would be desiccated to become highly flammable.Due to the fire-tolerant habit of Salix as the dominant plant,the forest might be in return adapted to the fire event or even more fires that potentially followed.All these may suggest a close relationship between the fire event and the reconstructed vegetation.Our finding documents a new type of wildfire—vegetation interaction,namely the interaction between wildfire and deciduous broadleaved forest,from the geological past at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.It therefore sheds new light on the wildfire history coupling vegetation change in the region.