ABSTRACT
Sympatric closely related species may experience interspecific trophic competition due to ecological similarity; they may isolate in terms of diet or habitat use as a strategy to avoid competition. The body tissues of consumers contain stable isotope signatures information that can be applied to infer their dietary information. In this study, δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes were analyzed to determine the dietary information and trophic niches of sympatric coexisting Sitta yunnanensis and Sitta nagaensis. The results showed that the food sources of S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis were from six orders, including Orthoptera, and the cumulative contribution rate was 99.97%, with the two species eating similar diets but at different rates. The larger δ13C of S. yunnanensis indicates that it had a wider range of habitats for feeding, while the difference in δ15N values was not significant (p > 0.05), indicating that both species feed on similar nutrient levels. As determined by Bayesian ellipses, the isotopic niches of S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis were differentiated; the isotopic niche width of S. yunnanensis is 2.69‱2, which was larger than that of S. nagaensis (0.73‱2), indicates that differentiation between the two species in diet or habitat use reduced competition. Trophic niche differentiation and differences in foraging proportions may be the principal resource allocation mechanisms behind S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis coexistence.
ABSTRACT
This is the first investigation of stick insect from the Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve, Chongqing of China. Totally seven species were collected. Four of them belong to the subfamily Clitumninae of Phasmatidae: Interphasma emeiense Chen & He, 2008, Paraentoria sichuanensis Chen & He, 1997, Parabaculum wushanense (Chen & He, 1997) and Baculonistria alba (Chen & He, 1990). The other three belong to the subfamily Necrosciinae of Lonchodidae, including two new species: Micadina conifera Chen & He, 1997, Hemisosibia yintiaolingensis sp. nov. and Dianphasma chongqingensis sp. nov..
Subject(s)
Insecta , Neoptera , Animals , ChinaABSTRACT
Two new combinations are proposed for Chinese species previously described in the endemic Australian genus Pachymorpha Gray, 1835: Interphasma belocerca (Chen & He, 2008) comb. nov., of which the male and egg are described are illustrated for the first time and Neomedaura arguta (Chen & He, 2008) comb. nov., the first report of the genus Neomedaura Ho, 2020, in China.
Subject(s)
Insecta , Neoptera , Male , Animals , Australia , ChinaABSTRACT
A new species Andropromachus ynau sp. nov.. is described and the Chinese species of the moss-like stick insect genus Andropromachus are reviewed. An updated key to the known species of this genus is provided. Types of the new species are deposited in Yunnan Agricultural University (YNAU).
Subject(s)
Bryophyta , Neoptera , Animals , China , Humans , Insecta , UniversitiesABSTRACT
The genus Nanhuaphasma Chen, He & Li, 2002 was established as a member of the family Pseudophasmatidae Rehn, 1904 (now belonging to Aschiphasmatidae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893) based on the male of N.hamicercum Chen & He, 2002. We review the status of Nanhuaphasma and N.hamicercum by examining the holotype and male and female non-types which were collected in same location as the holotype. We find that Nanhuaphasma is a junior synonym of Dajaca Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 and N.hamicercum is a junior synonym of D.napolovi Brock, 2000. Complementing egg morphology of D.napolovi and keys to eight species of Dajaca are provided.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The genus Andropromachus (Lonchodidae: Necrosciinae: Necrosciini) is a small genus of stick insects including four species with a distribution in northern Vietnam and south-western China. NEW INFORMATION: A new species of stick insects Andropromachusgulinqingensis sp. n. is described from Yunnan Province of China. Diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated and an identification key to male and female Andropromachus is provided along with a checklist for all described species.
ABSTRACT
Background: The stick insect tribe, Medaurini in subfamily Clitumniae, contains 11 genera and 75 known species, with species diversity of this tribe being rich in southeast Asia and China, as is reflected in the Phasmida Species File Online [PSF]. The genus Medaura includes four named species and they are distributed over Bangladesh, Indonesia and India. The discovery of this new species in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture marks the first identification of the genus Medaura in China. New information: The genus Medaura Stål is reported for the first time from China, based on a new species M.aculeiformis Xie & Qian sp. n. and the identification characteristics of species are described and illustrated in this paper.
