Notes on Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) with capitate inflorescences in Thailand.

Twenty-three species of Strobilanthes Blume with capitate inflorescences are enumerated in Thailand. Strobilanthesphengklaii Kladwong & Chantar., a new species from North-eastern Thailand, is described and illustrated. Strobilanthespaniculiformis J.R.I.Wood, S.phyllostachya Kurz and S.squalens S.Moore are new records in Thailand. Strobilantheskerrii Craib is reinstated, and S.evrardiivar.parviflora J.B.Imlay, S.bombycina J.B.Imlay, Hemigraphishispidula Craib and Sericocalyxthailandicus Bremek. are treated as new synonyms. 19 taxa are lectotypified. A key to species, taxonomic notes and photographs are provided as well as a preliminary conservation assessment and distribution maps.

Four genera of the subfamily Opiinae Blanchard (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) new for Japan, with the description of two new species.

Four genera are reported for the first time from Japan (Areotetes van Achterberg & Li, 2013, Indiopius Fischer, 1966, Neopius Gahan, 1917 and Sternaulopius Fischer, 1965), and keys are provided for the species of these genera. Two new species are described and illustrated: Areotetesconvergens sp. nov. and Sternaulopiusmaculiferus sp. nov.

The first discovery of Polypedatesteraiensis (Dubois, 1987) (Rhacophoridae, Anura) in China.

Background: The genus of Polypedates Tschudi, 1838 currently comprises 25 recognised species with four of these species reported in Yunnan, China. Dubois (1987) speculated the distribution of P.teraiensis in China; however, there was no study carried out to confirm its distribution in the region. New information: We herein describe P.teraiensis as a new national record, based on a specimen collected from Yunnan border region. Phylogenetically, our sequence clustered with the sequences of recognised P.teraiensis specimens from Bangladesh, Myanmar and India. The uncorrected pairwise distances between the specimens from China and other P.teraiensis localities was small, ranging from 0.0-0.7%, based on 16S rRNA gene. Therefore, we report P.teraiensis as a new species record for China.

Five new species of the genus Stigmus Panzer (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) from China, with a key to all Chinese species.

Five new species of the genus Stigmus Panzer, 1804 are described and illustrated from Yunnan and Shaanxi provinces of China: S.carinannulatus Li & Ma, sp. nov., S.clypeglabratus Li & Ma, sp. nov., S.flagellipilaris Li & Ma, sp. nov., S.rugidensus Li & Ma, sp. nov., and S.sulciconspicus Li & Ma, sp. nov. In addition, S.solskyi Morawitz, 1864 is recorded in China for the first time. An illustrated key to known and new species of the genus Stigmus Panzer from China is provided.

First record of the genus Conotalopia Iredale, 1929 (Vetigastropoda, Trochidae) in China.

Background: The genus Conotalopia Iredale, 1929 consisting of marine trochids, primarily inhabits the intertidal zone. Globally, eight recent species have been documented, all of which occur in the Pacific Region. The genus has not previously been recorded from Chinese seas. New information: This study fills a knowledge gap by reporting, for the first time, the presence of the trochid genus Conotalopia Iredale, 1929 in China. Specifically, Conotalopiasematensis (Oyama, 1942) was detailed using morphological characteristics derived from the shell (Fig. 1A-F and H-I), operculum (Fig. 1G) and radula (Fig. 1J-L). Additionally, this study introduces comprehensive scanning electron microscope illustrations and molecular data, contributing valuable taxonomic information for the first time.

First Record of the Genus Trochiliphagus Carriker 1960 (Amblycera: Ricinidae) Infesting a Hummingbird from Brazil.

Four genera and at least fifty species of chewing lice have been recorded infesting hummingbirds (Trochilidae). Here, we record for the first time, the genus Trochiliphagus in Brazil, as well as, a new host record for Trochiliphagus mellivorus Carriker, the fork-tailed woodnymph, Thalurania furcata.

Deep-sea caridean shrimps collected from the South China Sea with emphasizing their phylogenetic relationships.

Despite the high biological and ecological diversity of the South China Sea, limited research has been conducted on the deep-sea species diversity of caridean shrimps. Based on the collections from three scientific expeditions conducted in the South China Sea, 31 caridean species, belonging to nine families, were reported, including the identification of two species not previously documented in this region, namely Janicella spinicauda (A. Milne-Edwards, 1883) and Systellaspis curvispina Crosnier, 1988. In addition to morphological features, the COI and 16S gene sequences of these species were analyzed to assess their evolutionary relationships within each family. Phylogenetic analyses, with highest species coverage to date, indicated that similarity in morphological characteristics does not always lead to closer phylogenetic relationships and some defining characteristics for specific taxa are not always synapomorphies but may be the result of convergent evolution. Our results establish reliable evolutionary relationships within specific taxa and highlight the necessity for further taxonomic revisions within these taxa.

First Record of the Tribe Orthopodomyiini in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Updating the mosquito fauna occurring in a specific area is crucial, given that certain species serve as vectors capable of transmitting zoonotic arboviruses. This scientific note presents the first records of mosquitoes of the tribe Orthopodomyiini in the Yucatan Peninsula. Immature mosquitoes were collected on 2 occasions inside a large tree hole in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Thirteen adult specimens, reared from the immatures, were obtained and identified as Orthopodomyia kummi based on external characteristics of females and males. This species has been recorded in Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and marginally in the United States, but its presence in the Yucatan Peninsula had gone unnoticed until now. The knowledge about mosquitoes of the genus Orthopodomyia is limited, and their epidemiological importance remains uncertain. Therefore, further studies could provide insights into the ecological and infection dynamics associated with this species.

Revisionary notes on the genus Aulacocentrum Brues (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Macrocentrinae) from Vietnam.

This paper contains descriptions and illustrations of five new species of the genus Aulacocentrum Brues, 1922, from Vietnam, viz. Aulacocentrumassitum Long & Pham, sp. nov.; A.glabrum Long, sp. nov.; A.imparum Long & van Achterberg, sp. nov.; A.intermedium Long & van Achterberg, sp. nov.; and A.simulatum Long, sp. nov. Additionally, Aulacocentrumseticella van Achterberg & He is newly recorded for Vietnam's braconid fauna. A checklist and a key to the Oriental and East Palaearctic Aulacocentrum species is provided and the in-country distribution of the Vietnamese species is given.

First record of the hippolytid shrimp Hippolyteaustraliensis (Stimpson, 1860) (Crustacea, Decapoda) from China.

Background: Two specimens of the genus Hippolyte were examined from the caridean collections of the Marine Biological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences. These specimens were captured in the South China Sea in 1987. Detailed inspection revealed that their morphological features closely match the (re)descriptions of Hippolyteaustraliensis, especially in the presence of a long, distinct lateral carina on the rostrum, a dorsally unarmed rostral border, and four prominent terminal spines on the dactylus of the last three pereiopods. New information: The discovery of Hippolyteaustraliensis in Chinese waters represents a significant expansion of its geographic distribution from the South Pacific to the North Pacific. Furthermore, an additional taxonomical report of H.australiensis is provided since its retrieval in 2001.

A new species of Habrophorula from Vietnam and an updated key to species of the genus (Hymenoptera, Apidae).

The rare bee genus Habrophorula Lieftinck, 1974 is recorded for the first time from Vietnam. The genus is represented by a new species, Habrophorulabelladeceptrix Tran, Engel & Nguyen, sp. nov., from Cao Bang Province and can be most easily confused with H.nigripes Wu from China. The species is most easily differentiated by the unique form of the male terminalia but can also be distinguished by differences in integumental and setal coloration. A revised key is provided to the species of the genus. Females of the new species were collected at flowers of Saurauiaroxburghii Wall. and Saurauianapaulensis DC. (Actinidiaceae); males were collected at flowers of Lantanacamara L. (Verbenaceae).

Agregación masiva de la estrella de mar Luidia bellonae (Paxillosida: Luidiidae) en Bahía de Banderas, Jalisco, Pacífico Mexicano / Massive aggregation of sea star Luidia bellonae (Paxillosida: Luidiidae) in Bahía de Banderas, Jalisco, Mexican Pacific

Resumen Introducción: En el Pacífico central mexicano son escasos los trabajos sobre ecología de asteroideos. Estas especies generalmente se distribuyen de forma aleatoria, aunque en algunas ocasiones pueden encontrarse en grupos o agregaciones. En Los Arcos, al sur de Puerto Vallarta, en Bahía de Banderas, México, se observó Luidia bellonae por primera vez en una agregación masiva en 2021. Objetivo: Reportar por primera vez el registro de esta especie en esta región del Pacífico mexicano, así como el evento de agregación masiva. Métodos: Se realizaron transectos y recorridos para cuantificar la densidad y medir los ejemplares de la estrella en Los Arcos, Bahía de Banderas, durante 2021, 2022 y 2023. Resultados: Se encontraron densidades promedio de 2.65 ind/m2 y hasta 7 ind/m2. En total en el área aproximada de 900 m2 se registraron 630 individuos. Los ejemplares midieron (R) entre 2 y 12 cm, y en su mayoría midieron entre 4 y 8 cm. Conclusiones: L. bellonae estaba reportada en distintos sitios en algunos estados del Pacífico mexicano, sin embargo no estaba registrada para Bahía de Banderas ni Los Arcos, ni tampoco en la cantidad que se reporta aquí, por lo que este es el primer registro para la especie con una presencia masiva para el Pacífico mexicano. La aparición de la gran cantidad de ejemplares de L. bellonae en Los Arcos en 2021 pudo haber sido resultado de una combinación de factores, entre ellos la baja temperatura del agua, con valores hasta de 15 ºC y la alta cantidad de nutrientes. Este hallazgo demuestra la necesidad de más estudios sobre los equinodermos y especies marinas para entender la influencia que tienen las condiciones ambientales en su ciclo de vida.

Abstract Introduction: In the central Mexican Pacific, there are few studies on asteroid ecology. These species are generally distributed randomly, although in some cases groups or aggregations can be found. In Los Arcos, south of Puerto Vallarta, in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico, Luidia bellonae was observed for the first time in a massive aggregation in 2021. Objective: To report the new record of this species in this region of the Mexican Pacific and its massive aggregation event. Methods: Transects and surveys were carried out to quantify the density and measure the sea star individuals in Los Arcos, Bahía de Banderas during 2021, 2022, and 2023. Results: Average densities of 2.65 ind/m2 and up to 7 ind/m2 were found. In total, in the approximate area of 900 m2, 630 individuals were registered. The specimens measured (R) between 2 and 12 cm, and most measured between 4 and 8 cm. Conclusions: L. bellonae has been reported in different places in some states of the Mexican Pacific; however, it was not registered for Bahía de Banderas nor Los Arcos, nor in the amount reported here, therefore this is the first record for the species with a massive presence for the Mexican Pacific. The appearance of the large number of L. bellonae specimens in Los Arcos in 2021 could have been the result of a combination of factors, including the low water temperature, with values up to 15 ºC, and the high amount of nutrients. This finding demonstrates the need for more studies on echinoderms and marine species to understand the influence of environmental conditions on their life cycle.

A review of the semipunctata species group within the genus Lilioceris Reitter, 1913 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae).

A new species group of Lilioceris Reitter, 1913 is proposed and reviewed, the semipunctata group. It includes eleven species: L.atrilateralis Kimoto & Takizawa, 1973, L.consentanea (Lacordaire, 1845), L.dentifemoralis Long, 1988, L.discrepens (Baly, 1879), L.jianfenglingensis Long, 1988, L.latissima (Pic, 1932), L.lianzhouensis Long, 2000a, L.rondoni Kimoto & Gressitt, 1979, L.rufometallica (Pic, 1923), L.semipunctata (Fabricius, 1801), and L.yuae Long, 2000b. Liliocerisdiscrepens and L.rondoni were new records from China. Two synonyms are proposed: Liliocerisxinglongensis Long, 1988, syn. nov. of L.consentanea (Lacordaire, 1845), and Criocerisrufimembris Pic, 1921, syn. nov. of L.semipunctata. An identification key, descriptions, habitus photographs, geographic distributions, host plants and habitats (if available), are provided for these species.

New records of Chrysochroinae Laporte de Castelnau, 1835 (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from China.

Background: Chrysochroinae Laporte de Castelnau, 1835 is the very colourful subfamily of Buprestidae. There are 127 species and subspecies of the subfamily which have been recorded in China. New information: In this paper, we reported three genera, two subgenera and five species of the subfamily Chrysochroinae Laporte de Castelnau, 1835 (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) which are all newly recorded from China. These reported taxa belong to two tribes and four genera: Chrysochroa (Chroodema) corbetti (Kerremans, 1893), Chrysochroa (Pyranthe) fulgens ephippigera White, 1843, Demochroa (Demoxantha) gratiosa indica Csiki, 1900, Xanthocatabonvouloirii (Deyrolle, 1861) (all the above four being Chrysochroini) and Cardiaspismouhotii E. Saunders, 1866 (Dicercini). The five newly-recorded species are briefly described, illustrated and supplemented with relevant biological information.

First report of the genus Woonpaikia Park, 2010 (Lepidoptera, Lecithoceridae) from China, with the description of two new species.

The lecithocerid genus Woonpaikia Park, 2010 and Woonpaikiaangoonae Park, 2010 are newly recorded from China. Woonpaikiasimilangoonae Yu & Wang, sp. nov. and W.imperspicua Yu & Wang, sp. nov. are described as new to science. Images of adults of the Chinese Woonpaikia species are provided, along with a key to the males of all the known species of Woonpaikia.

New species in the genera Eumacrocyrtus Schultze, 1923 and Enoplocyrtus Yoshitake, 2017 from Luzon Island, Philippines (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae, Pachyrhynchini).

We describe and illustrate two new species from two previously monotypic genera Eumacrocyrtus Schultze, 1923 and Enoplocyrtus Yoshitake, 2017 from Luzon Island, Philippines: Eumacrocyrtusrobertfoxisp. nov., and Enoplocyrtusangelalcalaisp. nov.Eumacrocyrtusrobertfoxisp. nov. serves as a new record for Luzon Island for Eumacrocyrtus which was only previously represented by E.canlaonensis Schultze, 1923 from Negros Island whereas Enoplocyrtusangelalcalaisp. nov. serves as an additional record of Enoplocyrtus in Mountain Province in Luzon Island. The discovery of these two new species from the Zoological Collections of the Philippine National Museum, collected in 1947 and 1985, respectively, highlights the value of natural history collections for the present and future generations of researchers.

Argyrotaeniasocoromaensis sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), a sexually dimorphic micromoth with polyphagous larvae from the arid Andes of northern Chile.

Argyrotaeniasocoromaensissp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae, Tortricinae, Archipini) from the arid Andes of northern Chile is described and illustrated. Adults are sexually dimorphic, with differences in wing size, shape and pattern. The larvae feed on Steviaphilippiana Hieron. (Asteraceae) and Lupinusoreophilus Phil. (Fabaceae). Genetic distance between DNA barcodes of male and female adults reared from larvae collected on the two hosts was 0-0.2% (K2P). The discovery of A.socoromaensissp. nov. represents the first record of the genus Argyrotaenia Stephens, 1852 and the tribe Archipini for the Chilean fauna of Tortricidae.

First records of non-native species Callitrichedeflexa (Plantaginaceae), which was previously misidentified as C.terrestris in Japan.

Background: The cosmopolitan genus Callitriche (Plantaginaceae) is a clade of small herbaceous plants that encompasses terrestrial and aquatic species. In Japan, six Callitriche species have been identified: four native and two naturalised species. Callitricheterrestris, a naturalised terrestrial species, was first reported in 1984 in Kanagawa Prefecture and it is thriving today. New information: We report the presence of a new naturalised terrestrial species, Callitrichedeflexa, which has been previously misidentified as C.terrestris because of its similar morphology. Callitrichedeflexa can be distinguished from C.terrestris through genetic differences and distinct morphological traits, such as longer pedicels. Re-examination of herbarium specimens in the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History confirmed that most of the specimens labelled as C.terrestris, including voucher specimens from the original report, were indeed C.terrestris, but a few were C.deflexa. We also noted that the plants referred to as "C.terrestris" in our previous developmental studies should be corrected to C.deflexa.

A Contribution to the Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Hydnum (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) from China.

Hydnum is a well-characterized genus in the family Hydnaceae of Cantharellales and is characterized by spinose hymenophores. In this study, an ITS phylogenetic overview and a multilocus (ITS-nrLSU-tef1) phylogenetic tree of Hydnum were carried out. On the basis of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic results, seven species from China were confirmed, described, illustrated, and compared with similar species, including three new species, i.e., H. longipes, H. microcarpum, and H. sinorepandum, and four known species, i.e., H. cremeoalbum, H. melitosarxm, H. orientalbidum, and H. pinicola were recorded for the first time in China. A key to the species of Hydnum in China was provided.

Biology of Nicotiana glutinosa L., a newly recorded species from an archaeological excavation site in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: During a field survey of urban flora in Alexandria city in 2019-2022, an interesting species belonging to the Solanaceae was collected from a newly archaeological excavation site and identified as Nicotiana glutinosa L. Many visits were made to the herbaria of Egypt to confirm the species records, but no single record was found. Reviewing the available literature revealed that this tropical American taxon was never recorded in the flora of Egypt. AIMS: The present study was focused on N. glutinosa growth structure and plant macro- and micromorphology. METHODS: Ten sampling sites were covered for N. glutinosa size structure. Plant samples were examined for stem anatomy, leaf, seed, and pollen morphology. RESULTS: The species size structure reveals that the individual size index ranges from 1.33 to 150 cm, while its density ranges from 4 to 273 individuals /100 m-2. N. glutinosa has successfully established itself in one of the archaeological sites in Egypt, showing a "healthy" population with a high degree of size inequality, characterized by a relative majority of the juvenile individuals. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Alexandria University (ALEX) Faculty of Science, another specimen is processed to make herbarium specimens at the Herbarium of the Botanic Garden (Heneidy et al. collection, deposition number. 5502). CONCLUSIONS: From our observations, N. glutinosa seems to have invasive potential, as it shows characteristics shared by most invasive species that are thought to help in their successful establishment in new habitats. This article emphasizes the importance of monitoring and regularly reporting the threats of alien invasive species to avoid any possible negative impacts on indigenous biodiversity in the future.