A total of three species in three genera of the tribe Eupariini are recognized in the Korean Peninsula. Two additional Eupariini species, Ataenius australasiae (Boheman) and Setylaides tsujii Kakizoe, Kawahara & Ochi are recorded in Korea for the first time. A key, along with photographs of the habitus, habitats, and diagnostic characters, is provided.
Alpine relict plant populations are increasingly threatened by climate-driven changes in vegetation structure and intensified interspecific competition. We examined population structure, reproductive performance, and functional traits of Primula farinosa subsp. modesta across inland (Ungseokbong, Jirisan) and island (Hallasan) high-elevation habitats in South Korea. Population size structure differed among sites, showing reverse J-shaped distributions in inland populations but a unimodal distribution in Hallasan. Reproductive performance varied significantly among sites: fruit set averaged 83.4% in Ungseokbong and 52.0% in Jirisan, but only 5.5% in Hallasan. Moreover, 81.1% of flowering individuals in Hallasan failed to produce fruit, indicating a severe reproductive bottleneck. Functional trait analysis revealed a shift toward resource-conservative strategies with increasing elevation, characterized by decreased specific leaf area and increased leaf mass per area. These patterns suggest that the Hallasan population faces a demographic bottleneck likely driven by synergistic abiotic and biotic factors, including environmental stress, interspecific competition, and potential pollinator limitation. Overall, population structure, fruit set, and functional traits serve as effective indicators for assessing high-elevation plant vulnerability, highlighting the need for site-specific conservation strategies that account for local environmental dynamics.
Sandy habitats have been artificially modified and are vulnerable to climate change. Consequently, insects inhabiting these habitats are at risk of extinction, yet their genetic diversification remains poorly understood. This study constructed haplotype networks for three Polyphylla beetle species inhabiting coastal and bankside sandy habitats, including two endangered species, P. albolineata and P. laticollis. A total of 69 haplotypes were identified from 102 specimens of P. albolineata, P. laticollis, and P. schoenfeldti. Their distributional patterns were complex and could not be readily explained by geographical distance alone. This study also examined the evolutionary history of the relationship of these beetles with the phoretic mite Coleolaelaps longisetatus. The Procrustean Approach to Cophylogeny suggested incomplete co-diversification of the host beetles and phoretic mites.
In May 2026, a species of subfamily Lixinae (Curculionidae) was discovered in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Specimens were identified as Rhinocyllus (s. str.) oblongus Capiomont, 1873 based on examination of external morphology and phylogenetic analysis. Rh. oblongus Capiomont which lays eggs on or near the bracts of the flower head of plumless thistle (Carduus crispus L.) was recorded for the first time in the Korean Peninsula. Morphological descriptions, diagnostic characters, illustrations of diagnostic features, and a Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis are provided.
The present investigation assesses how seasonal changes and developmental stages influence root hair characteristics and mycorrhizal colonization in terrestrial orchid Habenaria longicornu. The root hair number, root hair breadth, cell length, cell breadth and peloton length showed marked seasonal differences, whereas root hair length and peloton breadth were largely unaffected by season, orchid seedling stage and both of its interactions. But the positive relationship has been observed between cell length and peloton length. The degrees of mycorrhizal colonization showed that 88% during November with significant seasonal as well as season-stage interaction. Root length with degenerating pelotons was 72% whereas intact pelotons were 8% and showed significant seasonal variations. Root hair numbers were positively correlated with total mycorrhizal colonization. The distribution of colonized and uncolonized cells in the cortical regions showed significant seasonal variations. The highest intact to lysed peloton ratio 0.49 during the mature vegetative stage in July while 0.38-0.40 during December and the seasonal variations were significant. These observations clearly showed dynamic interplay between root hair morphology and orchid mycorrhizal colonization highlighting the crucial role of seasonality in shaping symbiotic association in terrestrial orchids.
Phlomoides isochila (Pazij & Vved.) Salmaki (Lamiaceae Martinov) is an endemic species of Central Asia, yet its taxonomy has been treated mainly on morphological evidence and genomic resources have remained limited. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genome of P. isochila. The plastome is 151,538 bp in length and exhibits a typical quadripartite structure, comprising a large single-copy (LSC) region of 82,925 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,385 bp, and two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,614 bp each, with an overall GC content of 38.5%. Genome annotation identified 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic inference based on complete plastome sequences placed P. isochila close to P. molucelloides, consistent with their morphological affinity and traditional assignment to sect. Moluccelloides. The newly generated plastome provides a valuable genomic resource for future phylogenomic, taxonomic, and comparative plastome studies within Phlomoides.
This paper erected a new genus of Typhlocybini (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae), Antsirananacara Zhao & Song, gen. nov., with A. harinhalae Zhao & Song, sp. nov. as its type species, collected from Antsiranana Province, Madagascar. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations of the new genus and species are provided.
In the present paper, we describe two Lepidopteran taxa: Achrosis jehamalarae sp. n. and Teliphasa erythrina nicobara ssp. n. as new to science, and four new country records: Simplicia griseolimbalis ( Snellen 1886), Plecoptera violacea(Pagenstecher 1884), Xanthanomis fuscifrons Walker, [1863], and Calymera vinacea Holloway, 2003from the Nicobar Islands of India. The new taxa are diagnosed with their close congeners, and the illustrations of adults and genitalia are also provided in detail.
Spiraea chamaedryfolia L. (Rosaceae) is a deciduous shrub widely distributed across northeastern Asia and Europe. In this study, we reported the complete plastid genome (plastome) of S. chamaedryfolia assembled from Illumina short-read sequencing data. The assembled plastome was 156,149 bp in length and comprises 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The gene content and arrangement are highly conserved and consistent with those of previously reported Spiraea plastomes. The overall GC content of the S. chamaedryfolia plastome is 36.8%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genus Spiraea is divided into two major clades: Spiraea–Calospira clade and Chamaedryon–Glomerati clade. Within the Chamaedryon–Glomerati clade, section Chamaedryon was divided into two clades, one of which was sister to sect. Glomerati, indicating that sect. Chamaedryon is not monophyletic. Spiraea chamaedryfolia, a member of sect. Chamaedryon, was sister to S. insularis, and together they formed a distinct subclade. This study provides essential genomic resources for molecular identification, as well as phylogenetic and conservation studies of Spiraea species.
Primulina huichangensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae in the Danxia landform of Huichang County, Jiangxi Province, China, is described and illustrated here. This species resembles Primulina longnanensis, P. jiulianshanensis and P. wenii morphologically, but differs by its funnelform corolla tube with a slightly swollen middle portion, the number of bracts and bracteoles, and the presence of glandular hairs on peduncle, pedicel, both surfaces of petiole and leaf blades, abaxial surfaces of bracts and calyxes. The conservation status of this new species should be assessed as Near Threatened (NT) based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
The Orchidaceae family is among the largest angiosperm families. The demand for orchids in the contexts of biological research, sustainable technology development, and general ornamental use is fueling the ever-growing orchid industry. Chloroplast (cp) genomes are among the best tools to study the evolution of plant species, yet cp genome sequences for many orchid species are lacking in public databases. Bulbophyllum tianguii is a species of Orchidaceae with high economic and ornamental value. Here, we reported the first complete cp genome sequence of B. tianguii. The genome size of B. tianguii was 151,953 bp, with an average GC content of 37%. It contained two inverted repeat (IR) regions, each 25,746 bp in length, as well as the large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) portions, which were 83,779 bp and 16,682 bp in length, respectively.. A total of 125 genes were identified in B. tianguii, including 79 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that B. tianguii is sister to B. violaceolabellum. These results will provide a strong basis for further phylogenetic and genetic studies of Bulbophyllum.
A gymnosomatous pteropod from Kitami-Yamato Bank, Sea of Okhotsk, off Hokkaido, Japan, has historically been known in Japan as Ikuohadakakamegai and has been associated with Paedoclione doliiformis. Re-examination of living specimens, mating behavior, light microscopic observations of the buccal apparatus, and scanning electron microscopy of the radula and hooks revealed that this taxon possesses six buccal cones arranged in three symmetrical pairs. This character supports assignment to the genus Clione rather than Paedoclione, whose type species P. doliiformis was originally characterized by asymmetrical cephalocones and a minute barrel-shaped body. The new species is further characterized by an approximately 25 mm body length, a translucent body with an orange to reddish-orange visceral mass, rounded parapodia, a denticulate central radular tooth, a radular formula interpreted as 12-1-12, and elongate, strongly curved hooks. Comparisons with P. doliiformis, C. elegantissima, C. antarctica, C. okhotensis, and C. japonica support recognition of the Kitami-Yamato Bank material as a distinct species, here described as Clione ikuoi, sp. nov. The Japanese name Ikuohadakakamegai is applied to this species, following the historical use of this name in Japan and its association with the sea angel photographed in Nakamura (1995). Analysis of long-term sea surface temperature data off Mombetsu further suggests that continued warming may reduce the duration of the cold-water season during which sea angels are observed in coastal waters.
How to reveal long-term distribution dynamics of endangered medicinal plants under climate change and identify effective conservation strategies remain largely unexplored. We used the ENMeval-optimized MaxEnt) model with optimal parameters (RM = 2.5, FC = LQHP) to avoid overfitting and improve prediction reliability of endangered medicinal tree Houpoea officinalis in China. Based on 131 occurrence records and 7 bioclimatic variables, we projected habitat dynamics across the Last Glacial Maximum, Mid-Holocene, current and the three climatic scenarios (SSPs 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5) in 2050s and 2090s. The model achieved excellent accuracy with a mean test AUC of 0.9744. Four dominant climatic variables contributed 92.1% in total: annual precipitation (47.1%), mean diurnal range (21.9%), mean temperature of the warmest quarter (14.7%), and mean temperature of the wettest quarter (8.4%). Current highly suitable habitat covered 10.03×104 km2, fragmented in subtropical mountains. Notably, suitable habitats consistently contracted toward high-altitude regions under all scenarios. MESS analysis indicated temperature anomalies dominated shifts in paleoclimates, while precipitation will control future contraction, which threaten wild H. officinalis persistence. We propose priority in-situ conservation for stable high-altitude refugia and ex-situ translocation for marginal populations. This study provides data support and scientific guidance for climate-adaptive conservation.
In this study, the ultrastructure of antennae, maxillary palps, labial palps and paraglossa sensilla of 4 species which represent 4 subfamilies of Thripidae were observed and studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The purpose was to identify the types and distribution patterns of head sensilla of 4 subfamilies of Thripidae and to explore the differences among the 4 subfamilies. On this basis, the functions of the sensory types of the head of thrips are further analyzed, and the information on the sensory research of different subfamilies of thrips is supplemented, in order to provide a basis for further understanding of the sensory system and internal structure of thrips. In addition, the study of the external morphology and function of the head sensilla of thrips will provide a theoretical basis for further research based on the behavior of thrips, electrophysiological technology and integrated pest management of thrips.
A new species of crane fly, Tipula (Pterelachisus) jingkei sp. nov., is described from Beijing, China. The new species is distinguished from related species by the characteristic wing pattern and the structure of the male hypopygium, particularly the nearly truncate caudal margin of tergite 9 bearing two spinous median extensions and a small median spur. Illustrations and detailed morphological descriptions of the adult are provided. This species represents the first record of the subgenus Pterelachisus from Beijing and expands the known diversity of the group in northern China.
Bats are the second largest group of mammals with high cryptic diversity. In this study, we describe the previously identified sibling species Rhinolophus indorouxii of the endemic rufous horseshoe bat Rhinolophus rouxii from Southern India. The species was discovered based on acoustic diversity and mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequencing based genetic distance metric and phylogenetic affinity. However, no detailed morphological description was available. We address this lacuna by presenting with a detailed morphological description along with acoustic and genetic (cytochrome oxidase I barcoding gene) data and identify species specific characters for future studies. This is an important step in recognizing the species diversity of Southern India, which is home to one of the global biodiversity hotspots.
Parasitic natural enemies play a critical role in regulating species populations within ecosystems. However, invasive species such as Vespa velutina, often experience rapid population growth after establishment due to the absence of natural enemies in their introduced ranges. In this study, the potential parasitic natural enemies of V. velutina, which has been established in Korea for approximately 20 years, were investigated. Entire nests of V. velutina were collected and separated into adults, larvae, and combs for examination. The organisms found were initially identified through basic morphological observations and further confirmed by molecular identification. A parasitic fly recovered from hornet larvae was identified as Parasarcophaga similis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Phylogenetic analysis based on COI sequences revealed that the Korean specimens clustered closely with conspecifics from China, while forming a group from those in Europe such as Spain, Belgium, and Finland. These findings suggest that native parasitoids may be adapting to exploit V. velutina as a host and that similar host-parasite relationships could emerge in other invaded regions.
The taxonomic relationships within the Korean Phedimus have long been controversial due to extensive morphological variation and potential hybridization. This study aimed to address these taxonomic ambiguities and elucidate the molecular phylogenetic relationships among species using a phylogenomic approach with the Angiosperms353 target enrichment method. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using both concatenation and coalescent approaches on a supercontig dataset of 330 target loci, which were retained after filtering with a 50% taxon occupancy threshold. The concatenation-based maximum likelihood (ML) trees strongly supported most nodes, whereas the coalescent-based ASTRAL analyses showed relatively lower local posterior probability (LPP) values and quartet-based discordance among gene trees at certain nodes. Among the species examined, P. aizoon, P. latiovalifolius, and P. zokuriensis exhibited phylogenetic patterns consistent with their recognition as independent species. In contrast, the four P. kamtschaticus individuals analyzed did not form a monophyletic group. These results suggest that the current circumscription of P. kamtschaticus may require additional taxonomic reconsideration, although the inclusion of only a single Japanese individual warrants cautious interpretation. This study demonstrates the utility of the Angiosperms353 approach for resolving complex taxonomic relationships in Korean Phedimus and highlights the need for further integrative research combining molecular, morphological, ecological, and cytological data.
