Conservation translocation and reintroduction for the purpose of repopulating and reinforcing extirpated or depleted populations has been recognised as an important conservation tool, particularly for gibbon conservation in the immediate future. Feasibility assessments involving multiple factors, including taxonomic and genetic assessment of rescued and captive gibbons, are imperative prior to translocation and reintroduction programmes. In this study, we attempt to determine the subspecies and origin of captive Hylobateslar, White-handed gibbons, from Peninsular Malaysia to assist in future translocation and reintroduction programmes. A total of 12 captive and rescued H.lar samples were analysed using the control region segment of mitochondrial DNA. Sequence analyses and phylogenetic trees constructed using neighbour-joining, maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and network methods congruently differentiate all 12 captive individuals used in this study from other H.lar subspecies suggesting that these individuals belong to the H.larlar subspecies. In addition, two populations of H.l.lar were observed: (1) a southern population consisting of all 12 individuals from Peninsular Malaysia, and (2) a possible northern population represented by three individuals (from previous studies), which might have originated from the region between the Isthmus of Kra, Surat Thani-Krabi depression, and Kangar-Pattani. Our findings suggest that the complete control region segment can be used to determine the subspecies and origin of captive H.lar.
A new genus of onchidiid slugs, Wallaconchis Goulding & Dayrat, gen. n., is described, including ten species. Five species were previously described but known only from the type material: Wallaconchis ater (Lesson, 1830), W. graniferum (Semper, 1880), W. nangkauriense (Plate, 1893), W. buetschlii (Stantschinsky, 1907), and W. gracile (Stantschinsky, 1907), all of which were originally classified in Onchidium Buchannan, 1800. Many new records are provided for these five species, which greatly expand their known geographic distributions. Five species are new: Wallaconchis achleitneri Goulding, sp. n., W. comendadori Goulding & Dayrat, sp. n., W. melanesiensis Goulding & Dayrat, sp. n., W. sinanui Goulding & Dayrat, sp. n., and W. uncinus Goulding & Dayrat, sp. n. Nine of the ten Wallaconchis species are found in the Coral Triangle (eastern Indonesia and the Philippines). Sympatry is high, with up to six species found on the island of Bohol (Philippines) and eight species overlapping in northern Sulawesi (Indonesia). Wallaconchis is distinguished from other onchidiids by its bright dorsal colors (red, yellow, orange) but those are extremely variable and not useful for specific identification. Internally, the reproductive system can be used to identify all Wallaconchis species. The copulatory organs of Wallaconchis species are especially diverse compared to other onchidiid genera, and the possible role of reproductive incompatibility in species diversification is discussed. All specimens examined were freshly collected for the purpose of a worldwide revision of the Onchidiidae Rafinesque, 1815. The species are well delineated using DNA sequences and comparative anatomy. Mitochondrial DNA analysis yields thirteen molecular units separated by a large barcode gap, while nuclear DNA yields nine units. By integrating nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA with morphology, ten species are recognized. The natural history of each species (e.g., the microhabitat where they are found) is also documented. Nomenclature is addressed thoroughly (the types of all onchidiid species were examined, lectotypes were designated when needed, nomina dubia are discussed). Morphological characters, transitions to new microhabitats, and diversification processes are discussed in the context of a robust molecular phylogeny.
Lagaropsylla signata (Wahlgren, 1903), previously known only from the Island of Java, Indonesia is redescribed and reported for the first time in Deer Cave, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (west coast of Borneo). Many were found clinging to the earwig Arixenia esau Jordan, 1909. A similar account of a phoretic flea (Lagaropsylla turba Smit, 1958) on the same species of cave-dwelling earwig has been reported in peninsular Malaysia in a well-documented association with the hairless naked bulldog bat, Cheiromeles torquatus Horsfield, 1824. The association of Lagaropsylla signata with Arixenia esau is parallel to the evolution and co-existence with bats in Deer Cave just as in the case of Lagaropsylla turba, Arixenia esau, and Cheiromeles torquatus. The evidence suggests that Lagaropsylla turba and Lagaropsylla signata are obligate phoretic parasites whose survival depends on Arixenia esau to access a bat host. Arixenia esau is reported for the first time in Deer Cave and the occurrence of Lagaropsylla signata on the island of Borneo represented a new record, previously being found only on the island of Java. Images of Lagaropsylla signata attached to Arixenia esau are provided. Xeniaria jacobsoni (Burr, 1912), often associated with Arixenia esau in other geographical areas, was not present in the material examined from Deer Cave. The natural history of the earwig genera Arixenia Jordan, 1909 and Xeniaria Maa, 1974 are discussed and summarized relative to their associations with phoretic fleas and their bat hosts.
Examination of numerous specimens characterised by predorsal scute, long maxilla, indented preopercle and pelvic scute lacking a spine and previously identified as Stolephorusbengalensis (Dutt & Babu Rao, 1959) or Stolephorusinsularis Hardenberg, 1933, revealed four distinct species, true S.bengalensis (distributed from the Bay of Bengal to Pakistan) and three new species, viz., Stolephoruseldorado sp. nov. (Taiwan to Java, Indonesia), Stolephorusdiabolus sp. nov. (Strait of Malacca, from Penang , Malaysia, to Singapore) and Stolephoruseclipsis sp. nov. (Bintan Island, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia). Characters separating the four species include numbers of gill rakers on each gill arch and vertebrae and pelvic fin and dorsal-fin ray lengths. Two molecular markers (mitochondrial cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I genes) demonstrated the distinction of three of the species examined morphologically and enabled a reconstruction of their phylogenetic relationships. Each species was genetically divergent from the others by 3.5%-7.7% mean uncorrected distance in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene.
Males of certain species belonging to the Bactrocera dorsalis complex are strongly attracted to, and readily feed on methyl eugenol (ME), a plant secondary compound that is found in over 480 plant species worldwide. Amongst those species is one of the world's most severe fruit pests the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis s.s., and the former taxonomic species Bactrocera invadens, Bactrocera papayae and Bactrocera philippinensis. The latter species have been recently synonymised with Bactrocera dorsalis based on their very similar morphology, mating compatibility, molecular genetics and identical sex pheromones following consumption of ME. Previous studies have shown that male fruit fly responsiveness to lures is a unique phenomenon that is dose species-specific, besides showing a close correlation to sexual maturity attainment. This led us to use ME sensitivity as a behavioural parameter to test if Bactrocera dorsalis and the three former taxonomic species had similar sensitivity towards odours of ME. Using Probit analysis, we estimated the median dose of ME required to elicit species' positive response in 50% of each population tested (ED50). ED50 values were compared between Bactrocera dorsalis and the former species. Our results showed no significant differences between Bactrocera dorsalis s.s., and the former Bactrocera invadens, Bactrocera papayae and Bactrocera philippinensis in their response to ME. We consider that the Bactrocera males' sensitivity to ME may be a useful behavioural parameter for species delimitation and, in addition to other integrative taxonomic tools used, provides further supportive evidence that the four taxa belong to one and the same biological species, Bactrocera dorsalis.
An FAO/IAEA-sponsored coordinated research project on integrative taxonomy, involving close to 50 researchers from at least 20 countries, culminated in a significant breakthrough in the recognition that four major pest species, Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera philippinensis, Bactrocera papayae and Bactrocera invadens, belong to the same biological species, Bactrocera dorsalis. The successful conclusion of this initiative is expected to significantly facilitate global agricultural trade, primarily through the lifting of quarantine restrictions that have long affected many countries, especially those in regions such as Asia and Africa that have large potential for fresh fruit and vegetable commodity exports. This work stems from two taxonomic studies: a revision in 1994 that significantly increased the number of described species in the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex; and the description in 2005 of Bactrocera invadens, then newly incursive in Africa. While taxonomically valid species, many biologists considered that these were different names for one biological species. Many disagreements confounded attempts to develop a solution for resolving this taxonomic issue, before the FAO/IAEA project commenced. Crucial to understanding the success of that initiative is an accounting of the historical events and perspectives leading up to the international, multidisciplinary collaborative efforts that successfully achieved the final synonymization. This review highlights the 21 year journey taken to achieve this outcome.
Simulium (Nevermannia) maeaiensesp. n. is described on the basis of female, male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. This species is assigned to the feuerborni species-group of the subgenus Simulium (Nevermannia), and is distinctive among this species-group in having the female cibarium furnished with numerous dark minute conical processes on the lower part, the female genital fork with a strongly sclerotized horizontal bar on each arm, and six long pupal gill filaments arising nearly at the same level from the common basal stalk and lying in a horizontal plane. Identification keys to seven species of the feuerborni species-group reported from Thailand are provided for females, males, pupae and mature larvae.
A new species of the genus Pseudaspidimerus Kapur, 1948 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Pseudaspidimerus palatus Huo & Wang, sp. n. from the Malay Peninsula is described with illustrations and a distribution map. The genus Pseudaspidimerus is recorded for the first time from Malaysia and Singapore.
Two new species of Discorhabdella are described from Sagami Bay, Japan. Discorhabdella has been suggested to have an ancient Tethyan origin according to discovery of their unique pseudoastrose acanthostyles from late Eocene to Oligocene deposits. This is the first record of the genus from the northwest Pacific and first record of the family Crambeidae from Japan. Discorhabdellahispida sp. nov. is distinctive within the genus by possession of special sigmoid microscleres and C-shaped isochelae with short alae. Discorhabdellamisakiensis sp. nov. is characterized by short choanosomal subtylostyles, and their length overlapped with that of the ectosomal subtylostyles. Only one other species, Discorhabdellatuberosocapitata (Topsent, 1890), has the same spicule composition. However, all spicule types are larger in D.tuberosocapitata than those of D.misakiensis sp. nov., and the shape of the isochelae is different: the alae are more widely opened in D.tuberosocapitata. An identification key to species of the genus Discorhabdella is also provided. The discovery of two new species from warm temperate northwest Pacific extends the geographical distribution of the genus Discorhabdella.
Six new species of Agrilus Curtis, 1825 with affinities to the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888, are described from the Oriental Region: Agrilus crepuscularissp. n. (Malaysia); Agrilus pseudolubopetrisp. n. (Laos); Agrilus sapphirinussp. n.(Laos); Agrilus seramensissp. n.(Indonesia); Agrilus spineussp. n. (Malaysia); and Agrilus tomentipennissp. n. (Laos). The genus Sarawakita Obenberger, 1924 syn. nov. is considered a junior synonym of Agrilus.
Recent studies suggested that accurate species identification in the tropical anguillid eels based on morphological examination requires confirmation by molecular genetic analysis. Previous studies found that two tropical anguillid eels, Anguilla bicolor bicolor and A. bengalensis bengalensis, were found in peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) based on morphological and molecular genetic analyses. This study is the first record of A. marmorata in peninsular Malaysia confirmed by both morphological and molecular genetic analyses. The present study also suggests that accurate tropical eel species identification is difficult by morphological identification alone; therefore, molecular genetic analysis is needed for precise species confirmation.
Cheleionwatanabeisp. n. is described from Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia and represents the third species of the genus Cheleion Vårdal & Forshage, 2010 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae, Stereomerini). A description of the previously unknown male of C.jendeki Král & Hájek, 2015, and a key to the species of the genus Cheleion are also provided.
Material collected between 2010 and 2014 on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Bali, Sumba, Sumbawa, Sulawesi, and Seram unveiled the enormous diversity of Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge in this country. Five species were reported from Indonesia previously (L. fulmeki (Ulmer), L. obscurum (Ulmer), L. necopinatum (Müller-Liebenau), L. ulmeri (Müller-Liebenau), and L. boettgeri (Ulmer)); all were described from adults only and no species were previously known at larval stage. We identified 18 new species by integrative taxonomy using genetic distance (COI, Kimura-2-parameter) and morphology, and they are described and illustrated based on their larvae. Another species, L. multus (Müller-Liebenau) from Malaysia, was also found in Indonesia, increasing the total number of species in Indonesia to 24. Seven morpho-groups of species are proposed based on morphological characters and a key to the larvae of all species from Indonesia and adjacent countries is provided. The total number of Labiobaetis species worldwide is augmented to 123. The examination of the new species allowed us to slightly modify the generic attributes of the larvae. The interspecific K2P distances are usually between 11% and 24%, the intraspecific distances are usually between 0% and 3%. The remarkable richness of the genus in Indonesia is discussed.
Material collected between 2000 and 2014 on the island Borneo, including the Indonesian province of Kalimantan, the Malaysian province of Sabah and Brunei Darussalam, substantially increased our knowledge of Labiobaetis on this island. The total number of Labiobaetis species in Borneo increased to five, as only one species, L. borneoensis (Müller-Liebenau, 1984), was previously reported. Three new species were identified by morphology and partly by using genetic distance (COI, Kimura 2-parameter). They are described and illustrated based on their larvae (Labiobaetis bakerae sp. nov., L. penan sp. nov. and L. dayakorum sp. nov.); in one case, the imago is described as well. New reports of L. borneoensis are presented and the imago of this species is described for the first time. Labiobaetis moriharai (Müller-Liebenau, 1984), originally described from mainland Malaysia (Province Selangor), is reported from Borneo for the first time. The interspecific K2P distances in Borneo are between 19% and 25%, the intraspecific distances are usually between 0% and 1%. The total number of Labiobaetis species worldwide is augmented to 126.
A reinvestigation of type and other material of Baetisjavanicus Ulmer, 1913 and Baetissabahensis Müller-Liebenau, 1984, together with new material from Southeast Asia revealed a new genus, Branchiobaetis gen. nov. The above species are formally assigned to the new genus Branchiobaetis gen. nov. It is characterized by the presence of accessory gills ventrally near fore coxa and at the base of maxillae, a peculiar folding of the gonostyli developing under the cuticle of last instar male larvae, together with a unique combination of other larval characters. Besides the two formerly described species, five new species are identified using a combination of morphology and molecular characters (COI, Kimura 2-parameter distances), four species from Sumatra and one from the Philippines. They are described and illustrated at the larval stage. Additionally, a complementary description of larva and adult stages of the generic type species B.javanicus comb. nov. as well as the first description of the eggs are provided. Furthermore, new reports of B.javanicus comb. nov. and B.sabahensis comb. nov. are indicated. The distribution of Branchiobaetis gen. nov. includes the Indonesian Sunda Islands, Borneo, and the Philippines. A key to the larval stage of all species is provided.
Euborellia (Anisolabididae: Anisolabidinae) is one of the most speciose genera of earwigs (Dermaptera), and its species-level classification is difficult. To settle the classification of brachypterous species with abbreviated tegmina recorded from East and Southeast Asia, we examined the morphology and reproductive isolation of three tentative Euborellia species, and analyzed the DNA barcoding region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The observed complete reproductive isolation among the three Euborellia taxa and considerable differentiation in the COI sequences clearly show that each should be treated as a separate species. Based on morphology, distribution and the DNA sequence, we identify Euborellia sp. 1 of Malaysia as E.annulata (Fabricius), a circumtropical cosmopolitan with no records of a fully winged form. Samples from Ioto Island (= Iwo-jima Island: Ogasawara Islands, southern Japan) were also identified as this species. Euborellia sp. 3, from the main islands of Japan, was generally larger and lacked a Y-shaped pigmented area on the penis lobe, which is characteristic of Euborellia sp. 1. We propose reinstating E.pallipes (Shiraki) as the oldest name for this taxon. Euborellia sp. 2, even the brachypterous form, can be distinguished from these two species by its paler coloration (particularly the femora), ecarinate post-abdomen, and the shape of the male genitalia (parameres). We tentatively identify this species as E.philippinensis Srivastava based on the morphology of the brachypterous form, although the macropterous form cannot be distinguished from E.femoralis (Dohrn).
Coptotermocola clavicornisgen. & sp. n. and Neotermitosocius bolivianusgen. & sp. n. of the termite inquilinous tribe Termitohospitini are described from peninsular Malaysia and Bolivia, respectively. The Termitohospitini are most readily diagnosable by the distally migrated anterior tentorial pits that are no longer associated with the antennal fossae, and by the enlarged vertex which obscures the antennal fossae dorsally. Additionally, the Termitohospitini are hypothesized to share a recent common ancestor with the Masuriini and Myllaenini due to shared derived morphologies of the lacinia distal teeth with lateral cuticular processes, presence of a unique maxillary palpomere III sensilla, and anterolateral angles of mentum produced. Habitus photographs and illustrations of diagnostic features are provided for the two new genera in order to facilitate future work.
For the first time in 21 years, a new genus of cardiochiline braconid wasp, Orientocardiochiles Kang & Long, gen. nov. (type species Orientocardiochiles joeburrowi Kang, sp. nov.), is discovered and described. This genus represents the ninth genus in the Oriental region. Two new species (O. joeburrowi Kang, sp. nov. and O. nigrofasciatus Long, sp. nov.) are described and illustrated, and a key to species of the genus, with detailed images, is added. Diagnostic characters of the new genus are analyzed and compared with several other cardiochiline genera to allow the genus to key out properly using an existing generic treatment. The scientific names validated by this paper and morphological data obtained from this project will be utilized and tested in the upcoming genus-level revision of the subfamily based on combined morphological and molecular data.
The subgenus Dudaica Strand of the genus Drosophila Fallén has been known to comprise only two species: Drosophila (Dudaica) senilis Duda, 1926 (recorded from Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bhutan, and India) and D.malayana (Takada, 1976) (recorded from Malaysia). In the present study, this subgenus is revised, with D.malayana redescribed and six new species discovered and described from China, Malaysia, and Indonesia: gracilipalpis Katoh & Gao, sp. n., puberula Katoh & Gao, sp. n., albipalpis Katoh, Toda & Gao, sp. n., qiongzhouensis Katoh & Gao, sp. n., orthophallata Katoh, Toda & Gao, sp. n., and dissimilis Katoh & Gao, sp. n. Both morphological and molecular data (DNA barcodes) are used to distinguish the above species. A key to species of this subgenus is provided.
The Bornean hydrocenids have so far been understudied compared to other non-pulmonate snails in this region. In the present study, we review a first group of minute land snail species belonging to the genus Georissa (Gastropoda, Hydrocenidae) from Malaysian Borneo. This group is restricted to the species with conspicuous scale-like sculpture on the shell. Based on materials from recent fieldwork, museums, and personal collections, Malaysian Borneo hydrocenids are more complex and diverse in shell characters than previously anticipated. Here, a molecular, conchological, and biogeographic study of this "scaly group" is presented. We recognise 13 species of which six are new to science, namely Georissa anyiensissp. n., Georissa muluensissp. n., Georissa bauensissp. n., Georissa silaburensissp. n., Georissa kinabatanganensissp. n., and Georissa sepulutensissp. n.