The chloroplast genome of a subtropical tree Sassafras randaiense (Hayata) Rehder, 1920 (Lauraceae).

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Sassafras randaiense (Hayata) Rehder, 1920, a subtropical tree in the family Lauraceae, was determined. For a better understanding of the differences between S. randaiense and S. tzumu, the complete chloroplast genome of S. randaiense was sequenced and analyzed. The complete chloroplast genome is 151,781 bp in length, consisting of a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 20,114 bp, one large single-copy (LSC) region of 92,740 bp, and one small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,813 bp. The overall GC content of the complete chloroplast genome is 39.2%. Further, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis was conducted using 31 complete plastome sequences, which support that S. randaiense and S. tzumu are nested among the members of Cinnamomum, suggesting that Sassafras belongs to Cinnamomum.

A new species of Passaloecus Shuckard (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) from China, with a key to Oriental species.

A new species of Passaloecus Shuckard, P.birugatus Bashir & Chen, sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Yunnan Province, China. The new species can be easily distinguished from known species of Passaloecus by its very long petiole, which is distinctly longer than wide, obscure scrobal suture, propodeum rugae and striations, body punctation, and coloration. An identification key to the Oriental species of Passaloecus is given.

Unraveling the Role of Lac Insects in Providing Natural Industrial Products.

In the current era, products made from organic materials enjoy a privileged position because of their inherent safety. The eco-friendly properties of natural lac resins have increased their demand in many industries. It is secreted by sucking insects (Hemiptera, Kerriidae) and comprises three major components, viz., resin, dye, and wax. Lac insects are generally bivoltine in nature and are distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions with complex multi-trophic habitats. Because of their sedentary habits, lac insects are more vulnerable to predators, parasitoids, squirrels, and rats, leading to a more than 50% reduction in production yield. To increase lac production, advanced-level molecular research is required to figure out the mechanism behind lac synthesis and secretion to improve lac yield and quality. The present review highlights metamorphosis, sexual dimorphism, multi-trophic habitat, host plants, and natural enemies of lac insects, lac composition, and applications, emphasizing the role of microbes, potential lac genes, and lac synthesis mechanisms in enhancing lac quality and production. The information provided here might be useful for lac researchers and for stakeholders aiming to make their products more eco-friendly.

Characterization of Potential Molecular Markers in Lac Insect Kerria lacca (Kerr) Responsible for Lac Production.

Kerria lacca (Kerr) is an important lac insect extensively used in industrial products in the form of resin, wax and dye. The scarce knowledge on molecular markers for K. lacca is a barrier in elucidating genetic information. Our study identified a total of 16,921 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and 6231 insertions and deletions (InDels)-of which, intergenic variation accounted for 41.22% and 56.30%, and exonic variation accounted for 39.10% and 17.46%, of SNPs and InDels, respectively. Observation of SNPs suggested that nucleotide substitution frequency and transition to transversion (Ts/Tv) ratio were highest at the late adult stage, 3.97, compared to at the other stages, with a genome-wide Ts/Tv ratio of 2.95. The maximum number of SNPs, 2853 (16.86%), was identified in chromosome 8, while the lowest, 1126 (6.65%), was identified in chromosome 7. The maximum and minimum numbers of InDels were located on chromosome 1 and 7, with 834 (13.38%) and 519 (8.33%), respectively. Annotation showed that highest numbers of exonic and intergenic SNPs were present at the late adult stage, whereas the maximum number of InDels was found at the larval stage. On the basis of gene function, 47 gene variations were screened and 23 candidate genes were identified in associations with lac production. Concluding work will enhance knowledge on molecular markers to facilitate an increase in lac production in K. lacca as well as other lac insects.

First record of the lac-producing species Kerrianepalensis Varshney (Hemiptera, Kerriidae) from China, with a key to Chinese species.

Lac insects include astonishing species responsible for lac production. Lac is composed of resins, dyes, and shellac wax with significant economic importance. Previously, 11 species of the genus Kerria were reported from China, with the highest species diversity in Yunnan province. Another lac-producing species of the genus Kerria, namely Kerrianepalensis Varshney, is recorded for the first time in Yunnan province, China, on Dalbergiacochinchinensis Pierre ex Laness. (Fabaceae), a new host plant. In addition, a key to the 12 Kerria species recorded in China is also given.

Structure, Distribution, Chemical Composition, and Gene Expression Pattern of Glandular Trichomes on the Leaves of Rhus potaninii Maxim.

Rhus potaninii Maxim is an economically and medicinally important tree species in China. It produces galls (induced by aphids) with a high abundance of tannins. Here, we discuss the histology, cellular structures and their distribution, and the macromolecular components of secretive glandular trichomes on the leaves of R. potaninii. A variation in the density of glandular trichomes and tomenta was found between the adaxial and abaxial sides of a leaf in different regions and stages of the leaf. The glandular trichomes on R. potaninii trees comprise a stalk with no cellular structure and a head with 8-15 cells. Based on staining, we found that the secretion of glandular trichomes has many polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and acidic lipids but very few neutral lipids. The dense glandular trichomes provide mechanical protection for young tissues; additionally, their secretion protects the young tissues from pathogens by a special chemical component. According to transcriptome analysis, we found enhanced biosynthetic and metabolism pathways of glycan, lipids, toxic amino acids, and phenylpropanoids. This shows a similar tendency to the staining. The numbers of differentially expressed genes were large or small; the averaged range of upregulated genes was greater than that of the downregulated genes in most subpathways. Some selectively expressed genes were found in glandular trichomes, responsible for the chitinase activity and pathogenesis-related proteins, which all have antibacterial activity and serve for plant defense. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the components of the secretion from glandular trichomes on the leaf surface of R. potaninii.

Molecular and Histologic Adaptation of Horned Gall Induced by the Aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis (Pemphigidae).

Chinese galls are the result of hyperplasia in host plants induced by aphids. The metabolism and gene expression of these galls are modified to accommodate the aphids. Here, we highlight the molecular and histologic features of horned galls according to transcriptome and anatomical structures. In primary pathways, genes were found to be unevenly shifted and selectively expressed in the galls and leaves near the galls (LNG). Pathways for amino acid synthesis and degradation were also unevenly shifted, favoring enhanced accumulation of essential amino acids in galls for aphids. Although galls enhanced the biosynthesis of glucose, which is directly available to aphids, glucose content in the gall tissues was lower due to the feeding of aphids. Pathways of gall growth were up-regulated to provide enough space for aphids. In addition, the horned gall has specialized branched schizogenous ducts and expanded xylem in the stalk, which provide a broader feeding surface for aphids and improve the efficiency of transportation and nutrient exchange. Notably, the gene expression in the LNG showed a similar pattern to that of the galls, but on a smaller scale. We suppose the aphids manipulate galls to their advantage, and galls lessen competition by functioning as a medium between the aphids and their host plants.

Corrigendum: Chinese species of Carinostigmus Tsuneki (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), including three new species and a new record to China. ZooKeys 987: 115-134. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.987.55317.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.987.55317.].

Chinese species of Carinostigmus Tsuneki (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), including three new species and a new record to China.

Three new species of Carinostigmus Tsuneki from the Oriental Region of China are described: Carinostigmus frontirugatus Bashir & Ma, sp. nov., C. latidentatus Bashir & Ma, sp. nov., and C. vesulcatus Bashir & Ma, sp. nov. In addition, ten species are reported, of which Carinostigmus palawanensis (Tsuneki) is recorded in China for the first time. A key to known and new species of the genus Carinostigmus Tsuneki from China is provided.

The genus Passaloecus Shuckard (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) from China with four new species and two new records.

Four new species of genus Passaloecus Shuckard, (Crabronidae: Pemphredoninae: Pemphredonini) from China are described, namely P. bisulcatus Bashir Ma, sp. nov., P. profundesulcatus Bashir Ma, sp. nov., P. tuberangustus Bashir Ma, sp. nov., and P. tuberculiformis Bashir Ma, sp. nov. In addition, eight Palearctic species are reported, of which P. turanicus Gussakovskij and P. turionum Dahlbom are first records for China. A key to the species of Passaloecus from China is provided.

Review of the genus Stigmus Panzer (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) in China, with description of five new species from the Oriental and Palearctic Regions.

Five new species of the genus Stigmus: S.capoblongus Bashir & Ma, sp. n., S.denticorneus Bashir & Ma, sp. n., S.fronticoncavus Bashir & Ma, sp. n., S.interruptus Bashir & Ma, sp. n. and S.lobomelanicus Bashir & Ma, sp. n. are described and illustrated from China. Also, a key to the species of Stigmus Panzer occurring in China is provided.

Two new species of Ceropales (Ceropales) Latreille (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae), with a key to species from China.

Two new species in the Ceropales helvetica species-group are described: Ceropales (Ceropales) longisulcata Lu Li, sp. nov. from Inner Mongolia, China and Ceropales (Ceropales) yunnanensis Lu Li, sp. nov. from Yunnan, China. A key to the species of Ceropales (C.) from China is provided.