Quantitative identification of causes of instrumental acoustic signal distortion in Global Navigation Satellite System-Acoustics Combination observations.

The Seafloor Geodetic Observation-Array (SGO-A), operated by the Japan Coast Guard, relies on the Global Navigation Satellite System-Acoustics combination (GNSS-A) technique, which integrates satellite positioning systems and undersea acoustic ranging to determine seafloor crustal deformation at the centimeter level for earthquake disaster prevention. Recently, we found distortion in the SGO-A 10-kHz carrier wave that degraded the accuracy. Carrier wave distortion can cause errors on the scale of several centimeters to twenty centimeters, which greatly impedes centimeter-level observations. This study investigated this carrier wave degradation by an underwater acoustic communication experiment conducted in 2022, using a transducer similar to that used by SGO-A. Also, we reproduced degraded waveforms through a grid search-like method for quantitatively evaluating the extent to which the interior of the equipment contributed to deterioration. Our results underscore the importance of careful consideration in signal processing, as the observed waveform degradation is not solely attributed to hardware structures but also to internal electrical circuits. The findings suggest that conventional signal identification methods may lead to errors, providing motivation for a shift towards experimental and experiential timing-based waveform identification approaches to enhance accuracy in GNSS-A systems.

A remarkable new species of the flat bug genus Nesoproxius (Hemiptera, Aradidae), the first Oceanian representative with brachyptery.

A new flat bug species, Nesoproxiuskishimotoisp. nov., from the Oceanian region (Ogasawara Islands, Japan) is described. It is the first brachypterous representative in the genus Nesoproxius. The sexual dimorphism, nymph, and habitat are also described for the first time in this genus. A key to the species of Nesoproxius is also provided.

First record of the predatory stink bug species Picromerusgriseus (Dallas) (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Asopinae) in Japan, with an illustrated key to the Japanese species of the genus Picromerus Amyot & Serville.

Background: The predatory stink bug genus Picromerus Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Asopinae) comprises 11 species found in the Northern Hemisphere. In Japan, two species have been recorded to date. However, an easy-to-understand identification method, such as an illustrated key, is lacking. Currently, Picromerusgriseus (Dallas, 1851) has been recorded in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Taiwan, but not in Japan. New information: Picromerusgriseus was recorded in Japan for the first time, based on a single individual collected from grasslands around the fields of Ishigaki Island of the Ryukyu Islands, which belong to the Oriental Region. This discovery represents the easternmost record of the species. An illustrated key to the species of Picromerus occurring in Japan is also provided.

Taxonomic review of the tingine genera Cysteochila, Hurdchila, Physatocheila, and Xynotingis from Japan, with description of a new genus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae).

Species of four lace bug genera of the subfamily Tinginae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae), namely Cysteochila Stl, 1873, Hurdchila Drake, 1953, Physatocheila Fieber, 1844, and Xynotingis Drake, 1948, occurring in Japan, are revised. A total of 13 species are identified and diagnosed. Previous records of Cysteochila consueta Drake, 1948 from Japan are considered to be the misidentification of C. chiniana Drake, 1942. Limnostatua gen. nov. is described to accommodate Leptodictya (currently Hurdchila) lewisi Scott, 1880 (type species of the new genus). A new synonymy is proposed: Limnostatua lewisi (Scott, 1880), comb. nov. = Cysteochila vota Drake, 1948 syn. nov. Three new combinations, namely Physatocheila chiniana (Drake, 1942) comb. nov., P. consueta (Drake, 1948) comb. nov., and P. euthenia (Drake Ruhoff, 1965) comb. nov., all of which were transferred from Cysteochila, are proposed. Three species, namely C. abundantis Drake Poor, 1937, P. consueta comb. nov. (previous records all pertaining to misidentifications) and P. euthenia comb. nov., are newly recorded from Japan. Finally, identification keys for Japanese tingid genera and subgenera as well as for species of Cysteochila and Physatocheila are provided.

A new species of the flat bug genus Aneurus from Japan (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae).

A new aneurine flat bug species, Aneurus (Aneurodes) taterasanus sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae), is described from western and southwestern Japan, as the fifth species of the subgenus Aneurodes Heiss, 1998, and the first record of the subgenus from the country. The structure of the phallus of this new species with the endosoma everted and inflated is documented in detail for the first time in the subfamily Aneurinae. A key to species of the subgenus Aneurodes and another one to species of the genera Aneurus Curtis, 1825 and Paraneurus Jacobs, 1986 occurring in Japan are provided.

First record of Urostylishubeiensis Ren (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Urostylididae) from Japan, with an illustrated key to the Japanese urostylidid species.

Background: Although the Japanese species of Urostylididae are of interest to not only heteropteran taxonomists, but also to the public, an illustrated key for all species of the family from the country is lacking. To date, the urostylidid species Urostylishubeiensis Ren, 1997, has been known to occur in China and Korea, but not in Japan. New information: Urostylishubeiensis is recorded from Japan for the first time and represents the easternmost occurrence of this species. In Japan, it inhabits the broad-leaved forest of Tsushima Island and was found on Quercusacutissima Carruth. (Fagaceae). An illustrated key to the species of Urostylididae occurring in Japan is provided.

Three new species of the genus Biasticus Stål, 1867 (Insecta, Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Harpactorinae) from Central Highlands, Vietnam.

Three new assassin bug species of the genus Biasticus Stål, 1867 are recognized in Vietnam based on morphological examination, morphometric and molecular phylogenetic analyses, and described as Biasticustaynguyenensis Ha, Truong & Ishikawa, sp. nov., Biasticusgriseocapillus Ha, Truong & Ishikawa, sp. nov., and Biasticusluteicollis Ha, Truong & Ishikawa, sp. nov. The conspecific male and female associations of the new species were confirmed by phylogenetic analyses and DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA and COI genes. All three new species are presently restricted to the Central Highlands, Vietnam (Kon Chu Rang NR, Gia Lai Province, and Chu Yang Sin NP, Dak Lak Province).

Erratum: Corrigendum: Three new species of the genus Biasticus Stål, 1867 (Insecta, Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Harpactorinae) from Central Highlands, Vietnam. ZooKeys 1118: 133-180. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1118.83156.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1118.83156.].

Global phylogeography and invasion history of the spotted lanternfly revealed by mitochondrial phylogenomics.

Biological invasion has been a serious global threat due to increasing international trade and population movements. Tracking the source and route of invasive species and evaluating the genetic differences in their native regions have great significance for the effective monitoring and management, and further resolving the invasive mechanism. The spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula is native to China and invaded South Korea, Japan, and the United States during the last decade, causing severe damages to the fruits and timber industries. However, its global phylogeographic pattern and invasion history are not clearly understood. We applied high-throughput sequencing to obtain 392 whole mitochondrial genome sequences from four countries to ascertain the origin, dispersal, and invasion history of the spotted lanternfly. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that the spotted lanternfly originated from southwestern China, diverged into six phylogeographic lineages, and experienced northward expansion across the Yangtze River in the late Pleistocene. South Korea populations were derived from multiple invasions from eastern China and Japan with two different genetic sources of northwestern (Loess Plateau) and eastern (East Plain) lineages in China, whereas the each of Japan and the United States had only one. The United States populations originated through single invasive event from South Korea, which served as a bridgehead of invasion. The environmental conditions, especially the distribution of host Ailanthus trees, and adaptability possibly account for the rapid spread of the spotted lanternfly in the native and introduced regions.

A taxonomic review of the genus emPhysopelta/em (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Largidae) from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, with a new record of emPh. parviceps/em from China.

In this paper, we revised the physopeltine genus Physopelta Amyot Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Largidae) from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Five species were recognized and diagnosed, including two new species, Ph. (Neophysopelta) lutaspidata sp. nov. from northern and central Taiwan and Ph. (N.) fusciscutellata sp. nov. from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan and Taiwan, and three known species, Ph. (N.) gutta gutta (Burmeister, 1834), Ph. (N.) parviceps Blöte, 1931, and Ph. (N.) quadriguttata Bergroth, 1894. Physopelta (Neophysopelta) fusciscutellata sp. nov., was previously regarded as either of the two species, Ph. (N.) cincticollis Stål, 1863 and Ph. (N.) parviceps, for populations from Taiwan. Previous records of Ph. (N.) cincticollis from Japan proper and Korea, and Ph. (N.) slanbuschii (Fabricius, 1787) from the Ryukyu Islands were considered as misidentifications of Ph. parviceps. A key to facilitate the identification of the five species known in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan is provided. Additionally, Ph. (N.) parviceps is recorded from China (Guangdong Province and Zhejiang Province) for the first time.

Heissiella donguri sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) feeding on Quercus gilva (Fagaceae): First representative of the genus from Japan.

The lace bug genus Heissiella Péricart, 1984 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) is recorded from Japan for the first time, and a new species, which has been recorded as 'Tingis (Tropidocheila) sp.' or 'Tingis (Tropidocheila) shaowuana Drake Maa, 1953' (misidentification) by previous authors, is described under the name of H. donguri sp. nov. This new species was found on the leaves of Quercus gilva Blume (Fagaceae) in the laurilignosa ecosystem of Honshu and Kyushu, extending the known distribution range of the genus into the Palaearctic Region. The distribution range and the host plant relationship of the new species are discussed. A key to all described species of the genus and a photograph of a living individual for the new species are also presented.

Shallow slow slip events along the Nankai Trough detected by GNSS-A.

Various slow earthquakes (SEQs), including tremors, very low frequency events, and slow slip events (SSEs), occur along megathrust zones. In a shallow plate boundary region, although many SEQs have been observed along pan-Pacific subduction zones, SSEs with a duration on the order of a year or with a large slip have not yet been detected due to difficulty in offshore observation. We try to statistically detect transient seafloor crustal deformations from seafloor geodetic data obtained by the Global Navigation Satellite System-Acoustic (GNSS-A) combination technique, which enables monitoring the seafloor absolute position. Here, we report the first detection of signals probably caused by shallow large SSEs along the Nankai Trough and indicate the timings and approximate locations of probable SSEs. The results show the existence of large SSEs around the shallow side of strong coupling regions and indicate the spatiotemporal relationship with other SEQ activities expected in past studies.

A review of the stink bug genus Plautia Stål from Japan (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae).

In this review, we revise the pentatomine stink bug genus Plautia Stål from Japan. Five species are recognized and diagnosed, including three new species: P. sakishimensis sp. nov., P. himechabane sp. nov., and P. ishigaki sp. nov. One of these, P. himechabane sp. nov., was previously regarded as P. splendens Distant for the populations of the mainland of Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, and China. The species Plautia cyanoviridis Ruckes is proposed as a junior synonym of P. splendens, which is endemic to the Ogasawara Islands. A key is provided to facilitate the identification of the five species known in Japan.

Insect and mite pests of pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.) in Japan.

To further increase the basic knowledge regarding the establishment of pest control for pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.), we conducted surveys of pepino pests in Japan. Thirty-four insect and four mite species were recognized as pests of pepino plants in the present study. Including the results of previous studies, a total of 41 species of insects and mites have been reported as pests of pepino plants in Japan. Three species, namely onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae), and cotton whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), are likely the most important insect and mite pests of pepino plants, because they were collected from more than half of the study sites and were much more abundant on pepino plants than the other pest species.

Population Structure of Two Flightless Weevils of Genus Scepticus Roelofs (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) with Seashore Habitat in Japan.

To elucidate the genetic population structure of two coastal weevils, Scepticus griseus and S. tigrinus, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region (1308 bp) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII) region (584 bp). A total of 650 individuals (S. griseus, 444 individuals; S. tigrinus, 206 individuals) were obtained from 64 sites. The haplotype networks of both species showed three major lineages with roughly regional distribution. However, the two species show quite different genetic structures; S. griseus has a complicated structure while that of S. tigrinus is simple. We hypothesize that the genetic structure of each of these two weevil species reflects climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene, and the differences in genetic structure between S. griseus and S. tigrinus may represent a unique evolutionary history scenario in each species.

Phylogeography of the Assassin Bug Sphedanolestes impressicollis in East Asia Inferred From Mitochondrial and Nuclear Gene Sequences.

The assassin bug, Sphedanolestes impressicollis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), is widely distributed in East Asia. It is an ideal model for evaluating the effects of climatic fluctuation and geographical events on the distribution patterns of East Asian reduviids. Here, we used two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene to investigate the phylogeographic pattern of the assassin bug based on comprehensive sampling in China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Laos. High levels of genetic differentiation were detected among the geographic populations classified into the northern and southern groups. A significant correlation was detected between genetic and geographical distances. The East China Sea land bridge served as a "dispersal corridor" during Pleistocene glaciation. The estimated divergence time indicated that the northern group may have separated from the eastern Chinese populations when the sea level rapidly rose during the "Ryukyu Coral Sea Stage" and the East China Sea land bridge was completely submerged. Demographic history and ecological niche modeling suggested that appropriate climatic conditions may have accounted for the rapid spread across the Korean Peninsula and Japan during the late Pleistocene. Our study underscores the pivotal roles of the Pleistocene sea level changes and climatic fluctuations in determining the distribution patterns of East Asian reduviids.

Seafloor crustal deformation data along the subduction zones around Japan obtained by GNSS-A observations.

Crustal deformation data obtained by geodetic observation networks are foundations in the fields of geodesy and seismology. These data are essential for understanding plate motion and earthquake sources and for simulating earthquake and tsunami scenarios. Although relatively scarce, seafloor geodetic data are particularly important for monitoring the behaviour of undersea interplate boundary regions. Since the mid-1990s, we have been developing the combined Global Navigation Satellite System-Acoustic ranging (GNSS-A) technique for realizing seafloor geodesy. This technique allows us to collect time series of seafloor crustal deformation. Our published data can be used to investigate several seismological phenomena along the subduction zones around Japan, namely the Nankai Trough, Sagami Trough and Japan Trench. These regions are globally important places in geodesy and seismology and are also suitable for comparison with other geophysical datasets. Our intention is for these data to promote further understanding of megathrust zones.

Invasion of the assassin bug Agriosphodrus dohrni (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to Japan: Source estimation inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences.

A large-sized assassin bug Agriosphodrus dohrni (Signoret), has been recorded from India, Vietnam, China and Japan. It is one of the potential biological control agents against some important agricultural and forest pests. This species is speculated to have invaded Japan from its native range in China about 60 years ago. We used three mitochondrial gene fragments (COI, Cytb, and ND5) and one nuclear gene fragment (EF-1α) to clarify the invasion history of A. dohrni and assess the effects of geographic events and associated ecological adaptation on the distribution pattern. The native populations of A. dohrni in China are divided into three distinct groups, which might be molded by the Early Pleistocene glaciation event and diverged during the Calabrian Stage. However, consistent with the hypothesis of a recent invasion, extremely low level of genetic variation was detected in the Japanese populations, with only two haplotypes for the combined mitochondrial genes. Both the splits network and the ML/BI phylogenetic trees revealed that haplotypes of Japan were more closely-related to those from eastern China. Therefore, we postulate that there has been only one introduction event, probably from somewhere around the Nanjing (NJ) and Lin'an (LA) populations of eastern China.

Incidence of pests and viral disease on pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.) in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

BACKGROUND: The solanaceous fruit crop pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.), originating in the Andes, is grown commercially in South American countries and New Zealand. In these areas, pests and diseases of pepino have been identified well; however, to date, these have seldom been investigated in detail in Japan. Herein, we attempt to reconstruct an agricultural production system for commercial pepino crops in Japan, and evaluate the incidence of pests and viral diseases on pepino. The findings of this study will facilitate in developing a better crop system for the commercial cultivation of healthy pepino fruits. NEW INFORMATION: A total of 11 species, comprising nine insects and two mites, were recognized as pests of pepino plants in our experimental fields in Kanagawa Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. Of these pest species, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 and the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877, were remarkably abundant than the other pest species. Eventually, 13 species, including two previously recorded, are currently recognized as the pests of pepino in Japan. With regard to viruses, we tested two species Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), as well as three genera Carlavirus, Potexvirus, and Potyvirus. No virus was detected in symptomatic pepino leaves collected in our experimental fields. This is a first report on the identification of pests on pepino plants in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan and elucidates the relationship between currently occurring pests of pepino plants and potential viral pathogens that they can transmit.

Discontinuous color variation in the assassin bug species Tiarodes miyamotoi (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Reduviinae).

BACKGROUND: The reduviine assassin bug, Tiarodes miyamotoi Ishikawa, Cai and Tomokuni, 2005 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Reduviinae), has so far been known only from the Yaeyama Islands of Japan and no major intraspecific variation has been reported in this species. NEW INFORMATION: This is the first record of this species from Okinawa-honto Island as the northernmost locality. Furthermore, an apparently discontinuous intraspecific variation in coloration has been confirmed between populations from the Yaeyama and Okinawa-honto Islands; this variation has been reported for the first time in the genus Tiarodes Burmeister, 1835, which comprises approximately 90 species.