New synonymy among gall thrips of the Asian genus Mesothrips, with revision of species from China (Thysanoptera, Haplothripini).

Historical, nomenclatural, technical, and biological problems associated with the 42 species of Mesothrips are discussed. Type specimens have been re-examined of 14 of the 25 species that were described prior to 1930 and remain known only from imperfectly slide-mounted specimens. As a result, seven new synonyms are recognised. From China, six species of Mesothrips have been listed, but the records of M.alluaudi and M.manii are rejected, and three new species are described: M.jianfengisp. nov., M.longistylussp. nov., and M.verniciasp. nov. These three species are divergent from other members of Mesothrips in lacking a prominent fore tarsal tooth and may indicate a possible generic relationship to the flower-living species in the Asian genus Dolichothrips. An illustrated key is provided to the seven Mesothrips species now known from China.

A new species of Cuspidevia Jäch & Boukal, 1995 (Coleoptera, Elmidae) from south China.

Background: Cuspidevia Jäch & Boukal, 1995 is a member of the tribe Macronychini which has the following features: antennae short, 6-10 segmented, aedeagus long and cylindrical, paramere very small, slender or lacking. This genus currently comprises only three species. All species are distributed in China. New information: Cuspideviapilosus sp. nov. is reported from Guangdong, Guangxi and Jiangxi Provinces in China. Habitus and diagnostic features of the new species are illustrated.

Four new species of Dothideomycetes (Ascomycota) from Pará Rubber (Heveabrasiliensis) in Yunnan Province, China.

The tropical areas in southern and south-western Yunnan are rich in fungal diversity. Additionally, the diversity of seed flora in Yunnan Province is higher than in other regions in China and the abundant endemic species of woody plants provide favourable substrates for fungi. Rubber plantations in Yunnan Province are distributed over a large area, especially in Xishuangbanna. During a survey of rubber-associated fungi in Yunnan Province, China, dead rubber branches with fungal fruiting bodies were collected. Morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2 and tef1-α) revealed four distinct new species, described herein as Melomastiapuerensis, Nigrogranalincangensis, Pseudochaetosphaeronemalincangensis and Pseudochaetosphaeronemaxishuangbannaensis. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic trees are provided to show the taxonomic placements of these new species.

New findings of dipteromantispids (Insecta: Neuroptera) from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar amber.

A new genus and two new species, Tholimantispa zuoae gen. et sp. nov. and Mantispidipterella curvis sp. nov. are described from the Upper Cretaceous of northern Myanmar amber collected in 2015. Tholimantispa zuoae gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by its distinct pterostigma, broad costal space, bifurcate humeral veinlets, and so forth, and Mantispidipterella curvis sp. nov. is different from Mantispidipterella longissima Liu, Lu et Zhang, 2017 in its ScP (subcosta posterior) distinctly curved at fusing point with RA (radius anterior), RP (radius posterior) abruptly and angularly curved at ra-rp (crossvein between RA and RP), AA3 (third branches of the anterior anal vein) present. The new fossil species enrich the diversity of Dipteromantispidae in the Cretaceous.

Two new diatom species of the genus Gomphonemopsis (Bacillariophyceae) from the coast of China and two new combinations for the genus.

Two new diatom species belonging to the genus Gomphonemopsis are described, Gomphonemopsisnanasp. nov. and Gomphonemopsisgaoisp. nov. These two species were compared in detail with congeners. Gomphonemopsisnana is distinguished by its high stria density and small size. This species was found so far to be epiphytic only on the eelgrass collected from Qingdao Bay (Yellow Sea). Gomphonemopsisgaoi is characterized by its isopolar valves, simple proximal raphe endings and acutely rounded apices. This taxon was separated from the exoskeleton of marine copepods sampled from the Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve (South China Sea). In addition, two new combinations, Gomphonemopsisoahuensis (Hustedt) Lang Li, Yuhang Li & Changping Chen, comb. nov. and Gomphonemopsisplatypus (Østrup) Lang Li, Yuhang Li & Junxiang Lai, comb. nov. are proposed. This study increases the records and knowledge of Gomphonemopsis along the coast of China.

Rostrupomyces, a new genus to accommodate Xerocomussisongkhramensis, and a new Hemileccinum species (Xerocomoideae, Boletaceae) from Thailand.

A new genus, Rostrupomyces is established to accommodate Xerocomussisongkhramensis based on multiple protein-coding genes (atp6, cox3, tef1, and rpb2) analyses of a wide taxon sampling of Boletaceae. In our phylogeny, the new genus was sister to Rubinosporus in subfamily Xerocomoideae, phylogenetically distant from Xerocomus, which was highly supported as sister to Phylloporus in the same subfamily Xerocomoideae. Rostrupomyces is different from other genera in Boletaceae by the following combination of characters: rugulose to subrugulose pileus surface, white pores when young becoming pale yellow in age, subscabrous stipe surface scattered with granulose squamules, white basal mycelium, unchanging color in any parts, yellowish brown spore print, and broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid, smooth basidiospores. In addition, Hemileccinuminferius, also from subfamily Xerocomoideae, is newly described. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new genus and new species are presented.

Corydalis sunhangii (Papaveraceae): A new species from Xizang, China, based on plastome and morphological data.

A new species of Papaveraceae, Corydalis sunhangii, in the section Trachycarpae, is described and illustrated from Nyingchi City, Xizang, China. The new species has some resemblance to Corydalis kingdonis, but differs by radical leaves prominent, usually several, blade tripinnate (vs. insignificant, few, blade bi- to triternate); cauline leaf usually one, much smaller than radical leaves, usually situated in lower half of stem (vs. usually two, larger than radical leaves, concentrated in upper third of stem); racemes densely 13-35-flowered (vs. rather lax, 4-11-flowered); claw of lower petal shallowly saccate (vs. very prominently and deeply saccate); capsule oblong, with raised lines of dense papillae (vs. broadly obovoid, smooth). Phylogenetic analysis, based on 68 protein-coding plastid genes of 49 samples, shows that C. sunhangii is not closely related to any hitherto described species, which is consistent with our morphological analysis.

Three new species of the leafhopper genus Arboridia Zachvatkin (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae), with a key and checklist to known species of China.

Three new species of the leafhopper genus ArboridiaZachvatkin 1946, Arboridia (Arboridia) furcata Han, sp. nov., Arboridia (Arboridia) rubrovittata Han, sp. nov., and Arboridia (Arboridia) robustipenis Han, sp. nov., are described and illustrated from fruit trees in Southwest China. A key and checklist to known species from China are provided.

A new loach species of the genus Oreonectes (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guangxi, China.

A new loach species, Oreonectesandongensissp. nov. is described from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The new species can be differentiated from other members of the genus by combinations of characters: a developed posterior chamber of the swim bladder, 13-14 branched caudal-fin rays, 8-16 lateral-line pores, body width 12-15% of standard length (SL), interorbital width 42-47% of head length (HL), and caudal peduncle length 11-16% of SL. Bayesian inference phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial Cyt b provided strong support for validity of O.andongensissp. nov. (uncorrected p-distance 6.0-7.5%).

Molecular phylogeny and morphology of Sporodiniella sinensis sp. nov. (Syzygitaceae, Mucorales), an invertebrate-associated species from Yunnan, China.

During investigations of invertebrate-associated fungi in Yunnan Province of China, a new species, Sporodiniella sinensis sp. nov., was collected. Morphologically, S. sinensis is similar to Sporodiniella umbellata; however, it is distinguished from S. umbellata by its greater number of sporangiophore branches, longer sporangiophores, larger sporangiospores, and columellae. The novel species exhibits similarities of 91.62 % for internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 98.66-99.10 % for ribosomal small subunit (nrSSU), and 96.36-98.22 % for ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU) sequences, respectively, compared to S. umbellata. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses based on combined sequences of ITS, nrLSU and nrSSU show that it forms a separate clade in Sporodiniella, and clusters closely with S. umbellata with high statistical support. The phylogenetic and morphological evidence support S. sinensis as a distinct species. Here, it is formally described and illustrated, and compared with other relatives.

Zhangixalusthaoae sp. nov., a new green treefrog species from Vietnam (Anura, Rhacophoridae).

We describe a new treefrog species from Lao Cai Province, northwestern Vietnam. The new species is assigned to the genus Zhangixalus based on a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) dorsum green, smooth; body size medium (SVL 30.1-32.2 in males); (2) fingers webbed; tips of digits expanded into large disks, bearing circum-marginal grooves; (3) absence of dermal folds along limbs; (4) absence of supracloacal fold and tarsal projection. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by: (1) dorsal surface of the head and body green without spots; (2) axilla and groin cream with a black blotch; (3) ventral cream without spot; (4) chin creamy with grey marbling; anterior part of the thigh and ventral surface of tibia orange without spots; posterior parts of thigh orange with a large black blotch; (5) ventral side of webbing orange with some grey pattern (6) iris red-bronze, pupils black; (7) finger webbing formula I1»-1»II1-2III1-1IV, toe webbing formula I½-½II0-1½III»-1¾IV1¾-½V. Phylogenetically, the new species is nested in the same subclade as Z.jodiae, Z.pinglongensis, and Z.yaoshanensis, with genetic distances ranging from 3.23% to 4.68%. The new species can be found in evergreen montane tropical forests at an elevation of about 1,883 m a.s.l. This new discovery brings the number of known genus Zhangixalus species to 42 and the number of species reported from Vietnam to 10.

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.

Phylogeny and Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Melanosciadium (Apiaceae), Based on Plastid Genomes and Morphological Evidence.

Melanosciadium is considered a monotypic genus and is also endemic to the southwest of China. No detailed phylogenetic studies or plastid genomes have been identified in Melanosciadium. In this study, the plastid genome sequence and nrDNA sequence were used for the phylogenetic analysis of Melanosciadium and its related groups. Angelica tsinlingensis was previously considered a synonym of Hansenia forbesii. Similarly, Ligusticum angelicifolium was previously thought to be the genus Angelica or Ligusticopsis. Through field observations and morphological evidence, we believe that the two species are more similar to M. pimpinelloideum in leaves, umbel rays, and fruits. Meanwhile, we found a new species from Anhui Province (eastern China) that is similar to M. pimpinelloideum and have named it M. Jinzhaiensis. We sequenced and assembled the complete plastid genomes of these species and another three Angelica species. The genome comparison results show that M. pimpinelloideum, A. tsinlingensis, Ligusticum angelicifolium, and M. jinzhaiensis have similarities to each other in the plastid genome size, gene number, and length of the LSC and IR regions; the plastid genomes of these species are distinct from those of the Angelica species. In addition, we reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships using both plastid genome sequences and nrDNA sequences. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. tsinlingensis, M. pimpinelloideum, L. angelicifolium, and M. jinzhaiensis are closely related to each other and form a monophyletic group with strong support within the Selineae clade. Consequently, A. tsinlingensis and L. angelicifolium should be classified as members of the genus Melanosciadium, and suitable taxonomical treatments have been proposed. Meanwhile, a comprehensive description of the new species, M. jinzhaiensis, is presented, encompassing its habitat environment and detailed morphological traits.

Quantitative integrative taxonomy informs species delimitation in Teloschistaceae (lichenized Ascomycota): the genus Wetmoreana as a case study.

The genus Wetmoreana was studied using quantitative integrative taxonomy methods to resolve the genus delimitation and explore its taxonomy diversity at the species level. As a result, the genus Fulgogasparrea is synonymized with Wetmoreana, and the latter includes 15 formally described species, one subspecies, and three further, thus far undescribed species: W. appressa, W. awasthii comb. nov., W. bahiensis sp. nov., W. brachyloba comb. nov., W. brouardii, W. chapadensis comb. nov., W. circumlobata sp. nov., W. decipioides, W. intensa comb. nov., W. ochraceofulva comb. nov., W. rubra sp. nov., W. sliwae sp. nov., W. sliwae ssp. subparviloba subsp. nov., W. subnitida comb. nov., W. texana, and W. variegata sp. nov. Eleven of 19 examined taxa are newly placed within this genus or confirmed to belong to it. Two species, W. awasthii and W. intensa, are transferred to Wetmoreana without additional analysis but based on previous studies. The W. brouardii and W. ochraceofulva species complexes are discussed in detail. Additionally, Caloplaca muelleri and C. rubina var. evolutior are transferred to Squamulea, and the latter is elevated to the species rank.

Caproicibacter sp. BJN0012, a potential new species isolated from cellar mud for caproic acid production from glucose.

Acids play a crucial role in enhancing the flavor of strong-aroma Baijiu, and among them, caproic acid holds significant importance in determining the flavor of the final product. However, the metabolic synthesis of caproic acid during the production process of Baijiu has received limited attention, resulting in fluctuations in caproic acid content among fermentation batches and generating production instability. Acid-producing bacteria found in the cellar mud are the primary microorganisms responsible for caproic acid synthesis, but there is a lack of research on the related microbial resources and their metabolic properties. Therefore, it is essential to identify and investigate these acid-producing microorganisms from cellar mud to ensure stable caproic acid synthesis. In this study, a unique strain was isolated from the cellar mud, exhibiting a 98.12 % similarity in its 16 S rRNA sequence and an average nucleotide identity of 79.57 % with the reference specie, together with the DNA-DNA hybridization of 23.20 % similarity, confirming the distinct species boundaries. The strain was able to produce 1.22 ± 0.55 g/L caproic acid from glucose. Through genome sequencing, annotation, and bioinformatics analysis, the complete pathway of caproic acid synthesis from glucose was elucidated, and the catalytic mechanism of the key thiolase for caproic acid synthesis was investigated. These findings provide useful fundamental data for revealing the metabolic properties of caproic acid-producing bacteria found in cellar mud.

A new species, Aster yaoshanensis (Asteracae, Astereae), from Guangxi (China), based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic data.

Aster yaoshanensis sp. nov., a new species of the family Asteraceae is here described and illustrated. The species is presently known only from rock crevices of mountain valleys in Dayaoshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi autonomous region, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences and complete plastome data have shown that this new species is a member of genus Aster with high support. Morphologically, it mostly resembles A. jishouensis, but it can be easily distinguished from the latter by bract indumentum (glabrous except margin ciliate vs. villous especially on veins abaxially, glabrous adaxially) and color (green vs. purple), shorter corolla (3.2-3.5 mm vs. 4.5-5.3 mm), bract stalk (obvious, ca.1.2 mm vs. sessile), and different distribution (Guangxi vs. Hunan). The detailed description, distribution map, and photos are provided. This study further elucidates the species identification, phylogeny and characteristic evolution of Aster.

Four new species of Cystolepiota (Agaricaceae, Agaricales) from northeastern China.

Cystolepiota is a tiny lepiotaceous fungi. During our 3 years fieldwork, we found four new species of Cystolepiota from northeastern China. A phylogenetic study of a combined dataset of ITS+nrLSU+rpb2+tef1-α revealed that Cystolepiota changbaishanensis and Cystolepiota hetieri are sister clades; Cystolepiota hongshiensis belongs to Cystolepiota seminuda complex; Cystolepiota luteosquamulosa formed a clade not closely related with any other; Cystolepiota nivalis and Cystolepiota sp. (HMJAU68235) formed a sister clade. All new species are provided with descriptions, photos of the basidiomata, and colored illustrations of the microstructures. A key for the identification of Cystolepiota species from China is also presented.

Description of Nothotylenchus savadkoohensis n. sp. (Rhabditida, Anguinidae) from Iran based on morphological and molecular data.

Nothotylenchus savadkoohensis n. sp. was recovered from rotten wood samples of an unidentified forest tree in the Mazandaran province and described herein. It is mainly characterized by an elongated conoid tail ending in a sharply pointed tip and four lines in the lateral field. Females of the new species have 379-662 µm long bodies with 5.8-6.9 µm long stylets ending in fine posteriorly sloping knobs, the metacorpus not valvate, the pharyngeal bulb slightly overlapping the intestine, and the vulva at 76.5-84.0% of body length. Males are also common and have 13.0-14.5 µm long spicules and bursa cloacal. By having an elongated conoid tail and four lines in the lateral field, the new species comes close to four known species, namely N. acris, N. acutus, N. antricolus, and N. truncatus. The morphological differences between the new species and the abovementioned species are discussed. The new species was sequenced for its D2-D3 segment of LSU and ITS rDNA regions. In the LSU phylogenetic tree, the currently available LSU sequences of the genus Nothotylenchus occupied distant placements from each other and the LSU sequence of the new species formed clade with a sequence assigned to Neotylenchus sp. In ITS phylogeny, the newly generated sequence of the new species formed a clade with a clade that includes sequences of Ditylenchus sp. and Neomisticius platypi and N. variabilis.

Revision of the Chinese Pachynotus Kollar & L. Redtenbacher, 1844 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), with descriptions of two new species.

The Chinese species of the highland weevil genus Pachynotus is revised, including a single known species, P.lampoglobus Chao & Y.-Q. Chen, 1980, and the descriptions of two new species, P.pilosussp. nov. and P.arcuatussp. nov. All Chinese Pachynotus species occur in Xizang (Tibet), China, and a key to these species is presented. Additionally, the COI sequences of two species, P.lampoglobus and P.pilosussp. nov., are provided, with details of the genetic distance.

Morphology and phylogeny of Nitzschianandorii sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new small-celled lanceolate species from a post-mining reservoir.

Post-mining reservoirs are distinguished by characteristic environmental conditions where specific diatom communities can be observed. Reservoirs created as a part of the reclamation plan after human mining activities are marked by unique chemical and physical water parameters. In the course of research on the diatoms from Bogdalów reservoir, we examined the taxonomic and morphological diversity of Nitzschia taxa from the section Lanceolatae occurring in a post-mining lignite reservoir. Our study describes a new species of Nitzschia from a post-mining reservoir, Nitzschianandorii Olszynski, Zakrzewski & Zelazna-Wieczorek, sp. nov. Morphometry and morphology analyses of new species were performed with light and scanning electron microscopy. Chloroplast morphology analysis was conducted with differential interference contrast microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Molecular data from SSU 18S, rbcL and psbC sequences were obtained from cultures of this taxon. Differential diagnosis of Nitzschianandorii Olszynski, Zakrzewski & Zelazna-Wieczorek, sp. nov. with co-occurring taxa: N.lacuum and N.alpinobacillum was performed using morphological traits and nMDS analysis of the valves' morphometry.