Morphological, morphometrical, and molecular characterization of Metarhabditis amsactae (Ali, Pervez, Andrabi, Sharma and Verma, 2011) Sudhaus, 2011 (Rhabditida, Rhabditidae) from India and proposal of Metarhabditis longicaudata as a junior synonym of M. amsactae.

A new population of Metarhabditis amsactae from India is morphologically, morphometrically, and molecularly characterized. This material is characterized by having 0.65 to 1.14 mm length, lips rounded, and grouped in pairs, stoma with metastegostoma bearing setose denticles, pharynx with metacorpus slightly swollen and fusiform, nerve ring, and excretory pore located at isthmus level, female reproductive system didelphic-amphidelphic with vulva equatorial, female tail conical-elongate with acute tip, male tail conical with large and robust posterior filiform part, spicules free with hooked manubrium slightly bent ventrad, gubernaculum with narrow corpus, bursa open leptoderan with eight genital papillae and phasmids posterior to the GP8. Molecular studies based on 18S and 28S rDNA genes are provided for the first time for the species. In addition, integrated morphological, morphometrical, and molecular characters are compared with other previous records of the species. According to our analysis, Metarhabditis longicaudata and other material described as different species are proposed as new junior synonyms of M. amsactae.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Lenonchium zanjanense sp. n. (Dorylaimida, Nordiidae) from Iran, with new insights into the phylogeny of the genus and a revision of its taxonomy.

The new species Lenonchium zanjanense sp. n. is described from a natural habitat of Zanjan province, Iran, including line, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy illustrations and a molecular (18S, 28S) study. It is characterized by its 3.50-4.51 mm long body, rounded lip region, continuous and 13.5-15.5 µm broad, odontostyle 21-24 µm long, neck 362-490 µm long, double guiding ring, pharyngeal expansion 190-285 µm long, female genital system didelphic-amphidelphic, uterus simple and 185-320 µm long or 3.4-5.9 times the corresponding body diameter, vulva nearly equatorial (V = 45-53), tail conical-elongated to filiform (90-165 µm, c = 23-43, c' = 2.4-5.3) with three or four mucro-like projections at the tip, spicules 58-64 µm long and 16-21 contiguous ventromedian supplements ending at the level of the anterior end of the spicules. The taxonomy of the genus is updated, with an emended diagnosis, list of species, key to their identification and a compendium of their main morphometrics. Lenonchium asterocaudatum is regarded as identical and a junior synonym of L. denticaudatum. New insights into the phylogeny of the group are also provided, and the classification of Lenonchium within Nordiidae is seriously questioned.

Taxonomy and Systematics of the Genus Makatinus Heyns, 1965 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida: Aporcelaimidae).

The taxonomy and the systematics of the genus Makatinus are discussed by means of the characterization of its morphological pattern and the first molecular (D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA) analysis of a representative of this taxon, Makatinus crassiformis from Costa Rica. The presence of two or more pairs of male ad-cloacal genital papillae is the most characteristic autapomorphy of the genus, but the status of its species on this concern differ among them. Both morphological and molecular data support a relationship with Aporcelaimellus, which, however, might not be as close as usually assumed. An emended diagnosis of the genus, a key to species identification, and a compendium of their morphometrics are provided. Makatinus siddiqii is regarded as species inquirenda, Makatinus simus is retained under Eudorylaimus, and Makatinus tritici becomes a junior synonym of Aporcelaimellus tritici.

A new synonym of Rhododendronleishanicum (subg. Hymenanthes) from China (Ericaceae).

Based on a critical examination of type specimens, images of living plants, and the literature has shown Rhododendronoligocarpum to be conspecific with R.leishanicum. Although slight variations in corolla colour exist amongst different populations of R.oligocarpum, it does not serve as a key distinguishing trait. Therefore, we reduced R.oligocarpum to a synonym of R.leishanicum, and recommend placing it in Subsection Maculifera.

A review of the semipunctata species group within the genus Lilioceris Reitter, 1913 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae).

A new species group of Lilioceris Reitter, 1913 is proposed and reviewed, the semipunctata group. It includes eleven species: L.atrilateralis Kimoto & Takizawa, 1973, L.consentanea (Lacordaire, 1845), L.dentifemoralis Long, 1988, L.discrepens (Baly, 1879), L.jianfenglingensis Long, 1988, L.latissima (Pic, 1932), L.lianzhouensis Long, 2000a, L.rondoni Kimoto & Gressitt, 1979, L.rufometallica (Pic, 1923), L.semipunctata (Fabricius, 1801), and L.yuae Long, 2000b. Liliocerisdiscrepens and L.rondoni were new records from China. Two synonyms are proposed: Liliocerisxinglongensis Long, 1988, syn. nov. of L.consentanea (Lacordaire, 1845), and Criocerisrufimembris Pic, 1921, syn. nov. of L.semipunctata. An identification key, descriptions, habitus photographs, geographic distributions, host plants and habitats (if available), are provided for these species.

Variation of the Tegmen and Cercus in Sinopodisma rostellocerca (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) with Proposal of a New Synonym.

Intraspecific variation is ubiquitous from individual traits to population level and plays an important role in a variety of fields. However, it is often ignored by systematists and comparative evolutionary biologists. In view of the limited knowledge of intraspecific variation, morphology-based identification has hindered the recognition of species borders and led to a great number of problems in the field of taxonomy and systematics. In this study, the intraspecific variation of the tegmen and cercus in Sinopodisma rostellocerca was examined, the variation patterns were summarized and the relationship between S. rostellocerca and S. hengshanica was discussed. The results showed that the intraspecific variation in the tegmen and male cercus was mainly manifested in the length and shape of the apical margin and dorso- and ventro-apical angles; this substantial variation occurred not only among intrapopulation individuals but also between the different sides of the same individuals, and all types of variation in S. hengshanica fell into the range of variation in S. rostellocerca, leading to the disappearance of the boundary between the two species. Therefore, S. hengshanica was herein considered as a new junior synonym of S. rostellocerca.

A Synopsis of Dicranum Hedw. (Dicranaceae, Bryophyta) in China, with Special References to Four Species Newly Reported and Re-Evaluation of Dicranum psathyrum Klazenga.

Dicranum Hedw. is a highly diverse and widely distributed genus within Dicranaceae. The species diversity and distribution of this genus in China, however, remain not well known. A new revision of Dicranum in China using morphological and molecular phylogenetic methods confirms that China has 39 species, including four newly reported species, D. bardunovii Tubanova & Ignatova, D. dispersum Engelmark, D. schljakovii Ignatova & Tubanova, and D. spadiceum J.E.Zetterst. Dicranum psathyrum Klazenga is transferred to Dicranoloma (Renauld) Renauld as a new synonym of Dicranoloma fragile Broth. Two species, Dicranum brevifolium (Lindb.) Lindb. and D. viride (Sull. & Lesq.) Lindb. are excluded from the bryoflora of China. A key to the Chinese Dicranum species is also provided. These results indicate an underestimation of the distribution range of numerous Dicranum species, underscoring the need for further in-depth investigations into the worldwide Dicranum diversity.

Seven new species and four new records of Psychomyiidae (Insecta, Trichoptera) from China.

Seven new species of the family Psychomyiidae Walker, 1852 are described and illustrated from China; they are Psychomyiashunisp. nov., Ps.mangshanensissp. nov., Ps.capricornissp. nov., Lypesagittalissp. nov., Paduniellafasciariasp. nov., Pa.sanyaensissp. nov., and Tinodesaviformissp. nov. The genus Lype is reported for the first time from mainland China. In addition, four psychomyiids are found to be new to the Chinese caddis fauna: Psychomyiaindra Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993; Paduniellaandamanensis Malicky, 1979; Pa.dendrobia Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 1993; and Tinodesgapbona Johanson & Oláh, 2008. Moreover, Psychomyiapolyacantha Li, Qiu & Morse, 2021 is reviewed and synonymized with Psychomyiaimamiah Malicky, 2020.

Notes on species of Talaus Simon, 1886 (Araneae, Thomisidae) from China, with descriptions of two new species.

Taxonomic notes on the Talaus species from China are provided. Two new species, T.yuyang Yao & Liu, sp. nov. and T.zhangjiangkou Yao & Liu, sp. nov. are described and illustrated, and a further three species are redescribed based on their genitalic characters: T.dulongjiang Tang, Yin, Ubick & Peng, 2008, T.niger Tang, Yin, Ubick & Peng, 2008, and T.sulcus Tang & Li, 2010. The species T.xiphosus Zhu & Ono, 2007 is considered a junior synonym of T.triangulifer Simon, 1886 based on an examination of many recently collected female and male specimens from Guangxi Province, China. Diagnoses, detailed illustrations and a map of distributional records of the six treated species of Talaus in China are provided.

Taxonomic notes on the collection of the tribe Lamiini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) housed in the Natural History Museum, London.

In the present paper, the genus Mimomyagrus Breuning, 1970 is synonymized with Combe Thomson, 1864, and Mimomyagruspfanneri Breuning, 1970 is considered a junior synonym of Combebrianus (White, 1858). The female of Arctolamiasinica Bi & Chen, 2022 is described for the first time and this species is reported as new to Myanmar. Type material of Lamiapunctator Fabricius, 1776 [= Anoplophorachinensis (Forster, 1771)], Cerambyxgalloprovincialis Olivier, 1800 [= Monochamusgalloprovincialis (Olivier, 1800)] and Melanaustergranulipennis Breuning, 1938 [= Monochamusguerryi Pic, 1903] are confirmed to be preserved in Natural History Museum, London.

Revisions of the clavipes and pruni species groups of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Syrphidae).

This study focuses on the avidus-nigritarsis lineage within the genus Merodon, exploring morphological, genetic, and distributional aspects of two related assemblies within this lineage: the clavipes and pruni species groups. An integrative taxonomic approach was followed to ensure comprehensive species identification and validation, using adult morphology, wing geometric morphometrics, and genetic analysis of the mtDNA COI gene. In the clavipes group, seven species were identified, including three new species: M.aenigmaticus Vujic, Radenkovic & Likov, sp. nov., M.latens Vujic, Radenkovic & Likov, sp. nov., and M.rufofemoris Vujic, Radenkovic & Likov, sp. nov. In the pruni group, our revision revealed a new species, M.aequalis Vujic, Radenkovic & Likov, sp. nov., and the revalidation of Merodonobscurus Gil Collado, 1929, stat. rev. Merodonpallidus Macquart, 1842 is redescribed. Diagnoses, identification keys to species, and distribution maps are provided, and neotypes for Syrphusclavipes Fabricius, 1781 and Merodonquadrinotatus (Sack, 1931) are designated. Additionally, the following new synonyms are proposed: M.clavipesalbus syn. nov., M.clavipesater syn. nov., M.clavipesniger syn. nov., and M.splendens syn. nov. are junior synonyms of M.clavipes; and M.veloxarmeniacus syn. nov. and M.veloxanathema syn. nov. are junior synonyms of M.velox.

Three new species and five new records within the genus Lilioceris (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Criocerinae) from China.

The Chinese species of Lilioceris are revised, and three new species are described from Tibet, China: Lilioceriszhentangensis Xu & Liang, sp. nov., Liliocerismedogensis Xu & Liang, sp. nov. and Lilioceriszayuensis Xu & Liang, sp. nov. Five species of Lilioceris are reported for China as new records: L.dromedarius (Baly, 1861), L.pulchella (Baly, 1859), L.semicostata (Jacoby, 1908), L.unicolor (Hope, 1831) and L.nepalensis Takizawa, 1989. Liliocerisseminigra (Jacoby, 1889) is proposed as a junior synonym of L.unicolor Hope, 1831. Redescriptions, habitus photographs, geographic distributions, host plants (if available) and habitats are provided for these species.

Intricate Networks in Nomenclature: Cases of Naming in Arthrocaulon, Arthrocnemum, and Salicornia (Amaranthaceae).

The nomenclatural status and typification of the names Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, Salicornia fruticosa, S. fruticosa var. deflexa, S. fruticosa var. glaucescens, S. fruticosa var. intermedia, S. fruticosa var. humilis, S. fruticosa var. pachystachya, S. fruticulosa, S. glauca, S. lignosa, S. macrostachya var. virescens, S. macrostachya var. glaucescens, S. perennis, S. radicans, S. radicans var. caespitosa, S. sarmentosa, S. sempervirens, and S. virginica, as well as an unnamed ß-variety of S. fruticosa proposed by A. Bertoloni, are investigated. Concerning A. macrostachyum, we document that the type indicated in literature (G00177362) is not a holotype, and that lectotypification is necessary. A specimen from G (G00687638) is here designated as a lectotype. On the level of variety, Arthrocnemum fruticosum var. macrostachyum is an earlier legitimate name for Salicornia fruticosa var. pachystachya. Furthermore, Piirainen et al. are incorrect when citing Forsskål's "Salicornia" from Alexandria as "S. virginica Forssk."; it is not a new name and should be cited as S. virginica auct. non L., as published in Forsskål's Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica. Like with numerous other parallel cases in Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica, Forsskål's designation of "Salicornia virginica" for an Arabian plant is to be considered a misapplication of the earlier Linnaean name for an American plant. Arthrocnemum glaucum (a nomen illegitimum of Ungern-Sternberg), was listed as type species of Arthrocnemum by the Names in Current Use project; the basionym, Salicornia glauca Delile, is here lectotypified and identified as Arthrocaulon meridionale, published by Ramirez et al. Updated synonymies of Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, A. meridionale, Salicornia fruticosa, and S. perennis are proposed. Salicornia sempervirens is an invalid name according to Art. 36.1a of ICN. No original material was found for S. radicans var. caespitosa. This paper also refer to lecto- or neotypifications on specimens deposited at BM, G, LINN-HS, LY, MPU, NAP, and PAL, and their current taxonomic positions are suggested in a taxonomic part of the paper.

Six new species of the orb-weaver spider genus Araneus Clerck, 1757 (Araneae, Araneidae) and a redescription of A.colubrinus Song & Zhu, 1992 from Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China.

Six new species of the genus Araneus Clerck, 1757 from Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou Province, China are described: Araneuschenjingisp. nov. (♂♀), and A.yuboisp. nov. (♂♀) are assigned to the A.diadematus group; A.lihaiboisp. nov. (♂♀), A.shiisp. nov. (♂♀), A.wanghuaisp. nov. (♂♀), and A.yangchuandongisp. nov. (♂♀) are assigned to the A.sturmi group. Araneuscolubrinus Song & Zhu, 1992 is redescribed. A new synonym of Araneuscolubrinus Song & Zhu, 1992 is proposed: Araneusoctodentalis Song & Zhu, 1992 syn. nov.

A new species related to Pardosaatrata (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Armenia makes the distribution range of the atrata group disjunctive.

Species of wolf spiders considered in the Pardosaatrata group are surveyed, and comparative figures of all species included in the group are presented for the first time. A new species, P.armeniacasp. nov., is described from the shore of Lake Sevan (Armenia) based on both sexes. Pardosanarymica Savelyeva, 1972 from East Kazakhstan Oblast' is synonymized with the trans-Palaearctic P.atrata (Thorell, 1873). It was found that the record of P.atrata (sub P.lapponica) by Schenkel from British Columbia and reflected in the World Spider Catalog in fact refers to P.concinna (Thorell, 1877), a member of the P.lapponica group. The distribution of three species consideredin the atrata group are mapped. The discovery of P.armeniacasp. nov. has led to a re-evaluation of the distribution range, previously thought to be continuous, now showing a disjunctive pattern.

Annotated Catalog of Vespid Hosts (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) of Tachinidae (Diptera), with Description of a New Species of Ophirion Townsend from Brazil.

Although tachinids parasitize a wide variety of insects, vespid wasps are not commonly recorded as hosts. Three lineages of Tachinidae are parasitoids of larvae of eusocial Vespidae, namely the Old World tribe Anacamptomyiini and some Neotropical species of the Blondeliini genera Ophirion Townsend and Lixophaga Townsend. The taxonomy of anacamptomyiine species has been improved and clarified in the last decades, but Neotropical species of Ophirion and Lixophaga are still difficult to identify, preventing further studies in the group. I present here an annotated catalog of vespid hosts of Tachinidae, with an overview of host use and oviposition strategies of their parasitoid species. Moreover, I describe a new host record for O. lenkoi sp. nov. Gudin and L. punctata (Townsend), reared from a nest of Polybia (Myrapetra) scutellaris (White) in Nova Europa, São Paulo, Brazil. Ophirion lenkoi sp. nov. is described and L. punctata is redescribed, with two new junior synonyms proposed: L. fitzgeraldi (Curran), syn. nov., and L. dubiosa (Thompson), syn. nov. I also include illustrations of type material and discuss the most relevant diagnostic characters for species of both genera. Lastly, I argue that the biology of Lixophaga species may be a suitable model to understand how tachinids were able to explore eusocial vespid hosts.

A new synonym of a species of Stachyotropha Stål, 1871, a genus of Asian Stenopodainae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Reduviidae).

Background: Stachyotropha Stål, 1871 (Reduviidae, Stenopodainae) currently includes only two species: S.punctifera Stål, 1871 and S.miyamotoi Hidaka & Miller, 1959 only recorded from East Asia. New information: This study reviews the genus Stachyotropha Stål, 1871 and its two described species. Based on the examination of the type specimens and the original descriptions, S.miyamotoi Hidaka & Miller, 1959 is regarded as a junior synonym of S.punctifera. Further, we briefly discuss the distribution and biology of S.punctifera.

Illustrated key to the European genera of Opiinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), with the description of two new Palaearctic genera and two new species.

An illustrated key to the European genera of the subfamily Opiinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is presented and two new genera are described and illustrated: Cavopiusgen. nov. (type species: Opius (Agnopius) daghoides Zaykov & Fischer, 1983) from West and East Palaearctic regions and Pseudosteresgen. nov. (type species: Biosteresadanaensis Fischer & Beyarslan, 2005) from West Palaearctic region. Two new species are described and illustrated: Cephaloplitesgijswijtisp. nov. from Greece and Cavopiusdepressoriussp. nov. from S. Korea. Opius (Hypocynodus) kilisanus Fischer & Beyarslan, 2005 is a new synonym of Cephaloplitesmocsaryi Szépligeti, 1897. The following new combinations are proposed: Cavopiusdaghestanicus (Telenga, 1950), comb. nov., C.daghoides (Zaykov & Fischer, 1983), comb. nov., Pseudosteresadanaensis (Fischer & Beyarslan, 2005), comb. nov., P.arenaceus (Jakimavicius, 1986), comb. nov., P.christenseni (Papp, 1982), comb. nov., P.pseudarenaceus (Fischer & Beyarslan, 2005), comb. nov., and P.riphaeus (Tobias, 1986), comb. nov. Keys to species are provided for Cavopiusgen. nov., Cephaloplites Szépligeti, 1897, and Pseudosteresgen. nov.

Cavariella Del Guercio (Hemiptera, Aphidinae, Macrosiphini) in China, with a new species, new synonymies, and first country records.

The genus Cavariella is distinguished from other Macrosiphini genera (Aphididae, Aphidinae) because it has a supra-caudal process on abdominal tergite VIII which possesses two setae distally. It is Holarctic in distribution, and half of its species are Asian. The Chinese fauna of this genus, 17 species, have been restudied, morphologically and through DNA barcodes. As a result: Cavariellahidaensis Takahashi is transferred to Elatobium; Cavariellasculptura Qiao & Xu, sp. nov. is described from specimens collected on Torilis and Cryptotaenia (Apiaceae); Cavariellacessana Zhang, Chen, Zhong & Li, syn. nov. and Cavariellalargispiracula Zhang, Chen, Zhong & Li, syn. nov. are respectively junior synonyms of Cavariellaaquatica (Gillette & Bragg) and Cavariellasapporoensis Takahashi; Cavariellagilgiana Zhang, Chen, Zhong & Li and Cavariellalhasana Zhang are confirmed as valid species and complete descriptions are provided; Cavariellabhutanensis Chakrabarti & Das, Cavariellanigra Basu, Cavariellapastinacae (Linnaeus), and Cavariellapustula Essig are recorded for the first time from China. Additionally, keys for species of Cavariella known in China are provided and modifications to the key by Blackman and Eastop of aphid species on Angelica (Aphids on World's Plants) are presented.

A new combination and a new synonym of Gesneriaceae in China.

Didymocarpussubpalmatinervis W.T.Wang was shown to be conspecific with Petrocodonlithophilus Y.M.Shui, W.H.Chen & Mich.Möller, by checking original literature, examining specimens, tracing specimen collecting history, and conducting field surveys. The results show morphological characteristics and geographical distribution overlaps between these two species. The transfer of Didymocarpussubpalmatinervis to Petrocodon as a new combination with Petrocodonsubpalmatinervis (W.T.Wang) F.Wen & Z.L.Li is proposed here, and P.lithophilus is synonymized with P.subpalmatinervis. Color photographs and essential information are also provided, including a detailed comparison of description, distribution, habitat, and the proposed IUCN conservation status.