Tightening the requirements for species diagnoses would help integrate DNA-based descriptions in taxonomic practice.

Modern advances in DNA sequencing hold the promise of facilitating descriptions of new organisms at ever finer precision but have come with challenges as the major Codes of bionomenclature contain poorly defined requirements for species and subspecies diagnoses (henceforth, species diagnoses), which is particularly problematic for DNA-based taxonomy. We, the commissioners of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, advocate a tightening of the definition of "species diagnosis" in future editions of Codes of bionomenclature, for example, through the introduction of requirements for specific information on the character states of differentiating traits in comparison with similar species. Such new provisions would enhance taxonomic standards and ensure that all diagnoses, including DNA-based ones, contain adequate taxonomic context. Our recommendations are intended to spur discussion among biologists, as broad community consensus is critical ahead of the implementation of new editions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and other Codes of bionomenclature.

Application of Enhanced T1WI of MRI Radiomics in Glioma Grading.

Objective: To explore the application value of the radiomics method based on enhanced T1WI in glioma grading. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using data of 114 patients with glioma, which was confirmed using surgery and pathological tests, at our hospital between January 2017 and November 2020. The patients were randomly divided into the training and test groups in a ratio of 7 : 3. The Analysis Kit (AK) software was used for radiomic analysis, and a total of 461 tumor texture features were extracted. Spearman correlation analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection (LASSO) algorithm were employed to perform feature dimensionality reduction on the training group. A radiomics model was then constructed for glioma grading, and the validation group was used for verification. Results: The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the proposed model was calculated to identify its performance in the training group, which was 0.95 (95% CI = 0.905-0.994), accuracy was 84.8%, sensitivity was 100%, and specificity was 77.8%. The AUC of the validation group was 0.952 (95% CI = 0.871-1.000), accuracy was 93.9%, sensitivity was 90.0%, and specificity was 95.6%. Conclusions: The radiomics model based on enhanced T1WI improved the accuracy of glioma grading and better assisted clinical decision-making.

Taxonomy on Quedius euryalus group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini: Quediina) from China with description of eight new species.

Eight new species of the subgenus Microsaurus Dejean, 1833 of the genus Quedius Stephens, 1829 are described based on specimens collected in China, namely Q. aculeatus sp. nov., Q. acutulus sp. nov., Q. altus sp. nov., Q. capillus sp. nov., Q. perlucidus sp. nov., Q. postangulus sp. nov., Q. subwrasei sp. nov. from Sichuan and Q. arcus sp. nov. from Ningxia. The female of Q. songpanoides Smetana, 2009 is described for the first time. These new species belong to the Quedius euryalus group and the fauna of this species group is thus increased to 53 species. In addition, this paper reviews the taxonomic history of the Quedius euryalus group and reports the sexual dimorphism in the hind wing length, i.e. male with longer hind wings in many species of the Quedius euryalus group. Line drawings and color illustrations of adults and genitalia of the new species and some other ones are provided, along with a key to all the known species of the euryalus group.

Three new species of the genus Quedius (subgenus Microsaurus) from China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini: Quediina).

Three new species of the subgenus Microsaurus Dejean, 1833 of the genus Quedius Stephens, 1829 are described based on specimens collected from China: Q. (Microsaurus) bilobus sp. nov. and Q. (Microsaurus) varius sp. nov. from Sichuan, and Q. (Microsaurus) cornutus sp. nov. from Yunnan. Line drawings and color illustrations of adults and genitalia of the new species are provided.

Taxonomy of the genus Erymus Bordoni (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Xantholinini) in China with descriptions of two new species.

This paper studies the taxonomy of the genus Erymus Bordoni, 2002 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Xantholinini) from China. Two new species are described: Erymus wufengensis sp. n. from Hubei, and E. gilvus sp. n. from Hainan, Guangxi, and Guangdong provinces of China. The previously known four species of this genus are redescribed, and the identification key to all six Chinese species of the genus is provided. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZ-CAS).

Three new species of the genus Paederus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from China.

Three new species of the genus Paederus Fabricius from China are described: Paederus bilobus sp. nov. from Hainan, P. lateralis sp. nov. from Yunnan, and P. brunneolus sp. nov. from Xinjiang. 

Characterization of phyllosphere endophytic lactic acid bacteria reveals a potential novel route to enhance silage fermentation quality.

The naturally attached phyllosphere microbiota play a crucial role in plant-derived fermentation, but the structure and function of phyllosphere endophytes remain largely unidentified. Here, we reveal the diversity, specificity, and functionality of phyllosphere endophytes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) through combining typical microbial culture, high-throughput sequencing, and genomic comparative analysis. In comparison to phyllosphere bacteria (PB), the fermentation of alfalfa solely with endophytes (EN) enhances the fermentation characteristics, primarily due to the dominance of specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactiplantibacillus, Weissella, and Pediococcus. The inoculant with selected endophytic LAB strains also enhances the fermentation quality compared to epiphytic LAB treatment. Especially, one key endophytic LAB named Pediococcus pentosaceus EN5 shows enrichment of genes related to the mannose phosphotransferase system (Man-PTS) and carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes and higher utilization of carbohydrates. Representing phyllosphere, endophytic LAB shows great potential of promoting ensiling and provides a novel direction for developing microbial inoculant.

Game changer for anaerobic fermentation of paper mulberry: Sucrose-loaded biochar enhancing microbial communities and lactic acid fermentation.

This study investigated biochar effects, either alone or combined with sucrose, on fermentation quality, microbial communities, and in vitro rumen digestion of anaerobic fermented paper mulberry. The biochar alkaline functional groups bind to lactic acid, reducing acid inhibition and promoting Lactiplantibacillus proliferation. Owing to the low sugar content of paper mulberry, lactic acid bacteria in the biochar group primarily underwent heterofermentation, resulting in the lowest lactic and highest acetic acid contents. Treated with sucrose-loaded biochar, the increased substrate supported homofermentation, leading to the highest lactic and lowest acetic acid contents, with a 15.0 % increase in lactic acid and a 22.2 % decrease in ammoniacal nitrogen compared with the control after 75 days. In vitro rumen tests showed that the biochar-sucrose group had the highest dry matter degradation rate (45.9 %) and a 24.2 % reduction in methane emissions. Concludingly, sucrose-loaded biochar is recommended as effective for lactic acid production under anaerobic conditions.

How old are the rove beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) and their lineages? Seeking an answer with DNA.

The phylogeny and related evolutionary history of rove beetles (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) remain unclear. This study provides phylogenetic analyses for the family based on three genes (mitochondrial COI, nuclear protein-coding wingless and a portion of the ribosomal 28S rDNA) including 2413 bp for 104 taxa representing most major staphylinid lineages. The subfamilies Oxyporinae, Paederinae, Steninae, and Proteininae are all well-supported clades, as evidenced by all three inference methods, namely maximum parsimony, Bayesian inference, and maximum likelihood. From fossils available for calibration, the divergence time of the main lineages in the family is estimated based on an uncorrelated lognormal relaxed molecular clock analysis method. The molecular clock analysis suggests that the family Staphylinidae dates from approximately the Early Triassic epoch and the most lineages of the family started to radiate from the Late Jurassic to the Early Paleogene.

Four new species of the genus Smaragdina Chevrolat, 1836 from China (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae: Clytrini) .

Four new species are described for the genus Smaragdina, from Sichuan, Yunnan and Zhejiang provinces of China: Smaragdina tianmuensis sp. nov., S. yajiangensis sp. nov., S. yangae sp. nov., and S. zhangi sp. nov. The Chinese fauna of the genus is thus increased to 64 species. Color plates and line drawings of habitus, maxilla, labium, as well as those characters from the internal morphology like male genitalia, female spermatheca, and rectal sclerites are provided.

Taxonomy of the subgenus Euleptarthrus Jakobson (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Osoriinae, Priochirus) of China with descriptions of three new species.

Three new species of subgenus Euleptarthrus Jakobson, 1908 of the genus Priochirus Sharp, 1887 are described from China: P. (E.) trifurcus Wu & Zhou sp. nov. from Xizang, P. (E.) deltodontus Wu & Zhou sp. nov. from Yunnan and P. (E.) curtidentatus Wu & Zhou sp. nov. from Xizang and Yunnan. Diagnoses are also given for two species previously described from China, P. (E.) chinensis Bernhauer, 1933 and P. (E.) subbrevicornis Bernhauer, 1934. An updated version of the key to all Chinese species of the subgenus Euleptarthrus is provided. Important morphological characters are illustrated.

Two new species of Xanthophius Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Xantholinini) from China with notes on X. filum (Kraatz).

This paper studies the taxonomy of the genus Xanthophius Motschulsky, 1860 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Xantholinini). Two new species are described from China: Xanthophius unicidentatus sp. n. from Yunnan, Zhejiang, Guangxi and Hainan, and X. gutianshanensis sp. n. from Zhejiang. The number of species of Xanthophius therefore increased to eight. The elaborate structures of the everted endophallus of X. filum (Kraatz, 1859) is described for the first time and illustrated with a color plate. A key to eight species and their geographical distribution map are provided. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZ-CAS).

A new subgenus Wraseellus of the genus Pterostichus Bonelli (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Pterostichini) and new species descriptions.

A new subgenus Wraseiellus new subgenus (type species: Pterostichus andrewesi Jedlicka 1931) of the genus Pterostichus from China is described. Eight species and one subspecies are recognized in the new subgenus including three new species and one new subspecies: Pt. (Wraseiellus) comatus new species (Guangxi: Maoershan, N25.87°, E110.42°), Pt. (Wraseiellus) crassiapex new species (Hubei: Tiechanghuang, N30.75°, E110.30°), Pt. (Wraseiellus) pseduodiversus new species (Yunnan: Luguhu, N27.63°, E100.82°), Pt. (Wraseiellus) stictopleurus cangshanensis new subspecies (Yunnan: Cangshan, N25.63°, E100.14°). Feronia crebrepunctata Straneo, 1937 is newly proposed as junior synonym of Pterostichus meyeri Jedlicka, 1934. A key to all known species and subspecies, images of habitus and genitalia, and distribution maps are provided.

Taxonomy of the genus Megalinus Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Xantholinini) and seven new species from China.

This paper studies the taxonomy of the genus Megalinus Mulsant & Rey, 1877 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Xantholinini)and offers a comprehensive revision of the Chinese fauna. Seven new species are described: Megalinus ailaoshanensis Zhou & Zhou sp. nov. from Yunnan, M. hailuogouensis Bordoni sp. nov. from Sichuan, M. liupanshanensis Zhou & Zhou sp. nov. from Ningxia, M. ningxiaensis Bordoni sp. nov. from Ningxia, M. nonvaricosus Zhou & Zhou sp. nov.from Ningxia, M. solidus Zhou & Zhou sp. nov. from Hainan and Yunnan, and M. tangi Bordoni sp. nov. from Xizang. The taxonomic status of M. leishanensis (Bordoni, 2007) is reinstated and treated as a valid species here. The following new synonym is proposed: M. suffusus (Sharp, 1874) = L. flavoelytratus (Bordoni, 2007) syn. nov. Three species originally described in Chinese are redescribed here: M. cinnamomeus (Zheng, 1994), M. coracinus (Zheng, 1994) andM. zhenyuanensis (Zheng, 1994). Therefore the Chinese fauna of the genus Megalinus is now represented by a total of 33 species. A key to all Chinese species is provided.

Four new species of the genus Lobrathium Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from China.

Four new species of the genus Lobrathium Mulsant & Rey, 1878 from the mainland China are described: L. quadrum sp. n. from Sichuan, L. rutilum sp. n. from Hubei, L. tortuosum sp. n. from Zhejiang and L. zonalis sp. n. from Sichuan. In addition, the paper reviews the history of the research on the Chinese fauna of the genus. Some important morphological characters are illustrated for the new species.

A new species of the genus Naddia Fauvel, 1867 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) from southern China.

This study describes a new rove beetle species, Naddia flavipes sp. nov. from southern China and provides additional morphological knowledge on Naddia hainanensis Yang & Zhou 2010. Line drawings and color illustrations of adult structures and genitalia are provided for both species.

Machine learning models combining computed tomography semantic features and selected clinical variables for accurate prediction of the pathological grade of bladder cancer.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to develop a radiomics model that combines several clinical features for preoperative prediction of the pathological grade of bladder cancer (BCa) using non-enhanced computed tomography (NE-CT) scanning images. Materials and methods: The computed tomography (CT), clinical, and pathological data of 105 BCa patients attending our hospital between January 2017 and August 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. The study cohort comprised 44 low-grade BCa and 61 high-grade BCa patients. The subjects were randomly divided into training (n = 73) and validation (n = 32) cohorts at a ratio of 7:3. Radiomic features were extracted from NE-CT images. A total of 15 representative features were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. Based on these characteristics, six models for predicting BCa pathological grade, including support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), logical regression (LR), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBOOST) were constructed. The model combining radiomics score and clinical factors was further constructed. The predictive performance of the models was evaluated based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, DeLong test, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: The selected clinical factors for the model included age and tumor size. LASSO regression analysis identified 15 features most linked to BCa grade, which were included in the machine learning model. The SVM analysis revealed that the highest AUC of the model was 0.842. A nomogram combining the radiomics signature and selected clinical variables showed accurate prediction of the pathological grade of BCa preoperatively. The AUC of the training cohort was 0.919, whereas that of the validation cohort was 0.854. The clinical value of the combined radiomics nomogram was validated using calibration curve and DCA. Conclusion: Machine learning models combining CT semantic features and the selected clinical variables can accurately predict the pathological grade of BCa, offering a non-invasive and accurate approach for predicting the pathological grade of BCa preoperatively.

Plant traits affecting herbivory on tree recruits in highly diverse subtropical forests.

Differences in herbivory among woody species can greatly affect the functioning of forest ecosystems, particularly in species-rich (sub)tropical regions. However, the relative importance of the different plant traits which determine herbivore damage remains unclear. Defence traits can have strong effects on herbivory, but rarely studied geographical range characteristics could complement these effects through evolutionary associations with herbivores. Herein, we use a large number of morphological, chemical, phylogenetic and biogeographical characteristics to analyse interspecific differences in herbivory on tree saplings in subtropical China. Unexpectedly, we found no significant effects of chemical defence traits. Rather, herbivory was related to the plants' leaf morphology, local abundance and climatic niche characteristics, which together explained 70% of the interspecific variation in herbivory in phylogenetic regression. Our study indicates that besides defence traits and apparency to herbivores, previously neglected measures of large-scale geographical host distribution are important factors influencing local herbivory patterns among plant species.

Two new species of the genus Smaragdina Chevrolat, 1836 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cryptocephalinae) from China.

Two new species of the genus Smaragdina Chevrolat from China are reported: S.hejingensis Duan, Wang & Zhou sp. nov. from Xinjiang, and S.magnipunctata Duan, Wang and Zhou sp. nov. from Yunnan. Six species, S.divisa (Jacoby), S.insulana Medvedev, S.kimotoi Lopatin, S.laboissierei (Pic), S.laosensis Kimoto & Gressitt, and S.oculata Medvedev are new country records for China. Color illustrations and line drawings of general habitus and morphological details are given. All types of two new species are deposited in the collection of Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZ-CAS).

Revision of the genus Adiscus Gistel, 1857 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Cryptocephalinae) from mainland China.

The mainland Chinese fauna of the leaf beetle genus Adiscus Gistel, 1857 is revised and three new species described: Adiscus daofuensis Duan Zhou, new species from Sichuan, Gansu and Henan, A. ningshanensis Duan Zhou, new species from Shaanxi, and A. tanae Duan Zhou, new species from Tibet. One species is newly recorded from China: A. pubiventris Medvedev, 2008. The mainland Chinese fauna of Adiscus is 35 species, almost all of which are redescribed. Color illustrations and line drawings are provided and a key to all 35 Chinese mainland species. Types of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.