The adult, pupa, and larva of a new species of Gnaptorina Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Blaptini) from the Tibetan Plateau, with molecular phylogenetic inferences.

The adult, pupa and larva of a new species, Gnaptorina (Gnaptorina) lhorongica Li, sp. nov., from northeastern Xizang, China are described and illustrated. The species was identified using molecular phylogenetic analyses based on three mitochondrial fragments and one nuclear gene fragment (COI, Cytb, 16S, and 28S-D2). The taxonomic status of the new species is confirmed using a combination of molecular and morphological datasets. This study provides valuable molecular and morphological data for phylogenetic studies of the tribe Blaptini.

Description of five larvae of the genus Gnaptorina Reitter, 1887 from Xizang, China (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Blaptinae), with molecular species delimitation and diagnoses.

With 39 described species in three subgenera, the Gnaptorina is the second most species-rich genus in the subtribe Gnaptorinina (Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae). In this study, a phylogeny of Gnaptorina was reconstructed based on one nuclear (28S-D2) and three mitochondrial (COI, Cytb, and 16S) gene fragments; multiple molecular species delimitation approaches were also implemented to assess the taxonomic status of larval specimens based on COI gene fragment. Larvae of five known species of the subgenus Hesperoptorina are described and illustrated for the first time: Gnaptorinanigera Shi, Ren & Merkl, 2007, Gnaptorinatishkovi Medvedev, 1998, Gnaptorinabrucei Blair, 1923, Gnaptorinahimalaya Shi, Ren & Merkl, 2007, Gnaptorinakangmar Shi, Ren & Merkl, 2007. A key to larvae of four genera of the tribe Blaptini and a key to the known larvae of the genus Gnaptorina are provided. This study provides valuable morphological data for larval studies of the tribe Blaptini.

Taxonomy and distribution of Sternotrigon Skopin in China (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae).

Sternotrigon Skopin is reviewed. One new species, Sternotrigon albipulis sp. nov., is described and Sternotrigon zichyi Csiki, 1901 is newly recorded in China. A key to the species of Sternotrigon is included. Species of Sternotrigon are divided into two distributional types: an Inner Asian and Mongolian tableland type; the distribution pattern is briefly described. The type and other materials examined are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University (MHBU), Baoding, China.

Revision of the genus Colasia Koch, 1965 (= Belousovia Medvedev, 2007, syn. nov.) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Blaptini).

The relationship between the genera Colasia Koch, 1965 and Belousovia Medvedev, 2007 within the tribe Blaptini is discussed, and a new synonymy is proposed: Belousovia Medvedev, 2007, syn. nov. of Colasia Koch, 1965. As a result, three new combinations are established: Colasiahelenae (Medvedev, 2007), comb. nov., C.kabakiintermedia (Medvedev, 2007), comb. nov., and C.kabakikabaki (Medvedev, 2007), comb. nov.Colasiaakisoides Koch, 1965 is redescribed, and a lectotype is designated. Three new species of the genus Colasia are described and illustrated from China: C.bijicasp. nov. (Guizhou), C.medvedevisp. nov. (Yunnan), and C.pilosasp. nov. (Yunnan). A distribution map and a key to species of the revised genus Colasia are presented.

The Adult and Larva of a New Species of the Genus Dila (Coleoptera, Blaptinae, Blaptini) from Himalayas, with Molecular Phylogenetic Inferences of Related Genera of the Blaptini.

In this study, a new species of the genus Dila Fischer von Waldheim, 1844, D. ngaria Li and Ren sp. n., was described from the southwestern Himalayas. The adult and larva were associated using molecular phylogenetic analyses based on fragments of three mitochondrial and one nuclear gene fragment (COI, Cytb, 16S and 28S-D2). Additionally, a preliminary phylogenetic tree was reconstructed and discussed based on a molecular dataset with seven related genera and 24 species of the tribe Blaptini. Meanwhile, the monophyly of the subtribe Dilina and the taxonomic status of D. bomina Ren and Li, 2001 are discussed. This work provides new molecular data for phylogenetic studies on the tribe Blaptini in the future.

[Study of the effect of temperature on the conformation of ovotransferrin by two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy].

The conformation changes of Apo-Ovotransferrin and Holo-Ovotransferrin were studied with the heat treatment 25-95 degrees C by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy analyzer. The results of one-dimensional infrared spectroscopy showed that with the increase in temperature, the peak at 3 300 cm(-1) of Apo-Ovo-transferrin shifted more than that of Holo-Ovotransferrin. The peak at 3 300 cm(-1) derived from stretching vibrations of N-H and O-H indicates that iron-binding enhanced the role of hydrogen bonds and resistance to heat. The changing order of the secondary structure of ovotransferrin was determined by analyzing two-dimensional infrared spectra,witch is beta-sheet>amide II >-CH2 - bending vibration. In addition, it was found that the cross-peaks at 1 652 and 1 688 cm(-1) are different in synchronous and asynchronous counter maps by comparing Apo-Ovotransferrin with Holo-Ovotransferrin. It was suggested that the temperature made less impact on the alpha-helix in Holo-Ovotransferrin than on that in Apo-Ovotransferrin, however, the beta-turn in Holo-Ovotransferrin was more sensitive to temperature.

[Investigation of interaction between riboflavin and riboflavin binding protein by fluorescence spectroscopy].

The interaction between riboflavin and egg white riboflavin binding protein (RBP) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding mode, binding constants, thermodynamic parameters between riboflavin and RBP and energy transfer were studied. The experimental results showed that riboflavin has the ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of RBP because of a complex formed, and the quenching mechanism is static quenching. The binding constants were 5.35 x 10(8), 1.54 x 10(8), 0.56 x 10(8) L x mol(-1) at 298, 308 and 318 K, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated, which suggested hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals played a major role in the interaction. The distance and efficiency of energy transfer between riboflavin and RBP were 0.70 nm and 0.39, respectively, based on the theory of Forster nonradiative energy transfer. Furthermore, the synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the conformational transformation.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Solskyia Solsky, 1881 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Akidini) from China.

Two new species of the genus Solskyia, S.infossata sp. nov. and S.lhozhaga sp. nov., are described and illustrated from Xizang, China. Solskyialhasana is redescribed and figured based on a male, and new material of S.caporiaccoi and S.parvicollis from China is documented. The ecology and biology of adults and larvae is briefly introduced. Furthermore, photographs of habitat, and a key to Chinese species are presented.

Uloma (Uloma) metogana Ren, 2004: redescription of the adult and descriptions of the larva and pupa (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae, Ulomini).

The adult of Uloma (Uloma) metogana Ren, 2004, an endemic species to the southeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China, is redescribed and illustrated. The male of this species is newly discovered, its larva and pupa are described and illustrated for the first time. Meanwhile, sequences of three gene fragments (COI, Cytb and 16S rDNA) are obtained for the larva, pupa and adult to further confirm their identity.

Systematic Review of the Genus Nalepa Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Blaptinae, Blaptini) from the Tibetan Plateau, with Description of Six New Species and Two Larvae.

Nalepa Reitter, 1887 is a monotypic genus of the tenebrionid tribe Blaptini and is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the genus Nalepa was reviewed using a combination of molecular and morphological datasets. Based on the results, six new species were described: N.acuminata sp. n., N. ovalifolia sp. n., N.polita sp. n., N. quadrata sp. n., N.xinlongensis sp. n., and N.yushuensis sp. n. In addition, the larvae of N. cylindracea Reitter, 1887 and N. quadrata sp. n. were described and associated with related adults using molecular approaches. This study provides valuable molecular and morphological data for phylogenetic studies.

New synonyms, combinations and status in the Chinese species of the family Meloidae Gyllenhal, 1810 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) with additional faunistic records.

On the ground of the taxonomic revision of the family Meloidae Gyllenhal, 1810 from China and extensive examination of type specimens, the following new synonyms and combinations of blister beetle species are established: Zonitis bomiensis Tan, 1988 syn. nov. = Longizonitis semirubra (Pic, 1911); Schroetteria subpolita Reitter, 1911 syn. nov. = Megatrachelus politus (Gebler, 1832); Epicauta rishwani Makhan, 2013 syn. nov. = Denierella emmerichi Pic, 1934; Epicauta thailandica Dvorák, 1996 syn. nov. = Denierella venerabilis Kaszab, 1956; Epicauta mojiangensis Tan et Deng, 1993 syn. nov. = Epicauta makliniana Kaszab, 1958; Epicauta xantusi Kaszab, 1952 syn. nov. = Epicauta obscurocephala Reitter, 1905; Lytta badeni Haag-Rutenburg, 1880 syn. nov. = Epicauta sibirica (Pallas, 1773); Epicauta badeni sinica Kaszab, 1960 syn. nov. = Epicauta sibirica (Pallas, 1773); Lytta choui Wang, Wang et Ren, 2012 syn. nov. = Lytta suturella (Motschulsky, 1860); Zonabris calida var. baicalica Pic, 1919 syn. nov. = Mylabris aulica Ménétriés, 1832; Zonitomorpha kimi (Kôno, 1936) comb. nov.; Zonitomorpha miwai (Kôno, 1936) comb. nov.; Zonitoschema fuscimembris (Fairmaire, 1886) comb. nov. Furthermore, Zonitoschema macroxantha yunnana Kaszab, 1960 is provisionally raised to Z. yunnanum stat. nov. A lectotype is designated for Zonitoschema fuscimembris. Six new Chinese province records of five species (Denierella emmerichi, Epicauta obscurocephala, Epicauta sibirica, Lytta suturella, and Mylabris aulica) are reported. Illustrations are provided for 21 type specimens, the aedeagus of two Zonitoschema species, and the antennomere XI of two Mylabris species.

Revision of the genus Bioramix Bates, 1879 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Platyscelidini) from China.

The genus Bioramix Bates, 1879 from China is revised, 54 valid species are recognized in this study, including 23 new ones: B. (Cardiobioramix) barkamica sp. nov., B. (C.) gibbosa sp. nov., B. (C.) longicornis sp. nov., B. (C.) prolongata sp. nov., B. (C.) tenuitarsus sp. nov., B. (Leipopleura) baxoica sp. nov., B. (L.) cupreoviridis sp. nov., B. (L.) exsertigenae sp. nov., B. (L.) homoplasta sp. nov., B. (L.) impressithorax sp. nov., B. (L.) latitarsis sp. nov., B. (L.) laxipenis sp. nov., B. (L.) lhozhagensis sp. nov., B. (L.) longipilis sp. nov., B. (L.) miranda sp. nov., B. (L.) nigra sp. nov., B. (L.) rectiangulata sp. nov., B. (L.) riwoqeica sp. nov., B. (L.) rugelytra sp. nov., B. (L.) seidlitzi sp. nov., B. (L.) subcarinata sp. nov., B. (L.) tiani sp. nov., B. (L.) yushuana sp. nov. The following new synonymy is proposed based on the examination of type and additional specimens: B. (C.) globipunctata Bai Ren, 2016 = B. (C.) liupanshana Bai Ren, 2016, syn. n.; B. (C.) szetschuana (Kaszab, 1940) = Platynoscelis (C.) kulzeri Kaszab, 1960, syn. n.; B. (L.) integra (Reitter, 1887) = Platyscelis (Platyscelis) obovatus Ren, 1999, syn. n.; B. (L.) politicollis (Kaszab, 1940) = B. (L.) baqenensis Li Egorov, 2016, syn. n.; B. (L.) rubripes (Reitter, 1889) = Myatis brevipilosum Meng Ren, 2005, syn. n., formerly synonymized with B. (L.) micans Reitter, 1889; B. (L.) rufipalpis (Reitter, 1887) = Platynoscelis (Trichoplatyscelis) darbukensis Kaszab, 1940, syn. n. The subgenus Planoplatyscelis Kaszab, 1940 and B. (P.) pamirensis Bates, 1879 are recorded from China for the first time. Lectotypes are designated for Helops subaenea Reitter, 1889 and Botiras punctatellus Fairmaire, 1891. The biology of adult, larvae and pupa is briefly introduced. Furthermore, new distribution records, images of adults, male aedeagus and habitat, and a key to Chinese species are presented.

A review of the genus Sinocymbachus Strohecker & Chûjô with description of four new species (Coleoptera, Endomychidae).

This work presents a review of species of the Asian genus Sinocymbachus Strohecker & Chûjô, 1970. Four new species are described from China: S. fanjingshanensis Chang & Bi, sp. nov., S. longipennis Chang & Bi, sp. nov., S. sinicus Chang & Bi, sp. nov., and S. wangyinjiei Chang & Bi, sp. nov. Cymbachus koreanus Chûjô & Lee, 1993 is transferred to Sinocymbachus as S. koreanus (Chûjô & Lee) comb. nov. Sinocymbachus bimaculatus (Pic, 1927) is reported for the first time from China. The male of S. parvimaculatus (Mader, 1938) is discovered and described for the first time. Illustration, diagnosis and distribution are provided for each species. Prior to the present study, Sinocymbachus included ten species. An updated key to the species of Sinocymbachus is given.

Description of a new subgenus and four new species of Gnaptorina Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptini) from China.

A new subgenus and four new species of the genus Gnaptorina Reitter, 1887 from China are described and illustrated: Austroptorina subgen. n. (type species Gnaptorina longicornis Li Ren, 2004), G. (A.) polita sp. n. (Xizang), G. (B.) ampliptera sp. n. (Sichuan), G. (G.) artipenis sp. n. (Sichuan) and G. (G.) crenata sp. n. (Sichuan, Xizang). The new subgenus distributes in southeastern Xizang and western Hengduan Mountains of China, antennae and legs slender and long, protibiae slightly emarginate from middle to apex on inner side and weakly curved to inner side apically, ventral surface of protarsomeres 1-2 and mesotarsomere 1 with hairy brush in males.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Hexarhopalus (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae: Cnodalonini) from China.

Chinese components of the genus Hexarhopalus Fairmaire, 1891 are revised. Four new species, Hexarhopalus (Hexarhopalus) liuyixiaoi Jiang, Bai, Ren Wang sp. nov. from Hunan and Hubei, Hexarhopalus (Leprocaulus) qiujianyueae Jiang, Bai, Ren Wang sp. nov. and Hexarhopalus (Leprocaulus) qiului Jiang, Bai, Ren Wang sp. nov. from Yunnan and Hexarhopalus (Leprocaulus) xuhaoi Jiang, Bai, Ren Wang sp. nov. from Xizang are described, figured and compared with their congeners. Hexarhopalus (Leprocaulus) difformis (Pic, 1922) is recorded from Yunnan, China for the first time. New distributional records are provided for Hexarhopalus (Leprocaulus) bisinuatus Ren Xu, 2011 from Hunan, Sichuan and Fujian, China. Supplementary description is presented for Hexarhopalus (Hexarhopalus) sculpticollis Fairmaire, 1891, Hexarhopalus (Hexarhopalus) sculptilis Kaszab 1960 and Hexarhopalus (Leprocaulus) difformis (Pic, 1922) to include the genital characters. A checklist, key and the distribution map of all known Chinese Hexarhopalus species are also provided.

Revision of the genus Platyscelis Latreille, 1818 from China (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Platyscelidini).

The genus Platyscelis Latreille, 1818 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Platyscelidini) from China is revised. Sixteen valid species (subspecies) are recognized in this study, including three new ones: P. (s. str.) acutipenis sp. nov. from Gansu and Ningxia, P. (s. str.) densipunctata sp. nov. from Gansu, and P. (s. str.) helanensis sp. nov. from Inner Mongolia and Ningxia. A synonymy between P. (s. str.) brevis Baudi di Selve, 1876 and P. ballioni Reitter, 1889 is proposed based on the examination of type and additional specimens. Lectotypes are designated for P. hauseri Reitter, 1899, P. gebieni Schuster, 1915, P. (s. str.) angusticollis Kaszab, 1940, P. (s. str.) licenti Kaszab, 1940, P. (s. str.) platytarsis Kaszab, 1940 and P. (s. str.) suiyuana Kaszab, 1940. Furthermore, new distribution records, images of adults and male aedeagus, and a key to Chinese species are presented.

[Spatial distribution pattern of Tenebrionidae and its relationships with meteorological factors in Alxa Plateau, China]. / é˜¿æ‹‰å–„é«˜åŽŸæ‹Ÿæ­¥ç”²ç©ºé—´åˆ†å¸ƒæ ¼å±€åŠå ¶ä¸Žæ°”è±¡å› å­çš„å ³ç³».

We examined the spatial distribution of Tenebrionidae in Alxa Plateau and its environmental response based on the investigation of Tenebrionidae in Alxa Plateau, combined with the temperature, precipitation and solar radiation data, using Grid-Cluster analysis, OriginPro 9.0 and Canoco 5.0 analysis software. The results showed that,with increasing latitude, the number of species rose firstly and declined gradually, with the fitting curve being a parabola. With increasing longitude, the number of species increased gradually, and decreased after the peak, with the fitting curve in approximately unimodal. With increasing altitude, the number of species increased gradually, and decreased after the peak, with the fitting curve showed a single-peak trend. Rainfall, temperature, and solar radiation significantly affected the latitudinal distribution of species richness of Tenebrionidae. Species richness followed a unimodal type with increasing rainfall, peaked in the 38°-39° N. Species richness decreased with increasing temperature and peaked in the 39°-40° N. With the increases of average monthly radiation, Tenebrionidae showed a trend of unimodal type, and peaked at about 16100 kJ·m-2·d-1 (38°-39° N). Solar radiation and rainfall were the main meteorological factors affecting the distribution of Tenebrionidae in the Alxa Plateau.

Two new species of the genus Gnaptorina Reitter from the Hengduan Mountains, China (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptini).

Two new species of nominal subgenus of Gnaptorina Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae: Blaptini), G. (G.) acutangula sp. nov., G. (G.) crassitibia sp. nov., are described from the Hengduan Mountains, Western Sichuan province of China. A key to the known species of the subgenus Gnaptorina is provided.

A review of the genus Oodescelis Motschulsky, 1845 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Platyscelidini) from China.

The Chinese species of the genus Oodescelis Motschulsky, 1845 are revised. Fifteen species belonging to five subgenera are listed. O. (Acutoodescelis) emmerichi Kaszab, 1940 is proposed as subspecies of O. (A.) punctatissima (Fairmaire, 1886) [O. (A.) punctatissima emmerichi Kaszab, 1940, stat. n.]. A new synonym is established: O. (A.) pyripenis Ren, 1999 = O. (A.) punctatissima (Fairmaire, 1886), syn. n. based on the morphological characters, geographic distribution, and assessment on the molecular phylogeny [except O. (A.) pyripenis]. A new subspecies and a new species are described: O. (A.) punctatissima henanana Bai Ren, subsp. nov. from Henan and O. (Planoodescelis) lii Bai Ren, sp. nov. from Hubei. Lectotypes for the follwoing species are designated: Platyscelis punctatissima Fairmaire, 1886, Platyscelis (Oodescelis) affinis Seidlitz, 1893, Platyscelis (Oodescelis) brevipennis Kaszab, 1938, Platyscelis (Oodescelis) similis Kaszab, 1938, Oodescelis (Clavatoodescelis) acutanguloides Kaszab, 1940, Oodescelis (Clavatoodescelis) kuntzeni Kaszab, 1940 and Oodescelis (Clavatoodescelis) sachtlebeni Kaszab, 1940. Additional diagnostic characters of the subgenus Planoodescelis Egorov, 2004 are proposed. In addition, newly collected materials are examined, new distribution records, habitus of adults, images of male protibiae and aedeagus are provided, and a key to Chinese species is given. Furthermore, the first and preliminary molecular phylogeny of the genus is presented, and the used markers may be helpful to reconstitute the phylogenetic relations within the tribe Platyscelidini.

Description of the first instar larva of Lytta caraganae (Pallas, 1798) (Coleoptera: Meloidae, Lyttini).

Lytta caraganae (Pallas, 1798) is widely distributed in northeast Asia. Its first instar larva hatched from eggs is described and illustrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An update key to the all Lytta species based on first instar larvae is presented.