The immune response of fairy shrimp Streptocephalus sirindhornae against bacterial black disease by de novo transcriptome analysis.

To enhance genomic resources and to understand the molecular immune mechanisms underlying the response of fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus sirindhornae) to pathogens, we first performed a comparative gene transcription analysis from Aeromonas hydrophila-immunized shrimp and from a control group through RNA sequencing. Meanwhile, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were investigated, and a total of 46,958,894 clean reads were obtained and then assembled into 73,297 unigenes with an average length of 993 bp and an N50 of 1,458 bp. Unigenes were annotated by comparison with the NR/NT/KO/SwissProt/PFAM/GO and KOG databases, and 28,198 unigenes (38.47%) were annotated in at least one database. After a bacterial challenge, 143 and 287 genes were identified as markedly up- or downregulated, respectively, and 345 were associated with 142 pathways, including the classic immune-related apoptosis, toll-like receptor and MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, ten differently expressed immune-related genes were confirmed by using quantitative real-time PCR. This study characterized a gene expression pattern for normal and Aeromonas hydrophila-immunized S. sirindhornae for the first time and shed new light on its molecular mechanisms, thus enabling the future efforts of disease control programs for this valuable aquaculture species.

A description of a new species of Mongolodiaptomus Kiefer, 1937 (Copepoda, Calanoida, Diaptomidae) from Thailand with an up-to-date key to the genus.

The genus Mongolodiaptomus is widely distributed in stagnant water bodies in Southeast Asia. During a comprehensive collection of freshwater copepods from different areas in Thailand, a previously unknown species of calanoid copepod, Mongolodiaptomusphutakaensis sp. nov., was recorded. Representatives were found in a natural swamp located in the Kok Phutaka community forest in Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand. The new species belongs to the "M.loeiensis species group" and most closely resembles M.loeiensis and M.mekongensis by having a distinct shape of the second exopodal segment of the male right P5, with enlarged proximal and distal parts of the outer margin as well as a bent and twisted principal lateral spine. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by various characters in the males. The ventral surface of the right caudal ramus has two chitinous teeth and two knobs. The intercoxal plate is slightly produced distally and without any spine. The right P5 basis lacks a hyaline membrane on the inner margin but has a distinct spur-like chitinous process at the mid-distal margin on the posterior surface. The left P5 basis has a thin, longer hyaline lamella on the inner margin. The new species is rare, having been observed in only one out of approximately 5,000 surveyed locations in Thailand. A detailed morphological comparison and an up-to-date key to the Mongolodiaptomus species are presented. Their taxonomic characters, interspecies relationships, and biogeography are discussed.

Phyllodiaptomusparachristineae, a new species of copepod (Copepoda, Calanoida, Diaptomidae) from the floodplain of the lower Mekong River Basin in Thailand and Cambodia.

Phyllodiaptomus (Phyllodiaptomus) parachristineaesp. nov., a new diaptomid copepod, was collected from 30 sites in the lower Mekong River Basin floodplain in northeastern Thailand and nine sites in Cambodia. The new species is the 13th species of the genus to have been recorded across Asia. It has a wide range of habitats, occurring in small to large, temporary to permanent water bodies, and it can be found at any time of the year. The morphology of the new species is most similar to that of the males of P. (P.) christineae, having a comb on the antepenultimate segment on the right antennule, symmetrical caudal rami, a narrow hyaline lamella on the left P5 basis, a distal accessory spine on the right P5Exp-2, and a single-lobed Enp on the right P5. On the other hand, the males of the new species have second and third urosomites without hair-like setae on the ventral margin, a rounded distal margin of the P5 intersclerite plate, a semi-circular lamella on the right P5 basis, a strong principal lateral spine inserted at the proximal 1/3 of the right P5Exp-2, and a two-segmented left P5Enp. Morphological differences among species in the subgenus Phyllodiaptomus (Phyllodiaptomus) as well as the distribution and habitats of the 13 species and two subspecies of Phyllodiaptomus in Asia are discussed.

Anthalona vandammei sp. nov. from Thailand, a sibling species of Neotropical Anthalona brandorffi (Sinev & Holwedell, 2002) (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae).

A new rare species of Anthalona Van Damme, Dumont & Sinev, 2011, Anthalona vandammei sp. nov. (Anomopoda: Chydoridae), is described from Thailand. It is a sister species of Neotropical Anthalona brandorffi (Sinev & Holwedell, 2002), sharing three important synapomorphies: (1) postabdomen widening distally in the anterior portion; (2) long posterior setae of valves, with the last setae located at the posteroventral angle of valves; and (3) only two flaming-torch setae of thoracic limbs IV. A. brandorffi and A. vandammei sp. nov. are similar habitually, but can be clearly distinguished by details of thoracic limb morphology. A. vandammei sp. nov. differs from A. brandorffi in (1) limb 1 IDL seta 3 with a basal spine much thicker and much longer than others, (2) longer setae e-f of endite 2 of limb I and (3) scraper 7 of limb II being only slightly smaller than scraper 6. The amphi-Pacific distribution of the brandorffi-clade of Anthalona is explained best by the Boreotropical hypothesis.

Parartemiopsisshangrilaensis, a new species of fairy shrimp (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) from Yunnan, with a key to the Chirocephalidae of China.

The fairy shrimp genus Parartemiopsis Rogers, 2005 currently contains a single species reported from Russia and Mongolia. In 2013, an unidentified Parartemiopsis population was reported from the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau in China's Yunnan Province, from Patatson National Park in Shangri-La County. Here, we describe the Chinese populations as a new species, Parartemiopsisshangrilaensissp. nov. This new species is distinguished from its congener, P.longicornis (Smirnov, 1930), by the form of the male second antennae and the gonopod. The discovery of P.shangrilaensissp. nov. extends the known distribution of the genus, and more Parartemiopsis species may be found in the future. We present a key to the genera and species of Chirocephalidae in China as an aid to future research.

Geography, ecology, and history synergistically shape across-range genetic variation in a calanoid copepod endemic to the north-eastern Oriental.

The center-periphery hypothesis (CPH) predicts that peripheral populations will have lower genetic variation than those at the center of a species' distribution. However, ecological margins do not always coincide with geographical edges when topographies are diverse. Historical climate changes can also strongly affect genetic variation. Here, we examined genetic variation in Phyllodiaptomus tunguidus, a calanoid copepod endemic to the north-eastern Oriental. This species was predicted to exhibit a complex pattern of genetic variation across its range due to the diverse topographies and stable climate history of the north-eastern Oriental. To test this, we used geographic distance to the center of the distribution, current ecological suitability, and climate during the last glacial maximum as geographical, ecological, and historical factors, respectively, in our analyses. We measured genetic diversity and population differentiation using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. This showed that P. tunguidus had 3 refugia during the last glacial maximum (LGM). Such a pattern of multiple refugia complicates the determination of the center and periphery of spatial genetic diversity. Both regression models and redundancy analyses failed to support the CPH. Instead, they showed that geographical, ecological, and historical factors together shaped population genetic structure in this species. Ecological factors explained significantly more genetic variation than did geographical and historical factors-however, all three factors interacted significantly to affect the pattern of genetic variation. The results extend our understanding of the CPH and the extent to which it can explain genetic variation across populations.

Elaphoidella longiramus sp. nov. (Copepoda: Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae), a new species of cave-dwelling copepod from central Thailand.

A new species of harpacticoid copepod belonging to the genus Elaphoidella is described, based on materials collected from Thae Wa Phithak Cave, Lopburi Province, central Thailand. Specimens of Elaphoidella longiramus sp. nov. were found in a water bucket that was fully filled by dripping water from the cave ceiling. Of the 32 Elaphoidella species recorded from Southeast Asia, E. longiramus sp. nov. is the 14th member of this genus reported from Thailand. The new species is most similar to E. thailandensis by having four well-developed setae on the exopod of the female fifth leg. The endopod of the fourth leg is lacking, and the first leg has a two-segmented endopod in both sexes. However, it is distinguished from E. thailandensis by having elongated caudal rami, the exopod with a seta-like spinule on the inner margin of the female fifth leg, a different setal formula on the third exopod of the second to fourth legs, a different number of teeth on the anal operculum, and a different number of ventral spinules on the anal somite.

New species of Elaphoidella Chappuis, 1929 and Schizopera Sars, 1905 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from two caves in northeastern and southern Thailand.

Two new copepod species from two caves in northeastern and southern Thailand are described. Elaphoidella isana sp. nov. and Schizopera paktaii sp. nov. were collected from the unsaturated zone of freshwater pools fed only by dripping water. They are closely related to E. intermedia Chappuis, 1931 and S. validior Sars, 1909, respectively. Elaphoidella isana sp. nov. can be distinguished from its closest relative by the armature of P4 and P5, and by the ornamentation of caudal rami. Schizopera paktaii sp. nov. differs from its relative S. validior in the armature of P1, P5 and caudal rami.

A new species of Karualona Dumont amp; Silva-Briano, 2000 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae: Aloninae) from Northeast Thailand.

A new species of Aloninae, Karualona arcana sp. nov. (Cladocera: Chydoridae) is described from Northeast Thailand. It differs from other species of the genus Karualona Dumont Silva-Briano, 2000 by: (1) the inner distal lobe of limb I bearing two setae; (2) shape of the postabdomen; (3) setae on the apical segment of the antenna endopodite of equal thickness; and (4) the presence of setules on the anterior margin of labrum. Some morphological characteristics of this taxon do not match well with the genus diagnosis, but share several important characteristics as well, such as: (1) presence of two main head pores and minute lateral pores; (2) presence of a lateral indentation on labral plate; (3) presence of denticles on the posteroventral angle of valves; (4) two flaming-torch setae on endite of limb IV; and (5) lack of composite denticles on postabdomen.

On the taxonomic status of Oriental populations of the genus Bosminopsis Richard, 1895 (Crustacea: Cladocera).

It is widely accepted among the Cladocera (Crustacea) taxonomists that almost all cosmopolitan taxa are represented by some un-revised complexes of cryptic species. But many macro taxa of the cladocerans are still unrevised. The aim of this work is to analyze the taxonomic status of Oriental populations of the genus Bosminopsis Richard, 1895 (Anomopoda: Bosminidae) based on morphological characters. We have studied populations from India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea and concluded that Oriental populations belong to a single species, Bosminopsis africanus (Daday, 1908), initially described from Africa. Analysis of literature data confirms that is widely distributed through whole Oriental zone. A single large mucro, or the mucro accompanied by an additional small spine in both sexes, is the main trait which differentiates B. africanus from B. zernowi Linko, 1901 distributed in more northern regions of Eurasia.

Three nuclear protein-coding genes corroborate a recent phylogenomic model of the Branchiopoda (Crustacea) and provide estimates of the divergence times of the major branchiopodan taxa.

The class Branchiopoda (Crustacea) shows great diversity in morphology and lifestyle among its constituent higher-level taxa: Anostraca, Notostraca, Laevicaudata, Spinicaudata, Cyclestherida and Cladocera. The phylogenetic relationships among these taxa have long been controversial. We sequenced three orthologous nuclear genes that encode the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase delta and the largest and second-largest subunits of RNA polymerase II in the expectation that the amino acid sequences encoded by these genes might be effective in clarifying branchiopod phylogeny and estimating the times of divergence of the major branchiopodan taxa. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on these amino acid sequences support the monophyly of Branchiopoda and provide strong molecular evidence in support of the following phylogenetic relationships: (Anostraca, (Notostraca, (Laevicaudata, (Spinicaudata, (Cyclestherida, Cladocera))))). Within Cladocera, comparison of the nucleotide sequences of these same genes shows Ctenopoda to be the sister group of Haplopoda + Anomopoda. Three statistical tests based on the present amino acid sequence data-the approximately unbiased test, Kishino-Hasegawa test and weighted Shimodaira-Hasegawa test-tend to refute most of the previous molecular phylogenetic studies on Branchiopoda, which have placed Notostraca differently than here; however, our results corroborate those of one recent phylogenomic study, thus confirming the effectiveness of these three genes to investigate relationships among branchiopod higher taxa. Divergence time estimates calibrated on the basis of fossil evidence suggest that the first divergence of extant branchiopods occurred about 534 Ma during the early Cambrian period and that diversification within the extant branchiopod lineages started in or after the late Permian.

Phyllodiaptomus (Phyllodiaptomus) roietensis, a new diaptomid copepod (Copepoda, Calanoida) from temporary waters in Thailand and Cambodia, with a key to the species.

Phyllodiaptomus (Phyllodiaptomus) roietensissp. nov. was collected from temporary water bodies in Roi Et and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces in northeastern Thailand and Kampong Thom Province in central Cambodia. The new species is closely related to Phyllodiaptomus (P.) surinensis Sanoamuang & Yindee, 2001 in that it shares common morphological characters in the males: urosomites 2-3, P5 intercoxal sclerite, right P5 Exp-2, and left P5 Exp. Minor differences on the right antennule, right caudal ramus, P5 basis and Enp exist. The females differ in their Pdg 5, genital double-somite, and P5. An updated key to the species of the genus Phyllodiaptomus Kiefer, 1936 is provided.

High diversity of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in a Ramsar site Lake Kud-Thing, Northeast Thailand.

An intensive study of cladoceran diversity in Lake Kud-Thing, a Ramsar site of Bueng Kan Province, Thailand, was conducted. One hundred and twenty-five qualitative samples were collected from 15 localities during the period from June 2012 to November 2014. A total of 58 species belonging to 38 genera was recorded. Three species, Chydorus idrisi Sinev 2014, Karualona kwangsiensis (Chiang 1963) and Streblocerus cf. serricaudatus (Fisher 1849) are new records for Thailand. The most species rich family was Chydoridae (32 species, 55% of the encountered species in the lake) followed by Sididae (8 species, 14%) and Macrothricidae (8 species, 14%) while only a single species of Ilyocryptidae was observed. The most frequently encountered planktonic species were Ceriodaphnia cornuta Sars 1885, Bosmina cf. meridionalis Sars 1904 and Ephemeroporus barroisi (Richard 1894). A newly described chydorid, Anthalona spinifera Tiang-nga, Sinev Sanoamuang 2016, was also recorded from this lake. The number of cladocerans recorded in this study is remarkably higher than that of previous studies in other natural lakes (17-40 species) within Thailand. In addition to earlier records, the number of cladocerans of Lake Kud-Thing has been updated to 62 species, about two times higher than that of other lakes in this region. Thus, our results suggest that Lake Kud-Thing is one of the biodiversity hotspots for Cladocera of Southeast Asia.

Review of the Eulimnadia (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata: Limnadiidae) of Tropical Asia, with the Description of a New Species.

We describe a new species of Eulimnadia from the Oriental region using museum specimens collected from India and fresh material from Thailand. This species has egg morphology resembling E. magdalensis s. lat. and E. chaperi, but distinctly differs from them by presence of a narrow depression at the polygon floor. We also comment on the species status of E. khoratensis from Thailand based on egg morphology, and present a taxonomic key for identification of tropical Asian species of Eulimnadia.

A new species of Moina Baird, 1850 (Cladocera: Moinidae) from Thailand.

A new species of Moina Baird, 1850 (Cladocera: Moinidae) is described based on material collected from Thailand (South-East Asia). In tropical Asia, Moina siamensis sp. nov. could be confused easily with M. weismanni Ishikawa, 1896, because of morphological similarities in parthenogenetic females and males of both species. The outstanding difference between these two taxa concerns the structure of the ephippium in gamogenetic females, which is highly visible under light and scanning electron microscopes. The mature ephippium of M. weismanni is strongly tuberous, with distinct borders between cells, whereas the ephippium of M. siamensis sp. nov. is significantly less tuberous, with prominent longitudinal lines in its central region. Since gamogenetic females only appear sporadically in moinid populations, distribution ranges of M. siamensis sp. nov., M. weismanni and sibling taxa must be clarified precisely using genetic markers in the future. Preliminary investigations of the ephippium structure may be useful for estimating the differences between populations, thus revealing much diversity within Moinidae.

Lynceus amplopedia sp. nov., A New Laevicaudatan Clam Shrimp with Asymmetrically Modified Thoracopods from Yunnan, China (Crustacea: Branchiopoda).

Laevicaudata has a nearly global distribution, but only a few records from China. We present a new Lynceus (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Laevicaudata) species, Lynceus amplopedia sp. nov., from Yunnan, China, which shows significant left-right differences in some non-clasper thoracopods. It can be distinguished from all congeners by asymmetrically modified thoracopods III-VI. In the 'explanate modified' side (usually the left side, occasionally the right) the following modifications are present: endites 4, 5, and endopod enlarged (explanate) (thoracopods III and IV); exopod with 14-15 digitiform processes dorsomedially (thoracopods V and VI); and broad muscular basis (thoracopods III-V). The following modifications are seen in the thoracopods of the opposing 'spinose modified' side (usually the right side, occasionally the left): endite 4 with robust, specialized spines medially (thoracopods V and VI); endite 3 elongate protruding (thoracopod VI), and broad muscular basis (thoracopod V). Other unique characters of the new species include: male and female rostrum sinuate, compound eyes protruding, male claspers with endopod constricted, and endite 3 with two scale patches. We suggest the modified thoracopods may be involved in mating and/or respiration. The diversity of Chinese Lynceus is also discussed.

Streptocephalus diversity in Myanmar, with description of a new species (Branchiopoda, Anostraca).

The diversity of anostracans in Myanmar is poorly known. A series of biodiversity surveys had been conducted in Myanmar, and two species of Streptocephalus were collected in the central dry zone. Streptocephalus sirindhornae Sanoamuang et al., 2000 is reported in Myanmar for the first time, and Streptocephalus shinsawbuaesp. n. is described as new. Streptocephalus shinsawbuaesp. n. belongs to the S. dichotomus group and is similar to S. simplex Bond, 1934 and S. sahyadriensis Rogers & Padhye, 2014, but can be distinguished by the form of the male antennal posterior primary ramus and anterior primary ramus apex and egg ornamentation. Streptocephalus dichotomus has been reported from Myanmar in the past but was not found in this survey.

A new species of Mongolodiaptomus Kiefer, 1938 from northeast Thailand and a key to the species (Crustacea, Copepoda, Calanoida, Diaptomidae).

This study describes the new species Mongolodiaptomus loeiensissp. n. collected from a temporary pond nearby a cave located in Loei Province, in northeastern Thailand. Mongolodiaptomus loeiensissp. n. is similar to M. calcarus (Shen & Tai, 1965) in the male but can be distinguished from its congeners by the following unique characteristics in the males: (1) the right caudal ramus has 3 ventral chitinous prominences; (2) intercoxal plate of P5 is produced into 2 spine-like lobes on distal margin; (3) the basis of right P5 has a subglobular chitinous prominence on mid-distal caudal surface; and (4) the principal lateral spine on the right Exp-2 P5 is extremely bent at its tip. The occurrence of diaptomid copepods in the study area is discussed and an identification key to worldwide species of the genus Mongolodiaptomus Kiefer, 1938 is presented herein.

A new Theosbaena (Thermosbaenacea: Halosbaenidae) from Thailand.

We present a second species of Theosbaena, which also represents the second species of Thermosbaenacea from mainland Asia. This new species is apparently endemic to a limestone cave in Nakhon Sawan Province in central Thailand. Theosbaena kiatwongchai n. sp. is separated from T. cambodjiana by the form of the gnathopod, the form of the pereopod exopodites, the lack of a pleopod I, and a cleft telson.

A new species of the genus Anthalona Van Damme, Sinev & Dumont, 2011 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from North-East Thailand.

A new species of Cladocera, Anthalona spinifera sp. nov., is described from North-East Thailand. A. spinifera differs from most species of the genus in the setae of the inner distal lobe on limb I armed by long thin spines and in limb II having very short scraping spines 6-8, a character that is shared only with the South American Anthalona brandorffi (Sinev & Hollwedel, 2002). A. brandorffi differs from A. spinifera sp. nov. in the shape of postabdomen, in much longer posterior setae of valves, in posteroventral angle of valves armed with about 25 setules only, and in shortened setae of endite 2 of limb I. These two species form a separate advanced clade within Anthalona with Amphi-Pacific distribution.