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.

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of iminoborane radicals.

The synthesis, characterization and reactivities of iminoborane radicals were reported. Both X-ray analysis and density functional theory calculations revealed that the unpaired electron delocalizes over the N(1)-C(1)-B(1)-N(2) moiety. Radical trap reactions showed that this radical species acts as a boron radical. These reactions also serve as methods for the synthesis of Lewis base-stabilized oxyl-terminated iminoboranes.

Study on the influence of slope shape with numerical calculation models on slope safety during slope excavation.

Under the influence of natural weathering and excavation in human engineering, slopes in nature have various slope shapes. In human engineering activities, the stability of different types of slopes formed by manual excavation must be affected by multiple factors such as geologic setting, lithology and environment. Therefore, to understand the impact of slope shape, geologic setting, and other conditions on slope stability of artificial slopes, calculation models for straight slope, concave slope, and convex slope are constructed based on the three slope shape characteristics. By changing the angles of upward and downward slope angles and analysing the parameters of slope shape, joint spacing, and joint angle, discrete element software is used to calculate the slope safety factor. The calculation results show that the slope shape, joint spacing, and joint inclination affect the safety of slopes. In straight slopes with large joint spacing, the smaller the slope angle, the greater the safety factor. However, in the interval of small joint spacing, the safety coefficient of slopes with slight joint inclination has the opposite variation characteristics. When a<90°, the straight slope has a dominant joint inclination angle that minimises the slope safety factor. In concave slopes, the more concave the slope shape is, the smaller the safety factor is; For concave slopes with small joint spacing, the slope with slight joint inclination has a more significant safety factor; Under the condition of large joint spacing, there is a dominant joint inclination in the joint inclination range of 30° to 70° for concave slopes, which minimises the safety factor of the slope. In convex slopes, the smaller the joint inclination angle of the slope, the smaller the safety factor of the slope, and the smaller the upslope angle of the slope, the greater the safety factor of the slope.

The Complete Mitogenomes of Three Grasshopper Species with Special Notes on the Phylogenetic Positions of Some Related Genera.

Clarifying phylogenetic position and reconstructing robust phylogeny of groups using various evidences are an eternal theme for taxonomy and systematics. In this study, the complete mitogenomes of Longzhouacris mirabilis, Ranacris albicornis, and Conophyma zhaosuensis were sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the characteristics of the mitogenomes are presented briefly. The mitogenomes of the three species are all circular molecules with total lengths of 16,164 bp, 15,720 bp, and 16,190 bp, respectively. The gene structures and orders, as well as the characteristics of the mitogenomes, are similar to those of other published mitogenomes in Caelifera. The phylogeny of the main subfamilies of Acrididae with prosternal process was reconstructed using a selected dataset of mitogenome sequences under maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) frameworks. The results showed that the genus Emeiacris consistently fell into the subfamily Melanoplinae rather than Oxyinae, and the genus Choroedocus had the closest relationship with Shirackiacris of the subfamily Eyprepocnemidinae in both phylogenetic trees deduced from mitogenome protein coding genes (PCGs). This finding is entirely consistent with the morphological characters, which indicate that Emeiacris belongs to Melanoplinae and Choroedocus belongs to Eyprepocnemidinae. In addition, the genera Conophymacris and Xiangelilacris, as well as Ranacris and Menglacris, are two pairs of the closest relatives, but their phylogenetic positions need further study to clarify.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Hemigyrus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Pseudophyllinae).

Hemigyrus was established by Brunner von Wattenwyl in 1893. In this study, we collected samples from Chongqing, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Tibet and Yunnan of China, and reconstructed phylogenetic tree based on COI gene. The results supported the classification of dividing this genus into two subgenera: Tomomima and Hemigyrus. With larger size and evidently branched phylogenetic position, a new subspecies H. (T.) spinosus robustus subsp. nov. Xie, Wang He is described here. H. (H.) acutifolius is firstly reported from China. Males of H. (H.) amplus and H. (H.) acutifolius, females of H. (H.) minor are described for the first time. All materials were deposited in Biological History Museum of East China Normal University (ECNU) and the Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SEM).

Notes on the genus Gryllacris Audinet-Serville (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae) with description of a new species from China.

In this work we briefly reviewed the genus Gryllacris with some notes on taxonomic issues, note the taxa that have been described in and transferred to the genus and describe a new taxon, Gryllacris (Gryllacris) stylommatoprocera, from Yunnan, China. Materials are deposited in Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Taxonomy and bioacoustics of some katydids of the tribes Meconematini and Phisidini (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae) from eastern Sabah.

A new species of Meconematini is described from Tabin Wildlife Reserve in eastern Sabah: Cercoteratura repens sp. nov. This is the first report of the genus Cercoteratura in Sabah. Two species of Phisidini, Carliphisis acutipennis (Carl, 1908) and Neophisis (Indophisis) longipennis Jin, 1992, are reported in eastern Sabah for the first time. The calling song of Neophisis (Indophisis) longipennis with a near-complete ultrasonic spectrum is also described.

Ring-opening and ring-expansion reactions of carborane-fused borirane.

Though the reaction chemistry of three-membered ring molecules such as cyclopropanes and their heteroatom-containing analogues has been extensively studied, the chemical properties of their boron analogues, boriranes, are little known thus far. This work describes the diverse reactivity patterns of carborane-fused borirane 2. This borirane engages in ring-opening reactions with different types of Lewis acids, such as BBr3, GeCl2, GaCl3, BH3(SMe2) and HBpin, affording a series of ring-opening products, in which M-X or B-H bonds add across the B-C(cage) bond of the three-membered ring in 2. On the other hand, borirane 2 can undergo ring-expansion reactions with unsaturated molecules such as PhCHO, CO2 and PhCN to give ring-expansion products, five-membered boracycles, via a concerted reaction mechanism as supported by DFT calculations. The results of this work not only enrich the reaction chemistry of boriranes, but also offer new routes to boron-containing compounds and heterocycles.

Taxonomy of genus Orophyllus Beier, 1954 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Pseudophyllinae).

Only one species, Orophyllus montanus occurring in southern China is placed in Orophyllus. In this study, we studied samples from Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan and Zhejiang enabling us to provide new information on this genus. Gene tree was constructed by COI gene. The results showed that there were new taxa other than the type species, namely O. grandivalvatus sp. nov. (), O. nigrisartorius sp. nov. (), O. supeciliarilamellatus sp. nov. (), O. guttatus sp. nov. () All materials were deposited in Biological History Museum of East China Normal University (ECNU) and the Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SEM).

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Acid-Free Neutral Oxoborane.

An efficient synthesis of an acid-free neutral oxoborane of the type carboranyl-B(carbene)=O has been developed via a serendipitous discovery from the reaction of 1,2-[BBr(carbene)]-o-carborane with AgOTf. This represents a new type of oxoborane. The stabilization of this oxoborane may be attributed to 1) kinetic stabilization provided by a bulky 3D carboranyl ligand and 2) thermodynamic stabilization offered by a carbene ligand. Crystallographic analyses support the presence of the shortest terminal B=O double bond ever reported thus far. Its reactivity has also been examined.

Report of Two Novel Thalassemia Variants, HBB: c.181delG and HBA1: c.121_126delAAGACC, in Chinese Individuals.

In this study, we report two novel thalassemia variants detected in Chinese individuals using targeted NGS technology. We detected a novel frameshift variant, HBB: c.181delG, in a 32-year-old Chinese individual. This novel variant [a single nucleotide deletion at nucleotide 181 of codon 60 (-G)], was detected by targeted next generation sequencing (NGS), resulting in a stop codon at codon 60 in exon 2 of the HBB gene. The impact of this novel variant was further analyzed by an in vitro model. We also identified a novel in-frame variant, HBA1: c.121_126delAAGACC [codons 40/41 (-AAGACC)], in another Chinese individual in this study. We named these two novel variants, HBB: c.181delG and HBA1: c.121_126delAAGACC according to the Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS), which were detected by the first author. These two novel variants have expanded the mutation spectrum of thalassemia and it would be beneficial for carrier screening, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis (PND) of thalassemia.

New taxa of the tribe Meconematini from South-Pacific and Indo-Malayan Regions (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae).

New materials of the tribe Meconematini from Southeast Asia, Indo-Malayan and South Pacific region are examined. Systematic situation of the tribe is briefly discussed. Taxonomic comments, notes, and distribution pattern on related taxa and descriptions of new species are given. Totally 73 species involving 21 genera are recognized, in which 22 species referring 11 genera are new to science, 45 species are known, including 1 genus and 1 species with new status, 3 new descriptions of another sex, 2 new synonyms and 9 species with new combinations. New species, status and combinations are as follows:.

A new genus and a new species of Anabropsinae (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) from China.

A new species of a new genus Melanabropsis. tianmuica gen. sp. nov. is described from China. 3 Japanese species of Anabropsinae are transferred to the new genus. A key to the Chinese genera of subfamily Anabropsinae is given. Materials are deposited in Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

New and little known Agraeciini species from Hainan, China (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae: Agraeciini).

Agraeciini species from Hainan, China were investigated from 2017~2019. One new species, Nahlaksia hainanensis He Wang sp. nov., is described. Liara (Acanthocoryphus) brevis Ingrisch, 1998 and Mesagraecia gorochovi Ingrisch, 1998 are first recorded from Hainan, China. The COI genes of three species are provided and songs of L. (A.) brevis are first reported. The type species are deposited in Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU) and Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SEM, CAS).

Studies in Chinese Tettigoniidae: Recent discoveries of Meconematinae katydids from Xizang,China (Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae).

In this work, we describe one new genus and 4 new species from Xizang, China: Allogrigoriora carinata gen sp. nov., Nigrimacula beybienkoi sp. nov., Sinoxizicus carinatus sp. nov. and Tamdaora curvicerca sp. nov. Besides the new taxa, 3 new combinations [Grigoriora cheni (Bey-Bienko, 1955) comb. nov.; Grigoriora kweichowensis (Tinkham, 1944) comb. nov.; Nefateratura bifurcata (Liu Bi, 1994) comb nov.] are also changed. All the specimens are deposited in Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Divided the genus Tachycines Adelung (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae: Aemodogryllinae; Aemodogryllini) from China.

This work involves revised analysis of Karny's classification system in 1934 of the genus Tachycines Adelung, 1902 including the two subgenera: Tachycines (Tachycines) s. str. Adelung, 1902 and Tachycines (Gymnaeta) Adelung, 1902. We also describe 11 new species of Tachycines (Tachycines): Tachycines (Tachycines) karnyi sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) maximus sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) multispinosus sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) xiai sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) bilobatus sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) trilobatus sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) transversus sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) incisus sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) yanlingensis sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) baiyunjianensis sp. nov., Tachycines (Tachycines) sichuanensis sp. nov.. A key to the subgenera of Tachycines Adelung, 1902 and a key to the species of Tachycines (Tachycines) are provided.

First report of a wingless species of Ornebius-a scaly cricket usually with winged males (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae: Mogoplistinae).

A new species, Ornebius apterus sp. nov., is described from Guangdong, China. This wingless species is monophyletic with Ornebius spp., which are all singing species. The type specimens are deposited in East China Normal University, Biology of History Museum (ECNU).

A new species of Paratrigonidium Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 from Hainan, China (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae; Trigonidiinae).

One new species, Paratrigonidium chloropodum sp. nov., is described from Hainan, China. The type specimens are deposited in East China Normal University, Biology of History Museum (ECNU). S. venustula is moved to genus Paratrigonidium as P. venustulum comb. nov. P. vittatum Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 syn. is the junior synonym of P. venustulum.

A taxonomic study on the species of the genus Diestramima Storozhenko (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae; Aemodogryllinae).

A taxonomic study of the genus Diestramima Storozhenko, 1990 is presented. Eleven new species are described: D. excavata sp. nov., D. parabispinosa sp. nov., D. tibetensis sp. nov., D. guangxiensis sp. nov., D. subrectis sp. nov., D. curvicaudata sp. nov., D. beybienkoi sp. nov., D. triangulata sp. nov., D. brevis sp. nov., D. emeiensis sp. nov., D. conica sp. nov.. A key to the species of Diestramima is given.