Molecular phylogeny of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) with an emphasis on Asian and African genera.

Despite considerable research efforts in recent years, the deeper phylogenetic relationships among skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) remain unresolved. This is primarily because of limited sampling, especially within Asian and African lineages. In this study, we consolidated previous data and extensively sampled Asian and African taxa to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within Hesperiidae. The molecular dataset comprised sequences from two mitochondrial and two nuclear gene regions from 563 species that represented 353 genera. Our analyses revealed seven subfamilies within Hesperiidae: Coeliadinae, Euschemoninae, Eudaminae, Pyrginae, Heteropterinae, Trapezitinae, and Hesperiinae. The systematics of most tribes and genera aligned with those of prior studies. However, notable differences were observed in several tribes and genera. Overall, the position of taxa assigned to incertae sedis in Hesperiinae is largely clarified in this study. Our results strongly support the monophyly of the tribe Tagiadini (Pyrginae), and the systematics of some genera are clarified with comprehensive discussion. We recognize 15 tribes within the subfamily Hesperiinae. Of these, nine tribes are discussed in detail: Aeromachini, Astictopterini, Erionotini, Unkanini (new status), Ancistroidini, Ismini (confirmed status), Plastingini (new status), Gretnini (confirmed status), and Eetionini (confirmed status). We propose four subtribes within Astictopterini: Hypoleucina subtrib.n., Aclerosina, Cupithina, and Astictopterina. Furthermore, we describe a new genus (Hyarotoidesgen.n.) and reinstate two genera (Zeareinst.stat. and Separeinst.stat.) as valid. Additionally, we propose several new combinations: Zea mythecacomb.n.,Sepa bononiacomb.n. & reinst.stat., and Sepa umbrosacomb.n. This study, with extensive sampling of Asian and African taxa, greatly enhances the understanding of the knowledge of the skipper tree of life.

Molecular and morphological evidence reveals hidden new taxa in Ochlodesochraceus (Bremer, 1861) (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae) from China.

Two new species of Ochlodes Scudder, 1872, Ochlodespseudochraceus Zhu, Fan & Wang, sp. nov. and Ochlodescryptochraceus Zhu, Fan & Chiba, sp. nov., are found in China and described, and Ochlodesrikuchina (Butler, 1878) stat. rev. is restored. A lectotype is designated for Pamphilaochracea Bremer, 1861, and a neotype is designated for Pamphilarikuchina Butler, 1878. Overall, the two new species are similar to Ochlodesochraceus (Bremer, 1861). They, however, can be distinguished from the latter and other species in the genus: O.pseudochraceus has long radial spots in spaces R3-5, and the lateral process of the phallus gradually widens at the distal half in male genitalia; O.cryptochraceus has the lateral process of the phallus enlarged only at the distal tip. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial COI gene, members of currently defined O.ochraceus are grouped into four clades. The genetic distances between O.pseudochraceus and O.ochraceus, O.cryptochraceus and O.ochraceus, O.rikuchina and O.ochraceus, and O.pseudochraceus and O.cryptochraceus are 3.2%, 2.1%, 1.9%, and 2.7%, respectively. Based on the molecular and morphological evidence, O.pseudochraceus, O.cryptochraceus, and O.rikuchina are treated to be distinct species. The adult habitus and male and female genitalia of the new species are illustrated as well as those of O.ochraceus and O.rikuchina.

A new species of Hamodes Guenée, 1852 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) from China.

A new species of the genus Hamodes Guenée, 1852, Hamodes zhipengi sp. nov. is described and illustrated from China. The species resembles H. pseudobutleri Wei & Wang, 2019 but differs in wings ground colour; and male genitalia with differently shaped valvae, ampullae and armature of vesica. DNA barcode of the new species and relatives are deposited in GenBank. The holotype is deposited in the Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou.

Letrasilta, a new genus for the Striatella cernyi Volynkin species-group with description of a new species from Xizang, China, and a replacement name for the genus group name Striatella Volynkin & S.-Y. Huang, 2019 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

The name Striatochrista nom. n. is introduced as replacement for Striatella Volynkin & S.-Y. Huang, 2019. A new genus, Letrasilta S.-Y. Huang & Volynkin gen. n. is erected to include the Striatella cernyi species-group with the new species, L. ratnasambhava S.-Y. Huang, Volynkin & Yin sp. n. from Xizang, southwestern China designated as the type species. Based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis, the new genus is found to be sister to the clade (Aberrasine + ((Indiania + Idopterum) + Striatochrista nom. n.)) but is distinguished from all the relevant genera by the unique genitalia features. Letrasilta cernyi (Volynkin, 2018) comb. n. is also reported from India for the first time. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated. A checklist of the genus Striatochrista is also provided.

A review of the genus Agalope Walker (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Chalcosiinae) with taxonomic notes and descriptions of three new genera and three new species.

A preliminary review of the genus Agalope Walker, 1854 is presented. Two new genera are established for four species-groups: Rotundagalope S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n. (type species Agalope immaculata Leech, 1898, for the immaculata species-group), Paragalope S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n. (type species Chelura pica Wileman, 1910, for the pica, glacialis and dejeani species-groups). An additional new genus, Agacysma S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n., related to Agalope and Elcysma, is erected for the new species Agacysma sinica S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: Chongqing, Hubei & Shaanxi). Two new species of the genus Agalope are described: A. geoffi S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: SE. Xizang) and A. liuzihaoi S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: SE. Xizang), forming a species-group of their own which is clearly different from congeners in their male genitalia. The taxonomic issues between Paragalope haoi (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. n. and P. bieti (Oberthür, 1886) comb. n. are discussed. Moreover, following the erection of Paragalope, the homonymy of Agalope glacialis Butler, 1881 and A. glacialis (Moore, 1872) ends; hence the replacement name of the former, A. butleri Owada & Horie, 2000 syn. n., is unnecessary and hence synonymized. The following new combinations are given: Rotundagalope immaculata (Leech, 1898) comb. nov., Paragalope ardjuna (Roepke, 1936) comb. nov., P. aurelia (Oberthür, 1923) comb. nov., P. basiflava (Moore, 1879b) comb. nov., P. bieti (Oberthür, 1886) comb. nov., P. chayuensis (S.-Y. Huang & Pan, 2022) comb. nov., P. haoi (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. nov., P. owadai (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. nov., P. pica (Wileman, 1910) comb. nov., P. trimacula (Matsumura, 1927) comb. nov., P. wangi (Owada, 1992) comb. nov., P. dejeani (Oberthür, 1893) comb. nov., P. lucia (Oberthür, 1923) comb. nov., P. glacialis glacialis (Moore, 1872) comb. nov., P. glacialis parthenie (Jordan, 1907b) comb. nov., P. glacialis angustifasciata (Hering, 1922) comb. nov., P. glacialis postfasciata (Holloway, 2011) comb. nov. A checklist of the species and genera mentioned in the present study is given. Adults and genitalia of the newly described taxa and related ones are illustrated.

Molecular phylogeny, historical biogeography, and classification of Pseudocoladenia butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).

The range of the butterfly genus Pseudocoladenia includes several biodiversity hotspots, such as the Himalayas, mountains of southwestern China, and Sundaland. However, the taxonomic status of some of its species/subspecies remain controversial, and no previous phylogenetic or biogeographic analyses have been conducted. Herein, we determined the systematic relationships and biogeographic history of this genus by reconstructing its phylogeny based on six genes and 69 specimens as representatives of all known species/subspecies. Two species delimitation methods (Bayes Poisson Tree Processes and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography) were also employed to assess the status of each taxon. Based on these results and morphological evidence, we identified 12 species and three subspecies in the genus and subsequently classified these into three species groups: P. fatih, P. dea, and P. dan. Five taxa, P. sadakoe (Sonan and Mitono, 1936) stat. nov., P. celebica (Fruhstorfer, 1909) stat. nov., P. fulvescens (Elwes and Edwarda, 1897) stat. nov., P. eacus (Latreille, 1823) stat. nov., and P. fabia (Evans, 1949) stat. nov. were all recognized as independent species. Additionally, two taxa, P. eacus sumatrana (Fruhstorfer, 1909) comb. nov. and P. eacus dhyana (Fruhstorfer, 1909) comb. nov., were placed under P. eacus (Latreille, 1823) stat. nov. as subspecies. Another new species distributed in N. Yunnan, Pseudocoladenia yunnana Fan, Cao & Hou sp. nov., was discovered and described. Divergence time and ancestral range estimation indicated that the most recent common ancestor of Pseudocoladenia was distributed in the Himalayas-Hengduan Mountain region and Indochina and diverged approximately 14.00 Ma. Continuous and episodic dispersal, vicariance, and extinction were used to determine the current geographic distribution of the genus. The P. fatih group had a prominently disjunct distribution between the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountain and Taiwan. Meanwhile, the P. dan group was first derived in Indochina and subsequently dispersed into the southeastern Asian archipelagoes. This study provides a reference for the evolutionary route of transoceanic distributed species in Asia and elaborates on the causes of biodiversity.

Mitogenomic phylogenetic analyses provide novel insights into the taxonomic problems of several hesperiid taxa (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).

Here, we present new molecular and morphological evidence that contributes towards clarifying the phylogenetic relations within the family Hesperiidae, and overcomes taxonomic problems regarding this family. First, nine new complete mitogenomes, comprising seven newly sequenced species and two samples of previously sequenced species collected from different localities, were obtained and assembled to analyze characteristics. The length of the mitogenomes ranges from 15,284 to 15,853 bp and encodes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region. Two model-based methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships. Based on the mitogenomic phylogenetic analyses and morphological evidence, we claim that the lineage that comprises two Asian genera, Apostictopterus Leech and Barca de Nicéville, should be a tribe Barcini stat. nov. of the subfamily Trapezitinae, Pseudocoladenia dea (Leech, 1894), P. festa (Evans, 1949), and Abraximorpha esta Evans, 1949 are considered distinct species. Finally, we suggest that Lotongus saralus chinensis Evans, 1932 should belong to the genus Acerbas de Nicéville, 1895, namely Acerbas saralus chinensis (Evans, 1932) comb. nov..

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Agalope Walker from mainland China, with descriptions of four new species (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Chalcosiinae).

New information of the genus Agalope Walker, 1854 from mainland China is presented. Three new species of the Agalope pica species-group are described: A. haoi S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Weixi County, Yunnan, A. chayuensis S.-Y. Huang Pan sp. n. from Chayu County, Southeastern Xizang and A. owadai S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Bomi and Jiali Counties, Southeastern and Eastern Xizang. The little-known Agalope aurelia Oberthr, 1923 and A. lucia Oberthr, 1923 were rediscovered, with the male of the latter reported for the first time. Based on the newly discovered male, Agalope lucia is found to be a close relative of A. dejeani, hence it is excluded from the A. pica species-group and transferred to the A. bieti species-group. A new species of the Agalope hyalina species-group is also described: A. jianqingi S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Pianma, Western Yunnan. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned and related taxa are illustrated. An updated checklist of the genus is also provided.

Two remarkable new species of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 from China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

Two remarkable new species of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 are described: Barsine qinxiae S.-Y. Huang Volynkin sp. n. from Zhejiang, Eastern China, and B. jingkuni S.-Y. Huang Volynkin sp. n. from Sichuan, Western China. The diagnostic comparison is made with Barsine roseata (Walker, 1864), B. hoenei (Reich, 1937) and B. pardalis (Mell, 1922). The lectotype for Miltochrista hoenei Reich, 1937 is designated. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 from Xizang, China with description of a new species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

New information of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 from Xizang Autonomous Prefecture, China is provided. A new species related to Barsine defecta Walker, 1854, B. gratissima (de Joannis, 1930), B. germana (Rothschild, 1913) and B. kirata Volynkin N. Singh, 2020 is described from Chayu County of Southeastern Xizang: Barsine mahakala S.-Y. Huang Volynkin sp. n. Barsine germana (Rothschild, 1913) and B. atypicobarsine N. Singh, Kirti Joshi, 2016 are newly recorded from China, with the female of the latter described and illustrated for the first time. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.

Processuridia, a new genus for two new species from China and Indochina (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

A new Nudariina genus, Processuridia S.-Y. Huang Volynkin gen. n. is erected for two new species described herein: Processuridia thangka S.-Y. Huang Volynkin sp. n. from southeastern Xizang, southwestern China and P. oreas Volynkin S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from southeastern Yunnan, southwestern China and Mt. Fansipan, northern Vietnam, with P. thangka sp. n. as the type species of the genus. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis, the new genus is found to be sister to the clade (Asuridia Hampson + Disasuridia Fang), but it can be easily distinguished from both genera by the unique wing pattern and genitalia features. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.

Blood-Enriching Effects and Immune-Regulation Mechanism of Steam-Processed Polygonatum Sibiricum Polysaccharide in Blood Deficiency Syndrome Mice.

Polygonatum sibiricum Red. has been used as a medicinal herb and nutritional food in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. It must be processed prior to clinical use for safe and effective applications. However, the present studies mainly focused on crude Polygonatum sibiricum (PS). This study aimed to investigate the chemical properties, blood-enriching effects and mechanism of polysaccharide from the steam-processed Polygonatum sibiricum (SPS), which is a common form of PS in clinical applications. Instrumentation analyses and chemistry analyses revealed the structure of SPS polysaccharide (SPSP). A mice model of blood deficiency syndrome (BDS) was induced by acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) and cyclophosphamide (CTX). Blood routine test, spleen histopathological changes, serum cytokines, etc. were measured. The spleen transcriptome changes of BDS mice were detected by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The results showed that SPSP consists predominantly of Gal and GalA together with fewer amounts of Man, Glc, Ara, Rha and GlcN. It could significantly increase peripheral blood cells, restore the splenic trabecular structure, and reverse hematopoietic cytokines to normal levels. RNA-seq analysis showed that 122 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained after SPSP treatment. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that SPSP-regulated DEGs were mainly involved in hematopoiesis, immune regulation signaling pathways. The reliability of transcriptome profiling was validated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, and the results indicated that the potential molecular mechanisms of the blood-enriching effects of SPSP might be associated with the regulating of JAK1-STAT1 pathway, and elevated the hematopoietic cytokines (EPO, G-CSF, TNF-α and IL-6). This work provides important information on the potential mechanisms of SPSP against BDS.

A new species of the genus Aberrasine Volynkin amp; Huang from Xizang, China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

A new species of the genus Aberrasine Volynkin S.-Y. Huang, 2019, Aberrasine tiani S.-Y. Huang, Volynkin, N. Singh M. Wang, sp. nov. is described from southern Xizang, China. The species belongs to the A. strigivenata species-group having a characteristic reduced forewing pattern consisting of a medial transverse line and lengthwise strokes along veins. Adults and genitalia of the new and the similar species are illustrated.

Serological Prevalence Survey Among the High-Risk Populations of Brucellosis-Endemic Areas - China, 2019-2020.

What is already known about this topic? Timely screening of high-risk population is important to improve the early detection of brucellosis among the endemic areas during the high incidence seasons, which is also required by the National Brucellosis Prevention and Control Plan (2016-2020) (NBPCP). What is added by this report? Seroepidemiological characteristics of brucellosis in high-risk populations were obtained and special occupational populations were found. The seroprevalence of brucellosis has been decreasing compared with that reported in the recent years due to the ongoing implementation of control measures in endemic areas. What are the implications for public health practice? Special occupational populations could be promptly detected using routine screening, which makes it possible to initiate standardized treatment for infected patients as early as possible. It also reminds us to pay attention to special occupational populations to improve their knowledge of brucellosis and reduce the risk of infection.

Brucellosis Knowledge and Personal Protective Equipment Usage Among High-Risk Populations in Brucellosis-Endemic Areas - China, 2019-2020.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: According to the National Brucellosis Prevention and Control Plan (2016-2020) (NBPCP), the awareness rate of high-risk populations in brucellosis-endemic areas should reach 90% by 2020. But the updated results have not been reported. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: This report determined the awareness rate of brucellosis (17.74%), utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) (20.13%), and their relationship with seroprevalence, which provides evidence for the effectiveness of the implementation of NBPCP. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: The results suggest that health education should be conducted for high-risk populations to improve their brucellosis and protection knowledge.

Molecular and morphological evidence reveals a new genus of the subfamily Heteropterinae (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae) from China.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that the genus Carterocephalus is not monophyletic. Based on combined molecular and morphological evidence, we propose a new genus, Pulchroptera Hou, Fan & Chiba, gen. nov., for Pamphilapulchra Leech, 1891. The adult, wing venation, and male genitalia of Pulchropterapulchra comb. nov., Carterocephaluspalaemon, and related genera are illustrated.

MicroRNA-30c-5p protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via regulation of Bach1/Nrf2.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulatory factors in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The miRNA miR-30c-5p has been reported as a key mediator in several myocardial abnormalities. However, the precise roles and mechanisms of miR-30c-5p in myocardial I/R injury remain not well-studied. This project aimed to explore the potential function of this miRNA in mediating myocardial I/R injury. Significant induction of miR-30c-5p was observed in myocardial tissue of rats with myocardial I/R injury in vivo and cardiomyocytes with hypoxia/re­oxygenation (H/R) injury in vitro. Functional studies elucidated that forced expression of miR-30c-5p in rats effectively reduced infarct area, cardiac apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation induced by myocardial I/R injury. Moreover, in vitro cardiomyocytes with forced expression of miR-30c-5p were also protected from H/R-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation. Importantly, BTB domain and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) was identified as a new target of miR-30c-5p. miR-30c-5p was shown to promote the activation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) via the inhibition of Bach1. The re-expression of Bach1 reversed miR-30c-5p-mediated-cardioprotective effects against myocardial I/R injury in vivo or H/R injury in vitro. Overall, our results demonstrate that forced expression of miR-30c-5p exhibited beneficial effects against myocardial I/R injury through enhancement of Nrf2 activation via inhibition of Bach1. This work reveals a novel molecular mechanism for myocardial I/R injury at the miRNA level and suggests a therapeutic value of miR-30c-5p in treatment of myocardial I/R injury.

?Description of a new species of the genus Neopseustis Meyrick, 1909 from China, with a new classification of the genus (Lepidoptera, Neopseustoidea, Neopseustidae).

A new species of the genus Neopseustis Meyrick, 1909, Neopseustischentangensis S.Y. Huang & Chen sp. nov., which was confirmed by both morphological and molecular methods, is described from Xizang, China. This is currently the westernmost species in Asia of the primitive lepidopteran family Neopseustidae. The new species is externally reminiscent of N.moxiensis Chen & Owada, 2009; however, it can be easily distinguished from the latter by comparison of the male genitalia and is further distinguished by the large genetic distance in DNA barcodes (COI). The adult and genitalia of the new and similar species have been illustrated. Utilizing our new data, a new classification of the genus is provided, with its members subdivided into four species groups: the meyricki-group, the moxiensis-group, the bicornuta-group, and the chentangensis-group, which are supported by both molecular and morphological evidence. A checklist of the genus and a key to the species groups are also provided.

Taxonomic problems surrounding Barsine orientalis bigamica Cerný Pinratana, 2009 with description of a new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini).

The taxonomic problems surrounding the taxon Barsine orientalis bigamica Cerný Pinratana, 2009 are preliminary elucidated. B. orientalis bigamica is raised to a specific level: B. bigamica stat. nov. Barsine kampoli Cerný, 2009 syn. nov. is synonymized with B. bigamica and the true holotype of this taxon is clarified. Barsine tongi Huang Volynkin sp. nov., a new species externally similar to B. bigamica is described from Hainan Island, S. China. The adult and genitalia of the species aforementioned and related are illustrated.

A new species of the subgenus Idopterum Hampson, 1894 of the genus Ammatho Walker, 1855 from China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), with redefinition of the subgenus Idopterum.

A new species of the subgenus Idopterum Hampson, 1894 of the genus Ammatho Walker, 1855, Ammatho (Idopterum) wuchunshengi Huang, Volynkin Wang sp. nov. is described from southeastern Yunnan, Southwestern China. The autapomorphies of Idopterum are redefined and the features in juxta and aedeagus vesica are corrected and added, respectively. Adults and genitalia of the new species and related species are illustrated.