Discovery of five new species of Allacta from Yunnan and Hainan, China (Blattodea, Pseudophyllodromiidae).

We examined new Allacta materials from Yunnan and Hainan Province, China, and discovered new species using both morphological and molecular species delimitation (ABGD) methods. Five new species are described: A.bifolium Li & Wang, sp. nov., A.hemiptera Li & Wang, sp. nov., A.lunulara Li & Wang, sp. nov., A.redacta Li & Wang, sp. nov., and A.unicaudata Li & Wang, sp. nov. All five species are placed under the hamifera species group. An updated key and checklist of Allacta species from China are provided.

Six new species of Margattea Shelford, 1911 (Blaberoidea, Pseudophyllodromiidae, Neoblattellini) from China.

Six Margattea species are established and described: three are cryptic species, namely, M.parabisignata Li & Che, sp. nov., M.semicircularis Li & Che, sp. nov., and M.forcipata Li & Che, sp. nov. They are distinguished from known species M.bisignata, M.spinifera, and M.paratransversa by their male genitalia with the aid of molecular species delimitation method (ABGD) using COI as the molecular marker. The other three new species are M.pedata Li & Che, sp. nov., M.undulata Li & Che, sp. nov., and M.bisphaerica Li & Che, sp. nov. Morphological and genitalia photographs of these new species of Margattea, as well as a key to the species of Margattea from China, are provided.

Redescription of Periplanetaarabica (Bey-Bienko, 1938) (Blattodea, Blattidae), with a comparative analysis of three species of Periplaneta Burmeister, 1838 (sensu stricto).

The blattid cockroach Periplanetaarabica (Bey-Bienko, 1938) has been poorly understood since its original description. In this study, male and female (including nymph) of P.arabica are paired using DNA barcoding, and their morphological characters (including both external characteristics and genitalia) are described. A detailed comparative morphological study of this species and the closely related Periplanetaamericana (Linnaeus, 1758) and Periplanetalateralis Walker, 1868 was carried out to explore phylogenetically relevant characters.

Phylogenetic analysis of Blaberoidea reveals non-monophyly of taxa and supports the creation of multiple new subfamilies.

The superfamily Blaberoidea is a highly species-rich group of cockroaches. High-level blaberoidean phylogenetics are still under debate owing to variable taxon sampling and incongruence between mitochondrial and nuclear evolution, as well as different methods used in various phylogenetic studies. We here present a phylogenetic analysis of Blaberoidea based on a dataset combining the mitochondrial genome with two nuclear markers from representatives of all recognized families within the superfamily. Our results support the monophyly of Blaberiodea, which includes Ectobiidae s.s. (=Ectobiinae), Pseudophyllodromiidae, Nyctiboridae, Blattellidae s.s. (=Blattellinae) and Blaberidae. Ectobiidae s.s. was recovered as sister to the remaining Blaberoidea in all inferences. Pseudophyllodromiidae was paraphyletic with respect to Anaplectoidea + Malaccina. Blattellidae s.s. excluding Anaplectoidea + Malaccina formed a monophyletic group that was sister to Blaberidae. Based on our results, we propose a revised classification for Blaberoidea: Anaplectoidinae subfam.nov. and Episorineuchora gen.nov., and two new combinations at species level within Pseudophyllodromiidae; Rhabdoblattellinae subfam.nov., Calolamprodinae subfam.nov., Acutirhabdoblatta gen.nov., as well as new combinations for three species within Blaberidae. Ancestral state reconstructions based on four morphological characters allow us to infer that the common ancestor of blaberoid cockroaches is likely to be a species with characteristics similar to those found in Ectobiidae, that is, front femur Type B, arolium present, abdomen with a visible gland and male genital hook on the left side.

Advances in the understanding of Blattodea evolution: Insights from phylotranscriptomics and spermathecae.

Cockroaches, an ancient and diverse group of insects on earth that originated in the Carboniferous, displays a wide array of morphology or biology diversity. The spermatheca is an organ of the insect reproductive system; the diversity of spermathecae might be the adaption to different mating and sperm storage strategies. Yet a consensus about the phylogenetic relationships among the main lineages of Blattodea and the evolution of spermatheca has not been reached until now. Here we added the transcriptome data of Anaplectidae for the first time and supplemented other family level groups (such as Blaberidae, Corydiidae) to address the pending issues. Our results showed that Blattoidea was recovered as sister to Corydioidea, which was strongly supported by molecular evidence. In Blattoidea, (Lamproblattidae + Anaplectidae) + (Cryptocercidae + Termitoidae) was strongly supported by our molecular data. In Blaberoidea, Pseudophyllodromiidae and Blaberidae were recovered to be monophyletic, while Blattellidae was found to be paraphyletic with respect to Malaccina. Ectobius sylvestris + Malaccina discoidalis formed the sister group to other Blaberoidea; Blattellidae (except Malaccina discoidalis) + Nyctiboridae was found as the sister of Blaberidae. Corydiidae was recovered to be non-monophyletic due to the embedding of Nocticola sp. Our ASR analysis of spermatheca suggested that primary spermathecae were present in the common ancestor, and it transformed at least six times during the evolutionary history of Blattodea. The evolution of spermatheca could be described as a unidirectional trend: the increased size to accommodate more sperm. Furthermore, major splits within the existing genera of cockroaches occurred in the Upper Paleogene to Neogene. Our study provides strong support for the relationship among three superfamilies and offers some new insights into the phylogeny of cockroaches. Meanwhile, this study also provides basic knowledge on the evolution of spermathecae and reproductive patterns.

Two new genera (Vittiblatta gen. nov. and Planiblatta gen. nov.) of Blattinae (Blattodea, Blattidae) from Southwest China and the discovery of chirally dimorphic male genitalia in Vittiblattapunctata sp. nov.

This study examines Blattinae samples from Southwest China collected in recent years. Based on morphological characters, we establish two genera, Vittiblattagen. nov. and Planiblattagen. nov., and describe four new species, Vittiblattapunctata Luo & Wang, sp. nov., Vittiblattaferruginea Luo & Wang, sp. nov., Vittiblattaundulata Luo & Wang, sp. nov., and Planiblattacrassispina Luo & Wang, sp. nov. These two new genera resemble Periplaneta s.s., but are easily distinguished from it and other genera of Blattinae by morphological characters (genital sclerite L4C). Our results indicate that sclerites L4C and R1G of male genitalia might be important in species delimitation of Blattinae. In addition, chiral dimorphism is found in male genitalia of Vittiblattapunctata sp. nov.

Exploring the diversity of Eupolyphaga Chopard, 1929 (Blattodea, Corydioidea): species delimitation based on morphology and molecular analysis.

Eupolyphaga Chopard, 1929 is a cockroach genus mainly endemic to China. In this study, the species diversity of this genus is further explored through morphology and molecular analysis. Four species are described new to science: Eupolyphagamiracidia Qiu, sp. nov., Eupolyphagaudenostyla Qiu, sp. nov., Eupolyphagareducta Qiu, sp. nov., and Eupolyphagasimila Qiu, sp. nov. New knowledge on some known species is added, including new distribution records and characteristics of females. Forty-five COI sequences were newly sequenced and a molecular species delimitation analysis was performed using ABGD method. Eighteen molecular operational taxonomic units were obtained by ABGD analysis, which are nearly consistent with the results of morphological delimitation.

Species delimitation of Margattea cockroaches from China, with seven new species (Blattodea, Ectobiidae, Pseudophyllodromiinae).

Nearly 450 Margattea specimens were collected from 27 locations in China and their morphology was examined. Then 68 Margattea COI sequences were obtained and used to carry out phylogenetic analyses as well as species delimitation analyses using General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC), Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), and Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP). GMYC analysis resulted in 21 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) (confidence interval: 20-22), which was completely consistent with the result of the bPTP. There were 15 MOTUs using the ABGD method. The number of MOTUs was slightly different from the assigned morphospecies (16). As to the incongruence between molecular and morphological results, we checked the specimens again and made sure that most morphological differences were determined to be intraspecific differences (except the difference between M. angusta and M. mckittrickae), although a large genetic distance existed. Finally, 16 Margattea species from China were defined in this study, of which, seven new species are established, i.e. Margattea deltodonta J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea cuspidata J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea caudata J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea paratransversa J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea disparilis J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea transversa J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., and Margattea bicruris J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov.

New record of Cyrtonotula Uvarov, 1939 (Blaberidae, Epilamprinae) from China, with three new species based on morphological and COI data.

The genus Cyrtonotula Uvarov, 1939 (Blaberidae, Epilamprinae) is recorded for the first time from Hainan Island, China. Three new species, Cyrtonotula epunctata Wang & Wang, sp. nov., C. maculosa Wang & Wang, sp. nov., and C. longialata Wang & Wang, sp. nov., are described based on morphological data and a molecular analysis using Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD). Additional barcode data of blaberid species, including these three new species, are provided to facilitate future species identification. Morphological photographs and habitat photos of these new species, as well as a key to the known species, are provided.

New and little known Latindiinae (Blattodea, Corydiidae) from China, with discussion of the Asian genera and species.

A new Latindiinae, Brachylatindia xui gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Tibet, China. The new genus Beybienkonus gen. nov. is established to include Beybienkonus acuticercus (Bey-Bienko, 1957), comb. nov. The Asian Latindiinae is discussed with a total of six genera included. A checklist of Asian species and a key to the Asian genera of Latindiinae are provided.

Two new species and a new combination of Allacta (Blattodea, Ectobiidae, Pseudophyllodromiinae) from China, with notes on their behavior in nature.

Two new species, Allactabruna sp. n. and Allactaalba sp. n., from China are described and illustrated. Allactahainanensis (Liu et al., 2017), comb. n. is proposed and re-described; figures including genitalia are provided. A key is provided to all species from China based on males. Notes on the bionomics of this genus in China are provided.

A taxonomic study of Eupolyphaga Chopard, 1929 (Blattodea: Corydiidae: Corydiinae).

The cockroach genus Eupolyphaga is revised. Twenty species and two subspecies are recognized, with thirteen species and two subspecies are new to science: E. daweishana sp. nov., E. dongi sp. nov., E. fengi sp. nov., E. hanae sp. nov., E. hupingensis sp. nov., E. maculata sp. nov., E. nigrifera sp. nov., E. nigrinotum sp. nov., E. pilosa sp. nov., E. robusta sp. nov., E. shennongensis sp. nov., E. wooi sp. nov., E. xuorum sp. nov., E. everestiana reni subsp. nov., and E. fengi yongshengensis subsp. nov. Homœogamia sinensis Saussure is placed as a junior synonym of E. sinensis (Walker) and the replaced name E. limbata (Kirby) for Homœogamia sinensis is invalid, the status of Eupolyphaga thibetana (Chopard) is recovered. Male genitalia of species in the genus is described and illustrated. Females and oothecae of some species are described and illustrated. Distribution maps and a checklist of Eupolyphaga are provided. A key to males of Eupolyphaga is given. Plenty habitat photographs are shown.

Rediscovered and new perisphaerine cockroaches from SW China with a review of subfamilial diagnosis (Blattodea: Blaberidae).

The taxonomic records of Chinese perisphaerine cockroaches were scattered in literature, and therefore a dedicated study is desired to update our knowledge. This paper reviews the subfamilial diagnosis and Chinese species, mostly from southwestern China. We provide high-definition habitus photos and drawings, the latter emphasizes the genitalia of both sexes, which are generalized with diagrams, abstracted from specimens examined. A total of 18 species are recorded in four genera, including Perisphaerus, or pill cockroach, the type genus of the subfamily. Two new genera and three new species are proposed: Achatiblatta achates gen. sp. nov., Frumentiforma frumentiformis gen. sp. nov., and Pseudoglomeris montana sp. nov.. Pseudoglomeris has five new junior synonyms: Corydidarum, Trichoblatta, Kurokia, Glomerexis, and Glomeriblatta; the following combinations are thus revived or new: Ps. aerea comb. nov., Ps. angustifolia comb. nov., Ps. beybienkoi comb. nov., Ps. fallax comb. nov., Ps. magnifica comb. rev., Ps. montshadskii comb. nov., Ps. nigra comb. nov., Ps. sculpta comb. nov., Ps. semisulcata comb. rev., Ps. tibetana comb. nov., and Ps. valida moderata comb. nov.. The following species are revalidated and combinations revived: Pe. pygmaeus comb. rev., Ps. dubia comb. sp. rev., and Ps. planiuscla comb. sp. rev.

Revision of Eucorydia Hebard, 1929 from China, with notes on the genus and species worldwide (Blattodea, Corydioidea, Corydiidae).

The cockroach genus Eucorydia from China is revised. Five new species are described and illustrated: Eucorydia linglongsp. n., Eucorydia pilosasp. n., Eucorydia splendidasp. n., Eucorydia guilinensissp. n., and Eucorydia tangisp. n.. Corydia purpuralis Kirby, 1903 and Eucorydia paucipilosa Woo, Guo & Feng, 1986 are confirmed to be junior synonyms of Eucorydia dasytoides (Walker, 1868). Eucorydia hilaris (Kirby, 1903) is newly recorded from China. This genus and currently known species from around the world are discussed. The status of Eucorydia maxwelli (Hanitsch, 1915) is revived. Corydia plagiata Walker, 1868 is confirmed to be a junior synonym of Eucorydia ornata (Saussure, 1864). A checklist, key, and photographs of members of this genus are provided.

The cockroach genus Sorineuchora Caudell, 1927 from China (Blattodea, Ectobiidae, Pseudophyllodromiinae).

In this paper, three new species (S. bimaculatasp. n., S. viridissp. n., and S. hispidasp. n.) and five known species, S. formosana (Matsumura, 1913), S. nigra (Shiraki, 1908), S. shanensis (Princis, 1950), S. bivitta (Bey-Bienko, 1969), and S. undulata (Bey-Bienko, 1958), are described and illustrated. Sorineuchora undulata was previously synonymized with S. nigra, and is now reinstated as a valid species. A key to the males of Sorineuchora from China is provided.

Contribution to the cockroach genus Ctenoneura Hanitsch, 1925 (Blattodea: Corydioidea: Corydiidae) with descriptions of seven new species from China.

Seven new species of Ctenoneura Hanitsch, 1925, Ctenoneura bawangensis sp. nov., Ctenoneura delicata sp. nov., Ctenoneura elongata sp. nov., Ctenoneura heixuanfeng sp. nov., Ctenoneura helicata sp. nov., Ctenoneura papillaris sp. nov. and Ctenoneura qiuae sp. nov. are described from Hainan and Yunnan, China. Ctenoneura simulans Bey-Bienko, 1969 is redescribed and illustrated. Male genitalia of this genus is described and illustrated for the first time and is found to lack any genital hook. Female Ctenoneura is reported as apterous. Species abundance is estimated. Two species groups are suggested and the taxonomic status of the genus is discussed. A map and a key to males of Chinese Ctenoneura spp. and an updated checklist of the Ctenoneura are provided. Habitat photographs of Ctenoneura are shown for the first time.

The cockroaches of Balta Tepper from China, with the description of four new species (Blattodea, Ectobiidae, Pseudophyllodromiinae).

Four new species of cockroach genus Balta Tepper, 1893 are described and illustrated: B. crenasp. n., B. maculatasp. n., B. tangisp. n., and B. yaoisp. n.Balta picea (Bey-Bienko, 1958) is now regarded as a new synonym of Balta hwangorum (Bey-Bienko, 1958), which is redescribed and illustrated. Two new combinations are proposed: B. nodigera (Bey-Bienko, 1958), comb. n. and B. valida (Bey-Bienko, 1958), comb. n., and both species are redescribed and illustrated. A key to all species from China is provided.

Perisphaerinae Brunner von Wattenwyl and Hyposphaeria Lucas are valid names concealed by the unavailable names Perisphaeriinae and Perisphaeria Burmeister (Blattodea, Blaberidae).

The incorrect generic name Perisphaeria Burmeister, 1838 results from a mistake by Princis (1947). Perisphaeria is an incorrect spelling by Burmeister referring to Perisphaerus Serville, 1831. Princis (1947) incorrectly regarded Perisphaeria as proposed by Burmeister and as the senior synonym of Hyposphaeria Lucas, 1863, which is valid. The subfamilial name Perisphaeriinae based on Perisphaeria should be corrected to Perisphaerinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1865 based on Perisphaerus; but note Princis' Perisphaeriinae is based on his Perisphaeria Burmeister. The taxa involved are listed.

[Study on the risk assessment method of regional groundwater pollution].

Based on the boundary elements of system risk assessment, the regional groundwater pollution risk assessment index system was preliminarily established, which included: regional groundwater specific vulnerability assessment, the regional pollution sources characteristics assessment and the health risk assessment of regional featured pollutants. The three sub-evaluation systems were coupled with the multi-index comprehensive method, the risk was characterized with the Spatial Analysis of ArcMap, and a new method to evaluate regional groundwater pollution risk that suitable for different parts of natural conditions, different types of pollution was established. Take Changzhou as an example, the risk of shallow groundwater pollution was studied with the new method, and found that the vulnerability index of groundwater in Changzhou is high and distributes unevenly; The distribution of pollution sources is concentrated and has a great impact on groundwater pollution risks; Influenced by the pollutants and pollution sources, the values of health risks are high in the urban area of Changzhou. The pollution risk of shallow groundwater is high and distributes unevenly, and distributes in the north of the line of Anjia-Xuejia-Zhenglu, the center of the city and the southeast, where the human activities are more intense and the pollution sources are intensive.

[Expression of mGluR1 at primary visual cortex of monocular deprivation amblyopia rat and the observing of ultrastructure].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulation of expression of mGluR1 and the changes of neuron ultrastructure at primary visual cortex of monocular deprivation amblyopia rat within cortical period. METHODS: Taking randomized concurrent controlled trail. Establishing the model of monocular deprivation amblyopia rat. After proving the model successful by PVEP, all of the rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal visual cortex, experimental visual cortex and experimental opposite visual cortex. Immunocytochemical technology, electron microscope, photography microscope, computer image analysis, SPSS 11.5 and ANOV were used to get the results. RESULTS: Compared with the layer IV of normal visual cortex and experimental opposite visual cortex, the area of immunopositive neurons in layer IV of experimental visual cortex are deficiency, there is significant difference between them (P < 0.01). There are no significant differences between the other four corresponding layers (P > 0.05). Morphological abnormals were found in layer IV of experimental visual cortex by observing of ultrastructure. CONCLUSION: The expression of mGluR1 in layer IV of primary visual cortex of monocular deprivation amblyopia is reduced. There are morphological abnormals happened in layer IV of primary visual cortex of monocular derivation amblyopia. Reduced afference of nerve pulse because of monocular deprivation leads to the expression deficiency of mGluR1 in layer IV of the primary visual cortex, then synaptic plasticity happened, then neurons atrophy occurred may be one of the etiopathogenesis of amblyopia.