Phylogenomics of the superfamily Dytiscoidea (Coleoptera: Adephaga) with an evaluation of phylogenetic conflict and systematic error.

The beetle superfamily Dytiscoidea, placed within the suborder Adephaga, comprises six families. The phylogenetic relationships of these families, whose species are aquatic, remain highly contentious. In particular the monophyly of the geographically disjunct Aspidytidae (China and South Africa) remains unclear. Here we use a phylogenomic approach to demonstrate that Aspidytidae are indeed monophyletic, as we inferred this phylogenetic relationship from analyzing nucleotide sequence data filtered for compositional heterogeneity and from analyzing amino-acid sequence data. Our analyses suggest that Aspidytidae are the sister group of Amphizoidae, although the support for this relationship is not unequivocal. A sister group relationship of Hygrobiidae to a clade comprising Amphizoidae, Aspidytidae, and Dytiscidae is supported by analyses in which model assumptions are violated the least. In general, we find that both concatenation and the applied coalescent method are sensitive to the effect of among-species compositional heterogeneity. Four-cluster likelihood-mapping suggests that despite the substantial size of the dataset and the use of advanced analytical methods, statistical support is weak for the inferred phylogenetic placement of Hygrobiidae. These results indicate that other kinds of data (e.g. genomic meta-characters) are possibly required to resolve the above-specified persisting phylogenetic uncertainties. Our study illustrates various data-driven confounding effects in phylogenetic reconstructions and highlights the need for careful monitoring of model violations prior to phylogenomic analysis.

Cymbiodyta lishizheni sp. nov., the second species of the genus from China.

The water scavenger beetle genus Cymbiodyta Bedel contains 30 species (Jia & Short 2010, Short & Fikácek 2011), most of which are distributed in North America. Only one species (Cymbiodyta orientalis Jia & Short, 2010) has been described since the worldwide revision of the genus by Smetana (1974). This taxon was the second species of the genus known from the Old World and the first species known from the Oriental Region. Subsequently, Jia (2014) described the male of C. orientalis Jia & Short and provided photographs of the aedeagus.

Three new species of Oocyclus Sharp, 1882, with additional records from China (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Laccobiini).

Three new species of the water scavenger beetle genus Oocyclus Sharp, 1882 from China (Oocyclusextensus sp. nov., from Xizang, O.latiorificialis sp. nov. and O.ximaensis sp. nov. from Yunnan) are described and illustrated in detail. Additional faunistic data, illustrations of habitus and male genitalia, and a key to Chinese species are provided.

Diversity pattern of insects from Macao based on an updated species checklist after 25 years.

Background: Insects represent one of the most diverse groups in the organism world with extremely rich species and morphological diversity, playing important roles in natural and city ecosystems. Regional compilation of insect species lists helps to clarify the richness of insect species in a region, enhances our understanding the structure and function of a local ecosystem and promotes the protection and development of insect resources. Moreover, it also serves as a valuable reference for cities with small area, large population and high urbanisation like Macao. Macao (Macau) Special Administrative Region (SAR) is situated at the Pearl River Delta on the southeast coast of mainland China. With urban development accelerating at great rate in a quite restricted area, Macao still has rich fauna, within which the insect diversity is surprisingly high. New information: In this study, we systematically sorted out major references items of manuals or handbooks, monographs, articles, dissertations, official websites and other publicly available information sources about the insects recorded in Macao and, thus, generated a checklist of 15 orders, 166 families, 868 genera, 1,339 species and 118 subspecies. During this process, the preliminarily summarised list was re-examined to eliminate synonyms and invalid species, based on many more extensive literature reviews. Besides, spelling errors of scientific names, authors and years were corrected. Meanwhile, the catalogue revealed a different composition pattern of species diversity between orders from those of the world and China. Even based on the most conservative estimates, the number of insect species in Macao should not be lower than 3,340 species, which hints at the necessity of deeper investigations with adequate collecting in the future to achieve more comprehensive recognition and understanding of Macao's insect biodiversity.

The genus Laccobius in China: new species and new records (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae).

The species of the water scavenger beetle genus Laccobius Erichson, 1837 occuring in China are reviewed. Two new species are described: Laccobius (Glyptolaccobius) qinlingensis sp. nov. (Shaanxi) and L. (Cyclolaccobius) hainanensis sp. nov. (Hainan). Five species are recorded for the first time: Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) bipunctatus (Fabricius, 1775), L. (D.) striatulus (Fabricius, 1801) and L. (Compsolaccobius) pallidissimus Reitter, 1899 (all from Xinjiang), L. (Microlaccobius) tonkinensis Gentili, 1979 (Shaanxi), and L. (Compsolaccobius) decorus (Gyllenhal, 1827) (Qinghai). Additional faunistic data from China are provided for the following species: L. (Cyclolaccobius) hingstoni Orchymont. 1926, L. (C.) nitidus Gentili, 1984, L. (C.) politus Gentili, 1979, L. (C.) yunnanensis Gentili, 2003, L. (Dimorpholaccobius) simulans Orchymont, 1923, L. (s.str.) binotatus Orchymont, 1934, L. (s.str.) cinereus Motschulsky, 1860, L. (s.str.) colon (Stephens, 1829), L. (s.str.) inopinus Gentili, 1980, L. (s.str.) minutus (Linnaeus, 1758), L. (s.str.) nobilis Gentili, 1979, L. (Microlaccobius) elegans Gentili, 1979, L. (M.) florens Gentili, 1979, L. (M.) formosus Gentili, 1979, L. (M.) hammondi Gentili, 1984, L. (M.) himalayanus Gentili, 1988, and L. (M.) nepalensis Gentili, 1982. An updated checklist of Laccobius species occurring in China is provided.

The Lacconectus Motschulsky of Hainan, China, with description of a new species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Copelatinae).

Lacconectus brancuccii sp. nov. from Hainan Island, China, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to the L. fulvescens species group and can be recognised based on the broader, poorly delimited pale basal markings on the elytra, but predominantly based on the characteristic shape of the median lobe of the aedeagus, which in lateral view is slightly narrowed subapically, then broadened to a rounded apex. Previous records from Hainan attributed to L. formosanus (Kamiya, 1938) are found to refer to L. maoyangensis Brancucci, 2003. Additional records of two further species endemic to Hainan, L. hainanensis Hendrich, 1998 and L. maoyangensis, are presented and their habitus are figured.

A new species of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 from China (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae).

A new species of the water scavenger beetle, Laccobius (Cyclolaccobius) martini sp. nov., is described from Shiwandashan, southern Guangxi Automomous Region, China. Digital photographs of several useful taxonomic features are provided. Additionally, the identification key to Laccobius (Cyclolaccobius) of China and neighbouring countries is updated to include this new species.

Two new species of Platynectes Régimbart, 1879 from China with notes on other Chinese members of the genus, including a key to species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Agabinae).

Two new Platynectes species, P. maizuqii sp. nov. from Guangdong and P. pangu sp. nov. from Yunnan, are described. New records are provided for the following species: P. davidorum Hájek, Alarie, Stastný & Vondrácek, 2019 from Jiangxi, P. dissimilis (Sharp, 1873) from Guangxi, P. gemellatus Stastný, 2003 from Hunan and Zhejiang, P. kashmiranus lemberki Stastný, 2003 from Xizang and P. nanlingensis Stastný, 2003 from Jiangxi. Additional records are also given for most other Chinese species. Platynectes kashmiranus kashmiranus J. Balfour-Browne, 1944 is removed from the Chinese fauna. The habitus of all and the male genitalia of most species are illustrated. An updated key to all Chinese species of Platynectes is provided.

Additional fauna of Coelostoma Brullé, 1835 from China, with re-establishment of Coelostomasulcatum Pu, 1963 as a valid species (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae).

Six new species of Coelostoma Brullé, 1835 are described from China: Coelostomabannanicum Mai & Jia, sp. nov., C.dactylopunctum Mai & Jia, sp. nov., C.fortunum Mai & Jia, sp. nov., and C.pseudomartensi Mai & Jia, sp. nov. from Yunnan; C.mixtum Mai & Jia, sp. nov. from Fujian; and C.nankunshanense Mai & Jia, sp. nov. from Guangdong. Coelostomasurkhetensis Hebauer, 2002 is a new record from China (Xizang). Coelostomahuangi Jia, Aston & Fikácek, 2014 is reported from Yunnan, C.hajeki Jia, Aston & Fikácek, 2014 from Hunan, C.jaechi Jia, Lin, Chan, Skale & Fikácek, 2017 from Guangdong, C.turnai Hebauer, 2006 from Fujian, Guizhou and Chongqing, and C.wui Orchymont, 1940 from Shanxi and Zhejiang, all for the first time. Coelostomatranscaspicum Reitter, 1906 is excluded from Chinese fauna. Coelostomasulcatum Pu, 1963 is confirmed as a valid species and its variations of aedeagus are illustrated. The specimens treated as C.wui Orchymont, 1940 by previous authors possibly contain two species. The diversity and habitats of Chinese Coelostoma are discussed. A modified key to the species of Chinese Coelostoma is provided.

A new species of Clypeodytes Rgimbart, 1894 from China (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae: Bidessini).

The diving beetle Clypeodytes limpidus sp. nov. is described from western Yunnan, China. It is the second known species of the genus Clypeodytes Rgimbart, 1894 from China and belongs to the subgenus Hypoclypeus Guignot, 1950. It can be distinguished from C. bufo (Sharp, 1890), the only other Chinese Clypeodytes species, by the shape of the median lobe, the more rounded body and the elytral pattern. A Chinese specimen of C. bufo is illustrated, and the species is recorded for the first time for Laos.

Review of Dactylosternum Wollaston, 1854 from China and Japan (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae).

The species of the genus Dactylosternum Wollaston, 1854 occurring in China and Japan are reviewed. Ten species are recognized to occur in China, two of which were also recorded from Japan. Four new species are described from China: Dactylosternum nanlingensis Mai et Jia, sp. nov. (Guangdong, Jiangxi) from fungal hyphae on fallen wood, D. songxiaobini Mai et Jia, sp. nov. (Guangxi) from fallen wood with termites, D. pseudolatum Mai et Jia, sp. nov. (Guangdong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Yunnan) and D. frater Mai et Jia, sp. nov. (Yunnan) from banana trees. Dactylosternum latum (Sharp, 1873) and D. salvazai Orchymont, 1925 are reported for the first time from China, and species recorded previously (D. abdominale (Fabricius, 1792), D. corbetti Balfour-Browne, 1942, D. hydrophiloides (MacLeay, 1825) and D. pui Jia, 2002) are redescribed or diagnosed. Dactylosternum abdominale (Fabricius, 1792) is confirmed to occur in Japan. Dactylosternum latum is only known from Japan based on type specimens believed to be collected in Nagasaki by G. Lewis in late 19th century; since the species was never re-collected in Japan later, its distribution in Japan seems doubtful. Dactylosternum vitalisi Orchymont, 1925 is synonymized with D. latum (Sharp, 1873), the variability of the latter species is discussed. We moreover found that the type series of D. vitalisi contains two species, with some paratypes actually belonging to D. pseudolatum Mai et Jia, sp. nov. All species of Dactylosternum living in China and Japan are diagnosed and illustrated and a key allowing their identification is provided. We infer that the compact antennal club and paralleled body form are characters related to the life inside of plant tissues, while loose antennal club and rounded body form is present in free living Dactylosternum species. The combination of characters for distinguishing Dactylosternum from other genera of Coelostomatini is also provided.

A review of Copelatus Erichson, 1832 of Mainland China, with description of ten new species from the japonicus complex (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Copelatinae).

The species of the genus Copelatus Erichson, 1832 from China Mainland are reviewed. 22 species are recorded in total. Ten new species: C. dentatipenis sp. nov. (Fujian, Hunan, Jiangxi), C. diversistriatus sp. nov. (Yunnan; Laos, Myanmar, Thailand), C. felicis sp. nov. (Yunnan), C. miaowangi sp. nov. (Guizhou), C. mopanshanensis sp. nov. (Yunnan), C. nanlingensis sp. nov. (Guangdong), C. puzhelongi sp. nov. (Yunnan; Laos, Vietnam), C. rosulae sp. nov. (Yunnan), C. tengchongensis sp. nov. (Yunnan), and C. xiniudong sp. nov. (Guizhou) are described. Copelatus chinensis Rgimbart, 1899 is reinstituted as a valid species with Copelatus collocallosus Falkenstrm, 1932 and C. collocallosus Falkenstrm, 1933 as its junior subjective synonyms. One species from Hongkong remains unidentified since it is so far known only from a limited number of females. Additional records are provided for the known species; three species: C. bacchusi Wewalka, 1981, C. malaisei Guignot, 1954 and C. parallelus Zimmermann, 1920 are recorded from China for the first time. Copelatus takakurai Sat, 1985 is withdrawn from the Chinese fauna. All species are diagnosed, and their habitus and male genitalia are illustrated. An updated identification key to Chinese Copelatus is provided.

Two new species of Helochares, with additional faunistic records from China (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Acidocerinae).

Two new species, Helocharesguoi Yang & Jia, sp. nov. and Helocharesdistinctus Jia & Tang, sp. nov., are described. Two species are recorded for the first time from China: Helocharesnegatus Hebauer, 1995 from Yunnan, and Helocharesminusculus d'Orchymont, 1943 from Guangdong. Additional faunistic data from China are provided for the following species: Helochareshainanensis Dong & Bian, 2021, Helocharesnipponicus Hebauer, 1995, Helocharessauteri d'Orchymont, 1943, Helocharesdensus Sharp, 1890, Helochareslentus Sharp, 1890, Helocharesneglectus (Hope, 1854) and Helocharesanchoralis Sharp, 1890. The Chinese fauna of Helochares comprises 16 species, 11 of which are illustrated in this contribution. Helocharescrenatus Régimbart, 1921 is removed from the Chinese fauna.

Triploidy in Chinese parthenogenetic Helophorus orientalis Motschulsky, 1860, further data on parthenogenetic H. brevipalpis Bedel, 1881 and a brief discussion of parthenogenesis in Hydrophiloidea (Coleoptera).

The chromosomes of triploid parthenogenetic Helophorus orientalis Motschulsky, 1860 are described from material from two localities in Heilongjiang, China. 3n = 33. All the chromosomes have clear centromeric C-bands, and in the longest chromosome one replicate appears to be consistently longer than the other two. The chromosomes of additional triploid parthenogenetic H. brevipalpis Bedel, 1881, from Spain and Italy, are described. In one Italian population one of the autosomes is represented by only two replicates and another appears more evenly metacentric than in material from Spain and the other Italian locality. Parthenogenetic and bisexual specimens of H. orientalis are illustrated, along with Pleistocene fossil material. Parthenogenetic H. brevipalpis is also illustrated. Parthenogenesis in Hydrophiloidea is discussed. It appears to be rare and, in all cases has been detected by chromosomal analysis of populations in which males are unexpectedly scarce. Parthenogenesis is suspected in Helophorus aquila Angus et al., 2014, from northern Qinghai (China), which should be verified in further studies.

Hyphalus shiyuensis sp. nov. from Xisha Islands, China (Coleoptera, Limnichidae, Hyphalinae).

Hyphalus shiyuensis sp. nov. is described from Xisha Islands of China, which represents the ninth species and provides new distribution information for this unique intertidal genus. Brief comparisons between the new species and the known species are given. An updated key to the species of genus Hyphalus is provided.

A new species of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 (Hydrophilidae, Coleoptera) from the Chinese Himalaya, with comments on taxonomic status of subgenera Glyptolaccobius Gentili, 1989 and Cyclolaccobius Gentili, 1991 and additional faunistic records from China.

A new species of the water scavenger beetle, Laccobius (Glyptolaccobius) motuoensissp. nov., is described from Motuo County, Xizang, China and its diagnostic characters are illustrated. Examination of this new species and re-examination of previously described species revealed that the separation of the subgenus Glyptolaccobius Gentili, 1989 and Cyclolaccobius Gentili, 1991 is artificial: both subgenera are hence combined here. Cyclolaccobius syn. nov. is synonymized with Glyptolaccobius, and the latter is shown to be diagnosed by 7-segmented antennae as a unique synapomorphy. All species treated until now under Cyclolaccobius are here transferred to Glyptolaccobius, with the only exception of L. hingstoni Orchymont, 1926, L. jumlanus Gentili, 2015 and L. zugmayeri Knisch, 1910 which are tentatively transferred to the subgenus Hydroxenus Wollaston, 1867, as their antennae bear eight antennomeres. Three species are recorded for the first time from China: L. (Microlaccobius) orientalis Knisch, 1924 from Xizang, Laccobius (M.) exilis Gentili,1974 from Xinjiang, and Laccobius (M.) sublaevis J. Sahlberg, 1900 from Xinjiang. Additional faunistic data from China are provided for the following species: L. (Microlaccobius) hammondi Gentili, 1984, Laccobius (M.) formosus Gentili, 1979, Laccobius (Hydroxenus) hingstoni d'Orchymont, 1926, Laccobius (Glyptolaccobius) yunnanensis Gentili, 2003, Laccobius (Compsolaccobius) decorus (Gyllenhal, 1827), Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) bipunctatus (Fabricius, 1775), Laccobius (D.) striatulus (Fabricius, 1775), Laccobius (s. str.) bedeli Sharp, 1884, L. (s. str.) binotatus d'Orchymont, 1934, Laccobius (s. str.) cinereus Motschulsky, 1860, and Laccobius (s. str.) minutus (Linnaeus, 1758).

Two new species and additional faunistic records of Cercyon Leach, 1817 from China (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae).

Two new species of Cercyon Leach, 1817 are described from China: Cercyon (s.str.) bellus sp. nov. from Hebei, Hubei, and Jiangxi Provinces, and Cercyon (s.str.) biltoni sp. nov. from Sichuan. Five species are recorded from China for the first time: Cercyon (Acycreon) punctiger Knisch, 1921, Cercyon (Paracercyon) analis Seidlitz, 1888, Cercyon (s.str.) algarum Sharp, 1973, Cercyon (s.str.) borealis Baranowski, 1985, Cercyon (s.str.) tristis (Illiger, 1801). Additional faunistic data from China are provided for Cercyon (s.str.) alinae Ryndevich, 2004, Cercyon (s.str.) inquinatus Wollaston, 1854, Cercyon (s.str.) kabaki Ryndevich, 2004, Cercyon (s.str.) olibrus Sharp, 1874, Cercyon (s.str.) ovillus Motschulsky, 1860, Cercyon (Clinocercyon) incretus d'Orchymont, 1941, Cercyon (Clinocercyon) hanseni Jia, Fikácek Ryndevich, 2011 and Cercyon (Paracercyon) honorabilis Shatrovskiy, 1999. A checklist to all species of the genus known from China is provided.

Human Chrysomya bezziana myiasis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Myiasis due to Old World screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, is an important obligate zoonotic disease in the OIE-list of diseases and is found throughout much of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, southeast and east Asia. C. bezziana myiasis causes not only morbidity and death to animals and humans, but also economic losses in the livestock industries. Because of the aggressive and destructive nature of this disease in hosts, we initiated this study to provide a comprehensive understanding of human myiasis caused by C. bezziana. METHODS: We searched the databases in English (PubMed, Embase and African Index Medicus) and Chinese (CNKI, Wanfang, and Duxiu), and international government online reports to 6th February, 2019, to identify studies concerning C. bezziana. Another ten human cases in China and Papua New Guinea that our team had recorded were also included. RESULTS: We retrieved 1,048 reports from which 202 studies were ultimately eligible for inclusion in the present descriptive analyses. Since the first human case due to C. bezziana was reported in 1909, we have summarized 291 cases and found that these cases often occurred in patients with poor hygiene, low socio-economic conditions, old age, and underlying diseases including infections, age-related diseases, and noninfectious chronic diseases. But C. bezziana myiasis appears largely neglected as a serious medical or veterinary condition, with human and animal cases only reported in 16 and 24 countries respectively, despite this fly species being recorded in 44 countries worldwide. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that cryptic myiasis cases due to the obligate parasite, C. bezziana, are under-recognized. Through this study on C. bezziana etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, prevention and control, we call for more vigilance and awareness of the disease from governments, health authorities, clinicians, veterinary workers, nursing homes, and also the general public.

A new species of Sphaerius Waltl from China (Coleoptera, Myxophaga, Sphaeriusidae).

A new species, Sphaeriusminutus sp. n., is described and illustrated from Jinggangshan Mts., Jiangxi Province, China. It is the first species of this family described from East Asia. This species lives under wet stones at the edge of rivers.