- Guangzhou, China
Hong Pang
Sun Yat-Sen University, College of Ecology and Evolution, Faculty Member
ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships within the Dascillinae were investigated. Eighteen ingroup taxa and two outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 30 characters derived from adult morphology. Six genera are recognised in... more
ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships within the Dascillinae were investigated. Eighteen ingroup taxa and two outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 30 characters derived from adult morphology. Six genera are recognised in Dascillinae: Coptocera Murray, Dascillus Latreille, Metallidascillus Pic, Notodascillus Carter, Petalon Schoenherr and Sinocaulus Farimaire. Pseudolichas Fairmaire, 1878 (TS: P. sulcifrons Fairmaire, 1878) is recognised as a junior synonym of Petalon Schoenherr, 1833 (TS: Bruchus fulvulus Wiedemann, 1819) syn. nov. All valid genera of Dascillinae are thoroughly described, illustrated and key to their identification is provided. Species level keys are provided for Old Wold Dascillus, Petalon and Sinocaulus. Eighteen new species are described: Dascillus acutus (China: Shanxi), D. chifengi (China: Taiwan), D. ompressus (Nepal), D. formosanus (China: Taiwan), D. lanceus (China: Taiwan), D. largus (China: Hubei), D. montanus (China: Sichuan), D. planus (China: Yunnan), D. russus (India: Arunachal Pradesh), D. tibetensis (China: Tibet), D. transversus (China: Yunnan), Petalon acerbus (China-Yunnan), P. allochroides (Malaysia, Sabah), P. annamensis (Vietnam), P. digitatus (China: Yunnan), P. iviei (China: Yunnan), Sinocaulus clypeatus (China: Guizhou) and S. omiensis (China: Sichuan). The following species level new synonyms are proposed (senior synonym listed first): Dascillus congruus Pascoe, 1860 (= Dascillus perroudi Pic, 1939, D. klapperichi, Pic, 1955, D. taiwanus Nakane, 1995 and D. fortunei Pic, 1913); Dascillus calvescens Bourgeois, 1892 (= D. holzi Pic, 1911, D. rufocinctus Pic, 1913, D. brevesulcatus Pic, 1933 and D. rubropubens Pic, 1934); Dascillus renardi Bourgeois, 1891(= D. rufovillosus Bourgeois, 1892); Dascillus fulvulus (Wiedemann, 1819) (= D. striatus Pic, 1911, D. corporaali Pic, 1923 and D. obscuricolor Pic, 1933); D. obscuripes Pic, 1912 (= D. rufus Pic, 1923); Pseudolichas nivipictus Fairmaire, 1904 (= Pseudolichas ruficornis Pic, 1914) and Sinocaulus rubrovelutinus Fairmaire, 1878 (= Haematoides atriceps Pic, 1910: 45). Four taxa are transferred to Dascillus Latreille (Cladotoma vittata Pic, 1914; Pseudolichas nigronotatus Pic, 1914; Pseudolichas nivipictus Fairmaire, 1904; Pseudolichas superbus Pic, 1907 and Therius jaspideus Fairmaire, 1878) comb. nov. Fifeteen species are transferred to Petalon Schonherr (Dascillus bengalensis Pic, 1911; D. birmanicus Pic, 1913; D. calvescens Bourgeois, 1892; D. fruhstorferi Pic, 1912; D. fulvithorax Pic, 1933; D. indicus Guérin-Méneville, 1861; D. leopoldi Pic, 1933; D. major Pic, 1933; D. obscuripes Pic, 1912; D. pruinosus Fairmaire, 1896; D. renardi Bourgeois, 1891; D. rufithorax Pic, 1912; D. rufovillosus Bourgeois, 1892; D. rufus Pic, 1923 and Pseudolichas sulcifrons Fairmaire, 1878) comb. nov. The neotypes are designated for: Bruchus fulvulus Wiedemann, 1819 (Indonesia: Java) and Dascillus maculosus Fairmaire, 1889 (China: Sichuan). Lectotypes are designated for: Dascillus bengalensis Pic, 1911; D. brevesulcatus Pic, 1933; D. calvescens Bourgeois, 1892; D. cavaleriei Pic, 1930; D. corporaali Pic, 1923; D. costatus Pic, 1927; D. fortunei Pic 1913; D. holzi Pic, 1911; D. klapperichi Pic, 1955; D. nigripennis Guérin-Méneville, 1861; D. obscuricolor Pic, 1933; D. obscuripes Pic, 1912; D. pallidofemoratus Pic, 1911; D. perroudi Pic, 1939; D. renardi Bourgeois, 1891; D. rubropubens Pic, 1934; D. rufocinctus Pic, 1913; D. rufovillosus Bourgeois, 1892; D. rufus Pic, 1923; D. striatus Pic, 1911; D. sublineatus Pic, 1915; Haematoides atriceps Pic, 1910; Pseudolichas sulcifrons Fairmaire, 1878 and Sinocaulus rubrovelutinus Fairmaire, 1878.
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Abstract. A new species of Noviini, Novius marek Ślipiński and Pang sp. nov. is described from New Caledonia. It is the largest known species of the genus, easily recognised by its size, very flat body and zigzag darker pattern on... more
Abstract. A new species of Noviini, Novius marek Ślipiński and Pang sp. nov. is described from New Caledonia. It is the largest known species of the genus, easily recognised by its size, very flat body and zigzag darker pattern on yellowish-brown elytra. A key to the New Caledonian species of Novius, new distribution records and illustrations of known species are also provided.
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Stromatium Audinet‐Serville 1834 is considered to be one of the most economically important genera of Cerambycidae. Three species of this genus, Stromatium barbatum (Fabricius ), Stromatium longicorne (Newman 1842) and Stromatium auratum... more
Stromatium Audinet‐Serville 1834 is considered to be one of the most economically important genera of Cerambycidae. Three species of this genus, Stromatium barbatum (Fabricius ), Stromatium longicorne (Newman 1842) and Stromatium auratum (Böber 1793), are able to develop to maturity in seasoned timber and are distributed worldwide due to human commerce. We clarified here the status of wild populations of Stromatium in Australia. Stromatium darwinense Jin & Weir sp. nov. is described from the Northern Territory in Australia, based on evidence from morphological characters and mtDNA barcode sequences (421 bp fragment of COI). The new species is morphologically very similar to S. longicorne, which is native to Christmas Island but not to mainland Australia. We redescribe S. barbatum and S. longicorne, the introductions of which still remain high risks for Australian biosecurity.
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ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships within the family Rhipiceridae were investigated to elucidate the relationships between genera and subgenera of Rhipicerinae. Eleven ingroup taxa and three outgroups were included in cladistic analysis,... more
ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships within the family Rhipiceridae were investigated to elucidate the relationships between genera and subgenera of Rhipicerinae. Eleven ingroup taxa and three outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 34 characters derived from adult morphology. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that Rhipicerinae are monophyletic and may be divided into four genera: Oligorhipis (stat. nov.), Polymerius, Polytomus (stat. rev.) and Rhipicera. All genera of Rhipicerinae are thoroughly described, illustrated and key to their identification is provided. Species level reviews and keys are provided for Oligorhipis and Rhipicera. Two new species are described: Oligorhipis vanemdeni sp. nov. (Western Australia) and Rhipicera carinata sp. nov. (Western Australia). Rhipicera abdominalis Klug, 1825, R. cyanea Castelnau, 1834, R. dalmanni Westwood, 1837 and R. marginata Kirby, 1818 are transferred to Polytomus Dalman (comb. nov.). Agathorhipis bifossata Fauvel, 1904 and Ptiocerus vestitus Castelnau, 1840 are transferred to Oligorhipis Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (comb. nov.). Agathorhipis Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is synonymised with Rhipicera Latreille, 1817 (syn. nov.) and Rhipicera (Agathorhipis) neglecta Emden, 1925 with Rhipicera femorata Kirby, 1819 (syn. nov.). The neotype of Rhipicera reichei Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is designated to stabilize the taxonomic identity of this species.
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A new Australian genus Notointybia gen. nov. is established for three species formerly placed in Laius Guérin‐Méneville, Dicranolaius Champion or Intybia Pascoe. It can be separated from the other apalochrine genera by the following... more
A new Australian genus Notointybia gen. nov. is established for three species formerly placed in Laius Guérin‐Méneville, Dicranolaius Champion or Intybia Pascoe. It can be separated from the other apalochrine genera by the following characters combined: pronotum with complete lateral carinae, basal antennomeres modified and fore tarsi four‐segmented or five‐segmented and without combs on the second segment in male specimens. The new genus includes Laius cavicornis Lea, 1909, Laius filamentarius Lea, 1917 (type species), Laius hackeri Lea, 1914 and a new species Notointybia maculosa sp. nov. from Queensland. We designate lectotypes for L. cavicornis Lea, 1909, L. hackeri Lea, 1914 and L. filamentarius Lea, 1917. The taxonomic position of Notointybia and its phylogenetic relationship with related genera remain unsolved, requiring a comprehensive molecular study of world Apalochrini.
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The Zhangpu biota provides a new insight into biodiversity redistribution during the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum.
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Coccinellini, the ‘true ladybirds’, is a large, cosmopolitan tribe of lady beetles with immense variability in colour and form that include many commonly recognized species and major biocontrol agents, as well as some ubiquitous invasive... more
Coccinellini, the ‘true ladybirds’, is a large, cosmopolitan tribe of lady beetles with immense variability in colour and form that include many commonly recognized species and major biocontrol agents, as well as some ubiquitous invasive species. In this study, we performed phylogenetic analyses of molecular and morphological data. For the molecular analysis, we gathered DNA sequence data from 164 species in 57 genera (and outgroups) from five nuclear genes [CAD (two fragments), TOPO, WGL, 3059fin] and one mitochondrial (COI) gene. The morphological analyses comprised 301 terminals and 61 discrete characters that were analysed by parsimony (MP). Our phylogenetic analyses indicate a monophyletic Coccinellini (former Coccinellinae) containing previously recognized tribes [Coccinellini, Discotomini, Halyziini, Singhikaliini and Tytthaspidini (incl. Bulaeini)]. Coccinellini is further divided into four main clades as follows: the Coccinella group (Clade A; incl. former Tytthaspidini), t...
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The phylogenetic relationships within the beetle family Cucujidae were investigated for the first time. Fifty‐seven morphological characters were used for maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Mitochondrial genomes were generated from... more
The phylogenetic relationships within the beetle family Cucujidae were investigated for the first time. Fifty‐seven morphological characters were used for maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Mitochondrial genomes were generated from museum specimens through genome skimming and used for phylogenetic analyses in a maximum likelihood framework due to the difficulty in collecting many of the Cucujidae species and the lack of availability of ethanol‐preserved specimens. Both morphological and molecular analyses supported the monophyly of the four established genera: Cucujus Fabricius, Pediacus Shuckard, Palaestes Perty, and Platisus Erichson. They also led to the description of a new genus, Thesaurus gen.n., from South America, and the recognition of two new subfamilies, Pediacinae subfam.n. and Platisinae subfam.n. Diagnoses of Cucujidae subfamilies and genera are provided along with illustrations and keys for their identification. Phylogenetic relationships between the genera were analysed and discussed based on morphological and molecular data. Three new species were described in Thesaurus gen.n.: T. albertalleni gen. et sp.n. from Venezuela, T. zaitsevi sp.n. from Peru, and T. macclarini sp.n. from Ecuador. Illustrations and a key to species are provided. The previously unknown larvae of Palaestes and Thesaurus are illustrated and described for the first time. The Eocene fossil species, Platisus punctatus (Ramírez, Corsolini & Di Iorio), from Patagonia, Argentina, is here transferred to the genus Thesaurus.
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Beetles (Coleoptera) are the most diverse and species-rich insect group, representing an impressive explosive radiation in the evolutionary history of insects, and their evolutionary relationships are often difficult to resolve. The... more
Beetles (Coleoptera) are the most diverse and species-rich insect group, representing an impressive explosive radiation in the evolutionary history of insects, and their evolutionary relationships are often difficult to resolve. The amount of "traditional markers" (e.g., mitochondrial genes and nuclear rDNAs) for beetle phylogenetics is small and these markers often lack sufficient signals in resolving relationships for such a rapidly radiating lineage. Here, based on the available genome data of beetles and other related insect species, we performed a genome-wide survey to search nuclear protein-coding (NPC) genes suitable for research on beetle phylogenetics. As a result, we identified 1470 candidate loci, which provided a valuable data resource to the beetle evolutionary research community for NPC marker development. We randomly chose 180 candidate loci from the database to design primers and successfully developed 95 NPC markers which can be PCR amplified from standard...
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Artificial introduction in classical biological control provides a unique opportunity to understand mitochondrial evolution driving adaptation to novel environments. We studied mitochondrial genomes of a world-wide introduced agent,... more
Artificial introduction in classical biological control provides a unique opportunity to understand mitochondrial evolution driving adaptation to novel environments. We studied mitochondrial genomes of a world-wide introduced agent, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. We detected positive selection in complex I genes (ND5 and ND4) against a background of widespread negative selection. We further detected significant signals in neutrality tests within 11 populations at ND5 gene, indicating a recent selective sweep/positive selection. Our results imply that these candidate mutations may contribute local adaptation of exotic biological control agents and these provide new insights into the improvement of classical biological control programs.
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Research Interests: Diversity, Australia, Biology, Evolution, China, and 15 moreBiological Control, Genetic Diversity, DNA, Coccinellidae, Animals, Coleoptera, Dispersal, Introduced species, Genetic Differentiation, Harmonia axyridis, Economic Entomology, Genetic variation, Biological Pest Control, Ecological Applications, and Bottleneck
ABSTRACT Two new genera from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, northeastern China are described and illustrated. Paracretocateres gen. nov. (type species P. bellus, sp. nov.) and Yixianteres gen.... more
ABSTRACT Two new genera from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, northeastern China are described and illustrated. Paracretocateres gen. nov. (type species P. bellus, sp. nov.) and Yixianteres gen. nov. (type species Y. beipiaoensis sp. nov.) are assigned to the subfamily Lophocaterinae based on the state of the procoxae which are not projecting, the transverse procoxal cavities, and the exposed protochantins. The new taxa broaden the diversity of this family and provide further morphological characters for phylogenetic studies of Trogossitidae. They also provide evidence that lophocaterines well-diversified prior to the trogossitines and their biologies may have been similar to extant forms.
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ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships within the family Rhipiceridae were investigated to elucidate the relationships between genera and subgenera of Rhipicerinae. Eleven ingroup taxa and three outgroups were included in cladistic analysis,... more
ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships within the family Rhipiceridae were investigated to elucidate the relationships between genera and subgenera of Rhipicerinae. Eleven ingroup taxa and three outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 34 characters derived from adult morphology. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that Rhipicerinae are monophyletic and may be divided into four genera: Oligorhipis (stat. nov.), Polymerius, Polytomus (stat. rev.) and Rhipicera. All genera of Rhipicerinae are thoroughly described, illustrated and key to their identification is provided. Species level reviews and keys are provided for Oligorhipis and Rhipicera. Two new species are described: Oligorhipis vanemdeni sp. nov. (Western Australia) and Rhipicera carinata sp. nov. (Western Australia). Rhipicera abdominalis Klug, 1825, R. cyanea Castelnau, 1834, R. dalmanni Westwood, 1837 and R. marginata Kirby, 1818 are transferred to Polytomus Dalman (comb. nov.). Agathorhipis bifossata Fauvel, 1904 and Ptiocerus vestitus Castelnau, 1840 are transferred to Oligorhipis Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (comb. nov.). Agathorhipis Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is synonymised with Rhipicera Latreille, 1817 (syn. nov.) and Rhipicera (Agathorhipis) neglecta Emden, 1925 with Rhipicera femorata Kirby, 1819 (syn. nov.). The neotype of Rhipicera reichei Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is designated to stabilize the taxonomic identity of this species.
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ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships within the Dascillinae were investigated. Eighteen ingroup taxa and two outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 30 characters derived from adult morphology. Six genera are recognised in... more
ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships within the Dascillinae were investigated. Eighteen ingroup taxa and two outgroups were included in cladistic analysis, based on 30 characters derived from adult morphology. Six genera are recognised in Dascillinae: Coptocera Murray, Dascillus Latreille, Metallidascillus Pic, Notodascillus Carter, Petalon Schoenherr and Sinocaulus Farimaire. Pseudolichas Fairmaire, 1878 (TS: P. sulcifrons Fairmaire, 1878) is recognised as a junior synonym of Petalon Schoenherr, 1833 (TS: Bruchus fulvulus Wiedemann, 1819) syn. nov. All valid genera of Dascillinae are thoroughly described, illustrated and key to their identification is provided. Species level keys are provided for Old Wold Dascillus, Petalon and Sinocaulus. Eighteen new species are described: Dascillus acutus (China: Shanxi), D. chifengi (China: Taiwan), D. ompressus (Nepal), D. formosanus (China: Taiwan), D. lanceus (China: Taiwan), D. largus (China: Hubei), D. montanus (China: Sichuan), D. planus (China: Yunnan), D. russus (India: Arunachal Pradesh), D. tibetensis (China: Tibet), D. transversus (China: Yunnan), Petalon acerbus (China-Yunnan), P. allochroides (Malaysia, Sabah), P. annamensis (Vietnam), P. digitatus (China: Yunnan), P. iviei (China: Yunnan), Sinocaulus clypeatus (China: Guizhou) and S. omiensis (China: Sichuan). The following species level new synonyms are proposed (senior synonym listed first): Dascillus congruus Pascoe, 1860 (= Dascillus perroudi Pic, 1939, D. klapperichi, Pic, 1955, D. taiwanus Nakane, 1995 and D. fortunei Pic, 1913); Dascillus calvescens Bourgeois, 1892 (= D. holzi Pic, 1911, D. rufocinctus Pic, 1913, D. brevesulcatus Pic, 1933 and D. rubropubens Pic, 1934); Dascillus renardi Bourgeois, 1891(= D. rufovillosus Bourgeois, 1892); Dascillus fulvulus (Wiedemann, 1819) (= D. striatus Pic, 1911, D. corporaali Pic, 1923 and D. obscuricolor Pic, 1933); D. obscuripes Pic, 1912 (= D. rufus Pic, 1923); Pseudolichas nivipictus Fairmaire, 1904 (= Pseudolichas ruficornis Pic, 1914) and Sinocaulus rubrovelutinus Fairmaire, 1878 (= Haematoides atriceps Pic, 1910: 45). Four taxa are transferred to Dascillus Latreille (Cladotoma vittata Pic, 1914; Pseudolichas nigronotatus Pic, 1914; Pseudolichas nivipictus Fairmaire, 1904; Pseudolichas superbus Pic, 1907 and Therius jaspideus Fairmaire, 1878) comb. nov. Fifeteen species are transferred to Petalon Schonherr (Dascillus bengalensis Pic, 1911; D. birmanicus Pic, 1913; D. calvescens Bourgeois, 1892; D. fruhstorferi Pic, 1912; D. fulvithorax Pic, 1933; D. indicus Guérin-Méneville, 1861; D. leopoldi Pic, 1933; D. major Pic, 1933; D. obscuripes Pic, 1912; D. pruinosus Fairmaire, 1896; D. renardi Bourgeois, 1891; D. rufithorax Pic, 1912; D. rufovillosus Bourgeois, 1892; D. rufus Pic, 1923 and Pseudolichas sulcifrons Fairmaire, 1878) comb. nov. The neotypes are designated for: Bruchus fulvulus Wiedemann, 1819 (Indonesia: Java) and Dascillus maculosus Fairmaire, 1889 (China: Sichuan). Lectotypes are designated for: Dascillus bengalensis Pic, 1911; D. brevesulcatus Pic, 1933; D. calvescens Bourgeois, 1892; D. cavaleriei Pic, 1930; D. corporaali Pic, 1923; D. costatus Pic, 1927; D. fortunei Pic 1913; D. holzi Pic, 1911; D. klapperichi Pic, 1955; D. nigripennis Guérin-Méneville, 1861; D. obscuricolor Pic, 1933; D. obscuripes Pic, 1912; D. pallidofemoratus Pic, 1911; D. perroudi Pic, 1939; D. renardi Bourgeois, 1891; D. rubropubens Pic, 1934; D. rufocinctus Pic, 1913; D. rufovillosus Bourgeois, 1892; D. rufus Pic, 1923; D. striatus Pic, 1911; D. sublineatus Pic, 1915; Haematoides atriceps Pic, 1910; Pseudolichas sulcifrons Fairmaire, 1878 and Sinocaulus rubrovelutinus Fairmaire, 1878.
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Background Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has been documented in many herbivorous insects, conferring the ability to digest plant material and promoting their remarkable ecological diversification. Previous reports suggest HGT of... more
Background Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has been documented in many herbivorous insects, conferring the ability to digest plant material and promoting their remarkable ecological diversification. Previous reports suggest HGT of antibacterial enzymes may have contributed to the insect immune response and limit bacterial growth. Carnivorous insects also display many evolutionary successful lineages, but in contrast to the plant feeders, the potential role of HGTs has been less well-studied. Results Using genomic and transcriptomic data from 38 species of ladybird beetles, we identified a set of bacterial cell wall hydrolase (cwh) genes acquired by this group of beetles. Infection with Bacillus subtilis led to upregulated expression of these ladybird cwh genes, and their recombinantly produced proteins limited bacterial proliferation. Moreover, RNAi-mediated cwh knockdown led to downregulation of other antibacterial genes, indicating a role in antibacterial immune defense. cwh genes ...
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Abstract A new polypore fungus beetle is described and illustrated, under the name of Thescelostrophus cretaceus gen. et sp. nov., representing the first documented occurrence of the tribe Eustrophini. The well-preserved specimen was... more
Abstract A new polypore fungus beetle is described and illustrated, under the name of Thescelostrophus cretaceus gen. et sp. nov., representing the first documented occurrence of the tribe Eustrophini. The well-preserved specimen was collected from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian, ca. 99 Ma) amber near the Hukawng Valley of northern Myanmar. This fossil species can be assigned to the extant subfamily Eustrophinae based on its elongate oval and strongly narrowed posteriorly body, simple and narrow tarsi, and somewhat clubbed antennomeres. The comparison among the extinct and extant eustrophines supports the previous hypothesis that antennal morphology of early eustrophines was very diverse. Additionally, an overall similarity between Thescelostrophus and extant eustrophines suggests a potential fungivory of this fossil species. Morphological characters preserved in the Burmese amber highlight the diversity of tetratomids during the Late Mesozoic and provide data for future phylogenetic studies of Tetratomidae.
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The family Synchroidae Lacordaire, 1859 is a small group of beetles with an elongate, tapered, and slightly flattened body and brownish to black coloration. Members exhibit morphological similarity to some genera of Melandryidae, but can... more
The family Synchroidae Lacordaire, 1859 is a small group of beetles with an elongate, tapered, and slightly flattened body and brownish to black coloration. Members exhibit morphological similarity to some genera of Melandryidae, but can be distinguished based on larval morphology and the unmodified apical maxillary palpomeres. They are widely distributed throughout the Oriental, Palaearctic and Nearctic regions and possess the highest species diversity in Eastern Asia (Nikitsky 1999; Hsiao 2015). Synchroa bark beetles had been viewed as members of the Melandryidae for a long time, but were treated as an independent family in Böving & Craighead (1931). Crowson (1966) followed Böving & Craighead's treatment and suggested close relatives among the members of Zopheridae and Stenotrachelidae based on both larval and adult characters. Currently, only 8 species distributed amongst three genera have been described in this family: Mallodrya Horn, 1888 is a monotypical genus from North America; Synchroa Newman, 1838, the nominal genus and the largest genus widely distributed in North America, east Palearctic region and the Oriental region, including 5 species; Synchroina Fairmaire, 1898 is from the Oriental region and includes two species. (Nikitsky 1999; Hsiao 2015).Recently, the first author had the opportunity to examine the collection of the Museum of Biology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (SYSBM) discovering one remarkable species of Synchroa with dark coloration and a narrow prothorax, which are very different from previously described species of this genus. After careful examination and comparisons to other described species it is described here as new. In addition, an updated key to the world species of Synchroa is provided.
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True ladybirds, classified in the tribe Coccinellini, are easily recognisable by their relatively large and shiny bodies and contrasting colour patterns. They are one of the most widely studied groups of beetles, being of economic... more
True ladybirds, classified in the tribe Coccinellini, are easily recognisable by their relatively large and shiny bodies and contrasting colour patterns. They are one of the most widely studied groups of beetles, being of economic importance and used as model organisms in biological and ecological research. Ladybird Beetles of the Australo-Pacific Region covers 22 genera and 95 valid species, including 12 new species, of ladybird beetles from Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific area. For each species, descriptions, illustrations and keys will assist with the correct identification of ladybirds from this large but practically unknown fauna. This book is a valuable contribution to the taxonomy of the ladybirds and to the knowledge of the biodiversity of this unique biogeographic region. It will be of use to entomologists, biologists, ecologists, quarantine officers, natural history museum curators, and students.
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The relictual archostematan beetle family Ommatidae attained high diversity during the Mesozoic. Despite their once high taxonomic diversity and morphological disparity, many Mesozoic ommatid taxa remain poorly understood, partly due to... more
The relictual archostematan beetle family Ommatidae attained high diversity during the Mesozoic. Despite their once high taxonomic diversity and morphological disparity, many Mesozoic ommatid taxa remain poorly understood, partly due to limited preservation. Here we report an exceptionally well-preserved fossil, which we describe as a new ommatid genus and species, Limnomma daohugouensegen. et sp. nov., from the mid-Jurassic Daohugou Lagerstätte in Northeast China. The new genus can be most easily distinguished from other ommatids by the presence of a circular non-tuberculate region on ventrite 5. The new taxon is discussed in relation to the classification of the Mesozoic genera Brochocoleus and Burmocoleus.
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A new genus and species of the cleroid family Lophocateridae are described and illustrated from the mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar. Gracilenticrus burmiticus Yu, Kolibáč & Ślipiński gen. et sp. nov. is unique among... more
A new genus and species of the cleroid family Lophocateridae are described and illustrated from the mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar. Gracilenticrus burmiticus Yu, Kolibáč & Ślipiński gen. et sp. nov. is unique among Lophocateridae in the tiny body size, frontoclypeal suture and antennal grooves absent, symmetrical antennal clubs, protrochantin reduced, tarsal claws small and widened at base. A key to the species of Mesozoic Lophocateridae is also provided. Morphological characters of the newly discovered Gracilenticrus were analyzed together with representatives of 43 extant genera of Cleroidea (broadly defined Trogossitidae) in a matrix of 91 characters. Gracilenticrus burmiticus was resolved as a member of Lophocateridae. The discovery of a diverse fauna of Lophocateridae in the mid-Cretaceous sheds a new light on the early evolution of superfamily Cleroidea.
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The mature larva and pupa of the Australian silvanid species, Macrohyliota militaris (Erichson) are described from laboratory reared material. This is the first description of immature stages of Silvanidae from Australia. The larva of... more
The mature larva and pupa of the Australian silvanid species, Macrohyliota militaris (Erichson) are described from laboratory reared material. This is the first description of immature stages of Silvanidae from Australia. The larva of M. militaris conforms to the general body shape and apparent morphological features of known Brontini and is very similar to the Asian M. sculptus Yoshida & Hirowatari. Larval and pupal features of M. militaris are compared with other known larvae and pupae of Brontini described in the literature.
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The results of examination of extensive collections of Epilachna Chevrolat (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini) from China, housed at the Natural History Museum Basel and the Museum of Biology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou are presented. New... more
The results of examination of extensive collections of Epilachna Chevrolat (Coccinellidae: Epilachnini) from China, housed at the Natural History Museum Basel and the Museum of Biology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou are presented. New distribution data of 33 species and detailed digital illustrations of external morphology and male genitalia of 20 poorly known species are included. Six new species: Epilachna bocaki, E. crepida, E. echinata, E. hamulifera, E. max, E. sichuana Pang et Ślipiński spp. nov. are described. An updated list of 106 species of Epilachna recorded from China is also presented.
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Beetles (Coleoptera) are the most diverse and species-rich group of insects, and a robust, time-calibrated phylogeny is fundamental to understanding macroevolutionary processes that underlie their diversity. Here we infer the phylogeny... more
Beetles (Coleoptera) are the most diverse and species-rich group of insects, and a robust, time-calibrated phylogeny is fundamental to understanding macroevolutionary processes that underlie their diversity. Here we infer the phylogeny and divergence times of all major lineages of Coleoptera by analyzing 95 protein-coding genes in 373 beetle species, including ~67% of the currently recognized families. The subordinal relationships are strongly supported as Polyphaga (Adephaga (Archostemata, Myxophaga)). The series and superfamilies of Polyphaga are mostly monophyletic. The species-poor Nosodendridae is robustly recovered in a novel position sister to Staphyliniformia, Bostrichiformia, and Cucujiformia. Our divergence time analyses suggest that the crown group of extant beetles occurred ~297 million years ago (Mya) and that ~64% of families originated in the Cretaceous. Most of the herbivorous families experienced a significant increase in diversification rate during the Cretaceous, ...
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The tribe Coccinellini is a group of relatively large ladybird beetles that exhibits remarkable morphological and biological diversity. Many species are aphidophagous, feeding as larvae and adults on aphids, but some species also feed on... more
The tribe Coccinellini is a group of relatively large ladybird beetles that exhibits remarkable morphological and biological diversity. Many species are aphidophagous, feeding as larvae and adults on aphids, but some species also feed on other hemipterous insects (i.e., heteropterans, psyllids, whiteflies), beetle and moth larvae, pollen, fungal spores, and even plant tissue. Several species are biological control agents or widespread invasive species (e.g., Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)). Despite the ecological importance of this tribe, relatively little is known about the phylogenetic relationships within it. The generic concepts within the tribe Coccinellini are unstable and do not reflect a natural classification, being largely based on regional revisions. This impedes the phylogenetic study of important traits of Coccinellidae at a global scale (e.g. the evolution of food preferences and biogeography). We present the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Coccinellini to date...
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Global climate change is known to affect the assembly of ecological communities by altering species' spatial distribution patterns, but little is known about how climate change may affect community assembly by changing species'... more
Global climate change is known to affect the assembly of ecological communities by altering species' spatial distribution patterns, but little is known about how climate change may affect community assembly by changing species' temporal co-occurrence patterns, which is highly likely given the widely observed phenological shifts associated with climate change. Here we analyzed a 29-year phenological data set comprising community-level information on the timing and span of temporal occurrence in 11 seasonally occurring animal taxon groups from 329 local meteorological observatories across China. We show that widespread shifts in phenology have resulted in community-wide changes in the temporal overlap between taxa that are dominated by extensions, and that these changes are largely due to…
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Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Australia, Taxonomy, Biology, and 11 moreBiodiversity, Medicine, Arthropoda, Female, Animals, Male, Coleoptera, Insecta, Beetles, Animalia, and Champion
A new species of Anomala Samouelle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) is described from the Northern Territory of Australia. The new species is diagnosed by the single tooth along the external margin of protibia, medially interrupted... more
A new species of Anomala Samouelle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) is described from the Northern Territory of Australia. The new species is diagnosed by the single tooth along the external margin of protibia, medially interrupted marginal bead on pronotal base and the clypeus weakly reflexed anteriorly. The illustrated diagnoses of the remaining Australian species and the key to their identification is also provided.
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Two species of ladybird beetles, one belonging to Phrynocaria Timberlake (Coccinellni) and the second to Chilocorus Leach (Chilocorini) collected by R.A. Wallace in the Maluku Islands (Indonesia) have identical body size and colour... more
Two species of ladybird beetles, one belonging to Phrynocaria Timberlake (Coccinellni) and the second to Chilocorus Leach (Chilocorini) collected by R.A. Wallace in the Maluku Islands (Indonesia) have identical body size and colour pattern with longitudinal stripes on elytra. Their external features were so similar that G.R. Crotch included both of them in the type series of Chilocorus wallacii Crotch, 1874. The specimen designated as the lectotype of Chilocorus wallacii belongs to Phrynocaria. Coelophora wallacii Crotch, 1874 is also transferred to Phrynocaria (new comb.) and becomes senior homonym and Phrynocaria crotchi new name is proposed for the secondary junior homonym. Chilocorus crotchi sp. nov. is described for the taxon misidentified as Chilocorus wallacii Crotch.
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The Australian species of Notodascillus Carter are revised based on examination of available type material and extensive collections. Three very closely related species have been recognised: N. brevicornis (Macleay), N. sublineatus Carter... more
The Australian species of Notodascillus Carter are revised based on examination of available type material and extensive collections. Three very closely related species have been recognised: N. brevicornis (Macleay), N. sublineatus Carter and N. iviei sp. n. Detailed generic and species descriptions, key to the species and distribution data are provided.
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ABSTRACT A new genus, Cretodascillus gen. nov. in the family Dascillidae with a new species C. sinensis sp. nov., is described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Inner Mongolia, China. The fossil taxa described in Dascillidae... more
ABSTRACT A new genus, Cretodascillus gen. nov. in the family Dascillidae with a new species C. sinensis sp. nov., is described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Inner Mongolia, China. The fossil taxa described in Dascillidae have been critically reviewed and the Upper Triassic Apheloodes Dunstan, 1923 (type species A. obliquum Dunstan, 1923) and Leioodes Dunstan, 1923 (type species L. planum Dunstan, 1923) are removed from Dascillidae to Coleoptera incertae sedis, the Miocene Protoacnaeus Wickham, 1914 (type species P. tenuicornis Wickham, 1914) is transferred to Psephenidae and Miocyphon Wickham, 1914 (type species M. punctulatus Wickham, 1914) to Scirtidae.
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Abstract. The members of the Australian genus Australoneda Iablokoff-Khnzorian, 1984 are revised. Seven species from New Guinea and single species from Australia are recognised, described and illustrated. Two new species: A. bielawskii... more
Abstract. The members of the Australian genus Australoneda Iablokoff-Khnzorian, 1984 are revised. Seven species from New Guinea and single species from Australia are recognised, described and illustrated. Two new species: A. bielawskii sp. nov. (Irian Java), A. ruitong sp. nov. (Papua New Guinea) are described. A key to the species is also provided.
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Abstract. The first paper dealing with revision of the Australian members of cosmopolitan genus Diomus Mulsant treats 30 species, mostly with distinct colour pattern, that can be identified using external characters. Nomenclatural... more
Abstract. The first paper dealing with revision of the Australian members of cosmopolitan genus Diomus Mulsant treats 30 species, mostly with distinct colour pattern, that can be identified using external characters. Nomenclatural history, diagnoses, illustrations and distribution are provided for each species. Fifteen new species are described: Diomus ancorus sp. nov., D. bimaculatus sp. nov., D. brookfieldi sp. nov., D. capital sp. nov., D. kuranda sp. nov., D. kosciuszko sp. nov., D. millaamillaa sp. nov., D. marmorosus sp. nov., D. ningning sp. nov., D. reidi sp. nov., D. storeyi sp. nov., D. tinaroo sp. nov., D. torres sp. nov., D. weiri sp. nov., D. zborowskii sp. nov.. The following new synonyms are proposed: Diomus sphragitis (Weise, 1885) = Scymnus trilobus Lea, 1902 = Scymnus indistinctus Lea, 1902; Diomus sydneyensis (Blackburn, 1892) = Scymnus mimicus Lea, 1902 = Scymnus pectoralis Lea, 1902 (new synonyms). Scymnus australis Blackburn, 1889 is transferred to Diomus (new combination). Lectotypes are designated for the following taxa: Diomus rusticus Weise, 1859; Scymnus australis Blackburn, 1889; S. corticalis Lea, 1908; S. cucullifer Blackburn, 1892; S. ementitor Blackburn, 1895; S. flavifrons Blackburn, 1889; S. flavolaterus Lea, 1926; S. indistinctus Lea, 1902; S. jocosus Blackburn, 1892; S. kamerungensis Blackburn, 1895; S. meyricki Blackburn, 1889; S. mimicus Lea, 1902; S. notescens Blackburn, 1889; S. pectoralis Lea, 1902; S. (D.) pumilio Weise, 1885; S. (D.) scapularis Weise, 1885; S. striatus Lea, 1902; S. sydneyensis Blackburn, 1892; S. tenebricosus Boheman, 1859 and S. trilobus Lea, 1902.