Morphological reply to a DNA call: a new cryptic species of Hydraena from western Europe,with a complete overview of the Hydraena gracilis complex (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae: “Haenydra” lineage)

Recent molecular analyses revealed unexpected genetic variability within Hydraena gracilis, one of the most common and widespread European moss beetles, belonging to the West Palaearctic endemic “Haenydra” lineage. For this taxon, molecular data univocally evidenced two distinct clades, the first one including populations from the Iberian Peninsula, and the second including populations from central and eastern Europe. Aedeagal morphology of H. gracilis was further investigated, finally demonstrating the actual existence of a new cryptic species of the H. gracilis complex in Portugal, Spain and the French Pyrenees. The geographical range of the true H. gracilis was consequently revised. Finally, dichotomous keys for males of all species belonging to the H. gracilis complex, and for males of all the Iberian “Haenydra” species, are also supplied.     

Large numbers of new bacterial taxa found by Yunnan Institute of Microbiology

Extreme environments, primeval forest, sea sediments and plants in China yielded members of a new suborder, Jiangellineae, a new family Sinobacteraceae, and 23 new genera of actinomycetes and other bacteria. Three suggestions were made for further discoveries of new actinomycetes. First, natural habitats such as old growth forests, and extreme environments, should be given sampling priority; second, culturing procedures need to be constantly improved to mimic natural habitats; third, less than 98.5% similarity of 16S rRNA sequence to that of a known species could be used as an indicator of a new species.     

21世纪的极地科学探索——面临的机遇和挑战

21世纪,极地系统的快速变化使人类面临着严峻的挑战,也给极地科学发展带来机遇。极地科学的发展将围绕全球气候变化和极地环境变化的研究和评估展开,更加强调多学科和全球化,注意时间和空间尺度上突破。突出研究极区在全球变化中的作用的同时,加强对南极的监测和保护,关注人类活动对南极地区的影响,合理利用南极的资源尤其是生物资源也是21世纪列入各国南极研究的任务之一。     

Additional new species of Grouvellinus Champion 1923 (Insecta,Coleoptera, Elmidae) discovered by citizen scientists and DNA barcoded in the field applying a novel MinION-based workflow

ABSTRACT

Four new species, Grouvellinus nigerquadratus sp. nov., G. cruxniger sp. nov., G. luciaensis sp. nov., and G. borneensis sp. nov., are described from Borneo and illustrated in detail. Two additional species of the genus which remain undescribed are briefly diagnosed. The material was collected during Taxon Expeditions’ field course which involved citizen scientists, students and taxonomists. Specimens were collected at altitudes between 270 m and 750 m above sea level using fine-meshed hand-nets and blacklight traps. The morphological species delimitation based on morphology was supplemented and congruent with mtDNA sequences which are the first DNA barcodes for the genus from Borneo. They were obtained in the field using a newly developed rapid and accurate MinION-based workflow. The inter – and intraspecific genetic distances and the problems regarding cryptic species delimitation are discussed.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4B1D0F3D-B303-46A5-86B4-C23454192327     

贵州金沙寒武系牛蹄塘组古盘虫类三叶虫的地层意义

通过对贵州金沙岩孔剖面牛蹄塘组的逐层化石采集,发现了大量古盘虫类三叶虫,包括Tsunyidiscus armatus和Tsunyidiscus niutitangensis,同时确定了T.armatus的顶界,将T.armatus顶峰带修订为T.armatus延限带。T.armatus是贵州最早出现的三叶虫,其对于寒武系第3阶底界的确定具有重要意义,此次修订的T.armatus延限带体现了生物的演化阶段,为区域地层的精细划分与对比提供重要的基础资料。本文也对Tsunyidiscidae做了初步讨论,认为该科包括Tsunyidiscus,Hupeidiscus和Badiscus3个有效属。