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An investigation of two subtidal caves in the eastern exposed waters of Hong Kong was undertaken in 2002. The geological context and the physical parameters of the cave environments are described. The caves, or zawns, occurring at depths of between -9.3 to -12.4 m C.D. and -1.8 to -18.2 m C.D. at Steep Island and Conic Island, respectively, were probably created at a time of lowered sea levels during the last ice age >19,000 years ago. The caves have subsequently been drowned and each now possesses a floor that is covered in muddy sand. The present paper sets the context for the range of taxonomic and ecological studies undertaken during the 2002 Hong Kong Marine Caves Expedition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we provide checklist of 26 species of Tetrigoidea ground grasshoppers (Scelimenidae, Metrodoridae and Tetrigidae) from the Zuojiang Area, a natural reserve located near Nanning City in the southwestern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southwestern China. In addition, two new species: Coptotettix zaujiangensis sp. nov. and Euparatettix obliqucosta sp. nov. of Tetrigidae are described. Type specimens are deposited at the Institute of Zoology, Shaanxi Normal University, and College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a checklist and a key to the 22 Chinese species of the nirvanine leafhopper genus Sophonia Walker. Two new species, Sophonia transvittata sp. nov. and S. yunnanensis sp. nov., are described and illustrated. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (IEGUC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a generic diagnosis, a species list and taxonomy for the genusSymplocodesHebard, 1929. The new speciesSymplocodes eurylobasp. nov. from China is described and illustrated.SymplocodestsaiiBey-Bienko, 1958 is regarded as a subspecies ofSymplocodesmarmorata(Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893), i.e.S. marmorata tsaiicomb. nov., and its differences fromS. marmorata marmorata(Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893) are discussed. Two known species,Symplocodesridleyi(Shelford, 1912) andSymplocodesmanubriaFengetGuo, 1990, are redescribed and illustrated, whereas one new specific synonym, i.e.Symplocodesbrachialis, is proposed. A key to species worldwide is provided. The tarsal claws of these four species as well as one species ofChorisoserrataRoth, 1998 are examined and photographed to compare the intergeneric differentiation of claw specialization and to discuss its function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we examined newly collected specimens of theNeosericaBrenske, 1894 (sensu stricto) species group housed in Chinese collections. Four new species are described from China:Neoserica(s. str.)mengsongensisLiu & Ahrens, sp. nov. (Yunnan Prov.),Neoserica(s. str.)pseudosanganganaLiu & Ahrens, sp. nov. (Guizhou Prov.),Neoserica(s. str.)taibaiensisLiu & Ahrens, sp. nov. (Shaanxi Prov.) andNeoserica(s. str.)yongkangensisLiu & Ahrens, sp. nov. (Zhejiang Prov.). Habitus and the male genitalia are illustrated. Additionally, we provide new distribution records, an updated distribution map and an updated key to the species of theNeoserica(sensu stricto) group. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A3C6B300-EAC3-445E-8B14-E1DBB7BBFB7F [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is the third contribution to the knowledge of littoral Collembola of China. Species of the genusThalassaphoruraoccurring in sandy and shingly beaches in China are reviewed. Descriptions of two new species,Thalassaphorura brevisetosasp. nov. andThalassaphorurahainanicasp. nov. are provided.Thalassaphorura duplopunctataandThalassaphoruralifouensisare recorded for the first time from China, andT.duplopunctatais re-described mainly based on Chinese specimens.Thalassaphorura brevisetosasp. nov. is characterized by having strongly reduced unguiculus and very short body chaetae.Thalassaphorura hainanicasp. nov. resemblesThalassaphorurapomorskiifrom which it differs by 2 + 2 pso on Abd. IV, absence of chaetae on Th. I sternum and four chaetae on subcoxa 1 of leg I, among other characters. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B8AC3DB3-DF12-47E2-ACEE-969D72C594C8 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper describes four new species of earthworms from Hainan Island, China:Amynthas obsoletussp. nov.,Amynthas dorsualissp. nov.,Amynthas mirifiussp. nov. andAmynthas pulvinussp. nov.Amynthas obsoletusis an athecate earthworm, has greyish or brownish pigment on the dorsum, and has two genital papillae beside each male pore, one medial and one anterior, three genital papillae arranged transversely in VIII, prostates in XVII–XX.Amynthas dorsualis,Amynthas mirifiusandAmynthas pulvinusare all octothecate earthworms, and key to thecorticis-group, but the spermathecal pores are located on the dorsum inAmynthas dorsualis.Amynthas dorsualishas dark grey and dark brown pigment on the dorsum, an annular clitellum in 1/10XIV–7/10XVI, and lacks genital markings.Amynthas mirifiusandAmynthas pulvinusboth have four pairs of spermathecal pores on the ventrum.Amynthas mirifiushas four peanut-in-shell-shaped genital markings, which are rectangular with enlarged rounded ends, between the two male pores, whileAmynthas pulvinushas a large glandular rounded rectangle-shaped genital marking on the ventral side of 17/18–18/19. DNA barcodes are provided for the last two new species collected in 2011, and have been submitted to NCBI to enable molecular species identification.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:27AD7191-5438-4F10-B177-5FCCA893A2EB [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species of Bannatettix Zheng, 1993 are listed. A total of 11 species of Bannatettix Zheng were systematically researched in this paper. One new species, Bannatettix barbifemura sp. nov. is described as new to science. The distribution and an updated key to the species are presented. The type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper studies the taxonomy of the genus Aetheomorpha Lacordaire, 1848 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae: Clytrini) occurring in China. Five new species are described: Aetheomorpha bidentata sp. nov. from Sichuan, Aetheomorpha bilobata sp. nov., Aetheomorpha obtusapicata sp. nov., Aetheomorpha punctistriata sp. nov. and Aetheomorpha wangi sp. nov. from Yunnan. Aetheomorpha furcata Medvedev and Kantner, 2002 is reported from China for the first time. The Chinese fauna of the genus is therefore increased to 16 species. A key to species is provided in the text in addition to colour plates and line drawings of habitus, maxilla, labium, male genitalia and female spermatheca and rectal sclerites, which are very helpful for species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two new species of the genus Gabrius from China are described and illustrated: G. zhoui sp. nov. from Sichuan and G. invisus sp. nov. from Beijing, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Zhejiang. Gabrius imitator (Fauvel, 1895), G. lebedevi (Bernhauer, 1910), G. tirolensis (Luze, 1903), G. kambaitiensis Scheerpeltz, 1965, G. cinctiventris Scheerpeltz, 1965, G. egens (Sharp, 1874), G. smetanai Schillhammer, 1997 and G. zerchei Schillhammer, 1996 are reported from China for the first time. Thus, a total of 53 species of the genus Gabrius are known from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three bopyrid isopods of the subfamily Athelginae parasitizing hermit crabs collected in Chinese waters are discussed and described in this paper. Athelges takanoshimensis Ishii, 1914 is recorded again from China on Pagurus pectinatus (Stimpson) and from Hong Kong on a new host, Pagurus minutus Hess. Parathelges enoshimensis Shiino, 1950 is recorded for the first time from China on a member of the genus Spiropagurus. Pseudostegias setoensis Shiino, 1933 is recorded again from Hong Kong but from a new host, Clibanarius virescens Hess, and for the first time from Hainan Province on a new host Calcinus laevimanus (Randall). A combination of light and scanning electron microscopy is used to investigate the morphology of these species and data on their prevalence with hermit crab hosts are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Helcystogramma Zeller from China is reviewed. Of the 20 species treated in this paper, nine are described as new: H. imagibicuneum sp. nov., H. flavifuscum sp. nov., H. brevinodium sp. nov., H. albilepidotum sp. nov., H. angustum sp. nov., H. flavistictum sp. nov., H. furvimaculare sp. nov., H. imagitrijunctum sp. nov. and H. rectangulum sp. nov.; six are newly recorded for this country: H. flavilineolella Ponomarenko, H. bicuneum (Meyrick), H. epicentra (Meyrick), H. perelegans (Omelko et Omelko), H. fuscomarginatum Ueda and H. lutatella (Herrich-Schaffer); the previously unknown females of H. epicentra (Meyrick) and H. hassenzanensis Park et Hodges are described for the first time; H. bicuneum (Meyrick) and H. epicentra (Meyrick) are redescribed; and the misidentification of H. trijunctum (Meyrick) is clarified. These species are arranged into five species groups based on the forewing patterns and the genital characters: the flavilineolella group, the hibisci group, the perelegans group, the triannulella group and the trijunctum group. Images of the adults and the illustrations of the male and female genitalia are provided. A key to distinguish the Chinese species and three maps to show the localities of these species are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Eriovixia Archer, 1951 is a small tropical genus and exhibits a wide geographical distribution from Southeast Asia to Africa. In this paper, the genus Eriovixia is revised in Hainan Island, China, and three new species, E. nigrimaculata sp. nov., E. huwena sp. nov. and E. jianfengensis sp. nov., are described. Based on the type species description and three species figures, we think Tukaraneus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 is a junior synonym of Eriovixia Archer, 1951. Accordingly, three species, Tukaraneus mahabaeus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995, Tukaraneus palawanensis Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 and Tukaraneus patulisus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995, are transferred from Tukaraneus to Eriovixia. E. excelsa (Simon, 1889), E. pseudocentrodes (Bosenberg & Strand, 1906) and E. sakiedaorum Tanikawa, 1999 are recorded for the first time for Hainan Island's fauna. A key to the genus Eriovixia is presented excepting three species distributed in Africa. Biogeographic analyses show that Southeast Asia is a centre of distribution, diversification and speciation of the genus Eriovixia, and Hainan Island's fauna posesses high species richness and endemism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the Chinese species of the genus Belonuchus Nordmann, 1837 are revised. Four new species are described and illustrated: B. admirabilis sp. nov. from China (Beijing), B. applanatus sp. nov. from China (Yunnan), B. coomani sp. nov. from China (Yunnan and Guangxi) and Vietnam (Hoa-Binh) and B. obvelatus sp. nov. from Indonesia (Sumatra and Java). Belonuchus grandiceps (Kraatz, 1859) and B. imitator Cameron, 1932 are reported from China for the first time. Five existing Chinese species are re-described and illustrated: B. grandiceps, B. imitator, B. puncticulus, B. punctifrons and B. rufoniger. Belonuchus gardneri Cameron, 1932 is placed in synonymy with B. rufoniger Fauvel, 1895. Consequently, eight species of the genus Belonuchus are now known from China. An identification key to the Chinese species of the genus Belonuchus is provided and their geographical distribution is mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reports 32 turrid species from the China Seas, belonging to eight genera of the subfamily Crassispirinae of the family Turridae. Four new species are described: Funa cretea sp. nov., Inquisitor plurivaricis sp. nov., Inquisitor vividus sp. nov. and Ptychobela resticula sp. nov. Eight species are recorded for the first time from the China Seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A checklist of 63 species of tardigrades from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is given in this paper. Twenty species of tardigades that had never been found in the Yunnan-Guizou Plateau were reported; four of them are new records for China, and two of them are new to science. Pseudechiniscus yunnanensis sp. n. is similar to Pseudechiniscus pilatoi Li, 2007. It differs from P. pilatoi by a different pseudosegmental plate with two triangle-shaped lobes, the first and second paired-plates with a small lobe on the posterior edge. Mixibius pilatoi sp. n. differs from M. saracenus Pilato, 1973 and M. fueginus Pilato and Binda, 1997 by the presence of lunulae; it differs from M. ninguidus Biserov, 1999, M. ornatus Pilato, Binda, Napolitano, and Moncada, 2002, M. sutirae Pilato, Binda, and Lisi, 2004 and M. tibetanus Li and Li, 2008 by having a smooth cuticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A collection of earthworm specimens from Hainan comprised many new species, mostly endemic. This paper describes three new species, Amynthas bouchei Zhao and Qiu sp. nov., Amynthas omodeoi Zhao and Qiu sp. nov. and Amynthas edwardsi Zhao and Qiu sp. nov. These three species all belong to the hawayanus-group. The position of the spermathecal pores in all the new species is three pairs in 5/6-7/8. Descriptions of the species are provided, including figures of the ventral view and of the spermathecae. A comparison with Amynthas species with spermathecal pores also in 5/6-7/8 from China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In October 2002, the Hong Kong Marine Caves Expedition was convened jointly by the Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong and the Natural History Museum, London. The expedition explored the marine cave habitats of Hong Kong and their fauna. This paper describes the diversity of marine cave molluscs collected using SCUBA from two marine caves at Conic Island and Steep Island in the eastern waters of Hong Kong. Twenty, and eight species of shell-bearing epifaunal bivalves and gastropods, respectively, were collected from the ceilings and walls of the two caves. Another 11 infaunal bivalve species were collected from the sediment-filled floors of the caves. Of the species identified, eight are new records for Hong Kong. These are the bivalves Spondylus anacanthus, Hiatella cf. orientalis, Panomya turgida, Nuculana sp., Abra cf. fujitai, Pinguitellina cf. nux, and Lyonsiella cf. parva, and the epitonid gastropod Epitonium bullatum. The epibenthic molluscs recorded during this survey were mostly adults whereas the endobenthic bivalves were all juveniles. Although the above species are recorded from Hong Kong for the first time, they have been identified from non-cave habitats elsewhere. In particular, the often singular presence of juvenile infaunal bivalves in the cave sediments suggests their opportunistic colonization by such species and thus further evidence for a lack of endemicity. That the epibenthic molluscs are non-endemic is probably also because Hong Kong's submarine caves are very modern, that is, Middle Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In October 2002, staff from the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS), the University of Hong Kong, and the Natural History Museum (NHM), London, mounted a joint expedition to study submarine caves (zawns) off the eastern coast of Hong Kong, to test hypotheses that they may support either endemic or unusual communities, or they may act as refugia for such taxa. The present paper analyses the sedimentary macroinfaunal communities from that survey. Sampling was by hand-coring undertaken by SCUBA divers. Muddy-sand habitats within two caves were sampled in comparison with four control sites outside the caves, one of heterogeneous muddy sand, one of clean sand and two of fine mud; the samples were sieved across a 0.5 mm mesh. Sedimentary granulometry, water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were also measured. The benthic community within the caves showed a higher density and diversity than most of those described from non-cave sediments in Hong Kong waters. The community was distinct from that found at the control sites, partly owing to sediment granulometry differences. Thirty-three species were found only in the caves, some of which are known from elsewhere in non-cave habitats; six species are, to date, only known from these caves. It is concluded that the cave habitat conditions offer a stable and sheltered habitat which allows the development of a distinct community, although not representing an endemic fauna, as well as being a refuge for species under threat from anthropogenic or natural stresses outside the caves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A checklist of 63 species of tardigrades from the Tsinling Mountains is given in this paper. Thirty-seven species of tardigrades that had never been found in the Tsinling Mountains were reported here. Twenty of them are new records for the mountains, 15 of them are new records for China, two of them are new to science. Pseudechiniscus pilatoi sp. n. is similar to Pseudechiniscus quadrilobatus Iharos, 1969. It differs from P. quadrilobatus in different cuticular sculpture, in the joints of paired-plates, near the dorsal median line, uplifting but not protruding backward, and in lacking notches on terminal plate. Echiniscus marleyi sp. n. differs from E. canadensis Murray in having filaments D; it differs from E. mediantus Marcus in lacking filaments C but in having filaments D; it differs from E. spinulosus (Doyère) in lacking teeth B, C, E, and in having filaments D instead of teeth D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven tri- and tetra-nucleotide microsatellite loci from the south China tiger, Panthera tigris amoyensis, were isolated, and characterized in this paper. Among these microsatellite loci, one locus was monomorphic; among the remaining 10 loci, the number of observed alleles for each locus in 57 individual tigers ranged from four to nine, the expected and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.366 to 0.805 and 0.400 to 0.837, respectively, and the mean polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.609. Moreover, two loci (F41 and FCA391) were compared between the domestic cat and the south China tiger and differences in their flanking regions were found (5.9% for F41 and 4.8% for FCA391). These 10 polymorphic tri- and tetra-nucleotide microsatellite markers would be very useful in the evaluation of tiger population structure and the genetic relationships among the individual tigers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a total of 29 species of the genus Phortica from Yunnan, including nine new species: acongruens (Zhang and Shi), bicornuta (Chen and Toda), bipartita (Toda and Peng), biprotrusa (Chen and Toda), cardua (Okada), eugamma (Toda and Peng), excrescentiosa (Toda and Peng), flexuosa (Zhang and Gan), gamma (Toda and Peng), hani (Zhang and Shi), lambda (Toda and Peng), omega (Okada), protrusa (Zhang and Shi), pseudogigas (Zhang and Gan), pseudopi (Toda and Peng), pseudotau (Toda and Peng), saeta (Zhang and Gan), speculum (Máca and Lin), subradiata (Okada), tau (Toda and Peng), glabtabula Chen and Gao, sp. nov., latipenis Chen and Gao, sp. nov., longipenis Chen and Gao, sp. nov., pangi Chen and Wen, sp. nov., sagittaristula Chen and Wen, sp. nov., saltiaristula Chen and Wen, sp. nov., setitabula Chen and Gao, sp. nov., uncinata Chen and Gao, sp. nov., and unipetala Chen and Wen, sp. nov. A key to all species examined of the genus Phortica from Yunnan, China, is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper represents the first study of the genetic diversity of captive South China tigers Panthera tigris amoyensis by sequence variation in a fragment of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) gene. Two haplotypes (haplotype I and haplotype II) were identified and the captive population had a bias towards haplotype I. This subspecies as a whole demonstrated an extremely low level of genetic diversity with the nucleotide diversity of 0.057±0.021%. The mtDNA ND5 variations detected in the present study could provide significant information to the studbook data of the South China tiger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the Chinese species of Platyplectrus Ferrière. Twelve valid species are recognized from mainland China and a key to species is provided. Trichoplectrus Erdös (1951) is newly synonymized with Metaplectrus Ferrière (1941) and three new combinations are proposed: Metaplectrus szepligetii (Erdös) from Platyplectrus , Platyplectrus bussy (Crawford) from Euplectrus and P. politus (Lin) from Metaplectrus . Four species of Platyplectrus were known previously from China: P. politus (Lin), P. odontogaster (Lin), P. papillata Lin and P. medius Zhu and Huang. Six species, P. bussyi (Crawford), P. laeviscuta (Thomson), P. natadae Ferrière, P. orthocraspedae Ferrière, P. pannonica (Erdös) and P. viridiceps (Ferrière) are newly recorded from China and re-described. Five new species, P. pulcher , P. setulosus , P. peculiaris , P. obtusiclavatus and P. variflagellum are described and compared with related species. Several species are also newly recorded from other regions: P. orthocraspedae Ferrière from the Afrotropical region, P. bussyi (Crawford) and P. laeviscuta (Thomson) from the Australian/Pacific region, P. laeviscuta (Thomson) from the Oriental region and P. viridiceps from the Palearctic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five genera of Eunotinae are included in this paper. Ophelosia, Moranila, Cephaleta, Eunotus are reviewed and a new genus Cavitas is described. Four new species, Cavitas concava sp. nov., Eunotus applanatus sp. nov., E. strenus sp. nov. and E. aequalivenus sp. nov. are described. The type specimens are deposited in the Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of genus Perspiria were discovered from the subtidal sediments of Bohai Bay of China and described as Perspiria macramphida sp. nov. and Perspiria major sp. nov. Perspiria macramphida sp. nov. is characterised by the large and longitudinal loop-shaped amphidial fovea, partially surrounded with cuticular striations; conical buccal cavity with a dorsal tooth; spicules arcuated with enlarged proximal end and ventral velum, 53–61 µm long; 15–16 papillary precloacal supplements; and tail conico-cylindrical with prominent transverse striations except its terminal end. Perspiria major sp. nov. is characterised by its small unispiral amphidial fovea looking like a double circle in outline, partially surrounded with cuticular striations; conical buccal cavity with a small dorsal tooth; pharynx with a pear-shaped terminal bulb; tail short, conico-cylindrical; spicules strongly curved with heart-shaped proximal end, without ventral velum; and lacking precloacal supplements. An updated key for valid species of Perspiria is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen species of Pectocera Hope, 1842 are recognised from China, of which two are new, i.e. Pectocera attenuator Liu and Jiang sp. nov. and Pectocera truncata Liu and Jiang sp. nov., and one is newly recorded, i.e. Pectocera hige Kishii, 1993. A key to the known species, a checklist, and a distribution map of Chinese Pectocera species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many frogs undergo direct development, in which the embryo develops within the egg and lacks a tadpole stage, being hatched morphologically similar to the adults. Such reproductive behaviour ensures the evolutionary success of their lineages without the limitation of needing a moist substrate for egg deposition. The species in the genus Raorchestes are characterised as small-sized frogs that undergo terrestrial direct development. However, observations of the reproductive behaviour of many species in Raorchestes are lacking. Here, we report the first examination of bush frogs, Raorchestes longchuanensis, from southern China undergoing direct development. Under laboratory conditions, we found that R. longchuanensis can lay two clutches in a single month (as two were laid in the month of June). Only 10–12 eggs were laid per clutch. The hatching period of R. longchuanensis was 25–30 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the Neoserica (sensu stricto) group are described from China: Neoserica (s. str.) hongheana sp. nov. (Yunnan Prov.) and Neoserica (s. str.) pachecoae sp. nov. (Guangdong Prov.). The habitus and the male genitalia are illustrated. Additionally, I provide a distribution map and an updated key to the species of the Neoserica (sensu stricto) group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese species of the varius group of Coccophagus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are reviewed, including described species Coccophagus albifuniculatus (Huang), C. anchoroides (Huang), C. caudatus (Huang), C. dilatatus (Huang), C. equifuniculatus (Huang), C. fumadus Hayat (new record for China), C. lii (Huang), C. pellucidus (Huang), and one new species, Coccophagus yunnana Wang, Huang & Polaszek sp. nov. A revised key to the females of the Chinese species of the varius group of Coccophagus is provided. Mitochondrial (CO1) and nuclear ribosomal (28S-D2) partial sequences were obtained successfully for C. fumadus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we describe a new species of the Neoserica vulpes species group: Neoserica christophi sp. nov. The key to species of the Neoserica vulpes species group is updated and illustrations of genitalia and habitus of the new species are given. In addition, we provide a correction of the original figure of parameres of the holotype and the description of the female of Neoserica (sensu lato) ailaoshanica Liu, Fabrizi, Bai, Yang and Ahrens, 2014 (Neoserica calva species group) which was mistakenly edited in the original publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphytis wasps are among the most important natural enemies of scale insects, and armoured scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) have generally been considered as the only hosts of the genus Aphytis. Host records from non-diaspidids have been considered erroneous by most authors. A new scale insect host, Bambusaspis notabilis (Russell), however, belonging to Asterolecaniidae (Hemiptera), has been found as the host of a new Aphytis species in our field investigations. Aphytis bambusaspis Wang, Huang & Polaszek sp. nov. is described and illustrated, and detailed photographs of the key characters of the female and male of the new species are provided. Type specimens are deposited in Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China and Natural History Museum, London, UK. Previously published host records of Asterolecaniidae are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of lithobiid centipedes (Hessebius prospinosa sp. nov. and Lithobius (Ezembius) maqinensis sp. nov.) and the first record of Lamyctes africanus Porath which are all females, suggesting parthenogenesis, are described based on specimens from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Keys for each of the Chinese species of Hessebius, Ezembius and Lamyctes are presented. Phylogenetic analysis using a fragment (613 bp) of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) indicates that (1) Lithobius (Ezembius) maqinensis sp. nov. clades with L. (E.) giganteus Sseliwanoff, and (2) the specimens of Lamyctes africanus Porath from China clade with L. africanus Porath from other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nest structure, morphology of all stages and behaviour have contributed to the phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of social vespids. Two aerial nests of Dolichovespula intermedia were discovered in China. The morphology of the three castes, the five larval instars, and the nest structure of D. intermedia Birula, are described in detail and illustrated. The presence of only one campaniform sensillum above each labial palp and the dense minute spicules on the posterior gena found in D. intermedia larvae are mentioned here for the first time for Dolichovespula. The identification characters between D. intermedia and Dolichovespula sylvestris are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five species ofBassusFabricius, are recognized to occur in China, of which three are new:Bassus guangxiensissp. nov.,Bassus levisulcussp. nov. andBassus robustussp. nov. The new species are described and fully illustrated.Bassus albozonatusvan Achterberg & Long, is recorded from China for the first time. A key to the Chinese species of the genusBassusis provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:17297254-9E84-4D0F-AE8C-1F7264393137 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genusTetradinodulaZha gen. nov. (type species:T. bambusaeZha sp. nov.) is described from the Baiqing Nature Preserve, Tongzi County, Guizhou Province, China. Ecology and habits of the new species are discussed. Genera of Cladonotinae from China are reviewed and a revised key for identifying the genera of Chinese Cladonotinae is presented. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EDEEECE8-9828-4C8E-829E-98089F58469E [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five species of the bopyrid genusParapenaeonare reported from China, of which three are new to science, and one,Parapenaeon expansaBourdon, 1979, is a new record. New species areParapenaeon calculosa, sp. nov.,Parapenaeondiatropa, sp. nov. andParapenaeonsicyoniae, sp. nov., from the East and South China Seas. The female of each new species has six pleomeres, no lateral plates on the sixth pleomere, and biramous uropods, characters that place them in the genusParapenaeonRichardson, 1904. Each can be distinguished from previously described species of the genusParapenaeonin body shape, by the characters of oostegite 1, the barbula, brood pouch, pleopods and uropods of the females. A table including all of the currently recognized species ofParapenaeonwith type localities, known geographical distribution and reported hosts, is given. A key to the recorded species ofParapenaeonRichardson, 1904 is provided, as is a new diagnosis of the genus. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:35CD12BB-D1F3-48DF-BABB-2EAA3030395B [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine new species ofHelina annosa-group from China, namelyH. longievectasp. nov,H. longisurstylasp. nov,H. midmargisetasp. nov,H. nigriabdomilissp. nov,H. nivimontasp. nov,H. setosiannosasp. nov,H. shiisp. nov,H. subflosculasp. nov. andH. subnigriabdomilissp. nov, are described and illustrated. Diagnosis of this group, a key and distributions of the species are also given. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3516C15F-F4AA-4391-B944-84556792CC83 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Praeaulacus obtutussp. nov., assigned to the subfamily of Praeaulacinae Rasnitsyn, 1972 in the family Praeaulacidae, Rasnitsyn, 1972, andProapocritus bialatussp. nov., in the family Ephialtitidae, are described and illustrated. These specimens were collected from the Middle Jurassic of Jiulongshan Formation at Daohugou in Inner Mongolia, northeastern China.Praeaulacus obtutussp. nov. was erected by a combination of differential characters: the short and stout mesosoma, pronotum comparatively long, mesonotum not very long, the combination of pronotum and mesonotum transversely ridged and nearly arched; long hind legs.Proapocritus bialatussp. nov. is assigned toProapocritusRasnitsyn, 1975 due to the following characters: wings venation complete, forewing with 1-Rs directed slightly posterodistally; 1r-rs, 2r-m, 3r-m, 2m-cu, 2A and a1-a2present; hind wing with enclosed cell; Rs originating not basad of M + Cu fork. These findings provide new characters of these two groups and broaden the diversity ofPraeaulacusandProapocritus. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BBC9B0D6-7E07-4A26-A975-21FFAEADE8B6 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new cicada species,Semia brevidilata, sp. nov. andSemia tibetensis, sp. nov., are described from China.Semia majuscula, a newly recorded species to China, is re-described, as some new characteristics are recognised which may be useful for further taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of this genus and its allies. Partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of fiveSemiaspecies and relatives belonging to the generaPomponiaStål andPsithyristriaStål are further analysed to confirm the validity of related new species and to provide a useful reference for the identification ofSemia. A key to all species ofSemiais provided, and the phylogenetic relationships among species ofSemiaand their relatives are discussed. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:64144283-8CCE-4687-9D07-2033939165E7 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new species of the tetrigid genusEucriotettixHebard from China, namelyEucriotettix tridentatussp. nov. andEucriotettix torulisinotussp. nov. are described. The distribution and an updated key to the species of the genus from China is given. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E7E5EA3B-92ED-450F-9D1C-74569148D4F8 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genusEpipenaeonNobili, 1906 is reviewed and two species,Epipenaeon georgeiDevi, 1982 andEpipenaeonQazi, 1959, are transferred toParapenaeonRichardson, 1904 whileE. ovalisPillai, 1954 is synonymized withE. ingensNobili, 1906.Epipenaeon grandeNierstrasz et al., 1931 is removed from synonymy withEpipenaeon ingensandEpipenaeon ingens latifronsBourdon, 1979 is considered as a full species. Four species ofEpipenaeonare reported from China, with two being new records:Epipenaeon fissuraeKensley 1974, formerly known from Madagascar and India, and the male ofEpipenaeon latifronsis described for the first time with extension of both the species’ host breadth and distribution. The hosts ofE. ingensNobili, 1905 are summarized. Four host species are recorded for the first time bearing parasitic isopods. All species reported are redescribed from new material and a key to the genusEpipenaeonNobili is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Chinese shrew mole,Uropsilus soricipes(Soricomorpha: Talpidae) was determined (GenBank accession no. JQ658979). The mitogenome is 16,575 base pairs and contains 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one control region. Phylogenetic relationship analysis based on 12 concatenated protein-coding genes revealed thatUropsilusoccupies a basal position within Talpidae, which is consistent with previous studies. Additionally, low nucleotide diversity (0.0028) and high haplotype diversity (0.936) ofU. soricipesin the Jiajin Mountains and the neutrality test statistics (D=−1.59491,p=0.045; Fs=−4.171,p=0.016) suggest that this population experienced a demographic expansion at about 46,600 years ago. The phylogenetic analysis of the combined data (cytochromeband D-loop) revealed two clades. Divergence of these clades occurred in the middle Pleistocene 0.986 million years ago. Mountains played a substantial role in shaping the geographical populations of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A review of the genusAmphiopsoccurring in China is provided. A new species,Amphiops coelopunctatussp. nov., is described from Hainan, China. Based on a study of the type material,AmphiopsyunnanensisPu, 1963, is proposed as a junior synonym ofAmphiopsmirabilisSharp, 1890.Amphiops pedestrisSharp, 1890 andAmphiopsannamitaRégimbart, 1903 are confirmed as synonyms ofAmphiopsmaterSharp, 1873.Amphiops coomanid’Orchymont, 1926 is reported from China for the first time.Amphiops globusErichson, 1843, previously reported from Macau, is found to be a misidentification. An identification key to Chinese species of the genus is provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:47C95EED-8B09-4BE0-A335-7E8B7CB23FE7 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new earthworm species of the genusAmynthasare described from Hainan Island, China. They areAmynthas endophilussp. nov.,Amynthas fluviatilissp. nov.,Amynthas fucatussp. nov. andAmynthas apapillatussp. nov.Amynthas apapillatussp. nov. has three spermathecal pores in 6/7–8/9 while the other three new species have two pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6–6/7. Their anatomical and morphological characteristics are compared to similar species from Hainan Island, China mainland and South-East Asia. Furthermore, COI and 16S gene sequences of these new species are submitted to NCBI.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:33B61DE5-BE64-47E9-B77C-D6234D25803B [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genusRichtersiaSteiner, 1916 from the northern Beibu Gulf, China are described:Richtersia beibuwanensissp. nov. is characterized by the presence of multispiral amphids with 3.5 turns in the male and unispiral amphids in the female, the numerous and irregular short spines in the cervical region, regular rows of spines in the mid-body region, and with the two unequal spicules.Richtersia coifsoasp. nov. is characterized by the regular arrangement of longitudinal rows with long spines, the six prominent horns in the cuticular collar, large flattened unispiral amphids in the male, 100% of corresponding head width, the presence of two unequal spicules, and the much smaller flattened unispiral amphids in the female.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:32C87AF7-9F3A-47A5-BFD8-4A6279562308 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of campterophlebiid dragonfly,Angustiphlebia mirabilisgen. nov. et sp. nov., is described from the Jiulongshan Formation in China. It has some remarkable venational structures, i.e. a hypertrophy of the male hind wing anal angle, a quite long gaff, and a secondary branch of the anal anterior near subdiscoidal cell in hind wing, supporting the hypothesis of a sister-group relationship with the genusOreophlebia. These new data will help to solve the phylogenetic relationships within the Campterophlebiidae.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:16E602E6-3567-44D7-BF64-95A6597E55DE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Cerchysiella Girault (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae), Cerchysiella raddeii Yang, sp. nov., is described from China. It is a gregarious koino-biont endoparasitoid in mature larvae of the chestnut trunk borer, Massicus raddei (Blessig) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a serious pest which causes severe damage to many oak tree species, particularly Quercus mongolica and Quercus liaotungensis (Fagaceae) in forested areas of northeastern China. The new species is one of the principal natural enemies of the wood borer and it has high potential as a biologi-cal control agent with parasitism rates of 6.7%, large numbers of adult wasps were reared from a single host larva (average 1083.8), and there is a high female : male sex ratio (9.67 : 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of the genus Calamotropha Zeller are described from China: Calamotropha duofurcata sp. nov., Calamotropha abrupta sp. nov., Calamotropha aequilata sp. nov. and Calamotropha unispinea sp. nov. Three species are redescribed: Calamotropha formosella Bleszynski, 1961, Calamotropha josettae Bleszynski, 1961 and Calamotropha melli (Caradja and Meyrick, 1933). Calamotropha latella (Snellen, 1890) is newly recorded for China. Images of adults and illustrations of genitalia of the new species and the redescribed species are provided. A checklist and a key to the known Chinese species are presented, along with a map showing the distribution of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new species, Abaxisotima macrocaudata sp. nov. and Abaxisotima forcipiforma sp. nov., are described and illustrated, supplemental illustrations of several known species are provided. A key to species of the genus Abaxisotima Gorochov is presented. The type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]