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One specimen of frog was collected from Mohan Town, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, which is the type locality of Rana bannanica Rao & Yang, 1997, currently considered as a junior synonym of Hylarana milleti (Smith, 1921). This specimen well agrees with the original description of R. bannanica. In regard to morphology, R. bannanica and H. milleti are, indeed, very similar, but can still be distinguished from each other. Phylogenetic analysis, based on mitochondrial gene sequences, showed that this specimen and H. milleti are different species. Hence, we remove R. bannanica from the synonymy of H. milleti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothelphusa dehaani, a freshwater crab species endemic to Japan, has the largest distribution range amongst the 19 known species in the country. Due to its low dispersal capability and restricted habitat to freshwater, it serves as an excellent model for understanding gene flow between geographically isolated populations. In this study, we analysed the genetic relationships of 26 G. dehaani populations collected from different locations in the Japanese archipelago using two mitochondrial DNA regions - cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytB). Our results from the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed high genetic variation amongst populations and the phylogenetic analysis identified four geographical groups: Clade I - Honshu and Shikoku, Clade II - north-eastern Kyushu, Clade III - southern Kyushu and Clade IV - north-western Kyushu. Notably, Clade IV exhibited the highest genetic distance amongst the observed groupings. These findings highlight the need for further examination of G. dehaani in Kyushu, including morphological and behavioural traits, to better understand the observed diversity within the species in the region.

In a recent survey of populations of the Korean torrent catfish Liobagrus, a distinctive species was discovered from the Geum River and its tributaries flowing into the western coast of Korea, and here described as a new species, L. geumgangensis sp. nov. It is distinguishable from other congeners by a combination of the following characters: I, 8 pectoral fin-rays; 52-56 caudal-fin rays; a relatively short occiput to dorsal-fin origin distance (6.9-9.8% SL); a short pelvic-fin insertion to anal-fin origin distance (11.9-17.3% SL); a long dorsal-fin base (10.6-13.5% SL); 8-9 gill rakers; 5-8 serrations on the pectoral fin; the body and fins are dark yellow, the margins of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are dark brown, but the outermost rim is faintly yellow. Analysis of the cytb gene also confirmed that L. geumgangensis is a monophyletic lineage distinct from other congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothelphusa dehaani, a freshwater crab species endemic to Japan, has the largest distribution range amongst the 19 known species in the country. Due to its low dispersal capability and restricted habitat to freshwater, it serves as an excellent model for understanding gene flow between geographically isolated populations. In this study, we analysed the genetic relationships of 26 G. dehaani populations collected from different locations in the Japanese archipelago using two mitochondrial DNA regions - cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytB). Our results from the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed high genetic variation amongst populations and the phylogenetic analysis identified four geographical groups: Clade I - Honshu and Shikoku, Clade II - north-eastern Kyushu, Clade III - southern Kyushu and Clade IV - north-western Kyushu. Notably, Clade IV exhibited the highest genetic distance amongst the observed groupings. These findings highlight the need for further examination of G. dehaani in Kyushu, including morphological and behavioural traits, to better understand the observed diversity within the species in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have revealed that the Kerivoula depressa complex should be divided into two species, K. depressa distributed mainly in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and K. dongduongana found only in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In November 2018 and April 2019, 24 woolly bats were collected by two-band harp traps in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. Based on morphological, morphometric, and phylogenetic (COI, Cytb, and RAG2 gene sequences) analyses, these bats were identified as K. depressa and K. dongduongana, representing two new species records for the country. Including the new records, six Kerivoula species have been recorded in China, namely K. depressa, K. dongduongana, K. furva, K. kachinensis, K. picta and K. titania. To facilitate their identification and biological research in the future, we have provided an up-to-date key to all Kerivoula species occurring in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northernmost population of the Balkan wall lizards, Podarcis tauricus (Pallas, 1814) was recently discovered in the Czech Republic. We studied genetic variability in a mitochondrial marker cytochrome b to shed light on the origin of this remote population. We detected three unique haplotypes, close to those occurring in the populations of Podarcis tauricus from central/north Balkans and Hungary. Our data exclude the hypothesis of a single founder (a randomly or intentionally introduced pregnant female or her progeny) of the Czech population and indicate a native, autochthonous origin of the population or recent introduction/range expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent survey of populations of the Korean torrent catfish Liobagrus , a distinctive species was discovered from the Geum River and its tributaries flowing into the western coast of Korea, and here described as a new species, L.geumgangensis It is distinguishable from other congeners by a combination of the following characters: I, 8 pectoral fin-rays; 52-56 caudal-fin rays; a relatively short occiput to dorsal-fin origin distance (6.9-9.8% SL); a short pelvic-fin insertion to anal-fin origin distance (11.9-17.3% SL); a long dorsal-fin base (10.6-13.5% SL); 8-9 gill rakers; 5-8 serrations on the pectoral fin; the body and fins are dark yellow, the margins of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are dark brown, but the outermost rim is faintly yellow. Analysis of the cytb gene also confirmed that sp. nov. It is distinguishable from other congeners by a combination of the following characters: I, 8 pectoral fin-rays; 52-56 caudal-fin rays; a relatively short occiput to dorsal-fin origin distance (6.9-9.8% SL); a short pelvic-fin insertion to anal-fin origin distance (11.9-17.3% SL); a long dorsal-fin base (10.6-13.5% SL); 8-9 gill rakers; 5-8 serrations on the pectoral fin; the body and fins are dark yellow, the margins of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are dark brown, but the outermost rim is faintly yellow. Analysis of the cytb gene also confirmed that L.geumgangensis is a monophyletic lineage distinct from other congeners., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Su-hwan Kim, Seung-woon Yun, Jong-young Park.)

The taxonomy of American deer has been established almost entirely on the basis of morphological data and without the use of explicit phylogenetic methods; hence, phylogenetic analyses including data for all of the currently recognized species, even if based on a single gene, might improve current understanding of their taxonomy. We tested the monophyly of the morphology-defined genera and species of New World deer (Odocoileini) with phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences. This is the first such test conducted using extensive geographic and taxonomic sampling. Our results do not support the monophyly of Mazama, Odocoileus, Pudu, M. americana, M. nemorivaga, Od. hemionus, and Od. virginianus. Mazama contains species that belong to other genera. We found a novel sister-taxon relationship between "Mazama" pandora and a clade formed by Od. hemionus columbianus and Od. h. sitkensis, and transfer pandora to Odocoileus. The clade formed by Od. h. columbianus and Od. h. sitkensis may represent a valid species, whereas the remaining subspecies of Od. hemionus appear closer to Od. virginianus. Pudu (Pudu) puda was not found sister to Pudu (Pudella) mephistophiles. If confirmed, this result will prompt the recognition of the monotypic Pudella as a distinct genus. We provide evidence for the existence of an undescribed species now confused with Mazama americana, and identify other instances of cryptic, taxonomically unrecognized species-level diversity among populations here regarded as Mazama temama, "Mazama" nemorivaga, and Hippocamelus antisensis. Noteworthy records that substantially extend the known distributions of M. temama and "M." gouazoubira are provided, and we unveil a surprising ambiguity regarding the distribution of "M." nemorivaga, as it is described in the literature. The study of deer of the tribe Odocoileini has been hampered by the paucity of information regarding voucher specimens and the provenance of sequences deposited in GenBank. We pinpoint priorities for future systematic research on the tribe Odocoileini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothelphusadehaani , a freshwater crab species endemic to Japan, has the largest distribution range amongst the 19 known species in the country. Due to its low dispersal capability and restricted habitat to freshwater, it serves as an excellent model for understanding gene flow between geographically isolated populations. In this study, we analysed the genetic relationships of 26 G.dehaani populations collected from different locations in the Japanese archipelago using two mitochondrial DNA regions - cytochrome oxidase subunit I ( COI) and cytochrome b ( cytB ). Our results from the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed high genetic variation amongst populations and the phylogenetic analysis identified four geographical groups: Clade I - Honshu and Shikoku, Clade II - north-eastern Kyushu, Clade III - southern Kyushu and Clade IV - north-western Kyushu. Notably, Clade IV exhibited the highest genetic distance amongst the observed groupings. These findings highlight the need for further examination of G.dehaani in Kyushu, including morphological and behavioural traits, to better understand the observed diversity within the species in the region., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest to declare Disclaimer: This article is (co-)authored by any of the Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editors or their deputies in this journal., (Joana Joy De la Cruz Huervana, Yuichi Kano, Daiki Ando, Norio Onikura, Yoshihisa Kurita.)

The number of goatfish species has increased recently, thanks in part to the application of molecular approaches to the taxonomy of a family with conservative morphology and widespread intraspecific color variation. A new subspecies Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus Fernandez-Silva & Randall is described from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, including Socotra and Gulf of Oman. It is characterized by a yellow caudal fin, 25-28 gill rakers, and 37-38 lateral-line scales and it is differentiated from nominal subspecies M. flavolineatus flavolineatus by 1.7% sequence divergence at the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The morphometric examination of specimens of M. f. flavolineatus revealed variation in head length, eye diameter, and barbel length, in western direction from the Hawaiian Islands, South Pacific, Micronesia, and the East Indies to the Indian Ocean. The population of Mulloidichthys f. flavicaudus subsp. n. in the Gulf of Aqaba differs from that of the remaining Red Sea by shorter barbels, smaller eyes, shorter head, and shorter pelvic fins. We present a list of 26 endemic fishes from the Gulf of Aqaba and discuss the probable basis for the endemism in the light of the geological history of this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have revealed that the Kerivouladepressa complex should be divided into two species, K.depressa distributed mainly in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and K.dongduongana found only in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In November 2018 and April 2019, 24 woolly bats were collected by two-band harp traps in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. Based on morphological, morphometric, and phylogenetic ( COI , Cytb , and RAG2 gene sequences) analyses, these bats were identified as K.depressa and K.dongduongana , representing two new species records for the country. Including the new records, six Kerivoula species have been recorded in China, namely K.depressa , K.dongduongana , K.furva , K.kachinensis , K.picta and K.titania . To facilitate their identification and biological research in the future, we have provided an up-to-date key to all Kerivoula species occurring in China., (Xiaoling Liang, Huixian Xie, Yannan Li, Zhenglanyi Huang, Song Li, Yi Wu, Wenhua Yu.)

The northernmost population of the Balkan wall lizards, Podarcistauricus (Pallas, 1814) was recently discovered in the Czech Republic. We studied genetic variability in a mitochondrial marker cytochrome b to shed light on the origin of this remote population. We detected three unique haplotypes, close to those occurring in the populations of Podarcistauricus from central/north Balkans and Hungary. Our data exclude the hypothesis of a single founder (a randomly or intentionally introduced pregnant female or her progeny) of the Czech population and indicate a native, autochthonous origin of the population or recent introduction/range expansion., (Ivan Rehák, David Fischer, Lukáš Kratochvíl, Michail Rovatsos.)