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The rare genus Pseudalomya Telenga comprises two species, which are found only in the Eastern Palaearctic region and high mountains of the Oriental region. The phylogenetic position of Pseudalomya remains unclear because of its intermediate morphology between two ichneumonine tribes, Alomyini and Phaeogenini. This article reports the discovery of a new species of Pseudalomya: Pseudalomya truncaticornis sp. nov. Specimens were collected during a survey of insect fauna in the Dasyueshan area of Shei-Pa National Park, one of the high-altitude regions in Taiwan. The new species can be diagnosed by its body coloration, frontal horn shape, facial punctures, metasomal tergite sculpture, and wing venation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of Pseudalomya in Taiwan. This article also presents a diagnostic key to the global species of Pseudalomya. In this study, molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using one mitochondrial and two nuclear gene sequences from P. truncaticornis sp. nov. and other members of the Ichneumoniformes group. The results indicate that Pseudalomya should be classified within Phaeogenini, distinct from Alomyini, but more comprehensive phylogenomic studies are needed to confirm this placement.

Thought to be monotypic for decades, the only species in the goosefish genus Lophiomus Gill, Lm. setigerus (Vahl), shows a wide range of morphological variation and is distributed widely in the Indo-West Pacific (IWP). In this study, datasets for two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes sequences obtained from samples of Lophiomus collected in different localities across the IWP were constructed and analyzed to explore the phylogeny and species diversity within the genus. Our integrated approach with multiline evidence unveiled an unanticipated richness of at least six delimited species of Lophiomus. Herein, based on materials already available from museums and new specimens obtained primarily through the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos program surveying IWP benthic fauna, we formally describe three new species: Lm. immaculioralis sp. nov., Lm. nigriventris sp. nov., and Lm. carusoi sp. nov. Also, we resurrect Lm. laticeps stat. rev. from synonyms of Lm. setigerus. These species can be diagnosed by genetics, body coloration, patterns on the floor of the mouth, peritoneum pigmentation, morphometric measurements, and meristic counts of cranial spines, dorsal-fin spines, and pectoral-fin and pelvic-fin rays from each other and from Lm. setigerus. The species Lm. setigerus, as well as the genus Lophiomus, are re-described accordingly based on the new results. Amended identification keys to the four extant lophiid genera and to species of Lophiomus are also provided.

Citizen science is a research approach that involves collaboration between professional scientists and non-professional volunteers. The utilisation of recent online citizen-science platforms (e.g. social networking services) has greatly revolutionised the accessibility of biodiversity data by providing opportunities for connecting professional and citizen scientists worldwide. Meteorus stellatus Fujie, Shimizu & Maeto, 2021 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Euphorinae) has been recorded from the Oriental Islands of Japan and known to be a gregarious endoparasitoid of two macro-sized sphingid moths of Macroglossum, Ma. passalus (Drury) and Ma. pyrrhosticta Butler. It constructs characteristic star-shaped communal cocoons, suspended by a long cable. Although M. stellatus has been reported only from the Oriental Islands of Japan, the authors recognise its occurrence and ecological data from Taiwan and the Palaearctic Island of Japan through posts on online citizen-science groups about Taiwanese Insects on Facebook and an article on a Japanese citizen-scientist's website.Through collaboration between professional and citizen scientists via social media (Facebook groups) and websites, the following new biodiversity and ecological data associated with M. stellatus are provided:Meteorus stellatus is recorded for the first time from Taiwan and the Palaearctic Region (Yakushima Is., Japan).Cechetra minor (Butler, 1875), Hippotion celerio (Linnaeus, 1758) and Macroglossum sitiene (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) are recorded for the first time as hosts of M. stellatus and two of which (C. minor and H. celerio) represent the first genus-level host records for M. stellatus.Mesochorus sp. (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), indeterminate species of Pteromalidae and Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera), are recognised as hyperparasitoid wasps of M. stellatus.Parapolybia varia (Fabricius, 1787) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) is reported as a predator of pendulous communal cocoons of M. stellatus.The nature of suspended large-sized communal cocoons of M. stellatus and the importance and limitations of digital occurrence data and online citizen science are briefly discussed.

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The third species of the subgenus Monomacrodon, Netelia (M.) maculata new species is described from the montane areas of Laos and Vietnam. In addition, N. (M.) bicolor is newly recorded from Taiwan and Vietnam. The ovarian eggs of this subgenus are described and figured for the first time. A key to three known species of the subgenus Monomacrodon is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: E-selectin is implicated in various inflammatory processes and related disorders. We aimed to investigate the role of SELE-gene genotypes/haplotypes on plasma levels of MMP9 and sE-selectin in Taiwanese individuals. Methods: Five hundred twenty individuals were enrolled. Seven tagging SELE single nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed. Results: SELE genotypes were found associated with MMP9 and sE-selectin levels. Multivariate analysis identified that the most significant genetic polymorphism (rs5368 genotype) was independently associated with MMP9 levels (P < 0.001). One haplotype (GGAGAGT) was marginally associated with MMP9 levels (P = 0.0490). One SELE SNP, (rs3917406, P = 0.031) was associated with sE-selectin levels after adjusting for MMP9 and sICAM1 levels. Subgroup and interaction analysis revealed association of SELE SNP rs10800469 with sE-selectin levels only in the highest quartile of MMP9 level (P = 0.002, interaction P = 0.023). Haplotype analysis showed one haplotype (AAAAAGC) borderline associated with sE-selectin level (P = 0.0511). Conclusion: SELE genotypes/haplotypes are independently associated with MMP9 and E-selectin levels in Taiwanese individuals. The associations of SELE genotypes/haplotypes with sE-selectin levels are affected by MMP9 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]