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This article explores the importance of using scientific binomial nomenclature for bees and argues against relying solely on vernacular or common names. The authors provide five reasons for the significance of scientific names in promoting bee literacy and facilitating consistent communication across languages and cultures. They also discuss the role of citizen science in collecting field data and improving scientific knowledge about bee species. While acknowledging the limitations of citizen science projects and the challenges of using vernacular names, the article emphasizes the continued use of scientific names in environmental education and citizen science initiatives. Additionally, the text discusses the use of vernacular names and common names in the taxonomy of mayflies, stoneflies, and webspinners. It explains that vernacular names can be misleading and vary across languages and regions, making them less accurate in reflecting the ecology and taxonomy of species. The text highlights the importance of scientific binomial nomenclature in providing a stable and universal naming system for organisms. It concludes by acknowledging the challenges of language barriers and emphasizing the need for transparency and regulation in the naming process. Lastly, the article focuses on the classification and identification of wild bee species, comparing the use of vernacular names versus scientific names. The authors argue that while vernacular names can be useful for outreach and cultural awareness, scientific names are crucial for conservation efforts and scientific communication across borders and cultures. They caution against relying exclusively on vernacular names, as it can lead to confusion, misidentification, and the dismissal of scientific taxonomy. The authors advocate for a collaborative [Extracted from the article] more...

Mesothelae, or primitively segmented trapdoor spiders, form the most basal clade among living spiders. In Southeast Asia, Liphistius is the only genus recognized in the extant family Liphistiidae. Liphistius taxonomy and species identification are based largely on characters of the genitalia; however, the female genitalia show high intraspecific variation, males are rarely collected, and the phylogenetic relationships among the 69 described Liphistius species are unresolved. Here, we focused on the Liphistius of Thailand, including 37 described and numerous undescribed species in four species groups. We generated sequences from five loci (COI , 16S, H3 , 28S, and ITS2) for 162 specimens from 52 sites in Thailand and Myanmar to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships, infer historical biogeography, and delimit species. The five-locus data set resolved nearly all species and species group relationships and was mostly congruent with morphology-based classifications. Ancestral area reconstruction suggested that Liphistius originated in Sibumasu (Siam–Burma–Malaysia–Sumatra) and diversified into several species groups, four (birmanicus , bristowei , linang , and trang) of which are found in Thailand. Speciation within Liphistius occurred in the area corresponding to their current distribution. All delimitation methods tested (ASAP, GMYC, PTP, STACEY and BFD) delimited specimens from discrete locations as separate species; variation in the number of species proposed (ranging from 53 to 72) stemmed from variation in delimitation of sympatric cryptic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Bees play an important role by contributing to the pollination of a diverse range of crops and wild plants. However, bees are threatened by deforestation and habitat degradation caused by urbanization and agricultural intensification, which reduce floral and nesting resources.In this study, the effects of local (orchard size, flowering plant abundance and richness and floral abundance) and landscape factors (surrounding agricultural, forest and urban cover) on bee richness and abundance in mixed fruit orchards were determined from 28 mature orchards interspersed along a gradient of landscape complexity. Bees were observed for 15 min in 2 × 2 m plots. We categorized all bees into one of the three groups: (a) honey bees, (b) solitary bees and (c) stingless bees. Several local and landscape factors were found to influence bee richness and abundance. Honey bee abundance was positively affected by orchard size, whereas honey bee richness was not. Stingless bee richness and abundance were positively correlated with floral abundance. Forest cover within a 3‐km radius positively affected solitary bee richness. Solitary bee abundance was positively affected by forest cover within a 3‐km radius and negatively impacted by urban cover within a 1.5‐km radius. In our study area, small forest patches are found in abundance; thus, the high proportion of forest edge, relative to the forest interior, greatly supports solitary bee abundance and richness in this landscape. Moreover, most solitary bees are soil‐nesting species that may be excluded from environments that are converted from natural to anthropogenically developed areas.Recommendations to protect pollinators included conserving existing forest patches, especially forest margins; restoring forest patches within farmland landscapes; maintaining a diversity of herbs and grasses within mixed fruit orchards; establishing live fences composed of diverse plant species and retaining dead trees within farmland. For urban areas, augmenting floral resources in green spaces is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Seven new species of the primitive segmented spider genus Liphistius are described and assigned to species groups based on characters of the male palp and vulva plate. The bristowei group includes L. dawei Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀) from southeastern Myanmar, L. choosaki Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♀) from northwestern Thailand, and L. lansak Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♀) from western Thailand; the trang group (Complex A) contains L. kaengkhoi Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀), L. hintung Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀), L. buyphradi Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀), and L. champakpheaw Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀) from central Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Bees of the tribe Anthidiini (Apoidea: Megachilidae) are notable pollinators consisting of resin bees, wool-carder bees, and cleptoparasitic bees. Twelve anthidiine species were historically reported in Thailand, though the taxonomic information of the group was needed revising. In this study, 165 (97♀, 68♂) anthidiine bee specimens deposited at the Chulalongkorn University Natural History Museum, Thailand, were examined with material obtained from various museum collections. Specimens were principally collected in Thailand with some from Laos and Myanmar. Here, at least eight genera and 15 species of anthidiine bees are recognized: Anthidiellum (5), Bathanthidium (1), Eoanthidium (1), Euaspis (4), Pachyanthidium (1), Pseudoanthidium (1), Stelis (1), and Trachusa (1). Dianthidium chinensis Wu, 1962, Eoanthidium chinensis (Wu, 1962), Eoanthidium semicarinatum Pasteels, 1972, and Eoanthidium punjabensis Gupta & Sharma, 1953 are relegated as junior synonyms of Eoanthidium (Hemidiellum) riparium (Cockerell, 1929), stat. nov. Both Anthidiellum (Pycnanthidium) latipes (Bingham, 1897) from Phang Nga and Euaspis aff. wegneri Baker, 1995 from Chumphon were identified as new records for Thailand. Trachusa aff. vietnamensis Flaminio & Quaranta, 2021 from Phitsanulok is a new record for the genus found in Thailand, whereas Pseudoanthidium (Pseudoanthidium) orientale (Bingham, 1897) is a new record for Laos. Annotated comments are provided for some taxa and identification keys for the Thai anthidiine bees is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Hybridization between milky stork (Mycteria cinerea) and painted stork (M. leucocephala) occurs frequently in captivity. Dusit Zoo is a captive breeding facility where storks with phenotypically ambiguous patterns have recently been observed, and their status remaining inconclusive. Here, we used a combination of phenotypic characters and genetic markers (cytochrome b and 14 microsatellite markers) to distinguish and identify hybrids from the two parental species (n = 114). Haplotype analysis revealed asymmetric mtDNA introgression from M. cinerea to M. leucocephala, with twelve morphologically classified M. leucocephala individuals carrying heterospecific mtDNA. Comprehensive biparental genetic assessments identified 33% of all three genetic clusters as admixed individuals, of which most were either F2 hybrids, backcrosses with M. leucocephala, or hybrids of unknown generation, implying weak premating isolation with the absence of intrinsic postzygotic isolation between parentals. Morphological analysis demonstrated that the absence or indistinctness of a black bar across the breast is the most noticeable trait to identify these hybrids. The endangered M. cinerea was found to have genomic contamination from M. leucocephala and vice versa, with at least 41 hybrid individuals being identified. These findings provide critical information for detecting hybrids and identifying suitable breeding stocks with genetic purity for future reintroduction and conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Bombus flavescens Smith is one of the most widespread bumblebee species in the Oriental region. Due to colour polymorphisms, this species or species-complex has been a challenge for taxonomy. This study aims to assess the taxonomic status of the flavescens-complex using evidence from COI barcodes and morphology. We then reconstruct its biogeographic history from a phylogenetic analysis of populations across the current range, combining COI with 16S and nuclear PEPCK data. Despite a large range of polymorphisms across its distribution, the results show that B. flavescens is a single species based on algorithmic species delimitation methods, and it is clearly separated from its sister species, B. rotundiceps Friese. We suggest that B. flavescens diverged from its sister lineage in the Himalaya and dispersed into Southeast Asia in the Pleistocene. Conservation of the widespread B. flavescens will need to consider its several unique island populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...