(1) Background: Endophytic fungi play an important role in plant growth and stress resistance. The presence of a special fungal taxon such as the dark septate endophytic (DSE) alpine environments is particularly for resistance to environmental stresses. However, composition root different between host plants has not been well studied. (2) Results: A total 408 culturable were isolated from roots Saussurea involucrata Rhodiola crenulata which collected 5 plots Tianshan Karakoram Mountains...

The lychee gall midge, Litchiomyia chinensis Yang and Luo (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), invaded Taiwan in 2008. This fly induces blister-galls on the leaves of lychee, Litchi Sonn (Sapindaceae), causes significant yield losses. At present, its natural enemy complex is largely undocumented; thus, overall aim ongoing research to investigate enemies L. different areas seasons Taiwan. We describe two species that parasitise this midge: Quadrastichus lasallei, sp. n. johnlasallei, demonstrate...

We discuss the taxonomy of oak gallwasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) whose lifecycle involves only Palaearctic oaks (Quercus subgen. Quercus) in section Cerris. Recent phylogenetic reconstructions support a deep split between such Cerris-associated species genera Aphelonyx, Dryocosmus, Plagiotrochus, Neuroterus, Pseudoneuroterus and associated with Quercus sensu stricto. reappraise generic limits genera, proposing new for establishing genus Cerroneuroterus, elevating Latuspina to...

Two closely related new species of Aprostocetus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) are described as fortuitous parasitoids invasive gall inducers in two other genera Tetrastichinae, Leptocybe Fisher & LaSalle and Quadrastichus Girault. causalis La Salle Wu is a parasitoid invasa on Eucalyptus spp. (Myrtaceae) China Thailand, A. felix Salle, Yang Lin erythrinae Kim Erythrina (Fabaceae) Taiwan. Epitetrastichus nigriventris Girault, 1913 removed from synonymy gala (Walker),...

In one-on-one (dyadic) contests in group-living animals, relatedness is of potentially critical importance determining the relative value resources for which individuals are fighting. We investigated function dyadic over access to a food resource (plant phloem) horned aphid Astegopteryx bambusae , by observing competing aphids field and genotyping them with microsatellite markers. Each colony consists small number clones, creating levels that can be both high variable. The involve only low...

Five new species of the genus Daphnephila (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae: Asphondyliini), D. ornithocephala, stenocalia, sueyenae, taiwanensis, and truncicola, all associated with Machilus thunbergii (Lauraceae), are described from Taiwan, one previously known species, machilicola, is redescribed Japan. Among five truncicola induces stem galls other four induce leaf galls. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene suggests...

A new genus of cynipid oak gallwasp, Cycloneuroterus Melika & Tang (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), containing five species, C. lilungi, longinuxus, lirongchiuea, fortuitusus and formosanus, is described from Taiwan. Diagnostic characters generic limits the are discussed in detail a key to group closely related genera which share suite diagnostic genus-level given. Descriptions galls adults, data on diagnosis, distribution, host plant associations biology all species

Four new species of oak gallwasps the genus Dryocosmus : D. pentagonalis , triangularis carlesiae and testisimilis are described from Taiwan. They induce galls on one Castanopsis Lithocarpus (Fagaceae). Data diagnosis, distribution, biology four is given. A key for identification Taiwan provided. Final comments discuss polyphyletic nature genus, emphasizing urgent need its revision.

Acoustic communications are prevalent in insects, and evidences show that acoustic characteristics could be used taxonomy. With regard to Psylloidea, signals of 37 species have been recorded described, indicating knowledge psylloids is limited compared with 3,800 described psylloid species, although the comparison emphasized on males only. Because many new were named based only variations structure male genitalia host-plant records, we asked whether signal supplementary recognizing species....

Taiwan, an island with three major mountain ranges, provides ideal topography to study mountain-island effect on organisms that would be diversified in the isolation areas. Glaciations, however, might drive these lower elevations, causing gene flow among previously isolated populations. Two hypotheses have been proposed depict possible refugia for alpine during glaciations. Nunatak hypothesis suggests species stayed situ high areas Massif de refuge, other hand, proposes migrated ice-free By...

This research compared the chlorophyll biosynthetic and degradation pathways, pigment-protein complexes, thylakoid morphology of a mature oval-pointed cecidomyiid gall infected leaf host plant Machilus thunbergii Sieb & Zucc (Lauraceae). The always possesses far less photosynthetic pigment than leaf. content anthocyanin tannin are much higher in Both mole percent porphyrin ratio pheophytin/chlorophyllide different between leaf, suggesting their pathways different. While may take pathway...

Three new species of oak gallwasps from Taiwan are described: Andricus songshui and pseudocurvator, both known to induce integral leaf galls on Quercus serrata, Plagiotrochus glaucus which induces stem swelling-like glauca. Galls adults described; data the diagnosis, distribution biology a key Taiwanese also given.

The objectives of this study were to characterize the fluorescence and spectral reflectance patterns galled nongalled portions leaves Machilus thunbergii understand changes in metabolism subsequent gall development on leaf surface. results showed that values galls at 280 nm (R280) 320 (R320) greater than those for normal leaves; was hypothesized minimize ultraviolet light damage. lower photochemical index higher red-green ratio indicated xanthophyll cycle pigments anthocyanin content leaves....

A new genus of cynipid oak gallwasp-Cyclocynips Melika, Tang, & Sinclair (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), with two species--C. uberis and C. tumorvirgae--reared from galls on oaks the Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis is described Taiwan. Descriptions asexual generation adults their diagnostic characters are presented. The likelihood yet undiscovered sexual generations evolution host-plant associations in these species discussed.

Acoustic signals function as a critical prereproductive isolation factor among singing insects and can serve valuable tool in insect systematics. recognition of psylloids is crucial establishing duets. However, research focused on acoustic divergence specific closely related psylloid species scarce. Moreover, active adult may exhibit behavior nonhost plants natural conditions even though the majority highly host specific. transmitted different with various structural properties be affected...

Eight new species of cynipid gallwasps, Cycloneuroterus abei Melika & Tang, C. ergei Tang Melika, gilvus globosus jianwui lohsei tumiclavus uraianus from Taiwan and mainland China are described. Descriptions, diagnoses, biology, host associations for the a key to all given. All taxa supported by morphological molecular data. Seven newly described induce galls on Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis, while one, uraianus, induces Castanopsis. This is first known associate with

A new species of oak gallwasp, Andricus formosanus is described from Taiwan which induces integral leaf galls on Quercus dentata (Section sensu stricto). The gall and adults the most closely resembles moriokae Monzen, known Japan. Data diagnosis, distribution biology given.

The cynipid inquilines genus Saphonecrus is known to be a polyphyletic group with distinct lineages. One lineage associated Synophrus in the Western Palaearctic on section Cerris oaks. Another involves type species of , S. connatus and represents probably early-diverging distribution white third main predominantly Asian, Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis oak-related Fagaceae including Lithocarpus . This shows large diversity, includes Ufo European undulatus haimi herein described new genus,...

Fifteen new species of cynipid inquilines, Saphonecrus chinensis Tang & Schwéger, S. gilvus Melika globosus Schwéger Tang, leleyi lithocarpii Melika, longinuxi morii nantoui nichollsi pachylomai robustus saliciniai shanzhukui symbioticus and taitungi from the Eastern Palaearctic are described. Descriptions, diagnoses, biology, host associations for species, a key to given. All taxa form distinct units as demonstrated by molecular phylogenetic analyses species. The status some earlier...

Mature galls induced by Daphnephila truncicola, D. taiwanensis, sueyenae, stenocalia, and ornithocephala on Machilus thunbergii in northern Taiwan were examined to verify the dictum that morphology of is an expression extended phenotype respective gall-inducing insect. Based their length-width ratio, materials grouped into either fleshy (those taiwanensis sueyenae) or slim ornithocephala). Stem truncicola showed energy level 0.0178 kJ/g. Among leaf galls, greatest was one stenocalia (0.0193...