Zootaxa

**Review of the genus Pleurotroppopsis Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) with interspecific phylogenetic relationships based on morphological characters**

HUAN-XI CAO — 2022-09-30

This study is dedicated to the late Dr. John LaSalle, and reviews the world species of Pleurotroppopsis Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); fourteen species are treated, of which two are newly described: P. dactylispae Cao & Zhu sp. nov. from China and P. peukscutella Cao & Zhu sp. nov. from Malaysia. On the basis of morphological characters, tentative relationships among genera allied to Pleurotroppopsis are discussed. A revised definition of Pleurotroppopsis is presented based on study of type specimens of all species and a critical review of previous studies on the genus. In addition, parsimony analyses were conducted to infer a phylogeny of Pleurotroppopsis species based on a unique data matrix of morphological characters. Keys to genera allied to Pleurotroppopsis and to known species of Pleurotroppopsis are provided.

A checklist of the ticks of Malaysia (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae), with lists of known associated hosts, geographical distribution, type localities, human infestations and pathogens

ABDUL-RAHMAN KAZIM — 2022-09-30

Studies of ticks in Malaysia from past articles were reviewed, resulting in a list of 47 species belonging to seven genera (Argas, Ornithodoros, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus). The most prevalent genus in Malaysia is Haemaphysalis (20 species), followed by Amblyomma (eight species) and Dermacentor (seven species). Out of 47 species, only 28 have bitten humans, mostly belonging to Haemaphysalis. The most researched tick-borne pathogens in Malaysia are Rickettsia and Anaplasma, and most research was focused on the tropical-lineage brown dog ticks, R. sanguineus sensu lato, and the cattle ticks, Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Rhipicephalus microplus. 18 species were excluded from the list due to lack of definite records or dubious findings: Ornithodoros mimon, O. turicata, Amblyomma breviscutatum, A. clypeolatum, A. integrum, A. maculatum, Dermacentor marginatum, D. taiwanensis, Haemaphysalis birmaniae, H. flava, H. humerosa, H. longicornis, H. punctata, H. sulcata, Ixodes holocyclus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. annulatus and R. bursa. This paper presents the first complete and updated list for Dermacentor and Ixodes tick species in Malaysia since Kohls (1957).

A review of digger wasp genus Harpactus Shuckard, 1837 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) of the Indian subcontinent, with description of a new species and rediscovery of Harpactus impudens (Nurse, 1903)

C. BINOY — 2022-09-30

The digger wasp genus Harpactus Shuckard (Crabronidae: Bembicinae) of the Indian subcontinent is reviewed, resulting in the discovery of a new species H. pulawskii Binoy & Girish Kumar and the rediscovery of H. impudens (Nurse) after more than a century since its description. All species are illustrated, including the holotypes of H. ornatus F. Smith and H. vividus (Turner) whose illustrations were provided by the Natural History Museum, London (NHMUK). Brief diagnoses and a key to species are also given.

Description of a new ant- and stingless-bee-loving species of Cryptostigma Ferris (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from Ecuador living inside internodes of Cecropia (Urticaceae), with an updated key to the adult females and first-instar nymphs of the genus

TAKUMASA KONDO — 2022-09-30

A new soft scale species, Cryptostigma cecropiaphilum Kondo & Roubik, sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), is described from specimens collected from inside hollow branches (internodes) of Cecropia ficifolia Warb. ex Snethl and Cecropia sciadophylla Mart. (Urticaceae), in Orellana province, Ecuador. The new species was found in association with three mutualistic hymenopterans: two species of Plebeia Schwarz, subgenus Nanoplebeia Engel (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini), and Azteca sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae). The new species of coccid is described based on the morphology of the adult female and first-instar nymph. Keys to the known adult females and first-instar nymphs of Cryptostigma Ferris are provided.

**A new species of Austrophasiopsis Townsend (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Nepal, with systematic notes on the genus**

HIROSHI SHIMA — 2022-09-30

A new species of Austrophasiopsis Townsend from Nepal, Austrophasiopsis caliginosa sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Two known species, A. formosensis Townsend and A. luteipennis Mesnil, are redescribed and illustrated and a key to the three species is provided. Based on a morphological study, Austrophasiopsis is moved from its current position in the tribe Minthoini to the Leskiini (Tachininae) where it is considered close to Solieria Robineau-Desvoidy.

**DNA barcode data confirm the placement of subterranean Noemacheilus (Troglocobitis) starostini Parin 1983 in the genus Paracobitis (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae)**

JÖRG FREYHOF — 2022-09-30

DNA barcodes (COI) of Troglocobitis starostini, endemic to a single site in Turkmenistan, were analysed and put into the taxonomic context of the large group of nemacheilid loaches known from Western and Central Asia. All applied phylogenetic tree-based analyses place the species into the genus Paracobitis. This finding supports previous morphological studies. While the exact position of Troglocobitis starostini within Paracobitis was not resolved unambiguously, it was constantly recovered within Paracobitis, irrespective of the tree reconstruction method applied. With a minimum interspecific K2P distance of 7.19% P. persa was the closest hit in our dataset, which comprised a total of ten species of Paracobitis, which showed an average interspecific K2P distance of 5.43% (range 2.78–9.44%).

**New species and records of Amphichroum Kraatz, 1857 from China and the Himalayan Region (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini)**

ALEXEY V. SHAVRIN — 2022-09-30

New taxonomic, diagnostic and faunistic data for eight species of the genus Amphichroum Kraatz, 1858 (Omaliinae) from China and the Himalayan Region are provided. Three species are (re-) described and illustrated: A. discolor sp.n. and A. grandidentatum sp.n. (both from Biluo Mts., Yunnan, China), and A. reticulatum Coiffait, 1978 (Bhutan). New records for five species from China and Nepal are given.

Platycrus—a remarkable new genus of the tribe Platynaspini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Laos

KAROL SZAWARYN — 2022-09-30

A new remarkable ladybird beetle Platycrus laotanus gen. et sp. nov. is described from Laos. It is placed in the tribe Platynaspini, but it differs from the remaining members of the tribe by having unusually expanded legs, a peculiar pocket-like structure to accommodate the tarsi in repose, and the antennae consisting of 11 antennomeres. Detailed morphological description and illustrations are provided. Taxonomic placement of the newly described taxon is discussed, and a transfer of the genera Crypticolus Strohecker and Hornious Weise from Platynaspini to Coccinellinae as incerte sedis.

**A New Species of Eutrepsia Herrich-Schäffer from Mexico (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)**

TANNER A. MATSON — 2022-09-30

Koreguajus antennatus Anderson and Bermúdez Higinio, a new genus and new species of Sphenophorina (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae; Rhynchophorini) from Colombia

ROBERT S. ANDERSON — 2022-09-30