Journal of Systematics and Evolution

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  • 收稿日期:2025-03-06 接受日期:2025-04-28

An integrative taxonomic approach reveals exceptional species diversity of Burmoniscus from China (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

Chonghui Yao1, Qidi Zhu1, Zili Zong1, Chao Jiang2*, Weichun Li1*   

  1. 1College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
    2State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China

    *Authors for correspondence. Chao Jiang. E-mail: jiangchao0411@126.com; Weichun Li. weichunlee@126.com.
  • Received:2025-03-06 Accepted:2025-04-28
  • Supported by:
    The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32460124, 82474043) and the Key Project at Central Government Level: The ability establishment of sustainable use for valuable Chinese medicine resources (2060302).

Abstract: Burmoniscus Collinge, 1916, the most species-rich genus within the family Philosciidae, presents significant taxonomic challenges due to interspecific morphological convergences and intraspecific variations. This study employs an integrative taxonomic framework combining morphological examination with molecular phylogenetic analyses and species delimitations based on the sequence data of a mitochondrial COI gene and three nuclear genes (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and NaK) to classify Burmoniscus species. Our results reveal 21 species Burmoniscus from China, including 12 new species (Burmoniscus acutatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. obscurus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. cuneatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. rectangulatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. solus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. spinellosus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. cordatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. trispinatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. rotundus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. simplicissimus Li & Jiang, sp. nov., B. rubustus Li & Jiang, sp. nov. and B. variatus Li & Jiang, sp. nov.) and firstly report two species, B. schultzi Taiti, Ferrara & Kwon, 1992 and B. comtus (Budde-Lund, 1894) from China. This work highlights the critical role of integrative taxonomy in clarifying species boundaries and uncovering hidden diversity in terrestrial isopods.

Key words: molecular analyses, new species, species delimitation, taxonomy, terrestrial isopods.