Taxonomy On Genus Lilioceris Reitter (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae:Criocerinae) From China

This paper is a systematic study on Chinese species of the genus Lilioceris Reitter,1913(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae).This paper is divided into four chapters.In chapter one,the research background of the genus Lilioceris is introduced,which is divided into six parts.In the first part,the taxonomic status of the genus Lilioceris,the etymology of Chinese common name,and the distinguishing characteristics from other genera of the Criocerinae are briefly introduced.In the second part,research history of the genus Lilioceris and the historically important taxonomists are summarized.In the third part,the phylogenetic relationship hypothesized by the specialists of the leaf beetles is introduced.In the fourth part,the morphological structure of adults,including male and female genitalia are illustrated,and taxomonic terms are explained.In the fifth part,the biology,including feeding habits of adults and larvae,host plants,life history,impact on the agricultural and forestry economy,the vocal organs and the vocalism principle are introduced.In the sixth part,the purposes and objectives of current thesis are summarized,and the existing problems in the former research on the genus Lilioceris are pointed out.The chapter two is materials and methods.The source and deposited place of the specimens used in this thesis,as well as the methods explored to measure,to dissect and to take photograph for the specimens are briefly introduced.About 2800 specimens of Lilioceris were used,including 2000 from National Animal Collection Resource Center(Former National Zoological Museum of China),and 811 from my field work.Total 62 specimens of nine species were borrowed from other museums;and 30 species of type specimens,including photos of types,were examined.The chapter three is the main body of taxonomic work.A total of 55 species of Lilioceris are recorded from China,namely two species of the subgenus Chujoita Monrós,1960 and 53 species of the subgenus Lilioceris Reitter,1913.Six species are newly recorded from China: L.discrepans(Baly,1879),L.dromedarius(Baly,1861),L.pulchella(Baly,1859),L.semicostata(Jacoby,1908),L.unicolor(Hope,1831),L.vietnamica Medvedev,1985.Two species are resurrected as valid: L.cantonensis Heinze,1943,L.theana(Heyden,1887).Two species are proposed as synonyms: L.consentanea(Lacordaire,1845)= L.xinglongensis Long,1988 new synonym;L.unicolor(Hope,1831)= L.seminigra(Jacoby,1889)new synonym.The geographical distribution for these species and faunal composition in China are analysized.For all 55 species,citations,type locality,diagnosis,descriptions,geographical distribution,host plants(if known),specimens examined are provided.A key to all species is compiled.A total of 25 plates with 100 pictures showing dorsal and ventral views of 50 species are attached.The chapter four is an analysis and discussion of geographic distribution.The distributional pattern in provinces and in Chinese fauna are discussed and preliminarily analyzed.The results show that among the 55 species of genus Lilioceris from China,22 of them are endemic;among all the provinces in China,Yunnan Province had the highest species richness with 25 species,followed by Guangxi and Sichuan Province,each with 21 species.In this thesis,Qinling-Huaihe Line is explored as the division for the Oriental Region and the Palaearctic Region,48 species belong to Oriental Region in the Chinese fauna,only one species is endemic in the Palaearctic Region,and 6 species occupy both the Oriental Region and the Palaearctic Region.South China has the highest species richness,with 34 species,accounting for 61.8%,followed by 33 species in Central China,accounting for 58.2%,and 31 species in southwest China,accounting for 56.4%.The fauna category of this genus in China is the Southwest - Central - South China,with 12 species,accounting for 22.2%.