Chee Yen Choong

Remarks on the taxonomy of Megapodagrionidae with emphasis on the larval gills (Odonata)

Abstract A list of genera presently included in Megapodagrionidae and Pseudolestidae is provided, together with information on species for which the larva has been described. Based on the shape of the gills, the genera for which the larva is known can be arranged into four groups: (1) species with inflated sack-like gills with a terminal filament; (2) species with flat vertical gills; (3) species in which the outer gills in life form a tube folded around the median gill; (4) species with flat horizontal gills. The possible monophyly of these groups is discussed. It is noted that horizontal gills are not found in any other family of Zygoptera. Within the Megapodagrionidae the genera with horizontal gills are, with the exception of Dimeragrion, the only ones lacking setae on the shaft of the genital ligula. On the basis of these two characters it is suggested that this group is monophyletic.

Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) and its susceptibility to schizophrenia: a case- control study and meta-analysis

Neuregulin-1 is widely investigated due to its hypothesised association with schizophrenia. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs764059, rs2954041 and rs3924999 were investigated (417 patients with schizophrenia and 429 controls). We failed to demonstrate a significant association between rs2954041 and rs3924999 with schizophrenia in the three ethnic groups studied (Malay, Chinese, and Indian), while rs764059 was found to be monomorphic.

Two new species of Chalybeothemis from Malaysia, with a redefinition of the genus (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Abstract Chalybeothemis chini sp. nov. from Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia, and C. pruinosa sp. nov. from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, are described from the male sex. The new species necessitate some redefinition of the previously monotypic genus, which is provided. The quiescent penis of Chalybeothemis is illustrated for the first time. Differences between C. chini, C. fluviatilis and C. pruinosa are discussed and tabulated. C. fluviatilis is reported from Sarawak for the first time. Relationships of Chalybeothemis within the Libellulidae are discussed.

Re-description of Coeliccia erici Laidlaw, and the description of Coeliccia sameerae sp. nov. from Peninsular Malaysia (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae)

Coeliccia erici Laidlaw, 1917 is re-described and illustrated for both sexes; its taxonomic history and the confusion surrounding it is discussed. Coeliccia kimurai Asahina, 1990 is shown to be a junior synonym of C. erici. Coelicca sameerae sp. nov. (holotype ♂, small stream near Sungai Lasir, Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu, Malaysia, deposited in the Natural History Museum, London) is described from both sexes from Peninsular Malaysia; this species had been confused with C. erici until now. A remark on the status of Coeliccia simillima Laidlaw, 1917 is made.

Drepanosticta rahmani sp. nov., from Kedah, Malaysia (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae)

Drepanosticta rahmani sp. nov. (holotype ♂, steep tributary to stream in hills between Baling and Gulai, north west Kedah, Malaysia, 15 xi 2016, leg. R.A. Dow, to be deposited in the Natural History Museum, London) is described from both sexes.

Development of Genomic Resources and Assessing Their Potential for Accelerated Acacia Breeding

Acacia is an important plantation crop in the world for pulp, timber, afforestation of degraded lands, controlling desertification, and reclamation of poor sandy soils due to its nitrogen fixing ability. However, the genome structure and organization of this plant is poorly understood, thereby limiting the effective use of its genetic resources. The Acacia hybrid (Acacia mangium × Acacia auriculiformis) has been found to be more desirable than its parents with tolerance to diseases, lower lignin, better tree form, longer fibre and higher adaptability. Therefore the Acacia hybrid is of high potential for sustainable productivity, particularly under changing climatic conditions. Elite planting materials of the Acacia hybrid can be developed efficiently through marker-assisted breeding. The understanding of its genome and development of DNA markers are crucial to accelerate the breeding of Acacia. We attempted to understand the lignin biosynthesis and wood formation in the Acacia species through genomics approaches (EST, microRNA and transcriptome sequencing). At the same time, we have developed various DNA markers (SSR, CAPS and SNP) and established two mapping populations (wood density and fibre length) for linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. We have obtained QTLs for four main agronomic traits (wood density, plant height, diameter at breast height and biomass) for the breeding of Acacia with better wood and fibre properties in the future through marker-assisted breeding and gene manipulation.

Leptogomphus tioman sp. nov. (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidea) from Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia

A new species Leptogomphus tioman is described based on male specimens collected from Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia. It is close to Leptogomphus risi Laidlaw in thoracic markings but is readily distinguished by its anal appendages and accessory genitalia.