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Recent conceptual and practical advances in phylogenetic species delimitation have enabled progressively robust biodiversity studies. Delimiting species in widespread taxa is an intriguing problem; the edible operculated land snail Cyclophorus volvulus (Müller, 1774) is a good example since it shows a high degree of shell and color variation along with a widespread distribution throughout Thailand. Taxonomic boundaries for C . volvulus were examined and clarified using a combined morphological and phylogenetic approach, the latter of which was based on both nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences. Moreover, three species delimitation analyses were applied: Poisson tree processes (PTP), automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD), and generalized mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC). All phylogenetic trees revealed that C . volvulus was polyphyletic and comprised of three clades that coincided with their geographic distribution. The three species delimitation analyses concurred with the phylogenies and formed at least three groups. According to the results, C . volvulus s.l., as currently recognized, consists of three distinct species in Thailand: C . volvulus s.s., C . occultus sp. nov., and C . borealis sp. nov., which are described herein. Moreover, several of these highly distinct C . volvulus evolutionarily significant units (ESU) are likely to require urgent conservation attention.

Background Mucus derived from many land snails has been extensively utilised in medicine and cosmetics, but some biological activities of the mucus need to be well documented. Nevertheless, most mucus is obtained from land snails, while mucus from freshwater snails has yet to be attended. Methods This study aims to determine and compare mucus's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities from the land snail Lissachatina fulica and the freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata. ABTS, DPPH, reducing power and total antioxidant activity assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. Inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells was performed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, the histochemical analysis of mucous cells in each snail foot was conducted to compare the distribution of mucous cells and types of mucins using periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue staining. Results Mucus from L. fulica and P. canaliculata exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in different parameters. L. fulica mucus has higher total antioxidant (44.71 ±2.11 mg AAE/g) and nitric oxide inhibitory activities (IC.sub.50 = 9.67 ±0.31 [micro]g/ml), whereas P. canaliculata mucus has better-reducing power activity (43.63 ±2.47 mg AAE/g) and protein denaturation inhibition (IC.sub.50 = 0.60 ±0.03 mg/ml). Histochemically, both species' dorsal and ventral foot regions contained neutral and acid mucins in different quantities. In the dorsal region, the neutral mucins level in L. fulica (16.64 ±3.46%) was significantly higher than that in P. canaliculata (11.19 ±1.50%), while the acid mucins level showed no significant difference between species. Levels of both mucins in the ventral foot region of L. fulica (15.08 ±3.97% and 10.76 ±3.00%, respectively) were significantly higher than those of P. canaliculata (2.25 ±0.48% and 2.71 ±0.56%, respectively). This study revealed scientific evidence of the biological capacity of mucus from L. fulica and P. canaliculata as well as provided helpful information on the region of the foot which produces effective mucus.

The micro land snail genus Diplommatina (family Diplommatinidae) is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and includes many endemic species. Three new species of Diplommatina are described from Satun Province in southern Thailand. Diplommatina bulonensis sp. nov. , D. laemsonensis sp. nov. and D. prakaiphetensis sp. nov. are distinguished from other species in the genus by their shell size and shape, the number of radial ribs on the penultimate whorl, the number of whorls, and features of the peristome. The agreement between phylogenetic tree based on analyses of COI and 16S sequences and comparative morphology support the delineation of these new species which, when compared to related species, belong to well-differentiated clades. The K2P distance between any of the three new species and other Diplommatina species included in the molecular phylogenetic analysis was at least 5.5% in COI and 3.9% in 16S. Two of the three new species ( D. prakaiphetensis sp. nov. and D. bulonensis sp. nov. ) are apparently endemic to Prakaiphet Hill and Bulon Pai Island, respectively. Additionally, we documented a new regional record for D. naiyanetri in Satun Province. These new species and records contribute to the knowledge of Thailand’s land snail biodiversity and highlight the need of conservation protections for regional karst habitats.

This study aims to identify the flower visitors of Mucuna thailandica (Fabaceae), endemic plant species in montane forests in Thailand, to determine their potential pollinators. The genus Mucuna produces papilionaceous flowers and has an explosive flower‐opening step. Explosive opening rapidly exposes stamens and pistil from keel petals and releases pollen. The flower of this species depends completely on animals to perform this step, essential for pollination success. Using a camera trap survey, we revealed that non‐flying mammals, such as squirrels (Callosciurus sp.) and masked palm civets (Paguma larvata), opened flowers explosively. Thus, these mammals contribute to the pollination of M. thailandica. This is the first report of non‐flying mammals contributing to pollination in montane forests in tropical Asia. This study aimed to reveal the contributors to pollination of Mucuna thailandica (Fabaceae), which is a woody vine and is distributed in the montane forests in Thailand. A camera trap survey demonstrated that non‐flying mammals, such as squirrels (Callosciurus sp.) and masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) contribute to pollination of M. thailandica.

A high degree of intraspecific variation, both genetic and in shell morphology, of the operculate land snail Cyclophorus fulguratus (Pfeiffer, 1854) suggests that its classification as a single species warrants reconsideration. We sequenced two nuclear (18S and 28S) and two mitochondrial (16S and COI) genes of 46 C. fulguratus specimens and used them to estimate the phylogeny and to determine the validity of species boundaries. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of three lineages corresponding to three geographically disjunctive populations of C. fulguratus in Thailand. Likelihood tests of topologies significantly supported the non-monophyly of the C. fulguratus-complex and Bayesian species delimitation analysis significantly supported the potential representation as distinct species of these three lineages. Discriminant function analysis based on geometric-morphometrics of shell shape allowed for significant distinction of these three candidate species, although they revealed a considerable degree of overlap of shell shape reflecting their crypsis morphologically. The diagnostic characters are provided by color pattern, pattern of protoconch and pattern of jaw. In conclusion, the results support that the C. fulguratus s.l., as currently recognized, consists of three distinct species in Thailand: C. fulguratus s.s., C. rangunensis and C. abditus sp.nov., which are described herein.

Dimocarpus longan , commonly known as the longan, belongs to the family Sapindaceae , and is one of the most economically important fruits commonly cultivated in several regions in Asia. There are various cultivars of longan throughout the Thai-Malay peninsula region, but until now no phylogenetic analysis has been undertaken to determine the genetic relatedness of these cultivars. To address this issue, 6 loci, namely ITS2, matK , rbcL , trnH-psbA , trnL-I and trnL-trnF were amplified and sequenced from 40 individuals consisting of 26 longan cultivars 2 types of lychee and 8 herbarium samples. The sequencing results were used to construct a phylogenetic tree using the neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) criteria. The tree showed cryptic groups of D . longan from the Thailand-Malaysia region ( Dimocarpus longan spp.). This is the first report of the genetic relationship of Dimocarpus based on multi-locus molecular markers and morphological characteristics. Multiple sequence alignments, phylogenetic trees and species delimitation support that Dimocarpus longan spp. longan var. obtusus and Dimocarpus longan spp. malesianus var. malesianus should be placed into a higher order and are two additional species in the genus Dimocarpus . Therefore these two species require nomenclatural changes as Dimocarpus malesianus and Dimocarpus obtusus , respectively.

The collection of land caenogastropod snails in the genus Cyclophorus Monfort, 1810 housed in the Natural History Museum, London (NHM), includes 52 type lots. Lectotypes have been designated for 43 available species-level names to stabilize existing nomenclature, two previously designated lectotype, two holotypes, one paratype, one syntype, one possible syntype and two paralectotypes are also listed. A complete catalogue of the Cyclophorus types in NHM, London is provided for the first time.

Background Mucus derived from many land snails has been extensively utilised in medicine and cosmetics, but some biological activities of the mucus need to be well documented. Nevertheless, most mucus is obtained from land snails, while mucus from freshwater snails has yet to be attended. Methods This study aims to determine and compare mucus's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities from the land snail Lissachatina fulica and the freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata. ABTS, DPPH, reducing power and total antioxidant activity assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. Inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells was performed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, the histochemical analysis of mucous cells in each snail foot was conducted to compare the distribution of mucous cells and types of mucins using periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue staining. Results Mucus from L. fulica and P. canaliculata exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in different parameters. L. fulica mucus has higher total antioxidant (44.71 ±2.11 mg AAE/g) and nitric oxide inhibitory activities (IC.sub.50 = 9.67 ±0.31 [micro]g/ml), whereas P. canaliculata mucus has better-reducing power activity (43.63 ±2.47 mg AAE/g) and protein denaturation inhibition (IC.sub.50 = 0.60 ±0.03 mg/ml). Histochemically, both species' dorsal and ventral foot regions contained neutral and acid mucins in different quantities. In the dorsal region, the neutral mucins level in L. fulica (16.64 ±3.46%) was significantly higher than that in P. canaliculata (11.19 ±1.50%), while the acid mucins level showed no significant difference between species. Levels of both mucins in the ventral foot region of L. fulica (15.08 ±3.97% and 10.76 ±3.00%, respectively) were significantly higher than those of P. canaliculata (2.25 ±0.48% and 2.71 ±0.56%, respectively). This study revealed scientific evidence of the biological capacity of mucus from L. fulica and P. canaliculata as well as provided helpful information on the region of the foot which produces effective mucus.

A high degree of intraspecific variation, both genetic and in shell morphology, of the operculate land snail Cyclophorus fulguratus (Pfeiffer, 1854) suggests that its classification as a single species warrants reconsideration. We sequenced two nuclear (18S and 28S) and two mitochondrial (16S and COI) genes of 46 C. fulguratus specimens and used them to estimate the phylogeny and to determine the validity of species boundaries. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of three lineages corresponding to three geographically disjunctive populations of C. fulguratus in Thailand. Likelihood tests of topologies significantly supported the non-monophyly of the C. fulguratus-complex and Bayesian species delimitation analysis significantly supported the potential representation as distinct species of these three lineages. Discriminant function analysis based on geometric-morphometrics of shell shape allowed for significant distinction of these three candidate species, although they revealed a considerable degree of overlap of shell shape reflecting their crypsis morphologically. The diagnostic characters are provided by color pattern, pattern of protoconch and pattern of jaw. In conclusion, the results support that the C. fulguratus s.l., as currently recognized, consists of three distinct species in Thailand: C. fulguratus s.s., C. rangunensis and C. abditus sp.nov., which are described herein.

A high degree of intraspecific variation, both genetic and in shell morphology, of the operculate land snail Cyclophorus fulguratus (Pfeiffer, 1854) suggests that its classification as a single species warrants reconsideration. We sequenced two nuclear (18S and 28S) and two mitochondrial (16S and COI) genes of 46 C. fulguratus specimens and used them to estimate the phylogeny and to determine the validity of species boundaries. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of three lineages corresponding to three geographically disjunctive populations of C. fulguratus in Thailand. Likelihood tests of topologies significantly supported the non-monophyly of the C. fulguratus-complex and Bayesian species delimitation analysis significantly supported the potential representation as distinct species of these three lineages. Discriminant function analysis based on geometric-morphometrics of shell shape allowed for significant distinction of these three candidate species, although they revealed a considerable degree of overlap of shell shape reflecting their crypsis morphologically. The diagnostic characters are provided by color pattern, pattern of protoconch and pattern of jaw. In conclusion, the results support that the C. fulguratus s.l., as currently recognized, consists of three distinct species in Thailand: C. fulguratus s.s., C. rangunensis and C. abditus sp.nov., which are described herein.