Flower chafers (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) are globally distributed, comprising approximately 4,000 described species. They primarily feed on nectar and sap of deciduous trees. The larvae exhibit the unique characteristic of crawling on their backs, distinguishing them from other scarabs. Additionally, the majority of flower chafers fly with their elytra closed, unlike other scarabs that fly with fully opened wings. Šípek et al. (2016) conducted the first molecular phylogenetic study to investigate their phylogenetic relationships and characters of elytra related to the flight mode. Building upon this study, we infer the diversification times and rates of Cetoniinae and its subgroups, and reconstruct the evolutionary process of flight mode transformation. Furthermore, we discuss the current limitations and future directions of this topic.
This study was carried out to investigate the bat (Chiroptera) fauna in Jeju Island. Bat distribution has been monitored for last eleven years (since July 2006 to April 2016). We visited and survey the bat distribution in fifteen natural lava tubes, three sea caves, nineteen artificial cave encampments constructed during 20th century, five natural forest regions nearby Hallasan (eco-corridors) and one sea-shore area. Bat specimens were also confirmed at two local museums in Jeju Island. From the present study, we found 9 species of 6 genera belong to 3 families, which was quitely different from the records had previously described in Jeju Island since 1928. Five species (Rhinolophus ferrumequium, Myotis bombinus, Myotis rufoniger, Myotis macrodactylus and Miniopterus schreibersi) were commonly found to live in lava tubes and cave enforcements. But only Rhinolophus ferrumequium was found in a sea cave and five species including Murina leucogaster and Pipistrellus abramus were found in eco-corridors. Myotis aurascens were only observed in the cave enforcements. We have also confirmed the existence of specimens, including Tadarida insignis, stored at the local museums. From the results of this study, we actually could not found the remaining seven species (Hypsugo savii, Miniopterus fuscus, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis ikonnikovi, Myotis branditii, Myotis petax and Pipistrellus endoi). From the investigation of bat species, Myotis rufoniger which is known as one of endangered species were detected in four different locations including two lava tubes, one forest region, and one cave enforcement. This is the first time of finding for Myotis rufoniger in the artificial architecture. In addition, one of rare finding species Myotis bombinus in Korean Peninsula, which were found in several lava tubes and cave enforcements, in some cases they were observed in the large population over one-hundred individuals. The Tube-nosed bat (Murina leucogaster) was discovered for the first time through this study in 2009, which was found in the mountainous forest regions nearby Hallasan in summer season. Interestingly, Myotis aurascens were also discovered firstly in spring season of 2015. Myotis aurascens were discovered three locations of cave enforcements but the localities were restricted only in the western region of Jeju Island. Using the bat specimens fo Myotis aurascens collected from three different locations, we tried to examine the morphometric and phylogenetic relationship among the records in the East Asia. The bat population of Jeju Island had smaller levels of HBL and Hfcu, but greater levels of TL, EL, FAL, and Tra than those of the Korean Peninsula population. Jeju bats had wide range in the lengths of FAL and Hfcu comparing to those of European bats. From the bimonthly monitoring to each finding site, we have actually failed to observe those again, estimating that they use those CEs as the daily-roosting place in activating seasons. The sequences of CYTB and COI genes showed identical sequences among Jeju Myotis aurascens bats tested, indicating that they are maternally related. The results from molecular phylogeny showed that the sequences of these bats located on the same branch with those for Myotis aurascens in the phylogenetic trees. Besides, the nucleotide sequences of the Jeju Myotis aurascens bats showed the closest relation with those of Korean Peninsula. Consequently, these findings indicate that the bats of Myotis aurascens, verified the natural distribution in Jeju Island, have originated from a single maternal origin and differences in morphological and genetic backgrounds form those of Korean Peninsula and the other countries, and had probably immigrated via Korean Peninsula from the northwest. The results of this study showed that it should be carried out to reconstruct the bat fauna and to reveal the natural habitation status of each species in this island in the future. In addition, these findings will contribute as basic information for understanding the migration history and biogeographic relationship of bats in East Asia, and for planning the conservation and management programs of the wildlife in Jeju Island.