Astronomical seeing forecast for the Thai National Observatory

Forecasting the astronomical seeing above an observatory can assist astronomers plan their observations. In this study, the astronomical seeing above the Thai National Observatory (TNO) in Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Thailand was simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The model outputs were then compared to Polaris seeing observations and using the Differential Image Motion Monitor (DIMM). Results showed that the forecasts capture the variation of the astronomical seeing fairly well. However, bias correction is needed on the simulations due to lack of data from meteorological balloons to constrain the model.

Integrative taxonomy reveals a new species of Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from the mountains of northern Thailand

The genus Leptobrachella is one of the most speciose and taxonomically troubling groups of Asian anurans. Herein, we describe a new species of Leptobrachella from Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand based on the integration of morphological, acoustic and molecular data. The new species, Leptobrachella murphyi sp. nov., is morphologically distinguished from its congeners on the basis of body size, dorsal skin texture and coloration, ventral coloration and pattern, degree of webbing and fringing on the fingers and toes, iris coloration in life, pattern of markings on flanks and pattern of body macroglands. It also differs from its phylogenetically close congeners by an uncorrected p-distance of >9.6% for a fragment of 16S rRNA. The advertisement call of the new species consists of 4.5–4.7 kHz (at 15 °C) and without a distinct introductory note. Leptobrachella murphyi sp. nov. likely occurs across the Thanon Thong Chai Range and analyses provide evidence of unknown biodiversity and species composition on Doi (mountain) Inthanon. In addition, the congeneric species L. minima was also confirmed in Doi Inthanon. The coexistence pattern of Leptobrachella in Doi Inthanon deserves further study. As Thailand’s highest mountain and biodiversity reservoir, the need for further biological exploration is urgent given ongoing habitat loss and degradation.

Community Structure, Biodiversity and Spatiotemporal Distribution of the Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) Using Malaise Traps on the Highest Mountain in Thailand

Black flies form a group of small blood-sucking insects of medical and veterinary importance. This study aimed to investigate the community structure, biodiversity and spatial and temporal distribution of adult black flies in tropical rain forests, by using malaise traps in Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand. Malaise traps were placed along six elevational gradients (400 m to 2500 m, above sea level) at Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai province, from December 2013 to November 2014. A total of 9406 adult female black flies belonging to five subgenera—Daviesellum (2%), Gomphostilbia (23%), Montisimulium (11%), Nevermannia (16%) and Simulium (48%)—were collected. Among 44 taxa found, S. tenebrosum complex had the highest relative abundance (11.1%), followed by the S. asakoae species-group (9.6%), the S. striatum species-group (7.7%), S. inthanonense (6.6%), S. doipuiense complex (6.4%), S. chomthongense complex (5.3%), S. chumpornense (5.1%) and S. nigrogilvum (4.1%). Two human-biting species—S. nigrogilvum and species in the S. asakoae species-group—were found in all of the collection sites with 100% species occurrence. Species richness was highest at mid elevation (1400 m), which is represented by 19 black fly species. The peak and lowest seasonal abundance was observed in the rainy and hot season, respectively. Seasonal species richness was highest in the cold season, except for that from elevation sites at 700 m, 1700 m and 2500 m. This study revealed that the malaise trap is effective in providing important data for further monitoring of the effects of environmental changes and conservation planning on the biodiversity of black flies in Doi Inthanon National Park.

A new Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum: Asparagaceae) from northern Thailand

Polygonatum Miller (1754, without pagination) (Asparagaceae) is a relatively large genus containing approximately 60 taxa (Chen & Tamura 2000). The majority of species are eastern Asian (Jeffrey 1980, Chen & Tamura 2000). Phyllotaxy, cytology, and filament morphology have been recognized as important in delimiting species (Suomalainen 1947, Tamura 1990, 1991, 1993). Specimens of an anomalous Polygonatum collected by J.F. Maxwell from northern Thailand, Doi Inthanon have a general affinity to P. punctatum Royle ex Kunth (1850: 142) and have been reported as that species (Tamura 1993, Maxwell 1998), but differ in their emaculate white and longitudinally ridged perigone. Cultivated material from the same locality (BSWJ6599, Figs. 1–2) provides clear observation of the differences that are not as apparent on pressed specimens. It differs in several morphological features from P. punctatum: stem characters; phyllotaxy; leaf shape; inflorescence type and position; perigone color; and filament size, orientation, and morphology. The combined morphological differences and non-contiguous distributions of P. costatum in comparison to P. punctatum support its recognition as a new species, thus far documented only from the highest elevation in northern Thailand.

New and Noteworthy Records of Mosses from Doi (Mt.) Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Chom Tong District, Northern Thailand

Mosses new to Thailand (35 species in 29 genera) and new to Doi Inthanon (6 species in 6 genera) are reported based on collections made by the authors. Austinia tenuinervis var. micholitzii W. R. Buck & H. A. Crum, Brotherella nictans (Mitt.) Broth., Chionostomum hainanensis B. C. Tan & Y. Jia, Clastobryopsis muelleri (Dixon) Tixier, Trichosteleum stigmosum Mitt., Micralsopsis complanata (Dixon) W. R. Buck, and Fissidens schwabei Nog. are fully illustrated.