Anisopleura yunnanensis Zhu & Zhou, 1999

(Fig. 3a–d)

Anisopleura yunnanensis: Zhu & Zhou (1999), pp. 33–35, Figs 1–8; Wilson & Reels (2003), p. 248. Anisopleura sp. (either subplatystyla Fraser, 1928 or yunnanensis Zhu & Zhou, 1999): Hämäläinen & Karube (2013), p. 54 [Female specimens from Sapa, Lao Cai; first record from Vietnam].

Materials examined. [Vietnam] 3♀, Sapa, Lao Cai Prov., 1500–2000 m, native collectors (KPM); 1♀, Tu Le, Yen Bai Prov., 1.VI.2014, T. Kompier leg. (TKC); 1♀, Yen Bai Prov., 11.VII.2016, T. Kompier (TKC); 2♂, Gari, Tay Giang District, Quang Nam Prov., 11.X.2017, To Van Quang leg. (PQTC). [China] 1♂, Dali city, Yunnan Prov. , China, 18.VI.2013, Z. Haomiao leg. (KPM).

Other materials confirmed by field observations. [Vietnam] 5 exs, Yen Bai Prov., 10.V.2014, T. Kompier ; 1♂, Yen Bai Prov., 7.IX.2014, T. Kompier; 4 exs, Lai Chau Prov, 28–29.V.2017, T. Kompier.

Notes. This is the first formal record of this species from Vietnam (but see below). Anisopleura yunnanensis resembles A. subplatystyla from India, Sikkim and Thailand by the U-shaped or complete loop on the mesepisternum of both male and female (Fig. 3a, d). Cerci are long and tapering in lateral view (Fig. 3b–c). Hämäläinen & Karube (2013) already recorded the occurrence of Vietnamese specimens (from Sapa) belonging to either Anisopleura yunnanensis or A. subplatystyla, but left their specific identity open, and urged the need of further study to confirm whether these taxa really represent two distinct species. Because the known distribution areas of Vietnamese populations are close to the distribution area of Anisopleura yunnanensis (Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces in southern China), we tentatively treat the Vietnamese populations as A. yunnanensis .

To confirm identification of Vietnamese populations, molecular analysis is needed of populations of Anisopleura yunnanensis and A. subplatystyla from Vietnam, China, Thailand and India. It is noteworthy that a population of Anisopleura sp. occurs on Pia Oac Nature Reserve, Cao Bang Province that is structurally identical to A. yunnanensis / A. subplatystyla, but has a thick, straight and decidedly bluish antehumeral stripe. Pending further molecular studies, we refrain from a specific identification of this population.

Distribution. Vietnam (Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Quang Nam Provinces), China (Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces) (Wilson & Reels 2003).