A dataset of Ensifera (Insecta: Orthoptera) in
China China Scientific Data Wang Hanqiang1, Dai Li1, Zhu Weibing1*, Yin Haisheng1 Vol.3, No.1, 2018 1. Shanghai Entomological Museum, Institute of Plant Physiology & Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China * Email: [email protected]
ARTICLE DOI: Abstract: There are over 15,000 existing Ensifera species affiliated to 15 10.11922/csdata.2017.25.zh superfamilies, much more than their allies of Caelifera. They are mainly DATA DOI: phytophagous or omnivorous, only a few species do harm to crops, and some 10.11922/sciencedb.517 are even natural enemies of pests. This dataset collects information on the SUBJECT CATEGORY: Biological sciences 537 Ensifera species in China by the year 2013, which come from 17 families and 5 superfamilies. Each entry records taxonomical, morphological, and RECEIVED: October 13, 2017 distributional data of the species and their references, as well as images showing the insects’ identifying characteristics. The dataset effectively RELEASED: November 2, 2017 supports studies on the taxonomy, biogeography, ecology and other aspects
PUBLISHED: of these species. February 2, 2018 Keywords: Orthoptera; Ensifera; China; species
Dataset Profile Title A dataset of Ensifera (Insecta: Orthoptera) in China Data authors Wang Hanqiang, Dai Li, Zhu Weibing, Yin Haisheng Data corresponding Zhu Weibing ([email protected]) author Time range 2009 – 2013 Geographical scope China
- 1 - 1. Introduction
Derived from the Latin word “ensatus”, “Ensifera” refers to the sword-like ovipositor of the female species. Their antenna is usually longer than their body. Extant taxa of Ensifera include crickets, mole crickets, Hagloidea, raspy crickets, katydids, camel crickets and dune crickets,1–4 covering all the “singing bugs” as so- called in China. Among them, insects of Tettigoniidae and Gryllidae are closely tied to the daily life of human beings – from songs of the summer field to pets of human entertainment. The songs of katydids are documented in an ancient Chinese classic The Book of Songs, and cricket fighting which lingers to this day dates back to the Tang Dynasty. Some of these species are important natural enemies of pests.5 With the increase of public attention, a scientific cognitive system is needed in order to meet diverse demands of the public and researchers. This dataset contains taxonomic and distributional data of the species and their references, coupled with images showing the species’ identifying characteristics and behavioral information. It supports researches on the taxonomy, biogeography, ecology and other aspects of these species, as well as species identification and nurturing.
2. Data collection and processing 2.1 Data source Raw data of this dataset come from publications that meet the criterion of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, including monographs such as Fauna Insecta, Insects of Tianmushan National Natural Reserve, as well as journals such as Zootaxa, Zoological Systematics and Entomotaxonomia.
2.2 Data filtration and standardization All the scientific names collected here have been reviewed and verified by experts. The latest research findings were consulted in case of synonyms. Descriptions of species’ taxonomic character and distribution were all extracted from the most authoritative and detailed references.
2.3 Data input Qualified data were entered into China Animal Scientific Database via its data acquisition system, which ensured a standard and uniform data format.
3. Description of data sample
The dataset contains information of the 537 Ensifera species distributed across China by the year 2013. Specific information includes taxonomic information (taxon, scientific names in Latin and Chinese), morphological description, distribution, data references, holotype information (origin and preservation site of the holotype) and
- 2 - images showing species’ identifying characteristics. The data of Acosmetura carinata are given in Table 1 and Figure 1.
Table 1 Sample data of the species Acosmetura carinata
Field name Field type Species data Class text Insecta Order text Orthoptera Family text Meconematidae Genus text Acosmetura Species text carinata Female small, stout. Head short and broad……♀ body11.0 mm, Morphology text pronotum 4.5 mm, tegmina 1.0mm, hind femora 9.0 mm, ovipositor 6.5 mm. Distribution text Sichuan Province, China Liu Xianwei, Zhou Min & Bi Wenxuan. 2008. Four New Species of Reference text the Genus Acosmetura from China (Orthoptera, Tettigonioidea, Meconematidae). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica, 33(4): 761–767.
Origin of the text Mount Emei, Sichuan Province holotype Preservation text Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences site of the holotype Image jpg See Fig. 1
a. Pronotum (dorsal view) b. Subgenital plate (ventral view) Figure 1 Feature of Acosmetura carinata6
4. Quality control and evaluation
Shanghai Entomological Museum (formally Shanghai Institute of Entomology), which has a long history in the taxonomic studies of Orthoptera, played a very important role in Ensifera research, Its experienced experts, abundant research materials and rich specimen collection guaranteed the accuracy and integrality of this dataset. All the data of this dataset are from formal publications. Each data entry is
- 3 - accompanied by references, whereby users can inquire the source of the data. All the scientific names recorded meet the criterion of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and their accuracy has been validated by specialists against the latest research findings, as well as the Orthoptera Species File Online (http://orthoptera.speciesfile.org/HomePage/Orthoptera/HomePage.aspx). Species’ scientific name in Chinese is from either its original namer or authoritative publications such as Fauna Insecta, while descriptions and images are from original or authoritative publications.
5. Value and significance
Though online open databases always cover a wide range of species, they are often less comprehensive, accurate or updated when it comes to a specific taxon. Integrating the research achievements of our institute with previous findings, this dataset provides comprehensive, accurate and updated information about the species of Ensifera in China. It provides professional and effective statistical support for research institutions, enterprises and the public alike, and is conducive to standardization of species name and conservation of biodiversity.
References
1. Chang KSF. Index of Chinese Tettigoniidae. Notes d'Entomologie Chinoise, Musée Heude 2 (1935): 25 – 77. 2. Eades DC, Otte D, Cigliano MM et al. Orthoptera Species File. Version 5.0/5.0. Available:
Data citation
1. Wang H, Dai L, Zhu W et al. A dataset of Ensifera (Insecta: Orthoptera) in China. Science Data Bank. DOI: 10.11922/sciencedb.517
- 4 - Authors and contributions
Wang Hanqiang, PhD, Engineer; research area: Orthoptera taxonomy. Contribution: data collection and entry.
Dai Li, BSc, Experimentingist. Contribution: data collection and entry.
Zhu Weibing, PhD, Associate Professor; research area: Diptera and Hemiptera taxonomy. Contribution: data arrangement and review.
Yin Haisheng, BSc, Professor-level Senior Engineer; research area: insect taxonomy, R&D of anti-termite agents. Contribution: project leading.
------How to cite this article: Wang H, Dai L, Zhu W et al. A dataset of Ensifera (Insecta: Orthoptera) in China. China Scientific Data 3 (2018), DOI: 10.11922/csdata.2017.25.zh
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