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A new Chinese ant species Carebara laeviceps sp. nov. is described based on the major and minor workers. This species is most similar to C. lusciosa (Wheeler, 1928) due to a spineless propodeum, the absence of horns, and a smooth head capsule. It is distinguished by the following features: (1) antenna 10-segmented; (2) katepisternum rugose-reticulate; (3) in major workers, lateral sides of head in full-face view parallel; (4) metanotal groove distinct, anterodorsal corner forming an acute tooth behind metanotal groove. Moreover, an updated key to Chinese Carebara species is presented based on major workers, with a checklist comprising a total of 36 Chinese Carebara species and subspecies. Morphological structures and scanning electron micrographs of the newly discovered species’ minor and major workers are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematics of the subgenus Eothenomys (Cricetidae: Arvicolinae) is controversial because of the morphological similarity among species and the incomplete sampling of taxa. Here, we gather specimens of Oriental voles from throughout their distributions. We sequence and analyse two mitochondrial and three nuclear gene segments. A principal components analysis serves to evaluate morphological variation among taxa of the subgenera Eothenomys and Ermites. Our analyses support recent revisions on the systematics of Eothenomys as follows: (1) Eothenomys melanogaster colurnus requires elevation to a valid species; (2) subgenus Eothenomys includes the species Eothenomys colurnus, E. cachinus, E. eleusis, E. fidelis, E. melanogaster, E. miletus and an unidentified taxon; (3) Eothenomys melanogaster libonotus and E. miletus confinii are junior synonyms of E. cachinus ; Eothenomys melanogaster kanoi is a junior synonym of E. colurnus ; and (4) one unidentified taxon of subgenus Eothenomys and three unidentified taxa of subgenus Ermites constitute new species, which we describe as Eothenomys shimianensis sp. nov. E. jinyangensis sp. nov. E. meiguensis sp. nov. and E. luojishanensis sp. nov. respectively. Our analyses indicate that the teeth of Oriental voles present extensive heteromorphosis. A species of subgenus Eothenomys from an isolated area may possess two or three tooth patterns. The three unidentified species of subgenus Ermites are ecological sky-island species whose origins are attributable to rapid adaptive evolution caused by ecosystem isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]