JSPS Meeting with DR Ochi & DR Kon

On 1 and 3 October 2026, TEE Lab's Associate Professor Eleanor Slade and Dr Ong Xin Rui visited renowned Southeast Asian taxonomists Dr Teruo Ochi and  Dr Masahiro Kon in Osaka, Japan. We had productive discussions in Dr Ochi's home and were fascinated by his extensive and incredible private collection of dung beetles and other insect groups.

Group photo with Dr Ochi and Dr Kon, with Eleanor holding a putative new species to science! Photo 2026 Xin Rui.

Dr Ochi showing us his private collection, including other insect groups. Photos 2026 Eleanor & Xin Rui.

Similar to Zann's visit earlier this year, we focused on examining Onthophagus (Indachorius) species from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. By thoroughly comparing the morphological traits of our specimens with his reference collection of described Indachorius species, we determined that there are four to five potentially new species to science! This finding was also supported by molecular evidence, with DNA barcode data showing clear genetic separation among these putative species.

Specimen examining and reviewing species descriptions. Photo 2026 Xin Rui.

We also worked closely with Dr Ochi and Dr Kon to refine the description and diagnostic characters of one of these putative new species. Our morphological and molecular evidence strongly supports its recognition as a distinct species, and we are now working towards its formal description, along with a revised identification key to the Onthophagus (Indachorius) species of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Our continuing collaboration with Dr Ochi and Dr Kon highlights the vital role of taxonomic expertise and natural history collections in uncovering and documenting the remarkable diversity of dung beetles in Southeast Asia.