The genus Mongolodiaptomus is widely distributed in stagnant water bodies in Southeast Asia. During a comprehensive collection of freshwater copepods from different areas in Thailand, a previously unknown species of calanoid copepod, Mongolodiaptomus phutakaensissp. nov., was recorded. Representatives were found in a natural swamp located in the Kok Phutaka community forest in Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand. The new species belongs to the “M. loeiensis species group” and most closely resembles M. loeiensis and M. mekongensis by having a distinct shape of the second exopodal segment of the male right P5, with enlarged proximal and distal parts of the outer margin as well as a bent and twisted principal lateral spine. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by various characters in the males. The ventral surface of the right caudal ramus has two chitinous teeth and two knobs. The intercoxal plate is slightly produced distally and without any spine. The right P5 basis lacks a hyaline membrane on the inner margin but has a distinct spur-like chitinous process at the mid-distal margin on the posterior surface. The left P5 basis has a thin, longer hyaline lamella on the inner margin. The new species is rare, having been observed in only one out of approximately 5,000 surveyed locations in Thailand. A detailed morphological comparison and an up-to-date key to the Mongolodiaptomus species are presented. Their taxonomic characters, interspecies relationships, and biogeography are discussed.

Two new copepod species of the species-rich genus Tropodiaptomus, collected from temporary water habitats in Southeast Asia, are described. A critical morphological comparison has revealed that the two new species, T. lannaensissp. nov. from Thailand and T. kampucheaensissp. nov. from Cambodia, closely resemble their respective congeners, T. ruttneri (Brehm, 1923) and T. doriai (Richard, 1894). However, T. lannaensissp. nov. can be distinguished from other congeners, including T. ruttneri, by the following characters of the male P5: (1) the inner margin of the right basis has one small semicircular knob and one triangular knob; (2) the right second exopodal segment has a long, slender accessory spine inserted at the proximal third of the outer margin; and (3) the inner margin of the left exopod has a bilobed saw with a series of large denticles and smaller denticles near the distal end. Tropodiaptomus kampucheaensissp. nov. is different from all other species because it has (1) only one longitudinal hyaline lamella on the inner margin of the basis of the male right P5; (2) the one-lobed distal inner margin on the male left P5 exopod with uniform teeth; (3) the asymmetrical female genital-double somite (right margin expanded sub-proximally); and (4) the extraordinarily long inner seta on the P4 coxa of both sexes. The biogeography and keys to the species of Tropodiaptomus in Southeast Asia are presented.

Local markets are vital for economic activity and preserving cultural heritage, especially through vegetables central to community diets and traditions. Despite their importance, the ethnobotanical potential of these vegetables remains underexplored, particularly regarding sustainability and food security. This study examines the role of local vegetables in markets, highlighting their ecological, economic, and cultural significance. Conducted at the Chai Chumphol Temple community market in Kantarawichai District, Thailand, this research assessed the economic, cultural, and medicinal values of local vegetables. Various indices, including the economic value of vegetables (EVV), use value (UV), cultural importance (CI), informant agreement ratio (IAR), and fidelity level (%FL), were used to analyze the role of vegetables in the community. The findings underscore the importance of these vegetables in supporting local economies, preserving cultural traditions, and contributing to sustainable horticultural practices. These results highlight the potential of local vegetables to enhance horticultural biodiversity, promote food security, and support sustainable farming practices in the region.

Wild edible plants (WEPs) play a crucial role in sustaining local food systems, cultural heritage, and livelihoods in northeastern Thailand. This study documents the diversity, cultural significance, medicinal use, and economic value of WEPs among the Tai Yoy community in Akat Amnuai District, Sakon Nakhon Province. Field surveys, interviews, and market observations recorded 78 species belonging to 42 families, with 52 species represent new records for the province. Fruits and leaves were the most commonly used parts, while multifunctional species such as Curcuma angustifolia Roxb., Phyllanthus androgynus (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr., and Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz were highly valued for both dietary and medicinal purposes. Quantitative analyses, including the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), fidelity level (FL), and Jaccard’s similarity index (JI), revealed strong cultural consensus on key species and regional patterns shaped by ecological and sociocultural factors. Market surveys identified 25 species contributing to household income, highlighting the economic importance of WEPs and the potential risks of overharvesting. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable management, including cultivation of high-demand species, to reduce pressure on wild populations while supporting food security and traditional knowledge. These findings provide a comprehensive baseline for future ethnobotanical research, conservation planning, and the sustainable use of WEPs in northeastern Thailand.

This study investigates the plant diversity, ethnobotanical knowledge, and traditional uses of plants by the Lao Isan ethnic group in Na Chueak District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. A total of 109 plant species, representing 48 families, were identified, with the Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Rubiaceae families being the most prevalent. This study highlights the ecological and cultural significance of these plants, many of which serve multiple purposes, including food, medicine, and other purposes. A use value analysis revealed that plants such as Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken, Trigonostemon reidioides (Kurz) Craib, and Vietnamosasa pusilla (A.Chev. & A.Camus) T.Q.Nguyen have high functional importance in local cultural and medical practices. The Relative Frequency of Citation indicated that these species are integral to the community’s plant knowledge, with Trigonostemon reidioides and Vietnamosasa pusilla being especially prominent. Additionally, 62 species were identified for medicinal use, emphasizing the community’s reliance on plant-based remedies. This study also discusses the Informant Consensus Factor and Fidelity Level, which reveal strong agreement on the effectiveness of certain plants, particularly for treating digestive, respiratory, and wound healing conditions. This research contributes to the documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge, emphasizing the importance of traditional plant use for cultural continuity and sustainable resource management.

Local vegetables and spices are essential components of traditional food and health systems in northeastern Thailand, yet quantitative ethnobotanical evidence remains limited. This study documents the diversity, utilization, and cultural significance of vegetables and spices used in Sang Kho Sub-district, Phu Phan District, Sakon Nakhon Province. Ethnobotanical data were collected in 2025 through field surveys, voucher-based plant identification, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation involving 92 informants across 23 villages. Cultural significance and medicinal knowledge were evaluated using the Cultural Importance Index (CI), Informant Consensus Factor (FIC), and Fidelity Level (FL). A total of 113 taxa belonging to 94 genera and 49 plant families were recorded. Poaceae and Zingiberaceae were the most species-rich families. Native species slightly predominated (51.33%), and herbaceous taxa were most common. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part. Most taxa were used as vegetables (92 species), followed by traditional medicines (20 species), spices or seasonings (18 species), and food ingredients or culinary additives (18 species). The highest CI values were recorded for Allium ascalonicum L. (1.152), Capsicum annuum L. (1.098), and Coriandrum sativum L. (1.043). FIC values ranged from 0.60 to 1.00, with complete consensus for circulatory and neurological disorders. Cymbopogon citratus showed the highest FL (75%) for gastrointestinal uses. These findings demonstrate the close integration of food and medicine in local plant-use systems and provide baseline data for food system resilience and cultural knowledge conservation.