On the Fijian endemic Nesobasis brachycerca Tillyard, 1924 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) with first description of the female and updated description of the male.

Nesobasis brachycerca Tillyard, 1924 specimens have been sampled during the course of an ongoing PhD study investigating the utility of Odonata individuals for assessing the conservation importance of the Fijian freshwater resources. Material was analysed and compared to all published records on this taxon. We here provide the first morphological description (by supposition) of the female of N. brachycerca, update the morphological characteristics of the male and present some habitat specifications measured in the field.

Nikoulabasis roseosticta, sp. nov. from Fiji (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).

Nikoulabasis roseosticta sp. nov. (holotype , Fiji, Vanua Levu Island, Navuturerega creek, 6 August 2009, Christopher Beatty leg.) is erected as a new taxon. Illustrations of key characters and a distribution map are provided.

Revision of Vanuatubasis Ober & Staniczek, 2009 (Odonata, Coenagrionidae), with description of seven new species.

Vanuatubasis Ober & Staniczek, 2009 is an endemic genus of damselfly found on the island archipelago of Vanuatu. Previously only three species were assigned to the genus. Here, all known species of Vanuatubasis are formally described and treated, including the association of females for known species. The following new congeners are also described: V.discontinua sp. nov., V.evelynae sp. nov., V.insularivorum sp. nov., V.kapularum sp. nov., V.nunggoli sp. nov., V.rhomboides sp. nov., and V.xanthochroa sp. nov. from material collected across six different islands. An illustrated key to both males and females of all species within Vanuatubasis is provided as well as distributions for all known species.

First record of Bursaphelenchus hildegardae Braasch et al., 2006 (Nematoda) in New Zealand with updated information on morphology, sequencing and a key to species of the eggersi-group.

Bursaphelenchus hildegardae Braasch et al., 2006 was collected from pine wood (Pinus radiata) growing in Kaingaroa Timberlands, and a bark beetle, Hylastes ater Paykull, 1800 in New Zealand. This is a new record for B. hildegardae, occuring in New Zealand, and the second report from the southern hemisphere in addition to Australia. In general, the New Zealand isolate of B. hildegardae corresponds well with the description of B. hildegardae given by Braasch et al. (2006) from Germany. The New Zealand isolate is characterized by having an adult body length of 8071190 m, medium a ratios (47.558.5 for female and 44.660.1 for male), b ratios of 9.814.5 (female) and 10.212.7 (male), c ratios of 18.825.2 (female) and 21.632.4 (male), c ratios of 4.04.4 (female) and 2.12.7 (male), and is characterised by having three incisures in the lateral fields, thorn-shaped spicules with a distinctly dorsally-bent thin hook-like condylus, and a dorso-ventally visible terminal bursa. In addition, molecular phylogeny using near full length small subunit (SSU), D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 and 2) of the ribosomal rDNA supports the identification. A key to Bursaphelenchus species in the eggersi-group is given.

Zootaxa 20th Anniversary Celebration: Odonata section.

During the two decades (20012020) of the journal's existence, 346 papers on Odonata were published in Zootaxa. These papers contributed 317 new extant taxa, 26 new fossil taxa, and 106 new larval descriptions. By the end of the period, papers in Zootaxa were contributing slightly more than half of all descriptions of new extant taxa. Research was published from all over the world but predominantly from the American and Asian tropics, and authors from 42 countries contributed papers.

The genus Gynacantha Rambur, 1842 in the South Pacific (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae).

Available information on Gynacantha Rambur, 1842 species from the South Pacific is reviewed. Specimens were found to be sufficiently similar to G. rosenbergi Kaup in Brauer, 1867 to be placed in the same species group (G. rosenbergi group-established here) but also distinct enough to form a subgroup of its own (G. rosenbergi Pacific group). All species of the G. rosenbergi group are diagnosed, with three species, Gynacantha vitiana sp. n. (male and female) from Viti Levu, Fiji, G. koroana sp. n. (male) from Koro, Fiji and G. vanuatua sp. n. (male) from Malekula, Vanuatu being described as new to science. A key is presented for identification of the males.

Distribution, habitats, phenology and conservation of New Caledonian Odonata.

Compared to other archipelagos of the Pacific, the New Caledonian Odonata fauna is rich and diverse with 56 valid species or subspecies (23 endemics, 41%) from eight families (four Zygoptera: Argiolestidae, Coenagrionidae, Isostictidae, Lestidae, and four Anisoptera: Aeshnidae, Corduliidae, Synthemistidae, Libellulidae) and 31 genera (including four endemics, 13%). In Zygoptera, we record 19 species including 12 endemics (63%), and among Anisoptera, we record 37 species or subspecies, including 11 endemics (30%). We removed five species from the list that had been erroneously recorded as occurring in New Caledonia: Tramea carolina (Linnaeus, 1763), Austroargiolestes icteromelas (Selys-Longchamps, 1862), Ischnura torresiana Tillyard, 1913, Xiphiagrion cyanomelas Selys-Longchamps, 1876 and Hemicordulia oceanica Selys-Longchamps, 1871. The occurrence of Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1835) appears also doubtful, but we were unable to clarify to which taxon this record referred hence we excluded it from our update. From a biogeographic perspective, the New Caledonian fauna has mostly Australian affinities with some connections with southeast Asia and the Pacific region. We provide for each species, whenever information was available, a distribution map with a brief review of its known ecology, behaviour and phenology. We also evaluated each species' conservation status, in light of known threats (range restriction, scarcity and human activity including altered water flow). We consider seventeen species (30%) endangered. The most immediate threats concern water pollution including alteration to the flow of water courses caused by mining, deforestation and fires. Invasive species, such as alien fish, may be predators of concern for odonata larva, although this has not yet been proven in New Caledonia.

Anormogomphus kiritshenkoi Bartenev, 1913 (Odonata: Gomphidae): a literature review of the variable spelling of the species epithet, choice of the correct spelling and notes on the type locality of the species.

The spelling of the specific name of an Anormogomphus species in its original description by Bartenev (1913) was variable, kiritshenkoi (5 times) vs kiritschenkoi (1 time). Bartenev himself did not mention this species in his further publications. Later authors proceeded to use different spelling versions of this name, including those not in the original paper. According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the valid spelling should be chosen by the First Reviser. Acting as such, we choose as valid the name spelling Anormogomphus kiritshenkoi Bartenev, 1913, since it predominates in the original description, appears in the species subtitle, and is a proper transliteration from Cyrillic to Latin. It also corresponds to the spelling of his name used by A.N. Kiritshenko himself. Information of the type locality of the species is provided.

Geometric morphometrics and molecular systematics of Xanthocnemis sobrina (McLachlan, 1873) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) and comparison to its congeners.

The taxonomy of the damselfly genus Xanthocnemis is revised, with particular focus on populations inhabiting the North Island of New Zealand. Earlier studies revealed two species: X. sobrina, restricted to cool, shaded streams in kauri forests and other forested areas, and X. zealandica, a common species throughout New Zealand except the Chatham and subantarctic islands. A field study encompassing aquatic habitats throughout the whole North Island was carried out to establish the relationship between morphological variation (body size and various morphological traits over the entire body) observed by previous researchers with ecological conditions and/or geographical location. The main aim was to propose reliable diagnostic features that could be used in future studies. Morphological and molecular variation was assessed. Morphological examination included assigning landmarks for all body parts corresponding to the external morphological features that are usually used in Odonata taxonomy. Molecular analysis targeted fragments of the 28S and 16S rRNA genes. Congruence was sought between both types of data, statistical support for two morphological types previously described as different species and a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree in conjunction with a pairwise genetic distance matrix constructed from the DNA sequences obtained from the sampled specimens. Geometric morphometrics revealed statistically significant differentiation between specimens identified as X. zealandica and X. sobrina for four traits: (1) dorsal view of the head for both sexes as well as male appendages from (2) dorsal, (3) ventral and (4) lateral views. Wings appeared different when analysed for males only. Molecular analysis, however, grouped all specimens into a single undifferentiated cluster with very low mean pairwise distance (<0.01) between them showing almost no variation at the molecular level among the sampled populations on the North Island. Therefore, an additional analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase I gene was carried out comparing randomly selected North Island specimens to Xanthocnemis specimens targeted in other molecular studies (Nolan et al. 2007, Amaya-Perilla et al. 2014). The analysis of the COI gene confirmed that all North and South Island isolates of Xanthocnemis cluster together in a well-supported clade with pairwise identity >96% and ~93% pairwise identity with X. tuanuii sequences obtained from the Chatham Island specimens. A careful investigation of the thin plate spline deformations generated for the geometric morphometric landmarks showed that the significant variations in the appendages of the Xanthocnemis specimens appeared to be the result of size, rather than shape, differences. Therefore, X. sobrina is proposed as a synonym of X. zealandica. Recently Amaya-Perilla et al. (2014) synonymised X. sinclairi with X. zealandica and confirmed the status of the Chatham Island X. tuanuii as a distinct species. It is therefore proposed that the genus Xanthocnemis consists of two species only: zealandica occurring all over the North, South and Stewart Islands, and tuanuii, endemic to Chatham and Pitt islands. Considering several statistical tests involving body measurements and ecological variables recorded during the field study, as well as various discussion points from similar studies of other species of Odonata, two alternative hypotheses are proposed for future testing. The first hypothesis synonymises X. sobrina with X. zealandica and suggests a possible explanation for the evolution of the two morphological traits that have previously been considered diagnostic for these species. The second hypothesis suggests that as typical X. sobrina were not sampled during this study this could represent a species that is now extinct, unless future studies prove it otherwise.

Identification of diverse circular single-stranded DNA viruses in adult dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Arizona and Oklahoma, USA.

Next generation sequencing and metagenomic approaches are commonly used for the identification of circular replication associated protein (Rep)-encoding single stranded (CRESS) DNA viruses circulating in various environments. These approaches have enabled the discovery of some CRESS DNA viruses associated with insects. In this study we identified and recovered 31 viral genomes which represent 24 distinct CRESS DNA viruses from seven dragonfly species (Rhionaeschna multicolor, Erythemis simplicicollis, Erythrodiplax fusca, Libellula quadrimaculata, Libellula saturata, Pachydiplax longipennis, and Pantala hymenaea) and two damselfly species (Ischnura posita, Ischnura ramburii) sampled in various locations in the states of Arizona and Oklahoma of the United States of America (USA). We also identified Sclerotinia sclerotiorum hypovirulence-associated DNA virus-1 (SsHADV-1) in P. hymenaea, E. simplicicollis and I. ramburii sampled in Oklahoma, which is the first report of SsHADV-1 in the New World. The genome architectures of the CRESS DNA viruses recovered vary, but they all have at least two major open reading frames (ORFs) that have either a bidirectional or unidirectional arrangement. Four of the viral genomes recovered, in addition to the three isolates of SsHADV-1, show similarities to viruses of the proposed gemycircularvirus group. Analysis of the Rep encoded by the remaining 24 viral genomes reveals that these are highly diverse and allude to the fact that they represent novel CRESS DNA viruses.

High global diversity of cycloviruses amongst dragonflies.

Members of the family Circoviridae, specifically the genus Circovirus, were thought to infect only vertebrates; however, members of a sister group under the same family, the proposed genus Cyclovirus, have been detected recently in insects. In an effort to explore the diversity of cycloviruses and better understand the evolution of these novel ssDNA viruses, here we present five cycloviruses isolated from three dragonfly species (Orthetrum sabina, Xanthocnemis zealandica and Rhionaeschna multicolor) collected in Australia, New Zealand and the USA, respectively. The genomes of these five viruses share similar genome structure to other cycloviruses, with a circular ~1.7 kb genome and two major bidirectionally transcribed ORFs. The genomic sequence data gathered during this study were combined with all cyclovirus genomes available in public databases to identify conserved motifs and regulatory elements in the intergenic regions, as well as determine diversity and recombinant regions within their genomes. The genomes reported here represent four different cyclovirus species, three of which are novel. Our results confirm that cycloviruses circulate widely in winged-insect populations; in eight different cyclovirus species identified in dragonflies to date, some of these exhibit a broad geographical distribution. Recombination analysis revealed both intra- and inter-species recombination events amongst cycloviruses, including genomes recovered from disparate sources (e.g. goat meat and human faeces). Similar to other well-characterized circular ssDNA viruses, recombination may play an important role in cyclovirus evolution.

Teinobasis fatakula sp. nov. (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae), found on 'Eua Island, Kingdom of Tonga.

A recent study of the 'Eua Island in the Kingdom of Tonga has yielded a small Odonata fauna including the new species Teinobasis fatakula (Holotype ♂: Kingdom of Tonga, 'Eua Island, 21.3781o S, 174.9346o W, elevation 175 m; 14 July 2012, M. Marinov leg.). Because 'Eua has aquatic habitats unique within the Kingdom of Tonga, the new species is very likely endemic to that island and represents an extension of the verified range of the genus of at least 2800 km.

Diverse circular ssDNA viruses discovered in dragonflies (Odonata: Epiprocta).

Viruses with circular ssDNA genomes that encode a replication initiator protein (Rep) are among the smallest viruses known to infect both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. In the past few years an overwhelming diversity of novel circular Rep-encoding ssDNA (CRESS-DNA) viruses has been unearthed from various hosts and environmental sources. Since there is limited information regarding CRESS-DNA viruses in invertebrates, this study explored the diversity of CRESS-DNA viruses circulating among insect populations by targeting dragonflies (Epiprocta), top insect predators that accumulate viruses from their insect prey over space and time. Using degenerate PCR and rolling circle amplification coupled with restriction digestion, 17 CRESS-DNA viral genomes were recovered from eight different dragonfly species collected in tropical and temperate regions. Nine of the genomes are similar to cycloviruses and represent five species within this genus, suggesting that cycloviruses are commonly associated with insects. Three of the CRESS-DNA viruses share conserved genomic features with recently described viruses similar to the mycovirus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum hypovirulence-associated DNA virus 1, leading to the proposal of the genus Gemycircularvirus. The remaining viruses are divergent species representing four novel CRESS-DNA viral genera, including a gokushovirus-like prokaryotic virus (microphage) and three eukaryotic viruses with Reps similar to circoviruses. The novelty of CRESS-DNA viruses identified in dragonflies using simple molecular techniques indicates that there is an unprecedented diversity of ssDNA viruses among insect populations.

Dragonfly cyclovirus, a novel single-stranded DNA virus discovered in dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera).

Dragonfly cyclovirus (DfCyV), a new species of ssDNA virus discovered using viral metagenomics in dragonflies (family Libellulidae) from the Kingdom of Tonga. Metagenomic sequences of DfCyV were similar to viruses of the recently proposed genus Cyclovirus within the family Circoviridae. Specific PCRs resulted in the recovery of 21 DfCyV genomes from three dragonfly species (Pantala flavescens, Tholymis tillarga and Diplacodes bipunctata). The 1741 nt DfCyV genomes share >95 % nucleotide identity and are classified into 11 subtypes representing a single strain. The DfCyV genomes share 48-63 % genome-wide nucleotide identity with cycloviruses identified in human faecal samples. Recombination analysis revealed three recombinant DfCyV genomes, suggesting that recombination plays an important role in cyclovirus evolution. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a circular ssDNA virus identified in insects, and the data may help elucidate evolutionary links among novel Circoviridae recently identified in animals and environmental samples.

Anaerobic bacteria in 118 patients with deep-space head and neck infections from the University Hospital of Maxillofacial Surgery, Sofia, Bulgaria.

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and susceptibility to antibacterial agents of anaerobic strains in 118 patients with head and neck abscesses (31) and cellulitis (87). Odontogenic infection was the most common identified source, occurring in 73 (77.7%) of 94 patients. The incidence of anaerobes in abscesses and cellulitis was 71 and 75.9%, respectively, and that in patients before (31 patients) and after (87) the start of empirical treatment was 80.6 and 72.4%, respectively. The detection rates of anaerobes in patients with odontogenic and other sources of infection were 82.2 and 71.4%, respectively. In total, 174 anaerobic strains were found. The predominant bacteria were Prevotella (49 strains), Fusobacterium species (22), Actinomyces spp. (21), anaerobic cocci (20) and Eubacterium spp. (18). Bacteroides fragilis strains were isolated from 7 (5.9%) specimens. The detection rate of Fusobacterium strains from non-treated patients (32.2%) was higher than that from treated patients (13.8%). Resistance rates to clindamycin and metronidazole of Gram-negative anaerobes were 5.4 and 2.5%, respectively, and those of Gram-positive species were 4.5 and 58.3%, respectively. One Prevotella strain was intermediately susceptible to ampicillin/sulbactam. In conclusion, the start of empirical treatment could influence the frequency or rate of isolation of Fusobacterium species. The involvement of the Bacteroides fragilis group in some head and neck infections should be considered.