Aquatic Macrophyte Vegetation Promotes Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of Odonata Assemblages in Intermittent Karst Rivers in the Mediterranean

Assemblages of adult Odonata were studied in four intermittent karst rivers encompassing macrophyte-rich (MRH) and macrophyte-poor habitats (MPH) in southern Europe, where temporary lotic habitats are the predominant freshwater type but are still understudied. With a total of 25 recorded species, the studied habitats support species-rich Odonata assemblages, as already shown for intermittent rivers in the Mediterranean. Aquatic macrophyte abundance, conductivity, and water velocity are the most significant determinants of Odonata assemblages in the studied IRES. MRH promote higher Odonata abundance and the taxonomic and functional diversity of their assemblages compared to the MPH. Odonata assemblages in MRH are characterized by higher values of body size and a higher share of species preferring lentic and temporary hydrological conditions. Moreover, their assemblages are characterized by various patterns of nymphal development and drought resilience strategies. In contrast, MPH are preferred by lotic species, with nymphal development all year round and with no specific drought-resisting strategies. Our results contribute to the knowledge of diversity and ecological requirements of dragonflies and damselflies in IRES habitats, which could provide scientific background for future conservation activities and bioassessment protocols of such habitats and their biota.

Dinaric karst intermittent rivers harbour some rare mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

While investigating the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna of four intermittent Dinaric karst rivers in Croatia, we confirmed or recorded new distribution data and ecological features for several mayfly species rare in Croatian freshwater habitats: Nigrobaetis niger (Linnaeus, 1761), Procloeon pennulatum (Eaton, 1870) and Paraleptophlebia werneri Ulmer, 1920. To our knowledge, this is the first record of N. niger in intermittent lotic habitats. We discuss their substrate preferences in the studied habitats as well as their relationships with measured physico-chemical water parameters. The newly obtained results confirm that our knowledge about Croatian mayfly fauna and species ecological requirements in intermittent Mediterranean rivers is still incomplete and is increasing with systematic studies.

Malaria Outbreak Investigation and Response in Bolosso Sore Wereda, Welayta Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia, 2019

Background; Malaria is caused by one or more of the five species of plasmodium species that can infect by the bite of female Anopheles. In Ethiopia, about 68% of the total population resides in areas with high malaria risk and 2,174,707 cases and 662 deaths due to malaria were reported in 2014–2015 with case fatality rate of 0.03%. The outbreak was reported on April 22/2019 (WHO week 17) then we investigate the outbreak to describe the magnitude of morbidity and mortality due to malaria outbreak, identify the etiologic agent and investigate factors associated with an occurrence of malaria outbreak.Methods; we conducted case control study in Bolosso Sore woreda. We used outbreak investigation questionnaire to asses’ risk factor for both cases and controls of patients. We collected 75 cases and 150 controls by face to face interview by administered questionnaire. We analysed the data with Epi Info.Version7.2.0.1 and SPSS.V 23 and the statistical we used 95% CI. Result; the overall attack rate of the woreda was 36.4 per 1000. From the cases Males are slightly more affected than females (38: 37) .The most affected age group is >15 years, 54 (72%) followed by 5-14, 17(22.7%). Plasmodium falcifarem is the highest proportion of malaria in the wereda. Having impregnated treated net have no problem but impregnated treated net who have used sometimes (AOR 10.214; 95% CI) was identified as a risk factor for malaria or more likely affected by malaria ten times each respectively than those impregnated treated net used always. Conclusion; Presence of intermittent rivers nearest to the community, open deep well near to their home and usage of impregnated treated net (those impregnated treated net use sometimes and never use impregnated treated net) were risk factors for onset/occurrence of the outbreak of malaria. We recommend all malarias area insecticide treated bed net should be distributed for all households according to their family member. Beside this, utilization of bed net should be monitored and optimized.

Molecular Epidemiology, Virulence Traits and Antimicrobial Resistance Signatures of Aeromonas spp. in the Critically Endangered Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum Follow Geographical and Seasonal Patterns

Despite the fact that freshwater fish populations are experiencing severe declines worldwide, our knowledge on the interaction between endangered populations and pathogenic agents remains scarce. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and structure of Aeromonas communities isolated from the critically endangered Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum, a model species for threatened Iberian leuciscids, as well as health parameters in this species. Additionally, we evaluated the virulence profiles, antimicrobial resistance signatures and genomic relationships of the Aeromonas isolates. Lesion prevalence, extension and body condition were deeply affected by location and seasonality, with poorer performances in the dry season. Aeromonas composition shifted among seasons and was also different across river streams. The pathogenic potential of the isolates significantly increased during the dry season. Additionally, isolates displaying clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance phenotypes (carbapenem and fluroquinolone resistance) were detected. As it inhabits intermittent rivers, often reduced to disconnected pools during the summer, the dry season is a critical period for I. lusitanicum, with lower general health status and a higher potential of infection by Aeromonas spp. Habitat quality seems a determining factor on the sustainable development of this fish species. Also, these individuals act as reservoirs of important antimicrobial resistant bacteria with potential implications for public health.

Taxonomic revision of Australasian diving beetles in the genus Leiodytes Guignot, 1936 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Bidessini)

Bidessus migrator Sharp, 1882, so far assigned to Clypeodytes Régimbart, 1894, and widely distributed in Australia and New Guinea, is re-described. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, it is here transferred to Leiodytes Guignot, 1936. Bidessus loriae Régimbart, 1892 is found to be a junior subjective synonym of L. migrator. We describe the following new species: Leiodytes surianiae sp. nov. (eastern New Guinea, northeast coast of Queensland), and Leiodytes wattsi sp. nov. (southern New Guinea and Darwin area to northern Queensland). We delineate the species using characters such as male genital structure and beetle size, shape and color pattern. Mitochondrial Cox1 data for 27 individuals, representing all three Australasian species, were generated and revealed clusters congruent with the morphological evidence. In Australia Leiodytes only occurs in the tropical and subtropical northern part of the continent. None of the species is endemic to Australia. The species are mainly lentic, occurring in seasonal swamps, flooded meadows and pools of intermittent rivers and temporary creeks.

Time-lapse graphical representation methods for mapping of Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams (IRES)

Flow data visualizations describe runoff, flooding or drought, showing the interconnectivity and complexity of water data issues or water management problems. Intermittent Flow Rivers constitute more than half of the length of the global river network and their presence is expanding in response to climate change. A new approach is developed to visualize the flow of the Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams (IRES) based on the creation of time-lapse videos. Two statistical methods, the Natural Breaks and Equal Interval one, are used and evaluated for the creation of the mapping content. The flow dataset of IRES for the island of Crete (in Greece) is used as a case study for a six-year period. The results of both methods are used as an input to create the time-lapse videos of IRES. The videos show the flow fluctuation and cessation during a six-year period and the differences between the two methods.