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Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that affects biota in remote settings due to atmospheric deposition of inorganic Hg, and its conversion to methylmercury (MeHg), the bioaccumulating and toxic form. Characterizing biotic MeHg is important for evaluating aquatic ecosystem responses to changes in Hg inputs. Aquatic insects possess many qualities desired for MeHg biomonitoring, but are not widely used, largely because of limited information regarding percentages of total mercury (THg) composed of MeHg (i.e., MeHg%) in various taxa. Here, we examine taxonomic, spatial, and seasonal variation in MeHg% of stream-dwelling predator and primary-consumer insects from nine streams in the Adirondack region (NY, USA). Predator MeHg% was high (median 94%) and did not differ significantly among five taxa. MeHg% in selected dragonflies (the most abundant predators, Odonata: Aeshnidae and Libellulidae) exhibited little seasonal and spatial variation, and THg concentration was strongly correlated with aqueous (filtered) MeHg (FMeHg; r s  = 0.76). In contrast, MeHg% in primary consumers-shredders (northern caddisflies [Trichoptera: Limnephilidae]) and scrapers (flathead mayflies [Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae]), were lower (medians 52% and 35%, respectively), and differed significantly between taxa, among sites, and seasonally. Correlations of THg with FMeHg were weak (shredders, r s  = 0.45, p = 0.09) or not significant (scrapers, p = 0.89). The higher MeHg% of predators corresponded with their higher trophic positions (indicated by nitrogen stable isotopes). Results suggest obligate predators hold the most promise for the use of THg as a surrogate for MeHg biomonitoring with aquatic insects within the Adirondack region.

A catalogue is provided for the name-bearing types of most of the less diverse arthropod groups deposited in the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids Nematodes (CNC). There are 90 name-bearing types of Myriapoda [Chilopoda (3 types), Diplopoda (2)], Arachnida [Pseudoscorpiones (1)], and Insecta [Blattodea (1), Dermaptera (1), Notoptera (3), Mecoptera (3), Megaloptera (2), Neuroptera (11), Odonata (2), Orthoptera (5), Phthiraptera (2), Psocoptera (10), Raphidioptera (1) and Siphonaptera (43)]. Three myriapod syntypes are represented by an unknown number of specimens. Holotypes for Plesiorobius canadensis Klimaszewski Kevan (Neuroptera) and Sphaeropsocoides canadensis Grimaldi Engel (Psocoptera) are amber-preserved fossils. Portions of the holotype of Chaetospania assamensis Sakai are considered lost, as are an unknown number of syntype specimens for the centipede species Ethopolys alaskanus Chamberlin and E. integer Chamberlin. Collembola types were treated in Stebaeva et al. (2016), and Araneae, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera will be treated in future catalogues, completing inventories for the orders without associated research staff in the CNC. Definitions of relevant type specimens are provided, as is a preliminary summary of all 16,710 name-bearing type specimens held by the CNC, including those of the more diverse orders for which there are associated research staff: Nematoda, Acari, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera/Thysanoptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera.

The origin of the insect odorant receptor (OR) gene family has been hypothesized to have coincided with the evolution of terrestriality in insects. Missbach et al. (2014) suggested that ORs instead evolved with an ancestral OR co-receptor (Orco) after the origin of terrestriality and the OR/Orco system is an adaptation to winged flight in insects. We investigated genomes of the Collembola, Diplura, Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Odonata, and Ephemeroptera, and find ORs present in all insect genomes but absent from lineages predating the evolution of insects. Orco is absent only in the ancestrally wingless insect lineage Archaeognatha. Our new genome sequence of the zygentoman firebrat Thermobia domestica reveals a full OR/Orco system. We conclude that ORs evolved before winged flight, perhaps as an adaptation to terrestriality, representing a key evolutionary novelty in the ancestor of all insects, and hence a molecular synapomorphy for the Class Insecta., Competing Interests: PB, HR, WL, RP, WK, JJ, BJ No competing interests declared, (© 2018, Brand et al.)

Insect head shapes are remarkably variable, but the influences of these changes on biomechanical performance are unclear. Among 'basal' winged insects, such as dragonflies, mayflies, earwigs and stoneflies, some of the most prominent anatomical changes are the general mouthpart orientation, eye size and the connection of the endoskeleton to the head. Here, we assess these variations as well as differing ridge and sclerite configurations using modern engineering methods including multibody dynamics modelling and finite element analysis in order to quantify and compare the influence of anatomical changes on strain in particular head regions and the whole head. We show that a range of peculiar structures such as the genal/subgenal, epistomal and circumocular areas are consistently highly loaded in all species, despite drastically differing morphologies in species with forward-projecting (prognathous) and downward-projecting (orthognathous) mouthparts. Sensitivity analyses show that the presence of eyes has a negligible influence on head capsule strain if a circumocular ridge is present. In contrast, the connection of the dorsal endoskeletal arms to the head capsule especially affects overall head loading in species with downward-projecting mouthparts. Analysis of the relative strains between species for each head region reveals that concerted changes in head substructures such as the subgenal area, the endoskeleton and the epistomal area lead to a consistent relative loading for the whole head capsule and vulnerable structures such as the eyes. It appears that biting-chewing loads are managed by a system of strengthening ridges on the head capsule irrespective of the general mouthpart and head orientation. Concerted changes in ridge and endoskeleton configuration might allow for more radical anatomical changes such as the general mouthpart orientation, which could be an explanation for the variability of this trait among insects. In an evolutionary context, many-to-one mapping of strain patterns onto a relatively similar overall head loading indeed could have fostered the dynamic diversification processes seen in insects., (© 2018 European Society For Evolutionary Biology. Journal of Evolutionary Biology © 2018 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.)

We integrate field data and phylogenetic comparative analyses to investigate causes of body size evolution and stasis in an old insect order: odonates ("dragonflies and damselflies"). Fossil evidence for "Cope's Rule" in odonates is weak or nonexistent since the last major extinction event 65 million years ago, yet selection studies show consistent positive selection for increased body size among adults. In particular, we find that large males in natural populations of the banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) over several generations have consistent fitness benefits both in terms of survival and mating success. Additionally, there was no evidence for stabilizing or conflicting selection between fitness components within the adult life-stage. This lack of stabilizing selection during the adult life-stage was independently supported by a literature survey on different male and female fitness components from several odonate species. We did detect several significant body size shifts among extant taxa using comparative methods and a large new molecular phylogeny for odonates. We suggest that the lack of Cope's rule in odonates results from conflicting selection between fitness advantages of large adult size and costs of long larval development. We also discuss competing explanations for body size stasis in this insect group., (© 2017 The Author(s). Evolution © 2017 The Society for the Study of Evolution.)

The dorsal surfaces of the hindwings of the dragonfly Rhyothemis resplendens (Odonata: Libellulidae) reflect a deep blue from the multilayer structure in its wing membrane. The layers within this structure are not flat, but distinctly 'wrinkled', with a thickness of several hundred nanometres and interwrinkle crest distances of 5 µm and greater. A comparison between the backscattered light from R. resplendens and a similar, but un-'wrinkled' multilayer in the damselfly Matronoides cyaneipennis (Odonata: Calopterygidae) shows that the angle over which incident light is backscattered is increased by the wrinkling in the R. resplendens structure. Whereas the reflection from the flat multilayer of M. cyaneipennis is effectively specular, the reflection from the wrinkled R. resplendens multilayer spans 1.47 steradians (equivalent to ±40° for all azimuthal angles). This property enhances the visibility of the static wing over a broader angle range than is normally associated with a smooth multilayer, thereby markedly increasing its conspicuousness., (© 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.)

Climate-induced range shifts result in the movement of a sample of genotypes from source populations to new regions. The phenotypic consequences of those shifts depend upon the sample characteristics of the dispersive genotypes, which may act to either constrain or promote phenotypic divergence, and the degree to which plasticity influences the genotype-environment interaction. We sampled populations of the damselfly Erythromma viridulum from northern Europe to quantify the phenotypic (latitude-body size relationship based on seven morphological traits) and genetic (variation at microsatellite loci) patterns that occur during a range expansion itself. We find a weak spatial genetic structure that is indicative of high gene flow during a rapid range expansion. Despite the potentially homogenizing effect of high gene flow, however, there is extensive phenotypic variation among samples along the invasion route that manifests as a strong, positive correlation between latitude and body size consistent with Bergmann's rule. This positive correlation cannot be explained by variation in the length of larval development (voltinism). While the adaptive significance of latitudinal variation in body size remains obscure, geographical patterns in body size in odonates are apparently underpinned by phenotypic plasticity and this permits a response to one or more environmental correlates of latitude during a range expansion., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

In some animals, such as fish, insects, and cephalopods, the thick egg coat has a narrow canal-a micropyle-through which spermatozoa enter the eggs. In fish, there is no indication that spermatozoa are attracted by eggs from a distance, but once spermatozoa come near the outer opening of the micropyle, they exhibit directed movement toward it, suggesting that a substance exists in this defined region to attract spermatozoa. Since Coomassie Blue (CB) binds preferentially to the micropyle region in flounder, herring, steelhead, and other fish, it probably stains this sperm guidance substance. This substance-a glycoprotein based on lectin staining-is bound tightly to the surface of the chorion, but can be removed readily by protease treatment. Although fertilization in fish (flounder) is possible after removal of this substance, its absence makes fertilization inefficient, as reflected by a drastic reduction in fertilization rate. The sperm "attraction" to the micropyle opening is species specific and is dependent on extracellular Ca(2+). Eggs of some insects, including Drosophila, have distinct micropyle caps with CB affinity, which also may prove to assist sperm entry. Our attempts to fertilize fly eggs in vitro were not successful.

The portable cases constructed by caddisfly larvae have been assumed to act as a mechanical defense against predatory attacks. However, previous studies have compared the survival of caddisflies with different cases, thereby precluding an analysis of the survival benefits of "weaker" case materials. The level of protection offered by caddisfly cases constructed with rock, stick, or leaf material, as well as a no-case control, was investigated against predatory dragonfly nymphs (Anax junius Drury (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae)). A valid supposition is that the cases made of stronger material are more effective at deterring predators. Yet, observations revealed that there was no difference in survival between the case types. All caddisflies with a case experienced high survival in comparison to caddisflies removed from their case. In addition, larvae with stick-cases experienced fewer attacks and captures by dragonflies. These results showed that the presence of a case, regardless of the material used in its construction, offers survival benefits when faced with predatory dragonfly nymphs.

The ERG of the dragonfly ocellus has been analyzed into four components, two of which originate in the photoreceptor cells, two in the ocellar nerve fibers (Ruck, 1961 a). Component 1 is a sensory generator potential, component 2 a response of the receptor axons. Component 3 is an inhibitory postsynaptic potential, component 4, a discharge of afferent nerve impulses in ocellar nerve fibers. Responses to flickering light are examined in terms of this analytic scheme. It has been found that the generator potential can respond to higher rates of flicker-up to 220/sec.-than can the receptor axon responses, the postsynaptic potential, or the ocellar nerve impulses. The maximum flicker fusion frequency as measured by fusion of the ERG is that of the sensory generator potential itself.

Large nerve fibers in the ocellar nerves of dragonflies are spontaneously active. In the absence of inhibitory influence the spontaneous activity is rhythmic. Inhibition occurs in the dark-adapted state and during illumination. Miniature inhibitory postsynaptic potentials occur in the dark-adapted state. These modulate by temporary suppression the otherwise rhythmic discharge of ocellar nerve impulses. The presence of random spontaneous receptor cell excitations is inferred from the presence of the miniature i.p.s.p.'s. Light stimulates many or all the receptor cells simultaneously, masking the random spontaneous activity of individual receptor cells. The result is a sustained hyperpolarizing i.p.s.p. and sustained inhibition of the nerve discharge. Preceding resumption of the spontaneous activity at "off" the i.p.s.p. may oscillate, overshoot the baseline as a negative after-potential, or do both. These phases of the off-effect may generate nerve impulses in an off-burst.

The structure of the flight muscle of a dragonfly (Aeshna sp.) has been studied with the light and electron microscopes, and the organization of this specialized tubular muscle is described. This tissue is characterized by the great development of the sarcosomes, which are slab-like and are arranged within the fiber opposite each sarcomere of the radially oriented lamellar myofibrils. A well developed and highly ordered sarcoplasmic reticulum is present, consisting of perforated curtain-like cisternae extending across the face of each fibril, together with tubular invaginations of the fiber plasma membrane situated within indentations in the sarcosomes and traversing the fibril surface midway between the Z and M levels. The structure of these fibers, and notably the organization of the reticulum, is compared with that of other types of muscle, and the possible role of the two components of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the contraction physiology of the dragonfly muscle fiber is discussed.

The Jurassic damsel-dragonfly family Paragonophlebiidae was till now monogeneric, with the sole genus Paragonophlebia and the two species P. inexpectata and P. patriciae , from the Middle Jurassic of Central Asia. Here we describe the new genus and species Sinagonophlebia yananensis Nel and Huang, from the Middle Jurassic of China, and we attribute the late Triassic and early Jurassic Diastatommites liassina (Strickland, 1840) from UK to the same family. We restore it in the genus Diastatommites Tillyard, 1925. We also describe the selenothemistid Yananthemis zaoyuanensis Nel and Huang, nov. gen., nov. sp., plus an isophlebiid gen. et sp. indet. from the same outcrop. These three damsel-dragonflies increase our knowledge on the already impressive diversity of the Odonata from the Mesozoic of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liassophlebiidae is an extinct family of damsel-dragonflies found in Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic strata of Europe, Asia and Antarctica. Whilst Liassophlebiidae is well represented by Lower Jurassic fossils, their lowest occurrence in the Upper Triassic has hitherto only been suggested by three fragmentary specimens. These were originally ascribed to two species: Liassophlebia withersi and Liassophlebia batheri, but the latter is now considered nomen dubium. Here we describe a fourth, better preserved specimen that is likely to be Rhaetian (Late Triassic) in age. The specimen, BRSMG Cg3101 a+b, was collected from Bowdens Quarry, Somerset, UK, from the lower part of the White Lias Formation. The specimen comprises an incomplete forewing attributed to Liassophlebia due to: the small number of antenodals, antesubnodals and crossveins between RP and MA based RP3/4 in the base of RP2 opposite the subnodus; a straight and elongate secondary longitudinal vein in the postdiscoidal area; numerous cells and secondary veins in radial and median areas. The specimen is likely to represent a new species and provides stronger evidence than the previous three specimens of the presence of Liassophlebiidae during the late Rhaetian. Its stratigraphical position suggests that Liassophlebiidae arose in the immediate aftermath of the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this application, under Article 75.5 of the ICZN Code, is to conserve the usage of the generic name Furagrion Petrulevičius, Wappler, Wedmann, Rust & Nel, 2008 for a genus of fossil damselflies, by setting aside the existing holotype of Phenacolestes jutlandicusHenriksen, 1922 (now Furagrion jutlandicus) and designating a neotype. The existing holotype (MGUH 1819; in the Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen) is an incomplete fossil comprised of the distal two-thirds of the abdomen, the distal half of two wings and a small, unplaceable wing fragment. The diagnostic characters for determining genus-level affiliations of fossil Odonata are generally found in the venation of the basal third of the wings, and the genus Furagrion (type species P. jutlandicus) was diagnosed based on a non-type wing (FUM-N-13856; in the Fur Museum, Nederby, Denmark) using characters in the basal part that are not visible in the holotype of P. jutlandicus. It is not possible to determine whether the holotype of P. jutlandicus is conspecific with the nominal species F. morsiZessin, 2011, known only from the basal half of a wing, nor whether Furagrion is synonymous with the nominal genus MorsagrionZessin, 2011 (type species M. ansorgeiZessin, 2011). Recent research has shown that the placement of Furagrion within a suborder and family cannot be established without examining characters of the head and eyes, which are missing in the holotype. We therefore propose that the holotype of P. jutlandicus be set aside and that a complete fossil with all four wings clearly preserved and a complete body including the head (specimen MM-10752 in Museum Mors, Nykøbing Mors, Denmark) be designated as neotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clubtail dragonfly Lindenia heeri sp. nov., is described and figured as the first fossil representative of the extant lindeniine genus Lindenia, based on a finely preserved forewing from the mid-Miocene lacustrine maar of Öhningen, Germany. The new species differs from the type and only species of Lindenia tetraphylla in the dark brown pterostigma covering ten cells vs. only five. Otherwise its forewing venation is identical to that of the modern species. The paleoclimatic data fit well with the climatic preferences of extant Lindenia tetraphylla, consistent with the generally warmer climate of that region during that period of time, allowing for more Mediterranean or even subtropical elements of the flora and fauna to persist.

Aeshna caseneuvensis sp. nov., the second oldest representative of the genus Aeshna, is described and figured from the lowermost Oligocene of Luberon in southeastern France. The oldest described species in this genus is from the uppermost Eocene of Colorado in USA. Their occurrence in very distant areas in an interval of time of less of five millions years strongly suggests that the genus is older, possibly appearing during the middle Eocene, as it is still unknown in the early Eocene odonate faunas. The specimen could be studied thanks to a technique of photograph under UV light newly developed by one of us (RG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clubtail dragonfly Lindenia heeri sp. nov., is described and figured as the first fossil representative of the extant lindeniine genus Lindenia, based on a finely preserved forewing from the mid-Miocene lacustrine maar of Öhningen, Germany. The new species differs from the type and only species of Lindenia tetraphylla in the dark brown pterostigma covering ten cells vs. only five. Otherwise its forewing venation is identical to that of the modern species. The paleoclimatic data fit well with the climatic preferences of extant Lindenia tetraphylla, consistent with the generally warmer climate of that region during that period of time, allowing for more Mediterranean or even subtropical elements of the flora and fauna to persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viridiflumineagrion aasei gen. et sp. nov., attributed to the group 'Megapodagrionidae' sensu lato, is described and illustrated on the basis of a rather well-preserved fossil of a small damselfly from the Lower Eocene Green River Formation. It is compared to the other fossil taxa currently attributed to this group. The late Eocene genus Miopodagrion (Florissant, USA) and the early Eocene 'Megapodagrionidae genus and species A' described by Petrulevičius et al. (fig. 4) (Denmark), are the fossils that most closely resemble the new taxon. The new discovery confirms that the damselflies with venations of 'megapodagrionid' type were very diverse during the Palaeogene. . . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Araripegomphus ismari sp. nov., the fifth species of the genus Araripegomphus, and the fourth species of this genus in the Crato Formation (Brazil), is described and illustrated based on a well-preserved hind wing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinomesuropetala daohugensis gen. nov. et sp. nov., first accurate Chinese representative of the Mesozoic family Mesuropetalidae, is described from the Haifanggou Formation near the Daohugou village in northeastern China. The exceptional preservation of the fossil allows the description of reproductive structures seldom observed in compression fossils. It confirms the high diversity of the 'basal' Aeshnoptera during the Middle-Late Jurassic, especially in China. This new finding confirms the widespread distribution of the Mesuropetalidae during the Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oligaeschna sinica sp. nov., the oldest recorded and first Chinese representative of the Cenozoic aeshnid genus Oligaeschna, is described from the Bartonian of Tibet. This fossil is also among the oldest known representatives of the family Aeshnidae sensu stricto. Its presence in the Niubao Formation supports a temperate, cool to warm climate for the area during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cratoaeschnidium martinsnetoi gen. et sp. nov., third genus and species of the family Aeschnidiidae from the Crato Formation (Brazil), is described and illustrated based on one well-preserved forewing. It can be differentiated from the other genera in the family, inter alia, because its discoidal triangle is very narrow with only one row of cells; three rows of cells between Mspl and MAa, and between Rspl and IR2; one row of cells between CuAa and MP in basal part; three rows of cells between RP3/4 and MAa. This new genus and species confirms that much can be expected in regard to discovering the Odonata in the Crato Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleocene Paskapoo Formation in Alberta, Canada, offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into insect diversity at that time. This fossil insect-rich formation has yielded a variety of fossil arthropod specimens, including several wings of Odonata related to the genus Alloaeschna Wighton and Wilson, 1986. Here, we demonstrate that morphological characters previously used to separate three species are instead the result of intraspecific variability. We reinforce this demonstration using two examples of high variability and plasticity in modern species of the family Aeshnidae. Accordingly, we reinterpreted the taxonomic position of Alloaeschna marklae Wighton and Wilson, 1986 syn. nov. and Alloaeschna quadrata Wighton and Wilson, 1986 syn. nov. as junior synonyms of Alloaeschna paskapooensis Wighton and Wilson, 1986. In addition, we describe the first occurrence of a zygopteran in the Paskapoo Formation, namely Albertalestes paskapooensis gen. et sp. nov. (Synlestidae). Importantly, this new taxon is the first representative of the family found in North America. We also reconstructed the relationships within the Synlestidae under Bayesian inferences with a newly assembled matrix. Finally, we discuss the biogeography of the clade considering its fossil record using parsimony ancestral state reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Odonata, Nelala chacay sp. nov., from the Eocene of Northern Patagonia, Argentina, is described. The new species is the sixth one of the endemic Patagonian Eocene family Frenguelliidae. Nelala chacay sp. nov. is characterized mainly by the five postdiscoidal cells between MA and MP, and a RP3+4 only two cells and a half basal to subnodus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dragon flies are an important indicator species for freshwater ecosystems. While their diversity in Pakistan has been well studied in the northern areas of the country, odonate diversity in the southern, warmer areas is still not well documented. The current study determined the Anisopteran diversity and abundance along two riverine tracts of Southern Punjab for a duration of five months. The collected specimens (n = 725) belonged to three families; Aeshnidae, Gomphidae, and Libellulidae. Anisopteran fauna was dominated by Libellulidae family represented by thirteen species out of total sixteen species identified from the study area. Crocothermis erythraea was the most abundant species (Relative Abundance – R.A = 14%) followed by Bradinopyga geminata (R.A = 10%). The Shannon wiener diversity index value (H = 2.74) indicated a moderate level of Anisopteran biodiversity in the area. Since the dragonflies prefer warmer humid climates, species diversity was highest during the summer season with no odonates found during the colder month of December. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of the insect odorant receptor (OR) gene family has been hypothesized to have coincided with the evolution of terrestriality in insects. Missbach et al. (2014) suggested that ORs instead evolved with an ancestral OR co-receptor (Orco) after the origin of terrestriality and the OR/Orco system is an adaptation to winged flight in insects. We investigated genomes of the Collembola, Diplura, Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Odonata, and Ephemeroptera, and find ORs present in all insect genomes but absent from lineages predating the evolution of insects. Orco is absent only in the ancestrally wingless insect lineage Archaeognatha. Our new genome sequence of the zygentoman firebrat Thermobia domestica reveals a full OR/Orco system. We conclude that ORs evolved before winged flight, perhaps as an adaptation to terrestriality, representing a key evolutionary novelty in the ancestor of all insects, and hence a molecular synapomorphy for the Class Insecta.

The current knowledge on the Paleocene Odonata is rather limited despite the fact that it is a crucial period for the history of this order. An overview of the fossil odonatans from the Paleocene of Menat (France) is provided. We describe the anisopteran Macrogomphus menatensis sp. nov., first fossil representative of the family Epigomphidae, together with two zygopteran, viz. the dysagrionid Menatagrion hervetae gen. et sp. nov., and the new family Menatlestidae fam. nov., with its type species Menatlestes palaeocenicus gen. et sp. nov. The genus Menatagrion gen. nov. is the first Paleocene record of the Dysagrionidae, otherwise known by a putative Cretaceous genus and several Eocene to Miocene genera. Menatlestes gen. nov., putatively attributed to the stem-group of the Lestinoidea (Megalestidae and Lestidae), would correspond to the oldest record of this clade. With these three new taxa, and the previously described Thanetophilosina menatensis, Valerea multicellulata, "Lestes" zalesskyi, and an Aeshna species indet., the total number of Odonata from Menat goes up to seven species in total; two Anisoptera and five Zygoptera. Furthermore, we propose new evidences showing that the head characters defining the putative suborder Cephalozygoptera are due to deformations, very frequent among the fossil Odonatoptera. We treat the Cephalozygoptera as a junior synonym of Zygoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of fossil Odonata, Chacayala campeona gen. et sp. nov., from the Eocene of Arroyo Chacay, Eocene of Patagonia, Argentina is described. Arroyo Chacay is the least known locality of the Eocene Caldera Lake deposits of Northern Patagonia. The new genus is the fourth in the family Frenguelliidae. Chacayala gen. nov. is characterized mainly by the shorter postdiscoidal field in comparison with the other genera of the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial fossils from the Palaeogene of Tibet could help us to better understand the past climate and environment in this area. We herein report a new late Eocene non-marine fossil site from southern Nima Basin, central Tibet, SW China, including abundant insects and fishes. These fossils are similar to those from the late Eocene (∼39.5–37 Ma) Lunpola–Nima sediment depo-centres in sharing the dominating aquatic bug Aquarius lunpolaensis and cyprinid fishes. Chalcolestes tibetensis sp. nov., the oldest representative of the modern family Lestidae, is described. Lestidae were previously only recorded in Western Europe, and the oldest records were from the uppermost Eocene of France and the UK. The present discovery demonstrates that Lestidae already had a broad distribution during the Eocene and probably originated much earlier. The recent representatives of Chalcolestes occur in the low-altitude ponds or lakes of Western Palaearctic. Together with the other freshwater fossils in this site, this new discovery indicates a humid climate and low altitude for the Nima Basin and nearby basins in the middle part of the Bangong Nujiang suture zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a rejoinder to the article ͞ The Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of Kerala – Status and Distribution͟. In the said paper, certain species are of doubtful occurrence in Kerala and the Western Ghats. First reports of certain species which were available in open-access biodiversity portals and published articles in peer- reviewed journals were ignored. Additions to the checklists have been made without conducting taxonomic investigations, or in one case, even presenting a photograph. These shortcomings will lead to confusion and misunderstanding among odonatologists and naturalists in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]