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Material samples form an important portion of the data infrastructure for many disciplines. Here, a material sample is a physical object, representative of some physical thing, on which observations can be made. Material samples may be collected for one project initially, but can also be valuable resources for other studies in other disciplines. Collecting and curating material samples can be a costly process. Integrating institutionally managed sample collections, along with those sitting in individual offices or labs, is necessary to faciliate large-scale evidence-based scientific research. Many have recognized the problems and are working to make data related to material samples FAIR: findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. The Internet of Samples (i.e., iSamples) is one of these projects. iSamples was funded by the United States National Science Foundation in 2020 with the following aims: enable previously impossible connections between diverse and disparate sample-based observations; support existing research programs and facilities that collect and manage diverse sample types; facilitate new interdisciplinary collaborations; and provide an efficient solution for FAIR samples, avoiding duplicate efforts in different domains (Davies et al. 2021) enable previously impossible connections between diverse and disparate sample-based observations; support existing research programs and facilities that collect and manage diverse sample types; facilitate new interdisciplinary collaborations; and provide an efficient solution for FAIR samples, avoiding duplicate efforts in different domains (Davies et al. 2021) The initial sample collections that will make up the internet of samples include those from the System for Earth Sample Registration (SESAR), Open Context, the Genomic Observatories Meta-Database (GEOME), and Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History (NMNH), representing the disciplines of geoscience, archaeology/anthropology, and biology. To achieve these aims, the proposed iSamples infrastructure (Fig. 1) has two key components: iSamples in a Box (iSB) and iSamples Central (iSC). The iSC component will be a permanent Internet service that preserves, indexes, and provides access to sample metadata aggregated from iSBs. It will also ensure that persistent identifiers and sample descriptions assigned and used by individual iSBs are synchronized with the records in iSC and with identifier authorities like International Geo Sample Number (IGSN) or Archival Resource Key (ARK). The iSBs create and maintain identifiers and metadata for their respective collection of samples. While providing access to the samples held locally, an iSB also allows iSC to harvest its metadata records. The metadata modeling strategy adopted by the iSamples project is a metadata profile-based approach, where core metadata fields that are applicable to all samples, form the core metadata schema for iSamples. Each individual participating collectionis free to include additional metadata in their records, which will also be harvested by iSC and are discoverable through the iSC user interface or APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), just like the core. In-depth analysis of metadata profiles used by participating collections, including Darwin Core, has resulted in an iSamples core schema currently being tested and refined through use. See the current version of the iSamples core schema. A number of properties require a controlled vocabulary. Controlled vocabularies used by existing records are kept, while new vocabularies are also being developed to support high-level grouping with consistent semantics across collection types. Examples include vocabularies for Context Category, Material Category, and Specimen Type (Table 1). These vocabularies were also developed in a bottom-up manner, based on the terms used in the existing collections. For each vocabulary, a decision tree graph was created to illustrate relations among the terms, and a card sorting exercise was conducted within the project team to collect feedback. Domain experts are invited to take part in this exercise here, here, and here. These terms will be used as upper-level terms to the existing category terms used in the participating collections and hence create connections among individual participating collections. iSample project members are also active in the TDWG Material Sample Task Group and the global consultation on Digital Extended Specimens. Many members of the iSamples project also lead or participate in a sister research coordination network (RCN), Sampling Nature. The goal of this RCN is to develop and refine metadata standards and controlled vocabularies for the iSamples and other projects focusing on material samples. We cordially invite you to participate in the Sampling Nature RCN and help shape the future standards for material samples. Contact Sarah Ramdeen (sramdeen@ideo.columbia.edu) to engage with the RCN.

The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major impact on clinical microbiology laboratories in the past several months. This commentary covers current issues and challenges for the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the preanalytical stage, collecting the proper respiratory tract specimen at the right time from the right anatomic site is essential for a prompt and accurate molecular diagnosis of COVID-19. Appropriate measures are required to keep laboratory staff safe while producing reliable test results., The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major impact on clinical microbiology laboratories in the past several months. This commentary covers current issues and challenges for the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the preanalytical stage, collecting the proper respiratory tract specimen at the right time from the right anatomic site is essential for a prompt and accurate molecular diagnosis of COVID-19. Appropriate measures are required to keep laboratory staff safe while producing reliable test results. In the analytic stage, real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays remain the molecular test of choice for the etiologic diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection while antibody-based techniques are being introduced as supplemental tools. In the postanalytical stage, testing results should be carefully interpreted using both molecular and serological findings. Finally, random-access, integrated devices available at the point of care with scalable capacities will facilitate the rapid and accurate diagnosis and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections and greatly assist in the control of this outbreak.

A distinctive new monotypic genus from Gabon is described in the tropical plant family Annonaceae: Sirdavidia, in honor to Sir David Attenborough. Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm that Sirdavidia, which is very distinct from a morphological standpoint, is not nested in any existing genus of Annonaceae and belongs to tribe Piptostigmateae (subfamily Malmeoideae), which now contains a total of six genera. The genus is characterized by long acuminate leaves, fully reflexed red petals, 16–19 bright yellow, loosely arranged stamens forming a cone, and a single carpel topped by a conspicuous stigma. With just three known collections, a preliminary IUCN conservation status assessment is provided as “endangered” as well as a distribution map. The discovery of Sirdavidia is remarkable at several levels. First, it was collected near the road in one of the botanically best-known regions of Gabon: Monts de Cristal National Park. Second, its sister group is the genus Mwasumbia, also monotypic, endemic to a small area in a forest in Tanzania, some 3000 km away. Finally, the floral morphology is highly suggestive of a buzz pollination syndrome. If confirmed, this would be the first documentation of such a pollination syndrome in Magnoliidae and early-diverging angiosperms in general.

The soft original material that was used to make the permanent slides of Tempere et Peragallo's 2nd edition of “Diatomees du Monde Entier” is available for study at the Laboratoire de Geologie of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. This paper gives a list of the localities where the samples were taken and a list of the new taxa described from these samples.

Summary - Description of four new species and four populations of Rotylenchus (Nematoda: Hoplolaimidae). Proposal a tabular key - Four new species from France are described and figured: Rotylenchus ascalpi sp. n., characterised by an annulated, rounded and set off lip region; R. corsicus sp. n., characterised by a rounded, annulated lip region; R. echelimae sp. n., characterised by a truncated, smooth lip region; R. provincialis sp. n., characterised by a conoïd rounded, annulated lip region and an unannulated tail terminus. The measurements, figures and main morphological differences in relation to the original descriptions of four other populations are given: Rotylenchus capensis , R. eximius, R. magnus jaeni and R. magnus magnus. An emended diagnosis of the genus, a list of valid species and species inquirendae vel dubiae and a tabular key to species are proposed. Quatre nouvelles espèces de Rotylenchus sont décrites et figurées: Rotylenchus ascalpi sp. n., caractérisé par une région céphalique arrondie, comportant de cinq à sept anneaux; R. corsicus sp. n. caractérisé par une région céphalique arrondie, annelée; R. echelimae sp. n., caractérisé par une région céphalique tronconique non annelée; R. provincialis sp. n., caractérisé par une région céphalique annelée, conoïde-arrondie et par l'extrémité caudale lisse. Pour des populations de quatre autres espèces, Rotylenchus capensis, R. eximius, R. magnus jaeni, R. magnus magnus, les mensurations, les figures et les différences morphologiques majeures par rapport aux descriptions originales sont données. Une diagnose amendée du genre, la liste des espèces valides et des species inquirendae vel dubiae ainsi qu'une clé tabulaire pour les espèces sont proposées.

The Afrotropical Belostomatidae fauna has long proved to be a difficult taxonomic problem, not so much for the overwhelmingly large number of species involved but rather because of a lack of trained specialists. The rarity of some taxa also contributes to confusion, because some species remain poorly described or are known only from one or two specimens. During a visit to the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France and the Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium, it was possible to comprehensively review the Limnogeton species based mainly on the specimens housed in the aforementioned collections. An updated key to adults of all species presently included in the genus, particularly based on male genitalia characters studied during the present study, has been provided.

Ceroxylon weberbaueri Burret, a poorly known species, is recollected from its type locality. An amended des- cription is provided and the species is neotypified., Ceroxylon weberbaueri Burret, una especie poco conocida, ha sido recolectada en su localidad tipo. Se provee una descripción morfológica actualizada, y una neotipificación.

Saprinus (Saprinus) splendens (Paykull, 1811), a widely distributed species, is redescribed and a lectotype designated. Its synonyms are revised. Saprinus (Saprinus) secchii n. sp. is described as new from the Ivory Coast, Benin, Senegal, Sudan, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) and Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo-Kinshasa). The distributions of both species are updated.

Accepte le 19 novembre 2009 T Western Amazonian basin has long been recognized as supporting one of the highest levels of biological diversity in the world. Insects are particularly abundant and species rich in this region, yet the task of describing new species, discovering their range, understanding the factors that govern their distribution and the degree of alteration in their community structure as a result of habitat degradation is still in its early stages. Th e wide diversity of habitats that Ecuador possesses in a small area makes it an ideal location for biodiversity and ecological research. Although the diversity of many groups (e.g. plants, birds, and frogs) has been the focus of numerous publications data on the entomological fauna in Ecuador are scarce, mostly limited to the response of insect diversity to altitudinal gradients. During the past decades, the Ecuadorian research in Entomology has been dominated by taxonomic studies. Face to the acute environmental awareness and called attention to the pressing problem of biodiversity conservation, this taxonomic knowledge has recently been refocused in an ecological perspective. Th e nine contributions to this special issue aim to present some of the major lines of research developed in ecological entomology in Ecuador, mainly at the Museum of Zoology of the Catholic University of Quito (QCAZ), Invertebrate Section. Th e studies concern diff erent ecosystems of Ecuador such as lowland Amazonian rainforests (Carpio et al. 2009, Checa et al. 2009), Montane cloud forest (Donoso & Ramon 2009) and Andean paramos (Moret 2009). Most studies however cover a wide range of biogeographic regions (Badher et al. 2009, Barragan et al. 2009, Donoso et al. 2009, Dangles et al. 2009) including comparisons with other regions from Latin America (Cardenas et al. 2009). Th e coverage of taxa (e.g. Diptera, Isoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera), thematic (e.g. taxonomy, biogeography, community ecology, conservation biology) and methodologies (e.g. multi-dimensional analysis, spatial statistics, niche modeling) was designed to highlight the diverse areas on which QCAZ entomologists have focused during the last years, giving a broad view of some of their scientifi c achievements. In spite of their large topical range, the contributions to this special issue are united by a common theme: a focus on how a good knowledge of species taxonomy plays a crucial role in fostering and underpinning ecological research in the fi eld of entomology. Th is is particularly important in tropical countries like Ecuador where the task of entomologists seems to have a time limit with a clock ticking faster and faster as human disturbance continues to increase. I hope that this special issue will not only provide a fresh view of entomological research performed in Ecuador but also foster interest from entomologists worldwide to come and perform research in this country which shelters one of the most species-rich but also most endangered insect fauna on Earth. Acknowledgements. I am grateful to Brigitte Frerot, Pierre Rasmont, and Yves Carton for their enthusiasm in this special issue project and their support for making it a reality. I also thank all the members of the QCAZ Museum, Invertebrates Section for their dedicated contribution to this issue. Special thanks to Raphael Cardenas, for his help in the coordination of the issue. Financial supports from the Pontifi cia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (Donacion de Impuesto a la Renta), the IRD (UR-072) and the University of Delaware (Department of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology) for the publication of this special issue are greatly acknowledged.

Four new species of urolophid stingarees are described from the Coral Sea (South-West Pacific): Urolophus deforgesi sp. nov. and U. papilio sp. nov. from the continental slope of the Chesterfield Islands; U. neocaledoniensis sp. nov. is more widely distributed on the slopes of the Chesterfield Islands and New Caledonia and along the northern part of the Norfolk Ridge; U. piperatus sp. nov. is restricted to the coast of northern Queensland (Australia). The holotype and only known specimen of a rare and unusual stingaree, U. armatus Val. in Mu��ller & Henle, 1841 from New Ireland (Bismark Archipelago), is redescribed and it could represent a new genus. The new species are mainly distinguished by a combination of the following characters: disc shape (particularly its width), dorsal fin (present or absent), interorbital distance (narrow or broad), tail length (short or elongated), coloration (plain or with spots), and oral papillae, vertebrae and pectoral-fin radial counts. A key for the urolophids of the Coral Sea is provided.

L'appartenance à une population distincte de celle des Comores du spécimen de coelacanthe découvert en juillet 1998 en Indonésie a été testée grâce au séquençage de l'ADN mitochondrial (gènes 125 rDNA et cytochrome b) et à une étude morphologique. Les différences significatives observées entre les séquences semblent indiquer qu'il existe bien deux populations différentes. L'estimation des temps de divergence, le rapport important entre transition et transversion, la prépondérance des substitutions nucléotiques silencieuses au niveau de la troisième position du codon, l'importance des différences morphologiques et l'isolement géographique nous permettent de dire que le spécimen indonésien appartient à une nouvelle espèce proche de #Latimeria chalumnae$, que nous proposons de nommer #L. menadoensis$ n. sp. (Résumé d'auteur)

Cinq nouvelles espèces de Phlébotomes du genre #Lutzomyia$ sont décrites de spécimens récoltés dans la région subandine du piémont de La Paz. #Lutzomyia galatiae$ n. sp. appartient au sous-genre #helcocyrtomyia$, série #peruensis$ ; c'est une espèce très anthropophile, au comportement endophage, rencontrée seulement dans la station de Cajuata, foyer de leishmaniose du complexe #mexicana$. L. kuscheli$ n. sp. fait partie du sous-genre #Pintomyia$ et ses stations de récolte sont liées aux Yungas. #L. lerayi$ n. sp. et #L. guilvardae$ n. sp. appartiennent respectivement aux sous-genres #Psathyromyia$ et #Pifanomyia$ et sont seulement décrites du sexe mâle ; les femelles de ces deux taxons sont probablement cryptiques de #L. shannoni$ et #L. serrana$ respectivement. Enfin, la description des deux sexes de #L. duncanae$ n. sp., du sous-genre #Pressatia$, est donnée. (Résumé d'auteur)

New data are given for the beetle family #Histeridae$, subfamily #Hetaeriinae$. Two collecting methods were fairly productive ; a flight interception trap and the flooding of whole antnests. A new cleaning technique was successfully tested for the preparation of genital structures ; these are prepared in a basic solution of Genitase proteolytic enzyme. The female genitalia of 12 species of #Hetaeriinae$ are described for the first time. New descriptive, distributional and/or ecological data are provided for 35 species, based on type-specimens, when possible. The following taxa are described as new : #Aristomorphus borgmeieri$, #A. latipes$, #A. ogloblini$, #A. perversus$, #Aristonister sericeus$, #Hemicolonides parvulus$ ; #Latronister breyeri$. The following new synonymy is proposed : #Oudaimosister$ Helava in Helava et al. 1985 = #Mesynodites$ Reichardt, 1924. Lectotype and where the case paralectotypes, are designated for the following species : #Aristomorphus borgmeieri$, #Aristonister sericeus$, #Cheilister sphaeroides$, #Clientister henrici$, #Colonides quadriglumis$, #Cossyphodister schwarzmaieri$, Ecclisister bickhardti$, #Euxenister caroli$, #Hemicolonides parvulus$, #Parasynodites suturacava$, #Pelatetister pretiosus$, #Teratosoma amphiphilus$, #Troglosternus dasypus$. The genus #Hetaeriarchus$ Reichensperger is considered as a nomen nudum. (Résumé d'auteur)

Les specimens-types de 11 especes ont ete revises et des donnees morphologiques, geonemiques ou ecologiques nouvelles sont fournies pour 10 especes. Des lectotypes et le cas echeant, des paralectotypes ont ete designes pour 8 especes. Les genitalia femelles de 7 especes sont decrits pour la premiere fois. Taxonomic Notes on the Coleoptera Histeridae Hetaeriinae of the Museum of Natural History, Berlin (MNHUB) The female genitalia of 7 species of Hetaeriinae are described for the first time. New descriptive, distributional and/or ecological data are provided for 10 species, the identifications of which were checked when possible, by comparison with type specimens. Poneralister Bruch, 1929 is synonymized with Plagioscelis Bickhardt, 1917. Lectotype and where the case, paralectotypes, are designated for the following species: Chelyocephalus varicolor Schmidt, 1893, Coelister cavernosus (Schmidt, 1889), Discoscelis canaliculata Schmidt, 1889, Mesynodites schuppii Schmidt, 1893, Plagioscelis daedalus (Lewis, 1891), P. striaticeps (Bruch, 1929), Termitoxenus setaceus (Schmidt, 1889), T. strigicollis Lewis, 1898.

Les auteurs donnent la liste des specimens-types deposes dans la Collection Nationale de Nematodes su Sol et des Plantes (Laboratoire des Vers, Museum, Paris), correspondant a 342 especes. Les conditions de pret de ces specimens aux specialistes sont precisees.

La forêt de Taï, où la plupart des Odonates étudiés ici ont été récoltés fait partie de la dernière forêt primaire d'Afrique occidentale. Les caractères de cette forêt sont brièvement résumés et les différents biotopes occupés par des Odonates sont caractérisés. La faune odonatologique de Taï est actuellement représentée par 51 espèces (22 Zygoptères et 29 Anisoptères), le nombre de spécimens, les dates de collecte, les biotopes et l'endroit où ils sont conservés en collection sont indiqués pour chaque espèce. Quelques caractères morphologiques importants sont décrits et illustrés lorsque cela a été jugé nécessaire. Une CHLOROCYPHA inédite de R. MARTIN (C. MUTANS), conservée dans les collections du M.N.H.N. à Paris et retrouvée à Taï par l'un de nous (G.C.), autrefois mise en synonymie par PINHEY (1967) a été reconnue comme nouvelle, elle est décrite illustrée et comparée à l'espèce qui lui est le plus étroitement apparentée : CHLOROCYPHA DISPAR (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805) avec laquelle elle a été confondue. Le nom inédit de cette espèce a été retenu en l'honneur de R.MARTIN (voir le Code International de Nomemclature zoologique, article 11 (2) 2, 1985). La vraie femelle de PRODASINEURA VILLIERSI Fraser, 1948 est décrite et illustrée. CERIAGRION RUBELLOCERINUM Fraser, 1947 est confirmé comme étant une bonne espèce, un néotype est désigné. CERIAGRION VARIANS (Martin, 1908) est comparé avec l'espèce précédente, un lectotype est désigné,bien que ne faisant pas partie (ou pas encore) de la faune de Taï, sa présence sert ici à confirmer la validité de C. RUBELLOCERINUM avec lequel il avait été mis en synonymie (PINHEY, 1966). Les espèces inféodées aux eaux courantes, en forêt Taï, sont étudiées d'un point de vue écologique. Notre connaissance plus approfondie d'une autre région forestière afrotropicale (Makokou,Gabon oriental) est utilisée pour établir une zonation écologique des Odonates des eaux courantes, ainsi que pour déterminer les associations d'espèces, typiques de chaque zone. Une brève comparaison est faite avec la faune des Odonates d'autres régions de Côte d'Ivoire. (Résumé d'auteur)