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Abstract: The European Region has set itself the goal of eliminating measles by 2010. Incidence has increased in recent years. This study sought to investigate outbreaks in Spain in the period 2005–2007, in order to identify measles-vulnerable groups and compare Spain to other European countries which have also had measles outbreaks. The pattern observed for Spain proved different to that of other European countries, i.e., whereas young adults and infants aged under 15 months were affected in Spain, children aged under 9 years comprised the predominant group in other European countries. Measles cases in Spain reflect low coverage when vaccination began, a pattern that could be repeated in neighbouring countries. Vaccination efforts should thus be targeted at vulnerable groups, namely: young adults; health professionals; travelling communities; and adopted infants and foreigners from countries with important pockets of susceptibles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The morphology of the larva, pupa, male, and female of Rhyacophila loeffleri Valladolid & Waringer, n. sp., from Austria, Czech Republic, France, and Italy is described. Data from molecular analysis are also provided, based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI), including sequences from German and Swiss specimens, and compared with those of samples of the nominate species R. fasciata Hagen 1859, as well as with other species and subspecies in the Rhyacophila fasciata Species Complex: R. septentrionis McLachlan 1865, R. denticulata McLachlan 1879, R. sociata Navs 1916, R. kykladica Malicky & Sipahiler 1993, R. delici Kuini & Valladolid 2020, R. fasciata viteceki Valladolid & Kuini 2020 and R. macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid & Ibrahimi 2022. Our study revealed morphological differences between R. fasciata and R. loeffleri, as well as genetic differences among the other taxa of the R. fasciata Complex, supporting the recognition of R. loeffleri as a new species. Also, Rhyacophila fasciata viteceki is recognized as a distinct species, R. viteceki (status promotus), based on results of the molecular analysis.

The presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 in Europe were revised, based on bibliographic study, collection specimens, and new material collected in different countries. The status of formerly synonymized species, Rhyacophila ferruginea (Scopoli 1763) and Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865 was also assessed. The type of R. ferruginea is missing, the taxon is still unidentified, and thus we propose Rhyacophila ferruginea as a nomen dubium. Morphological features and genetic evidence revealed that R. septentrionis differs from R. fasciata, so we propose to change its status to status resurrectus. We therefore include new descriptions of the different stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of R. fasciata and of R. septentrionis, together with a molecular analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) and ecological notes. The species R. coppai Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM and R. soreda Coppa Oláh 2020 NEW SYNONYM are synonyms of R. sociata Navás 1916; the species R. kopasa Oláh Coppa 2020 NEW SYNONYM and R. rova Oláh Coppa 2020 NEW SYNONYM are synonyms of R. denticulata McLachlan 1879; the species R. matrensis Oláh Szczęsny 2020 is probably a synonym of R. fasciata, so more study of this species is needed in order to confirm or deny that it is a valid species.

In order to check the presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata fasciata Hagen 1859 (species described from Austria) and R. fasciata denticulata McLachlan 1879 in the Iberian Peninsula, we studied the morphology of Spanish, French, and Austrian specimens, together with their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (mtCOI). We observed that the individuals considered to date as R. fasciata denticulata are in fact two different species: R. denticulata, presently known from France and possibly in some rivers of the Basque Country (Spain), and R. sociata Navás 1916 distributed in Spain and France. These two species are also different from the reference species (R. fasciata) from Austria, so we propose a change in the taxonomic status of R. fasciata denticulata to R. denticulata (stat. prom.) and the restoration of R. sociata (stat. res.), with the designation of a neotype, due to the loss of the holotype.