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Extended Reality (XR) is a term that refers to virtual, augmented, and, more recently, mixed reality (VR/AR//MR), which are key enabling technologies of the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and the simulated digital environment of the metaverse. XR enables the simulation of workplace scenarios, providing workers with training in a risk-free environment, resulting in cost savings, improved occupational risk prevention, and enhanced decision-making processes. XR is ideal for supporting digital transformation for organisations in fields such as production, occupational risk prevention, maintenance, and marketing. XR is also a key driver for training initiatives aimed at promoting good practices in the circular economy in specific sectors such as woodworking and furniture (W&F). The European Commission has recognised the potential of XR for the W&F sector, funding initiatives such as the European project, Allview, which seeks to identify the most appropriate and beneficial technologies of I4.0 with a green and digital transition focus from the perspective of vocational education and training (VET). This paper presents the work carried out within the framework of Allview, including the research and comparison of current software and hardware of XR tools suitable for VET in the W&F field, a review of successful examples of XR applied to W&F training actions, and an analysis of the opinions gathered from European students, teachers, and training organisations regarding the use of XR in education. As a result, the authors present a training pathway aimed at the development and implementation of a XR training scenario/lab/environment focused on VR, 360° videos, and MR, as a guideline for developing immersive XR training contents, contributing to the digital and green transformation of VET in the W&F sector.

An education programme at the master’s level normally aims to facilitate graduates’ acquisition, mastery and application of advanced knowledge in specialised areas of education. However, there is no learning pathway that aims to improve the level of specific and transversal competencies and skills, with particular regard to those relevant for the labour market in the furniture sector, such as management, entrepreneurship, language competences and leadership toward wood and furniture industry 4.0. The methodology for this research inquiry was based upon a survey questionnaire of 54 respondents during the MAKING4.0 Seminar at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. The results were analysed from the Work Package 1 (WP1) “Analysis and comparison of the current Higher Education training offer and furniture and woodworking industry”, before the learning outcomes were defined for each of the identified topics. The definition of learning outcomes was made considering the Recommendations of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), and subsequently harmonised with the Programme Learning Outcomes defined in the Malaysian Qualification Framework 2nd edition (MQF2.0) for a Master´s Degree Level 7. The identified learning outcomes have been grouped into four modules: (1) Processes and Production of Furniture, (2) Intelligent and Sustainable Design, (3) Wood and New Materials, and (4) Innovation Management. Results of the study indicated that MAKING4.0 is in line with the actions highlighted in the Malaysian Education Blueprint (2015–2025) and the objectives of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in developing the National Industry 4.0 policy framework. MAKING4.0 aims to ensure an adequate supply of human capital and skills, as well as develop an innovative master’s degree to modernise the current training offer in wood and furniture technology processes and design around Industry 4.0 in Malaysia.

espanolLa invasion de Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836 experimenta un avance en la expansion a nuevas areas y es, a dia de hoy, una especie exotica invasora que genera alarma social y preocupacion por sus impactos ecologicos, economicos y sociales. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar los caracteres biologicos de la especie para entender la raiz de su exito invasor y los impactos que genera. Estos se relacionan con aspectos tales como un complejo sistema social, un versatil comportamiento generalista o una alta tasa reproductiva sumada a la capacidad de establecer colonias a partir de una sola reina fecundada. Los impactos de este himenoptero sobre los ecosistemas y la apicultura se relacionan con su comportamiento como predador de insectos polinizadores, en particular de abejas de la miel. El incremento de la poblacion durante el verano y su preferencia por las areas urbanas y semiurbanas implican encuentros frecuentes con las personas, que a menudo sufren picaduras. Sus defensas involucran la comunicacion quimica que desencadena ataques colectivos y la inyeccion de un veneno rico en toxinas que impacta la salud humana. EnglishThe invasion of Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1836 continues to expand into new areas. It is an invasive alien species that currently produces social alarm and concern for its ecological, economic and social impacts. The objective of this work is to explore the biological traits of the species to understand the reasons for its invasive success and impacts. These are related to aspects such as a complex social system, a versatile generalist behaviour or a high reproductive rate added to its ability to establish colonies from a single mated queen. The impacts of this hymenopteran on ecosystems and beekeeping are related to its behaviour as a predator of insect-pollinators, particularly honeybees. The increase of the population during summer and its preference for urban and semi-urban areas entail frequent encounters with people, resulting in an increased risk of being stung. Its defences involve chemical communication triggering collective attacks and the injection of a venom rich in toxins that impacts human health.

BACKGROUND: Vespa velutinahas become a species of concern in invaded regions of Europe and Asia, due to its impacts onbiodiversity, apiculture and society. This hornet, a ferocious hunter of pollinating insects, poses a serious threat to biodiversityand pollination services. Despite ongoing efforts, its extermination in continental Europe is hampered by a lack of effective con-trol methods, thus effective mitigation measures are primary concerns. The aims of this work were: (i) to study the effects of V. velutina predating on honey bee colonies, and (ii) to assess the effectiveness of electric harps in reducing hunting pressureand predation. We assessed the predation pressure and compared honey bee colony performance, body weight of workers, andwinter survivorship for protectedversusunprotected colonies in 36 experimental hives across three apiaries. RESULTS: Electric harps protected honey bees by reducing predation pressure and therefore mitigating foraging paralysis. Consequently, foraging activity, pollen income, brood production and worker body weight were higher in protected colonies whichin turn showed greater winter survivorship than those that were unprotected, especially at sites with intermediate to highlevels of predation. CONCLUSION: The predation of V. velutina affects foraging activity, breeding, body weight and colony survivorship of Apis mellifera. Electric harps contribute significantly to mitigate the impact of this invasive hornet on apiaries; however, they should bedeployed in tandem with additional measures to preserve honey bee colony stocks, such as facilitating access to food sourcesfor colonies during the periods of highest predation pressure. Programa Interreg Atlantic Area (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional, Unión Europea) | Ref. EAPA_800/2018–Atlantic-Positive Universidade de Vigo/CISUG

espanolLas emociones positivas se consideran activadoras de cambios emocionales y fisiologicos, mejorando entre otras cosas el juicio, la memoria, la creatividad y las decisiones de quien las experimenta, de ahi su importancia en la educacion escolar mexicana contemporanea. El objetivo de este articulo es reflexionar acerca de las influencias que ejercen las emociones positivas del personal docente en funcion de elevar la calidad del proceso de ensenanza-aprendizaje. Para ello, se utilizo como metodologia la realizacion de un estudio documental de diferentes fuentes bibliograficas. Con la realizacion de este articulo se llego a la conclusion que las emociones positivas del docente impactan en el alumno y estan directamente relacionadas con el nivel de aprovechamiento del mismo. Un docente con buen manejo de sus emociones fomenta en sus alumnos habilidades y valores que permiten formar un ciudadano sano y feliz. portuguesConsidera-se que as emocoes positivas sao ativadoras de mudancas emocionais e fisiologicas, melhorando, entre outras coisas, o julgamento, a memoria, a criatividade e as decisoes de quem as vivencia, dai sua importância na educacao escolar mexicana contemporânea. O objetivo deste artigo e refletir sobre as influencias que exercem as emocoes positivas sobre o corpo docente na funcao de elevar a qualidade do processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Para isso, utilizou-se como metodologia a realizacao de um estudo documental de diferentes fontes bibliograficas. Com a realizacao deste artigo, concluiu-se que as emocoes positivas do professor impactam ao aluno e estao diretamente relacionadas ao nivel de aproveitamento do mesmo. Um professor com uma boa gestao das emocoes fomenta nos alunos habilidades e valores que permitem formar um cidadao saudavel e feliz. EnglishPositive emotions are considered catalysts for emotional and physiological changes, improving the judgment, memory, creativity and decisions, among other aspects, of those who experience them, hence their importance in contemporary mexican school education. The objective of this article is to reflect on the influences exerted by the positive emotions of the teaching personnel, based on raising the quality of the teaching-learning process. To this end, a documentary study from different bibliographic sources was used as a methodology. With the fulfillment of this article it was possible to conclude that teacher’s positive emotions impact the student and are directly related to its level of use. A teacher with good management of his/her emotions encourages in his/her students skills and values that allow them to form a healthy and happy citizen.

The Asian hornet Vespa velutina is a social predator that has invaded several countries of Europe and Asia, impacting pollinators, apiculture and human health. One of the few effective control methods developed so far is the early destruction of nests. However, they are often built within dense vegetation, being difficult to detect. The aim of the method described here is to detect nests with a simple procedure, utilizing readily available materials, for widespread use in infested areas. The method has two phases, the first phase involves capturing and marking hornets, lured to a protein bait, and recording the flight directions of individuals to the nest and the time needed to complete a bait-nest-bait round trip, to estimate the distance. Collecting this information from two (or more) bait stations allows to delineate the approximate location of the nest. The second phase aims to determine the precise location of the nest, using sugary baits in the vicinity of the nest and conspicuous marks attached to the released hornets, to visually follow them up to their nest. This method is an alternative to other methods that are either ineffective in areas with high nest density or require expensive equipment and specialized training.

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The lack of knowledgeable and skilled workers is a major challenge faced by the Malaysian furniture sector. It hinders industrial productivity and its ability to move up the value-chain by adopting high technology. Therefore, in order to assess the awareness and readiness of the Malaysian furniture industry for Industry 4.0, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted with a sample of 778 large-, medium-, and small-sized furniture manufacturers throughout Malaysia. This study is part of an on-going Erasmus+ program funded by the European Commission, initiated in 2018 to develop a university-level education program to train workers capable of handling Industry 4.0 technologies for the furniture and wood industry in Malaysia. The results revealed that manufacturers of wood-based panel and metal furniture were more prepared to adopt automation and Industry 4.0 technologies compared to solid-wood and leather furniture manufacturers. The benefits from Industry 4.0 technologies include increased production capacity, product diversity, cost competitiveness, and workforce reduction. Further, the results of this study suggest that the lack of knowledgeable and skilled workers to handle Industry 4.0 technology is a concern among furniture manufacturers, and possibly the proposed university-level Industry 4.0 program may be beneficial to train workers for the future of the industry.

Key Enabling Technologies (KET) support the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and are also considered the main drivers of the Circular Economy (CE) transition. In this respect, the guidelines and real use cases to inspire enterprises and industry to lead the twin digital and green transition are still poor. This work is aimed at contributing to this matter, with twofold goals: on the one hand, to show a depth desk-research analysis of the key existing policies at European level that foster this twin digital and green transition; on the other hand, to review practical use cases and international projects where CE practices are boosted through the implementation of KET. From the analysis, a set of recommendations are suggested as a guide for policymakers, researchers, and industry managers on how to foster the CE through the implementation of I4.0 technologies.

This paper studies the effect of wastewater discharges on benthic macroinvertebrates in the Furnia River (Pontevedra, NW Spain). Semiquantitative surveys were carried out in spring 2008 and 2017 in three different locations, upstream and downstream of a sewage treatment plant built in 2013. Different indexes were calculated based on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages: abundance, richness, Shannon-Wiener, EPT, IASPT, IBMWP and several physicochemical variables were measured concurrently. Although the indexes values decreased slightly along the water course, the results indicate an optimal water quality of the Furnia River, supporting a very diverse community of aquatic macroinvertebrates.

We present the first records of Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) buxtoni (Edwards, 1923) (n=15), Culex (Neoculex) impudicus Ficalbi, 1890 (n=12), Culex (Neoculex) territans Walker, 1856 (n=52), Culiseta (Culicella) fumipennis (Stephens, 1825) (n=535), and Culiseta (Culicella) morsitans (Theobald, 1901) (n=54) in the Autonomous Community of Galicia (NW Spain), including the first evidence of the genus Coquillettidia Dyar, 1904 in the northwest of Spain. The field research was carried out in different water ecosystems (ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and lagoons) belonging to 39 zones throughout the entire Galician territory. The samples were collected intermittently and seasonally through different projects of water quality monitoring between 1998 and 2018. A total of 1,614 mosquito larvae have been analyzed, and 668 of them were identified as species not previously recorded in Galicia. Between 1999 and 2003, the first catches of these species were obtained and since then, more specimens have been detected in different wetlands of Galicia, mainly in spring and summer.

We present the first records of

We present the first records of Anopheles (Anopheles) plumbeus Stephens, 1828 and Culex (Culex) torrentium Martini, 1925 in the autonomous region of Galicia (NW Spain), obtained through the Rede Galega de Vixilancia de Vectores (ReGaViVec). This entomological surveillance network, which was initiated in 2017 by the Xunta de Galicia in collaboration with the University of Vigo and the University of Santiago de Compostela, aims to detect the arrival of invasive vectors as well as to improve the knowledge about mosquito populations (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Galician territory. This study shows the first findings of these species in Galicia, which have been reported in six different locations throughout the region: five in the province of Pontevedra and one in the province of Lugo. The 51 captured specimens were collected at different stages of development between July and September, 2018 and 2019 by using specialized traps arranged in favorable regions for the settlement and development of culicids.

En este trabajo, los autores presentan el análisis llevado a cabo para evaluar la falta, las necesidades y las competencias y habilidades requeridas sobre las tecnologías habilitadoras clave (KETs) de la Industria 4.0 (I4.0), tanto en la educación superior como en la industria del mueble, la madera y la manufacturación en Europa. El análisis también evalúa el nivel de implementación de las últimas tendencias tecnológicas en este mismo sector. El análisis se realizó en el marco del proyecto europeo MAKING 4.0, donde un completo set de encuestas se lanzaron a agentes directamente involucrados en el sector del mueble y la madera para conocer, de primera mano, cuáles son sus impresiones acerca del conocimiento actual y el demandado por la I4.0, obteniendo resultados donde se demuestra el bajo nivel de competencias y cualificación en este sector industrial, tanto a nivel educativo como en la industria, además de la falta y necesidad de adaptación de la oferta formativa actual sobre la I4.0 y sus KETs. Se concluye que existe una disparidad evidente entre las competencias actuales de los trabajadores y aquellas que adquieren los estudiantes de ciclos formativos (VET) y educación superior (HE) con respecto a lo demandado por la I4.0, debiéndose cubrir y solventar en los próximos años a través de nuevas iniciativas de formación, capacitación y adquisición de competencias necesarias, como por ejemplo, el proyecto MAKING4.0.

In this work, we studied Trichoptera assemblages in different rivers in NW Spain affected by hydroelectric power stations, and assessed the influence of environmental variables on the distribution of species. Twenty sites in four rivers were sampled during eight sampling campaigns (2001–2002). The fauna was collected with a quantitative Surber sampler. In addition, several physical, chemical and habitat variables were measured at each site. A distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) was done to investigate the relationship between the assemblages and the environmental variables. Assemblage composition was analyzed by non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) and differences between groups were tested using the analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) considering two grouping variables, the river basin and the position of the site (location). The SIMPER routine was used to verify species contribution to dissimilarity. A total of 53 taxa of Trichoptera belonging to 16 families were found, 52% of which were Iberian endemics. The dbRDA revealed that altitude, conductivity, total suspended solids, temperature and location were the variables that most influenced the studied fauna. According to the NMDS analysis, significant differences in faunal composition were recorded between up and downstream sites and between river basins. The fauna seems to respond to a longitudinal gradient, but also to the impact of hydropower stations. The main effects we observed were variations in water temperature and changes in fauna composition, which may be due to the presence of hydropower stations.

Community assembly is determined by a combination of historical events and contemporary processes that are difficult to disentangle, but eco-evolutionary mechanisms may be uncovered by the joint analysis of species and genetic diversity across multiple sites. Mountain streams across Europe harbour highly diverse macroinvertebrate communities whose composition and turnover (replacement of taxa) among sites and regions remain poorly known. We studied whole-community biodiversity within and among six mountain regions along a latitudinal transect from Morocco to Scandinavia at three levels of taxonomic hierarchy: genus, species and haplotypes. Using DNA barcoding of four insect families (>3100 individuals, 118 species) across 62 streams, we found that measures of local and regional diversity and intraregional turnover generally declined slightly towards northern latitudes. However, at all hierarchical levels we found complete (haplotype) or high (species, genus) turnover among regions (and even among sites within regions), which counters the expectations of Pleistocene postglacial northward expansion from southern refugia. Species distributions were mostly correlated with environmental conditions, suggesting a strong role of lineage- or species-specific traits in determining local and latitudinal community composition, lineage diversification and phylogenetic community structure (e.g., loss of Coleoptera, but not Ephemeroptera, at northern sites). High intraspecific genetic structure within regions, even in northernmost sites, reflects species-specific dispersal and demographic histories and indicates postglacial migration from geographically scattered refugia, rather than from only southern areas. Overall, patterns were not strongly concordant across hierarchical levels, but consistent with the overriding influence of environmental factors determining community composition at the species and genus levels. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The diet of Perla madritensis, endemic species of the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, is described for the first time by means of a study carried out in north-western Spain. As other specie...

Simulium ���IL- 8 ��� We analyzed the chromosome preparations of 4 larvae, all females, from Sites 3 and 4 (Table 1). Chromosomal complement. In our small sample, the following inversions were found in the homozygous condition: IL- 2, IL- 8, IIIP- 1, and IIIL- 1 cy,ca. The last-mentioned inversion was associated with a homozygous, thin, strongly staining band (tb) at the junction of 86 B and 88 A (Fig. 6 B). A subterminal heteroband (Hb 45 B) in IIS (Fig. 6 A) was homozygous in all 4 larvae. A chromocenter, ectopic pairing, and B chromosomes were absent. Sex chromosomes. Without males, no statement can be made about the sex chromosomes. Autosomal polymorphisms. A subterminal heteroband (Hb 74 A) in IIIS (Fig 6 B) was heterozygous in two larvae. This heteroband was distinct from the taxonomically widespread Hb 74 C 2 of Hunter (1987). Taxonomic status. No other chromosomally analyzed species in the S. vernum group has a banding sequence like that of our 4 larvae. In addition to European species that have been formally analyzed (summarized by Adler & Crosskey 2015), we have unpublished information for S. brevidens (Rubtsov) and S. quasidecolletum Crosskey, each of which is chromosomally unique and lacks inversion IL- 8. We do not have chromosomal data for S. bertrandi Grenier & Dorier, S. codreanui (Sherban), S. oligotuberculatum (Knoz), or some of the putative Italian endemics. One of our 4 larvae, however, was mature, and its uncurled gill histoblast did not have an elongated base or a swollen dorsal trunk, eliminating S. codreanui and S. oligotuberculatum. The postgenal cleft was rounded or slightly angular anteriorly, suggesting that the species is not S. bertrandi, which has a more angular cleft (similar to that of S. argyreatum Meigen). No pupae in the collections at Sites 3 and 4 had the elongated microtubercles with secondary granules characteristic of S. bertrandi (Grenier & Dorier 1959). We, therefore, suggest that these larvae represent a new, formally undescribed species, here designated Simulium ���IL- 8 ���. We refrain from formally describing a new species until additional life stages are collected. Bionomics. Larvae were collected in two streams, both with open canopies. One stream (Site 3) was less than 0.5 m wide with a sandy and stony substrate, whereas the other (Site 4) was twice as wide with a sandy substrate and some macrophytes harboring the preimaginal stages. Larvae were collected with those of S. aureum Fries sensu stricto, S. armoricanum, S. cryophilum complex, S. vernum sensu stricto, S. ornatum group and S. variegatum Meigen group., Published as part of Adler, Peter H., Belqat, Bouta��na, Gonz��lez, Josefina Garrido, P��rez, Alexandre Justo & Seitz, Gunther, 2016, Chromosomal relationships of Simulium armoricanum and its undescribed sister species in the Simulium vernum species group (Diptera: Simuliidae), pp. 211-222 in Zootaxa 4137 (2) on pages 219-221, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4137.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/267215, {"references":["Hunter, F. F. (1987) Cytotaxonomy of four European species in the Eusimulium vernum group (Diptera: Simuliidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 65, 3102 - 3115. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1139 / z 87 - 470","Adler, P. H. & Crosskey, R. W. (2015) Cytotaxonomy of the Simuliidae (Diptera): a systematic and bibliographic conspectus. Zootaxa, 3975 (1), 1 - 139. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3975.1.1","Grenier, P. & Dorier, A. (1959) Deux Simulies nouvelles (S. bertrandi n. sp. et S. carthusiense n. sp.) du Groupe latipes, recoltees en France et en Espagne. Travaux du Laboratoire d'Hydrobiologie et de Pisciculture de l'Universite de Grenoble 40 / 41, 1 - 19."]}

The banding sequence of the polytene chromosomes of Simulium armoricanum Doby & David from England, Portugal, and Spain was resolved relative to the standard map for the S. vernum group. The species is characterized by 11 fixed inversions, one nearly fixed inversion, and three common polymorphisms. The sister species of S. armoricanum is proposed as a formally undescribed species discovered in samples from Portugal. It shares one unique inversion with S. armoricanum , but otherwise differs by eight fixed or nearly fixed rearrangements. Simulium armoricanum and its newly discovered sister species, informally referred to as Simulium ‘IL-8’, are members of a larger clade of Palearctic species defined by a small pericentric inversion in chromosome III. Among the simuliid species occupying the same streams with S. armoricanum was the first record, chromosomally confirmed, of S. aureum Fries sensu stricto in Portugal. Successful chromosomal analysis of samples of S. armoricanum 17 years after initial fixation demonstrates the importance of storing cytologically fixed larvae at subzero temperatures.

Simulium armoricanum The banding sequences of all 56 chromosome preparations (n = 16 males, 40 females) of S. armoricanum from Sites 1���9 (Table 1) were analyzed completely. Chromosomal complement. The nucleolar organizer was in the standard location in the base of IS (section 19 B; Figs. 2, 3), a chromocenter was absent, homologues were tightly paired, and B chromosomes and heterobands were not found. Simulium armoricanum was removed from the standard sequence for the S. vernum group by the following 11 fixed inversions and 1 nearly fixed inversion: IL- 2, IL- 8, IL- 9 (frequency = 0.98; Fig. 3), IIL- 8 + 4 additional but unnumbered inversions (Fig. 4), IIIP- 1, IIIS- 8, IIIS- 9 (Fig. 5), and IIIL- 1 cy, ca. All but IL- 2, IL- 8, IIIP- 1, and IIIL- 1 cy, ca are unique to S. armoricanum. The IL arm carried two new inversions: a large, central inversion, IL- 8, which reversed the polarity of the Z marker, and the nearly fixed IL- 9, on top of the widely shared IL- 2 inversion. A portion of section 41 in most larvae (though not all; Fig. 3 B) was puffed as a white, diffusely banded area (Fig. 3 A), a trait found in numerous species in the S. vernum group (Brockhouse 1985, fig. 5; Hunter & Connolly 1986). The IIL arm was complexly rearranged, and five inversions were required to reassemble the bands into the standard sequence (Fig. 4). Various breakpoint scenarios are possible for four of the inversions; hence, we do not number those inversions. Chromosome III included the pericentric inversion IIIP- 1 (Fig. 5). The centromeric region of chromosome III was unique among members of the S. vernum group, consisting of a well-defined centromere band within a slightly expanded area, bounded on either side by a diffuse area of heterochromatin delimited distally by a thin, darkly staining band (Fig. 5). IIIS had two unique overlapping inversions, with one coincident breakpoint (Fig. 5). Two sequences were found in the IIIL arm (Table 2), relative to the standard sequence of Brockhouse (1985): IIIL- 1 cy,ca (= p sequence) and IIIL- 2,(1 ���)cy,ca (= v sequence) of Hunter (1987). Establishing the fixed IIIL sequence for S. armoricanum is complicated by the uncertainty of whether IIIL- 1 cy,ca and IIIL- 1 ���cy,ca are different inversions, as suggested by Hunter (1987); the similarity of terminal bands in the inversions renders the decision problematic. The most parsimonious explanation is that IIIL- 1 cy,ca and IIIL- 1 ���cy,ca are the same inversion, and that it is fixed in S. armoricanum, rendering IIIL- 2 cy,ca (Fig. 5) polymorphic. 1 p = p sequence of Hunter (1987) = IIIL- 1 cy,ca; v = v sequence of Hunter (1987) = IIIL- 2,(1 ���)cy,ca. IIIL- 1 cy, ca = IIIL- 1 ���cy, ca is regarded here as the fixed sequence, rendering IIIL- 2 cy,ca polymorphic. Sex chromosomes. Inversions IS- 1 am and IS- 2 am were universally linked to one another, never having been found independently. In the heterozygous condition, they formed a characteristic, complex loop (Fig. 2). At Site 2, three of four males were IS- 1 am, 2 am heterozygotes and one was an inverted homozygote, whereas the 19 females were predominantly (68.4 %) standard homozygotes (Table 3). Although we acknowledge that sample sizes are small, a test for independence of IS- 1 am, 2 am and sex is only marginally significant at England Site 2 (G-test: G = 3.822, p = 0.05, df = 1), and not significant at Spain Site 8 (G = 0.020, p> 0.05, df = 1). Given the marginal significance of sex linkage in England, we refrain from recognizing IS- 1 am, 2 am as Y linked and tentatively regard all populations as having undifferentiated sex chromosomes (X0Y0). We suspect that IS- 1 am, 2 am is equivalent to the complex Y chromosome mentioned by Bass & Brockhouse (1990) in their sample of unstated provenance from England. If so, different populations in England might represent a spectrum of Y linkage for IS- 1 am, 2 am. Simulium armoricanum would be the only member of the group, among sufficiently analyzed species, with cytologically differentiated sex chromosomes based on the IS arm. 1 s = standard banding sequence, i = inverted banding sequence for IS- 1 am, 2 am. Autosomal polymorphisms. In addition to IS- 1 am, 2 am and IIIL- 2 cy,ca, the latter with an overall frequency of 0.76 for the inverted constituent (Table 2), we found IL- 9 heterozygously in 2 females, one at Site 6 and one at Site 9. The same female at Site 9 also had a small inversion in IIIL (sections 85 c��� 86 a inclusive on the map of Brockhouse 1985). Taxonomic status. Other than the texture of its silken cocoon, S. armoricanum is morphologically no more differentiated than any of the other chromosomally studied species (Bass 1998), but it is the most chromosomally differentiated of the 14 fully resolved nominal European members of the S. vernum group in terms of the number of fixed inversions (11) removed from the standard. No ecological or morphological evidence previously had suggested that S. armoricanum is a complex of species; its ecological requirements and morphology, as far as they are known, are tightly defined (Bass 1998). Until evidence to the contrary comes to light, we regard S. armoricanum as a single cytological entity over a significant portion of its geographic range spanning more than 1200 linear km from southern England to Portugal, with the type locality encompassed by this range. Some hedging is necessary, however, because the characterization by Bass & Brockhouse (1990) of S. armoricanum from an unspecified location in England suggests that perhaps a different species is involved; their analysis indicates that IIIS is standard, rather than fixed for two overlapping inversions, which, however, produce a sequence superficially similar to the standard sequence. Bionomics. Larvae were collected from cool streams 2 m or less in width, with closed or open canopies. In England, the streams had open canopies and were in the heart of the moorland. In Spain, the streams were 10.9���11.6 ��C, with pH of 5.9���7.1 and conductivity of 5.9���78.5 ��S/cm. The streams (��� 0.5 m wide) in Portugal had open canopies characteristic of the high granitic mountains, with substrates of sand and stone and, at Site 6, some macrophytes. Larvae of S. armoricanum were collected in England with those of the S. cryophilum complex, S. intermedium Roubaud, and the S. tuberosum (Lundstr��m) complex; in Portugal with S. aureum Fries sensu stricto��� recorded and confirmed chromosomally (1 female, classic sequence, with no polymorphisms) for the first time from Portugal (Site 3)���the S. cryophilum complex, S. vernum Macquart sensu stricto, and S. intermedium; and in Spain with the S. cryophilum complex, S. vernum sensu stricto, and the S. ornatum Meigen group., Published as part of Adler, Peter H., Belqat, Bouta��na, Gonz��lez, Josefina Garrido, P��rez, Alexandre Justo & Seitz, Gunther, 2016, Chromosomal relationships of Simulium armoricanum and its undescribed sister species in the Simulium vernum species group (Diptera: Simuliidae), pp. 211-222 in Zootaxa 4137 (2) on pages 214-219, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4137.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/267215, {"references":["Brockhouse, C. (1985) Sibling species and sex chromosomes in Eusimulium vernum (Diptera: Simuliidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 63, 2145 - 2161. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1139 / z 85 - 316","Hunter, F. F. & Connolly, V. (1986) A cytotaxonomic investigation of seven species in the Eusimulium vernum group (Diptera: Simuliidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 64, 296 - 311. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1139 / z 86 - 050","Hunter, F. F. (1987) Cytotaxonomy of four European species in the Eusimulium vernum group (Diptera: Simuliidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 65, 3102 - 3115. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1139 / z 87 - 470","Bass, J. A. B. & Brockhouse, C. (1990) A new British species of the Simulium vernum group, with comments on its ecology and life history (Diptera: Simuliidae). Aquatic Insects, 12, 65 - 84. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1080 / 01650429009361392","Bass, J. (1998) Last-instar larvae and pupae of the Simuliidae of Britain and Ireland: a key with brief ecological notes. Institute of Freshwater Ecology, River Laboratory. Freshwater Biological Association Scientific Publication, 55, 1 - 102."]}

Summary. The understanding of community structuring factors is a fundamental issue in community ecology. We investigate the biodiversity of the water beetle in the Ichkeul Lake stream system located in Northern Tunisia, with emphasis on the effect of several environmental variables on their assemblage structure. This area is of a great importance since it was included in the list of preserved waterbodies by RAMSAR convention on wetlands, MAB (Man And Biosphere), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Consequently, the study of its biodiversity constitutes a required way to better conduct this protection aim. Special attention must be paid to species endemic to North Africa, as all of them require conservation measures. Sampling was carried out over the course of a year. Dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, temperature and turbidity were measured for each study site. Water permanence, velocity, aquatic vegetation and substrate type were considered. The investigated stream...