Revision of the Austrelatuspapuensis group with descriptions of 42 new species from New Guinea (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Copelatinae).

The Austrelatuspapuensis group is the second species group of the New Guinean representatives of the recently described genus AustrelatusShaverdo et al., 2023. The group is mainly defined by distinct scale- and/or spinula-like surface structures of the dorsal sclerite of the median lobe. The species group already contains four described species and 42 new species and one subspecies treated here: Austrelatusaiyurensissp. nov., A.asteiossp. nov., A.bewaniensissp. nov., A.bosaviensissp. nov., A.bundunensissp. nov., A.centralensissp. nov., A.craterensissp. nov., A.decorissp. nov., A.dekaisp. nov., A.epicharissp. nov., A.flavocapitatussp. nov., A.fuscussp. nov., A.herzogensissp. nov., A.inconstanssp. nov., A.iriatoisp. nov., A.kalibumisp. nov., A.kebarensissp. nov., A.kokodensissp. nov., A.leptossp. nov., A.lolokisp. nov., A.lopintolensissp. nov., A.madangensissp. nov., A.maindaisp. nov., A.mamberamosp. nov., A.mianminensissp. nov., A.miltokarenossp. nov., A.noiadisp. nov., A.normanbyensissp. nov., A.ohusp. nov., A.posmanisp. nov., A.procerussp. nov., A.pseudogestroisp. nov., A.pseudomianminensissp. nov., A.robustussp. nov., A.sarartisp. nov., A.sumokedisp. nov., A.wanangensissp. nov., A.wasiorensissp. nov., A.wasurensissp. nov., A.weigelisp. nov., A.yamurensissp. nov., A.yeretuarsp. nov., A.xanthocephalusnabirensisssp. nov. A checklist and identification key to New Guinean species of the group are provided and important diagnostic characters are illustrated. Data on the species distributions and habiat preferences are given.

Radiographic Outcome of Vital Teeth Treated with Prosthodontic Crowns in Dogs: 26 Cases (2015-2017).

This retrospective study evaluated the effects of prosthodontic crown placement on tooth vitality. Prosthodontic crown placement may be indicated for vital teeth affected by attrition, abrasion, uncomplicated crown fractures, enamel defects, and enamel hypoplasia. This study evaluated 26 vital teeth in 17 patients at the time of crown placement and after 1-year following crown placement. Dental radiographs were used to determine vitality of the 26 teeth. Twenty-five teeth were found to be vital and 1 tooth was non-vital 1-year after crown placement. These results demonstrated that tooth vitality was maintained after titanium alloy crown placement to treat crown attrition, abrasion, uncomplicated crown fractures, and enamel defects.

Abundant, diverse, unknown: Extreme species richness and turnover despite drastic undersampling in two closely placed tropical Malaise traps.

Arthropods account for a large proportion of animal biomass and diversity in terrestrial systems, making them crucial organisms in our environments. However, still too little is known about the highly abundant and megadiverse groups that often make up the bulk of collected samples, especially in the tropics. With molecular identification techniques ever more evolving, analysis of arthropod communities has accelerated. In our study, which was conducted within the Global Malaise trap Program (GMP) framework, we operated two closely placed Malaise traps in Padang, Sumatra, for three months. We analyzed the samples by DNA barcoding and sequenced a total of more than 70,000 insect specimens. For sequence clustering, we applied three different delimitation techniques, namely RESL, ASAP, and SpeciesIdentifier, which gave similar results. Despite our (very) limited sampling in time and space, our efforts recovered more than 10,000 BINs, of which the majority are associated with "dark taxa". Further analysis indicates a drastic undersampling of both sampling sites, meaning that the true arthropod diversity at our sampling sites is even higher. Regardless of the close proximity of both Malaise traps (< 360 m), we discovered significantly distinct communities.

DNA barcoding data release for the Phoridae (Insecta, Diptera) of the Halimun-Salak National Park (Java, Indonesia).

Launched in 2015, the large-scale initiative Indonesian Biodiversity Discovery and Information System (IndoBioSys) is a multidisciplinary German-Indonesian collaboration with the main goal of establishing a standardised framework for species discovery and all associated steps. One aspect of the project includes the application of DNA barcoding for species identification and biodiversity assessments. In this framework, we conducted a large-scale assessment of the insect fauna of the Mount Halimun-Salak National Park which is one of the largest tropical rain-forest ecosystems left in West Java. In this study, we present the results of processing 5,034 specimens of Phoridae (scuttle flies) via DNA barcoding. Despite limited sequencing success, we obtained more than 500 clusters using different algorithms (RESL, ASAP, SpeciesIdentifier). Moreover, Chao statistics indicated that we drastically undersampled all trap sites, implying that the true diversity of Phoridae is, in fact, much higher. With this data release, we hope to shed some light on the hidden diversity of this megadiverse group of flies.

Limbodessus moni sp. nov., a new high altitudinal diving beetle from the Grasberg in West Papua, Indonesia (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Bidessini).

Limbodessus moni sp. nov. is described from Lake Anderson and from small, richly vegetated swampy areas around alpine lakes at 3,970 m a.s.l. near the Grasberg Mine (Carstensz Pyramid) in the Central Mountain Range of New Guinea. The record of the new species marks the altitudinal maximum of a diving beetle in New Guinea. The new species is morphologically similar to L. alexanderi Balke & Hendrich, 2015 in terms of body size and dark coloration; however, both species can be easily separated by the shape of the median lobe and the more moniliform female antennomeres, not forming a conspicuous club as in L. alexanderi. A modified key for all five Limbodessus species from New Guinea and adjacent islands is presented.

Austrelatus gen. nov., a new genus of Australasian diving beetles (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Copelatinae), with the discovery of 31 new species from New Guinea.

Herein, Austrelatusgen. nov. (type species: Copelatusirregularis W.J. Macleay, 1871) is described for a distinctive lineage of predominantly Australasian species previously assigned to Copelatus Erichson, 1832. The new genus was retrieved as well supported, monophyletic clade in phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences data using Bayesian and parsimony approaches. The main morphological diagnostic character of Austrelatus is a complex median lobe of the aedeagus, with evident dorsal and ventral sclerites usually divided in apical half into two lobes of different shape or otherwise modified. Morphological comparison of the new genus with other Copelatinae genera, especially with Copelatus and Exocelina Broun, 1886, and a generic key to the New Guinean Copelatinae are provided. New combinations are established for 31 already described species mainly from the Australian Region (all from Copelatus): Austrelatusadelbert (Megna, Atthakor, Manaono, Hendrich & Balke, 2017), comb. nov.; A.badeni (Sharp, 1882), comb. nov.; A.bakewelli (J. Balfour-Browne, 1939), comb. nov.; A.baranensis (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.bougainvillensis (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.boukali (Hendrich & Balke, 1998), comb. nov.; A.clarki (Sharp, 1882), comb. nov.; A.daemeli (Sharp, 1882), comb. nov.; A.davidi (Wewalka, 2017), comb. nov.; A.deccanensis (Sheth, Ghate & Hájek, 2018), comb. nov.; A.fidschiensis (Zimmermann, 1928), comb. nov.; A.gestroi (Régimbart, 1892), comb. nov.; A.irregularis (W.J. Macleay, 1871), comb. nov.; A.kaszabi (Guignot, 1956), comb. nov.; A.kietensis (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.laevipennis (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.luteomaculatus (Guignot, 1956), comb. nov.; A.maushomi (Sheth, Ghate & Hájek, 2018), comb. nov.; A.neoguineensis (Zimmermann, 1919), comb. nov.; A.nigrolineatus (Sharp, 1882), comb. nov.; A.papuensis (J. Balfour-Browne, 1939), comb. nov.; A.parallelus (Zimmermann, 1920a), comb. nov.; A.schuhi (Hendrich & Balke, 1998), comb. nov.; A.sibelaemontis (Hájek, Hendrich, Hawlitschek & Balke, 2010), comb. nov.; A.strigosulus (Fairmaire, 1878), comb. nov.; A.ternatensis (Régimbart, 1899), comb. nov.; A.uludanuensis (Hendrich & Balke, 1995), comb. nov.; A.urceolus (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.variistriatus (Hájek, Shaverdo, Hendrich & Balke, 2021), comb. nov.; A.wallacei (J. Balfour-Browne, 1939), comb. nov. and A.xanthocephalus (Régimbart, 1899), comb. nov.Austrelatus species from New Guinea are divided into two informal species groups, the A.neoguineensis group and A.papuensis group, and A.fumatosp. nov. and A.setiphallussp. nov. standing aside of them. The A.neoguineensis group is introduced with three previously known species and 29 new species described here based on the morphological characters and Cox1 data: Austrelatusbaliemsp. nov., A.bormensissp. nov., A.brazzasp. nov., A.debulensissp. nov., A.fakfaksp. nov., A.febrisaurisp. nov., A.fojaensissp. nov., A.garainensissp. nov., A.innominatussp. nov., A.lembenensissp. nov., A.lisaesp. nov., A.manokwariensissp. nov., A.mimikasp. nov., A.mirificussp. nov., A.moreguinensissp. nov., A.nadjaesp. nov., A.oksibilensissp. nov., A.pseudoneoguineensissp. nov., A.pseudoksibilensissp. nov., A.rajaampatensissp. nov., A.rouaffersp. nov., A.rugosussp. nov., A.sandaunensissp. nov., A.sarmiensissp. nov., A.securiformissp. nov., A.testegensissp. nov., A.toricellisp. nov., A.vagauensissp. nov., and A.wanggarensissp. nov.Copelatusvagestriatus Zimmermann, 1919, syn. nov. is recognised as a junior subjective synonym of A.clarki (Sharp, 1882). The lectotypes of Copelatusgestroi Régimbart, 1892, C.neoguineensis Zimmermann, 1919 and C.xanthocephalus Régimbart, 1899 are designated. All species are (re)described, and their important species characters (genitalia, habitus, and colour patterns) are illustrated. Keys to all species are provided. The known distribution and habitat preferences of each species are outlined briefly. New Guinean Austrelatus occupy a variety of stagnant water habitats, either lentic sensu stricto, or standing water associated with lotic habitats (e.g., backflows, rockpools, intermittent / ephemeral stream pools).

Eastern Colombian Páramo Liodessus Guignot, 1939 diving beetles are genetically structured, but show signs of hybridization, with description of new species and subspecies (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae).

We studied Liodessus diving beetles from six eastern Colombian Páramo areas, as well as from the Altiplano. We discovered a highly characteristic new species, based on male genital morphology, Liodessussantarositasp. nov., in the Páramo de Guantiva-Rusia. Specimens from the Altiplano around Bogotá, and the Páramos of Almorzadero, Chingaza, Matarredonda, Rabanal y Rio Bogotá and Sumapaz form one clade of genetically similar populations based on mitochondrial Cox1 sequence data. The individuals of this clade are sub-structured according to their geographic distribution. The populations differ from each other mainly in terms of body size and coloration and, at most, subtly in their genital morphology. In two cases, we find putative hybrid populations between Altiplano and Páramo areas. We suggest that the different Páramo populations are in an early phase of speciation, and perhaps already genetically isolated in some cases. They are here assigned subspecies status to highlight these ongoing processes pending more comprehensive geographic sampling and use of genomic data. We refer to this clade as the Liodessusbogotensis complex, containing Liodessusb.bogotensis Guignot, 1953; Liodessusb.almorzaderossp. nov.; Liodessusb.chingazassp. nov.; Liodessusb.lacunaviridis Balke et al., 2021, stat. nov.; Liodessusb.matarredondassp. nov., and Liodessusb.sumapazssp. nov.

Bunites distigma (Brull, 1837): discovery of the second- and third-instar larvae and phylogenetic relationships within the Colymbetinae (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae).

The second- and third-instar larvae of the diving beetle Bunites distigma (Brull, 1837) are described and illustrated for the first time, including detailed morphometric and chaetotaxic analyses of selected structures, and their phylogenetic relationships within the Colymbetinae are re-evaluated. The results support previous hypotheses on the position of this genus based on first-instar characters, as Bunites Spangler, 1972 shares a common origin with Meladema Laporte, 1835, Hoperius Fall, 1927 and Neoscutopterus J. Balfour-Browne, 1943, and within this clade, it is sister to Meladema. Instars II and III of Bunites differ from other colymbetine genera by the presence of a basal suture on the urogomphi combined with the presence of posteroventral secondary setae on the protarsus. Some information on the habitat of the species is also provided.

Radiographic Outcome of the Endodontic Treatment of 55 Fractured Canine Teeth in 43 Dogs (2013-2018).

Medical records from 4 private practice veterinary dentistry specialty clinics were reviewed for a 5-year period (2013-2018) to identify dogs that had a fractured canine tooth treated by root canal therapy and returned for subsequent follow-up evaluation. Evaluation criteria included the presence of complete medical records with diagnostic quality intraoral radiographs for each procedure visit with a minimum of 6 months between visits. Forty-three dogs with a total of 55 endodontically treated canine teeth were identified and evaluated. Root canal treatment outcome was defined as successful, no evidence of failure (NEF), or failure based on radiographic findings. Patient age, time from initial treatment to follow-up, obturation material used, radiographic quality of obturation (including voids, overfill, and retention of fractured endodontic files), radiographic evidence of periapical disease and/or presence of external inflammatory root resorption (EIRR), and the presence or absence of a full coverage metal crown were evaluated. Treatment was classified as successful in 51 (92.73%) teeth, NEF in 3 (5.45%) teeth, and failure in 1 (1.82%) tooth. The results suggest that endodontic treatment of fractured canine teeth in dogs is a successful treatment option that allows for retention of this functionally important tooth.

A species-group key and notes on phylogeny and character evolution in New Guinean Exocelina Broun, 1886 diving beetles (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Copelatinae).

Detailed information about the known species groups of Exocelina Broun, 1886 from New Guinea is presented, including species numbers, distribution, and references of species-group diagnoses, keys to the species, and species descriptions. An identification key to all species groups is provided. Phylogeny and morphological character evolution are discussed.