A remarkable new synthemistid from New Caledonia (Odonata: Anisoptera: Synthemistidae s. str.). Taxonomic and phylogenetic note on New Caledonian Synthemistidae and erection of a new genus.

The new species, Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi sp. nov., dedicated to the late Jean Legrand, is described and illustrated based on a single pair of specimens from Mont Pani, New Caledonia. The male of this large species has unusual strongly sinuous and distally down curved white cerci 7 mm long and exhibits on abdominal segment 10 a remarkable clump of strong setae mimicking a dorsal horn. The female wingspan slightly exceeds 100 mm. In addition, on the basis of adult and larval characters, Neocaledosynthemis gen. nov. is erected to accommodate two other New Caledonian synthemistids, Synthemis fenella Campion (type species) and Synthemis ariadne Lieftinck. New Caledonian synthemistids are probably more closely related to Parasynthemis Carle than to Synthemis Selys Longchamps, both from Australia.

Isolation of Burkholderia pseudomallei from a goat in New Caledonia: implications for animal and human health monitoring and serological tool comparison.

BACKGROUND: Melioidosis is a serious bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in soil and water. It can affect both humans and animals, and is endemic in regions such as Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. In recent years, there have been reports of an emergence of human melioidosis in other areas, including New Caledonia. RESULTS: During standard laboratory analysis in New Caledonia in 2021, a strain of B. pseudomallei was isolated from a goat. The strain was characterized using both MLST and WGS techniques and was found to cluster with previously described local human strains from the area. In parallel, several serological tests (CFT, ELISA, Luminex (Hcp1, GroEL, BPSS1840), arrays assay and a latex agglutination test) were performed on animals from the farm where the goat originated, and/or from three other neighboring farms. Using two commercial ELISA kits, seropositive animals were found only on the farm where the infected goat originated and tests based on recombinant proteins confirmed the usefulness of the Hcp1 protein for the diagnosis of melioidosis in animals. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the regular reports of human cases, this is the first confirmed case of melioidosis in an animal in New Caledonia. These results confirm the presence of the bacterium in the region and highlight the importance of vigilance for both animal and human health. It is critical that all health partners, including breeders, veterinarians, and biologists, work together to monitor and prevent the spread of the disease.

The hopes and stakes of a public health reform. The example of New Caledonia / Espoirs et enjeux d'une réforme d'une santé publique : l'exemple de la Nouvelle-Calédonie

At a time when many of us desire fundamental reform of our health system, we return to the case of the New Caledonian Do-Kamo project. The proposed model provides interesting elements of reflection, due to it being person-centered and favoring a cultural approach to disease.

À l'heure où nous sommes nombreux à souhaiter une réforme de fond de notre système de santé, nous revenons sur l'exemple néo-calédonien en la matière avec le projet Do Kamo. Le modèle proposé peut être source d'éléments de réflexion intéressants ; en effet, il est centré sur la personne, dans une vision d'appropriation de l'approche culturelle des maladies.

Seasonal Single-Site Sampling Reveals Large Diversity of Marine Algal Toxins in Coastal Waters and Shellfish of New Caledonia (Southwestern Pacific).

Algal toxins pose a serious threat to human and coastal ecosystem health, even if their potential impacts are poorly documented in New Caledonia (NC). In this survey, bivalves and seawater (concentrated through passive samplers) from bays surrounding Noumea, NC, collected during the warm and cold seasons were analyzed for algal toxins using a multi-toxin screening approach. Several groups of marine microalgal toxins were detected for the first time in NC. Okadaic acid (OA), azaspiracid-2 (AZA2), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), pinnatoxin-G (PnTX-G), and homo-yessotoxin (homo-YTX) were detected in seawater at higher levels during the summer. A more diversified toxin profile was found in shellfish with brevetoxin-3 (BTX3), gymnodimine-A (GYM-A), and 13-desmethyl spirolide-C (SPX1), being confirmed in addition to the five toxin groups also found in seawater. Diarrhetic and neurotoxic toxins did not exceed regulatory limits, but PnTX-G was present at up to the limit of the threshold recommended by the French Food Safety Authority (ANSES, 23 µg kg-1). In the present study, internationally regulated toxins of the AZA-, BTX-, and OA-groups by the Codex Alimentarius were detected in addition to five emerging toxin groups, indicating that algal toxins pose a potential risk for the consumers in NC or shellfish export.

Influence of an oral health promotion program on the evolution of dental status in New Caledonia: A focus on health inequities.

New Caledonia is a sui generis collectivity of overseas France situated in the south Pacific Ocean. Geographical and social inequalities are superimposed on ethnic disparities with high prevalence of chronic diseases such as oral diseases. In 2012, the health agency has evaluated the children's health status. Then, an oral health promotion program was developed in 2014. Another study was conducted in 2019 in New Caledonia to appreciate the evolution of children's oral health. A sample of 488 9-years-old children was randomly selected. Dental status was clinically recorded, families and children answered questionnaires about oral health determinants. The methodology (sampling, study variables…) was similar to the one used in the 2012 study. Multivariate mixed-models were conducted to compare 2012 and 2019 dental status and to explore the determinants of caries experience in 2019. Results indicated that caries prevalence and experience decreased between 2012 and 2019, with nonetheless various trends depending on the province or type of indexes. The number of carious lesions (d3t + D3T) in 2019 was used as an outcome variable in four models. Model 1 integrated social variables; ethnicity was found to be the only significant determinant. Model 2 was related to oral health care; participation in the program & and access to oral health care was found to be significant. For oral health behaviours (model 3), tooth brushing frequency and consumption of sugary snacks were significant risk factors. In a final model with significant variables from the previous models, ethnicity, accessibility of oral health care, number of sealed molars, consumption of sugary snacks remained explanatory factors. Five years after the implementation of the oral health promotion program, positive changes in oral health have been observed. However, health equity is still an issue with varying health status depending on ethnicity, behavioural factors and accessibility to oral health care.

Latest Triassic and Early Jurassic Spiriferinida (Brachiopoda) of Zealandia(New Zealand and New Caledonia).

The Late Triassic spiriferinides of Zealandia include the endemic or Austral genera Rastelligera, Psioidea and Psioidiella, and the cosmopolitan Zugmayerella. Mentzelia kawhiana is revised and placed in Callospiriferina. It appears in the late Rhaetian and is found in the Téremba Terrane in New Caledonia and throughout the Murihiku Terrane in New Zealand. The spiriferinides were severely affected at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in Zealandia as elsewhere, but a moderately diverse fauna developed in the Early Jurassic. This has strong links to South America, and affinities with southern Europe and North Africa. In this study, a total of six species of Jurassic spiriferinides are recognised. Callospiriferina ongley is present in middle and late Hettangian and Sinemurian faunas. It is succeeded in the Pliensbachian and early Toarcian by Callospiriferina radiata. Two species of Spiriferina are recognised. S. sophiaealbae n. sp. first appears in the Middle Hettangian and is present in the Southland and Kawhia Synclines until the early Toarcian. S. arakiwa n. sp. is found mainly on the southwest limb of the Southland Syncline in the Pliensbachian and early Toarcian. The non-costate European genus Cisnerospira is represented in Zealandia by the small C. antipoda n. sp. This species ranges from Hettangian to early Toarcian. Two specimens of a spiriferinide with a costate sulcus are tentatively identified as Dispiriferina sp. cf. D. chilensis. The highest stratigraphic level at which Zealandian spiriferinides have been found is that of the Dactylioceras band at Kawhia, which is correlated with the Crassum Subzone of the Bifrons Zone (highest Early Toarcian) and includes three species of spiriferinide. This suggests that the Zealandian spiriferinides survived the Toarcian Event, only to meet their demise slightly later.

Multiple Chromosome Fissions, Including That of the X Chromosome, in Aulacocyclus tricuspis Kaup (Coleoptera, Passalidae) from New Caledonia: Characterization of a Rare but Recurrent Pathway of Chromosome Evolution in Animals.

The male karyotype of Aulacocyclus tricuspis Kaup 1868 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Passalidae, Aulacocyclinae) from New Caledonia contains an exceptionally high number of chromosomes, almost all of which are acrocentric (53,X1X2Y). Unlike the karyotypes of other species of the pantropical family Passalidae, which are principally composed of metacentric chromosomes, this karyotype is derived by fissions involving almost all the autosomes after breakage in their centromere region. This presupposes the duplication of the centromeres. More surprising is the X chromosome fragmentation. The rarity of X chromosome fission during evolution may be explained by the deleterious effects of alterations to the mechanisms of gene dosage compensation (resulting from the over-expression of the unique X chromosome in male insects). Herein, we propose that its occurrence and persistence were facilitated by (1) the presence of amplified heterochromatin in the X chromosome of Passalidae ancestor, and (2) the capacity of heterochromatin to modulate the regulation of gene expression. In A. tricuspis, we suggest that the portion containing the X proper genes and either a gene-free heterochromatin fragment or a fragment containing a few genes insulated from the peculiar regulation of the X by surrounding heterochromatin were separated by fission. Finally, we show that similar karyotypes with multiple acrocentric autosomes and unusual sex chromosomes rarely occur in species of Coleoptera belonging to the families Vesperidae, Tenebrionidae, and Chrysomelidae. Unlike classical Robertsonian evolution by centric fusion, this pathway of chromosome evolution involving the centric fission of autosomes has rarely been documented in animals.

Adolescent screen time and unhealthy food consumption in the context of the digital development in New Caledonia.

OBJECTIVE: For several years, the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) have been undergoing digital developments that have had an impact on the time adolescents spend in front of screens. The association between screen time and the overconsumption of unhealthy foods has been observed but little studied in New Caledonia. The twofold aim of this research was to analyze adolescent screen time based on the number of screens at home, gender, place of living, ethnic community and family socio-professional category and determine the link with the consumption of unhealthy food and drinks. METHODS: Self-report questionnaires on time spent in front of tablets, computers and mobile phones, as well as the consumption of unhealthy food and drinks, were administered between July 2018 and April 2019 to 867 adolescents from 11 to 15 years old during school hours in eight schools across the three provinces of New Caledonia. RESULTS: Adolescents in rural areas had fewer screens than their urban counterparts, and the number of screens determined the amount of screen time, which was significantly higher among the adolescents living in urban areas (3.05 h/day weekdays vs rural 2.33 h/day). Screen time was not related to gender, socio-professional category or ethnic community, but correlations were found between screen time and consumption of unhealthy food and drinks. Those who consumed less than 1 u/day of unhealthy drinks watched screens for 3.30 h/day, whereas those who consumed more than 1 u/day watched screens for 4.13 h/day. Also, those who consumed less than 1 u/day of unhealthy food watched screens for 2.82 h/day and those consuming more than 1 u/day did so for 3.62 h/day. Melanesians and Polynesians consumed greater quantities of unhealthy food and drinks than Europeans. As the consumption of unhealthy products is linked to screen time in the context of digital development, there is an urgent need to address the excessive consumption of unhealthy foods in Oceanian populations, particularly among young people.

Biogeography and evolution of social parasitism in Australian Myrmecia bulldog ants revealed by phylogenomics.

Studying the historical biogeography and life history transitions from eusocial colony life to social parasitism contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms generating biodiversity in eusocial insects. The ants in the genus Myrmecia are a well-suited system for testing evolutionary hypotheses about how their species diversity was assembled through time because the genus is endemic to Australia with the single exception of the species M. apicalis inhabiting the Pacific Island of New Caledonia, and because at least one social parasite species exists in the genus. However, the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the disjunct biogeographic distribution of M. apicalis and the life history transition(s) to social parasitism remain unexplored. To study the biogeographic origin of the isolated, oceanic species M. apicalis and to reveal the origin and evolution of social parasitism in the genus, we reconstructed a comprehensive phylogeny of the ant subfamily Myrmeciinae. We utilized Ultra Conserved Elements (UCEs) as molecular markers to generate a molecular genetic dataset consisting of 2,287 loci per taxon on average for 66 out of the 93 known Myrmecia species as well as for the sister lineage Nothomyrmecia macrops and selected outgroups. Our time-calibrated phylogeny inferred that: (i) stem Myrmeciinae originated during the Paleocene âˆ¼ 58 Ma ago; (ii) the current disjunct biogeographic distribution of M. apicalis was driven by long-distance dispersal from Australia to New Caledonia during the Miocene âˆ¼ 14 Ma ago; (iii) the single social parasite species, M. inquilina, evolved directly from one of the two known host species, M. nigriceps, in sympatry via the intraspecific route of social parasite evolution; and (iv) 5 of the 9 previously established taxonomic species groups are non-monophyletic. We suggest minor changes to reconcile the molecular phylogenetic results with the taxonomic classification. Our study enhances our understanding of the evolution and biogeography of Australian bulldog ants, contributes to our knowledge about the evolution of social parasitism in ants, and provides a solid phylogenetic foundation for future inquiries into the biology, taxonomy, and classification of Myrmeciinae.

Genomic Epidemiology of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in New Caledonia.

An increasing number of isolations of Corynebacterium diphtheriae has been observed in recent years in the archipelago of New Caledonia. We aimed to analyze the clinical and microbiological features of samples with C. diphtheriae. All C. diphtheriae isolates identified in New Caledonia from May 2015 to May 2019 were included. For each case, a retrospective consultation of the patient files was conducted. Antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes, tox gene and diphtheria toxin expression, biovar, and the genomic sequence were determined. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), 7-gene MLST, and search of genes of interest were performed from genomic assemblies. Fifty-eight isolates were included, with a median age of patients of 28 years (range: 9 days to 78 years). Cutaneous origin accounted for 51 of 58 (87.9%) isolates, and C. diphtheriae was associated with Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pyogenes in three-quarters of cases. Half of cases came either from the main city Noumea (24%, 14/58) or from the sparsely populated island of Lifou (26%, 15/58). Six tox-positive isolates were identified, associated with recent travel to Vanuatu; 5 of these cases were linked and cgMLST confirmed recent transmission. Two cases of endocarditis in young female patients with a history of rheumatic fever involved tox-negative isolates. The 58 isolates were mostly susceptible to commonly used antibiotics. In particular, no isolate was resistant to the first-line molecules amoxicillin or erythromycin. Resistance to tetracycline was found in a genomic cluster of 17 (29%) isolates, 16 of which carried the tetO gene. There were 13 cgMLST sublineages, most of which were also observed in the neighboring country Australia. Cutaneous infections may harbor nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae isolates, which circulate largely silently in nonspecific wounds. The possible introduction of tox-positive strains from a neighboring island illustrates that diphtheria surveillance should be maintained in New Caledonia, and that immunization in neighboring islands must be improved. Genomic sequencing uncovers how genotypes circulate locally and across neighboring countries. IMPORTANCE The analysis of C. diphtheriae from the tropical archipelago of New Caledonia revealed a high genetic diversity with sublineages that may be linked to Polynesia, Australia, or metropolitan France. Genomic typing allowed confirming or excluding suspected transmission events among cases and contacts. A highly prevalent tetracycline-resistant sublineage harboring the tetO gene was uncovered. Toxigenic isolates were observed from patients returning from Vanuatu, showing the importance of improving vaccination coverage in settings where it is insufficient. This study also illustrates the importance for diphtheria surveillance of the inclusion of isolates from cutaneous sources in addition to respiratory cases, in order to provide a more complete epidemiological picture of the diversity and transmission of C. diphtheriae.

Behavior of trace metals during composting of mixed sewage sludge and tropical green waste: a combined EDTA kinetic and BCR sequential extraction study in New Caledonia.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of composting on the release dynamics and partitioning of geogenic nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and anthropogenic copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in a mixture of sewage sludge and green waste in New Caledonia. In contrast to Cu and Zn, total concentrations of Ni and Cr were very high, tenfold the French regulation, due to their sourcing from Ni and Cr enriched ultramafic soils. The novel method used to assess the behavior of trace metals during composting involved combining EDTA kinetic extraction and BCR sequential extraction. BCR extraction revealed marked mobility of Cu and Zn: more than 30% of the total concentration of these trace metals was found in the mobile fractions (F1 + F2) whereas Ni and Cr were mainly found in the residual fraction (F4). Composting increased the proportion of the stable fractions (F3 + F4) of all four trace metals studied. Interestingly, only EDTA kinetic extraction was able to identify the increase in Cr mobility during composting, Cr mobility being driven by the more labile pool (Q1). However, the total mobilizable pool (Q1 + Q2) of Cr remained very low, < 1% of total Cr content. Among the four trace metals studied, only Ni showed significant mobility, the (Q1 + Q2) pool represented almost half the value given in the regulatory guidelines. This suggests possible environmental and ecological risks associated with spreading our type of compost that require further investigation. Beyond New Caledonia, our results also raise the question of the risks in other Ni-rich soils worldwide.

Analysis of intrinsic evolutionary factors leading to microendemic distributions in New Caledonian leaf beetles.

Microendemicity, or the condition of some species having local ranges, is a relatively common pattern in nature. However, the factors that lead to this pattern are still largely unknown. Most studies addressing this issue tend to focus on extrinsic factors associated with microendemic distributions, such as environmental conditions, hypothesising a posteriori about underlying potential speciation mechanisms, linked or not to these conditions. Here, we use a multi-faceted approach mostly focusing on intrinsic factors instead, namely diversification dynamics and speciation modes in two endemic sibling genera of leaf beetles with microendemic distributions, Taophila and Tricholapita, in a microendemicity hotspot, New Caledonia. Results suggest that the diversification rate in this lineage slowed down through most of the Neogene and consistently with a protracted speciation model possibly combined with several ecological and environmental factors potentially adding rate-slowing effects through time. In turn, species accumulated following successive allopatric speciation cycles, possibly powered by marked geological and climatic changes in the region in the last 25 million years, with daughter species ranges uncorrelated with the time of speciation. In this case, microendemicity seems to reflect a mature state for the system, rather than a temporary condition for recent species, as suggested for many microendemic organisms.

An examination of procrastination in a multi-ethnic population of adolescents from New Caledonia.

BACKGROUND: Although procrastination has been widely studied in adults, comparatively little work has focused on adolescent procrastination, especially in the Pacific region. As a contribution to knowledge and diversification of population sampling, therefore, we examined procrastination in a multi-ethnic sample of adolescents from New Caledonia. Specifically, we examined gender and ethnic differences in procrastination, as well as sociodemographic and ethnic identity predictors of procrastination. METHODS: 927 adolescents (474 boys, 453 girls; age M = 13.2 years) completed measures of procrastination and ethnic identity, and reported their ethnicity (Kanak vs. Polynesian vs. European). Sociodemographic data (sex, age, area of residence and socioeconomic status) were also collected. RESULTS: An analysis of variance indicated significant ethnic (Kanak and Polynesian adolescents had higher procrastination than European adolescents) and sex differences (girls had higher procrastination than boys), but no significant interaction. Regression analysis showed that higher procrastination was significantly associated with sex, ethnicity, age, and the interaction between ethnicity and ethnic identity. Moderation analysis showed that ethnic identity moderated the relationship between ethnicity and procrastination, but only in Kanak adolescents. CONCLUSION: Relatively high levels of procrastination were observed in Kanak and Polynesian adolescents, and in girls. These findings, while preliminary, may have important implications for academic attainment in the New Caledonian context.

Cytotoxicity of fibrous antigorite from New Caledonia.

Exposure to asbestos and asbestos-like minerals has been related to the development of severe lung diseases, including cancer and malignant mesothelioma (MM). A high incidence of non-occupational MM was observed in New Caledonia (France) in people living in proximity of serpentinite outcrops, containing chrysotile and fibrous antigorite. Antigorite is a magnesium silicate, which shares with chrysotile asbestos the chemical formula. To achieve information on antigorite toxicity, we investigated the physico-minero-chemical features relevant for toxicity and cellular effects elicited on murine macrophages (MH-S) and alveolar epithelial cells (A549) of three fibrous antigorites (f-Atg) collected in a Caledonian nickel lateritic ore and subjected to supergene alteration. Field Atg were milled to obtain samples suitable for toxicological studies with a similar particle size distribution. UICC chrysotile (Ctl) and a non-fibrous antigorite (nf-Atg) were used as reference minerals. A high variability in toxicity was observed depending on shape, chemical alteration, and surface reactivity. The antigorites shared with Ctl a similar surface area (16.3, 12.1, 20.3, 13.4, and 15.6 m2/g for f-Atg1, 2, 3, nf-Atg, and Ctl). f-Atg showed different level of pedogenetic weathering (Ni depletion f-Atg1 ≪ f-Atg2 and 3) and contained about 50% of elongated mineral particles, some of which exhibited high aspect ratios (AR > 10 µm, 20%, 26%, 31% for f-Atg1, 2, and 3, respectively). The minerals differed in bio-accessible iron at pH 4.5 (f-Atg1 ≪ f-Atg3, < f-Atg2, nf-Atg < Ctl), and surface reactivity (ROS release in solution, f-Atg1 ≪ f-Atg2, 3, nf-Atg, and Ctl). f-Atg2 and f-Atg3 induced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses, while the less altered, poorly reactive sample (f-Atg1) induced negligible effects, as well nf-Atg. The slow dissolution kinetics observed in simulated body fluids may signal a high biopersistence. Overall, our work revealed a significative cellular toxicity of f-Atg that correlates with fibrous habit and surface reactivity.

Proposal of a new genus, Doorochen (Digenea: Lepocreadioidea), for reef-inhabiting members of the genus Postlepidapedon Zdzitowiecki, 1993.

A new genus, Doorochen n. gen., is erected for four species of Postlepidapedon Zdzitowiecki, 1993, all of which inhabit members of the labroid genus Choerodon Bleeker, the tuskfishes, and which molecular phylogenies have indicated are not congeneric with the type-species, P. opisthobifurcatum (Zdzitowiecki, 1990) Zdzitowiecki, 1993. Doorochen secundum (Durio & Manter, 1968) n. comb. from Choerodon graphicus (De Vis), the Graphic tuskfish, from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and New Caledonia is designated the type-species of the new genus. Other species recognised are Doorochen spissum (Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1997) n. comb. from C. venustus (De Vis), the Venus tuskfish, C. cyanodus (Richardson), the Blue tuskfish, and C. graphicus from the GBR; D. uberis (Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1997) n. comb. from C. schoenleinii (Valenciennes), the Blackspot tuskfish, and C. venustus from the GBR and Moreton Bay; and D. philippinense (Machida, 2004) n. comb. from C. anchorago (Bloch), the Orange-dotted tuskfish, from Philippine waters. In addition to these four species, two new species are described: D. zdzitowieckii n. sp. from C. fasciatus (Günther), the Harlequin tuskfish, and C. graphicus from the GBR; and D. goorchana n. sp. from C. anchorago from the GBR and Palau. The genus Postlepidapedon is now considered to comprise just two species, P. opisthobifurcatum and P. quintum Bray & Cribb, 2001. The relationships of Doorochen, Postlepidapedon, Myzoxenus Manter, 1934 and Intusatrium Durio & Manter, 1968 in the family Lepidapedidae Yamaguti, 1958 are discussed.

The oribatid mite superfamily Eutegaeoidea (Acari, Oribatida), with descriptions of new taxa from Australia and New Caledonia and a re-assessment of genera and families.

Twenty-four new species of Eutegaeoidea from Australia and New Caledonia are described, and two new genera are proposed. These are Eutegaeus woiwurrung sp. nov., E. nothofagi sp. nov., E. bidhawal sp. nov., E. ptilosus sp. nov., Humerotegaeus carinatus gen. et sp. nov., H. concentricus gen. et sp. nov., Atalotegaeus crobylus sp. nov., Neoeutegaeus torsteini sp. nov., N. melipsilon sp. nov. N. malcolmi sp. nov., N. corniculatus sp. nov. (Eutegaeidae), Compactozetes goongerah sp. nov., C. crenellatus sp. nov. (Compactozetidae) and Pterozetes lawrencei sp. nov. (Pterozetidae) from temperate rainforests in Victoria and Tasmania; Compactozetes bundjalung sp. nov., C. calderi sp. nov., C. duonodulus sp. nov., Sadocepheus remus sp. nov. (Compactozetidae) and Porrhotegaeus githabul sp. nov. (Porrhotegaeidae fam. nov.) from temperate and sub-tropical rainforests of the Great Dividing Range in central and northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, Porrhotegaeus catherinae sp. nov. from scalybark closed forest on Lord Howe Island, Eutegaeus odontatus sp. nov. and Compactozetes pirumorpha sp. nov. from moist upland forest on Norfolk Island and Neseutegaeus wardi sp. nov. and Atalotegaeus deficiens sp. nov. from tropical rainforest and moss forest in New Caledonia. Based on the predominantly Southern Hemisphere distribution of Eutegaeoidea, indicating strong Gondwanan affinities, and the morphology of adults and immatures, this taxon is treated as distinct from the Cepheoidea which has a distribution almost entirely within the Northern Hemisphere. Eutegaeoid species previously described from Australia (Eutegaeus soror P. Balogh, 1985, Atalotegaeus mensarosi J. & P. Balogh, 1983, Neseutegaeus monteithi J. & P. Balogh, 1983, Neoeutegaeus phyllophorus J. & P. Balogh, 1983 and Porrhotegaeus ornatus J. Balogh & Mahunka, 1966) are redescribed based on type material and new distribution records provided. Species have distribution patterns predominantly indicative of short-range endemics associated with remnant Gondwanan rainforest. Neseutegaeus monteithi is recombined with Atalotegaeus Luxton, 1988a. The definitions of genera and families of Eutegaeoidea are revised, and their relationships are reconsidered. Birotegaeus Luxton, 1988a and Pareutegaeus Woolley, 1965 are designated junior synonyms of Eutegaeus Berlese, 1916. Immatures are described for the genera Atalotegaeus, Eutegaeus, Neoeutegaeus Aoki, 1964 and Porrhotegaeus J. Balogh & Mahunka, 1966. Neoeutegaeidae fam. nov. is established for Neoeutegaeus Aoki, 1964 and Humerotegaeus gen. nov., Porrhotegaeidae fam. nov. for Porrhotegaeus and Bornebuschiidae fam. nov. for Bornebuschia Hammer, 1966 and Dicrotegaeus Luxton, 1988 which had previously been placed in Cerocepheidae or Compactozetidae. Eutegaeus aysenensis Ermilov, 2021 and E. queulatensis Ermilov, 2021 from Chile, are recombined with Atalotegaeus. A key is provided to the genera of the eight families of Eutegaeoidea, as recognised herein: Eutegaeidae, Neoeutegaeidae fam. nov., Cerocepheidae, Compactozetidae, Bornebuschiidae fam. nov., Pterozetidae and Porrhotegaeidae fam. nov.

On a new tribe, genus and species of Cypricercinae McKenzie, 1971 (Crustacea, Ostracoda, Cyprididae) from New Caledonia (Pacific Ocean).

The New Caledonian Archipelago is a hot spot for biodiversity and endemism. Here, we describe Lithocypris peyia gen. et spec. nov. Martens, Almeida & Higuti from a single locality (a lithotelma, or rockpool) on Grande Terre, the main island of the archipelago. The new genus belongs to the subfamily Cypricercinae and to the new tribe Lithocypridini trib. nov. based on the absence of a groove and anterior inner lists in the left valve, on several aspects of the chaetotaxy, of the prehensile palps and of the hemipenis, and on the fact that the Triebels Loop is situated in the dorsal branch of the attachment of the caudal ramus. Lithocypris gen. nov. can further be distinguished from the other genera in the subfamily by a combination of features: carapace elongated in lateral view and narrow in dorsal view, left valve with a weak ventral and posterior inner list only, antennule with both Wouters and Rome organs, maxillula with elongated and rectangular second palp segment and very short sideways directed bristles, first thoracopod with setae a, b and d present and with female palp short and plump, second thoracopod with setae d1 and d2 very short, third thoracopod with seta f missing and Zenker organ with a crown.

The New Caledonian endemic geocorine bug genus, Nannogermalus is not monotypic anymore (Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Geocoridae).

Three new species of the big-eyed bug genus Nannogermalus Kondorosy & Kbor, 2020 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Geocoridae: Geocorinae) are now described: N. herczeki sp. nov., N. pallgergelyi sp. nov. and N. webbi sp. nov. Additions and corrections to the generic description of the genus were made based on the newly acquired morphological knowledge. Key, diagnoses and distribution data for new species of the genus are provided. Ecological notes are given based on collection site data and literature regarding other geocorid taxa.