Description of the stygobiotic Crustacean Dolekiella europaea gen. Nov. sp. Nov. (Ostracoda, Limnocytheridae) from Southern France

The description of Dolekiella europaea gen. nov. sp. nov., a living stygobiotic representative of the Timiriaseviinae subfamily (Ostracoda, Limnocytheridae) is presented. The ostracods were sampled in wells located along the Tech, Têt and Réart Rivers (southern France). The valve morphology (specially the hinge structure) of Dolekiella resembles those of Abroto-cythere Zhao, 1987, a fossil ostracod taxon known from Tertiary deposits of China. Appendages of the new genus present unique characters, like the reduction of the distal cheatotaxy of the 2n d antenna. The phylogenetical relationships of Dolekiella to other Timiriaseviinae taxa as well as its biogeographical interest are discussed

The implementation of taxonomic harmonisation for Candoninae (Ostracoda, Cypridoidea): A heuristic solution for Fabaeformiscandona tricicatricosa (Diebel and Pietrzeniuk)

International audienceThe concept of Taxonomic Harmonisation (TH) incorporates the search for similarities between taxa mentioned in different data sets and/or taxonomic classification systems, in order to propose a more coherent and homogenous taxonomic system necessary for practical usage in basic and applied scientific activities. For the present project we conceived Fabaeformiscandona tricicatricosa as a species defined by a homeostatic cluster of traits with a given temporal persistence, visible in close relationship with other Fabaeformiscandonaspecies, like F. caudata(Kaufmann), F. levanderi (Hirschmann), and F. siliquosa(Brady), as well as with Candona neglecta Sars which displays analogies in valve shape. We show the advantages to study the above-mentioned taxa by a combination of classic observations in optical microscopy with SEM-techniques and with the treatment of data using geometric morphometrics and multivariate statistics. A protocol for the implementation of the TH of F. tricicatricosa is proposed. We offer a differential diagnosis for F. tricicatricosaas compared to F. caudata, F. levanderi, F. siliquosaand C. neglecta. We use for taxonomic diagnostics a combination of aggregate traits like the average of the outline of valves and qualitative traits, like the shape and the position of a ledge on the posterior side of the valves. We propose to add the term “Consensus” to the species defined by the procedure of the taxonomic harmonisation. To differentiate them from other types of species we propose to use the extension sensu lato following the Linnean species notation. Comments on the origin and the (palaeo)ecology and (palaeo)biogeography of F. tricicatricosaare presented

Evaluating the performance of water purification in a vegetated groundwater recharge basin maintained by short-term pulsed infiltration events.

Infiltration of surface water constitutes an important pillar in artificial groundwater recharge. However, insufficient transformation of organic carbon and nutrients, as well as clogging of sediments often cause major problems. The attenuation efficiency of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients and pathogens versus the risk of bioclogging for intermittent recharge were studied in an infiltration basin covered with different kinds of macrovegetation. The quality and concentration of organic carbon, major nutrients, as well as bacterial biomass, activity and diversity in the surface water, the porewater, and the sediment matrix were monitored over one recharge period. Additionally, the numbers of viral particles and Escherichia coli were assessed. Our study showed a fast establishment of high microbial activity. DOC and nutrients have sustainably been reduced within 1.2 m of sediment passage. Numbers of E. coli, which were high in the topmost centimetres of sediment porewater, dropped below the detection limit. Reed cover was found to be advantageous over bushes and trees, since it supported higher microbial activities along with a good infiltration and purification performance. Short-term infiltration periods of several days followed by a break of similar time were found suitable for providing high recharge rates, and good water purification without the risk of bioclogging