A multi-taxon analysis of European Red Lists reveals major threats to biodiversity

Biodiversity loss is a major global challenge and minimizing extinction rates is the goal of several multilateral environmental agreements. Policy decisions require comprehensive, spatially explicit information on species' distributions and threats. We present an analysis of the conservation status of 14,669 European terrestrial, freshwater and marine species (ca. 10% of the continental fauna and flora), including all vertebrates and selected groups of invertebrates and plants. Our results reveal that 19% of European species are threatened with extinction, with higher extinction risks for plants (27%) and invertebrates (24%) compared to vertebrates (18%). These numbers exceed recent IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) assumptions of extinction risk. Changes in agricultural practices and associated habitat loss, overharvesting, pollution and development are major threats to biodiversity. Maintaining and restoring sustainable land and water use practices is crucial to minimize future biodiversity declines.

Bark beetles and pinhole borers recently or newly introduced to France (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae and Platypodinae)

We present an annotated list of 11 Scolytinae and Platypodinae species newly or recently introduced to France. Four species are recorded for the first time as interceptions: Euplatypus hintzi (Schaufuss), Euplatypus parallelus (Fabricius), Xyleborus affinis Eichhoff and Xyleborus ferrugineus (Fabricius). Two are possibly naturalised: Xyleborus bispinatus Eichhoff and Cryphalus dilutus Eichhoff, while Cyclorhipidion distinguendum (Eggers) and Xyloterinus politus (Say) are confirmed as species newly established in Europe. Moreover, an unidentified species of Amasa Lea, collected previously in Spain, is recorded for the first time in France: Amasa sp. near truncata (Erichson). We point out that literature references to Amasa truncata as an invasive species in New Zealand and South America are incorrect, as the photographs of these non-native populations do not match the holotype of A. truncata. For each species we have updated its global distribution, detailed all French records, and summarized biology, ecology, host trees and potential risks as pests.

First survey of darkling beetles (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) of Talassemtane National Park, Western Rif, Morocco

To contribute to the knowledge of beetles (Coleoptera) of the mountainous region of Morocco, Talassemtane National Park (Western Rif, Chefchaouen district, Morocco) was surveyed. This is an exceptional protected area of the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve (RIBM). The inventory was made using different traps combined with active searching periodically during 2013 and 2014. Among numerous species belonging to various families, the darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) represent one of the major groups, in terms of diversity and heritage value. Thirty five species were identified, two species are new records to Morocco, and two other species, which were hitherto only known by the type specimens, have been rediscovered.

PASSIFOR: A reference library of DNA barcodes for French saproxylic beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera)

Saproxylic beetles – associated with dead wood or with other insects, fungi and microorganisms that decompose it – play a major role in forest nutrient cycling. They are important ecosystem service providers and are used as key bio-indicators of old-growth forests. In France alone, where the present study took place, there are about 2500 species distributed within 71 families. This high diversity represents a major challenge for specimen sorting and identification.

The PASSIFOR project aims at developing a DNA metabarcoding approach to facilitate and enhance the monitoring of saproxylic beetles as indicators in ecological studies. As a first step toward that goal we assembled a library of DNA barcodes using the standard genetic marker for animals, i.e. a portion of the COI mitochondrial gene. In the present contribution, we release a library including 656 records representing 410 species in 40 different families. Species were identified by expert taxonomists, and each record is linked to a voucher specimen to enable future morphological examination. We also highlight and briefly discuss cases of low interspecific divergences, as well as cases of high intraspecific divergences that might represent cases of overlooked or cryptic diversity.

[Prevalence of reactions to drugs in 251 patients with urticaria-angioedema syndrome]

We studied 251 outpatients affected by chronic and acute urticaria-angioedema syndrome, triggered or exacerbated by drugs, to evaluate the prevalence of adverse reactions to each pharmacological group. Among these patients, 134 (53.4%) presented one or more adverse reactions to a single drug: 100 (74.7%) reacted to NSAIDs, 33 (24.7%) to antibiotics and 1 to B vitamin complex. The remaining 117 patients (46.6%) presented adverse reactions to more than one drug. Considering the patients all together, 123 (49%) had adverse reactions to ASA, 116 (46.2%) to pyrazones, 65 (25.9%) to antibiotics, 26 (10.3%) to NSAIDs different from ASA and pyrazones. In our experience, according to other reports, there is a greater frequency of drug reactions to NSAIDs vs other drugs. ASA is the more frequently involved drug.

[IgE-mediated allergy to ethylene oxide in hemodialyzed patients]

Ethylene oxide (ETO) is widely employed in sterilization of hemodialysis materials. Many studies have shown that ETO may act as an antigenic compound when bound to human albumin, therefore eliciting allergic reactions during hemodialysis. In the present study, we investigated in 93 patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis the prevalence of sensitization to ETO. All the patients were investigated for the presence of allergic or pseudo allergic reactions during the treatment. Specific IgE to ETO were found in sera of 3 patients: 1 suffered from urticaria and 1 from glottic edema and hypotension during the dialysis. The third one had non symptoms. The employ of a gamma-rays sterilized filter determined the disappearance of clinical manifestations in the two symptomatic patients, therefore suggesting a pathogenetic role of the specific IgE to ETO in determining the clinical manifestations.

Panax ginseng: Relation between Age of Plant and Content of Ginsenosides

The roots of PANAX GINSENG C. A. Meyer contain a relatively high percentage of ginsenosides from their first year of life onwards. Since the major development of weight of roots occurs between the 4th and 5th year of life, it has been established that the highest yield of ginsenosides and therefore the best time for harvesting the roots is at the end of the summer of the 5th year.