South Africa boasts a rich diversity of small mammals of which several are commensal and harbour parasites of zoonotic importance. However, limited information is available on the parasite diversity and distribution associated with rodents in South Africa. This is particularly relevant for Micaelamys namaquensis (Namaqua rock mouse), a regionally widespread and locally abundant species that is often commensal. To address the paucity of data, the aims of the study were to record the ectoparasite diversity associated with M. namaquensis and develop distribution maps of lice and mites associated with M. namaquensis and other rodents in South Africa. Micaelamys namaquensis individuals (n = 216) were obtained from 12 localities representing multiple biomes during 2017–2018. A total of 5591 ectoparasites representing 5 taxonomic groups – fleas, lice, mesostigmatid mites, chiggers and ticks was recorded. These consisted of at least 57 taxa of which ticks were the most speciose (20 taxa). Novel contributions include new host and locality data for several ectoparasite taxa and undescribed chigger species. Known vector species were recorded which included fleas (Ctenocephalides felis, Dinopsyllus ellobius and Xenopsylla brasiliensis) and ticks (Haemaphysalis elliptica, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus simus). Locality records indicate within-taxon geographic differences between the 2 louse species and the 2 most abundant mite species. It is clear that M. namaquensis hosts a rich diversity of ectoparasite taxa and, as such, is an important rodent species to monitor in habitats where it occurs in close proximity to humans and domestic animals.

Finds distributions plotted over landscapes and continents, once the mainstay of archaeological cultural mapping, went into a lengthy period of decline when it was realised that many were artefacts of modern recovery rather than patterns of their own day. What price then, the rich harvest of finds being collected by modern routine procedures of rescue work and by metal-detectorists? The author shows how distribution patterns can be validated, and sample bias minimised, through comparison with maps of known populations and by presenting the distributions more sharply by risk surface analysis. This not only endorses the routine recording of surface finds currently undertaken in every country, but opens the door to new social and economic interpretations through methods of singular power.

Based on a literature survey and the identification of all available collection material, a checklist and distribution maps for the caddisflies occurring in Flanders were prepared. Of the 126 species that have been recorded, 16 are now extinct in Flanders, while the majority of the remaining species is rare and their populations are often vulnerable due to isolation. Caddisflies only occurred at high oxygen levels and relatively low conductivities and three species assemblages could be recognized. A first group of species lived in stagnant waters and those species tolerated slightly lower oxygen concentrations than species characteristic for running waters. In streams of the Campine region, which are characterized by a low pH and a low conductivity, a second group of species was found. The last group of species mainly occurred in the loamy region, where pH and conductivity are higher. Running waters in other ecoregions mainly contained ubiquist species and did not possess a characteristic species assemblage. Despite the fact that the ecological water quality in Flanders slightly increased during the last few decades, the ecological water quality of most waters is still too low for caddisflies. According to the European Union water framework directive, a good ecological water quality should be obtained in all surface waters. Additional measures to improve the water quality are necessary in order to obtain sustainable populations of the caddisfly species occurring in Flanders.

A literature survey and the identification of all available collection material resulted in a checklist and distribution maps for the mayflies occurring in Flanders. In addition, the relationship between the occurrence of mayflies and water characteristics was analysed. Of the 32 species that have been recorded, six are now extinct in Flanders (three of which are potamal species), while the majority of the remaining species are rare and their populations are often strongly isolated and therefore extremely vulnerable. Waters with relatively low oxygen levels and high conductivities were characterized by the most tolerant mayfly species Cloeon dipterum and Caenis robusta. However, most other species only occurred at higher oxygen concentrations and lower conductivities and could be separated into two groups. The first group mainly occurred in waters with a high pH and were often restricted to the loamy region or to stagnant waters, while the second group occurred in waters with a lower pH and mainly occurred in the Campine region. For most mayfly species, sustainable populations can only be achieved when their current habitats are adequately protected and, in addition, measures should be taken to connect and enlarge the remaining populations.

Based on a literature survey and the identifi cation of all available collection material from Flanders, a checklist is presented,distribution maps are plotted and the relationship between the occurrence of the different species and water characteristics isanalysed. Of the sixteen stonefly species that have been recorded, three are now extinct in Flanders (Isogenus nubecula, Taeniopteryxnebulosa and T. schoenemundi), while the remaining species are rare. The occurrence of stoneflies is almost restrictedto small brooks, while observations in larger watercourses are almost lacking. Although a few records may indicate that somelarger watercourses have recently been recolonised, these observations consisted of single specimens and might be due to drift.Most stonefly population are strongly isolated and therefore extremely vulnerable. Small brooks in the Campine region (northeastFlanders), which are characterised by a lower pH and a lower conductivity, contained a different stonefly community than thesmall brooks in the rest of Flanders. Leuctra pseudosignifera, Nemoura marginata and Protonemura intricata are mainly found insmall brooks in the loamy region, Amphinemura standfussi, Isoperla grammatica, Leuctra fusca, L. hippopus, N. avicularis andP. meyeri mainly occur in small Campine brooks, while L. nigra, N. cinerea and Nemurella pictetii can be found in both types.Nemoura dubitans can typically be found in stagnant water fed with freatic water. Sustainable populations of these stonefly speciescan only be achieved when their present habitats are adequately protected and in addition, measures should be taken to connectand enlarge the remaining populations.

This is a description of species area effects for Agromyzidae associated with leguminous plants. The data on geographic area was extracted from the National Museums of Kenya (Herbarium section). The geographic area species plots showed an effective partial correlation of 16%. The correlation was unfortunately low and could be attributed to inadequate botanical and agromyzid records in Kenya. Generally, geographical area explained most of the species richness in Kenya. Other variations not accounted for by the logarithmic plot of species-area effects were derived from residuals. The plots between residuals and different variables showed that leaf-form, habitat variation, altitude and taxonomic isolation also explained variation in species area plots.