We need reliable data on the spatial distribution of parasites in order to achieve an inventory of global parasite biodiversity and establish robust conservation initiatives based on regional disease risk. This requires an integrated and spatially consistent effort toward the discovery of new parasite species. Using a large and representative dataset on the geographical coordinates where 4943 helminth species were first discovered, we first test whether the geographical distribution of parasite species reports is spatially congruent across helminth higher taxa; i.e. whether areas, where many trematodes are found, are also areas where many nematodes or cestodes have been discovered. Second, we test whether the global geographical distribution of new helminth species reports has changed significantly over time, i.e. across the last few decades. After accounting for spatial autocorrelation in the data, we find no strong statistical support for either of the patterns we investigated. Overall, our results indicate that helminth species discoveries are both spatially incongruent among higher taxa of helminths, and inconsistent over time. These findings suggest that the global parasite discovery effort is inefficient, spatially biased and subject to idiosyncrasies. Coordinated biodiscovery programmes, involving research teams with expertise in multiple taxonomic groups, seem the best approach to remedy these issues.

Pristina silvicola and P. terrena spp. nov. are described from soil samples of the primary rain forest at the Brazilian Agroforestry Research Facility near Manaus, Brazil. Living and preserved specimens were studied. The species are among the smallest oligochaetes known (1–1.5 mm long) but they are conspicuous by their brilliant, highly refractile coelomocytes. Pristina silvicola is also described from sexually mature specimens. Its character combination invalidates Pristinella as a genus separate from Pristina. Both genera are reunited as Pristina. Pristina silvicola and P. terrena, species which lack a proboscis, share a character combination that is unique in the genus: stomach absent, first nephridia in segment VII, ventral chaetae uniform with upper tooth not longer than lower. They differ from one another in the shape of the brain and in other details of the chaetae.

The taxonomy of Cortinarius subgen. Phlegmacium sect. Phlegmacioides (= Variecolores) in Europe is emended to include 18 species, classified in three subsections: Subsect. Variecolores: C. variecolor (emended to include C. nemorensis sensu R. Henry, Mos.), C. violaceomaculatus, C. spadicellus (= C. amigochrous), C. largus (= C. nemorensis sensu J.E. Lange, C. lividoviolaceus), C. coalescens, C. patibilis var. patibilis, C. patibilis var. scoticus, C. kuehneri and C. russus; Subsect. Balteati: C. balteatus (= C. subbalteatus), C. durus var. durus, C. durus var. chamaesalicis, C. balteatotomentosus, C. balteatoalbus var. balteatoalbus (= C. crassus sensu J.E. Lange), C. balteatoalbus var. areni-silvae, C. vacciniophilus (= C. latus sensu Mos.), C. acidophilus, C. balteatocumatilis (=C. violaceocinctus), C. hysginus (=C. latobalteatus) and C. borgsjoeensis; Subsect. Serarii: C. serarius (= C. eulepistus). Nine taxa have not been previously included in taxonomic treatments of the group.

The species delimitations are discussed, and the diagnostic characters and their differentiation are studied. Species descriptions are provided. Two large species complexes were recognized, the C. variecolor and the C. balteatus complexes, the taxa of which had a large degree of overlapping character variation, frequently with only one, discontinuously varying character. The species have different and often less strict edaphic requirements than found elsewhere in the subgenus. Most species are rare and with a limited distribution, many of them belonging to a Picea or Betula-associated, ± northern, boreal element. A few species have a broad range of mycorrhizal hosts and a very wide distribution in Europe.

The taxonomy of Cortinarius subgen. Phlegmacium sect. Phlegmacium in Europe is emended to include 17 species, classified in three subsections: Subsect. Triumphantes: C. saginus ( = C. subvalidus), C. triumphans (=C. crocolitus). C. varius (here neotypified). C. variiformis ( = C luteocingulatus), C. tiliae sp. nov., C. pini sp. nov. and C. norrlandicus; Subsect. Arguti: C. argutus (here neotypified), C. fraudulosus var. fraudulosus. C. fraudulosus var. rosargutus comb, nov., C. paracephalixus ( = C. rioussctiae) and C. herculeus: Subsect. Vulpini: C. vulpinus ( = C. rufoalbus. C. fluryi). C. pseudontlpimts, C. maculosus, C. caligatus (=C. crustulinus) and C. aremoricus. Species descriptions are provided, with emphasis on formerly little studied micromorphological characters. Most species are well delimitated and normally easily distinguished from closely related taxa. Their diagnostic characters are presented. The circumscription of a number of the species deviates from the one most frequently used, and many taxa are synonymized. Altogether, 18 species names which have been in use after 1900 are reduced to synonyms. The delimitation of the section towards the neighbouring sect. Phlegmacioides (= Variecolores) is discussed, as well as the typification of the name Phlegmacium.