Aim Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a rapidly emerging methodology with important applications to environmental management and conservation. However, the effects of stream flow or discharge on eDNA have been minimally investigated in lotic (stream and river) environments. In this study, we examined the role of stream flow on eDNA concentrations and detectability of an invasive clam (Corbicula fluminea), while also accounting for other abiotic and biotic variables. Location Illinois, United States of America. Methods We used a longitudinal study over a year in two streams, as well as a seasonal study (summer, autumn) in eight streams, to investigate the effects of variable stream flow on eDNA concentrations and detectability. We used linear mixed‐effects models to assess the influence of various factors on eDNA concentration and occupancy models to make predictions on how seasonality can influence eDNA detection. Results We found higher stream flows decreased eDNA concentrations, and floods produced false negatives or non‐detections at locations where C. fluminea was relatively common. In addition, we found concentrations and detectability of C. fluminea eDNA to be higher in summer than in autumn. Main conclusions We found that stream flow dilutes eDNA concentrations, which may have serious implications for the detection of low abundance organisms. Managers and practitioners applying eDNA for rare species should seek to sample at low or base stream flows when feasible, and future studies should investigate whether our findings here are consistent for other taxa and lotic ecosystems.

Accessible summary• We ran a group for 6 people with a learning disability who worry a lot. The group last for 12 weeks and each person in the group brought someone with them. • People said they found the group helpful. People said they learnt ways to cope when they get worried. • This research will help staff to think about how they can help people who worry a lot. More research is needed to find out which bits of the group were most helpful. SummaryAn anxiety management group utilizing a cognitive behavioural intervention, of 12 weeks duration, for six people with mild to moderate learning disabilities is described. A number of techniques to assist in developing clients' understanding of their anxiety, cognitive and behavioural coping strategies and maximizing generalizability of skills learnt were implemented. Outcome measures demonstrated that two participants showed a clinically significant reduction in anxiety levels. Qualitative feedback from both participants and carers suggested that all group members developed coping strategies. Measures also indicated that carers demonstrated a better understanding of the individual's difficulties and were able to support them more effectively. Adopting a cognitive behavioural approach proved valuable and recommendations for future interventions are made.

Lionfishes are conspicuous and disruptive predators once introduced outside of their native range. Here we provide a revision of the occurrences of the common lionfish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) in the Mediterranean Sea, showing its rapid geographical expansion since 2012. A single lionfish was photographed in September 2016 during a scientific survey off the Vendicari coast, Southern Sicily, Italy. This is the first record of this notorious invasive species from Italian waters. Given its large size, conspicuous appearance, and venomous spines, it is critical to involve informed citizen scientists in tracking the spread of this species and to develop means to manage or adapt to its presence in the Mediterranean Basin.

1. Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperilled animal groups in the world. Their effective conservation and restoration require a better understanding of their spatial distributions at a relevant scale and of their relationships with natural environmental factors and human disturbances. 2. In this study, we sampled over 900 sites on wadeable streams throughout Illinois, U.S.A., and compiled environmental data for a wide range of natural and anthropogenic factors related to climate, geology, land use, and connections to large rivers, dams and ponds. 3. Using random forest classification and regression, we modelled the presence-absence of mussels as a group (87% accuracy), the abundances of 29 individual mussel species (R 2 = 0.2-0.51), species richness (R 2 = 0.52) and total mussel abundance in a standard sample (R 2 = 0.41). 4. The abundances of most species increased with stream size, the proportion of agricultural land in the catchment and the distance to the nearest dam or pond, but decreased with increasing catchment or channel slope and the proportion of forest in the catchment. Species varied in their relationships with climate variables, suggesting that they respond differently to climate change. Geology, particularly bedrock depth, was important for many species. Species richness and total mussel abundance responded positively to stream size and negatively to the slope of streams or catchments. 5. The models were applied to unsampled wadeable stream reaches to generate mussel distribution maps at the reach scale, useful tools for resource managers to effectively protect and restore mussel biodiversity. The models also improve our understanding of how mussel populations and assemblages are structured by natural factors and human disturbances at a broad scale.