Huangshan population of Chinese Zacco platypus （Teleostei, Cyprinidae） harbors diverse matrilines and high genetic diversity

Six main mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） lineages have been described in minnow （Zacco platypus） samples obtained from northern, western and southern China Perdices et al. （2004） predicted that further sampling of other tributaries might discover more lineages of this species. In this study, we collected 26 Zacco platypus individuals in the Huangshan area of eastern China and determined the cytochrome b （cytb） sequence variations. Combined with reported data in GenBank, we identified ten matrilines （Zacco A-J） in a total of 169 samples, with relatively high molecular divergence found among them. The Huangshan population had the greatest genetic variation among all sampled regions and hosted six of the ten matrilines. Our results highlight the significance of the Huangshan area for the conservation of Zacco platypus.

玻利维亚采矿污染:过去、现在和未来

当西班牙征服者到达南美洲时,提瓦那库人和印加人已开发了银矿和金矿。这导致了西班牙人的贪婪。1545年,西班牙人发现了波尔科(Porco)和波托西的著名银矿床。银是用汞齐法来提取的。随后的银币铸造工业使波托西的人口于17世纪中叶增加到20多万,也使这个地方成为世界上最大的城市之一。

环境温度和体内储备物共同影响煤山雀夜间体重的下降(英文)

环境温度和体内储备物水平被认为是鸟类在静止状态下能量利用的重要调节因子(夜间体重降低)。然而,以往的研究没有把环境温度和体内储备物对夜间能量维持加以明确的区分。为了研究环境温度是否是为煤山雀(Periparus ater)夜间体重调节的直接因子,在自由取食条件下,实验室控制日-日和日-夜环境温度。温度变化模拟西班牙中部地中海山区秋季日-夜温度的变化。夜间体重取决于黄昏时的体重以及前一天体重的增加值。当前一日白天煤山雀体重增加最大时,记录夜间体重最大降低的比率。然而,环境温度的不可预见性没有影响煤山雀夜间体重降低,可以解释煤山雀内在的生理能量平衡。这些结果提示,当一些环境因子如温度变得不可预见时,鸟类在狭小范围内保持体内储备物。

一种濒危大疣蛛的潜在分布区域以及气候变暖的影响(英文)

本研究的目的是i)确定伊比利亚半岛一种大疣蛛(Macrothele calpeiana)分布的气候相关性以预测其潜在分布,ii)详细阐述该物种在伊比利亚半岛的分布假说,iii)通过推断模型预测确认该物种在北非和整个地中海地区的适合区域,iv)预测气候变暖对蜘蛛潜在分布区的影响。基于物种的存在、远离目前环境条件下的可能缺失以及其它的气候参数,使用广义线性模型发展了潜在分布的可预测模型。蜘蛛在伊比利亚半岛上的潜在分布远大于目前已知的分布区,延伸到尚未发现蜘蛛分布的葡萄牙广大地区。本文提出了该种大疣蛛在适合分布区域内没有分布的历史因素。北非具有适合该物种的条件但却没有该属物种的分布支持了大疣蛛(Macrothele)祖先的东方起源假说。对地中海地区蜘蛛分布的推断突出显示了阿根廷地区有合适的分布区,该地区也发现有另一种欧洲大疣蛛。气候变暖将对现存于伊比利亚的M.calpeiana种群产生负面影响,因为气候变暖将减少并破碎化蜘蛛在北非的潜在栖息地。目前,急需确认在葡萄牙广大地区是否存在蜘蛛物种,发展对该属的系统发育研究以确定大疣蛛属起源和扩散史的理论。

领燕■繁殖群体的集群觅食(英文)

集合点假说(Assembly-point hypothesis)认为动物局部地区聚群数量的增加有助于不同的繁殖地的个体聚集成群体,然后一起寻找食物斑块觅食,这种聚群有助于个体从集群觅食中获得利益。本文通过领燕■(Glareola pratincola)离开和回到繁殖地的先后顺序来验证以上假说。我们在29天的观察中,发现有4天该群中个体离开繁殖地的先后顺序不是随机分布的,尽管这种策略会随着环境条件而改变,但仍然表明领燕■的觅食群体在繁殖地就已经聚集形成了。食物资源(飞虫)的短暂性和波动性以及由繁殖地到觅食地的距离均与所验证的假说的假设相一致。

印度高止山脉西部山拉曼蛙的繁殖行为和炫耀鸣唱(英文)

无尾两栖类炫耀鸣声的作用在于吸引雌性与占领领域。在印度高止山脉西部的森林中,作者在三个连续的繁殖季节(2003年5月-2005年10月)研究了在树洞中进行隐秘繁殖的山拉曼蛙(Ramanella montana)的繁殖行为和炫耀鸣唱。山拉曼蛙连续几年使用同样的树洞进行繁殖。在繁殖季节,雄蛙首先到达繁殖地点并进行炫耀鸣唱,其典型的鸣唱持续时间比较短,平均优势频率接近2160Hz。

Diversity Dimensions of Freshwater Fish Species around the World

The quality and coverage of the available taxonomical and geographical information and the recognition that diversity is multi-faceted are two main factors that hinder to understand the spatial and temporal variations of biodiversity. In this study, we aim to quantify the global distribution of five diversity components used to assess freshwater fish diversity in river basins around the world. The multidimensional character of these diversity components was estimated and the so obtained diversity dimensions mapped. This was done taking into account those well-surveyed basins discriminated by considering collector’s curves, and additionally by controlling for the effect of survey effort on all considered diversity components. A total of 1,472,109 occurrence records were analysed, corresponding to 17,292 species of freshwater fishes. Five diversity components were considered: functional richness, species richness, taxonomic diversity, and two rarity measures. Well-surveyed river basins were discriminated using accumulation curves. The effects of survey biases and knowledge gaps were minimized by determining the relationship of each component with the completeness values calculated for each river basin. The geographical pattern derived from raw data is skewed by the unequal knowledge available, and all diversity components were positively correlated with completeness values. The first dimension described the association between species richness and functional diversity. The second dimension represented rarity and taxonomic diversity. The congruence between species richness and functional diversity suggests that ecosystem functions increase with the number of fish species present in river basins and that a decrease in species richness may involve a loss of functionality. The levels of rarity and taxonomic diversity of many species-poor basins found in arid and cold regions suggest that the distinctiveness of their freshwater fishes is primarily a consequence of how isolated these basins are.

Bigger or long-winged male common crossbills exhibit redder carotenoid-based plumage coloration

Carotenoid-based ornaments are often considered reliable(honest)individual condition signals because their expression implies physiological costs unaffordable for low-quality animals(handicap signals).Recently,it has been suggested that efficient cell respiration is mandatory for producing red ketocarotenoids from dietary yellow carotenoids.This implies that red colorations should be entirely unfalsifiable and independent of expression costs(index signals).In a precedent study,male common crossbills,Loxia curvirostra,showing a red plumage reported higher apparent survival than those showing yellowish-orange colors.The plumage redness in this species is due to ketocarotenoid accumulation in feathers.Here,we correlated the male plumage redness(a 4-level visual score:yellow,patchy,orange,and red)and the body morphology in more than 1,ooo adult crossbills captured in 3 Iberian localities to infer the mechanisms responsible for color evolution.A principal component analysis summarized morphometry of 10 variables(beak,wing,tarsus length,etc.).The overall body size(PC1)and the length of flight feathers regarding body size(Pc3)showed significant positive relationships with plumage redness.Plumage redness was barely correlated with bill shape measures,suggesting no constraint in acquiring carotenoids from pine cones.However,large body sizes or proportionally long flying feathers could help carotenoid acquisition via social competition or increased foraging ranges.Proportionally longer flight feathers might also be associated with a specific cell respiration profile that would simultaneously favor flying capacities and enzymatic transformations needed for ketocarotenoid synthesis.Such a phenotypic profile would agree with the hypothesis of ketocarotenoid-based colors acting as individual quality index signals.

Coping with drought?Effects of extended drought conditions on soil invertebrate prey and diet selection by a fossorial amphisbaenian reptile

Arid climates are characterized by a summer drought period to which animals seem adapted.However,in some years,the drought can extend for unusually longer periods.Examining the effects of these current extreme weather events on biodiversity can help to understand the effects of climate change,as models predict an increase in drought severity.Here,we examined the effects of“unusual”extended drought on soil invertebrate prey availability and on diet composition(based on fecal contents)and diet selection of a fossorial amphisbaenian,the checkerboard worm lizard Trogonophis wiegmanni.Weather data show interannual variations in summer drought duration.The abundance and diversity of soil invertebrates in spring were high,and similar to those found in a“normal”early autumn,after some rain had ended with the summer drought.In contrast,in years with“unusual”extended drought,abundance,and diversity of soil invertebrates in early autumn were very low.Also,there were seasonal changes in amphisbaenians’diet;in autumn with drought,prey diversity,and niche breadth decreased with respect to spring and autumns after some rain had fallen.Amphisbaenians did not eat prey at random in any season,but made some changes in prey selection that may result from drought-related restrictions in prey availability.Finally,in spite that amphisbaenians showed some feeding flexibility,their body condition was lower in autumn than in spring,and much lower in autumn with drought.If extended drought became the norm in the future,amphisbaenians might suffer important negative effects for their health state.

矿业与地质遗产:库埃瓦斯-德阿尔曼索拉自然保护区(西班牙东南部)

保护文化与自然遗产的环境项目基地是世界遗产保护大会于1972年建立的,而从自然地质学的观点看,全球地质遗址名录(GILGES)已被广泛地认为是世界首创,它把具有地质学意义的遗址作为自然保护区进行保护。联合国教科文组织UN-ESCO资助的项目GEOSITES已经清楚地给出了自然地质学遗产的研究与评估方法。从广义上说,形成矿床的过程,也促进了具有不同寻常的地质学特征与独特的矿物和岩石的形成。这就是为什么许多环境学家和生态学家的批评被证明是正确的,

A Regional Climate Study of Heat Waves over the Iberian Peninsula

We present a regional climate simulation for the Iberian Peninsula for a 60-year period (1950-2009) using the WRF-ARW model with a focus on the simulation of summer maximum temperatures and associated extreme heat waves. The WRF model was designed at a 5 km horizontal resolution on a 5-month (May-September) seasonal scale, for every year, during the study period with initial/boundary conditions derived from NCEP 2.5 degree reanalysis. The comparison of simulated mean summer seasonal maximums and mean maximums of June, July, and August months with the corresponding E-OBS data sets indicates that the model is able to characterize the spatial variation of magnitudes of temperature change over the Iberian Peninsula. The mean extreme heat wave conditions during the climate period 1950-2009 are well simulated and match the observations well. The regional scale simulations clearly show the propagation of intense heat waves from the south west to north east of Iberia. The WRF-ARW model also simulated well the general trend of increase in heat waves over most parts of the Iberian Peninsula during the study period 1950-2009. The characteristics of the most severe heat waves years 2003 and 2006 are also well simulated by the model.

Mitochondrial phylogeography of the Iberian endemic frog Rana iberica,with implications for its conservation

Genetic characterization of species using phylogeographic approaches represents a basic reference to understand their evolutionary history as well as to identify conservation priorities to protect areas of particular interest regarding evolutionary potential.Even in well-studied regions such information is lacking for the majority of species,including many endemic species with reduced distribution ranges.We investigate the phylogeographic pattern of the Iberian frog Rana iberica,an endemic amphibian restricted to Central and North-Western Iberian Peninsula.Using mitochondrial sequences,we reconstruct the phylogeographic history of the species to test the effect of Quaternary climate changes on the evolutionary diversification of lineages,that is,the differentiation of mitochondrial lineages and the formation of genetic diversity melting pots,and integrate phylogeographic evidence for future conservation planning.Our results indicate the existence of 3 main mitochondrial lineages differentiated during the Upper Pleistocene.Both historical demographic analyses and climatic niche modeling show a strong effect of glacial climate changes,suggesting recurrent range contractions and expansions.Under such circumstances,differentiation took place most likely by isolation in allopatric interglacial refugia.Secondary lineage admixture in northern Portugal generated a broad mixed zone with highest nucleotide diversity.Given its particular evolutionary potential,its reduced distribution and eventual threats under current climate change scenario,conservation priorities should focus on the isolated lineage from Sierra de Guadalupe.

Lichenicolous fungi of the genus Abrothallus (Dothideomycetes: Abrothallales ordo nov.) are sister to the predominantly aquatic Janhulales

This study provides new insights on the phylogenetic position of the lichenicolous fungal genus Abrothallus based on six molecular markers(nuSSU,nuLSU,mtSSU,RPB1,RPB2 and TEF-α).In a broad-scale analysis,we detected high support for inclusion of the genus within Dothideomycetes.A further analysis provided support for Abrothallus as a member of the subclass Pleosporomycetidae as a sister group of Jahnulales,an order of aquatic Dothideomycetes.Given the exclusive characters of this group of apotheciate fungi within the Dothidiomycetes,a new monotypic order Abrothallales is here introduced together with the new family Abrothallaceae.In a multi-locus analysis(based on the six loci indicated above plus ITS)restricted to 12 putative Abrothallus species,two clearly separated clades were observed:one comprising species growing on lichens of the families Parmeliaceae and Ramalinaceae,and the second including species that live on lichens of the order Peltigerales and the family Cladoniaceae.

Extensive pollen immigration and no evidence of disrupted mating patterns or reproduction in a highly fragmented holm oak stand

Aims Forest fragmentation and reduced tree population densities can poten-tially have negative impacts on mating patterns,offspring genetic diversity and reproductive performance.the aim of the present study is to test these hypotheses comparing an extremely fragmented,low tree density(~0.02 trees/ha)holm oak(Quercus ilex l.)stand from Central spain with a nearby high tree density stand(~50 trees/ha).Methods We genotyped adult trees and seeds from the low-density stand(436 seeds from 15 families)and the high-density stand(404 seeds from 11 families)using nine microsatellite markers.With these data,we performed paternity analyses,determined pollen flow,mating patterns and pollen pool structure,and estimated progeny genetic diversity in both stands.We also studied seed set and production and performed a pollen supplementation experiment to determine whether reduced tree density has limited foreign pollen availability.Important Findings We have found extensive pollen immigration(>75%)into the low tree density stand and monte Carlo simulations revealed that pollen moves larger distances than expected from null models of random dispersal.mating patterns and differentiation of pollen pools were similar in the high-density stand and the low-density stand but we found higher inter-annual differentiation of pollen pools in the for-mer.Progeny genetic diversity and self-fertilization rates did not dif-fer between the low-density stand and the high-density stand.seed set rates were significantly lower in the low-density stand than in the high-density stand and experimental cross-pollen supplementation evidenced that foreign pollen availability is indeed a limiting factor in the former.However,seed crops did not differ between the low-density stand and the high-density stand,indicating that limitation of foreign pollen is not likely to be of great concern in terms of reduced seed production and potential recruitment.Poor forest regeneration due to other ecological and human factors is probably a more important threat for the persistence of fragmented and low tree density stands than reduced pollen flow and only extremely small and isolated tree populations would be expected to suffer severe loss of genetic diversity in the long term.

Differential effects of environmental climatic variables on parasite abundances in blue tit nests during a decade

Models on climate change have predicted an increase of temperature over the earth’s surface with potential drastic effects on living organisms.We analyzed the relationships between climatic conditions(temperature,rainfall,and wind speed)and the abundance of blood-sucking flying insects(biting midges and blackflies)and nest-dwelling ectoparasites(mites,fleas,and blowflies)collected from blue tit nests during bird breeding seasons for a period of 10 years.Average temperature,rainfall,and wind speed showed significant differences among years.Temperature and wind speed increased during the period of study while rainfall decreased.Biting midge,blackfly,and blowfly abundances increased across years but not flea and mite abundances.Hatching date decreased and brood size increased across years.Independently of year variation,parasites were related to climatic variables.For example,biting midge,blowfly,mite,and flea abundances were positive and significantly related to average temperature.We also found a positive and significant relationship between abundances of Haemoproteus infections and biting midge abundances during the first year of life of birds out of nests.However,abundance and prevalence of Lankesterella infections in yearlings were positive and significantly related to mite abundances during the year of birth of birds.Leucocytozoon and Lankesterella infections were also significantly related to climatic variables and Haemoproteus and Lankesterella infections increased across years.In addition,body condition of adult females and males were negatively related to flea larvae and blowfly abundance respectively.Nestling body condition was also negatively related to biting midge abundance.Changes in climatic conditions across years could therefore affect several parasites of birds but also to birds themselves.

Natural organic matter quantification in the waters of a semiarid freshwater wetland (Tablas de Daimiel, Spain)

Dissolved organic matter （DOM） concentrations have been measured in the waters of a semiarid freshwater wetland, the Tablas de Daimiel, Spain, when the system-characterised by variable hydroperiodicity conditions, was completely flooded （February 2011）. Fluxes of DOM from the wetland soils to the overlying waters were measured by using a passive diffusion sampler （peeper）. Not only dissolved organic carbon （DOC） concentrations were measured but refractory organic matter （ROM, usually known as humic substances） was also quantified using a novel voltammetric method. Fluorescence spectra were recorded to help in selecting the appropriate standard for ROM quantification, test the homogeneity of DOM in the waters and get an indication of their source. The results obtained show a 7-fold increase in measured ROM concentrations from the Gigtiela River to the outlet, which points to a net exportation of ROM from the wetland and to the existence of an internal source of ROM in the system, probably diffusion from the wetland soils. This hypothesis is confirmed by the flux of ROM from the soils to the water column measured with the peeper and by the common fluorescence characteristics of colunm and interstitial waters. The smaller increase in DOC concentrations along the wetland, in spite of the higher DOC fluxes from soils, suggests that there is significant turnover of organic carbon （OC） in the water column. The system acts as a major carbon sink but, when flooded, exports .OC as DOM.

Integrative demographic study of the Iberian painted frog(Discoglossus galganoi):inter-annual variation in the effective to census population size ratio,with insights on mating system and breeding success

In the face of worldwide amphibian declines,integrative studies combining individual-based information and genetic data represent a powerful approach to produce robust,reliable,and comparable assessments of demographic dynamics.The Iberian painted frog(Discoglossus galganoi)is endemic to Spain and Portugal and shows decreasing population trends across its range,but few studies have attempted to estimate census sizes or assess genetic diversity in wild populations,and little is known about their reproductive biology.We applied an integrative approach based on the combination of capture-mark-recapture data and multilocus genotypes to monitor a breeding population of D.galganoi in central Spain during two consecutive breeding seasons,focusing on the estimation of demographic parameters and their temporal variation.Specifically,we estimated the number of adults(Na),the effective population size(Ne),and the effective number of breeders(Nb),as well as survival and migration rates.We documented a>50%decrease in the estimated number of adults of both sexes between the breeding seasons of 2018 and 2019,probably associated with reduced rainfall in the latter.Estimates of Nb and the Nb/Na ratio were low in both seasons,with a 20–30%decrease in Nb and a 47%increase in the Nb/Na ratio in 2019.Based on the reconstruction of pedigrees from larval and adult genotypes,we provide the first genetic evidence of polygamy in males and females of D.galganoi and the first estimates of breeding success in the species.

Limited long-distance dispersal success in a Western European fairy shrimp evidenced by nuclear and mitochondrial lineage structuring

Anostraca are known by their ability for long-distance dispersal,but the existence in several species of deep,geographically structured mtDNA lineages suggests their populations are subjected to allopatric differentiation,isolation,and prevalence of local scale dispersion.Tanymastix stagnalis is one of the most widespread species of Anostraca and previous studies revealed an unclear geographical pattern of mtDNA genetic diversity.Here,we analyze populations from the Iberian and Italian Peninsulas,Central Europe,and Scandinavia,with the aim to characterize the patterns of genetic diversity in a spatio-temporal framework using mtDNA and nuclear markers to test gene flow among close populations.For these aims we built a time-calibrated phylogeny and carried out Bayesian phylogeographic analyses using a continuous diffusion model.Our results indicated that T.stagnalis presents a deeply structured genetic diversity,including 7 ancient lineages,some of them even predating the Pleistocene.The Iberian Peninsula harbors high diversity of lineages,with strong isolation and recent absence of gene flow between populations.Dispersal at local scale seems to be the prevailing dispersal mode of T.stagnalis,which exhibits a pattern of isolation-bydistance in the Iberian Peninsula.We remark the vulnerability of most of these lineages,given the limited known geographic distribution of some of them,and the high risk of losing important evolutionary potential for the species.