Landscape structure shapes carnivore-mediated seed dispersal kernels

Context

Seed dispersal is recognized as having profound effects on the distribution, dynamics and structure of plant populations and communities. However, knowledge of how landscape structure shapes carnivore-mediated seed dispersal patterns is still scarce, thereby limiting our understanding of large-scale plant population processes.

Objectives

We aim to determine how the amount and spatial configuration of forest cover impacted the relative abundance of carnivorous mammals, and how these effects cascaded through the seed dispersal kernels they generated.

Methods

Camera traps activated by animal movement were used for carnivore sampling. Colour-coded seed mimics embedded in common figs were used to know the exact origin of the dispersed seed mimics later found in carnivore scats. We applied this procedure in two sites differing in landscape structure.

Results

We did not find between-site differences in the relative abundance of the principal carnivore species contributing to seed dispersal patterns, Martes foina. Mean dispersal distance and the probability of long dispersal events were higher in the site with spatially continuous and abundant forest cover, compared to the site with spatially aggregated and scarcer forest cover. Seed deposition closely matched the spatial patterning of forest cover in both study sites, suggesting behaviour-based mechanisms underpinning seed dispersal patterns generated by individual frugivore species.

Conclusions

Our results provide the first empirical evidence of the impact of landscape structure on carnivore-mediated seed dispersal kernels. They also indicate that seed dispersal kernels generated strongly depend on the effect that landscape structure exerts on carnivore populations, particularly on habitat-use preferences.

     

Direct observations of structural phase transitions in planar crystallized ion plasmas

Laser-cooled 9Be+ ions confined in two-dimensionally extended lattice planes were directly observed, and the images were used to characterize the structural phases of the ions. Five different stable crystalline phases were observed, and the energetically favored structure could be sensitively tuned by changing the areal density of the confined ions. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions for the planar (infinite in two dimensions) one-component plasma. Qualitatively similar structural phase transitions occur, or are predicted to occur, in other experimentally realizable planar systems.     

Near infrared spectroscopy as a tool for intensive mapping of vineyards soil

The wine industry has always been particularly interested in the influence of the terroir characteristics on the features of a wine. Over the past few years, a growing interest has spurred on the mechanisms by which a particular soil influences the vine’s growth, grape variety characteristics and ultimately wine quality. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a rapid, non-destructive, low-cost and robust analytical method for chemical and physical property determination. Its use for soil characterization, discrimination and compound determination is rapidly increasing. In this work, NIRS data were collected in two vineyards, one in the Dão Wine Region (centre of Portugal) and one in the Vinhos Verdes Wine Region (North of Portugal) previously characterized in terms of soils. Wet, dried and dried-ground soil samples collected from specific vineyard locations were scanned on a Fourier-transform near infrared spectrometer (FTLA 2000, ABB, Quebec, Canada) in diffuse reflectance mode. Spectra were analysed with chemometric tools, namely principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Results revealed that dried, ground soil samples gave better results, but not substantially so when compared with wet or dried samples. Discriminant models showed that the NIRS method is able to discriminate the different vineyard soil types, reproducing very accurately the mapping generated by pedology methods. Variations within the same soil type (present at different locations in the vineyard) were also detected by NIRS. The NIRS technology was shown to be suitable for correlating, complementing and perhaps eventually replacing costly, time-consuming vineyard soil mapping methods.     

Production of Hyaluronic Acid by Streptococcus zooepidemicus on Protein Substrates Obtained from Scyliorhinus canicula Discards

This work investigates the production of hyaluronic acid (H) by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in complex media formulated with peptones obtained from Scyliorhinus canicula viscera by-products. Initially, in batch cultures, the greatest productions were achieved using commercial media (3.03 g/L) followed by peptones from alcalase hydrolyzed viscera (2.32 g/L) and peptones from non-hydrolyzed viscera (2.26 g/L). An increase of between 12% and 15% was found in subsequent fed-batch cultures performed on waste peptones. Such organic nitrogen sources were shown to be an excellent low-cost substrate for microbial H, saving more than 50% of the nutrient costs.     

Low genetic variability in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum populations from common bean fields in Minas Gerais State,Brazil, at regional,local and micro‐scales

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causal agent of white mould, is the most destructive and widely distributed soilborne pathogen of common bean during the autumn–winter season in Brazil. Nevertheless, little is known about the genetic structure of the pathogen population. Microsatellite (SSR) markers and mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs) were used to characterize 118 isolates collected from 20 bean fields located in the most important growing regions of Minas Gerais State (MG). Additionally, the genetic variability among 10 isolates obtained from a single sclerotium was investigated in 10 different sclerotia. Seventy SSR haplotypes and 14 MCGs were identified among the 118 isolates. The genetic differences within bean growing areas accounted for most of the genetic variation (72%). Despite the relatively high genotypic diversity, the SSR loci were at linkage disequilibrium. Moreover, 70% of the isolates were assigned to only two MCGs, and haplotypes of a given MCG were closely related. The discriminant analysis of principal components revealed five groups. There was strong genetic differentiation between isolates collected in one municipality in southern MG when compared to other regions. Common bean resistance to white mould should be assessed with representative isolates of the five genetic groups and, if possible, of the different MCGs detected in the present study. One to five haplotypes were detected among the 10 isolates obtained from a single sclerotium. Therefore, in order to ensure genetic identity of an isolate, hyphal tip or monoascosporic isolates should be used.     

Silver catfish Rhamdia quelen immersion anaesthesia with essential oil of Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton or tricaine methanesulfonate: effect on stress response and antioxidant status

Responses to anaesthesia with essential oil (EO) of Aloysia triphylla (135 and 180 mg L^?1) and tricaine methanesulfonate (MS222) (150 and 300 mg L^?1) were assessed in silver catfish. Exposure to the anaesthetics elicited a stress response in the species. In the case of MS222, it was displayed as a release of cortisol into bloodstream, elevation in hematocrit and plasma ion loss. The EO presented cortisol‐blocking properties, but increased haematocrit and disturbances of hydromineral balance were observed. Liver antioxidant/oxidant status of EO and MS222‐anaesthetized silver catfish was also estimated. The synthetic anaesthetic induced lipoperoxidation, notwithstanding increased catalase contents, whereas the naturally occurring product was capable of preventing the formation of lipid peroxides, possibly due to combined actions of catalase and glutathione‐S‐transferase. Anaesthetic efficacy was also tested via induction and recovery times. Overall, the promising results obtained for the physiological parameters of the EO‐treated fish counterbalanced the slight prolonged induction time observed for 180 mg L^?1. As for 135 mg L^?1, both induction and recovery times were lengthy; despite that, the EO was able to promote oxidative protection and mitigate stress. None of the MS222 concentrations prompted such responses concomitantly.     

A survey of mutations in the Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) esterase E3 gene associated with organophosphate resistance and the molecular identification of mutant alleles

Cochliomyia hominivorax (Calliphoridae) is one of the most important myiasis-causing flies and is responsible for severe economic losses to the livestock industry throughout the Neotropical region. In Brazil, C. hominivorax has been controlled mainly with organophosphate (OP) insecticides, although the inappropriate use of these chemicals can result in the selection of resistant flies. Changes in carboxylesterase activity have been associated with OP insecticides in some arthopodan species. In this work, we isolated and characterized part of the E3 gene in C. hominivorax (ChE7), which contained the same substitutions responsible for the acquisition of OP hydrolase activity in Lucilia cuprina (Calliphoridae). Digestion of the polymerase chain reaction products with a restriction enzyme that specifically recognized the mutation site unambiguously differentiated wild and mutated esterase alleles. The PCR-RFLP assay therefore provided a fast, reliable DNA-based method for identifying C. hominivorax individuals with a mutation in the esterase gene. Further bioassays to determine the association of this mutation with OP resistance in C. hominivorax should allow the development of more effective strategies for managing this species.