Rockfish (Sebastes) that are evolutionarily isolated are also large, morphologically distinctive and vulnerable to overfishing

In an age of triage, we must prioritize species for conservation effort. Species more isolated on the tree of life are candidates for increased attention. The rockfish genus Sebastes is speciose (>100 spp.), morphologically and ecologically diverse and many species are heavily fished. We used a complete Sebastes phylogeny to calculate a measure of evolutionary isolation for each species and compared this to their morphology and imperilment. We found that evolutionarily isolated species in the northeast Pacific are both larger-bodied and, independent of body size, morphologically more distinctive. We examined extinction risk within rockfish using a compound measure of each species’ intrinsic vulnerability to overfishing and categorizing species as commercially fished or not. Evolutionarily isolated species in the northeast Pacific are more likely to be fished, and, due to their larger sizes and to life history traits such as long lifespan and slow maturation rate, they are also intrinsically more vulnerable to overfishing. Finally, the set of northeast Pacific species that are both fished and most intrinsically vulnerable to fishing are among the most evolutionarily distinctive. These findings suggest that, at least for this clade, extra attention should be paid to evolutionary distinctiveness when prioritizing species for conservation.     

Gingers of Manipur: diversity and potentials as bioresources

The gingers are well-known for their medicinal and economic significance and occur chiefly in the tropical regions of the world mainly in the Indo-Malaysian area of Asia. From Manipur in northeast India, 33 species under 9 genera have been collected from different parts of the State. Collected specimens were planted in the Experimental Field of the Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University. The morphological details of the various species were worked out. The characteristic features of the specimen, their traditional uses, anti-oxidant compounds present and biological activities are described. The identified genera are Alpinia (3 spp.), Amomum (5 spp.), Boesenbergia (1 sp.), Curcuma (10 spp.), Elettaria (1 sp.), Hedychium (7 spp. and 1 variety), Kaempferia (2 spp.), Roscoea (1 sp.) and Zingiber (3 spp.). Of these, 26 species have been used variously as food (15), traditional medicine (21) and ornamental plants (9) by the ethnic people in their culture. Ten species have been identified to possess various bioactive molecules.     

Mountain oases in northern Oman: An environment for evolution and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> in situ</Emphasis> conservation of plant genetic resources

Several botanical studies have been conducted in different parts of Oman, but knowledge about agro-biodiversity in the rapidly decaying ancient mountain oases of this country remains scarce. To fill this gap we assessed the genetic resources of three mountain oases in the al-Hajar range using a GIS-based field survey and farmer interviews. While arid conditions prevail throughout the mountain range, the different elevations of Balad Seet (950–1020 m a.s.l.), Maqta (930–1180 m a.s.l.) and Al Jabal al Akhdar (1750–1930 m a.s.l.) provide markedly differing agro-climatic conditions. Overall, 107 different crop species were identified belonging to 39 families. Species number was highest among fruits (33 spp.), followed by vegetables (24 spp.). Intensive irrigation allows cultivation of a broad range of species at all oases. However, the number of species varied significantly between sites. Fruit species diversity and homogeneity of distribution of individual fruit species was highest at Balad Seet and lowest at Maqta as indicated by respective Shannon indices of 1.00 and 0.39 and evenness values of 32% and 16%. Century plant (Agave americana L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor Peterm. em. Harz) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) were identified as relict crops, supporting oral reports of past cultivation and providing evidence of genetic erosion. Some species, such as the temperate fruits of Al Jabal al Akhdar, were exclusively found at the coolest site, while others only occurred at the hotter locations. Overall greatest species similarity was found between Balad Seet and Al Jabal al Akhdar as indicated by a Sørensen coefficient of similarity of 67%. At all oases a multilayered vegetation structure dominated with a canopy, an understory and a ground layer. Greatest species richness was recorded in the lowest stratum. Overall the study shows a location-specific but surprisingly diverse mosaic of crops in Omani mountain oases which merits further studies and conservation efforts.     

Short term response of soil microinvertebrates to application of entomopathogenic nematode-infected insects in two tillage systems

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae occur naturally in the soil and are produced commercially for the management of soil-dwelling pests. EPN infected cadavers also represent a potential resource for other soil organisms. We examined the short-term (24 h) response in abundance, diversity and community composition of localized soil microinvertebrates to the presence of EPN-infected insect cadavers in no-till and conventional-till maize. We hypothesized that the response of soil microinvertebrates to the EPN-infected cadavers would vary by soil management practices and EPN species. We expected to observe greater numbers and diversity of arthropods in no-till compared with conventional-till soil, and in the vicinity of steinernematid-infected insect cadavers compare to what would be found in the vicinity of heterorhabditid-infected cadavers. 45,606 invertebrates were collected and identified to 134 morphotaxa. Tillage regime accounted for the majority of the variation observed (84.6%), whereas nematode treatment accounted for 7.5%. Taxonomic richness of invertebrates was greater in treatments with Steinernema carpocapsae-infected cadavers than with Heterorhabditis bacteriophora-infected cadavers. Some invertebrates increased in abundance where EPN were applied whereas others decreased, regardless of tillage practice. Applications of Galleria cadavers infected with steinernematids elicited positive responses from two mite taxa, Galumnidae and Scheloribates spp., while negative responses were elicited from three mite (Histiostomatidae, Scheloribates spp., Eupodes spp.), taxa and Entomobryidae (Collembola) in response to applications of Heterorhabditis-infected cadavers.     

Genetic and phenotypic diversity in a germplasm working collection of cultivated tropical yams (Dioscorea spp.)

A working collection of yam (Dioscorea spp.) comprising 53 landraces and seven improved cultivars of four species (D. alata L., D. cayenensis Lam., D. dumetorum (Kunth) and D. rotundata Poir.) was evaluated for phenotypic and genetic diversity. The evaluation involved field assessment of 24 morphological traits and DNA analysis with 32 Simple sequence repeat (SSR) polymorphic markers. Diversity was greater between species than within species; highest in D. rotundata and lowest in D. alata and D. cayenensis. Analysis based on combined phenotypic and SSR marker data sets revealed a close relationship between D. rotundata and D. cayenensis, but D. alata and D. dumetorum remained as distinct species. D. alata was related genetically to D. rotundata and D. cayenensis, but phenotypically to D. dumetorum. The study showed that cultivars obtained from different farmers may bear the same name but be genetically different. Polymorphic SSR markers were identified that may be used for genetic analysis across yam species. The working collection assessed in this study represents a good gene pool for intra- and inter-specific hybridization in yam genetic improvement.     

Do partial marine reserves protect reef fish assemblages?

Fish assemblages in the Mimiwhangata Marine Park, an area closed to commercial fishing but open to most forms of recreational fishing, were compared with adjacent fished areas. Two survey methodologies were used; baited underwater video and underwater visual census. Snapper (Pagrus auratus), the most heavily targeted fish species in the region, showed no difference in abundance or size between the Marine Park and adjacent control areas. When compared to the fully no-take Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve and two other reference areas open to all kinds of fishing (Cape Brett and the Mokohinau Islands), the abundance and size of snapper at the Marine Park were most similar to fished reference areas. In fact, the Marine Park had the lowest mean numbers and sizes of snapper of all areas, no-take or open to fishing. Baited underwater video found that pigfish (Bodianus unimaculatus), leatherjackets (Parika scaber) and trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) were significantly more common in the Marine Park, than in the adjacent control areas. However, none of these species are heavily targeted by fishers. Underwater visual census found similar results with five species significantly more abundant in the Marine Park and five species more abundant outside the Marine Park. The lack of any recovery by snapper within the Marine Park, despite the exclusion of commercial fishers and restrictions on recreational fishing, indicates that partial closures are ineffective as conservation tools. The data suggest fishing pressure within the Marine Park is at least as high as at other ‘fished’ sites.     

Responses to marine reserves: Decreased dispersion of the sparid Pagrus auratus (snapper)

Quantifying the movement of exploited species inside marine reserves is a popular research topic, yet few studies have quantified movement inside and outside of reserves. If individuals inside reserves behave differently to those outside, this information should be incorporated into reserve design and in management efforts to avoid the selective removal of certain behaviors. We used acoustic telemetry to monitor the movements of the sparid Pagrus auratus (snapper) inside and outside a marine reserve (the Leigh Marine Reserve, north-eastern New Zealand). We tagged 39 snapper within an array of acoustic receivers that encompassed reserve and fished areas. Nineteen snapper were resident over a 5-month period; the remainder either left the array or died. Residential fish expressed two home range types. One group had uni-modal home ranges that on average encompassed c.900 m linear distance. All nine residential snapper from the reserve displayed this behavior, as well as five of ten residential fish from the non-reserve area. The second group (five fish, all from the non-reserve area) had home ranges with two separate modes (bi-modal home ranges), which on average encompassed c.2 100 m linear distance. We suggest that some aspect of the marine reserve environment encourages extreme residency by either the modification of individual behaviors or through the removal of selective exploitation. If true this suggests that reserves and populations of exploited animals may become dependent on the life history characteristics of the individuals they encourage or select for.     

Increased pepper yields following incorporation of biofumigation cover crops and the effects on soilborne pathogen populations and pepper diseases

The use of brassica cover crops and their associated degradation compounds as biofumigants to manage soilborne pathogens could offer vegetable growers an alternative to the restricted broad-spectrum fumigant methyl bromide. Biofumigation was tested in two experiments to manage Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Pythium spp., and the diseases they cause on pepper. Field plots were seeded in fall 2010 and spring 2011 to oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.), ‘Pacific Gold’ mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern), or ‘Dwarf Essex’ winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Cover crops were disked into soil in spring 2011 and immediately covered with virtually impermeable film (VIF) to reduce the escape of volatile pesticidal compounds. Controls included fallow plots with (CVIF) and without (fallow) VIF. Green bell pepper was transplanted into all plots. Concentrations of isothiocyanates (ITCs), the brassica degradation compounds primarily responsible for pesticidal activity, were highest following incorporation of mustard. Rapeseed yielded the second highest ITC concentrations. Radish yielded very low ITC concentrations in experiment 1, and none during experiment 2. ITCs also were detected in low concentrations in CVIF treatments. All treatments that received VIF reduced populations of R. solani compared to fallow, with no differences between biofumigation treatments and CVIF. Biofumigation treatments did not reduce populations of Pythium spp. or S. rolfsii compared to CVIF. Pepper stunting was significantly lower in treatments that received VIF compared to fallow, with no consistently significant differences between biofumigation treatments and CVIF. Pythium isolated from roots of stunted peppers was identified as Pythium aphanidermatum. Biofumigation treatments did not reduce plant mortality. Pepper yields were highest in biofumigation treatments compared to CVIF, and CVIF yields were higher than fallow yields.     

Conservation of amenity trees in the Lothian Region of Scotland

Amenity trees, defined as all trees excluding those in Forestry Commission and grant-aided woodlands, worked coppice, commercial orchards and hardy-stock nurseries, were surveyed in the Lothian Region between 1972 and 1975. The Region (c. 188,000 ha or 1,877 km²) was stratified into three land categories-(i) burghs (Scottish equivalent of English boroughs), (ii) lowland rural and (iii) upland rural, parts of at least 10% of the 1 km squares (vide Ordnance Survey maps) of each land category being surveyed; the surveyed squares were selected randomly.Numbers of trees per ha ranged from 59 in burghs to 43 and 24 in lowland and upland (above 150m) rural areas respectively. In total there were 6·7 ± 1·9 million amenity trees in the Region divided as follows: 1·4 ± 0·4, 3·2 ± 0·9 and 2·1 ± 0·6 millions between the burghs and lowland and upland rural areas respectively; c. 1·0 m of the 1·4 million trees in burghs were located in Edinburgh. Approximately 70% of trees were deciduous with a larger proportion of conifers in upland areas than elsewhere; sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were the commonest of 76 species or generic groupings recorded, accounting for 11·6, 11·1 and 10·5% respectively of the regional total. Birch (Betula spp.) was the commonest deciduous tree in upland areas where ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) were more abundant than sycamore. In the burghs wych elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.) was more numerous than hawthorn and less than sycamore. Trees in Edinburgh differed greatly from those in the smaller towns (burghs) with more rural atmospheres, where sycamore, wych elm, hawthorn, elder and birch contrasted with apple, lilac, flowering cherry, sycamore and rowan occurring abundantly in Edinburgh.Excluding Edinburgh, over 50% of the Region's trees were identified in broadleaved (26·7%), coniferous (21·4%) and mixed (13·6%) woodlands, with 12·0% and 8·1% occurring in shelterbelts and hedgerows respectively; gardens and parks, of all sorts, only accounted for 4·5% and 1·1% respectively.Size class distribution ssuggest that there are sufficient developing saplings to maintain the existing number of mature trees but that wych elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.), unless devastated by Dutch elm disease, sycamore and ash are likely to increase at the expense of oak (Quercus spp.), lime (Tilia spp.), Scots pine and beech. In some situations, however, the resourse seems to be seriously deficient in saplings, e.g. oaks in parks.     

Foliar exchange of mercury vapor: Evidence for a compensation point

Historical studies for crop and weed species documented elemental Hg vapor (Hg°) deposition to foliage, but they used Hg° concentrations that were orders of magnitude higher than levels now known to occur under background conditions, possibly creating artificially high gradients between the atmosphere and landscape surfaces. Measurements of Hg° exchange with white oak (Quercus alba L.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies L.), and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) foliage were conducted in an open gas exchange system that allows for simultaneous measurements of CO₂, H₂O and Hg° exchange under controlled environmental conditions. When Hg° concentrations were held at 0.5 to 1.5 ng m^?3, red maple (Acer rubrum L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies L.), yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), and white oak (Quercus alba L.) foliage exhibited mean Hg° emissions of 5.5, 1.7, 2.7, and 5.3 ng m^?2 h^?1, respectively. At Hg° concentrations between 9 and 20 ng m^?3 little net exchange of Hg° was observed. However at concentrations between 50 and 70 ng m^?3 the Hg° was deposited to foliage at rates between 22 and 38 ng m^?2 h^?1. These data suggest that dry foliar surfaces in terrestrial forest landscapes may be a dynamic exchange surface that can function as a source or sink dependent on the magnitude of current Hg° concentrations. These data provide evidence of species-specific compensation concentrations (or compensation points) for Hg° deposition to seedling foliage in the 10–25 ng m^?3 range.     

Evaluation of Mercury,Lead, Arsenic,and Cadmium in Some Species of Fish in the Atrato River Delta,Gulf of Urabá, Colombian Caribbean

The concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic were evaluated in 96 samples, 12 by each one of the following eight fish species: snook (Centropomus undecimalis), crevalle jack (Caranx hippos), Serra Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus brasiliensis), southern red snapper (Lutjanus purpureus), blue runner (Caranx crysos), Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), ladyfish (Elops saurus), and Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), which were collected during 1 year in the Atrato River Delta in the Gulf of Urabá, Colombian Caribbean. Three fish were caught from each of the following sites the community usually uses to catch them (known as fishing grounds): Bahía Candelaria, Bahía Marirrío, Bocas del Roto, and Bocas del Atrato. The quantification of metals was performed by microwave-induced plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The Pb concentration fluctuated from 0.672 to 3.110 mg kg^?1, surpassing the maximum permissible limit (MPL?=?0.3 mg kg^?1) for human consumption for all species. The Hg concentration ranged between < Limit of detection and 6.303 mg kg^?1, and in the crevalle jack and Atlantic tarpon, concentrations exceeded the MPL (0.5 mg kg^?1). The levels of Cd and As were not significant in the studied species and did not exceed the MPL (0.05 mg kg^?1).     

Nitrification and autotrophic nitrifying bacteria in acid tea soils

Pure cultures of ammonium-oxidizing, autotrophic, nitrifying bacteria were isolated from acid soils (pH range, 4.0–4.5) from tea estates in Sri Lanka (8 soils) and Bangladesh (4 soils). All the Bangladesh nitrifiers were Nitrosospira spp but the Sri Lanka isolates were identified as Nitrosolobus spp Nitrosospira spp and one species of Nitrosovibrio. Nitrite-oxidizing nitrifiers were detected in several of the soils but pure cultures were not isolated.Evidence was obtained that Nitrosospira caused nitrification in situ in an acid soil (pH 4.1). Indigenous nitrate was first eliminated from the soil by denitrification. The soil was then incubated aerobically and the nitrate formed was estimated as N₂O by gas chromatography after denitrification.     

Mycorrhizal fungi of Eucalyptus in the North Island of New Zealand

Fungal sporocarps of Hydnangium carneum Wallr., Laccaria laccata (Scop. ex Fr.) Berk. ex Br., Scleroderma spp, Hymenogaster spp., Hysterangium spp, Cortinarius spp, etc. were found to be associated with five species of eucalypts Eucalyptus delegatensis R.T. Bak., E. regnans F. Muell., E. nitens Maiden, E.fastigata Deane et Maiden, and E. saligna Sm.) in nurseries or stands in the North Island of New Zealand.A total of 5345 mycorrhizal pieces were plated out in isolation studies. More than 47% of these pieces remained free of fungal outgrowth, 16% yielded dark sterile mycelia, 7% yielded hyaline sterile fungi, 17% produced sporing Fungi Imperfecti, 5.8% were basidiomycetous fungi identified as H. carneum, Scleroderma spp, Paxillus sp. and Hymenogaster albus (Klotzsch) Berk. et Br., and 5.9% were unidentified basidiomycetes.Mycorrhizas were synthesized on eucalypt seedlings by 12 identified basidiomycetes which form sporocarps in eucalypt stands and 12 unidentified basidiomycetes isolated from the mycorrhizas. Under the test conditions two Cortinarius spp and one unidentified basidiomycete did not form mycorrhizas.The results indicate a possible importance of H. carneum as a mycorrhizal fungus of eucalypts in the North Island of New Zealand.     

Comparison of Plants for Germination Toxicity Tests in Petroleum-Contaminated Soils

Pollution of soil by petroleum hydrocarbons is a serious environmental problem world-wide. Although total concentration of contaminants in soil and/or water is used for regulatory review, it also is beneficial to assess the potential for ecosystem impact through a series of bioassays. One commonly used bioassay is seed germination. In this test, seeds are placed in contaminated material, and seedlings enumerated after a specified incubation period. However, different plant species produce variability in response. In the research project reported here, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), millet (Panicum miliaceum), radish (Raphanus L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were tested for sensitivity to petroleum-contaminated soil in germination tests. While most plants appeared to show some sensitivity to the pollutant, only lettuce had a statistically significant difference in response to contaminated and uncontaminated soil. These results confirm that Latuca sativa L is the optimal plant choice for standard germination toxicity tests with petroleum-impacted soil.     

Identification of gadoid species in fish meat by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on genomic DNA

Identification of fish species is significant due to the increasing interest of consumers in the meat of sea fish. Methods focusing on fish species identification help to reveal fraudulent substitution among economically important gadoid species in commercial seafood products. The objective of this work was to develop a conventional PCR method for the differentiation of the following gadoid fish species in fish products: Alaska pollack ( Theragra chalcogramma), blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou), hake spp. ( Merluccius spp.), Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua), saithe ( Pollachius virens), and whiting ( Merlangius merlangus). The species-specific primer pairs for gadoid species determination were based on the partial pantophysin I ( PanI) genomic sequence. Sequence identification was confirmed by cloning and sequencing of the PCR products obtained from the species considered. For the simultaneous detection of Alaska pollack, blue whiting, and hake spp., a quadruplex PCR system was constructed. Other gadoid species were detected in separate PCR reactions. After optimization of the reactions, the developed PCR systems were used for the analysis of codfish samples obtained from the Czech market and the customs' laboratories. This method represents an alternative approach in the use of genomic DNA for the identification of fish species. This method is rapid, simple, and reliable without the need for further confirmative methods. Furthermore, the identification of a mixture of more than one species is possible. The PCR system has been optimized for routine diagnostic purposes.     

Characterisation of endobacterial communities in ectomycorrhizas by DNA- and RNA-based molecular methods

The diversity of endobacteria associated with ectomycorrhizas of Suillus variegatus and Tomentellopsis submollis, in two Corsican pine (Pinus nigra) stands was analysed by cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent molecular methods. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis revealed the cultivable endobacterial communities associated with S. variegatus were similar within the same stand. The most abundant cultivable bacterial species belonged to the genera Pseudomonas and Burkholderia. Cultivation-independent molecular analysis indicated that the structure of the endobacterial communities in ectomycorrhizas was consistent across all samples regardless of ECM fungal species or the pine stand from which the samples were collected. However, comparison between rDNA- and rRNA-derived DGGE gels showed that metabolically active endobacterial species were not always detected in rDNA-based profiles. Clone libraries constructed from rRNA molecules indicated that Pseudomonas and Burkholderia spp. were metabolically active bacteria. As some of the most abundant cultivable bacteria, including Bacillus/Paenibacillus spp., were not detected in cultivation-independent DGGE profiles, a combination of cultivation-dependent and -independent approaches provided a more complete assessment of the diversity of endobacteria associated with ectomycorrhizas.     

Effects of tree identity dominate over tree diversity on the soil microbial community structure

This study investigated the possible effects of tree species diversity and identity on the soil microbial community in a species-rich temperate broad-leaved forest. For the first time, we separated the effects of tree identity and tree species diversity on the link between above and belowground communities in a near-natural forest. We established 100 tree clusters consisting of each three tree individuals represented by beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.), maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), or lime (Tilia spec.) at two different sites in the Hainich National Park (Thuringia, Germany). The tree clusters included one, two or three species forming a diversity gradient. We investigated the microbial community structure, using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles, in mineral soil samples (0–10 cm) collected in the centre of each cluster.The lowest total PLFA amounts were found in the pure beech clusters (79.0 ± 23.5 nmol g⁻¹ soil dw), the highest PLFA amounts existed in the pure ash clusters (287.3 ± 211.3 nmol g⁻¹ soil dw). Using principle components analyses (PCA) and redundancy analyses (RDA), we found only for the variables ‘relative proportion of beech trees’ and ‘living lime fine root tips associated with ectomycorrhiza’ a significant effect on the PLFA composition. The microbial community structure was mainly determined by abiotic environmental parameters such as soil pH or clay content. The different species richness levels in the clusters did not significantly differ in their total PLFA amounts and their PLFA composition. We observed a tendency that the PLFA profiles of the microbial communities in more tree species-rich clusters were less influenced by individual PLFAs (more homogenous) than those from species-poor clusters.We concluded that tree species identity and site conditions were more important factors determining the soil microbial community structure than tree species diversity per se.     

Identification of species in cooked crabmeat by thin layer isoelectric focusing.

Thin layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (TLIEF) is described for characterizing the species-specific, heat-denatured proteins of 8 species of crab: red (Geryon quinquedens), rock (Cancer irroratus), Jonah (Cancer borealis), blue (Callinectes sapidus), king (Paralithodes camtschatica), snow (Chionoectes spp.), European edible (Cancer pagurus), and dungeness (Cancer magister). Protein pattern differences are shown not only among species, but also between 2 modes of heat processing of the crabmeat. Individual variation within the species as to sex, size and maturity, length of frozen storage, and body parts chosen for sampling do not alter the species banding pattern. The reproducible species-specific fingerprint obviates the need to analyze authenticated samples simultaneously with the unknown crabmeat.     

DNA barcoding for conservation and management of Amazonian commercial fish

DNA barcoding is used to assign a biological specimen to a species. DNA-based procedure has become the preferred forensic tool for criminal prosecution in cases involving the sale of incorrectly identified food. The aim of this work was to develop a DNA-based marker for allowing an accurate and reliable identification of Amazonian fish species of commercial interest. For this purpose, we extracted DNA from fish directly purchased in local markets and identified de visu by local experts. We PCR amplified the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes. Twenty-nine commercial species accounting for most commercial landings in the River Amazon markets were unambiguously identified based on their DNA for the first time. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on the sequences of the two mitochondrial genes clustered species in concordance with their taxonomic classification. We illustrated the utility of DNA barcoding demonstrating that the group of fish generically sold as “Acará” includes seven different species, which are being exploited together as a single species, thus estimation of exploitation rates was not possible until now. Application of genetic markers for species authentication in markets and control of commercial landings will contribute to recognition of the real fishing targets and to the conservation of fish resources in the Amazon basin.     

The effects of land use and climate on red kite distribution in the Iberian peninsula

The main breeding populations of the red kite (Milvus milvus L.), have been declining in the Iberian peninsula during the last decade. However, there is a lack of regional assessments of habitat suitability that identifies limiting ecological factors for the species and areas with conservation problems. In this work we present a regional model for the distribution and abundance of breeding red kites in the Iberian peninsula. The occurrence and estimated abundance in 100 km² UTM squares resulting from road censuses were modelled with broad-scale explanatory variables obtained from satellite imagery, thematic digital cartography, climatic data and spatial coordinates. The occurrence model incorporated mainly climatic variables and had a good discrimination ability, while the abundance model incorporated mainly land-use variables and had a lower explanatory power (r²=0.14). The predictions somewhat overestimated the results of the censuses, and this agrees with the decline of population size and range observed for this species in the Iberian peninsula. These models are relevant in the conservation of the species: first, they suggest the limiting factors for red kite in the Iberian peninsula, and, second, they generate predictive maps pointing out both areas in which conservation problems may be acute (suitable locations that are unoccupied), and areas where no data is available but the red kite is likely to be present (thus guiding further survey and research).