Monitoring the performance of wild-born and introduced lizards in a fragmented landscape: Implications for ex situ conservation programmes

Ex situ conservation of animal populations may benefit from captive-breeding programmes, but these are criticised because they are assumed to be difficult, time-consuming and expensive, while they do not guarantee success. However, such assumptions remain untested in most organisms; for example, introductions could be very useful for recovering populations of small-sized species with short generation time, no learned behaviours, and ease to rear in captivity. Here, we document an easy, cheap and successful reintroduction programme of the lacertid lizard Psammodromus algirus. Two captive-bred cohorts (178 juveniles in 2001 and 187 in 2002) were released in four woodland fragments (0.9-5.2 ha) at two localities (B and V); B housed a stable lizard population whereas V apparently lacked a viable population of lizards. We monitored introduced and native lizards during 2002 and 2003, and carried out a corroborative searching in 2006 which confirmed the existence of a lizard population at site V. Introduced lizards had higher activity and dispersed more frequently among woodland fragments than native ones. Survivorship and growth rates were similar for both groups, but introduced juveniles were about 25% larger than native ones, due to both early hatching and better rearing conditions. The whole procedure was easily implemented in our Faculty facilities (mean hatching and hatchling survival rates of 0.90 and 0.87), and cost less than 20,000 € (excluding salaries). Therefore, similar programmes may be of wide application in small animals and of practical importance for species with a meta-population structure living in fragmented landscapes.     

HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS characterization of pyranoanthocyanins pigments formed in model wine

Formation of wine pyranoanthocyanins in model wine was monitored by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS, using red grape skin extracts and wine fermentation metabolites (acetaldehyde, pyruvic and acetoacetic acids, and diacetyl) and also hydroxycinnamic acids (p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, and sinapic acids). Pyruvic acid and acetaldehyde reacted fast, the first reaching high product yield and the second inducing mainly pigment polymerization. In contrast, acetoacetic acid and diacetyl reacted slowly with poor product yields. Hydroxycinnamic acids progressively reacted without apparent formation of polymeric pigments, the reaction rate and yield increasing as the number of hydroxy/methoxy groups did. Substituent at C-10 strongly affected the visible maximum absorbance wavelength, whereas B-ring substitution pattern or sugar acylation exerted little effect. The 10-methylpyranoanthocyanins formed from acetoacetic acid were also found as side products in the formation of 10-carboxypyranoanthocyanins. Finally, we report for the first time on UV-vis and MS spectral data of 10-acetylpyranoanthocyanins formed from diacetyl, and their occurrence in commercial red wines is suggested.     

Coupling hysteresis analysis with sediment and hydrological connectivity in three agricultural catchments in Navarre,Spain

Purpose

Rain storm events mobilise large proportions of fine sediments in catchment systems. Sediments from agricultural catchments are often adsorbed by nutrients, heavy metals and other (in)organic pollutants that may impact downstream environments. To mitigate erosion, sediment transport and associated pollutant transport, it is crucial to know the origin of the sediment that is found in the drainage system, and therefore, it is important to understand catchment sediment dynamics throughout the continuity of runoff events.

Materials and methods

To assess the impact of the state of a catchment on the transport of fine suspended sediment to catchment outlets, an algorithm has been developed which classifies rain storm events into simple (clockwise, counter-clockwise) and compound (figure-of-eight; complex) events. This algorithm is the first tool that uses all available discharge and suspended sediment data and analyses these data automatically. A total of 797 runoff events from three experimental watersheds in Navarre (Spain) were analysed with the help of long-term, high-resolution discharge and sediment data that was collected between 2000 and 2014.

Results and discussion

Morphological complexity and in-stream vegetation structures acted as disconnecting landscape features which caused storage of sediment along the transport cascade. The occurrence of sediment storage along transport paths was therefore responsible for clockwise hysteresis due to the availability of in-stream sediment which could cause the “first flush” affect. Conversely, the catchment with steeper channel gradients and a lower stream density showed much more counter-clockwise hysteresis due to better downstream and lateral surface hydrological connectivity. In this research, hydrological connectivity is defined as the actual and potential transfer paths in a catchment. The classification of event SSC-Q hysteresis provided a seasonal benchmark value to which catchment managers can compare runoff events in order to understand the origin and locations of suspended sediment in the catchment.

Conclusions

A new algorithm uses all available discharge and suspended sediment data to assess catchment sediment dynamics. From these analyses, the catchment connectivity can be assessed which is useful to develop catchment land management.

     

Improvement of nutritional quality of greenhouse-grown lettuce by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is conditioned by the source of phosphorus nutrition

The improvement of the nutritional quality of lettuce by its association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has been recently reported in a previous study. The aim of this research was to evaluate if the fertilization with three P sources differing in water solubility affects the effectiveness of AMF for improving lettuce growth and nutritional quality. The application of either water-soluble P sources (Hewitt's solution and single superphosphate) or the water-insoluble (WI) fraction of a "rhizosphere-controlled fertilizer" did not exert negative effects on the establishment of the mycorrhizal symbiosis. AMF improved lettuce growth and nutritional quality. Nevertheless, the effect was dependent on the source of P and cultivar. Batavia Rubia Munguía (green cultivar) benefited more than Maravilla de Verano (red cultivar) in terms of mineral nutrients, total soluble sugars, and ascorbate contents. The association of lettuce with AMF resulted in greater quantities of anthocyanins in plants fertilized with WI, carotenoids when plants received either Hewitt's solution or WI, and phenolics regardless of the P fertilizer applied.     

Colored plastic mulches affect soil temperature and tuber production of potato

Abstract

The main crops on which plastic mulch is widely used in Mexico include tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, melons, watermelons, and strawberry; however, very little research has been performed on potato. One of the main benefits associated with plastic mulching is the modification of the microclimate around the plant. To obtain a positive microclimate modification studies are required to understand how plastic mulch affects growth and yield of a given species. Previous field research assessing the response to colored plastic mulching in potato shows no consistent results on yield, maybe because it has been performed under different geographical latitudes. Potato in Mexico is conventionally cultivated on bare soil combined with various irrigation systems. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of colored plastic mulches on soil temperature, growth, yield and photosynthetic response of potato plants. The experiment was conducted in Northeast Mexico and the treatments included were: black plastic mulch (BPM); white-on-black plastic mulch (W/B), silver-on-black (SPM), aluminum-on-black plastic mulch (APM) and a control that consisted of bare soil cultivated plants. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results suggest that average daily mean soil temperature was linearly and negatively correlated with total yield and yield of first-quality tubers. Total yield and yield of first-quality tubers of plants mulched with W/B, SPM and APM was significantly higher (p≤0.05) than those of control plants. Leaf area and shoot dry weight were increased when soil temperatures were higher due to the effect of radiation transmission to the soil, however, this decrease was associated with a decrease in tuber production. The results of our study indicate that plants grown under BPM, which induced the highest soil temperature, showed marginal difference in yield compared with control plants, suggesting that colored plastic mulches have a positive effect on yield through decreased rise in soil temperature.     

Validation of two models for self‐incompatibility in autotetraploid perennial ryegrass using high resolution melting‐based markers

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) displays a two‐locus gametophytic self‐incompatibility (SI) system that remains intact at the tetraploid level. Two models are plausible for SI in autotetraploids. In Model I: both alleles at the S locus and both at the Z locus in diploid pollen matching the female genotype results in incompatibility. In Model II: only one allele at S and one at Z locus in diploid pollen matching the female results in incompatibility. The goals were to determine which of the models best explains SI in our autotetraploid ryegrass population and to evaluate the efficiency of high‐resolution melting (HRM) genotyping for discriminating different iso‐allelic genotypes. The progeny of a cross between two autotetraploids was characterized with three HRM‐based markers co‐segregating with Z. Segregation ratios were used to make inferences about the mode of action of the SI system. The observed segregation differed significantly (P < 0.001) from the expected under Model I, but not from the expected under Model II (P = 0.463). Thus, Model II explains SI in this population, and HRM is an efficient tool to distinguish different iso‐allelic genotypic classes.     

Assessment of the uniformity and stability of grapevine cultivars using a set of microsatellite markers

Solidity of microsatellite markers is a key issue for varietal identification, especially when they are used for legal purposes, what includes their probable future use in the distinctness, uniformity and stability testing of new varieties needed for the granting of Plant Breeders’ Rights. Nine grapevine microsatellites (VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD27, VVMD28, ssrVrZAG29, ssrVrZAG62, ssrVrZAG67, ssrVrZAG83 and ssrVrZAG112), which had previously demonstrated its capacity to discriminate any grapevine variety, have been assessed to evaluate its uniformity and stability. 19 varieties were selected, representative of a high diversity for morphological, agronomical, cultural and historical aspects, as well as for microsatellite allele variability. Then, for each variety, uniformity and stability were evaluated through the analysis of 50 plants from each of three different plots, and five plants from each of seven additional plots. Material from 4,137 plants of 229 plots of the 19 varieties was sampled in seven countries. Of 3,654 plants analyzed with the set of nine microsatellites, 3,299 were of the right variety and used for the survey. An average of 172 individual values was studied for each allele of each microsatellite of each variety, and none differences were detected that could not be explained as technical variations, with the exception of several putative chimeras in two varieties. Of the total of 171 variety x microsatellite combinations, only in one combination (‘Merlot’ x VVMD27) the number of off-types exceeded the threshold allowed. The remaining 170 combinations have been found uniform and stable according to internationally accepted rules.     

Mechanisms of immunity to Leishmania major infection in mice: the contribution of DNA vaccines coding for two novel sets of histones (H2A-H2B or H3-H4)

The immune phenotype conferred by two different sets of histone genes (H2A-H2B or H3-H4) was assessed. BALB/c mice vaccinated with pcDNA3H2AH2B succumbed to progressive cutaneous leishmaniosis (CL), whereas vaccination with pcDNA3H3H4 resulted in partial resistance to Leishmania major challenge associated with the development of mixed T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2-type response and a reduction in parasite-specific Treg cells number at the site of infection. Therefore, the presence of histones H3 and H4 may be considered essential in the development of vaccine strategies against CL based on the Leishmania histones.