Incest avoidance and bonding between siblings in gerbils

Summary Social and sexual preferences for siblings versus non-siblings have been investigated in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) in a series of laboratory and outdoor enclosure (100 m²) studies. When first social contact took place at pairing in adulthood full siblings and nonsiblings did not differ with respect to onset of reproduction. Correspondingly, both siblings and non-siblings paired at weaning age had a delayed onset of reproduction. Thus, no effect could be established in either case, related to the individuals' relatedness, but the importance of social exposure was clear. Non-siblings paired when 2 months old had a delayed onset of reproduction, which did not differ statistically from the onset in siblings, raised together, and housed pairwise since the same age. When sexually mature animals were paired at 3 months of age, siblings were found to start reproducing later than non-siblings (Ågren 1981). Following an initial delay in both siblings and nonsiblings paired when 5 months old, all non-sibling pairs reproduced before any sibling pair. At pair formation, at least the females in both groups were known to be sexually immature. These results indicate that for sibling-bonding to occur social exposure may be delayed until the animals are old enough, or somatically developed, to mature sexually. Thus, social exposure before weaning age during the period for primary socialization seem not to be crucial, nor the actual maturational state, sexually, in older females. To study the stability of the social bonds between siblings and non-siblings, animals kept pairwise in the laboratory were released in large outdoor enclosures. Pairs brought together before the age of sexual maturity did not remain stable, whether or not the former cagemates were siblings. Non-sibling pairs formed after this age, which had also reproduced successfully in the laboratory, did remain stable. Social and sexual interactions were studied within and between two mixed-sex sibling groups of four. The sibling groups had the possibility to establish group territories before being exposed to each other. Although the sibling groups remained stable, the females still preferred non-sibling males as sexual partners. However, socially dominant brothers copulated more frequently than subordinant brothers. This rank difference was not evident in non-siblings.     

Congo Basin peatlands: threats and conservation priorities

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change - The recent publication of the first spatially explicit map of peatlands in the Cuvette Centrale, central Congo Basin, reveals it to be the...     

Benthic diatom community response to metal contamination from an abandoned Cu mine: Case study of the Gromolo Torrent (Italy)

Environmental contamination has become a global problem of increasing intensity due to the exponential growth of industrialization. One main debated issue is the metal contamination of rivers receiving Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from active/abandoned mines. In order to assess the quality of lotic systems, diatoms are commonly used, as their assemblage modifies on the basis of changes in environmental parameters. Benthic diatom changes were analyzed along the metal-impacted Gromolo Torrent (Liguria, NW Italy) with the aim of understanding the effects of input from the abandoned Libiola Cu mine. The results support the hypothesis that metals from AMD lead to massive changes in diatoms, resulting in low biological diversity and in a shift of dominance, passing from the genera Cymbella and Cocconeis to more tolerant and opportunistic species, such as Achnanthidium minutissimum and Fragilaria rumpens. The high concentrations of labile metals, measured through Diffusion Gradients in Thin-films (DGT) immediately downstream of the two AMD inputs in the torrent, corresponded to a sudden decrease in the presence of diatoms, indicating the possible reaching of acute toxic levels. In particular, A. minutissimum dominated the mining area and was positively correlated with Cu and Zn; whereas F. rumpens bloomed downstream of this area, where the metal content was diluted, and was positively correlated with As and Pb. Finally, an important abundance of Nitzschia palea and teratological forms of A. minutissimum and F. rumpens were observed downstream from the mine, indicating that metals may have an important impact on diatoms up to the torrent mouth.     

Capacity development in protected area management

Increasing land consumption and loss of biodiversity make it particularly important that protected areas fulfil their function. This, however, is often impaired by insufficient political and financial support. This study investigates how existing protected area management capacities can be used more effectively in a prompt and lasting manner. Therefore, data from protected area management effectiveness evaluations were analysed. Efficient workflows and teamwork were identified to be key capacities for effective management. Simultaneously, deficient financial and social security, lack of incentives and inflexible management structures prevent the productive use of existing capacities. In order to improve the situation, greater attention should be given to intangible assets. Additionally, protected area managers and employees must be enabled to be more self-reliant and self-responsible in order to foster a lasting learning process.     

Microplastics in seawater: sampling strategies,laboratory methodologies,and identification techniques applied to port environment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The European Interreg Italy–France 2014–2020 Maritime Project SPlasH! (Stop to Plastics in H2O!) focused on the study of microplastics...