Heterozygosity‐Fitness Correlations and Inbreeding Depression in Two Critically Endangered Mammals

The relation among inbreeding, heterozygosity, and fitness has been studied primarily among outbred populations, and little is known about these phenomena in endangered populations. Most researchers conclude that the relation between coefficient of inbreeding estimated from pedigrees and fitness traits (inbreeding‐fitness correlations) better reflects inbreeding depression than the relation between marker heterozygosity and fitness traits (heterozygosity‐fitness correlations). However, it has been suggested recently that heterozygosity‐fitness correlations should only be expected when inbreeding generates extensive identity disequilibrium (correlations in heterozygosity and homozygosity across loci throughout the genome). We tested this hypothesis in Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr) and Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). For Mohor gazelle, we calculated the inbreeding coefficient and measured heterozygosity at 17 microsatellite loci. For Iberian lynx, we measured heterozygosity at 36 microsatellite loci. In both species we estimated semen quality, a phenotypic trait directly related to fitness that is controlled by many loci and is affected by inbreeding depression. Both species showed evidence of extensive identity disequilibrium, and in both species heterozygosity was associated with semen quality. In the Iberian lynx the low proportion of normal sperm associated with low levels of heterozygosity was so extreme that it is likely to limit the fertility of males. In Mohor gazelle, although heterozygosity was associated with semen quality, inbreeding coefficient was not. This result suggests that when coefficient of inbreeding is calculated on the basis of a genealogy that begins after a long history of inbreeding, the coefficient of inbreeding fails to capture previous demographic information because it is a poor estimator of accumulated individual inbreeding. We conclude that among highly endangered species with extensive identity disequilibrium, examination of heterozygosity‐fitness correlations may be an effective way to detect inbreeding depression, whereas inbreeding‐fitness correlations may be poor indicators of inbreeding depression if the pedigree does not accurately reflect the history of inbreeding. Correlaciones Heterocigosidad‐ Adaptabilidad y Depresión Endogámica en Dos Especies de Mamíferos Críticamente en Peligro     

Molecular phylogeny and DNA barcoding of tropical eastern Pacific shallow-water gorgonian octocorals

The octocoral fauna inhabiting the shallow waters (<50 m) of the eastern Pacific has been the subject of renewed interest, and the taxonomy of the most important genera in the region has been reviewed and clarified. Many new species have been described, significantly increasing the known biological diversity of the region. Despite their importance as potential sister-groups of Caribbean octocorals, the phylogenetic relationships of eastern Pacific octocorals remain poorly studied. Here, using partial mitochondrial MutS and igr1-COI sequences, we provide a phylogenetic assessment of a broad sample of eastern Pacific shallow-water octocorals and investigate their phylogenetic relationships with Caribbean gorgonians. We corroborate the monophyly of Pacifigorgia, Leptogorgia and Eugorgia and provide evidence of a close relationship between Swiftia and Psammogorgia, currently placed in Plexauridae. In addition, the phylogenies obtained here provide insights into the historical biogeography and phylogenetic diversity of the eastern Pacific octocoral assemblages and on character evolution among this diverse faunal assemblage. Finally, we evaluate the classification power of DNA barcoding for identifying species of shallow-water eastern Pacific octocorals and assess the use of a nuclear intron (SRP54) to supplement traditional mitochondrial barcodes in this group of organisms.     

Timid spider uses odor and visual cues to actively select protected nesting sites near ants

Associations in which a more vulnerable species gains protection by seeking out the company of a pugnacious “protector” species capable of deterring predators are documented among mixed-species groups from various taxa, but experimental studies are rare. We consider an unusual arthropod-based example in which the associate species, Phintella piantensis, is a jumping spider (Salticidae) that associates with the territorial weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina, which in turn is a potential predator of Phintella. However, the predator we consider in this mixed-species association is Scytodes sp., a spitting spider (Scytodae) that often targets salticids as prey. Scytodes adopts a strategy of building its web over salticid nests and then preying on resident salticids when they leave or return to their nests. Our experiments show that, on the basis of olfactory cues, Scytodes is deterred from the vicinity of O. smaragdina. Phintella builds dense ant-proof nests to minimize the risk of being killed by Oecophylla, and we show that olfactory as well as visual cues of ants elicit nest building by Phintella. We propose that Phintella actively chooses to situate nests in the vicinity of weaver ants as defense against a specific ant-averse predator that singles out salticids as preferred prey.     

Ecological drivers of group living in two populations of the communally rearing rodent, Octodon degus

Intraspecific variation in sociality is thought to reflect a trade-off between current fitness benefits and costs that emerge from individuals' decision to join or leave groups. Since those benefits and costs may be influenced by ecological conditions, ecological variation remains a major, ultimate cause of intraspecific variation in sociality. Intraspecific comparisons of mammalian sociality across populations facing different environmental conditions have not provided a consistent relationship between ecological variation and group-living. Thus, we studied two populations of the communally rearing rodent Octodon degus to determine how co-variation between sociality and ecology supports alternative ecological causes of group living. In particular, we examined how variables linked to predation risk, thermal conditions, burrowing costs, and food availability predicted temporal and population variation in sociality. Our study revealed population and temporal variation in total group size and group composition that covaried with population and yearly differences in ecology. In particular, predation risk and burrowing costs are supported as drivers of this social variation in degus. Thermal differences, food quantity and quality were not significant predictors of social group size. In contrast to between populations, social variation within populations was largely uncoupled from ecological differences.     

REAcct: a scenario analysis tool for rapidly estimating economic impacts of major natural and man-made hazards

The REAcct (for Regional Economic Accounting) tool was developed for estimating order-of-magnitude economic impacts within DHS scenario analysis. REAcct uses input–output modeling, geo-spatial data computational tools, and publically available economic data and allows for detailed specification of sectors, regions, and disruption intervals. Direct impacts are estimated as changes in output and employment; total (direct plus indirect) impacts are calculated using regional total and final demand multipliers. In total, the REAcct framework and software allow for scenario analysts to understand and assess the interdependent relationships between critical infrastructures, economic industries, and consumers that are essential to broader homeland security scenario analysis.     

Pharmaceutical compound removal efficiency by a small constructed wetland located in south Brazil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The fate of pharmaceuticals during the treatment of effluents is of major concern since they are not completely degraded and because of their...