Phylogeography of the European stalked barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes): identification of glacial refugia

The alternation of glacial and interglacial events during the Pleistocene has produced changes in species distribution ranges leading to bottlenecks and alterations of patterns of gene flow. The European stalked barnacle, Pollicipes pollicipes, is a sessile pedunculate cirripede that inhabits the rocky intertidal frame, from Senegal to the northwestern coast of France. In this work, we have analyzed a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I for 569 individuals of P. pollicipes in order to investigate whether the shifts in climatic conditions that occurred during the Pleistocene influenced the current pattern of distribution of genetic variation of P. pollicipes. A pre-last glacial maximum pattern of demographic expansion was found, in concordance with many other North Atlantic marine species. On the other hand, three potential glacial refugia were identified: North African coasts, northwestern Iberian Peninsula and English Channel/Brittany.     

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in sewage effluents and correlation with microbial,chemical and physical water variables

Contaminated water are recognized as a potential source of Cryptosporidium oocysts. In Italy studies on the environmentalspread of the parasite are still scarce even if a high frequencyof serological responses could suggest high rates of endemic Cryptosporidium infections. In this investigation theoccurrence of the parasite in water samples from a municipalwastewater treatment plant was monitored with the aim to evaluatepossible correlation between oocysts and bacterial indicators,pathogens and physico-chemical parameters using a multivariateanalysis. Data collected showed high numbers of oocysts, with ahigh percentage of positive samples and a significant correlationwith pH, redox potential and total organic carbon. No correlationwas found between Cryptosporidium concentration and that of the other microrganisms. The results, through a probing statistical analysis, show that none of the selected microrganisms was a reliable predictor of the presence of theparasite.     

Assessment of potentially harmful elements pollution in the Calore River basin (Southern Italy)

The geographical distribution of concentration values for harmful elements was determined in the Campania region, Italy. The study area consists of the drainage basin of the River Calore, a tributary of the river Volturno, the largest Southern Italian river. The results provide reliable analytical data allowing a quantitative assessment of the trace element pollution threat to the ecosystem and human health. Altogether 562 stream sediment samples were collected at a sampling density of 1 site per 5 km². All samples were air-dried, sieved to <100 mesh fraction and analyzed for 37 elements after an aqua regia extraction by a combination of ICP-AES and ICP-MS. In addition to elemental analysis, gamma-ray spectrometry data were collected (a total of 562 measurements) using a hand-held Scintrex GRS-500 spectrometer. Statistical analyses were performed to show the single-element distribution and the distribution of elemental association factor scores resulting from R-mode factor analyses. Maps showing element distributions were made using GeoDAS and ArcGIS software. Our study showed that, despite evidence from concentrations of many elements for enrichment over natural background values, the spatial distribution of major and trace elements in Calore River basin is determined mostly by geogenic factors. The southwestern area of the basin highlighted an enrichment of many elements potentially harmful for human health and other living organisms (Al, Fe, K, Na, As, Cd, La, Pb, Th, Tl, U); however, these anomalies are due to the presence of pyroclastic and alkaline volcanic lithologies. Even where sedimentary lithologies occur, many harmful elements (Co, Cr, Mn, Ni) showed high concentration levels due to natural origins. Conversely, a strong heavy metal contamination (Pb, Zn, Cu, Sb, Ag, Au, Hg), due to an anthropogenic contribution, is highlighted in many areas characterized by the presence of road junctions, urban settlements and industrial areas. The enrichment factor of these elements is 3–4 times higher than the background values. The southwestern area of the basin is characterized by a moderate/high degree of contamination, just where the two busiest roads of the area run and the highest concentration of industries occurs.     

A Myanmar amber cockroach with protruding feces contains pollen and a rich microcenosis

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanisms responsible for maintenance of host-specific gentes in the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Some of them expect that when adult cuckoos return to lay their eggs to their natal site (natal philopatry hypothesis) or habitat in which they were reared (habitat-imprinting hypothesis), there is a higher probability of finding nests of the host species by which they were reared. Since published evidence is ambiguous, we here evaluate the natal philopatry and habitat-imprinting hypotheses using information on habitat homogeneity and cross-continental long-term ringing data. We found no evidence for the natal philopatry hypothesis—instead of returning to their natal site, juvenile cuckoos exhibited longer dispersal movements than adults, and the difference was even larger in comparison with a wide array of cuckoo host species. On the contrary, we found support for the habitat-imprinting hypothesis—juvenile cuckoos followed similar levels of natal habitat homogeneity at 5- and 25-km scale when returning to breed in the next years. Our results suggest that preference for the particular habitat structures may help cuckoos to find appropriate hosts.

     

Prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with an extra idic(X) (q27)

A fetus with an extra idic(X) (q27) was ascertained during prenatal diagnosis. The derived X and one normal X chromosome were late replicating. Due to lack of previous experience, genetic counselling presented obvious difficulties and the fetal phenotype could be only tentatively predicted.     

Seasonal changes of locomotor activity patterns in ruin lizards Podarcis sicula

The daily pattern of locomotor activity of the ruin lizard Podarcis sicula in its natural environment changes from unimodal in spring (with only one activity peak per day) to bimodal in summer (with two well-separated activity peaks per day) and it becomes unimodal again in autumn. In order to establish whether such seasonal changes in pattern might be at least in part controlled by endogenous temporal programs, lizards were collected at different times of the year and immediately after capture their locomotor behavior was tested in the laboratory under constant temperature (29°C) and in darkness. For some individuals tested in the laboratory the locomotor pattern previously expressed in the field was known. Seasonal differences in pattern have been unequivocally found to have an endogenous component, as most lizards in constant conditions retained the locomotor pattern shown in the field during the same season. Besides, in the bimodal lizards the freerunning period of locomotor rhythms () was significantly shorter and circadian activity time (a) longer than in the unimodal ones. Altogether the data are compatible with the idea that both the interdependent changes of and a and the changes in locomotor pattern occurring seasonally in the circadian activity rhythms of P. sicula would depend on changes in the phase relationship between mutually coupled oscillators which drive these rhythms. Correspondence to: A. Foà     

The reproductive behavior of Anthidium manicatum (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) and the significance of size for territorial males

Summary Males of the wool-carder bee, Anthidium manicatum, patrol clumps of garden plants. Females of this species visit these plants for pollen, nectar, and pubescence; they also mate there. Females are polyandrous, with intervals between copulations as short as 35 s. Patrolling males defend their territories (0.1–1.3 m²) against other males and against other species of flower-visiting insects. Honey bees may be rendered unable to fly by the attacks of A. manicatum.Territory owners perform exploratory flights to other males' territories, changing territories often (median ownership 4–7 days; maximum 30 days) and flying up to 450 m to establish new territories. Territorial usurpations are nearly always by larger males.Female visitation rate is significantly correlated with number of flowers on a territory. The head size of territory-owner males shows significant correlation with territorial quality (measured by number of flowers, not area) and thus with number of female visits and copulatory opportunities. Some males fail to maintain territories and instead attempt to forage and copulate in other males' territories while the owners are otherwise occupied. Nonowner males are significantly smaller than owners, forage less often and from fewer flowers, and achieve significantly fewer copulations than owners. Females, however, do not reject smaller, nonowner males at a higher rate than they do larger, owner males; their choice for male size appears to be indirect, based instead on choice of food resource.The interval between a copulation and the male's next attempt with a different female is not shorter than that involving the same female. Males do not escort just-mated females about their teritories, as observed in Anthidium maculosum. Territorial behavior in this species most likely evolved through intrasexual competition for reproductive success which led to sexual dimorphism. The defense of a resourcebased territory is the mechanism used by a male to maximize his reproductive potential.     

An online platform supporting the analysis of water adaptation measures in the Alps

Climate change may result in reduced water supply from the Alps – an important water resource for Europe. This paper presents a multilingual platform that combines spatial and multi-criteria decision-support tools to facilitate stakeholder collaboration in the analysis of water management adaptation options. The platform has an interactive map interface that allows participants to select a location of their interest within the Alpine Arc. By utilising the decision-support tool, stakeholders can identify suitable adaptation solutions for different geographical units, according to their experience and preference. The platform was used to involve experts across Alpine borders, domains and decision-making levels, as well as a group of university students. The experts favoured the planning instruments for saving water, while the students inclined towards the measures that would improve water conservation. The initial results confirmed the suitability of the platform for future involvement of decision-makers in spatio-temporal analyses of adaptation pathways in the Alps.