Phylogeography of the sub-Antarctic notothenioid fish Eleginops maclovinus: evidence of population expansion

Phylogeography studies add insights into the geographic and evolutionary processes that underline the genetic divergence of populations. This work examines the geographic genetic structure of the Patagonian blennie, Eleginops maclovinus, a notothenioid (Perciformes) endemic to South American temperate and sub-Antarctic waters, using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences. We found 58 haplotypes in the analysis of 261 individual sequences of 833 base pairs in length. Among-population variance was very low (1.62%) and many haplotypes were shared between several populations across the species geographic range. Genetic differentiation was not consistent with a simple model of isolation by distance, possibly suggesting a lack of equilibrium between gene flow and local genetic drift. The analysis of mismatch distributions, neutrality tests, and the Bayesian Skyline Plot showed a pattern consistent with a recent population expansion event that may have taken place during the Middle Pleistocene.     

Presence and biomagnification of organochlorine pollutants and heavy metals in mammals of Do?ana National Park (Spain), 1982-1983

The existence of 11 organochlorine compounds and five heavy metals in the liver and muscle of 57 members of 10 species of mammals, all from Do?ana National Park (Spain), has been investigated. Five organochlorine compounds have been found and the five heavy metals were present in the samples. The biomagnification of organochlorines is shown. The detected concentrations for each trophic rank seem not to influence unfavourably on the population stability of the species. The rabbit is proposed as a monitor species for future studies in pollution at Do?ana National Park.     

Organochlorine pesticides accumulation and degradation products in vegetation samples of a contaminated area in Galicia (NW Spain)

The content of 21 organochlorine pesticides were studied in vegetation samples of a highly contaminated area by isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) located close to a former industrial area in Galicia (NW Spain). Five species of plants were collected at different points of the contaminated area and the different parts of the plants were separated in order to study differences in accumulation capabilities. Samples were extracted employing microwave energy followed by a clean-up step using solid phase extraction and finally determined by GC–ECD. The results obtained show that the most abundant pesticides are HCHs isomers, being the main isomers β-HCH and -HCH in all samples whereas δ-HCH and γ-HCH were at lower levels. Some other pesticides such as p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD and p,p′-DDE were also present in much lower amount in some of the samples. Several degradation products of HCH were also identified in some samples by GC–MS.     

Organochlorine and heavy metal residues in the water/sediment system of the Southeast Regional Park in Madrid, Spain

A study into levels of contamination by organochlorine compounds (insecticides and PCBs) and heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in the water/sediment system of the Southeast Regional Park (SERP) in Madrid, Spain, has been carried out. Residue levels of xenobiotics were determined in surface and underground waters and sediments from selected sites throughout the protected area. The results showed these contaminants to be widespread throughout the studied area. p,p'-DDT concentration levels were consistently higher than its metabolite p,p'-DDE, indicating a recent use of this organochlorine insecticide in the area. PCB levels exceeded, in the majority of the cases, the levels taken as the maximum (100 ng/microl) for highly polluted waters. Cd and Pb levels found in water samples were under the detection limits of the methodology used. Pb levels found in sediment samples were higher than Cd.     

Influence of organic solvents on the sensitivity of a bioluminescence toxicity test with Vibrio harveyi

The possibility of using organic solvents (OSs) to increase the susceptibility of bioluminescent microorganisms in a bioassay for assessing the toxicity of chemicals dissolved in water was investigated. To conduct the tests acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol were used as OSs and Cd, Hg, and Zn as reference toxicants. The addition of OSs modified the toxicity of the three metals to Vibrio harveyi, according on the bioluminescence assay used. The sensitivity of the luminescence bioassay for Hg increased in the presence of the five OSs, thus indicating a greater toxic effect. However, the sensitivity of the assay for the other two metals, Cd and Zn, increased or decreased (lesser toxic effect) depending on the concentration at which the OSs were used. No correlation was observed between the concentration of the five OSs and the toxicity of the three reference toxicants. From this it can be deduced that none of these OSs could be recommended for increasing generically the sensitivity of toxicity biotests using V. harveyi.     

Hepatitis A Virus Disinfection in Water by Solar Photo–Fenton Systems

This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of solar photo–Fenton systems for the inactivation of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in water. The effect of solar irradiance, dark- Fenton reaction and three different reactant concentrations (2.5/5, 5/10 and 10/20 mg/L of Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) on the photo–Fenton process were tested in glass bottle reactors (200 mL) during 6 h under natural sunlight. Disinfection kinetics were determined both by RT-qPCR and infectivity assays. Mean water temperatures ranged from 25 to 27.3 °C, with a maximum local noon UV irradiances of 22.36 W/m². Photo–Fenton systems yielded increased viral reduction rates in comparison with the isolated effect under the Fenton reaction in darkness (negligible viral reduction) or the solar radiation (0.25 Log of RNA reduction). With the highest concentration employed (10–20 mg/L Fe²⁺–H₂O₂), an average RNA reduction rate of ~ 1.8 Log (initial concentration of 10⁵ pfu/mL) and a reduction of 80% in the infectivity capacity were reached. Results showed a strong synergistic effect between Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ and sunlight, demonstrating that significant disinfection rates of HAV under photo–Fenton systems may occur with relatively higher efficiency at middle environmental temperatures and without the need for an energy-intensive light source.     

A corporate approach to social monitoring and assessment for development in a fragile environment

The prevailing corporate trend regardingdevelopment of energy resources in the tropics emphasizesfinancial gain over long-term societal benefits. Somecorporations are beginning to find a competitive advantage linkedto proactive relations with host communities and adequateprotection of fragile ecosystems. Herein, we describe a casestudy where an international energy production company workedwith stakeholders to achieve social capital and sustainabledevelopment. The strategies aimed to strengthen local capacity toimprove social welfare and to ensure conservation and wise use ofbiodiversity. We provide examples, discuss lessons learned andmake recommendations for future development projects.     

A Framework for Designing Ecological Monitoring Programs for Protected Areas: A Case Study of the Galachos del Ebro Nature Reserve (Spain)

The assessment of management effectiveness in protected areas, i.e., the evaluation of whether management strategies are actually helping to achieve stated goals, is becoming a priority. In any such evaluation, accurate information concerning the dynamics of the managed system is required—information that is gathered through monitoring. Few protected areas, however, have well-developed monitoring plans, and reserve managers are faced with a shortage of protocols for their design. This paper proposes a methodology, applicable to a wide range of situations, for designing such plans. The process begins with the precise definition of the aims of the monitoring plan, followed by the identification of key ecological processes and management objectives for the area, and finally the selection of a reduced set of indicators. These indicators are represented at three levels of growing complexity, allowing the plan to be followed in a modular fashion and in agreement with available resources.     

Consumption of methane by soils

Measurements of the methane flux and methane concentration profiles in soil air are presented. The flux of methane from the soil is calculated by two methods: a) Direct by placing a static open chamber at the soil surface. b) Indirect, using the ²²²Rn concentrations profile and the ²²²Rn flux in the soil surface in parallel with the methane concentration (²²²Rn calibrated fluxes). The methane flux has been determined in two kinds of soils (sandy and loamy) in the surroundings of Málaga (SPAIN). The directly measured methane fluxes at all investigated sites is higher than methane fluxes derived from Rn calibrated fluxes. Atmospheric methane is consumed by soils, mean direct flux to the atmosphere were - 0.33 g m^–2yr-1. The direct methane flux is the same within the measuring error in sandy and loamy soils. The influence of the soil parameters on the methane flux indicates that microbial decomposition of methane is primarily controlled by the transport of methane.     

Reward rate and forager activation in honeybees: recruiting mechanisms and temporal distribution of arrivals

We analyzed the foraging and recruitment activity of single foragers ( Apis mellifera), exploiting low reward rates of sucrose solution. Single employed foragers (test bees) were allowed to collect 2.0 m sucrose solution delivered by a rate-feeder located at 160 m from the hive for 2 h. Flow rates varied between 1.4 and 5.5 µl/min. The individual behavior of the test bees was registered both at the hive and the food source, and the social output was calculated as the number of incoming bees arriving at the feeder per hour (henceforth: arrival rate). Incoming bees were captured once they landed at the feeder and assigned to one of three categories according to their foraging experience and hive interactions with the test bee: inspector, reactivated, or inexperienced bees. Both the waggle-runs performed per hour of foraging by test bees and the social output attained, increased with the reward rate. Also the number of hive-stays and the trophallactic-offering contacts performed by test bees were positively correlated with the arrival rate. For the highest reward rates, the duration of Nasonov-gland exposure at the feeding place was higher, and the arrival of most of the incoming bees occurred shortly after the test bee landed at the feeding platform. Thus, in addition to hive-interactions, landing of incoming bees at the food source is promoted by olfactory and/or visual information provided by the test bees. The proportions of inspector, reactivated, and inexperienced bees changed depending on the reward rate offered. Therefore, not only the occurrence and intensity of the recruitment-related behaviors performed by the test bees, but also the stimulation required by each category of incoming bees, determined the social output observed.