Phylogeography and evolution of the triplefin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tripterygion delaisi</Emphasis> (Pisces,Blennioidei)

The genus Tripterygion (Risso 1826) is restricted to the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and comprises only three species. T. melanuros and T. tripteronotus are essentially endemic to the Mediterranean, while Tripterygion delaisi occurs in the Atlantic and in the Mediterranean. Two subspecies of T. delaisi have been described (T. d. xanthosoma in the Mediterranean and T. d. delaisi in the Atlantic). Several scenarios have been proposed for the evolution of T. delaisi subspecies, but so far its subspeciation process is not clear. In this study we present a population survey of T. delaisi including specimens from the two recognized subspecies. We combined a phylogeographic approach with estimates of the direction of migration (between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean) and of the coalescence time of the two subspecies, using polymorphic mitochondrial and nuclear genes. The results of this study clearly support the existence of two Tripterygion delaisi clades, one in the eastern Atlantic islands and another in the Atlantic coasts of Europe and in the Mediterranean. Historical migration between the islands and Western Europe plus Mediterranean was restricted, and showed a westbound trend, with a higher number of migrants going from the Western Europe plus Mediterranean into the islands. We estimated the time of coalescence of both groups of T. delaisi to be more recent than the onset of Pleistocene glaciations (1.7 Mya). Our results are consistent with previous hypothesis that consider successive dispersal events of a Tripterygion ancestor from the western African coast colonizing the Atlantic islands and the Mediterranean, promoting the evolutionary divergence between these areas.     

Plasticity in the temporal organization of behaviour in the limpet <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cellana grata</Emphasis>

The behaviour of intertidal consumers is often tightly constrained to tidal movements, although activity patterns can vary within these constraints. Spatio-temporal variability in behaviour of a limpet, Cellana grata, was analysed over different tidal conditions (spring and neap tides) and during different times of the year (one summer and one winter) at sites in Hong Kong. Activity was generally dictated by tidal movements, being concentrated when animals were awash. Plasticity in behaviour was observed, with some limpets anticipating activity during the summer period and delaying activity during winter time. Limpets were active for a time equal, or slightly less, than time awash. As the time awash exceeded ~14–16 h, however, activity duration decreased. Within this general pattern, tidal variation as well as variation among times of the year was noted, with the lowest dependence on time awash being recorded during winter neap tides. Limpets showed a slight preference for being active during nighttime, which was particularly evident when animals were emersed during the summer period. Although the basic activity in C. grata is constrained to a specific temporal window, this limpet is able to modulate its foraging strategies and resting height, according to local, daily changes in environmental conditions.     

Studying soil organic matter using 13C CP-MAS NMR: the effect of soil chemical pre-treatments on spectra quality and representativity

¹³C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy is a technique that has proved to be useful in studying soil organic matter (SOM). Nevertheless, NMR spectra exhibit a weak signal and have very low resolution due to: the low natural abundance of ¹³C (1.1 % of C) in SOM, the generally low SOM content of soils, and the presence of paramagnetic impurities. This paper studies the effects of soil chemical pre-treatments on ¹³CP-MAS NMR spectra quality and spectra representativity i.e. soil C mass balance.

After chemical pre-treatment to increase total organic carbon (TOC) content and C/Fe ratio, eight soils characterized by different levels of organic carbon content and C/Fe ratios were studied using ¹³CP-MAS NMR. Moreover, where chemical treatments were not applicable due to high carbon losses, the number of ¹³CP-MAS NMR scans was increased in order to obtain satisfactory spectra.

Results show that chemical pre-treatment of soils with C/Fe > 1 caused high C losses. Bulk soils were therefore studied by increasing the number of ¹³CP-MAS NMR scans. Acceptable spectra were obtained from 8K scans (1K = 1024 transient). On the other hand, even when a large number of scan (32K) are used, soil with C/Fe < 1 cannot be studied. As these soils are characterized by low C losses after HCl treatments (range of 2.9–25.4%), a pre-treatment of at least 1.39 mol l⁻¹ HCl removes excess Fe and at the same time increases C/Fe ratio resulting in 32K scans providing good spectra.     

Temperature effects on fecundity,development and survival of the benthopelagic calanoid copepod, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudocyclops xiphophorus</Emphasis>

The shallow-living, benthopelagic copepod species Pseudocyclops xiphophorus Wells (R Soc Edimburg 67:1967), collected over a yearly cycle from the fouling material in the brackish water Lake Faro (North-eastern Sicily), showed marked seasonal fluctuations in population abundances, with maximum numbers recorded in autumn. Highest in situ egg production rates coincided with periods of low adult and juvenile densities and vice versa, except in autumn when peaks in egg production and adult population densities were coincident. In this period, mean daily egg production rates reached a maximum of 4–5 eggs per female, when surface water temperature was 17–18°C. Egg production rates declined drastically in winter and were completely arrested when surface temperatures dropped to 10–12°C. In March, daily egg production rates began to increase again with an increase in ambient temperatures, reaching a maximum at the end of August. In the laboratory, as in the field, mean daily egg production rates were positively correlated with temperature, with values ranging from 2.2 ± 0.3 (16°C) to 8.9 ± 2.6 (30°C) (mean ± S.D.) eggs per female per day. At 32°C, P. xiphophorus females survived but did not reproduce. At 34°C, all specimens died after a few days. In terms of total egg production for the entire female lifespan, maximum values occurred at 16°C and minimum at 24°C. Temperature also dramatically affected female life span, which was shorter at higher temperatures. Development time of eggs decreased with increasing temperature, as also development time from egg to adulthood. Remating was necessary for the continued production of fertile eggs at 16°C because female life span was longer. The unique egg-laying behaviour in this species may ensure higher survival rates of egg stages compared to free-spawning and egg-carrying calanoid species. After releasing the egg pair, the female swims over the eggs with a rotatory motion, secreting a substance which facilitates the adhesion of the eggs to the bottom; she then continues to swim over the eggs until they are attached. Although egg production rates in this species are low compared to other pelagic copepods, they are within the range of values reported for egg-carrying species. The greater fecundity at higher temperatures compared to other subtemperate species indicates that the species is well adapted to the higher temperatures of coastal lagoons and brackish water lakes where it contributes to the biofouling community.     

May a comprehensive mineralogical study of a jackstone calculus and some other human bladder stones unveil health and environmental implications?

This paper represents the first result of an active collaboration between the University of Sannio and the San Pio Hospital (Benevento, Italy), started in the 2018, that aims to a detailed mineralogical investigation of urinary stones of patients from Campania region. Herein, selected human bladder stones have been deeply characterized for clinical purposes and environmental biomonitoring, focusing on the importance to evaluate the concentration and distribution of undesired trace elements by means of microscopic techniques in the place of conventional wet chemical analyses. A rare bladder stone with a sea-urchin appearance, known as jackstone calculus, were also investigated (along with bladder stones made of uric acid and brushite) by means a comprehensive analytical approach, including Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction and Simultaneous Thermal Analyses. Main clinical assumptions were inferred according to the morpho-constitutional classification of bladder stones and information about patient’s medical history and lifestyle. In most of the analyzed uroliths, undesired trace elements such as copper, cadmium, lead, chromium, mercury and arsenic have been detected and generally attributable to environmental pollution or contaminated food. Simultaneous occurrence of selenium and mercury should denote a methylmercury detoxification process, probably leading to the formation of a very rare HgSe compound known as tiemannite.

     

Sprawl matters: the evolution of fringe land,natural amenities and disposable income in a Mediterranean urban area

We investigate the relationship between land-use changes (1987–2007) and the spatial distribution of the average declared income of resident population in a southern European metropolitan region (Athens, Greece) as a contribution to the analysis of suburbanization processes in the Mediterranean region. To demonstrate that urban expansion is accompanied with multiple modifications in the use of the surrounding non-urban land, we developed a computational approach based on spatial indexes of landscape configuration and proximity as a result of changes in the local socio-spatial structure. Diversity in the use of land surrounding built-up parcels in the Athens’ metropolitan region increased significantly between 1987 and 2007, reflecting a progressive fragmentation of the exurban landscape. The percentage of forests and (high-quality) natural land surrounding built-up parcels increased from 8.1 to 9.4 % between 1987 and 2007. The reverse pattern was observed for (low-quality) sparsely vegetated areas, declining from 65 to 47 %. Large built-up parcels were surrounded by a higher percentage of natural land than small parcels. The largest increase over time in forest and natural land surrounding built-up parcels was observed in municipalities with high per capita declared income, and the reverse pattern was observed for sparse vegetation. Our results demonstrate that scattered urban expansion determines a polarization in suburban areas with high-quality and low-quality natural amenities. Sprawl increases economic inequality and socio-spatial disparities contributing to a spatially unbalanced distribution of natural amenities with higher consumption of high-quality land.     

Sources of errors in assessing ozone visible symptoms on native vegetation

This paper aims to identify the problems regarding the evaluation of ozone (and ozone-like) symptoms, by examining the results of the 4th UN/ECE ICP-Forests Intercalibration Course for the assessment of ozone-induced visible symptoms. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous species were evaluated in a tree nursery, at Lattecaldo (Switzerland) and under open field conditions at Moggio (Italy). The main findings were: (i) the most expert surveyors tended to be grouped in the same cluster and, during the field exercises, they tended to assess in a more conservative manner compared to the less trained participants; (ii) the agreement was greater in assessing the absence rather than the presence of symptoms; (iii) typical interveinal stippling on the upper leaf surface was more accurately evaluated than discoloration; (iv) uncertainties resulted mainly for species which showed greater variability in their symptom manifestation, and for certain herbaceous species.     

Organochlorine pesticides,PCBs and heavy metals in tissues of the mullet Liza aurata in lake Ganzirri and Straits of Messina (Sicily,Italy)

The aim of this research was to investigate the presence of organochlorine pesticides, PCBs and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in fish living in lake Ganzirri and the Straits of Messina, using the mullet Liza aurata as a "biological indicator". Different tissues of Liza aurata, which include the muscle, gill and vertebral column, were taken for analyses. Quantitative determination of the organochlorine compounds was performed by GC-ECD and confirmed with GC-MS. The concentrations of "essential" and "toxic" heavy metals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. For the mullets of lake Ganzirri, the study showed DDE in three samples of gills and one of muscle, at concentrations below the MRL; no appreciable residues of PCBs (Aroclor 1232 series) were found. The concentrations of Zn and Cu were much higher than those of the "toxic" metals. No traces of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were found in the individuals from the Straits of Messina. Therefore, these results indicate that these two environments are not at toxicological risk.     

Utilization of a new host in the screaming cowbird <Emphasis Type="Italic">Molothrus rufoaxillaris</Emphasis>, a host specialist brood parasite: host switch or host acquisition?

The screaming cowbird Molothrus rufoaxillaris has been long known as a host specialist brood parasite. However, in the past years, the utilization of two new hosts has been documented. We examined the variation in mitochondrial control region sequences from screaming cowbird chicks found in the nests of two hosts, the bay-winged cowbird (Agelaioides badius), which is its regular host, and the chopi blackbird (Gnorimopsar chopi), which is a new host, in Formosa Province, Argentina. If a group of females switched to this new host, we expected to find an association between host use and haplotype frequency distribution, indicating the presence of host-specific female lineages, whereas we expected no such association if the cowbird population incorporated this new host and females use both hosts simultaneously. Haplotype frequency distributions differed between cowbird chicks from the nests of both hosts. This indicates that nest choice by females of this brood parasite is not random and that they preferentially parasitize the nests of the same host species.     

A study of land transport of dangerous substances in Eastern Sicily

In this work a quantitative analysis of the risk in the land transport of hazardous materials in Sicily has been executed. Risk calculation has been carried out using the TRAT-GIS code, a software for incidental and environmental risk assessment associated with the transport of dangerous substances and supported by a Geographical Information System (GIS). Results have been collected in a database, the GIS allows to display the risk maps.Risk analysis has been made on a regional scale, then some critical points have been analysed in detail. Comparisons between different typologies of transport and routes have been possible by means of the risk maps. In order to reduce the risk and improve the protection of citizens, some proposals have been analysed in these past years and some of them have been recently realized. In this study other proposals for the optimization of the transport system have been formulated, results have also permitted to evaluate the risk reduction after the future application of the Regional Transportation Plan for the Sicily.