Iberian Peninsula Research Articles

Noninvasive Methods Unveil the Trophic Transmission of the Tapeworm Ligula intestinalis in Gull-Billed Terns.

Recent developments in microscopic and molecular tools have allowed the implementation of new approaches for assessing parasitic infections in wildlife populations. This is particularly important for the noninvasive detection and quantification of endoparasites in live animals. Here, we combined copromicroscopic (Mini-FLOTAC) and molecular (qPCR) techniques to detect the infection of the macroparasite Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda, Pseudophyllidea) in fresh droppings of Gull-billed Terns Gelochelidon nilotica (Charadriiformes, Laridae) breeding in southwestern Spain. Additionally, we sequenced the cytochrome b gene in parasite isolates from Gull-billed Terns (definitive host) and Common Bleak Alburnus alburnus (second intermediate host) sampled around tern colonies to explore potential genetic differences between the isolates. The qPCR test showed a higher prevalence (18%; in 13/73 samples) than Mini-FLOTAC (9%; in 8/88 samples), indicating that qPCR was more sensitive for diagnostic purposes than fecal flotation alone. Although the agreement between both techniques was substantial (84.2%) mainly due to the large number of uninfected samples, only Mini-FLOTAC allowed us to quantify parasite shedding. When combining techniques, the prevalence of infection did not differ between adults and chicks, suggesting frequent trophic transmission from parents to their offspring via food provisioning. Phylogenetic analyses identified four haplotypes in the isolates from Gull-billed Terns and Bleak, all of which were placed within a European clade composed of tapeworms recovered exclusively from phylogenetically derived cyprinid fish. This, combined with the short lifespan of mature tapeworms, suggests that Gull-billed Terns became infected after consuming infected fish around their breeding colonies rather than on their West African wintering grounds. Altogether, our results represent the first record of L. intestinalis in Gull-billed Terns and the first molecular characterization of the parasite in the Iberian Peninsula. This integrative coprodiagnostic protocol can be applied to other host-parasite systems, allowing researchers to study helminth infections in wild populations using a noninvasive approach.

Percepción social y tendencia poblacional de mesocarnívoros y ungulados en el noroeste de la península ibérica

Mesocarnivores and ungulates were historically considered as harmful species to humans. Research into the relationship between the actual and perceived population abundance or trend can be useful in mitigating conflicts with these animals. In this work, the information on population trends (i. e. increasing, maintenance or decreasing abundance) obtained through semi-structured interviews with local people was contrasted with the data from a two-times-replicated camera-trap study, separated eight years between them, in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. In general, we found a divergence between the two sources of information regarding the population trend in only two of the six species under study, red fox and wild boar. Specifically, camera-trap results showed a decrease in red fox catches, not reflected in the face-to-face interviews. On the contrary, face-to-face interviews indicated an increase in wild boar populations, not reflected in the camera-trap study. The findings of this study underscore the necessity of integrating different information sources to accurately assess the population dynamics of mesocarnivores and ungulates, thereby enabling informed management decisions.

Environmental drivers of mean weight-at-age variability in pelagic and benthic fish from the NW Iberian Peninsula

Environmental drivers of mean weight-at-age variability in pelagic and benthic fish from the NW Iberian Peninsula

Nitrous oxide variability along an estuary influenced by agricultural land use (Guadalquivir estuary, SW Spain)

The Guadalquivir Estuary is the largest estuary in the southwest basin of the Iberian Peninsula, which is subject to strong anthropogenic influence such as the damming or the multitude of crop fields on its margins. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) variability is analysed considering the influence of temperature, salinity, water-atmosphere fluxes, benthic fluxes, reactivity and lateral inputs. N2O increases along the salinity gradient, with values ranging from 5.9 to 103.3 nmol L−1. Thus, values of N2O concentration are very close to equilibrium with the atmosphere at the mouth, while in the inner zone the fluxes to the atmosphere are higher, showing the greatest variability of N2O in the estuary (74.26 ± 7.41 μmol m−2 d−1). Sediments act as a source of N2O to the water column, with benthic fluxes presenting a wide range from 2 to 20 μmol m−2 d−1. Denitrification processes in the sediments may be important in the inner part of the estuary, where negative benthic fluxes of nitrate have been observed. Production rates of N2O in the water column are estimated from incubation experiments, resulting in higher production with temperature, and lower with salinity. Lateral inputs are calculated by balance of the different processes characterized and seems to be an important factor influencing N2O variability in the inner zone of the estuary.

Historic Land Use Modifies Impacts of Climate and Isolation in Rear Edge European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Populations.

Legacies of human land use have the potential to impact demographic responses to climate. However, few studies have investigated the interactive effects of land use legacies and climate change on tree demography. The demographic performance of rear edge populations in particular is an important determinant of a species' long-term persistence. In this study, we investigated whether human land use legacies affect demographic responses to climate and population isolation in rear edge European beech populations (Fagus sylvatica L.) at the temperate-Mediterranean transition zone in the NE Iberian Peninsula. We utilised data from the Spanish Forest Inventory and generalised linear mixed models to compare the potential interactions across four different demographic rates (tree growth, survival probability, new adult recruitment and sapling recruitment). We found that the demographic rates were affected by the combination of land use legacies, climate and population isolation in different ways, which could potentially lead to complex shifts in future population dynamics under climate change. We identified that intense historic management either magnified negative relationships between tree demography and climate or population isolation, or reduced demographic performance in favourable climates to levels observed in unfavourable climates. Through either form of interaction, we found that intense historic forest management had a negative impact on tree demography, which has the potential to compromise future carbon stocks and long-term population viability. Overall, we show that disentangling human and environmental factors can enable us to better understand heterogeneous demographic performance across the rear edge of species distributions.

Widespread male sterility and trioecy in androdioecious Mercurialis annua: Its distribution, genetic basis, and estimates of morph-specific fitness components.

Angiosperms range in sexual system from hermaphroditism through gynodioecy and androdioecy to dioecy. Trioecy, where females and males coexist with hermaphrodites, is rare. Recently, trioecy was documented in hexaploid populations of the wind-pollinated herb Mercurialis annua in Spain. We surveyed the frequency of males, hermaphrodites, and females in M. annua across its distribution in the Iberian Peninsula, tracked sex-ratio variation in several populations over consecutive generations, and assessed evidence for pollen limitation. In a common garden, we estimated male, female, and hermaphroditic fitness. We used controlled crosses to infer the genetic basis of male sterility. Finally, we compared predictions of a deterministic model with the distribution of observed sex ratios in the field based on our fitness estimates and the inferred genetics of sex determination. Trioecy is widespread in Spanish and Portuguese populations of M. annua. Males are determined by a dominant (Y-linked) allele, and female expression results from the interaction between cytoplasmic male sterility and multiple nuclear male sterility restorers partially linked to the male determiner. Male pollen production is approximately 12 times that of hermaphrodites, while female seed production is less than 1.12 times the observed hermaphroditic levels. The distribution of sex ratios in natural populations conforms with predictions of our deterministic simulations. Our study documents and accounts for a clear case of trioecy in which sex is determined by both maternally and biparentally inherited genes.

Exploring Trichoderma Diversity for Sustainable Disease Management in Lolium perenne Against Fusarium avenaceum

AbstractFusarium species represent a significant threat to pasture health, necessitating the development of sustainable solutions. This study explores the potential of regionally adapted Trichoderma isolates for controlling Fusarium avenaceum and promoting plant growth in the grasslands of the Iberian Peninsula. To this end, seven Trichoderma isolates (belonging to T. koningiopsis, T. koningii and T. gamsii) were obtained from soils of Extremadura and then evaluated as potential biocontrol agents against Fusarium avenaceum. For the purposes of this evaluation, water was used as a negative control, while a commercial Trichoderma product served as a positive control. An initial in vitro evaluation revealed that six Trichoderma isolates significantly inhibited F. avenaceum in a dual culture assay, reducing pathogen growth by 18 to 49%. Additionally, two of the isolates showed antifungal potential during the evaluation of their culture filtrates. Subsequently, two greenhouse assays were conducted to assess the effects of Trichoderma isolates and the pathogen on the development of Lolium perenne. One focused on seed germination and the other on established plants. The greenhouse experiments indicated that T08 (T. koningiopsis), T14 (T. koningii), and T19 (T. gamsii) significantly improved seed germination and plant growth, even outperforming the positive control on total dry matter in pathogen-infected plants during the postemergence test. Our study highlights the potential of Trichoderma isolates, particularly T08, T14, and T19, to boost plant growth and control Fusarium avenaceum in Lolium perenne. It emphasizes the importance of in planta testing and reveals the varying effects of the isolates throughout the plant cycle.

Trends in Vegetation Seasonality in the Iberian Peninsula: Spatiotemporal Analysis Using AVHRR-NDVI Data (1982–2023)

Vegetation seasonality is a critical indicator of ecological responses to global climate change, especially in the Iberian Peninsula, where the intersection of human activity and climate variability amplifies these effects. Understanding these changes is vital for adopting ecogeographical sustainability and developing effective climate adaptation strategies. This study examines trends in vegetation seasonality in the Iberian Peninsula from 1982 to 2023, based on weekly AVHRR NDVI data (2184 images). By integrating Seasonal Trend Analysis (STA) with Robust Trend Analysis (RTA)—including the Theil–Sen (TS) slope estimator, the Contextual Mann–Kendall (CMK) test (α = 0.05), and false discovery rate (FDR) control—we identified significant phenological shifts and widespread vegetation greening. The results reveal a regional response to global patterns of climate change, with 94.2% of the study area exhibiting significant trends, particularly in the Mediterranean ecoregion, where earlier growing seasons are becoming increasingly common. These shifts highlight the urgent need for sustainable land and resource management in the face of accelerating global change. Our findings provide critical insights into the ecological dynamics of the Iberian Peninsula, offering a robust foundation for formulating policies that promote environmental sustainability and enhance resilience to climate change.

The Hungarian fossil record of the Pliocene pig Sus arvernensis (Suidae, Mammalia)

Sus arvernensis is a Pliocene species that occupies a key position in the evolution of suids (Suidae, Artiodactyla, Mammalia) in Eurasia, and besides, it is considered important for biochronological correlations and paleoecological inferences. However, our knowledge on S. arvernensis is largely based on fossil remains from southwestern Europe. Here, we present a revision of the Hungarian fossil record of S. arvernensis. Up to now, the species was known from only two localities of Hungary, Gödöllő (central Hungary) and Süttő (northwest Hungary), and the latter occurrence has even been questioned. After the comparison with other relevant samples of S. arvernensis, of the Early Pleistocene S. strozzii, and of the extant wild boar S. scrofa (motivated by previous attributions and the chronology of the localities), the presence of S. arvernensis from Gödöllő and Süttő is confirmed, and more material of the species is described from Beremend (southern Hungary) and Kisláng (western Hungary). Collectively, the results of the revision carried out herein reveal a relatively widespread distribution of S. arvernensis in Hungary, hence providing an important link from the eastern to western European fossil record of the species. The specimens from Gödöllő and Süttő are slightly larger than the other material of S. arvernensis from France and Italy included in the biometric comparison, although the paucity of the material precludes to evaluate whether these differences are significant and to relate them to a chronological and/or geographical context. The occurrence of S. arvernensis in the Hungarian localities considered in this work is a biochronological indication of an age older than at least 2.6 Ma, since the species is not recorded after the Pliocene–Pleistocene transition. This in agreement with the age estimates available so far for some of the localities or provides new insights. At Süttő, in particular, the identification of S. arvernensis reinforces the view that travertine deposition started already in the Pliocene.

Guadiana in Four Movements

This paper introduces Guadiana in Four Movements, a research-short film that explores the present and future of the River Guadiana’s Lower basin in the Iberian Peninsula. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining social science and the arts, the film integrates diverse audio and visual materials from multimodal ethnographic fieldwork with the sonification of climate scenarios. By drawing connections that demonstrate the tensions between diverse formations and temporalities and by accounting for how these tensions are shaping, and taking shape along, the Lower Guadiana, it tests the boundaries and potential of geographic theory, revealing how creative practice can engage with complex socio-material and socio-natural assemblages. This essay underscores the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing cultural geography and provides alternative ways to understand and engage with Guadiana’s landscapes and possible futures.

A canine onchocercosis report from the portuguese west region in 2024: implications for Public Health

Abstract Issue/problem Onchocerca lupi parasitosis, known as onchocercosis, affects dogs, sporadically cats and humans, posing a public health concern due to possible vectors in the environment. This neglected tropical disease(NTD), has no known human cases outside endemic areas. However, recent reports in non-endemic areas raise concerns about future implications. Climate change has increased the potential risk of disease vectors establishing themselves in previously unaffected areas. Description of the problem A case of canine onchocercosis in the West Region of Portugal, made the pet owner look for medical counselling. Primary health care providers contacted the Public Health Unit(PHU) for guidance and actions. There had been no previous reports in this region. In this case report, we explore the potential public health implications, through a one-health approach. Results History of the disease was collected, and travel history of the dog revealed that he had lived in the Algarve during 11 years with only a one-and-a-half-month travel to Italy in this period. Literature review revealed reports of previous cases of oncochercosis in the Iberian Peninsula. Collaboration between the PHU, research institutes, and veterinary authorities led to the assumption of probable transmission in the Algarve. Lessons Increased vector surveillance is needed, especially in areas associated with animal onchocercosis. Proactive measures reduce transmission risks, protecting both humans and animals. Tracking animal cases is vital for understanding regional environmental factors. PHU’s must conduct thorough risk evaluations and maintain assertive risk communication strategies to address public and pet owner concerns effectively. Adopting a One Health approach improves the understanding of the disease dynamics and enables targeted interventions. Key messages • NTD’s transmitted by vectors pose a potential future challenge. This report underscores the need for a One Health approach, with collaborative multidisciplinary efforts to address these challenges. • Furthermore, systematic interaction and reporting between human, animal, and environmental health authorities are crucial to ensure comprehensive surveillance and mitigation strategies.

Gerakan Perubahan (Renaissence) Oleh Dinasti Umayyah II (Islam di Andalusia) Terhadap Berkembangnya Intelektual dan Kebudayaan di Eropa

The second period of the Umayyad dynasty, known as the Andalusian Umayyads, had a significant influence on the development of European civilization in the Middle Ages. After the fall of Damascus, this dynasty continued its rule in the Iberian Peninsula with its center in Cordoba. This article aims to analyze the influence of the Umayyad Dynasty II on Europe, especially in the fields of science, art, architecture and cross-cultural relations. The research method used in this article is a literature review, where literature study is a method that involves collecting, evaluating and synthesizing existing literature to answer research questions or understand a particular topic comprehensively. According to Danial and Warsiah, Literary Studies is research carried out by researchers by collecting a number of books and magazines related to research problems and objectives. The findings show that the Umayyad Dynasty in Andalusia not only contributed to the spread of Islamic knowledge, such as astronomy, medicine, and mathematics, but also became a catalyst for the development of science in Europe through intellectual transfer and translation of scientific texts. Apart from that, the architectural style promoted by the Umayyad II Dynasty played a role in the formation of European architectural styles, especially the Gothic and Romanesque styles. Through cultural interactions, the Umayyad II Dynasty introduced irrigation techniques, agriculture, and government systems that inspired European nations. The results of this study underline the importance of the influence of Islamic civilization in Andalusia in the development of European science and culture, which later became the foundation for the Renaissance.

Monetary Value of Surf Zone Fishery Resources on the SouthWest Iberian Peninsula

ABSTRACTBeaches are among the world's most important coastal ecosystems, within which surf zones are crucial providers of essential ecosystem services to humans. We completed the first estimate of current and potential monetary value of fishery resources in surf zones of beaches on the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Over 1 year, five beaches in the Gulf of Cádiz were sampled using a beach seine. For monetary valuation, average first‐sale prices were used, with a capital update based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 189.16 kg of 38 commercial species captured had a potential monetary value (PMV) of 408.63 €/ha. The annual value of adult fish (19 species) averaged 115.05 €/ha and juvenile fish (33 species) averaged 293.58 €/ha. Our findings highlight the value of surf zones and beaches as fishery resources, similar to other marine ecosystems. Our findings are useful for ongoing monitoring and research to enhance knowledge of these areas and the array of ecosystem services they provide.

From Asia to Iberia: the mobility of early modern reliquaries☆

AbstractIn his famous 1543 Treatise on Relics, Jean Calvin complained that if one were to gather all the purported pieces of the True Cross from the churches and cathedrals of Europe, it would ‘form a whole ship's cargo’. This comment not only highlights the questionable authenticity of relics, but also alludes to their inherent mobility. Indeed, as portable religious objects, relics played an essential role in the drive to export Christianity across the globe. Bound as it was to contemporary mercantile and colonial politics, Christian proselytization was imbricated with the circulation of material goods. Objects crafted in far off regions, such as Gujarat and Nagasaki, gained new life in European liturgical contexts. This essay examines imported caskets crafted from mother‐of‐pearl, tortoiseshell, and lacquer that were transformed into reliquaries on the Iberian Peninsula arguing that such reliquaries harnessed the established potency of the itinerant relic, while simultaneously inventing a new visual idiom that spoke to the precarity of the Catholic faith as it traversed great transoceanic distances. In so doing, it demonstrates the active role played by technologies of transit in the shaping of material and devotional culture in the early modern era.

Multiple introduction events expand the range of the invasive brown alga Rugulopteryx okamurae to northern Spain

The brown alga Rugulopteryx okamurae is one of the most recent and aggressive marine invaders known, with a non-native range that spans from the western Mediterranean to the southern Iberian Peninsula, and the European Macaronesian archipelagos. Here, we provide the first record of its presence at three disjunct areas from northern Spain, supported by morphological and molecular evidence. Rugulopteryx okamurae was discovered in the port of Bilbao in the northeastern Atlantic of Spain, more than 1200 km away from the nearest invaded location previously known. It was also found at two separate areas in northwestern Spain: San Amaro, a small inlet at the entrance of the port of A Coruña, and Monteferro-Playa América, a site close to the port of Vigo. In two areas, R. okamurae was found to cover up to 100 % of the bottom, suggesting that it may behave as an aggressive invader in northern Spain. Our findings confirm the propensity of R. okamurae for long-distance dispersal and reveal that this invader is expanding its range northwards along the European Atlantic coast.

Hymenochaete ametzii sp. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), an endangered bark-dwelling species inhabiting old Quercus pyrenaica trees from the Iberian Peninsula

Bark-dwelling fungi represent a group of ecologically highly specialized organisms. This study deals with an undescribed species of Hymenochaete characterized by specifically inhabiting the bark of Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica), and producing effuse-reflexed basidiomata and mainly globose to subglobose basidiospores. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the nuclear ITS-LSU regions revealed that the sequences of H. ametzii form a monophyletic group with a low intraspecific variation and substantially different from closest taxa, further supporting its recognition as a species. The seven localities H. ametzii is known from are old forests with a long ecological continuity, containing large old Q. pyrenaica trees, and are located in the supramediterranean belt of the Mediterranean biogeographical region. Based on habitat availability and field counts of colonized trees, the global population of H. ametzii is estimated at 8,670 mature individuals. Considering that the traditional use of old Q. pyrenaica stands ceased several decades ago in the Iberian Peninsula, with a consequent decline in habitat quality and availability, it is concluded that H. ametzii is Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN criteria.

Some interesting lichens on volcanic rocks in the inland regions of the Iberian Peninsula

We report the first record of Acarospora insolata, A. irregularis, Caloplaca interna, Endocarpon adsurgens, and Flavoplaca limonia in the Iberian Peninsula. The species inhabit volcanic rocks in the Spanish Central Volcanic Region. This finding represents a significant expansion of the distribution range of these five species.

Climatic and environmental changes of ~100 thousand years: The mammals from the early Middle Pleistocene sequence of Notarchirico (southern Italy).

Here we revise all the paleontological sample of Notarchirico, including historical collections and new findings collected during 2016-2023 excavations. Notarchirico is one of the most significant sites for the study of human evolution and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics during the Early-Middle Pleistocene Transition, preserving nearly 100.000 years of environmental and climatic changes constrained between 695 ± 6 ka and 614 ± 12 ka. The deposit yielded the oldest human fossil of the Italian Peninsula, and one of the oldest European evidence of Homo heidelbergensis, as well as one of the earliest evidence of bifacial tools in western Europe, commonly associated with the Acheulean techno-complex. Our paleontological results revealed the presence of three different mammal complexes, documenting faunal dynamics in response of climatic driven-changes recognized during the early Middle Pleistocene. The lower complex (levels I2-G) indicates the dominance of wooded spaces, sparse steppes, and the existence of water bodies (lakes or ponds), indicating a deterioration of the fully interglacial conditions recorded during the end of MIS 17; the middle complex (levels G-C) with a low number of mammal remains can be attributed to the glacial conditions of MIS 16; the upper complex (levels B-above α) indicates an improvement in climate, transitioning towards the full interglacial conditions of the of MIS 15. The faunal sample of Notarchirico, based on its firm chronological setting, offers important data for the Biochronological Scheme of European Land Mammals, including one of the oldest records of Palaeoloxodon antiquus and Cervus elaphus in Europe, Panthera spelaea in southwestern Europe, Dama cf. roberti in Italian Peninsula, and one of the latest occurrences of Bison schoetensacki in Europe.

Gamma Dose Rate Measurements in Northern Spain: Influence of Local Meteorological Scenarios on Radiological "False Alarms" in a Real-Time Radiological Monitoring Network.

The present study characterizes gamma dose rate (GDR) concentrations in Bilbao, located in the northern Iberian Peninsula, utilizing a comprehensive 10-min interval database spanning from 2009 to 2018. This station belongs to the radiological environmental monitoring of the Basque Country network. The daily average GDR was found to be 0.07624 ± 0.00004 µSv/h, with the daily 95th percentile averaging 0.08026 ± 0.00007 µSv/h throughout the entire period. Our analysis specifically addresses the impact of precipitation on GDR, revealing a higher correlation coefficient for daily 95th percentile values compared to daily averages. Additionally, the influence of the Galerna (GL) event, a natural meteorological phenomenon in this region, on GDR was investigated, noting that it can develop both with and without precipitation. Understanding the interaction between GDR and this meteorological scenario is vital for the development of more reliable radiological monitoring strategies and for safeguarding public health. For this purpose, 40 GL events were analyzed. The present results indicate that GDR values frequently exceed alarm levels when a GL is formed. These GDR peaks should be considered natural radiological events, necessitating the classification of such GDR peaks as false alarms within the radiological monitoring network. To explain them in detail, 10-min time series of precipitation and radon outdoor concentrations were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the GL event with precipitation is a meteorological scenario that can be associated with false alarms. The present analysis provides a distinct contrast in radon behavior under the same meteorological event in case of being developed with precipitation or without precipitation. The findings from this analysis are crucial for avoiding and understanding false radiological alarms triggered in the monitoring network, thereby enhancing the accuracy of radiological data interpretation and improving public safety measures.

Invertebrate composting quality of the invasive alga Rugulopteryx okamurae, prospects for its bio-recycling, management and circular economy.

In recent decades, the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae has had a huge environmental impact on marine biodiversity, fisheries, GHG emissions and public health along much of the Iberian Peninsula and islands coastline. Due to the enormous amount of algae biomass that is expelled to the beaches where it slowly rots, some circular economy business initiatives, such as composting, are emerging. In the present study, we compared the quality of compost obtained from earthworms (Dendrobaena veneta), cockroaches (Eublaberus sp.), mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens). Batches fed with 100% organic kitchen waste (control group) were compared with batches fed with 50% algae and 50% kitchen waste (treatment group). Our results show that the most sensitive species (D. veneta and T. molitor) to R. okamurae toxins compost adequately. The C/N ratio, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total organic matter (TOM), C, K, K2O, Mg, MgO, N, P, P2O5, B, Cu, Ni and Zn of the compost obtained were determined. A high quality compost was obtained in which only the EC values are slightly elevated. Particularly good was the compost obtained with H. illucens and Eublaberus sp. This quality is in agreement with previous research on the mass balance of composting. Therefore, both species offer, in the field of circular economy, encouraging prospects for the development of composting enterprises.