Southern Iberian Research Articles

Early effects of forest diseases on the Odonata assemblage of a mountain stream in the southern Iberian Peninsula

Early effects of forest diseases on the Odonata assemblage of a mountain stream in the southern Iberian Peninsula

Declining trends in long-term Pinus pinea L. growth forecasts in Southwestern Spain

Warmer and drier climate is among the main factors of the declining processes reported and expected for the future in the Mediterranean forest ecosystems. Pinus pinea is one the main Mediterranean conifers and its largest populations are in SW Spain, providing multifunctional services. The sensitivity of this species to drought is known, but the potentiality of its productivity to decline in SW Spain has not been yet assessed. We modeled P. pinea growth with climate covariates and a large set of tree ring chronologies from the beginning of the 20th century to the 2010s. Then we forecast annual increments over the period 2030-2100 using regionalized estimates of a global change model in three scenarios of greenhouse gas concentration. The climatic conditions between winter and mid spring were the most significant for the model. The climate predictions indicated an increase of potential water stress, and our forecasts described downturn trends of the annual growth, more accentuated in the scenario with the highest emissions and temperatures. These are the first long-term forecasts of growth of P. pinea in SW Spain. Our model cannot be directly applied at higher latitudes, where previous studies have shown differences in climate-growth relationships, but provides a benchmark for research and forestry of the potential climate-driven decrease of productivity of the P. pinea populations in the Southern Iberian Peninsula.

Climatic and edaphic niche shifts during plant radiation in the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot.

Ecological speciation is frequently invoked as a driver of plant radiation, but the behaviour of environmental niches during radiation is contentious, with patterns ranging from niche conservatism to niche divergence. Here we investigated climatic and edaphic niche shifts during radiation in a western Mediterranean lineage of the genus Linaria (Plantaginaceae). Detailed distributional, phylogenomic and environmental data were integrated to analyse changes in climatic and edaphic niches in a spatiotemporal context, including calculation of niche overlap, niche equivalency and similarity tests, maximum entropy modelling, phylogenetic comparative methods and biogeographic analyses. Active divergence of climatic and edaphic niches within a limited subset of available conditions was detected among the eight study species, and particularly between sister species. Speciation and niche divergence is estimated to have happened in the southern Iberian Peninsula under Mediterranean conditions, followed by waxing and waning of distribution ranges resulting from the Quaternary climatic cycles. Results support the idea that the prevalence of niche conservatism or niche divergence patterns is a matter of phylogenetic scale. Habitat isolation pertaining to both climatic and soil conditions appears to have played a role in plant speciation in the western Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, most likely in combination with pollinator isolation and some degree of geographic isolation. These findings are in agreement with an adaptive radiation scenario incorporating certain non-adaptive features.

A new cryptic rock-dwelling species of the genus Iberus Montfort, 1810 (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Helicidae) from the southern Iberian Peninsula

Since the description in 1957 of Iberus ortizi, a land snail endemic to the south-eastern Iberian Peninsula, there has been limited information about its distribution. It has traditionally been assumed that all populations of rock-dwelling Iberus snails inhabiting the Subbetic mountain ranges of Córdoba belonged to I. ortizi. In this study, intensive sampling throughout the entire potential area of I. ortizi allowed the identification of a new species (named I. rutensis sp. nov.) with conchological features somewhat intermediate between I. ortizi and I. loxanus. This new species occupies a limited area, divided into two populations. The first of these is located south of the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park and the second is located in the central-eastern part of the massif. Here we present a comprehensive description of the species following an integrative taxonomic approach combining geographical distribution, conchological analysis (including a morphometric study) and phylogenetic position and relationships. We also provide new localities for the cryptic species I. ortizi and I. marmoratus marmoratus, extending their known distributions to the provinces of Jaén and Córdoba, respectively.

Acotylea (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida) from the southern and western Iberian Peninsula, with the description of five new species

Acotylea (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida) from the southern and western Iberian Peninsula, with the description of five new species

Diversity of hirudin and hirudin-like factor genes in the North-African medicinal leech, Hirudo troctina

Medicinal leeches of the genus Hirudo inhabit large areas of the Palaearctic realm. The distribution range of Hirudo troctina includes the southern Iberian peninsula and the northwestern regions of Africa. H. troctina is used for medical purposes, but only very little is known about the components of its salivary gland secretion. Hirudins, bivalent inhibitors of thrombin, are probably the best known leech-derived bioactive factors. Hirudin-like factors (HLFs) represent another class of salivary gland components that share characteristic genetic and structural markers with hirudins. Hirudin is not a single entity but exists in at least four different variants. However, there are differences among the European members of the genus Hirudo with respect to the actual number of hirudin and HLF genes that are present within their genomes. Here, we describe the identification and molecular cloning of 11 genes that encode for putative hirudin and HLF variants in H. troctina. Three of the genes consist of exons and introns that originate from different “archetype” genes and are likely the result of recombination events. The diversity of hirudin and HLF genes in H. troctina surpasses that of all other European members of the genus Hirudo. The putative hirudin variants and representatives of the HLFs of H. troctina were expressed as recombinant proteins, purified and functionally characterized for their thrombin-inhibiting potencies. Phylogenetic analyses based on hirudin and HLF gene sequences of the leech genera Hirudo, Hirudinaria, and Whitmania supported the hypothesis that hirudins and HLFs diverged early in leech evolution.

Early Aptian development and OAE 1a-linked demise of a carbonate platform in the western Tethys: Lower Cretaceous of Sierra Mariola (South Iberian Paleomargin, SE Spain)

A carbonate platform succession of early Aptian age is described from the Sierra Mariola, which is located within the Prebetic Zone of the Betic External Zones (BEZ) of the Southern Iberian Palaeomargin, in SE Spain. The facies and stratigraphic architecture of the studied succession are described and analysed from multiple logged sections to characterize different depositional environments.The cyclic stacking of facies observed suggests a possible orbital forcing of climate transmitted to sedimentation. Superbundles are recognized describing two sequences of Regressive-Transgressive (R-T) evolution. Analysis of carbon-isotope data identifies both the interval before the hyperthermal event of the early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 1a) and the onset of the latter event, with an abrupt change in sedimentation marking the demise of the carbonate platform. The field outcrop thus preserves a record of the transition from a greenhouse world to a hothouse event.

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.

Descripción de un nuevo Platyderus Stephens, 1827 (Coleoptera, Carabidae) del medio subterráneo de Córdoba (sur de la península ibérica)

Description of a new species of Platyderus Stephens, 1827 (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from the subterranean medium of Córdoba (southern Iberian Peninsula) A new species of Platyderus is described from specimens found in the subterranean medium of the urban environment of Córdoba, in a residential area in the foothills of Sierra Morena. Platyderus aenigmaticus n. sp. has essentially subterranean habits and it has only been located after heavy rains in spring that flood the terrain and, occasionally, cause it to emerge. It shares features with the species of the “quadricollis” and “varians” groups. We have chosen to include it in the latter because of its ribbed elytral intervals, a remarkable feature uncommon in Iberian Platyderus. This characteristic is as evident as in P. saezi. P. aenigmaticus n. sp. differs from its Iberian congeners, except for P. crypticola, by the hollow elytral intervals and the almost imperceptible punctures of the striae and interstriae. It differs from P. crypticola by having a minor ocular reduction, in the aedeagus’ features and in the habitus. The flat eyes link P. aenigmaticus sp. n. with P. speleus, P. alhamillensis and P. crypticola and separate it from the other species of the “varians” group, whose eyes are less integrated into the head contour.

Contamination Assessment of Sediments and Bivalves in Estuaries of the Southern Iberian Peninsula

Human activities directly impact estuaries, where the biota is exposed to sediment contamination. A contamination assessment was carried out in several estuaries in the Southern Iberian Peninsula. Sediment samples were analyzed for the presence of metals/metalloids, and bioaccumulation tests were conducted with clams (Ruditapes philippinarum). Huelva Estuary had the highest contamination levels, while the inner bay of Cádiz and the outer stations of the estuaries from Guadiana, Guadalquivir, Palmones, and Guadarranque were the lesser contaminated. All sampling points (except Huelva) had low contamination levels of As and Cd, but they had high concentrations of Cu. The elements Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, As, and Hg displayed correlations between the concentrations in sediments and the biota. High bioaccumulation of Zn, Cu, and As was observed in Huelva and Barbate. Important insights into the sediment contamination in Southern Iberian Peninsula estuaries suggest greater management and conservation efforts in these critical ecosystems.

Intercomparison of WRF-chem aerosol schemes during a dry Saharan dust outbreak in Southern Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula (IP), where this study is conducted, has experienced an increase of the frequency and intensity of Saharan aerosol dust outbreaks over the latest decades, which may have an impact on its regional climate. The Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF-chem) has been used worldwide to simulate dust outbreaks and can support the analysis of such potential impacts. However, it includes multiple alternative aerosol parameterization choices that have not been conveniently evaluated in the study region yet. Here, three of the most popular WRF-chem aerosol parameterization schemes, namely, the Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART), the Model for Simulating Aerosol Interactions and Chemistry (MOSAIC) and the Modal Aerosol Dynamics Model for Europe (MADE) schemes, are inter-compared during a strong and dry dust outbreak on July 2021 in southern IP. The results show that the three schemes predict qualitatively similar dust intrusion patterns that are consistent with ground observations and have inter-model dust loading differences smaller than 4%. However, their average dust size distributions differ notably. While GOCART is reasonably consistent with observations, MOSAIC underpredicts the amount of dust particles with sub-micron diameters and overpredicts that of large particles and MADE does the opposite. This is found to have a strong detrimental impact on the prediction performance of dust optical properties in MOSAIC and MADE, which is related, at least partially, with issues in the required inter-sectional redistribution of dust parameters during the dust emission and calculation of optical properties. Overall, GOCART generally appears a better choice for strong and dry dust outbreak events in southern IP. It remains to be evaluated during wet dust outbreaks, which is a work underway.

Description of Cervidellus bifidihastatus n. sp. (Rhabditida, Cephalobidae) from Tabernas Desert, Spain

Summary A new species of the genus Cervidellus, C. bifidihastatus sp. n., is described from the Tabernas desert, in southern Iberian Peninsula. The new species is distinguished by having a body 0.31-0.36 mm long, cuticle tessellated, lateral fields with three longitudinal incisures, a lip region with lips having four small rounded processes at the primary axil, one small rounded apical process, and two larger triangular processes at the secondary axil, primary and secondary axils with two triangular axillar guard processes, amphids rounded, oral opening surrounded by three bifurcate Y-shaped labial probolae with long stipe with three thickenings at base and bifurcated distally with long prongs appearing as a spur-like process directed posteriorly, the excretory pore located at basal bulb or isthmus-bulb junction level, female reproductive system with long spermatheca and short post-vulval uterine sac, female and male tails conical and spicules 19-20 μm long. Additionally, the species of the genus Cervidellus are listed and their lip regions are illustrated.

Dehesilla Cave Rock Paintings (Cádiz, Spain): Analysis and Contextualisation within the Prehistoric Art of the Southern Iberian Peninsula

Abstract A systematic survey of Dehesilla Cave was carried out during 2017 in order to search for traces of rock art. Several panels with paintings were identified in the chamber next to the entrance (consisting of strokes, dots, stains, and remnants of shapes in red and black), which had remained unnoticed up until now and may provide relevant information towards the understanding of the prehistoric use of the cave and its seemingly symbolic topography. However, we cannot assume a priori a relationship between these paintings and the well-known Neolithic sequence of the site. To assess these paintings, we have analysed photomicrographs which have allowed us to determine their detailed characteristics, stroke morphology, and remnant features (for instance, hue, shape, density of paint, pigment grain size, micro-stroke traces left by the tools used). Taphonomic issues have also been considered and several physical and chemical techniques of analysis have been applied in order to identify the pigments and possible binders.

Oleaxonchium olearum gen. et sp. nov. (Nematoda, Dorylaimida) associated with an olive grove in the southern Iberian Peninsula, and new insights into the evolutionary relationships within Belondiridae

Oleaxonchium olearum gen. et sp. nov. (Nematoda, Dorylaimida) associated with an olive grove in the southern Iberian Peninsula, and new insights into the evolutionary relationships within Belondiridae

Distribution and habitat database of fluvial Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Coleoptera from Sierra Nevada, Spain

Sierra Nevada (southern Iberian Peninsula) harbours a great biodiversity and the studies on some aquatic insect groups have been and continue to be numerous there. This database brings together information on Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Coleoptera inhabiting running waters of this mountain system above 800 m of altitude. It includes data on the number, life stage and sex of individuals as well as the available information on abiotic characteristics of their habitats. The dataset is composed of 1,718 sampling events carried out between 1901 and 2022 in approximately 60 different water bodies, 15,347 occurrences pertaining to more than 203,000 individuals, and 10,173 records of associated measurements (23 physico-chemical parameters). The dataset is the result of a comprehensive review of scientific literature and of integrating data from recent research projects and the Sierra Nevada Global-Change Observatory’s long-term monitoring data. This information is valuable for those studying past distributions and abundances of the species in the dataset, for building predictive models or just studying temporal trends in the current context of climate change.

Is the invasive Caprella scaura Templeton, 1836 displacing its resident congener Caprella equilibra Say, 1818 in marinas of the South Iberian Peninsula? A long-term spatio-temporal approach

Although marine invasions are increasingly a matter of concern, the impact of invasive species in the ecosystem and their ability to replace native taxa is still little understood. Data from 2011 to 2021 in marinas of the Southern Iberian Peninsula supported that the invasive amphipod Caprella scaura is replacing the resident Caprella equilibra over time. Six marinas where C. equilibra was abundant in 2011 and C. scaura was absent, are now dominated by C. scaura. Although this displacement is more evident in Mediterranean shores than in Atlantic coasts, it is very variable between marinas. The spreading of the invasive species in marinas of the Alboran Sea mainly occurred from 2011 to 2017, preventing C. equilibra from regaining its former distribution. The ultimate factors responsible for the displacement, such as the aggressive behaviour of C. scaura, environmental influences or physiological performance in a global warming context, should be further investigated experimentally.

Environmental factors affecting phenology and distribution of Tentyria species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in Doñana National Park (Southern Iberian Peninsula).

This research focuses on the effect of environmental factors on the phenology and distribution of the Tentyria species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Doñana National Park (SW Iberian Peninsula). Data are derived from the results of a project carried out 20 years ago, aimed at inventorying the coleopteran of the park. This information provides a framework for comparison with current or future states since the time elapsed is long enough to detect variations. As the classification of Tentyria species is complex and controversial, the first aspect to be addressed was the taxonomical verification of the species. Indeed, they were T. platyceps Steven., T. subcostata Solier., T. bifida Bujalance, Cárdenas, Ferrer and Gallardo, and T. donanensis Bujalance, Cárdenas, Ferrer and Gallardo. Sampling consisted of 2 years of monthly pitfall trapping, encompassing the surface of the park and adjacent areas. Data on adult seasonal activity and spatial distribution of the species were obtained from the specific abundance in each sampling plot. Phenologically, the 4 species were mainly summer species, with unimodal or bimodal curves depending on the species. The distribution of the species was quite uneven: while T. donanensis was ubiquitous, T. subcostata was restricted to the southern coastal area of the park, and T. platyceps and T. bifida were recorded in the northern half, in marshes or inland forests, respectively. Our results also suggest that extreme temperatures may impose major constraints on the spatial distribution of Tentyria species, which could affect Doñana's biodiversity in the future scenery of thermal rise linked to climate change.

Evaluating dolphin interactions with bottom-set net fisheries off Southern Iberian Atlantic waters

The present study, covering 2018–2022, evaluated the cetacean interactions with a bottom-set net fishery along the mainland Portuguese Southern coast (Algarve), estimating bycatch, depredation, gear damage and net length influence on Landing per Unit Effort (LPUE). The fishery employed various métiers (gillnets - mesh sizes: < 60, 60–75, 80 and 220 mm; trammel nets - 120 inner and 640 mm outer panels). Observations from 655 hauls revealed depredation by bottlenose dolphins in 17.7 % of hauls, while bycatch (isolated events of 4 bottlenose dolphins and one common dolphin) occurred in < 1 %. Depredation typically results in heavy damage to the net and occurs throughout the year, with elevated rates observed during the spring and winter months. Depredation rates varied among métiers, being higher in gears targeting red mullet and hake. The impact of depredation on LPUE varied based on net length and the targeted fish species. However, when comparing LPUE in hauls without depredation, there was no significant influence on the total and hake LPUE for nets shorter or longer than 6 km (p > 0.05). Interestingly, in hauls targeting red mullets without depredation, nets shorter than 6 km had a significantly higher LPUE (p < 0.01) compared to nets 6 km or longer, suggesting that longer nets increase fishing effort due to prolonged soaking times and a higher likelihood of depredation.

Killer whales habitat suitability in the Iberian Peninsula and the Gulf of Biscay: Implications for conservation

This study addresses existing gaps in our understanding of the ecology of killer whales by investigating their habitat use dynamics in the Atlantic coastal waters of North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Gulf of Biscay. Despite previous research on their distribution during the Atlantic Bluefin tuna migration in the Strait of Gibraltar and adjacent waters, substantial knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding their movement patterns beyond these regions and seasonal variations in habitat use. Utilizing killer whale occurrence records from 2020 to 2023 and considering environmental factors influencing prey presence, we employed seasonal spatial distribution models. MaxEnt models exhibited robust predictive performance, emphasizing distance to shore, depth, and sea surface temperature as key factors influencing killer whale habitat suitability. Spatial distribution patterns reveal a peak in coastal waters of the southern Iberian Peninsula and North Africa during winter and spring, with a significant shift northward and expansion during summer and autumn towards the Gulf of Biscay. This expansion suggests a broader distribution of killer whales in the Northeast Atlantic during warmer months, encompassing a diverse range of habitats. The research underscores a substantial interaction (47%) between killer whales and recreational vessels, posing concerns for both the killer whales and maritime safety. This study provides valuable insights on killer whale habitat use in the Atlantic waters from North Africa to the Gulf of Biscay, thereby supporting conservation and management efforts in the region.

Paleosol charcoal: 12,700 years of high-altitude mediterranean vegetation history in relation to forest fires in the southwestern baetic cordillera (Spain)

Mountain forests are sensitive ecosystems. This is why in recent years the dynamics of these forest ecotones have been researched from several different approaches. One of these has been the paleoecological perspective, which is particularly interesting in the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean region, where interactions between climate, vegetation and anthropic activities have been documented for millennia. This is the case of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (southwestern Baetic Cordillera), a mountainous area that constitutes an important refuge for flora in southern Iberian Peninsula. At present, endemic trees such as Abies pinsapo and Quercus faginea subs. alpestris are found. However, its strategic geographical location may also have served in the past as a refuge for other tree taxa. In order to reconstruct the vegetation history in this protected natural area, this research aims to use pedoanthracological analysis in an unexplored area of this mountainous system. The results obtained have allowed to identify a new paleopopulation of Abies, a finding that provides new keys on the paleobiogeography of this species. This is the oldest evidence of this genus and at the highest altitude of those found to date in the southwestern Baetic Cordillera, which would confirm that this fir tree was present in high elevations of the Sierra de las Nieves during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Likewise, the first anthracological evidence of Pinus nigra/sylvestris type in the southwestern end of the Baetic Cordillera has been obtained. Forest fires could have been one of the main factors which would be determined the shaping and evolution of the vegetation landscape, as suggested by the fire events identified from the soil analysis. This information can be useful for the conservation and adaptive management of the most threatened forests and their habitats in the face of global change.