Unstudied Species Research Articles

Striking Diversification of Exudate Profiles in Selected Primula Lineages

In continuation of previous studies on glandular exudates of Primula, we analyzed eleven so far unstudied species and several populations for exudate composition. Unsubstituted flavone and unusually substituted flavones, normally predominant in Primula exudates, were not detected in all of the analyzed samples. Instead, some species exhibited regular substituted flavonoids, and in some cases, no flavonoids could be detected at all. The detection of a diterpene (1) in P. minima exudates is new to Primula. On basis of MS and NMR, 1 was structurally characterized as ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid. Comparative profiling of exudates as performed by HPLC and TLC against authentic markers indicated further the presence of the benzoquinone primin and derivatives in some exudates. Thus, exudates of newly studied species contrast markedly with those analyzed so far. The significance of observed exudate diversification is discussed in view of the phylogeny of derived lineages in European alpine regions.

Temperature effects on the development, body size, and sex ratio of the walnut leaf beetle Gastrolina depressa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Insect development times can only be compared over a relatively wide range of permissible temperatures. Both basic and applied branches of entomology widely adopt linear regression that describes the temperature-dependence of developmental rate, which is a reciprocal of time. There is a wealth of literature reporting these parameters for hundreds of economically important species, including leaf beetles. This study begins with a suspicion that the previously published parameters for the temperature-dependent development in the walnut leaf beetle Gastrolina depressa may be imprecise because they disagree with the general variation pattern typical of the family Chrysomelidae. Thus, the immature development in G. depressa is re-studied in order to verify the values of the lower temperature threshold and the slope of developmental rate on temperature. It is found that G. depressa requires 220.2 degree-days accumulated above the threshold of 8.2°C for total immature development. For example, at 28°C, the developmental period from oviposition to adult eclosion is as short as 11.4days. Although development in G. depressa is indeed unusually fast, it does not depart from the general tendencies observed at the family level. Therefore, with extensive published evidence at hand, it has now become possible to approximately predict developmental rates in unstudied species and reveal questionable results in previous studies. In addition, rearing temperature is found to affect adult body mass and sex ratio in this species with males being less abundant at higher temperatures. The latter phenomenon is discussed in light of possible activity of a male-killing microorganism.

Alternative oilseeds for Northeastern Brazil: unrevealed potential of Brazilian biodiversity

As of 2014, Brazilian legislation requires the share of diesel substituted by biodiesel to be raised from 5 to 7 %. However, throughout the last years, Northeastern Brazil has only been able to supply roughly 50 % of what was legally required. There seems to be no perspective to increase this proportion without developing new oilseeds adapted to the regions’ diverse edapho-climatic conditions. The vast majority of it’s over 10,000 angiosperms has never been analysed for their potential as alternative oilseeds and none is being used. In the present study, we surveyed available databases to uncover genera with high absolute or relative numbers of species rich in seed oil that occur in Northeastern Brazil. This strategic selection was used to reveal species with high seed oil content. Five per cent of the angiosperm biodiversity turned out to have an elevated probability to be rich in seed oil. This set of 589 species was grouped according to the probability of finding seeds rich in oil, as well as growth habit and phytogeographic domain. In six examples of hitherto unstudied species from different genera, domains and habits, the accuracy of the prediction was confirmed. An evaluation of the published fatty acid profile of 58 species native to the region allowed to detect distinct patterns for quick evaluation of the compatibility of a vegetable oil with US and European biodiesel standards. Hence, the results of this research offer an excellent basis for developing well adapted, high yielding alternative oilseeds from the native flora for sustainable biodiesel production in Northeastern Brazil.

Primate malarias: Diversity, distribution and insights for zoonotic Plasmodium

Protozoans within the genus Plasmodium are well-known as the causative agents of malaria in humans. Numerous Plasmodium species parasites also infect a wide range of non-human primate hosts in tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Studying this diversity can provide critical insight into our understanding of human malarias, as several human malaria species are a result of host switches from non-human primates. Current spillover of a monkey malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi, in Southeast Asia highlights the permeability of species barriers in Plasmodium. Also recently, surveys of apes in Africa uncovered a previously undescribed diversity of Plasmodium in chimpanzees and gorillas. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis to quantify the global distribution, host range, and diversity of known non-human primate malaria species. We used published records of Plasmodium parasites found in non-human primates to estimate the total diversity of non-human primate malarias globally. We estimate that at least three undescribed primate malaria species exist in sampled primates, and many more likely exist in unstudied species. The diversity of malaria parasites is especially uncertain in regions of low sampling such as Madagascar, and taxonomic groups such as African Old World Monkeys and gibbons. Presence–absence data of malaria across primates enables us to highlight the close association of forested regions and non-human primate malarias. This distribution potentially reflects a long coevolution of primates, forest-adapted mosquitoes, and malaria parasites. The diversity and distribution of primate malaria are an essential prerequisite to understanding the mechanisms and circumstances that allow Plasmodium to jump species barriers, both in the evolution of malaria parasites and current cases of spillover into humans.

Cross-specific amplification of microsatellite DNA markers in Shorea platyclados

In the megadiverse forests of Southeast Asia, hundreds of timber species are economically important but the population genetics of only a few taxa are known. Cross-specific amplification of microsatellite loci among closely related taxa could enhance our ability to study and manage previously unstudied species. We successfully utilized STMS markers in Shorea platyclados, originally developed for Shorea curtisii. The six primer pairs we tried successfully produced PCR products of expected sizes. The number of alleles observed ranged from 10 to 14 and an average of 12 alleles were detected per locus. A high expected and observed heterozygosity was observed and it ranges from 0.718 to 0.827 among all populations across all six loci tested. Microsatellite DNA markers are highly polymorphic, co-dominant, reproducible, and amenable to high throughput genetic analyses. Overall, the cross-specific amplification of microsatellite loci appears to be complicated by numerous factors. While the approach may be effective for local management and conservation of poorly known species, the results must be carefully interpreted.

She gets many and she chooses the best: polygynandry inSalamandrina perspicillata(Amphibia: Salamandridae)

Polyandry is a widespread mating strategy, found in a broad number of taxa. Among amphibians, polyandry, and multiple paternity as its direct consequence, is quite common in salamanders, especially within Ambystomatidae and Plethodontidae. In the suborder Salamadroidea the existence of two different types of spermatheca allows several kinds of polyandry strategies to appear. We used multilocus microsatellite genotyping to investigate the presence of polyandry and its effects on the paternity in a previously unstudied species with a terrestrial habit, Salamandrina perspicillata. We collected gravid females in their natural habitat and analysed the paternity of the offspring by using the software COLONY and GERUD. We found that all the analysed clutches had been fertilized by 2–4 males and that in every clutch one male had sired most of the offspring. Our results confirmed that polyandry is an important component of the mating system of this species, suggesting that females are able to recognize the sperm of the male that will provide a genetic benefit for their offspring. We found evidence of female cryptic choice based on males' genetic dissimilarity: (1) males who sire most of the offspring of a given female tend to be genetically different from their sexual partner; (2) a same male, when mated with two females, sired a proportion of the offspring inversely correlated with his genetic similarity to the female; (3) genetic dissimilarity between mating partners is positively correlated with offspring heterozygosity. According to the genetic compatibility model, we hypothesized that in the observed non resource-based mating system the indirect benefit for the offspring should reflect interactions between paternal and maternal genomes rather than the inheritance of the so-called ‘good genes’. This study suggests a polygynandrous mating system for the study species and provides the first report in a salamandrid species in natural condition that reproductive success of males is correlated with genetic dissimilarity between mates. Moreover, we found evidence of an offspring benefit (higher heterozygosity) derived from the most genetically dissimilar father.

Phylogeography of six codistributed New Zealand cicadas and their relationship to multiple biogeographical boundaries suggest a re‐evaluation of the Taupo Line

AbstractAimComparative biogeographers question the extent to which codistributed species respond similarly to environmental change. Such responses should create similar, appropriately timed patterns of cladogenesis among codistributed taxa compared to evolutionary independence, which may limit the predictions that can be made for unstudied species. Here, we compare phylogeographical patterns across ecologically divergent, codistributed taxa in the light of New Zealand's palaeohistory.LocationNorth Island, New Zealand.MethodsMitochondrial DNA from six codistributed cicada species (Kikihia ochrina, K. cutora, K. laneorum, K. cauta, K. scutellaris and K. dugdalei) was analysed using phylogenetic methods and molecular dating techniques. We analysed phylogeographical distributions using analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) to determine the significance of hypothesized biogeographical boundaries for clade differentiation and spatial distribution of genetic diversity.ResultsFive species (Kikihia ochrina, K. cutora, K. laneorum, K. cauta and K. scutellaris) show various degrees of intraspecific concordance with biogeographical boundaries found in previously studied taxa – the Kauri Line, the Northland Line and the newly identified Cockayne's Line. Clade splits of forest species correlate with the Kauri Line and/or Northland Line, whereas splits of scrub/hill species correlate with Cockayne's Line. Four species (Kikihia ochrina, K. cutora, K. laneorum and K. cauta) diversified before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 20 ka), whereas two species (K. scutellaris and K. dugdalei) show only post‐LGM diversification.Main conclusionsDespite species idiosyncrasies, we see the imprint of shared palaeoclimatic/geological events. We distinguish between (1) the importance of biogeographical lines as the demarcation between older genetically diverse and newer genetically depauperate populations, and (2) the importance of lines as biogeographical boundaries between sister clades. We also stress the importance of dating clade splits to ensure consistency with explanations for the biogeographical lines in question. We suggest that the Taupo Line has been overemphasized as a biogeographical boundary, whereas the importance of the mountain axis running north‐east to south‐west (‘Cockayne's Line’) has been overlooked.

Relationships and generic delimitation of Eurasian genera of the subtribeAsterinae (Astereae, Asteraceae) using molecular phylogeny of ITS

The subtribe Asterinae (Astereae, Asteraceae) includes highly variable, often polyploid species. Recent findings based on molecular methods led to revision of its volume. However, most of these studies lacked species from Eurasia, where a lot of previous taxonomic treatments of the subtribe exist. In this study we used molecular phylogenetics methods with internal transcribed spacer (ITS) as a marker to resolve evolutionary relations between representatives of the subtribe Asterinae from Siberia, Kazakhstan, and the European part of Russia. Our reconstruction revealed that a clade including all Asterinae species is paraphyletic. Inside this clade, there are species with unresolved basal positions, for example Erigeron flaccidus and its relatives. Moreover, several well-supported groups exist: group of the genera Galatella, Crinitaria, Linosyris, and Tripolium; group of species of North American origin; and three related groups of Eurasian species: typical Eurasian asters, Heteropappus group (genera Heteropappus, Kalimeris), and Asterothamnus group (genera Asterothamnus, Rhinactinidia). The results obtained confirm previous findings with notable exceptions and add important phylogenetic data for 15 previously unstudied species, 11 of which are narrow Asian endemics. Conclusions of this study clarify relations between species and genera within this subtribe. Further molecular phylogenetics analyses of the remaining Eurasian species are needed for taxonomic revision and segregation of Asterinae into several subtribes.

Foraging strategies of the acellular slime moulds Didymium iridis and Didymium bahiense

Abstract Organisms can increase their foraging efficiency by modifying their behaviour according to information about the quality of currently exploited resource patches. Here we examine the effect of food concentration on the foraging strategies of two previously unstudied species of slime mould: Didymium iridis and Didymium bahiense. We studied two main foraging decisions: how long to wait before commencing exploration of the surrounding environment (exploitation strategy) and how intensely to search the environment for new opportunities (exploration strategy). Food concentration did not affect exploitation behaviour in either D. iridis or D. bahiense. Food concentration did affect exploration behaviour in D. iridis, but not in D. bahiense. Encounters with food resources, irrespective of concentration, resulted in increased exploitation and decreased exploration in D. iridis but did not influence foraging behaviour in D. bahiense. We suggest that the varying foraging strategies of slime moulds may have evolved to exploit different resource distributions in their natural environments. We also discuss the potential impact of microbial contamination and differences in handling regimes.

Predicting crawling speed relative to mass in sea stars

Larger animals typically move faster than smaller individuals of the same species. This relationship is highly conserved across many diverse groups of vertebrates with varied modes of locomotion. But the relationship between body size and locomotion speed is much less clear among invertebrate taxa — the Asteroidea (sea stars) in particular. One sea star species crawls faster at larger body sizes, three species show no correlation between body size and crawling speed, and another sea star species actually crawls slower at larger body sizes. To further examine these unusual patterns of locomotion in sea stars, the relationship between body size and crawling speed was quantified in three unstudied species of Northeast Pacific sea star: Pycnopodia helianthoides, Solaster stimpsoni, and Dermasterias imbricata. The two multi-armed species P. helianthoides and S. stimpsoni followed the general trend: larger individuals crawled faster. But the five-armed D. imbricata crawled slower, like the previously reported five-armed star Patiria miniata. Arm number and scaling differences among species are not sufficient to explain why some sea star species crawl faster at larger body sizes. But two shape ratios relating arm length, arm width, and oral disk diameter may enable predictions of the relationship between body size and crawling speed in unstudied sea star species. Crawling speed differences within and among species could have implications for predator–prey dynamics as well as feeding mode.

Revisiting the concept of Beverton­­–Holt life-history invariants with the aim of informing data-poor fisheries assessment

AbstractThe complexity and cost of assessment techniques prohibits their application to 90% of fisheries. Simple generic approaches are needed for the world's small-scale and data-poor fisheries. This meta-analysis of the relationship between spawning potential and the normalized size and age of 123 marine species suggests that the so-called Beverton–Holt life-history invariants (BH-LHI; Lm/L∞, M/k, M × Agem) actually vary together in relation to life-history strategy, determining the relationship between size, age, and reproductive potential for each species. Although little realized, the common assumption of unique values for the BH-LHI also implies that all species share the same relationship between size, age, and reproductive potential. This implicit assumption is not supported by this meta-analysis, which suggests that there is considerable but predictable natural variation in the BH-LHI ratios and the relationships between size, age, and reproductive potential that they determine. We believe that this reconceptualization of the BH-LHI has potential to provide a theoretical framework for “borrowing” knowledge from well-studied species to apply to related, unstudied species and populations, and when applied together with the assessment technique described by Hordyk et al. (2015b), could make simple forms of size-based assessment possible for many currently unassessable fish stocks.

Genetic basis of coaggregation receptor polysaccharide biosynthesis in Streptococcus sanguinis and related species

Interbacterial adhesion between streptococci and actinomyces promotes early dental plaque biofilm development. Recognition of coaggregation receptor polysaccharides (RPS) on strains of Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus oralis by Actinomyces spp. type 2 fimbriae is the principal mechanism of these interactions. Previous studies of genetic loci for synthesis of RPS (rps) and RPS precursors (rml, galE1 and galE2) in S.gordonii 38 and S.oralis 34 revealed differences between these strains. To determine whether these differences are strain-specific or species-specific, we identified and compared loci for polysaccharide biosynthesis in additional strains of these species and in several strains of the previously unstudied species, S.sanguinis. Genes for synthesis of RPS precursors distinguished the rps loci of different streptococci. Hence, rml genes for synthesis of TDP-L-Rha were in rps loci of S.oralis strains but at other loci in S.gordonii and S.sanguinis. Genes for two distinct galactose epimerases were also distributed differently. Hence, galE1 for epimerization of UDP-Glc and UDP-Gal was in galactose operons of S.gordonii and S.sanguinis strains but surprisingly, this gene was not present in S.oralis. Moreover, galE2 for epimerization of both UDP-Glc and UDP-Gal and UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-GalNAc was at a different locus in each species, including rps operons of S.sanguinis. The findings provide insight into cell surface properties that distinguish different RPS-producing streptococci and open an approach for identifying these bacteria based on the arrangement of genes for synthesis of polysaccharide precursors.

Tissue Cryopreservation for Plant Conservation: Potential and Challenges

Cryopreservation of nonseed plant tissues can provide a method for preserving plant genetic diversity ex situ when seeds or spores cannot be adapted to traditional methods of preservation. Shoot tips, somatic embryos, and gametophytes can be used as propagules for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen. Tissue cryopreservation is particularly important in dealing with “exceptional species,” i.e., species that have unbankable seeds or that are producing few or no seeds. In vitro methods can be applied to collecting tissues and establishing cultures as a source of tissue for cryopreservation. The applicability of vitrification/dehydration cryoprocedures has been demonstrated for a wide range of species and types of tissues, and the choice and modifications of methods can be informed by the natural adaptations of the species. While tissues in culture are clonally propagated, preserving tissues from multiple genotypes can provide genetic diversity to a cryopreserved collection. Such collections will ultimately serve to provide materials for restoration if wild populations are lost or severely threatened. There is great potential for the use of in vitro methods and cryopreservation in plant conservation strategies, but there are also both scientific and practical challenges to their application. Whereas in vitro propagation and preservation methods are well established, these methods remain highly empirical in their application to new species. This can be a challenge for conservation, which deals with rare and often unstudied species, which may also have unusual natural adaptations. Because of the labor involved, tissue cryopreservation is also more costly than more traditional ex situ conservation methods, which can limit its use in traditionally underfunded work with endangered plants. However, it is suggested that collaborative efforts can help meet these challenges, bringing together expertise and infrastructure from several sources to facilitate the application of tissue cryopreservation to the ex situ conservation of endangered exceptional species.

Genetic basis of coaggregation receptor polysaccharide biosynthesis inStreptococcus sanguinisand related species

Interbacterial adhesion between streptococci and actinomyces promotes early dental plaque biofilm development. Recognition of coaggregation receptor polysaccharides (RPS) on strains of Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus oralis by Actinomyces spp. type 2 fimbriae is the principal mechanism of these interactions. Previous studies of genetic loci for synthesis of RPS (rps) and RPS precursors (rml, galE1 and galE2) in S. gordonii 38 and S. oralis 34 revealed differences between these strains. To determine whether these differences are strain-specific or species-specific, we identified and compared loci for polysaccharide biosynthesis in additional strains of these species and in several strains of the previously unstudied species, S. sanguinis. Genes for synthesis of RPS precursors distinguished the rps loci of different streptococci. Hence, rml genes for synthesis of TDP-L-Rha were in rps loci of S. oralis strains but at other loci in S. gordonii and S. sanguinis. Genes for two distinct galactose epimerases were also distributed differently. Hence, galE1 for epimerization of UDP-Glc and UDP-Gal was in galactose operons of S. gordonii and S. sanguinis strains but surprisingly, this gene was not present in S. oralis. Moreover, galE2 for epimerization of both UDP-Glc and UDP-Gal and UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-GalNAc was at a different locus in each species, including rps operons of S. sanguinis. The findings provide insight into cell surface properties that distinguish different RPS-producing streptococci and open an approach for identifying these bacteria based on the arrangement of genes for synthesis of polysaccharide precursors.

The utility of distribution data in predicting phenology

Summary The phenology of many species has been shown to shift under climate change. However, because species respond at different rates, ecological communities may be disrupted leading to species extinctions and loss of ecosystem services. Hence, there is a need to monitor and understand phenological change. Population data, gathered by standardised monitoring schemes, can be used to this end. However, such schemes require significant organisation and financial resources. Distribution data (georeferenced biological records with dates) are easier and cheaper to collect and may be an unexploited resource for phenology analyses. This would allow analysis of more taxa from more regions of the world. However, distribution data are potentially biased due to the unstandardised behaviour of biological recorders. Here, the ability of distribution data record dates to accurately predict phenology is investigated by using the British butterfly fauna as a model system. We used the total number of distribution records per unit time across Great Britain as a proxy for butterfly abundance. Phenology metrics of mean flight date and flight period length were then calculated from the resulting abundance–time relationships for each year in a 15‐year time series. These estimates were validated against those generated from a standardised‐effort population monitoring scheme. We analysed 1 078 328 records from 30 British butterflies and found that distribution data accurately predicted the mean flight date for 22 of the 30 species tested. Flight period length was only predicted accurately for seven of 30 species. We found a nonlinear but consistent positive relationship between the accuracy of mean flight date estimates and sample size (number of records) at both inter‐ and intraspecific scales. Our results suggest that a threshold sample size of c. 6500 distribution records (430 per year) is a pragmatic compromise between accuracy and recording effort, leading to little loss of accuracy in phenology predictions (an average decrease in accuracy of 2·9 days was observed). The results suggest that distribution data are a potentially useful resource for phenology research. This may allow practitioners to monitor particular regions and previously unstudied species relatively cheaply using existing mapping schemes.

Carbohydrates from Solidago caucasica herb

Solidago caucasica Kem.-Nath. is a goldenrod of the family Asteraceae and is an unstudied species endemic to the Caucasus although other species of the genus Solidago are widely used worldwide to treat diseases of the urogenital system. We previously detected in S. caucasica herb flavonoids (rutin, vicenin, hesperidin), coumarins (umbelliferone, esculetin, dihydrocoumarin), phenolcarboxylic acids (gallic, chicoric, chlorogenic, and caffeic acids) [1], organic acids (citric, malic, and succinic) [2], 15 amino acids, 5 macroelements, and 16 microelements [3]. We studied the carbohydrate composition of S. caucasica herb collected in subalpine meadows of the western Caucasus (Daut Gorge of Karachay-Cherkessia Republic). Raw material (30.0 g of S. caucasica herb) was extracted with CHCl 3 (2 100 mL) and dried. The remaining raw material was extracted twice with refluxing EtOH (82°C) in order to isolate sugars soluble in alcohol (SSA). The resulting extracts were evaporated and chromatographed on Filtrak FN 7,12 paper (PC) using BuOH–Py–H 2 O (6:4:3). SSA according to PC were glucose, galactose (anilinium biphthalate detector), fructose, and sucrose (5% urea detector). Next, polysaccharides were isolated by successive extraction of water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPS) with H 2 O, pectinic substances (PS) with oxalic acid and ammonium oxalate solutions (0.5%), and hemicellulose (HMC) with base solution (5%). The monosaccharide composition of the carbohydrates was established by acid hydrolysis [4]. Neutral sugars were identified by GC. Samples were analyzed by GC on a Chrom-5 chromatograph with a flame-ionization detector, glass column (1.5 m 0.3 m) with 5% Silicone XE-60 on Chromaton NAW (0.200–0.250 mesh), 210°C, He carrier gas at 30 mL/min, and aldononitrile acetates [4]. Table 1 presents the results. The isolated WSPS and PS were assigned according to the amount of component monosaccharides as galactans; HMC, xylans. The greatest amount of galactose was observed in PS fractions. The PS and HMC fractions were the main ones with respect to content. Uronic acids were identified in all fractions. The amount of uronic acids was determined by a photoelectrocolorimetric method using the reaction with carbazole in H 2 SO 4 solution [5]. The greatest amount of uronic acids was detected in PS. The accumulation of these components was responsible for the prospective pharmaceutical use of the carbohydrates. WSPS were a dark-brown powder with relative viscosity 3.0 (c 1%, H 2 O). The content of free carboxylic acids (Cf) was established by titration as 1.98%; of esterified carboxylic acids (Ce), 4.6%; the degree of esterification (), 69.9%. Therefore, WSPS were highly esterified compounds. This allowed them to be recommended for use as excipients for manufacturing drug forms as gel-formers, thickeners, stabilizers, etc. PS were a dark-brown powder that dissolved in H 2 O with heating to form viscous solutions of relative viscosity 10.17 (c 1%, H 2 O). The content of Cf was 6.75%; Ce, 3.78%; 35.89%. Therefore, PS were low-esterified compounds. The rather high content of free carboxylic acids made this plant a promising subject for isolating PS with pronounced sorption properties, especially with respect to metal ions. HMC was a friable light-brown powder that dissolved in base. IR spectra of samples were taken in pressed KBr pellets on a Model 2000 IR-Fourier spectrometer (PerkinElmer) using 100 scans. The following conclusion could be made based on an analysis of the found characteristic IR absorption bands of the carbohydrates.

Carnivora population dynamics are as slow and as fast as those of other mammals: implications for their conservation.

Of the 285 species of Carnivora 71 are threatened, while many of these species fulfill important ecological roles in their ecosystems as top or meso-predators. Population transition matrices make it possible to study how age-specific survival and fecundity affect population growth, extinction risks, and responses to management strategies. Here we review 38 matrix models from 35 studies on 27 Carnivora taxa, covering 11% of the threatened Carnivora species. We show that the elasticity patterns (i.e. distribution over fecundity, juvenile survival and adult survival) in Carnivora cover the same range in triangular elasticity plots as those of other mammal species, despite the specific place of Carnivora in the food chain. Furthermore, reproductive loop elasticity analysis shows that the studied species spread out evenly over a slow-fast continuum, but also quantifies the large variation in the duration of important life cycles and their contributions to population growth rate.These general elasticity patterns among species, and their correlation with simple life history characteristics like body mass, age of first reproduction and life span, enables the extrapolation of population dynamical properties to unstudied species. With several examples we discuss how this slow-fast continuum, and related patterns of variation in reproductive loop elasticity, can be used in the formulation of tentative management plans for threatened species that cannot wait for the results of thorough demographic studies. We argue, however, that such management programs should explicitly include a plan for learning about the key demographic rates and how these are affected by environmental drivers and threats.

Evidence for the Introduction of Lethal Chytridiomycosis Affecting Wild Betic Midwife Toads (Alytes dickhilleni)

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is an unpredictable pathogen for European amphibian species, and existing field surveillance studies likely underestimate the scope of its distribution and effects. Mass mortality episodes recorded in Europe indicate that investigations of unstudied species should focus on members of the frog family Alytidae. Here, we report the combined results of a field survey and laboratory observations of field collected Alytes dickhilleni. Our data support the hypothesis that B. dendrobatidis has recently emerged in at least two disjunct locations in the species range and populations across much of the species range lack evidence of infection pathogen. Tadpoles taken into the laboratory from sites with infection experienced 70% mortality, unlike those taken into the laboratory from uninfected sites, and both infection and strength of infection was associated with mortality in animals collected from infected locations. Several conservation interventions are underway in response to our study, including the establishment of a captive assurance colony, a public awareness campaign, and experimental tests of disease mitigation schemes.

Three patterns of trypanosomatid cryptogene structural organization

We sequenced a number of cryptogenes from previously unstudied species of homoxenous trypanosomatids belonging to the different phylogenetic groups and found new examples of editing domain length reduction for A6 and COIII. The comparative analyzes of sequences allows to divide the cryptogenes in three groups (patterns) according to the degree of primary structure conservation and editing domain length variation. We discuss the possible factors which influence the cryptogene's structure and evolutionary behavior. Also we demonstrate alternative editing of rps12 transcript in Wallaceina sp. Wsd.

Ringing injuries in the Gough Moorhen Gallinula comeri

To examine the extent and possible causes of ringing injuries in the Gough Moorhen Gallinula comeri, ringed birds were monitored and recaptured. Of ringed Gough Moorhens, 12.5% developed injuries associated with leg rings. Injuries developed rapidly, ranging from lameness to complete crippling of the leg. Given the cryptic behaviour of Gough Moorhens and the rapid onset of injuries, long-term use of metal rings is not recommended for free-roaming Gough Moorhens. Ringing injuries have not been reported previously in rails, highlighting the need for caution when ringing previously unstudied bird species.