Observaciones sobre el género Carex en la provincia de León (NW España)

Para completar el catálogo caricológico de la provincia de León (NW España) se incorporan cinco táxones del género Carex (C. diandra, C. muricata subsp. muricata, C. guestphalica, C. umbrosa subsp. umbrosa y C. depressa subsp. depressa) y se eliminan seis (C. paniculata subsp. paniculata, C. vulpina, C. stenophylla, C. hispida, C. puntacta y C. flava) anteriormente citados. También se realizan observaciones sobre ocho especies más, indicando segundas o terceras citas, y concretando su área de distribución. En todos los casos se indica, además del hábitat y el comportamiento fitosociológico, el estado de conservación y, cuando es necesario, se aportan caracteres diagnósticos morfológicos y anatómicos para su correcta identificación. Finalmente, se realiza una valoración de la presencia de los Carex en la provincia.In order to complete and correct the sedges checklist of León province in NW Spain, five new taxa are reported (Carex diandra, C. muricata subsp. muricata, C. guestphalica, C. umbrosa subsp. umbrosa and C. depressa subsp. depressa). Six taxa previously reported are removed from the León checklist (C. paniculata subsp. paniculata, C. vulpina, C. stenophylla, C. hispida, C. puntacta y C. flava). Some comments helping to know the distribution of other very scarce eight species in this area are made. For all of the nineteen taxa, we make some considerations about the habitat, point out the phytosociological behavior, the conservation state, and when necessary, we give some diagnostic characters. Finally, an assessment of the presence of all the sedges living in León province is made

Genetic uniqueness of Cryptosporidium parvum from dairy calves in Colombia

Fecal specimens from 432 pre-weaned calves younger than 35 days were collected over a 2-year period (2010–2012) from 74 dairy cattle farms in the central area of Colombia. These samples were microscopically examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts, and positive specimens were selected for molecular examination. Microscopy revealed that 115 calves (26.6%) from 44 farms (59.5%) tested positive. Oocyst shedding was recorded in calves aged 3-day-old onwards, although the infection rate peaked at 8–14 days (40.7%). Infection rates were higher in diarrheic (52.2%) than in non-diarrheic calves (19.9%) (p < 0.0001, ¿2), and infected calves had up to seven times more probability of having diarrhea than non-infected calves. Cryptosporidium species and subtypes were successfully identified in 73 samples from 32 farms. Restriction and sequence analyses of the SSU rRNA gene revealed C. parvum in all but two isolates identified as Cryptosporidium bovis. Sequence analyses of the 60-KDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene revealed eight subtypes within the IIa family. An unusual subtype (IIaA18G5R1) was the most prevalent and widely distributed (more than 66% specimens and 68% farms) while the subtype most frequently reported in cattle worldwide (IIaA15G2R1) was found in less than 13% of specimens and 16% farms. The remaining subtypes (IIaA16G2R1, IIaA17G4R1, IIaA20G5R1, IIaA19G6R1, IIaA20G6R1, and IIaA20G7R1) were restricted to 1–3 farms. This is the first large-sample size study of Cryptosporidium species and subtypes in Colombia and demonstrates the genetic uniqueness of this protozoan in cattle farms in this geographical area

Collaborative lifelong learning and professional transfer. Case study: ECO European Project

This research reviews the formative model of the sMOOCs (social MOOC) characterized by the interaction and the implication of the participants who, relying on collective intelligence, look for the co-creation of knowledge in every educational action. The fieldwork focuses on the analysis of the “Step by Step” sMOOC of ECO Project (the second and third editions), that aims at the training of e-teachers and the transfer of learning to the professional field. The research methodology is mixed, with quantitative and qualitative techniques: it uses a semi-structured questionnaire, in order to compare possible bivariate correlations between the different variables; it conducts a content analysis of the fragments of messages written by the participants in the forums of the course. One of the most significant conclusions is the high degree of satisfaction of the participants with regard to the value of the course for their professional life. This form of transfer of the learning process leads to the proposal of a new modality for MOOCs, the tMOOC as “transferMOOC”

Cartografía detallada y catalogación de Draba Hispanica subsp. Lebrunii P. Monts

Draba hispanica subsp. lebrunii P. Monts. es un endemismo ibérico exclusivo de la Sierra de la Peña (Parque Regional Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente CobreMontaña Palentina). Por presentar una reducida distribución, se catalogó Vulnerable para España, pero tras la revisión para la Lista Roja 2008, resultó En Peligro. En Castilla y León, donde viven sus efectivos, está protegida (anexo II, Decreto de Flora Protegida 63/2007). Para el desarrollo de AFA4, fue seleccionado en el subproyecto piloto “Cartografía detallada de las poblaciones de fl ora vascular amenazada”. Se realizó un seguimiento minucioso en toda el área de distribución, y se censaron todas las poblaciones conocidas. La prospección de los hábitats semejantes resultó en la localización de cuatro nuevas poblaciones: Alto de los Llanos, Pico Rabanal, Peña Blanca, y dos en el Cueto de la Horca. Los efectivos totales, se calcularon mediante censos directos realizados en todas las poblaciones, lo que sirvió de referencia para realizar una estimación global. Con base en todos los datos obtenidos, se reevaluó la categoría de amenaza, y se corroboró la categoría En Peligro afi nando los criterios con los datos de campo. Por último, teniendo en cuenta la georreferenciación precisa que se realizó en todas las poblaciones, se elaboró su cartografía detallada, según la metodología específi ca propuesta en esta fase de AFA. Se calculó el área de ocupación y la extensión de presencia. Se evaluaron algunos factores determinantes en la presencia de este taxon y se realizó una modelización del área potencial de ocupación. Se descartaron todas las localidades de características semejantes situadas fuera de la Sierra de Peña, tras ser visitadas con el fi n de afi nar la extensión de presencia.Draba hispanica Boiss. subsp. lebrunii P. Monts. is an Iberian endemism exclusive from the Sierra de la Peña (Natural Park Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente CobreMontaña Palentina). Because of its reduced distribution, it was cataloged Vulnerable from Spain but, after the revision for the Red List 2008, resulted Endangered. In Castilla y León region, where it lives is protected (annex II of the Act of Protected Flora 63/2007). It was selected under AFA4, for the project scheme “Detailed cartography of threatened vascular fl ora populations”. A meticulous survey was made all over its distribution area, and we took a census in every known population. Furthermore, we prospected similar habitats resulting in the location of four new populations: Alto de los Llanos, Pico Rabanal, Peña Blanca, and two more in Cueto de la Horca. The total amount of specimens was calculated by means of direct census in every population, which served as a reference to make a global estimation. The threaten category was revised in the bases of all the collected data. It was confi rmed as Endangered, and the criteria were completed. Finally, with all sampled data we made a detailed mapping of every population following the methodology proposed in this stage of AFA. The occupation area and extension of presence were calculated. Some determining factors were evaluated for modeling the potential occupation area. All locations with similar features outside Sierra de Peña were dismissed, after our visit in order to complete its extension of presence.Proyecto AFA-4. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marin

Una visión de la obra y el herbario de Rouy a través del género Carex L.

Se analiza la obra de Georges Rouy, célebre botánico francés, mediante el estudio de sus materiales así como del tratamiento del género Carex (Cyperaceae) en la Flore de France. Se valora favorablemente el conocimiento que el autor demuestra sobre este género, puesto de manifi esto al incluir subgéneros en la clasifi cación taxonómica. Asimismo la sinonimia que propone para cada nombre y las descripciones de los taxones son muy completas. Al contrario, se valora negativamente la excesiva fragmentación que estableció, pues incluyó demasiadas secciones y subsecciones. Finalmente, su rechazo a utilizar las normas nomenclaturales establecidas por el Código de Nomenclatura Botánica conduce a la confusión e impide que la mayoría de sus nombres sean válidos.The George Rouy’s work, a famous French botanist, is studied by means of his material and literature of the genus Carex (Cyperaceae). We assess positively the knowledge that he demonstrated of this genus; because of the subgenera differentiated in his treatment, besides the complete synonymy presented for each name and the taxa descriptions. But he splitted excessively the infrageneric classifi cation including too many sections and subsections. Finally, most of the names he proposed are invalid because of his rejection of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature recommendations and rules

Host association of cryptosporidium parvum populations infecting domestic ruminants in Spain

A stock of 148 Cryptosporidium parvum DNA extracts from lambs and goat kids selected from a previous study examining the occurrence of Cryptosporidium species and GP60 subtypes in diarrheic lambs and goat kids in northeastern Spain was further characterized by a multilocus fragment typing approach with six mini- and microsatellite loci. Various degrees of polymorphism were seen at all but the MS5 locus, although all markers exhibited two major alleles accounting for more than 75% of isolates. A total of 56 multilocus subtypes (MLTs) from lambs (48 MLTs) and goat kids (11 MLTs) were identified. Individual isolates with mixed MLTs were detected on more than 25% of the farms, but most MLTs (33) were distinctive for individual farms, revealing the endemicity of cryptosporidial infections on sheep and goat farms. Comparison with a previous study in calves in northern Spain using the same six-locus subtyping scheme showed the presence of host-associated alleles, differences in the identity of major alleles, and very little overlap in MLTs between C. parvum isolates from lambs and those from calves (1 MLT) or isolates from lambs and those from goat kids (3 MLTs). The Hunter-Gaston index of the multilocus technique was 0.976 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.970 to 0.982), which supports its high discriminatory power for strain typing and epidemiological tracking. Population analyses revealed the presence of two host-associated subpopulations showing epidemic clonality among the C. parvum isolates infecting calves and lambs/goat kids, respectively, although evidence of genetic flow between the two subpopulations was also detected

Drought affects the performance of native oak seedlings more strongly than competition with invasive crested wattle seedlings

Two of the most important processes threatening vulnerable plant species are competitive displacement by invasive alien species and water stress due to global warming. Quercus lusitanica, an oak shrub species with remarkable conservation interest, could be threatened by the expansion of the invasive alien tree Paraserianthes lophantha. However, it is unclear how competition would interact with predicted reductions in water availability due to global climate change. We set up a full factorial experiment to examine the direct interspecific competition between P. lophantha and Q. lusitanica seedlings under control and water-limited conditions. • We measured seed biomass, germination, seedling emergence, leaf relative growth rate, biomass, root/shoot ratio, predawn shoot water potential and mortality to assess the individual and combined effects of water stress and interspecific competition on both species. • Our results indicate that, at seedling stage, both species experience competitive effects and responses. However, water stress exhibited a stronger overall effect than competition. Although both species responded strongly to water stress, the invasive P. lophantha exhibited significantly less drought stress than the native Q. lusitanica based on predawn shoot water potential measurements. • The findings of this study suggest that the competition with invasive P. lophantha in the short term must not be dismissed, but that the long-term conservation of the native shrub Q. lusitanica could be compromised by increased drought as a result of global change. Our work sheds light on the combined effects of biological invasions and climate change that can negatively affect vulnerable plant species

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in raw and finished drinking water in north-eastern Spain

This paper collects the first large-sample-size study on the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in drinking water plants at the 20 most populated towns in Aragón (north-eastern Spain). Samples of influent raw water and effluent finished water were collected from each plant during different seasons and processed according to USEPA Method 1623. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were detected in samples collected from 55% and 70% plants, respectively, with nine plants being positive for both protozoa and only four plants being negative over the study period. Both parasites were identified in the raw water throughout the year, with a lower frequency in autumn and a peak in winter, at a mean concentration of 67 ± 38 oocysts per 100 l and 125 ± 241 cysts per 100 l. The turbidity of raw water was not related to the presence or concentration of (oo)cysts, and the (oo)cyst removal efficiency was not related to the type of water treatment. One or both pathogens were identified in the finished water in 7 out of 11 plants with a conventional treatment process (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection processes) compared to 4 out of 9 plants that did not apply one of the pre-chlorination treatment steps. Protozoa were detected in the finished water of positive plants at a mean concentration of 88 ± 55 oocysts per 100 l and 37 ± 41 cysts per 100 l, and most of them excluded propidium iodide so were considered potentially viable. The ubiquity of these parasites in the drinking water sources and the inefficiency of conventional water treatment in reducing/inactivating them may present a serious public health issue in this geographical area

Occurrence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in urban wastewater treatment plants in north-eastern Spain

This study was designed to investigate the presence and removal efficiency of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in wastewater treatment plants at the 20 most populated towns in Aragón (north-eastern Spain). Samples of influent and effluent wastewater and dewatered sewage sludge were collected seasonally from 23 plants and processed according to USEPA Method 1623. All samples from raw and treated wastewater tested positive for Giardia, at an average concentration of 3247 ± 2039 cysts/l and 50 ± 28 cysts/l, respectively. Cryptosporidium was identified in most samples from both raw (85/92) and treated (78/92) wastewaters in a concentration significantly lower than Giardia, at both influent (96 ± 105 oocysts/l) and effluent samples (31 ± 70 oocysts/l) (P < 0.001). The (oo)cyst counts peaked in summer in most plants. The removal efficiency was higher for Giardia (1.06-log to 2.34-log) than Cryptosporidium (0.35-log to 1.8-log). Overall, high removal efficiency values were found for Giardia after secondary treatment based on activated sludge, while tertiary treatment (microfiltration, chlorination and/or ultraviolet irradiation) was needed to achieve the greatest removal or inactivation of Cryptosporidium. Most samples of treated sludge were positive for Giardia (92/92) and Cryptosporidium (45/92), at an average concentration of 20–593 cysts/g and 2–44 oocyst/g, respectively. The molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were attempted at the SSU rRNA/GP60 and bg/tpi loci, respectively. G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AII was identified in all plants, with a large proportion of samples (15/47) harboring mixed assemblages (AII + B). Nine Cryptosporidium species and six subtypes were identified, with C. parvum IIaA15G2R1 being the most prevalent. The presence of significant numbers of (oo)cysts in samples of final effluents and treated sludge reveals the limited efficacy of conventional treatments in removing (oo)cysts and highlights the potential environmental impact and public health risks associated with disposal and reclamation of wastewater