Fragmentation genetics in the tropics

On the 23rd of February, some 50 Conservation Geneticists from around the global gathered for a half day symposium entitled ‘Fragmentation Genetics in the Tropics' held at the Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany as part of the German Tropical Ecology Society annual meeting 2012. The overall aim of this symposium was to showcase the latest novel research applying molecular methods (landscape genetics, conservation genetics and phylogeography) to advance our understanding of genetic consequences of fragmentation in the tropics, particularly in the context of how population size and isolation influences population and species extinction. I provide a brief overview of the symposium and finish with a call for papers for a special issue of the sister journal Conservation Genetics, for which submission is now ope

Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers of the Seychelles endemic tree Glionnetia sericea (Rubiaceae)

Glionnetia sericea (Rubiaceae) is an endemic and rare tree species of the Seychelles, restricted to altitudes between 500 and 900m with less than 1,000 remaining individuals. It survives in mist forests but also in smaller populations on granitic outcrops (inselbergs) and is pollinated by hawk moths which might ensure long-distance pollen flow. Understanding the reproductive ecology of this species will allow a better understanding on how such species survive in naturally fragmented habitats and will provide scientifically informed management recommendations. Here we report on ten species specific polymorphic microsatellite loci developed for a study of historic and contemporary gene flow. Based upon a sample of 81 adults, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 12 (mean of 6.1 per locus) with an average polymorphic information content of 0.52 across loci. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.27 to 0.82 with two of ten primers showing some deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectatio

Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers of the endangered and endemic Vateriopsis seychellarum (Dipterocarpaceae), a relict canopy tree of the Seychelles

The Dipterocarpaceae are a globally significant family of tropical timber trees. They are especially dominant in lowland rainforests of Southeast Asia, but have a pan tropical distribution. Vateriopsis seychellarum is the sole representative of this family on the Seychelles. Historically one of the dominant canopy trees on Mahé, extensive overexploitation of this species for its timber has led to its virtual extinction. The last individuals of this species are found in small fragmented populations at lower altitudes (up to 400m) on the island of Mahé where the total number of known reproductive adults is 112. We developed ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for this species to enable us to quantify the levels of diversity in remnant populations and to study genetic structure and contemporary gene flow. In addition we tested for cross amplification of these alleles in the closely related but geographically disjunct species Vateria indica. In Vateriopsis seychellarum the number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 20 (mean of 11.4 per locus) with an average polymorphic information content of 0.73 across loci. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.40 to 0.71 with 3 of the 10 loci showing deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. 8 of the 10 primers showed cross amplification in Vateria indica. These markers will help to provide a better understanding of the significance of historic distributions, gene flow and recent anthropogenic habitat degradation for the survival of widespread species in recently fragmented landscape

Development of thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Seychelles endangered and endemic jellyfish tree Medusagyne oppositifolia (Medusagynaceae)

The jellyfish tree Medusagyne oppositifolia is a flagship species of the Seychelles, being not only extremely rare and critically endangered, but also representing a monospecific endemic family, Medusagynaceae. The species survives in four populations on the Island of Mahé, where the total number of reproductive adults is 89. Natural regeneration is only known for the largest of these populations. Understanding the mechanisms driving the lack of natural regeneration in this species has great conservation relevance. We developed thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci for this species to enable studies of historic and contemporary gene flow. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 15 (mean of 6.62 per locus) with an average polymorphic information content of 0.54 across loci. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.12 to 0.66 with only two of the 13 loci showing deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation. The markers will help to provide a better understanding of the significance of historic distributions, gene flow and recent anthropogenic habitat degradation for the in situ and ex-situ conservation of this flagship tree specie

Managing small populations—using genetic data and trial translocations to help inform suitable conservation measures for the alpine blue-sowthistle (Cicerbita alpina) in Scotland

Habitat fragmentation is causing an increasing amount of species loss around the world and creates problems at the population level. Many species are left as only small and isolated populations, which are vulnerable to genetic erosion and inbreeding depression. Here we present a study on the alpine blue-sowthistle (Cicerbita alpina). Due to intensive grazing the species is very rare in Scotland, where it occurs at only four small, montane sites, has never been reported to reproduce and is in need of conservation interventions. As the species can grow clonally it is unknown how many individuals remain and whether populations are affected by genetic isolation. We (1) quantified genetic diversity, inbreeding and between-population differentiation in Scotland and Norway using 15 microsatellite loci, and (2) experimentally translocated plants to new sites. Genetic diversity in Scotland was low (HE: 0.35; Allelic Richness: 1.84; 4 sites) compared to Norway (HE: 0.52; Allelic Richness: 2.56; 5 sites). The transplants were able to grow at new sites and are therefore not restricted to steep, montane ledges. While grazing is likely to be the main factor preventing range expansion, long-term genetic isolation has possibly further lowered population viability. To avoid local extinction of this species, conservation translocations and genetic rescue might be appropriate conservation interventions, but this needs to be further tested in a controlled environment and away from wild sites to avoid potential risks of outbreeding depression. conservation genetics, translocations, gene flow, microsatellites, grazing, Scotland, AsteraceaepublishedVersio

Nascer em porto alegre: a realidade obstétrica na capital gaúcha

Objetivo: descrever a realidade obstétrica no município de Porto Alegre. Método: pesquisa descritiva exploratória realizada no percurso de uma tese de doutorado. Foram utilizados dados a partir do banco do DATASUS, da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar e do Observatório da cidade de Porto Alegre. Foi realizada uma análise descritiva sobre a realidade obstétrica. Resultados: Observou-se uma cobertura adequada de pré-natal. Identificou-se um percentual de cesarianas nas instituições privadas de até 86%. Ressalta-se que onde as condições de vida são as melhores os percentuais de cesariana variaram de 71% (Centro) até 56% (Cristal), identificando o componente socioeconômico determinante. Conclusões: na realidade da capital gaúcha dependendo de onde a mulher mora pode-se consideravelmente cogitar o tipo de parto que ela terá. Quanto melhor a qualidade de vida e dependendo da região de moradia ela possui maiores chances de ter seu filho por via cirúrgica

Comparando diferentes métodos de integração intervalar

Quando se trabalha com números de ponto flutuante o resultado obtido é apenas uma aproximação de um valor real e erros são gerados por arredondamentos ou por algoritmos instáveis, levando algumas vezes a resultados incorretos. Análise intervalar surgiu com o objetivo de diminuir erros numéricos gerados em procedimentos computacionais. Na Matemática intervalar o valor real x é aproximado por um intervalo X que possui limites inferior e superior, de forma que o intervalo contenha x. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo comparar qual o melhor método que retorna solução com exatidão máxima na computação de integrais com entradas intervalares. Os métodos em comparação são: Simpson Intervalar, Integral de Bedregal e Integral de Moore. A comparação dá-se através da validação do resultado e da análise da qualidade dos intervalos solução através das medidas de Erro Absoluto e Erro Relativo

Evaluation in vitro of antimicrobial activity of tucumã oil (Astrocaryum Vulgare)

Hospital Infection is a major health problem and affects around 1.5 million people annually around the world. The Amazon region has a wide diversity of native palm trees that have fruits and oilseeds. Astrocaryum vulgare, commonly known as Tucumã in Brazil, belongs to the family Arecaceae. This palm has orange, fleshy, single-egg-shaped fruits that are used for therapeutic purposes in diseases of the eyes and skin due to the high content of carotenoids, oil is used in cooking, health treatment and massage. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the Tucumã oil against 18 microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of Tucumã was measured through the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), as well as the determination of the Minimum Microbicidal Concentration (CMM) aiming to contribute to the discovery of new antimicrobials against pathogenic microorganisms’ human health and may contribute to the treatment of nosocomial infections. The results showed that the oil of Tucumã presented antimicrobial activity against five important bacteria, four Gram - positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus agalactiae) and one Gram - negative (Acinetobacter baumannii)

COMPARAÇÃO DE DUAS TÉCNICAS DE ORQUIECTOMIA EM EQÜINOS, EMPREGADAS NO ENSINO DA TÉCNICA CIRÚRGICA VETERINÁRIA.

A orquiectomia bilateral é uma cirurgia simples e rotineira na prática eqüina, embora o potencial para complicações seja alto. A complicação mais comum é a hemorragia, que se não tratada leva ao quadro de choque e morte. Diversas técnicas e variações destas estão descritas na literatura, sendo a mais freqüentemente empregada a técnica aberta. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar duas técnicas de hemostasia aplicadass por alunos do curso de medicina veterinária, sem experiência com orquiectomia em eqüinos. Para tal foram utilizados 16 equinos machos, com idade média de seis anos (±4), que foram separados em dois grupos, aleatoriamente, por sorteio: GRUPO 1, onde os animais foram castrados utilizando-se emasculador, para promover a hemostasia vascular (n=8); GRUPO 2, com animais que foram  castrados utilizando-se abraçadeiras de nylon, de 2,5 mm de largura, para promover a hemostasia (n=8). Foram mensurados os tempos do ato cirúrgico, presença de edema de prepúcio e secreção purulenta, tempo de fechamento da ferida e claudicação no pós operatório, sendo que nenhuma diferença foi observada entre os grupos. A presença de sangramento no período pós operatório imediato apresentou diferença significativa, onde o grupo castrado com o emasculador demonstrou maior grau de hemorragia. As abraçadeiras de nylon podem ser utilizadas na castração de eqüinos, sendo que neste experimento elas não apresentaram complicações associadas a curto e no longo prazo. Ambas as técnicas mostraram-se viáveis e de fácil aplicabilidade na prática docente