Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for Ocotea species (Lauraceae) threatened with extinction

The Atlantic rainforest species Ocotea catharinensis, Ocotea odorifera, and Ocotea porosa have been extensively harvested in the past for timber and oil extraction and are currently listed as threatened due to overexploitation. To investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of these species, we developed 8 polymorphic microsatellite markers for O. odorifera from an enriched microsatellite library by using 2 dinucleotide repeats. The microsatellite markers were tested for cross-amplification in O. catharinensis and O. porosa. The average number of alleles per locus was 10.2, considering all loci over 2 populations of O. odorifera. Observed and expected heterozygosities for O. odorifera ranged from 0.39 to 0.93 and 0.41 to 0.92 across populations, respectively. Cross-amplification of all loci was successfully observed in O. catharinensis and O. porosa except 1 locus that was found to lack polymorphism in O. porosa. Combined probabilities of identity in the studied Ocotea species were very low ranging from 1.0 x 10-24 to 7.7 x 10-24. The probability of exclusion over all loci estimated for O. odorifera indicated a 99.9% chance of correctly excluding a random nonparent individual. The microsatellite markers described in this study have high information content and will be useful for further investigations on genetic diversity within these species and for subsequent conservation purposes13351385142COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESsem informaçã

¿Cómo convertirse en un ciudadano científico?

La Ciencia Ciudadana nos brinda una oportunidad de conocer más a la naturaleza, aprender sobre ella, contribuir a la ciencia, compartir nuestras observaciones y motivar a otras personas a interesarse por la biodiversidad que nos rodea. Además, la ciencia ciudadana puede contribuir a la elaboración de políticas públicas y leyes, y fomentar la participación de la sociedad en la toma de decisiones. ¡Hay muchas razones para participar en proyectos de Ciencia Ciudadana!Fil: Arbetman, Marina Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Barahona Segovia, Rodrigo M.. Universidad de Los Lagos; ChileFil: Burgos, Adriana. Jardin Botánico Carlos Thays; ArgentinaFil: Aparecida Gobatto, Alexandra. Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Koffler, Sheina. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Queiroz Souza, Caren. Universidade Federal da Bahia; Brasi

Science in the classroom and ethnozoology: a first approach in rural schools of northwest Patagonia

Varios autores sugieren que si los saberes ecológicos tradicionales de niños de escuelas rurales son incluidos en el currículo, se generan respuestas significativas en los alumnos, al ser herramientas didácticas de integración en términos cognitivos y culturales. A través de la articulación de una propuesta pedagógica por el método de indagación y una aproximación etnozoológica aplicada al ámbito escolar, relatamos en este trabajo preliminar una experiencia con niños de dos escuelas rurales asentadas en el bosque andino-patagónico (Patagonia, Argentina) vinculada al conocimiento de los “bichos” (invertebrados terrestres) y la variación de su distribución en diferentes ambientes. Junto a los niños se colectaron invertebrados terrestres, habiéndose desarrollado previamente preguntas, hipótesis y predicciones sobre su riqueza y abundancia bajo distintas condiciones ambientales. Los alumnos rurales establecieron que los bichos de los bosques varían en cantidad de etnotaxones y en abundancia según hayan sufrido o no un incendio, o bien si el sitio está cerca o lejos del río. Los resultados muestran que es posible integrar la propuesta de ciencia en el aula y la propuesta etnozoológica como una estrategia educativa que incluya los saberes ambientales previos de los niños y de esta manera promover una educación más pluralista y conectada con lo local.Vários autores sugerem que se os saberes ecológicos tradicionais de crianças de escolas rurais são incluídos no Currículo, geram respostas significativas nos alunos, sendo uma ferramenta didática de integração em termos cognitivos e culturais. Através da articulação de uma proposta pedagógica pelo método de indagação e uma aproximação etnozoológica aplicada ao âmbito escolar, neste trabalho preliminar relatamos uma experiência com crianças de duas escolas rurais localizadas na floresta andino-patagônica (Patagônia, Argentina), ligada ao conhecimento dos “bichos” (invertebrados terrestres) e sua variação no ambiente. Juntamente com as crianças foram coletados invertebrados terrestres e foram desenvolvidas perguntas, hipóteses e previsões quanto a diferentes condições ambientais. Os alunos rurais estabeleceram que os bichos das florestas que sofreram incêndios, ou se o lugar está perto ou não do rio, variam em quantidade de etno-taxa e em abundância. Os resultados mostram que é possível integrar a proposta de ciência na sala de aula e a proposta etnozoológica como uma estratégia educacional que inclua os saberes ambientais anteriores das crianças e desta maneira promover uma educação mais pluralista e conectada com o lugar.Some authors have suggested that including the traditional ecological knowledge of children in rural schools in the general curriculum will have a significant effect on pupils, as a didactic tool integrating cognitive and cultural spheres. Combining a pedagogical proposal using the investigative method with an ethnozoological approach in a school context, in this preliminary work we report on a study carried out with children in two rural schools located in the Andean Patagonian forest (Patagonia, Argentina). The topic under consideration was knowledge of “bugs” (land invertebrates) and the variation in their distribution in different environments. Along with the children we collected land invertebrates, and questions, hypotheses and predictions were previously developed in relation to different environmental conditions. The rural pupils established that bugs vary in the number of ethnotaxons and in abundance if the forests had suffered a fire, or whether the site was close to the river or not. The results show that it is possible to integrate classroom science with ethnozoology as an educational strategy, which includes the children’s previous environmental knowledge, thus promoting education of a more pluralistic nature, connected with local realities.Fil: Blackhall, Melisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Subsede San Martín de Los Andes-inibioma | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Subsede San Martín de Los Andes-inibioma.; ArgentinaFil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Subsede San Martín de Los Andes-inibioma | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Subsede San Martín de Los Andes-inibioma.; ArgentinaFil: Franzese, Jorgelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Subsede San Martín de Los Andes-inibioma | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Subsede San Martín de Los Andes-inibioma.; ArgentinaFil: de Torres Curth, Monica Irma. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Subsede San Martín de Los Andes-inibioma | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Subsede San Martín de Los Andes-inibioma.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Viozzi, Gustavo Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Arbetman, Marina Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Andina; ArgentinaFil: Lucero, Mónica Isabel. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Andina; ArgentinaFil: Pfister, Gabriela M.. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Pérez, Guillermo N.. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; Argentin

Bumble bee parasite strains vary in resistance to phytochemicals

Nectar and pollen contain diverse phytochemicals that can reduce disease in pollinators. However, prior studies showed variable effects of nectar chemicals on infection, which could reflect variable phytochemical resistance among parasite strains. Inter-strain variation in resistance could influence evolutionary interactions between plants, pollinators, and pollinator disease, but testing direct effects of phytochemicals on parasites requires elimination of variation between bees. Using cell cultures of the bumble bee parasite Crithidia bombi, we determined (1) growth-inhibiting effects of nine floral phytochemicals and (2) variation in phytochemical resistance among four parasite strains. C. bombi growth was unaffected by naturally occurring concentrations of the known antitrypanosomal phenolics gallic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. However, C. bombi growth was inhibited by anabasine, eugenol, and thymol. Strains varied >3-fold in phytochemical resistance, suggesting that selection for phytochemical resistance could drive parasite evolution. Inhibitory concentrations of thymol (4.53-22.2 ppm) were similar to concentrations in Thymus vulgaris nectar (mean 5.2 ppm). Exposure of C. bombi to naturally occurring levels of phytochemicals—either within bees or during parasite transmission via flowers—could influence infection in nature. Flowers that produce antiparasitic phytochemical, including thymol, could potentially reduce infection in Bombus populations, thereby counteracting a possible contributor to pollinator decline

A depauperate immune repertoire precedes evolution of sociality in bees

Background Sociality has many rewards, but can also be dangerous, as high population density and low genetic diversity, common in social insects, is ideal for parasite transmission. Despite this risk, honeybees and other sequenced social insects have far fewer canonical immune genes relative to solitary insects. Social protection from infection, including behavioral responses, may explain this depauperate immune repertoire. Here, based on full genome sequences, we describe the immune repertoire of two ecologically and commercially important bumblebee species that diverged approximately 18 million years ago, the North American Bombus impatiens and European Bombus terrestris. Results We find that the immune systems of these bumblebees, two species of honeybee, and a solitary leafcutting bee, are strikingly similar. Transcriptional assays confirm the expression of many of these genes in an immunological context and more strongly in young queens than males, affirming Bateman’s principle of greater investment in female immunity. We find evidence of positive selection in genes encoding antiviral responses, components of the Toll and JAK/STAT pathways, and serine protease inhibitors in both social and solitary bees. Finally, we detect many genes across pathways that differ in selection between bumblebees and honeybees, or between the social and solitary clades. Conclusions The similarity in immune complement across a gradient of sociality suggests that a reduced immune repertoire predates the evolution of sociality in bees. The differences in selection on immune genes likely reflect divergent pressures exerted by parasites across social contexts

Testing a global standard for quantifying species recovery and assessing conservation impact

Recognizing the imperative to evaluate species recovery and conservation impact, in 2012 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) called for development of a “Green List of Species” (now the IUCN Green Status of Species). A draft Green Status framework for assessing species’ progress toward recovery, published in 2018, proposed 2 separate but interlinked components: a standardized method (i.e., measurement against benchmarks of species’ viability, functionality, and preimpact distribution) to determine current species recovery status (herein species recovery score) and application of that method to estimate past and potential future impacts of conservation based on 4 metrics (conservation legacy, conservation dependence, conservation gain, and recovery potential). We tested the framework with 181 species representing diverse taxa, life histories, biomes, and IUCN Red List categories (extinction risk). Based on the observed distribution of species’ recovery scores, we propose the following species recovery categories: fully recovered, slightly depleted, moderately depleted, largely depleted, critically depleted, extinct in the wild, and indeterminate. Fifty-nine percent of tested species were considered largely or critically depleted. Although there was a negative relationship between extinction risk and species recovery score, variation was considerable. Some species in lower risk categories were assessed as farther from recovery than those at higher risk. This emphasizes that species recovery is conceptually different from extinction risk and reinforces the utility of the IUCN Green Status of Species to more fully understand species conservation status. Although extinction risk did not predict conservation legacy, conservation dependence, or conservation gain, it was positively correlated with recovery potential. Only 1.7% of tested species were categorized as zero across all 4 of these conservation impact metrics, indicating that conservation has, or will, play a role in improving or maintaining species status for the vast majority of these species. Based on our results, we devised an updated assessment framework that introduces the option of using a dynamic baseline to assess future impacts of conservation over the short term to avoid misleading results which were generated in a small number of cases, and redefines short term as 10 years to better align with conservation planning. These changes are reflected in the IUCN Green Status of Species Standard

Risks to pollinators and pollination from invasive alien species

Invasive alien species modify pollinator biodiversity and the services they provide that underpin ecosystem function and human well-being. Building on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) global assessment of pollinators and pollination, we synthesize current understanding of invasive alien impacts on pollinators and pollination. Invasive alien species create risks and opportunities for pollinator nutrition, re-organize species interactions to affect native pollination and community stability, and spread and select for virulent diseases. Risks are complex but substantial, and depend greatly on the ecological function and evolutionary history of both the invader and the recipient ecosystem. We highlight evolutionary implications for pollination from invasive alien species, and identify future research directions, key messages and options for decision-making

Testing a global standard for quantifying species recovery and assessing conservation impact.

Recognizing the imperative to evaluate species recovery and conservation impact, in 2012 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) called for development of a "Green List of Species" (now the IUCN Green Status of Species). A draft Green Status framework for assessing species' progress toward recovery, published in 2018, proposed 2 separate but interlinked components: a standardized method (i.e., measurement against benchmarks of species' viability, functionality, and preimpact distribution) to determine current species recovery status (herein species recovery score) and application of that method to estimate past and potential future impacts of conservation based on 4 metrics (conservation legacy, conservation dependence, conservation gain, and recovery potential). We tested the framework with 181 species representing diverse taxa, life histories, biomes, and IUCN Red List categories (extinction risk). Based on the observed distribution of species' recovery scores, we propose the following species recovery categories: fully recovered, slightly depleted, moderately depleted, largely depleted, critically depleted, extinct in the wild, and indeterminate. Fifty-nine percent of tested species were considered largely or critically depleted. Although there was a negative relationship between extinction risk and species recovery score, variation was considerable. Some species in lower risk categories were assessed as farther from recovery than those at higher risk. This emphasizes that species recovery is conceptually different from extinction risk and reinforces the utility of the IUCN Green Status of Species to more fully understand species conservation status. Although extinction risk did not predict conservation legacy, conservation dependence, or conservation gain, it was positively correlated with recovery potential. Only 1.7% of tested species were categorized as zero across all 4 of these conservation impact metrics, indicating that conservation has, or will, play a role in improving or maintaining species status for the vast majority of these species. Based on our results, we devised an updated assessment framework that introduces the option of using a dynamic baseline to assess future impacts of conservation over the short term to avoid misleading results which were generated in a small number of cases, and redefines short term as 10 years to better align with conservation planning. These changes are reflected in the IUCN Green Status of Species Standard

Invasiones biológicas y pérdida de polinizadores

Las invasiones biológicas constituyen una de las mayores amenazas para la biodiversidad, y los polinizadores no están exentos de dicha amenaza. Aquí revisamos los mecanismos por los que las especies invasoras de animales y plantas pueden afectar a los polinizadores, ya sea de forma directa o indirecta. Hemos englobado dichos mecanismos en cuatro grandes grupos: (a) cambios en la cantidad o calidad del hábitat, (b) depredación, (c) transmisión de patógenos e (d) introgresión genética. Así mismo, revisamos los impactos que estos mecanismos pueden tener en el comportamiento, demografía y evolución de los polinizadores nativos y sus comunidades. A lo largo de esta revisión también señalamos algunas de las lagunas de conocimiento que existen en la actualidad acerca de los efectos de las invasiones sobre los polinizadores y apuntamos algunas medidas que pueden ayudar a minimizar estos efectosBiological invasions are among the main threats to biodiversity, and pollinators are not exempt from such threat. Here, we review the mechanisms through which animal and plant invasive species may affect pollinators, either directly or indirectly. We classified these mechanisms in four groups: (a) changes in habitat quantity or quality, (b) predation, (c) pathogen spread and (d) genetic introgression. We review the impacts of these mechanisms on the behaviour, demography and evolution of native pollinators and their communities. In addition, we highlight some current knowledge gaps about the effect of biological invasions on pollinators and suggest some measures to minimize such effects.Peer reviewe