Growth in fossil and extant deer and implications for body size and life history evolution

© Kolb et al.; licensee BioMed Central. 2015 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The attached file is the published version of the article

Seed storage conditions change the germination pattern of clonal growth plants in Mediterranean salt marshes.

8 páginas, 4 tablas, 8 figuras.The effect of salinity level and extended exposure to different salinity and flooding conditions on germination patterns of three saltmarsh clonal growth plants (Juncus subulatus, Scirpus litoralis, and S. maritimus) was studied. Seed exposure to extended flooding and saline conditions significantly affected the outcome of the germination process in a different, though predictable, way for each species, after favorable conditions for germination were restored. Tolerance of the germination process was related to the average salinity level measured during the growth/germination season at sites where established individuals of each species dominated the species cover. No relationship was found between salinity tolerance of the germination process and seed response to extended exposure to flooding and salinity conditions. The salinity response was significantly related to the conditions prevailing in the habitats of the respective species during the unfavorable (nongrowth/nongermination) season. Our results indicate that changes in salinity and hydrology while seeds are dormant affect the outcome of the seed-bank response, even when conditions at germination are identical. Because these environmental-history-dependent responses differentially affect seed germination, seedling density, and probably sexual recruitment in the studied and related species, these influences should be considered for wetland restoration and managementFinancial support from the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (MMA, project 05/99) and the Junta de Andalucía (research group 4086)enabled us to carry out the present work.Peer reviewe

Seed storage conditions change the germination pattern of clonal growth plants in Mediterranean salt marshes.

8 páginas, 4 tablas, 8 figuras.The effect of salinity level and extended exposure to different salinity and flooding conditions on germination patterns of three saltmarsh clonal growth plants (Juncus subulatus, Scirpus litoralis, and S. maritimus) was studied. Seed exposure to extended flooding and saline conditions significantly affected the outcome of the germination process in a different, though predictable, way for each species, after favorable conditions for germination were restored. Tolerance of the germination process was related to the average salinity level measured during the growth/germination season at sites where established individuals of each species dominated the species cover. No relationship was found between salinity tolerance of the germination process and seed response to extended exposure to flooding and salinity conditions. The salinity response was significantly related to the conditions prevailing in the habitats of the respective species during the unfavorable (nongrowth/nongermination) season. Our results indicate that changes in salinity and hydrology while seeds are dormant affect the outcome of the seed-bank response, even when conditions at germination are identical. Because these environmental-history-dependent responses differentially affect seed germination, seedling density, and probably sexual recruitment in the studied and related species, these influences should be considered for wetland restoration and managementFinancial support from the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (MMA, project 05/99) and the Junta de Andalucía (research group 4086)enabled us to carry out the present work.Peer reviewe

Doñana. Acta vertebrata. vol 24(1/2)

Alimentación de la lagartija colilarga Psammodromus algirus (L) (Sauria, Lacertidae), en el litoral de Huelva (SO EspañaLa alimentación de Myotis myotis Borkh, 1791 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) en la cuenca del rio Guadix (sureste de España)Distribución y selección de hábitat de la garduña (Martes foina, Erxleben, 1777) en Vizcaya y Sierra Salvada (Burgos).Nuevo modelo de trampa para reducir el impacto de la pesca de cangrejos sobre los vertebrados en las marismas del GuadalquiviThe functions of song and the spatial pattern of song production in the rufous bush chat (Cercotrichas galactotes)Migración e invernada de las lavanderas cascadena Motacilla cinerea y blanca M. alba en la Penínula Ibérica e Islas BalearesAbundancia y reproducción de Glis glis (Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia, Gliridae) en el Pirineo occidental.Estatus de residencia, categorización trófica y abundancia de aves en el zoológico de La Plata, ArgentinaAvifauna reproductora y estructura del hábitat en la campiña y sierras Subbéticas de JaénDispersión de semillas de retama (Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss por el conejo (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) en el centro de EspañaGuía para la identificación de restos óseos pertenecientes a algunos peces comunes en las aguas continentales de la Península Ibérica para el estudio de la dieta de depredadores ictiófagosDistribución y abundancia del corzo (Capreolus capreolus L. 1758) en la provincia de JaénAlimentación de las larvas de anuros en ambientes temporales del sistema del rio Paraná, Argentina.Mauremys leprosa como presa de Lutra lutraNota sobre la alimentación del lince ibérico en el Parque Natural de la Sierra de Andújar (Sierra Morena oriental)Presencia de Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda) en un lobo ibérico (Canis lupusLa orientación de los nidos de paseriformes estepariosComparación de la dieta obtenida a partir de muestras estomacales y fecales del Tuco-tuco, Ctenomys mendocinus, en dos poblaciones de la precordillera de los Andes, ArgentinaEstructura genética y distribución de la variabilidad enzimática en poblaciones naturales de estornino negro (Sturnus unicolor)Estimación de la disponibilidad trófica para el quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) en Cataluña (NE España) e implicaciones sobre su conservaciónPeer reviewe

Cloisonné kidney in mouflon sheep (Ovis orientalis musimon)

This study describes a case of cloisonné kidney associated with infection by Babesia ovis in a wild mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimonj found dead in year in eastern Sierra Morena (Andalusia, Spain). The major macroscopic lesions were a) icteric coloration in ocular and oral mucosa, and b) dark metal coloration on the kidneys' external surface. Intense dark coloration alternating with intense greyish strips was observed on renal cortex sections. Blood samples were collected for haematological and parasitological analyses, as well as samples from various organs for histopathological examination. Infection by B. ovis was confirmed by using the Polymerase Chain Reaction test (PCR). Histopathological examination revealed tubulonephrosis associated with thickening of the basal membrane of the convoluted portions of the renal tubules (both proximal and distal), which took on an intense brownish pigmentation. These renal lesions have been described as "cloisonné" kidney. Cloisonné kidneys show uncommon coloring of the renal tubular system, associated with ferritin and hemosiderin deposits in these structures resulting from a chronic hemolitic process (hemoparasites, toxins, etc.). In our case, hemolitic phenomena are associated with infection by B. ovis. The seroprevalence of this hemoparasite in wild mouflon populations in other regions of Spain (Catalonia) is up to 15%.[fr]Nous étudions un cas de rein cloisonné associé à l'infection par Babesia ovis sur un mouflon sauvage (Ovis orientalis musimon) qui a été trouvé la même année dans la partie orientale de la Sierra Morena (Andalousie, Espagne). Les principales lésions macroscopiques étaient: a) coloration ictérique sur les muqueuses oculaire et orale, et b) coloration métallique foncée sur la partie extérieure du rein. Cette coloration foncée intense alternait avec des bandes grisâtres dans les sections du cortex rénal. Nous avons pris des échantillons de sang pour les analyses hémathologique et parasitologique, ainsi que d'autres échantillons de divers organes pour l'analyse histopathologique. L'infection pr B. ovis était confirmée par le test de la réaction en chaîne de Polymerase (PCR). L'analyse histopathologique a révélée une tubulonephrose associée avec l’épaississement de la membrane basale des portions en boucle des tubules rénaux (aussi bien proximaux que distaux), lesquels prenaient une intense pigmentation brunâtre. Ces lésions rénales ont été décrites comme rein "cloisonné". Le rein cloisonné montre une coloration extraordinaire du système rénal tubulaire, associé avec un dépôt de ferritine et hémosidérine sur ces structures à la suite d'un procesus hémolytique chronique (hémoparasites, toxines, etc.). Dans notre cas, les phénomènes hémolytiques étaient associés à l'infection par B. ovis. La séroprévalence de cet hémoparasite dans les populations sauvages du mouflon d'autres régions d'Espagne (Catalogne) s'élève jusqu'à 15%. [es]En el presente estudio se describe un caso de riñon lacado asociado a una infección por Babesia ovisen un muflón salvaje (Ovis orientalis musimon) encontrado muerto en Sierra Morena (Andalucía, España). Las lesiones macroscópicas más aparentes fueron: a) coloración ictérica en la mucosa oral y ocular y b) coloración metálica oscura en la superficie externa de los ríñones. Una intensa coloración oscura alternando con unas bandas grisáceas era visible en las secciones del cortex renal. Se tomaron muestras de sangre para los análisis parasitológicos y hematológicos, además de muestras de varios órganos para su examen histopatológico. Se confirmó la infección por B. ovis gracias a la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR). El análisis histopatológico reveló tubidonefrosis asociada a un engrosamiento de la membrana basal del sistema contorneado de los túbulos renales (tanto proximal como distal), la cual adquiere una intensa pigmentación marronácea. Estas lesiones renales han sido descritas como riñón "cloisonné" o riñon lacado. Los riñones lacados muestran un color poco común en el sistema tubular renal, asociado a depósitos de ferritina y hemosiderina como resultado de un proceso crónico hemolítico (hemoparásitos, toxinas, etc.). En este caso, el fenómeno hemolítico está asociado a una infección por B. ovis. La seroprevalencia de este hemoparásito en el muflón salvaje de otras regiones de España (Cataluña) puede alcanzar un 15%

Fecal-FT-NIRS as a noninvasive tool for assessing diet quality of mediterranean deer

In order to assess the diet quality of two Mediterranean deer species we developed and validated a Fourier transform near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy methodology on feces (Fecal-FT-NIRS) for the determination of acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), lignin, C:N ratio, and enzymatic digestibility of organic matter (EDOM). We used rumen contents and fecal samples from 149 red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) and 111 fallow deer (Dama dama) from southeast Spain (n = 520 observations). Spectra from the feces were related with rumen conventional chemical analysis through chemometric regression with partial least-squares (PLS). Specific predictive equations from red and fallow deer data separately were generated, as well as merged equations after pooling all deer samples. All the predictive equations had a high linearity with high correlation coefficients (r = 0.8 - 0.99). The selected equations had a reliable accuracy considering the root-mean-square errors of prediction (RMSEP), calibration (RMSEC), and cross-validation (RMSECV) in relation to the range of values for which the NIRS calibration was set for each parameter. Broad-based equations from combined samples were demonstrated as being useful for all nutritional parameters determination in red and fallow deer simultaneously. Equations obtained for the red deer data were also successfully applied to fallow deer and vice versa for NDF, ADF, C:N, and lignin determination, while for EDOM assessment the specific equations for each species were more accurately applied. Once validated, the Fecal-FT-NIRS technique can be considered as a suitable noninvasive tool for monitoring deer diet quality variations in Mediterranean environment. This method has the possibility to overcome interspecific barriers of direct fecal analysis by using rumen digesta as its reference method. © 2015 Society for Range Management. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.The Rangeland Ecology & Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information

Evaluation of long-term 11-oxoaetiocholanolone stability in red deer faecal samples under different storage conditions

6 páginas, 1 figura, 2 tablas.Faecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) analysis is a reliable non-invasive method used in field endocrinology studies to assess levels of stress in animals. It is known that weather and, above all, humidity, can affect FCM concentrations in faecal samples. In addition, the prolonged storage of samples and delay in their analysis may alter metabolite concentrations. Intrinsic factors such as the heterogeneous distribution of FCMs within scats may likewise cause intra-sample variation. All of these sources of variation in FCM concentrations need to be addressed if we are to interpret results correctly. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of lyophilisation and storage temperature on the long-term stability of 11-oxoaetiocholanolone (11-o) in red deer (Cervus elaphus) faecal samples. After pre-cleaning with hexane and extraction with methanol, 11-o levels were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry HPLC-MS/MS at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 and 32 weeks post-collection. We used linear mixed models to explore the effects of temperature and storage time on concentrations of faecal 11-o in wet and dry samples. Our results showed significant variations in 11-o concentrations in wet faecal samples over time and at different storage temperatures. By contrast, the 11-o values of dry samples were more stable in terms of storage temperatures. Lyophilising red deer faecal samples and storage at − 80 °C guarantees the stability of 11-o for several months.This study was funded by the Fédération Nationale des Chasseurs (France) (project: PR4-2013). The research activities of the authors are partially supported by the Junta de Andalucía (RNM-118 and RNM-175 groups)