Galápago leproso – Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger, 1812)

Reptiles - Orden Quelonios - Familia Geoemydidae en la Enciclopedia Virtual de Vertebrados Españoles, http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/.A comprehensive review of the natural history of the Mediterranean stripe-necked terrapin Mauremys leprosa in Spain.Peer reviewe

Interannual variation in filling season affects zooplankton diversity in Mediterranean temporary ponds

In Mediterranean temporary ponds, the timing of annual flooding is highly variable and depends on heavy seasonal rains. Ponds can flood in the autumn, winter, or spring, and thus the environmental conditions faced by emerging zooplankton can be very different. We performed an experiment in a climatic chamber where we simulated annual variation in natural temperature and light conditions to study how differences in pond-filling season affected zooplankton assemblage composition. We sampled sediments from a temporary pond and placed them in aquariums that were filled with water during three different seasons: autumn (October), winter (January), and spring (March). Zooplankton abundance, species richness, diversity, and assemblage composition differed significantly among treatments, and post-inundation temperature and pH appeared to be the main drivers of these differences. Diversity was highest in the winter treatment. It was lower in the autumn treatment and the spring treatment, and no indicator species were present in the latter. Our results suggest that interannual variability in initial inundation conditions favours the emergence of different species and thus contributes to high species richness in the egg bank. However, climate change and/or groundwater drawdown could delay pond flooding, impoverishing the zooplankton assemblage in the long ter

Salmonella in free-living exotic and native turtles and in pet exotic turtles from SW Spain

We screened 78 native and 94 exotic turtles from natural ponds and 39 exotic pet turtles for presence of Salmonella, resulting with infection rates of 6.61%, 6.4%, and 5.1%, respectively. Concurrent shedding of multiple serotypes of the bacteria was only detected in one pet turtle. Eleven isolates were obtained in free-living turtles, including serotypes commonly found in reptiles and also the serotype Typhimurium, which is commonly related to human infections. In pet turtles, the five serotypes isolated were different to those isolated in free-living turtles and had been reported to cause reptile-associated salmonellosis in humans. These results confirm the risk of transmission of Salmonella from free-living and pet turtles to humans, demanding the necessity of regulation of pet turtle trade in Europe. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer Reviewe

Helminth communities of the exotic introduced turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans in southwestern Spain: Transmission from native turtles

We report the prevalence and diversity of helminth parasites found in native turtles Mauremys leprosa and Emys orbicularis from three localities in southwestern Spain and we describe the helminth communities of exotic turtles Trachemys scripta elegans coexisting in the wild with both native turtle species. Five nematodes species were identified, of which Serpinema microcephalus was the only species common between two localities, although infection parameters were different between them. This is the first report of cross transmission of S. microcephalus and Falcaustra donanaensis from native to exotic turtles and the first report of genus Physaloptera in turtles of the Palearctic Region. Continuous releasing of exotic pet turtles in wildlife ecosystems increases the risk of parasite introductions and, consequently, potential transmission to native species, and highlights the impending need for regulation of pet turtle trade in Europe

General Microbiota of the Soft Tick Ornithodoros turicata Parasitizing the Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

The general bacterial microbiota of the soft tick Ornithodoros turicata found on Bolson tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) were analyzed using next generation sequencing. The main aims of the study were to establish the relative abundance of bacterial taxa in the tick, and to document the presence of potentially pathogenic species for this tortoise, other animals, and humans. The study was carried-out in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve in the northern-arid part of Mexico. Bolson tortoises (n = 45) were inspected for the presence of soft ticks, from which 11 tortoises (24.4%) had ticks in low loads (1–3 ticks per individual). Tick pools (five adult ticks each) were analyzed through 16S rRNA V3–V4 region amplification in a MiSeq Illumina, using EzBioCloud as a taxonomical reference. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) revealed 28 phyla, 84 classes, 165 orders, 342 families, 1013 genera, and 1326 species. The high number of taxa registered for O. turicata may be the result of the variety of hosts that this tick parasitizes as they live inside G. flavomarginatus burrows. While the most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, the most abundant species were two endosymbionts of ticks (Midichloria-like and Coxiella-like). Two bacteria documented as pathogenic to Gopherus spp. were registered (Mycoplasma spp. and Pasteurella testudinis). The bovine and ovine tick-borne pathogens A. marginale and A. ovis, respectively, were recorded, as well as the zoonotic bacteria A. phagocytophilum,Coxiella burnetii, and Neoehrlichia sp. Tortoises parasitized with O. turicata did not show evident signs of disease, which could indicate a possible ecological role as a reservoir that has yet to be demonstrated. In fact, the defense mechanisms of this tortoise against the microorganisms transmitted by ticks during their feeding process are still unknown. Future studies on soft ticks should expand our knowledge about what components of the microbiota are notable across multiple host–microbe dynamics. Likewise, studies are required to better understand the host competence of this tortoise, considered the largest terrestrial reptile in North America distributed throughout the Chihuahuan Desert since the late Pleistocene

Revista del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

Actividad trófica de limícolas invernantes en salinas y cultivos piscícolas de la bahía de CádizUso de microhábitat del ratón de campo (Apodemus sylvatycus L.) en robledales y áreas ecotonales del Pirineo.Dieta de los pollos de tres especies simpátricas de alcaudones (Lanius spp.): variaciones con la edad, estacionales e interespecíficasOcupación de distintos modelos de nidal por el estornino negro (Sturnus unicolor)Estudio comparado sobre la biología de la reproducción de tres especies simpátricas de alcaudones (real Lanius excubitor, dorsirrojo L. collurio y común L. senatorFluctuación estacional del peso corporal de los machos adultos de Arvicola sapidus MILLER, 1908 (Rodentia, Arvicolidae)Acerca del significado de los ataques de alcaudones Lanius spp. sobre aves.Distribución de los emididos Mauremys leprosa, SCHW (1812) y Emys orbicularis, L. (1758) de la provincia de Badajoz. Factores que puedieran influir en sus áreas de ocupaciónDeterminación de la edad relativa en la rata de agua meridional, Arvicola sapidus MILLER, 1908 (Rodentia, Arvicolidae)Activity pattern, home range and habitat preference by coyotes (Canis latrans) in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve of the Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico.Características de los refugios diarios y estacionales de Testudo graeca en DoñanaDieta del gato cimarrón (Felis catus L.) en el piso basal del Macízo de Teno (Noroeste de Tenerife)Peer reviewe

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Descripción de un nuevo género y de una nueva especie Iberocypris palaciosi N.GEN.N.SO (Pisces, cyprinidae).Resultados de los censos d e aves acuáticas en Andalucía Occidental durante el invierno1978-79Interacciones en la alimentación de las larvas de dos especies de tritones. (Triturus marmoratus y Triturus boscai).Utilización del espacio en una comunidad de lacertidos del matorral mediterráneo en la Reserva Biológica de DoñanaMorfología dentaria de las liebres europeas (Lagomorpha, leporidae).El conejo, Oryctolagus cuniculus en Andalucía Occidental: Parámetros corporales y curva de crecimientoObservaciones de foca monje (Monachus monachus Herm.) en las costas del sureste de la Península Ibérica.Presencia de pejerrey Atherina (Hepsetia) boyeri, Risso 1810; Pisces ( Atherinidae) en la laguna de Zoñar (Córdoba, SO de España).Nuevas citas de la "loina" Chondrostoma (Machaerochilus) toxostoma arrigonis Stein. (pisces, cyprinidae) en EspañaRelativa subalimentación de Falco naumanni durante el periodo no reproductor en el valle del GuadalquivirComadrejas alimentandose de carroña.Agrupamientos de Alytes cisternasii bajo el mismo refugioDescripción de un nuevo género de quiróptero neotropical de la familia MolossidaeAlgunas notas sobre Platalea leucorodia en GaliciaInicidencia del murciélago hematófago Desmodus rotundus sobre los indígenas Yanomani de VenezuelaRitmo de actividad de algunos ratones de los llanos de Apure (Venezuela)Presencia del topillo campesino ibérico, Microtus arvalis asturianus Miller, 1908 en la meseta del DueroFalco columbarius EsmerejónCiconia ciconia CigüeñaNycticorax nycticorax MartinetePeer reviewe

Revista del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

Alimentación del meloncillo Herpestes ichneumon y de la gineta Genetta genetta en la Reserva Biológica de Doñana, S.O. de la Península Ibérica.Determinación de la edad en Rana perezi Seoane, 1885. Aplicación al análisis del crecimiento somático de poblaciones.Influencias ambientales en la variación del tamaño, forma y peso de los huevos de la collalba rubia (Oenanthe hispanica L.)Características de un coro de sapos corredores (Bufo calamita) en el sureste de España.Estrategias alimentarias del ciervo (Cervus elaphus L.) en Montes de ToledoDistribución de los quirópteros de la provincia de Orense (Noroeste de España).Ecología trófica del lince ibérico en Doñana durante un periodo secoDesarrollo larvario de la rana común (Rana perezi) (anura: ranidae) en charcas temporales del noroeste de la Península Ibérica.Régimen alimenticio del mirlo común (Turdus merula) en el sureste de la Península Ibérica durante el periodo otoño-invierno.Reproducción del gorrión molinero (Passer montanus) en las Islas Canarias.Relación entre la cobertura vegetal y la distribución de nidos en las colonias de pagaza piconegraPeer reviewe

When is the Best Time to Sample Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Ponds for Biodiversity Assessment?

Ponds are sites of high biodiversity and conservation value, yet there is little or no statutory monitoring of them across most of Europe. There are clear and standardized protocols for sampling aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in ponds but the most suitable time(s) to undertake the survey(s) remains poorly specified. This paper examined the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities from 95 ponds within different landuse types over three seasons (spring, summer and autumn) to determine the most appropriate time to undertake sampling to characterise biodiversity. The combined samples from all three seasons provided the most comprehensive record of the aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa recorded within ponds (alpha and gamma diversity). Samples collected during the autumn survey yielded significantly greater macroinvertebrate richness (76% of the total diversity) than either spring or summer surveys. Macroinvertebrate diversity was greatest during autumn in meadow and agricultural ponds but taxon richness among forest and urban ponds did not differ significantly temporally. The autumn survey provided the highest measures of richness for Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Odonata. However, richness of the aquatic insect order Trichoptera was highest in spring and lowest in autumn. The results illustrate that multiple surveys, covering more than one season, provide the most comprehensive representation of macroinvertebrate biodiversity. When sampling can only be undertaken on one occasion, the most appropriate time to undertake surveys to characterise the macroinvertebrate community biodiversity is during the autumn; although this may need to be modified if other floral and faunal groups need to be incorporated in to the sampling programme

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

La reproducción de Hyla meridionalis en el suroeste de EspañaAlimentación y relaciones tróficas entre larvas de Triturus marmoratus, T. alpestris y T. helveticus (Amphibia: CaudataOrganization of behaviour in isolated lizards (Gallotia galloti galloti) as revealed by multivariate analyseComposición y estructura de las comunidades de aves a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal en tres medios arbustivos del macizo de Ayllón(Sistema Central)La comunidad de aves de un acebuchar del sur de España durante el periodo invernal y de cria.Alimentación del buho chico (Asio otus) en la isla de Tenerife y análisis comparativo con la dieta de Tyto albaAlimentación del zorzal charlo (Turdus viscivoros) en la sierra de Cazorla, SE de España.La migración en España del verderón común (Carduelis chloris, L.) según los resultados de anillamientoIdentificación de los principales quirópteros ibéricos a partir de sus dientes aislados. Valor sistemático de los caracteres morfológicos y métricos dentariosRitmo de actividad en Gazella dorcasSobre la sistemática y biología de Eliomys quercinus en la Cordillera Cantábrica.Primeras citas de Barbus microcephalus Almaça, 1967 (Ostariophysi: Cyprinidae) en EspañaSobre la presencia de Lampetra planeri BLOCH, 1784 en España.Sobre el status taxonómico del género Valencia Myers, 1928 en el suroeste de IberiaNuevas localidades de Chondrostroma polypis Steindachner, 1865 (Ostariophysi, Cyprinidae) en España.Sobre la distribución Gobio gobio (L., 1758)(OSTAOPHYSI, CIPRINIDAE) en EspañaNotas sobre la alimentación de larvas de anfibios: 2. Salamandra salamandra de CazorlaNuevos datos sobre la permanencia de caracteres larvarios en individuos adultos de una población de tritón pirenaico (Euproctus asper) en el valle de AránLa variación del diseño natural como método de reconocimiento individual en Triturus boscaiPresencia de Triturus boscai en la provincia de Córdoba.Datos sobre la alimentación de Athene cunicularia en la Reserva de fauna altoandina de Ulla-Ulla, Bolivia.Falco peregrinus cassini en BoliviaAlgunos datos sobre quirópteros de Galicia.Notas sobre la alimentación de la nutria (Lutra lutra) en el embalse de Matavacas, HuelvaPeer reviewe