Description of a new species of Mesochaetopterus (Annelida, Polychaeta, Chaetopteridae), with re-description of M. xerecus and an approach to the phylogeny of the family.

A large chaetopterid polychaete, Mesochaetopterus rogeri sp. nov. is described as new from the Mediterranean Sea. The analyses of partial sequences from the nuclear 18S rRNA (643bp) and the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (577bp) genes of representative individuals of all known chaetopterid genera indicated the initial assignment of the new species into Mesochaetopterus. These analyses also supported the monophyly of the family and revealed two well-supported clades: Chaetopterus / Mesochaetopterus and Spiochaetopterus / ,Phyllochaetopterus. Mesochaetopterus rogeri sp. nov. was close to M. xerecus, here re-described from newly collected material. Mesochaetopterus rogeri sp. nov. was characterized by: 1) two long tentacles with dorsal transversal black bands with alternating widths (sometimes with two additional longitudinal light-brown bands); 2) A region with nine chaetigers (up to 12), with 13 - 19 modified chaetae in the 4th; 3) B region with three flat segments, with accessory feeding organs in the 2nd and 3rd; 4) sandy straight tubes, 2.5 m long or more, vertically embedded in the sand. In the Bay of Blanes, M. rogeri sp. nov. occurs between 6 and 9 (up to 30) m deep, with a patchy distribution (< 1 ind. m-2), maximum densities in April/June (likely due to recruitment events) and minimum in September/November (likely a behavioural response to increasing sediment dynamics). Although it was originally thought that M. rogeri sp. nov. could be an introduced species, we argue that it is probably a native of the Mediterranean, which has been overlooked by scientists up to now.Peer reviewe

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers for peacock wrasse (Symphodus tinca)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the peacock wrasse (Symphodus tinca), a labrid fish inhabiting the Mediterranean and Black seas. Characterization of 35 individuals from the western Mediterranean indicated a relatively high allelic diversity (mean = 12.4, range 9-17), and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.65 to 0.91. We found no evidence of linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci. Two loci showed significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These polymorphic markers can be useful in most basic population genetic applications. © 2006 The Authors.Peer Reviewe

La perspectiva de género en la docencia universitaria de Economía e Historia

La perspectiva de gènere en la docència universitària implica sotmetre a reflexió els conceptes i anàlisi de les corrents acadèmiques dominants, identificar els biaixos de gènere, promoure una interpretació més àmplia i completa de la realitat i afavorir la sensibilització i conscienciació de les i els estudiants. Vol dir, essencialment, una reorganització de continguts, una reflexió sobre els conceptes, models, teories i perspectiva d'anàlisi, així com la introducció de nous casos, exemples pràctics, fonts de referència, etc. Aquest estudi mostra els resultats d'un projecte d'innovació docent que pretén donar les primeres passes per aconseguir la incorporació transversal de la perspectiva de gènere en la docència. L'aplicació del mateix s'ha efectuat en el grau d'Administració i Direcció d'Empreses i el grau de Ciències Polítiques de la Universitat de Barcelona.  Es van estudiar els plans docents, es va identificar el biaix sistemàtic en la majoria de les assignatures, es van dissenyar activitats de reflexió i sensibilització i es va proposar un qüestionari de validació de l'aprenentatge. En conjunt es va comptar amb la participació de 480 estudiants. Els resultats mostren que, tot i els avenços aconseguits en termes legals i administratius, la posició i el paper de la dona en l'economia i la història contínua, en general, invisibilitzat. S'aprecia, també, que les dones són més conscients de l'existència de desigualtats i més permeables a les actuacions docents que incorporen reflexions i anàlisi d'aquesta índole. Finalment, s'observa que les accions docents que incorporen la perspectiva de gènere contribueixen a canviar les percepcions de les / us estudiants i tenen efectes positius sobre la seva conscienciació i sensibilització.The introduction of a gender perspective into university teaching needs a deep rethinking about the concepts and analysis of the academic mainstream, identifying gender biases, promoting a broader and more complete interpretation of reality and easing gender awareness among students. It means, essentially, a reorganization of contents, a critical review on the concepts, models, theories and approaches of analysis, as well as the introduction of new cases, practical examples, reference sources, etc. This article shows the results of a teaching innovation project that aims to take the first steps into that direction. It has been implemented in the degree of Business Administration and Management and the degree of Political Science of the University of Barcelona. The main action consisted on a study of the teaching plans where a systematic bias was identified in most of the subjects, reflexion and sensitization activities in class and a validation of learning questionnaires. Altogether, 480 students participated. The results show that, despite the progress made in legal and administrative terms, the position and role of women in the economy and history continues, in general, to be invisible. It is also apparent that women are more aware of the existence of inequalities and more permeable to teaching activities that incorporate gender as an issue. Finally, it is stated that the teaching actions that incorporate the gender perspective do contribute to change the perceptions of the students and have positive effects on their awareness on it.Introducir la perspectiva de género en la docencia universitaria implica someter a reflexión los conceptos y análisis de las corrientes académicas dominantes, identificar los sesgos de género, promover una interpretación más amplia y completa de la realidad y favorecer la sensibilización y concienciación de las y los estudiantes. Significa, esencialmente, una reorganización de contenidos, una reflexión sobre los conceptos, modelos, teorías y perspectiva de análisis, así como la introducción de nuevos casos, ejemplos prácticos, fuentes de referencia, etc. Este estudio muestra los resultados de un proyecto de innovación docente que pretende dar los primeros pasos para lograr la incorporación transversal de la perspectiva de género en la docencia. La aplicación del mismo se ha efectuado en el grado de Administración y Dirección de Empresas y el grado de Ciencias Políticas de la Universidad de Barcelona. Se estudiaron los planes docentes, se identificó el sesgo sistemático en la mayoría de las asignaturas, se diseñaron actividades de reflexión y sensibilización y se propuso un cuestionario de validación del aprendizaje. En conjunto se contó con la participación de 480 estudiantes. Los resultados muestran que, pese a los avances conseguidos en términos legales y administrativos, la posición y el papel de la mujer en la economía y la historia continua, en general, invisibilizado. Se aprecia, también, que las mujeres son más conscientes de la existencia de desigualdades y más permeables a las actuaciones docentes que incorporan reflexiones y análisis de esta índole. Finalmente, se observa que las acciones docentes que incorporan la perspectiva de género contribuyen a cambiar las percepciones de las/os estudiantes y tienen efectos positivos sobre su concienciación y sensibilización

Filogènia, filogeografia i estructura poblacional de peixos marins amb diferents capacitats de dispersió

El grau de diferenciació poblacional de les espècies marines sembla estar altament relacionat amb la seva capacitat de dispersió. En aquest treball s'ha realitzat la comparació dels nivells d'estructura poblacional entre dues espècies de peixos mediterranis amb diferents capacitats de dispersió durant la seva fase larvària i amb capacitats de moviment de l'adult semblants. Amb l'objectiu de delimitar de forma correcta les àrees de distribució d'ambdues espècies, evitant així la presència de possibles espècies críptiques i per esclarir els processos que les han originat s'ha realitzat una filogènia molecular per ambdues espècies. S'han utilitzat loci microsatèl.lits altament polimòrfics per tal d'inferir els nivells de diferenciació poblacional per cada espècie, així doncs, dues genoteques enriquides s'han dut a terme, una per cada espècie. Com a conclusió s'ha observat un grau de diferenciació poblacional major per l'espècie amb una capacitat de dispersió menor en la seva fase larvària en front de la que tenia una major capacitat de dispersió, corroborant la hipòtesis inicial d'aquesta tesi

A review of the Tripterygion tripteronotus (Risso, 1810) complex, with a description of a new species from the Mediterranean Sea (Teleostei: Tripterygiidae)

We compared specimens of Tripterygion tripteronotus from 52 localities of the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent waters, using four gene sequences (12S rRNA, tRNA-valine, 16S rRNA and COI) and morphological characters. Two well-differentiated clades with a mean genetic divergence of 6.89±0.73% were found with molecular data, indicating the existence of two different species. These two species have disjunctive geographic distribution areas without any molecular hybrid populations. Subtle but diagnostic morphological differences were also present between the two species. T. tripteronotus is restricted to the northern Mediterranean basin, from the NE coast of Spain to Greece and Turkey, including the islands of Malta and Cyprus. T. tartessicum n. sp. is geographically distributed along the southern coast of Spain, from Cape of La Nao to the Gulf of Cadiz, the Balearic Islands and northern Africa, from Morocco to Tunisia. According to molecular data, these two species could have diverged during the Pliocene glaciations 2.7-3.6 Mya

High self-recruitment levels in a Mediterranean littoral fish population revealed by microsatellite markers.

9 páginas, 4 figuras, 2 tablas.Self-recruitment rates are essential parameters in the estimation of connectivity among populations, having important consequences in marine conservation biology. Using ten highly polymorphic microsatellite loci, we estimate, over 3 years, the selfrecruitment in a population of Tripterygion delaisi in the NW Mediterranean. Six previously described source populations were used for the assignment (Costa Brava, Columbretes, Formentera, Cabo de Palos, Cabo de Gata and Tarifa). Even though this species has a 16–21 day larval duration, a mean of 66.4 ± 1.4% of the recruits settled in their natal population. When refining in a more local scale the origin of individuals self-recruited to Costa Brava, using as source the three sampling localities that conform this population (Cap de Creus, Tossa and Blanes), the highest percentage (40.6 ± 8.9%) was self-assigned to the adult source locality (Blanes) where recruits were sampled each year. Our results suggest that a high proportion of the larvae of T. delaisi remained close to, or never leave, their natal spawning area. This observation can be extrapolated to other species with similar early life-history traits and low adult mobility and can have important implications for the conservation and management of Mediterranean littoral fishes.This research was supported by a Predoctoral fellowship from the Ministerio de Educacio´ n, Cultura y Deporte to J.C. (AP2001- 0225). Research was funded by projects CTM2004-05265 and BOS2003-05904 of the MCYT and MMA 119/2003. Researchers are part of the SGR 2005SGR-00995 and 2005SGR-00277 of the Generalitat de Catalunya.Peer reviewe

Population structure within and between subspecies of the Mediterranean triplefin fish Tripterygion delaisi revealed by highly polymorphic microsatellite loci.

13 páginas, 5 figuras, 2 tablas.Although F ST values are widely used to elucidate population relationships, in some cases, when employing highly polymorphic loci, they should be regarded with caution, particularly when subspecies are under consideration. Tripterygion delaisi presents two subspecies that were investigated here, using 10 microsatellite loci. A Bayesian approach allowed us to clearly identify both subspecies as two different evolutionary significant units. However, low F ST values were found between subspecies as a consequence of the large number of alleles per locus, while homoplasy could be disregarded as indicated by the standardized genetic distance . Heterozygosity saturation was observed in highly polymorphic loci containing more than 15 alleles, and this threshold was used to define two loci pools. The less variable loci pool revealed higher genetic variance between subspecies, while the more variable pool showed higher genetic variance between populations. Furthermore, higher differentiation was also observed between populations using with the more variable loci. Nonetheless, a more reliable population structure within subspecies was obtained when all loci were included in the analyses. In T. d. xanthosoma , isolation by distance was detected between the eight analysed populations, and six genetically homogeneous clusters were inferred by Bayesian analyses that are in accordance with F ST values. The neighbourhood-size method also indicated rather small dispersal capabilities. In conclusion, in fish with limited adult and larval dispersal capabilities, continuous rocky habitat seems to allow contact between populations and prevent genetic differentiation, while large discontinuities of sand or deep-water channels seems to reduce gene flow.This research was supported by a Predoctoral fellowship from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte to J.C. (AP2001-0225). Research was funded by projects CTM2004-05265 and BOS2003-05904 of the MCYT and MMA 119/ 2003. Researchers are part of the SGR 2005SGR-00995 and 2005SGR- 00277 of the Generalitat de Catalunya.Peer reviewe

Utility of pairwise mtDNA genetic distances for predicting cross-species microsatellite amplification and polymorphism success in fishes

10 páginas, 1 figura, 2 tablas.In many studies involving microsatellites crossspecies amplification, primers designed for one (source) species are used to amplify homologous loci in related (target) species. However, it is not clear how closely related the species must be to attain significant success. Genetic divergence is a clear and easy way to assess similarity between species and provides an accurate measure of their evolutionary distance. Eight Mediterranean target species of the family Serranidae were analysed using twelve primers developed for Serranus cabrilla. Additionally, two mitochondrial genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) were chosen on the basis of their extensive use in phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses to compute genetic divergence between the species. Significant negative correlations were found between genetic divergence and both cross-species amplification and maintained polymorphism of microsatellite markers, which could be generalized by gathering information from different fish studies. The success of obtaining amplifiable and polymorphic microsatellite loci can be a priori approximated knowing the mtDNA genetic divergence between a given source and target species using our inferred regression equations.This research was supported by a Predoctoral fellowship from the Spanish Ministerio de Educacio´n y Ciencia to J.C. (AP2001-0225). Research was funded by projects CTM2004-05265, CGL2006-13423 from the Spanish Ministerio de Educacio´n y Ciencia and 119/2003 from the Spanish Ministerio de Medio Ambiente. The authors are part of the research groups 2005SGR-00995 and 2005SGR-00277 of the Generalitat de Catalunya.Peer reviewe

Rapid radiation and cryptic speciation in Mediterranean triplefin blennies (Pisces: Tripterygiidae) combining multiple genes

11 páginas, 2 tablas, 3 figuras.The genus Tripterygion is the unique genus of the family Tripterygiidae in the Mediterranean Sea and in the northeastern Atlantic coast. Three species and four subspecies had been described: Tripterygion tripteronotus and Tripterygion melanurus (T. m. melanurus and T. m. minor) are endemic of the Mediterranean, and T. delaisi (T. d. delaisi and T. d. xanthosoma) is found in both areas. We used five different genes (12S, 16S, tRNA-val, COI, and 18S) to elucidate their taxonomy status and their phylogenetic relationships. We employed different phylogenetic reconstructions that yielded different tree topologies. This discrepancy may be caused by the speciation process making difficult the reconstruction of a highly supported tree. All pair comparisons between these three species showed the same genetic divergence indicating that the speciation process could have been resolved by a rapid radiation event after the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.2 Mya) leading to a trichotomy. Our molecular data revealed two clearly supported clades within T. tripteronotus, whose divergence largely exceeded that found between other fish species, consequently these two groups should be considered two cryptic species diverging 2.75–3.32 Mya along the Pliocene glaciations. On the contrary, none of the genes studied supported the existence of two subspecies of T. melanurus. Finally, the two subspecies of T. delaisi were validated and probably originated during the Quaternary climatic fluctuations (1.10–1.23 Mya), however their distribution ranges should be redefined.This research was supported by a Predoctoral fellowship from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte to J.C. (AP2001-0225). Research was funded by projects CTM2004-05265 and BOS2003-05904 of the MCYT.Peer reviewe

Cross-amplification of 10 new isolated polymorphic microsatellite loci for red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus): Primer note

Ten polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the red mullet (Mullus barbatus). Allele variability was tested on both the red mullet and its congener the striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus). Characterization of 30 individuals of both species from the western Mediterranean showed moderate to high allelic diversity ranging from two to 26 alleles per locus (mean 10.9). Three loci showed departures from Hardy-Weinberg proportions. No evidence of significant association between genotypes at pairs of loci was observed. These polymorphic loci could be suitable for population genetic assessments of both species. © 2006 The AuthorsJournal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.Peer Reviewe