Revisión de la distribución y abundancia de la herpetofauna en las Islas Chafarinas: datos históricos vs. tendencias poblacionales

El estudio fue financiado por contratos del Organismo Autónomo de Parques NacionalesPeer reviewe

Distribución, abundancia y conservación de la culebrilla mora (Trogonophis wiegmanni) en las Islas Chafarinas

Peer reviewe

Early mobilisation in critically ill COVID-19 patients: a subanalysis of the ESICM-initiated UNITE-COVID observational study

Background Early mobilisation (EM) is an intervention that may improve the outcome of critically ill patients. There is limited data on EM in COVID-19 patients and its use during the first pandemic wave. Methods This is a pre-planned subanalysis of the ESICM UNITE-COVID, an international multicenter observational study involving critically ill COVID-19 patients in the ICU between February 15th and May 15th, 2020. We analysed variables associated with the initiation of EM (within 72 h of ICU admission) and explored the impact of EM on mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, as well as discharge location. Statistical analyses were done using (generalised) linear mixed-effect models and ANOVAs. Results Mobilisation data from 4190 patients from 280 ICUs in 45 countries were analysed. 1114 (26.6%) of these patients received mobilisation within 72 h after ICU admission; 3076 (73.4%) did not. In our analysis of factors associated with EM, mechanical ventilation at admission (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.25, 0.35; p = 0.001), higher age (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98, 1.00; p ≤ 0.001), pre-existing asthma (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.73, 0.98; p = 0.028), and pre-existing kidney disease (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71, 0.99; p = 0.036) were negatively associated with the initiation of EM. EM was associated with a higher chance of being discharged home (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.08, 1.58; p = 0.007) but was not associated with length of stay in ICU (adj. difference 0.91 days; 95% CI − 0.47, 1.37, p = 0.34) and hospital (adj. difference 1.4 days; 95% CI − 0.62, 2.35, p = 0.24) or mortality (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.7, 1.09, p = 0.24) when adjusted for covariates. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that a quarter of COVID-19 patients received EM. There was no association found between EM in COVID-19 patients' ICU and hospital length of stay or mortality. However, EM in COVID-19 patients was associated with increased odds of being discharged home rather than to a care facility. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04836065 (retrospectively registered April 8th 2021)

Factores que afectan a la supervivencia de los juveniles de la lagartija colilarga (Psammodromus algirus) : morfología, agresividad y uso del espacio

Se ha examinado, por medio de un estudio observacional y experimental, como influyen sobre la probabilidad de supervivencia,las siguientes variables: tamaño corporal, fecha de eclosión, comportamiento territorial, y características del dominio vital de los individuos juveniles de la lagartija colilarga (Psammodromus algirus). Los resultados muestran que una fecha de eclosión temprana, un mayor tamaño corporal y una condición corporal intermedia influyen positivamente en la probabilidad de supervivencia. Una mayor talla corporal es ventajoso en las peleas por los recursos y el espacio. Además, aquellos individuos más agresivos, poseían dominios vitales más grandes y de mejor calidad. Pero la agresividad tiene unos costes asociados, que se traducen en un retraso en el crecimiento corpora

Body temperature regulation in the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni

Abstract: We studied the thermal ecology of the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni at the Chafarinas Islands (North Africa). We aimed to evaluate the extent of thermoregulation in this fossorial amphisbaenian by analyzing the relationships between environmental available operative (T e ) and body (T b ) temperatures of active individuals found under stones. Amphisbaenians are typical thigmotherms that obtain heat through contact with soil and, thus, T b was closely correlated to T e under stones. However, the comparison of T b with T e s available in the study area indicated that T b deviated less from the set-point range of preferred temperatures than would result from a random response, which is indicative of behavioral temperature regulation. Measurements of T e under rocks selected by T. wiegmanni deviated significantly less from the range of preferred temperatures than T e beneath available rocks. This suggests that amphisbaenians occupied rocks with or when thermal properties were suitable for maintaining their preferred T b . We found a bimodal pattern of T b during the day, with amphisbaenians being active at higher T b during the afternoon than in the morning. This did not reflect changes in the thermal environment, but was presumably a voluntary selection pattern, as indicated by similar results obtained in thermal gradients in a previous study. Also, juveniles had higher T b than adults, but this might be a biophysical effect of differences in body size and heating rates. We conclude that amphisbaenians seem capable of regulating body temperature to an extent that comparable with epigeal diurnal lizards. Résumé : Nous avons étudié l'écologie thermique de l'amphisbénien Trogonophis wiegmanni dans les îles Chafarinas (Afrique du Nord). Notre objectif était d'évaluer l'importance de la thermorégulation chez cet amphisbénien fouisseur, par l'analyse des relations entre les températures de fonctionnement disponibles dans l'environnement (T e ) et la tempé-rature du corps (T b ), chez des individus actifs trouvés sous les pierres. Les amphisbéniens sont des organismes thigmothermes typiques qui captent la chaleur du sol par contact et, de ce fait, T b s'est révélée en corrélation étroite avec T e sous les pierres. Cependant, la comparaison de T b aux températures T e disponibles dans l'environnement indique que T b s'éloigne moins de l'étendue des valeurs de référence des températures préférées que si elle était déterminée de façon aléatoire, ce qui indique un contrôle comportemental de la température. Les températures T e sous les pierres choisies par T. wiegmanni s'éloignent moins de l'étendue des températures préférées que les températures T e sous les pierres disponibles. Cela semble indiquer que les amphisbéniens choisissent les pierres avec des propriétés thermiques qui permettent le maintien de leur température T b préférée. Nous avons constaté que la température T b suit une courbe bimodale durant le jour; les amphisbéniens sont plus actifs à des températures T b plus élevées l'après-midi que le matin. Cela ne reflète pas des changements dans l'environnement thermique, mais relève probablement d'un pattern de sélec-tion volontaire, si on en juge par les résultats semblables obtenus le long de gradients thermiques au cours d'une étude antérieure. De plus, les températures T b des juvéniles sont plus élevées que celles des adultes, mais il peut s'agir là d'un effet biophysique relié à des différences dans la taille du corps ou les taux de réchauffement. Les amphisbéniens semblent donc capables de contrôler la température de leur corps autant que le font les lézards épigées diurnes. [Traduit par la Rédaction] 47 López et al

Habitat type influences parasite load in Algerian Psammodromus lizards (Psammodromus algirus)

Understanding how habitat type and deterioration may affect parasitism is important to assess human-induced environmental change effects on host-parasite dynamics. In this study, we examined inter-population differences in parasites load in a Mediterranean lizard, Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus, 1758). We analyzed prevalence and intensity of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites in two populations separated by a 400-m elevational gradient and with different habitat types that also differed in the degree of human alteration. We also compared data obtained in the same populations after ten years lapsed to assess whether there have been temporary changes in parasites load. Results showed that prevalence and intensity of blood parasites were higher in the deteriorated lowland holm oak forest population than in the well preserved upland oak forest. In contrast, the prevalence and intensity of infection by Ixodes ticks was higher in the upland oak forest population. Individuals from the lowland population were in poorer condition. Intensities of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites have decreased significantly from 2005-2006 to 2016 in both populations. Our results suggest that inter-population differences in parasite load may be explained by differences in habitat characteristics. This study contributes to identify which ecosystems and habitats are most sensitive to prevalence and intensity of infection by parasites.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Habitat type influences parasite load in Algerian Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) lizards

Understanding how habitat type and deterioration may affect parasitism is important in assessing the effects of human-induced environmental change on host–parasite dynamics. In this study, we examined inter-population differences in parasite load in the Mediterranean lizard Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus, 1758). We analyzed prevalence and intensity of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites in two populations separated by a 400 m elevational gradient and with different habitat types that also differed in the degree of human alteration. We also compared data obtained from the same populations 10 years later to assess whether there have been temporary changes in parasite loads. Results showed that prevalence and intensity of blood parasites were higher in the deteriorated lowland holm oak forest population than in the well-preserved upland oak forest. In contrast, the prevalence and intensity of infection by Ixodes Latreille, 1795 ticks was higher in the upland oak forest population. Individuals from the lowland population were in poorer condition. Intensities of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites have decreased significantly from 2005–2006 to 2016 in both populations. Our results suggest that inter-population differences in parasite load may be explained by differences in habitat characteristics. This study contributes to the identification of ecosystems and habitats that are most sensitive to prevalence and intensity of infection by parasites

Niche occupancy of two (congeneric) skinks in an islands environment

Among the scincid lizards inhabiting the Mediterranean region, the Ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus) and the little-known and endangered Chafarinas' skink (Chalcides parallelus) co-occur in sympatry at the Chafarinas Islands (NW Africa). Although both species are present in the archipelago, C. ocellatus is spread in the three islands, but C. parallelus is present only in one island. What factors influence this distribution, and whether these two species show evidence for syntopy is unknown. In this study, we investigated spatial niche occupancy at the level of microhabitat of both skinks at the Chafarinas Islands. We tested for microhabitat differences between islands and then, we tested the null hypothesis of no differences between microhabitat used by each of these skink species and a set of locations chosen at random from the general habitat. Results showed that the distribution and abundance of available microhabitats were different among islands, thus each island has different spatial niches that may be important in distinguishing the areas occupied by these skinks. Results also revealed that C. ocellatus did not use available microhabitats at random, but preferentially selected particular microhabitats. However, C. parallelus used microhabitats according to their availability, although it showed some aspects of habitat selection similar to C. ocellatus. Our results showed that the inclusion of detailed microhabitat descriptors could be useful for understanding patterns of niche occupancy by these skinks species. Furthermore, to our knowledge this is the first study documenting the spatial niche selection of C. parallelus and provides novel ecological information that may be of major importance to develop management strategies that will help to conserve this endangered species.Financial support was provided by Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales (Spain), GENA SL and the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) through Postdoctoral Grant SFRH/BPD/109182/2015 to E. Civantos, with additional financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades project PGC2018-093592-B-I00 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) to J. Martín