Isolation of 91 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the western mediterranean endemic carex helodes (Cyperaceae)

Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for Carex helodes (Cyperaceae), a western Mediterranean endemic that is locally distributed in southern Portugal and southwestern Spain and rare in northern Morocco. Methods and Results: One hundred nine nuclear microsatellite markers were developed using a shotgun pyrosequencing method, resulting in 91 polymorphic and 18 monomorphic loci when tested using 19 individuals sampled from five populations from Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. Loci averaged 3.23 alleles per locus (SD = 1.15). In a single population (Cortelha population, Portugal), the 34 most polymorphic loci showed a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.357 (SD = 0.292) and mean expected heterozygosity of 0.384 (SD = 0.255). Conclusions: Next-generation sequencing allowed us to develop a high number of genetic markers with levels of polymorphism adequate to study gene flow among populations. However, when genotyping the individuals within a population, we found low levels of variation

Gomphocarpus R. Br. (Apocynaceae sufma. Asclepiadoideae) en Andalucía Occidental

Se da a conocer la presencia en Andalucía Occidental de Gomphocarpus physocarpus E. Mey., un neófi to originario del E y S de África. Se comenta la fenología de la fl oración y fructifi cación, así como la capacidad de dispersión de las plantas en las poblaciones naturalizadas, y se comparan con las de G. fruticosus (L.) T.W. Aiton, también presente en el territorio. Se discute el carácter invasor de las tres especies de Asclepiadaceae citadas en el texto.In this article the neophyte Gomphocarpus physocarpus E.Mey., widely distributed in SE Africa, is fi rst cited in western Andalucía (southern Spain). The flowering and fruit ripening phenology and dispersal potential of plants in different naturalized populations are described and compared with that of G. fruticosus (L.) T.W. Aiton also present in this territory. The invasive potential of the three Asclepiadaceae species here considered is also discussed.Fundación MIGRE

Procesos de limitación demográfica

Este capítulo ofrece una revisión de los factores que afectan a la regeneración natural de la vegetación, considerando la serie de etapas demográficas que determinan la dinámica de una población. Son muy escasos los estudios disponibles que analizan toda la serie de eventos concatenados entre la producción de flores y frutos y el establecimiento exitoso de una planta adulta reproductiva. También son escasos los trabajos que permiten establecer los efectos aplazados que tienen las interacciones con animales a lo largo del ciclo de regeneración. La aproximación que proponemos cuantifica las pérdidas de propágulos en cada etapa demográfica e identifica “cuellos de botella” del reclutamiento que pueden colapsar la regeneración natural de una especie. Revisamos una serie de casos de estudio que ilustran diversos procesos de limitación demográfica. El uso de técnicas explícitamente demográficas es fundamental para comprender la evolución de las especies forestales Mediterráneas y para diseñar actuaciones de preservación de sus poblaciones y de su extraordinaria diversidad.We review the main factors influencing recruitment limitation in Mediterranean woody species by considering the sequential stages that determine the demographic cycle. Very few studies examine the whole set of demographic stages, from flower production to the successful establishment of adult reproductive plants, and their influence on recruitment. There are also few studies exploring the delayed effects of animal interactions throughout the regeneration cycle, but the information on stage-specific effects is more detailed. We propose an approach that quantifies the propagule losses at each sequential demographic stage and identifies demographic bottlenecks that might collapse population growth. We review a series of case studies illustrating different limitation processes. The use of explicit demographic techniques is central to understand the evolution of Mediterranean woody species and to design sound, ecologically-based, conservation plans to preserve their extraordinary diversity

Alimentación y relaciones tróficas entre los paseriformes en paso otoñal por una localidad de Andalucía central

Se estudia la composición de la dieta de 11 especies de paseriformes durante el período de paso otoñal, Agosto-Septiembre de 1978, en una localidad de Sierra Morena central (provincia de Córdoba) . Las especies estudiadas muestran un gradiente desde una alimentación casi totalmente frugívora, con más de un 90 % del volumen de la dieta compuesto por materia vegetal (S. atricapilta, S. communis, S. borin y T. merula), hasta una situación de insectivorismo casi completo (L. megarhynchos, H. pallida, F. hypoleuca y M. striata), con menos del 30% de materia vegetal (frutos) en la dieta. Para un tercer grupo de especies (E .rttbecula, P. maj01", P. caerttleus) la importancia de la materia animal y vegetal es similar (- 50 % del volumen). Entre los frutos más consumidos destacan los de Rfebus ulmilolius y FicitS carica que, globalmente, representaron el 65,2 y 31,3 %, respectivamente, de la materia vegetal consumida, con una frecuencia de aparición de 65,7 y 31,3 %, respectivamente, del total de muestras fecales examinadas (n=207). La importancia de los frutos de Rubus, referida a biomasa (PB), oscila entre 46% (S. borin) y 93% (S. communis); los frutos de Ficus sólo alcanzan cietta importancia en la dieta de S. borin (PB>50%) y de S. atricapilla (PB>30%). Frutos de otras especies aparecieron en menos del 2,0% de las muestras y representando menos de un 2,0% de la biomasa, siempre en las especies frugívoras, e incluían Lonicera implexa, Pistacia terebinthus, Celtis australis y Rosa sp., entre otros. Entre las presas animales destacan los coleópteros y los formícidos, con valores de importancia global (IG) de 25,5 y 30,3, respectivamente. Los formícidos son la presa principal de T. merula, F. hypoleuca, L. megarhynchos y E. mbecula, variando su importancia global entre 160,9 (F. hypoleuca) y 48,5 (T. menda). Los coleópteros son importantes para S. atricapiLla (16,3) y S. borin (25,3), (aunque estas especies toman también otros tipos de presas), P. major (5,65), P. caeruleus (91,2) y H. paltida (53,2) S. communis toma principalmente hemípteros (26,2) y M. stria/a, himenópteros (53,4). El tamaño medio de presa está correlacionado con el peso corporal, aunque una misma especie toma distintos tamaños para diferentes tipos de presa. Los tamaños de presa medios oscilan sólo entre 3,59 mm y 6,59 mm. Por otra parte, las especies de mayor peso corporal toman una mayor variedad de tipos de presa. Se discuten las adaptaciones rróficas diferenciales que están relacionadas con la utilización de frutos y/o insectos. En las especies estudiadas un mayor consumo de frutos está relacionado con una mayor amplitud de nicho trófico (tipos de presas) y con el empleo de técnicas de búsqueda de alimento versátiles. Así, las especies que buscan el ... limento animal "rebuscando" en ramas y hojas, muestran una mayor proporción de frutos en la dieta que aquellas que lo hacen con técnicas aparentemente más espec.·"tlizadas y eficientes (acechar, caminar, cazar al vuelo), sugiriendo que las primeras están mejor adaptadas a una utilización eficiente de los frutos.Diet composition of several passerine species during autumn migration (AugustSeptember 1978) was studied in Central Sierra Morena (Córdoba province). Bird species studied show a gradient in diet composition from an almost exclusive frugivory (S. atriefl,pilla, S. eommunis, S. borin, T. merula) to highly insectivorous diets (L. megarhynchos, H. pallida, F. hypoleuca, M. striata) (Fig. 1, Cuadro 1). A third group (E. rubeeula, P. major, P. caeruleus) shows similar amounts of animal and vegetable matter in the diet (=50 % volume).The fruies more commonly taken were those of Rubus ulmifolius (65,2 and 65,7% for percent biomass, PB, and frequency of occurrence, FA, respectively) and Fims carica (31,3 % for both). PB values for R1tbus fruits varied between 46% (S. borin) and 93% (S. communis); Fícus fruits were important only for S. borín (PB>50%) and S. atrieapilla (PB>30%). Fruits of other plant species appeared with FA and PB values less than 2,0%, always in the frugivorous species, and included Lonieera im,plexa, Pistaeia terebinthus, CeLeis australis and Rosa sp., among others (Cuadro 2).Among the animal prey items, Coleoptera and Formicidae had importance values (IG's, see Methods )of 25,5 and 30,3, respectively. Ants were the main prey of T. memla, F. hypole1tea, L. megarhynehos and E. rubecula, with IG values ranging from 160,9 (F. hypoleuea) to 48,5 (T. merula). S. atricapilla and S. borin took a variety of animal prey, mainly beedes (IG= 163, and 25,3, respectively) (Cuadro 2). P. major, P. eaerttlem and H. pallida also took preferently beetles (56,5, 91,2 and 53,2, respectively). S. eommunis included mainly hemipterans (26,2) and M. striata hymenopterans (53,4) in their diets. Mean prey size is correlated with body weight, although the same species took different prey sizes for different prey types (Cuadro 3). Larger species took also a greater variety of prey types (Cuadro 4). The main trophic adaptations related to differential utilizarion of fruits and insects are discussed. Among the species studied ,a grater dependence on fruits for food is related to a greater 'prey type' niche width and a gleaning foraging behaviour. Specíes using more stereotyped, and perhaps specialised, foraging behaviours (i. e., ground foraging, sallying, flycatching) were apparently unable to exploit fruits efficiendy

Methodological overview and data-merging approaches in the study of plant–frugivore interactions

Recording species interactions is one of the main challenges in ecological studies. Frugivory has received much attention for decades as a model for mutualisms among free-living species, and a variety of methods have been designed and developed for sampling and monitoring plant–frugivore interactions. The diversity of techniques poses an important challenge when comparing, combining or replicating results from different sources with different methodologies. With the emergence of modern techniques, such as molecular analysis or multimedia remote recorders, issues when combining data from different sources have become especially relevant. We provide an overview of all the techniques used for monitoring endozoochorous primary seed dispersal, focusing on a critical appraisal of the advantages and limitations, as well as the context-dependency nature, of the different methods. We propose five data merging approaches potentially useful to combine frugivory interactions data from different methodologies. Additionally, we provide two case studies where we combine empirical data from plant–animal interactions in Mediterranean shrublands using different methodologies. Data merging resulted in a net increase in the number of distinct pairwise interactions recorded and compensated biases inherent to different methods, resulting in a more robust estimation of network topological descriptors. These case studies clarify the context-dependent character of the merging approaches, highlighting the value of collecting detailed information on the sampling effort in terms of reliable results and reproducibility. Finally, we discuss the trends with different methodological approaches used in the last decades and future perspectives in this field

Reciprocity and Interaction Effectiveness in Generalised Mutualisms Among Free-living Species

Mutualistic interactions among free-living species generally involve low-frequency interactions and highly asymmetric dependence among partners, yet our understanding of factors behind their emergence is still limited. Using individual-based interactions of a super-generalist fleshy-fruited plant with its frugivore assemblage, we estimated the Resource Provisioning Effectiveness (RPE) and Seed Dispersal Effectiveness (SDE) to assess the balance in the exchange of resources. Plants were highly dependent on a few frugivore species, while frugivores interacted with most individual plants, resulting in strong asymmetries of mutual dependence. Interaction effectiveness was mainly driven by interaction frequency. Despite highly asymmetric dependences, the strong reliance on quantity of fruit consumed determined high reciprocity in rewards between partners (i.e. higher energy provided by the plant, more seedlings recruited), which was not obscured by minor variations in the quality of animal or plant service. We anticipate reciprocity will emerge in low-intimacy mutualisms where the mutualistic outcome largely relies upon interaction frequency.Agencia Estatal de Investigación CGL2017-82847-PUniversidad de Sevilla US-1381388, VI PPIT-US-2018-IV.2European Commission. Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional LIFEWATCH-2019- 09-CSIC-13Fundación La Caixa LCF/BQ/DE18/1167000

Capparis spinosa (Capparidaceae): an oviposition substrate for Lampides boeticus Linnaeus, in southern Spain (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Volume: 10Start Page: 218End Page: 22

Intraspecific Variation in Species Interactions Promotes the Feasibility of Mutualistic Assemblages

Patterns of resource use observed at the species level emerge from the way individuals exploit the range of available resources. Hence, accounting for interindividual differences in resource use, such as pollinator use by plants, is essential to advance our understanding of community assembly and persistence. By using finely resolved data on plant–pollinator interactions, we evaluated how interindividual plant variation in pollinator use scales up to affect community structure and dynamics. All co-occurring plant species comprised specialists interacting with proper subsets of pollinators that visited generalists, and differences in interaction patterns were driven by among-individual trait variation. Furthermore, the nested structure and feasibility of plant–pollinator communities were maximised at higher levels of interindividual plant variation in traits and pollinator use. Our study sheds light on how pervasive properties of community structure arise from individual-level processes and contributes to elucidate the importance of preserving intraspecific variation in traits and resource use within populations.Agencia Estatal de Investigación CGL2017-82847-PJunta de Andalucía P18-HO-4814P20_00736European Commission LIFEWATCH-2019-09-CSIC-13Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación FPU19_0255