Recovering a keystone species in a biodiversity hotspot: the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Sierra Morena (Spain)

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a multifunctional keystone species in Mediterranean ecosystems, with an additional high economical value as a consequence of the hunting activities. However, the rabbit population in Iberia has undergone a sharp decline as a consequence of habitat loss, over-harvesting, and the outbreak of myxomatosis in the 1950’s decade and rabbit haemorrhagic disease in the late 1980’s. A huge conservation effort has therefore been made to boost wild rabbit populations, notwithstanding no method for the widespread recovery of wild rabbit populations in the long-term has yet been developed. This is a major concern in these areas in which the wild populations remain at very low densities and their endangered predators still coexist (such as in Sierra Morena, sourthen Spain), and the development of a management tool that will permit the recovery of wild rabbit populations in these areas is therefore urgent. In the light of these considerations, the principal aim of this thesis is to assess wether the restocking of rabbits in extensive enclosures combined with habitat management around them for further colonisation can be considered as effective tools to promote new wild rabbit populations on a large-scale, both temporally and spatially. As a previous step, the scientific knowledge on rabbit restocking was reviewed with the aim of summarising all the factors that affect restocking success, highlighting those that improve overall success and establishing future research perspectives in accordance with the IUCN guidelines for re-introduction. The first two experimental works attempt to identify which factors enhance the abundance of wild rabbits in these restocking enclosures. In this respect, this thesis shows that rabbit abundance in the first weeks after release can be improved by excluding aerial predation through the use of roofed enclosures. Over a longer period, the rabbit...El conejo europeo o conejo de monte es una especie clave en los ecosistemas mediterráneos, a lo cual se le añade un gran valor económico proveniente de la actividad cinegética. Sin embargo, las poblaciones de conejo en la Península Ibérica han sufrido un acusado declive como consecuencia de la pérdida de su hábitat óptimo, la sobreexplotación cinegética y la aparición de la mixomatosis en la década de los 50 y posteriormente la enfermedad hemorrágico vírica a finales de los 80. Por lo tanto, un gran esfuerzo conservacionista se está llevando a cabo para mejorar las poblaciones de conejo, a pesar de la cual no hay un método que permita la recuperación del conejo a gran escala. Esto es uno de los mayores problemas de conservación en aquellas áreas en las cuales las poblaciones de conejo permanecen a bajas densidades y sus depredadores amenazados todavía existen (como es el caso de Sierra Morena, sur de España), y por lo tanto es necesario el desarrollo de una herramienta de gestión que permita la recuperación del conejo en estas regiones. De acuerdo con esto, el principal objetivo de esta tesis es evaluar si las repoblaciones de conejo en los cercados combinado con el manejo del hábitat alrededor de los mismos para favorecer la colonización por parte de los conejos podría ser una medida efectiva para promover nuevas poblaciones de conejo a gran escala y a largo plazo. Como paso previo, el conocimiento científico sobre las repoblaciones de conejo fue revisado con el propósito de resumir todos los factores que influyen en el éxito de las repoblaciones, destacando todos aquellos que mejoran la supervivencia de los animales liberados. Además se establecieron las nuevas perspectivas de la investigación sobre esta materia de acuerdo a las directrices de la UICN. Los dos primeros experimentos versan sobre los factores que mejoran la abundancia de conejo en los cercados de repoblación. En primer lugar, esta tesis muestra que la abundancia de conejo durante las primeras..

Lack of Data or Lack of Weasels? The Likely Silent Extinction of Weasel Mustela nivalis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Spain

Records from online biodiversity databases (including citizen science data) can play a crucial role in enhancing scientific knowledge about the abundance, distribution, and population trends of poorly studied species which are usually not properly monitored. This study aims to demonstrate the utility of data hosted in GBIF in detecting the likely decline of species common and widely distributed in the past, but whose conservation status is now uncertain, such as the weasel (Mustela nivalis) in Spain. To address this, we analyzed data on its presence in Spain from 2008 to 2022 available on GBIF.org, and compared it with the distribution data from the Atlas of Mammals of Spain published in 2007. The results indicate that: (i) data from GBIF.org reveal a moderate decline (negative trend) in the weasel population in Spain during the study period; (ii) the species has been recorded in a limited number of 10 × 10 km UTM-squares (Universal Transverse Mercator) within its distribution range as defined by the 2007 atlas; and (iii) there are large areas of Spain in which the species has not been detected in recent years. These findings highlight the concerning conservation status of this carnivorous species and underscore the value of data from open access platforms such as GBIF in identifying potential silent extinctions

Pesca y comercialización del pulpo en Yucatán: ¿un proceso extractivista impulsado por la Unión Europea?

En 2018, México se posicionó como el segundo país del mundo en capturas de pulpo, siendo el estado de Yucatán el mayor productor del país. La investigación se interesa por develar si los mecanismos productivos del pulpo yucateco son extractivistas y por reconocer el papel que funge la Unión Europea en su posible desarrollo al ser su principal importador. Para ello se revisaron fuentes bibliográficas y hemerográficas, y se analizaron datos pesqueros oficiales. También se aplicaron dos tipos de cuestionarios semiestructurados en tres trabajos de campo: uno para pescadores y otro para responsables de plantas comercializadoras. Los resultados mostraron que en el sector pulpero del estado de Yucatán se emplean algunos mecanismos propios del extractivismo. Estos son impulsados por el peso del mercado internacional, especialmente la Unión Europea, que indirectamente fomenta dinámicas que vulneran las normas pesqueras y ambientales, propiciando tensiones y conflictos socioambientales.Investigación financiada por el Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT) titulado “Organización territorial de la actividad pesquera comercial ribereña en las áreas naturales protegidas del Estado de Yucatán, México” con clave IN300619

Redox-dependent and redox-independent functions of Caenorhabditis elegans thioredoxin 1

Thioredoxins (TRX) are traditionally considered as enzymes catalyzing redox reactions. However, redox-independent functions of thioredoxins have been described in different organisms, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are yet unknown. We report here the characterization of the first generated endogenous redox-inactive thioredoxin in an animal model, the TRX-1 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that TRX-1 dually regulates the formation of an endurance larval stage (dauer) by interacting with the insulin pathway in a redox-independent manner and the cGMP pathway in a redox-dependent manner. Moreover, the requirement of TRX-1 for the extended longevity of worms with compromised insulin signalling or under calorie restriction relies on TRX-1 redox activity. In contrast, the nuclear translocation of the SKN-1 transcription factor and increased LIPS-6 protein levels in the intestine upon trx-1 deficiency are strictly redox-independent. Finally, we identify a novel function of C. elegans TRX-1 in male food-leaving behaviour that is redox-dependent. Taken together, our results position C. elegans as an ideal model to gain mechanistic insight into the redox-independent functions of metazoan thioredoxins, overcoming the limitations imposed by the embryonic lethal phenotypes of thioredoxin mutants in higher organisms.NIH Office of Research Infrastructure P40 OD010440Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness BFU2015- 64408-PFondo Social Europeo BFU2015- 64408-PNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health R01AI07640

Derecho a una buena visión en los mayores: evitar la ceguera evitable. Prevención y cuidados para una atención integral

Este documento, que constituye el nº 8 de la colección Promoción de la salud en las personas mayores, pretende abordar buena parte de los problemas de salud de este colectivo aportando criterios y metodología para la intervención a sus cuidadores y responsables de salud

All-cause mortality in the cohorts of the Spanish AIDS Research Network (RIS) compared with the general population: 1997Ł2010

Abstract Background: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has produced significant changes in mortality of HIVinfected persons. Our objective was to estimate mortality rates, standardized mortality ratios and excess mortality rates of cohorts of the AIDS Research Network (RIS) (CoRIS-MD and CoRIS) compared to the general population. Methods: We analysed data of CoRIS-MD and CoRIS cohorts from 1997 to 2010. We calculated: (i) all-cause mortality rates, (ii) standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and (iii) excess mortality rates for both cohort for 100 personyears (py) of follow-up, comparing all-cause mortality with that of the general population of similar age and gender. Results: Between 1997 and 2010, 8,214 HIV positive subjects were included, 2,453 (29.9%) in CoRIS-MD and 5,761 (70.1%) in CoRIS and 294 deaths were registered. All-cause mortality rate was 1.02 (95% CI 0.91-1.15) per 100 py, SMR was 6.8 (95% CI 5.9-7.9) and excess mortality rate was 0.8 (95% CI 0.7-0.9) per 100 py. Mortality was higher in patients with AIDS, hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection, and those from CoRIS-MD cohort (1997. Conclusion: Mortality among HIV-positive persons remains higher than that of the general population of similar age and sex, with significant differences depending on the history of AIDS or HCV coinfection

Spatial organization of the lobster economy in the state of Yucatan, Mexico

Considerada alimento gourmet, la langosta es una de las principales pesquerías de México y Yucatán, estado que se especializa en la producción de cola de langosta para el mercado turístico nacional (Cancún). Bajo el posicionamiento teórico de la Organización Espacial de la Economía y una metodología que combina elementos cualitativos y cuantitativos, esta investigación revela la compleja interrelación entre diferentes espacios (productores, procesadores y de consumo) generada por la economía de la langosta yucateca. No obstante, la actual estructura espacial puede verse alterada por la incipiente captura de langosta viva, impulsada por nuevos actores y dirigida al mercado internacional (China).Regarded as gourmet food, lobster is one of the main fisheries in Mexico and Yucatan, a state that specializes in the production of lobster tail for the national tourism market (Cancun). Using the theoretical positioning of the Spatial Organization of the Economy and a methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative data, this investigation reveals the complex interrelationship between different spaces (fishing, processing, and consumption zones) generated by the Yucatecan lobster economy. However, the current spatial structure could be modified by the incipient catch of live lobster, driven by new actors and directed to the international market (China).El presente artículo forma parte del proyecto “Organización territorial de la actividad pesquera comercial ribereña en las áreas naturales protegidas del estado de Yucatán, México” (clave IN300619) financiado por el Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT) de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Success in conserving the bird diversity in tropical forests through private protected areas in Western Ecuador

Private protected areas have recently attained more importance at a worldwide level as regards nature conservation. Particularly, the specific region of Western Ecuador receives hardly any protection from the State, and private reserves could, therefore, be a suitable tool to ensure the preservation of its forests and their associated wildlife biodiversity. In this work, we compare the bird species richness between private reserves and public protected areas (managed by the State) located in this region. We also show a checklist of bird species found in the Buenaventura Reserve, a private reserve located in south-western Ecuador. Our comparison shows that smaller private reserves may harbour a similar number of bird species than larger protected areas managed by the state, and they have a higher number of bird species per area. In particular, a total of 233 different bird species were registered in Buenaventura, which were distributed in 16 orders and 42 families. Three species were classified as endangered at an international level: El Oro Parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi), El Oro Tapaculo (Scytalopus robbinsi), and the Grey-backed Hawk (Pseudastur occidentalis), and another three at a national level: the Long-wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus penduliger), the Slaty-winged Foliage-gleaner (Philydor fuscipenne), and the White-vented Plumeleteer (Chalybura buffonii). Therefore, private reserves can be appreciated as a suitable conservation tool for bird conservation, and they should not be undervalued because of their smaller size. Buenaventura Reserve is a good example of how private reserves are extremely important in fragmented landscapes, as is the case with tropical forests in Western Ecuador

The role of intensive agriculture in Mediterranean woody crops as regards the conservation of reptiles

Peer reviewe

Redox-dependent and redox-independent functions of Caenorhabditis elegans thioredoxin 1

Thioredoxins (TRX) are traditionally considered as enzymes catalyzing redox reactions. However, redox-independent functions of thioredoxins have been described in different organisms, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are yet unknown. We report here the characterization of the first generated endogenous redox-inactive thioredoxin in an animal model, the TRX-1 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that TRX-1 dually regulates the formation of an endurance larval stage (dauer) by interacting with the insulin pathway in a redox-independent manner and the cGMP pathway in a redox-dependent manner. Moreover, the requirement of TRX-1 for the extended longevity of worms with compromised insulin signalling or under calorie restriction relies on TRX-1 redox activity. In contrast, the nuclear translocation of the SKN-1 transcription factor and increased LIPS-6 protein levels in the intestine upon trx-1 deficiency are strictly redox-independent. Finally, we identify a novel function of C. elegans TRX-1 in male food-leaving behaviour that is redox-dependent. Taken together, our results position C. elegans as an ideal model to gain mechanistic insight into the redox-independent functions of metazoan thioredoxins, overcoming the limitations imposed by the embryonic lethal phenotypes of thioredoxin mutants in higher organisms.We thank the Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (CGC), which is funded by NIH Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (P40 OD010440), for providing worm strains and SunyBiotech Corporation for the generation of the trx-1(sgps) strain. We thank Prof. Stefan Taubert for providing the lips-6::gfp reporter strain. AMV was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BFU2015-64408-P), cofinanced by the Fondo Social Europeo (FEDER). DAG was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01AI076406. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. AMV is a member of the GENIE and EU-ROS Cost Actions of the European Union