La dimensión democrática de la nueva gestión pública

El eje temático de este nuevo número de la revista GAPP ha estado injustamente marginado de los apasionados debates que ha suscitado la modernización de la administración pública. La atracción que ha ejercido la gestión empresarial, las modas privatizadoras y desreguladoras o, más genéricamente, el desprestigio del gobierno y de la cosa pública contribuyen a explicar por qué, durante la última década, la dimensión democrática de la administración pública ha aparecido únicamente en algunas eruditas notas a pie de página. Esta marginación, sin embargo, no ha conseguido reducir la importancia del tema. Ha conseguido, en cambio, distorsionar peligrosamente el discurso de la modernización administrativa

The Rediscovery of a Long Described Species Reveals Additional Complexity in Speciation Patterns of Poeciliid Fishes in Sulfide Springs

The process of ecological speciation drives the evolution of locally adapted and reproductively isolated populations in response to divergent natural selection. In Southern Mexico, several lineages of the freshwater fish species of the genus Poecilia have independently colonized toxic, hydrogen sulfide-rich springs. Even though ecological speciation processes are increasingly well understood in this system, aligning the taxonomy of these fish with evolutionary processes has lagged behind. While some sulfide spring populations are classified as ecotypes of Poecilia mexicana, others, like P. sulphuraria, have been described as highly endemic species. Our study particularly focused on elucidating the taxonomy of the long described sulfide spring endemic, Poecilia thermalis Steindachner 1863, and investigates if similar evolutionary patterns of phenotypic trait divergence and reproductive isolation are present as observed in other sulfidic species of Poecilia. We applied a geometric morphometric approach to assess body shape similarity to other sulfidic and non-sulfidic fish of the genus Poecilia. We also conducted phylogenetic and population genetic analyses to establish the phylogenetic relationships of P. thermalis and used a population genetic approach to determine levels of gene flow among Poecilia from sulfidic and non-sulfidic sites. Our results indicate that P. thermalis' body shape has evolved in convergence with other sulfide spring populations in the genus. Phylogenetic analyses placed P. thermalis as most closely related to one population of P. sulphuraria, and population genetic analyses demonstrated that P. thermalis is genetically isolated from both P. mexicana ecotypes and P. sulphuraria. Based on these findings, we make taxonomic recommendations for P. thermalis. Overall, our study verifies the role of hydrogen sulfide as a main factor shaping convergent, phenotypic evolution and the emergence of reproductive isolation between Poecilia populations residing in adjacent sulfidic and non-sulfidic environments

The phylogeny of the genus Gazella and the phylogeography and population genetics of arabian species

Die Erforschung der Entstehung der Arten bildet einen Schlüssel für das Verständnis von Evolution und Biodiversität. Der Prozess der Artbildung kann beschleunigt werden, wenn Arten neue Habitate oder neue ökologische Nischen besiedeln können. Dieser Prozess wird als Radiation bezeichnet. Bestimmte geologische Prozesse können Radiationen auslösen, wenn Arten sich dadurch ausbreiten können. Solche eine Radiation kann zum Beispiel durch geologische Prozesse ausgelöst werden, die es Organismen überhaupt erst ermöglichen sich weiter auszubreiten. Zum Beispiel kann die Verbindung zweier Kontinente durch eine Landbrücke für Festland bewohnende Arten ein solches geologisches Ereignis darstellen. Die wissenschaftliche Untersuchung solcher Radiationsereignisse kann damit zum Verständnis von Artbildung und Evolution beitragen. Ein Beispiel für eine solche Verbindung stellt die Arabische Halbinsel dar. Sie repräsentiert eine biogeographische Kontaktzone der Flora und Fauna Afrikas und Asiens. Seit dem Oligozän (vor etwa 30 Millionen Jahren) hat es mehrfach Austausche zwischen den beiden Kontinenten über die Arabische Halbinsel hinweg gegeben. Dabei war der Transfer der Fauna asymmetrisch und änderte sich über geologische Zeiträume (für eine Erläuterung siehe Kapitel 2). Ob eine Art über die Arabische Halbinsel erfolgreich neue Habitate besiedeln konnte, hing dabei von ihren ökologischen Voraussetzungen und den vorherrschenden klimatischen Bedingungen ab. Eine Tiergruppe, die sich besonders zur Untersuchung einer Radiation in dieser Region eignet, ist die Gattung Gazella, da sie sowohl auf den Kontinenten Afrika und Asien als auch auf der Arabischen Halbinsel selbst verbreitet ist. Mit neun rezenten Arten gehört sie zu einer der artenreichsten Gattungen innerhalb der Bovidae. Allerdings gehört die Gattung Gazella auch zu einer der am wenigsten verstandenen Gruppen innerhalb der Säugetiere. Viele, zum Teil widersprüchliche, Studien über ihre Entstehung und ihre Taxonomie wurden bereits veröffentlicht. Doch beruhen diese Studien hauptsächlich auf morphologischen Eigenschaften oder der Anzahl und Eigenschaft der Chromosomen der verschiedenen Arten. Genetisch ist die Gruppe der Gazellen bisher unzureichend charakterisiert, vor allem bezogen auf die Feststellung innerartlicher, genetischer Variabilität. Dies wirkst sich zudem negativ auf Bemühungen aus, diese gefährdeten Gazellenarten zu schützen. So besteht zum Beispiel Unsicherheit darüber, welche Populationen an welchen Orten wieder ausgewildert werden können. Ziel meiner Dissertation war es daher eine molekulare Phylogenie der Gattung Gazella zu erstellen und dabei alle rezenten Arten mit einzubeziehen. Des Weiteren wurde untersucht, welche Faktoren die Diversifizierung der Gattung unter Berücksichtigung der demographischen Entwicklung, Ökologie und des Verhaltens der entsprechenden Arten vorangetrieben haben (erster Teil der Dissertation, der einen bereits veröffentlichten Artikel enthält). Um die innerartliche, genetische Variabilität ausgewählter Arten – also derer, die auf der Arabischen Halbinsel verbreitet sind – einschätzen zu können, wurden kleiner skalierte Studien mit mehr Individuen (möglichst aus dem gesamten Verbreitungsgebiet der Art) durchgeführt (zweiter Teil der Dissertation der drei bereits veröffentlichte und einen eingereichten Artikel enthält). Damit sollte auch das Verständnis historischer Wanderbewegungen und die Besiedlung neuer Habitate durch bestimmte Gazellenarten im Speziellen und somit der Evolution der Gattung Gazella im Allgemeinen gesteigert werden.Biodiversity is caused by a fundamental evolutionary process: speciation. When species can spread into new habitats and are allowed to colonize new ecological niches, speciation can become accelerated and is then called radiation. This can happen, e.g., when formerly separated land masses become connected. A prime example of such a scenario is the Arabian Peninsula that connects Africa and Asia since the Oligocene (approx. 30 Ma ago). Since then, the peninsula promoted several faunal exchanges between both continents. The mammalian genus Gazella is an excellent candidate for investigating this faunal exchange. Species are distributed on both, the African and Asian continent as well as on the Arabian Peninsula that is located in between. The aim of my thesis was to cast new light on the evolution and speciation of the genus and, furthermore, to evaluate the currently problematic taxonomy to infer suggestions for improved conservation actions for threatened gazelle species. Therefore, I investigated the taxon Gazella genetically and identified factors that promoted the speciation of this diverse genus. I assessed intraspecific genetic variability for species that inhabited the Arabian Peninsula to infer the past demography of those species and to estimate the history of species divergence and past population parameters. In the first part of my thesis I inferred a mitochondrial phylogeny based on cytochrome b gene sequences using samples of all nine extant species of Gazella and also of closely related taxa (chapter 2). Besides the monophyly of the genus Gazella two reciprocally monophyletic clades were detected that evolved in allopatry: one predominantly African and one predominantly Asian clade. Within both clades species pairs could be inferred with species being ecologically adapted to different habitats: one species is a desert-dweller (probably the ancestral character state combination), while the other one is adapted to rather mountainous and humid habitats. These adaptations also correlate with the behavior of the species with the mountainous forms being sedentary, territorial and living in small groups and the desert forms being migratory, non-territorial and living in larger herds. The second part of my thesis focuses on the Arabian gazelle species. In a study about G. subgutturosa I could show that the Arabian form G. marica (sand gazelle)—previously recognized as a subspecies of G. subgutturosa—is genetically distinct from the nominate form (chapter 3). Moreover, a phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome b gene sequences revealed a polyphyly of G. subgutturosa and G. marica with sand gazelles being more closely related to G. leptoceros and G. cuvieri of North Africa. Consequently, I suggested the restoration to full species level for G. marica corroborating earlier conservation practices of breeding both taxa separately in captivity. In case of G. dorcas such a genetic differentiation could not be detected (chapter 4). Despite the large distribution range from Mali in the west to Saudi Arabia in the east only low genetic variation was detectable in mitochondrial sequence data. Statistically parsimony network analyses revealed pronounced haplotype sharing across regions. Using a coalescence approach I observed a steep population decline that started about 25,000 years ago and which is still ongoing. The decline could be correlated with human hunting activities in the Sahara. Hence, hunting of G. dorcas (already in ancient times) had a much larger impact on gazelle populations than previously thought and even led to the extinction of the Arabian form of G. dorcas. In chapter 5 of my thesis I provided a rigorous test to genetically distinguish between the potential species G. gazella and G. arabica. Previously recognized as a single species mitochondrial sequence analyses provided first hints for the separation of both taxa. But without the investigation of nuclear loci the observed pattern could also be the result of male biased dispersal combined with female philopatry. Therefore, I amplified mitochondrial sequence markers and nuclear microsatellite loci for both taxa and found support for the earlier view of two separate species. No signs of recurrent gene flow could be detected between neighboring populations of G. arabica and G. gazella. The split of both species could be estimated one million years ago and the recommendation of breeding both taxa separately in captivity for conservation purposes is fully justified. Several populations of G. arabica suffer from a severe decline. In chapter 6 I asked whether the population occurring on the Farasan archipelago—being at stable individual numbers for decades—may serve as potential source for future reintroduction on the Arabian mainland, although the gazelles show a reduced body size. Analyzing the genetic differentiation of Farasan gazelles, a genetic cluster could be inferred being endemic to the archipelago. However, only approx. 70% of Farasan individuals were assigned to this specific cluster, while the others showed at least intermediate or even complete assignment to the mainland cluster. This indicates ongoing introgression that is probably mediated by human translocations of gazelles from and onto the islands. Considering the uniform dwarfism of Farasan gazelles, reasons for the smaller body size might be direct consequences of resource limitations, i.e., phenotypic plasticity. If the population decline on the mainland will hold on Farasan gazelles could serve as stocks for future reintroductions

Data on phylogenetic analyses of gazelles (genus Gazella) based on mitochondrial and nuclear intron markers

The data provided is related to the article "Phylogenetic analyses of gazelles reveal repeated transitions of key ecological traits and provide novel insights into the origin of the genus Gazella". The data is based on 48 tissue samples of all nine extant species of the genus Gazella, namely Gazella gazella, Gazella arabica, Gazella bennettii, Gazella cuvieri, Gazella dorcas, Gazella leptoceros, Gazella marica, Gazella spekei, and Gazella subgutturosa and four related taxa (Saiga tatarica, Antidorcas marsupialis, Antilope cervicapra and Eudorcas rufifrons). It comprises alignments of sequences of a cytochrome b data set and of six nuclear intron markers. For the latter new primers were designed based on cattle and sheep genomes. Based on these alignments phylogenetic trees were inferred using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. Furthermore, ancestral character states (inferred with BayesTraits 1.0) and ancestral ranges based on a Dispersal-Extinction-Cladogenesis model were estimated and results׳ files were stored within this article

Data from: Gene expression patterns underlying parasite-induced alterations in host behaviour and life history

Many parasites manipulate their hosts’ phenotype. In particular, parasites with complex life cycles take control of their intermediate hosts’ behaviour and life history to increase transmission to their definitive host. The proximate mechanisms underlying these parasite-induced alterations are poorly understood. The cestode Anomotaenia brevis affects the behaviour, life history and morphology of parasitized Temnothorax nylanderi ants and indirectly of their unparasitized nestmates. To gain insights on how parasites alter host phenotypes, we contrast brain gene expression patterns of T. nylanderi workers parasitized with the cestode, their unparasitized nestmates and unparasitized workers from unparasitized colonies. Over 400 differentially expressed genes between the three groups were identified, with most uniquely expressed genes detected in parasitized workers. Among these are genes that can be linked to the increased lifespan of parasitized workers. Furthermore, many muscle (functionality) genes are downregulated in these workers, potentially causing the observed muscular deformations and their inactive behaviour. Alterations in lifespan and activity could be adaptive for the parasite by increasing the likelihood that infected workers residing in acorns are eaten by their definitive host, a woodpecker. Our transcriptome analysis reveals numerous gene expression changes in parasitized workers and their uninfected nestmates and indicates possible routes of parasite manipulation. Although causality still needs to be established, parasite-induced alterations in lifespan and host behaviour appear to be partly explained by morphological muscle atrophy instead of central nervous system interference, which is often the core of behavioural regulation. Results of this study will shed light upon the molecular basis of antagonistic species interactions

Revisiting the radiation of Gazella arabica on the Arabian Peninsula and testing the suitability of captive breeding stock for reintroduction, using mitochondrial and nuclear markers

Today, the Arabian gazelle (G. arabica) occurs only in small, scattered populations on the Arabian Peninsula and is classified as ‘vulnerable’, due to intensive hunting and competition with livestock. The taxonomy of this threatened species is still under debate, hampering conservation efforts while ex-situ breeding programs could be an appropriate conservation measure to prevent the species from going extinct. In our study, we attempted to elucidate the radiation of G. arabica on the Arabian Peninsula, and to ask whether the population genetic structure allows to distinguish between discrete conservation units. We used mitochondrial markers, microsatellite markers, and three intron markers to identify conservation units, to match them with genotypes found in the captive breeding stock held in Saudi Arabia, and to ensure that genotype diversity of potential founder individuals corresponds to that prevailing at targeted reintroduction sites. The sequence divergence was low among nuclear and mitochondrial markers, with gazelles originating from the north of the Arabian Peninsula showing the largest diversity, while south-western and eastern populations showed a decreased diversity. A haplotype network based on the relatively heterogeneous cytochrome b gene found no signs of a prolonged separate evolutionary history of any investigated mainland population, suggesting limitations of gene-flow after the colonization of the Arabian Peninsula leading to a founder effect-like distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes. The ex-situ breeding population held in Saudi Arabia showed a good haplotype diversity, underlining its general suitability for reintroductions. However, it is recommended that genetic data of founders should be assessed prior to future reintroduction

skull measurements

Skull measurements for morphologcial analyses. Given is individual (ID), group (main = originated from the mainland of the Arabian Peninsula; far = originated from Farasan Islands), Sex (0 = males; 1 = females), wildcaptive (0 = individual originated from the wild; 1 = individual were bred in captivity) and data for 32 linear, log10-transformed skull measurements (for abbreviations see Fig. S2)

Data from: The rediscovery of a long described species reveals additional complexity in speciation patterns of poeciliid fishes in sulfide springs

The process of ecological speciation drives the evolution of locally adapted and reproductively isolated populations in response to divergent natural selection. In Southern Mexico, several lineages of the freshwater fish species of the genus Poecilia have independently colonized toxic, hydrogen sulfide-rich springs. Even though ecological speciation processes are increasingly well understood in this system, aligning the taxonomy of these fish with evolutionary processes has lagged behind. While some sulfide spring populations are classified as ecotypes of Poecilia mexicana, others, like P. sulphuraria, have been described as highly endemic species. Our study particularly focused on elucidating the taxonomy of the long described sulfide spring endemic, Poecilia thermalis Steindachner 1863, and investigates if similar evolutionary patterns of phenotypic trait divergence and reproductive isolation are present as observed in other sulfidic species of Poecilia. We applied a geometric morphometric approach to assess body shape similarity to other sulfidic and non-sulfidic fish of the genus Poecilia. We also conducted phylogenetic and population genetic analyses to establish the phylogenetic relationships of P. thermalis and used a population genetic approach to determine levels of gene flow among Poecilia from sulfidic and non-sulfidic sites. Our results indicate that P. thermalis' body shape has evolved in convergence with other sulfide spring populations in the genus. Phylogenetic analyses placed P. thermalis as most closely related to one population of P. sulphuraria, and population genetic analyses demonstrated that P. thermalis is genetically isolated from both P. mexicana ecotypes and P. sulphuraria. Based on these findings, we make taxonomic recommendations for P. thermalis. Overall, our study verifies the role of hydrogen sulfide as a main factor shaping convergent, phenotypic evolution and the emergence of reproductive isolation between Poecilia populations residing in adjacent sulfidic and non-sulfidic environments

T.nylanderi contigs

de novo assembled contigs. Trimmed reads were assembled to contigs for each of the worker groups in CLC workbench. A meta-assembly on these contigs was conducted in MIRA