Spotlight on islands.On the origin and diversification of an ancient lineage of the Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus in the western Pontine Islands

Groups of proximate continental islands may conceal more tangled phylogeographic patterns than oceanic archipelagos as a consequence of repeated sea level changes, which allow populations to experience gene flow during periods of low sea level stands and isolation by vicariant mechanisms during periods of high sea level stands. Here, we describe for the first time an ancient and diverging lineage of the Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus from the western Pontine Islands. We used nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences of 156 individuals with the aim of unraveling their phylogenetic position, while microsatellite loci were used to test several a priori insular biogeographic models of migration with empirical data. Our results suggest that the western Pontine populations colonized the islands early during their Pliocene volcanic formation, while populations from the eastern Pontine Islands seem to have been introduced recently. The inter-island genetic makeup indicates an important role of historical migration, probably due to glacial land bridges connecting islands followed by a recent vicariant mechanism of isolation. Moreover, the most supported migration model predicted higher gene flow among islands which are geographically arranged in parallel. Considering the threatened status of small insular endemic populations, we suggest this new evolutionarily independent unit be given priority in conservation efforts

Manned Venus Flyby

This study is one of several being conducted at Bellcomm and in Manned Space Flight whose purpose is to give guidance to the Apollo Applications Program's technical objectives by focusing on a longer range goal. The assumed mission in this case is a three-man flyby of Venus launched in November, 1973 on a single standard Saturn V. The selected flight configuration includes a Command and Service Module similar in some respects to Apollo, an Environmental Support Module which occupies the adapter area and a spent S-IVB stage which is utilized for habitable volume and structural support of a solar cell electrical power system. The total injected weight, 106,775 lbs., is within the capability of a single Saturn V of the early 1970's. The study is focused on the selection of subsystem technologies appropriate to long duration flight. The conclusions are reported in terms of the technical characteristics to be achieved as part of the Apollo Applications Program's long duration objectives

Causes and consequences of alterations in stress physiology, immunity and oxygen delivery in a small mammalian hibernator

The different functions and activities of an organism require substantial amounts of energy and thus compete for the limited available resources. During demanding situations, allocation decisions potentially result in trade-offs between physiological processes that can have consequences on the performance and fitness of an individual. Endocrine mediators, especially glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) build the bridge between environmental stimuli and the responses of an individual via regulating energy allocation and numerous other physiological processes as well as behavior and are therefore of special interest in ecophysiological studies. The immune and the oxygen delivery system represent two vital body functions that are essential for survival and respond sensitively to altered environmental conditions, nutrient deficiencies and stress hormone levels, representing therefore further suitable targets of investigation in ecophysiological studies. Our study species, the edible dormouse (Glis glis) is a small arboreal rodent characterized by an extraordinarily long hibernation period. The aim of this study was to elucidate physiological mechanisms underlying the evolution of life history strategies and variations in fitness parameters associated with stressful and demanding situations like hibernation, reproduction, limited food availability and high population density. To achieve these goals urinary GC levels as well as white and red blood cell (WBC and RBC) parameters were investigated and urine samples were examined for haemoglobinuria of free ranging edible dormice in South Western Germany. Results of this study reveal that the post-hibernation period represents an extremely challenging period for edible dormice as their phagocytic cells, the immunological first line of defense, obviously become depleted during the extended hibernation period and recover only slowly at the beginning of the active season. The need to invest into the restoration of regressed organs and body functions directly after hibernation when high quality food is still limited, may explain the delayed recovery of these innate immune cells. Slightly elevated cortisol levels presumably reflect the mobilization of energy from body stores for these restoration processes. As the phenomenon of low phagocyte counts was even more pronounced at the beginning of a low food year and the few neutrophils present in the blood of dormice were primarily immature, preparatory mechanisms occurring during late arousals of the hibernation period seem to determine the regeneration of phagocytes before hibernation is terminated. This, in turn, indicates that dormice are able to predict upcoming food availability and, consequently, future reproductive effort and accordingly invest into physical-physiological recovery. Apparently edible dormice trade off restoration of regressed organs for immunity. Survival probabilities of edible dormice are lowest at that time of the annual cycle, suggesting that this post-hibernation impairment of the innate immune system may entail detrimental effects for their fitness. Elevated cortisol levels during mating and gestation-lactation, respectively, show that reproduction represents a stressful life history event in both sexes. This event furthermore coincides with drastic increases in the ratio of phagocyte to lymphocyte counts (P/L ratio), a stress response of the immune system, as well as distinct impairments in the oxygen delivery system. The latter seems to be in a large part due to energetic and nutrient deficits and large amounts of senescent RBCs. High frequency of haemoglobinuria in females support the notion of a nutrient-deficient anaemia. When all reproductive effort has ended, cortisol levels decrease whereas the strong increases in the P/L ratio persist until the end of the active season which gives notice of the prolonged immunological effects of chronic stress. As mortality is increased during reproductive years, the high cortisol levels measured during reproduction suggest an allostatic overload that has exceeded adaptive levels and the high P/L ratios might represent a pivotal indicator for the beginning of a stress-induced deprivation of immunity that contribute to reduced survival. Prolonged food limitation does not elevate cortisol levels and P/L ratios, supporting the hypothesis that food availability is predictable for edible dormice and that a restriction therefore does not cause considerable stress. During late summer of a low food year the oxygen delivery capacity is decreased. However, erythrocyte parameters furthermore indicate a senescent RBC pool, suggesting that a reduced erythrocyte production is part of the energy saving strategy. As survival is increased during years of low food availability, these findings indicate that dormice are able to perfectly adapt to prolonged periods of limited food availability.Die verschiedenen Funktionen und Aktivitäten eines Organismus benötigen erhebliche Mengen an Energie und stehen daher im Wettstreit um die nur begrenzt verfügbaren Ressourcen. Die Untersuchung dieser physiologischen Trade-offs kann Aufschluss über die Mechanismen geben, die der Evolution von Life History Strategien und Populationsrückgängen zugrunde liegen. Da endokrine Mediatoren, insbesondere Glucocorticoid Hormone (GCs), die physiologischen Reaktionen eines Organismus auf Stimuli aus der Umwelt vermitteln und diverse Körperfunktionen regulieren, sind Variationen in GC Konzentrationen von großem Interesse für ökophysiologische Studien. Das Immun- und das Sauerstofftransportsystem sind für das Überleben essentielle Körperfunktionen, die sensitiv auf veränderte Umweltbedingungen reagieren. Dementsprechend sind weiße und rote Blutzell- (WBC und RBC) Indizes geeignet, den Gesundheitszustand von Individuen zu beurteilen. Unser Studientier, der Siebenschläfer (Glis glis), ist ein arboreales Nagetier aus der Familie der Bilche (Gliridae). Ziel dieser Studie war, anhand von Variationen in WBC und RBC Parametern, Urin-GC Konzentrationen sowie dem Auftreten von Hämoglobinurie die Auswirkungen von anspruchsvollen Situationen auf die physiologischen Mechanismen zu ziehen, die der Evolution von "Life History Strategien und Populationsdynamiken zugrunde liegen. Dafür wurden freilebende Siebenschläfer beider Geschlechter von 2012 - 2014 in ihrer aktiven Phase in Deutschland untersucht. Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die ersten Wochen nach dem Winterschlaf eine äußerst sensible Phase für Siebenschläfer darstellt, da die phagozytierenden Zellen, ihre immunologisch erste Verteidigungslinie, offensichtlich über die ausgedehnte Winterschlafzeit absterben und sich deren Zahlen zu Beginn der aktiven Saison nur langsam erholen. Die Notwendigkeit, nach dem Winterschlaf in die Regeneration zurückgebildeter Organe zu investieren, während qualitativ hochwertige Nahrung noch fehlt, führt offensichtlich zu leicht erhöhten GC-Leveln. Zu Beginn eines Jahres mit geringem Futterangebot ist das Phänomen der erniedrigten Phagozytenzahl sogar noch verstärkt und die wenigen im Blut vorhandenen Neutrophilen sind jung oder unreif. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass Siebenschläfer in der Lage sind, die bevorstehende Futterverfügbarkeit und den Reproduktionsaufwand vorherzusehen und dass sie bereits gegen Ende der Winterschlafphase ihre Zellprozesse entsprechend aktivieren. Jedoch scheint die Rehabilitation der Zellen des angeborenen Immunsystems aufgrund des negativen Energiestatus nach dem Winterschlaf eingeschränkt zu sein. Während dieser Zeit im Jahreszyklus ist die Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit am geringsten, demzufolge zieht dieser Trade-off zwischen Energieaufwand und Immunität nachteilige Konsequenzen für die Fitness der Tiere nach sich. Erhöhte Cortisol-Konzentrationen während der Reproduktion zeigen, dass dieses Life History" Ereignis Männchen wie Weibchen stark beansprucht. Gleichzeitig tritt eine Beeinträchtigung des Sauerstofftransportsystems sowie ein deutlicher Anstieg im Verhältnis der Phagozyten zu den Lymphozyten Zahlen (P/L Quotient) auf, welches eine Stressantwort des Immunsystems darstellt. Die Verminderung der Sauerstofftransportkapazität scheint größtenteils auf energetische Limitierungen und einen Mangel an Nährstoffen bei gleichzeitig gehäuft auftretenden alternden Erythrozyten zurückzuführen zu sein. Die insbesondere bei Weibchen häufig auftretende Hämoglobinurie unterstützt diese These. Nach Beenden der Reproduktionsaktivitäten gehen die Cortisolkonzen¬trationen zurück, während die massiven Anstiege im P/L Quotient bis zum Ende der aktiven Saison bestehen bleiben, was auf nachhaltige Auswirkungen von chronischem Stress auf das Immunsystem hindeutet. Da die Mortalität in Reproduktionsjahren bei Siebenschläfern deutlich erhöht ist, weisen die hohen Cortisolwerte während der Reproduktion auf eine allostatische Überlastung hin. Der hohe P/L Quotient scheint in diesem Zusammenhang einen entscheidenden Indikator für eine beginnende Verminderung der Immunfunktion durch chronischen Stress darzustellen. Das Ausbleiben eines Anstiegs der Cortisolkonzentration und des P/L Quotienten bei lang anhaltender Futterlimitierung stützt die Hypothese, dass die zukünftige Futterverfügbarkeit für Siebenschläfer vorhersehbar ist und -unter anderem aufgrund der Vorhersehbarkeit- keinen Stress verursacht. Im Spätsommer eines Futtermangeljahrs ist die Sauerstofftransport-Kapazität reduziert, weitere RBC-Parameter zeigen einen alternden Erythrozyten-Bestand an. Dies lässt darauf schließen, dass eine reduzierte Erythrozytenproduktion Teil einer Energie-Einspar-Strategie ist. Da die Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit in Jahren begrenzter Futterverfügbarkeit hoch ist, demonstrieren diese Ergebnisse die Anpassungsfähigkeit von Siebenschläfern an eine lang andauernde Limitierung in der Nahrungsverfügbarkeit

Animals in Circuses : overview about the legal situation in Germany

The European Union does not offer any legal framework for the protection of animals kept in circuses that would apply in Germany and the national provisions are too feeble to guarantee sufficient protection for animals kept in circuses. Furthermore, different from many other EU Member States, Germany does not prohibit or limit the use of wild animals in circuses. This is in spite of the fact that the majority of Germans are against exhibiting wild animals in circuses. Therefore, many Germany municipalities find their own ways to avoid circuses with wild animals in their territories.La Unión Europea no ofrece ningún marco jurídico para la protección de los animales en los circos. Si dicho marco jurídico existiera se aplicaría en Alemania, donde, por lo demás, las disposiciones nacionales no garantizan una protección suficiente de los animales en los circos. Además, a diferencia de muchos otros Estados Miembros de la UE, Alemania no prohíbe ni limita el uso de animales salvajes en los circos. Esto es a pesar del hecho de que, la mayoría de los alemanes, están en contra de exhibir animales salvajes en los circos. Por lo tanto, muchos municipios alemanes adoptan medidas propias para evitar que haya circos con animales salvajes en sus territorios

Administrative Law Federal State of North Rhine - Westphalia (NRW)

El presente artículo, nos informa acerca de las novedades en materia de legislación y jurisprudencia sobre bienestar animal, en Alemania en los últimos meses. El informe de la Sra. Havenstein, (Máster en Derecho Animal y Sociedad) habla de tres situaciones que han tenido especial protagonismo en Alemania en los últimos meses: los casos de enajenación de pollos machos en criaderos, el descubrimiento de maltrato animal en una explotación de ganado porcino, y la pena de prisión de un hombre condenado por maltrato animal en contra de su perro.A report on novelties on legislation and jurisprudence in Germany in recent months. The report by Ms. Havenstein, a graduate of the second edition of the Master in Animal Law and Society, discusses three situations that have had special prominence in Germany in recent months, specifically cases involving the disposal of male chicks at chicken hatcheries, the uncovering of animal abuse at a large pig holding, and the prison sentence of a man convicted of animal abuse against his dog

Anatomical and biomechanical traits of broiler chickens across ontogeny. Part I. Anatomy of the musculoskeletal respiratory apparatus and changes in organ size

Genetic selection for improved meat yields, digestive efficiency and growth rates have transformed the biology of broiler chickens. Modern birds undergo a 50-fold multiplication in body mass in just six weeks, from hatching to slaughter weight. However, this selection for rapid growth and improvements in broiler productivity is also widely thought to be associated with increased welfare problems as many birds suffer from leg, circulatory and respiratory diseases. To understand growth-related changes in musculoskeletal and organ morphology and respiratory skeletal development over the standard six-week rearing period, we present data from post-hatch cadaveric commercial broiler chickens aged 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The heart, lungs and intestines decreased in size for hatch to slaughter weight when considered as a proportion of body mass. Proportional liver size increased in the two weeks after hatch but decreased between 2 and 6 weeks. Breast muscle mass on the other hand displayed strong positive allometry, increasing in mass faster than the increase in body mass. Contrastingly, less rapid isometric growth was found in the external oblique muscle, a major respiratory muscle that moves the sternum dorsally during expiration. Considered together with the relatively slow ossification of elements of the respiratory skeleton, it seems that rapid growth of the breast muscles might compromise the efficacy of the respiratory apparatus. Furthermore, the relative reduction in size of the major organs indicates that selective breeding in meat-producing birds has unintended consequences that may bias these birds toward compromised welfare and could limit further improvements in meat-production and feed efficiency

The genetic structure and connectivity in two sympatric rodent species with different life histories are similarly affected by land use disturbances

The negative impact of habitat fragmentation due to human activities may be different in different species that co-exist in the same area, with consequences on the development of environmental protection plans. Here we aim at understanding the effects produced by different natural and anthropic landscape features on gene flow patterns in two sympatric species with different specializations, one generalist and one specialist, sampled in the same locations. We collected and genotyped 194 wood mice (generalist species) and 199 bank voles (specialist species) from 15 woodlands in a fragmented landscape characterized by different potential barriers to dispersal. Genetic variation and structure were analyzed in the two species, respectively. Effective migration surfaces, isolation-by-resistance (IBR) analysis, and regression with randomization were used to investigate isolation-by-distance (IBD) and the relative importance of land cover elements on gene flow. We observed similar patterns of heterozygosity and IBD for both species, but the bank vole showed higher genetic differences among geographic areas. The IBR analysis suggests that (i) connectivity is reduced in both species by urban areas but more strongly in the specialist bank vole; (ii) cultivated areas act as dispersal corridors in both species; (iii) woodlands appear to be an important factor in increasing connectivity in the bank vole, and less so in the wood mouse. The difference in dispersal abilities between a generalist and specialist species was reflected in the difference in genetic structure, despite extensive habitat changes due to human activities. The negative effects of fragmentation due to the process of urbanization were, at least partially, mitigated by another human product, i.e., cultivated terrains subdivided by hedgerows, and this was true for both species

Equilibrium bird species diversity in Atlantic islands

Half a century ago, MacArthur and Wilson proposed that the number of species on islands tends toward a dynamic equilibrium diversity around which species richness fluctuates [1]. The current prevailing view in island biogeography accepts the fundamentals of MacArthur and Wilson's theory [2] but questions whether their prediction of equilibrium can be fulfilled over evolutionary time-scales, given the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of island geological and biotic features [3-7]. Here we conduct a complete molecular phylogenetic survey of the terrestrial bird species from four oceanic archipelagos that make up the diverse Macaronesian bioregion-the Azores, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira [8, 9]. We estimate the times at which birds colonized and speciated in the four archipelagos, including many previously unsampled endemic and non-endemic taxa and their closest continental relatives. We develop and fit a new multi-archipelago dynamic stochastic model to these data, explicitly incorporating information from 91 taxa, both extant and extinct. Remarkably, we find that all four archipelagos have independently achieved and maintained a dynamic equilibrium over millions of years. Biogeographical rates are homogeneous across archipelagos, except for the Canary Islands, which exhibit higher speciation and colonization. Our finding that the avian communities of the four Macaronesian archipelagos display an equilibrium diversity pattern indicates that a diversity plateau may be rapidly achieved on islands where rates of in situ radiation are low and extinction is high. This study reveals that equilibrium processes may be more prevalent than recently proposed, supporting MacArthur and Wilson's 50-year-old theory

Arbeitsgedächtnisleistung und emotionale Interferenzkontrolle bei Erwachsenen mit Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS)

Männer und Frauen zwischen 18 und 40 Jahren mit ADHS sowie ihre geschlechts- und IQ-gematchten Kontrollen führten eine emotionale N-Back-Aufgabe durch. Im Hintergrund der Aufgabe wurden Bilder mit unterschiedlichem negativem Gehalt gezeigt. Im Gegensatz zu den gesunden Probanden zeigten die ADHS-Probanden ein Defizit im Arbeitsgedächtnis sowie eine stärkere Ablenkbarkeit durch emotionale Stimuli. Es liegt nahe, dass die erhöhte Ablenkbarkeit durch emotionale Stimuli bei Probanden mit ADHS aus einer beeinträchtigten Emotionsregulation und einer defizitären exekutiven Kontrolle resultiert