Crater lake cichlids individually specialize along the benthic-limnetic axis

A common pattern of adaptive diversification in freshwater fishes is the repeated evolution of elongated open water (limnetic) species and high-bodied shore (benthic) species from generalist ancestors. Studies on phenotype-diet correlations have suggested that population-wide individual specialization occurs at an early evolutionary and ecological stage of divergence and niche partitioning. This variable restricted niche use across individuals can provide the raw material for earliest stages of sympatric divergence. We investigated variation in morphology and diet as well as their correlations along the benthic-limnetic axis in an extremely young Midas cichlid species, Amphilophus tolteca, endemic to the Nicaraguan crater lake Asososca Managua. We found that A. tolteca varied continuously in ecologically relevant traits such as body shape and lower pharyngeal jaw morphology. The correlation of these phenotypes with niche suggested that individuals are specialized along the benthic-limnetic axis. No genetic differentiation within the crater lake was detected based on genotypes from 13 microsatellite loci. Overall, we found that individual specialization in this young crater lake species encompasses the limnetic- as well as the benthic macro-habitat. Yet there is no evidence for any diversification within the species, making this a candidate system for studying what might be the early stages preceding sympatric divergence

IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands

Peatlands are areas of land with a naturally accumulated layer of peat. These are formed under waterlogged conditions from carbon rich, dead and decaying plant material. In the UK mosses, mainly Sphagnum species, are the main formers of peat. Peatlands are found in at least 175 countries – from the tropics to the poles – and cover around 4 million km 2 or 3% of the world’s land area. In Europe, peatlands extend to ca. 515,000 km 2 . The UK is amongst the top ten nations of the world in terms of its total peatland area. The UK has between 9-15% of Europe’s peatland area (46,000-77,000 km 2 ) and about 13% of the world’s blanket bog – one of the world’s rarest habitats. There are three main types of peatland in the UK: blanket bogs, raised bogs and fens. The international importance of the peatlands found in the UK give it an especial responsibility for their management and conservation. The IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands has gathered up-to-date knowledge from science, policy and practice. The assessment focuses on blanket bog and raised bog peatlands, because they represent over 95% of all UK peatland habitat and offer an opportunity to make early and substantial progress in delivering a combination of economic, social and biodiversity gains. However, we recognise that lowland, river and groundwater-fed fen peatlands are also vital carbon stores, as well as existing and potential areas of rich biodiversity, which have also been subject to intensive and damaging management. Fen peatlands share many of the issues affecting rain-fed peatlands but with distinct differences in terms of their functions, threats and pressures, which merit further investigation. A multidisciplinary team of experts produced this Report. It provides an authoritative assessment of the available evidence, based on peer-reviewed scientific consensus about the state of peatlands, the impacts of dif ferent activities on peatland ecosystems and the services they provide and the benefits of restoring and conserving them. The assessment explores mechanisms and processes for peatland conservation action, recognising the different social, economic and environmental drivers. The evidence-gathering approach was inclusive, engaging individual land managers as well as a wide range of organisations, which in itself has helped to foster joint action for peatland conservation and restoration. The Assessment Report sets out the main conclusions, highlighting gaps and opportunities for further action. It identifies ways to secure additional funding and develop expertise to help land managers restore the UK’s peatlands and to allow decision makers to take better account of their multiple benefits

IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands.

Peatlands are areas of land with a naturally accumulated layer of peat. These are formed under waterlogged conditions from carbon rich, dead and decaying plant material. In the UK mosses, mainly Sphagnum species, are the main formers of peat. Peatlands are found in at least 175 countries – from the tropics to the poles – and cover around 4 million km2 or 3% of the world’s land area. In Europe, peatlands extend to ca. 515,000 km2 . The UK is amongst the top ten nations of the world in terms of its total peatland area. The UK has between 9-15% of Europe’s peatland area (46,000-77,000 km2 ) and about 13% of the world’s blanket bog – one of the world’s rarest habitats. There are three main types of peatland in the UK: blanket bogs, raised bogs and fens. The international importance of the peatlands found in the UK give it an especial responsibility for their management and conservation. The IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands has gathered up-to-date knowledge from science, policy and practice. The assessment focuses on blanket bog and raised bog peatlands, because they represent over 95% of all UK peatland habitat and offer an opportunity to make early and substantial progress in delivering a combination of economic, social and biodiversity gains. However, we recognise that lowland, river and groundwater-fed fen peatlands are also vital carbon stores, as well as existing and potential areas of rich biodiversity, which have also been subject to intensive and damaging management. Fen peatlands share many of the issues affecting rain-fed peatlands but with distinct differences in terms of their functions, threats and pressures, which merit further investigation. A multidisciplinary team of experts produced this Report. It provides an authoritative assessment of the available evidence, based on peer-reviewed scientific consensus about the state of peatlands, the impacts of different activities on peatland ecosystems and the services they provide and the benefits of restoring and conserving them. The assessment explores mechanisms and processes for peatland conservation action, recognising the different social, economic and environmental drivers. The evidence-gathering approach was inclusive, engaging individual land managers as well as a wide range of organisations, which in itself has helped to foster joint action for peatland conservation and restoration. The Assessment Report sets out the main conclusions, highlighting gaps and opportunities for further action. It identifies ways to secure additional funding and develop expertise to help land managers restore the UK’s peatlands and to allow decision makers to take better account of their multiple benefits

The Complete Genome Sequence of the Pathogenic Intestinal Spirochete Brachyspira pilosicoli and Comparison with Other Brachyspira Genomes

Background: The anaerobic spirochete Brachyspira pilosicoli colonizes the large intestine of various species of birds and mammals, including humans. It causes ''intestinal spirochetosis'', a condition characterized by mild colitis, diarrhea and reduced growth. This study aimed to sequence and analyse the bacterial genome to investigate the genetic basis of its specialized ecology and virulence. Methodology/Principal Findings: The genome of B. pilosicoli 95/1000 was sequenced, assembled and compared with that of the pathogenic Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and a near-complete sequence of Brachyspira murdochii. The B. pilosicoli genome was circular, composed of 2,586,443 bp with a 27.9 mol% G+C content, and encoded 2,338 genes. The three Brachyspira species shared 1,087 genes and showed evidence of extensive genome rearrangements. Despite minor differences in predicted protein functional groups, the species had many similar features including core metabolic pathways. Genes distinguishing B. pilosicoli from B. hyodysenteriae included those for a previously undescribed bacteriophage that may be useful for genetic manipulation, for a glycine reductase complex allowing use of glycine whilst protecting from oxidative stress, and for aconitase and related enzymes in the incomplete TCA cycle, allowing glutamate synthesis and function of the cycle during oxidative stress. B. pilosicoli had substantially fewer methyl-accepting chemotaxis genes than B. hyodysenteriae and hence these species are likely to have different chemotactic responses that may help to explain their different host range and colonization sites. B. pilosicoli lacked the gene for a new putative hemolysin identified in B. hyodysenteriae WA1. Both B. pilosicoli and B. murdochii lacked the rfbBADC gene cluster found on the B. hyodysenteriae plasmid, and hence were predicted to have different lipooligosaccharide structures. Overall, B. pilosicoli 95/1000 had a variety of genes potentially contributing to virulence. Conclusions/Significance: The availability of the complete genome sequence of B. pilosicoli 95/1000 will facilitate functional genomics studies aimed at elucidating host-pathogen interactions and virulence