Do different sites in the same river have similar Trichoptera assemblages?

During the summer of 2001, trichoptera larvae were sampled with a kick-net in 15 sites belonging to 3 rivers of the Mondego River basin, in central-north Portugal. Simultaneously, 42 environmental variables were evaluated for each site. Twenty five species and genera of caddisflies were identified. The objective was to assess if trichoptera assemblages within a river tended to be more similar among each other than between rivers, giving the physical continuity of the habitat. Localities showed low segregation between all samples (MDS, CLUSTER and ANOSIM). The Alva River samples had the higher number of taxa and animals while the Ceira River samples had the lowest values. In terms of environmental characteristics, PCA showed high similarities between samples of the same river. However there was not total segregation of rivers. BIOENV analysis identified the set of parameters that best explain trichopteran associations per river. For the rivers, these variables were all related to habitat (e.g. pool quality, depth, substrate quality). The differences between the Alva and Ceira rivers seem to be related to the deterioration of the water quality in the Ceira river (increasing levels of sulphate, chloride and % of industrial, urban and degraded areas), which increased down the river.Durante el verano de 2001 se capturaron larvas de tricópteros en 15 puntos de muestreo pertenecientes a 3 ríos de la cuenca hidrográfica del Mondego, en el centro-norte de Portugal. Los muestreos fueron realizados con una red de mano (tipo "kicknet") y, simultáneamente, se evaluaron 42 variables ambientales para cada localidad. En total fueron identificadas 25 especies de tricópteros. El objetivo del estudio era evaluar si, dada la continuidad físico-química del habitat, las asociaciones de tricópteros de las localidades situadas en un mismo río son más semejantes entre sí que las pertenecientes a localidades de ríos diferentes. Los locales se presentaran poco segregados de acuerdo con los análisis MDS, CLUSTER y ANOSIM. Las muestras del río Alva tuvieron un número más elevado de taxa y animales mientras que las muestras del río Ceira tuvieron los valores más bajos. Desde el punto de vista ambiental el PCA reveló que las muestras de un mismo río eran más semejantes entre si. Sin embargo, no hubo segregación completa de ríos. El análisis BIOENV identificó el grupo de parámetros que mejor explican las asociaciones de tricópteros por río. Para los ríos, esas variables estaban todas relacionadas con el hábitat (e.g., calidad de las zonas lénticas, calidad de substrato y profundidad). Las diferencias entre los ríos Alva y Ceira parecen ser debidas al empeoramiento de la calidad de las aguas del río Ceira (mayores niveles de sulfato, cloro y porcentaje de degradación industrial y urbana) que aumentan río abajo

Analysis of the Calls Received during the COVID-19 Lockdown by the Mental Health Crisis Helpline Operated by the Professional College of Psychology of Aragon

COVID-19 has had a direct impact on the physical and mental health of millions of people worldwide. Therefore, a Mental Health Crisis Helpline (MHCH) was set up and offered free of charge by the Professional College of Psychology of Aragon (COPPA) during the lockdown period. This research aims to study the reasons for the calls, to describe the population segments that used it, and to analyse the possible relationships between the variables studied. A total of 1411 calls were answered and 598 were registered. The main reasons for the calls were: anxiety symptoms, concern for a relative, previous mental health problems, conflicts, and depressive symptoms. Significantly more men called for anxiety symptoms (60.8% vs. 49.5%) versus more women calling regarding a chronic physical illness (3.5% vs. 0.7%), concern about a relative (22.7% vs. 12.4%), care guidelines (6% vs. 1.3%), and bereavement (6.2% vs. 2%). Calls regarding conflict increased slightly as the lockdown period progressed (p < 0.001; r = 0.15), in contrast with calls regarding previous psychological conditions and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.035; r = -0.09; p = 0.005; r = -0.12). These results highlight the intensive use of the MHCH, confirming the need for the implementation of specific psychological care resources in times of crisis. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Morphology and Nanomechanics of Sensory Neurons Growth Cones following Peripheral Nerve Injury

A prior peripheral nerve injury in vivo, promotes a rapid elongated mode of sensory neurons neurite regrowth in vitro. This in vitro model of conditioned axotomy allows analysis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to an improved neurite re-growth. Our differential interference contrast microscopy and immunocytochemistry results show that conditioned axotomy, induced by sciatic nerve injury, did not increase somatic size of adult lumbar sensory neurons from mice dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons but promoted the appearance of larger neurites and growth cones. Using atomic force microscopy on live neurons, we investigated whether membrane mechanical properties of growth cones of axotomized neurons were modified following sciatic nerve injury. Our data revealed that neurons having a regenerative growth were characterized by softer growth cones, compared to control neurons. The increase of the growth cone membrane elasticity suggests a modification in the ratio and the inner framework of the main structural proteins

A horizon scan exercise for aquatic invasive alien species in Iberian inland waters

As the number of introduced species keeps increasing unabatedly, identifying and prioritising current and potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has become essential to manage them. Horizon Scanning (HS), defined as an exploration of potential threats, is considered a fundamental component of IAS management. By combining scientific knowledge on taxa with expert opinion, we identified the most relevant aquatic IAS in the Iberian Peninsula, i.e., those with the greatest geographic extent (or probability of introduction), severe ecological, economic and human health impacts, greatest difficulty and acceptability of management. We highlighted the 126 most relevant IAS already present in Iberian inland waters (i.e., Concern list) and 89 with a high probability of being introduced in the near future (i.e., Alert list), of which 24 and 10 IAS, respectively, were considered as a management priority after receiving the highest scores in the expert assessment (i.e., top-ranked IAS). In both lists, aquatic IAS belonging to the four thematic groups (plants, freshwater invertebrates, estuarine invertebrates, and vertebrates) were identified as having been introduced through various pathways from different regions of the world and classified according to their main functional feeding groups. Also, the latest update of the list of IAS of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 includes only 12 top-ranked IAS identified for the Iberian Peninsula, while the national lists incorporate the vast majority of them. This fact underlines the great importance of taxa prioritisation exercises at biogeographical scales as a step prior to risk analyses and their inclusion in national lists. This HS provides a robust assessment and a cost-effective strategy for decision-makers and stakeholders to prioritise the use of limited resources for IAS prevention and management. Although applied at a transnational level in a European biodiversity hotspot, this approach is designed for potential application at any geographical or administrative scale, including the continental one

Comercio Electrónico de flora y fauna exótica invasora (código de conducta)

Este código de conducta pretende alertar de la venta y adquisición on-line de especies invasoras y fomentar una serie de recomendaciones que ayuden a reducir el riesgo que conlleva el comercio electrónico como vía de introducción de fauna y flora invasora. Los principales destinatarios de este código de conducta son: Profesionales dedicados al comercio de plantas y animales de compañía y a la acuariofilia: importadores (mayoristas), intermediarios (comercializadores y distribuidores) y tiendas (minoristas).Consumidores: aficionados y usuarios de jardinería, mascotismo o acuariofilia. Este código de conducta ha sido redactado en el marco del proyecto LIFE INVASAQUA (LIFE17 GIE/ES/000515) con la contribución de la Comisión Europea a través del programa LIFE. El proyecto LIFE INVASAQUA tiene entre sus objetivos facilitar y apoyar las políticas europeas sobre gestión de especies exóticas invasoras generando información útil para su implementación. Los códigos de conducta son documentos que pretenden fomentar una serie de recomendaciones y buenas prácticas para reducir la problemática asociada a la introducción de fauna y flora invasora. Esta versión 1.0 del documento tiene por objeto difundir la información entre organismos, asociaciones y entidades relacionadas para fomentar la adopción de sus recomendaciones y recoger nuevas aportaciones.El proyecto LIFE INVASAQUA (LIFE17 GIE/ES/000515) está financiado por el Programa LIFE de la Unión Europe

Guide to the alien and invasive species of rivers, lakes and estuaries in the Iberian Peninsula.

Guide to the alien and invasive species of rivers, lakes and estuaries in the Iberian Peninsula

Código de conducta. Acuariofilia

Código de conducta. Acuariofili

CÓDIGOS DE CONDUTA. COMÉRCIO ELETRÓNICO DE FLORA E FAUNA EXÓTICAS INVASORAS.

CÓDIGOS DE CONDUTA. COMÉRCIO ELETRÓNICO DE FLORA E FAUNA EXÓTICAS INVASORAS

CÓDIGOS DE CONDUCTA. COMERCIO ELECTRÓNICO DE FLORA Y FAUNA EXÓTICA INVASORA.

CÓDIGOS DE CONDUCTA. COMERCIO ELECTRÓNICO DE FLORA Y FAUNA EXÓTICA INVASORA

Código de Conduta – Prevenção da introdução e dispersão de flora e fauna exótica invasora: agentes ambientais.

Código de Conduta – Prevenção da introdução e dispersão de flora e fauna exótica invasora: agentes ambientai