Expanding distribution of lethal amphibian fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Europe

Emerging fungal diseases can drive amphibian species to local extinction. During 2010-2016, we examined 1,921 urodeles in 3 European countries. Presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans at new locations and in urodeles of different species expands the known geographic and host range of the fungus and underpins its imminent threat to biodiversity

Landscape epidemiology of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans : reconciling data limitations and conservation urgency

Starting in 2010, rapid-fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) population declines in northwestern Europe heralded the emergence of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), a salamander-pathogenic chytrid fungus. Bsal poses an imminent threat to global salamander diversity owing to its wide host range, high pathogenicity, and long-term persistence in ecosystems. While there is a pressing need to develop further research and conservation actions, data limitations inherent to recent pathogen emergence obscure necessary insights into Bsal disease ecology. Here, we use a hierarchical modeling framework to describe Bsal landscape epidemiology of outbreak sites in light of these methodological challenges. Using model selection and machine learning, we find that Bsal presence is associated with humid and relatively cool, stable climates. Outbreaks are generally located in areas characterized by low landscape heterogeneity and low steepness of slope. We further find an association between Bsal presence and high trail density, suggesting that human-mediated spread may increase risk for spillover between populations. We then use distribution modeling to show that favorable conditions occur in lowlands influenced by the North Sea, where increased survey effort is needed to determine how Bsal impacts local newt populations, but also in hill- and mountain ranges in northeastern France and the lower half of Germany. Finally, connectivity analyses suggest that these hill- and mountain ranges may act as stepping stones for further spread southward. Our results provide initial insight into regional environmental conditions underlying Bsal epizootics, present updated invasibility predictions for northwestern Europe, and lead us to discuss a wide variety of potential survey and research actions needed to advance future conservation and mitigation efforts

A review of soil NO transformation: associated processes and possible physiological significance on organisms

NO emissions from soils and ecosystems are of outstanding importance for atmospheric chemistry. Here we review the current knowledge on processes involved in the formation and consumption of NO in soils, the importance of NO for the physiological functioning of different organisms, and for inter- and intra-species signaling and competition, e.g. in the rooting zone between microbes and plants. We also show that prokaryotes and eukaryotes are able to produce NO by multiple pathways and that unspecific enzymo-oxidative mechanisms of NO production are likely to occur in soils. Nitric oxide production in soils is not only linked to NO production by nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms, but also linked to extracellular enzymes from a wide range of microorganisms. Further investigations are needed to clarify molecular mechanisms of NO production and consumption, its controlling factors, and the significance of NO as a regulator for microbial, animal and plant processes. Such process understanding is required to elucidate the importance of soils as sources (and sinks) for atmospheric NO

Rapport sur les espèces macro-indicatrices de la qualité des cours d’eau. Répartition, Habitat, Mesures de protection et de restauration des populations

The Direction of the non-navigable watercourses of the Ministry of the Walloon Region commited the realisation of a study on some flagship riverine or aquatic animal species to the zoogeographical research unit’s care. The species were selected owing to their aquatic or semi-aquatic life history traits and to their interest as bio-indicators of the quality of the riverine habitats. Their patrimonial interest was also taken into account, some of them are indeed concerned either by the Bird or by the Habitat directives (CE 79/409 and CE 92/43). The next species were considered in this report: European otter (Lutra lutra), Dipper (Cinclus cinclus), Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) unionid mussels (Unio crassus and Margararitifera margaritifera), water shrews (Neomys anomalus and Neomys fodiens), Sand martin (Riparia riparia), bats (Chiroptera) and four species of damselflies :Onychogomphus forcipatus, Oxygastra curtisi, Gomphus vulgatissimus, Cordulegaster boltonii. The main life history traits of every species was reminded and their main habitat requirements were presented. The available distributional data were reviewed and proposals made to complete the surveys and to implement the conservation needs, especially the ones relevant to the watercourses management office. In the northern part of the region, most of the rivers and streams are heavily polluted and their banks damaged. Most of the species concerned by the present report are therefore absent or scarce. In this region, the priority is a significant reduction of the pollution level. In the south, water quality is better and the hydraulic works were less strong, except in some limited parts. Formerly distributed throughout the Ardenne, the pearl mussel is now limited to very few rivers (Ourthe, Sûre, Semois and Our catchments). Its conservation status is of great concern since its populations are tiny and made up of old individuals only. The situation of Unio crassus is better as far as its ecological requirements are less specialised. Some young individuals were found, indicating that this mussel is still reproducing in several rivers. The water shrew is present throughout the region whereas the Miller’s water shrew is restricted to the Ardenne, east of the river Meuse. Their precise habitat requirements are not well known and it should be interesting to start up a new survey of both species including the study of their ecology. The few otters still surviving in the south of the region must benefit from habitat preservation measures. Suitable structures for holts, couches or resting places must be located (GIS) and protected. The main conservation problem for the kingfisher and for the sand martin is the protection of banks suitable for nest-building. These structures ought to be mapped and strictly protected. As far as the dipper and the bats are concerned, some attention is needed when bridges need maintenance repairs. Small cavities or even nestboxes must be fit up to allow these animals to breed or to rest

Etude de la répartition des charges sur les surfaces des particules argileuses

Laudelout H. Etude de la répartition des charges sur les surfaces des particules argileuses. In: Bulletin du Groupe français des argiles. Tome 9, nouvelle série n°4, 1957. pp. 61-65