Cryptic diversity, intraspecific phenetic plasticity and recent geographical translocations in Branchiomma (Sabellidae, Annelida)

The importance of identifying biological diversity accurately and efficiently is becoming more evident. It is therefore critical to determine the species boundaries between closely related taxa and to establish diagnostic characters that allow us to define species. This is not an easy task when species exhibit high intraspecific phenotypic plasticity or when distinct evolutionary lineages with an unusually large amount of genetic distinctiveness show no apparent morphological diversity (cryptic species). These phenomena appear to be common in the genus of fan worms Branchiomma (Sabellidae, Annelida), and consequently, taxonomic errors are widespread in the group. Moreover, some Branchiomma species have been unintentionally translocated outside the area where natural range extension is expected, increasing the taxonomic problems. We have performed a range of analytical methods including genetic distances, Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, statistical parsimony analyses and general mixed Yule coalescent model to clarify the taxonomic status and assess the species boundaries of Branchiomma in Australia. This study shows that the traditional diagnostic morphological features are greatly homoplastic. Results also indicate that the diversity of Branchiomma in Australia is higher than previously reported and evidence some cases of high phenetic plasticity (in features previously considered as stable within species), high intraspecific genetic variability, cryptic species and several unexpected cases of translocations.© 2013 The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.This project was funded by an Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS)/AM and Census of Marine Life (CReefs) grants to PH and MC. The authors also thank CReefs for providing funding for fieldwork to Heron Island and Lizard Island Research Stations and Ningaloo Reef. The CReefs Australian node is generously sponsored by BHP Billiton in partnership with the ABRS, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Alfred P. Sloan FoundationPeer Reviewe

Sphaerodoridae (Annelida) of the deep Northwestern Atlantic, including remarkable new species of Euritmia and Sphaerephesia

Sphaerodoridae (Annelida) is a seeming uncommon and minimally diverse group of polychaetes in the northwestern Atlantic, with only seven species reported from the United States, and none from the eastern coast of Canada, before the present study. Review of the large Smithsonian collection (National Museum of Natural History, Washington) revealed the presence of two morphologically extraordinary undescribed species and added a new record to the north-western Atlantic region. Euritmia carolensis sp. n. is characterised by bearing approximately 20 sessile spherical papillae arranged in three transverse rows per segment, ventrum with 4–6 larger papillae near the parapodial bases and parapodia without papillae; bearing 4–5 simple chaetae that are enlarged subdistally. Sphaerephesia amphorata sp. n. is distinguished from other congeners in the presence of four longitudinal rows of sessile, bottle-shaped macrotubercles with exceptionally long digitiform terminal papilla, and parapodia with four rounded and small papillae, bearing 4–7 compound chaetae, with blades 7–11 times as long as wide. Other encountered species are also herein re-described, including intraspecific variation and updated iconography. Comparison of material also allowed some systematic changes in the group, including the synonymisation of the genus Amacrodorum with Euritmia, and the transfer of Ephesiopsis shivae to Ephesiella. A key to the species reported from the Northwestern Atlantic is provided.SEMs were taken in Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid during a European Commission Taxonomic Initiative SYNTHESYS (ESTAF-2839)Peer reviewe

A Further Step Towards the Characterisation of Terebellides (Annelida, Trichobranchidae) Diversity in the Northeast Atlantic, With the Description of a New Species

[Abstract] Several new species of genus Terebellides Sars, 1835 (Annelida, Trichobranchidae) have been recently described from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean after the detection of a large complex of species based on DNA sequence data from previous research. Some of those species (belonging to the so-called Group A) have already been described elsewhere. In this paper, we revise several Terebellides clades belonging to Groups B, C and D resulting in the identification of five nominal species: Terebellides gracilis Malm, 1874, Terebellides atlantis Williams, 1984, Terebellides williamsae Jirkov, 1989, Terebellides irinae Gagaev, 2009, and Terebellides shetlandica Parapar, Moreira & O’Reilly, 2016, plus one new species described here as Terebellides lavesquei sp. nov. All these species are characterised by a combination of morphological features complemented with a nucleotide diagnostic approach (specific COI nucleotides in the alignment position). Morphological characters used to discriminate between taxa refer to the branchial shape, presence/absence of ciliated papillae dorsal to thoracic notopodia and the morphology of thoracic and abdominal uncinal teeth. An updated identification key to all described species of this genus in NE Atlantic waters is also included.This study was partly supported by the FAUNA IBÉRICA research project Polychaeta VII, Palpata, Canalipalpata II (PGC2018–095851–B–C64) funded by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, and coordinated by JP. Funding was also provided from the Ramón y Cajal program (RYC-2016- 20799) funded by Spanish MINECO, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Comunidad Autónoma de las Islas Baleares and the European Social Fund to MC. Financial support was also provided by the Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative: Cryptic polychaete species in Norwegian waters, knr 49-13, project no. 70184228 to AN; Polychaetes in the Norwegian Sea, project no. 70184227; Polychaetes in Skagerrak, project no.70184216; and the MAREANO programNorwegian Taxonomy Initiative; 70184228Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative; 70184227Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative; 7018421

Caracterización de la señal electromiográfica en superficie de la musculatura de suelo pélvico en pacientes con dolor pévico crónico tratados con toxina botulínica

[ES] A pesar de la existencia de numerosos estudios sobre el dolor pélvico crónico, continúa siendo incierto su protocolo de tratamiento. Actualmente, existe una corriente creciente del uso de la neurotoxina botulínica tipo A para el tratamiento de esta patología. No obstante, debido a la falta de profundidad en estas investigaciones, los resultados son todavía confusos. En este proyecto se caracteriza la señal electromiográfica superficial de la musculatura de suelo pélvico en pacientes que poseen esta patología como herramienta para analizar el efecto que provoca el fármaco. Asimismo, se detalla el procedimiento aplicado a la señal en cada una de las etapas para lograr extraer de ella los parámetros más relevantes, los cuales ayuden a evaluar tanto el efecto del fármaco como la mejor ubicación de los electrodos sobre la superficie para una óptima adquisición de la señal. Los resultados del proyecto muestran que existe una diferencia relevante a la hora de posicionar los electrodos, demostrando los situados en un plano transversal estar mejor predispuestos que los del plano longitudinal. Además, en cuanto al efecto que produce la inyección del fármaco, se plantea la hipótesis de que este tratamiento conlleva a la relajación muscular. Por ello, en este estudio se establecen unas bases que posibilitan su extrapolación a futuras investigaciones que determinen la consideración de este tratamiento como un protocolo consolidado para erradicar la patología del dolor pélvico crónico.[EN] Despite numerous studies on chronic pelvic pain, its treatment protocol remains uncertain. Currently, there is a growing trend in the use of botulinum neurotoxin type A for the treatment of this pathology. However, due to the lack of depth in these investigations, the results are still unclear. This project characterizes the surface electromyographic signal of the pelvic floor musculature in patients with this pathology as a tool to analyze the effect of the drug. Likewise, the procedure applied to the signal in each one of the stages is detailed in order to extract from it the most relevant parameters, which help to evaluate both the effect of the drug and the best location of the electrodes on the surface for optimal signal acquisition. The results of the project show that there is a relevant difference when positioning the electrodes, demonstrating that those located in a transverse plane are better predisposed than those in the longitudinal plane. In addition, as regards the effect produced by the injection of the drug, it is hypothesized that this treatment leads to muscular relaxation. Therefore, this study establishes bases that allow its extrapolation to future research that will determine the consideration of this treatment as a consolidated protocol to eradicate the pathology of chronic pelvic pain.[CA] A pesar de l'existència de nombrosos estudis sobre el dolor pelvià crònic, continua sent incert el seu protocol de tractament. Actualment, hi ha un corrent creixent de l'ús de la neurotoxina botulínica tipus A per al tractament d'esta patologia. No obstant això, a causa de la falta de profunditat en aquestes investigacions, els resultats són encara confusos. En aquest projecte es caracteritza la senyal electromiográfica superficial de la musculatura de sòl pelvià en pacients que posseïxen esta patologia com a ferramenta per a analitzar l'efecte que provoca el fàrmac. Així mateix, es detalla el procediment aplicat a la senyal en cadascuna de les etapes per a aconseguir extraure d'ella els paràmetres més rellevants, els quals ajuden a avaluar tant l'efecte del fàrmac com la millor ubicació dels elèctrodes sobre la superfície per a una òptima adquisició de la senyal. Els resultats del projecte mostren que hi ha una diferència rellevant a l'hora de posicionar els elèctrodes, demostrant els situats en un pla transversal estar millor predisposats que els del pla longitudinal. A més, en referència a l'efecte que produïx la injecció del fàrmac, es planteja la hipòtesi que aquest tractament comporta a la relaxació muscular. Per això, en aquest estudi s'estableixen unes bases que possibiliten la seua extrapolació a futures investigacions que determinen la consideració d'aquest tractament com un protocol consolidat per a eradicar la patologia del dolor pelvià crònic.Esnaola Capa, JM. (2019). Caracterización de la señal electromiográfica en superficie de la musculatura de suelo pélvico en pacientes con dolor pévico crónico tratados con toxina botulínica. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/126474TFG

Comparative analyses of morphological characters in Sphaerodoridae and allies (Annelida) revealed by an integrative microscopical approach

Sphaerodoridae is a group of benthic marine worms (Annelida) characterized by the presence of spherical tubercles covering their whole surface. They are commonly considered as belonging to Phyllodocida although sistergroup relationships are still far from being understood. Primary homology assessments of their morphological features are lacking, hindering the appraisal of evolutionary relationships between taxa. Therefore, our detailed morphological investigation focuses on different Sphaerodoridae as well as on other members of Phyllodocida using an integrative approach combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as immunohistochemistry with standard neuronal (anti-5-HT) and muscular (phalloidin-rhodamine) markers and subsequent CLSM analysis of whole mounts and sections. Furthermore, we provide histological (HES) and light microscopical data to shed light on the structures and hypothetical function of sphaerodorid key morphological features. We provide fundamental details into the sphaerodorid morphology supporting a Phyllodocida ancestry of these enigmatic worms. However, the muscular arrangement and the presence of an axial muscular pharynx is similar to conditions observed in other members of the Errantia too. Furthermore, nervous system and muscle staining as well as SEM and histological observations of different types of tubercles indicate a homology of the so called microtubercles, present in the long-bodied sphaerodorids, to the dorsal cirri of other Errantia. The macrotubercles seem to represent a sphaerodorid autapomorphy based on our investigations. Therefore, our results allow comparisons concerning morphological patterns between Sphaerodoridae and other Phyllodocida and constitute a starting point for further comparative investigations to reveal the evolution of the remarkable Sphaerodoridae

El elefante en la habitación: primera cita de serpúlidos gregarios invasores (anélidos de tubo calcáreo) en Mallorca (Mediterráneo occidental)

Although there are several nuisance species of serpulids reported worldwide, the present study shows that some of them have been overlooked even in geographic areas that are considered well studied. We report for the first time in Majorca the invasive species Ficopomatus enigmaticus and the first records for the Balearic Islands of the also non-native species Hydroides dianthus, H. dirampha, H. elegans and H. nigra. The most abundant species were F. enigmaticus, found at higher densities in Portixol (with up to 280 ind. m–2), and H. elegans, found at highest densities in the port of Palma (with up to 270 ind. m–2). Species have been identified after morphological examination and corroborated by mitochondrial DNA sequence data: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and cytochrome b (Cytb). Molecular data show that the same haplotypes have been found in distant and disjoint biogeographic areas worldwide, which is only explicable by unintentional translocation of specimens through vectors (i.e. ship hulls or ballast water). Species delimitation analyses support previous findings that species complexes are common in both Ficopomatus and Hydroides. In fact, only among the Majorcan samples were we able to detect three species of the F. enigmaticus species complex, two of the H. elegans species complex and two of the H. dianthus species complex. The genetic distances between members of the F. enigmaticus species complex are 8.7% to 16.7% in COI sequences. The species of Hydroides hold 5.4% to 47.6 % genetic divergence between species of the same complex.Hay constancia de especies alóctonas de serpúlidos reportadas en el mundo. Pero el presente estudio muestra que algunas de ellas han sido pasadas por alto incluso en áreas geográficas consideradas bien estudiadas. En este trabajo se cita por primera vez en Mallorca la especie invasora Ficopomatus enigmaticus y se registra también por primera vez para las Islas Baleares las también especies exóticas Hydroides dianthus, H. dirampha, H. elegans e H. nigra. Las especies más abundantes fueron F. enigmaticus, encontrada en mayores densidades en Portixol (con hasta 280 ind. m–2) y H. elegans, encontrada en mayores densidades en el puerto de Palma (con hasta 270 ind. m–2). Las especies han sido identificadas después su estudio morfológico y corroboradas por las secuencias de ADN mitocondrial: subunidad 1 de la citocromo c oxidasa (COI) y citocromo b (Cytb). Los datos moleculares muestran que se han encontrado los mismos haplotipos en áreas biogeográficas distantes e inconexas de a nivel mundial, lo que solo se explica por la translocación involuntaria de ejemplares a través de vectores (es decir, cascos de barcos o agua de lastre). Los análisis de delimitación de especies respaldan resultados previos acerca de la existencia de complejos de especies en ambos géneros Ficopomatus e Hydroides. De hecho, sólo entre las muestras mallorquinas pudimos detectar tres especies del complejo de especies F. enigmaticus, dos del complejo de especies de H. elegans y dos del complejo de especies de H. dianthus. Las distancias genéticas entre los miembros del complejo de especies de F. enigmaticus son del 8.7 al 16.7% en las secuencias COI. Las especies de Hydroides tienen un 5.4-47.6% de divergencia genética entre especies del mismo complejo

Systematic re-structure and new species of Sphaerodoridae (Annelida) after morphological revision and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the North East Atlantic fauna

Detailed morphological study of more than 2600 North East Atlantic (NEA) sphaerodorids (Sphaerodoridae, Annelida) and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences of representatives of several identified morphospecies enforced changing the current systematic classification within the family, allowed the discovery of new species, provided new information about the morphological and genetic characterisation of members of this group, and increased the species occurrence data to better infer their geographic and bathymetric distribution ranges. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) and mitochondrial sequences (COI and 16S rRNA) of NEA short-bodied sphaerodorids revealed outstanding results including paraphyly of the genera Sphaerodoropsis, Sphaerodoridium, and Sphaerephesia. The number of longitudinal and transverse rows of dorsal macrotubercles is proposed as potential synapomorphies for the main clades, and are consequently herein used for the genera delimitation. The new classification proposed here implies nomenclatural changes and the erection of a new genus, Geminofilum gen. n., to accommodate the species previously considered as Sphaerodoropsis with two transverse rows of dorsal macrotubercles per segment. Four species are being described herein: Euritmia nordica Capa & Bakken, sp. n., Sphaerephesia multichaeta Capa, Moreira & Parapar, sp. n., Sphaerephesia ponsi Capa, Parapar & Moreira, sp. n., and Sphaerodoridium celiae Moreira, Capa & Parapar, sp. n. Characterisation of the other 21 species, including updated iconography, and an identification key to all NEA short-bodied sphaerodorids are providedFinancial support was provided to MC by ForBio Research School, funded by the Research Council of Norway (project no. 248799) and the Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative (project no. 70184215) and by the Ramón y Cajal program (RYC-2016-20799) funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Comunidad Autónoma de las Islas Baleares and the European Social Fund. The Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative provided financial support to AN (knr 49-13, pnr 70184228), to TB (knr 53-09, pnr 70184216, knr 55-12, pnr 70184227); and by the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative [https://www.artdatabanken.se/en/the-swedish-taxonomy-initiative/] (dnr 140/07 1.4 and 166/08 1.4), to AN. Collections at MNCN and MNHN were visited by MC thanks to the European Commission Taxonomic Initiative SYNTHESYS (ES-TAF-2839, ES-TAF-7033, and FR-TAF-2644), SEM work was partially funded by Fauna Ibérica: Polychaeta VI (CGL2014-53332-C5-3-P). Publication fees were covered by NTNU Publishing Fund to M

Repercusiones en los alumnos de primer curso de la implantación del Espacio Europeo

The Universidad Europea de Madrid pretends to converge into the European Higher Education Area being the pioneer oft he Spanish University framework. As such, has chosen to carry out the Pilot and Converge Plans that are transforming its educational means, involving all its educational community. Those Plans cover the first course students belonging to the different University school and faculties. The study intends to observe and analyze the process success and its weakness, concluding the positive implications they have reached so long in the academy results, as in its fitness to the different items involved in the starting out of the processes, and the valuation of the obtained knowledge

Liderazgo pedagógico del equipo directivo y el desempeño docente de la Institución Educativa “Colegio Nacional Yarinacocha” Pucallpa 2018

La presente tesis tiene como objetivo, determinar la relación que existe entre liderazgo pedagógico del equipo directivo y desempeño docente de la I.E. “Colegio Nacional Yarinacocha” Pucallpa 2018. La investigación corresponde al diseño correlacional transeccional, el estudio se realizó teniendo como población a 91 trabajadores entre directivos, jerárquicos y docentes, y una muestra no probabilística de 63 docentes. Para el recojo de los datos se utilizó la técnica de encuesta y como instrumento el cuestionario. Una vez recogido los datos fueron procesados haciendo uso del paquete estadístico SPSS 19. Una vez concluida la investigación han sido demostrados los objetivos formulados, donde los resultados demuestran que existe relación directa y significativa entre liderazgo pedagógico del equipo directivo y desempeño docente de la I.E. “Colegio Nacional Yarinacocha” Pucallpa 2018, donde la prueba estadística Coeficiente de correlación de Pearson resultó r= 0,647positivo moderado y resultando valor de P = 0.000< 0.01, siendo este resultado altamente significativo con nivel de significación del 1%