Color and electrical conductivity of honeys produced by Apis mellifera in Uruguay = Color y conductividad eléctrica de las mieles producidas por Apis mellifera en Uruguay

La apicultura está en desarrollo en Uruguay, donde más del 90% de la producción es vendida para exportación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la relación entre el origen botánico de la miel y la conductividad. La conductividad es una medida indirecta del contenido de cenizas y desde un punto de vista nutricional es un indicador de la composición mineral de la miel, importante suplemento de la dieta del hombre. Se estudiaron cuadros de colmenas de diferentes áreas geográficas de Uruguay. La miel se extrajo mediante prensa en laboratorio y filtrado con tejido sintético. Se analizaron el color, la humedad, la conductividad eléctrica y la melisopalinología. Las mieles más oscuras presentaron mayores valores de conductividad. La mayor conductividad fue de bosque nativo, bosque de Eucalyptus spp. y de mielada. La miel de monte nativo uruguayo es única en el mundo, un sabor tipo y altos niveles de conductividad, lo que la hace una buena fuente de minerales

Assessment of larval connectivity in a sandy beach mole crab through a coupled bio-oceanographic model

The biophysical mechanisms influencing larval distribution and their impacts on the metapopulation dynamics of sandy beaches, particularly the connectivity patterns associated with larval dispersal, are poorly understood. Here, we identify larval connectivity patterns of the mole crab Emerita brasiliensis in the coast of Uruguay. A biophysical individual based model (IBM) of larval transport was coupled to a regional high-resolution physical model to estimate the monthly and interannual variation of larval connectivity, as well as the impact of the length of the reproductive period on it. Larval connectivity showed marked interannual variations, which were mainly related to interannual changes in seasonal winds and associated ocean circulation patterns, particularly during La Niña years. The southernmost area where E. brasiliensis occurs only received larvae from the nearest release area in November and January spawning events during a strong La Niña year, characterized by intense northeasterly winds. The Uruguayan coast constitutes the leading (poleward) edge of the distribution of E. brasiliensis, where climate change effects are projected to intensify. Extrapolation of these results to a climate change scenario with stronger La Niña events, suggest that larval transport to southernmost beaches will become more probable.Fil: Meerhoff, Erika. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; UruguayFil: Defeo Gorospe, Omar. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; UruguayFil: Combes, Vincent. State University of Oregon. College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Franco, Barbara Cristie. Instituto Franco-argentino sobre Estudios del Clima y sus Impactos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; ArgentinaFil: Matano, Ricardo. State University of Oregon. College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Piola, Alberto Ricardo. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval. Departamento Oceanografía; Argentina. Instituto Franco-argentino sobre Estudios del Clima y sus Impactos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Hernández Vaca, Freddy. Instituto Oceanografico de la Armada; Ecuador. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Celentano, Eleonora. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias; Urugua

Development and characterization of the first 16 microsatellites loci for Panulirus pascuensis (Decapoda: Palinuridae) from Easter Island using Next Generation Sequencing

The spiny lobster Panulirus pascuensis stands out among the endemic species of Easter Island, due to its cultural and economic importance. A total of 16 microsatellite loci were characterized in 18 individuals, 9 of which were polymorphic. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.44 (2-6) and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.11 to 0.93. None of the loci exhibited significant linkage disequilibrium or departures from HWE. These new microsatellites will be used to obtain information about migration, population structure and genetic diversity of P. pascuensis in order to improve the future sustainable management and conservation plans.The spiny lobster Panulirus pascuensis stands out among the endemic species of Easter Island, due to its cultural and economic importance. A total of 16 microsatellite loci were characterized in 18 individuals, 9 of which were polymorphic. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.44 (2-6) and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.11 to 0.93. None of the loci exhibited significant linkage disequilibrium or departures from HWE. These new microsatellites will be used to obtain information about migration, population structure and genetic diversity of P. pascuensis in order to improve the future sustainable management and conservation plans

Color y conductividad eléctrica de las mieles producidas por Apis mellifera en Uruguay

Beekeeping is in development in Uruguay, where more than 90% of the production is sold for export. The aim of this work was to investigate the relation between the botanical origin and honey conductivity. Conductivity is an indirect measurement of the ash, and from the nutritional point of view, it is an indicator of the mineral composition of the honey, which is an important supplement of human diet. Honeycombs frames were studied from different geographic areas from Uruguay. The honey was extracted by a press at laboratory and fltered by a synthetic cloth. Colour, moisture, electrical conductivity, and pollen content were analysed. The darker honeys presented higher conductivity values. The higher electrical conductivity observed was from native bush, Eucalyptus spp. forest and Honeydew. Uruguayan native bush honey is unique in the world and has typical flavour. Moreover, this type of honey has higher levels of conductivity that makes it a good source of minerals.La apicultura está en desarrollo en Uruguay, donde más del 90% de la producción es vendida para exportación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la relación entre el origen botánico de la miel y la conductividad. La conductividad es una medida indirecta del contenido de cenizas y desde un punto de vista nutricional es un indicador de la composición mineral de la miel, importante suplemento de la dieta del hombre. Se estudiaron cuadros de colmenas de diferentes áreas geográfcas de Uruguay. La miel se extrajo mediante prensa en laboratorio y filtrado con tejido sintético. Se analizaron el color, la humedad, la conductividad eléctrica y la melisopalinología. Las mieles más oscuras presentaron mayores valores de conductividad. La mayor conductividad fue de bosque nativo, bosque de Eucalyptus spp. y de mielada. La miel de monte nativo uruguayo es única en el mundo, un sabor tipo y altos niveles de conductividad, lo que la hace una buena fuente de minerales. &nbsp

Development and characterization of the first 16 microsatellites loci for Panulirus pascuensis (Decapoda: Palinuridae) from Easter Island using Next Generation Sequencing

The spiny lobster Panulirus pascuensis stands out among the endemic species of Easter Island, due to its cultural and economic importance. A total of 16 microsatellite loci were characterized in 18 individuals, 9 of which were polymorphic. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.44 (2-6) and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.11 to 0.93. None of the loci exhibited significant linkage disequilibrium or departures from HWE. These new microsatellites will be used to obtain information about migration, population structure and genetic diversity of P. pascuensis in order to improve the future sustainable management and conservation plans

Weak connectivity and population cohesiveness in rudderfishKyphosus sandwicensis(Teleostei: Kyphosidae) inhabiting remote oceanic islands

Population connectivity has a fundamental role in metapopulation dynamics, with important implications in conservation. Easter Island (EI) and Salas y Gomez Island (SG) in the Pacific Ocean are ideal for the study of population connectivity because they are separated by 415 km and isolated from other islands in the Pacific Ocean by >2,000 km. Considering that dispersal processes could play a critical role in the persistence of its populations, the connectivity pattern of the rudderfishKyphosus sandwicensiswas evaluated between EI and SG using both a population genetics and a biophysical modelling approach. The variability in the control region of the mitochondrial DNA did not show a significant phylogeographical pattern, and the variability in 16 microsatellite loci suggested that individuals ofK. sandwicensislocated at EI and SG belong to the same genetic population. However, historical migration showed that 0.2% of the recruits at EI come from SG and that 0.15% at SG come from EI per year. Using simulated larval release during September and a larval development of 30 days in the plankton, biophysical modelling did not detect migration between the islands. Furthermore, self-recruitment shows interannual variation ranging from 5 to 10% of the total released larvae. Whereas the genetic data showed a lack of population genetic structure but low connectivity ofK. sandwicensisbetween EI and SG, the biophysical modelling showed null movement of particles between the islands. Stochastic movement of larvae or adults could explain the pattern observed, with rafting as an example. These low-frequency and stochastic movements may be important in maintaining the cohesiveness between EI and SG.Chilean Millennium Initiative grant ESMOI Conicyt-Fondequip EQM150077 NLHPC ECM-02 Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 3150419 CONICYT PIA Apoyo CCTE AFB17000

Large-scale connectivity of the sandy beach clam Mesodesma mactroides along the Atlantic coast of South America, and climate change implications

The yellow clam Mesodesma mactroides is a cool-water species that typifies sandy beaches of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SAO), which embraces one of the strongest ocean warming hotspots. The region is influenced by the Rio de la Plata (RdlP), which represents a zoogeographic barrier that restricts its larval exchange. We investigated yellow clam larval connectivity patterns using an individual based model (IBM). The IBM combined outputs from a 3D hydrodynamic model with a clam submodel that considered salinity- and temperature-dependent mortality for the planktonic larvae. Connectivity across the RdlP estuary occurred only for larvae released in spring during a strong La Niña event. Mortality due to freshwater precluded larval transport across the RdlP, whereas larval mortality induced by warmer waters reduced connectivity, leading to self-recruitment in most areas. Warming acceleration in this hotspot could further restrict larval connectivity between populations in the SAO, with conservation implications for this threatened species.Fil: Meerhoff, Erika. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Combes, Vincent. State University of Oregon; Estados UnidosFil: Matano, Ricardo. State University of Oregon; Estados UnidosFil: Barrier, Nicolas. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement; FranciaFil: Franco, Barbara Cristie. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; ArgentinaFil: Piola, Alberto Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval; Argentina. Instituto Franco-Argentino sobre Estudios del Clima y sus Impactos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera; ArgentinaFil: Hernández Vaca, Freddy. Instituto Oceanográfico de la Armada; EcuadorFil: Defeo, Omar. Universidad de la Republica; Urugua

Establishing limits to aquaculture in a protected coastal lagoon: Impact of Farfantepenaeus paulensis pens on water quality, sediment and benthic biota

Aquaculture is perceived by governments and international agencies as an economic alternative for poor communities in developing countries. Nevertheless, aquaculture must address environmental issues as well as economic and social aspects to achieve a sustainable development. Aquaculture with native species under semi-intensive conditions is a sustainable production alternative that minimizes the impact on aquatic ecosystems. An aquaculture pilot project with pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus paulensis) was tested in a protected lagoon in Uruguay (Laguna de Rocha). Shrimp were reared in pen enclosures within their native habitat, where natural currents drive water renewal, and the natural food supply was supplemented with commercial food. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of F. paulensis aquaculture on the water and sediment quality and the benthic community, and to estimate the maximum number of pen enclosures that Laguna de Rocha can sustain while maintaining the minimal environmental impact. A Before, After, Control Impact (BACI) sampling design was followed and the results of abiotic and biological variables were compared between treatment site (control, pens, and two areas at 15 and 50 m from the pens) and timing (before shrimp addition, during culture and after harvest), through ANOVA. The most significant impact was found inside the pens, where ammonium levels increased and benthos species richness and abundance decreased. A nitrogen-based-model was used to estimate the maximum number of pens in relation to the minimal impact on the ecosystem. Simulation indicated that up to 13 pens could be installed in the southern area of Laguna de Rocha without increasing the usual concentration of total nitrogen in other areas of the lagoon. The BACI design, the statistical analysis and the modeling tools proved to be effective, simple and low cost instruments to assess the environmental impact in a protected area. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved