Un caso de polidactilia en Lacerta schreiberi en el Sistema Central

Este estudio está financiado con el proyecto CGL2009-09439 del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. La Junta de Castilla y León autorizó la captura y manejo de los ejemplares.Peer reviewe

Caracterización molecular de parásitos que infectan lagartos y su influencia sobre los ornamentos de color

[EN] This dissertation achieved two main objectives: 1) Characterizing the most prevalent genera of eimeriorine protozoan found infecting lizards (Schellackia, Lankesterella, Acroeimeria, Choleoeimeria, Caryospora and Isospora) contextualizing them in an evolutionary frame from morphologic, molecular and phylogenetic approaches; 2) Studying the relations between some of these pathogens of lizards and the expression of colour ornaments in different lizard host-parasite systems under natural conditions.[ES] La presente tesis doctoral ha abordado dos objetivos principales: 1) La caracterización de los géneros de protozoos eimeriorinos (Apicomplexa) más prevalentes en lagartos (Schellackia, Lankesterella, Acroeimeria, Choleoeimeria, Caryospora e Isospora) desde una aproximación morfológica, molecular y filogenética, con el fin de situarlos en un contexto evolutivo dentro del suborden Eimeriorina. 2) Entender la relación de los parásitos encontrados comúnmente en poblaciones naturales de lagartos sobre la expresión de los ornamentos de color. Para ello se estudiaron las relaciones entre la incidencia de ciertas parasitosis y los ornamentos visuales de los lagartos en diferentes sistemas parásito-hospedador.Los fondos para la realización de los estudios que componen la presente memoria fueron proporcionados por el Ministerio de Educación que concedió una beca de formación de personal investigador al licenciado Rodrigo Manuel Megía Palma (BES-2010-038427).El Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología CGL-2009-09439, y el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CGL-2012-40026-C02-1 y CGL-2012-40026-C02-2 financiaron los proyectos incluidos en la presente memoria para optar al grado de doctor.Peer reviewe

Caracterización molecular de parásitos que infectan lagartos y su influencia sobre los ornamentos de color

Tesis inédita de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, leída el 13-01-2016La presente tesis doctoral ha abordado dos objetivos principales: 1) la caracterización morfológica y molecular de los protozoos eimeriorinos más prevalentes en lagartos (Schellackia, Lankesterella, Acroeimeria, Choleoeimeria, Caryospora e Isospora), así como su análisis filogenético y 2) el efecto que ejercen sobre la expresión de los ornamentos de color en diferentes sistemas parásito-hospedador. Para llevar a cabo el primer objetivo se tomaron muestras de heces y tejido sanguíneo de lagartos silvestres y también de lagartos presentes en tiendas especializadas. Las muestras sanguíneas fueron obtenidas mediante la punción de la base de la cola con una aguja estéril. La sangre extraída se utilizó para realizar un diagnóstico directo, mediante frotis sanguíneo, y uno molecular a partir de las muestras conservadas en tarjetas FTA-Whatman. Las muestras para el estudio de los parásitos intestinales se obtuvieron a partir de heces recogidas de la cloaca de los hospedadores. Tras la homogeneización de la muestra, una parte se utilizó para realizar el diagnóstico coprológico mientras que otra parte fue empleada para la identificación molecular de los parásitos detectados mediante la amplificación del gen nuclear 18S ribosomal. Una vez caracterizados molecularmente los coccidios hemáticos o intestinales, se procedió a la realización de un análisis filogenético para esclarecer las relaciones evolutivas existentes entre estos géneros, desconocidos en gran medida, de coccidios...This dissertation achieved two main objectives: 1) the morphologic, molecular and phylogenetic characterization of the most prevalent eimeriorine protozoan found in reptiles (Schellackia, Lankesterella, Acroeimeria, Choleoeimeria, Caryospora and Isospora) and, 2) the effect of the parasitosis produced by some of these pathogens over the conspicuousness of coloured ornaments in different lizard host-parasite systems. For the first objective, we got blood and fecal samples from both free-ranging and captive lizards from pet stores. We obtained the blood samples from the coccygeal vein with a steril needle. This blood was used for a direct diagnostic by both microscopy and molecular screening (we targeted the 18S rRNA gene). Similarly, the screening of the fecal samples was used for diagnosing intestinal coccidiosis by both microscopy and molecular amplification of 18S rRNA gene. After the molecular characterization of hematic and intestinal coccidia, we included the sequences from these parasites in Bayesian and Maxima likelyhood phylogenetic trees to understand the evolutionary affinities among these genera of coccidia...Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEunpu

First helminthological data on the Iberian adder, Vipera seoanei.

The helminth fauna present in the gut contents of Iberian adders, Vipera seoanei (Squamata: Viperidae), were characterised and analysed in respect to biological and eco-geographic factors that may affect the occurrence and diversity of helminths in this species. A total of 317 samples of preserved stomachs and intestines, covering the distributional range of V. seoanei, were examined. Similar to other Vipera species from the Iberian Peninsula, the helminth fauna was also impoverished in V. seoanei, but unlike other Vipera species from Central and East Europe, helminths were mostly found in adult vipers, and occurred in vipers located at the periphery of the species range, characterised by low elevation, high temperature and precipitation levels, and abundant pastures

Genetic diversity, phylogenetic position, and co-phylogenetic relationships of Karyolysus, a common blood parasite of lizards in the Western Mediterranean

The genus Karyolysus was originally proposed to accommodate blood parasites of lacertid lizards in Western Europe. However, recent phylogenetic analyses suggested an inconclusive taxonomic position of these parasites of the order Adeleorina based on the available genetic information. Inconsistencies between molecular phylogeny, morphology, and/or life cycles can reflect lack of enough genetic information of the target group. We therefore surveyed 28 localities and collected blood samples from 828 lizards of 23 species including lacertids, skinks, and geckoes in the western Mediterranean, North Africa, and Macaronesia, where species of Karyolysus and other adeleorine parasites have been described. We combined molecular and microscopic methods to analyze the samples, including those from the host type species and the type locality of Karyolysus bicapsulatus. The phylogenetic relationship of these parasites was analyzed based on the 18S rRNA gene and the co-phylogenetic relationship with their vertebrate hosts was reconstructed. We molecularly detected adeleorine parasites in 37.9% of the blood samples and found 22 new parasite haplotypes. A phylogenetic reconstruction with 132 sequences indicated that 20 of the newly detected haplotypes clustered in a well-supported clade with another 18 sequences that included Karyolysus galloti and Karyolysus lacazei. Morphological evidence also supported that K. bicapsulatus clustered in this monophyletic clade. These results supported the taxonomic validity of the genus. In addition, we found some parasite haplotypes that infected different lizard host genera with ancient diverging histories, which suggested that Karyolysus is less host-specific than other blood parasites of lizards in the region. A co-phylogenetic analysis supported this interpretation because no significant co-speciation signal was shown between Karyolysus and lizard hosts

Environmental factors influence cross-talk between a heat shock protein and an oxidative stress protein modification in the lizard Gallotia galloti

Better understanding how organisms respond to their abiotic environment, especially at the biochemical level, is critical in predicting population trajectories under climate change. In this study, we measured constitutive stress biomarkers and protein post-translational modifications associated with oxidative stress in Gallotia galloti, an insular lizard species inhabiting highly heterogeneous environments on Tenerife. Tenerife is a small volcanic island in a relatively isolated archipelago off the West coast of Africa. We found that expression of GRP94, a molecular chaperone protein, and levels of protein carbonylation, a marker of cellular stress, change across different environments, depending on solar radiation-related variables and topology. Here, we report in a wild animal population, cross-talk between the baseline levels of the heat shock protein-like GRP94 and oxidative damage (protein carbonylation), which are influenced by a range of available temperatures, quantified through modelled operative temperature. This suggests a dynamic trade-off between cellular homeostasis and oxidative damage in lizards adapted to this thermally and topologically heterogeneous environment

Parásitos: mucho más que autoinvitados a cenar

Los parásitos mermaron a las tropas napoleónicas en sus guerras y también a las españolas durante la conquista de América. Una hipótesis establece que el ser humano perdió la mayor parte del pelo corporal durante su evolución como respuesta adaptativa frente a los parásitos. Estos promueven a través de la selección sexual el mantenimiento de colores vibrantes en el plumaje de las aves, escamas de peces y reptiles, y la piel de algunos anfibios. Pueden servir como biomarcadores de cambio climático o calidad ambiental. Los parásitos modifican el comportamiento de sus hospedadores llegando a convertirlos en verdaderos zombis para su propio beneficio. Son modelos de evolución y se adaptan frente a la guerra farmacológica. Los parásitos son fascinantes y han inspirado grandes éxitos de Hollywood. Sin embargo, nuestro asco hacia ellos hace que cada vez haya menos especialistas que los estudien y los puedan diagnosticar. Ajenos a este hecho, los parásitos se expanden, siguen causando pérdidas económicas y centenares de miles de fallecimientos anualmente.NoRodrigo Megía Palma, Profesor de la Universidad de Alcalá (UAH) Grupo de Ecología Parasitaria y Microbiana. Grupo sobre Cambio Climático, Ecología y Evolución. Enlace de la retransmisión de la actividad: https://www.youtube.com/live/eCuEVqXddXM?feature=shar

Associated costs of mitigation-driven translocation in small lizards

Mitigation-driven translocations represent an increasingly common management solution to reduce animal mortality and habitat loss caused by human development. Although they currently outnumber other translocation types, there is a lack of scientific approaches to evaluate the outcome of this management tool. We designed an experimental translocation with two groups of translocated males and two of control males of a small (6-14 g) lizard (totaling 120 individuals). Our results suggest that translocated individuals covered longer distances (53 vs. 18 m) from their respective release points in one month (on average), although this distance diminished over time. Displacing longer distances was associated with a body condition impoverishment and an increase in parasitization by ectoparasites. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that finds a positive relationship between covering longer distances and an increase in the number of mites. This was also explained by the initial mite load that lizards had, suggesting that controlling the infestation by mites is energetically demanding for lizards, being traded by locomotor activity. At least for those individuals in poorer body condition, we recommend the implementation of soft release (gradually accustoming individuals to their new environment by previously releasing them into controlled conditions) and deparasitization before accomplishing a mitigationdriven translocation.Comunidad de MadridInstituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente da Universidade do PortoFundação para a Ciência e a TecnologiaDepto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEpu

Longitudinal effects of habitat quality, body condition, and parasites on colour patches of a multiornamented lizard

Ontogeny is expected to be a determinant factor affecting production of colour patches in lizards, while immune challenges or sudden weight loss may impair the maintenance of pigment-based coloration within a breeding season. We translocated males of the lizard Psammodromus algirus between two sampling plots that differed in distance to a road, vegetation structure, and predator abundance. We analysed variation in spectral reflectance of their colour patches the same and the following year. The change in the reflectance of the lizard colour patches within the first breeding season was explained by the interaction between plot and treatment, but not body condition. The maintenance of the breeding coloration was impaired only in those males translocated close to the road, probably reflecting that it is a poor-quality habitat for P. algirus. The following year, lizards that produced a more elaborate coloration were those that increased their body condition and controlled some parasitic infections, although suffered an increase of others. This study shows that colour patch production is plastic in P. algirus. Lizards increasing parasites or losing weight reduced pigmentation, although habitat quality can cushion these negative effects on pigmentation. However, not all parasites constrain the investment in coloration. In fact, some increased in those lizards that allocated more pigments to colour patches. In conclusion, longitudinal studies following experimental manipulation can contribute to understand pigment allocation rules in lizards.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. RMP received a contract (CEECIND/04084/2017) by BIOPOLIS – Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and RB a postdoctoral grant from Comunidad de Madrid (2018T1/AMB10374).Peer reviewe