Phylogenetic signal in amphibian sensitivity to copper sulfate relative to experimental temperature

The release of large quantities of chemicals into the environment represents a major source of environmental disturbance. In recent years, the focus of ecotoxicology has shifted from describing the effects of chemical contaminants on individual species to developing more integrated approaches for predicting and evaluating long term effects of chemicals across species and ecosystems. Traditional ecotoxicology is typically based on data of sensitivity of a few surrogate species to a contaminant and often considers little variability in chemical sensitivity within and among taxonomic groups. This approach assumes that evolutionary history and phylogenetic relatedness among species have little or no impact on species’ sensitivity to chemical compounds. Few studies have tested this assumption. Using phylogenetic comparative methods and published data for amphibians, we show that sensitivity to copper sulfate, a commonly used pesticide, exhibits a strong phylogenetic signal when controlling for experimental temperature. Our results indicate that evolutionary history needs to be accounted for to make accurate predictions of amphibian sensitivity to this contaminant under different temperature scenarios. Since physiological and metabolic traits showing high phylogenetic signal likely underlie variation in species sensitivity to chemical stressors, future studies should evaluate and predict species vulnerability to pollutants using evolutionarily informed approaches

Preferred temperatures of Tarentola mauritanica in spring

Variation of the preferred temperatures (Tp) by the Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) in spring was analysed in a population from NE Iberia. Ten adult specimens were exposed to a thermal gradient and Tp was measured at seven time intervals between 16 and 24 h. Tp values were low (23.44 ± 0.61 ºC, 20.7-26.9 ºC, mean ± SE, range) but geckoes gradually increased Tps between late afternoon and early evening. Surprisingly, mean, maximum and minimum Tps inversely correlated with the body size (SVL), but the results of the analyses remained after size correction. Compared to a previous study carried out in summer, Tps found here were much lower but diel variation persisted. Such patterns are more similar to other nocturnal or crepuscular geckonids rather than to the well-studied diurnal lacertids living in the same sites. Specifically, Tp seems to be more plastic and the relationships with body size are opposite. Possible adaptive explanations and guidelines for further work are suggested

Adding Acanthodactylus beershebensis to the mtDNA phylogeny of the Acanthodactylus pardalis group

The phylogenetic affinities of Acanthodactylus beershebensis, a highly endangered lacertid lizard endemic to the Neguev (Israel), were assessed using mtDNA markers. Fragments of 12S and 16S rRNA were analysed and compared with already published sequences of Acanthodactylus. Results corroborate the taxonomic placement of A. beershebensis as a member of the A. pardalis group but place it within a polytomy at the same phylogenetic level as other (unnamed) African populations. This pattern of high but poorly structured genetic diversity, previously observed for other Acanthodactylus complexes, has been suggested to derive from the climatic instability of North Africa and the Middle East during the humid and dry periods of the Pleistocene as well as dune migrations. In conservation terms, if A. beershebensis is to be prioritised, then other populations of the A. pardalis group inhabiting North Africa would deserve a similar status, making their species definition urgent. These results highlight the need for considering phylogeny when establishing conservation priorities.publishe

Briófitos del hayedo de peña Izaga (Navarra)

Se estudia la Flora Briofítica del hayedo de Peña de Izaga (Navarra). Se citan 64 especies (11 hepáticas y 53 musgos), comentando su autoecología. Se comparan áreas de hayedo típico (Helleboro/Fagetum 0. de Bolòs (1948) 1957) y comunidades limítrofes (comunidades importadoras), discutiéndose las posibles causas climáticas-ecológicas de las diferencias observadas. Résumé: On a étudié la Flore Muscinale des hêtraies de Peña Izaga (Navarra). La forêt climax (Helleboro-Fagetum 0. de Bolos (1948) 1957) et les communautés végétales limitrophes comprendent une bryoflore constituée par 64 espèces (11 hépatiques et 53 muscinées). On a fait une brève analyse de l'auto-écologie de chaque espèce et une discussion des facteurs du milieu qui causent leur distribution locale

Worst cases for a one-hop high frequency link

The characterisation of a HF channel by means of monthly electron density profiles can be complemented with a detailed study of radio propagation «worst cases» on situations with extremes conditions of radiopropagation for a given period. These «worst cases» correspond to conditions that can be identified by means of cumulative distributions of the key parameter f0F2. This paper analyses the main parameters of the HF channel: time delay, apogee, elevation angle and transmission frequency with mean and extreme conditions. The method used to characterise the ionospheric channel is based on ray-tracing techniques.National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA)Dr. Moorhead of Neptune Radar Ltd.Gloucester U.

Flora micológica de peña de Izaga (Navarra)

Se citan 103 especies de hongos, 12 Ascomycetes y 91 Basidiomycetes, recolectados en hayedo, pinar y quejigal de Peña Izaga (Navarra). Un total de 46 especies son nuevas citas para el catálogo micológico de la provincia. Summary: 103 species of Fungi, of them 12 Ascomycetes and 91 Basidiomycetes, are cited in the present work. They have been collected in woods of Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus faginea Lam. and Pinus nigra Arnold from Peña Izaga (Navarra). 16 of the species are new records for the micological catalogue of Navarra

Catalytic Dehydrogenative Coupling of Hydrosilanes with Alcohols for the Production of Hydrogen On-demand: Application of a Silane/Alcohol Pair as a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier

The compound [Ru(p-cym)(Cl)2(NHC)] is an effective catalyst for the room-temperature coupling of silanes and alcohols with the concomitant formation of molecular hydrogen. High catalyst activity is observed for a variety of substrates affording quantitative yields in minutes at room temperature and with a catalyst loading as low as 0.1 mol %. The coupling reaction is thermodynamically and, in the presence of a Ru complex, kinetically favourable and allows rapid molecular hydrogen generation on-demand at room temperature, under air, and without any additive. The pair silane/alcohol is a potential liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) for energy storage over long periods in a safe and secure way. Silanes and alcohols are non-toxic compounds and do not require special handling precautions such as high pressure or an inert atmosphere. These properties enhance the practical applications of the pair silane/alcohol as a good LOHC in the automotive industry. The variety and availability of silanes and alcohols permits a pair combination that fulfils the requirements for developing an efficient LOHC

Pteridófitos de la provincia de La Rioja

Se ha efectuado una puesta al día del catálogo de Pteridófitos presentes en la provincia de la Rioja. Se citan 38 especies y subespecies, 8 de las cuales son novedad para la provincia. Summary: We have made a revisión of the catalogue of Pteridophyta from Rioja. We have cited 38 species and subspecies, 8 of them are new records for our province

Interactions between 2,4-bis-pteridine-1,5-benzodiazepine and group 12 dihalides: synthesis, spectral and XRD structural studies and theoretical calculations

2,4-Bis(1,3,7-trimethyl-pteridine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione-6-yl)-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine (DLMBZD) has been prepared and its molecular and crystal structures have been determined from spectral and XRD data. The benzodiazepine ligand was reacted with zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) chloride, bromide and iodide to give complexes with general formula [M(DLMBZD)X2]. The complexes have been synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR and elemental analysis. The structure of seven complexes has been obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In all the cases, the metal is (2 + 2 + 1)-five-coordinated by two halide ligands, two nitrogen atoms from pyrazine and diazepine rings and a carbonyl oxygen from a pteridine ring. The coordinated-metal environment is a square-based pyramid, with increasing trigonality from Hg(II) to Zn(II) complexes. To coordinate the metals, the ligand folds itself, establishing four intramolecular σ–π interactions with the pyrimidine and pyrazine rings. A topological analysis of the electron density using the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules and the complexes stability has been performed.Supported by the University of Jaén (Plan de Apoyo a la Investigación, al Desarrollo Tecnológico y a la Innovación), Junta de Andalucía (PAIDI groups FQM195, FQM273 and FQM337) and the State Secretariat for Research, Development and Innovation of Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (Project “Red de Excelencia MetalBio”, CTQ2015-71211-REDT)