Is diet flexibility an adaptive life trait for relictual and peri-urban populations of the endangered primate Macaca Sylvanus?

International audienceHabitat loss, fragmentation and urban expansion may drive some species to marginal habitats while others succeed in exploiting urban areas. Species that show dietary flexibility are more able to take advantage of human activities to supplement their diet with anthropogenically abundant and accessible resources. The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) is an endangered species due to the loss of its habitat, and human pressure. The population of Gouraya National Park (Algeria) lives in a relictual habitat that constitutes about 0.6%of the species range. In addition, this population is a unique case where urban expansion favours contact zones between Barbary macaque habitats and a big city (Bejaia). We quantified the dietary composition of Gouraya macaques over an annual cycle with the objective to understand how diet flexibility of this species may help it adapt to a relictual habitat or cope with urban expansion.We recorded the phenology of plant species every month. This study shows that Gouraya macaques, compared to those living in other forest types of the distribution area, are under lower seasonal constraints. They consume a greater amount of fruit and seeds that are available throughout much of the year, and a lesser amount of costly to find and extract subterranean foods. Therefore the Gouraya relictual habitat appears as a favourable environment compared to other major habitats of that species. This study also shows that colonizing peri-urban zones increases the availability and species richness of diet resourcesfor Barbary macaques as they consume more human foods and exotic plants than in farther sites. Adult males eat more human foods than adult females and immatures do. The exploitation of high-energy anthropogenic food could favour macaque population growth and expansion towards the city center associated with human/macaque conflicts. We recommend applying management actions to restore macaques back to their natural habitat

Development of ex vivo organ culture models to mimic human corneal scarring

PURPOSE: To develop ex vivo organ culture models of human corneal scarring suitable for pharmacological testing and the study of the molecular mechanisms leading to corneal haze after laser surgery or wounding. METHODS: Corneas from human donors were cultured ex vivo for 30 days, either at the air-liquid interface (AL) or immersed (IM) in the culture medium. Histological features and immunofluorescence for fibronectin, tenascin C, thrombospondin-1, and α-smooth muscle actin were graded from 0 to 3 for control corneas and for corneas wounded with an excimer laser. The effects of adding 10 ng/ml transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to the culture medium and of prior complete removal of the epithelium and limbus, thus preventing reepithelialization, were also analyzed on wounded corneas. Collagen III expression was detected with real-time PCR. RESULTS: Wounding alone was sufficient to induce keratocyte activation and stromal disorganization, but it was only in the presence of added TGF-β1 that intense staining for fibronectin and tenascin C was found in the AL and IM models (as well as thrombospondin-1 in the AL model) and that α-smooth muscle actin became detectable. The scar-like appearance of the corneas was exacerbated when TGF-β1 was added and reepithelialization was prevented, resulting in the majority of corneas becoming opaque and marked upregulation of collagen III. CONCLUSIONS: THE MAIN FEATURES OF CORNEAL SCARRING WERE REPRODUCED IN THESE TWO COMPLEMENTARY MODELS: the AL model preserved differentiation of the epithelium and permits the topical application of active molecules, while the IM model ensures better perfusion by soluble compounds

Distribution and reproductive ecology of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Algeria

The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a breeding bird in the Mediterranean part of Algeria (i.e. from coast to the Hauts-Plateaux). National censuses have been organized as part of project to study the dynamics of bird populations in Algeria. The total number of breeding pairs (HPa) was found to be 6601 in 2007. In the eastern regions (from El-Tarf to Oum-El-Bouaghi), the census resulted in 1855 occupied nests in 1995 and 4411 in 2007 (70 % of the total in both years). In the central regions (from Béjaia to Blida) 701 pairs (26 %) and 1817 pairs (27.5 %) were counted in 1995 and 2007 respectively. In the western regions (from Tipasa to Ain-Temouchent), only 123 pairs (5 %) were found in 1995 and 373 (5.6 %) in 2007. The pairs nesting outside of human settlements often breed in colonies on trees. The selected types of nest supports give a good idea of the changes that have occurred in preference of nest sites. Although, since cities have increased in size and many houses have lost their suitability for storks, some pairs have adopted new buildings to nest, so human-made supports (roofs of houses, electricity poles and pylons) still represent more than half of the total number of nest supports. The population’s increase is particularly striking in the eastern regions of El-Tarf and Mila and in the central regions of Setif where the breeding populations have increased by 263 %, 137 % and 312 % respectively between 1995 and 2007. Notwithstanding that some other factors such as ever-growing urbanization pressure and deterioration of habitat quality still have a negative impact on the White Stork populations we estimate that the above mentioned climatic improvements and the adoption of irrigated farmlands and garbage dumps to feed in certain regions have largely contributed to the recent population increaseLa Cigogne blanche Ciconia ciconia niche communément dans la partie méditerranéenne de l'Algérie, des plaines du littoral jusque aux hauts-plateaux steppiques. Des recensements nationaux ont été effectués dans le cadre d'un projet d'étude de la dynamique des populations d'oiseaux en Algérie. En 2007, 6601 couples nicheurs ont été recensés. Dans les régions de l'Est (d'El-Tarf à Oum-El-Bouaghi), de 1855 nids occupés en 1995 l'effectif est passé à 4411 en 2007 soit 70 % du total des effectifs nicheurs pour les deux recensements. Dans les régions du centre (de Béjaïa à Blida), respectivement 701 (26 %) et 1817 (27,5 %) couples nicheurs ont été dénombrés en 1995 et 2007. Dans les régions de l'Ouest (de Tipasa à Ain-Temouchent), seulement 123 couples nicheurs (5 %) ont été observés en 1995 et 373 (5,6 %) en 2007. Les couples qui nichent en dehors des agglomérations font souvent leurs nids en colonies sur des arbres. Les types de supports choisis pour l'emplacement des nids montrent clairement les changements qui ont eu lieu dans la préférence des sites de nidification. Bien que les villes aient augmenté en taille et que beaucoup de maisons aient perdu leur aptitude à offrir des supports de nidification pour la Cigogne blanche, certains couples ont adopté les nouveaux bâtiments pour nicher, les structures artificielles (toits des maisons, poteaux et pylônes électriques) représentent toujours plus de la moitié des supports de nids. L'essor démographique de la population de Cigognes blanches algériennes est particulièrement remarquable dans les régions de l'Est à El-Tarf et Mila et dans les régions du Centre à Sétif où les effectifs des couples nicheurs ont augmenté respectivement de 263 %, 137 % et 312 % entre 1995 et 2007. Même si certains facteurs tels que la pression de l'urbanisation et la détérioration de la qualité des habitats ont toujours un impact négatif sur les populations de Cigogne blanche, nous estimons que les améliorations climatiques sur les lieux d'hivernage et de reproduction, et l'adoption des terres cultivées irriguées et des décharges d'ordures ménagères pour se nourrir dans certaines régions ont largement contribué à l'augmentation récente de la population

Changes of the breeding population of White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala at Lake Tonga (Algeria)

The White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala is a species listed in the IUCN Red List as threatened (Endangered), it is also protected by the Algerian law as at risk of extinction. Based on weekly surveys of adults, males and females, and nests (or families) on the Ramsar site of Lake Tonga, the most important nesting site of the species in southern Mediterranean, our work aims at checking the present status of this population in order to develop a national action plan for its preservation. The observations of adults and families during pre-breeding and breeding periods, conducted each year in 2006, 2007 and 2008, show a clear increase of the population relative to existing data on this site obtained in 1991-1992L'Érismature à tête blanche Oxyura leucocephala est une espèce classée dans la liste rouge de l'UICN comme menacée, elle est également protégée par la législation algérienne en tant qu'espèce menacée de disparition. Basé sur les recensements hebdomadaires des adultes, mâles et femelles, et des nichées (ou familles) sur le site Ramsar du Lac Tonga, site de nidification le plus important de l'espèce sur la rive sud de Méditerranée, notre travail cherche à actualiser l'état de cette population afin d'élaborer un plan d'action national pour sa sauvegarde. Les observations sur les adultes et les nichées (ou familles) en période de pré-nidification et de nidification, effectuées chaque année en 2006, 2007 et 2008, mettent en évidence une nette augmentation des effectifs par rapport aux données déjà obtenues sur ce site en 1991-199

Transversal distribution (channel-bank) of benthic macro-invertebrates in Algerian rivers (Soummam and its tributaries)

The communities of benthic macro-invertebrates were sampled over the entire watershed Soummam to determine the transversal variability (bank-channel) : 34 stations were studied on the three parts of the watershed Soummam (Soummam valley, Bouira and Sétif plateaux) during spring and summer of 2005, 2006 and 2007. The main objective of the study was to determine the community structure of benthic macro-invertebrates in two flow facies (bank and channel). From this structure we determined whether communities are homogeneous or heterogeneous by measuring the distance between the channel and the bank, and that to determine the surface distribution of these communities in the same station. In terms of taxonomic richness, the similarities were between 60 and 90 %, which means that sometimes dissimilarity was up to 40 %. However, in terms of abundance, differences were remarkable between the channel and the banks, especially for taxa characteristics of each region. Even for stations where the distance between the samples on the channel and on the bank was less than 2 m, the structure of these benthic macro-invertebrates communities also changed. So the habitat of benthic macro-invertebrates is very small, and each micro-habitat has a structure specific to these benthic communitiesLes communautés de macro-invertébrés benthiques ont été échantillonnées sur la totalité du bassin versant de la Soummam afin de déterminer la variabilité transversale (rive-chenal) ; pour cela, un total de 34 stations à été étudié sur les trois parties du bassin versant de la Soummam (vallée de la Soummam, plateau de Bouira et le plateau de Sétif) durant le printemps et l'été des années 2005, 2006 et 2007. L'objectif principal de l'étude était de déterminer la structure des communautés de macro-invertébrés benthiques dans deux faciès d'écoulement (rive et chenal). À partir de cette structure nous avons déterminé à quel point les peuplements étaient homogènes ou hétérogènes en mesurant la distance entre le chenal et la rive, et cela afin de déterminer la surface de répartition de ces peuplements au sein de la même station. En termes de richesse taxinomique, les similitudes qualitatives variaient entre 60 % et 90 %, ce qui signifie que la dissemblance atteignait parfois 40 %. Mais, en termes d'abondance, les différences entre le chenal et les rives étaient très remarquables, surtout pour les taxons caractéristiques de chaque région. Même pour les stations où la distance entre les prélèvements du chenal et de la rive était moins de deux mètres, la structure des communautés de macro-invertébrés benthiques changeait. Donc l'habitat des macro-invertébrés benthiques est très réduit, et chaque micro-habitat possède une structure spécifique de ces peuplements benthiques

Structural variability of benthic macro-invertebrate communities in the watershed ofthe Soummam (Algeria, North Africa)

The spatio-temporal distribution and structure of benthic invertebrate communities has been studied in a catchment area of northern Algeria (the watershed of Soummam). The samples were collected over two seasons (spring and summer) in 2005 and 2006 with some additional ones in 2007. They were obtained in 34 stations located at elevations between 20 m and 1100 m a.s.l. Community variability was analysed in terms of space (taxonomic variability in the three parts of the Soummam catchment area) and time (seasonal variation between spring and summer). In the Soummam catchment area, two types of large-scale factors (altitude and slope) govern the distribution of benthic macro-invertebrates by acting on the flow velocity and nature of the substrate. Changes in current speed affect the nature of the substrate which in turn affects the structure of the benthic macro-invertebrate fauna. Five groups of taxa were determined by their density : 56.4 % of taxa have a number of individuals less than 50 per m2, 25.5 % between 50 and 500 per m2, 14.1 % between 500 and 2500 per m2, 2.4 % between 2500 and 5000 per m2, and 1.8 % of taxa with numbers higher than 5000 per m2. This structure shows slight differences between the three parts of Soummam catchment areaLa distribution spatio-temporelle et la structuration des communautés d'invertébrés benthiques ont été étudiées dans un bassin versant du Nord de l'Algérie (le bassin versant de la Soummam). Les échantillons ont été prélevés sur deux saisons (printemps et été) des années 2005 et 2006, avec quelques prélèvements complémentaires en 2007 ; au total 34 stations ont été échantillonnées entre 20 m et 1100 m d'altitude. La variabilité de la communauté a été analysée en fonction de l'espace (variabilité taxinomique au niveau des trois parties du bassin versant de la Soummam) et en fonction du temps (variations saisonnières entre le printemps et l'été). Dans le bassin versant de la Soummam, deux types de facteurs à grande échelle (altitude et pente) régissent la répartition des macro-invertébrés benthiques en agissant sur la vitesse du courant et la nature du substrat. Les variations de la vitesse du courant jouent sur la nature du substrat qui influe à son tour sur la structuration des macro-invertébrés benthiques. A partir de cela, cinq groupes de taxons ont été détenninés suivant leur densité, il ressort que 56,4 % de taxons ont moins de 50 individus/ m2, 25,5 % entre 50 et 500 individus/m2, 14,1 % entre 500 et 2500 individus/m2, 2,4 % entre 2500 et 5000 individus/m2, et enfin 1,8 % de taxons ont des effectifs supérieurs à 5000 individus/m2. Cette structuration montre de légères différences entre les trois parties du bassin versant de la Soummam

Synthesis and hyperpolarisation of eNOS substrates for quantification of NO production by 1H NMR spectroscopy

Hyperpolarization enhances the intensity of the NMR signals of a molecule, whose in vivo metabolic fate can be monitored by MRI with higher sensitivity. SABRE is a hyperpolarization technique that could potentially be used to image nitric oxide (NO) production in vivo. This would be very important, because NO dysregulation is involved in several pathologies, including cardiovascular ones. The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway leads to NO production via conversion of l-arginine into l-citrulline. NO is a free radical gas with a short half-life in vivo (≈5s), therefore direct NO quantification is challenging. An indirect method - based on quantifying conversion of an l-Arg- to l-Cit-derivative by 1H NMR spectroscopy - is herein proposed. A small library of pyridyl containing l-Arg derivatives was designed and synthesised. In vitro tests showed that compounds 4a-j and 11a-c were better or equivalent substrates for the eNOS enzyme (NO2 - production=19-46μM) than native l-Arg (NO2 - production=25μM). Enzymatic conversion of l-Arg to l-Cit derivatives could be monitored by 1H NMR. The maximum hyperpolarization achieved by SABRE reached 870-fold NMR signal enhancement, which opens up exciting future perspectives of using these molecules as hyperpolarized MRI tracers in vivo

Comportement diurne de l’Érismature à tête blanche Oxyura leucocephala au lac Tonga (Nord-Est algérien)

Over a period of two years, the diurnal behaviour of the globally threatened Whiteheaded Duck Oxyura leucocephala was monitored at Lake Tonga, a shallow freshwater lake, part of the Numidian wetland complex located in North-East Algeria. Diurnal time-activity budgets of about 173 birds were compiled during two breeding seasons, from pre-breeding to postnuptial moult. Separate budgets were constructed for males and females White-headed Duck. During the breeding season, sleeping proved to be the main diurnal activity for males (40 %), reflecting the thermoregulatory advantage to resting during the day. Conversely, females feeding more (26 %) than males (19 %) during the pre-breeding period reflect their need to acquire nutrients and energy for egg production and incubation. Courtship and agonistic behaviour, more important during pre-breeding (i.e. laying and incubation periods), indicate that some males tried to engage in extra-pair copulation, and others tried to guard their females against this. Comfort increasing from June and July for both sexes reflect that moult takes place. Alert was more important during postnuptial period, males and females White-headed Duck allocated the same time to protect chicks and juveniles from different enemies. This study provides recent and original data on the behaviour of an endangered species, whose activities during the breeding season in the wild are little known, especially for each sexLe comportement diurne de l'Érismature à tête blanche Oxyura leucocephala a été étudié au lac Tonga, lac d'eau douce peu profond situé dans le Nord-Est algérien, au cours de deux saisons de reproduction. Les rythmes d'activités diurnes de 173 oiseaux ont été compilés, de la période de pré-nidification jusqu'à la mue postnuptiale. Des budgets d'activités séparés ont été construits pour chacun des mâles et des femelles d'Érismature. Durant la saison de reproduction, le sommeil s'est avéré être la principale activité diurne pour les mâles (40 %), ce qui reflète l'avantage de la thermorégulation au cours du repos pendant la journée. Les femelles se nourrissent plus que les mâles (respectivement 26 % et 19 %) au cours de la période de pré-nidification, indiquant ainsi leur besoin d'acquérir des nutriments et de l'énergie pour la production d'œufs et l'incubation. Les parades nuptiales et le comportement agonistique, plus importants pendant la pré-nidification (période de ponte et d'incubation), indiquent que certains mâles tenteraient de copuler avec d'autres femelles, alors que d'autres essayeraient de protéger leurs propres femelles contre cela. L'augmentation du temps imparti à la toilette à partir de juin et juillet pour les deux sexes indique le début du phénomène de mue. L'activité alerte est plus importante pendant la période postnuptiale. En effet, mâles et femelles d'Érismature allouent un même temps à la protection des poussins et des juvéniles contre différents ennemis. Ce travail présente des données récentes et inédites sur l'éco-éthologie d'une espèce menacée pendant la saison de reproduction et dont les études sur le sujet restent peu développées dans la nature, en particulier pour chaque sexe

Breeding biology of the White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala at Lake Tonga (Algeria)

The study of the reproductive phenology of the White-headed Duck was carried out at Lake Tonga, a wetland of international importance for the nesting of this species across the Mediterranean basin. The following breeding parameters have been studied in 2007 and 2008 : dates of laying and hatching, clutch size and breeding success. The breeding population was estimated at 78 males and 26 females in 2007 and at 71 males and 22 females in 2008. Laying is recorded during a period of 9 to 11 weeks from late April to mid-July. A brood size of 3.2 ± 1.6 young (n = 17) was recorded in the first year of study and another of 3.9 ± 1.4 young (n = 37) in the second one. Young fledged between late June and early September. The data obtained in this study suggest that the White-headed Duck may be considered as a bird almost constant in terms of life-history traits in AlgeriaLa phénologie de la reproduction de l'Érismature à tête blanche Oxyura leucocephala a été étudiée au lac Tonga, Parc national d'El Kala (Algérie), une zone humide d'importance internationale pour la nidification de l'espèce à l'échelle du bassin Méditerranéen. Les paramètres de la reproduction étudiés durant les années 2007 et 2008 furent les dates et périodes de ponte, la grandeur des nichées, le succès de reproduction et l'envol des jeunes. La population reproductrice a été estimée à 78 mâles et 26 femelles en 2007 et à 71 mâles et 22 femelles en 2008. La ponte s'étale de fin avril à la mi-juillet, sur une période allant de 9 à 11 semaines. La taille des nichées enregistrées fut de 3,2 ± 1,6 canetons (n = l7) pour la première année d'étude et de 3,9 ± 1,4 (n = 37) pour la seconde. L'envol des jeunes a lieu entre fin juin et début septembre. Les données obtenues au cours de cette étude suggèrent que l'Érismature à tête blanche est un oiseau relativement constant en termes de caractéristiques liées à la reproduction en Algérie

PLoS ONE

Habitat loss, fragmentation and urban expansion may drive some species to marginal habitats while others succeed in exploiting urban areas. Species that show dietary flexibility are more able to take advantage of human activities to supplement their diet with anthropogenically abundant and accessible resources. The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) is an endangered species due to the loss of its habitat, and human pressure. The population of Gouraya National Park (Algeria) lives in a relictual habitat that constitutes about 0.6% of the species range. In addition, this population is a unique case where urban expansion favours contact zones between Barbary macaque habitats and a big city (Bejaia). We quantified the dietary composition of Gouraya macaques over an annual cycle with the objective to understand how diet flexibility of this species may help it adapt to a relictual habitat or cope with urban expansion. We recorded the phenology of plant species every month. This study shows that Gouraya macaques, compared to those living in other forest types of the distribution area, are under lower seasonal constraints. They consume a greater amount of fruit and seeds that are available throughout much of the year, and a lesser amount of costly to find and extract subterranean foods. Therefore the Gouraya relictual habitat appears as a favourable environment compared to other major habitats of that species. This study also shows that colonizing peri-urban zones increases the availability and species richness of diet resources for Barbary macaques as they consume more human foods and exotic plants than in farther sites. Adult males eat more human foods than adult females and immatures do. The exploitation of high-energy anthropogenic food could favour macaque population growth and expansion towards the city center associated with human/macaque conflicts. We recommend applying management actions to restore macaques back to their natural habitat