The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Reporting on progress on protected areas management effectiveness; Discussion document for a long term plan for collecting and reporting on progress on protected areas management effectiveness and building capacity for national and regional evaluations

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Population structure and vertical stratification of Micoureus paraguayanus (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) in lowland atlantic coastal forest fragments, southern Brazil

In order to analyze Micoureus paraguayanus population structure in function of the seasonality and habitats in disturbed forest fragments, a study was carried out on three forest fragments with differences in size, isolation and degrees of deforestation in a lowland Atlantic coastal forest, on Santa Catarina Island. Thirty traps were installed on the ground, under story and canopy in each fragment, resulting in a sample size of 3,240 trap-nights. After 12 months’ fieldwork between January and December of 2003, 90 captures of 22 individuals were made, resulting in capture success of 2.8%. The highest number of captures was observed in the most deforested fragment, without a developed under story. The population structure of M. paraguayanus did not show any bias in function of the fragmentation of the habitat, vertical stratification or even the different seasons, except for the age proportion in relation to seasons, pointing to a similarity of the species’ responses to these factors