Facilitation Among Saproxylic Insects Inhabiting Tree Hollows in a Mediterranean Forest: The Case of Cetonids (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Tree hollows offer an ideal niche for saproxylic insects in mature Mediterranean forests, where Diptera and Coleoptera are the richest groups. Co-occurrence is frequently observed among many species of both groups in these microhabitats, and some of these species have been considered to facilitate the presence of other species by acting as ecosystem engineers. One of the systems that is found in Mediterranean tree hollows is formed by cetonid (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and syrphid (Diptera: Syrphidae) larvae. Here, cetonid larvae feed on wood and litter and produce a substrate that is easier to decompose. To assess the possible role of these larvae as facilitating agents for the saproxylic guild, we studied whether the presence of saprophagous Syrphidae inside tree hollows is associated with the activity of cetonid larvae. Furthermore, in laboratory conditions, we tested whether cetonid larvae activity can improve the development and fitness of the saprophagous syrphid species. Our results show that “cetonid activity” was the variable that best explained the presence of saprophagous syrphid species in natural conditions. Myathropa florea (L., 1758) was one of the species most influenced by this activity. The laboratory experiment gave similar results, demonstrating that an enriched substrate with Cetonia aurataeformis Curti, 1913 larval feces improves syrphid larval growth rate and fitness of adults (measured as longer wing length) of M. florea.Financial support was provided by the Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation (CGL2008-04472, CGL2009-09656, CG L2011-23658, CGL2012-31669) and the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2013/034 Project). I.R.S.G. was supported by Grisolia fellowships of the Generalitat Valencian

Estudio de la reacción entre el Hg(l) y el ácido etilenglicol bis (β-amino etil éter) tetraacético. Determinación espectrofotométrica de Hg22+

The reaction between Hg(I) and ethyleneglycol bis (β-aminoethylether)- N, N, N3, N3 tetraacetate (EGTA) in a weakly acidic médium (pH ≈ 5) is studied by U. V. spectrophotometric techniques. The maxiraum of absorption which appears at 247 nm is supposed due to the formation of a Hg(I) - EGTA complex. This compotmd is unstable and it decomposes slowly with formation of Hg(II) chelate and metallic mercury. When the absorbance is measured at fixed time (5 minutes), it is fovmd that Beer's law is obeyed from 1 up to 30 p p m of Hg(I) at 247 nm

Estudio de la reacción entre el Cr(lll) y el ADCT catalizada por el CO3H1-. Determinación cinética de CO3H1-

A new kinetic method for the determination of CO3H1- is presented. It is based on the catalytic effect that this anión produces on the slow reaction of complexation between Cr(III) and DCyTA. The influence of different variables on the process, the effect of interferent ions and the mechanism of the reaction are studied. CO3H1- may be determined between 2-500 p.p.m. with good analytical results. The method has been appHed for the analysis of combined CO2 in natural waters

North African Populations Carry the Signature of Admixture with Neandertals

Abstract One of the main findings derived from the analysis of the Neandertal genome was the evidence for admixture between Neandertals and non-African modern humans. An alternative scenario is that the ancestral population of non-Africans was closer to Neandertals than to Africans because of ancient population substructure. Thus, the study of North African populations is crucial for testing both hypotheses. We analyzed a total of 780,000 SNPs in 125 individuals representing seven different North African locations and searched for their ancestral/derived state in comparison to different human populations and Neandertals. We found that North African populations have a significant excess of derived alleles shared with Neandertals, when compared to sub-Saharan Africans. This excess is similar to that found in non-African humans, a fact that can be interpreted as a sign of Neandertal admixture. Furthermore, the Neandertal's genetic signal is higher in populations with a local, pre-Neolithic North African ancestry. Therefore, the detected ancient admixture is not due to recent Near Eastern or European migrations. Sub-Saharan populations are the only ones not affected by the admixture event with Neandertals

Reporte del vampiro de patas peludas Diphylla ecaudata Spix, 1823 (Chiroptera: Desmodontinae) para el Chocó biogeográfico colombiano

It is reported a new record of the hairy-legged vampire Diphylla ecaudata (SPIX, 1823) in the Choco region of Colombia, of which are known only few studies in the country, registered in the departments of Magdalena (1900), Vaupés (1966), Meta (1970), Caquetá (1999) y Amazonas (2016). This registry is based on two specimens that were properly analyzed and due to its curiosity, discusses the available information on this species in the country in terms of its distribution and ecology, based on specimens in collections and existing reports. This log helps fill a void of the known geographic distribution of the species in the country deposited in the Teriologica Scientific Collection Research Group on Management and Wildlife Management of the Chocó of the Technological University of Chocó (ColTer-Choco). This report extends the geographic distribution until the department of Choco, in contraendose to 464.794 km some of the record closest in Magdalena, adding the Tropical Dry Forest Ecosystem (BST) to habitats that occurred for the species. Due to its curiosity, discusses the available information on this species in the country in terms of its distribution and ecology, based on specimens in collections and existing reports. This log helps fill a void of the known geographic distribution of the species in the country.Se reporta un nuevo registro del vampiro de patas peludas Diphylla ecaudata (SPIX, 1823) en el Chocó Biogeográfico colombiano, del que solo se conocen pocos estudios en el país, registrada en los departamentos de Magdalena (1900), Vaupés (1966), Meta (1970), Caquetá (1999), Casanare (2013) y Amazonas (2016). Este registro se basa en dos especímenes que fueron debidamente analizados y depositados en la Colección Científica Teriológica del Grupo de Investigación en Manejo y Gestion de la Vida Silvestre del Chocó de la Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó (ColTer-Chocó). Este reporte amplía la distribución geográfica hasta el departamento del Chocó, en contraendose a 464.794 km aproximadamente del registro más cercano en el Magdalena, adicionando el ecosistema Bosque Seco Tropical (BST) a los hábitats ocurridos por la especie. Debido a su curiosidad, se discute la información disponible sobre esta especie en el país en términos de su distribución y ecología, a partir de ejemplares en colecciones y reportes existentes. Este registro ayuda a llenar un vacío de la distribución geográfica conocida de la especie en el país

Orthogonal high-density mapping with ventricular tachycardia isthmus analysis vs. pure substrate ventricular tachycardia ablation: A case–control study

Substrate-based ablation has become a successful technique for ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. High-density (HD) mapping catheters provide high-resolution electroanatomical maps and better discrimination of local abnormal electrograms. The HD Grid Mapping Catheter is an HD catheter with the ability to map orthogonal signals on top of conventional bipolar signals, which could provide better discrimination of the arrhythmic substrate. On the other hand, conventional mapping techniques, such as activation mapping, when possible, help to identify the isthmus of the tachycardia.The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes after using two different VT ablation strategies: one based on extensive mapping with the HD Grid Mapping Catheter, including VT isthmus analysis, and the other based on pure substrate ablation.Forty consecutive patients undergoing VT ablation with extensive HD mapping method in the hospital clinic (November 2018-November 2019) were included. Clinical outcomes were compared with a historical cohort of 26 consecutive patients who underwent ablation using a scar dechanneling technique before 2018.The density of mapping points was higher in the extensive mapping group (2370.24 ± 920.78 vs. 576.45 ± 294.46; p < 0.001). After 1 year of follow-up, VT recurred in 18.4% of patients in the extensive mapping group vs. 34.6% of patients in the historical control group (p = 0.14), with a significantly greater reduction of VT burden: VT episodes (81.7 ± 7.79 vs. 43.4 ± 19.9%, p < 0.05), antitachycardia pacing (99.45 ± 2.29 vs. 33.9 ± 102.5%, p < 0.001), and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks (99 ± 4.5 vs. 64.7 ± 59.9%, p = 0.02).The use of a method based on extensive mapping with the HD Grid Mapping Catheter and VT isthmus analysis allows better discrimination of the arrhythmic substrate and could be associated with a greater decrease in VT burden.Copyright © 2022 Vázquez-Calvo, Garre, Sanchez-Somonte, Borras, Quinto, Caixal, Pujol-Lopez, Althoff, Guasch, Arbelo, Tolosana, Brugada, Mont and Roca-Luque

Association Patterns in Saproxylic Insect Networks in Three Iberian Mediterranean Woodlands and Their Resistance to Microhabitat Loss

The assessment of the relationship between species diversity, species interactions and environmental characteristics is indispensable for understanding network architecture and ecological distribution in complex networks. Saproxylic insect communities inhabiting tree hollow microhabitats within Mediterranean woodlands are highly dependent on woodland configuration and on microhabitat supply they harbor, so can be studied under the network analysis perspective. We assessed the differences in interacting patterns according to woodland site, and analysed the importance of functional species in modelling network architecture. We then evaluated their implications for saproxylic assemblages’ persistence, through simulations of three possible scenarios of loss of tree hollow microhabitat. Tree hollow-saproxylic insect networks per woodland site presented a significant nested pattern. Those woodlands with higher complexity of tree individuals and tree hollow microhabitats also housed higher species/interactions diversity and complexity of saproxylic networks, and exhibited a higher degree of nestedness, suggesting that a higher woodland complexity positively influences saproxylic diversity and interaction complexity, thus determining higher degree of nestedness. Moreover, the number of insects acting as key interconnectors (nodes falling into the core region, using core/periphery tests) was similar among woodland sites, but the species identity varied on each. Such differences in insect core composition among woodland sites suggest the functional role they depict at woodland scale. Tree hollows acting as core corresponded with large tree hollows near the ground and simultaneously housing various breeding microsites, whereas core insects were species mediating relevant ecological interactions within saproxylic communities, e.g. predation, competitive or facilitation interactions. Differences in network patterns and tree hollow characteristics among woodland sites clearly defined different sensitivity to microhabitat loss, and higher saproxylic diversity and woodland complexity showed positive relation with robustness. These results highlight that woodland complexity goes hand in hand with biotic and ecological complexity of saproxylic networks, and together exhibited positive effects on network robustness.The research Projects I+D CGL2011-23658 y CGL2012-31669 of the Spanish Minister of Science provided economic support

Developmental pathways inferred from modularity, morphological integration and fluctuating asymmetry patterns in the human face

Facial asymmetries are usually measured and interpreted as proxies to developmental noise. However, analyses focused on its developmental and genetic architecture are scarce. To advance on this topic, studies based on a comprehensive and simultaneous analysis of modularity, morphological integration and facial asymmetries including both phenotypic and genomic information are needed. Here we explore several modularity hypotheses on a sample of Latin American mestizos, in order to test if modularity and integration patterns difer across several genomic ancestry backgrounds. To do so, 4104 individuals were analyzed using 3D photogrammetry reconstructions and a set of 34 facial landmarks placed on each individual. We found a pattern of modularity and integration that is conserved across sub-samples difering in their genomic ancestry background. Specifcally, a signal of modularity based on functional demands and organization of the face is regularly observed across the whole sample. Our results shed more light on previous evidence obtained from Genome Wide Association Studies performed on the same samples, indicating the action of diferent genomic regions contributing to the expression of the nose and mouth facial phenotypes. Our results also indicate that large samples including phenotypic and genomic metadata enable a better understanding of the developmental and genetic architecture of craniofacial phenotypes

Megalithic tombs in western and northern Neolithic Europe were linked to a kindred society

Paleogenomic and archaeological studies show that Neolithic lifeways spread from the Fertile Crescent into Europe around 9000 BCE, reaching northwestern Europe by 4000 BCE. Starting around 4500 BCE, a new phenomenon of constructing megalithic monuments, particularly for funerary practices, emerged along the Atlantic façade. While it has been suggested that the emergence of megaliths was associated with the territories of farming communities, the origin and social structure of the groups that erected them has remained largely unknown. We generated genome sequence data from human remains, corresponding to 24 individuals from five megalithic burial sites, encompassing the widespread tradition of megalithic construction in northern and western Europe, and analyzed our results in relation to the existing European paleogenomic data. The various individuals buried in megaliths show genetic affinities with local farming groups within their different chronological contexts. Individuals buried in megaliths display (past) admixture with local hunter-gatherers, similar to that seen in other Neolithic individuals in Europe. In relation to the tomb populations, we find significantly more males than females buried in the megaliths of the British Isles. The genetic data show close kin relationships among the individuals buried within the megaliths, and for the Irish megaliths, we found a kin relation between individuals buried in different megaliths. We also see paternal continuity through time, including the same Y-chromosome haplotypes reoccurring. These observations suggest that the investigated funerary monuments were associated with patrilineal kindred groups. Our genomic investigation provides insight into the people associated with this long-standing megalith funerary tradition, including their social dynamics