A captorhinid-dominated assemblage from the palaeoequatorial Permian of Menorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean)

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaMoradisaurine captorhinid eureptiles were a successful group of high-fibre herbivores that lived in the arid low latitudes of Pangaea during the Permian. Here we describe a palaeoassemblage from the Permian of Menorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean), consisting of ichnites of small captorhinomorph eureptiles, probably moradisaurines (Hyloidichnus), and parareptiles (cf. Erpetopus), and bones of two different taxa of moradisaurines. The smallest of the two is not diagnostic beyond Moradisaurinae incertae sedis. The largest one, on the other hand, shows characters that are not present in any other known species of moradisaurine (densely ornamented maxillar teeth), and it is therefore described as Balearosaurus bombardensis gen. et sp. nov. Other remains found in the same outcrop are identified as cf. Balearosaurus bombardensis gen. et sp. nov., as they could also belong to the newly described taxon. This species is sister to the moradisaurine from the lower Permian of the neighbouring island of Mallorca, and is also closely related to the North American genus Rothianiscus. This makes it possible to suggest the hypothesis that the Variscan mountains, which separated North America from southern Europe during the Permian, were not a very important palaeobiogeographical barrier to the dispersion of moradisaurines. In fact, mapping all moradisaurine occurrences known so far, it is shown that their distribution area encompassed both sides of the Variscan mountains, essentially being restricted to the arid belt of palaeoequatorial Pangaea, where they probably outcompeted other herbivorous clades until they died out in the late Permian

Individual efficiency for the use of feed resources in rabbits

[EN] A Bayesian procedure, which allows consideration of the individual variation in the feed resource allocation pattern, is described and implemented in 2 sire lines of rabbit (Caldes and R). The procedure is based on a hierarchical Bayesian scheme, where the first stage of the model consists of a multiple regression model of feed intake on metabolic BW and BW gain. In a second stage, an animal model was assumed including batch, parity order, litter size, and common environmental litter effects. Animals were reared during the fattening period (from weaning at 32 d of age to 60 d of age) in individual cages on an experimental farm, and were fed ad libitum with a commercial diet. Body weight (g) and cumulative feed intake (g) were recorded weekly. Individual BW gain (g) and average BW (ABW, g) were calculated from these data for each 7-d period. Metabolic BW (g(0.75)) was estimated as ABW(0.75). The number of animals actually measured was 444 and 445 in the Caldes and R lines, respectively. Marginal posterior distributions of the genetic parameters were obtained by Gibbs sampling. Posterior means (posterior SD) for heritabilities for partial coefficients of regression of feed intake on metabolic BW and feed intake on BW gain were estimated to be 0.35 (0.17) and 0.40 (0.17), respectively, in the Caldes line and 0.26 (0.19) and 0.27 (0.14), respectively, in line R. The estimated posterior means (posterior SD) for the proportion of the phenotypic variance due to common litter environmental effects of the same coefficients of regression were respectively, 0.39 (0.14) and 0.28 (0.13) in the Caldes line and 0.44 (0.22) and 0.49 (0.14) in line R. These results suggest that efficiency of use of feed resources could be improved by including these coefficients in an index of selection.Research was supported by INIA SC00-011. The authors acknowledge comments and suggestions made by M. Baselga and A. Blasco from the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Spain) and R. Rekaya for his assistance in solving numerical problems.Piles, M.; García-Tomas, M.; Rafel, O.; Ibañez Escriche, N.; Ramon, J.; Varona, L. (2007). Individual efficiency for the use of feed resources in rabbits. Journal of Animal Science. 85(11):2846-2853. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2006-218S284628538511Blasco, A. (2001). The Bayesian controversy in animal breeding. Journal of Animal Science, 79(8), 2023. doi:10.2527/2001.7982023xBlasco, A., Piles, M., & Varona, L. (2003). A Bayesian analysis of the effect of selection for growth rate on growth curves in rabbits. Genetics Selection Evolution, 35(1). doi:10.1186/1297-9686-35-1-21Cameron, N. D., & Thompson, R. (1986). Design of multivariate selection experiments to estimate genetic parameters. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 72(4), 466-476. doi:10.1007/bf00289528Estany, J., Camacho, J., Baselga, M., & Blasco, A. (1992). Selection response of growth rate in rabbits for meat production. Genetics Selection Evolution, 24(6), 527. doi:10.1186/1297-9686-24-6-527Gelman, A., & Rubin, D. B. (1992). Inference from Iterative Simulation Using Multiple Sequences. Statistical Science, 7(4), 457-472. doi:10.1214/ss/1177011136Geyer, C. J. (1992). Practical Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Statistical Science, 7(4), 473-483. doi:10.1214/ss/1177011137Gianola, D., & Sorensen, D. (2004). Quantitative Genetic Models for Describing Simultaneous and Recursive Relationships Between Phenotypes. Genetics, 167(3), 1407-1424. doi:10.1534/genetics.103.025734MIGNON-GRASTEAU, S. (1999). Genetic parameters of growth curve parameters in male and female chickens. British Poultry Science, 40(1), 44-51. doi:10.1080/00071669987827Paracchini, V., Pedotti, P., & Taioli, E. (2005). Genetics of Leptin and Obesity: A HuGE Review. American Journal of Epidemiology, 162(2), 101-114. doi:10.1093/aje/kwi174Piles, M., Gianola, D., Varona, L., & Blasco, A. (2003). Bayesian inference about parameters of a longitudinal trajectory when selection operates on a correlated trait1. Journal of Animal Science, 81(11), 2714-2724. doi:10.2527/2003.81112714xPiles, M., Gomez, E. A., Rafel, O., Ramon, J., & Blasco, A. (2004). Elliptical selection experiment for the estimation of genetic parameters of the growth rate and feed conversion ratio in rabbits1. Journal of Animal Science, 82(3), 654-660. doi:10.2527/2004.823654xRauw, W. M., Luiting, P., Verstegen, M. W. A., Vangen, O., & Knap, P. W. (2000). Differences in food resource allocation in a long-term selection experiment for litter size in mice 2. Developmental trends in body weight against food intake. Animal Science, 71(1), 39-47. doi:10.1017/s1357729800054874Rauw, W. M., Knap, P. W., Verstegen, M. W. A., & Luiting, P. (2002). Food resource allocation patterns in lactating females in a long-term selection experiment for litter size in mice. Genetics Selection Evolution, 34(1). doi:10.1186/1297-9686-34-1-83Rekaya, R., Carabaño, M. J., & Toro, M. A. (2000). Bayesian Analysis of Lactation Curves of Holstein-Friesian Cattle Using a Nonlinear Model. Journal of Dairy Science, 83(11), 2691-2701. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(00)75163-0Rekaya, R., Weigel, K. A., & Gianola, D. (2001). Hierarchical nonlinear model for persistency of milk yield in the first three lactations of Holsteins. Livestock Production Science, 68(2-3), 181-187. doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(00)00239-6Varona, L., Moreno, C., Garcia Cortes, L. A., & Altarriba, J. (1998). Bayesian Analysis of Wood’s Lactation Curve for Spanish Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 81(5), 1469-1478. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(98)75711-xWakefield, J. C., Smith, A. F. M., Racine-Poon, A., & Gelfand, A. E. (1994). Bayesian Analysis of Linear and Non-Linear Population Models by Using the Gibbs Sampler. Applied Statistics, 43(1), 201. doi:10.2307/298612

Paleoecosistemes del Permià i Triàsic continental de Mallorca (Illes Balears, Mediterrània occidental) : síntesi i prespectives futures

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaEl present article ofereix una revisió exhaustiva de tots els antecedents bibliogràfics sobre el permià i el triàsic de Mallorca en fàcies continentals, sintetitzant les dades més importants pel que fa a la geologia, paleontologia i datacions. Així, es destrien tres unitats litostratigràfiques del permià inferior-mitjà i quatre del triàsic inferior(?)-mitjà, amb un abundant registre fòssil que representa uns rics ecosistemes a la vorera de grans rius, situats a una paleolatitud equatorial amb un clima tropical. Aquesta publicació pretén servir de base per a futurs estudis sobre aquest tema, ressaltant la potencial gran importància del registre mallorquí en l'àmbit mundial per entendre com era la Terra fa més de 240 milions d'anys.The present paper offers an exhaustive review of all the previous works on the continental Permian and Triassic of Mallorca, synthesising all the relevant data regarding their geology, palaeontology and age attributions. This makes it possible to recognise three lithostratigraphic units forthe lower-middle Permian and four for the Lower(?)-Middle Triassic, with an abundant fossil record representing rich ecosystems on the banks of large rivers, located in an equatorial palaeolatitude and under a tropical climate. This work aims to serve as a basis for future studies to be built on, highlighting the potentially great international importance of the Mallorcan record to understand how the Earth looked like more than 240 million years ago

Genome-wide association study for feed efficiency in collective cage-raised rabbits under full and restricted feeding

Feed efficiency (FE) is one of the most economically and environmentally relevant traits in the animal production sector. The objective of this study was to gain knowledge about the genetic control of FE in rabbits. To this end, GWASs were conducted for individual growth under two feeding regimes (full feeding and restricted) and FE traits collected from cage groups, using 114 604 autosome SNPs segregating in 438 rabbits. Two different models were implemented: (1) an animal model with a linear regression on each SNP allele for growth trait; and (2) a two‐trait animal model, jointly fitting the performance trait and each SNP allele content, for FE traits. This last modeling strategy is a new tool applied to GWAS and allows information to be considered from non‐genotyped individuals whose contribution is relevant in the group average traits. A total of 189 SNPs in 17 chromosomal regions were declared to be significantly associated with any of the five analyzed traits at a chromosome‐wide level. In 12 of these regions, 20 candidate genes were proposed to explain the variation of the analyzed traits, including genes such as FTO, NDUFAF6 and CEBPA previously associated with growth and FE traits in monogastric species. Candidate genes associated with behavioral patterns were also identified. Overall, our results can be considered as the foundation for future functional research to unravel the actual causal mutations regulating growth and FE in rabbits.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparison of behaviour, performance and mortality in restricted and ad libitum-fed growing rabbits

The objective of this study was to determine whether rabbits fed in a restricted regimen (75%) showed increased competition for feeding, drinking and use of specific areas of the cages as compared with those provided feed ad libitum. This evaluation was carried out by measuring their space utilisation in the cage, the incidence of agonistic behaviour and rates of mortality. In total, 504 rabbits between 31 and 66 days of age were used in this study. A total of 200 heavy-weight rabbits and 56 light-weight rabbits were randomly housed in 32 cages, each cage containing eight rabbits: 25 cages housing heavy rabbits and seven cages housing the light-weight ones. They were all fed ad libitum (AD). In addition, a total of 208 heavy-weight rabbits and 40 lightweight rabbits were randomly housed in 31 cages, each of them containing eight rabbits: 26 cages housing heavy weight rabbits and five cages housing light-weight ones. They were all fed a restricted diet (R) regimen. The restriction was calculated to be 75% of the feed consumed by the AD group. The total space available in the cage was 3252 cm2, with a stocking density of 24.6 animals/m2. Animals between 32 and 60 days of age from 20 different cages were observed nine times per week (morning or afternoon) by means of scan and focal sampling by one observer. During each period, cages were assessed for 5 min, registering every minute the position of all the animals in relation to Area A (feeder), Area B (central part) or Area C (back and drinker area). The incidence of agonistic behaviour such as displacement, biting and jumping on each other was also assessed. Performance variables such as daily gain and feed conversion ratio, in addition to general health status and mortality rates, were recorded for all rabbits. When the rabbits were under restricted feeding, the competition for feed and drink increased with clear signs of agonistic behaviour such as biting, displacement and animals jumping on top of each other. Although this competition was maintained during the entire growing period, the BW homogeneity between animals in the same cage was similar in both cases, suggesting that all animals could consume similar quantities of feed. The possible advantages of a restricted diet, such as better feed conversion ratio, were observed in this study only in the last few weeks of the growing period.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Indicadores químicos de combustión en un hogar del Paleolítico Medio del yacimiento de Mediona I (Alt Penedès, Barcelona)

Organical chemical analysis of archaeological soils is a recently developed technique, which considerably increases the information available from ancient remains. The present study gives an example of their capabilities in the reconstruction of the paleoenvironment in the Middle Paleolithic Mediona 1 site. Pyrogenic chemical-markers have been identified from the study of the lipid aromatic fraction in a previously excavated combustion area. These compounds have made it possible to recognize hearths which are not clearly defined by other means.La aplicación del análisis químico orgánico a muestras arqueológicas es una técnica de desarrollo reciente. El estudio de la fracción lipídica (eso es, la fracción de materia extraíble mediante disolventes orgánicos) de restos sedimentarios en yacimientos permite recuperar una información inaccesible a otras técnicas de identificación aplicadas a la Arqueología. Este artículo describe de forma comparativa la fracción aromática del sedimento en el interior y en el exterior de un área de combustión en un yacimiento paleolítico previamente excavado. Asimismo, presenta el análisis de indicadores químicos pirogénicos con una técnica de gran potencial para la identificación de áreas de combustión en yacimientos donde éstos no están claramente definidos (simples manchas sin carbones, agrupación de piedras sin evidencias externas de termo alteración, etc.), siempre comparándolas con muestras de sedimento no termo alterado del mismo nivel arqueológico

El vacío llena: Impacto técnico y económico de los sistemas todo dentro todo fuera (TDTF) en cunicultura

Se describen dos actividades de la SAT “Cunicultors de Cataluña” (SAT CC) cofinanciadas por el MAGRAMA para un uso más racional de los medicamentos en cunicultura. En la Actividad 1, se registraron datos de gestión técnica, datos estructurales y de medicación en engorde y en reproductoras de 45 explotaciones. Se analizaron los resultados comparando las explotaciones con posibilidad de realizar vacío sanitario con manejo tododentro- todo-fuera (pTDTF) frente a las que no (C). Las explotaciones C presentaron un valor menor en el índice tecnológico global (de 5,41 frente a 6,97) y en el índice tecnológico de bioseguridad (de 5,38 frente a 8,75), y mayor valor en la mortalidad en el período de cebo (12,2% frente al 6,4%) e índice de conversión (de 4,56 frente a 2,54), observándose también importantes diferencias en el índice de medicación IFTA en maternidad que baja de 1,67 hasta 0,81 principios activos. Para poder comparar resultados económicos entre sistemas se realizó la Actividad 2, con granjas C y granjas con manejo todo dentro todo fuera (TDTF). Se observó que todos los índices técnicos fueron mejores en las explotaciones TDTF, a excepción del IFTAc. Los índices económicos Valor Actual Neto, Tasa Interna de Retorno y Tiempo de Recuperación no alcanzaron los valores mínimos deseables para ser un negocio económicamente atractivo, en ninguno de los dos tratamientos. El Margen Coste Alimentación fue de 47,2 frente a 93,9 (€/año/hembra) y el Coste de Producción del kilo vivo fue de 1,77 frente a 1,35€/kg, ambos favorables al tratamiento TDTF. En conclusión, las granjas que incrementan la bioseguridad con vacío sanitario en un sistema de manejo TDTF tienen asegurada una mayor sostenibilidad

Growth traits in simple crossbreeding among dam and sire lines

Twenty-five genetic groups were produced following a diallel-crossbreeding scheme among five lines: three dam and two sire lines belonging to two Spanish Research Institutions (UPV and IRTA). A total of 2773 young rabbits from 525 kindlings were controlled in different seasons. Growth traits were evaluated during the fattening period lasting from five to nine weeks. On average, genetic groups coming from lines selected for growth rate were heavier (+57 g at weaning and 311 g at 60 days), had a faster growth rate (+9g/d) and a realised higher daily feed intake (+12.9 g/d), improving feed conversion ratio (-0.21), than the groups originated from crosses among lines selected for litter size. Crossbreeding parameters were estimated using the Dickerson model. Maternal genetic and heterosis effects were close to 0 or very low. Direct genetic effects mainly regulated expression of these traits

Marine Carbonyl Sulfide (OCS) and Carbon Disulfide (CS\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e): A Compilation of Measurements in Seawater and the Marine Boundary Layer

Carbonyl sulfide (OCS) and carbon disulfide (CS2) are volatile sulfur gases that are naturally formed in seawater and exchanged with the atmosphere. OCS is the most abundant sulfur gas in the atmosphere, and CS2 is its most important precursor. They have attracted increased interest due to their direct (OCS) or indirect (CS2 via oxidation to OCS) contribution to the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer. Furthermore, OCS serves as a proxy to constrain terrestrial CO2uptake by vegetation. Oceanic emissions of both gases contribute a major part to their atmospheric concentration. Here we present a database of previously published and unpublished (mainly shipborne) measurements in seawater and the marine boundary layer for both gases, available at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.905430 (Lennartz et al., 2019). The database contains original measurements as well as data digitalized from figures in publications from 42 measurement campaigns, i.e., cruises or time series stations, ranging from 1982 to 2019. OCS data cover all ocean basins except for the Arctic Ocean, as well as all months of the year, while the CS2 dataset shows large gaps in spatial and temporal coverage. Concentrations are consistent across different sampling and analysis techniques for OCS. The database is intended to support the identification of global spatial and temporal patterns and to facilitate the evaluation of model simulations

Chaste: an open source C++ library for computational physiology and biology

Chaste - Cancer, Heart And Soft Tissue Environment - is an open source C++ library for the computational simulation of mathematical models developed for physiology and biology. Code development has been driven by two initial applications: cardiac electrophysiology and cancer development. A large number of cardiac electrophysiology studies have been enabled and performed, including high performance computational investigations of defibrillation on realistic human cardiac geometries. New models for the initiation and growth of tumours have been developed. In particular, cell-based simulations have provided novel insight into the role of stem cells in the colorectal crypt. Chaste is constantly evolving and is now being applied to a far wider range of problems. The code provides modules for handling common scientific computing components, such as meshes and solvers for ordinary and partial differential equations (ODEs/PDEs). Re-use of these components avoids the need for researchers to "re-invent the wheel" with each new project, accelerating the rate of progress in new applications. Chaste is developed using industrially-derived techniques, in particular test-driven development, to ensure code quality, re-use and reliability. In this article we provide examples that illustrate the types of problems Chaste can be used to solve, which can be run on a desktop computer. We highlight some scientific studies that have used or are using Chaste, and the insights they have provided. The source code, both for specific releases and the development version, is available to download under an open source Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) licence at http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/chaste, together with details of a mailing list and links to documentation and tutorials