Streptomyces clavuligerus strain selection for clavulanic acid biosynthesis: a study based on culture composition effects and statistical analysis

The clinical and industrial importance of clavulanic acid (CA) promotes the search for novel strategies to boost productivity at lower costs. In this contribution, the production of CA was evaluated in two reference strains of Streptomyces clavuligerus (Sc), ATCC27064 and DSM41826; the strains were tested in different culture media, using product yields and culture media costs as selection criteria. On average, ScATCC reached a concentration of CA 1.6-fold higher than ScDSM, using the isolated soybean protein (ISP) culture medium. A central composite experimental design was used to optimize the medium, by studying the influence of ISP and K2HPO4 concentration on the production of CA. The maximum CA concentration obtained in this optimized medium was 56 mg·L-1, close to the theoretical optimum. Our results confirm that a culture medium containing a rich carbon source such as glycerol and/or starch provides the best conditions for CA production.La importancia clínica e industrial del ácido clavulánico (AC) promueve la búsqueda de nuevas estrategias para aumentar su productividad a un menor costo. En esta contribución, se evaluó la producción de AC en dos cepas de referencia de Streptomyces clavuligerus (Sc), ATCC27064 y DSM41826; éstas se probaron en diferentes medios de cultivo; los rendimientos de producto y costo de los medios se usaron como criterios de selección. En promedio, ScATCC alcanzó una concentración de AC 1.6-veces mayor que ScDSM, en el medio de proteína de soya (ISP). Se optimizó el medio con un diseño experimental central compuesto, estudiando la influencia del ISP y K2HPO4 sobre la producción de AC. La concentración máxima de AC obtenida en el medio optimizado (56mg·L-1) estuvo cerca del óptimo teórico. Nuestros resultados confirman que medios de cultivo con fuentes de carbono como glicerol y/o almidón proporcionan las mejores condiciones para la producción de AC

Dog in sheep’s clothing: livestock depredation by free-ranging dogs may pose new challenges to wolf conservation

Livestock depredation is a common cause of human-carnivore conflicts. In Portugal, free-ranging dogs are increasingly abundant and overlap endangered Iberian wolf territories, with reports of livestock depredation. However, the lack of awareness about dogs’ possible role as predators leads to bias against wolves in cases of damages. Our goal was to assess and compare wolf and free-ranging dog’s diet composition at southern wolf range in Portugal, to offer insights on dogs’ predatory role on livestock and its implications for the conservation of an endangered wolf subpopulation. We assessed diet composition from 107 to 95 genetically confirmed wolf and dog scats, respectively, and complemented the analysis with data from 40 attacks on livestock with successful genetic predator assignment. Scat analysis highlighted goats as the most consumed dog prey in all analysed regions, with lagomorphs, small mammals, and wild boars as second most consumed in each region, respectively. Wolves mainly relied on goats and wild boars in the west, whereas in the central region they mostly fed on birds. The dietary overlap between both canids was very high (Pianka’s index O = 0.93), showing potential for competition. Additionally, we found that dogs were the sole predators detected in most attacks (62%). Our findings highlight dogs’ role as predators of livestock, and possibly also wild species, posing a further challenge to wolf conservation. Alongside adequate husbandry practices, we emphasise the need for a stronger enforcement of the legislation on dog ownership and an effective management of the stray population to reduce human-wolf conflict.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

Spatiotemporal patterns of wolf, mesocarnivores and prey in a Mediterranean area

Spatial and temporal occurrence can mediate behavioural interactions between apex predators, mesocarnivores and herbivores. Predators should adapt their activity to that of prey, whereas predator avoidance would be expected to influence activity patterns and space use of prey and smaller competitors. We evaluated interspecific spatiotemporal relationships in a prey-rich community including an apex predator (the wolf), three wild ungulates and several smaller herbivores/mesocarnivores, through camera trapping. All considered species (i.e. wolves and potential prey/smaller competitors: wild boar, fallow deer, roe deer, crested porcupine, red fox and European badger) were active especially at night and/or twilight. Among wild ungulates, the wolf showed the greatest temporal overlap with the wild boar and the lowest one with the least abundant and used of them, i.e. the roe deer. The main prey (i.e. the fallow deer) showed more diurnal activity and a lower temporal overlap with the predator in sites with high wolf activity than in low-activity ones. Among mesocarnivores, the red fox showed extensive temporal overlap with the wolf: the overlap between the two canids was greater in sites intensively used by this apex predator than in sites with low wolf activity, supporting a concurrent study which suggested a potential for facilitative—rather than competitive—interactions. Spatiotemporal relationships suggest complex interactions between the apex predator, prey and smaller carnivores, for which a substantial temporal or spatial association was often supported

A importância da restauração trófica na conservação do lobo-ibérico

The Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) population on the south of the Douro river faces different conservation challenges caused by genetic isolation, hybridization with both feral and stray dogs, habitat fragmentation, and the possibility of Human-Wolf conflicts triggered by predation on livestock. The high level of livestock predation reflects, among other things, the absence or reduced abundance of wild preys. The restoration of the trophic chain through the reinforcement of the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population emerges as a solution to this problem. The present work studies the challenges and opportunities of this restoration of the trophic chain in the current distribution of Iberian wolf south of Douro river. The first study analysed the diet of the Iberian wolf south of the Douro river. The results showed that the Iberian wolf feeds mainly on livestock (c. 65% of the diet) and that the main prey was the domestic goat (Capra hircus; absolute occurrence, AO: 0.52; relative volume, RV: 52%). The wild animals most consumed by the Iberian wolf were wild boar (Sus scrofa; AO: 0.22; RV: 16%), birds (AO: 0.15; RV:8%) and hare (Lepus europaeus; AO: 0.08; RV: 7%). The roe deer consumption was detected in a sample collected in the Western region where reintroduction processes have been taking place annually since 2013. This presence is indicative that the reintroduction processes have been successful and that the Iberian wolf has started to feed on roe deer. The second study aimed to update the distribution, estimate the density and relative abundance and study the habitat favourability of roe deer population in this area using camera trap and transects to detect pellet groups. The relative abundance showed that roe deer population decrease from Southern to Northern and East to Western locations, indicating that the roe deer population is expanding. The roe deer presence and relative abundance are influenced by the topography (i.e. mainly present and abundant in valleys with moderate slopes) and by land cover (i.e. mainly present and abundant in native forests with understorey composed by herbs). Water availability and mean altitude only had a significant effect on the relative abundance of roe deer. Habitat heterogeneity and anthropogenic presence had no significant effect on habitat selection. Through the selected environmental characteristics, a map of environmental favourability was developed. Locations of great environmental favourability and with low density of roe deer are potential sites for the adoption of measures that lead to a reinforcement of roe deer population in this area. In addition, the selected sites are strategically positioned to promote the natural expansion of established roe deer populations and overlap the current distribution of Iberian wolf. These results are an important step towards the restoration of the trophic chain and to reduce Human-Wolf conflicts.A população de lobo-ibérico (Canis lupus signatus) a sul do rio Douro enfrenta diferentes desafios de conservação causados pelo isolamento genético da população, hibridação, fragmentação do habitat e a possibilidade de conflitos Homem-Lobo desencadeada pela predação de gado doméstico. São vários os motivos que potenciam a predação de gado doméstico por parte do lobo, sendo a ausência ou reduzida abundância de presas silvestres, um dos principais. A restauração da cadeia trófica através de reforços populacionais de corço (Capreolus capreolus) surge como uma das possíveis soluções a este problema. O presente trabalho estuda os desafios e oportunidades da restauração desta cadeia trófica na área de distribuição do lobo a sul do rio Douro. O primeiro estudo analisou a dieta do lobo-ibérico na área de estudo. Os resultados demonstraram que o lobo se alimenta principalmente de gado (c. 65% da dieta) e que a presa principal foi a cabra doméstica (Capra hircus; ocorrência absoluta, OA: 0.52; volume relativo, VR: 52%). Os animais selvagens que consumiu em maior quantidade foram, por ordem de representatividade, o javali (Sus scrofa; OA: 0.22; VR: 16%), aves (OA: 0.15; VR:8%) e a lebre (Lepus europaeus; OA: 0.08; VR: 7%). O consumo de corço foi detetado numa amostra recolhida na região oeste onde decorrem anualmente processos de reintrodução desde 2013. Esta presença é indicativa de que os processos de reintrodução foram bem-sucedidos e que o lobo começou a alimentar-se de corço. O segundo estudo teve como objetivo atualizar a distribuição, estimar a densidade e abundância relativa, e estudar a favorabilidade do habitat para o corço na área de estudo com base em técnicas de armadilhagem fotográfica e transectos para deteção de indícios. A abundância relativa estimada demonstrou que a população de corço diminui num gradiente sul-norte e este-oeste, indicando que a população de corço está em expansão. A presença e a abundância relativa de corço são influenciadas pela topografia (i.e. sobretudo presente e abundante em vales pouco íngremes) e pela cobertura de solo (i.e. sobretudo presente e abundante em florestas nativas com subcoberto composto por herbáceas). A disponibilidade de água e a altitude média apenas tiveram efeito significativo na abundância relativa de corço. A heterogeneidade de habitat e a atividade humana não tiveram efeito significativo na seleção de habitat. Através das características ambientais selecionadas foi desenvolvido um mapa de favorabilidade ambiental. As áreas de grande favorabilidade ambiental e com baixa densidade de corço são potenciais locais para a adoção de medidas que conduzam ao reforço das populações de corço. Adicionalmente, os locais selecionados estão estrategicamente localizados para promover a expansão natural das populações de corço estabelecidas e sobrepõem-se à atual distribuição de lobo-ibérico. Estes resultados constituem um importante passo para a restauração da cadeia trófica do lobo-ibérico e para a redução dos conflitos Homem-Lobo.Mestrado em Ecologia Aplicad

Food habits of wolves and selection of wild ungulates in a prey-rich Mediterranean coastal area

Large carnivores are increasing throughout the western Holarctic, re-colonising large parts of their former ranges. Ecological (e.g., predator-prey relationships) and socio-economic (e.g., livestock depredation) consequences of this process need to be monitored to identify suitable management/conservation actions. We studied food habits and selection of main prey by wolves in a Mediterranean protected coastal area (Uccellina Hills in the Maremma Regional Park, c. 70 km2, central Italy, May 2016- April 2018), including sclerophyllic scrubwood, pinewood, wetlands and mixed rural-wood habitats. Potential prey include wild boar, fallow deer and roe deer (c. 25–30 individuals/100 ha, in summer, all species together), livestock (mainly cattle and sheep, c. 20 heads/100 ha, overall) and several species of meso-mammals. Overall, wild ungulates dominated the diet (c. 90% of absolute occurrence, relative occurrence or volume), with the fallow deer being the main prey (absolute occurrence, AO: 55%; relative occurrence, RO: 42%; estimated volume, V: 44%) followed by the wild boar (AO: 48%; RO: 36% V: 33%). Livestock was rarely used (2%, both AO and V); the coypu (AO: 8%; RO: 6%; V: 6%) was another important food item. Fallow deer and wild boar dominated summer diet, whereas the use of alternative prey increased in winter. Fallow deer were selected, wild boar were used according to their availability, whereas roe deer were used less than availability. Prey selection was probably driven by the greater accessibility and detectability of fallow deer, which are gregarious and attended mainly open habitats on lower ground, in respect to wild boar/roe deer. Most likely, availability of a diverse spectrum of meso-large prey and a comparatively lower accessibility of livestock were key-factors to limit livestock consumption.publishe

Streptomyces clavuligerus strain selection for clavulanic acid biosynthesis: a study based on culture composition effects and statistical analysis

The clinical and industrial importance of clavulanic acid (CA) promotes the search for novel strategies to boost productivity at lower costs. In this contribution, the production of CA was evaluated in two reference strains of Streptomyces clavuligerus (Sc), ATCC27064 and DSM41826; the strains were tested in different culture media, using product yields and culture media costs as selection criteria. On average, ScATCC reached a concentration of CA 1.6-fold higher than ScDSM, using the isolated soybean protein (ISP) culture medium. A central composite experimental design was used to optimize the medium, by studying the influence of ISP and K2HPO4 concentration on the production of CA. The maximum CA concentration obtained in this optimized medium was 56 mg·L-1, close to the theoretical optimum. Our results confirm that a culture medium containing a rich carbon source such as glycerol and/or starch provides the best conditions for CA production

Streptomyces clavuligerus strain selection for clavulanic acid biosynthesis: a study based on culture composition effects and statistical analysis

The clinical and industrial importance of clavulanicacid (CA) promotes the search for novel strategies to boost productivity at lower costs. In this contribution, the production of CA was evaluated in two reference strains of Streptomyces clavuligerus (Sc), ATCC27064 and DSM41826; the strains were tested in different culture media, using product yields and culture media costs as selection criteria. On average, ScATCCreached a concentration of CA 1.6-fold higher than ScDSM, using the isolated soybean protein (ISP) culture medium. A central composite experimental design was used to optimize the medium, by studying the influence of ISP and K2HPO4concentration on the production of CA. The maximum CA concentration obtained in this optimized medium was 56 mg·L-1, close to the theoretical optimum. Our results confirm that a culture medium containing a rich carbon source such as glycerol and/or starch provides the best conditions for CA production.La importancia clínica e industrial del ácido clavulánico (AC) promueve la búsqueda de nuevas estrategias para aumentar su productividad a un menor costo. En esta contribución, se evaluó la producción de AC en dos cepas de referencia de Streptomyces clavuligerus (Sc), ATCC27064 y DSM41826; éstas se probaron en diferentes medios de cultivo; los rendimientos de producto y costo de los medios se usaron como criterios de selección. En promedio, ScATCC alcanzó una concentración de AC 1.6-veces mayor que ScDSM, en el medio de proteína de soya (ISP). Se optimizó el medio con un diseño experimental central compuesto, estudiando la influencia del ISP y K2HPO4sobre la producción de AC. La concentración máxima de AC obtenida en el medio optimizado (56mg·L-1) estuvo cerca del óptimo teórico. Nuestros resultados confirman que medios de cultivo con fuentes de carbono como glicerol y/o almidón proporcionan las mejores condiciones para la producción de AC