DNA barcoding of Iberian Peninsula and North Africa Tawny Owls Strix aluco suggests the Strait of Gibraltar as an important barrier for phylogeography

Eight subspecies have been proposed within the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) species. However, recent molecular data have challenged this view, encouraging further work in this species complex. Here we reevaluated the taxonomic status between the North-Western African Tawny Owl, S. a. mauritanica, and its closest Iberian Tawny Owl population (from the S. a. sylvatica to S. a. aluco clade) separated by the Strait of Gibraltar. The Tawny Owl is a non-migratory and territorial species, and juvenile dispersal is restricted to a few kilometers around the natal site. This limited dispersal and the barrier imposed by the Strait of Gibraltar predicted a strong differentiation between the two populations. We tested this using DNA barcoding, Bayesian phylogenetic and species delimitation analysis. We found that an 81.1% of variation is due to the intergroups variation. In addition, the inter-intraspecific distances distribution revealed a barcoding gap among the two subspecies. Also, posterior probabilities and the PAB value allowed to reject the hypothesis that observed degree of distinctiveness is due to random coalescence processes. These findings clearly support the Strait of Gibraltar as an isolating barrier for this species. The subspecific status is confirmed and species status is even suggested for S. a. mauritanica.Peer reviewe

Molecular and pharmacological characterization of native cortical γ- aminobutyric acids receptors containing both α1 and α3 subunits

We have investigated the existence, molecular composition, and benzodiazepine binding properties of native cortical α1-α3 γ- aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors using subunit-specific antibodies. The co-existence of α1 and α3 subunits in native GABA(A) receptors was demonstrated by immunoblot analysis of the anti-α1- or anti-α3- immunopurified receptors and by immunoprecipitation experiments of the [3H]zolpidem binding activity. Furthermore, immunodepletion experiments indicated that the α1-α3 GABA(A) receptors represented 54.7 ± 5.0 and 23.6 ± 3.3% of the α3 and α1 populations, respectively. Therefore, α1 and α3 subunits are associated in the same native GABA(A) receptor complex, but, on the other hand, these α1-α3 GABA(A) receptors from the cortex constitute a large proportion of the total α3 population and a relatively minor component of the α1 population. The pharmacological analysis of the α1- or α3-immunopurified receptors demonstrated the presence of two different benzodiazepine binding sites in each receptor population with high (type I binding sites) and low (type II binding sites) affinities for zolpidem and Cl 218,872. These results indicate the existence of native GABA(A) receptors possessing both α1 and α3 subunits, with α1 and α3 subunits expressing their characteristic benzodiazepine pharmacology. The molecular characterization of the anti-α1-anti-α3 double-Immunopurified receptors demonstrated the presence of stoichiometric amounts of α1 and α3 subunits, associated with α(2/3), and γ2 subunits. The pharmacological analysis of α1-α3 GABA(A) receptors demonstrated that, despite the fact that each α subunit retained its benzodiazepine binding properties, the relative proportion between type I and II binding sites or between 51- and 59-61-kDa [3H]Ro15-4513-photolabeled peptides was 70:30. Therefore, the α1 subunit is pharmacologically predominant over the α3 subunit. These results indicate the existence of active and nonactive α subunits in the native α1-α3 GABA(A) receptors from rat corte

Geochemistry of the Zn-Pb-Cu-(Ag)-(Au) epithermal deposits from San José (SE Spain)

Versión preprintAbstracts of the 19th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference (2009): "Challenges to our volatile planet". June 21-26 in Davos (Switzerland).The San José Zn-Pb-Cu-(Ag-Au) vein systems, previously described as low-sulfidation [1], are located in the Cabo de Gata Volcanic Field (SE Spain). These deposits comprise mainly base metal bearing sulfide/sulfosalts quartz veins, while disseminated pyrite with small quantities of gold appear in areas of vuggy silica alteration. Wallrock alteration includes silicification, advanced argillic, argillic and propylitic zones. Very abundant, penetrative, stockwork-like Fe-Al sulfate veins are found in the argillic and advanced argillic alteration, but ore veins do not show a clear relationship with the alteration zone. Mass balance using the isocone method reveals a gradual lixiviation of most of the elements (except silica) in the highly altered volcanic rocks involving a generalized loss of mass and an increase in the content of some metallic elements (Zn, Pb, Cu) in the less altered zones. Vein sulfides show a similar or slighty heavier sulfur signature (δ34S: 6-12‰) compared to the dominant volcanic signature of the zone (δ34S: 1-7‰[1]), suggesting a magmatic source but with possible incorporation of sea water sulfate via inorganic reduction. Such magamtic input could also be related to the gold mineralization. The barite signature (δ34S: 19-21‰) also supports sea water involvement. Pyrite in silicification shows depleted sulfur (δ34S: 2-6‰) perhaps as product of the disproportionation of magmatic SO2 which produced the acid alteration. Abundant alunite-jarosite has light sulphur (δ34S: 4-10‰), but its abundance and ocurrence rule out a simple supergene origin. Meanwhile, oxygen isotopes in quartz (δ18O: 8-18‰) indicate the likely involvement of magmatic and non-magmatic fluids in ore mineralization. The field, mineralogical and geochemical data suggest a complex mineralization history in the San José area, with evidence of both low and high sulfidation hydrothermal systems and the involvement of magmatic and seawater fluids.Departamento de Mineralogía y Petrología (Universidad de Granada). Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales (Universidad de Granada). Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (Universidad de Granada- Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

High and intermediate sulphidation environment in the same hydrothermal deposit: the example of Au-Cu Palai–Islica deposit, Carboneras (Almería)

Two epithermal environments have been identified in the Miocene Palai–Islica Au–Cu deposit: A) Intermediate sulphidation, hosted mainly in quartz veins, comprises pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena as the major sulphides, which are accompanied by a variety of Ag-bearing accessory minerals. Au–Ag alloys are the only gold-bearing phase. The veins are enclosed by sericitic and chloritic alteration. Fluid inclusions in quartz, sphalerite and calcite give Th between 118–453 ºC, and salinities between 0.2–51.4 wt.% NaCl eq, with high salinities being related to high-grade mineralisation. Stable isotopes indicate magmatic and marine fluids. B) High sulphidation consists of massive host rock silicification with disseminated pyrite and minor chalcocite, covellite, native copper and native gold. The surrounding alteration is advanced argillic/argillic in style. Fluids have Th between 224–381 ºC have salinities between 0.4 and 41.1 wt.% NaCl eq. The stable isotope data demonstrate the dominance of magmatic fluids, and disproportion processesUniversidad de Granada. Departamento de Mineralogía y PetrologíaGrupo de Investigación de la Junta de Andalucía RNM-0131.Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR)The research has been supported by the project BTE 2001-3308 of DGI of Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología of Spain and the RNM 0131 Research Group of Junta de Andalucía. AJB is funded by NERC support of the Isotope Community Support Facility at SUERC

Characteristic of the fluids involved in very low-grade metamorphic processes in the Cordillera de la Costa, Chile Central

Documento publicado en: http://www.ehu.eus/sem/seminario_pdf/SEMINARIOS_SEM_3_110.pdfComunicación presentada en el Seminario de la Sociedad Española de Mineralogía, celebrado en Jaén en septiembre de 2007.Current researchs on very low-grade metabasites are mostly centred on the establishment of the metamorphic paragenesis and determination of mineral chemistry as a tool to quantify P-T conditions. Nevertheless, few works has been designed with the aim to characterise fluids involved in these very low-grade metamorphic processes. In this sense, a study of the fluids involved in the genesis of the very low- grade metamorphism found in Lower Cretaceous volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks from the Coastal Range of central Chile has been carried out. Volcanism was generated in extensional intra-arc basins, dominated by high subsidence rate during the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the South American Plate (e.g. Morata and Aguirre, 2003a). This study has been performed on samples coming from La Serena (≈30°00'S) and Melipilla (≈33º50'S). In both areas, volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks evidence metamorphic minerals ranging from the high-T zeolites to the prehnite-pumpellyite metamorphic facies (e.g. Morata et al., 2003), Metamorphic minerals appear as pseudomorphs of previous igneous phases or as replacement of the volcanic groundmass and/or infilling open spaces. The occasional higher size of metamorphic minerals in this last metadomaim favoured the application of fluid inclusion and isotopic techniques with the aim to investigate the chemical composition of metamorphic fluids. The microthermometric study of fluid inclusions in prehnite and calcite shows the presence of fluids with moderate temperatures of homogenisation (<200ºC) and lightly saline (up to 25% wt. % NaCl equivalent). The REE contents of the separate minerals are smaller than those of the host volcanic rocks, with negative and positive anomalies of Eu for prehnite and epidote respectively. The study of the stable (δ13C: between -3 and -10‰; δ18O: between 5 and 25‰, and δD: between -40 and -100‰) and radiogenic isotopes (87Sr/86Sr: 0.7037-0.7100) in different mineral concentrates shows wide ranges of values that involve different types of fluids and processes. It is necessary to highlight the presence of surface fluids (with variable prevalence of seawater or of meteoric water according to different formations), variations in the fluid/rock relationship and in the oxygen fugacity and participation of C of diverse source (biogenic origin, dissolution of carbonate rocks). In conclusion, the use of metamorphic minerals infilling open space in very low-grade metamorphic terrain seems to be a very important useful tool for the complete characterisation of metamorphic fluids in such very low P-T processes.Departamento de Mineralogía y Petrología (Universidad de Granada) Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales (Universidad de Granada

El clima motivacional a les classes d’Educació Física: una aproximació pràctica des de la Teoria de Fites d’Assoliment

Al treball següent es fa una anàlisi dels processos motivacionals que es desenvolupen a les classes d’Educació Física. Prenent com a fonament la Teoria de les Fites d’Assoliment (Nicholls, 1989; Ames, 1992), s’expliquen cada un dels diferents constructes que formen la teoria esmentada (Orientacions, Climes i Implicacions Motivacionals) i la relació entre ells. També s’hi exposen diverses investigacions que han demostrat aquestes relacions, i de quina manera el desenvolupament d’un clima que implica vers la tasca pot millorar i fer més adaptatius els patrons conductuals dels alumnes. Finalment, es fa una proposta metodològica per desenvolupar un clima que impliqui vers la tasca per part del professorat d’Educació Física, amb els beneficis que això reporta

An experimental look at trust, bargaining, and public goods in fishing communities

Pro-social behavior is crucial to the sustainable governance of common-pool resources such as fisheries. Here, we investigate how key socioeconomic characteristics influence fishers’ pro-social and bargaining behavior in three types of experimental economic games (public goods, trust, and trade) conducted in fishing associations in Chile. Our games revealed high levels of cooperation in the public goods game, a high degree of trust, and that sellers rather than buyers had more bargaining power, yet these results were strongly influenced by participants’ socioeconomic characteristics. Specifically, gender, having a secondary income source, age, and being the main income provider for the household all had a relationship to multiple game outcomes. Our results highlight that engagement in pro-social behaviors such as trust and cooperation can be influenced by people’s socioeconomic context

A mobile insulator system to detect and disrupt cis-regulatory landscapes in vertebrates

et al.In multicellular organisms, cis-regulation controls gene expression in space and time. Despite the essential implication of cisregulation in the development and evolution of organisms and in human diseases, our knowledge about regulatory sequences largely derives from analyzing their activity individually and outside their genomic context. Indeed, the contribution of these sequences to the expression of their target genes in their genomic context is still largely unknown. Here we present a novel genetic screen designed to visualize and interrupt gene regulatory landscapes in vertebrates. In this screen, based on the random insertion of an engineered Tol2 transposon carrying a strong insulator separating two fluorescent reporter genes, we isolated hundreds of zebrafish lines containing insertions that disrupt the cis-regulation of tissue-specific expressed genes. We therefore provide a new easy-to-handle tool that will help to disrupt and chart the regulatory activity spread through the vast noncoding regions of the vertebrate genome.This study was supported by the Spanish and Andalusian Governments (JLGS grant numbers BFU2010-14839, CSD2007-00008, Proyecto de Excelencia CVI-3488, and JJC grant number BFU2011-22928), an EFSD/Lilly grant, and a Universidad Pablo de Olavide grant (JB grant number PPI0906). A.A. is an FPI fellow and J.B. is a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellow (JCI-2009-04014) of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. J.B. was also an FCT postdoctoral fellow (SFRH/BPD/38829/2007; POPH/FSE). M.L. is a Junta de Andalucia fellow.Peer Reviewe