Major roads have a negative impact on the Tawny Owl Strix aluco and the Little Owl Athene noctua populations

The increasing road networks threaten ecosystems by direct effects such as increased mortality due to collision with vehicles and by various indirect effects leading to road avoidance. We censused Tawny Owls Strix aluco and Little Owls Athene noctua in 2005, 2007 and 2009 in a rural landscape in Southern Portugal in order to study the effects of roads and habitat characteristics on Tawny Owl density and Little Owl presence. The presence of both owl species in the 70 census locations was coherent among years. Our results showed that Tawny Owl density near major roads was lower, with the negative effects extending possibly up to 2 km. The probability of Little Owl presence was also negatively affected by the proximity to major roads. The negative effects of roads were significant even considering habitat preferences and spatial autocorrelation, which had the most marked effect on the density or presence of both owls. The reduced occupancy by Tawny Owls and Little Owls of habitats near major roads may be caused by several factors, including increased mortality, disturbance caused by high traffic density, and increased fragmentation. Traffic noise in particular may affect intra-specific communication and hunting efficiency. Consequently, habitat near roads may represent lower-quality territories for owls

Selection of artificial warrens following the restocking of an endangered keystone prey

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is an endangered species native to the Iberian Peninsula, playing a vital ecological role in Mediterranean ecosystems as prey for several threatened predators. Conservation efforts have been implemented to halt its decline, with a particular focus on the Iberian rabbit subspecies (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus). Many conservation programmes involve restocking and habitat management, including the construction of artificial warrens to provide essential refuge sites. In this study, we examined the use of four types of artificial warrens (logs, Mayoral®, pallets and tubes) by a restocked Iberian rabbit population within a fenced park in southern Portugal. We investigated the factors influencing warren use, basing our analysis on faecal pellet counts at the entrances of artificial warrens. We analysed spatial and temporal patterns in warren use using a generalised additive mixed model. Additionally, we determined the efficiency of each type of artificial warren by computing the ratio between the costs of building the warren and the level of warren use by the rabbits. Our results indicate that Mayoral, tube and log warrens are significantly less used compared to pallet warrens (Logs: β=–0.171±0.041; Mayoral: β=–0.149±0.058; Tube: β=–0.240±0.071). Moreover, pallet warrens were found to be more cost-effective compared to other types analysed. Furthermore, rabbits preferred artificial warrens surrounded by a higher proportion of shrubs (β=0.132±0.037). Artificial warren use exhibited seasonal variation, declining gradually during the winter and early spring, and recovering in late spring, coinciding with the expected breeding peak. Based on our findings, we recommend the implementation of pallet warrens in rabbit restocking programmes to provide immediate shelter and breeding sites for the released rabbits. Furthermore, artificial warrens should be strategically located near shrub patches to facilitate safe access to vital resources such as food and water

Estratégia de Comunicação | DSDA | Presidência da República

O valor das bibliotecas e dos arquivos tem sido amplamente reconhecido por contribuírem para o desenvolvimento das instituições e das comunidades em que se inserem e que são, por sua vez, a razão da sua existência. E porque as bibliotecas e os arquivos possuem um mercado próprio, constituído por utilizadores reais e potenciais, tal como qualquer outra organização que vise ou não fins lucrativos, têm também necessidades crescentes de utilizar técnicas que os ajudem a conhecer e a relacionarem-se com esse mesmo mercado. Neste sentido, as estratégias de comunicação e difusão dos serviços e dos recursos informativos, potenciadas e facilitadas pelas novas tecnologias, são uma ferramenta importante para a realização da missão destas organizações. Assim sendo, o presente poster apresenta um projeto de Estratégia de Comunicação para a Direção de Serviços de Documentação e Arquivo da Secretaria Geral da Presidência da República, que se traduz na distribuição de folhetos informativos, na realização de exposições e eventos, na produção de uma newsletter e na criação de espaços institucionais próprios em redes sociais (Facebook e LinkedIn)

Conhecer melhor a nossa biodiversidade: o Atlas de Mamíferos de Portugal

The Atlas of Mammals of Portugal compiles the most up-to-date and finest-resolution distribution database of Portuguese terrestrial and marine mammals (except bats) across the country (mainland and islands) and its Exclusive Economic Zone. The inclusion of marine mammals, which are often left out of mammal atlases, is of particular relevance in this work, especially given the large extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Portugal, which covers a substantial portion of the Eastern North Atlantic. This atlas was developed as part of a research project on vertebrate biogeography in the Iberian Peninsula and Western Europe, and it resulted from a combination of efforts of numerous individuals and entities. Its preparation consisted in the compilation of an unprecedented volume of mammal occurrence records in our country, whose subsequent selection was based on rigorous methods and validation procedures, according to international standards. In this article, we present a brief description of the background that motivated the elaboration of this atlas, the methodology used, the main results of this work, and its limitations. The Atlas of Mammals of Portugal has great potential to become an essential tool for better evaluation of the conservation status of mammal species in Portugal and, consequently, for improving their conservation and management in this country. We also make a call for additional contributions of mammal occurrence data, which can be included in subsequent editions of the Atlas

Drivers of survival in a small mammal of conservation concern : An assessment using extensive genetic non-invasive sampling in fragmented farmland

This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under projects NETPERSIST (PTDC/AAG-MAA/3227/2012) and MATEFRAG (PTDC/BIA-BIC/6582/2014). APF was supported by FCT grant SFRH/BD/109242/2015. JP was supported by the project ‘Genomics and Evolutionary Biology’ co-financed by North Portugal Regional Operational Programme 2007/2013 (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework, through the ERDF and by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under project EnvMetaGen (grant agreement no 668981). HSM was supported by FCT grant SFRH/BD/73765/2010. PB was supported by EDP Biodiversity Chair. FM was supported by IF/01053/2015. RP was supported by FCT grants SFRH/BPD/73478/2010 and SFRH/BPD/109235/2015.Peer reviewedPostprin

Níveis de troponina I segundo a classificação molecular do tumor em mulheres com câncer de mama sob uso de doxorrubicina / Troponin I levels according to molecular classification of tumor in women with breast cancer under doxorubicine treatment

Justificativa: Doenças cardiovasculares e câncer são causas frequentes de óbitos e a sua associação é cada vez mais comum, em função da possibilidade de cardiotoxicidade induzida pelos quimioterápicos. Objetivo: avaliar os níveis de troponina cardíaca I (cTnI) como marcador de cardiotoxicidade em mulheres com câncer de mama sob uso de doxorrubicina (DOXO), segundo a classificação molecular do tumor. Métodos: Foram investigadas 80 mulheres, cujas amostras foram colhidas antes (T0) e imediatamente após o último ciclo de terapia com DOXO (T1). As mulheres foram divididas em três grupos segundo a classificação molecular do tumor: receptor hormonal positivo (grupo 1, n= 25), HER2 positivo (2, n= 34) e triplo negativo (3, n= 20). As análises estatísticas foram realizadas em programa SPSS versão 17. Resultados: Quando comparados os níveis de cTnI no tempo T0 entre os grupos, foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos 1 e 2, sendo níveis de cTnI maiores no grupo 1 (p=0,006). Não houve diferença significativa nos níveis de cTnI no tempo T1 entre os grupos (p>0,05). Quando comparados os tempos T0 e T1 dentro de cada grupo, foi observado um aumento dos níveis de cTnI em T1, independentemente da classificação molecular. Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem que os níveis de cTnI aumentam em todos os grupos, independentemente do tipo molecular do tumor, após o fim do tratamento com DOXO. Porém, mulheres com tumor receptor hormonal positivo possuem maiores níveis de cTnI antes do tratamento e, dessa maneira, apresentam maior risco para complicações cardiovasculares

Large-scale grid-based detection in occupancy surveys of a threatened small mammal: A comparison of two non-invasive methods

Monitoring the status and trends of wildlife is key to understand how species respond to natural and human- derived threats, and to evaluate and improve conservation planning and management. Large-scale, grid-based assessment of species distribution, abundance, and population trends over time is an important component of biodiversity monitoring. However, such assessments still present important challenges related, for instance, to how the choice of the sampling method may affect species detectability and thus, overall data accuracy. Here, we address this issue, focusing on the Cabrera vole (Microtus cabrerae), a threatened small mammal, listed in the Habitats Directive (Annexes II and IV), hence requiring regular evaluation of its population status and trends. We used occupancy modelling to estimate method-specific detection probability of the species over large-scale, grid- based (10 × 10 km2) surveys relying on two non-invasive sampling techniques: sign surveys and owl pellet analysis. Results provided evidence for a greater cost-effectiveness of sign surveys compared to owl pellet analysis for detecting the species in occupancy surveys, suggesting that large-scale population monitoring of Cabrera voles (or other species also producing easily identifiable signs of their presence) may fairly rely on sign- surveys. Overall, our study supported the view that while owl pellet analysis provides a valuable option when the aim is to assess small mammal assemblages (i.e. multiple species) in a region, other complementary methods may be required to increase the detection probability of certain species that because of their secretive behaviour or rarity remain less predated by owls. We thus argue that the choice of the sampling method should be context- dependent and evaluated based on the study aims, the surveyed area (i.e. local factors), the target species (i.e. life history traits) and the available resources. Based on our results we recommend that researchers and managers explore survey-design trade-offs to ensure the proposed designs have sufficient power to detect real population trends

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