Population genomics applications for conservation: the case of the tropical dry forest dweller Peromyscus melanophrys

Recent advances in genomic sequencing have opened new horizons in the study of population genetics and evolution in non-model organisms. However, very few population genomic studies have been performed on wild mammals to understand how the landscape affects the genetic structure of populations, useful information for the conservation of biodiversity. Here, we applied a genomic approach to evaluate the relationship between habitat features and genetic patterns at spatial and temporal scales in an endangered ecosystem, the Tropical Dry Forest (TDF). We studied populations of the Plateau deer mouse Peromyscus melanophrys to analyse its genomic diversity and structure in a TDF protected area in the Huautla Mountain Range (HMR), Mexico based on 8,209 SNPs obtained through Genotyping-by-Sequencing. At a spatial scale, we found a significant signature of isolation-by-distance, few significant differences in genetic diversity indices among study sites, and no significant differences between habitats with different levels of human perturbation. At a temporal scale, while genetic diversity levels fluctuated significantly over time, neither seasonality nor disturbance levels had a significant effect. Also, outlier analysis revealed loci potentially under selection. Our results suggest that the population genetics of P. melanophrys may be little impacted by anthropogenic disturbances, or by natural spatial and temporal habitat heterogeneity in our study area. The genome-wide approach adopted here provides data of value for conservation planning, and a baseline to be used as a reference for future studies on the effects of habitat fragmentation and seasonality in the HMR and in TDF

The democracy of Green Infrastructure

With the understanding of nature in terms of ecosystem services and the recognition of the vital role these play for human wellbeing (Millennium Assessment, 2005), the value of the natural realm is scientifically and socially defined while at the same time institutionalised. Within this frame of interpretation, nature is a supplier of provision-ing, regulating, supporting welfare and cultural services, thus becoming not only a life-enabling factor for humanity but also a conceptual construct comparable to cornerstones of democracy, such as equality, freedom and citizenship. The idea of green infrastructure is another recently coined term envisioning nature in cities in the form of a net-work and enabling a broad life-furthering vision of society. Standards for green open spaces embedded in some planning frameworks further state the right for all to a common good. Yet, evidence shows that this common right is not always met. Within the current context of advanced and neoliberal capitalism, green areas are sometimes used as an added financial value for real estate, thus increasing restrictions to their free access and full utilization. In developing countries with young democracies, such as Brazil, this process implies another significant factor of social inequality insofar the restricted access to nature by the poorest people means also diminished food safety, and the jeopardizing of certain cultural practices. In developed countries, loss of land for food production and movements reclaiming the right to the city by squatting unoccupied open spaces to initiate community gar-dens, demonstrates that the access to green spaces is also problematic, although in different ways if compared to developing countries. This chapter contributes to this topic by discussing the inequality in provision of green spaces in informal settlements and social housing development in Brazil, as well as in the globalised north. The chapter concludes with recommendations to enhance democracy through a just provision of nature in cities

Melissopalynological, physicochemical and antioxidant properties of honey from West Coast of Malaysia

Stingless bees are native to tropical region and produce honey which are high in moisture content. Compared to honey from honeybees, there are limited studies on honey derived from stingless bees. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of stingless bee honey. Fifteen types of honey were collected from six states in West Coast of Malaysia and pollen analyses were carried out. Four types of unifloral honey samples produced by stingless bees were selected to determine their physicochemical and antioxidant activities including total phenolic, total flavonoid and ascorbic acid contents. Melissopalynological study of 15 honey samples collected from different states showed presence of both unifloral and multifloral origins. Honey samples collected from Apis mellifera (honeybee) combs had lower number of total pollen compared to samples collected from Heterotrigona itama and Geniotrigona thoracica (stingless bees). Jambul Merak honey contains the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents with greatest color intensity and has the highest antioxidant potential. This study highlights the chemical composition and biological activity of honey from stingless bees which may increase its commercial value or to be utilised as potential functional food ingredient

Partial genetic characterization of Seoul hantavirus in rats from Buenos Aires City, Argentina, and generation of a Seoul recombinant nucleoprotein antigen

Fil: Padula, Paula. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Virología; Argentina.Fil: Martinez, Valeria Paula. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Virología; Argentina.Fil: Cueto, Gerardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Ecología de Roedores; Argentina.Fil: Cavia, Regino. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Ecología de Roedores; Argentina.Fil: Suárez, Olga Virginia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Ecología de Roedores; Argentina.La fiebre hemorrágica con síndrome renal (FHSR) es una enfermedad grave, caracterizada por fiebre, hemorragia, falencia renal y trombocitopenia. Al menos siete hantavirus causan la FHSR: Hantaan, Seoul (SEOV) (de distribución global), Dobrava-Belgrade, Saaremaa, Amur, Thailand y Puumala. Para investigar la epidemiología de la FHRS y la transmisión viral en Argentina, creamos un plásmido procariotas que "codifica" la nucleoproteína recombinante del virus SEOV de 430 aminoácidos. Luego de la expresión, la nucleoproteína recombinante fue probada como antígeno para uso en ensayo inmunoenzimático (ELISA) para diagnóstico de la infección. Para determinar el nivel actual de transmisión viral en poblaciones de ratas marrones o ratas (Rattus norvegicus) capturadas en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, analizamos tejidos de ratas seleccionadas para ser serológicamente positivas para el virus SEOV, y su genoma viral fue detectado luego de sometido a RT-PCR utilizando primers específicos para dos fragmentos de proteínas Gn y Gc codificadas por el segmento M. El genoma viral fue detectado en 11 de las 21 ratas seropositivas (52,4%), previamente capturadas en dos parques. El análisis secuencial de una región génica (333 nt) del segmento M "codificador" de la proteína Gc presentó un 97% y un 96% de similitud con las cepas de SEOV colectadas en Baltimore y en Brasil, respectivamente. Los datos genéticos listados confirman la información de que hay una diversidad muy pequeña entre las cepas del virus SEOV

Partial genetic characterization of Seoul hantavirus in rats from Buenos Aires City, Argentina, and generation of a Seoul recombinant nucleoprotein antigen

Fil: Padula, Paula. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Virología; Argentina.Fil: Martinez, Valeria Paula. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Virología; Argentina.Fil: Cueto, Gerardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Ecología de Roedores; Argentina.Fil: Cavia, Regino. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Ecología de Roedores; Argentina.Fil: Suárez, Olga Virginia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Ecología de Roedores; Argentina.La fiebre hemorrágica con síndrome renal (FHSR) es una enfermedad grave, caracterizada por fiebre, hemorragia, falencia renal y trombocitopenia. Al menos siete hantavirus causan la FHSR: Hantaan, Seoul (SEOV) (de distribución global), Dobrava-Belgrade, Saaremaa, Amur, Thailand y Puumala. Para investigar la epidemiología de la FHRS y la transmisión viral en Argentina, creamos un plásmido procariotas que "codifica" la nucleoproteína recombinante del virus SEOV de 430 aminoácidos. Luego de la expresión, la nucleoproteína recombinante fue probada como antígeno para uso en ensayo inmunoenzimático (ELISA) para diagnóstico de la infección. Para determinar el nivel actual de transmisión viral en poblaciones de ratas marrones o ratas (Rattus norvegicus) capturadas en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, analizamos tejidos de ratas seleccionadas para ser serológicamente positivas para el virus SEOV, y su genoma viral fue detectado luego de sometido a RT-PCR utilizando primers específicos para dos fragmentos de proteínas Gn y Gc codificadas por el segmento M. El genoma viral fue detectado en 11 de las 21 ratas seropositivas (52,4%), previamente capturadas en dos parques. El análisis secuencial de una región génica (333 nt) del segmento M "codificador" de la proteína Gc presentó un 97% y un 96% de similitud con las cepas de SEOV colectadas en Baltimore y en Brasil, respectivamente. Los datos genéticos listados confirman la información de que hay una diversidad muy pequeña entre las cepas del virus SEOV