Evolution of gonad transcriptomes and gamete-recognition genes in sea stars

Evolved differences in life history traits, including fertilization ecology and mating systems, are expected to affect the strength of sexual selection acting on gamete-recognition genes (GRGs) responsible for gamete compatibility and fertilization success. The evolution of life history traits such as internal fertilization of eggs and mating system traits such as self-fertilization is expected to weaken the effects of sexual selection (due to the resolution of sperm competition among males and sexual conflicts between males and females). To assess these expectations, I compared the responses to selection of GRGs and other genes expressed in the gonads from multiple species of sea stars with different life histories. I first developed a bioinformatic protocol to reconstruct the transcriptomes of gonads from RNA-seq libraries using the data from the crown-of-thorns sea star Acanthaster cf. solaris and used that protocol to characterize GRGs and gene expression. I then compared GRGs in two recently diverged species with contrasting mating systems. I found little evidence of positive selection in the GRGs of the outcrossing species (Cryptasterina pentagona). Instead, I found evidence of relaxed selection in the self-fertilizing and hermaphroditic species (Cryptasterina hystera). I also found evidence of selection in non-GRG-genes linked to abiotic stressors, DNA regulation, polyspermy, and egg retention. In the last chapter, I compared the selection on female GRGs and other ovary genes using a phylogenetically broad sample of sea star species with two modes of reproduction. I found evidence of rapid evolution acting on female GRGs and of a stronger response to selection on female GRGs from sea stars with expected stronger sexual selection (gonochoric, broadcast spawning, planktonic fertilization) compared to species with derived life history traits associated with weaker sexual selection (hermaphroditic, benthic fertilization, brood protection). In summary, these results support the expectation of rapid evolution and strong selection on GRGs compared to other parts of animal genomes. GRG evolution likely contributes to the speciation process as a mechanism of reproductive incompatibility. And when selection targets GRG, life history traits can affect the response to selection

Bioecologia do bichado-da-fruta, Cydia pomonella L. e estudo de modelos de desenvolvimento para previsão do risco

Mestrado de dupla diplomação com a UTFPR, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do ParanáConsiderada praga-chave da macieira, Cydia pomonella L., popularmente conhecida como bichado-da-fruta, causa danos ao perfurar frutos e torná-los impróprios para comercialização. A abordagem convencional para o controlo desta praga envolve o uso de pesticidas químicos. No entanto, devido às desvantagens associadas a essa prática, como o desenvolvimento de resistência e impactos negativos sobre insetos não-alvo, métodos de monitorização e estratégias alternativas, como a confusão sexual, têm sido adotados para reduzir de forma assertiva e sustentável a população da praga. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a eficácia de duas estratégias de proteção no combate à C. pomonella, a proteção integrada (PI) e a confusão sexual (CS) através da avaliação de ataque aos frutos, em pomares localizados em Carrazeda Ansiães e Armamar em 2020 e 2021. Monitorizou-se a dinâmica populacional dos adultos de C. pomonella com recurso a armadilhas e a partir desta, ajustaram-se modelos de desenvolvimento com as temperaturas locais registadas. Paralelamente comparou-se o efeito das duas estratégias de proteção fitossanitária na abundância e diversidade funcional de artrópodes associados à macieira. Em Carrazeda de Ansiães, os resultados das capturas em armadilhas mostraram níveis populacionais superiores nos pomares em CS em relação aos pomares em PI. As taxas de desorientação masculina variaram de 67% a 100%, enquanto o número de gerações ao longo do período de monitorização variou de uma a duas. Já em Armamar, os pomares em PI registraram maior número médio total de capturas por armadilha comparado aos pomares em CS. Ambos os anos apresentaram duas gerações, com taxas de desorientação masculina variando de 14% a 100%. A estratégia CS reduziu os estragos em frutos provocados pela praga, entretanto, ambas as estratégias superaram o nível econômico de ataque de 1%, exceto na parcela em CS em Armamar, que não registrou danos em 2021. O modelo de desenvolvimento não apresentou consistência na previsão dos estágios de vida do bichado-da-fruta em várias datas. O pomar em PI apresentou uma abundância significativamente maior de artrópodes (2490 indivíduos) em comparação com o pomar em CS (1333 indivíduos), enquanto não houve diferença significativa na riqueza e no índice de Simpson entre os tratamentos. Os grupos mais abundantes em ambos os tratamentos foram Diptera, Afídeo, Aranea e Parasitoides (Hymenoptera). A interação significativa entre o tratamento e a data revelou a influência conjunta desses fatores nas populações de herbívoros, parasitoides, polinizadores e predadores em ambas as estratégias de proteção fitossanitária. Os resultados obtidos, demonstraram que o controlo da praga depende do conhecimento do seu comportamento em relação ao ambiente. Além disso, a fauna auxiliar pode desempenhar um papel importante na limitação natural do bichado-da-fruta, sendo necessário aprofundar o conhecimento para clarificar o papel de cada grupo na limitação natural de pragas da macieira.Considered a key pest of apple trees, Cydia pomonella L., popularly known as the Codling moth, causes damage by penetrating into fruits, making them unsuitable for sale. The conventional approach in order to control this pest involves the use of chemical pesticides. Nevertheless, due to disadvantages associated with this practice, such as the development of resistance and negative impacts on non-target insects, monitoring methods and alternative strategies, such as mating disruption, have been adopted to reduce the pest population accurately and sustainably (to assertively and sustainably reduce the pest population). In this context, the aim of this work was to study the effectiveness of two protection strategies in combating C. pomonella, integrated protection (PI) and sexual confusion (CS), by evaluating fruit damage (through the evaluation of attacks upon fruits) in orchards located in Carrazeda de Ansiães and Armamar in 2020 and 2021. The population dynamics of C. pomonella adults were monitored using traps, and based on this data, development models were adjusted with the recorded local temperatures (the local temperatures recorded). Additionally, the impact of the two phytosanitary protection strategies on the abundance and functional diversity of arthropods associated with apple trees was compared. In Carrazeda de Ansiães trap capture results have shown higher population levels in CS orchards compared to PI orchards. Male disruption rates ranged from 67% to 100%, while the number of generations over the monitoring period varied from one to two. In Armamar, PI orchards recorded a higher average total trap capture compared to CS orchards. Both years have demonstrated two generations with male disruption rates ranging from 14% to 100%. The CS strategy reduced fruit damage caused by the pest; however, both strategies exceeded the economic damage threshold of 1%, except for the CS plot in Armamar, which showed no damage in 2021. The development model lacked consistency in predicting the life stages of the fruit borer on various dates. The PI orchard has shown significantly higher arthropod abundance (2490 individuals) compared to the CS orchard (1333 individuals), with no significant difference in richness and Simpson's index between treatments. The most abundant groups in both treatments were Diptera, aphid, Aranea, and parasitoids (Hymenoptera). The significant interaction between treatment and date have shown the combined influence of these factors on the populations of herbivore, parasitoids, pollinators, and predators in both phytosanitary protection strategies. The results obtained have demonstrated that pest control depends on the understanding of its behavior in relation to the environment. Furthermore, beneficial fauna can play a crucial role in the natural limitation of the Codling moth, necessitating further research to clarify the role of each group in the natural limitation of apple tree pests

Dibujos inéditos del siglo XIX. Los monumentos leoneses de época medieval en las manos de Inocencio Redondo Garci-Ibáñez y Jaime Serra Gibert

El presente estudio revela los dibujos privados de algunos de los monumentos medievales leoneses realizados por Inocencio Redondo Garci-Ibáñez y Jaime Serra Gibert en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX. Estos documentos gráficos constituyen una valiosa fuente de información para el conocimiento del devenir del patrimonio medieval de la provincia de León, así como de sus dibujantes y los contextos y circunstancias en los que estos se llevaron a cabo

A propósito de los graffiti del templo de San Miguel de Escalada (León)

Aunque los primeros estudios se remontan al siglo XVIII, el templo leonés de San Miguel de Escalada continúa siendo una inagotable fuente de conocimiento. El reciente descubrimiento de sus graffiti parietales nos ha permitido ampliar la información que poseemos sobre este antiguo cenobio, además de establecer una relación, no sólo con otros edificios históricos peninsulares, sino también con la arquitectura que durante la Alta Edad Media fue excavada en sus inmediacione

Las prácticas espirituales del eremitismo peninsular altomedieval

Durante la antigüedad tardía comenzó a desarrollarse en la Península Ibérica un ascetismo cristiano basado en los modos de vida llevados a cabo por los Padres del Desierto y predicados en las Sagradas Escrituras. Sin embargo, las semejanzas que este fenómeno presenta con respecto a algunas de las doctrinas filosóficas griegas de época helenística son evidentes. Así, el aislamiento, la contemplación o el ayuno como medio de purificación son prácticas comunes a ambos. De esta manera, el presente trabajo pretende ofrecer un análisis del panorama del eremitismo peninsular durante la Alta Edad Media en relación con dichos sistemas filosóficos.During the late antiquity started to develope a christian asceticism in the Iberian Peninsula which were based on the ways of life of the Fathers of the desert and preached in the Holy Scriptures. However, this phenomenom looks like some of the Greek philosophical doctrines of the Hellenistical period. Thus, the loneliness, the meditation or the fast as way of purification are common practices for both of them. This way, the present study tries to offer an analysis of the peninsular hermits panorama during the High Middle Ages compared to these philosophical systems

The graffiti on the north portal of the church of san Juan de Bohí (Alta Ribagorza, Lleida)

El presente trabajo de investigación se centra en los graffiti incisos durante los siglos XIII y XIV en la portada norte de la iglesia románica de san Juan de Bohí (Alta Ribagorza, Lleida). En él, se realiza un estudio de la totalidad de las manifestaciones parietales recogidas a ambos lados de la puerta y se corrigen las cronologías erróneas establecidas con anterioridad para algunos de ellos.The present paper is focused on the graffiti incised during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries on the north portal of the Romanesque church of san Juan de Bohí (Alta Ribagorza, Lleida). We carry out a comprehensive study of all the incised wall expressions located on both sides of the door and correct the wrong dates that have been previously established for some of them

De pleitos, comisiones y eruditos: la historia de la "Cueva del Cubo" de Rueda del Almirante (León)

A lo largo del margen derecho del valle medio del Esla se extiende una serie de conjuntos excavados de excepcional importancia para entender la arquitectura sustractiva altomedieval en territorio leonés, y aun en el hispano. A pesar de que a principios del siglo pasado gozaron de la atención de algunos miembros de las Comisiones de Monumentos Históricos y Artísticos, así como de la curiosidad de algunos eruditos locales, hoy, ya languidecientes, apenas han suscitado interés dentro de la comunidad científica. El presente estudio pretende centrarse en el espacio excavado en la localidad leonesa de Rueda del Almirante por tratarse del más desconocido y arruinado de todos ellos, además de constituir un auténtico paradigma de la arqui-tectura excavad

Anti-inflammatory effect of topiramate in a chronic model of TNBS-induced colitis

FCT_UIDB/05608/2020. FCT_UIDP/05608/2020.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by a chronic and relapsing inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, and weight loss. Currently, there is no cure, and the pharmacological treatment includes drugs that induce and keep the patient in remission, not reversing the underlying pathogenic mechanism. In the long term, these therapies may cause various side effects and complications, which has increased the need to investigate new, more effective, and safer pharmacological approaches. In preclinical studies, topiramate has demonstrated a potential anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to investigate the effect of topiramate in a chronic TNBS-induced colitis model in rodents. Experimental colitis was induced by four intrarectal administrations of 1% TNBS in female CD-1 mice. Topiramate 10 and 20 mg were administered intraperitoneally for 14 days. Several parameters were evaluated, such as body weight, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), fecal hemoglobin, fecal calprotectin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-10. Topiramate reduces TNBS-induced colonic damage in a model of chronic experimental colitis and normalizes stool consistency and anus appearance. Additionally, topiramate significantly reduced the concentration of ALP, fecal hemoglobin, fecal calprotectin, TNF-α, and IL-10, demonstrating it to be a promising pharmacological approach for treating IBD in the future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

El estado del arte sobre los seres sintientes. Una revisión conceptual

The present document tries to show the different variables on the evolution of the relations between the man and the nonhumans from the different doctrines, legislation and the constitutional jurisprudence. This review analyzes a state of the art about the different positions that have influenced different conceptions about the human-animal relationship in order to determine legitimate behaviors of people towards animals, and if at least they are supported under plausible ethical conditionsEl presente documento pretende mostrar las diferentes variables sobre la evolución de las relaciones entre el hombre y los no humanos a partir de las diferentes doctrinas, legislación y la jurisprudencia Constitucional. Esta revisión analiza un Estado del Arte sobre las diferentes posiciones que han abanderado diferentes concepciones sobre la relación humano-animal para así determinar comportamientos legítimos de las personas para con los animales, y si al menos están sustentados bajo condiciones éticas plausibles