Mascotas que se establecen en la naturaleza: cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad en España

[EN]: Vietnamese potbellied (VPB) pigs (Sus scrofa) are a common pet in North America and Europe, but their recent decrease in popularity has increased their abandonment. Our main aim was to identify potential cases of free-living VPB pigs in Spain through an in-depth Google search. We identified 42 cases of free-living VPB pigs distributed throughout the country. The number of free-living VPB pigs reported increased by year but the species abundance still seems to be low. Signs of VPB pig reproduction and possible hybrids between VPB pigs and wild boar or feral pigs have been also reported. Free-living VPB pigs could erode the gene pool of the Spanish wild boar population and exacerbate the damage (e.g. crop damage or spread of diseases) already caused by wild board. Urgent evaluation and adequate management of wild VPB pig sightings is needed to prevent their establishment in natural habitats.[ES]: Los cerdos vietnamitas (Sus scrofa) son una mascota habitual en Norteamérica y Europa; sin embargo, su popularidad ha disminuido recientemente y esto ha provocado que se abandonen cada vez más. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es identificar casos de cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad en España a través de una búsqueda exhaustiva en Google. Se han identificado 42 casos de cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad distribuidos por todo el país. El número de casos aumenta cada año, aunque la abundancia de la especie aún parece ser baja. También se han observado indicios de que los cerdos vietnamitas se reproducen en libertad y de posibles híbridos de éstos con jabalíes o cerdos asilvestrados. El hecho de que los cerdos vietnamitas vivan en libertad podría reducir el patrimonio genético de la población española de jabalí, así como agravar los daños que este ya causa en España (como los daños a cultivos o los accidentes de tráfico). Con vistas a evitar que se establezcan en hábitats naturales, es urgente evaluar y gestionar debidamente las observaciones de cerdos vietnamitas salvajes.M. Delibes–Mateos was supported by a JAE–doc contract (Programa Junta para la Ampliación de Estudios), funded by CSIC and the European Social Fund.Peer Reviewe

Biochemical evidence of gene transfer from the Mv genome of Aegilops ventricosa to hexaploid wheat

Endosperm protein and isozyme patterns of Unes derived from the ovoss [Tritioum turgidum (AABB) x Aegilops ventrioosa (DDMVMV)] x T_. aes tivum (AABBDD) were studied. Five bioohemioal oharaoters pvesent in Ae_. ventrioosa (DDM°M°), Ae_. oomosa (MU) and Ae_. uniaris tata (MUMU) , but absent from Ae. squarrosa (DD)t T_. aes tivum (AABBDD) and T_. turgidum (AABB) were investigated. Three of these were identified in several Unes3 indioating gene transfer from the M° genome of Ae. ventrioosa into hexaploid wheat. The wide distribution of one of the markers (CM-4) suggests its previous transfer to the D genome of Ae. ventrioosa

Pets becoming established in the wild: free–living Vietnamese potbellied pigs in Spain

Mascotas que se establecen en la naturaleza: cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad en España Los cerdos vietnamitas (Sus scrofa) son una mascota habitual en Norteamérica y Europa; sin embargo, su popularidad ha disminuido recientemente y esto ha provocado que se abandonen cada vez más. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es identificar casos de cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad en España a través de una búsqueda exhaustiva en Google. Se han identificado 42 casos de cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad distribuidos por todo el país. El número de casos aumenta cada año, aunque la abundancia de la especie aún parece ser baja. También se han observado indicios de que los cerdos vietnamitas se reproducen en libertad y de posibles híbridos de éstos con jabalíes o cerdos asilvestrados. El hecho de que los cerdos vietnamitas vivan en libertad podría reducir el patrimonio genético de la población española de jabalí, así como agravar los daños que este ya causa en España (como los daños a cultivos o los accidentes de tráfico). Con vistas a evitar que se establezcan en hábitats naturales, es urgente evaluar y gestionar debidamente las observaciones de cerdos vietnamitas salvajes.Vietnamese potbellied (VPB) pigs (Sus scrofa) are a common pet in North America and Europe, but their recent decrease in popularity has increased their abandonment. Our main aim was to identify potential cases of free–living VPB pigs in Spain through an in–depth Google search. We identified 42 cases of free–living VPB pigs distributed throughout the country. The number of free–living VPB pigs reported increased by year but the species abundance still seems to be low. Signs of VPB pig reproduction and possible hybrids between VPB pigs and wild boar or feral pigs have been also reported. Free–living VPB pigs could erode the gene pool of the Spanish wild boar population and exacerbate the damage (e.g. crop damage or spread of diseases) already caused by wild board. Urgent evaluation and adequate management of wild VPB pig sightings is needed to prevent their establishment in natural habitats.Mascotas que se establecen en la naturaleza: cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad en España Los cerdos vietnamitas (Sus scrofa) son una mascota habitual en Norteamérica y Europa; sin embargo, su popularidad ha disminuido recientemente y esto ha provocado que se abandonen cada vez más. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es identificar casos de cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad en España a través de una búsqueda exhaustiva en Google. Se han identificado 42 casos de cerdos vietnamitas que viven en libertad distribuidos por todo el país. El número de casos aumenta cada año, aunque la abundancia de la especie aún parece ser baja. También se han observado indicios de que los cerdos vietnamitas se reproducen en libertad y de posibles híbridos de éstos con jabalíes o cerdos asilvestrados. El hecho de que los cerdos vietnamitas vivan en libertad podría reducir el patrimonio genético de la población española de jabalí, así como agravar los daños que este ya causa en España (como los daños a cultivos o los accidentes de tráfico). Con vistas a evitar que se establezcan en hábitats naturales, es urgente evaluar y gestionar debidamente las observaciones de cerdos vietnamitas salvajes

Negative attitudes towards predators do not necessarily result in their killing

Letter.M. DELIBES-MATEOS is supported by a JAE-doc contract (Programa Junta para la Ampliación de Estudios), funded by CSIC and the European Social Fund.Peer Reviewe

Wild rabbit restocking: Suitable acclimation conditions foster adaptive behaviour and improve survival of captive reared rabbits

[EN] Wild rabbit is a very important species in the Mediterranean region. Its relevance is both ecological, being a keystone species —prey for several predators— and economic, as it is the most important and the most managed small game species among mammals in the Iberian Peninsula. Although both researchers and game managers claim restocking operations have moderate to low success, it is still one of the management measures often used by conservationists and hunters to recover or boost wild rabbit populations. The high mortality usually verified in the first days after release is the main limiting factor in rabbit restocking. Based on practical research, protocols have improved, pointing out good practices and suggestions to increase success. Adopting soft instead of hard-release protocols has been proven to increase short-term survival after liberation. Aware that purchased rabbits seldom display a quick adaptation to the field, we performed two restocking experiments with different conditions (acclimation period and park size) in order to compare the outcomes in terms of survival rate. The rabbit batch that experienced a longer acclimation period in a larger park showed higher survival rates, as well as more frequent and much larger spatial movements. These results suggest that proper conditions during acclimation may contribute to the success of wild rabbit restocking operations.We would like to thank the Associação de Caçadores de Querença for their valuable support with the fieldwork.Machado, RD.; Magalhães, P.; Godinho, S.; Santos, P. (2017). Wild rabbit restocking: Suitable acclimation conditions foster adaptive behaviour and improve survival of captive reared rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 25(4):407-414. doi:10.4995/wrs.2017.4107SWORD40741425

Confictos de conservación involucrando a mamíferos en Europa

[EN]: In recent times, conflicts involving wildlife have increased in importance and magnitude. Conservation conflicts occur when two or more parties with strongly held opinions clash over conservation objectives, and when one party is perceived to assert its interest at the expense of another. Conservation conflicts usually emerge from “wildlife impacts”, defined as circumstances where people, consciously or unconsciously, negatively impact wildlife, or alternatively where wildlife negatively impacts the well-being or livelihoods of people or biodiversity. In Europe, the most frequent and intense conservation conflict associated with the management of mammals is likely that involving predators. For example, large carnivores depredate on livestock and game species, but at the same time these are flagship-species for European nature conservation. Therefore, conflicts about how these species should be managed emerge frequently. The management of overabundant ungulates that negatively impact natural vegetation as well as that of small mammals that damage crops also lead to frequent clashes between stakeholders in Europe. The global conservation status of most conflictive European mammals is rather good. However, some of their populations are threatened, at least partially by illegal killing and poaching. From this perspective, efforts are needed to mitigate conservation conflicts in these areas. In addition, promoting the investigation of conservation conflicts that incorporates multidisciplinary approaches is essential to increase the understanding of such conflicts and ultimately to mitigate them.[ES]: Los conflictos asociados a la gestión de la fauna se han incrementado en tiempos recientes. Los conflictos de conservación ocurren cuando dos o más partes con opiniones fuertemente enfrentadas chocan sobre objetivos de conservación, y cuando una parte mantiene firme sus intereses en detrimento de los de otra. Normalmente los conflictos de conservación surgen de los impactos sobre o de la fauna, definidos como circunstancias donde la gente, consciente o inconscientemente, impacta negativamente en la fauna, o cuando ésta causa efectos negativos en el bienestar o sustento de las personas o en la biodiversidad. En Europa los conflictos de conservación más frecuentes son probablemente aquellos relacionados con la gestión de los depredadores. Por ejemplo, los grandes carnívoros depredan sobre el ganado o las especies de caza, pero al mismo tiempo son especies bandera para la conservación. Por lo tanto, los conflictos sobre cómo se deberían de gestionar estas especies son habituales. La gestión de los ungulados que impactan negativamente en la vegetación natural así como la de los pequeños mamíferos que causan daños a los cultivos también provoca frecuentes enfrentamientos en Europa. El estado global de conservación de los mamíferos europeos conflictivos es bastante bueno. Sin embargo, algunas de sus poblaciones están amenazadas, al menos en parte por la caza ilegal y el furtivismo. Por lo tanto, es necesario realizar esfuerzos importantes para mitigar estos conflictos en estas áreas. Además, se debería de promover la investigación multidisciplinar de los conflictos de conservación para conocerlos mejor y en última instancia para mitigarlos.M. Delibes-Mateos has received funding from Consejería de Economía, Inovación, Ciencia y Empleo of Junta de Andalucía, and the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement 267226.Peer Reviewe

Transfer of a major dominant gene for resistance to eyespot disease from a wild grass to hexaploid wheat

Eyespot disease, caused by the fungus Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides, is responsible for considerable lodging and reductions of yield in extensive areas of wheat cultivation in North and South America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Africa1. The level of resistance of wheat cultivars is too low, even among the less susceptible ones (that is, Cappelle Desprez and Cerco) and no genes for resistance have to date been characterized in any species. Sprague2 found a high level of resistance to this disease in the wild grass Aegilops ventricosa and several workers have attempted its transfer to cultivated wheat with only partial success3−5. We report here a major dominant gene for resistance, which has been transferred from tetraploid Ae. ventricosa (genomes DvDvMvMv) to hexaploid wheat, Triticum aestivum (AABBDD), using tetraploid wheat, Triticum turgidum (AABB), as a 'bridge' species

Biochemical and cytological studies of genetic transfer from the Mv genome of Aegilops ventricosa into hexaploid wheat

A double interspecific oross {Triticum turgidum (AB) var. rubroatrum H-l-1 x Ae. ventvicosa (DM°) AP-l} x T.aestivum (ABD) cv. Almatense H-10-1S was carried out in 1950 by M. Alonso Peña (Cuenca, Spain) and 70 Unes were devived from it by vepeated selfing (Unes H-93-1 thvough 70). Pveliminavy biochemical evidence indicated genetic tvansfev fvom the M° genome of Ae.ventvicosa into some of these Unes. A more detailed biochemical and cytological characteriza tion of the H-93- Unes was undertaken. A progress report of these studies is presented here. Fourten biochemical systems, each representing a set of up to 4 homoeologous loci, weve investigated in the vavental material, in the H-93- Unes, and in Ae. squavrosa (DD), Ae. comosa (MM) and Ae. uniaristata (M^-M11). Biochemical markers controlled by the A or B genomes of one or both wheat parents weve distributed in the H-93- Unes as expected if the egcells fvom the self-stevile ABDM0 hybvid, rescued by the ABD polen, cavvied the complete A and B genomes from T. tuvgidum. The distvibution of biochemical mavkevs contvolled by the D genomes of one ov both D genome parents indicated that most of the eggcells from the ABDM0 hybrid carvied most of the D genome, i.e. 3 out of 8 markers of the former tupe were absent in a few Unes each, ind.icating incomplete homology between the two D genomes, non-homologous transfer or deletion. Biochemical characters present in Ae. ventricosa (DM°), Ae. comosa (M), Ae. uniaristata (M11) and absent in T. aestivum (ABD), Ae. squarrosa (D) and T. tuvgidum (AB) were selected as M° genome markers. Two of these markers were not transmited to the H-93- Unes, three were tvansmitted with low fvequency and one with a high fvequency. Resistance to Erisiphe graminis was determined by Dosba and Doussinault at Rennes and was found to be transmitted with low fvequency. Somatic chromosome numbers of the H-93- Unes were counted and all weve found to be hexaploid. Meiosis was studied in Unes cavvying M° genome mavkevs and in their hybrids with the T. aestivum parent, to determine the máximum numbev of alien chvornosornespvesent in each Une. The joint considevation of the biochemical and the cytological evidence se^me to indícate that the genetic tvansfev has taken place by chvomosome substitution and by vecombination