Tropical forest communities in southeastern Mexico

A phytosociological study was carried out along a 450 kmtransect in tropical southeastern Mexico in order to identify plantcommunities.Five major plant communities were distinguished and described:Those communities reflect preference of different environmentalfactorssuch as soils, precipitation and local relief. Further, the major threats(hurricanes, fires, agriculture) to the vegetation of the study areaare discussed.     

Hybridization between wolf and domestic dog: First evidence from an endangered population in central Portugal

Human population expansion has promoted contact between wildlife and domestic animals with severe ecological consequences, such as anthropogenic hybridization. In Portugal, Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) populations are considered “Endangered” and co-habit with humans so the risks of hybridization with free-ranging dogs, and livestock depredation can be particularly high. Our aim was to report the occurrence of wolf-dog hybridization in an endangered Iberian wolf sub-population, located in the south of the Douro river, Portugal. We used mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite data to investigate putative hybrids between Iberian wolves and dogs. Here, we report for the first time a wolf-dog hybrid located in the south of the Douro river. This is the second hybrid found in Portugal, and even if hybridization cases are still considered rare, they can be particularly problematic in isolated, fragmented and endangered populations, such as the one studied here. Appropriate management and conservation measures are recommended.     

A tyrannosauroid dinosaur from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal

Fragmentary theropod remains from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Guimarota, Portugal, represent a new taxon of theropod dinosaurs, Aviatyrannis jurassica gen. et sp. nov. Together with Stokesosaurus from the Morrison Formation of North America, Aviatyrannis represents the oldest known tyrannosauroid, indicating that tyrannosauroid origins may be found in the Middle–Late Jurassic of Europe/North America. Furthermore, current evidence suggests that early tyrannosaurs were rather small animals, which is in general accordance with their origin amongst the generally rather small coelurosaurs.