Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.)

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from Castanea sativa (Mill.). Six contained dinucleotide repeats, six contained trinucleotide repeats, and one contained a compound microsatellite of a trinucleotide and a tetranucleotide repeat. The loci were characterized using C. sativa trees from three populations in the UK and the parents and six seedlings from a Turkish mapping population. The number of alleles revealed varied from two to 14 (mean = 5.15) per loci. Eight loci were found to be useful in the mapping family.     

European rabbit research in the Iberian Peninsula: state of the art and future perspectives

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a high-profile prey, native from the Iberian Peninsula, the only region in the world where the two rabbit subspecies (O. cuniculus algirus and O. cuniculus cuniculus) currently co-exist in natural conditions. In this area, this important prey represents a keystone species and ecosystem engineer of Mediterranean landscapes, being also the most harvested and one of the most managed small-game species. Additionally, the species can create damage to crops in some parts of the Iberian Peninsula where it is regarded as an agricultural pest. The scientific interest towards the species is becoming increasingly apparent most likely as a repercussion of declining population trends over the last decades. The latter has been the result of the impact of habitat deterioration, viral diseases, unsustainable hunting, and predation. In this paper, I present a review of the scientific literature currently available on the European rabbit in the Iberian Peninsula. I discuss knowledge gaps and highlight priority research guidelines to suppress them, in an attempt to provide a general perspective to target research efforts more effectively. This analysis is particularly relevant due to the current vulnerability of rabbit populations in Iberia and to the recent news of cuts in scientific funding in most Mediterranean countries.     

The European Far West: Miocene mammal isolation,diversity and turnover in the Iberian Peninsula

Aim To analyse the diversity dynamics of Miocene mammalian faunas in the Iberian Peninsula in order to determine whether the patterns are related to the dispersal of taxa from other areas into this region. Location Mainly the Iberian Peninsula, but two close geographical areas (Central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean) are also considered in some of our calculations. Methods Genus‐level faunal lists for a total of 299 localities from the Iberian Peninsula, covering 10 successive biochronological units [Mammal Neogene (MN) zones] that span from the latest Early Miocene to the early Pliocene (about 17–4 Ma), were compiled. The dataset was expanded with a further 331 localities in Central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean for the same time span. Next, a taxonomically standardized database was used to create composite faunal lists of micro‐ and macromammalian genera present during each MN zone. Separate genera‐by‐MN‐zone matrices for both micro‐ and macromammals were built for each region. Mean standing diversity as well as origination and extinction rates were calculated for the Iberian Peninsula, and their correlation with preservation rates is discussed. Simpson’s coefficient of faunal similarity with Central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean was calculated in order to evaluate whether diversity patterns were related to changes in the affinity of the Iberian mammalian faunas with those of other regions. Results Diversity changes in the Iberian macromammalian faunas coincide with periods of increased faunal similarity with other regions, suggesting a relationship to the expansions and contractions of the geographical ranges of the constituent taxa. This pattern is not recognized for micromammals; that is, their diversity trends are not related to changes in geographical ranges. Main conclusions Climatic shifts result in expansions or contractions in the geographical ranges of macromammals, owing to changes in the distribution of their preferred habitats. The lower dispersal ability of micromammals results in a higher extinction risk when habitat fragmentation confines their populations to relatively small environmental patches. Hence, they are more severely affected by climatic changes. Our results thus emphasize the role of climatic forcing in mammalian biogeography and diversity.     

Hydraulic properties of European elms: xylem safety-efficiency tradeoff and species distribution in the Iberian Peninsula

Key message

Ulmus minor and U. glabra show a trade-off between safety and efficiency in water transport, and U. laevis shows adaptations to waterlogged environments.

Abstract

Three native elm species grow in Europe: Ulmus minor Mill., U. glabra Huds. and U. laevis Pall., and within the Iberian Peninsula their habitats mainly differ in water availability. We evaluated firstly whether vulnerability to xylem embolism caused by water-stress has been a determinant factor affecting their distribution; secondly, if their xylem anatomy differs due to water availability dissimilarities; and thirdly, if these species present a trade-off between water transport safety and efficiency. Plants of the three species were grown in a common-garden in Madrid, Central Spain. The centrifuge method was used for constructing the vulnerability curves, and anatomical measurements were carried out with an optical microscope. We found clear differences in conductivity and cavitation vulnerability between the three species. Although all three elms were highly vulnerable to cavitation, U. minor was significantly more resistant to water stress cavitation. This species reached 50 % loss in conductivity at ?1.1 MPa, compared to U. glabra that did so at ?0.5 MPa, and U. laevis at ?0.4 MPa. Maximum xylem specific conductivity and maximum leaf specific conductivity were two to three times higher in U. glabra when compared to U. minor. A clear trade-off between safety against losses of conductivity and water transport efficiency was observed considering both U. minor and U. glabra samples. Ulmus minor’s hydraulic configuration was better adapted to overcome drought episodes. The expected aridification of the Iberian Peninsula could compromise Ulmus populations due to their high vulnerability to drought stress.     

European rabbit population trends and associated factors: a review of the situation in the Iberian Peninsula

• 1 European rabbits are considered a keystone species in the Iberian Peninsula. Their populations have sharply declined over the past century, mainly due to habitat loss and the arrival of two viral diseases: myxomatosis in the 1950s and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) at the end of the 1980s. For the conservation of the Iberian Mediterranean ecosystem, it is important to determine whether rabbit populations are recovering two decades after the RHD outbreak, and to identify the factors associated with population recovery.
• 2 Here, we review the current knowledge on recent rabbit population trends in the Iberian Peninsula and the factors associated with these trends.
• 3 Although most rabbit populations are still declining in the Iberian Peninsula, a few seem to have recovered. In general, positive trends have been recorded in species‐friendly habitats characterized by non‐fragmented landscapes, interspersed patches of Mediterranean scrubland, good pastures and/or crops, soft soils that are suitable for warren construction and a Mediterranean climate with relatively high rainfall. Additionally, rabbits seem to be recovering better in areas where management practices (e.g. low hunting pressure, habitat management and predator control) are applied to increase their numbers.
• 4 From these findings, it is possible to identify five broad objectives for rabbit conservation in the Iberian Peninsula. First, it is clearly necessary to establish a long‐term programme for monitoring rabbit abundance and trends on a large scale. Second, the conservation and restoration of open Mediterranean scrubland should be a priority for stabilizing and maintaining existing healthy rabbit populations. Third, despite the lack of experimental evidence, management activities aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of both refuge and food should continue to be implemented. Fourth, legislation on the timing of the hunting season should be revisited following recommendations made by scientists. Finally, experimental approaches are required to investigate whether the control of generalist predators is a successful strategy to allow rabbit populations to recover.

     

Convergence in leaf phenology traits of two understory ferns in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Aims Plants control leaf phenology to maximize annual photosynthetic product. Although ferns play an important ecological role in many habitats, especially forests, their phenology traits have been poorly studied. Here, we investigate the leaf phenology of two ferns of the forest understorey and analyse the relationship between the timing of leaf emergence and spore dispersal and the effect of between-year climatic variation.Methods We compared the leafing and sporing phenologies of two ferns with very large (>2 m), overwintering leaves: Culcita macrocarpa and Woodwardia radicans. We regularly monitored individuals of six populations in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula during a 3-year study. We studied eight phenology variables: leafing start date, leafing end date, leaf expansion time, number of new leaves per individual, between-individual synchrony, within-individual synchrony, percentage of fertile leaves and spore release date. We also determined leaf mass per area (LMA) and gathered data on air temperature and humidity.Important findings Both C. macrocarpa and W. radicans produce few leaves (~2 leaves individual^-1 year^-1), which expand simultaneously for a very long period (from midwinter to early summer), are retained for more than 1 year (37 and 19 months, respectively) and have relatively high LMAs. Such traits, together with large leaf size, have also been found in seed plants from the forest understorey and represent adaptations to this light-limited environment. Spores of both study ferns are simultaneously released in late winter, with little between-year variation caused by differences in air humidity. This remarkable similarity between species suggests that the convergence in timing of leaf emergence favours the convergence in timing of spore dispersal.     

Conservationists,hunters and farmers: the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus management conflict in the Iberian Peninsula

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Genotyping an ALAD polymorphism with real-time PCR in two populations from the Iberian Peninsula

Lead-induced toxicity varies among individuals partly because of genetic differences in their susceptibility to the metal’s effects. One genetic polymorphism associated with lead toxicity is a G-to-C transversion at position 177 in the coding region of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), originating from two codominant alleles (ALAD1 and ALAD2). We examined the distribution of this single nucleotide polymorphism in two populations from the Iberian Peninsula. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood, and a real-time PCR assay was designed to determine ALAD polymorphic distribution. The distribution of MspI polymorphism was similar in the two populations studied, and allelic frequencies were comparable to those obtained in other studies of Caucasians. Further studies are needed to assess fully the functional significance of this polymorphism and its influence on the toxicokinetics of lead.     

Identification of cyprinid hybrids by using geometric morphometrics and microsatellites

Traditional morphological studies need to be complemented with modern genetic methods to facilitate the identification of hybrids. By using a combination of landmark‐based techniques and microsatellite markers, natural hybridization was investigated between the cyprinids Abramis brama (L.) and Blicca bjoerkna (L.) and their hybrids. Geometric morphometrics revealed significant differences in body shape between A. brama, B. bjoerkna, and hybrids. Hybrids were of intermediate body shape with a tendency of being more like A. brama. Genetic differentiation was found between both parental species and their hybrids. However, hybrids revealed a higher genetical similarity with A. brama. Based on sequencing of the mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit 6 and 8 region a clear split was found between the two sibling species. Seventeen out of 19 hybrid specimens clustered within the A. brama clade. Data indicate that hybridization between A. brama and B. bjoerkna is mainly unidirectional and has not yet resulted in fusion of the two parental gene pools. Genetic integrity is maintained in B. bjoerkna, but F₁ hybrid backcrosses might lead to introgression into the genepool of A. brama.     

Post-fire regeneration patterns in the eastern Iberian Peninsula

Post-fire regeneration patterns (plant cover and richness) in the Valencia region (eastern Iberian Peninsula) are studied by analysing data from two different samplings after two periods of large fires (1991 and 1994). Emphasis is given to comparing different environmental conditions (thermo-Mediterranean vs. meso-Mediterranean; south facing vs. north facing slopes) and different bedrock types (limestone vs. marls). Results suggest that the highest post-fire cover and species richness is reached in thermo-Mediterranean conditions on limestone, and the main species are the resprouters Quercus coccifera and Brachypodium retusum. North-facing sites have higher plant cover than south-facing ones, and most life forms (trees, shrubs, grasses) have higher cover in these sites. Species richness is higher on north-facing sites than on the south-facing ones at the small scale (1 to 200 m²), but differences were not significant at the highest scale studied (1 000 m²). Plant species richness with increasing sampling area follows the classical log-log relationship; however, when species are segregated by life forms (woody species and herbs), different species-area relationships were found.     

The production of hybrids with high ecological amplitude between exotic Spartina densiflora and native S. maritima in the Iberian Peninsula

Aim Hybridization is a common and potent mechanism of plant evolution that has the potential to be evolutionary significant in its own right, and hybrids are common between invasive and native congeneric species. Our aims were to document the existence and nature of new Spartina hybrids arising between introduced Spartina densiflora and native S. maritima in tidal marshes of the Iberian Peninsula, to examine the actual and potential range of hybrids in the intertidal zone, and to analyse the seed set of hybrids. Location South‐West Iberian Peninsula. Methods Hybrids were characterized using chloroplast and nuclear DNA, and ploidy assessments. The ecological tolerance of the hybrids was studied using vegetation surveys and transplant experiments. Results We found that both parental species have been seed parents to hybrids and that all hybrids had an additive pattern of species‐specific nuclear markers consistent with F₁ hybrids. Hybrid chromosome numbers varied between 2n = ca. 65 and 2n = ca. 94–97, while S. maritima had 2n = ca. 60 and S. densiflora had 2n = ca. 70. Hybrids grew in three discrete locations along the intertidal zone but were capable of growing throughout the ranges of both parental species in transplanted gardens, and in most cases, grew better than the parental species. While the potential exists for the origination of another invasive Spartina hybrid species, thus far hybrid plants are not fertile, limiting their ability to invade and spread. Main conclusions We recommend the eradication of all of the currently quite limited hybrid cordgrass and to fight the S. densiflora invasion in the Iberian Peninsula to prevent the origination of a new invasive allopolyploid Spartina species.     

Vitis vinifera in the Iberian Peninsula: A review

The origin of the Eurasian grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. and the different steps in the development of viticulture from the wild grapevine to the modern varietal situation in the Iberian Peninsula are reviewed here. The ancestors of Vitis vinifera subs. sylvestris, the only representative of the Vitis genus in natural Eurasian and North African ecosystems, appeared in the late Miocene. In the Iberian Peninsula, human action has significantly reduced the habitat of this species, whose oldest palaeobotanical remains go back to the late Pleistocene. The introduction of viticulture in Iberia is connected with the relationships between the indigenous population and the trading colonies founded by Phoenicians and Greeks. In this way, there is evidence of wine production and consumption, even as a ritual and prestige item, going back to the third millennium BP. Chloroplast genome studies carried out in wild and cultivated plants indicate that a secondary domestication process occurred in the Iberian Peninsula and this is reflected in the “A” chlorotype, which contrasts with the predominance of the “B” and “C” chlorotypes in wild and domesticated vines in the Transcaucasian region, where domesticated grapes at sites of the Shulaveri Culture (Georgia) are evidence of early viticulture around 8000 BP.     

The non-omphalinoid species of Arrhenia in the Iberian Peninsula

A taxonomic study of the species with nutant, pleurotoid and cyphelloid basidiomata of the genus Arrhenia in the Iberian Peninsula is presented. This study is based on the examination of recent specimens collected in the field and from dried herbarium collections. Five species and one variety of this genus are recognized on the basis of morphological and ecological features: Arrhenia acerosa var. acerosa, A. acerosa var. tenella, A. auriscalpium, A. lobata, A. retiruga and A. spathulata. Arrhenia auriscalpium is new to Spain, where it is not restricted to alpine zones of the Eurosiberian region and is more common in the Mediterranean region than previously reported. In contrast, A. acerosa var. tenella currently is known from the Eurosiberian subalpine belt and represents the first report to the Iberian Peninsula, and A. retiruga is known only from the mesomediterranean to supramediterranean belts of the Mediterranean region. Arrhenia acerosa var. acerosa, A. lobata and A. spathulata are widespread in both the Eurosiberian and the Mediterranean regions. Non-Iberian materials of A. acerosa var. tenella and A. spathulata also were studied for comparison. Cyphella cochlearis var. subsessilis, Dictyolus lagunae, Leptoglossum muscigenum var. azonum and Pleurotellus acerosus var. tenellus are lectotypified. Cyphella cochlearis var. subssesilis, Dictyolus lagunae and Leptoglossum muscigenum var. azonum are synonymized with Arrhenia spathulata, and Cyphella cochlearis var. auriformis is placed in synonymy with A. auriscalpium. These taxa are illustrated, described and discussed, based on Iberian material with emphasis on features of the basidioma, pigment of the pileipellis, presence or absence of clamps and shape and size of the basidiospores. A diagnostic key also is given.     

Climate and vegetation at the Eurosiberian-Mediterranean boundary in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract. The Northern Iberian Peninsula is dominated by various types of vegetation from deciduous oak and ash to evergreen oak woodlands. A recent vegetation map of Spain portrays vegetation series which are characterized in terms of their phytogeographic region or bioclimatic (altitudinal) belt. The aim of this paper is to determine whether the areas comprised by both phytogeographic regions (Eurosiberian and Mediterranean) in the study area, as established from the phytogeographic characterization of the vegetation, can be discriminated by climatic variables using multivariate methods, and to compare these with other conventional approaches. In addition, bioclimatic (altitudinal) belts and the main vegetation types were tested for discrimination by climatic variables. Conventional climatic criteria as well as discriminant and principal component analysis were applied to climatic data from 205 meteorological stations for which vegetation information had been taken from the vegetation map. Conventional criteria are good predictors of the phytogeographic division (Mediterranean and Eurosiberian regions) in the study area. Results were improved by multiple discriminant analysis based on climatic data of the dry period of the year (June to September). Both regions in the study area can be predicted with over 95 % accuracy. Using the same multivariate procedure and temperature data the bioclimatic (altitudinal) belts of the study area can be predicted with over 90 % accuracy. The main vegetation groups of the study area can also be predicted with over 80 % accuracy. Ordination analysis supported the results of the discriminant analysis. Empirical models have been generated to predict the phytogeographic- and belt character of any station in the area. The significance of the various periods of the year for discriminating regions and belts is evaluated. The responsiveness to climatic events during the year may be region specific. This study confirms the strong relationship between climate and vegetation in the Northern Iberian Peninsula, particularly regarding the Eurosiberian-Mediterranean boundary.     

The genus Nephroma Ach. in the Iberian Peninsula

The lichen genus Nephroma is represented by five species in the Iberian Peninsula. Anatomical, chemical, ecological and distributional data for each taxon are provided. A number of species have been found for the first time in several provinces.     

Camelostrongylus mentulatus in domestic goats from the Iberian Peninsula

Two male worms of Camelostrongylus mentulatus were found in one of 84 murciano-granadina goats in Murcia, south-eastern Spain. This is the first report of C. mentulatus in goats in the Iberian peninsula and the possible origin and transmission of this nematode in Spain are discussed.     

Numerical syntaxonomy of the Asplenietalia petrarchae in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract. A numerical syntaxonomic study of rupicolous vegetation of the Asplenietalia petrarchae in the Iberian Peninsula is described. The study is based on 37 local tables (OSUs) of different rupicolous communities from limestone cliffs found in the eastern half of the Iberian Peninsula. Three classification approaches were followed: (1) ‘hard partition’ techniques, (2) ‘fuzzy partition’ and (3) ordination partition. In order to find a direct solution, we tried an evaluation system based on the inertia associated with a CCA, Canonical Correspondence Analysis, and its relationships with the inertia of a similar CA, Correspondence Analysis. The most effective solutions were found through spatial partitions, and the best partition was obtained with CA considering five segments per axis. Among the fuzzy partitions the best solution was obtained with two clusters and a fuzziness value of 1.20. The best hierarchical partition was Complete Linkage with Chord Distance as a resemblance function. With the GRID procedure applied to the CA diagram, three different groups were distinguished. The first group is related to the Saxifragion boisseriano-reuterani, including five OSUs from Baetic ranges; the second group is very close to the Cosentinio-Lafuenteion rotundifoliae and includes 11 OSUs from thermo-mediterranean areas; the third group, including 21 OSUs basically related to meso-mediterranean areas, is strongly related to the Teucrion buxifolii.     

Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. Chemotypes in Eastern Iberian Peninsula: Essential Oil Variation and Relation with Ecological Factors

Essential oil (EO) extracts coming from two representative populations of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh . subesp. suaveolens in Eastern Iberian Peninsula were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and flame ion detector. Plant sampling was carried out in the morning and evening in order to study diurnal variation in EO profiles. Likewise, leaves and inflorescences were analyzed separately. Two chemotypes corresponding to each one of the populations were identified, with piperitenone oxide (35.2 – 74.3%) and piperitone oxide (83.9 – 91.3%), respectively, as major compounds. Once different chemotypes were identified, canonical correspondence analysis was employed to evaluate the effect of the bioclimatic and edaphic factors recorded in each location on the observed differences. Statistical analysis suggested that these chemotypes were closely related to specific environmental factors, mainly the bioclimatic ones. Concretely, piperitenone oxide chemotype can be associated to supramediterranean bioclimatic conditions and soils with major salinity and water field capacity. On the other hand, the most volatile fraction (hydrocarbon monoterpenes) reached its higher level in the morning; specifically, a noticeable amount of limonene was found in morning samples of flowers (4.8 – 10.6%). This fact can be related to ecological role of volatile compounds in order to attract pollinator insects.