Messinian vegetation maps of the Mediterranean region using models and interpolated pollen data

This study proposes to compare the outputs from the CARAIB vegetation model forced by results from the LMD General Circulation Model with interpolated pollen data (Kriging method) from the Mediterranean region during the Messinian. The vegetation maps that have been obtained represent distinct phases of the salinity crisis: before the crisis and during the marginal evaporitic phase (interpolated map), and during the complete desiccation phase (simulated map). However, they are comparable in terms of vegetation density and agree on a strong contrast between the Northern (forest vegetation) and Southern (open vegetation) Mediterranean regions. Main differences concern the type of forests in the northern Mediterranean region, which are explained by discrepancies between precipitation amount predicted by the model and that calculated by a transfer function using pollen records. The interpolation method has been successfully tested in France using interpolated current pollen records by comparison with the present-day potential vegetation map. The resulting Messinian map is useful to validate or improve model simulation which does not take into account the depth of the Mediterranean Basin when it dried up. The Southern Mediterranean landscapes were open, with a steppe-like vegetation to the West and a savannah-like vegetation to the East. Forests prevailed to the North, organized in a mosaic system mainly controlled by relief. Such a contrast provides some explanation of the large number of deep fluvial canyons cut on the Northern margin at opposed to the South during the Mediterranean desiccation.     

Mediterranean hay meadow communities: diversity and dynamics in mountain areas throughout the Iberian Central Range (Spain)

This paper reports a phytosociological study on managed hay meadow communities in the main mountains of the Spanish Central Range. Multivariate techniques (Cluster analysis and CA-ordination) were applied in the classification of the relevés and ordination of vegetation units and species. Clusters were related to the following associations: Agrostio castellanae–Arrhenatheretum bulbosi, Festuco amplae–Cynosuretum cristati, and F. amplae–Agrostietum castellanae. The scattergram suggested that the dynamic patterns between communities are associated with soil nutrient content and moisture. We propose a new subassociation: F. amplae–A. castellanae gaudinietosum fragilis that includes Salmantincensean Agrostis castellana communities growing in regions with lower supramediterranean thermotype.     

Waiting for chikungunya fever in Argentina: spatio-temporal risk maps

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmission has been detected in America in 2013 andrecently reached south up to Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay, bordering countries ofArgentina. The presence of the mosquito Aedes aegypti in half of thecountry together with the regional context drove us to make a rapid assessment oftransmission risk. Temperature thresholds for vector breeding and for virustransmission, together with adult activity from the literature, were mapped on amonthly basis to estimate risk. Transmission of chikungunya by Ae. aegyptiin the world was seen at monthly mean temperatures from 21-34ºC, with themajority occurring between 26-28ºC. In Argentina temperatures above 21ºC are observedsince September in the northeast, expanding south until January and retreating backto the northeast in April. The maximum area under risk encompasses more than half thecountry and around 32 million inhabitants. Vector adult activity was registered wheremonthly means temperatures exceeded 13ºC, in the northeast all over the year and inthe northern half from September-May. The models herein proposed show that conditionsfor transmission are already present. Considering the regional context and thehistoric inability to control dengue in the region, chikungunya fever illness seemsunavoidable.     

Dung beetle assemblages organization in two contrasted areas of the Mediterranean region: affinities and divergences

Quantification of the species richness and diversity is important when comparing sites; these variables are influenced by local and regional factors. The structure of assemblages of dung beetles as well as their species composition and diversity were compared between two sites on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea (France FR and Tunisia TN). From a total of 132 traps, 15,778 specimens were collected belonging to 86 species (46 in FR vs. 40 in TN). Species composition varied highly between FR and TN (only 10 species in common). The temporal occurrence of Aphodiidae and Scarabaeidae showed different patterns due to several factors: phenology of species, geographical distribution and local ecological requirements. When quantifying the beta diversity, the turnover of species was for almost cases higher within the same season than between seasons. Moreover, seasonal turnover was different at both sites. Evenness and rank-abundance analyses demonstrated that autumn-winter was the most constraining season in FR, with one dominant species (Agrilinus constans) in winter assemblages (96.8% of individuals). Conversely summer was the most constraining season in TN, with Onthophagus taurus as dominant species in assemblages (87.7%). The influence of local and historical factors is discussed.     

An overview of Syntrichia ruralis complex (Pottiaceae: Musci) in the Mediterranean region and neighbouring areas

The Syntrichia ruralis complex is revised in the Mediterranean region and neighbouring areas. A critical study of six quantitative and eight qualitative gametophytic characters from a total of 232 samples has been carried out. On the basis of this survey five taxa have been recognized. An identification key is provided. S. ruralis var. subpapillosissima is elevated to the rank of species as S. subpapillosissima . A lectotype for S. calcicola is proposed. S. ruralis var. submamillosa and S. ruralis var. glacialis are regarded as synonymous with S. subpapillosissima and S. ruralis , respectively. Also, Tortula densa is included in the variability shown by S. calcicola . Syntrichia ruralis var. substereidosa ( Tortula ruralis var. substereidosa ) is excluded from the Syntrichia ruralis complex and is included in the synonymy of S. virescens . © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 138 , 209–224.     

Conservation of the MHC-like region throughout evolution

Identification of conserved regions between the genomes of distant species is a crucial step in the reconstruction of the genomic organization of their last common ancestor. Here we confirm for the first time with robust evidence, the existence of a region of conserved synteny between the human genome and the Drosophila genome. This evolutionarily conserved synteny involves the human MHC and paralogous regions, and we identified 19 conserved genes between these two species in a Drosophila genomic region of less than 2 Mb. The statistical analysis of the distribution of these 19 genes between the Drosophila and human genomes shows that it cannot be explained by chance. Our study constitutes a first step towards the reconstruction of the genome of Urbilateria (the ancestor of all bilaterian) and allows for a better understanding of the evolutionary history of our genome as well as other metazoan genomes.     

Thermal ecology and spatio-temporal distribution of the Mediterranean lizard Psammodromus algirus

We studied summer activity patterns and thermoregulation in the Mediterranean lizard Psammodromus algirus in a holm oak wood in Central Spain. The circadian rhythm curve was bimodal, with a pronounced peak after sunrise, a minimum at noon and a second lower peak in the afternoon. Increased activity in the morning could be explained by insolation levels, whereas the midday low was caused by the rise in temperature.
There was a strong positive correlation between body temperature and both air and ground temperatures. Nevertheless, there was no significant correlation between body and air temperatures when the effect of radiation was removed, which was done by considering only individuals in the shade at high temperatures.
Activity showed a bell-shaped relationship with body and air temperatures, with maximum activity at 24.5°C (air temperature) and 31.4°C (body temperature). The spatial distribution pattern of P. algirus (selection of sunny areas and distance to the vegetation edge) reflects the environmental temperatures that are optimal for activity; the lizards show a strong preference for sunny patches when air temperature is lower than the optimum. We conclude that heliothermy is the only viable thermoregulation pattern in Mediterranean forest environments, with heat conduction playing a negligible rote.     

自然保护地环境解说资源研究: 以九寨沟芦苇海解说步道为例

环境解说是自然保护地实现自然保护与环境教育目标的重要手段。目前我国自然保护地对解说资源的时空分布研究不足, 且缺乏相应的实地调查方法, 限制了解说系统的发展, 难以满足公众对自然认知的需要, 达不到环境教育的目的。开展解说资源的调查与研究, 有助于更好地展示保护地的资源独特性和重要性。本文以九寨沟国家级自然保护区芦苇海解说步道为例, 总结了解说资源的6个选择标准, 并对区域的解说资源进行调查和监测, 以期为我国自然保护地体系的环境解说资源调查和解说系统构建提供方法借鉴。芦苇海解说步道共筛选得到195种解说资源, 包括植物与菌类100种、动物62种、生态系统类型5种、地质与水文7种、天象与气候2种、文化资源19种。空间上, 植物与菌类、动物和生态系统类解说资源主要分布于内侧步道, 而文化类解说资源在外侧栈道分布更多; 时间上, 夏秋季解说资源数量最多, 冬春季较少, 且动植物与菌类解说资源的数量具有明显的季节性。基于解说资源的属性、意义和分布特点, 采用主旨式解说(thematic interpretation)方法设计了8条解说主旨, 为解说内容的组织提供参考。     

Profile of cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean region: The need for action

BackgroundMany countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) are undergoing marked demographic and socioeconomic transitions that are increasing the cancer burden in region. We sought to examine the national cancer incidence and mortality profiles as a support to regional cancer control planning in the EMR.MethodsGLOBOCAN 2012 data were used to estimate cancer incidence and mortality by country, cancer type, sex and age in 22 EMR countries. We calculated age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000) using direct method of standardization.ResultsThe cancer incidence and mortality rates vary considerably between countries in the EMR. Incidence rates were highest in Lebanon (204 and 193 per 100,000 in males and females, respectively). Mortality rates were highest in Lebanon (119) and Egypt (121) among males and in Somalia (117) among females. The profile of common cancers differs substantially by sex. For females, breast cancer is the most common cancer in all 22 countries, followed by cervical cancer, which ranks high only in the lower-income countries in the region. For males, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer in combination represent almost 30% of the cancer burden in countries that have attained very high levels of human development.ConclusionsThe most common cancers are largely amenable to preventive strategies by primary and/or secondary prevention, hence a need for effective interventions tackling lifestyle risk factors and infections. The high mortality observed from breast and cervical cancer highlights the need to break the stigmas and improve awareness surrounding these cancers.     

An allometric interpretation of the spatio-temporal organization of molecular and cellular processes

Summary Different levels of organization distinguished by characteristics spatial dimensions, E_c, and relaxation times, T_r, of biological processes ranging from electron transport in energy transduction to growth of microbial and plant cells, are shown to be related through a relation that may be interpreted as allometric and characterized by two different slopes. Processes, at levels of organization occurring in spatial dimensions of micrometers and relaxing in the order of minutes, delimit a transition point between the two curves, that we interpret as a limit for the emergence of macroscopic coherence. The characteristic spatial dimension, E_c, and the relaxation time, T_r, contain dynamical information about the processes occurring at a given level of organization. When a steady state of a biological process at a certain level of organization becomes unstable, the system undergoes a transition to another level of organization. To exemplify the appearance of macroscopic order at levels of organization further from the transition point we present in this report various experimental systems involving many levels of organization allometrically related that exhibit different kinds of self-organized behavior, i.e. bistability, oscillations, changes in (a)symmetry.     

Propolis from the Mediterranean region: chemical composition and antimicrobial activity

The chemical composition of propolis from Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Algeria was investigated by GC-MS. All of them contained mainly flavonoids and esters of caffeic and ferulic acids, which indicated that their main source are buds of poplars of the taxonomic section Aegieros. Some Turkish samples contained a low percent of diterpenic acids, while in Algerian samples significant amounts of a hydroxyditerpenic acid (M=322, its structure not determined by its MS) were found. All samples showed significant antibacterial and weak to moderate antifungal activity.     

Heat accumulation period in the Mediterranean region: phenological response of the olive in different climate areas (Spain,Italy and Tunisia)

The main characteristics of the heat accumulation period and the possible existence of different types of biological response to the environment in different populations of olive through the Mediterranean region have been evaluated. Chilling curves to determine the start date of the heat accumulation period were constructed and evaluated. The results allow us to conclude that the northern olive populations have the greatest heat requirements for the development of their floral buds, and they need a period of time longer than olives in others areas to completely satisfy their biothermic requirements. The olive trees located in the warmest winter areas have a faster transition from endogenous to exogenous inhibition once the peak of chilling is met, and they show more rapid floral development. The lower heat requirements are due to better adaptation to warmer regions. Both the threshold temperature and the peak of flowering date are closely related to latitude. Different types of biological responses of olives to the environment were found. The adaptive capacity shown by the olive tree should be considered as a useful tool with which to study the effects of global climatic change on agro-ecosystems.     

The chironomid fauna of the Mediterranean region reviewed

From the Mediterranean countries, Italy, France (southern), Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Greece and Yugoslavia and according to published and as yet unpublished data, about 703 Chironomid species are known. 97 of the species are exclusive to the Mediterranean region. For three speciesCricotopus beckeri, Eukiefferiella bedmari andParatanytarsus mediterraneus a pointdistribution map is given.29 species listed with an Afrotropical distribution also reach into various parts of the Mediterranean area. As an example, a point-distribution map ofParatrichocladius micans is given. Seven species with a Panpalaeotropical distribution are known in the Mediterranean region. The great majority of the other 570 species (81%) most likely have a Palaearctic distribution. However, accurate distribution data of many species are as yet not available. This holds in particular for species with an assumed Southpalaearctic distribution. For chironomids of the Mediterranean fauna a differentiation into Circum- and West-Mediterranean subgroups is not yet possible. The Afrotropical species reach the Mediterranean region chiefly by the Nile valley. Nevertheless, some apparently relict Afrotropic species in the South of Morocco may suggest a West-African progression towards the Mediterranean. The Syrian-East African rift valley may also be considered as a migration path for West Palaearctic and especially Oriental chironomids into the Afrotropic region.     

JC virus strains indigenous to northeastern Siberians and Canadian Inuits are unique but evolutionally related to those distributed throughout Europe and Mediterranean areas

Human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV) isolates around the world are classified into more than 10 geographically distinct genotypes (designated as subtypes). Evolutionary relationships among JCV subtypes were recently examined, and the following pattern of JCV evolution was indicated. The ancestral JCV first divided into three superclusters, designated Types A, B, and C. A split in Type A generated two subtypes, EU-a and -b, containing mainly European and Mediterranean isolates. The split in Type B generated Af 2 (the major African subtype), Bl-c (a minor European subtype), and various Asian subtypes. Type C generated a single subtype (Afl), consisting of isolates derived from western Africa. In this study, JCV isolates prevalent among northeastern Siberians and Canadian Inuits were evaluated in the context of the above-described pattern of JCV evolution. The Siberian/Arctic JCV isolates were classified as belonging mainly to Type A, based on the result of a preliminary phylogenetic analysis. We then examined, using the whole-genome approach, the phylogenetic relationships among worldwide Type A isolates. In neighbor-joining and maximum-likelihood analyses, Type A JCVs worldwide consistently diverged into three subtypes, EU-a, -b, and -c, with high bootstrap probabilities. EU-c was constructed only by northeastern Siberian isolates, derived mainly from Nanais living in the lower Amur River region, and was shown to have been generated by the first split in Type A. Most Siberian/Arctic isolates derived from Chukchis, Koryaks, and Canadian Inuits formed a distinct cluster within the EU-a subtype, with a high bootstrap probability. Based on the present findings, we discuss ancient human migrations, accompanied by Type A JCVs, across Asia and to Arctic areas of North America.