Between-island compositional dissimilarity of avian communities

Compositional dissimilarity patterns of biotic communities can vary among different types of insular systems and among taxa with different dispersal abilities. In this work we examined compositional dissimilarity patterns of four avian groups, namely birds of prey, waterbirds, seabirds and landbirds, in various insular systems around the world. Compositional dissimilarity of avian communities was calculated for 25 presence-absence matrices compiled from the literature. We used generalized linear mixed-effects models to check for differences in between-island compositional dissimilarity among the aforementioned avian groups that differ in their dispersal abilities, as well as between two different types of insular systems, oceanic and continental shelf. In agreement with our original hypothesis, landbirds which have relatively poorer dispersal abilities than birds of prey and waterbirds, exhibit higher between-island compositional dissimilarity compared to these two avian groups. On the contrary, seabirds present a deviation from the expected pattern, since they show higher between-island compositional dissimilarity compared to landbirds, even though they also have better dispersal abilities than landbirds, which can be explained by the relatively irregular occurrence of proper breeding habitats among islands for this avian group. Island type (oceanic or continental shelf) does not appear to affect between-island compositional dissimilarity of avian communities. Distance, area and elevation differences among islands are positively related to compositional dissimilarity. In conclusion, compositional dissimilarity of avian communities differs between avian groups but cannot always be associated with differences in the dispersal ability among these groups.     

A qualitative and quantitative study of mites in similar alfalfa fields in Greece

The present study investigated the mite fauna and the relative abundance of mites present in foliage and litter of two adjacent and similar alfalfa fields, differing only in the number of cuttings, in Kopais Valley (Central Greece) through 2008–2010. We also examined the relationship between assemblage patterns of Mesostigmata, Oribatida and Prostigmata by comparing their population fluctuation, population density, species richness and diversity. Spatial distribution of common dominant and influent mite species was also estimated. Our results showed that both fields supported a very rich and similar mite fauna with eight new species records for alfalfa of Greece, although these species have been previously reported from other habitats in Greece. The pattern of population fluctuation in foliage was similar in both fields, unlike the fluctuation in litter. Population density significantly differed between fields, being higher in the less harvested field, except Prostigmata. Species richness in litter was higher in the less harvested field, whereas it was higher in the foliage of the more harvested field, apart from that of prostigmatic mites in litter, which was higher in the more harvested field, and that of oribatid mites in foliage, which was higher in the less harvested field. The diversity of mites was higher in the more harvested field, with the exception of prostigmatic mites. The spatial distribution of mites in foliage and litter was aggregated in both fields. Our results indicate that despite the considerable similarity of the study fields, the different harvesting frequency might have disturbed differently the mite communities hosted in foliage and litter.     

Molecular pharming in cereal crops

There are many different agricultural expression systems that can be used for the large-scale production of recombinant proteins, but field-grown cereal crops are among the most attractive because recombinant proteins can be targeted to accumulate in the seed, and specifically in the endosperm, which has evolved naturally as a protein storage tissue. Within the developing endosperm, proteins are supplied with molecular chaperones and disulfide isomerases to facilitate folding and assembly, while the mature tissue is desiccated to prevent proteolytic degradation. Proteins expressed in cereal seeds can therefore remain stable for years in ambient conditions. Recent basic research has revealed a surprising diversity of protein targeting mechanisms in the endosperm, which can help to control post-translational modification and accumulation. Applied research and commercial development has seen several pharmaceutical proteins produced in cereals reach late stage preclinical development and the first clinical trials, with a number of companies now dedicated to developing cereal-based production platforms. In this review we discuss the basic science of molecular pharming in cereals, some of the lead product candidates, and challenges that remain to be addressed including the emerging regulatory framework for plant-made pharmaceuticals.