Evaluation of Cage-Traps and Cable Restraint Devices to Capture Red Foxes in Spain

Abstract: A growing international concern for the welfare of animals, combined with the need to capture and handle specific species for conservation, management, or recreational purposes, is increasing the need for scientific evaluation of capture methods. We evaluated the efficiency, selectivity, and injury of cable restraint devices and cage-traps for capture of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in 4 sites of Castilla y León (Spain) during spring of 2006. All traps performed similarly at all sites, with no apparent site and trap interactions. Fox capture rates and mechanical efficiencies of the Belisle® (Edouard Belisle, Saint Veronique, PQ, Canada) and Collarum® (Wildlife Control Supplies, East Granby, CT; mention of product names does not infer endorsement) were similar, but both had higher capture rates than the cage-trap. Similar to previous studies, the Collarum was 100% selective for canids and had a selectivity of 94.4 overall, which was higher than that for the Belisle (63.4); both Collarum and Belisle were much more selective than the cage-trap (21.4). Fox injuries were statistically indistinguishable using injury scores, but the Collarum and the Belisle surpassed international standards for humane trapping; an insufficient number of animals were captured in cage-traps to allow evaluation. Both the Collarum and the Belisle may be useful for the capture of foxes in Spain, but training and experience with each may be necessary to ensure the highest efficiency while preventing injuries, especially to nontarget species. (JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 72(3):830–836; 2008)     

A taphonomic approach to the genetic interpretation of clypeasteroid accumulations from the Miocene of Tarragona,NE Spain

Belaústegui, Z., Nebelsick, J.H., Gibert, J.M. de, Domènech, R. & Martinell, J. 2012: A taphonomic approach to the genetic interpretation of clypeasteroid accumulations from the Miocene of Tarragona, NE Spain. Lethaia, Vol. 45, pp. 548–565. Clypeasteroid accumulations are common in Cenozoic shallow marine sediments, particularly in the Neogene, as they are also in analogue modern environments. In this article, four clypeasteroid accumulations from Miocene (Serravallian) shallow marine carbonates of the El Camp de Tarragona Basin (NE Spain) are studied. Two of them are dominated by flat‐shaped Parascutella, whereas the other two consist exclusively of bell‐shaped Clypeaster. The combination of the taphonomic analysis of the tests, the palaeoecological and taphonomic information provided by the associated fossils, and the stratigraphical and sedimentological context of each one of these beds allows interpreting them as autochthonous/parautochthonous accumulations resulting from in situ reworking in moderate energy settings, except for one that constitutes a true sand dollar coquina deposited by a storm event. This contribution explores the potential of thorough taphonomic analysis of marine invertebrate skeletal concentrations and substantiates the importance of clypeasteroid echinoids as producers of shell beds in the Neogene. □ Clypeasteroids, Echinoids, Miocene, Taphonomy, Tarragona.     

Multiple mating increases cocoon hatching success in the earthworm Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae)

In simultaneous hermaphrodites with reciprocal mating, multiple mating may be a male strategy that conflicts with female interests, and therefore an intra‐individual sexual conflict regarding the number of matings may be expected. The evolutionary outcome of this sexual conflict will depend on the costs and benefits that extra mating entails for each sexual function. In the present study, we investigated the costs and benefits of multiple mating on cocoon number, cocoon mass, and cocoon hatching success in the redworm Eisenia andrei, a simultaneous hermaphrodite with reciprocal insemination, by manipulating the number of matings with different partners. We did not detect any reduction in the female reproductive output (number and mass of cocoons) with increasing number of mating partners. However, we found that multiple mating showed benefits for female reproduction that increased the hatching success of the cocoons. This effect may be a result of increased quantity and/or diversity of sperm in the spermathecae of multiple mated earthworms. Further studies are required to clarify the mechanism underlying the increased cocoon hatching success when redworms engage in multiple matings. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, ?? , ??–??.     

Clypeasteroid echinoid tests as benthic islands for gastrochaenid bivalve colonization: evidence from the Middle Miocene of Tarragona,north‐east Spain

Abstract: Middle Miocene tests of Clypeaster from L’Arrabassada (Tarragona, north‐east Spain) show evidence of intense endoskeletozoan colonization, preserved as borings and associated carbonate secretions that allow gastrochaenid bivalves to be identified as the colonizers. Two modes of occurrence have been recognized for these bivalve dwelling cavities; ‘intrastereom clavate borings’ which are restricted to the echinoid stereom, and ‘semi‐endoskeletal dwellings’, which penetrate across the test wall and extend as carbonate crypts into the sediment fill of the internal test cavity. Their size, density and position rule out a syn‐vivo relationship with the echinoids and demonstrate that colonization was post mortem. Because of the endurance of clypeasteroid skeleton and the pronounced bell‐shaped morphology of Clypeaster, the tests of these echinoids provided the most suitable substrates for hard‐bottom colonizers on an otherwise sandy seafloor. The scenario described from Tarragona can be extended to other Neogene and Quaternary strata elsewhere; there is ample evidence for the long‐term utilization of tests of Clypeaster by gastrochaenid bivalves in shoreface palaeoenvironments.     

The role of historical factors and natural selection in the evolution of breeding systems of Oxalis alpina in the Sonoran desert ‘Sky Islands’

Pleistocene climatic oscillations are known to influence the patterns of genetic diversity and the distribution of traits that are the target of selection. Here, we combine phylogeographical and ecological niche modelling (ENM) approaches to explore the influence of historical factors (Pleistocene climatic shifts) and natural selection on the evolution of distyly (two floral morphs) from tristyly (three floral morphs) of Oxalis alpina in the Sky Islands of the Sonoran Desert. Molecular data and ENM indicate that historical factors have had a strong influence on the genetic structure and the geographical distribution of reproductive systems of O. alpina. Moreover, genetic results suggest the possibility that distylous populations do not represent a monophyletic group. We propose that the combined effects of natural selection and genetic drift have influenced the tristyly–distyly transition.     

Rapid ex vivo expansion of highly enriched human invariant natural killer T cells via single antigenic stimulation for cell therapy to prevent graft-versus-host disease

Background aims

CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer (iNK) T cells are rare regulatory T cells that may contribute to the immune-regulation in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Here, we sought to develop an effective strategy to expand human iNK T cells for use in cell therapy to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in ASCT.

Traditional and New Cable Restraint Systems to Capture Fox in Central Spain

ABSTRACT Capturing animals is an essential tool of wildlife management, but the use of capture devices is being affected by public pressures on an international scale. In Europe, and particularly Spain, foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are often captured using traditional methods such as nonlocking Spanish Snares (SS) set in an ad hoc fence line known as an alar, but these traditional European methods are rarely compared to modernly described restraints such as the Wisconsin Cable Restraint (WR). We evaluated rates of efficiency, selectivity, injury, and impacts to foxes and nontarget species when using SS (as traditionally set in an alar) or WR within alars or on trails in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. During 40,372 trap-nights from summer to winter of 2007, we captured 64 foxes, and 8 of 23 potential nontarget species. Our results indicated that WR set in trails were more efficient (0.28 capture rate) for capturing red foxes than SS set in an alar (0.11 capture rate). Relative to injury, foxes captured with the WR in the alar (95.4%), and WR in trails (90.5%), and the SS (90.9%) showed no indicators of poor welfare, and injury score analysis indicated that injuries were of similar magnitude for all capture devices. Overall, the WR set in trails may have performed the best, but all 3 methods are likely sufficient for capturing foxes with minimal injury, acceptable efficiency, and acceptable impact to foxes and sympatric nontarget species. Thus, wildlife managers in Spain and elsewhere can apply our findings to optimize capture and management of foxes.