Efficacy of created and restored nesting sites for the conservation of colonial Laridae in the South of France.

By rapidly modifying key habitat components, habitat restoration is at risk of producing attractive cues for animals without providing habitats of sufficient quality. As such, individual fitness components, such as reproduction, could be reduced and restored habitats could become ecological traps. This risk notably appears by using artificial constructions in restoration projects, yet few studies have evaluated their efficacy in a robust way. We investigated this by analyzing 154 islets that were created or restored to improve the conservation status of 7 colonial Laridae species in the South of France. From 2007 to 2016, we compared occupancy dynamics and breeding parameters of these species between the restored sites and 846 unmanaged nesting sites. We also explored species' preference for different nesting site characteristics and their respective effect on breeding parameters. Restored nesting sites were 2-9 times as attractive as unmanaged sites for all species except the Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Colonization probability was up to 100 times higher in sites already used by other species the previous year and increased with distance to the shore until >0.2 when distance was over 250 m. Abandonment probability was 29-70% lower when breeding was successful the previous year in all species except the Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis). Productivity and breeding success probability were 2 times higher on managed sites. Distance from the shore was an important attractive characteristic of artificial nesting sites in all species. Other nesting site characteristics had species-specific effects on colonization, abandonment, and breeding success. Our results indicate that managed nesting sites are successful conservation tools for colonial Laridae in the Mediterranean and do not act as ecological traps. Our study showed that testing the ecological trap hypothesis is a robust way to evaluate the success of restoration projects of breeding habitats.

Eficiencia de los sitios de anidación creados y restaurados para la conservación de láridos coloniales en el sur de Francia Resumen Con la rápida modificación de los componentes clave de un hábitat, la restauración corre el riesgo de producir entradas atractivas para los animales sin proporcionar hábitats con la suficiente calidad. Como tal, los elementos individuales de la aptitud, como la reproducción, podrían ser reducidos y los hábitats restaurados podrían convertirse en trampas ecológicas. Aunque este riesgo aparece especialmente cuando se usan construcciones artificiales en los proyectos de restauración, son pocos los estudios que han evaluado su efectividad de manera firme. Investigamos lo anterior con el análisis de 154 islotes que fueron creados o restaurados para mejorar el estado de conservación de siete especies de láridos coloniales en el sur de Francia. Comparamos las dinámicas de ocupación y los parámetros de reproducción de estas especies entre 2007 y 2016 en los sitios restaurados y en 846 sitios de anidación no administrados. También exploramos la preferencia de las especies por diferentes características en los sitios de anidación y su respectivo efecto sobre los parámetros de reproducción. Los sitios de anidación restaurados fueron de 2 a 9 veces más atractivos para todas las especies, excepto la gaviota de cabeza negra (Croicocephalus ridibundus), que los sitios no administrados. La probabilidad de colonización fue hasta 100 veces mayor en los sitios usados por otras especies el año previo e incrementó con la distancia a la costa hasta >0.2, cuando la distancia fue mayor a los 250 metros. La probabilidad de abandono fue de 29 a 70% más baja para todas las especies, excepto el charrán de Sándwich (Thalasseus sandvicensis), cuando la reproducción fue exitosa el año anterior. La probabilidad de la productividad y el éxito de reproducción fueron dos veces mayores en los sitios administrados. La distancia a la costa fue una característica atractiva importante de los sitios artificiales de anidación para todas las especies. Otras características de los sitios de anidación tuvieron efectos específicos por especie sobre la colonización, el abandono y el éxito de la reproducción. Nuestros resultados indican que los sitios de anidación administrados son herramientas exitosas de conservación para los láridos coloniales en el Mediterráneo y no funcionan como trampas ecológicas. Nuestro estudio demuestra que analizar la hipótesis de la trampa ecológica es una manera sólida de evaluar el éxito de la restauración en los proyectos de hábitats para la reproducción.

Phylogeography and evolutionary history of the Panamic Clingfish Gobiesox adustus in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

The Panamic Clingfish Gobiesox adustus is widely distributed in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), from the central Gulf of California, Mexico to Ecuador, including the oceanic Revillagigedo Archipelago, and Isla del Coco. This cryptobenthic species is restricted to very shallow rocky-reef habitats. Here, we used one mitochondrial and three nuclear DNA markers from 155 individuals collected across the distribution range of the species in order to evaluate if geographically structured populations exist and to elucidate its evolutionary history. Phylogenetic analyses recovered a monophyletic group, with four well-supported, allopatric subgroups. Each subgroup corresponded to one of the following well-known biogeographic regions/provinces: 1) the Revillagigedo Archipelago, 2) the Cortez + Mexican provinces (Mexico), 3) the Panamic province (from El Salvador to Ecuador), and 4) Isla del Coco. A molecular-clock analysis showed a mean date for the divergence between clade I (the Revillagigedos and Cortez + Mexican provinces) and clade II (Panamic province and Isla del Coco) in the Pliocene, at ca. 5.33 Mya. Within clade I, the segregation between the Revillagigedos and Cortez + Mexican province populations was dated at ca. 1.18 Mya, during the Pleistocene. Within clade II, the segregation between samples of Isla del Coco and the Panamic province samples was dated at ca. 0.77 Mya, during the Pleistocene. The species tree, Bayesian species delimitation tests (BPP and STACEY), the ΦST, AMOVA, and the substantial genetic distances that exist between those four subgroups, indicate that they are independent evolutionary units. These cladogenetic events seem to be related to habitat discontinuities, and oceanographic and geological processes that produce barriers to gene flow for G. adustus, effects of which are enhanced by the intrinsic ecological characteristics of this species.

Versatility of Tunneled Island Flaps for the Reconstruction of Facial Defects. / Versatilidad del «colgajo en isla tunelizado¼ para la reconstrucción de defectos faciales.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tunneled island flaps that transfer skin from a site adjacent to the wound are an effective way to reconstruct defects. These flaps provide good aesthetic and functional results and can be completed during a single surgical session, thus reducing complications. The procedure consists of taking an island of skin about the size of the surgical defect and moving it through a subcutaneous tunnel to cover the wound. We aimed to exemplify the use of these flaps in different regions of the face. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study of 12 cases in which tunneled island flaps were used after removal of malignant tumors in different facial regions. RESULTS: The tumors, all of which were basal cell carcinomas, were removed by means of conventional surgery from 9 patients and Mohs micrographic surgery from 3 patients. Histology demonstrated tumor-free margins after excision in all cases. None of the tumors recurred during a mean follow-up period of 25 months. All complications were minor and transient. There were 3 cases of trapdoor effect and 2 each of postsurgical bleeding, transient superficial flap necrosis, and slight protrusion of the pedicle. The final cosmetic and functional outcome was satisfactory in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Tunneled island flaps are particularly useful for repairing defects in the center of the face, where several anatomical structures converge. These flaps, which use donor skin that is similar to skin in the receptor site, can be used to close large defects in one-step procedures with only slight alteration of the facial architecture.

Intraspecific niche partition without speciation: individual level web polymorphism within a single island spider population.

Early in the process of adaptive radiation, allopatric disruption of gene flow followed by ecological specialization is key for speciation; but, do adaptive radiations occur on small islands without internal geographical barriers? Island populations sometimes harbour polymorphism in ecological specializations, but its significance remains unclear. On one hand, morphs may correspond to 'cryptic' species. Alternatively, they could result from population, developmental or behavioural plasticity. The spider Wendilgarda galapagensis (Araneae, Theridiosomatidae) is endemic to the small Isla del Coco and unique in spinning three different web types, each corresponding to a different microhabitat. We tested whether this variation is associated with 'cryptic' species or intraspecific behavioural plasticity. Despite analysing 36 803 loci across 142 individuals, we found no relationship between web type and population structure, which was only weakly geographically differentiated. The same pattern holds when looking within a sampling site or considering only Fst outliers. In line with genetic data, translocation experiments showed that web architecture is plastic within an individual. However, not all transitions between web types are equally probable, indicating the existence of individual preferences. Our data supports the idea that diversification on small islands might occur mainly at the behavioural level producing an intraspecific niche partition without speciation.

Using long-term data for a reintroduced population to empirically estimate future consequences of inbreeding.

Inbreeding depression is an important long-term threat to reintroduced populations. However, the strength of inbreeding depression is difficult to estimate in wild populations because pedigree data are inevitably incomplete and because good data are needed on survival and reproduction. Predicting future population consequences is especially difficult because this also requires projecting future inbreeding levels and their impacts on long-term population dynamics, which are subject to many uncertainties. We illustrate how such projections can be derived through Bayesian state-space modeling methods based on a 26-year data set for North Island Robins (Petroica longipes) reintroduced to Tiritiri Matangi Island in 1992. We used pedigree data to model increases in the average inbreeding level (F) over time based on kinship of possible breeding pairs and to estimate empirically Ne /N (effective/census population size). We used multiple imputation to model the unknown components of inbreeding coefficients, which allowed us to estimate effects of inbreeding on survival for all 1458 birds in the data set while modeling density dependence and environmental stochasticity. This modeling indicated that inbreeding reduced juvenile survival (1.83 lethal equivalents [SE 0.81]) and may have reduced subsequent adult survival (0.44 lethal equivalents [0.81]) but had no apparent effect on numbers of fledglings produced. Average inbreeding level increased to 0.10 (SE 0.001) as the population grew from 33 (0.3) to 160 (6) individuals over the 25 years, giving a Ne/N ratio of 0.56 (0.01). Based on a model that also incorporated habitat regeneration, the population was projected to reach a maximum of 331-1144 birds (median 726) in 2130, then to begin a slow decline. Without inbreeding, the population would be expected stabilize at 887-1465 birds (median 1131). Such analysis, therefore, makes it possible to empirically derive the information needed for rational decisions about inbreeding management while accounting for multiple sources of uncertainty.

Uso de Datos a Largo Plazo de una Población Reintroducida para Estimar Empíricamente las Consecuencias Futuras de la Endogamia Resumen La depresión endogámica es una amenaza importante a largo plazo para las poblaciones reintroducidas. Sin embargo, es complicado estimar la fuerza de la depresión endogámica en las poblaciones silvestres porque los datos sobre el linaje sin duda estarán incompletos y porque se necesitan datos sólidos sobre la supervivencia y la reproducción. Es especialmente difícil predecir las consecuencias poblacionales a futuro pues esto requiere proyectar a futuro los niveles de endogamia y sus impactos sobre las dinámicas poblacionales a largo plazo, las cuales están sujetas a muchas incertidumbres. Ilustramos cómo dichas proyecciones pueden derivarse mediante métodos de modelado bayesiano de estado-espacio basados en un conjunto de datos obtenidos durante 26 años para los tordos de la Isla del Norte (Petroica longipes) reintroducidos a la isla Tiritiri Matangi en 1992. Usamos datos de linaje para modelar los incrementos en el nivel promedio de endogamia ( F̲ ) a lo largo del tiempo con base en el parentesco de las posibles parejas reproductoras y para estimar empíricamente Ne/N (tamaño poblacional efectivo/por censo). Usamos una imputación múltiple para modelar los componentes desconocidos de los coeficientes de endogamia, lo que nos permitió estimar los efectos de la endogamia sobre la supervivencia para todas las aves (1458) incluidas en el conjunto de datos a la vez que modelamos la dependencia de la densidad y la estocasticidad ambiental. Este modelado indicó que la endogamia redujo la supervivencia juvenil (1.83 equivalentes letales [SE 0.81]) y podría haber reducido la subsecuente supervivencia adulta (0.44 equivalentes letales [0.81]) pero no tuvo un efecto aparente sobre los números de polluelos producidos. El nivel promedio de endogamia incrementó a 0.10 (SE 0.001) conforme la población creció de 33 (0.3) a 160 (6) individuos a lo largo de los 25 años, lo que resultó en una proporción Ne/N de 0.56 (0.01). Con base en un modelo que también incorporó la regeneración del hábitat, se proyectó que la población alcanzaría un máximo de 331-1144 aves (mediana: 726) para 2130 y después comenzaría una lenta disminución. Sin la endogamia, se esperaría que la población se estabilizaría con 887-1465 (mediana: 1131) aves. Por lo tanto, dicho análisis hace posible la derivación empírica de la información necesaria para las decisiones racionales sobre el manejo de la endogamia a la vez que considera a varias fuentes de incertidumbre.

Assessment of Microplastic and Organophosphate Pesticides Contamination in Fiddler Crabs from a Ramsar Site in the Estuary of Guayas River, Ecuador.

We assessed the concentration of organophosphate pesticides (OPs) and microplastics (MPs) in water and sediments from the burrows, and tissues of the fiddler crabs Leptuca festae and Minuca ecuadoriensis, from Isla Santay, a Ramsar site in the estuary of the Guayas River, Ecuador. MPs concentrations in the burrows were 660 ± 174.36 items kg-1 (w.w.) and 26 ± 1 items L-1 in collected sediments and water, respectively. Regarding OPs, water and sediment concentrations were up to 26 times above the USEPA thresholds for chronic exposure, indicating environmental risk. MPs were found in tissues collected from both species. The highest abundance was in the gills followed by the digestive tract and hepatopancreas. OPs concentrations in tissues were below the detection limits. Because fiddler crabs are chronically exposed to environmental contamination, they are suitable bioindicators to monitor Isla Santay and to comprehend human impacts in coastal environments of Ecuador.

Using the past to contextualize anthropogenic impacts on the present and future distribution of an endemic Caribbean mammal.

Island species are difficult to conserve because they face the synergy of climate change, invasive species, deforestation, and increasing human population densities in areas where land mass is shrinking. The Caribbean island of Hispaniola presents particular challenges because of geopolitical complexities that span 2 countries and hinder coordinated management of species across the island. We employed species distribution modeling to evaluate the impacts of climatic change and anthropogenic activities on the distribution of an endemic mammal of conservation concern, the Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus). We aggregated occurrence points for this poorly known species for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the present (1975-2016) based on museum collections, online biodiversity databases, and new field surveys. We quantified degree of overlap between periods and scenarios with Schoener's D. Through a conservation paleobiology lens, we found that over time humans played an increasing role in shaping the distribution of S. paradoxus, thus, providing a foundation for developing conservation strategies on appropriate spatiotemporal scales. Human population density was the single most important predictor of S. paradoxus occurrence. Densities >166 people/km2 corresponded to a near-zero probability of occurrence. Models that accounted for climate but not anthropogenic variables falsely identified suitable habitat in Haiti, where on-the-ground surveys confirm habitat is unavailable. Climate-only models also significantly overestimated the potential for habitat connectivity between isolated populations. Our work highlights that alternative fates for S. paradoxus in the Anthropocene exist across the political border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti due to the fundamentally different economic and political realities of each country. Relationships in the fossil record confirm that Hispaniola's sociopolitical boundary is not biologically significant but instead represents one imposed on the island's fauna in the past 500 years by colonial activity. Our approach reveals how a paleontological perspective can contribute to concrete management insights.

Uso del Pasado para Contextualizar los Impactos Antropogénicos en la Distribución Presente y Futura de un Mamífero Endémico del Caribe Resumen Las especies insulares son difíciles de conservar ya que enfrentan la sinergia del cambio climático, las especies invasoras, la deforestación y la densidad creciente de la población humana en áreas en donde la masa de tierra se está encogiendo. La isla caribeña de La Española representa un reto particular debido a las complejidades geopolíticas que abarcan a dos países y obstaculizan el manejo coordinado de las especies en toda la isla. Empleamos el modelado de distribución de especies para evaluar los impactos del cambio climático y las actividades antropogénicas sobre la distribución de un mamífero endémico de importancia para la conservación: el solenodonte de La Española (Solenodon paradoxus). Agregamos puntos de presencia para esta especie muy poco conocida durante el Último Máximo Glacial (LGM, en inglés) y durante el presente (1975-2016) con base en colecciones de museos, bases de datos de biodiversidad en línea y nuevos censos de campo. A través de este lente de paleobiología de la conservación encontramos que con el tiempo los humanos tuvieron un papel cada vez mayor en la distribución de S. paradoxus, proporcionando así los cimientos para el desarrollo de estrategias de conservación a escalas espacio-temporales adecuadas. La densidad de la población humana fue el pronosticador más importante de la presencia de S. paradoxus. Las densidades mayores a 166 personas/km2 correspondieron con una probabilidad cercana a cero de la presencia de este mamífero. Los modelos que consideraron al cambio climático pero no a las variables antropogénicas identificaron falsamente hábitats aptos en Haití, en donde los censos de campo confirman que no hay hábitat disponible. Los modelos que sólo consideraron el clima también sobreestimaron significativamente el potencial para la conectividad de hábitat entre poblaciones aisladas. Nuestro trabajo resalta que existen destinos alternativos para S. paradoxus en el Antropoceno, que además traspasan la frontera política entre Haití y la República Dominicana causada por las realidades económica y política fundamentalmente diferentes de cada país. Las relaciones en el registro fósil confirman que la frontera socio-política de La Española no es significativa biológicamente, sino que representa una frontera impuesta sobre la fauna de la isla durante los últimos 500 años por la actividad colonial. Nuestra estrategia revela cómo la perspectiva paleontológica puede contribuir para concretar la percepción del manejo.

Cautioning against overemphasis of normative constructs in conservation decision making.

Questions around how to conserve nature are increasingly leading to dissonance in conservation planning and action. While science can assist in unraveling the nature of conservation challenges, conservation responses rely heavily on normative positions and constructs to order actions, aid interpretations, and provide motivation. However, problems can arise when norms are mistaken for science or when they stymy scientific rigor. To highlight these potential pitfalls, we used the ethics-based tool of argument analysis to assess a controversial conservation intervention, the Pelorus Island Goat Control Program. The program proponents' argument for restorative justice was unsound because it relied on weak logical construction overly entrenched in normative assumptions. Overreliance on normative constructs, particularly the invocation of tragedy, creates a sense of urgency that can subvert scientific and ethical integrity, obscure values and assumptions, and increase the propensity for flawed logic. This example demonstrates how the same constructs that drive biodiversity conservation can also drive poor decision making, spur public backlash, and justify poor animal welfare outcomes. To provide clarity, a decision-making flowchart we devised demonstrates how values, norms, and ethics influence one another. We recommend practitioners follow 3 key points to improve decision making: be aware of values, as well as normative constructs and ethical theories that those values inform; be mindful of overreliance on either normative constructs or ethics when deciding action is justified; and be logically sound and transparent when building justifications. We also recommend 5 key attributes that practitioners should be attentive to when making conservation decisions: clarity, transparency, scientific integrity, adaptiveness, and compassion. Greater attention to the role of norms in decision making will improve conservation outcomes and garner greater public support for actions.

Advertencias contra el Énfasis Excesivo de los Constructos Normativos en la Toma de Decisiones de Conservación Resumen Cada vez más, las dudas en torno a cómo conservar la naturaleza llevan a la disonancia en la acción y planeación de la conservación. Mientras que la ciencia puede asistir en el entendimiento de la naturaleza de los retos de conservación, las respuestas de conservación dependen enormemente de posiciones y constructos normativos para ordenar acciones, apoyar a las interpretaciones y proporcionar motivación. Sin embargo, pueden surgir problemas cuando se confunde a las normas con la ciencia o cuando obstaculizan el rigor científico. Con el objetivo de resaltar estos potenciales inconvenientes, usamos el análisis de argumentos, una herramienta basada en la ética, para evaluar una controversial intervención de conservación: el Programa de Control de Cabras en Isla Pelorus. El argumento de justicia restaurativa de quienes propusieron el programa era irracional pues dependía de una débil construcción lógica demasiado arraigada en suposiciones normativas. La sobredependencia de constructos normativos, particularmente la invocación de la tragedia, genera una sensación de urgencia que puede subvertir la integridad científica y ética, oscurecer los valores y las suposiciones e incrementar la tendencia hacia la lógica defectuosa. Este ejemplo demuestra cómo los mismos constructos que guían la conservación de la biodiversidad también pueden llevar a una toma pobre de decisiones, incitar a respuestas negativas del público y a justificar los malos resultados de bienestar animal. Para proporcionar claridad, diseñamos un diagrama de flujo de toma de decisiones que demuestra cómo los valores, las normas y la ética influyen unas sobre las otras. Les recomendamos a los practicantes que sigan tres puntos clave para mejorar la toma de decisiones: tener conciencia de los valores, así como de los constructos normativos y las teorías éticas a las que esos valores informan; estar consciente de la sobredependencia tanto de los constructos normativos como de la ética cuando se decide si una acción está justificada; y ser racional y transparente de manera lógica cuando se construyan las justificaciones. También recomendamos cinco atributos clave a los cuales los practicantes deben estar atentos cuando se toman decisiones de conservación: claridad, transparencia, integridad científica, adaptabilidad y compasión. Una mayor atención al papel de las normas en la toma de decisiones mejorará los resultados de conservación y acumulará un mayor respaldo del público para las acciones.

Genetically informed captive breeding of hybrids of an extinct species of Galapagos tortoise.

Hybridization poses a major challenge for species conservation because it threatens both genetic integrity and adaptive potential. Yet, hybridization can occasionally offer unprecedented opportunity for species recovery if the genome of an extinct taxon is present among living hybrids such that selective breeding could recapture it. We explored the design elements for establishing a captive-breeding program for Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis spp.) built around individuals with admixed ancestry involving an extinct species. The target individuals were hybrids between the extinct species from Floreana Island, C. niger, and an extant species, C. becki, which were recently found in the endemic range of C. becki, from Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island. We combined genotypic data from 35 tortoises with high ancestry from C. niger with forward-in-time simulations to explore captive breeding strategies that maximized overall genetic diversity and ancestry from C. niger while accommodating resource constraints, species biology, and the urgency to return tortoises to Floreana Island for facilitating ecosystem restoration. Overall genetic diversity was maximized when in the simulation tortoises were organized in relatively small breeding groups. Substantial amounts of the C. niger genome were captured despite limited resources available for selectively breeding tortoises in captivity. Genetic diversity was maximized when captive-bred offspring were released to the wild rather than being used as additional breeders. Our results provide genetic-based and practical guidance on the inclusion of hybrids with genomic representation from extinct taxa into species restoration programs and informs the ongoing debate on the value of hybrids in biodiversity conservation.

Reproducción en Cautiverio Informada Genéticamente de Híbridos de una Especie Extinta de Tortuga de las Galápagos Resumen La hibridación representa un obstáculo importante para la conservación de especies ya que amenaza tanto a la integridad genética como al potencial adaptativo. Aun así, la hibridación ocasionalmente puede ofrecer una oportunidad sin precedentes para la recuperación de una especie si el genoma de un taxón extinto está presente entre los híbridos vivientes de tal manera que la reproducción selectiva pudiera recuperarlo. Exploramos los elementos de diseño para el establecimiento de un programa de reproducción en cautiverio de la tortuga de las Galápagos (Chelonoidis spp.) construido en torno a los individuos con linajes mixtos que incluyeran una especie extinta. Los individuos fueron los híbridos de la especie extinta en la Isla Floreana, C. niger, y la especie viviente C. becki, encontrados recientemente en la distribución geográfica endémica de la segunda especie en el Volcán Wolf (Isla Isabela). Combinamos los datos genotípicos de 35 tortugas con un linaje cargado de C. niger usando simulaciones futuras de la descendencia generada por el programa para explorar las estrategias de reproducción en cautiverio que maximizaran en general la diversidad genética y el linaje de C. niger a la vez que se ajustaba a las restricciones de recursos, la biología de la especie y la urgencia por regresar las tortugas a la Isla Floreana para facilitar la restauración del ecosistema. En general, la diversidad genética se maximizó cuando en la simulación las tortugas estuvieron organizadas en grupos de reproducción relativamente pequeños y cuando cantidades sustanciales del genoma de C. niger fueron capturados con base en los recursos disponibles para reproducir selectivamente a las tortugas en cautiverio. La diversidad genética se vio especialmente maximizada cuando las crías reproducidas en cautiverio fueron liberadas en lugar de ser utilizadas como reproductoras adicionales. Nuestros resultados proporcionan una guía práctica y basada en la genética para la inclusión de híbridos con representación genómica de un taxón extinto en los programas de restauración de especies. Cuando incorporamos a los híbridos con diversidad genética que previamente se creía perdida en los programas con el propósito de la reintroducción de especies, nuestro estudio informa al debate continuo sobre el valor de los híbridos para la conservación de la biodiversidad.

Different feeding strategies in Antarctic scavenging amphipods and their implications for colonisation success in times of retreating glaciers.

BACKGROUND: Scavenger guilds are composed of a variety of species, co-existing in the same habitat and sharing the same niche in the food web. Niche partitioning among them can manifest in different feeding strategies, e.g. during carcass feeding. In the bentho-pelagic realm of the Southern Ocean, scavenging amphipods (Lysianassoidea) are ubiquitous and occupy a central role in decomposition processes. Here we address the question whether scavenging lysianassoid amphipods employ different feeding strategies during carcass feeding, and whether synergistic feeding activities may influence carcass decomposition. To this end, we compared the relatively large species Waldeckia obesa with the small species Cheirimedon femoratus, Hippomedon kergueleni, and Orchomenella rotundifrons during fish carcass feeding (Notothenia spp.). The experimental approach combined ex situ feeding experiments, behavioural observations, and scanning electron microscopic analyses of mandibles. Furthermore, we aimed to detect ecological drivers for distribution patterns of scavenging amphipods in the Antarctic coastal ecosystems of Potter Cove. In Potter Cove, the climate-driven rapid retreat of the Fourcade Glacier is causing various environmental changes including the provision of new marine habitats to colonise. While in the newly ice-free areas fish are rare, macroalgae have already colonised hard substrates. Assuming that a temporal dietary switch may increase the colonisation success of the most abundant lysianassoids C. femoratus and H. kergueleni, we aimed to determine their consumption rates (g food x g amphipods-1 x day-1) and preferences of macroalgae and fish. RESULTS: We detected two functional groups with different feeding strategies among scavenging amphipods during carcass feeding: carcass 'opener' and 'squeezer'. Synergistic effects between these groups were not statistically verified under the conditions tested. C. femoratus switched its diet when fish was not available by consuming macroalgae (about 0.2 day-1) but preferred fish by feeding up to 80% of its own mass daily. Contrary, H. kergueleni rejected macroalgae entirely and consumed fish with a maximal rate of 0.8 day-1. CONCLUSION: This study reveals functional groups in scavenging shallow-water amphipods and provides new information on coastal intraguild niche partitioning. We conclude that the dietary flexibility of C. femoratus is a potential ecological driver and central to its success in the colonisation of newly available ice-free Antarctic coastal habitats.

The contribution of policy, law, management, research, and advocacy failings to the recent extinctions of three Australian vertebrate species.

Extinctions typically have ecological drivers, such as habitat loss. However, extinction events are also influenced by policy and management settings that may be antithetical to biodiversity conservation, inadequate to prevent extinction, insufficiently resourced, or poorly implemented. Three endemic Australian vertebrate species-the Christmas Island pipistrelle (Pipistrellus murrayi), Bramble Cay melomys (Melomys rubicola), and Christmas Island forest skink (Emoia nativitatis)-became extinct from 2009 to 2014. All 3 extinctions were predictable and probably preventable. We sought to identify the policy, management, research, and other shortcomings that contributed to their extinctions or failed to prevent them. These included a lack within national environmental legislation and policy of explicit commitment to the prevention of avoidable extinctions, lack of explicit accountability, inadequate resources for conservation (particularly for species not considered charismatic or not of high taxonomic distinctiveness), inadequate biosecurity, a slow and inadequate process for listing species as threatened, recovery planning that failed to consider the need for emergency response, inability of researchers to identify major threatening factors, lack of public engagement and involvement in conservation decisions, and limited advocacy. From these 3 cases, we recommend: environmental policy explicitly seeks to prevent extinction of any species and provides a clear chain of accountability and an explicit requirement for public inquiry following any extinction; implementation of a timely and comprehensive process for listing species as threatened and for recovery planning; reservation alone not be assumed sufficient to maintain species; enhancement of biosecurity measures; allocation of sufficient resources to undertake actions necessary to prevent extinction; monitoring be considered a pivotal component of the conservation response; research provides timely identification of factors responsible for decline and of the risk of extinction; effective dissemination of research results; advocacy by an informed public for the recovery of threatened species; and public involvement in governance of the recovery process. These recommendations should be applicable broadly to reduce the likelihood and incidence of extinctions.

Colony-level assessment of Brucella and Leptospira in the Guadalupe fur seal, Isla Guadalupe, Mexico.

The relatively small population size and restricted distribution of the Guadalupe fur seal Arctocephalus townsendi could make it highly vulnerable to infectious diseases. We performed a colony-level assessment in this species of the prevalence and presence of Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp., pathogenic bacteria that have been reported in several pinniped species worldwide. Forty-six serum samples were collected in 2014 from pups at Isla Guadalupe, the only place where the species effectively reproduces. Samples were tested for Brucella using 3 consecutive serological tests, and for Leptospira using the microscopic agglutination test. For each bacterium, a Bayesian approach was used to estimate prevalence to exposure, and an epidemiological model was used to test the null hypothesis that the bacterium was present in the colony. No serum sample tested positive for Brucella, and the statistical analyses concluded that the colony was bacterium-free with a 96.3% confidence level. However, a Brucella surveillance program would be highly recommendable. Twelve samples were positive (titers 1:50) to 1 or more serovars of Leptospira. The prevalence was calculated at 27.1% (95% credible interval: 15.6-40.3%), and the posterior analyses indicated that the colony was not Leptospira-free with a 100% confidence level. Serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, and Bratislava were detected, but only further research can unveil whether they affect the fur seal population.

Effects of an invasive ant on land snails in the Ogasawara Islands.

We investigated how Pheidole megacephala has affected endemic achatinellid snails because these snails are excellent indicators of the impact of ants and they have high conservation value in Ogasawara. In 2015 we surveyed the Minamizaki area of Hahajima Island of Ogasawara, designated a core zone of the World Heritage Site, for P. megacephala. In Minamizaki, we determined the distribution and density of achatinellid snails in 2015 and compared these data with their distribution and density in 2005. Land cover in the survey area was entirely forest. We also tested whether P. megacephala preyed on achatinellid snails in the laboratory. P. megacephala was present in the forested areas of Minamizaki. Achatinellid snails were absent in 19 of 39 sites where P. megacephala was present, whereas in other areas densities of the snails ranged from 2 to 228 individuals/site. In the laboratory, P. megacephala carried 6 of 7 achatinellid snails and a broken shell was found. Snail distribution and density comparisons and results of the feeding experiments suggest that the presence of P. megacephala has contributed to the decline of achatinellid snails in forests in the survey area. Yet, P. megacephala is not on the official list of invasive non-native species. Stakeholders using the list of invasive species to develop conservation programs should recognize that invasiveness of non-native species differs depending on the ecosystem and that official lists may not be complete.

V-Y advancement flaps for extensive perianal defect repair. / El colgajo V-Y como método de reparación de defectos perianales extensos.

OBJECTIVES: Some perianal pathologies require aggressive surgery that will need techniques to allow to re-establish the integrity of the perianal region. The purpose is to analyze short and long term results after perineal reconstruction with V-Y flaps. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected database was conducted at Virgen de la Arrixaca's Hospital in Murcia (España) between January 2000 and December 2013. The study includes all patients who underwent a perineal reconstruction with V-Y flaps. Demographic and surgical data and short-/long- term morbidity was recorded. RESULTS: 10 patients were included, 6 males and 4 females. The average age was 58,1±17,4 years. Surgical indication included both malignant and benign pathologies. Operating time was 143,5±41,3min. R0 resection was performed in all cases although histopathological analysis showed involvement of the deeper margin in 3 cases. Length of hospital stay was 7,8±7,6 days. Regarding complications: 6 patients had partial dehiscence of the flap. None of the patients lost the flap completely. The most frequent late complication was anal stenosis (n=4). Follow up showed total continence in 7 patients. Two patients had variable fecal and/or flatus incontinence. A colostomy was made in one case due to severe incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: V-Y flaps are an effective and feasible technique to cover large perianal defects after aggressive surgeries. However, this technique is not free of postoperative morbidity.

[Antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in clinical Salmonella enterica isolates]. / Resistencia a antibióticos y factores de virulencia en aislados clínicos de Salmonella enterica.

INTRODUCTION: The increase of Salmonella enterica isolates multi-resistant to different antibiotics, including ß-lactams and fluoroquinolones, is a problem of clinical importance. The dissemination of Salmonella Typhimurium resistant to ampicillin (AMP)-chloramphenicol (CHL)-streptomycin (STR)-sulphonamides and (SUL)-tetracycline (TET), that harbour the Salmonella Genomic Island type 1 (SGI1), and the acquisition of transferable genetic material have favoured the multi-resistance in this genus. METHODS: A total of 114 clinical S.enterica isolates were studied (period 2009-2010). The susceptibility to 20 antibiotics was determined by disc diffusion and microdilution. The antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and the integrons were analysed by PCR, and sequencing in the AMP(R) isolates. In all the blaPSE-1-positive isolates, the clonal relationship was determined by PFGE, as well as the presence of SGI1 and 29 virulence genes by PCR. RESULTS: Eighteen different serotypes were found among the 114 isolates studied, Typhimurium (61%) and Enteritidis (16%) being the most prevalent. High percentages of resistance to SUL (68%), TET (58%), AMP (55%) and STR (46%) were observed. The great majority (92%) of 63 AMP(R) isolates were multi-resistant, with the AMP-STR-TET-SUL phenotype (19 isolates) being the most frequent one and associated with the blaTEM-1b+strA-strB+tet(B)+sul2 genotype. Class 1 integrons (7 different structures) were observed in 48% AMP(R) isolates, highlighting the blaOXA-1+aadA1 structure (8 isolates), one empty integron and non-classical integrons (5 isolates). The blaPSE-1 gene was detected inside the classical SGI1 structure in 13 clonally-related isolates that showed the same virulence profile. CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of multi-resistant S.enterica isolates, especially associated to S.Typhimurium, to the AMP, STR, TET and SUL phenotype, and to the blaTEM-1b+strA-strB+tet(B)+sul2 genotype, shows an important risk of possible failures in the treatment of serious infections caused by this serotype.

A decade of submersible observations revealed temporal trends in elasmobranchs in a remote island of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.

No-take marine protected areas (MPAs) can mitigate the effects of overfishing, climate change and habitat degradation, which are leading causes of an unprecedented global biodiversity crisis. However, assessing the effectiveness of MPAs, especially in remote oceanic islands, can be logistically challenging and often restricted to relatively shallow and accessible environments. Here, we used a long-term dataset (2010-2019) collected by the DeepSee submersible of the Undersea Hunter Group that operates in Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica, to (1) determine the frequency of occurrence of elasmobranch species at two depth intervals (50-100 m; 300-400 m), and (2) investigate temporal trends in the occurrence of common elasmobranch species between 2010 and 2019, as well as potential drivers of the observed changes. Overall, we observed 17 elasmobranch species, 15 of which were recorded on shallow dives (50-100 m) and 11 on deep dives (300-400 m). We found a decreasing trend in the probability of occurrence of Carcharhinus falciformis over time (2010-2019), while other species (e.g. Taeniurops meyeni, Sphyrna lewini, Carcharhinus galapagensis, Triaenodon obesus, and Galeocerdo cuvier) showed an increasing trend. Our study suggests that some species like S. lewini may be shifting their distributions towards deeper waters in response to ocean warming but may also be sensitive to low oxygen levels at greater depths. These findings highlight the need for regional 3D environmental information and long-term deepwater surveys to understand the extent of shark and ray population declines in the ETP and other regions, as most fishery-independent surveys from data-poor countries have been limited to relatively shallow waters.

The synergistic effect of microplastic and malathion exposure on fiddler crab Minuca ecuadoriensis microplastic bioaccumulation and survival.

We assessed the combined effects of polyethylene microplastic (MP) and malathion (MLT) on the survival of the fiddler crab Minuca ecuadoriensis, and MP tissue bioaccumulation in four treatments following 120 h exposure: T1) Control; T2) MLT 50 mg L-1; T3) MP 200 mg L-1; and T4) MLT (50 mg L-1) + MP (200 mg L-1). The highest mortality (80%) was in T4, followed by T2 (28%) and no mortality was in T3. Higher MP bioaccumulation was observed in T4 (572 items g tissue-1) followed by T3 (70 items g tissue-1). Our findings indicate that the synergistic effect of MLT and MP increased M. ecuadoriensis bioaccumulative capacity and decreases survival. Thus, as MP contamination in aquatic environments is ubiquitous, our study raises a warning on the synergistic effects of MP with other environmental contaminants and serves as a baseline for further studies.

10th Anniversary of the International Society for Medical Laser Applications.

This short report is about the International Society for Medical Laser Applications (ISLA). A short list of the most frequently used methods within the research areas of the ISLA is included along with a description of how the great potential of these new laser methods led to numerous improvements in patient treatment. The ISLA attaches great importance to being an opinion leader in the context of evidence-based laser medicine. Many further developments are planned that will enrich the range of methods.

The spiral of plastic pollution: a compensatory urge from the collective unconscious for an ecological-psychological transformation of civilization.

This article explores the symbolism of plastic pollution. Plastic and microplastic particles are now found everywhere - in the Arctic, in deep ocean trenches, in human organs - and plastic accumulates in our oceans forming gigantic spiral-shaped garbage patches. Both spiral symbolism and E.A. Poe's 'Maelström' are suggestive of a necessary fundamental ecological-psychological transformation of our one-sidedly logos-dominated civilization. Plastic, the author argues, has become a carrier of our longing for immortality: in plastic, humanity has synthesized an 'immortal', a virtually non-biodegradable substance. To avert what Jung called a 'catastrophic enantiodromia', humanity must relinquish its ecologically and psychologically detrimental consumerist mentality and jump into the unknown towards a less resource-intensive lifestyle. The author's dream about sea salt and spiral-shaped marine animals is interpreted as a compensatory urge from the collective unconscious for humanity to reconnect to inner and outer nature by cultivating the neglected eros principle - feeling-based relatedness - as a felt realization that we are part of nature on which we depend. Instead of succumbing to paralyzing fear or denial, the author argues for facing the abyss of our ecological-psychological crisis and acting, informed by science. For ecological-psychological transformation, Jungian psychology can play an important role.

Cet article explore le symbolisme de la pollution par le plastique. Le plastique et les particules de micro-plastique se retrouvent maintenant partout - dans l'Arctique, dans les fosses profondes des océans, dans les organes humains. Le plastique s'accumule dans nos océans formant de gigantesques vortex de déchets. Le symbolisme de la spirale et le 'Maelström' d'Edgar Alan Poe évoquent une transformation éco-psychologique nécessaire et fondamentale de notre civilisation biaisée par la domination du logos. L'auteur soutient que le plastique est devenu porteur de notre désir nostalgique d'immortalité: avec le plastique l'humanité a synthétisé une substance 'immortelle', quasiment non-biodégradable. Pour éviter ce que Jung appelle 'l'énantiodromie catastrophique', nous devons en tant qu'humanité abandonner notre mentalité consumériste qui est nuisible écologiquement et psychologiquement, et faire le saut dans l'inconnu vers un style de vie moins exigeant en ressources. Un rêve de l'auteur sur le sel marin et des animaux marins en forme de spirale est interprété en tant que mouvement compensatoire de l'inconscient collectif pour que l'humanité retrouve le lien avec la nature intérieure et extérieure en cultivant le principe négligé de l'éros - familiarité fondée sur l'émotion - comme réalisation ressentie que nous faisons partie de la nature dont nous dépendons. Plutôt que de succomber à une peur paralysante ou au déni, l'auteur propose de faire face au gouffre de notre crise écologique-psychologique et d'agir éclairé par la science. Pour une transformation écologique-psychologique, la psychologie Jungienne peut jouer un rôle important.

El presente artículo explora el simbolismo de la polución plástica. Actualmente encontramos partículas plásticas y micro plásticas en todos lados - en el Ártico, en las fosas oceánicas profundas, en órganos humanos - y plásticos acumulados en nuestros océanos formando manchones de residuos gigantes de forma espiralada. Tanto el simbolismo de la espiral, como el 'Maelström' de E.A. Poe sugieren una transformación ecológica-psicológica fundamental de nuestra civilización unilateralmente dominada por el logos. La autora argumenta que el plástico se ha vuelto una expresión de nuestro anhelo de inmortalidad: en el plástico, la humanidad ha sintetizado una sustancia virtualmente no-biodegradable, 'inmortal'. Para evitar lo que Jung ha denominado una 'enantiodromía catastrófica', la humanidad debe renunciar a nuestra mentalidad consumista ecológica y psicológicamente perjudicial y dar un salto a lo desconocido hacia un estilo de vida con menos recursos. El sueño de la autora sobre sal marina y animales espiralados es interpretado como el deseo compensatorio del inconsciente colectivo de que la humanidad reconecte con la naturaleza interna y externa, cultivando el descuidado principio de eros - el relacionamiento basado en el sentimiento - como una realización sentida de ser parte de la naturaleza de la cual dependemos. En lugar de sucumbir al miedo o a la negación paralizante, la autora sostiene la necesidad de confrontar el abismo de nuestra crisis ecológica-psicológica y actuar científicamente. La psicología Junguiana puede tener una función importante en la transformación ecológica-psicológica.

Microplastic distribution in urban vs pristine mangroves: Using marine sponges as bioindicators of environmental pollution.

Sessile benthic organisms are considered good bioindicators for monitoring environmental quality of coastal ecosystems. However, these environments are impacted by new pollutants such as microplastics (MPs), where there is limited information about organisms that can be used as reliable bioindicators of these emerging contaminants. We evaluated MP concentrations in three compartments: surface sediment, water and in three marine sponge species (Haliclona implexiformis, Halichondria melanadocia and Amorphinopsis atlantica), to determine whether these organisms accumulate MPs and reflect their possible sources. Results showed MPs in all three compartments. Average concentrations ranged from 1861 to 3456 items kg-1 of dry weight in marine sponges, 130 to 287 items L-1 in water and 6 to 11 items kg-1 in sediment. The maximum MP concentration was in the sponge A. atlantica, which registered 5000 items kg-1 of dry weight, in water was 670 items L-1 and in sediment was 28 items kg-1, these values were found in the disturbed study area. The three sponge species exhibited MP bioaccumulation and showed significant differences between disturbed and pristine sites (F = 11.2, p < 0.05), suggesting their use as bioindicators of MP.