Habitat selection in zones of parapatric contact between the common shrew Sorex araneaus and Millet's shrew S. coronatus

(1) The common shrew Sorex araneus and Millet's shrew S. coronatusare sibling species.They are morphologically and genetically very similar but do not hybridize.Their parapatric distribution throughout south-western Europe, with a few narrow zones of distributional overlap, suggests that they are in competitive parapatry. (2) Two of these contact zones were studied; there was evidence of coexistence over periods of 2 years as well as habitat segregation. In both zones, the species segregated on litter thickness and humidity variables. (3) A simple analysis of spatial distribution showed that habitats visible in the field corresponded to the habitats selected by the species. Habitat selection was found throughout the annual life-cycle of the shrews. (4) In one contact zone, a removal experiment was performed to test whether habitat segregation is induced by interspecific interactions. The experiment showed that the species select habitats differentially when both are present and abandon habitat selection when their competitor removed. (5)These results confirm the role of resource partitioning in promoting narrow ranges of distributional overlap between such parapatric species and qualitatively support the prediction of habitat selection theory that, in a two-species system, coexistence may be achieved by differential habitat selection to avoid competition. The results also support the view that the common shrew and Millet's shrew are in competitive parapatry.

Arrêt de la chambre de justice contre Catherine de La Forge, dite la Princesse, courtière de ceux qui faisaient le commerce usuraire des billets royaux

[Acte. 1716-08-12]

Allohexaploid pearl millet x elephantgrass population potential for a recurrent selection program

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of allohexaploid pearl millet x elephantgrass (HGL) population for a recurrent selection program through open-pollinated progenies. Seventy-eight progenies, one representative sample of the population, and two commercial cultivars, Pioneiro and Paraíso, were evaluated in a 9x9 triple lattice design, in two sites. Plant height and dry matter yield were evaluated in three and four cuts, respectively. For plant height, the 17 best progenies were similar to both commercial controls, while for dry matter yield they were higher than 'Paraíso' and lower than 'Pioneiro'. The correlation between progenies and cuts indicated that the fourth cut represents the mean of all cuts, and the possibility of using early selection. Heritability estimates considering cuts and sites were 56.9% for plant height and 58.8% for dry matter yield, and the expected response to selection was 23.4% for dry matter yield and 18.1% for plant height. These results demonstrate the promising HGL population potential for a recurrent selection program.

Genomic behavior of hybrid combinations between elephant grass and pearl millet

The objective of this work was to evaluate the genomic behavior of hybrid combinations between elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and pearl millet (P. glaucum). Tetraploid (AAA'B) and pentaploid (AA'A'BB) chromosome races resulting from the backcross of the hexaploid hybrid to its parents elephant grass (A'A'BB) and pearl millet (AA) were analyzed as to chromosome number and DNA content. Genotypes of elephant grass, millet, and triploid and hexaploid induced hybrids were compared. Pentaploid and tetraploid genomic combinations showed high level of mixoploidy, in discordance with the expected somatic chromosome set. The pentaploid chromosome number ranged from 20 to 34, and the tetraploid chromosome number from 16 to 28. Chromosome number variation was higher in pentaploid genomic combinations than in tetraploid, and mixoploidy was observed among hexaploids. Genomic combinations 4x and 5x are mixoploid, and the variation of chromosome number within chromosomal race 5x is greater than in 4x.

Meat lipid profile of steers finished in pearl millet pasture with different rates of concentrate

The objective of this work was to evaluate the meat lipid profile from Devon beef steers finished in pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) pasture and fed at different rates of concentrate supplementary diet. Twelve steers weighing 270 kg, at 12‑month‑average initial age, were randomly distributed into three treatments: pearl millet pasture; and pearl millet pasture plus a concentrate equivalent at 0.5 or 1.0% of body weight, with two replicates. Total contents of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the polyunsaturated:saturated ratio and other relevant fatty acids as the vaccenic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, omega‑3, and omega‑6 were not affected by the consumption of a concentrate supplement at 0.5 or 1.0% live weight. However, the 0.5% supplementation level reduced the concentration of dihomo‑γ‑linolenic fatty acid (C20: 3 n‑6), while the 1.0% supplementation level elevated the content of docosahexaenoic (DHA) (C22: 6 n‑3) fatty acid, and the omega‑6:omega‑3 ratio in meat. Consumption of up to 1.0% energy supplementation increases the omega‑6:omega‑3 ratio in meat from Devon steers grazing on pearl millet pasture.

Cabouret, Bernadette, Groslambert, Agnès, Wolff, Catherine (eds.), Visions de l’Occident romain. Hommages à Yann Le Bohec. Collection Études et Recherches sur l’Occident Romain, 2 vol. Paris, De Boccard 2012, págs. 959.

Este libro, en dos volúmenes, es un merecido homenaje al profesor Yann LE BOHEC (professeur émérite, Paris IV-La Sorbonne), jubilado forzosamente de la docencia universitaria en septiembre de 2011. La carrera investigadora del profesor Le Bohec que naturalmente continua en la actualidad ha tratado multitud de temas relacionados con el Imperio Romano, aunque deben ser destacadas en especial dos temáticas: el norte de África y el ejército romano. Y obviamente estos asuntos se ven también muy reflejados en los artículos de todos aquellos colegas y amigos que colaboran en el homenaje.

Cabouret, Bernadette, Groslambert, Agnès, Wolff, Catherine (eds.), Visions de l"Occident romain. Hommages à Yann Le Bohec. Collection Études et Recherches sur l"Occident Romain, 2 vol. Paris, De Boccard 2012, págs. 959. 27 x 17 cm. Prefacio de André Laronde ( ).

Este libro, en dos volúmenes, es un merecido homenaje al profesor Yann LE BOHEC (professeur émérite, Paris IV-La Sorbonne), jubilado forzosamente de la docencia universitaria en septiembre de 2011. La carrera investigadora del profesor Le Bohec que naturalmente continua en la actualidad ha tratado multitud de temas relacionados con el Imperio Romano, aunque deben ser destacadas en especial dos temáticas: el norte de África y el ejército romano. Y obviamente estos asuntos se ven también muy reflejados en los artículos de todos aquellos colegas y amigos que colaboran en el homenaje.

Red Riding Hood: Caperucita Roja, de Perrault a Catherine Hardwicke

El cuento de Caperucita Roja1 ha sobrevivido a través de los años gracias a su rico simbolismo por las imágenes de gran alcance que contiene. La joven niña con la capa roja que se encuentra con un lobo disfrazado de abuela es algo que golpea profundamente al receptor. El tema se ha estudiado desde numerosos puntos de vista; destaca el psicoanalista Bruno Bettelheim,2 que señala la caperuza que lleva la protagonista como símbolo de su entrada en la pubertad, asociando el color rojo con el ciclo menstrual. No todos los críticos están de acuerdo con este aspecto, aunque bastantes autores relacionan el cuento con el despertar de la sexualidad,la adolescencia y todo lo que conlleva. Perrault tampoco descuida tener en cuenta su advertencia de los riesgos en la etapa, sobre todo para las niñas románticas, en la moraleja final del relato.