Extreme clonal uniformity of Phoxinus eos/neogaeus gynogens (pisces: Cyprinidae) among variable habitats in northern Minnesota beaver ponds.

Genetic surveys of parthenogenetic vertebrate populations have demonstrated a common pattern of relatively high degrees of clonal variation and the coexistence of numerous clones. In striking contrast, the Phoxinus eos/Phoxinus neogaeus/hybrid gynogen complex of cyprinid fishes exhibits no clonal variation within a northern Minnesota drainage characterized by successional beaver ponds. Gynogens were sampled from three habitats in each of four different pond types in a single drainage in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. The abundance of gynogens relative to sexual dace varied with pond type, being least common in deep upland ponds and most common in shallow, collapsed, lowland ponds (13.4% and 48.6%, respectively). Simple-sequence multilocus DNA fingerprinting of 464 individual gynogens detected one, and only one, clone. DNA fingerprints, generated sequentially by using three oligonucleotide probes, (CAC)5, (GACA)4, and the Jeffreys' 33.15 probe, all revealed the same unprecedented lack of variation. The extreme lack of clonal diversity in these gynogens across a range of habitat types does not fit the general pattern of high clonal diversity found within populations of other vertebrate parthenogens.

Explaining the saproxylic beetle diversity of a protected Mediterranean area

Saproxylic beetle diversity is high at the Cabañeros National Park (central Spain), where woodland habitats exhibit remarkable heterogeneity. Our aim was to explain the diversity of saproxylic beetles, focusing on species turnover among mature woodland types. We surveyed five woodland types that represented the heterogeneity of the park’s woodland habitats. Beetles were collected using window traps over a period of 20 months. The Jaccard Similarity Index was used as indirect value of beta diversity among woodlands and to test the relation between species turnover and geographical distance. We also identified the contribution of species turnover to landscape diversity by using a partitioning model. Moreover, the presence of mixed woodlands (more than one tree species) allowed us to attempt to valorise the effect of tree species (coupled with their historical management) on species turnover among woodlands. Finally, we looked for different saproxylic beetle preferences for habitat and tree species using an indicator value method. We found that saproxylic beetle species composition varied significantly among the studied woodlands. The variation in species turnover was independent from the distance among woodlands, which suggested that beetle dispersal abilities could not explain this high turnover. Tree species within woodlands were a key factor that increased diversity turnover in woodlands and, consequently, the diversity of the park. Moreover, we found saproxylic beetle species that had different habitat and tree species preferences. We conclude that woodland heterogeneity (highly affected by woodland composition) seems to be the driving force for saproxylic beetle diversity in this protected area.

Influence of tree hollow characteristics on the diversity of saproxylic insect guilds in Iberian Mediterranean woodlands

Saproxylic diversity assessment is a major goal for conservation strategies in woodlands and it should consider woodland composition and configuration at site and tree level as key modelling factors. However, in Mediterranean woodlands little is known about the relation with the environmental factors that structure their assemblages, especially those linked to tree hollow microhabitats. We assessed the diversity of Syrphidae (Diptera) and Coleoptera saproxylic guilds that co-occurred in tree hollows located in three different Iberian Mediterranean woodlands in the Cabañeros National Park (Spain). Furthermore, we evaluated how differences in tree hollow microenvironmental variables (understood as the physical and biotic characteristics of a hollow and tree individual) influenced saproxylic guild diversity both within and among woodland sites. We found that woodland sites that provided greater heterogeneity of trees and hollow microhabitats determined higher saproxylic guild diversity. Nevertheless, certain species or even complete guilds can be favoured in woodlands where some hollow microhabitats predominate as a consequence of historical tree management. In general, hollow volume was the main determining factor for saproxylic guild richness and abundance in woodland sites, and large hollow volume was usually related to higher diversity, which highlighted the importance of multi-habitat hollow trees. Moreover, saproxylic guilds also responded to other different microenvironmental variables, which indicated different ecological preferences among guilds. The conservation of saproxylic insects in Iberian Mediterranean areas must be addressed to protect woodland sites that provide high diversity and large numbers of tree hollow microhabitats, and practices to enhance microhabitat heterogeneity should even be encouraged.

Jugar a extinguir ensambles: importancia de las oquedades de los árboles para la biodiversidad de insectos saproxílicos

The assessment of the relation between species diversity, species interactions and stability is a major goal for conservation strategies of saproxylic insects in Iberian Mediterranean woodlands. In these woodlands, tree hollows in standing living trees are key microhabitats for saproxylic biodiversity. We assess the variation in the tree hollow-saproxylic insect network among three woodland sites in the Cabañeros National Park (Spain), and evaluate their implications for saproxylic assemblages’ persistence, through simulations of three possible scenarios of loss of tree hollow microhabitats. The composition of tree hollows is closely related to biotic and ecological complexity of saproxylic networks, and together exhibit positive effects on network stability. By other side, different scenarios entail different reorganizations of saproxylic diversity of species and interactions, and the variation of the main interacting attributes. Woodlands providing higher proportion of large tree hollows are less sensitive to microhabitat loss. Conservation strategies for saproxylic insects in Iberian Mediterranean woodlands should consider woodland composition and configuration as key factors in the selection of priority conservation areas.

Uso do zoneamento ambiental do Médio Rio Grande como instrumento de gestão no município de Delfinópolis-MG

Este trabalho faz parte do Projeto Grande Minas - União Pelas Águas, que realizou o Zoneamento Ambiental das Sub-Bacias Hidrográficas dos Afluentes Mineiros do Médio Rio Grande. O zoneamento foi concluído em 2013 e produziu importantes informações sobre os meios físico, biótico e socioeconômico dos 22 municípios que compõem a bacia hidrográfica, dentre eles o local de estudo, que é o município de Delfinópolis - MG. Dentre os instrumentos que podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento sustentável, o município pode utilizar, além do zoneamento ambiental, o plano diretor municipal e o plano de manejo do Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, uma vez que esta unidade de conservação insere-se no município. Torna-se importante, entretanto, a integração destes três importantes instrumentos de gestão para que o planejamento municipal e as ações de política pública possam ser realizados de forma consistente. Este trabalho vem contribuir na avaliação e integração destas informações (Plano Diretor Municipal, Plano de Manejo, Zoneamento Ambiental) e os resultados deverão contribuir com os administradores públicos na tomada de decisões e na resolução dos problemas enfrentados na região, como exemplo as queimadas, o uso inadequado dos recursos hídricos, as atividades modificadoras do meio físico. A sistemática metodológica adotada envolveu a avaliação de dados existentes e a construção de um banco de dados digital do município; análise dos instrumentos legais de planejamento e gestão municipal e elaboração de produtos cartográficos interpretativos de fácil leitura e entendimento que possam ser utilizados diretamente pelos gestores públicos. A análise e avaliação dos dados existentes permitiu diagnosticar algumas características peculiares ao município, como a sua vocação para o turismo, com mais de 40 atrativos ligados ao ecoturismo; o grande número de minerações de areia e cascalho, grande parte delas não regularizada; e os conflitos locais existentes diante das atividades da economia rural e a necessidade de preservação impostas pela unidade de conservação.

Pseudo-organic structures from the Precambrian Bass limestone in Arizona / [by] Matthew H. Nitecki --

v.23:no.1(1971)

Boston 2000: harbor nodes, modes & links

Shows transportation network in and around the harbor.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Camden, New Jersey and vicinity, 1921 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of Philadelphia, Camden and vicinity : compiled from city plans & personal surveys, engraved by Albert Volk. It was published by Elvino V. Smith in 1921. Scale 1:35,000. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Pennsylvania South State Plane Coordinate System NAD83 (in Feet) (Fipszone 3702). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, railroads, drainage, county, township, and city ward boundaries, parks, cemeteries, and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from The Harvard Map Collection as part of the Imaging the Urban Environment project. Maps selected for this project represent major urban areas and cities of the world, at various time periods. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features at a large scale. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

Leishmaniose em Lobo Ibérico

Quando falamos de vida selvagem em Portugal, pensamos logo no Lobo Ibérico (Canis lupus signatus), que ao longo das últimas décadas tem vindo a sofrer um notório declínio populacional, apenas contrariado pelas medidas protecionistas entretanto implementadas. A diminuição do número de lobos em Portugal resulta principalmente da perseguição direta a que foram sujeitos e da destruição do seu habitat natural. Outra causa de redução/extinção de pequenas populações locais e fragmentadas de grandes carnívoros em outras partes no mundo tem sido as doenças infeciosas. Sendo monitorização da presença de patologias em animais silvestres fundamental no controle das zoonoses emergentes e na conservação das espécies. Neste contexto pretendeu-se elaborar um estudo de determinação da ocorrência de Leishmaniose, no Lobo Ibérico. Assim, recolheram-se aleatoriamente 42 amostras de sangue a lobos residentes no Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês que, posteriormente foram testadas recorrendo-se ao método de ELISA. Através desta técnica, detetou-se que das 42 amostras testadas apenas uma amostra (2,4%) possuía anticorpos anti-leishmania. Um dos motivos para a obtenção de resultados pouco significativos poderá dever-se ao reduzido leque amostral. Concluímos, então, que são necessários estudos adicionais para avaliar a importância do Lobo Ibérico na transmissão e propagação da Leishmaniose.

(Table 1) U and Th isotopic composition and 230Th ages of samples from the A1 and C1 corals of Legare Anchorage

The 14C reservoir age of the surface ocean was determined for two Holocene periods (4908-4955 and 3008-3066 calendar (cal) B.P.) using U/Th-dated corals from Biscayne National Park, Florida, United States. We found that the average reservoir ages for these two time periods (294 ± 33 and 291 ± 27 years, respectively) were lower than the average value between A.D. 1600 and 1900 (390 ± 60 years) from corals. It appears that the surface ocean was closer to isotopic equilibrium with CO2 in the atmosphere during these two time periods than it was during recent times. Seasonal d18O measurements from the younger coral are similar to modern values, suggesting that mixing with open ocean waters was indeed occurring during this coral's lifetime. Likely explanations for the lower reservoir age include increased stratification of the surface ocean or increased D14C values of subsurface waters that mix into the surface. Our results imply that a more correct reservoir age correction for radiocarbon measurements of marine samples in this location from the time periods ~3040 and ~4930 cal years B.P. is ~292 ± 30 years, less than the canonical value of 404 ± 20 years.

Fees and charges for public recreation; a study of policies and practices.

Mode of access: Internet.

Teton Dakota, ethnology and history /

Dakota chronology p. 87-93.

Mount Rainier : its human history associations /

"Chronology of Mount Rainier": p. 26-31.

Draft report to Congress on the coastal barrier resources system as required by section 10 of P.L. 97-348, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982.

"April 1985."

Yosemite : summary of the draft general management plan.

Mode of access: Internet.