Chromosomal diversification of diploid , heterochromatin and rDNAs in two of Phanaeus beetles (Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The conservation of and location of 18S sites indicates the relative stability of rDNA in of Pentatomomorpha (Heteroptera)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Gradients in the of at reef-seagrass ecotones explained by gradients in abundance

[EN] Gradients in the composition and diversity (e.g. of ) of faunal assemblages are common at ecotones between juxtaposed habitats. Patterns in the of , however, can be confounded by patterns in abundance of individuals, because more tend to be found wherever there are more individuals. We tested whether proximity to reefs influenced patterns in the composition and diversity (‘ density’ = of per area and ‘ richness’ = of per of individuals) of prosobranch gastropods in meadows of two seagrasses with different physiognomy: Posidonia and Amphibolis. A change in the composition was observed from reef-seagrass edges towards the interiors of Amphibolis, but not in Posidonia meadows. Similarly, the abundance of gastropods and density was higher at edges relative to interiors of Amphibolis meadows, but not in Posidonia meadows. However, richness was not affected by proximity to reefs in either type of seagrass meadow. The higher of at the reef-Amphibolis edge was therefore a consequence of higher abundance, rather than richness per se. These results suggest that patterns in the composition and diversity of fauna with proximity to adjacent habitats, and the underlying processes that they reflect, likely depend on the physiognomy of the habitat.

Ambulacral length with of pore pairs/tubercles for both of sea urchins and for six sampling sites to quantify fluctuating asymmetry

The surroundings of the Cortiou sewage are among the most polluted environments of the French Mediterranean Sea (Marseilles, France). So far, no studies have precisely quantified the impact of pollution on the development of organisms in this area.Methods: We used a fluctuating asymmetry (FA) measure of developmental instability (DI) to assess environmental stress in two of radially symmetric sea urchins (Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus). For six sampling sites (Cortiou, Riou, Maire, East Maire, Mejean, and Niolon), levels of FA were calculated from continuous and discrete skeletal measures of ambulacral length, of pore pairs and primary tubercles.Results: For both , the most polluted sampling site, Cortiou, displayed the highest level of FA, while the Maire and East Maire sampling sites displayed the lowest levels. A. lixula revealed systematic differences in FA among sampling sites for all characters and P. lividus showed differences in FA for the of primary tubercles.Conclusions: Statistical analyses of FA show a concordance between the spatial patterns of FA among sampling sites and the spatial distribution of sewage discharge pollutants in the Cortiou area. High developmental stress in these sampling sites is associated with exposure to high concentrations of heavy metals and many harmful organic substances contained in wastewater. FA estimated from structures with complex symmetry appears to be a fast and reliable tool to detect subtle differences in FA. Its use in biomonitoring programs for inferring anthropogenic and natural environmental stress is suggested.

(Table 1) Cover of shrub and tree , and of stems (>=3.5 cm DBH) during 1976-1977 and 2009-2010, respectively

Shrubs and trees are expected to expand in the sub-Arctic due to global warming. Our study was conducted in Abisko, sub-arctic Sweden. We recorded the change in coverage of shrub and tree over a 32- to 34-year period, in three 50 x 50 m plots; in the alpine-tree-line ecotone. The cover of shrubs and trees (<3.5 cm diameter at breast height) were estimated during 2009-2010 and compared with historical documentation from 1976 to 1977. Similarly, all tree stems (>=3.5 cm) were noted and positions determined. There has been a substantial increase of cover of shrubs and trees, particularly dwarf birch (Betula nana), and mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii), and an establishment of aspen (Populus tremula). The other willows (Salix spp.), juniper (Juniperus communis), and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) revealed inconsistent changes among the plots. Although this study was unable to identify the causes for the change in shrubs and small trees, they are consistent with anticipated changes due to climate change and reduced herbivory.