scholarly journals A demographic and ecological study of an Italian population of Polyommatus ripartii: the ESU Polyommatus exuberans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Parile ◽  
Irene Piccini ◽  
Simona Bonelli
Keyword(s):  
Management Plan ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Evolutionarily Significant Unit ◽  
Taxonomic Rank ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
Lycaenid Butterfly ◽  
Nw Italy

Abstract Polyommatus exuberans is an evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of the lycaenid butterfly Polyommatus ripartii. This ESU is known to survive at only two sites in the Susa Valley (NW Italy). Lack of correct management, reforestation and frequent wildfires severely threaten this ESU (listed as endangered species in the most recent IUCN Italian Red List). Although the taxonomic rank of this taxon is still debated, current threats could cause extinction of its two remaining populations before its taxonomic rank and its ecology are clarified. We collected data for the first time on this population at the small site of Mompantero (ab. 10 ha). We used butterfly GPS-positioning and the mark-release-recapture (MRR)-method to estimate its population size (269 individuals), sex-ratio (1.36 M/F), lifespan (4.76 days), density (47/ha) and mobility (median 153 and 33 m for males and females, respectively). Both sexes are equally catchable. Catchability increases around midday and decreases during overcast weather. While the size and density of this small population are comparable to those of other endemic Polyommatus species (such as P. humedasae and P. gennargenti), scarce mobility makes its populations isolated and even more seriously threatened. Implications for insect conservation We suggest that implementing an active management plan, including mowing before July and/or in autumn, and supporting ant diversity, is of immediate importance. Management should be extended to road verges, where the larval host plant (Onobrychis sp.) is abundant, and would thus also serve as corridors to favour dispersion between sites. Our research is the first study to investigate this taxon, thus shedding some light on the ecological and biological aspects that are crucial for long-term survival.

Two Decades of Progress in the Management of a Rare Disease—Peritoneal Mesothelioma

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Paul H ugarbaker ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cytoreductive Surgery ◽  
Systemic Chemotherapy ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Regional Chemotherapy ◽  
Peritoneal Mesothelioma ◽  
Perioperative Chemotherapy ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Peritoneal Space

Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is a rare but aggressive disease with a poor sustained response to systemic chemotherapy. Historically, the median survival has been less than 1 year. The disease rarely disseminates outside of the peritoneal space suggesting that local-regional treatment options may be effective in the long-term control of this malignancy. Establishment of a referral center to concentrate experience with the management of this disease has contributed greatly to progress in its management.Materials and methods:Through a series of Institutional Review Board-approved protocols, a long-standing morbidity/mortality assessment, numerous manuscripts published in the peer-reviewed literature, and participation in numerous national and international workshops, a new standard of care with expectations of long-term survival in a majority of patients has evolved.Results:The surgery for this disease has evolved through a sequence of peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections whose goal is to remove all visible evidence of disease. The first step in successful treatment is a complete cytoreduction. After the cancer resection in the operating room, hyperthermic perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) is used. A three-drug protocol combines heat-augmented chemotherapy within the peritoneal space and systemic chemotherapy that is heat-augmented as a continuous infusion intravenously. Catheters are placed for early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy using paclitaxel for 5 days. Also placed at the time of the cytoreductive surgery is an intraperitoneal port for long-term combined intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy using cisplatin and pemetrexed for 6 months. Patients having the long-term bidirectional chemotherapy have shown statistically significant improved survival compared with those patients who had surgery alone plus the perioperative chemotherapy. There have been no mortality and the grade 4 adverse events have been prospectively accumulated as 12 %.Conclusions:With continued effort, the surgery and long-term regional chemotherapy for DMPM has continued to improve over 20 years. Currently, a management plan that involves cytoreductive surgery, perioperative chemotherapy, and long-term bidirectional chemotherapy has changed the natural history of this disease. A global registry has been initiated to confirm the benefits of these extended treatments.

scholarly journals Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana at Kvismaren, central Sweden – breeding studies and suggested management

Ornis Svecica ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2–4) ◽  
pp. 167-178
Author(s):  
Jan Sondell ◽  
Craig Brookes ◽  
Magnus Persson
Keyword(s):  
Bare Soil ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Autumn Migration ◽  
Northern Sweden ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
Open Ground ◽  
Emberiza Hortulana ◽  
Ortolan Bunting ◽  
Spring Sowing

The only remaining Ortolan Buntings in the province of Närke are about 15 singing males in the Kvismaren valley. We studied this small population intensively during May–June, 2011. We found that the birds depend on bare soil of two kinds: potato fields turning green only in early July and open ground underneath birch and elder vegetation in an old bog. Thus spring sowing may be a “trap” as fields that look optimal when the Ortolans arrive in early May will in a few weeks turn green and become less suitable for breeding. In 2011, 6 pairs likely raised young and this result seems normal. Possibly this very small population persists due to recruitment from the much larger population in northern Sweden, that passes through Kvismaren during spring and autumn migration. The central Swedish population is only about 100 pairs and will probably disappear if a management plan is not implemented rapidly. New potentially suitable areas must be identified, and optimal breeding conditions must be provided at sites where Ortolan Buntings still occur.

Genetics of reintroduced populations of the narrowly endemic thistle, Cirsium pitcheri (Asteraceae)

Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremie B. Fant ◽  
Andrea Kramer ◽  
Eileen Sirkin ◽  
Kayri Havens
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Inbreeding Coefficients ◽  
Native Populations ◽  
Population Sizes

The aim of any reintroduction is to provide sufficient genetic variability to buffer against changing selection pressures and ensure long-term survival. To date, few empirical studies have compared levels of genetic diversity in reintroduced and native plant populations. Using microsatellite markers, we measured the genetic diversity within reintroduced and native populations of the threatened Cirsium pitcher (Eaton) Torrey and Gray. We found that the use of local mixed source was successful in establishing populations with significantly higher genetic diversity (P < 0.005) than the native populations (allelic richness is 3.39 in reintroduced and 1.84 in native populations). However, the reintroduced populations had significantly higher inbreeding coefficients (P < 0.002) (FIS is 0.405 and 0.213 in reintroduced and in native populations, respectively), despite having multiple genetic founders, population sizes equivalent to native populations and a positive growth rate. These results may be due to inbreeding or the Wahlund effect, driven by genetic substructuring. This suggests that the small population size of these reintroduced populations may lead to genetic issues in the future, given the low number of flowering individuals each year. This highlights the importance of considering not only the number of source individuals but the effective population size of the reintroduction.

scholarly journals Threats to a small population: a census and conservation recommendations for wild buffalo Bubalus arnee in Nepal

Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel T. Heinen ◽  
Ramchandra Kandel
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Maoist Insurgency ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Wildlife Reserve ◽  
Human Encroachment

We censused wild buffalo Bubalus arnee in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal, in March 2004 using methods employed in earlier surveys, and estimated a population of 159 animals. Since the last census in 2000 the management situation has deteriorated. Guard posts have been evacuated due to the Maoist insurgency. The entire Army Battalion usually posted in the Reserve was at Headquarters at the time of this study and therefore there were no patrols over most of the Reserve, and much human encroachment. Mortality from flooding and road deaths, and possibly poaching for meat, were evident, and males suffered more mortality overall than females. Despite these threats the population had increased since 2000, albeit at a lower rate than previously. Active management, including interventions within the Reserve and a translocation of some individuals to Chitwan National Park, are recommended.

scholarly journals Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata): Conservation and management plan 2020–2024

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Management Plan ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Cyclura Carinata ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Conservation And Management

The Endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguana, Cyclura carinata, is found only on the islands and cays of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), and on Booby Cay in The Bahamas, northwest of Providenciales. These iguanas now occupy less than 10 percent of their historic range largely due to the impact of invasive mammalian predators. Although conservation efforts have led to stabilisation of the population resulting in the 2020 down-listing of this species from Critically Endangered to Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, threats persist and management efforts are needed. This document presents a comprehensive four-year plan for the conservation and management actions considered essential to ensuring the long-term survival of Cyclura carinata in the wild. This document combines knowledge and expertise from local government, local and international NGOs, the tourism industry, educators, homeowners, private island managers, civil society, and members of the IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Group working in the TCI.

Feral cat diet and predation on endangered endemic mammals on a biodiversity hot spot (Amami–Ohshima Island, Japan)

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazumi Shionosaki ◽  
Fumio Yamada ◽  
Takuya Ishikawa ◽  
Shozo Shibata
Keyword(s):  
Prey Item ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Scat Analysis ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Main Prey

Context There has been concern that feral cats have negative impacts on the endangered endemic mammals of Amami-Ohshima Island, Japan, including the Amami rabbit, Pentalagus furnessi, Ryukyu long-tailed giant rat, Diplothrix legata, and Amami spiny rat, Tokudaia osimensis. However, no diet study of feral cat has been conducted to support the necessity of an urgent feasible feral-cat management for the island. Aims The aims of the present study were to analyse feral-cat diet on Amami-Ohshima Island by using scat analysis and estimate the potential predation impact of feral cats on endangered mammals on the island. Methods The diet of feral cats was studied using scat analysis. We estimated the number of prey, percentage of prey, frequency of occurrence (the percentage of scats in a sample containing a particular prey item), percentage of biomass (biomass of the same prey item divided by the total consumed biomass ×100) and daily consumed biomass (DCB). Key results Three endangered endemic mammals were the main prey species of the feral cat diet (65% of total DCB). The percentage contributions of these species on DCB were long-tailed giant rat (34.7%), Amami spiny rat (21.9%) and Amami rabbit (12%). Conclusions Mammals, especially endangered endemic mammals, were main prey species of feral cat on Amami Island. In Amami Island, where native and invasive rodents coexisted, feral cats consumed more native (56.6%) than invasive (22.2% for Rattus rattus) species. Implications Feral cats are likely to be having a significant impact on endangered endemic mammals on the island. To ensure the long-term survival of these endemic species, active management of the feral-cat population should be considered.

Isolated Tricuspid Valvectomy: A Series of cases with Intravenous Drug Abuse Associated Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (08) ◽  
pp. 631-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Usman Bin Mahmood ◽  
Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako ◽  
Makoto Mori ◽  
John A. Elefteriades ◽  
Pramod Bonde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tricuspid Valve ◽  
Addiction Treatment ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Intravenous Drug ◽  
Comorbid Condition ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Cardiac Surgeons ◽  
Addiction Drug

Introduction Surgical management for tricuspid valve (TV) endocarditis is usually TV repair or replacement. When repair is not feasible, and concerns for patient recidivism preclude TV replacement, tricuspid valvectomy without replacement is an option to alleviate symptoms and allow time for addiction management. Methods We reviewed our institution's experience with isolated tricuspid valvectomy for cases of intravenous drug use (IVDU)-associated endocarditis (n = 7) from 2009 to 2017. Results The decision for tricuspid valvectomy was based on each patient's comorbid condition and realization of active IVDU. This intervention resulted in 100% perioperative and mid-term survival with a mean follow-up of 25.4 months. One patient required a valve replacement in the long term only after appropriate substance abuse management was completed. Conclusion Cardiac surgeons increasingly encounter patients with active endocarditis who suffer from IVDU addiction. Drug addiction increases the risk for recurrent endocarditis and requires an effective management plan. Multidisciplinary endocarditis care teams may play a pivotal role in improving outcomes by better addressing addiction treatment.

scholarly journals Persister cells mediate tolerance to metal oxyanions in Escherichia coli

Microbiology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 151 (10) ◽  
pp. 3181-3195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe J. Harrison ◽  
Howard Ceri ◽  
Nicole J. Roper ◽  
Erin A. Badry ◽  
Kimberley M. Sproule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Viable Cell ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Persister Cells ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
High Concentrations

Bacterial cultures produce subpopulations of cells termed ‘persisters’, reputedly known for high tolerance to killing by antibiotics. Ecologically, antibiotics produced by competing microflora are only one potential stress encountered by bacteria. Another pressure in the environment is toxic metals that are distributed ubiquitously by human pollution, volcanic activity and the weathering of minerals. This study evaluated the time- and concentration-dependent killing of Escherichia coli planktonic and biofilm cultures by the water-soluble metal(loid) oxyanions chromate (), arsenate (), arsenite (), selenite (), tellurate () and tellurite (). Correlative to previous reports in the literature, control antibiotic assays indicated that a small proportion of E. coli biofilm populations remained recalcitrant to killing by antibiotics (even with 24 h exposure). In contrast, metal oxyanions presented a slow, bactericidal action that eradicated biofilms. When exposed for 2 h, biofilms were up to 310 times more tolerant to killing by metal oxyanions than corresponding planktonic cultures. However, by 24 h, planktonic cells and biofilms were eradicated at approximately the same concentration in all instances. Coloured complexes of metals and chelators could not be generated in biofilms exposed to or , suggesting that the extracellular polymeric matrix of E. coli may have a low binding affinity for metal oxyanions. Viable cell counts at 2 and 24 h exposure revealed that, at high concentrations, all of the metal oxyanions had killed 99 % (or a greater proportion) of the bacterial cells in biofilm populations. It is suggested here that the short-term survival of <1 % of the bacterial population corresponds well with the hypothesis that a small population of persister cells may be responsible for the time-dependent tolerance of E. coli biofilms to high concentrations of metal oxyanions.

scholarly journals Genetic and viability assessment of a reintroduced Eurasian otter Lutra lutra population on the River Ticino, Italy

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Alessandro Balestrieri ◽  
Luca Gianfranceschi ◽  
Francesca Verduci ◽  
Emanuele Gatti ◽  
Pietro Boggioni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Population ◽  
Lutra Lutra ◽  
Founder Population ◽  
Viability Assessment ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Eurasian Otter ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Genetic Pool

Abstract On the River Ticino in northern Italy, a small number of captive Eurasian otters Lutra lutra, belonging to the European breeding programme for self-sustaining captive populations, were reintroduced in 1997, after the species had been declared locally extinct in the 1980s. We surveyed for otter signs in 2008, 2010, 2016–2017 and 2018, confirming the presence of what is probably a small population. To assess the abundance and viability of the population, we genotyped fresh spraints collected during the last two surveys, using 11 microsatellite markers, and modelled the population trend using Vortex. A minimum of six individuals were identified from 25 faecal samples. The analysis of mitochondrial DNA determined that the reintroduced otters share a transversion that is characteristic of the Asiatic subspecies Lutra lutra barang, confirming the contribution of the Asiatic subspecies to the genetic pool of the captive-bred founder population. Population size was consistent with the release of three pairs of otters and all models implied that the number of founders was too small to ensure the long-term survival of the population. Stochastic factors are therefore likely to threaten the success of this reintroduction.

Simulating Success or Failure: Another Look at Small-Population Dynamics

1997 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia W. Gaines ◽  
Warren M. Gaines
Keyword(s):  
Family Formation ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Mortality Statistics ◽  
Monte Carlo Techniques ◽  
Founding Population ◽  
Prehistoric Southwest ◽  
The Individual

Simulation can be an effective tool for investigating the demography of small, prehistoric Southwest Pueblo communities. The model presented here incorporates biological and physiological, cultural, and behavioral characteristics and tracks each individual as the simulation of a small population is carried forward through 70 years of annual iterations. Sensitivity analyses are performed for a suite of critical parameter values. Many of parameters and functions are probabilistic, and Monte Carlo techniques are used to obtain statistically significant results. Simulation results are collected on numerous variables that profile the individual and group characteristics such as mortality, immigration to emigration ratio, nuclear family formation, and distribution of population size and mix. Initial success is dependent on the attributes of the founding population and its gender mix. The long-term survival of a small population is extremely sensitive to the mortality schedule, attributes of the founding population, and marriage-residence rules. Small shifts in the age-specific mortality statistics dramatically affect the population growth and the frequency of site collapse. The consequences of inaccuracies in mortality statistics are highlighted.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document