scholarly journals Field Activity of Reticulitermes grassei (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Oak Forests of the Southern Iberian Peninsula

Sociobiology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana M Cardenas ◽  
Lourdes Moyano ◽  
Patricia Gallardo ◽  
Juan M. Hidalgo

This paper presents preliminary data on the field activity of Reticulitermes grassei Clément in oak forests of the southern Iberian Peninsula. Recent research has provided information on the nature and intensity of termite damage to cork oaks (Quercus suber, L.) in northern Andalusia (Spain). Taking that information into account, the present study sought to determine annual field activity pattern in R. grassei, with a view to identifying more precisely the best time for applying control techniques. Data were obtained from field monitoring experiments conducted over a complete one-year cycle using termite-specific baited traps. Results for relative termite numbers at different periods indicated that forest activity was most intense in mid-summer, whilst the surface foraging area was greatest from late summer to early fall, peaking after the first autumnal rains. The findings of this study may help to enhance the efficacy of termite bait treatments in natural environments, since baits decay and lose effectiveness over time, and are also dispersed by the termites themselves. Accurate information on peak termite activity periods would enable products to be applied in most favorable timing, thus optimizing the results of treatment.

2000 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simón Fos ◽  
Philippe Clerc

AbstractFifteen species of Usnea are recorded from Iberian cork-oak forests: U. ceratina, U. comma, U. dasaea, U. esperantiana, U. flammea, U. fulvoreagens, U. glabrata, U. hirta, U. mutabilis, U. rubicunda, U. subcornuta, U. subfloridana U. subscabrosa, U. substerilis and U. wasmuthii. A key for these species is provided. Details of morphology, chemistry, distribution, ecology and taxonomy are discussed. Usnea dasaea is reported as new to the Iberian Peninsula. New chemotypes of U. fulvoreagens (with squamatic acid) and U. wasmuthii (with psoromic acid) have been identified. Distribution maps of U. dasaeaand U. subcornuta in Europe are presented. A new combination, Usnea subfloridana subsp. praetervisa (Asahina) P. Clerc, is proposed.


VASA ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asciutto ◽  
Lindblad

Background: The aim of this study is to report the short-term results of catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy (CDFS) in the treatment of axial saphenous vein incompetence. Patients and methods: Data of all patients undergoing CDFS for symptomatic primary incompetence of the great or small saphenous vein were prospectively collected. Treatment results in terms of occlusion rate and patients’ grade of satisfaction were analysed. All successfully treated patients underwent clinical and duplex follow-up examinations one year postoperatively. Results: Between September 2006 and September 2010, 357 limbs (337 patients) were treated with CDFS at our institution. Based on the CEAP classification, 64 were allocated to clinical class C3 , 128 to class C4, 102 to class C5 and 63 to class C6. Of the 188 patients who completed the one year follow up examination, 67 % had a complete and 14 % a near complete obliteration of the treated vessel. An ulcer-healing rate of 54 % was detected. 92 % of the patients were satisfied with the results of treatment. We registered six cases of thrombophlebitis and two cases of venous thromboembolism, all requiring treatment. Conclusions: The short-term results of CDFS in patients with axial vein incompetence are acceptable in terms of occlusion and complications rates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia C. Faulkner ◽  
Ruth M. Elsey ◽  
David Hala ◽  
Lene H. Petersen

AbstractAmerican alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabit freshwater wetlands that are vulnerable to salinization caused by anthropogenic alterations to freshwater flow, in addition to storm surges, sea level rise, and droughts. Salinization of coastal freshwater habitats is a growing concern in a changing climate due to increased frequency and intensity of storm surges and drought conditions. This study opportunistically sampled juvenile male and female wild alligators in various salinities each month excluding November, December, and January for one year at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in coastal Louisiana. Blood plasma biochemistry parameters including electrolyte levels were subsequently measured. In addition, levels of various renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system hormones, glucocorticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestogens were analyzed using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Only males were sampled in hyperosmotic environments (> 10‰) during dry conditions in late summer 2018. In juvenile males, plasma Na+, Cl−, and the progestogen 17α,20β-dihydroxypregnenone were significantly and positively correlated with environmental salinity. However, variation in glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens were not associated with hypersaline water while sex steroids showed significant seasonal variation. This study demonstrated significant correlation of environmental salinity with electrolyte levels and a sex steroid in wild juvenile alligators, and to our knowledge represents the first measurement of 17α,20β-dihydroxypregnenone in alligators.


1953 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 415 ◽  
Author(s):  
MW Jeffery

Investigation into the possible sources of primary infection by the fungus Ventruia inaequalis (Cooke) Wint. in spring has been carried out. The results present new information on the life cycle of the pathogen under South Australian conditions. Sources of primary infection, such 'as lesions on one-year-old wood or overwintering superficial conidia on the trees, do not appear important. Bud-scale infection of dormant buds has been shown, and its relative importance is discussed. Ascospores are the most important source of primary infection. Their period of discharge extends to a later date than previously reported for South Australia and is considered in relation to leader shoot and late summer spot infection.


2013 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 44-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Vilches ◽  
Miquel De Cáceres ◽  
Daniel Sánchez-Mata ◽  
Rosario G. Gavilán

2017 ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Guadalupe Cornejo-Tenorio ◽  
Alejandro Casas ◽  
Berenice Farfán ◽  
José Luis Villaseñor ◽  
Guillermo Ibarra-Manríquez

A study of the flora and vegetation physiognomy was conducted at the core zones of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, in the states of México and Michoacán. Collection of plant specimens was carried out du ring one year of field work and this activity was supplemented by a review of voucher specimens previously collected in the area and deposited at the Mexican herbaria IEB, EBUM, and MEXU. A total of 423 vascular plant species including 32 infraespecific taxa and grouped in 86 families and 244 genera were identified, Families with the largest species richness were Asteraceae (103), Lamiaceae (21), Fabaceae (17), and Scrophulariaceae (17).The most speciose genera were Salvia (13), Stevia (8), and Ageratina (7). Mexican endemic species comprised 135 (31.9%) species, which included 13 infrae spec ific taxa; 40 of these species belong to Asteraceae. Herbs were represented by 326 species, followed by shrubs (5 1) and trees (33). The main vegetation types recognized were coniferous forest (including combinations of fir, pine, and oak forests), cloud forest, anthropogenic grass land, and Quercus forest.


Author(s):  
Jose Herrera-Camacho ◽  
Eduardo Baltierra-Trejo ◽  
Paul Adolfo Taboada-González ◽  
Luisa Fernanda Gonzalez ◽  
Liliana Marquez-Benavides

Mexico´s inhabitants have approximately 7 million dogs and cats as pets, of which there is no accurate information about their environmental impacts as a result of their feeding and comfort requirements. The objective of this study is to compare the environmental footprint between a dog and a cat in a family environment. For this purpose, a life cycle analysis was performed including, among other factors, its feeding and waste management in one year of life. Different environmental indicators including the carbon footprint were considered. It was found that the equivalent CO2 emission of a dog is twice that estimated for a domestic cat and that the main contribution is due to the food production. The ecological footprint that is generated when satisfying the requirements for pet´s well-being impacts in the environment contributes primarily to the carbon footprint.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elia Ciani ◽  
Kristine von Krogh ◽  
Rasoul Nourizadeh-Lillabadi ◽  
Ian Mayer ◽  
Romain Fontaine ◽  
...  

AbstractMale Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) display different sexual strategies, maturing either as parr during the freshwater phase (as sneaky spawners), or as post smolts following one or several years at sea. First sexual maturation (puberty) occurs at different times depending on environmental and genetic factors. To improve our knowledge on the timing (age and season) of first sexual maturation in Atlantic salmon male parr, we investigated pubertal activation in second generation farmed salmon from the Norwegian river Figgjo, reared under natural conditions of photoperiod and water temperature. Histological analysis, in combination with morphometric measurements, plasma androgen levels and pituitary gonadotropin gene expression analysis revealed that, as previously reported, some male parr initiated early sexual maturation in spring at one year of age. Interestingly, some male parr were observed to initiate sexual maturation already in autumn, six months after hatching (under-yearlings), much earlier than reported in previous studies. One-year old maturing males showed a low induction in gonadotropin levels, while under-yearling maturing males displayed a significant increase in fshb transcripts as compared to immature fish. Plasma testosterone, detectable also in immature males, increased constantly during testes development, while 11-ketotestosterone, undetectable in immature and early maturing males, increased during more advanced stages of maturation. A mild feminization of the testes (ovotestes) was detected in a subset of samples. This study brings new knowledge on the little investigated field of sexually maturing under-yearlings in Atlantic salmon. This is also the first study comparing the physiology of under-yearling vs one-year old maturing male parr, thus bringing new insights to the remarkable plasticity of Atlantic salmon puberty.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e70549
Author(s):  
Jordi Bou ◽  
Lluís Vilar

The sessile oak forests found on the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula are ascribed to the Lathyro-Quercetumpetraeae association and play a key role in understanding the ecology of this habitat, as this region represents its xeric limit. For this reason, we analysed the biodiversity patterns and current conservation status of the sessile oak forests in the region. To do so, we collected Braun-Blanquet inventories of 34 plots randomly distributed throughout the sessile oak forests. The results showed a relationship between the climatic conditions and the biodiversity variables. While the richness of the community increased with decreasing temperatures, the characteristic species found within the community decreased at these same temperatures. This result was due to the presence of most companion species in the cool zones at high elevations.Sessile oaks are found close to other communities, such as silver birches and Scot pine forests.On the other hand, in the warm areas at low elevations, the sessile oak community was more established, with plants typical of this type of forest. These slightly warmer zones with sessile oaks are very important in terms of conservation and more vulnerable to climate change and the thermophilization of the community, as has been studied. As such, protecting and managing these forests is key to conserving this community. Nevertheless, as current protection measures do not safeguard most of these forests, it is essential to define a conservation strategy to preserve them. Using the conservation status, we have established criteria to improve the conservation strategy for sessile oak forest on the NE Iberian Peninsula.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 894-906
Author(s):  
Jordi Bou ◽  
Lluís Vilar

AbstractAimsOur aims were 3-fold: (i) to determine whether global change has altered the composition and structure of the plant community found in the sessile oak forests on the NE Iberian Peninsula over the last decades, (ii) to establish whether the decline in forest exploitation activities that has taken place since the mid-20th century has had any effect on the forests and (iii) to ascertain whether there is any evidence of impact from climate warming.MethodsWe assess changes in the plant community by comparing a current survey of sessile oak forest with a historical data set obtained from previous regional studies dating from 1962 to 1977. We analyse the regional changes in the community in terms of biodiversity variables, species composition and plant traits. Furthermore, plants traits such as plant life forms and chorological groups are used to discern any effects from land-use changes and climate warming on the plant community.Important FindingsThere has been a loss of diversity in the community and, in the hottest region, there is also a loss of species richness. The composition of the community suggests that, although significant changes have taken place over recent decades, these changes differ between regions as a result of the low impact global change has had in the western regions. For instance, while the tree canopy cover in the western sessile oak forests remains stable, the eastern sessile oak forests are still recovering from the former exploitation that led to a loss of their rich and abundant herbaceous stratum. In fact, the recovery process in the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range has constituted an increase in the Euro-Siberian plants typical to this community. Moreover, in the eastern forests, there is evidence that climate warming has impacted the thermophilization of the sessile oak forests found on the Coastal Range.


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