Ontogenetic instars of Hermannia longisetosa Subías & Shtanchaeva, 2013, with remarks on juveniles of Hermanniidae (Acari: Oribatida)

Information on the morphological ontogeny of the majority species of the family Hermanniidae is still lacking. In this work, the ontogenetic instars of the Mediterranean species, Hermannia longisetosa Subías & Shtanchaeva, 2013 are studied, based on material from northwestern Spain. Comparative characteristics of juveniles of species belonging to different genera of Hermanniidae are given based on our own data and available literature sources, and the major characteristics of larvae and nymphs are presented. An updated family and generic diagnoses based on juveniles of Hermanniidae are proposed. At the moment, the juveniles of two genera, Hermannia and Phyllhermannia are known, which differ from one another in the pattern of cuticle plications of the gastronotum; number of solenidia on leg tarsi I and II; number of setae on palp femur; setal formula of leg IV in protonymph; and the arrangement of gastronotic setae of c- and d-series.

Nutritional Value of Whole Maize Kernels from Diverse Endosperm Types and Effects on Rheological Quality

Maize’s (Zea mays L.) nutrient content can be modified through selection. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritive value of 13 maize hybrids from four endosperm types, and the relationship between nutrient concentration, agronomic and rheological value. The hybrids were evaluated in two locations of Northwestern Spain over two years. There was genetic diversity among endosperm types and genotypes for all nutrients, with significant environmental effects, but few genotype × environment interactions. Flint hybrids had the highest protein and lipid content. The mutant wx1 significantly increased protein and reduced lipid, and both wx1 and o2 reduced ash and starch content and increased total fiber. Variability among hybrids within the wx1 endosperm was significant for most nutrients. Correlations between nutrients were rarely significant, implying that protein and lipid can be improved independently. Protein and lipid were negatively correlated with grain yield and plant height. However, improving nutrient content could alter agronomic performance, as nutrients had significant negative effects on rheological factors, particularly protein and lipid, which had negative effects on whole meal and on bread characteristics. Therefore, nutrient content can be improved in maize, but negative effects on agronomic and quality have to be taken into account.

Gregariousness and intraspecific aggression in Iberian bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula iberiae) throughout the year

This study provides novel information about gregariousness and intraspecific aggression in Iberian bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula iberiae) in northwestern Spain. Small monospecific parties never exceeding 10 individuals were seen throughout the year, larger in winter on average. Males considerably outnumbered females within the groups. Adult flocks were frequent only in winter. In spring, many of the adult groups were mixed-sex assemblages composed of pairs plus supernumerary males. Sightings of juvenile groups, up to seven individuals, were common in summer–autumn. The vigilance role in mixed-sex assemblages, including pairs, appeared to be the responsibility of males based on sex-specific vigilance rates. The highest frequency of aggressive encounters, mainly male against male, occurred during the breeding season, associated with mate defence. Females attacked males, not the contrary, which supports reversed sexual dominance in bullfinches. Gregariousness probably acted as an anti-predatory and foraging strategy.

New Vegetable Brassica Foods: A Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds

Brassica rapa is grown in northwestern Spain to obtain turnip greens. The tops of the same plants (flower stems with buds) are cut and sell as turnip tops, increasing the value of the crop. This practice could be extended to other brassicas. The objectives of this work are to study the phytochemical potential of tops of coles (Brassica oleracea) and leaf rape (Brassica napus) compared to turnip tops and to compare tops of different coles (cabbage, kale, tronchuda cabbage), which differ in their morphology and use. We evaluated the content of glucosinolates and phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity in leaves and tops of the three species. We found that tops had higher amount of glucosinolates than leaves. Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity followed the opposite trend. Therefore, consumption of leaves and tops are complementary, since both type of organs are enriched with different types of compound. Local varieties of kale, curly kale, cabbage and curly leave cabbage are interesting because of their GSLs and phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in both leaves and tops. From the human health perspective, tops of coles and leaf rape are interesting as new crops to include in the diet.

Evaluating the Diversity of Ecotypes of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) from Northwestern Spain by Phenotypic Traits and Microsatellites

For more than 50 years, the CIAM-AGACAL (Agricultural Research Centre of Mabegondo, Xunta de Galicia, A Coruña, Spain) has been carrying out the important task of conserving the phytogenetic resources of ecotypes and natural populations of grassland species from northwestern Spain. The CIAM-AGACAL’s germplasm bank has 57 populations of red clover (Trifolium pratense Lam.), one of the most cultivated forage legumes in the world. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the diversity among cultivars and natural clover populations at morphological and molecular level. Twelve polymorphic SSR loci revealed 241 microsatellite alleles with an average of 20.08 alleles per locus. Two main groups were detected by the Structure software, one of them including local populations and the second clustering cultivars and related populations. Intra-specific variability was found among cultivars and natural populations. A moderate genetic differentiation of Spanish red clover cultivars was observed (Fst = 0.08) between the two main clusters. Finally, a certain relationship between phenotypic and genotypic variation was detected.

Nest-site selection and nest design of Iberian bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula iberiae in northwestern Spain

Nest-habitat selection and nest design in a Eurasian bullfinch population in the Iberian Peninsula are thoroughly addressed in this study for the first time. Hedgerows and meadows were found around all of the nests and most of them were supported by hedgerows, so bullfinches consistently used the general woody vegetation available as reproduction habitat and site. Also, poplar plantations appeared preferentially in the immediate surroundings of the nests. Partly reflecting these results, bullfinches chose zones with greater shrub and tree cover than that available. Bullfinches placed their nests on a wide variety of plant species, but showed predilection for thorny species. Overall mean height of nests above the ground was 1.43 m and large-sized shrubs/trees were preferred. The most predominant bullfinch nest orientations were S, E and centered, which arguably provided thermal benefits and protected from severe weather. In general, there were no significant temporal variations in nest-site selection. With the exception of thorny support and favourable orientation, acting jointly, there was no significant association between nest-site characteristics and nesting success, presumably because many nests were already located in the most advantageous places at each time, and because despite this, predation pressure was high. Nest external dimensions were relatively variable, whereas internal width was the least variable nest dimension. No significant monthly or interannual variations in nest weight were observed. Larger nests did not hold larger clutches. Successful nests were larger than unsuccessful ones. The bullfinch nests were of simple construction, with two clearly different regions, the outer nest and the internal cup, with no significant temporal variations in the weight of either. The outer, structural nest consisted mainly of twigs, whereas roots and herbaceous shoots were the highest fractions lining the cup. Hair was the only animal-derived material used by bullfinches.

Territories of Faith: 1000 Years of Landscape Multifunctionality in Santa Mariña de Augas Santas (NW Spain)

Landscape multifunctionality is increasingly recognized as an important aspect in sustainability and developmental debates. Yet, how and why a multifunctional landscape configuration develops over time has not been sufficiently studied. Here we present the geoarchaeological investigation of the Santa Mariña de Augas Santas site, in northwestern Spain. We focus on the role of religious practice, and of its interplay with productive strategies, in landscape transformation. A geochemical, mineralogical, and geochronological characterization of the pedo-sedimentary record (including XRF, EA-IRMS, XRD, OSL and 14C measurements) allowed to characterize catchment scale sedimentation processes in relation to agricultural activities. The geographical and chronological coincidence of production functions with documented religious activities demonstrate that both aspects shared geographical spaces during the last millennium. Current landscape multifunctionality at Santa Mariña is thus not the final outcome of a specific evolution, but an essential aspect of traditional land use strategies through history and a driver of change. This work highlights the need of a long-term study of the processes of landscape configuration when assessing the sustainability of traditional productive systems.