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The Mediterranean coast holds a wide and rich variety of wetlands, some of which are protected by international laws, but at the same time have been historically subjected to threatening activities such as agriculture, pollution and aquifer overexploitation. As part of a conservation and restoration project at the Marjal dels Moros coastal wetland (Eastern Iberian Peninsula) we initiated investigations to begin to characterise aquatic environments, and evaluate changes in the system experienced in recent times. To this aim, we collected four seasonal samples at seven points of the Marjal dels Moros wetland, varying in salinity, permanence and other environmental conditions, and studied the recent past (early modern to contemporary remains) and present (living) communities of Ostracoda. We found relatively poor species richness overall, possibly related to the brackish and seasonal character of large parts of the wetland. Of the seven species encountered the most common ostracods were tolerant to these stressing conditions: Heterocypris salina, Sarscypridopsis aculeata, Ilyocypris gibba and Cypridopsis vidua. A comparison of dead and living assemblages showed no significant differences, suggesting that the overall ostracod metacommunity was resilient to the perturbations experienced in the area, despite some particular locations recording notable shifts in their communities during the sampling period.

The recent seismic activity recorded in Jaen province in the south-east Iberian Peninsula has triggered great alarm among the people of the towns of Torreperogil and Sabiote despite the low magnitude of the events. The main objective of this paper is to examine why these low-magnitude events are responsible for such a high degree of concern in this area of low seismicity. Of all possible explanations, including directivity effects and local geology, we found that the site effect was the most important candidate for clarifying this phenomenon. An earthquake scenario was considered for the maximum 5.2 Mw shock that could occur in the event of the rupture of the identified responsible blind fault. In order to simulate the strong motion derived from such as extreme event, a stochastic finite-fault simulation was generated using the standard values of the different media parameters for the region and a stress drop of 130 bar, deduced from the simulation of the greatest shock of the sequence. In order to include the site effect, which was considered to be very important in this study, a local survey using refraction micro-tremor (ReMi) techniques was performed in both towns (at 33 and 35 sites in Torreperogil and Sabiote, respectively) to determine the Vs30 values. The site response results obtained were taken into account in the simulation process, and the results are shown on peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV) contour maps for each town, with 200–500 cm/s2 as PGA extreme values. A map of intensities obtained from the PGV map is also shown; for the extreme event, macroseismic EMS98 intensities in the range of V–VII were obtained for those towns. The deterministic earthquake scenario developed here will be of great interest in planning civil defence responses in the event of an earthquake emergency and in regional development.

Online Material: Tables of station orientations and earthquake catalog, and figures showing comparison of synthetic and observed waveforms. The orientation of seismic instruments relative to north is a critical parameter in many seismological applications. Three‐dimensional studies of surface‐wave dispersion depend on accurate seismic sensor orientation (Ekstrom et al. , 1997). This parameter is also important in the study of off‐great‐circle propagation of long‐period surface waves (Laske, 1995), as well as in estimates of the anisotropic structure of the mantle using SKS splitting observations (Long et al. , 2009). Finally, sensor orientation is critical in the comparison of observed and synthetic records in seismic source studies. In a recent study of southern Iberia and the influence of the moment tensor resolvability, Zahradnik and Custodio (2012) found that a 10° sensor misorientation induces data errors that vary between 10% and 40% of the amplitude of the original waveform; for a station with a 30° misorientation, the original waveform will thus have an error between 30% and 90%. These are just a few examples from seismic research showing the great influence that correct orientation exerts on a seismic station’s horizontal components. Several factors act as sources of misorientation. First, in many seismic networks, such as the Spanish Broadband National Network (SBNN), most of the seismometers are installed in abandoned mines or natural caves that have no direct line of sight to any external point of reference. An overall precision of ±1° has been reached using precise magnetic orientation; however, this is not possible in locations where magnetic material is present. Often, reorientations are not performed during reinstallations, maintenance visits, or seismometer changes. There is no information available or recorded regarding operational routing; in other words, there is no obtainable log of possible relocations of seismometer. Second, the orientation obtained at the entrance to the site …

Symbiont spillover involves the emergence of new interactions that can influence both the symbiont and the host invasion processes. Here we aimed at experimentally testing the transmission of an exotic ectosymbiont, Ankylocythere sinuosa (Ostracoda, Entocytheridae), from a crayfish invader (Procambarus clarkii) to a native European crayfish (Austropotamobius italicus). Crayfish transmitter and receiver were placed in the same container during 4 days. Three experimental treatments were designed: (i) crayfish transmitter alone (i.e. control group); (ii) cleaned P. clarkii as crayfish receiver; (iii) A. italicus as crayfish receiver. The proportions of colonised crayfish were 92% for P. clarkii and 100% for A. italicus. Mean symbiont emission rate of the control group was 2.75%, with 2.5 times odds increase under the presence of crayfish receiver. Mean transmission rate in treatments with P. clarkii receivers was 38.48%, with higher odds to bigger crayfish receivers (5% increase per gram) and to A. italicus (2.1 times). All entocytherid growth stages were transmitted. We demonstrated that entocytherids harbour transmission features that allow them to achieve successful spillover in nature. However, the symbiont was not found on native crayfish in nature hitherto, probably due to host competitive exclusion and crayfish plague acting on native hosts.

Invasive alien species present a global threat to biodiversity, particularly where pathogens and symbionts are involved. Branchiobdellidans are clitellate annelids with an obligate ectosymbiotic association primarily on astacoidean crayfish. There are several examples of branchiobdellidan species adopting a geographically exotic host where endemic and exotic crayfishes cohabit the same water body. The first records of a western North American branchiobdellidan, Xironogiton victoriensis , adopting the eastern North American crayfish, Procambarus clarkii , in 2 river basins in Spain provide further evidence of the ectosymbionts’ tolerance to adopt an exotic host. Given worldwide translocations of these and other commercial crayfish species, limnologists and agency managers need to be alert for further introductions of X . victoriensis and other branchiobdellidans. Impacts of these exotic ectosymbionts on habitat and biota at a new location are unknown, as are their consequences on native biodiversity.

18 páginas, 6 figuras, 1 tabla., The deficiency in the distributional data of invertebrate taxa is one of the major impediments acting on the bias towards the low awareness of its conservation status. The present study sets a basic framework to understand the large branchiopods distribution in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands. Since the extensive surveys performed in the late 1980s, no more studies existed updating the information for the whole studied area. The present study fills the gap, gathering together all available information on large branchiopods distribution since 1995, and analysing the effect of human population density and several landscape characteristics on their distribution, taking into consideration different spatial scales (100 m, 1 km and 10 km). In overall, 28 large branchiopod taxa (17 anostracans, 7 notostracans and 4 spinicaudatans) are known to occur in the area. Approximately 30% of the sites hosted multiple species, with a maximum of 6 species. Significant positive co-occurring species pairs were found clustered together, forming 4 different associations of large branchiopod species. In general, species clustered in the same group showed similar responses to analysed landscape characteristics, usually showing a better fit at higher spatial scales., MF is supported by a grant from the Brazilian Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientı´fico e Tecnolo´gico—CNPq (401045/ 2014-5), program Cieˆncia sem Fronteiras. DC-M held a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU014/06783).

[ES] Se presenta una recopilación de los resultados de varios proyectos, desarrollados entre los años 2004 y 2015, sobre la presencia de los mosquitos de la familia Culicidae en el entorno de la Devesa y el Racó de l¿Olla del Parque Natural de l¿Albufera de Valencia (España). Se registró un total de 10 especies pertenecientes a cinco géneros (Aedes, Coquillettidia, Culex, Culiseta y Ochlerotatus), alguno de estos muy característicos de los ambientes donde fueron recolectados. Se tratan diferentes aspectos sobre la diversidad de culícidos, así como del interés ecológico y sanitario de la presencia de los mismos. Destacamos la existencia de la especie Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) en un espacio acotado por viviendas, construidas en los años 1970, y no recolectada en las malladas. [EN] A compilation of the results obtained in several projects developed between the years 2004 and 2015 on the presence of the mosquitoes of the family Culicidae in the surroundings of the Devesa and Racó de l'Olla of the Albufera Natural Park of Valencia (Spain). A total of 10 species belonging to five genera (Aedes, Coquillettidia, Culex, Culiseta and Ochlerotatus) were recorded, some of them very characteristic of the environments where they were collected. Different aspects are discussed on the culicid diversity, as well as on the ecological and health interest of the presence of these species. We highlight the presence of the species Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) in a space limited by housing, built in the 1970s, and not collected in the malladas.

This document is focused on the establishment of a methodology to assess erosive processes in a coastal wetland. Particularly, it analyses the spit that separates the lagoon from the sea, elaborating a diagnostic process that helps to characterize the effect of the coastal infrastructure in morphological changes in a short and medium-term. Elements such as the morphology, the wave climate, the hydrodynamic and the evolution monitoring of coastline are key elements to understand whether a coastal wetland is on equilibrium or in the contrary, its state of vulnerability is such that in the slightest change in physics conditions will produce negative effects by the system instability.

A kinematic finite‐source study of the 11 May 2011 M w 5.2 Lorca, Spain, earthquake has been performed using broadband data from the Spanish National Network. The nodal plane ambiguity of the double‐couple solution was resolved from finite‐source analysis, and a rupture velocity of 1.8 km s−1 and the northeast–southwest‐striking northwest‐dipping plane was found to best fit the data. This fault plane corresponds to the central sector of the Alhama de Murcia fault (AMF). The resulting slip distribution has a maximum of 19.3 cm and a total seismic moment of 6.25×1016 N·m. A Jackknife test has been performed to estimate the fault plane errors and their consequences in the slip distribution. Also synthetic tests have been performed to evaluate the errors in the finite‐source modeling. From this model, a prediction of the strong ground motion near the fault, corrected for soil amplification, is given in terms of peak ground velocity (PGV), which fits with the observed value at the accelerograph in the city of Lorca. We also compared the PGV converted to modified Mercalli intensity at the surface with the intensity distribution, also showing good agreement. Finally we extracted the directivity pulse from the strong ground motion record at Lorca with 0.5 s period in the transverse component to the AMF direction and 33 cm s−1 PGV. To further analyze the directivity effect, we estimate the duration and azimuthal amplitude distribution of the source time functions, finding them to be shorter and of greater amplitude in the direction of rupture and longer and smaller in amplitude in the opposite direction.

In invasion processes, both abiotic and biotic factors are considered essential, but the latter are usually disregarded when modeling the potential spread of exotic species. In the framework of set theory, interactions between biotic (B), abiotic (A), and movement-related (M) factors in the geographical space can be hypothesized with BAM diagrams and tested using ecological niche models (ENMs) to estimate A and B areas. The main aim of our survey was to evaluate the interactions between abiotic (climatic) and biotic (host availability) factors in geographical space for exotic symbionts (i.e., non-free-living species), using ENM techniques combined with a BAM framework and using exotic Entocytheridae (Ostracoda) found in Europe as model organisms. We carried out an extensive survey to evaluate the distribution of entocytherids hosted by crayfish in Europe by checking 94 European localities and 12 crayfish species. Both exotic entocytherid species found, Ankylocythere sinuosa and Uncinocythere occidentalis, were widely distributed in W Europe living on the exotic crayfish species Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, respectively. No entocytherids were observed in the remaining crayfish species. The suitable area for A. sinuosa was mainly restricted by its own limitations to minimum temperatures in W and N Europe and precipitation seasonality in circum-Mediterranean areas. Uncinocythere occidentalis was mostly restricted by host availability in circum-Mediterranean regions due to limitations of P. leniusculus to higher precipitation seasonality and maximum temperatures. The combination of ENMs with set theory allows studying the invasive biology of symbionts and provides clues about biogeographic barriers due to abiotic or biotic factors limiting the expansion of the symbiont in different regions of the invasive range. The relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors on geographical space can then be assessed and applied in conservation plans. This approach can also be implemented in other systems where the target species is closely interacting with other taxa.

Niche segregation may prevent competitive exclusion and promote local coexistence. This typically results in the occupation of different habitats. In the freshwater ostracod Eucypris virens (Jurine, 1820), the distribution of sexual and parthenogenetic populations in the temporary Lake Caracuel, central Spain, was not homogeneous. Parthenogens were found everywhere including the littoral, whereas sexuals were restricted to the centre. We investigated the hypothesis that spatial distribution responded to ecological differences. We studied the ecological significance of this segregation by linking environmental data to male presence, sexual fraction, ploidy, and genetic structure of our model organism in 12 ponds in the lake basin. Hydro-chemical and biological data indicated that the observed segregation is not only spatial but also ecological, with sexual E. virens occurring in ponds with shorter and probably more unpredictable hydroperiod. The correlations between environmental gradients and E. virens population structure suggest that sexual and parthenogenetic lineages are ecologically segregated. Sexual populations appeared restricted to sufficiently unpredictable environments, while parthenogens dominated environments with longer hydroperiods. Local coexistence seems mediated by spatial heterogeneity in habitat stability.

Online Material: Catalog of 163 studied earthquakes. Intensity data for the past earthquakes in the Iberian Peninsula have been recently collected in several journal publications presenting both the isoseismal lines and the list of the localities with their intensity value (Mezcua, 1982; Martinez‐Solares and Mezcua, 2002), specifically for Catalonia, in the north of Spain (Susagna and Goula, 1999). New historical accounts found for the same earthquakes, studies recently performed for different authors with new interpretations in terms of the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS)‐98 (Grunthal and Levret, 2001), and conversions from ancient intensity scales to the EMS‐98 scale (Musson et al. , 2010) are the new inputs for the compilation of this Intensity Data Bank for the Iberian Peninsula (IDIP). The lowest threshold recorded is intensity 3, and the lowest maximum intensity considered is 5. The purpose of this data bank, which covers the period 1396–2011, is to complete and homogenize an intensity database for seismic studies in the Iberian Peninsula. This data bank includes intensity data for 211 shocks with more than three intensity points and 321 events with only maximum intensity values. Considering the data included in the data bank, we have performed a new estimation of location and moment magnitude of only 163 events with maximum intensity equal to or greater than 5 with at least five intensity points. For this purpose, we consider the technique of Bakun and Wenthworth (1997, 1999) using the previous attenuation relationship we have obtained for the area (Mezcua et al. , 2004) and the recent relationship obtained for the Pyrenees events by Bakun and Scotti (2006). Post 1980 events, in which the instrumental location …

Coastal pond systems can account for a rich aquatic faunal diversity and complex functioning due to interplay between freshwater wetlands and marine influences. Within the large Albufera wetland Natural Park, Raco de l'Olla is constituted by a set of permanent and temporary ponds with strict protection level for migrating bird conservation. Its terrestrial faunal diversity and dynamics has been partially characterized in previous studies, but nothing was known about its ostracod communities. Benthic samples collected monthly for 1 year in 11 points through the pond system, together with limnological information, allowed establishing a sound knowledge on its ostracod community and population ecology. The most common species found were the euryhaline Cyprideis torosa and Heterocypris salina . In addition, it was remarkable the finding of a well-established population of Candonocypris novaezelandiae , a new finding for Europe and considered a potential alien invader. We used multivariate ordination and classification (PCA, RDA and TWINSPAN) to characterize the ostracod biocoenoses and taphocoenoses and their relation to the environmental variables. Our results suggest that hydroperiod and salinity are the main factors structuring ostracod communities in this system. Finally, we discuss the distribution and morphological aspects of C. novaezelandiae and its relation with passive dispersal in such a wetland with a dense population of migrating birds.

A simple method to access unnatural 2-substituted 5-thio oxazolines (II) from sulfoxides (I) is described.

Considering the lack of site effect cartography in the Iberian Peninsula region to be related to the strong motion data, we present a site amplification factor map covering the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Steps leading to produce the map have included the classification of geological units from the 1:1,000,000 scale Geological Map of Spain into six site classes characterized on a seismic response basis, and the calculation, for every site class, of both short-period and mid-period amplification factors. In order to test the validity and applicability of the map, we have calculated the synthetic seismic intensity in the particular localities where several past earthquakes were felt, supposing a point source approximation. The synthetic intensities have been obtained with and without site amplification factors, resulting in two types of synthetic isoseismals maps that have been compared with the corresponding observed isoseismals. As the amplification factors obtained are only applicable to the linear domain, the synthetic intensities greater than VII are only illustrative. A main conclusion has been drawn about the fact that synthetic isoseismals with site amplification factor approach to the related observed isoseismals in a higher degree than synthetic isoseismals without site amplification factor. In addition, the resemblances between the synthetic isoseismals produced with site amplification factors and the corresponding observed isoseismals have been found to be more evident at shorter epicentral distances, provided that intensities are lower than VIII, and therefore, we remain in the linear domain.

In this paper, we present a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) for mainland Spain that takes into account recent new results in seismicity, seismic zoning, and strong ground attenuation not considered in the latest PSHA of the Spanish Building Code. Those new input data have been obtained as a three-step project carried out in order to improve the existing hazard map for mainland Spain. We have produced a new earthquake catalogue for the area, in which the earthquakes are given in moment magnitude through specific deduced relationships for our territory based on intensity data (Mezcua et al. in Seismol Res Lett 75:75–81, 2004). In addition, we included a new seismogenetic zoning based on the recent partial zoning studies performed by different authors. Finally, as we have developed a new strong ground motion model for the area Garcia Blanco (2009), it was considered in the hazard calculation together with other attenuations gathered from different authors using data compatible with our region. With this new data, a logic tree process is defined to quantify the epistemic uncertainty related to those parts of the process. A sensitivity test has been included in order to analyze the different models of ground motion and seismotectonic zonation used in this work. Finally, after applying a weighting scheme, a mean hazard map for PGA, based on rock type condition for 10% exceedance probability in 50 years, is presented, including 15th and 85th percentile hazard maps. The main differences with the present official building code hazard map are analyzed.

The American red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) was introduced in 1973 into the Iberian Peninsula for commercial purposes. As a result of both the expansion from the Iberian Peninsula and, probably, further introductions in other European countries, now it is widely distributed throughout much of Europe. The ecological impacts of this invading crayfish have received increasing attention, but nothing is known about its symbiotic entocytherid ostracods outside the American continent. The present survey has examined more than 200 crayfishes from 12 localities distributed over a wide area of Eastern Spain. Entocytherid ostracods were extracted from individual crayfishes and they were identified, counted, assigned to developmental instars and sexed. In all the study locations but one, we found at least one crayfish individual infected by entocytherid ostracods and the species determined was the same in all cases: Ankylocythere sinuosa (Rioja, 1942). The number of ostracods on individual P. clarkii varied notably in relation to crayfish size and also differed significantly among sampling sites. The crayfish size effects on ostracod densities might be related to the amount of resources and to the crayfish age and moulting frequency affecting ostracod distribution and population structure. In addition, the spatial variation in ostracod densities could also be related to site-specific habitat traits and the variability of crayfish population dynamics. Our study represents the first citation of an alien entocytherid species in Europe and demonstrates its wide distribution in the Iberian Peninsula. Further research is needed to know the potential effects of this ostracod species on the ecology of P. clarkii and of native species, with implications on the management of this aquatic invader.

In the last two decades, all earthquake hazard studies in Spain have been done using the attenuation deduced from the isoseismal maps of the most important earthquakes. However, it is well known that the preferred parameter to measure the size of any shock is magnitude and, consequently, the knowledge of acceleration as a function of magnitude and distance is basic to any new hazard determination. The installation of a strong-motion network in Spain, with more than a hundred digital instruments set up in the last 15 years, made possible the recording of more than 447 shocks in the moment magnitude range of 1:3 ≤ M ≤ 6:3. However, only 149 shocks were processed corresponding to magnitudes greater than 3 and a distance of less than 100 km. Values of the maximum horizontal acceleration recorded on firm soil permitted us to make a regression analysis, which has been compared with similar previously published relationships. Additionally, the southwestern part of Spain is also affected by a marine source area of different very low attenuation, but there are not enough recordings to attempt a regression analysis. In this case, the only strong-motion data gathered for the area was checked against the two intensity attenuation relationships available after conversion of maximum intensity to moment magnitude, and intensity to acceleration, showing a reasonable behavior of the newest intensity attenuation law gathered for the area.

1. The coastal area of Valencia (Spain) in the Western Mediterranean is rich in freshwater and brackish wetlands. These areas are mostly protected for bird conservation but are also highly affected by human impacts. Six shallow lakes located in Ramsar wetland sites of this area were studied in order to assess past and present ostracod biodiversity and relate it to the status of the lakes, taking into consideration the indicator value of these easily fossilizable crustaceans. 2. In all the wetlands studied, ostracod taphocoenoses showed much higher species richness than the corresponding biocoenoses. This is expected from the time accumulative character of the taphocoenosis, but the trend is clearly evident in the most disturbed sites which indicated loss of ostracod diversity owing to human impacts. 3. By considering the ecology of most frequent species, multivariate ordination of both tapho- and biocoenoses showed trends within and between lakes in their limnological status, which were related mainly to water chemistry, and also to temporality and eutrophication to a certain extent. Some lakes have apparently lost most of their past ostracod community owing to an increasing trophic status in some cases and to modifications of the hydrological regime in others. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sediment and plant-associated macroinvertebrates were sampled in six shallow water bodies along the central part of the coast of Mediterranean Spain. The size of ponds, salinity and hydroperiod were highly variable. Seventy-one taxa were recorded, some of them were endemic or uncommon species, evidencing the important contribution of these ponds to biodiversity. Crustaceans and gastropods of biogeographical interest were found in the most primeval site. Correspondence analysis showed that macroinvertebrate assemblages responded to environmental variables such as salinity, temporality and eutrophication. The brackish water fauna was dominated by crustaceans, while oligochaeta and insect larvae were abundant in freshwater conditions. Oligochaetes were abundant at localities with high trophic level, whereas localities with semi-permanent waters were dominated by chironomids. The density of macroinvertebrates was clearly related with trophic state but we did not find significant relationships between density and salinity or water permanence. For plant associated samples our results showed negative relationships between species richness and temporality or salinity, contrary to sediment samples, where the Oligochaeta/Chironomidae ratio in sediments and the percentage of sensitive taxa (Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Trichoptera) were useful indices, and were dependent on pond typology. This study emphasizes the broad ecological variety of ponds found in these wetlands and their importance for biodiversity. Some ponds act as permanent biodiversity reservoirs in fluctuant marshes with seasonal dryness, calling for more attention on their ecological relevance for management strategies.

espanolEn el presente trabajo, se da a conocer la presencia en la Comunidad Valenciana del culicido Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) richiardii Ficalbi, 1899 (Diptera: Culicidae). Se aportan datos sobre la aparicion de larvas en una charca interdunar (mallada) permanente de la Devesa del Parque Natural de la Albufera (Valencia-Espana), donde se capturaron 15 ejemplares durante los meses de julio y agosto de 2015. EnglishIn this studdy, we report the presence of mosquitoe larvae Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) richiardii Ficalbi, 1899 (Diptera: Culicidae) in the pond called �mallada� in the Devesa located over an old sand bar separating the lake Albufera of Valencia from the Mediterranean Sea. Where 15 specimens distributed in two samples that were collected in summer of 2015.

Introduccion y objetivos Los reconocimientos de la salud de los trabajadores constituyen una oportunidad de deteccion precoz de factores de riesgo vascular. El presente estudio investiga la prevalencia de factores de riesgo vascular en la poblacion laboral espanola. Metodos Se incluyo a 216.914 trabajadores (edad media, 36,4 anos; intervalo, 16-74 anos; el 73,1% eran varones) en los que se realizo un reconocimiento en una mutua laboral, que incluyo un cuestionario estructurado, una exploracion fisica y determinaciones bioquimicas. Resultados Tenian diagnostico previo de enfermedad cardiovascular el 0,7%, de hipertension arterial el 6,2%, de diabetes el 1,2% y de dislipidemia el 8,9%. Durante el reconocimiento se detecto la presencia de tabaquismo en el 49,3% (el 51,3% varones y el 43,8% mujeres), presion arterial elevada (≥ 140/90 mmHg) en el 22,1% (el 27,0% varones y el 8,8% mujeres), obesidad (indice de masa corporal ≥ 30) en el 15,5% (el 18,3% varones y el 13,3% mujeres), hiperglucemia (> 110 mg/dl) en el 6,2% (el 7,8% varones y el 1,9% mujeres) y alguna forma de dislipidemia (colesterol total ≥ 200 mg/dl, cLDL ≥ 160 mg/dl, trigliceridos ≥ 200 mg/dl o cHDL Conclusiones Hay una alta prevalencia de factores de riesgo en la poblacion laboral espanola, especialmente en varones y en determinados sectores de actividad.

The increasing number of broadband telemetered seismic stations installed recently in Spain makes it possible to provide seismic parameters beyond location and magnitude estimates, in near real-time. In particular, we describe new near-real-time calculations of the seismic moment tensor (SMT). The SMT provides information about the parameters inherent to the physical process at the source. A rapid SMT determination thus provides an estimate of the scalar seismic moment ( M ) and therefore the moment magnitude ( M ); it also characterizes the type of faulting and fault orientation. This key information can be useful for emergency response in the case of a destructive earthquake. Gilbert (1973) presented early efforts to invert for the SMT using Green's functions to represent path response. Since then, SMT inversion has been carried out increasingly routinely using teleseismic recordings of intermediate- to large-magnitude earthquakes. The recent introduction of modern broadband digital regional networks has made it possible to develop SMT inversion techniques for smaller-magnitude earthquakes at regional distances (Dreger and Helmberger, 1993; Romanowicz et al. , 1993; Nabelek and Xia, 1995; Randall et al. , 1995; Thio and Kanamori, 1995; Ammon et al. , 1998). Several institutions now routinely calculate the SMT for many earthquakes, for example the U.S. National Earthquake Information Center (Sipkin, 1982) and Harvard University (Dziewonski et al. , 1981). On the regional level and close to real-time, the University of California at Berkeley has developed a procedure to determine the SMT that has been used since the 1990's ( e.g. , Romanowicz et al. , 1993; Pasyanos et al. , 1996). This procedure involves a double inversion in the time and frequency domains of Love and Rayleigh surface waves, producing automatic results approximately five minutes after the origin time. This procedure has been integrated within the REDI …

Summary 1. Nutrient and fish manipulations in mesocosms were carried out on food-web interactions in a Mediterranean shallow lake in south-east Spain. Nutrients controlled biomass of phytoplankton and periphyton, while zooplankton, regulated by planktivorous fish, influenced the relative percentages of the dominant phytoplankton species. 2. Phytoplankton species diversity decreased with increasing nutrient concentration and planktivorous fish density. Cyanobacteria grew well in both turbid and clear-water states. 3. Planktivorous fish increased concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). Larger zooplankters (mostly Ceriodaphnia and copepods) were significantly reduced when fish were present, whereas rotifers increased, after fish removal of cyclopoid predators and other filter feeders (cladocerans, nauplii). The greatest biomass and diversity of zooplankton was found at intermediate nutrient levels, in mesocosms without fish and in the presence of macrophytes. 4. Water level decrease improved underwater light conditions and favoured macrophyte persistence. Submerged macrophytes (Chara spp.) outcompeted algae up to an experimental nutrient loading equivalent to added concentrations of 0.06 mg L−1 PO4-P and 0.6 mg L−1 NO3-N, above which an exponential increase in periphyton biomass and algal turbidity caused characean biomass to decline. 5. Declining water levels during summer favoured plant-associated rotifer species and chroococcal cyanobacteria. High densities of chroococcal cyanobacteria were related to intermediate nutrient enrichment and the presence of small zooplankton taxa, while filamentous cyanobacteria were relatively more abundant in fishless mesocosms, in which Crustacea were more abundant, and favoured by dim underwater light. 6. Benthic macroinvertebrates increased significantly at intermediate nutrient levels but there was no relationship with planktivorous fish density. 7. The thresholds of nutrient loading and in-lake P required to avoid a turbid state and maintain submerged macrophytes were lower than those reported from temperate shallow lakes. Mediterranean shallow lakes may remain turbid with little control of zooplankton on algal biomass, as observed in tropical and subtropical lakes. Nutrient loading control and macrophyte conservation appear to be especially important in these systems to maintain high water quality.

1. The impacts of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) and planktivorous fish on phytoplankton composition and biomass were studied in six shallow, macrophyte-dominated lakes across Europe using mesocosm experiments. 2. Phytoplankton biomass was more influenced by nutrients than by densities of planktivorous fish. Nutrient addition resulted in increased algal biomass at all locations. In some experiments, a decrease was noted at the highest nutrient loadings, corresponding to added concentrations of 1 mg L1 P and 10 mg L1 N. 3. Chlorophyll a was a more precise parameter to quantify phytoplankton biomass than algal biovolume, with lower within-treatment variability. 4. Higher densities of planktivorous fish shifted phytoplankton composition toward smaller algae (GALD

In recent years considerable effort has been expended to find new accounts of earthquake effects in Spain. With this information a reevaluation of intensities has been performed. These new data have allowed us to recalculate the seismic hazard maps of Spain which are included in recent seismic codes (Mezcua and Martin, 1993; Rueda and Mezcua, 2001; NCSR, 2O02). The limitation of single intensity values for unambiguous assignment of the strength of shocks is widely known ( e.g. , Reiter, 1990). In particular, the use of maximum intensity values may produce misleading results. This fact may eventually be overcome by the use of magnitude values deduced from the whole set of intensity values for all historical events. There are numerous studies on the conversion of single maximum intensity values or isoseismal areas to different magnitude scales, e.g. , Nuttli (1973), Street and Turcotte (1977), and Johnston (1996a), including Mezcua (1982) for use in the Iberian Peninsula. The correlations obtained consider the magnitude scale that is in use in the area under study. In the case of Spain the mbLg magnitude was used for the relationship. However, it is well known this magnitude definition saturates in the upper range (beyond magnitude 6). This saturation is due, as in other magnitude definitions, to the types and frequencies of the waves used in the magnitude calculation. In recent years many earthquake hazard studies have been performed using moment magnitude, which does not suffer from saturation problems. Another important problem in hazard studies is poor knowledge of the locations of historical events. This uncertainty is translated to the source model needed in any hazard calculation. For that reason, any effort in improving such parameters will improve the hazard values obtained in a specific site. To obtain a relationship between the moment magnitude …

Physical, chemical and biological parameters were used to investigate the effects of regular and episodic sewage inputs,either domestic or industrial, on the water quality of a smallMediterranean stream (River Magro, eastern Spain). Although results from chemical analyses were useful for monitoring waterquality in areas where sewage discharge was regular, episodic andlocalised discharges from industries or farms were not detected by chemical analyses because sampling was performed seasonally. An adequately small number of macroinvertebrate taxa were foundto indicate water quality changes within R. Magro, and the presence/absence and relative abundance of these taxa can be usedas a simple, rapid, low cost method for detecting changes in water quality. Macroinvertebrates are highly sensitive to episodic sewage discharges, which are difficult to detect by classical physical and chemical monitoring.

Background: Previous studies have identified rice fields in the Mediterranean region as ‘hot spots’ for the introduction of alien freshwater organisms. Consequently, special attention should be paid when rice fields are located inside or near protected areas for the conservation of native, endangered species. To analyse the relationship between rice field environmental traits and the ecology of aquatic invaders, a study of zoobenthic communities was carried out in JulySeptember 2008 and May-August 2009 in ten rice fields located in the Albufera Natural Park (E Spain), with focus on Ostracoda. Results: A total of nine ostracod species were found including four considered exotic: Candonocypris novaezelandiae, Stenocypris macedonica, Cypris subglobosa and Hemicypris barbadensis. The presence of H. barbadensis is remarkable, which is recorded for the first time in Europe and S. macedonica in the Iberian Peninsula. A checklist of Ostracoda from Albufera Natural Park is presented, including 11 exotic species, mostly unknown from Holocene sedimentary records. The analysis of ostracod assemblages showed a significant relationship between oxygen content and ostracod species associations, suggesting that their abundance are partially controlled by habitat variables in the rice fields. The exotic species C. novaezelandiae was more abundantly collected in samples with reduced oxygen concentrations, in contrast to other native species whose abundances were lower in such conditions. Conclusions: Rice fields in Mediterranean areas present a summer inundation period which is unlikely in natural temporary water bodies in the area and which may facilitate invasion by (sub-)tropical species. Lower proportion of exotic to native ostracods is observed in less disturbed areas compared to rice fields with intense human activities. We emphasize the role of anthropogenic effects in the dispersal and colonization processes of exotic ostracods and their particular strong influence in the protected areas closest to rice fields.

First dates of the Ecnomus tenellus (Rambur, 1842) (Trichoptera: Ecnomidae) in the provinces of Castellon, Cuenca and Valencia (East of Spain) In this study we report the presence of the caddisfly Ecnomus tenellus (Rambur, 1824) (Tricoptera: Ecnomidae) in the east of the Iberian Peninsula. The presence of this species in the provinces of Castellon, Cuenca and Valencia is revealed in this study. We emphasize the presence of a significant population of E. tenellus in the coastal strip of Albufera lake (Valencia, Spain), where 223 specimens distributed in 13 samples that were collected.

Reservoirs are the most common deep lakes in Spain, as a consequence of water needs and dry climate. Although these aquatic systems can play an important ecological role in such an area with few large natural lakes, they can also provide new habitats for exotic species, which can colonize ecosystems that native species have not explored yet. Here we present our results for a biannual survey of the ostracod fauna from 24 reservoirs in Xuquer River basin. We check which variables affect ostracod presence, test for differences between winter and summer assemblages, and compare our data with previous available ostracod records from the same river drainage network. Our results reveal that ostracod presence is positively related to high diversity of the invertebrate community and reservoir volume, and negatively with phosphorus concentration. Among the 22 species found, it is noteworthy the first Iberian record of Ilyocypris getica and the second European record of Candonocypris novaezelandiae . Ostracod assemblages significantly vary between summer and winter, and strong differences are found between ostracod communities of reservoirs and those from their connected rivers. Remarkably higher frequency of exotic species in the reservoirs confirms previous findings about the facilitation that artificial ecosystems confer to aquatic invasions.

New amphiphilic graft copolymers were synthesized by means of a cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline initiated with a statistical copolymer of methyl methacrylate and chloromethylstyrene. The synthesis was carried out in benzonitrile at 110°C. The grafting reaction was quantitative and the yield of grafting was more than 90%percent;. The graft copolymers were characterized by means of NMR, FT-IR, and UV-VIS spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis and viscosity measurements of their aqueous solutions. The graft copolymers revealed amphiphilic properties and evidence for the formation of micelles and molecular aggregates in aqueous solution. Graft copolymers with relatively short lateral chains are soluble in methanol but insoluble in water, while the copolymers with longer lateral chains are soluble in both methanol and water.

The present survey examines possible trends in the ecology of ostracod assemblages in a small Mediterranean river affected heavily by sewage and industrial effluents. Between January and July 1995, ten sampling stations situated along a 50 km stretch of the main channel of the River Magre (Valencia, eastern Iberian Peninsula) were sampled monthly (physico-chemical variables being measured simultaneously). Although the entire site fauna was used to calculate diversity and biotic indexes, only Ostracoda were studied in depth, as little is known of the ecological preferences of this group. Ostracod assemblages encompassed 10 species, the most abundant genera being Herpetocypris and Heterocypris . Most species peaked in abundance towards the end of the study period (May–June) when water temperatures were rising. Ostracods were completely absent from the most disturbed sites, i.e. those with the lowest water quality index values. Different ostracod assemblages occurred along a gradient from high pollution towards the final `recovery' zone. Combined classification (TWINSPAN, MDA) and ordination (DCA) techniques using species and site variable data showed that different groups of samples, related to the abundance of a particular ostracod assemblage, were linked to particular habitat features. Eucypris virens appeared in samples near to the source in winter, and in the early months of spring. During this period these sites were characterised by cool waters and relatively high alkalinity/Cl − ratios. Furthermore two major groups of samples were related to the relative abundance of either Heterocypris incongruens and Herpetocypris intermedia , or Herpetocypris brevicaudata . Moderately polluted, clean waters are linked to these two groups, respectively. Additional division of both groups of samples was based on the total abundance of individual animals, and may be related to water temperature and season. These results may be used to assess possible changes in the trophic status of a palaeoenvironment when the species taken into account are recorded from a given sedimentary sequence.

The graft copolymers poly[(isobutene-co-(m,p)-chloromethylstyrene)-g-ethyleneimine)] HPG1 and poly((m,p)-chloromethylstyrene-g-ethyleneimine) HPG2 were obtained through the alkaline hydrolysis of the amphiphilic graft copolymers poly[(isobutene-co-(m,p)-chloromethylstyrene)-g-2-methyl-2-oxazoline] and poly((m,p)chloromethylstyrene-g-2-methyl-2-oxazoline), respectively. The subsequent quaternization of HPG1 and HPG2 with methyl iodide resulted in new polyelectrolyte graft copolymers which are soluble in water despite of the hydrophobic backbone.

poly[isobutene-co-(p,m-chloromethylstyrene)]-graft-poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) graft copolymers (GP) were prepared by the “grafting from” method throught the cationic polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MeOXA) initiated by a statistical copolymer is isobutene and chloromethylstyrene. The unusual viscosity behavior in chloroform solution of these polymers, the dynamic laser light scattering analysis in aqueous solution, as well as the solubility in polar solvents like water and methanol demonstrate the amphiphilic character of the graft copolymers and indicate the formation of aggregates in solution.

Aim Geographical parthenogenesis – in which parthenogenetic populations are more widely distributed than sexually reproducing populations – is observed in many plant and animal species. Many hypotheses have been proposed to account for this biogeographical pattern, and these often invoke historical processes such as the influence of glaciation. However, there are relatively few empirical studies of the contemporary factors associated with geographical parthenogenesis. The aim of this study was to understand its causes by linking contemporary environmental gradients with reproductive modes in the freshwater ostracod Eucypris virens. Location Europe and North Africa. Methods We sampled populations of E. virens from 147 sites in 20 countries from Estonia to Morocco and from Portugal to Turkey. At each site we measured aspects of pond geography (latitude, longitude, elevation, pond area and depth), water chemistry (temperature, pH, conductivity, oxygen and ion concentrations) and macroinvertebrate assemblages. We used principal components and logistic regression analyses to test for the associations between environmental variables and the presence of males, indicating sexual reproduction, in a population. Results Sexual populations were restricted to the Mediterranean, whereas parthenogenetic populations extended into the Baltic and Ponto-Caspian areas. Significant environmental features were not only latitude, but also elevation, aridity and principal components summarizing water chemistry and invertebrate communities: sexual populations were more common at high elevations, in arid regions, and in turbid ponds. Ponds harbouring exclusively parthenogenetic populations were also characterized by having longer-hydroperiod biological communities. Main conclusions The link between current environmental conditions and the reproductive modes of E. virens suggests a contemporary adaptation besides historical factors such as climatic cycles or the differential colonization success of sexual and asexual lineages. We propose that the pattern of geographical parthenogenesis in E. virens reflects the ability of asexual populations to colonize rapidly, and the higher adaptability of sexual populations to unpredictable hydroperiods.

Hydrobiologia, 636 (1), ISSN:0018-8158, ISSN:1573-5117

Introduction and objectives. The routine medical check-up provides a good opportunity for screening workers early for cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish working population. Methods. The study included 216 914 working people (mean age 36.4 years, range 16-74 years, 73.1% male) undergoing routine medical check-up, which involved a structured questionnaire, physical examination, and standard serum biochemical analysis. Results. Cardiovascular disease had been diagnosed previously in 0.7% of workers, hypertension in 6.2%, diabetes in 1.2%, and dyslipidemia in 8.9%. Routine check-up showed that 49.3% (51.3% of males and 43.8% of females) were smokers, 22.1% (27.0% of males and 8.8% of females) had high blood pressure (≥140/90 mm Hg), 15.5% (18.3% of males and 13.3% of females) were obese (body mass index ≥30), 6.2% (7.8% of males and 1.9% of females) were hyperglycemic (blood glucose >110 mg/dL), and 64.2% had dyslipidemia (total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL, triglycerides ≥200 mg/dL, or HDL cholesterol

1. Responses of zooplankton to nutrient enrichment and fish predation were studied in 1998 and 1999 by carrying out parallel mesocosm experiments in six lakes across Europe. 2. Zooplankton community structure, biomass and responses to nutrient and fish manipulation showed geographical and year-to-year differences. Fish had a greater influence than nutrients in regulating zooplankton biomass and especially the relative abundances of different functional groups of zooplankton. When fish reduced the biomass of large crustaceans, there was a complementary increase in the biomasses of smaller crustacean species and rotifers. 3. High abundance of submerged macrophytes provided refuge for zooplankton against fish predation but this refuge effect differed notably in magnitude among sites. 4. Large crustacean grazers (Daphnia, Diaphanosoma, Sida and Simocephalus) were crucial in controlling algal biomass, while smaller crustacean grazers and rotifers were of minor importance. Large grazers were able to control phytoplankton biomass even under hypereutrophic conditions (up to 1600 g TP L1) when grazer biomass was high (>8090 g dry mass L1) or accounted for >30% of the grazer community. 5. The littoral zooplankton community was less resistant to change following nutrient enrichment in southern Spain, at high temperatures (close to 30 °C), than at lower temperatures (1723 °C) characterising the other sites. This lower resistance was because of a greater importance of nutrients than zooplankton in controlling algal biomass. 6. Apart from the reduced role of large crustacean grazers at the lowest latitude, no consistent geographical patterns were observed in the responses of zooplankton communities to nutrient and fish manipulation. [KEYWORDS: eutrophication ; fish predation ; littoral zooplankton ; mesocosm experiments ; nutrient enrichment]

In a survey for conservation of non-marine aquatic systems, the ostracod compositions of 43 water bodies sampled in central Spain were analysed by multivariate ordination (DCA) and classification (TWINSPAN) methods, showing a clear division in lake typology. The wide variety of life modes and habitat requirements of non-marine ostracod species yields assemblages of species of value as ecological indicators. Endorheic shallow lakes, highly temporary, are characterized by an assemblage of circum-Mediterranean and endemic species. Karstic and more stable lakes are inhabited by northern Holarctic or Palaearctic species, depending on the history and environmental conditions of the water body. Between these two extremes, the study of ostracod assemblages permits the distinction, on a finer scale, of a gradient of lake types with different disturbance conditions, resulting from a combination of hydrological, climatic, chemical and anthropogenic factors. At the extreme of that gradient, highly tolerant cosmopolitan species play an important role in the ostracod community of sites severely affected by human activities.

Fue sintetizado un macromonómero (M1) de 2-ciclopropil-2-oxazolina (Cicloxa) mediante la polimerización catiónica por apertura de anillo de la 2-ciclopropil-2-oxazolina iniciada por el clorometilestireno y en presencia de ioduro de sodio como catalizador. La reacción se llevó a cabo a 78°C en acetonitrilo. El macromonómero, homopolímero de ciclopropiloxazolina con un grupo vinilo en el extremo de la cadena polimérica, tuvo un grado de polimerización de 25 unidades monoméricas y un peso molecular de 2,912. El macromonómero tuvo sensibilidad a la temperatura teniendo un cambio conformacional (LCST) a los 18°C cuando esta disuelto en agua. El macromonómero permitirá, a través de su copolimerización con otros monómeros, la elaboración de nuevos polímeros sensibles a la temperatura del tipo copolímeros injertados e hidrogeles.

The sedimentary and plant-associated macroinvertebrate communities have been examined in a series of mesocosm experiments carried out in five locations, in Finland, Sweden, UK, Northwest Spain and Mediterranean Spain (the International Mesocosm Experiment). The experiments were designed to investigate how shallow lake ecosystems respond to the addition of nutrients and planktivorous fish along a climate gradient. Nutrient additions increased sedimentary benthos densities and total biomass to a plateau at intermediate levels of nutrients. The effect was greater in the warmest localities. Beyond the saturation point a further increase in nutrient loading had different effects depending on locality. Only in the southernmost site (in Mediterranean Spain), did it induce a shift to a turbid phase and macrophyte disappearance. Thus there are breakpoints in the relationship with nutrients, leading to alternative sediment communities subsequent to the water alternative states. Presence of fish increased the densities and biomass of sediment macroinvertebrates, more clearly in the more southern locality, where the fish Gambusia did not prey in the bottom animals. A stabilising role of macrophytes was observed by cutting them, samples taken three weeks after cutting indicated a higher effect of fish on the sediment community when macrophytes were not present. Nutrients tended also to increase densities of plant associated macroinvertebrates at low levels with a flattening of response at intermediate levels and a decline at high levels. At high fish level the numbers and biomass of plant-associated macroinvertebrates were lowered in all cases, because of increased predation. However fish addition at low level in most cases had the opposite effect, because their predation pressure was not high and regeneration of nutrients through their activities might increase food availability and control invertebrate predators. Fish influenced especially community composition, because they prey selectively. Addition of fish at low densities increased macroinvertebrate diversity. A diel migratory cycle was observed in plant-associated macroinvertebrates, but only in the southerly locations. Latitudinal influences on the structure of the macroinvertebrate communities occur but that they operate indirectly. There was a prominent effect of nutrients on these communities so that starting trophy is very important. Fish effects are layered on these and depend to a large extent on the particular range of diet of the species involved. Se ha estudiado la comunidad de macroinvertebrados bentónicos del sedimento así como la de los asociados a los macrófitos en una serie de mesocosmos concebidos para un experimento múltiple simultáneo llevado a cabo en cinco localidades europeas: Finlandia, Suecia, Reino Unido (UK), Noroeste de España y Levante Español. El experimento fue diseñado para investigar como responden los ecosistemas de lagos someros a los aportes de nutrientes y a la abundancia de peces planctívoros a lo largo de un gradiente climático. La adición de nutrientes incrementó la densidad del bentos del sedimento y su biomasa hasta estabilizarse a niveles intermedios de nutrientes, siendo este efecto mayor en las latitudes más bajas y cálidas. Más allá del punto de saturación, un aumento adicional de la carga de nutrientes tuvo efectos diferentes dependiendo de la localidad y solo en el lugar de menor latitud, (en el Levante Español) indujo el cambio hacia una fase turbia, con desaparición de los macrófitos, esto es, hay puntos de ruptura relacionados con la carga de nutrientes que conducen a comunidades alternativas en el sedimento, subsiguientes a los mencionados estados alternativos en las aguas someras. La presencia de peces aumentó la densidad y biomasa de los macroinvertebrados del sedimento, ello también más claramente en la localidad situada más al Sur, ya que el pez planctívoro ensayado (Gambusia) por lo general no depreda en los animales del sedimento. Se observó también el papel estabilizador de los macrófitos comparando las muestras tomadas antes y después de que estos fueran cortados, por ejemplo se observó un efecto mayor de los peces en las comunidades del sedimento cuando los macrófitos no estaban presentes. Los nutrientes tendieron también a incrementar las densidades de los macroinvertebrados asociados a los macrófitos cuando se aportan a bajos niveles, con una estabilización de la respuesta para los valores intermedios y un declive para los valores más altos. Cuando se adicionaron densidades altas de peces, el número y biomasa de los macroinvertebrados asociados a los macrófitos descendieron en todos los casos, como resultado del aumento de la depredación. Sin embargo, las adiciones a baja densidad de peces, en la mayoría de los casos, tuvo el efecto contrario, ya que su presión de depredación no es alta y pueden contribuir a la regeneración de los nutrientes a través de la vía detrítica que incrementa la disponibilidad de alimento, así como al control de otros invertebrados depredadores. La presencia de peces influenció especialmente la composición de la comunidad, ya que su depredación es selectiva. La adición de peces en bajas densidades aumentó la diversidad de los macroinvertebrados. También fue observado que el ciclo diario de migración en los macroinvertebrados asociados a los macrófitos, es más importante en las localidades ubicadas en las latitudes de más al Sur. Las influencias latitudinales en la estructura de las comunidades de macroinvertebrados, si bien sucede, opera indirectamente. Hay un efecto dominante de los nutrientes en estas comunidades, y el nivel trófico de las condiciones iniciales es muy importante. Los efectos de los peces se subordinan al de los nutrientes y dependen en gran medida de la dieta de las especies involucradas.