Search

We used 454-sequencing to identify and characterize 32 microsatellite loci for the Western Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni) for which primer sequences, characteristics, and multiplexes are provided. These markers have been tested for one continental (Var) and one insular (Corsica) French population as well as for the Eastern Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri). For these 3 populations, 24 loci were polymorphic. These microsatellite markers will be particularly useful to assess the genetic diversity and characteristics of the different Hermann's tortoise populations and will have direct applications for its protection, notably with respect to reintroduction and conservation programs.

Studies of ranging behaviour can provide valuable information on the ecological requirements of a species. They may be an essential tool in designing conservation policies (Sutherland 1998, Tella et al. 1998) as they provide the information needed to predict the consequences of land-use change on species’ habitat use, especially in regions subject to major habitat transformations. In particular, knowledge of the temporal and spatial variation in ranging behaviour is needed to understand space-use patterns over species’ complete annual cycles and over a range of habitats (Blanco et al. 1998, Tella & Forero 2000, Peterjohn 2003). However, this sort of information is available for only a few species, and even then does not usually cover the non-breeding season (Suarez et al. 1997). Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus occur within a wide range of open habitats, including agricultural landscapes. After a dramatic population decline during 1960–80, mainly due to drainage of wetlands, contamination and direct persecution, the European population has recovered in recent decades and is currently classified as ‘Secure’ (Cramp & Simmons 1994, BirdLife International 2004). Within the Iberian Peninsula, the increase and spread of the Marsh Harrier population has been noticeable in some agricultural regions, including those dominated by intensified farmlands. This is the case in the Catalan Ebro Basin (Spain), where the breeding population increased from eight breeding pairs in 1997 to 51 in 2008 (Departament de Medi Ambient i Habitage de la Generalitat de Catalunya unpubl. data). However, little is known about the ranging behaviour of the Marsh Harrier in these agricultural areas. The objective of our study was to investigate the ranging behaviour and foraging-area requirements of the Marsh Harrier throughout the complete annual cycle in a representative agricultural area within the Iberian Peninsula.

The presence of the Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa in the Ebre Delta (Catalonia, north-east Spain) is well documented after the late 1970s, when the first reptile distribution lists were published. Owing to the fact that the species was considered scarce, a reintroduction programme based on the release of individuals at sites with potential habitat suitability was launched. From 1999 to 2001, 234 turtles of different ages were released and subsequently monitored until 2007, in order to make a conservation diagnosis using five assessment criteria. These criteria were body condition, individual growth, reproduction, survival and population growth rate. Despite the relatively large number of turtles released, no viable population resulted from the programme. Assessment criteria suggested that: (1) released individuals showed good physical condition and satisfactory growth (the only positive results); (2) reproduction was almost absent; (3) local survival was reduced compared with that of Spanish wild populations of the species; (4) temporary emigration was high; (5) the growth rate of the population was negative. In conclusion, the results suggested that the habitat at the Ebre Delta marshes may not be favourable to the species, and that the scarce historical data record may indicate a relatively low-quality habitat; the few records may correspond to individuals dispersing from the river, a more suitable habitat. Thus, we conclude that historically scarce records may be the result of natural patchiness and heterogeneous distributions, and they are not necessarily a good indicator of relict, decimated populations. Good assessment criteria, as those proposed and used here, are necessary tools to assess results in reintroduction projects to recover endangered chelonian populations.

Bertolero Albert,Cheylan Marc,Nougarède Jean-Pierre. Accroissement de la fécondité chez la Tortue d’Hermann Testudo hermanni hermanni en condition insulaire : un contre-exemple du syndrome insulaire ?. In: Revue d'Écologie (La Terre et La Vie), tome 62, n°1, 2007. pp. 93-98.

Abstract Over a period of two years we used radiology to investigate breeding traits in females of two western populations of the threatened Hermann's tortoise Testudo hermanni hermanni. The main purpose of the study was to see if reproductive traits – clutch size, clutch frequency, annual egg production and egg width – varied between populations in Corsica (France) and the Ebro Delta (Spain), and if these traits were affected by female body size and amounts of spring rainfall. All the breeding traits analysed were greater in the Corsican population than in the Ebro Delta population. These differences were also significant when we used female body size as a covariable. In both populations the amount of spring rainfall affected breeding traits but not clutch size. Nevertheless, only in the Corsican population did clutch frequency, annual egg production and egg width increase significantly in the year with a wet spring. Contrary to the predictions of Optimal Propagule Size theory, we found that egg size and clutch size increased with female size, and that both variables were independent. On the other hand, clutch frequency was not related to female body size. Thus, in the Hermann's tortoise, as clutch size did not change between years and clutch frequency was independent of female size, all females are able to increase their reproductive output in years with favourable conditions by increasing their clutch frequency. Nevertheless, other factors besides female size and rainfall may influence in a highly complex way variability in breeding traits among populations.

Network-based analyses of brain imaging data consistently reveal distinct modules and connector nodes with diverse global connectivity across the modules. How discrete the functions of modules are, how dependent the computational load of each module is to the other modules’ processing, and what the precise role of connector nodes is for between-module communication remains underspecified. Here, we use a network model of the brain derived from resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data and investigate the modular functional architecture of the human brain by analyzing activity at different types of nodes in the network across 9,208 experiments of 77 cognitive tasks in the BrainMap database. Using an author–topic model of cognitive functions, we find a strong spatial correspondence between the cognitive functions and the network’s modules, suggesting that each module performs a discrete cognitive function. Crucially, activity at local nodes within the modules does not increase in tasks that require more cognitive functions, demonstrating the autonomy of modules’ functions. However, connector nodes do exhibit increased activity when more cognitive functions are engaged in a task. Moreover, connector nodes are located where brain activity is associated with many different cognitive functions. Connector nodes potentially play a role in between-module communication that maintains the modular function of the brain. Together, these findings provide a network account of the brain’s modular yet integrated implementation of cognitive functions.

Reptiles - Orden Quelonios - Familia Testudinidae en la Enciclopedia Virtual de Vertebrados Españoles, http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/. Versiones anteriores: 16-03-2010, A comprehensive review of the natural history of the Hermann's tortoise Testudo hermanni in Spain.

Trabajo presentado en la 2nd World Seabird Conference, celebrada en Ciudad del Cabo, Sudáfrica, del 26 al 30 de octubre de 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and biphenyls (PCBs), concretely those so-called as dioxin-like PCBs, in yellow-legged gull eggs (Larus michahellis) collected from five Natural Parks (some of them National Parks) in Spain during the period 2010-2013. PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were detected in all the samples. Due to the proximity to important urban and industrial areas higher concentrations were determined in colonies located in the Northern Mediterranean coast than those found in the Southern Mediterranean or Atlantic colonies where a softer anthropogenic impact occurs. Mean ∑PCDD/F concentrations ranged from 49 to 223pg/g lipid weight (lw) and ∑dl-PCB concentrations varied from 146 to 911ng/g lw. In the Natural Park of the Ebro Delta (Northern Mediterranean coast) two gull species share habitat: yellow-legged and Audouin gull (Larus audouinii). Eggs from both species were collected and PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels compared. The species that feeds exclusively on pelagic fish (L. audouinii) had significantly higher PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels than the scavenger L. michahellis, pointing out the diet-dependent differences in the accumulation of persistent organic pollutants between similar cohabitant breeding species. Finally, mean TEQ values were in general below those considered as critical for toxicological effects in birds.

Trabajo presentado en el Ecology and Behaviour, celebrado en Toulouse (Francia), del 18 al 21 de mayo de 2015

The ability to control infections is a key trait for migrants that must be balanced against other costly features of the migratory life. In this study we explored the links between migration and disease ecology by examining natural variation in parasite exposure and immunity in several populations of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) with different migratory strategies. We found higher activity of natural antibodies in long distance migrants from the nominate subspecies L.f.fuscus. Circulating levels of IgY showed large variation at the population level, while immune parameters associated with antimicrobial activity showed extensive variation at the individual level irrespective of population or migratory strategy. Pathogen prevalence showed large geographical variation. However, the seroprevalence of one of the gull-specific subtypes of avian influenza (H16) was associated to the migratory strategy, with lower prevalence among the long-distance migrants, suggesting that migration may play a role in disease dynamics of certain pathogens at the population level.

La tortuga mediterrània és una espècie àmpliament distribuïda a Menorca, però que a Catalunya ha pràcticament desaparegut. L’objectiu d’aquest estudiés establir si hi ha diferències en els patrons de coloració entre tres poblacionsde tortugues, dues de Menorca (cala Tirant i barranc des Bec) i una de Catalu-nya (l’Albera). Per això, s’ha comparat l’àrea que ocupen les taques grogues en les plaques vertebrals i costals de la closca i el grau de complexitat d’aquestes taques (relació entre el perímetre de la taca i la seva superfície). Les tres po- blacions es discriminen per la superfície groga de les taques (població catalanaamb molt menys groc a la closca que les menorquines) i, entre les poblacions menorquines, les del barranc des Bec van presentar taques més complexes que les de cala Tirant. En comprovar-se que aquestes tres poblacions queden cla-rament identificades per les característiques de la seva pigmentació groga, esconsidera que no és oportú fer alliberament d’exemplars d’origen desconegut dins d’aquestes poblacions.

El criterio fundamental para considerar que una especie es alóctona en el territorio español se basa en la constatación de que la colonización no ha sido natural, sino de origen antrópico.

International audience; Freshwater turtle species are still poorly understood, and many species are in decline due to unsustainable trade as well as human alteration and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Mauremys leprosa is a freshwater chelonian endemic to the Mediterranean Basin. Whereas the fossil record demonstrates that this species used to be distributed to well beyond the Spanish border in France, it is today restricted to the border region with Spain, at the Baillaury River in the Pyrenees, with some isolated observations from slightly farther into France. The species consequently holds an “Endangered” status according to the French IUCN Red list. Here we report for the first time the presence and demographic structure in its northern range and demonstrate that its distribution expands beyond the Pyrenees Mountains, throughout French Catalonia. Sequence analyses of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b (cyt b) gene from 216 specimens mainly from France and Spanish Catalonia resulted in a patchwork pattern of haplotypes that supports a mixed origin of the species in France. We encountered two extreme haplotypes, with specimens with the endemic Spanish Catalonian haplotype A18 belonging to M. leprosa leprosa and others being clearly referable to M. leprosa saharica (cyt b haplotypes from clade B) that is otherwise typical from below the Atlas Mountain Range in Morocco. Short- and long-term directions for research as well as conservation management actions are suggested for this insufficiently studied species.

Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni), the best-known western Palaearctic tortoise species, has a rare natural distribution pattern comprising the Mediterranean areas of the Iberian, Apennine, and Balkan Peninsulas, as well as Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia. The western part of this range is traditionally considered habitat for T. h. hermanni, while T. h. boettgeri occurs in the Balkans. Taxonomy of this tortoise has been challenged in recent years, with the two subspecies being considered full species and the central Dalmatian populations of T. h. boettgeri being considered a third species, T. hercegovinensis. Using an mtDNA fragment approximately 1150 bp long (cytochrome b gene and adjacent portion of tRNA-Thr gene), we investigated mtDNA diversity with regard to contrasting concepts of two subspecies or three species. Seven closely related haplotypes were identified from the western Mediterranean and 15 different, in part much-differentiated, haplotypes from the Balkans. Western Mediterranean haplotypes differ from Balkan haplotypes in 16–42 mutation steps. One to seven mutation steps occur within western Mediterranean populations. Balkan haplotypes, differing in 1−37 nucleotides, group in parsimony network analysis into three major assemblages that display, in part, a similar degree of differentiation to that of western Mediterranean haplotypes relative to Balkan haplotypes. Rates of sequence evolution are different in both regions, and low divergence, palaeogeography and the fossil record suggest a slower molecular clock in the western Mediterranean. While monophyly in western Mediterranean haplotypes is well-supported, conflicting evidence is obtained for Balkan haplotypes; maximum parsimony supports monophyly of Balkan haplotypes, but other phylogenetic analyses (Bayesian, ML, ME) indicate Balkan haplotypes could be paraphyletic with respect to the western Mediterranean clade. These results imply a process of differentiation not yet complete despite allopatry in the western Mediterranean and the Balkans, and suggest all populations of T. hermanni are conspecific. In the western Mediterranean no clear geographical pattern in haplotype distribution is found. Distribution of Balkan haplotypes is more structured. One group of similar haplotypes occurs in the eastern Balkans (Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia, Romania and the Greek regions Evvia, Macedonia, Peloponnese, Thessaly and Thrace). Two distinct haplotypes, differing in eight to nine mutation steps from the most common haplotype of the first group, are confined to the western slope of the Taygetos Mts. in the Peloponnese. Yet another group, connected over between four and 23 mutation steps with haplotypes of the eastern Balkan group, occurs along the western slope of the Dinarid and Pindos Mts. (Istria, Dalmatia, western Greece). Taygetos haplotypes are nested within other haplotypes in all phylogenetic analyses and support for monophyly of the other Balkan groups is at best weak. We conclude that using the traditional two subspecies model should be continued for T. hermanni. Phylogeographies of T. hermanni and Emys orbicularis, another codistributed chelonian, are markedly different, but share a few similarities. Both were forced to retreat to southern refuges during Pleistocene glaciations. With the advent of Holocene warming, E. orbicularis underwent rapid range expansion and temperate regions of Europe and adjacent Asia were recolonized from refuges in the Balkans and the northern Black Sea Region. By contrast, T. hermanni remained more or less confined to refuges and nearby regions, resulting in a much smaller range, and allopatric and parapatric distribution of haplotype groups and clades. MtDNA lineages are more diverse in E. orbicularis than they are in T. hermanni on southern European peninsulas, indicating several distinct glacial refuges in close proximity and extensive intergradation during Holocene range expansion for E. orbicularis. In T. hermanni it is likely that only on the Balkan Peninsula was more than one refuge located, corresponding to the parapatric ranges of haplotype groups currently there. On the old western Mediterranean islands Corsica and Sardinia no differentiated (E. orbicularis) or only weakly differentiated haplotypes (T. hermanni) occur, even though there is evidence for the presence of both species on Corsica since at least the Middle Pleistocene. High mountain chains constitute major barriers separating distinct mtDNA clades or groups in each species.

Growth ring counts on the shell have been widely used for age estimation in Chelonians. However, as stated by Wilson et al. (2003), most studies have applied this method without assessing its reliability by proving that 1 : 1 ratio between number of rings and real age exists. In the present study, the reliability of this method is analysed for a population of Hermann's Tortoise, Testudo hermanni introduced in the Ebro Delta (NE Spain). Age estimations were obtained from direct observations of tortoises in the field in 2000 (n = 82) together with those from photographs of the same and other individuals of the population taken between 1991 and 2001 (n= 356). A second photograph was taken at one or more years after the first one for 101 individuals. Results of Model II linear regression analysis indicated that the method was reliable only for tortoises between 0 and 7 years old, whereas tended to underestimate age for those between 8 and 11 years. Since, sexual maturity in this population is attained around 8 years (mean for both sexes), ring counts are only reliable for juveniles and subadults. Finally, it is noteworthy that the results coming for photographs were equivalent to those coming from direct observations in the field.

Abstract For the first time, inguinal palpation effectively detected calcified oviductal eggs in a tortoise species. Inguinal palpations for 36 Hermann's tortoises, from six samples during spring 1999 and spring 2000, were verified with X-ray radiography. Palpation results did not differ significantly from radiography results and did not differ between two independent observers. A logistic regression analysis indicated that palpation success depended on the presence of oviductal eggs, and not on observer, year (1999 or 2000) or tortoise age class (young adult or old adult). The probability of correctly classifying females as gravid or nongravid through palpation was 78.4%. Although inguinal palpation did not allow detection of all clutches, it is a simple, inexpensive and effective means to determine the breeding status of Hermann's tortoise populations.

Small and peripheral populations are typically vulnerable to local extinction processes but important for the metapopulation dynamics of species. The Slender-billed gull (Chroicocephalus genei ) is a long-lived species breeding in unstable ephemeral coastal habitats. Their Western Mediterranean populations are relatively small and represent the edge of their global geographical distribution. At a local scale, using long-term data (14 years) on annual breeding success and capture-resights of marked individuals, we estimated and compared the vital rates and evaluated the connectivity of two Spanish populations (Ebro Delta and Doñana) varying in their local environmental conditions. At a metapopulation scale, we analyzed 22 years of data on breeding numbers to predict their future prospects by means of population demographic models. Local survival and breeding success of gulls from the Ebro Delta was lower than those from Doñana, which is likely the result of higher permanent emigration and/or winter mortality in the former. Gulls from the Ebro Delta wintered mostly in Mediterranean areas whereas those from Doñana did so in Atlantic coasts, where food availability is higher. Whereas adult local survival was constant, juvenile local survival showed temporal parallel variations between colonies, probably related to natal dispersal to other breeding colonies. Our results suggested that dispersal was higher at the Ebro Delta and gulls emigrating from their natal colonies settled preferentially in close patches. We found large fluctuations in breeding numbers among local populations probably related to the fact that the Slender-billed gull is a species adapted to unstable and unpredictable habitats with high abilities to disperse between suitable patches depending on environmental stochastic conditions during breeding. © 2014 Sanz-Aguilar et al.

Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment under projects 038/2009 and 768/2012 of the National Park’s Network.