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Biodiversity conservation entails not only the preservation of specific taxa but also genetic diversity. Despite the crucial role of molecular data in freshwater fish conservation management, there is a scarcity of information regarding the genetic diversity of Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843 (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) populations in the Aral system. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to provide genetic information on two native species of the Luciobarbus genus found in the Aral system: L. conocephalus (Kessler, 1872) and L. brachycephalus (Kessler, 1872). These species, like many others in the Aral system, confront the imminent threat of extinction due to system alterations. However, genetic studies on these species at the nuclear level are challenging because Luciobarbus is an allotetraploid genus. Consequently, genetic investigations thus far have focused mainly on sequencing mitochondrial genes due to their haploid nature. This study has successfully developed fifteen new polymorphic microsatellite loci, which can prove to be valuable for population genetics, conservation, and other pertinent research on these species.

Este trabajo fue realizado por invitación expresa de la editorial Taylor and Francis sin coste alguno para los autores, Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common type of dementia among older adults, is a chronic neurodegenerative pathology that causes a progressive loss of cognitive functioning with a decline of rational skills. It is well known that AD is multifactorial, so there are many different pharmacological targets that can be pursued. Areas covered: The authors highlight the strategic value of privileged scaffolds in a multi-target lead compound generation against AD, exploring the concept of multi-target design, with a special emphasis on hybrid compounds. Hence, the most promising building blocks for designing and synthesizing hybrid anti-AD drugs are shown, while also presenting the more advanced hybrid compounds. Expert opinion: The available therapeutic arsenal for AD, designed under the traditional paradigm of ‘one-drug/one target/one-disease’, is based on the inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to increase acetylcholine (ACh) levels. However, this classical approach has not been sufficiently effective when used to treat any multifactor-depending pathology (cancer, diabetes or AD). The multi-target drug concept has been quickly adopted by medicinal chemists. The basic research developments reported in recent years are a solid foundation that will pave the way for the construction of future AD therapeutics., Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Banco Santander, Depto. de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Fac. de Farmacia, TRUE, pub

Este articulo fue realizado por invitación expresa de la editorial sin coste alguno, La melatonina es una neurohormona que controla muchos procesos fisiológicos relevantes más allá del control de los ritmos circadianos. Las acciones de la melatonina son llevadas a cabo por dos tipos principales de receptores de melatonina: MT1 y MT2. Estos receptores son importantes, no solo debido a las acciones biológicas de su agonista natural, sino también porque los análogos de melatonina pueden mejorar o antagonizar su efecto biológico. El siguiente artículo describe la importancia de la melatonina como una molécula biológicamente relevante. También define los receptores para esta sustancia, así como los segundos mensajeros acoplados a estos receptores. Por último, el artículo describe los residuos de aminoácidos involucrados en el proceso de acoplamiento en los receptores de melatonina MT1 y MT2. Las acciones biológicas de la melatonina y sus interpretaciones están volviéndose más relevantes y, por lo tanto, requieren el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas farmacológicas. Comprender los mecanismos de los segundos mensajeros involucrados en las acciones de la melatonina, así como las características del acoplamiento de esta molécula a los receptores de melatonina MT1 y MT2, permitirá el desarrollo de agonistas y antagonistas más selectivos que nos ayudarán a comprender mejor esta molécula y a desarrollar nuevos compuestos terapéuticos., Introduction: Melatonin is a neurohormone that controls many relevant physiological processes beyond the control of circadian rhythms. Melatonin’s actions are carried out by two main types of melatonin receptors; MT1 and MT2. These receptors are important, and not just because of the biological actions of its natural agonist; but also, because melatonin analogues can improve or antagonize their biological effect. Area covered: The following article describes the importance of melatonin as a biologically relevant molecule. It also defines the receptors for this substance, as well as the second messengers coupled to these receptors. Lastly, the article describes the amino acid residues involved in the docking process in both MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors. Expert opinion: The biological actions of melatonin and their interpretations are becoming more relevant and therefore require the development of new pharmacological tools. Understanding the second messenger mechanisms involved in melatonin actions, as well as the characteristics of the docking of this molecule to MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors, will permit the development of more selective agonists and antagonists which will help us to better understand this molecule as well to develop new therapeutic compounds., Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España, Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios sociales e Igualdad, Depto. de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Depto. de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Depto. de Química Inorgánica, Fac. de Farmacia, Fac. de Óptica y Optometría, TRUE, pub

El proyecto tiene como objetivo fundamental la elaboración de material audiovisual para la mejora de las prácticas de la asignatura de Química Bioinorgánica y Biomateriales de cuarto curso del grado en Farmacia para su satisfactorio desarrollo tanto en un escenario totalmente on-line como presencial. Para el buen desarrollo de las prácticas en el laboratorio es necesario que el alumno disponga de una información adecuada que le permita conocer los distintos aspectos del proceso experimental a realizar a través de la elaboración de una página web disponible en el campus virtual. Para ello, la práctica habitual es utilizar un manual de prácticas de laboratorio en el que se aporta información sobre conceptos básicos, material a utilizar, procedimiento experimental, seguridad, etc… de cada práctica. Hay tres aspectos de gran importancia desde el punto de vista formativo: 1) afianzar bien los conceptos básicos en los que se apoya el trabajo experimental posterior, 2) el manejo de los software que permitan el tratamiento de los resultados e interpretación de los datos utilizando herramientas e-learning y 3) facilitar la comprensión de los dos objetivos anteriores a personas con discapacidades auditivas y/o idioma incluyendo subtítulos en español e inglés en los videos elaborados. En dicha elaboración se tendrá muy en cuenta, la inclusión de los alumnos con diversidad presentando dicha información de manera visual, estructurada, secuencial y en pasos ordenados. Estas herramientas de aprendizaje estarán dirigidas inicialmente a los alumnos de cursos superiores del Grado en Farmacia, Química, Ingeniería de Materiales y Máster Universitario en Biomateriales por lo que para comprobar su impacto y eficacia seleccionaemos a estudiantes de los departamentos implicados antes de ponerlos a disposición de los alumnos. Este proyecto se basa en tres Competencias transversales instrumentales del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES): Comunicación oral y escrita en la/s lengua/s

[Background]: Ictalurus is one of the most representative groups of North American freshwater fishes. Although this group has a well-studied fossil record and has been the subject of several morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies, incomplete taxonomic sampling and insufficient taxonomic studies have produced a rather complex classification, along with intricate patterns of evolutionary history in the genus that are considered unresolved and remain under debate., [Results]: Based on four loci and the most comprehensive taxonomic sampling analyzed to date, including currently recognized species, previously synonymized species, undescribed taxa, and poorly studied populations, this study produced a resolved phylogenetic framework that provided plausible species delimitation and an evolutionary time framework for the genus Ictalurus., [Conclusions]: Our phylogenetic hypothesis revealed that Ictalurus comprises at least 13 evolutionary units, partially corroborating the current classification and identifying populations that emerge as putative undescribed taxa. The divergence times of the species indicate that the diversification of Ictalurus dates to the early Oligocene, confirming its status as one of the oldest genera within the family Ictaluridae.

We analyzed two morpho-species, Astyanax aeneus and Astyanax caballeroi, coexisting in Lake Catemaco, with ecological differences previously associated with different trophic niches. While A. aeneus is a widely distributed species, A. caballeroi is endemic to Lake Catemaco. Due to the contrasting morphology between these two sympatric species, they were originally assigned to different genera, but little is known about their genetic differentiation. We hypothesized that these two species, which present differentiation in morphology and in trophic niches, co-occur in concomitance with assortative mating and form distinct genetic clusters. We tested this prediction by typing a set of 12 microsatellites in 348 individuals of the two morpho-species, comparing their genetic structure patterns with that of an allopatric population of A. aeneus (i.e., the Maquinas population). Genetic structure analysis, assignment analyses, and estimation of gene flow between the sympatric morpho-species were carried out. Contrary to expectations, there is a lack of genetic differentiation between the A. aeneus and A. caballeroi morpho-species. However, there was a genetic differentiation between Lake Catemaco and Río Maquinas populations of A. aeneus. In addition, we found an asymmetric gene flow pattern, with a larger migration rate from A. aeneus to A. caballeroi than in the other direction. Finally, the allopatric population of A. aeneus showed lower levels of genetic diversity than those reported for both morpho-species in the lacustrine system. Consequently, our results support the notion that these morpho-species are either in an early phase of speciation or represent a single polymorphic species. This model provides relevant information to understanding the presence of polymorphisms under gene flow and their potential impact on the speciation process.

[EN] Three new species, Achondrostoma garzonorum sp. nov., Achondrostoma asturicense sp. nov. and Achondrotoma numantinum sp. nov. are described on the basis of morphological and genetic characters. Achondrostoma garzonorum sp. nov. is restricted to the Cuerpo de Hombre and Alagón rivers (Tajo Drainage, Alagón sub-basin) and Corneja river (Duero Drainage, Tormes sub-basin) in western Spain. Achondrostoma garzonorum sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Achondrostoma species through a combination of morphometric, meristic and genetic characters: 43-49 ( ¯x = 45.9; Md = 46) canaliculate scales on the lateral line; 6-7 ( ¯x = 6.8; Md = 7) scales above the lateral line; 4-5 ( ¯x = 4.4; Md = 4) scales below the lateral line; a high caudal peduncle in proportion to the body depth; 5-5 pharyngeal teeth, narrow and high coronoid process of dentary and 3 autapomorphies, none of them transversions, in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Achondrostoma asturicense sp. nov. inhabits the sub-basin of the Esla river in the Duero Drainage of Spain. Achondrostoma asturicense sp. nov. can be differentiated from other Achondrostoma species through a set of morphometric, meristic and genetic characters: 38-44 ( ¯x = 40.9, Md = 41) canaliculate scales on the lateral line; 5-6 ( ¯x = 5.8,Md = 6) scales above the lateral line; 3-4 ( ¯x = 3.1, Md = 3) scales below the lateral line; a narrow skull; 5-5 pharyngeal teeth; and 13 autapomorphies in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, one of which is a transversion. Achondrostoma numantinum sp. nov. inhabits the Duero Drainage in Spain except for Esla and Sabor sub-basins and Corneja river within the Duero Drainage. Achondrostoma numantinum sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Achondrostoma species through a combination of morphometric, meristic and genetic characters: 43-48 ( ¯x = 45.1; Md = 45) canaliculate scales on the lateral line; 6-8 ( ¯x = 6.9; Md = 7) scales above the lateral line; 4-5 ( ¯x = 4.3; Md = 4) scales below the later, [ES] Se describen tres nuevas especies, Achondrostoma garzonorum sp. nov., Achondrostoma asturicense sp. nov. y Achondrotoma numantinum sp. nov., sobre la base de caracteres genéticos y morfológicos. La distribución de Achondrostoma garzonorum sp. nov. se restringe a los ríos Alagón y Cuerpo de Hombre (cuenca del Tajo, subcuenca del Alagón) y Corneja (cuenca del Duero, subcuenca del Tormes), oeste de España. Achondrostoma garzonorum sp. nov. se diferencia de otras especies del género Achondrostoma que viven en la Península Ibérica por una combinación de caracteres morfométricos, merísticos y genéticos, como 43-49 ( ¯x = 45.9; Md = 46) escamas canaliculadas en la línea lateral; 6-7 ( ¯x = 6.8; Md = 7) escamas por encima de la línea lateral; 4-5 ( ¯x = 4.4; Md = 4) escamas por debajo de la línea lateral, un pedúnculo caudal alto en comparación a la anchura del cuerpo; un alto y estrecho proceso coronoideo del dentario; 5-5 dientes faríngeos y 3 autapomorfias, ninguna de ellas transversiones, para el gen mitocondrial citocromo b. Achondrostoma asturicense sp. nov. vive en la subcuenca del río Esla dentro de la cuenca del Duero. Achondrostoma asturicense sp. nov. se diferencia de otras especies del género Achondrostoma que viven en la Península Ibérica por una combinación de caracteres morfométricos, merísticos y genéticos, como 38-44 ( ¯x = 40.9, Md = 41) escamas canaliculadas en la línea lateral;5-6 ( ¯x = 5.8, Md = 6) escamas por encima de la línea lateral; 3-4 ( ¯x = 3.1, Md = 3) escamas por debajo de la línea lateral, un cráneo estrecho, 5-5 dientes faríngeos y 13 autapomorfias, una de ellas una transversión para el gen mitocondrial citocromo b. Achondrostoma numantinum sp. nov. vive en los ríos de la cuenca del Duero excepto en las subcuencas de los ríos Esla y Sabor y en el río Corneja. Achondrostoma numantinum sp. nov. se diferencia de otras especies del género Achondrostoma que viven en la Península Ibérica por una combinación de caracteres morfométricos, merís

[Aim]: Freshwater ecosystems host a rich biodiversity, including freshwater crabs. The family Potamidae is a diverse group of freshwater crabs with a Palearctic and Oriental distribution. Specifically, the genus Potamon is found in the Middle East, Southern Europe, and Northern Africa. Potamon species are considered true freshwater crabs due to their total independence from the marine environment, which makes them idea organisms to study historical freshwater connectivity dynamics. In this study we aim to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Potamon and discuss the historical freshwater connectivity in the Mediterranean region., [Methods]: Here we use up to eleven genetic markers to reconstruct a robust phylogenetic tree of the group and use Bayesian methods to time-calibrate the tree. We further use historical biogeography methods implemented in a Bayesian framework to assess the ancestral distribution ranges of the group., [Results]: In this study we generate the most complete dataset for the group, covering practically the whole distribution range of the genus. We obtained a robust phylogenetic hypothesis and evaluated the times of divergence of the group. The result of the historical biogeography shows the evolution of historical distribution ranges of species of Potamon., [Main conclusions]: The Mediterranean Sea is placed in a key intersection for the exchange of fauna and flora. Here we present evidence for the potential of freshwater fauna exchange, through the Mediterranean Sea after a period of desiccation and the loss of contact with the ocean. The origin of Potamon genus is found to be in Western Asia, probably Eastern Iran.

[Background]: The Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus Valenciennes, 1846) is a small fish endemic to the eastern coastline of the Iberian Peninsula and is currently listed as "Endangered" (category IUCN: EN). It mainly inhabits brackish waters which can exhibit large fluctuations in temperature and salinity throughout the year. The genetics of A. iberus are not well-known since most studies have only evaluated the genetic structure of the species under a conservation framework in order to identify its potential conservation units. Different phylogenetic relationships of Aphanius have been published based on some particular genes. In the present study, the entire mitochondrial genome of A. iberus was obtained for the first time in the context of an A. iberus reference genome and a hypothesis regarding its phylogenetic position was considered., [Methods and results]: The mitogenome (a circular doble-stranded DNA sequence of 16,708 bp) was reconstructed and aligned against 83 Cyprinodontiformes and two outgroup taxa to identify the phylogenetic position of A. iberus. PartitionFinder was first used to test for the best evolutionary model and the phylogenetic analyses were performed using two methods: Maximun-Likelihood Approximation (IQ-Tree) and Bayesian inference (MrBayes). Our results show that A. iberus forms a sister group with Orestias ascotanensis, a cyprinodontiform species native to South America., [Conclusions]: The results were congruent with the traditional morphometric reconstructed trees and with a geological vicariant hypothesis involving Cyprinodontiformes where Aphaniidae is shown as a monophyletic family separated from the family Cyprinodontidae. The information gathered from this study is not only valuable for improving our understanding of the evolutionary history of A. iberus, but for future genomic studies involving the species.