A craniometric study was conducted on a sample of 209 specimens of the Iberian desman, representing the main areas of the species’ distribution range: Pyrenees, Iberian System, Cantabrian area, Atlantic area, and Central System. No age differences were found in the sample but, conversely to previous reports, results revealed a slight sexual dimorphism in size. Multivariate size and shape analyses performed on both sexes separately indicated that the Pyrenean sample is the one that differs most from the others. Skull of specimens from the Atlantic area was smaller than those from the Cantabrian area, Iberian System, and Central System, and very similar in size to the desmans from the Pyrenees. Nevertheless, in the canonical plots for size and shape both males and females from the Atlantic area clearly fall within the range of variation of non-Pyrenean desmans. Although our analyses showed that there is a general morphological skull differentiation between the two classic subspecies of the Iberian desman described in the literature, it is clear that further morphological and genetic studies are needed to clarify the infraspecific taxonomy of this species fully.
Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), also known as the Asian chestnut gall wasp, is a non-native invasive species that has recently appeared in many regions of Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula. This species is an important pest of chestnut trees in several regions and is of concern for foresters in these areas. The results of this research revealed 14 different hotspots of infestation of D. kuriphilus and resulted in the development of models that predict the distribution of D. kuriphilus in Spain over the next 37 years (2019-2055). These results indicate a rapid spread in all Spanish chestnut forests and identify areas that are theoretically highly suitable and susceptible to colonization by this cynipid based on predictions of three different niche models. Although D. kuriphilus is able to induce galls on all chestnut trees, the models indicate that there are differences in the suitability of the different regions for this species. This differential suitability results in some areas having better environmental conditions than others for D. kuriphilus, which is a factor that should be taken into account in its management and biological control. This study of the current distribution, patterns of dispersal using GIS and potentially suitable areas for D. kuriphilus, using niche models will assist in the management and control of this pest in Spain., Diego Gil-Tapetado, José F. Gómez, Francisco J. Cabrero-Sañudo, José L. Nieves-Aldrey., and Obsahuje bibliografii
There are isolated populations of the endangered butterfly, Pyrgus sidae, on the Iberian Peninsula. The mark-release-recapture method was used to study the population parameters, the use of resources and the spatial distribution of a population in the centre of Spain. The estimated number of males and females within the population were similar and did not differ significantly from a ratio of 1 : 1. Total population size was estimated to be 569 ± 83 individuals. Potentilla recta is the principal adult nectar source and larval food plant, and its abundance is correlated with the number of marked and recaptured butterflies. The average total distance moved between capture and recapture was significantly greater for males than females, but the average daily distances moved were similar for both sexes. The spatial distribution of the movements of males and females was of a uniform type and lacked a predominant flight direction, which is typical of sedentary species. Continuing the traditional land use (cattle grazing or hay mowing) of the habitat of the species keeps the habitat open, which is necessary if the butterfly is to survive at this locality. These management practices favour P. recta, which would otherwise succumb to competition from invasive shrubs. Taking into account the habitat requirements of this species, it is important to conserve the mosaic of meadows already present in the area.
The common gudgeon Gobio gobio (L.) has a great phenotypic plasticity being one of the most variable fish species in Europe. In the Iberian Peninsula it has been considered to be an introduced species. However, recent publications have considered that gudgeon populations from different basins of the Iberian Peninsula are native. in this work we tried to clarify the status of Iberian populations by means of molecular methods. thirty-two specimens of common gudgeon from several localities placed in six different Iberian and South French basins (Duero, Ebro, Tajo, Nansa, Bidasoa and Nivelle) were analysed. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships between the Iberian gudgeon populations using the whole cytochrome b gene sequence (1141 bp). Moreover, one specimen of G. gobio from the Danube basin and two specimens of Ramanogobio (R. ciscaucasicus and R. uranoscopus) were also included in the study. Our data confirmed the monophyly of the Iberian-French populations analysed and indicated a high genetic differentiation with respect to the common gudgeon populations from Central Europe. However, our results also indicated a very close genetic relationship among the populations of different Iberian basins, showing low genetic distances between them. The absence of population structure among the Iberian populations of G. gobio seems to be due to human activity.
For the last few decades, many studies have analysed the important influence of environmental conditions on the breeding biology of ungulates. However, with reference to Mediterranean wild boar populations, there are hardly any studies. In this paper, we will research the effect of rainfall over eight years on some reproductive variables in a wild boar population located in a Mediterranean ecosystem. Our results indicated that the percentage of pregnant females was higher in rainy years than in dry ones and females over 2 years of age significantly increased their litter size in these rainy years. In addition, dry summers and autumns determined an early rut period and a high concentration of births. However, rainfall did not influence the foetal sex ratio, although we did observe that the sex of the heaviest piglet within each litter was predominantly male, this circumstance being more significant in dry years than in rainy ones. We believe that these results could be showing the wild boar’s survival strategy in the changeable environmental conditions of Mediterranean ecosystems.
The larval morphology of Aphodius (Plagiogonus) nanus Fairmaire, 1860 and A. (P.) arenarius (Olivier, 1789) are described and redescribed, respectively. The common characters of both species, and the specific diagnostic characters are provided and discussed. The most important morphological characters of the larvae of Plagiogonus Mulsant, 1842 are the longitudinal alignment of the anterior setae of the stipes, the spatulate form of the posterior-lateral setae of the glossae of the hypopharynx, the slight development of the anal lobe slit, the form of the epitorma of the epipharynx, the slight sclerotization of the pternotormae and the relative length of second antennal segment. A key to the larvae of both species of Plagiogonus is presented along with life history data and the preferred food of these species. This study shows that A. arenarius and A. nanus feeding habits are closer to saprophagy than to coprophagy.
This study is a revision of the Iberian Merodon Meigen, 1803 species, including an illustrated key, a discussion of taxonomic characters and a morphological diagnosis for all included species. Descriptions are provided for nine new species: M. antonioi sp. n., M. arundanus sp. n., M. cabanerensis sp. n., M. crypticus sp. n., M. hurkmansi sp. n., M. legionensis sp. n., M. longispinus sp. n., M. luteihumerus sp. n. and M. quercetorum sp. n. The taxon M. escorialensis Strobl, 1909 is redescribed and lectotype is designated. Lectotypes are designated for four taxa: M. albifrons Meigen, 1822; M. spinipes obscuritarsis Strobl in Czerny & Strobl, 1909; M. spicatus Becker, 1907; and M. spinipes grossus Gil Collado, 1930. Three varieties are redefined and considered as valid species: M. obscuritarsis Strobl in Czerny & Strobl, 1909 (as var. of spinipes); M. grossus Gil Collado, 1930 (as var. of spinipes); M. unicolor Strobl in Czerny & Strobl, 1909 (as var. of aeneus). The following new synonymies are proposed: M. affinis Gil Collado, 1930 syn.n. (= junior synonym of M. longicornis Sack, 1913); M. lusitanicus Hurkmans, 1993 syn.n. (= junior synonym of M. serrulatus Wiedemann in Meigen, 1822); M. andalusiacus Paramonov, 1929 syn.n., M. bolivari Gil Collado, 1930 syn.n., M. hispanicus Sack, 1931 syn.n. (= all three are junior synonyms of M. unguicornis Strobl in Czerny & Strobl, 1909); M. spicatus Becker, 1907 syn.n. (= junior synonym of M. chalybeus Wiedemann in Meigen, 1822); M. fuerteventurensis Barkemeyer, 2002 syn. n. (= junior synonym of M. obscuritarsis Strobl, 1909); and M. spinipes grossus (Gil Collado, 1930) syn.n. (= junior synonym of M. albifrons Meigen, 1822). Status of M. serrulatus Wiedemann in Meigen, 1822 is revised. Four species: M. longicornis Sack, 1913, M. pumilus Macquart, 1849, M. ottomanus Hurkmans, 1993 and M. segetum (Fabricius, 1794) are new for the Iberian Peninsula. Male genitalia are illustrated for all the species and a key of the 34 Iberian species (+ M. hurkmansi sp. n.) for males and females (except for the unknown female of M. longispinus sp. n.) is appended. Distribution and biological data for the Iberian species are also included. A brief zoogeographic discussion is also presented. The level of endemism of genus Merodon on the Iberian Peninsula is extremely high (almost 50%).
This paper concerns the life-cycle of Carabus dufouri Dejean 1829, one of the most representative species of Carabus in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. The study is based on data of the annual activity patterns in the natural habitat, on anatomical observations related to the sex and age of the specimens, on the reproductive condition of females and, finally, on the results of laboratory rearing experiments carried out to study the oviposition patterns and the course of development of immature stages. The results indicate that C. dufouri shows the annual rhythm of autumn breeders. However, the rhythm may also be related to the winter-breeder type of North Africa.
Knowledge of food resource partitioning between sympatric fish species is critical for understanding the fish communities functioning. Four sympatric fish species (Salmo trutta, Pseudochondrostoma duriense, Squalius carolitertii and Barbus bocagei) were captured in August 2010 in the River Tormes (Ávila, Central Spain) in order to study food resource partitioning between fish species such us as a possible mechanism enabling their coexistence, using a fuzzy principal component analysis (FPCA). Diet comparison among species shows that detritus are present in P. duriense, B. bocagei and S. carolitertii, although in different occurrence, showing that these species present typically omnivorous feeding habits. Regarding prevalent food, in all species, benthic prey constituted the most important prey in abundance terms, and terrestrial invertebrates were only consumed by S. trutta, S. carolitertii, and P. duriense. High overlap values (Schoener’s index from 0.8 up to 1) were found, but it may not indicate competition, since species can adopt different strategies to overcome competence. Thus, prey traits analyses suggest that differences in macrohabitat use, drift behaviour of prey and prey size are important adaptive features that may reduce the inter-specific competition in the fish community and permit the food partitioning that allows coexistence.
Aquatic Coleoptera in shallow lakes associated with the Canal de Castilla (Palencia Province, Spain) in the northern Iberian Meseta were sampled over the course of a year (spring 1998-winter 1999). These waterbodies are typical plateau wetlands with dense vegetation and vary in permanence and area (from 3.3 ha to 29.35 ha). Oxygen concentration, conductivity and pH were recorded at the time of sampling. Lake area, depth, water permanence and type of vegetation were also taken into account. Ninety two species were collected. Species richness was high in comparison with other wetlands in Spain. The assemblage structure was assessed in terms of three community parameters: richness, abundance and diversity (Shannon index). Their relationships with environmental variables were explored using correlation coefficients. The assemblage composition was analysed by multivariate techniques. First, the sites were classified by means of TWINSPAN. The presence of each species in the different TWINSPAN groups was used to assess their habitat preferences. Second, the sites and species were ordinated by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) using the CANOCO statistical package. Richness was significantly correlated with water permanence, conductivity and aquatic macrophyte cover. The first DCA axis was significantly correlated with water permanence and conductivity, but not with any of the other parameters. Conductivity was significantly inter-correlated with permanence. Therefore, water permanence and aquatic vegetation cover seem to be the main factors influencing richness, but only water permanence appears to determine species composition.