Faculty Opinions recommendation of The ecological importance of intraspecific variation.

Off-flavour substances may be regarded as a resource which can be used to study special ecological mechanisms. Relevant research on off-flavours is inextricably combined with the study of perception, ethology, genetic control etc. The chemicals concerned are commonly perceived by the senses of olfaction and gustation. Thus research on the chemical ecology of off-flavour substances in the aquatic environment involves the study of a variety of disciplines. For example the biochemistry of the relevant substances and appropriate metabolic pathways must be considered. Chemical properties are important for the behaviour of the substances. The production of off-flavours by organisms is related to phenological circumstances. The biotic effects of ecologically significant substances are dependent on several environmental factors. This paper draws attention to the possible application of fundamental research in this area to selected problems of ecological importance.

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Mapeamento do Descarte de Medicamentos em um Município do Sul de Minas Gerais/ Mapping and Disposal of Medicines at a Municipality in Southern Minas Gerais

REVISTA CIÊNCIAS EM SAÚDE ◽

10.21876/rcsfmit.v5i1.302 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 35-44

Author(s):

Daniele Cristina Braz Dos Santos ◽

Alexandre Magno Batista Machado ◽

Fábio Vieira Lacerda

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Self Medication ◽

The Public ◽

Unused Medications ◽

Ecological Importance ◽

City State ◽

Soil Water Resources ◽

Proper Disposal

Objetivo: O trabalho teve por objetivo mapear, quantificar e verificar a destinação dos medicamentos vencidos e em desuso, e contribuir com uma discussão sobre os problemas gerados com a destinação imprópria desses medicamentos e os impactos causados ao meio ambiente na cidade de Itajubá/MG. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa utilizou o método quantitativo de corte transversal, sendo realizada no período de maio a agosto de 2014. Participaram da pesquisa um total de trinta farmácias da cidade de Itajubá. As entrevistas foram realizadas com os responsáveis técnicos das farmácias (farmacêuticos), de forma individual, procurando identificar a forma de manejo e descarte dos fármacos. Do mesmo modo, procurou-se evidenciar como os colaboradores se comportam em relação a importância ecológica do descarte correto e como veem a importância de conscientizar a população. Resultados e Discussão: O consumo de medicamentos vem aumentando expressivamente nas últimas décadas, devido ao estímulo publicitário e à automedicação. Com isso, cada vez mais medicamentos são produzidos e descartados de forma inadequada, o que põe em risco o solo, os recursos hídricos e principalmente, a saúde humana. Por meio dos resultados obtidos pode-se perceber que poucos indivíduos possuem a conscientização do descarte correto dos medicamentos. Conclusão: A falta de colaboração por parte do poder público local em instruir a comunidade pode ser um dos motivos onde ainda existem muitas pessoas desinformadas. Apesar das farmácias estarem implementando um programa de destinação, poucas entendem ou sabem a destinação correta dos resíduos de medicamentos. Palavra-chave: Saúde. Medicamento. Destinação. ABSTRACTObjective: The study aimed to map, quantify and verify the allocation of accrued and unused medications, and contribute to a discussion of the problems created by improper disposal of these medications and the impacts to the environment in the Itajubá city state/MG. Materials and Methods: The research used a cross quantitative sectional study and was conducted in the period May to August 2014. A total of 30 pharmacies from Itajubá participated. Interviews were conducted with the technical managers of the establishments surveyed, individually, seeking to identify the form of handling and disposal of medications. Similarly, sought to highlight how employees behave towards the ecological importance of proper disposal and how they see the importance to educate the public. Results and Discussion: The consumption of drugs has been increasing significantly in recent decades due to the advertising stimulus and self-medication. With this, more and more medications are produced and discarded improperly, putting the soil, water resources and especially human health at risk. Through the results obtained can be seen that few individuals possess the awareness of proper disposal of medications. Conclusion: The lack of cooperation from the local government to instruct the community can be one of the reasons where there are still many uninformed people. Although pharmacies are implementing a program allocation, few understand or know the proper disposal of waste medicines. Keywords: Health. Medicine. Destination

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Complete Chloroplast Genome of Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi): Insights into Intraspecific Variation with an Isolated Northern Limit Population

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11080884 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 884

Author(s):

Shufen Chen ◽

Wataru Ishizuka ◽

Toshihiko Hara ◽

Susumu Goto

Keyword(s):

Chloroplast Genome ◽

Intraspecific Variation ◽

Japanese Larch ◽

Monophyletic Group ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Larix Kaempferi ◽

Northern Limit ◽

Complete Chloroplast Genome ◽

Intraspecific Variations ◽

Cpdna Markers

Research Highlights: The complete chloroplast genome for eight individuals of Japanese larch, including from the isolated population at the northern limit of the range (Manokami larch), revealed that Japanese larch forms a monophyletic group, within which Manokami larch can be phylogenetically placed in Japanese larch. We detected intraspecific variation for possible candidate cpDNA markers in Japanese larch. Background and Objectives: The natural distribution of Japanese larch is limited to the mountainous range in the central part of Honshu Island, Japan, with an isolated northern limit population (Manokami larch). In this study, we determined the phylogenetic position of Manokami larch within Japanese larch, characterized the chloroplast genome of Japanese larch, detected intraspecific variation, and determined candidate cpDNA markers. Materials and Methods: The complete genome sequence was determined for eight individuals, including Manokami larch, in this study. The genetic position of the northern limit population was evaluated using phylogenetic analysis. The chloroplast genome of Japanese larch was characterized by comparison with eight individuals. Furthermore, intraspecific variations were extracted to find candidate cpDNA markers. Results: The phylogenetic tree showed that Japanese larch forms a monophyletic group, within which Manokami larch can be phylogenetically placed, based on the complete chloroplast genome, with a bootstrap value of 100%. The value of nucleotide diversity (π) was calculated at 0.00004, based on SNP sites for Japanese larch, suggesting that sequences had low variation. However, we found three hyper-polymorphic regions within the cpDNA. Finally, we detected 31 intraspecific variations, including 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms, 8 simple sequence repeats, and 4 insertions or deletions. Conclusions: Using a distant genotype in a northern limit population (Manokami larch), we detected sufficient intraspecific variation for the possible candidates of cpDNA markers in Japanese larch.

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Effects of heavy metal-mediated intraspecific variation in leaf litter on the feeding preferences of stream detritivores

The Science of The Total Environment ◽

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144591 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 763 ◽

pp. 144591

Author(s):

Run Liu ◽

Yueting Pan ◽

You Fang ◽

Lu Pang ◽

Jiachen Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Leaf Litter ◽

Intraspecific Variation ◽

Feeding Preferences

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Intraspecific variation in the Cambrian: new observations on the morphology of the Chengjiang euarthropod Sinoburius lunaris

BMC Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1186/s12862-021-01854-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michel Schmidt ◽

Yu Liu ◽

Xianguang Hou ◽

Joachim T. Haug ◽

Carolin Haug ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intraspecific Variation ◽

Southwest China ◽

3D Models ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Open Questions ◽

New Findings ◽

Unique Shape ◽

Variable Species ◽

Chengjiang Biota ◽

3D Software

Abstract Background The Chengjiang biota from southwest China (518-million-years old, early Cambrian) has yielded nearly 300 species, of which more than 80 species represent early chelicerates, crustaceans and relatives. The application of µCT-techniques combined with 3D software (e.g., Drishti), has been shown to be a powerful tool in revealing and analyzing 3D features of the Chengjiang euarthropods. In order to address several open questions that remained from previous studies on the morphology of the xandarellid euarthropod Sinoburius lunaris, we reinvestigated the µCT data with Amira to obtain a different approach of visualization and to generate new volume-rendered models. Furthermore, we used Blender to design 3D models showing aspects of intraspecific variation. Results New findings are: (1) antennulae consist of additional proximal articles that have not been detected before; (2) compared to other appendages, the second post-antennular appendage has a unique shape, and its endopod is comprised of only five articles (instead of seven); (3) the pygidium bears four pairs of appendages which are observed in all specimens. On the other hand, differences between specimens also have been detected. These include the presence/absence of diplotergites resulting in different numbers of post-antennular appendages and tergites and different distances between the tip of the hypostome and the anterior margin of the head shield. Conclusions Those new observations reveal intraspecific variation among Chengjiang euarthropods not observed before and encourage considerations about possible sexual dimorphic pairs or ontogenetic stages. Sinoburius lunaris is a variable species with respect to its morphological characters, cautioning that taxon-specific variabilities need to be considered when exploring new species.

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Highly restricted dispersal in habitat-forming seaweed may impede natural recovery of disturbed populations

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96027-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Florentine Riquet ◽

Christiane-Arnilda De Kuyper ◽

Cécile Fauvelot ◽

Laura Airoldi ◽

Serge Planes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Mediterranean Ecosystems ◽

Dispersal Distance ◽

Genetic Connectivity ◽

Restricted Gene Flow ◽

Isolated Populations ◽

Natural Recovery ◽

Limited Dispersal ◽

Ecological Importance

AbstractCystoseira sensu lato (Class Phaeophyceae, Order Fucales, Family Sargassaceae) forests play a central role in marine Mediterranean ecosystems. Over the last decades, Cystoseira s.l. suffered from a severe loss as a result of multiple anthropogenic stressors. In particular, Gongolaria barbata has faced multiple human-induced threats, and, despite its ecological importance in structuring rocky communities and hosting a large number of species, the natural recovery of G. barbata depleted populations is uncertain. Here, we used nine microsatellite loci specifically developed for G. barbata to assess the genetic diversity of this species and its genetic connectivity among fifteen sites located in the Ionian, the Adriatic and the Black Seas. In line with strong and significant heterozygosity deficiencies across loci, likely explained by Wahlund effect, high genetic structure was observed among the three seas (ENA corrected FST = 0.355, IC = [0.283, 0.440]), with an estimated dispersal distance per generation smaller than 600 m, both in the Adriatic and Black Sea. This strong genetic structure likely results from restricted gene flow driven by geographic distances and limited dispersal abilities, along with genetic drift within isolated populations. The presence of genetically disconnected populations at small spatial scales (< 10 km) has important implications for the identification of relevant conservation and management measures for G. barbata: each population should be considered as separated evolutionary units with dedicated conservation efforts.

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New femoral remains of Nacholapithecus kerioi: Implications for intraspecific variation and Miocene hominoid evolution

Journal of Human Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.jhevol.2021.102982 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 155 ◽

pp. 102982

Author(s):

Marta Pina ◽

Yasuhiro Kikuchi ◽

Masato Nakatsukasa ◽

Yoshihiko Nakano ◽

Yutaka Kunimatsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intraspecific Variation ◽

Hominoid Evolution

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Metabolic traits in brown trout (Salmo trutta) vary in response to food restriction and intrinsic factors

Conservation Physiology ◽

10.1093/conphys/coaa096 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Louise C Archer ◽

Stephen A Hutton ◽

Luke Harman ◽

W Russell Poole ◽

Patrick Gargan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Metabolic Rate ◽

Intraspecific Variation ◽

Brown Trout ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Food Restriction ◽

Metabolic Rates ◽

Intrinsic Factors ◽

Metabolic Traits ◽

Food Conditions

Abstract Metabolic rates vary hugely within and between populations, yet we know relatively little about factors causing intraspecific variation. Since metabolic rate determines the energetic cost of life, uncovering these sources of variation is important to understand and forecast responses to environmental change. Moreover, few studies have examined factors causing intraspecific variation in metabolic flexibility. We explore how extrinsic environmental conditions and intrinsic factors contribute to variation in metabolic traits in brown trout, an iconic and polymorphic species that is threatened across much of its native range. We measured metabolic traits in offspring from two wild populations that naturally show life-history variation in migratory tactics (one anadromous, i.e. sea-migratory, one non-anadromous) that we reared under either optimal food or experimental conditions of long-term food restriction (lasting between 7 and 17 months). Both populations showed decreased standard metabolic rates (SMR—baseline energy requirements) under low food conditions. The anadromous population had higher maximum metabolic rate (MMR) than the non-anadromous population, and marginally higher SMR. The MMR difference was greater than SMR and consequently aerobic scope (AS) was higher in the anadromous population. MMR and AS were both higher in males than females. The anadromous population also had higher AS under low food compared to optimal food conditions, consistent with population-specific effects of food restriction on AS. Our results suggest different components of metabolic rate can vary in their response to environmental conditions, and according to intrinsic (population-background/sex) effects. Populations might further differ in their flexibility of metabolic traits, potentially due to intrinsic factors related to life history (e.g. migratory tactics). More comparisons of populations/individuals with divergent life histories will help to reveal this. Overall, our study suggests that incorporating an understanding of metabolic trait variation and flexibility and linking this to life history and demography will improve our ability to conserve populations experiencing global change.

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Multi-level social-ecological networks in a payments for ecosystem services programme in central Veracruz, Mexico

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892920000478 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Alfonso Langle-Flores ◽

Adriana Aguilar Rodríguez ◽

Humberto Romero-Uribe ◽

Julia Ros-Cuéllar ◽

Juan José Von Thaden

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Payments For Ecosystem Services ◽

Collaboration Network ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Social Ecological ◽

Non Governmental Organizations ◽

Conservation Activity ◽

Ecological Importance ◽

Hydrological Services

Summary Payments for ecosystem services (PES) programmes have been considered an important conservation mechanism to avoid deforestation. These environmental policies act in social and ecological contexts at different spatial scales. We evaluated the social-ecological fit between stakeholders and ecosystem processes in a local PES programme across three levels: social, ecological and social-ecological. We explored collaboration among stakeholders, assessed connectivity between forest units and evaluated conservation activity links between stakeholders and forest units. In addition, to increase programme effectiveness, we classified forest units based on their social and ecological importance. Our main findings suggest that non-governmental organizations occupy brokerage positions between landowners and government in a dense collaboration network. We also found a partial spatial misfit between conservation activity links and the forest units that provide the most hydrological services to Xalapa. We conclude that conservation efforts should be directed towards the middle and high part of the Pixquiac sub-watershed and that the role of non-governmental organizations as mediators should be strengthened to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the local PES programme.

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