Departamento Biología Animal, Ecología, Parasitología, Edafología y Química Agrícola

Restauración de antiguas minas de carbón a cielo abierto en el suroeste de Asturias : un modelo hacia la sostenibilidad

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

[SPA]El cierre de minas de carbón en el suroccidente de Asturias dejó un paisaje degradado con suelos empobrecidos y ecosistemas fragmentados. Para su restauración, se proponen soluciones basadas en la naturaleza (SBN) y economía circular. Se evalúa la efectividad de enmiendas como compost, residuos industriales inertes y biochar en la recuperación del suelo y la revegetación, tanto en laboratorio como en parcelas piloto en la mina de Tormaleo (Ibias). Los resultados indican mejoras en la fertilidad del suelo, regeneración vegetal, secuestro de carbono y fortalecimiento de servicios ecosistémicos. Estas estrategias pueden replicarse en otros entornos mineros, consolidando prácticas sostenibles para la restauración ambiental y la transición ecológica

Soil Remediation and Improvement through the Application of By-Product Amendments

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This Reprint compiles recent research on the remediation and improvement of soils through the application of by-product amendments. The contributions address the dual challenge of soil degradation and waste overproduction by exploring how organic and industrial residues can be repurposed to restore soil health and enhance fertility. The articles cover a wide range of contexts, from contaminated mine soils to agricultural lands, and assess impacts on nutrient availability, microbial communities, crop productivity, and pollutant mitigation. Several studies also integrate techniques such as phytoremediation and vermicomposting. This Reprint highlights interdisciplinary approaches that connect biotechnology, ecology, and sustainable waste management, offering practical perspectives for regenerative agriculture and circular economy strategies.

Estimating Mercury and Arsenic Release from the La Soterraña Abandoned Mine Waste Dump (Asturias, Spain): Source-Term Reconstruction Using High-Accuracy UAV Surveys and Historical Topographic Data

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

[EN]The waste dump from the abandoned La Soterraña mine, a former mercury extraction site, contains high concentrations of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As), which pose a significant environmental risk due to direct exposure to the environment. Given the site’s topography and slope, surface runoff has been identified as the primary mechanism for the dispersal of these toxic elements into nearby watercourses. This study quantifies the amount of Hg and As released into fluvial systems through surface runoff from the waste dump. Historical topographic data, Airborne Laser Exploration Survey public data from the National Plan for Aerial Orthophotographs (1st PNOA-LiDAR) of the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, and high-precision photogrammetric drone surveys were utilized, with centimeter-level accuracy achieved using airborne GNSS RTK positioning systems on the drone. The methodology yields reliable results when comparing surfaces generated from topographic data collected with consistent methodologies and standards. Analysis indicates an environmental release exceeding 1000 kg of mercury (Hg) and 12,000 kg of arsenic (As) between 2019 and 2023, based on high spatial resolution data (GSD = 8 cm). These findings highlight a sustained temporal contribution of chemical contaminants, which imposes serious environmental and biological health risks due to persistent exposure to toxic elements.

From waste to solution: Valorisation of a dolomite by-product for degraded soil rehabilitation

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

[Acidic, metal(loid)-contaminated soils require scalable circular solutions; the efficacy of a finely milled dolomite by-product, alone or co-applied with vermicompost (VC) or biochar (B), was assessed as amendments to rehabilitate an Iberian mine-impacted soil and to enable phytostabilisation with Lolium multiflorum. In a greenhouse pot trial comparing five amended treatments (SD, SV, SB, SVD, SBD) against an unamended control, soil chemistry (pH, C/N, available P, CEC, Al saturation), TCLP-extractable Cu–Zn–As, plant biomass, and multivariate response (PCA) were quantified. Dolomite sharply neutralised acidity (pH 3.1→8.3–8.5), increased CEC (23.0→65.5–81.9 cmol(+)/kg), and reduced Al saturation (11.2 % → ~0.02 %), with large decreases in TCLP-Cu fell to <10 mg/kg in dolomite-containing treatments and to <3 mg/kg with VC formulations; Zn was suppressed to <65 mg/kg except where liming counteracted B effects. Arsenic showed a distinct pattern: VC increased TCLPAs in close association with available P, whereas dolomite alone or with B kept As below detection—most plausibly via Ca/Mg-driven (co)precipitation of sparingly soluble arsenate/phosphate phases; notably, SVD < SV for As, indicating partial mitigation by dolomite. Vegetation failed in the control but established across all amended soils, with biomass maximized under VC. Overall, the results indicate that dolomite by-product particularly in combination with VC provides a circular, field-relevant route to restore soil function and reduce bioavailable Cu and Zn by >90 % while sustaining plant establishment; given VC-linked As mobilization, co-amendment with Fe-rich sorbents and prudent P management are recommended to minimize risk in practical applications.

Application of organic geochemistry to the characterization of hydrochar and biochar: Insights into composition and optimization

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

[EN]Hydrothermal carbonization has garnered significant attention in recent studies due to potential applications of the hydrochar produced, which overlap with those of torrefied biochar, including soil improvement, carbon sequestration, and energy production. However, unlike the relatively uniform properties of biochar, hydrochar characteristics can vary greatly depending on the feedstock used. Advanced characterization techniques are essential to better understand these materials and enhance their practical applications. Research on hydrochar requires a multi-faceted approach, including molecular-level studies, to optimize production processes and identify specific applications. In this regard, analytical methods commonly used in organic geochemistry could play a crucial role in deepening our knowledge of hydrochar and biochar. Thus, this study evaluates the properties and key characteristics of five types of hydrochar and a reference biochar using a range of advanced analytical techniques. Among these, HAWK® pyrolysis with flame ionization and infra-red detectors (Py-FID/IRD) — typically employed in petroleum geochemistry — has proven to be a rapid and effective method for assessing some key properties and facilitating quick comparisons. Additionally, thermal desorption and pyrolysis analysis followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (TD-Py-GC-MS) provided detailed molecular characterizations of the hydrochars. These findings demonstrate that traditional techniques used in fossil fuel and environmental geochemistry are equally applicable in this field. Consequently, these techniques offer valuable insights into hydrochar composition, addressing critical knowledge gaps and leveraging advanced geochemical methods to assist in optimizing carbonaceous materials for practical applications including production of biofuels and platform chemicals for bio-refining.

Unraveling the dynamic interplay of microbial communities associated to Lupinus angustifolius in response to environmental and cultivation conditions

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT

[EN]Microorganisms form dynamic communities with plants, providing benefits such as nutrient acquisition and stress resilience. Understanding how these microorganisms are affected by environmental factors such as growth conditions and soil characteristics are essential for harnessing these communities for sustainable agriculture practices and their response to climate change. The microbiome associated to Lupinus angustifolius, a legume native in Europe, with a high protein value and stress resilience was characterized for the first time. Using 16S rRNA gene and ITS amplicon sequencing, we characterized the compositional and temporal changes of the bacterial and fungal communities associated to the soil, rhizosphere, and plant compartments where Lupinus angustifolius grows naturally. Our results suggest that the main difference in the soil microbial communities is related to the edaphic properties, although environmental factors such as temperature, humidity or rainfall also influenced the composition of the soil microbial communities. We also characterized the bacterial communities associated with the rhizosphere, roots, nodules, and leaves of wild plants collected in the field and compared them against plants obtained under greenhouse conditions. In the plant compartments, the bacterial composition appeared to be more affected by the growing conditions (field vs greenhouse), than by soil characteristics or location. These results can be used to identify key taxa that may play crucial roles in the development and adaptation of the host plant and its associated microbiota to environmental changes and highlight the importance of characterizing the plant microbiomes in their natural habitats. Soil, influenced by climatic seasons, shapes the plant microbiome assembly. Lupinus recruits a core microbiome across rhizosphere, roots, nodules, and leaves, that is stable across locations. However, cultivation conditions may alter microbiome dynamics, impacting the adaptability of its components. Wild plants show a resilient and adaptable microbiome while germination and cultivation in greenhouse conditions alter its composition and vulnerability.

Improving the Management of a Semi-Arid Agricultural Ecosystem through Digital Mapping of Soil Properties: the case of Salamanca (Spain)

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT

[EN]Soil protection and the increase and intensification of agricultural production require detailed knowledge of soil properties and their variability. On the other hand, the complexity associated with traditional soil mapping processes can lead to the implementation of inappropriate agricultural practices that degrade this resource. Therefore, it is necessary to use mapping techniques to provide more detailed information to farmers and managers. In this study, the geostatistical technique ordinary kriging was used to map the distribution of the most important edaphic properties (texture, nutrients content -N, P, K-, pH, organic carbon, water retention, COLE, carbonate content, and cation exchange capacity) from known sampled points, which allows inferring the value and distribution of the different edaphic parameters studied along the agricultural fields. The results obtained show after validation that the analysis of semivariograms is suitable for evaluating the distribution of the main soil parameters on a large scale, since it faithfully reflects their distribution and makes the ordinary kriging tool a suitable method for optimizing the resources available in soil mapping processes. In addition, the knowledge of these distributions made it possible to establish different recommendations for improving the management of the agricultural ecosystem, which will guarantee a higher agricultural yield as well as a better protection of the analyzed soils.

Diversity and dominance in bird assemblages across habitats in the Ñeembucú wetlands complex

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

[EN] Understanding how diversity responds to habitat heterogeneity in a landscape is a central issue for implementing effective conservation plans. In this study, we analyzed how the composition and abundance of neotropical bird assemblages vary among habitats in the Ñeembucú Wetlands Complex, the largest wetland system in Paraguay. Bird surveys were conducted during 1 year within dominant habitats in the landscape: riparian forests, natural grasslands, savannas, and anthropized sites. The Ñeembucú Wetlands Complex showed a high bird richness (209 species) that contrasted with a pattern of dominance by a small set of 16 species that comprised half of the abundance. This set of oligarchic species consists of generalist species that exploited a wide variety of habitats and were well adapted to human disturbance, contributing to an important overlap in the composition of assemblages. However, despite this overall similarity, there is still significant differentiation in bird assemblages, especially between habitats with the most contrasting vegetation physiognomy. Riparian forests and savannas showed higher diversity values than the more structurally homogeneous grasslands. Also, all natural habitats showed, in general, higher diversity values than anthropized sites. Oligarchic species had higher importance in anthropized environments, which also had the most uneven distribution of abundance between species, indicating the dominance by a smaller number of species and the loss of ecological diversity as farmland and urban development increase.

Interacción entre los helmintos parásitos y el sistema hemostático de sus hospedadores. La larva infectiva de Ascaris suum como modelo experimental

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

[ES]Los helmintos parásitos constituyen uno de los grupos de agentes infecciosos más comunes, tanto de humanos como de animales. Estos parásitos llevan coevolucionando con sus hospedadores miles de años, lo que ha supuesto la aparición de interacciones finamente reguladas y equilibradas entre ambos organismos. Entre ellas destacan las diversas estrategias que los parásitos han desarrollado para afrontar y evadir las respuestas de sus hospedadores y adaptar o modificar la fisiología de estos a sus propias necesidades. Una de estas estrategias es la manipulación que hacen del sistema hemostático, mecanismo responsable de mantener la integridad vascular en los vertebrados mediante la formación de coágulos sanguíneos (sistema de la coagulación) y la posterior disolución de los mismos (sistema fibrinolítico). La información existente en este campo de estudio es cuantiosa y diversa y se encuentra dispersa en la literatura científica. Por ello, el primer objetivo de la Tesis Doctoral fue realizar una revisión de alcance para revisar, sintetizar y unificar esta información, actualizar conceptos e identificar vacíos de conocimiento. Los resultados revelaron un número considerable de especies de helmintos parásitos con capacidad para interaccionar con el sistema hemostático en diferentes estadios evolutivos. Las interacciones que llevaron a cabo resultaron, principalmente, en la inhibición de la coagulación y la activación de la fibrinolisis. Se identificó un número elevado de proteínas parasitarias como responsables de interaccionar con un gran número de componentes del sistema hemostático, las cuales presentaron cierta homología con los moduladores fisiológicos de este sistema en el hospedador. Las distintas especies mostraron un patrón común de interacción, lo que sugiere procesos de convergencia evolutiva que podrían haberse conservado al ser beneficiosos para la nutrición, el establecimiento y la supervivencia del parásito en el hospedador. Con el objetivo de estudiar experimentalmente este tipo de interacciones, se empleó la larva infectiva de Ascaris suum, la cual realiza una extensa ruta migratoria por diferentes tejidos de su hospedador a través de la circulación sanguínea del mismo. Este helminto es el parásito intestinal más prevalente en cerdos domésticos de todo el mundo, presenta potencial zoonótico y se encuentra muy próximo filogenéticamente a A. lumbricoides, especie que afecta al ser humano con más de 800 millones de casos en el mundo. Los resultados mostraron que la larva infectiva de A. suum sigue el patrón general de interacción con el sistema hemostático observado en la revisión de alcance, pues se demuestra su capacidad para inhibir componentes del sistema de la coagulación de su hospedador, así como para activar su ruta fibrinolítica. En relación con las moléculas implicadas en estos procesos, se identificaron tres y doce proteínas del parásito, respectivamente. Esta manipulación del sistema hemostático podría conferirle a dicha larva beneficios en términos de migración por los tejidos de su hospedador y, por tanto, de establecimiento y supervivencia en él. Puesto que el estudio de las relaciones parásito-hospedador se ha postulado como uno de los pilares fundamentales para el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas de control contra las helmintiasis, y debido a la importancia biológica y conservación evolutiva de este mecanismo de interacción parasitario, la información aportada por la presente Tesis Doctoral podría contribuir al futuro diseño de dichas herramientas.

Imported Mansonella perstans infection in Spain

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

[EN] Background: Mansonella perstans infection can be considered one of the most neglected tropical infectious diseases. Very few studies have reported on the clinical picture caused by infection with this nematode. Therefore, our study was aimed to describe the clinical patterns and treatment of imported M. perstans infection by migrants from Africa. Methods: The present study evaluated a large cohort of migrants who have been diagnosed, examined and treated for imported M. perstans infection at a Spanish reference center (Hospital Carlos III Tropical Medicine Unit, Madrid, Spain) over a 19-year period. Most patients voluntarily attend the emergency unit or are referred from primary care or general hospitals in Madrid. Chi-square test was used to compare the association between categorical variables. The continuous variables were compared by Student’s t-test or the Mann–Whitney test. The corresponding regression models were used for multivariate analysis. Results: Five hundred three cases of migrants from tropical and subtropical areas with M. perstans infection were identified. Two hundred sixty-four patients were female (52.5%). The mean age (± SD) was 44.6 ± 18.2 years (range: 16–93 years). The mean time (± SD) between the arrival in Spain and the first consultation was 8.6 ± 18.0 months. The major origin of the patients was Equatorial Guinea (97.6%). Regarding the clinical picture, 257 patients were asymptomatic (54.7%) and 228 were symptomatic (45.3%); 190 patients had pruritus (37.8%), 50 (9.9%) had arthralgia, 18 patients had Calabar-like swelling (3.6%), and 15 (3%) had abdominal pain. Four hundred forty-two (87.9%) migrants had hyper-IgE, and 340 (67.6%) had eosinophilia. One hundred ninety-five patients had coinfections with other filarial nematodes (38.8%), and 308 migrants had only M. perstans infection (61.2%). Four hundred thirty-seven cases (86.9%) had been treated with anti-filarial drugs; 292 cases were treated with one antifilarial drug, and 145 cases were treated with combined anti-filarial therapy. Additionally, 20 (4%) cases received steroids and 38 (7.6%) cases received antihistamines. Conclusions: A long series of M. perstans infections is presented in sub-Saharan immigrants whose data indicate that it should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with pruritus or analytical alterations such as eosinophilia or hyper-IgE presentation, and they also have a high number of coinfections with other microorganisms whose treatment needs to be protocolized. Keywords: Mansonellosis, Mansonella perstans, Clinical study, Immigrant, Imported diseases, Spain

Comparative genomics of the major parasitic worms

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

[EN] Parasitic nematodes (roundworms) and platyhelminths (flatworms) cause debilitating chronic infections of humans and animals, decimate crop production and are a major impediment to socioeconomic development. Here we report a broad comparative study of 81 genomes of parasitic and non-parasitic worms. We have identified gene family births and hundreds of expanded gene families at key nodes in the phylogeny that are relevant to parasitism. Examples include gene families that modulate host immune responses, enable parasite migration though host tissues or allow the parasite to feed. We reveal extensive lineagespecific differences in core metabolism and protein families historically targeted for drug development. From an in silico screen, we have identified and prioritized new potential drug targets and compounds for testing. This comparative genomics resource provides a much-needed boost for the research community to understand and combat parasitic worms.

A Novel RT-LAMP for the Detection of Different Genotypes of Crimean–Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus in Patients from Spain

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

[EN] Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a potentially lethal tick-borne viral disease with a wide distribution. In Spain, 12 human cases of CCHF have been confirmed, with four deaths. The diagnosis of CCHF is hampered by the nonspecific symptoms, the high genetic diversity of CCHFV, and the biosafety requirements to manage the virus. RT-qPCR and serological tests are used for diagnosis with limitations. Reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) could be an effective alternative in the diagnosis of the disease. However, none of the few RT-LAMP assays developed to date has detected different CCHFV genotypes. Here, we designed a RT-LAMP using a degenerate primer set to compensate for the variability of the CCHFV target sequence. RT-LAMP was performed in colorimetric and real-time tests on RT-qPCR-confirmed CCHF patient samples notified in Spain in 2020 and 2021. Urine from an inpatient was analysed by RT-LAMP for the first time and compared with RT-qPCR. The amplicons obtained by RT-qPCR were sequenced and African III and European V genotypes were identified. RT-LAMP amplified both genotypes and was more sensitive than RT-qPCR in urine samples. We have developed a novel, rapid, specific, and sensitive RT-LAMP test that allows the detection of different CCHFV genotypes in clinical samples. This pan-CCHFV RT-LAMP detected viral RNA for the first time in urine samples. It can be easily performed as a single-tube isothermal colorimetric method on a portable platform in real time and without the need for expensive equipment, thus bringing molecular diagnostics closer to rural or resource-poor areas, where CCHF usually occurs.

Peptides Derived of Kunitz-Type Serine Protease Inhibitor as Potential Vaccine Against Experimental Schistosomiasis

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

[EN] Schistosomiasis is a significant public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, China, Southeast Asia, and regions of South and Central America affecting about 189 million people. Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors have been identified as important players in the interaction of other flatworm parasites with their mammalian hosts. They are involved in host blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, inflammation, and ion channel blocking, all of them critical biological processes, which make them interesting targets to develop a vaccine. Here, we evaluate the protective efficacy of chemically synthesized T- and B-cell peptide epitopes derived from a kunitz protein from Schistosoma mansoni. Putative kunitz-type protease inhibitor proteins were identified in the S.mansoni genome, and their expression was analyzed by RNA-seq. Gene expression analyses showed that the kunitz protein Smp_147730 (Syn. Smp_311670) was dramatically and significantly up-regulated in schistosomula and adult worms when compared to the invading cercariae. T- and B-cell epitopes were predicted using bioinformatics tools, chemically synthesized, and formulated in the Adjuvant Adaptation (ADAD) vaccination system. BALB/c mice were vaccinated and challenged with S. mansoni cercariae. Kunitz peptides were highly protective in vaccinated BALB/c mice showing significant reductions in recovery of adult females (89–91%) and in the numbers of eggs trapped in the livers (77–81%) and guts (57–77%) of mice. Moreover, liver lesions were significantly reduced in vaccinated mice (64–65%) compared to infected control mice. The vaccination regime was well-tolerated with both peptides. We propose the use of these peptides, alone or in combination, as reliable candidates for vaccination against schistosomiasis.

Contaminación acústica y aves urbanas en el centro de la Península Ibérica: efectos en la diversidad y modificaciones de las vocalizaciones en diferentes especies

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

[ES] En un mundo cada vez más urbanizado la contaminación acústica antropogénica se ha revelado cómo una importante amenaza para las aves urbanas, ya que puede impedir una correcta y eficiente comunicación, esto puede afectar al desarrollo normal de sus vidas. Se ha estudiado la relación entre el ruido y la diversidad y abundancia de las aves en áreas urbanas del centro de la Península Ibérica (España). Se ha analizado como la diversidad y densidad de especies varía a lo largo de tres niveles de contaminación acústica (alto, medio y bajo). Se analizó de forma separada la temporada reproductora y la no reproductora. La diversidad de especies decreció en áreas con nivel Alto de contaminación acústica en relación con el nivel Bajo. Se analizó la densidad de las especies más frecuentes encontradas en los tres niveles de contaminación acústica. Se encontró que la respuesta es diferencial y dependiente de la especie. En la época reproductora se identificaron 8 especies más tolerantes al ruido, con un incremento significativo de su densidad en ambientes con alta contaminación acústica (como el Pito ibérico y la Paloma Torcaz). Y 10 especies más sensibles al ruido (como el Pinzón vulgar y la golondrina común) que disminuyeron significativamente su densidad cuando el ruido aumentó. Se encontraron 8 especies tolerantes al ruido; 6 de las cuales, p.e. la Urraca, el Mirlo y el Carbonero Garrapinos aumentaron su densidad con el ruido tanto en temporada reproductora como no reproductora y 2 especies (el Herrerillo común y el Mosquitero Ibérico) incrementaron significativamente su densidad en los ambientes más ruidosos sólo en temporada no reproductora. Por otra parte, se registraron 12 especies que se mostraron como más sensibles al ruido, disminuyendo su densidad en lugares con alta contaminación acústica, de estas, 7 especies disminuyeron su densidad con el ruido tanto en la época reproductora como no reproductora, entre ellas el Gorrión común, el Verderón común, el Verdecillo y el Colirrojo Tizón, finalmente 5 especies redujeron su densidad solamente en época no reproductora entre las que se encuentran la Paloma Torcaz, y el Jilguero. Por otro lado, se han analizado los cantos de tres especies típicamente urbanas, comparando diferentes características temporales y espectrales entre los tres niveles de ruido (Alto, Medio y Bajo). Las especies seleccionadas fueron: el Mirlo común (Turdus merula), el Gorrión común (Passer domesticus) y el Verderón común (Chloris chloris). El Mirlo es una especie originalmente forestal que ahora también es una especie exitosa en ambientes urbanos, con un canto complejo dividido en dos partes diferentes. Los cantos del mirlo cambiaron a lo largo de los diferentes niveles de contaminación acústica. Los principales hallazgos han sido que los mirlos en condiciones ruidosas subieron todo su rango vocal (frecuencia pico, mínima y máxima) para evitar el enmascaramiento por el ruido y, además, se registraron cambios en la estructura del canto. Se relacionó la contaminación acústica alta con una mayor proporción de la parte “twitter” (frecuencias altas con rango amplio) que de la parte motivo (bajas frecuencias y rango estrecho). En este mismo sentido los mirlos con el nivel bajo de ruido cantaron una parte “twitter” más corta y una parte motivo más larga. Estos cambios en la estructura del canto pueden impedir el enmascaramiento por el ruido y mejorar la eficiencia y dispersión del mensaje. A pesar de esta relación, otros cambios en la ecología y población de los mirlos en el gradiente urbano-bosque, pueden ser otra explicación complementaria para algunas de las variaciones del canto según la contaminación acústica en los mirlos. El Gorrión común es una especie muy ligada a las actividades del ser humano, siendo esta especie escasa donde hay poca presión humana. Se encontraron cambios en los cantos del gorrión a lo largo de los tres niveles de contaminación acústica. Los hallazgos más importantes han sido un aumento general de las frecuencias con el aumento del nivel de contaminación acústica usado por lo gorriones. La frecuencia pico, frecuencia máxima y mínima aumentaron en el nivel Alto de ruido, minimizando el enmascaramiento por el ruido y sus efectos negativos en la comunicación. Además, el rango de las sílabas fue más amplio (mayor) también en el nivel Alto. El Verderón común es un fringílido robusto, típico de ciudades y pueblos. Como otros fringílidos mostró una gran variedad y variabilidad en sus cantos. Se encontraron cambios en el canto del verderón en función al ruido, aunque algunos de estos cambios no siguieron el gradiente de contaminación acústica. Destacan la duración y la pausa entre series, encontrándose la diferencia entre el nivel Medio de ruido y los otros dos niveles. En los parámetros de frecuencia se encontró que, por un lado, la frecuencia mínima no cambió, y por otro, la frecuencia máxima y la pico sí lo hicieron. Estas frecuencias aumentaron, sobre todo, del nivel Bajo al Alto de ruido. El rango de las series utilizadas por esta especie también varió, observándose un aumento en el nivel Alto de ruido respecto a los otros dos niveles. Identificar la sensibilidad y cómo se ven afectadas las aves urbanas por la contaminación acústica es importante para las medidas y la gestión de la conservación de las especies y para una gestión y planificación de las ciudades y sus zonas verdes más sostenible y saludable, también para las personas que las habitan.

Resumen de tesis. Determination of the value of livestock landscapes in the conservation of birds and, medium and large-sized mammals in the Paraguayan dry Chaco

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

[ES] Con el fin de promover prácticas de uso de la tierra que mejoren las oportunidades de conservación de la biodiversidad en paisajes altamente productivos, es necesario comprender la respuesta de la biodiversidad local a las actividades humanas y la configuración del paisaje. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo colaborar en la clarificación de las relaciones entre los elementos que componen el paisaje productivo y la diversidad y composición de las comunidades de aves y mamíferos. La intención final de esta investigación es elaborar recomendaciones que puedan ser valiosas tanto para los productores que buscan alcanzar estándares de sostenibilidad más altos, como para el gobierno, con el fin de mejorar las políticas que beneficien la conservación de la biodiversidad en paisajes productivos y la conectividad entre áreas protegidas.

Zoonotic dirofilariases: one, no one, or more than one parasite.

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

[EN]Dirofilaria spp. are vector-borne filarial nematodes that affect a variety of animal species, including humans. Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are the two main zoonotic species, but also other wildlife-associated Dirofilaria species are occasionally reported as causative agents of human dirofilariasis, including Dirofilaria striata, Dirofilaria tenuis, Dirofilaria ursi, Dirofilaria spectans, and Dirofilaria magnilarvata. Since the etiological identity of most of the species mentioned here is arguable, we summarized and critically discussed data concerning infections in humans, focusing on the reliability of Dirofilaria species identification. We advocate the importance of combined morphological and genomic approaches to provide unequivocal evidence for their zoonotic potential and pathogenicity.