1 4 5 6 7 8 27

The symbiosome: legume and rhizobia co-evolution towards a nitrogen-fixing organelle?

Autores:

Coba de la Peña, T., Fedorova, E., Pueyo, J. J., & Lucas, M. M.

Resumen:

In legume nodules, symbiosomes containing endosymbiotic rhizobial bacteria act as temporary plant organelles that are responsible for nitrogen fixation, these bacteria develop mutual metabolic dependence with the host legume. In most legumes, the rhizobia infect post-mitotic cells that have lost their ability to divide, although in some nodules cells do maintain their mitotic capacity after infection. Here, we review what is currently known about legume symbiosomes from an evolutionary and developmental perspective, and in the context of the different interactions between diazotroph bacteria and eukaryotes. As a result, it can be concluded that the symbiosome possesses organelle-like characteristics due to its metabolic behavior, the composite origin and differentiation of its membrane, the retargeting of host cell proteins, the control of microsymbiont proliferation and differentiation by the host legume, and the cytoskeletal dynamics and symbiosome segregation during the division of rhizobia-infected cells. Different degrees of symbiosome evolution can be defined, specifically in relation to rhizobial infection and to the different types of nodule. Thus, our current understanding of the symbiosome suggests that it might be considered a nitrogen-fixing link in organelle evolution and that the distinct types of legume symbiosomes could represent different evolutionary stages toward the generation of a nitrogen-fixing organelle.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Endosymbiosis, Legumes, Rhizobia, Nodule, Symbiosome, Lupin, Nitrogen fixation, Organelle evolution

Referencia APA: Coba de la Peña, T., Fedorova, E., Pueyo, J. J., & Lucas, M. M. (2017). The symbiosome: legume and rhizobia co-evolution towards a nitrogen-fixing organelle?. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8, 2229. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.02229

Migratory interchange of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) among breeding grounds of Oceania and connections to Antarctic feeding areas based on genotype matching

Autores:

Steel, D., Anderson, M., Garrigue, C., Olavarría, C., Caballero, S., Childerhouse, S., Clapham, P., Constantine, R., Dawson, S., Donoghue, M., Florez-González, L., Gibbs N., Hauser, N., Oremus, M., Paton, D., Poole, M.M., Robbins, J., Slooten, L., Thiele, D., Ward, J., & Baker, C.S.

Resumen:

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) congregate to breed during the austral winter near tropical islands of the South Pacific (Oceania). It has long been assumed that humpback whales from Oceania migrate primarily to Antarctic feeding grounds directly south (International Whaling Commission Management Areas V and VI); however, there are few records of individual movement connecting these seasonal habitats. Based on genetic samples of living whales collected over nearly two decades, we demonstrate interchange between the breeding grounds of Oceania and Antarctic feeding Areas V, VI, and I (i.e., from 130°E to 60°W), as well as with the eastern Pacific (Colombia), and the migratory corridors of eastern Australia and New Zealand. We first compared genotype profiles (up to 16 microsatellite loci) of samples collected from Oceania breeding grounds to each other and to those from the eastern Pacific. The matching profiles documented 47 individuals that were present on more than one breeding ground, including the first record of movement between Oceania and Colombia. We then compared the 1179 genotypes from the breeding grounds to 777 from the migratory corridors of east Australia and New Zealand, confirming the connection of these corridors with New Caledonia. Finally, we compared genotypes from breeding grounds to 166 individuals from Antarctic feeding Areas I–VI. This comparison of genotypes revealed five matches: one between New Caledonia and Area V, one between Tonga and Area VI, two between Tonga and Area I (western edge), and one between Colombia and Area I (Antarctic Peninsula). Despite the relatively small number of samples from the Antarctic, our comparison has doubled the number of recorded connections with Oceania available from previous studies during the era of commercial whaling.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Humpback, Megaptera novaeangliae, Migration, Genotyping

Referencia APA: Steel, D., Anderson, M., Garrigue, C., Olavarría, C., Caballero, S., Childerhouse, S., Clapham, P., Constantine, R., Dawson, S., Donoghue, M., Florez-González, L., Gibbs N., Hauser, N., Oremus, M., Paton, D., Poole, M.M., Robbins, J., Slooten, L., Thiele, D., Ward, J., & Baker, C.S. (2017). Migratory interchange of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) among breeding grounds of Oceania and connections to Antarctic feeding areas based on genotype matching. Polar Biology, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-017-2226-9

Miscanti-1: Human occupation during the arid Mid-Holocene event in the high-altitude lakes of the Atacama Desert, South America

Autores:

Núñez, L., Loyola, R., Cartajena, I., López, P., Santander, B., Maldonado, A., De Souza, P., & Carrasco, C.

Resumen:

This paper presents an interdisciplinary study of the Miscanti-1 archaeological site, located in the Holocene terrace deposits accumulated on the eastern margin of Miscanti Lake (4120 m.a.s.l.), northern Chile (23.7° S, 67.7° W). The human response to environmental and climatic variability in the Mid-Holocene (9500-4500 cal yr BP) is discussed through the zooarchaeological, lithic and paleoenvironmental records. We propose that, due to the increased aridity of the period, Miscanti Lake became a brackish paleowetland that attracted discrete groups of hunter-gatherers from lower elevation Andean areas. In contrast with the high frequency of human occupations known for the humid Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene (12600-9500 yr cal BP), the Miscanti-1 site is one of the few occupations recorded in the Atacama Highlands during the Mid-Holocene period. Data analysis suggests logistic and short-term campsite use for hunting the wild camelids that were attracted by the wetlands and fresh water (8100–8300 yr cal BP). In contrast to previous proposals for this period, we propose that access to high altitude environments did not cease, but was made possible by a shift to highly scheduled mobility and a specialized bifacial technology. Finally, the temporal and spatial links of Miscanti-1 are discussed in a regional context.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Atacama Desert, High-altitude environments, Mid-Holocene, South America, Data treatment, Data analysis

Referencia APA: Núñez, L., Loyola, R., Cartajena, I., López, P., Santander, B., Maldonado, A., De Souza, P., & Carrasco, C. (2018). Miscanti-1: Human occupation during the arid Mid-Holocene event in the high-altitude lakes of the Atacama Desert, South America. Quaternary Science Reviews, 181, 109-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.12.010

The potential beginning of a postwhaling recovery in New Zealand humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Autores:

Gibbs, N. J., Dunlop, R. A., Gibbs, E. J., Heberley, J. A., & Olavarría, C.

Resumen:

Between the 1940s and 1970s Southern Hemisphere populations of humpback whales (including eastern Australia and Oceania populations) were hunted to near extinction by extensive commercial whaling activities in Antarctica, with fewer whales taken in shore whaling operations in New Zealand, Australia (including Norfolk Island) and Tonga. Variable rates of recovery of these populations have been documented, ranging from recovery to prewhaling numbers in eastern Australian humpbacks to very little sign of recovery in many Oceania populations. Here we analyze recent sighting data collected over 12 yr, from annual surveys in Cook Strait, New Zealand. The data show an increase in sightings, at an estimated rate of 13% (95% CI of 4.9% and 21.7%) in 2015, of humpback whales migrating through Cook Strait. The wide confidence intervals preclude substantive conclusions about the rate of increase but suggest humpback whales are returning to this region in increasing numbers, indicating an influx of immigrants from neighboring areas, namely eastern Australia.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Humpback whales, Trends, Recruitment, Recovery, Migration, New Zealand, Survey, Whaling, Megaptera novaeangliae

Referencia APA: Gibbs, N. J., Dunlop, R. A., Gibbs, E. J., Heberley, J. A., & Olavarría, C. (2017). The potential beginning of a postwhaling recovery in New Zealand humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Marine Mammal Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12468

Diversification dynamics, species sorting, and changes in the functional diversity of marine benthic gastropods during the Pliocene-Quaternary at temperate western South America

Autores:

Rivadeneira, M. M., & Nielsen, S. N.

Resumen:

Functional diversity based on species traits is a powerful tool to investigate how changes in species richness and composition affect ecosystem functioning. However, studies aimed at understanding changes in functional diversity over large temporal and spatial scales are still scant. Here we evaluate the combined effect of diversification and species sorting on functional diversity of fossil marine gastropods during the Pliocene-Quaternary transition in the Pacific coast of South America. We analyzed a total of 172 species in 29 Pliocene and 97 Quaternary sites. Each species was characterized according to six functional traits: body size, feeding type, mobility, attachment, life-habit, and larval mode. Functional diversity was estimated according to four indexes (functional richness, evenness, divergence and dispersion) based on functional traits measured. Extrapolated species richness showed a slight yet not significant decrease from the Pliocene to the Quaternary despite the fact that a large faunal turnover took place; furthermore, a large extinction of Pliocene species (61–76%) was followed by a high pulse of appearances (49–56%) during the Quaternary. Three out of four indices of functional diversity (evenness, divergence and dispersion) increased significantly towards the Quaternary which is more than expected under a random turnover of species. The increase in functional diversity is associated with a loss of large-sized carnivore forms, which tended to be replaced by small-sized grazers. Hence, this trait-selective species turnover, even in the absence of significant changes in species richness, likely had a large effect and has shaped the functional diversity of present-day assemblages.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Species diversity, Species extinction, Pliocene epoch, Physiological parameters, Gastropods, Biodiversity, Malacology, Marine fossils

Referencia APA: Rivadeneira, M. M., & Nielsen, S. N. (2017). Diversification dynamics, species sorting, and changes in the functional diversity of marine benthic gastropods during the Pliocene-Quaternary at temperate western South America. PLOS ONE, 12(10), e0187140. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187140

Holocene tephrochronology of the lower Río Cisnes valley, southern Chile

Autores:

Weller, D. J., de Porras, M. E., Maldonado, A., Méndez, C., & Stern, C. R.

Resumen:

Sediment cores from lakes and bogs in the Río Cisnes valley contain tephra from explosive eruptions of volcanoes in the southern part of the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone (SSVZ). These tephra, which thicken and coarsen to the west, are attributed to eruptions from Melimoyu, Mentolat, Hudson, and potentially either Macá, Cay or one of the many minor eruptive centers (MEC) located both along the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault Zone (LOFZ) and surrounding the major volcanoes. Correlation of the tephra between two new cores in the lower Río Cisnes valley, and amongst other cores previously described from the region, and source volcano identification for the tephra, has been done using lithostratigraphic data (tephra layer thickness and grain size), petrography (tephra glass color, vesicle morphology, and type and abundance of phenocryst phases), and by comparison of bulk tephra trace-element characteristics with previously published whole-rock and bulk tephra chemical analysis. Four tephras in these cores are attributed to eruptions of Mentolat, four to eruptions from Melimoyu, one possibly to Hudson, and six cannot be assigned to a specific source volcano. Some of these tephra correspond to pyroclastic tephra fall deposits previously observed in outcrop, including the MEL2 eruption of Melimoyu and the MEN1 eruption of Mentolat. However, others have not been previously observed and represent the products of newly identified small to medium sized eruptions from volcanoes of the SSVZ. These results provide new information concerning the frequency and magnitude of explosive eruption of SSVZ volcanoes and contribute to the evaluation of volcanic hazards in the region.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Andean volcanism; Tephra; Tephrochronology; Chile

Referencia APA: Weller, D. J., de Porras, M. E., Maldonado, A., Méndez, C., & Stern, C. R. (2017). Holocene tephrochronology of the lower Río Cisnes valley, southern Chile. Andean Geology, 44(3), 229-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.5027/andgeoV44n3-a01

The combined effects of ocean warming and acidification on shallow-water meiofaunal assemblages

Autores:

Lee, M. R., Torres, R., & Manríquez, P. H.

Resumen:

Climate change due to increased anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere is causing an increase in seawater temperatures referred to as ocean warming and a decrease in seawater pH, referred to as ocean acidification. The meiofauna play an important role in the ecology of marine ecosystems and the functions they provide. Using microcosms, meiofaunal assemblages were exposed to two temperatures (15 and 19 °C) and two pHs (pCO2 of 400 and 1000 ppm), both individually and in combination, for a period of 90 days. The hypothesis that increased temperature will increase meiofaunal abundance was not supported. The hypothesis that a reduced pH will reduce meiofaunal abundance and species richness was supported. The combination of future conditions of temperature and pH (19 °C and pCO2 of 1000 ppm) did not affect overall abundance but the structure of the nematode assemblage changed becoming dominated by a few opportunistic species.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Meiofauna, Nematodes, Ocean warming, Ocean acidification, Microcosms, Chile

Referencia APA: Lee, M. R., Torres, R., & Manríquez, P. H. (2017). The combined effects of ocean warming and acidification on shallow-water meiofaunal assemblages. Marine Environmental Research, 131, 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.09.002

Interactions between kelp spores and encrusting and articulated corallines: recruitment challenges for Lessonia spicata

Autores:

Parada, G. M., Martínez, E. A., Aguilera, M. A., Oróstica, M. H., & Broitman, B. R.

Resumen:

Intertidal kelps like Lessonia spicata (Laminariales) dominate low intertidal habitats, where they coexist with morphologically diverse coralline seaweeds. We show that crustose and articulated coralline algae have contrasting effects on the settlement and recruitment of this kelp species. Crustose coralline algae significantly inhibited the settlement of kelp spores, while they readily settled on the genicula of articulated coralline algae. This pattern was observed both in laboratory experiments and in field experiments conducted in the low intertidal zone at three locations. Field surveys confirmed that L. spicata juveniles were significantly more likely to be found on articulated corallines than on crustose corallines. This pattern held in field surveys at 10 sites, where primary space occupancy of L. spicata showed a significant negative correlation with the cover of crustose coralline algae in 3 out of 4 years, across all sites. Our results provide an important ecological clue to the processes determining recruitment limitation for ecologically and economically important seaweeds, and support conservation and management actions.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Facilitation; Intertidal kelps; Seaweed interactions; Spore settlement

Referencia APA: Parada, G. M., Martínez, E. A., Aguilera, M. A., Oróstica, M. H., & Broitman, B. R. (2017). Interactions between kelp spores and encrusting and articulated corallines: recruitment challenges for Lessonia spicata. Botanica Marina, 60(6), 619-625. https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2017-0010

Benthic communities under anthropogenic pressure show resilience across the Quaternary

Autores:

Martinelli, J. C., Soto, L. P., González, J., & Rivadeneira, M. M.

Resumen:

The Southeast Pacific is characterized by rich upwelling systems that have sustained and been impacted by human groups for at least 12 ka. Recent fishing and aquaculture practices have put a strain on productive coastal ecosystems from Tongoy Bay, in north-central Chile. We use a temporal baseline to determine whether potential changes to community structure and composition over time are due to anthropogenic factors, natural climatic variations or both. We compiled a database (n = 33 194) with mollusc species abundances from the Mid-Pleistocene, Late Pleistocene, Holocene, dead shell assemblages and live-sampled communities. Species richness was not significantly different, neither were diversity and evenness indices nor rank abundance distributions. There is, however, an increase in relative abundance for the cultured scallop Argopecten, while the previously dominant clam Mulinia is locally very rare. Results suggest that impacts from both natural and anthropogenic stressors need to be better understood if benthic resources are to be preserved. These findings provide the first Pleistocene temporal baseline for the south Pacific that shows that this highly productive system has had the ability to recover from past alterations, suggesting that if monitoring and management practices continue to be implemented, moderately exploited communities from today have hopes for recovery.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Conservation palaeobiology, Molluscs, Aquaculture, Overfishing, Temporal baseline, South Pacific

Referencia APA: Martinelli, J. C., Soto, L. P., González, J., & Rivadeneira, M. M. (2017). Benthic communities under anthropogenic pressure show resilience across the Quaternary. Royal Society Open Science, 4(9), 170796. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.170796

Development and characterization of the first 16 microsatellites loci for Panulirus pascuensis (Decapoda: Palinuridae) from Easter Island using Next Generation Sequencing

Autores:

Díaz-Cabrera, E., Meerhoff, E., Rojas-Hernandez, N., Vega-Retter, C., & Veliz, D.

Resumen:

The spiny lobster Panulirus pascuensis stands out among the endemic species of Easter Island, due to its cultural and economic importance. A total of 16 microsatellite loci were characterized in 18 individuals, 9 of which were polymorphic. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.44 (2-6) and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.11 to 0.93. None of the loci exhibited significant linkage disequilibrium or departures from HWE. These new microsatellites will be used to obtain information about migration, population structure and genetic diversity of P. pascuensis in order to improve the future sustainable management and conservation plans.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Panulirus pascuensis, Easter Island, Microsatellite, Genetic marker

Referencia APA: Díaz-Cabrera, E., Meerhoff, E., Rojas-Hernandez, N., Vega-Retter, C., & Veliz, D. (2017). Development and characterization of the first 16 microsatellites loci for Panulirus pascuensis (Decapoda: Palinuridae) from Easter Island using Next Generation Sequencing. Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía, 52(2), 395-398.http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-19572017000200018

Characterizing stream‐aquifer exchanges with self‐potential measurements

Autores:

Valois, R., Cousquer, Y., Schmutz, M., Pryet, A., Delbart, C., & Dupuy, A.

Resumen:

Characterizing the interactions between streams and aquifers is a major challenge in hydrology. Electrical self‐potential (SP) is sensitive to groundwater flow through the electrokinetic effect, which is proportional to Darcy velocity. SP surveys have been extensively used for the characterization of seepage flow in a variety of contexts. But to our knowledge, a model coupling SP and groundwater flow has never been implemented for the study of stream‐aquifer interactions. To address the issue, we first implemented a two‐dimensional model to a synthetic stream‐aquifer cross section. Results underline the very distinct nature of SP profiles in gaining or losing stream conditions. Second, we presented a field application in a transect crossing a stream in losing conditions. The coupled model successfully reproduced the observed SP profile. This inverse modeling of the SP signal provides quantitative data on hydrodynamic parameters (hydraulic conductivity, hydraulic heads) and geophysical parameters (coupling coefficient). Nevertheless, all relevant parameters cannot be uniquely estimated without precise prior information on at least some of these parameters. Our results confirm the potential of SP surveys on the characterization of stream‐aquifer exchanges. Recommendations on the collection of high‐quality data are also provided, along with a description of the contexts in which the methodology is likely to perform well.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves:

Referencia APA: Valois, R., Cousquer, Y., Schmutz, M., Pryet, A., Delbart, C., & Dupuy, A. (2017). Characterizing stream‐aquifer exchanges with self‐potential measurements. Groundwater, 1-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gwat.12594

First insight into the heritable variation of the resistance to infection with the bacteria causing the withering syndrome disease in Haliotis rufescens abalone

Autores:

Brokordt, K., González, R., Farías, W., Winkler, F. E., & Lohrmann, K. B.

Resumen:

Withering syndrome disease has experienced worldwide spread in the last decade. This fatal disease for abalone is produced by a rickettsia-like organism (WS-RLO), the bacterium “Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis”. To evaluate the potential of the red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) to improve its resistance to infection by WS-RLO, the additive genetic component in the variation of this trait was estimated. For this, the variation in infection intensity with WS-RLOs and WS-RLOv (phage-infected RLOs) was analyzed in 56 families of full-sibs maintained for three years in a host-parasite cohabitation aquaculture system. A WS-RLO prevalence of 65% was observed in the analysed population; and from the total WS-RLO inclusions 60% were hyperparasited with the phage (WS-RLOv). The decrease in the food ingestion rate was the sole negative effect associated with increasing WS-RLO intensity of infection, suggesting that the high level of WS-RLOv load may have diminished the symptoms of WS disease in the analyzed abalones. The estimated heritabilities were moderate to mid, but significant, varying from 0.21 to 0.23 and 0.36 for WS-RLO and WS-RLOv infections, respectively. This suggests that variation in resistance to infection with WS-RLO may respond to selection in the evaluated red abalone population. Estimated response to selection (G) for the level of infection by WS-RLO indicated that if the 10% of red abalone with the lowest infection level is selected as broodstock, a 90% reduction in the intensity of infection in the progeny can be expected, even with the lowest estimation of heritability (h2 = 0.21). This strong response would be also due to the large phenotypic variance of this trait. Strong positive correlations, both phenotypic and genotypic, were observed between infection intensities with WS-RLO and WS-RLOv, indicating that selection to increase resistance to one of the types of RLOs will affect resistance in the other in the same direction. This is the first study that demonstrates the existence of additive genetic variation for resistance to WS-RLO in abalone. Consequently, it is possible to increase the resistance to WS-RLO in H. rufescens by selective breeding, which can be an economically attractive and environmentally friendly manner to reduce mortalities and growth effects caused by WS in abalone farms.

Año: 2017

Palabras claves: Withering syndrome, Heritability, WS-RLO infection, Phage-infected WS-RLOs, Disease resistance, Abalone

Referencia APA: Brokordt, K., González, R., Farías, W., Winkler, F. E., & Lohrmann, K. B. (2017). First insight into the heritable variation of the resistance to infection with the bacteria causing the withering syndrome disease in Haliotis rufescens abalone. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 150, 15-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2017.08.014