La importancia de la gestión de los ciervos en Sierra Morena Oriental

Discurso de Ingreso como Académica Correspondient

Guía para la determinación de la edad del ciervo ibérico (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) a través de su dentición: revisión metodológica y técnicas de elección

La determinación de la edad de los ciervos cazados es fundamental e imprescindible para valorar tanto la calidad individual como la calidad de la población en su conjunto y pone en perspectiva cuestiones sobre gestión y manejo. La determinación de la edad es la mejor fuente de información para evaluar los resultados de la gestión desarrollada, monitorizar el cumplimiento de los objetivos marcados a medio y largo plazo, y valorar las consecuencias de prácticas de manejo anteriores. También constituye una información básica imprescindible para realizar predicciones sobre el futuro demográfico de las poblaciones a gestionar, bien sea para incrementar su densidad o para limitarla. Y además, es necesario conocer la edad con el mayor detalle y precisión posibles cuando se investigan temas como crecimiento corporal, reproducción, supervivencia o longevidad. Este trabajo recopila los resultados más destacados de la puesta a punto de diversos métodos y técnicas de determinación de edad en el ciervo ibérico (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) del sur de España, a partir del estudio de ciervos cazados en Sierra Morena Oriental y de edad conocida. Se revisan antecedentes, y fundamentos metodológicos haciendo especial referencia a las técnicas esqueletocronológicas es decir, al uso de marcas de crecimiento en tejidos dentales evidenciadas mediante histología convencional o petrografía. Se discuten y explican las limitaciones y errores intrínsecos a cada método a modo de guía práctica para veterinarios, biólogos y gestores interesados.Aging of hunted deer is essential to evaluate both the individual quality and the quality of the population as a whole, and puts into perspective questions about management and handling. The age determination is the best source of information to evaluate the results of the management undertaken, to monitor the achievement of objectives developed both medium and long term and to evaluate the consequences of the practices of previous management. It also constitutes as basic essential information to make predictions about the demographic future of the populations to manage, whether to increase their density or to limit it. It is also necessary to know the age with the greatest detail and precision as possible when subjects such as body growth, condition, reproduction, survival or longevity are investigated. This paper collects the most outstanding results of various methods and techniques for determining the age of the Iberian Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) in the south of Spain, from the study of deer hunted in Oriental Sierra Morena and of a known age. Background is reviewed and methodological fundamentals with special reference to skeletochronology, the use of marks of growth in dental tissues evident through conventional histology or petrography. The limitation and intrinsic error to each method are discussed and explained as a kind of practical guide for interested veterinary, biologists and managers

Growth in fossil and extant deer and implications for body size and life history evolution

© Kolb et al.; licensee BioMed Central. 2015 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The attached file is the published version of the article

Deer in an arid habitat: dental microwear textures track feeding adaptability

Teeth constitute a bridge between an organism and its environment. Dental wear is a good proxy for (paleo) ecologists to better comprehend the ecology and habitat of modern and extinct species. In this study, we showed Dental Microwear Texture Analysis to be a useful tool, integrating not only specific plant selection but also dietary quality and digestibility in order to understand resource use. Resource-partitioning, seasonal and sexual variations in the diet of two deer species on a Spanish game estate are explored here through Dental Microwear Texture Analysis. This Mediterranean área is on the fringes of the average European environments in terms of constraints and diet for extant red and fallow deer, resulting in an opportunity to understand their ability to live in harsh conditions and the feeding strategies they developed. These two taxa already experienced harsh living conditions during the Pleistocene. Dental microwear texture shows both deer feeding differently on the herbaceous layer in a context where it is the main resource consumed annually. These differences are linked to body mass. With its smaller incisor arcade, Dama dama is able to be more selective, hence focusing on less fibrous parts of forages. Cervus elaphus is more plastic, with dietary variations corresponding to seasonal plant availability and the physiological requirements of stags and does. In general, C. elaphus consumes a more fibrous and less digestible vegetable material tan D. dama. This study brings light on the feeding behavior of the two game species under constraint conditions. The results of this study are discussed in terms of realized vs potential ecological niches.This work was supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR TRIDENT: grant number: ANR-13-JSV7-0008-01; PI: Gildas MERCERON) and the project P07-RNM-03087 from the Consejería de Innovacion Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía, by the Organismo Autonomo de Parques Nacionales, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Medio Rural y Marino, Spain, and by the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER)

Seed storage conditions change the germination pattern of clonal growth plants in Mediterranean salt marshes.

8 páginas, 4 tablas, 8 figuras.The effect of salinity level and extended exposure to different salinity and flooding conditions on germination patterns of three saltmarsh clonal growth plants (Juncus subulatus, Scirpus litoralis, and S. maritimus) was studied. Seed exposure to extended flooding and saline conditions significantly affected the outcome of the germination process in a different, though predictable, way for each species, after favorable conditions for germination were restored. Tolerance of the germination process was related to the average salinity level measured during the growth/germination season at sites where established individuals of each species dominated the species cover. No relationship was found between salinity tolerance of the germination process and seed response to extended exposure to flooding and salinity conditions. The salinity response was significantly related to the conditions prevailing in the habitats of the respective species during the unfavorable (nongrowth/nongermination) season. Our results indicate that changes in salinity and hydrology while seeds are dormant affect the outcome of the seed-bank response, even when conditions at germination are identical. Because these environmental-history-dependent responses differentially affect seed germination, seedling density, and probably sexual recruitment in the studied and related species, these influences should be considered for wetland restoration and managementFinancial support from the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (MMA, project 05/99) and the Junta de Andalucía (research group 4086)enabled us to carry out the present work.Peer reviewe

Seed storage conditions change the germination pattern of clonal growth plants in Mediterranean salt marshes.

8 páginas, 4 tablas, 8 figuras.The effect of salinity level and extended exposure to different salinity and flooding conditions on germination patterns of three saltmarsh clonal growth plants (Juncus subulatus, Scirpus litoralis, and S. maritimus) was studied. Seed exposure to extended flooding and saline conditions significantly affected the outcome of the germination process in a different, though predictable, way for each species, after favorable conditions for germination were restored. Tolerance of the germination process was related to the average salinity level measured during the growth/germination season at sites where established individuals of each species dominated the species cover. No relationship was found between salinity tolerance of the germination process and seed response to extended exposure to flooding and salinity conditions. The salinity response was significantly related to the conditions prevailing in the habitats of the respective species during the unfavorable (nongrowth/nongermination) season. Our results indicate that changes in salinity and hydrology while seeds are dormant affect the outcome of the seed-bank response, even when conditions at germination are identical. Because these environmental-history-dependent responses differentially affect seed germination, seedling density, and probably sexual recruitment in the studied and related species, these influences should be considered for wetland restoration and managementFinancial support from the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (MMA, project 05/99) and the Junta de Andalucía (research group 4086)enabled us to carry out the present work.Peer reviewe

HPLC‐QTOF method for quantifying 11‐ketoetiocholanolone, a cortisol metabolite, in ruminants' feces: Optimization and validation

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2018 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd[EN]Studies of animal ecology can benefit from a quantified understanding of eco-physiological processes and, in particular, of the physiological responses in free-ranging animals to potential stressors. The determination of fecal cortisol metabolites as a noninvasive method for monitoring stress has proved to be a powerful tool. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/ MS) has emerged as the most accurate method for avoiding problems related to the nonspecificity of immunoassays. In this study, we optimize and validate a reliable method using HPLC-MS/ MS for quantifying 11-ketoetiocholanolone (11-k), a representative fecal cortisol metabolite in ruminants. An appropriate extraction and purification procedure was developed taking into account the complex nature of feces. The final extract obtained was then analyzed with HPLC-MS/ MS using a quadrupole-time- of- fly (QTOF) tandem mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization interface operating in positive mode, which allowed an unequivocal determination of the metabolite due to its accurate mass capabilities. After rigorous optimization of both sample extraction and the HPLC-QTOF parameters, making use of feces from free-ranging Iberian ibex, ideal conditions were established. Matrix-matched standards were used to calibrate the method. The limit of detection and quantification was 13-and 40-ng/ g, respectively. The validation of the method was performed with recoveries in the range of 85–110%, a figure much higher than the 60% obtained with the previous extraction methods used in our laboratory, and with relative standard deviations (RSDs) no higher than 15% for the complete analytical procedure, including extraction and analysis. The time required for the fecal 11-k analysis was greatly reduced in comparison with the previous work carried out in our laboratory. This is the first time that QTOF mass detection coupled with HPLC has been validated for 11-k quantification in feces from free-ranging ruminants such as Iberian ibex. Given the high selectivity and sensitivity attained, our method could become a useful tool for noninvasive stress quantification in ruminants.SIThis study was partly funded by the Fédération Nationale des Chasseurs (France), project FNC-PSN-PR4-2013. The technical and human support provided by the CICT of Jaén University (UJA, MINECO, Junta de Andalucía, FEDER) is gratefully acknowledged. The research activities of the authors were partially supported by the PAIDI, Junta de Andalucía (RNM-118 group and RNM-175 groups), as well as by the grant P07-RNM-03087 and the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER). This study complied with all Andalusian, Spanish and European legal requirements and guidelines regarding experimentation and animal welfare. It was approved by the Committee on Ethics of Animal Experimentation of the University of Jaén and authorized by the General Direction of Agriculture and Livestock of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment of the Junta de Andalucía

Searching for indicators of age, sex and population in European mouflon mandibles

Mandibles from separate populations of free-living mouflons (Ovis aries musimon) from Southern Spain, submitted to different ecological conditions, were studied. Searching for ontogenetic shape variations we used geometric morphometrics tools and we explored the use of several mathematical models for describing growth rate variations between populations and sexes. A strong allometry was detected with variations in shape mainly matching with molar and premolar eruption. Mandible shape did not vary significantly with sex nor was sexual size dimorphism detected in adults, whatever the population. By modeling growth we detected differences between populations in all parameters such as the maturity rate describing precocity, and the time it took to reach asymptotic size (varying from 9 up to 18 months). A longer period of growth did not result in a larger asymptotic size, but it led to smaller mandibles. Mouflons with relatively late teeth replacement, lower maturation rate and smaller adult size were those of the population submitted to extreme environmental conditions, like epizootic disease, droughts and ungulate overpopulations. We discuss how a delay in reaching mature size has probably an important subsequent impact on reproductive and life-history traits in this species. Being able to record the effects of density-dependent and density-independent factors, mandibles become a target of interest for ecological and management studies also on mouflons

INCREMENTO DE LA POBLACIÓN INVERNANTE DE CORMORÁN GRANDE (PHALACROCORAX CARBO) EN LA PROVINCIA DE JAÉN

This essay surveys the evolution of the wintering population of the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in the province of Jaen. During 1996 and 2001, all the water masses possibly holding roosts have been sampled, totalling 34, during the last week in december and first in january during each one of the two winter seasons (1995/96 and 2000/ 2001). The first survey found out 6 roosts and estimated a total of 149 individuals, whilst 7 roosts were located in the second survey, but the estimated population totalled 964 birds. Only 2 of the 6 former roosts repeated their location during the last winter season, one of them had its population diminished in 54 % (47 birds). It should be noted that one of the roosts held 91,6 % of the population during the winter season of 2000/2001 and also acted as roosts for 1.120 Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis).Este trabajo revisa la evolución de la población invernante de Cormorán Grande (Phalacrocorax Carbo) de la provincia de Jaén. En los años 1996 y 2001 se prospectaron todas las masas de agua susceptibles de albergar dormideros, 34 en total, durante la última semana de diciembre y la primera de enero de cada uno de los dos inviernos (1995/ 96 y 2000/01). En la primera prospección se localizaron 6 dormideros y se estimó un total de 149 individuos, mientras que en la segunda se hallaron 7 dormideros, pero la población estimada fue de 964 aves. De los primeros 6 dormideros solamente 2 repitieron humedal en el último invierno, uno de ellos disminuyó su ocupación en un 54% (47 aves). Se hace mención especial a uno de los dormideros que acumuló el 91,6% de la población invernante de cormorán en el 2000/01 y albergó a su vez un dormidero de 1.120 Garcillas Bueyeras (Bubulcus ibis)

Hunting indexes from official data as a tool to assess the evolution of wild boar populations in Spain

El jabalí (Sus scrofa) se ha convertido en la actualidad en una de las especies de caza mayor más abundante y ampliamente distribuida de nuestro país, lo que en los últimos tiempos ha supuesto importantes daños agrícolas, ecológicos y urbanos. Este estudio evalúa su crecimiento demográfico a partir de datos oficiales de caza de cinco comunidades autónomas en un período de diez años mediante tres indicadores cinegéticos: la densidad de caza (jabalíes cazados/km2) calculado como la relación entre el número de animales cazados y las hectáreas dedicadas a explotación cinegética en cada comunidad autónoma; el esfuerzo de caza (cazadores/km2) como el número de licencias de caza por cada cien hectáreas, y el éxito de caza (jabalíes/ 100 licencias) como la cantidad de animales cazados por cada cien cazadores o cada cien licencias de caza. Los resultados reflejan un notable incremento en los animales cazados junto con un paradójico descenso en el número de licencias de caza. En este sentido, Cataluña y Aragón son los que presentan los valores más elevados en términos de densidad y éxito de caza, a diferencia del esfuerzo de caza, donde Aragón muestra el valor más bajo. Además, en este trabajo también se discute la relación funcional entre los diferentes índices cinegéticos así como la situación actual de la especie y el creciente uso de los cercones en la gestión de la caza. Aunque su uso multiplica el número de capturas, también tiene importantes implicaciones medioambientales y sanitarias favoreciendo el incremento en la prevalencia de enfermedades.Wild boar (Sus scrofa) has become in one of the most abundant and widely distributed big game hunting species in our country, causing important agricultural, ecological and urban damages in the last years. This research evaluates its demographic growth considering the official hunting data gathered during a period of ten years from five different autonomous communities. Three hunting indicators are described from these data: hunting density as the connection between the number of hunted animals and the hunting hectares in each autonomous community; hunting effort as the number of hunting licenses per hundred hectares, and hunting success as the number of hunted animals per hundred hunters or per hundred hunting licenses. These rates show an important increase in wild boar populations, just as a significant decrease in the number of hunting licenses. According to this, Catalonia and Aragon present the highest values of hunting success and density, but also a fewer hunting effort in the case of Aragon. On the other hand, this research discusses the use of cercones in hunting grounds. In spite of the fact that cercones increases the number of captures, a high environmental and health impact may occur favouring the prevalence of diseases