New publication on Egyptian Vulture!

Gómez-López, G., Sanz‐Aguilar, A., [...] and Guillermo Blanco. 2023 Insularity determines nestling sex ratio variation in Egyptian vulture populations. Ecology and Evolution 13 (8) doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10371

Abstract: Variation in offspring sex ratio, particularly in birds, has been frequently studied over the last century, although seldom using long-term monitoring data. In raptors, the cost of raising males and females is not equal, and several variables have been found to have significant effects on sex ratio, including food availability, parental age, and hatching order. Sex ratio differences between island populations and their mainland counterparts have been poorly documented, despite broad scientific literature on the island syndrome reporting substantial differences in population demography and ecology. Here, we assessed individual and environmental factors potentially affecting the secondary sex ratio of the long-lived Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus. 

Photo. wikipedia.com

We used data collected from Spanish mainland and island populations over a ca. 30-year period (1995–2021) to assess the effects of insularity, parental age, breeding phenology, brood size, hatching order, type of breeding unit (pairs vs. trios), and spatial and temporal variability on offspring sex ratio. No sex bias was found at the population level, but two opposite trends were observed between mainland and island populations consistent with the island syndrome. Offspring sex ratio was nonsignificantly female-biased in mainland Spain (0.47, n = 1112) but significantly male-biased in the Canary Islands (0.55, n = 499), where a male-biased mortality among immatures could be compensating for offspring biases and maintaining a paired adult sex ratio. Temporal and spatial variation in food availability might also have some influence on sex ratio, although the difficulties in quantifying them preclude us from determining the magnitude of such influence. This study shows that insularity influences the offspring sex ratio of the Egyptian vulture through several processes that can affect island and mainland populations differentially. Our research contributes to improving our understanding of sex allocation theory by investigating whether sex ratio deviations from parity are possible as a response to changing environments comprised by multiple and complexly interrelated factors.

 

New Publication on gender equality in Academia!

Sebastián-González E, Graciá E, Morán-Ordóñez A, Pérez-Ibarra I, Sanz-Aguilar A, Sobral M (2023) Ten simple rules for a mom-friendly Academia. PLoS Comput Biol 19(8): e1011284. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011284

From: https://www.theovalwindow.com

Abstract:Women (and all gender-discriminated people) are underrepresented in science, especially in leadership positions and higher stages of the scientific career. One of the main causes of career abandonment by women is maternity, with many women leaving Academia after having their first child because of the career penalties associated with motherhood. Thus, more actions to help scientific moms to balance family and academic work are urgently needed to increase representation of women and other gender discriminated people in Academia. Besides mothers, these rules may also benefit other groups such as mothers-to-be, fathers, caregivers, and women in general. Increasing women representation in science, including mothers, is critical because equality is a fundamental right, and because more diverse working environments are more productive and get to more optimal solutions. Here, we describe 10 simple rules that can be adopted in Academia to halt the abandonment of scientific careers by women after motherhood. We strongly encourage their implementation to increase gender diversity and equality in science.

 

 

New Publication on sea turtles!

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Pujol, F., Félix, G., Núñez-Reyes, V., Saba, V., Tomas, J., Marco, A., 2023 Colonization of new nesting areas could provide climate refuge to loggerhead turtles under climate change. Biological Conservation, 284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110146

Abstract: Climate change can impact regional and global biodiversity for multiple reasons. In sea turtles, changes in local climate at nesting beaches can affect egg and hatchling survival and primary sex ratios. Sea turtles could respond to climate change by occupying new nesting areas. The recent increase in sporadic nesting in the western Mediterranean may indicate colonization of new nesting beaches. We assessed the suitability of a western area, the Balearic Islands (∼1500 km from current nesting grounds) as climate refuge for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) under current (2015–2017) and climate change scenarios to the mid (+40 years) and end (+80 years) of the 21st century. Using a correlative approach based on air and sand temperatures, we predicted nest temperatures and sex ratios for 19 beaches. Most beaches could provide viable temperatures and predominantly produce male hatchlings under all scenarios. 

Photo: wikipedia.com

 Sex ratio projections were male-biased but with an increasing female ratio throughout time. Although mean sex ratio under the +80 years scenario was still male-biased, the warmest beaches could provide female-biased ratios, which are similar to those estimated for current nesting sites. The Balearic Islands could function as climate refuge for loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean because temperatures could favor embryo viability and a male sex ratio. However, a nesting population may not be established until the percentage of female hatchlings increases and turtles return to nest as adults. Conditions at sea should also favor survival of hatchlings and juveniles. Because western Mediterranean beaches are popular tourist destinations, active management may be needed to protect nesting populations.

Ten years of Storm Petrel monitoring in Ibiza!

A. Sanz Aguilar and A. Rotger illustrated 10 years of monitoring of the Storm Petrel colony in Ibiza. A nice example of a successful collaboration between the GEDA, the Sant Josep city council and the Natural Park of  "Es Vedrá, es Vedranell i els Illots de Ponent".

Lizards on air !

A. Rotger explains the insularity syndrome at the radio program NAUTILUS (in catalan) - min 26.35  here

GEDA at the PRO.GRE.S.S international conference !

The 8th of June GEDA will join the International Conference on The Biodiversity at Dragonera Natural Park. An action framed by the co-funded EU-initiative PRO.GRE.S.S. for natural capital safeguarding.

 

To attend the conference subscribe HERE

New Publication on Lilfordi's lizard genome!

Gomez-Garrido, J., Cruz, F., Alioto, S.T., Feiner, N., Uller, T., Gut, M., Sanchez Escudero, I., Tavecchia, G., Rotger, A., Otalora Acevedo, K., and Baldo,  L., 2023 Chromosome-level genome assembly of Lilford’s wall lizard, Podarcis lilfordi (Günther, 1874) from the Balearic Islands (Spain), DNA Research,  https://doi.org/10.1093/dnares/dsad008      

Abstract: The Mediterranean lizard Podarcis lilfordi is an emblematic species of the Balearic Islands. The extensive phenotypic diversity among extant isolated populations makes the species a great insular model system for eco-evolutionary studies, as well as a challenging target for conservation management plans. Here we report the first high quality chromosome-level assembly and annotation of the P. lilfordi genome, along with its mitogenome, based on a mixed sequencing strategy (10X Genomics linked reads, Oxford Nanopore Technologies long reads and Hi-C scaffolding) coupled with extensive transcriptomic data (Illumina and PacBio). 

 The genome assembly (1.5 Gb) is highly contiguous (N50 = 90 Mb) and complete, with 99% of the sequence assigned to candidate chromosomal sequences and >97% gene completeness. We annotated a total of 25,663 protein-coding genes translating into 38,615 proteins. Comparison to the genome of the related species Podarcis muralis revealed substantial similarity in genome size, annotation metrics, repeat content, and a strong collinearity, despite their evolutionary distance (~18-20 MYA). This genome expands the repertoire of available reptilian genomes and will facilitate the exploration of the molecular and evolutionary processes underlying the extraordinary phenotypic diversity of this insular species, while providing a critical resource for conservation genomics.

GEDA at school !

In the Balearic Archipelago, the Yellow legged gulls commonly visit schools to clean the patio from the leftovers of their mid-morning snack. This cleaning service can be an opportunity for the children to familiarize with a species adapted to exploit remains produced by human activities. The GEDA in collaboration with the CEIP Son Oliva and OCEAN NIGHT began a didactical project where gulls become teachers. 

 

Through their ecology and movements, students will learn the marine ecosystem and the role of seabirds as bridge between ocean and land.

 

We have first introduced the species (left) and ask student to count how many gulls visit the school each day.

We than equipped two of these gulls with a GSM/GPS transmitter  and follow their activity through an online platform (below).  In June, once the gull breeding period ends, we will meet the student again and discuss what gull taught us about their life and the ocean.