Resultados de investigación

ABIDES-2 Cruise (29GD20170603) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2017, To study the transport processes from the submarine canyon flanks of the Catalan margin to deeper areas caused by the bottom trawling activities and evaluate the impact on the sedimentary substrate.To address several of the specific objectives proposed in this project objectives it will be necessary to carry out three separate oceanographic campaigns six months each other to record time series of oceanographic parameters through the anchorage of several anchors equipped with current meters, turbidimeters and sediment traps located inside submarine canyons . In the first of these campaigns, we will proceed to anchoring the anchors, in the second to the maintenance and in the third to the final recovery of the instruments, to cover an annual cycle of record the sediment transport processes and identify the contribution of the resuspension by trawling to sedimentary flows . In each one of these campaigns will be transects of CTD stations to study the seasonal variability of hydrography and formation of nephelloid layers in the column of water and surface sediment cores will be obtained . Sampling will be done both in open slope environments and in the interior of canyons submarines. The oceanographic vessel chosen for these three campaigns is the B / O García del Cid, which has the right characteristics to carry out the tasks planned and the crew is experienced with anchoring maneuvers and recovery of oceanographic anchors.

AMICS Cruise (29GD20170913) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2017, A major objective of ANIMA is the characterization of microorganisms in the air depending on the origin of the aerosols. In ICM we will characterize the microorganisms in anthropogenic aerosols, or in Sahara dust, but the characterization of aerosols of marine origin must be done from areas far from the coast. In the campaign we will analyze biogeochemically the water column, and especially the surface 10 cm and the micro-layer, origin of the marine aerosols. In addition, we will carry out experiments to evaluate the impact of the deposition of anthropogenic aerosols over the open sea, where they usually do not arrive the terrestrial aerosols, and compared with similar experiments on the coast. The main objective of the campaign is the characterization of microorganisms and organic matter present in aerosols of marine origin. However there are several subobjectives: 1) Characterize microorganisms in the atmosphere and see if there is a gradient in its abundance and composition from the coast (dominated by contributions of antropogenic sources) to areas of the open sea, far from the shoreline, where the origin of the microorganisms in the atmosphere is only Marine. 2) Compare the composition of organisms and organic matter of the aerosols with that of the water column (200m surface) and, especially with the top 10 cm and, in case the state of the sea allows it, the microcapa, since that is where marine aerosols originate. 3) Evaluate the impact of anthropogenic aerosols (previously taken in Barcelona) on marine surface communities far from the coastal influence.When the breeze blows from land to sea, these aerosols can be a contribution that stimulates or inhibits the growth of some microorganisms. The results of these two experiments of the campaign will be compared with similar experiments to be carried out on the coast of Barcelona . It is hypothesized that the response to the organic contributions of Anthropogenic type will be smaller and slower in open sea pelagic communities, not usually exposed to these compounds, than in the coastal due to a greater need for response time, either at the level of synthesis of extracellular activities of hydrolysis of certain molecules (i.e. carbohydrates), or by stimulating the growth of certain groups microbials capable of using the new sources of organic matter

REMEI Cruise (29GD20170926) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2017, REgulation of the prokaryotic (MEta)genome of a coastal marIne environment: the biological and oceanographic factors determining the presence and biogeochemical function of plankton prokaryotes

ABIDES-3 Cruise (29GD20171003) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2017, It aims to study the current sedimentary processes associated with the activity of trawling, which although it has been investigated in coastal environments, very little is known of those occurring in the continental slope, where the benthic ecosystem is more vulnerable to having reduced capacity for recovery The stress that trawling generates on the seabed is dramatic in areas where fishing activity is intense, continuous and wide geographically, as in the continental strip of the northwestern Mediterranean (coast and slope adjacent to the provinces of Barcelona and Girona). Thus, the main objective of this project is to improve the knowledge of the current mechanisms of erosion, transport and sediment accumulation caused by this form of fishing in the continental slope, with the purpose of identifying the impacts caused on the seabed and get to promote corrective measures to guarantee a sustainable fishery. To do this, time series of currents and sediment concentration in suspension will be recorded by anchoring instrumented anchors in the vicinity of fishing grounds. At the same time, hydrographic profiles will be periodically carried out for the identification of nephelide layers in the water column and surface sediments will be obtained during oceanographic campaigns. Sampling will be carried out both in open slope environments and in the interior of submarine canyons, following a strategy based on the footprint of the fishing effort during the last 10 years. Likewise, a detailed study of the habitats and underwater morphology will be carried out in order to evaluate the status (or level of integrity) of the seabed. The study area will focus on the continental margin of the northwestern Mediterranean, where trawling has been practiced for several decades and where the distribution of fishing effort is known in detail. The specific objectives that are intended to be achieved are 1) monitor sediment transport processes inside submarine canyons and identify the contribution of resuspension by trawling to sedimentary flows; 2) identify the hydrographic structure and the temporal evolution of the distribution of nephelide layers in the water column as indicators of resuspension processes by trawling; 3) evaluate the erosion caused by trawling in the surface sediments of the continental slope and establish sedimentary patterns based on the presence or absence of fishing grounds; 4) determine the sedimentation rhythms inside submarine canyons and evaluate the potential formation of preferential zones of anthropic sedimentary accumulation; 5) quantify the role of trawling in the alteration of organic carbon content in the sedimentary record; 6) to determine, through direct visual observations, small-scale morphological changes and alterations in the habitat and deep benthic ecosystems produced by trawling; and 7) identify large-scale morphological changes in areas of fishing grounds in the study area by performing detailed bathymetries, as well as in other areas of intensive trawling of the Spanish margin from the use of existing bathymetric information

LIFEBLUENATURA Cruise (29GD20171011) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2017, Andalusian Blue Carbon for Climate Change Mitigation: quantification and valorization mechanism; LIFE BLUE NATURA. The campaign's main objective is Estimate the stocks and carbon sinks associated with the sediments and seagrass meadows Posidonia oceanica in Andalusia, as well as the other marine phanerogams. - Obtain data to help estimate the potential development and loss of this warehouse and the carbon sink in the coming decades, depending on its dynamics of recolonization or degradation. Samples of about 6 meters in length will be made by vibrocore between 10 and 20 meters of depth of column of water. Also, from the vessel, samplings with scuba diving to sample the sediments manually in the shallowest areas, samples of seagrass will also be collected during the cruise

MIDAS Cruise (29GD20171021) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2017, Inputs, Distribution and Storage of plastic waste in The Mediterranean Sea (MIDAS). The objective of the Midas Campaign is to collect data on the distribution of plastics in diverse areas of the Andalusian Mediterranean coast, characterized by proximity to population nuclei, lack of anthropic influence, areas of great agricultural activity related to the cultivation under plastic, and river mouths. The coasts of Cádiz, Málaga, Granada and Almería have been selected because concentrate most of the sampling on beaches, diving clubs, and fleets collaborators of trawlers. We will focus on the strip between 10 and 60 meters becouse these are the depths with the greatest lack of data. The divers generally cover depths less than 10 m, while trawlers get information below 60 m. At the regional level, this information will to determine the role of the coastal strip of seagrass meadows as sinks of plastic waste or the impact of the agglomeration of crops in El Ejido greenhouse on coastal pollution. Combining this information in the data set collected in the project, it is intended to obtain a integral trans-ecosystemic analysis of the distribution of plastic waste in the Mediterranean, as well as the elaboration of models of entrance of plastics to the sea. (UTM Ecomapper AUV have been used and divers have participated for visual sampling)

Arabidopsis_data_279accessions_20jan16, Genetic diversity provides insight into heterogeneous demographic and adaptive history across organisms’ distribution ranges. For this reason, decomposing single species into genetic units may represent a powerful tool to better understand biogeographical patterns as well as improve predictions of the effects of GCC (global climate change) on biodiversity loss. Using 279 georeferenced Iberian accessions, we used classes of three intraspecific genetic units of the annual plant Arabidopsis thaliana obtained from the genetic analyses of nuclear SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), chloroplast SNPs, and the vernalization requirement for flowering. We used SDM (species distribution models), including climate, vegetation, and soil data, at the whole-species and genetic-unit levels. We compared model outputs for present environmental conditions and with a particularly severe GCC scenario. SDM accuracy was high for genetic units with smaller distribution ranges. Kernel density plots identified the environmental variables underpinning potential distribution ranges of genetic units. Combinations of environmental variables accounted for potential distribution ranges of genetic units, which shrank dramatically with GCC at almost all levels. Only two genetic clusters increased their potential distribution ranges with GCC. The application of SDM to intraspecific genetic units provides a detailed picture on the biogeographical patterns of distinct genetic groups based on different genetic criteria. Our approach also allowed us to pinpoint the genetic changes, in terms of genetic background and physiological requirements for flowering, that Iberian A. thaliana may experience with a GCC scenario applying SDM to intraspecific genetic units., Peer reviewed

AFLP profiles for the plants of Lavandula latifolia sampled for the study Markers are identified by primer combination and size (base pairs) AFLP.scores.xlsx MSAP profiles for the plants of Lavandula latifolia sampled for the study Markers are identified by primer combination and size (base pairs). MSAP.scores.xlsx Spatial coordinates of Lavandula latifolia plants sampled for the study Coordinates are expressed in meters and the origin (0,0) is the lower left corner of the plot as depicted in the figures. Plant.coordinates.xlsx, Little is known on the potential of ecological disturbance to cause genetic and epigenetic changes in plant populations. We take advantage of a long-term field experiment initiated in 1986 to study the demography of the shrub Lavandula latifolia, and compare genetic and epigenetic characteristics of plants in two adjacent subplots, one experimentally disturbed and one left undisturbed, 20 years after disturbance. Experimental setup was comparable to an unreplicated ‘Before-After-Control-Impact’ (BACI) design where a single pair of perturbed and control areas were compared. When sampled in 2005, plants in the two subplots had roughly similar ages, but they had established in contrasting environments: dense conspecific population (‘Undisturbed’ subpopulation) versus open area with all conspecifics removed (‘Disturbed’ subpopulation). Plants were characterized genetically and epigenetically using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and two classes of methylation-sensitive AFLP (MSAP) markers. Subpopulations were similar in genetic diversity but differed in epigenetic diversity and multilocus genetic and epigenetic characteristics. Epigenetic divergence between subpopulations was statistically unrelated to genetic divergence. Bayesian clustering revealed an abrupt linear boundary between subpopulations closely coincident with the arbitrary demarcation line between subplots drawn 20 years back, which supports that genetic and epigenetic divergence between subpopulations was caused by artificial disturbance. There was significant fine-scale spatial structuring of MSAP markers in both subpopulations, which in the Undisturbed one was indistinguishable from that of AFLP markers. Genetic differences between subpopulations could be explained by divergent selection alone, while the concerted action of divergent selection and disturbance-driven appearance of new methylation variants in the Disturbed subpopulation is proposed to explain epigenetic differences. This study provides the first empirical evidence to date suggesting that relatively mild disturbances could leave genetic and epigenetic signatures on the next adult generation of long-lived plants., Peer reviewed

13C values of amino acids Sample 13C values (‰) of amino acids. Each sample was analyzed in triplicate (mean ± SD). NA indicates missing values or replicates. The values are compiled from this study and Larsen et al. (Plos One 2013) (marked with asterisk under sample code). Larsen_13CAA.csv, Supplementation of nutrients by symbionts enables consumers to thrive on resources that might otherwise be insufficient to meet nutritional demands. Such nutritional subsidies by intracellular symbionts has been well studied; however, supplementation of de novo synthesized nutrients to hosts by extracellular gut symbionts is poorly documented, especially for generalists with relatively undifferentiated intestinal tracts. Although gut symbionts facilitate degradation of resources that would otherwise remain inaccessible to the host, such digestive actions alone cannot make up for dietary insufficiencies of macronutrients such as essential amino acids (EAA). Documenting whether gut symbionts also function as partners for symbiotic EAA supplementation is important because the question of how some detritivores are able to subsist on nutritionally insufficient diets has remained unresolved. To answer this poorly-understood nutritional aspect of symbiont-host interactions, we studied the enchytraeid worm, a bulk soil feeder that thrives in arctic peatlands. In a combined field and laboratory study, we employed stable isotope fingerprinting of amino acids to identify the biosynthetic origins of amino acids to bacteria, fungi and plants in enchytraeids. Enchytraeids collected from arctic peatlands derived more than 80% of their EAA from bacteria. In a controlled feeding study with the enchytraeid Enchytraeus crypticus, EAA derived almost exclusively from gut bacteria when the worms fed on higher fiber diets, whereas most of the enchytraeids' EAA derived from dietary sources when fed on lower fiber diets. Our gene sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that the worms harbor several taxa in their gut lumen absent from their diets and substrates. Almost all gut taxa are candidates for EAA supplementation because almost all belong to clades capable of biosynthesizing EAA. Our study provides the first evidence of extensive symbiotic supplementation of EAA by microbial gut symbionts, and demonstrate that symbiotic bacteria in the gut lumen appear to function as partners for both symbiotic EAA supplementation as well as for digestion of insoluble plant fibers., Peer reviewed

De novo assembly of Rhabdomys pumilio transcriptome and detailed differential gene expression results This dataset contains a fasta file, including the de novo assembly of Rhabdomys pumilio transcriptome (built from RNA-Seq data using the Trinity suite of de novo transcriptome assembly tools - https://github.com/trinityrnaseq/trinityrnaseq/wiki), as well as a tab separated text file indicating the gene annotations corresponding to each assembly contig, obtained by mapping the de novo assembly to the human reference transcriptome, as described in the manuscript. A third Excel file contains the detailed results of RNA-Seq differential gene expression study in skin obtained from three dorsal regions, as described in the manuscript. Rhabdomys_pumilio.zip, Mammalian colour patterns are among the most recognizable characteristics found in nature and can have a profound impact on fitness. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the formation and subsequent evolution of these patterns. Here we show that, in the African striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio), periodic dorsal stripes result from underlying differences in melanocyte maturation, which give rise to spatial variation in hair colour. We identify the transcription factor ALX3 as a regulator of this process. In embryonic dorsal skin, patterned expression of Alx3 precedes pigment stripes and acts to directly repress Mitf, a master regulator of melanocyte differentiation, thereby giving rise to light-coloured hair. Moreover, Alx3 is upregulated in the light stripes of chipmunks, which have independently evolved a similar dorsal pattern. Our results show a previously undescribed mechanism for modulating spatial variation in hair colour and provide insights into how phenotypic novelty evolves., Peer reviewed