Usan musgos para detectar contaminación por nitrogeno en Navarra. España

Tomado de: diariodenavarra.es

CONTAMINACIÓN POR NITRÓGENO EN NAVARRA

Sheila Izquieta, investigadora del departamento de Química y Edafología del centro académico, ha presentado en su póster el estudio que realiza sobre la contaminación atmosférica por nitrógeno en Navarra, y cómo el uso de isótopos permite determinar las actividades antropogénicas que generan la contaminación. Para ello, la futura doctora en Biología ha analizado los depósitos de nitrógeno acumulados en varias especies de musgos repartidas por 39 localizaciones repartidas por toda la Comunidad foral.

Hasta el momento, los resultados indican que los musgos con mayor concentración de nitrógeno se encuentran en la zona noroeste de Navarra, debido a la influencia de emisiones procedentes del País Vasco, "así como en el sur de la provincia, donde hay dos plantas de energía", explica la medioambientalista.

Briofitas: plantas programadas para enfrentar la sequia

En la revista de divulgacion "Ciencia y Desarrollo" (Mexico) recien se publicó este interesante articulo. Muy bien documentado. Felicitaciones a los autores!

ARTURO MARTÍNEZ ZAVALA, ANALILIA ARROYO BECERRA
Y MIGUEL ÁNGEL VILLALOBOS LÓPEZ
Inicio
Las plantas son afectadas por diversos factores ambientales que les generan estrés –situación externa que desvía significativamente las condiciones óptimas de vida de la planta, lo cual genera la desestabilización de sus funciones metabólicas normales–. Entre sus causas podemos mencionar: ataque por microorganismos dañinos, escasez de nutrientes, salinidad y acidez del suelo, temperaturas extremas y desecación; todas ellas activan cambios en la expresión génicaI y en la respuesta fisiológica,II situaciones que afectan su crecimiento, productividad y supervivencia. En el ámbito mundial, la sequía es una de las principales causas de pérdida de producción de alimentos.1

La merma de agua modifica la estructura de todo el sistema de membranas, provocando el quebranto de la integridad celular y, eventualmente, el colapso; la pérdida total del agua contenida en el citoplasma –fenómeno conocido como desecación– afecta los procesos esenciales vegetales como la fotosíntesis y la respiración.2

No obstante, se han encontrado organismos capaces de tolerar la desecación en los tres dominiosIII de la vida.3 Dentro del Reino Plantae encontramos las briofitas, plantas muy antiguas que han mostrado una fuerte tolerancia al estrés, especialmente a la desecación;4 por ello se ha propuesto que están preparadas evolutivamente para tolerarla, ya que fueron los primeros organismos vegetales evolucionados para emerger del agua y ocupar el ambiente terrestre;5 no obstante, los mecanismos genéticos y bioquímicos que le permiten tal tolerancia han sido poco estudiados.

1.	Inicio
2.	¿Qué son las briofitas?
3.	¿Dónde las podemos encontrar?
4.	De la tolerancia a la desecación
5.	Proceso evolutivo
6.	La actualidad
7.	Referencias

Juan C Villareal obtiene financiamiento de la NSF para su tesis doctoral

Felicidades a Juan Carlos, estudiante panameño, actualmente en la Universidad de Connecticut (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) por su reciente adjudicación de financiamiento de la NSF!

Juan Carlos ha tratado de enfocar su investigación en aspectos biológicos mas amplios, pero aun interesado en la parte sistemática de los antoceros, lo que en parte constituye el primer capitulo de su tesis doctoral.

El dinero de la NSF es para hacer dos viajes de campo a la region de los Apalaches del Sur y Costa Rica para colectar poblaciones de Megaceros (pronto Nothoceros) aenigmaticus y comparar poblaciones sexuales y asexuales. Ademas el dinero será para financiar el trabajo de genetica de poblaciones utilizando microsatelites. Aqui el resumen oficial del proyecto, el cual explica un poco el alcance del proyecto.

PROJECT SUMMARY
The proposed research focuses on the evolutionary history of the asexual hornwort M. aenigmaticus and the consequences of the loss of sexuality on the genetic diversity and structure in the Southern Appalachian (SA) populations. The first part of this study used a multilocus approach to untangle the phylogenetic relationships within the Nothoceros alliance and test the monophyly of M. aenigmaticus. In addition, estimates of the approximate time of origin and the maximum age for the loss of sexuality from a sexually reproducing ancestor within a biogeographical context have been inferred. Data from five loci reveal that the Southern Appalachian SA populations compose a monophyletic lineage that is nested among Neotropical Páramo populations that are also dioicous but sexually reproducing. The clade of SA M. aenigmaticus is estimated to have originated in the Plio-Pleistocene, which is also the maximum age for the loss of sexual reproduction. Haplotype variation based on these four loci is limited, but suggest a differentiation among populations and in particular among males and females.
To assess the genotypic diversity within the asexual SA populations and compare it to levels within the sexual Páramo populations a microsatellite library has been developed in 2008. Preliminary screening of one locus shows allelic polymorphism among 16 SA populations. The proposed research for the year 2009-2010 focuses on a complete survey of at least 8 microsatellite loci for around 400 individuals from populations from the SA region and at least 100 individuals from tropical alpine localities in Costa Rica. Predictions based on population genetic theory suggest that SA populations should have a smaller effective population size, lower allelic diversity and high levels of linkage disequilibrium compared to the Páramo. Funds requested from NSF will be used to continue pursue fragment analysis and further increase population sampling size in the SA region and Costa Rica.
A last component of the research will be focusing on the molecular signature of the transition to asexuality using nuclear coding regions. Megaceros aenigmaticus, as other bryophytes, have a gametophyte (haploid) dominant with alleles directly exposed to selective pressures. A test of neutrality, recombination and demographic analyses will be conducted. The expectation is that SA populations may have an increase of amino acid changes suggesting little purifying selection, no recombination and reduction in effective population size through time.
Intellectual merit: This project will thus contribute to our understanding of fundamental population genetic aspects in bryophytes, and thereby provide a contrast to hypotheses derived from clonal vascular plants and other asexual systems. A fingerprinting characterization of conspecific allopatric asexual and sexually reproducing populations will allow assessing the genetic consequences and the molecular signatures associated with the loss of sex. Results of this research will provide a scientific basis for the conservation status of the only North American species of the genus.
Broader impact: This research offers training and educational opportunities at the local, national and international scale. At local scale, I will be complementing my background in plant ultrastructure and development with a comprehensive analysis of molecular markers. Additionally, I will engage one undergraduate student, already currently trained in basic molecular techniques working in the lab, in conducting scientific research and train her on fingerprinting techniques. At the national scale, a distribution map of M. aenigmaticus is being developed and will be distributed as a laminate sheet with additional information on the biology of the species to all US National Parks where Megaceros aenigmaticus occurs. A talk will be held at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Center during the summer of the year 2010 to provide a detailed account of M. aenigmaticus as the research unfolds. Information with details on the results of the research will be available through my website at UCONN . At the international scale, insights into the genetic structure and evolutionary significance of Páramo populations from Costa Rica will be shared through a talk at the Instituto Nacional de la Biodiversidad (INBio), in June 2009. These activities aim at increasing awareness of this species with such restricted and vanishing habitat in the Neotropics prone to human over-exploitation and global warming effects.

PhD position moss ecophysiology. Germany/Panama

I am happy to announce the following job opening for a PhD student in bryology in Germany/Panama. Please spread the word to potentially interested students!

Best wishes,

Maaike Bader

PhD position moss ecophysiology

We invite applications for a 3-year PhD position (E13, 50%) in a DFG-funded project addressing global warming effects on tropical bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). This project was inspired by the suggestion that bryophytes in the warm tropics may already exist at the edge of their physiological abilities because they lose much of their daily carbon gain to nightly respiration. The goal of the project is to develop a model of bryophyte carbon relations, parameterized and validated with field data, including diel CO2 exchange and growth rates of mosses growing at different altitudes.
The acclimatization potential of CO2-exchange rates will be studied in transplantation experiments and in bryophytes cultivated under controlled conditions. The position is based in Oldenburg, northern Germany, and involves extensive fieldwork in Panama.

The successful applicant will hold an MSc-degree or equivalent in Biology or a related discipline and have an interest and, preferably, experience in bryology, plant ecophysiology, ecology, tropical biology and mathematical modelling. Further requirements include an analytical and critical mindset, the ability to work independently in primitive tropical field conditions,
good English writing skills and a willingness to learn German and Spanish.

Closing date: April 17, 2009, or when the position is filled.
Starting date: May 1, 2009, or a.s.a.p.

For further information: maaike.bader[at]uni-oldenburg.de or
gerhard.zotz[at]uni-oldenburg.de

Please send your application, including CV and the contact details of three
references, to the first email address above or to: Dr. Maaike Bader,
Functional Ecology of Plants, Department of Biology and Environmental
Sciences, University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, D-26111 Oldenburg,
Germany.

http://www.fun-eco.uni-oldenburg.de/en/




The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg is an equal
opportunity/affirmative action employer. In order to increase the percentage
of female faculty members, female candidates with equal qualification will
be given preference. Applicants with disabilities will be preferentially
considered in case of equal qualification.






Maaike Bader
University of Oldenburg
Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences
Functional Ecology of Plants
P.O.Box 2503
26111 Oldenburg
Germany


Tel: +49-441-7983343
Fax: +49-441-7983331
Email: maaike.bader@uni-oldenburg.de
Homepage: http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/fun_eco/

Briofitos como biodomos

Del 26 de Mayo al 19 de Junio Mervin Pérez, estudiante de maestría en la Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Mayagüez, e Inés Sastre-De Jesús realizaron trabajo de campo en la Sierra de Neiba localizada al suroeste de la República Dominicana.
Esta visita se realizó para realizar un inventario ecológico de los brifitos en los bosques nublados en los alrededores de la Sabana del Silencio (lado oriental de Neiba) y en el área de la 204 (lado occidental de la Sierra). El viaje fue parte del proyecto Briofitos como biodomos, el cual es un trabajo multidisciplinario que envuleve el estudio de los briofitos y los organimos que habitan en estos como los ciliados, las amebas testadas y los microcrustaceos. El proyecto envuelva analizar la realación de la riqueza de ciliados, amebas testadas y microcrustaceos con el tipo de micro-dosel de los briofitos.

A post-doctoral position vacancy

"Assembling the Liverwort Tree of Life project sponsored by NSF, involves several laboratories within the US. My lab focuses on sequencing complete chloroplast genomes for select taxa, and surveying broad samples of exemplars in search of phylogenetically informative structural changes in the genome.

A post-doctoral position will be available starting Sept. 1st, 2008. Requirements are to have a Ph.D. and research experience in plant phylogenetic systematics. Candidates should also have most of the following qualifications: knowledge of liverwort systematics, experience in phylogenetic and ancestral character-state reconstruction, proficiency in sequencing, experience in genome assembly and annotation, and programming.
The salary will be $36,000 + benefits. The position would be for two years pending satisfactory progress after the first year. Anyone meeting the requirements and interested in this position should contact me for more information. Electronic applications (CV including names of references) should be sent to the address below, with the subject line reading "Liverwort Tree of Life". Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled."
Dr. Bernard Goffinet
Associate Professor
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
75 North Eagleville road
University of Connecticut
Storrs CT
06269-3043 USA
Ph: 1-860-486-5290
Fax: 1-860-486-6364
http://www.eeb.uconn.edu/people/goffinet

El género Leptodontium en el Neotrópico

ESTIMADOS COLEGAS:
ME ENCUENTRO TRABAJANDO EN LA REVISIÓN DEL GÉNERO LEPTODONTIUM EN ARGENTINA Y PARA EL NEOTRÓPICO EN EL MARCO DEL PROYECTO "DIVERSIDAD BRIOLÓGICA Y DE ASCOMYCETES EN ARGENTINA ENTRE 20º Y 35º DE LATITUD SUR" BAJO LA DIRECCIÓN DE LA DRA. SCHIAVONE. POR TAL MOTIVO ME SERÍA DE MUCHISIMA UTILIDAD SI ALGUIEN PUDIESE FACILITARME ALGUNOS TRABAJOS, MATERIAL DEL LUGAR INCLUSO CLAVES ACTALIZADAS SOBRE ESTE GÉNERO. DESDE YA MUY AGRADECIDA

MARIA TERESITA COLOTTI

Financiamiento para proyectos con hepaticas

Jon Shaw, Duke University, ha anunciado la disponibilidad de financiamiento para proyectos de investigación filogenética de cualquier grupo de hepáticas.
El financiamiento incluye el costo de visitas a Duke University, gastos de investigación y de estancia. No incluye salarios.
Este es el mensaje enviado a través de BRYONET:

A group of systematists at Duke University, University of Connecticut, the Field
Museum, Southern Illinois University, University of Michigan, and the Florida
Natural History Museum, with collaborators from a number of European,
Australian, and South American countries, are currently working on phylogenetic
relationships among liverworts using a combination of morphological and
molecular data.

We currently have funding to support visits to the lab of Jon Shaw at Duke
University by bryologists interested in contributing to this effort. We can
support the cost of such visits including all research expenses plus travel and
living costs. Salaries are not possible but all expenses associated with visits
can be covered.

If you are interested, please contact Jon Shaw (shaw@duke.edu). Although we
would like to support visits by anyone and everyone, we can only accommodate
bryologists with expert taxonomic knowledge of a particular liverwort group
(family, large genus) and/or some experience with the laboratory protocols of
molecular systematics (i.e., DNA sequencing or genomic approaches) --
preferably both. Graduate students working on the systematics of some
liverwort group who would like to expand their molecular systematic experience
are encourage to write. We cannot accept applicants with no molecular lab
experience at all.

If interested, please write and describe your interests, AND experience relevant
to any proposed work you wish to undertake.

Jon Shaw
Department of Biology
Duke University
Durham, NC 27708 USA