Fernando Rodríguez

Integrating phylogeographic patterns of microsatellite and mtDNA divergence to infer the evolutionary history of chamois (genus Rupicapra).

BackgroundThe chamois, distributed over most of the medium to high altitude mountain ranges of southern Eurasia, provides an excellent model for exploring the effects of historical and evolutionary events on diversification. Populations have been grouped into two species, Rupicapra pyrenaica from southwestern Europe and R. rupicapra from eastern Europe. However, a previous study of cytochrome b revealed that the two proposed species were non-monophyletic. The reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships between animal species often depends on the markers studied. To further elucidate the evolutionary history of chamois, we extended earlier studies by analysing DNA sequences of four mitochondrial regions (ND1, 12S, tRNApro and Control Region) and microsatellites (20 loci) to include all subspecies and cover its entire distribution range.ResultsWe found discordant microsatellite (μsat) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA phylogenies. Mitochondrial phylogenies form three clades, West, Central and East (mtW, mtC and mtE), at variance with taxonomic classification. Our divergence age estimates indicate an initial separation into branches mtW-mtC and mtE 1.7 million years ago (mya), in the late Pliocene-early Pleistocene, quickly followed by the split of clades mtW and mtC. Clade mtW contains haplotypes from the Iberian peninsula and the western Alps, Clade mtC includes haplotypes from the Apennines and the Massif of Chartreuse and Clade mtE comprises populations to the east of the Alps. Divergence among populations within these three major clades is recent (< 0.5 mya). New microsatellite multilocus genotypes added to previously published data revealed differences between every pair of subspecies, forming three well defined groups (μsatW, μsatC and μsatE) also with a strong geographic signature. Grouping does not correspond with the mitochondrial lineages but is closer to morphology and taxonomic classification. Recent drastic reductions in population size can be noted for the subspecies ornata as an extremely low diversity.ConclusionsThe phylogeographic patterns for mtDNA and microsatellites suggest an evolutionary history with limited range contractions and expansions during the Quaternary period and reflect a major effect of the Alpine barrier on west-east differentiation. The contrasting phylogenies for mtDNA and microsatellites indicate events of hybridization among highly divergent lineages in the central area of distribution. Our study points to the importance of reticulate evolution, with periods of isolation and reduction of population size followed by expansions and hybridizations, in the diversification at the level of close species or subspecies.

Cytochrome b Phylogeography of Chamois (Rupicapra spp.). Population Contractions, Expansions and Hybridizations Governed the Diversification of the Genus

The chamois provides an excellent model for exploring the effect of historical and evolutionary events on diversification. We investigate cytochrome b (cytb) sequences in the 10 recognized subspecies of Rupicapra classified within 2 species: Rupicapra pyrenaica, with the subspecies parva, pyrenaica, and ornata, and Rupicapra rupicapra, with cartusiana, rupicapra, tatrica, carpatica, balcanica, asiatica, and caucasica. A fragment of 349 bp of the cytb was sequenced in 189 individuals. We identified 3 cytb lineages: Clade West in Iberia and Western Alps; Clade Central in the Apennines and the Massif of Chartreuse; and Clade East present in populations to the east of the Alps. The 2 proposed species were polyphyletic; the clades West and Central are represented in both, whereas the Clade East is restricted to R. rupicapra. In contrast to the current systematic, cytb phylogenies suggest the classification of the 10 subspecies of chamois into a single species, R. rupicapra. Phylogeny and geographical distribution of the 3 lineages show the effects of limited latitudinal range expansions, contractions, and hybridizations among highly divergent lineages, along with a major role of the glacial ice sheets of the Alps and the Pyrenees as barriers to gene flow, on the diversification of extant taxa.

Reduction of rejections in cold rolled strip welding by intelligent analysis of image and process data

Welding plays an important role in the metallurgic process, being a critical part of continuous processes. The early detection of welding defects is a key aspect to guarantee productivity. There are factories in which the welding testing is performed visually by an operator. In this scenario, the physiological and psychological aspects of the operator can determine the productivity due to unnecessary repetitions of welds. This paper proposes an on-line intelligent system for operator support. The goal is to reduce the unnecessary repetitions of welds. The proposed method uses data mining and machine learning techniques fed by the information extracted from the process data and from the data obtained by an infrared camera, creating an objective model that estimates the weld reliability. Flexibility and adaptability are two key concepts in the proposed design.

Reemplazo valvular aórtico con bioprótesis no soportada de Cryolife O'Brien

Introduccion y objetivos El xenoinjerto de Cryolife O’Brien es una bioprotesis no soportada, construida por valvas no coronarias de 3 valvulas aorticas porcinas. El objetivo de este estudio es investigar los resultados precoces despues del reemplazo valvular aortico con este xenoinjerto compuesto. Metodos Desde octubre de 1993, la bioprotesis Cryolife O’Brien ha sido implantada en 210 pacientes. La edad media fue de 70,9 ± 7,5 anos (intervalo, 23 y 83 anos). La indicacion fue estenosis aortica en 132 casos, insuficiencia aortica en 25 casos y doble lesion en 53 casos. Se ha estudiado la funcion valvular, mediante ecocardiografia preoperatoria, en el momento del alta y a los 6 y 12 meses del postoperatorio. Resultados La mortalidad a 30 dias fue del 5,2% (11/210). Los gradientes medios se reducen y el indice de area efectiva aortica aumenta con el tiempo. El indice de masa ventricular izquierda, el grosor de la pared y el espesor del septo tambien se reducen de forma precoz en el postoperatorio. Conclusiones El uso de la bioprotesis no soportada de Cryolife O’Brien ha mostrado unos resultados satisfactorios en el seguimiento a un ano. Sera necesario realizar seguimientos futuros para analizar el comportamiento de esta bioprotesis a largo plazo.