José Jesus

Genetic profile of a multi-ethnic population from Guiné-Bissau (west African coast) using the new PowerPlex 16 System kit.

Allele and haplotype frequencies of 15 chromosome STR loci included in the kit PowerPlex16 System from Promega, were determined in a sample of unrelated males from Guiné-Bissau, a country from the west African coast. All individuals were subjected to an interview in order to make sure that their ancestors belonged to the same ethnic group. This way we intended to look for possible inter-ethnic differences. PowerPlex 16 includes STRs not studied before in any multi-ethnic population. The kit includes two new allele markers (Penta D and Penta E), which are very useful either in forensics or population genetic studies. The Guinean population presents significant differences when compared with other African populations.

Phylogeography of the Madeiran endemic lizard Lacerta dugesii inferred from mtDNA sequences

Partial sequences from two mitochondrial DNA genes, cytochrome b and 12S rRNA, were used to assess the phylogenetic relationships of populations of Lacerta dugesii from the volcanic Atlantic islands of Madeira, the Desertas, Porto Santo, and the Selvagens. All four-island groups are genetically distinguishable and populations within each contain similar degrees of genetic diversity. Molecular clock estimates suggest that the islands were colonized much later after their emergence compared to other Atlantic islands, possibly due to their greater geographical isolation. Mismatch analysis of all populations is consistent with exponential growth, as expected after colonization of empty niches. The Selvagens contain genetic substructuring between the islets.

Structure and Evolution of the Mitochondrial DNA Complete Control Region in the Lizard Lacerta dugesii (Lacertidae, Sauria)

We sequenced the complete control region (CR) and adjacent tRNAs, partial 12S rRNA, and cytochrome b (over 3100 bp) from eight individuals of Madeiran wall lizards, Lacerta dugesii, from four distinct island populations. The tRNAs exhibit a high degree of intraspecific polymorphisms compared to other vertebrates. All CR sequences include a minisatellite that varies in length between populations but is apparently fixed within them. Variation in minisatellite length appears between populations separated by apparently very short evolutionary time spans. Many motifs identified in the CR of other vertebrates are not highly conserved, although conserved blocks are identifiable between the few published reptile CR sequences. Overall there are extensive differences in the internal organization of the reptile CR compared to the more widely studied mammals and birds. Variability in the CR is lower than in cytochrome b, but higher than in 12S rRNA. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences produces a well-resolved estimate of relationships between populations.

Phylogenetic relationships of gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. from the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean: molecular evidence for specific status of Bugio and Cape Verde petrels and implications for conservation

Summary It is widely accepted that the gadfly petrels of the Macaronesian islands comprise three closely related and morphologically similar taxa, Petrodroma madeira from Madeira island, P. deserta (also treated as P. feae deserta) from Bugio and P. feae (also treated as P. feae feae) from Cape Verde Islands. However, the taxonomic rank of each taxon is not well defined, and has been subject to a long debate. Partial sequences of cytochrome b (893 bp) from 39 individuals (five from Madeira, 18 from nearby Bugio, and 16 from Fogo) and morphometric data from five characters from 102 individuals (74 from Bugio and 28 from Fogo in Cape Verde), were used to compare and estimate phylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic status of these petrels. In the phylogenetic analysis and sequence divergence estimation, we also include 23 sequences of 19 Pterodroma species available from GenBank. Our results show that Macaronesian gadfly petrels form a monophyletic clade. Birds from Bugio and Cape Verde are the most closely related taxa followed by those from Madeira. The group formed by the three taxa studied is closely related to Bermuda Petrel P. cahow and Black-capped Petrel P. hasitata. A hypothesis for the colonization of the islands is presented. The level of sequence divergence is sufficient to consider the populations of Bugio and Cape Verde as separate species. Reproductive isolation is supported by exclusive haplotypes and fixed changes. Despite the presence of some significant differences in bill and tarsus measurements, the two species seem to be morphologically similar because the great overlap of variation intervals in the measurements hinders identification. It therefore appears suitable for consideration as a cryptic species. An important conservation implication is that the world population of both species is very small; if treated as a full species, deserta on Bugio may qualify for uplisting to ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

Genetic differentiation of the Cabo Verde archipelago population analysed by STR polymorphisms

Allele frequencies for 17 STR loci were analyzed in a sample of unrelated males from the Cabo Verde Archipelago. The samples were gathered in such a way that the origin of the subjects was perfectly identified, and they could be included in one of the leeward or windward groups of islands. This study reveals that there are significant differences between both groups of islands, and between Cabo Verdeans and other populations from sub‐Sahara Africa including the Guineans, the most probable source population for Cabo Verdeans. This study confirms mtDNA data and, together with HLA and Y chromosome data already published, shows that the Cabo Verde population is sub‐structured and atypical, diverging substantially from mainland sub‐Saharan populations. Overall these differences are most probably due to admixture between sub‐Saharan slaves brought into the islands and other settlers of European origin. In the absence of a clear indication of a different ethnic composition of the first sub‐Saharan settlers of Cabo Verde, the differentiation exhibited in both groups of islands can be most probably be attributed to genetic drift.

Relationships of Tarentola (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from the Cape Verde Islands estimated from DNA sequence data

Thirteen specimens of Tarentola from the Cape Verde islands were sequenced for 695 base pairs of 12S rRNA and cytochrome b mitochondrial genes, and analysed with published sequences. Our results support many of the relationships previously proposed. We report the presence of Tarentola gigas Bocage, 1875 on Sao Nicolau and Tarentola caboverdiana nicolauensis Schleich, 1984 on Sao Vicente. This increases the number of genetically distinct forms on these islands; hence community structure appears to be more complex than previously understood. We also sequenced seven individuals for 375 base pairs of the nuclear gene, C- mos . Two sites were variable, much less than expected given the high levels of differentiation based on mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Relationships of Hemidactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from the Cape Verde Islands: What Mitochondrial DNA Data Indicate

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Structure and genetic variation of the mitochondrial control region in the honey bee Apis mellifera

Although the mitochondrial molecule of the honey bee is completely sequenced, the control region is rarely used for genetic inferences as in other invertebrates, due to several constraints mainly a biased A plus T content and extensive variable length repeats. Herein, we have analyzed the control region of honey bees from the Iberian Peninsula and North Atlantic islands. The information retrieved when comparing individuals from different populations was crucial to understand and characterize how the control region is organized in this species. As expected, this region in Apis mellifera appears to contain valuable although limited genetic information at the population level. Furthermore, the comparisons of the A. mellifera control region with other species of the same genus highlight the structural role of particular sequences within the A+T rich control region as proposed here.

Echolocation Calls of Bats from Madeira Island: Acoustic Characterization and Implications for Surveys

Acoustic surveys represent a powerful tool to assess bat distribution and habitat preferences and are widely applicable to monitoring and conservation schemes. However, their correct application requires the development of robust and reliable identification procedures. Little information is available on the bats of Madeira Island (Portugal), particularly their ecological requirements, distribution and population trends, and proper guidelines for their monitoring and conservation have yet to be defined. In this study, we present the first analysis of echolocation calls from species occurring on the island to provide a tool for bat identification during acoustic surveys. Seven hundred and ninety one time-expanded recordings of search phase echolocation calls in cluttered and uncluttered habitats of the Macaronesia endemic pipistrelle Pipistrellus maderensis, Madeira Leislers bat Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus and grey long-eared bat Plecotus austriacus were analysed and an acoustic repertoire with their temporal and spectral features is described. Pipistrellus maderensis was easily identified based only on peak frequency while Plecotus austriacus and N. leisleri verrucosus showed frequency overlap in cluttered backgrounds. Discriminant function analysis was applied to calls of Plecotus austriacus and N. l. verrucosus resulting in a correct overall classification of 96.7% of calls, with a function based on start frequency, end frequency, duration and interpulse interval. This work provides the first description of Pipistrellus maderensis and N. l. verrucosus echolocation calls and offers a basis for future bat surveys in order to encourage the development of locally customized conservation strategies.

Extinctions of introduced game species on oceanic islands: curse for hunters or conservation opportunities?

In island ecosystems, a considerable portion of the limited conservation resources are often channelled to the eradication of vertebrate invasive species. Since the 1950s, nearly 900 successful invasive vertebrate eradications have taken place (DIISE 2015) with highly beneficial consequences for insular biodiversity (Caujape-Castells et al. 2010; Jones et al. 2016). Multiple invasive vertebrates are popular game species on islands worldwide—e.g. the mouflon Ovis gmelini in the Canaries (Nogales et al. 2006) or the Kalij pheasant Lophura leucomelanos in Hawaii (Lewin and Lewin 1984). Yet, despite the detrimental effects of alien wildlife on the native biodiversity, such populations are commonly restocked for recreational hunting. Hunting and biodiversity conservation frequently fall under the responsibility of the same governmental institutions, which have to balance the interests of