Eastern Pyrenees (eastern + pyrenees)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Assessment of shallow landslide susceptibility by means of multivariate statistical techniques

EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 12 2001
Cristina Baeza
Abstract Several multivariate statistical analyses have been performed to identify the most influential geological and geomorphological parameters on shallow landsliding and to quantify their relative contribution. A data set was first prepared including more than 30 attributes of 230 failed and unfailed slopes. The performance of principal component analysis, t-test and one-way test, allowed a preliminary selection of the most significant variables, which were used as input variables for the discriminant analysis. The function obtained has classified successfully 88·5 per cent of the overall slope population and 95·6 per cent of the failed slopes. Slope gradient, watershed area and land-use appeared as the most powerful discriminant factors. A landslide susceptibility map, based on the scores of the discriminant function, has been prepared for Ensija range in the Eastern Pyrenees. An index of relative landslide density shows that the results of the map are consistent. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


LPHT metamorphism in a late orogenic transpressional setting, Albera Massif, NE Iberia: implications for the geodynamic evolution of the Variscan Pyrenees

JOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
M. VILÀ
Abstract During the Late Palaeozoic Variscan Orogeny, Cambro-Ordovician and/or Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Albera Massif (Eastern Pyrenees) were subject to low-pressure/high-temperature (LPHT) regional metamorphism, with the development of a sequence of prograde metamorphic zones (chlorite-muscovite, biotite, andalusite-cordierite, sillimanite and migmatite). LPHT metamorphism and magmatism occurred in a broadly compressional tectonic regime, which started with a phase of southward thrusting (D1) and ended with a wrench-dominated dextral transpressional event (D2). D1 occurred under prograde metamorphic conditions. D2 started before the P,T metamorphic climax and continued during and after the metamorphic peak, and was associated with igneous activity. P,T estimates show that rocks from the biotite-in isograd reached peak-metamorphic conditions of 2.5 kbar, 400 °C; rocks in the low-grade part of the andalusite-cordierite zone reached peak metamorphic conditions of 2.8 kbar, 535 °C; rocks located at the transition between andalusite-cordierite zone and the sillimanite zone reached peak metamorphic conditions of 3.3 kbar, 625 °C; rocks located at the beginning of the anatectic domain reached peak metamorphic conditions of 3.5 kbar, 655 °C; and rocks located at the bottom of the metamorphic series of the massif reached peak metamorphic conditions of 4.5 kbar, 730 °C. A clockwise P,T trajectory is inferred using a combination of reaction microstructures with appropriate P,T pseudosections. It is proposed that heat from asthenospheric material that rose to shallow mantle levels provided the ultimate heat source for the LPHT metamorphism and extensive lower crustal melting, generating various types of granitoid magmas. This thermal pulse occurred during an episode of transpression, and is interpreted to reflect breakoff of the underlying, downwarped mantle lithosphere during the final stages of oblique continental collision. [source]


A new species of Pseudoloris (Omomyidae, Primates) from the middle Eocene of Sant Jaume de Frontanyà (Eastern Pyrenees, Spain)

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Raef Minwer-Barakat
Abstract In this article we describe a new species of Pseudoloris (Omomyidae, Primates) from the Robiacian (middle Eocene) locality of Sant Jaume de Frontanyà (Eastern Pyrenees, Spain). Pseudoloris pyrenaicus is characterized by its medium size, thickened paracristid, absence of a distinct paraconid, and well-developed buccal cingulid in the lower molars, large hypoconulid in the M3, paraconule and hypocone reduced in the M1 and M2 and absent in the M3. The material from Sant Jaume de Frontanyà constitutes the most abundant sample of the genus Pseudoloris found until now in the Iberian Peninsula. Almost all the dental elements have been recovered, including those teeth hardly known for other species of the genus, such as lower and upper incisors. The new species shows intermediate features between Pseudoloris isabenae from Capella and Pseudoloris parvulus, present in different Spanish and French sites. Therefore, we consider that Pseudoloris pyrenaicus is an intermediate form between these two species. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:92,99, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


In search of the Pre- and Post-Neolithic Genetic Substrates in Iberia: Evidence from Y-Chromosome in Pyrenean Populations

ANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS, Issue 1 2009
A. M. López-Parra
Summary The male-mediated genetic legacy of the Pyrenean population was assessed through the analysis of 12 Y-STR and 27 Y-SNP loci in a sample of 169 males from 5 main geographical areas in the Spanish Pyrenees: Cinco Villas (Western Pyrenees), Jacetania and Valle de Arán (Central Pyrenees) and Alto Urgel and Cerdaña (Eastern Pyrenees). In the Iberian context, the Pyrenean samples present some specificities, being characterizeded by a high proportion of chromosomes R1b1b2-M269 (including the usually uncommon R1b1b2d-SRY2627 and R1b1b2c-M153 types) or I2a2-M26 and low proportions of other haplogroups. Our results indicate that an old pre-Neolithic substrate is preponderant in populations of the whole Pyrenean fringe. However, AMOVA revealed a high level of substructure within Pyrenean populations, partially explained by drift effects as well as by the signature of an ancient genetic differentiation between Western and Eastern Pyrenees. [source]


Role of Genetic Refuges in the Restoration of Native Gene Pools of Brown Trout

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
ROSA M. ARAGUAS
introgresión de piscifactoría; pautas de manejo; acervos génicas nativas; refugios genéticos; repoblación de peces Abstract:,Captive-bred animals derived from native, alien, or hybrid stocks are often released in large numbers in natural settings with the intention of augmenting harvests. In brown trout (Salmo trutta), stocking with hatchery-reared non-native fish has been the main management strategy used to maintain or improve depleted wild brown trout populations in Iberian and other Mediterranean regions. This measure has become a serious threat to the conservation of native genetic diversity, mainly due to introgressive hybridization. Aware of this risk, the agency responsible for management of brown trout in the eastern Pyrenees (Spain) created "brown trout genetic refuges" to preserve the integrity of brown trout gene pools in this region. Within refuge areas, the prerefuge status with respect to fishing activities has been maintained, but hatchery releases have been banned completely. We evaluated this management strategy through a comparison of the stocking impact on native populations that accounted for stocking histories before and after refuge designations and fishing activities. In particular we examined the relevant scientific, cultural, and political challenges encountered. Despite agency willingness to change fishery policies to balance exploitation and conservation, acceptance of these new policies by anglers and genetic monitoring of refuge populations should also be considered. To improve management supported by genetic refuges, we suggest focusing on areas where the public is more receptive, considering the situation of local native diversity, and monitoring of adjacent introgressed populations. We recommend the use of directional supportive breeding only when a population really needs to be enhanced. In any case, management strategies should be developed to allow for protection within the context of human use. Resumen:,Animales criados en cautiverio derivados de individuos nativos, exóticos o híbridos a menudo son liberados en grandes cantidades en ambientes naturales con la intención de incrementar su explotación. En la trucha común (Salmo trutta), la repoblación con peces no nativos criados en granjas ha sido la principal estrategia de manejo utilizada para mantener o mejorar poblaciones naturales de trucha común en la Peninsula Ibérica y otras regiones Mediterráneas. Esta medida se ha convertido en una seria amenaza para la conservación de la diversidad genética nativa, debido principalmente a la hibridación introgresiva. Consciente de este riesgo, la agencia responsable del manejo de la trucha común en los Pirineos orientales (España) creó"refugios genéticos de trucha común" para preservar la integridad de las acervos genéticos de trucha común en esta región. Dentro de las áreas de refugio, se ha mantenido el estatus previo al refugio con respecto a las actividades pesqueras pero las liberaciones de peces de piscifactoría han sido completamente prohibidas. Evaluamos esta estrategia de manejo mediante la comparación del impacto de la repoblación sobre las poblaciones nativas que registraron historias de repoblación antes y después de la designación de refugios y de actividades pesqueras. En particular, examinamos los significativos retos científicos, culturales y políticos que encontramos. A pesar de la disponibilidad de la agencia para cambiar las políticas de pesca hacia un equilibrio entre la explotación y la conservación, también se debe considerar la aceptación de estas nuevas políticas por los pescadores y el monitoreo genético de las poblaciones en los refugios. Para mejorar el manejo en los refugios genéticos sugerimos centrarse en las áreas donde el público es más receptivo, considerando la situación de la diversidad nativa local y el monitoreo de las poblaciones introgresadas adyacentes. Recomendamos la utilización de la cría de apoyo direccional solo cuando una población realmente requiera ser mejorada. En cualquier caso, se deberían desarrollar estrategias de manejo para permitir la protección en el contexto del uso por el hombre. [source]


Breeding biology and success of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in the eastern Pyrenees

IBIS, Issue 2 2003
Antoni Margalida
We present data from an extensive study of Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus breeding biology in the Pyrenees from 1992 to 1999. Average laying date was 6 January (range 11 December to 12 February, n = 69) with no significant differences between years. Eighty per cent of clutches were of two eggs (n = 20) and average incubation was 54 days (range 52,56, n = 14). Hatching occurred on average between 21 February and 3 March (range 5 February,7 April) and the first and last chicks fledged in 21,27 May and 20 July, respectively. The average chick age at fledging was 123 days (range 103,133, n = 20). Bearded Vulture density increased significantly during the study period. Breeding success and productivity declined apparently as a consequence of the increase in the percentage of breeding failures during incubation and chick rearing, most during the hatching period. The factors that may determine breeding failure and the decline in breeding performance are analysed and management recommendations for more effective conservation measures are discussed. [source]


Phylogeography of Pulsatilla vernalis (L.) Mill. (Ranunculaceae): chloroplast DNA reveals two evolutionary lineages across central Europe and Scandinavia

JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 9 2008
Micha, Ronikier
Abstract Aim, The aim of this study was to test hypotheses regarding some of the main phylogeographical patterns proposed for European plants, in particular the locations of glacial refugia, the post-glacial colonization routes, and genetic affinities between southern (alpine) and northern (boreal) populations. Location, The mountains of Europe (Alps, Balkans, Carpathians, Central Massif, Pyrenees, Scandinavian chain, Sudetes), and central European/southern Scandinavian lowlands. Methods, As our model system we used Pulsatilla vernalis, a widely distributed European herbaceous plant occurring both in the high-mountain environments of the Alps and other European ranges and in lowlands north of these ranges up to Scandinavia. Based on a distribution-wide sampling of 61 populations, we estimated chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation along six regions using polymerase chain reaction,restriction fragment-length polymorphisms (PCR,RFLPs) (trnH,trnK, trnK,trnK, trnC,trnD, psbC,trnS, psaA,trnS, trnL,trnF) and further sequencing of trnL,trnF and trnH,psbA. In addition, 11 samples of other European species of Pulsatilla were sequenced to survey the genus-scale cpDNA variation. Results, Eleven PCR,RFLP polymorphisms were detected in P. vernalis, revealing seven haplotypes. They formed two distinct genetic groups. Three haplotypes representing both groups dominated and were widely distributed across Europe, whereas the others were restricted to localized regions (central Alps, Tatras/Sudetes mountains) or single populations. Sequencing analysis confirmed the reliability of PCR,RFLPs and homology of haplotypes across their distribution. The chloroplast DNA variation across the section Pulsatilla was low, but P. vernalis did not share haplotypes with other species. Main conclusions, The genetic distinctiveness of P. vernalis populations from the south-western Alps with respect to other Alpine populations, as well as the affinities between the former populations and those from the eastern Pyrenees, is demonstrated, thus providing support for the conclusions of previous studies. Glacial refugia in the Dolomites are also suggested. Isolation is inferred for the high-mountain populations from the Tatras and Sudetes; this is in contrast to the case for the Balkans, which harboured the common haplotype. Specific microsatellite variation indicates the occurrence of periglacial lowland refugia north of the Alps, acting as a source for the post-glacial colonization of Scandinavia. The presence of different fixed haplotypes in eastern and western Scandinavia, however, suggests independent post-glacial colonization of these two areas, with possible founder effects. [source]


Breakdown of the brown trout evolutionary history due to hybridization between native and cultivated fish

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2004
R. M. Araguas
Genetic changes in the population structure of brown trout Salmo trutta in the eastern Pyrenees were monitored during the 1990s. Stocking with cultivated exogenous fish has resulted in introgressed populations where those with higher introgression coefficients also have the highest values of heterozygosity. Nevertheless, this increase of local diversity reflects a decrease of genetic differentiation between populations and loss of native alleles. These changes obscure native gene pools and modify evolutionary distinctions among native brown trout populations. [source]