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Brain size reduction in dogs was already established at least by the Late Neolithic of western Europe, 5,000 years ago
No full textThe timing and causes of brain size reduction in domestic dogs remain uncertain. Using endocast's volume as a proxy for brain size, this study provides a first insight into long-term brain size evolution in the wolf-dog lineage. We compared endocranial volumes of 185 modern and 22 prehistoric wolves and dogs ranging from Western Europe to Australia, and spanning the Pleniglacial (35 Ky BP) to the Late Neolithic (5 Ky BP). Our results reveal that Pleistocene so called "protodogs" show no brain size reduction compared to coeval Pleistocene wolves. Instead, we observed a slightly larger relative endocranial volume in the 35,000-year-old 'protodog' from Goyet, which could suggest increased behavioural flexibility in the presence of humans. This hypothesis needs to be tested further. In contrast, Late Neolithic dogs show a drastic 46% brain size reduction with an endocranial volumes comparable to modern small terrier and toy breeds. The anxious and wary temperaments of these Late Neolithic dogs, induced by the brain tissue reorganization associated with such a size reduction, could have served an alerting purpose, among the many other potential roles dogs could have played within this Late Neolithic socio-ecosystems
Tout ce qu'il faut savoir pour transmettre mes données sur les habitats marins au SINP
No full textDocument d'accompagnement au partage de données sur les habitats marins dans le cadre du SINPInternational audienceCe document a pour objectif de synthétiser les informations importantes à connaître afin de partager ses données portant sur les habitats marins dans le cadre du Système d'information de l'inventaire du patrimoine naturel (SINP). Il indique succinctement les étapes à suivre ainsi que les documents auxquels se référer
Evaluation of a Plant Disease Surveillance System Using the Animal-Health OASIS Method: Application to Sharka in France
No full textInternational audienceDisease surveillance is a keystone of human, animal, and plant health. It contributes to the prevention and management of epidemics. Over the past two decades, several methodological frameworks have been developed for the evaluation of human and animal health surveillance systems, but such approaches are still lacking in plant health. Here, we aimed at providing one of the first evaluations of a plant pest surveillance system. We applied the semi-quantitative OASIS method, already successfully used for the evaluation of centralized surveillance in animal health, to the French surveillance system of sharka, a viral disease of Prunus trees. A four-member evaluation team conducted semi-directed interviews with 29 professionals covering the different institutions and functions involved in this surveillance system. The evaluation showed that the main strength of the current system is its organization into well-performing regional units that enable adjusting the national surveillance strategy for the application of locally relevant control measures. The main opportunities for improvement were related to system coordination and science-based exploitation of the surveillance data for long-term disease control. We have provided a proof of concept that there is no other obstacle than vocabulary issues to the transposition of the OASIS method to plant diseases, which opens up the possibility to assess other surveillance systems and thus enables to improve their efficiency
Co-produire des connaissances et des outils pour des démarches préventives et opérationnelles en gestion agroécologique des adventices Partie I. Acquisition de données et synthèse dans des outils numériques
No full textAccompagner l’évolution des systèmes agricoles vers une moindre dépendance aux produits phytopharmaceutiques en se concentrant sur les méthodes préventives et sur les évaluations élargies des pratiques de protection des cultures et en les appréciant à travers leur durabilité. Dans ce numéro, nous abordons la conception d’outils et de stratégies de prévention, le développement de méthodes de lutte non chimique contre différents ravageurs et pathogènes, ainsi que l’évaluation, la définition d’indicateurs, la diffusion et la structuration de pratiques, depuis l’échelle de la parcelle jusqu’à celle des territoires et des filières. Ces projets ont été financés dans le cadre des appels à projets Ecophyto Recherche & Innovation lancés en 2019 : - Les approches globales pour limiter l’utilisation des produits phytopharmaceutiques - Durabilité des systèmes de productions agricoles alternatifs évitant ou limitant l’utilisation des produits phytopharmaceutiques"National audienceLe projet COPRAA visait à produire avec des acteurs de terrain des connaissances, outils et démarches de gestion préventive opérationnelles pour les conseillers et agriculteurs afin de concilier production agricole, rentabilité économique, biodiversité et faible usage, voire absence, d'herbicides en grande culture. Cet article présente (1) la production de connaissances sur les processus biophysiques déterminant les effets des techniques culturales et les régulations biologiques des adventices, avec des expérimentations en conditions contrôlées et au champ, puis (2) la synthèse de ces connaissances dans différents outils numériques (FLORSYS, DECIFLORSYS, OPTIFLORSYS, OdERA). L'évaluation et la conception d'idéotypes variétaux et systèmes de culture sera présentée dans la partie II de cet article
Devastation of island biodiversity: a land snail perspective
No full textInternational audienceAbstract Many islands are remote and the level of interest in land snails as a component of the global biodiversity conservation agenda is low. The conservation status of many island land snail faunas thus remains at best out of date. However, land snails have an asset that other groups do not—their shells, which can remain post mortem in the shell bank of the soil for many tens or several hundreds of years after the death of the animal. Consequently, numerous island land snails are known only based on empty shells—modern but of uncertain age, and thus escaping the strict requirements for Red Listing extinctions after ad 1500. Many high volcanic islands had extraordinarily diverse and highly endemic land snail faunas, with 50–100 endemic species on land masses sometimes as small as 30–50 km2. ‘Devastation’ is not a hyperbolic term to describe the fate of many of these island microcosms, with levels of extinction variously documented but not uncommonly in the order of 30–50%, and up to 80%. Historically, loss of habitat—namely deforestation—has been the prime cause of species loss, triggered or accelerated by the introduction of livestock and other feral mammals, which did not directly impact the snails but contributed to habitat loss and degradation. Another wave of extinctions followed the introduction—mostly deliberate—of non-native carnivores (snails and worms), directly preying on endemic snails that had evolved in the absence of such predators. The most infamous of these failed ‘biological control’ plans was the introduction of neotropical predatory snails, Euglandina spp., to the high islands of the remote Pacific to control the giant African snail pest, Lissachatina fulica, resulting in the extermination of several tens—and probably hundreds—of narrow-range endemic land snail species. Ornamental use of shells and hobbyist shell collecting may have impacted populations of larger, more colourful species. By contrast, climate change has not been documented as having caused any land snail extinctions. Few land snails are charismatic animals and, in view of the broad and deep impact of aliens on devastated natural habitats, in situ conservation of endemic island snails appears to be possible in only rare cases. There are, however, limited initiatives for ex situ conservation that can buy time and offer a glimmer of hope for positive thinking. Concerted and targeted field work to find and collect representative specimens of remaining species is needed in order that knowledge of the existence of these diverse faunas be available to posterity. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The biosphere in the Anthropocene’
First European Interlaboratory Ring Test Study to Detect DNA of Crayfish and the Crayfish Plague Pathogen From Water Samples
No full textInternational audienceIn recent years, European countries have intensified efforts to control or limit the spread of invasive freshwater crayfish and the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci , while working to conserve native species such as the noble crayfish ( Astacus astacus ). Although crayfish shed relatively low amounts of DNA into their environment, environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches have proven effective for detecting their presence. A range of protocols and equipment is currently used in eDNA‐based monitoring of freshwater crayfish. To evaluate how methodological variation influences detection accuracy, we conducted the first European interlaboratory ring test using eDNA to detect A. astacus , the invasive signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus , a chronic carrier of A. astaci , and the pathogen itself. The aim is to harmonize monitoring methods for crayfish and disease surveillance across laboratories. Eleven teams from thirteen European countries participated, each using its own equipment and protocols to collect and filter water from indoor tanks and outdoor ponds where the presence of A. astacus and P. leniusculus had been experimentally manipulated, as well as from a natural lake containing a P. leniusculus population. The resulting samples were analyzed in each team's laboratory. Despite methodological differences, all teams successfully detected DNA from both crayfish species in indoor tanks (3–10 crayfish/m 3 ). However, detection accuracy declined in outdoor ponds where crayfish density was an order of magnitude lower (0.32 crayfish/m 3 ). Detection was most variable for A. astaci , likely due to its very low prevalence in the host stock. Our study demonstrates the challenges of achieving consistent eDNA results across laboratories and highlights the importance of interlaboratory comparisons. It also underscores the need to identify sources of variability and error, an essential step toward developing robust and standardized protocols. This multinational intercalibration and exchange of knowledge improved methodology and enhanced reliability in crayfish detection
Rapport d’expertise relatif à l’état des connaissances des populations du Silure Silurus glanis et de ses impacts sur la gestion équilibrée des populations piscicoles
No full textLe présent document est une synthèse des connaissances concernant l’écologie du silure, son statut, ses impacts sur la biodiversité, ses caractéristiques dans une perspective de valorisation économique ainsi que les mesures de régulation de l’espèce. Il vise à éclairer les pouvoirs publics dans les politiques de gestion du silure et, plus récemment, de conservation des migrateurs amphihalins. Il a vocation à être régulièrement mis à jour, en fonction notamment des études et des retours d’expérience
Bird monitoring in Africa: present state and future prospects
No full textInternational audienceSummary Biodiversity monitoring is essential to inform the state of wildlife populations, and the impacts of environmental change, conservation intervention, and sustainable development policies and actions. We review the current state of bird monitoring across Africa using public questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. We received 87 questionnaire responses from 46 (of 54) countries and, additionally, 24 in-depth interviews were carried out. Multiple data collection methods were reported with total counts of individuals being most frequent, but all-species surveys, essential for quantifying ecosystem health, were restricted to bird atlases and Common Bird Monitoring (CBM) projects in Kenya, Uganda, and Botswana. Data collection relied largely on volunteers, but their motivation, recruitment, training, and retention is a continuing challenge. The most sustainable programmes were driven by clear policy objectives (e.g. waterbird monitoring under the Ramsar Convention or the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species), monitoring of individual groups (e.g. raptors, vultures, bustards), specific threatened species, and where clear national priorities had been set within government agencies. Use of monitoring data by governments in country biodiversity reports or National Biodiversity Species Action Plans (NBSAPs) varied widely and, for many countries, simply did not exist. A lack of skilled analysts and a comprehensive approach to data curation and ownership were identified as major limitations. A more strategic approach to funding and monitoring is needed, whereby smaller funders collaborate to reduce costs associated with applying for small amounts of money, and bird (and biodiversity) monitoring is explicitly integrated with sustainable development goals to exploit broader funding streams.La surveillance de la biodiversité est essentielle pour informer sur l’état des populations sauvages et ainsi que sur les impacts des changements environnementaux, des mesures de conservation et des politiques et actions de développement durable. Nous avons examiné l’état actuel de la surveillance des oiseaux en ’Afrique à l’aide de questionnaires publics et d’entretiens semi-structurés. Nous avons reçu 87 réponses provenant de 46 pays (sur 54) et, en complément, 24 entretiens approfondis ont été menés. Plusieurs méthodes de collecte de données ont été rapportées, les dénombrements totaux d’individus étant les plus fréquents, cependant les inventaires couvrant toutes les espèces, essentielles pour quantifier la santé des écosystèmes étaient limités aux atlas ornithologiques et aux programmes de Suivi des Oiseaux Communs (CBM) au Kenya, en Ouganda et au Botswana. La collecte des données reposait largement sur des bénévoles, mais leur motivation, leur recrutement, leur formation et leur fidélisation restent des défis permanents. Les programmes les plus durables étaient ceux motivés par des objectifs politiques clairs (par exemple le suivi des oiseaux d’eau dans le cadre de la Convention de Ramsar ou de la Convention sur la Conservation des Espèces Migratrices), le suivi de groupes particuliers (par exemple les rapaces, vautours, outardes), des espèces menacées spécifiques, ainsi que ceux où des priorités nationales clairement définies avaient été établies au sein des agences gouvernementales. L’utilisation de données librement accessibles par les gouvernements dans les rapports nationaux sur la biodiversité ou les Plans d’Action Nationaux pour la Biodiversité (NBSAPs) variait considérablement et, pour de nombreux pays, était inexistante. Le manque d’analystes qualifiés et l’absence d’approche cohérente en matière de gestion et de propriété des données ont été identifiés comme des obstacles majeurs. Une approche plus stratégique du financement et du suivi est nécessaire, dans laquelle les petits bailleurs collaborent pour réduire les coûts liés aux demandes de financements de faible montant, et où le suivi des oiseaux (et de la biodiversité) est explicitement intégré aux objectifs de développement durable afin d’exploiter des sources de financement plus larges
Synthèses sur l’état des populations, des pressions et des modalités de gestion des poissons migrateurs amphihalins en France : aloses, lamproies, saumon et truite de mer
No full textInternational audienceEn France, les poissons migrateurs amphihalins font l’objet d’une collecte de données le plus souvent décentralisée, généralement à l’échelle des comités de gestion des poissons migrateurs (COGEPOMI). Partant du constat qu’il n’existait pas de document de synthèse récent à l’échelle nationale sur l’état ces populations, le Pôle MIAME a entamé depuis une dizaine d’années la réalisation de synthèses bibliographiques. À l’heure actuelle, des synthèses ciblées ont été rédigées pour la lamproie marine, la lamproie fluviatile, la grande alose, l’alose feinte, le saumon atlantique et la truite de mer. Ces productions sont destinées à la fois aux gestionnaires locaux et nationaux, dans la mesure où elles permettent de comparer plus aisément l’état des populations entre les territoires
Disturbance by massive sporting events in mountain areas: When and where matters for the protected Alpine ibex Capra ibex
No full textInternational audienceThe ongoing development of recreational activities in natural areas raises concerns about their environmental impacts, particularly in mountain ecosystems. Those biodiversity hotspots are highly attractive for outdoor activities, but they are also highly sensitive to human disturbance. However, little is still known about the impacts of massive nature‐based sporting events, whose number has recently exploded. We focused on the impact of two types of massive sporting event (MSE) that occurred in the Bargy massif (northern French Alps) over a period of 10 years: a trail running competition with 600–1300 participants spread over four races, and stages of three emblematic cycling races, including the Tour de France. Based on the GPS monitoring of 139 individuals, we analysed several behavioural metrics during daytime and the following night when the MSE occurred, and compared them with reference data without MSE, recorded on the same dates but in other years. We revealed that trail running events exacerbate the ‘corridor of fear’ in Alpine ibex, a chronic and proactive response to the infrastructure concentrating human activities, that reshaped behavioural decisions at multiple spatiotemporal scales. Ibex redistributed farther from the hiking trails used by trail runners (−9% GPS locations within 500 m, representing a 20% relative decrease, +8% in the 500–1000 m range, representing a 25% relative increase). We also found increased movements (+14%) and activity levels during daytime in individuals close to the event route the night before the MSE. By contrast, cycling events had much more limited effects on ibex distribution and behaviour. While cycling events occurred primarily during summer when most of the ibex were already far from the roads, trail running events occurred at the beginning of the birth period and crossed the seasonal range of ibex, raising questions about the consequences for reproductive outputs. These findings highlight the need to consider the timing and route of MSE to avoid areas used during critical periods in the biological cycle of species, and more generally to address the rapidly growing impacts of MSE on mountain species already challenged by climate change during the crucial spring–summer period. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog