45 research outputs found
Un nouvel Odonate du Miocène d'Italie (Odon.)
No full textNel André, Petrulevicius Julina F., Gentilini Giuseppe, Martinez-delclos Xavier. Un nouvel Odonate du Miocène d'Italie (Odon.). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 110 (2), juin 2005. p. 188
A new ensign-fly from the Lower-Middle Miocene Dominican amber (Hymenoptera, Evaniidae)
No full textBrachygaster (Semaeomyia) dominicanas sp. n. is described from the Oligo-Miocene amber of the Dominican Republic. This Neotropical genus is still unknown in the Haiti Island.Un nouvel Evaniidé du Miocène moyen inférieur de l'ambre de la Dominique (Hymenoptera, Evaniidae). Brachygaster (Semaeomyia) dominicanas sp. n. est décrit de l'ambre miocène de la République Dominicaine. Ce genre néotropical est encore inconnu de la faune actuelle de l'île d'Haïti.Nel André, Martinez-delclos Xavier, Azar Dany. A new ensign-fly from the Lower-Middle Miocene Dominican amber (Hymenoptera, Evaniidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 107 (3), août 2002. pp. 217-221
New Nothochrysinae from the Spanish Miocene (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae)
No full textSummary. -Pronothochrysa vivesi gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from the Lower Miocene. This fossil genus has been discovered in "La Rinconada", an outcroup from Ribesalbes in Spain. Pronothochrysa gen. nov. is placed in the Chrysopidae : Nothochrysinae and compared with the Recent and fossil genera of the subfamily. The new genus is considered as the sister-genus of Nothochrysa McLachlan, 1868.Résumé. -Pronothochrysa vivesin. gen., n. sp., est décrit du Miocène inférieur. Ce genre fossile a été découvert dans "La Rinconada", un gisement près de Ribesalbes en Espagne. Pronothochrysa n. gen. est considéré comme un Chrysopidae Nothochrysinae et comparé avec les genres actuels et fossiles de cette sous-famille. Le nouveau genre est considéré comme le genre-frère de Nothochrysa McLachlan, 1868.Peñalver Mollá Enrique, Nel André, Martinez-delclos Xavier. New Nothochrysinae from the Spanish Miocene (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 100 (5), décembre 1995. pp. 481-487
The earliest occurrence and remarkable stasis of the family Bostrichidae (Coleoptera: Polyphaga) in Cretaceous Charentes amber
No full textInternational audienceA new fossil species of auger beetle (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), preserved in mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) amber from south-western France, is described as Stephanopachys vetus Peris, Delclos et Perrichot sp. n. The species is the earliest fossil bostrichid discovered to date, but is remarkably similar to Recent species of the genus Stephanopachys, supporting long morphological conservation in wood boring beetles. The specimen is fossilized in fully opaque amber and was imaged in 3D using propagation phase-contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography. Based on the ecology of extant related species habits, it is suggested that S. vetus sp. n. was a primary succession pioneer following wildfires in mid-Cretaceous forests. The fossil record of the family is reviewe
Damselflies (Coenagrionidae) have been avoiding leaf veins during oviposition for at least 52 million years
No full textPlant-insect interactions can provide extremely valuable information for reconstructing the oviposition behavior. We have studied about 1350 endophytic egg traces of coenagrionid damselflies (Odonata: Zygoptera) from the Eocene, identifying triangular or drop-shaped scars associated with them. This study aims to determine the origin of these scars. Our behavioral study of about 1,800 endophytic eggs from recent coenagrionids indicates that these scars were caused by ovipositor incisions, but without egg insertion. The scar correlates (χ2-test) with leaf veins in both fossil and extant species. We infer that a female would detect the proximity of a leaf vein and avoid egg-laying, generating a scar that also fossilizes. For the first time, a scar produced by the ovipositor has been identified, indicating the existence of undesirable areas for oviposition. Accordingly, we recognize that Coenagrionidae damselflies (narrow-winged damselflies or pond damselflies) have been avoiding leaf veins for at least 52 million years.Fil: Romero Lebrón, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinar de Biología Vegetal (P). Grupo Vinculado Centro de Relevamiento y Evaluación de Recursos Agrícolas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Fernández García, Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Matushkina, Natalia. Taras Shevchenko National University Of Kyiv; UcraniaFil: Delclos Martinez, Xavier. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Gleiser, Raquel M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinar de Biología Vegetal (P). Grupo Vinculado Centro de Relevamiento y Evaluación de Recursos Agrícolas y Naturales; Argentin
Eurotanais pyrenaensis Sanchez-Garcia, Penalver, Bird, Perrichot & Delclos, 2016, SP. NOV.
No full text<i>EUROTANAIS PYRENAENSIS</i> SANCHEZ- GARCIA, PE NALVER ~ & PERRICHOT SP. NOV. (FIGS 2, 3) <p> <i>Etymology</i></p> <p> The specific epithet <i>pyrenaensis</i> is after the range of mountains in south-west Europe (natural border between France and Spain).</p> <p> <i>Material</i></p> <p> Holotype MNHN.F.A51529a, ♂ (superbly preserved) and paratypes MNHN.F.A51529b, ♂ (superbly preserved) and MNHN.F.A51529c, ♂ (very incomplete; only antennulae, antennae, and some of the chelipeds are preserved). The darkened cuticle of the specimens makes resolving some detailed characters impossible with light microscopy. All type specimens are preserved as syninclusions in a small (greatest length 6.07 mm) dark-orange piece of amber. The sample was originally part of a single piece (#FOU-6) that was subsequently divided into four fragments for optimal study. Syninclusions comprised one Hemiptera, one Hymenoptera Falsiformicidae, one large undetermined Insecta, one Acari Stigmaeidae (A. Arillo, <i>pers. comm.</i>), and the tanaidaceans MNHN.F.A51530, MNHN.F.A51531, and</p> <p>MNHN.F.A51532.</p> <p> MNHN.F.A51532 matches the diagnosis of <i>E. pyrenaensis</i> for some characters. However, the specimen is highly degraded and preserved in brittle amber with multiple internal fractures that hinder examination, and we cannot attribute them to this species with full confidence.</p> <p> <i>Occurrence</i></p> <p> Middle Cenomanian Pyrenean amber, near Fourtou village, Aude department, north-eastern Pyrenees, southern France (Girard <i>et al.</i>, 2013).</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis</i></p> <p> As for the genus with the following additions. Male. Cephalothorax subtriangular when viewed dorsally. Antennule with eight articles, with numerous aesthetascs. Antenna with subequal articles, never square. Blunt tooth of cheliped fixed finger bearing three distinctive setae. Pereopod basis with one long distal seta. Pereopod 1 much longer than following pereopods, with long dactylus plus unguis (not longer than propodus); pereopods 2 <i>–</i> 3 with dactylus plus unguis much shorter than in pereopod 1; pereopods 4 <i>–</i> 6 armed with weak spines, and with dactylus plus unguis slightly shorter and stouter than in pereopods 2 <i>–</i> 3. Uropod biramous; endopod about 9.3 times the length of exopod; endopod with six articles; exopod with two articles, reaching half the length of endopodal article 1. Female. Unknown.</p> <p> <i>Description</i></p> <p> Based largely on the holotype MNHN.F.A51529a (Figs 2B <i>–</i> E, 3G) and the paratype MNHN.F.A51529b (Fig. 3B <i>–</i> F); differences with the paratype MNHN.F.A51529c (Fig. 3A) are noted.</p> <p> Body (Figs 2A <i>–</i> C, 3C) medium-sized, total length around 1.16 <i>–</i> 1.25 mm, about 5.37 times as long as</p> <p>wide; subcylindrical, slightly flattened dorsoventrally. All observed setae simple.</p> <p> Cephalothorax subtriangular when viewed dorsally, gradually narrowing anteriorly (i.e. without a lateral constriction), 1.61 times longer than its maximum width; around 0.27 <i>–</i> 0.31 times total body length, longer than combined length of pereonites 1 <i>–</i> 4; posterior margin rounded, laterally swollen. Rostrum absent. Eyes (Fig. 3D) well developed, large, diameter 0.20 times the cephalothorax length, slightly bulging, anterolaterally placed on cephalothorax.</p> <p> Pereon rather short, around 0.42 <i>–</i> 0.45 times total body length. All pereonites wider than long, with fairly convex lateral margins when viewed dorsally, rectangular when viewed laterally; pereonite 1 shorter than pereonite 2, 4.02 times wider than long; pereonites 2 and 3 subequal in size, about 1.45 times the length of pereonite 1, 2.93 times wider than long; pereonites 4 <i>–</i> 6 the longest, subequal in size, 2.15 times the length of pereonite 1, nearly twice as wide as long (1.92 times).</p> <p> Pleon rather short, about 0.27 times total body length, with five free subequal pleonites each bearing pairs of pleopods; pleonites slightly wider than pereonites but much shorter (each about 0.46 times the length of each pereonite 4 <i>–</i> 6), about 4.54 times wider than long. Pleotelson (Fig. 3F) short, not reaching the length of two pleonites together, gradually tapering distally, with broadly rounded posterior margin.</p> <p> Antennule (Fig. 3B) eight-articled (nine-articled in MNHN.F.A51529c, Fig. 3A), fairly slender, tapering distally, 1.32 times the length of cephalothorax, with numerous aesthetascs although their distribution cannot be exactly determined owing to preservation; article 1 about 0.28 times the length of antennule, not reaching the length of articles 2 and 3 combined, about 3.96 times longer than thick, slightly expanded laterally at cephalothorax insertion, with one proximal, one medial, and one distal seta; article 2 about 0.73 times the length of article 1, 3.29 times longer than thick, with one proximal and one distal seta; article 3 about half the length of article 2 (0.56 times), about twice as long as thick (2.15 times), with three setae distally; articles 4 <i>–</i> 8 slightly decreasing gradually in length and thickness towards the apex, articles 4 and 5 both with one seta distally, and article 7 with two setae distally; terminal article (article 8) as long as preceding article but thinner, bearing at least three short setae apically.</p> <p>Antenna (Fig. 3D) at least five-articled (proximal area obscured), approximately half the length of antennule and much thinner; visible articles subequal in size, about 3.35 times longer than thick, without visible setae; terminal article with long setae apically, difficult to enumerate as preserved.</p> <p>Mouthparts and maxilliped (Fig. 3D) apparently reduced or lacking.</p> <p>Cheliped robust; sclerite not visible; basis fairly robust, widening distally, nearly twice as long as thick (1.95 times), about 0.81 times the length of carpus, without visible setae; merus subtriangular, with up to two long setae ventrally; carpus about 2.18 times longer than thick, about 0.88 times the length of propodus, without visible setae; propodus (Figs 2E, 3E) robust, fixed finger deflexed almost perpendicular to palm, with dactylus directed medially, with one seta near the insertion of dactylus; fixed finger and dactylus unequal in length, widely separated at base forming a distinct gap between them (i.e. forcipate); fixed finger with three inner setae subdistally arising from a blunt tooth, unguis not visible; dactylus strongly developed, extending beyond fixed finger, gradually curving, with rounded end, unguis not visible.</p> <p> Pereopod 1 (Fig. 2D) much longer than following pereopods; coxa present; basis fairly slender, cylindrical, about 4.06 times longer than thick, longer than combined length of merus and carpus, with one long seta distally; ischium short; merus and carpus subequal in length, not widening distally, without visible setae; propodus longer than carpus, tapering distally, with one dorsodistal and one ventrodistal long seta; dactylus plus unguis curved and very long, about as long as propodus; unguis not distinguishable. Pereopods 2 <i>–</i> 3 (Fig. 2D) as pereopod 1 but shorter; merus together with carpus about half the length (0.56 times) of the combined length of merus and carpus 1, with up to one and two distal short setae, respectively; propodus about half the length of propodus 1 (0.57 times), with one dorsodistal and one ventrodistal short seta; dactylus plus unguis about 0.39 times the length of dactylus plus unguis 1, about 0.69 times the length of propodus; unguis not distinguishable.</p> <p> Pereopods 4 <i>–</i> 6 similar in length to pereopods 2 and 3 but sturdier; coxa present; basis fairly robust, more inflated than in pereopods 1 <i>–</i> 3, about 2.85 times longer than thick, longer than combined length of merus and carpus, with one long seta distally; ischium short; merus and carpus subequal in size, not widening distally, merus without visible spines and carpus with up to two minute spines; propodus longer than carpus, tapering distally, with up to two dorsodistal minute spines; dactylus plus unguis slightly shorter and stouter than in pereopods 2 <i>–</i> 3, claw-like; unguis not distinguishable.</p> <p>Pleopods all alike; basal article rounded, without visible setae; endopod and exopod subovate, with long setae bundled together in a pointed process sticking out under the pleon.</p> <p>Uropod (Fig. 3F, G) biramous, the endopod about 9.29 times the length of exopod; basal article elongated, about 2.48 times longer than thick, longer than exopod, without visible setae; endopod greatly elongated but shorter than pleon, with six subequal articles, each article about 2.60 times longer than thick, with up to two setae distally (difficult to exactly enumerate as preserved) except for the terminal article, which ends with four long setae; exopod very short, thinner than endopod, reaching slightly beyond half the length of endopodal article 1, with two subequal articles, article 1 with one short seta distally, article 2 ending with two long setae.</p> <p> <i>Remarks</i></p> <p> Paratype MNHN.F.A51529c of <i>E. pyrenaensis</i> sp. nov. has a nine-articled antennule instead of eightarticled as in the other type specimens of the species. However, this may be intraspecific variation; note that in Recent species with a large number of flagellar segments (more than five) there may be differences of one or more (an example being males of <i>Leptochelia acrolophus</i> Bird, 2015, with six to ten flagellar articles depending on body size; Bird, 2015).</p> <p> As mouthparts are apparently reduced or lacking in paratype MNHN.F.A51529b, the specimen should be considered a terminal male stage, devoted solely to reproduction. In fact, in mature, especially natatory, males of most tanaidomorphan genera [e.g. <i>Cryptocopoides</i> (Sieg, 1973 in M.S.) Sieg, 1977, <i>Leptochelia</i> Dana, 1849, <i>Leptognathia</i> Sars, 1882, <i>Paratanais</i> Dana, 1852, <i>Sinelobus</i> Sieg, 1980, and <i>Tanaissus</i> Stebbing, 1891], the mouthparts (including the maxilliped) undergo different degrees of reduction, in extreme cases rendering the animal a nonfeeding individual (Larsen, 2005; Bła zewicz- _ Paszkowycz <i>et al.</i>, 2014). Mouthparts cannot be examined in the specimens of <i>E. terminator</i> and <i>E. seilacheri</i> owing to fossilization position. However, it is worth noting that the alavatanaid males of <i>Al. carabe</i> were described as having well-developed mouthparts (Sanchez-Garcıa <i>et al.</i>, 2015).</p>Published as part of <i>Sanchez-Garcia, Alba, Penalver, Enrique, Bird, Graham J., Perrichot, Vincent & Delclos, Xavier, 2016, Palaeobiology of tanaidaceans (Crustacea: Peracarida) from Cretaceous ambers: extending the scarce fossil record of a diverse peracarid group, pp. 492-522 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 178 (3)</i> on pages 497-501, DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12427, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5368955">http://zenodo.org/record/5368955</a>
Study of the deposits of loss *
No full textSe menciona por diversos autores que el “copal de Colombia” se ha extraído tradicionalmente del departamento de Santander y que ha sido producido por la leguminosa del género Hymenaea, distribuida por diversas zonas de la geografía colombiana. Sin embargo, aún no se tiene certeza si verdaderamente existen yacimientos de copal o solo es resina de defaunación extraída del árbol cuando está se ha secado. Gracias al desarrollo de una memoria sobre el “copal de Colombia”, considerando dicho material como una importante fuente de información paleobiológica de medios continentales y asimismo la divulgación de la metodología de trabajo paleontológico con bioinclusiones tanto en resina como copal desde su hallazgo en campo hasta su análisis en laboratorio, se pudo concluir que poco se sabe sobre el “copal de Colombia” en el país, a diferencia del entorno internacional, en donde se encuentra en mayor medida disponible en ofertas comerciales por internet. Se evidencia una falta de información sobre los lugares de extracción de “copal de Colombia” (y de los sitios que se tiene conocimiento están bajo el control de grupos paramilitares) como también lagunas en la datación de ejemplares a diferencia de la pieza de copal más antiguo correspondiente a una edad máxima de 10.612 +/-60 años, lo que dataría parte del “copal de Colombia” como verdadero copal del Holoceno. Por último, es importante resaltar la gran oportunidad que brinda el “copal de Colombia” para conocer y estudiar los cambios en los ecosistemas forestales neotropicales del Holoceno.PregradoGeólogoSome authors referred that “copal from Colombia” has traditionally been extracted from the department of Santander and it has been produced by the legume of genus Hymenaea, which is distributed throughout various areas of the Colombian geography. However, it is not yet clear whether copal deposits really exist, or it is only defaunation resin extracted directly from the tree after it has gotten dried. Thanks to the state of art written about “copal from Colombia”, considering this material as an important source of paleobiological information of continental environments and also the disclosure of the paleontological work methodology with bioinclusions in both resin and copal from it has been discovered in the field to its analysis in the laboratory, it was possible to get to the conclusion that there is not much information known about “copal from Colombia” in the country itself, unlike abroad, where it is more widely available for sales offers on the internet. There is a lack of information about the places of extraction of “copal from Colombia” (and the very few known locations are controlled by paramilitary groups) as well as gasps in the dating of specimens unlike the 10,612 +/- 60 years piece of copal, corresponding to the oldest one dated, that allows to place some of the “Colombian copal” as a true Holocene copal. Finally, it is important to highlight the great opportunity provided by the “Colombian copal” to learn about and study the changes in the Holocene neotropical forest ecosystems
Arra PERIS, DAVIS ET DELCLOS 2014, GEN. NOV.
No full textGENUS ARRA PERIS, DAVIS ET DELCLÒS GEN. NOV. Etymology The name of the genus, Arra, is Latin for ‘deposit’, and is treated as feminine in gender. Type species Arra legalovi Peris, Davis et Delclòs sp. nov. Diagnosis Long rostrum, apex widened, similar in width to forehead (dorsal width between middle of compound eyes); compound eyes large, not separated by more than one compound eye diameter dorsally; antennae with a very loose club of three antennomeres; seventh funicular article (antennomere 8) slightly smaller than preceding antennomeres; pronotal margins subacute, carinate; procoxae positioned near posterior margin of prosternum; apical tibial spurs 2–2–2; pro- and mesotarsi with tarsomeres 1 to 4 slightly lobed ventrally; metatarsi appear to have four tarsomeres because of partially fused tarsomeres 4 and 5, but separated by a suture. Description Refer to specific description below (vide infra).Published as part of Peris, David, Davis, Steven R., Engel, Michael S. & Delclòs, Xavier, 2014, An evolutionary history embedded in amber: reflection of the Mesozoic shift in weevil-dominated (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) faunas, pp. 534-553 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 171 (3) on page 537, DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12149, http://zenodo.org/record/531070
Endophytic insect oviposition traces in deep time
No full textInteractions between the two most abundant groups of organisms on Earth, insects and plants, are especially relevant in evolutionary studies. We review different aspects related to endophytic eggs laid by insects in plants for more than 300 Myrs, from the Carboniferous to the Miocene. This work provides a meta-analysis of endophytic insect oviposition in the fossil record, based on the plant group used as host, the number of oviposition traces on a single leaf, their trace pattern, and the morphometry of the individual egg traces. Our results show that Pinophyta and “pteridosperms” are the host-plant groups most frequently reported up to the Early Cretaceous, and Magnoliophyta (=Angiospermae) from the Cretaceous. The highest number of bibliographic records are from the Permian, while the Mesozoic Era shows the highest richness of trace patterns. No relation was detected between the trace pattern and the host-plant group used for oviposition. Our observations support the proposal that the trace pattern would be insect-specific and does not depend on the host-plant group on which the egg-laying occurs. From the Carboniferous to the Miocene, a gradual increase in the frequency of “Curved” type patterns and a decrease in “Straight” type patterns is observed. Two reduction events of the length of the traces are established, during the Permian, which could be explained by environmental causes, and during the Cretaceous by the emergence and selective predation by birds.Fil: Romero Lebrón, María Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinar de Biología Vegetal (P). Grupo Vinculado Centro de Relevamiento y Evaluación de Recursos Agrícolas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Robledo, Juan Manuel. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Delclos Martinez, Xavier. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Petrulevicius, Julian Fernando. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Paleozoología Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gleiser, Raquel M.. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinar de Biología Vegetal (P). Grupo Vinculado Centro de Relevamiento y Evaluación de Recursos Agrícolas y Naturales; Argentin
Active Aging Through Urban Environments: Exploring walkability, public spaces, and urban vitality in supporting older adults' outdoor activities
No full textLa comprensió de la relació entre el comportament humà a l'aire lliure i les característiques dels entorns és cabdal, especialment entre la gent gran (≥ 65 anys), que pot experimentar una millora de la salut i el benestar general a través d'activitats a l'aire lliure. La principal hipòtesi d'aquesta tesi doctoral és que les característiques dels entorns urbans tenen un impacte significatiu en les activitats a l'aire lliure de les persones grans, i això juga un paper essencial en la seva salut física i mental. Per tant, aquesta dissertació té com a objectiu explorar la relació entre les característiques dels entorns urbans i les activitats a l'aire lliure de la gent gran, tenint en compte les diferències individuals. La recerca consta de tres estudis, una revisió sistemàtica de la literatura i dos estudis empírics realitzats a Barcelona.
El primer estudi estableix una base per a la recerca posterior mitjançant la realització d'una revisió exhaustiva de la literatura sobre les mesures de caminabilitat. Aquesta revisió sistemàtica serveix de base a la tesi i proporciona el context per a altres estudis. Els dos estudis empírics es basen en dades de GPS-'tracking' recollides d'una mostra d'adults majors residents a Barcelona. Aquests estudis investiguen la relació entre les activitats a l'aire lliure de la gent gran i les característiques específiques dels entorns urbans (per exemple, la vitalitat urbana, la provisió d'espais públics oberts i els microelements urbans) a diferents escales, així com els impactes de les característiques individuals (per exemple, l'edat i el gènere) en aquesta relació.
Els resultats van donar suport ferm a les hipòtesis demostrant una relació significativa entre les activitats a l'aire lliure dels adults majors i les característiques de l'entorn. Les diferències individuals també van exercir un paper crucial en la configuració d' aquesta relació. Els resultats dels estudis empírics van revelar que la vitalitat urbana i la presència de determinats espais públics oberts i microelements tenen un impacte considerable en l'activitat física a l'aire lliure de la gent gran, el temps total que hi passen i el seu descans a l'aire lliure a escala de barri i de ciutat. Per altra banda, la revisió bibliogràfica sistemàtica sobre caminabilitat va aportar proves d'aquesta relació en el context de caminar com a activitat física a l'aire lliure. No obstant això, es van observar similituds sorprenents quant a com s'ha operacionalitzat la caminabilitat per la gent gran i la població en general. Ara bé, tots els estudis inclosos en aquesta tesi van donar suport de forma consistent a la hipòtesi principal i van demostrar com els comportaments a l'aire lliure de les persones grans es veuen influïts per les característiques dels entorns urbans i les característiques dels individus.
Els resultats d'aquests estudis ofereixen valuoses perspectives per a futures investigacions sobre l'envelliment urbà, així com per informar els planificadors i dissenyadors urbans en els processos de presa de decisions i formulació de polítiques. Tenint en compte les diferències individuals i les característiques dels entorns a l' aire lliure, els planificadors i dissenyadors urbans poden desenvolupar estratègies més adaptades que promoguin les activitats a l'aire lliure i millorin la salut i el benestar de les persones grans en els entorns urbans.
En general, aquesta recerca contribueix a una millor comprensió de la complexa relació entre els entorns urbans i el comportament a l'aire lliure de les persones grans, abocant llum sobre les possibles vies per millorar la planificació urbana i les estratègies de disseny que atenen les diverses necessitats i preferències de les poblacions envellides.Comprender la relación entre el comportamiento humano al aire libre y las características del entorno es crucial, especialmente entre los adultos mayores (≥ 65 años). Estos pueden experimentar una mejora de la salud y el bienestar general a través de actividades al aire libre. La principal hipótesis de esta tesis doctoral es que las características de los entornos urbanos tienen un impacto significativo en las actividades al aire libre de los adultos mayores, y esto juega un papel esencial en su salud física y mental. Por lo tanto, esta disertación tiene como objetivo explorar la relación entre las características de los entornos urbanos y las actividades al aire libre de los adultos mayores, teniendo en cuenta las diferencias individuales. La investigación consta de tres estudios, una revisión sistemática de la literatura y dos estudios empíricos realizados en Barcelona.
El primer estudio establece una base para la investigación posterior mediante la realización de una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura sobre las medidas de caminabilidad. Esta revisión sistemática sirve de base a la tesis y proporciona el contexto para otros estudios. Los dos estudios empíricos se basan en datos de GPS-'tracking' recogidos de una muestra de adultos mayores residentes en Barcelona. Estos estudios investigan la relación entre las actividades al aire libre de los adultos mayores y las características específicas de los entornos urbanos (por ejemplo, la vitalidad urbana, la provisión de espacios públicos abiertos y los microelementos urbanos) a diferentes escalas, así como los impactos de las características individuales (como la edad y el género) en esta relación.
Los resultados respaldaron firmemente las hipótesis al demostrar una relación significativa entre las actividades al aire libre de los adultos mayores y las características del entorno. Las diferencias individuales también desempeñaron un papel crucial en la configuración de esta relación. Los resultados de los estudios empíricos revelaron que la vitalidad urbana y la presencia de determinados espacios públicos abiertos y microelementos tienen un impacto considerable en el tiempo de actividad física al aire libre de los adultos mayores, el tiempo total pasado al aire libre y el descanso al aire libre, a escala de barrio y de ciudad. Además, la revisión bibliográfica sistemática sobre la caminabilidad aportó pruebas de esta relación en el contexto de caminar como actividad física al aire libre. Por otro lado, se observaron similitudes sorprendentes en cuanto a la forma en que se ha operacionalizado la caminabilidad en los adultos mayores y la población en general. No obstante, todos los estudios incluidos en esta tesis apoyaron de forma consistente la hipótesis principal y demostraron cómo los comportamientos al aire libre de los adultos mayores se ven influidos por las características de los entornos urbanos y las características de los individuos.
Los resultados de estos estudios ofrecen valiosas perspectivas para futuras investigaciones sobre el envejecimiento urbano, así como para informar a los planificadores y diseñadores urbanos en los procesos de toma de decisiones y formulación de políticas. Al tener en cuenta las diferencias individuales y las características de los entornos al aire libre, los planificadores y diseñadores urbanos pueden desarrollar estrategias más adaptadas que promuevan las actividades al aire libre y mejoren la salud y el bienestar de los adultos mayores en los entornos urbanos.
En general, esta investigación contribuye a una mejor comprensión de la compleja relación entre los entornos urbanos y el comportamiento al aire libre de los adultos mayores, arrojando luz sobre las posibles vías para mejorar la planificación urbana y las estrategias de diseño que atienden a las diversas necesidades y preferencias de las poblaciones envejecidas.Understanding the relationship between human outdoor behavior and environmental characteristics is crucial, especially among older adults (≥ 65 years old) who can experience improved health and overall wellbeing through outdoor activities. The main hypothesis of this doctoral thesis is that the characteristics of urban environments have a significant impact on older adults' outdoor activities, and this plays an essential role on their physical and mental health. Therefore, this dissertation aims to explore the relationship between the characteristics of urban environments and outdoor activities of older adults, while considering individual differences. The research consists of three studies, one systematic literature review, and two empirical studies conducted in Barcelona.
The first study establishes a foundation for subsequent research by conducting a comprehensive literature review on walkability measures. This systematic review informs the background of the thesis and provides the context for other studies. The two empirical studies are based on GPS-tracking data gathered from a sample of older adults residing in Barcelona. These studies investigate the relationship between older adults' outdoor activities and specific characteristics of urban environments (e.g., urban vitality, the provision of public open spaces and urban microelements) at different scales, as well as the impacts of individual characteristics (e.g., age and gender) on this relationship.
The findings strongly supported the hypotheses by demonstrating a significant relationship between outdoor activities of older adults and characteristics of the environment. Individual differences also played a crucial role in shaping this relationship. The results of the empirical studies revealed that urban vitality and the presence of certain public open spaces and microelements have a considerable impact on older adults' outdoor physical activity time, overall time spent outdoors, and outdoor resting, at the neighborhood and city scales. Additionally, the systematic literature review on walkability provided evidence of this relationship in the context of walking as an outdoor physical activity. However, striking similarities were observed in terms of how walkability has been operationalized for older adults and the general population. Nevertheless, all the studies included in this thesis consistently supported the main hypothesis and demonstrated how outdoor behaviors of older adults are influenced by the features of urban environments and the characteristics of individuals.
The outcomes of these studies offer valuable insights for future research on urban aging, as well as informing urban planners and designers in decision-making and policy formulation processes. By considering individual differences and the characteristics of outdoor environments, urban planners and designers can develop more tailored strategies that promote outdoor activities and enhance the health and wellbeing of older adults in urban environments.
Overall, this research contributes to a better understanding of the complex relationship between urban environments and older adults' outdoor behavior, shedding light on potential avenues for enhancing urban planning and design strategies that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of aging populations.Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Programa de Doctorat en Geografi
