Search Results (64)

Leishmaniasis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the protist Leishmania infantum and transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies in the countries of the Mediterranean basin. Dogs are the species most susceptible to the disease and serve as a reservoir for transmission to humans, making the Iberian Peninsula an endemic region for this infection. Although the regions close to the Mediterranean coast are the most prevalent regions of leishmaniasis in Spain, climatic factors are favouring the expansion of the vectors to more northern latitudes, where the disease was hardly known decades ago. This paper presents a prevalence study of L. infantum infection in the province of Zamora (northwestern Spain) using a non-invasive sample from canine buccal swabs and an innovative qPCR method to determine the etiologic agent. The parasite load of 151 randomly selected dogs from different points of the province was analysed during the period 2021–2022, with an estimated prevalence of 30%. In addition, the most common clinical signs of leishmaniasis in the dogs are described, and intrinsic factors associated with the nature of the dogs—such as sex, size, age as well as other factors related to the habitat in which they live and their geographical location—which could favour the disease, are evaluated. Full article

Hard ticks are vectors of a wide range of pathogens, with tick-borne bacteria being among the most frequently detected. This study presents a first approach to the identification of human-biting ticks in the Basque Country (northern Iberian Peninsula), where previous research has mainly focused on ticks from vegetation and domestic and wild animals. The aim of this study was (i) to identify tick species collected in hospitals and health centres and (ii) to determine the presence and identify of pathogenic bacteria that they may carry using PCR, RLB and sequencing methods. A total of 181 ticks were collected and grouped in pools of one, two or three specimens, resulting in 157 samples. Morphological and molecular identification of collected ticks revealed that most specimens belonged to Ixodes ricinus (88.5%). Additionally, Rhipicephalus bursa, Haemaphysalis punctata, Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus were also identified. A total of 25 samples (15.9%) tested positive for DNA from the targeted pathogens. The most prevalent vector-borne bacteria were Borrelia spp. (6.4%), followed by Rickettsia spp. (5.1%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (2.5%) and Coxiella spp. (1.9%). Species identified included B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. miyamotoi, B. valaisiana, B. burgdorferi s. s., R. monacensis, “Candidatus R. rioja”, R. helvetica and R. massiliae. This study highlights the usefulness of combining molecular diagnostics with passive surveillance of human-attached ticks as an effective tool for regional monitoring of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Full article

Two new species of the genus Oxyopomyrmex are described from Spain (Iberian Peninsula). The first belongs to the magnus group—characterized by a head more wide than long—and is distinguished by strongly developed cephalic striations, pale coloration (light brown) and a relatively small body size. To date, it has been recorded in the provinces of Jaén and Granada. The second species is even smaller in size, with very faint cephalic striations and short, triangular propodeal spines—morphological features that clearly set it apart from all previously known species. Its current distribution appears to be restricted to the province of Huelva, near the Atlantic coast, including the iconic Doñana National Park. With these additions, the number of Oxyopomyrmex species known from Spain increases from two to four. To date, sampling efforts have only focused on the southern part of the country, suggesting that additional, undiscovered species may still exist. Full article

The Junqueira massif is a syn- to late-kinematic Variscan batholith intruded into Ediacaran-Cambrian metasedimentary rocks of the Douro-Beiras Supergroup (DBSG) in the Central Iberian Zone. The batholith occupies the axial zone of the Porto-Viseu antiform, a large NW-SE trending megascopic domal structure formed during the last Variscan ductile deformation event. Field and petrographic evidence reveals that the Junqueira batholith comprises several units of leucocratic granites distinguished by variations in grain size and relative proportions of the main rock-forming minerals. This work provides new petrographical, geochemical, Sr–Nd isotope data and ID-TIMS U–Pb ages for the Junqueira batholith. U–Pb dating of zircon and monazite by ID-TIMS gives a crystallization age of ca. 312–309 Ma for this batholith. Combined geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data for the different granite units (ASI > 1.1; high SiO₂ and K₂O contents, low CaO, MgO, Ba, Sr, moderately fractionated REE patterns, Eu negative anomalies, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i > 0.713, εNd₃₁₀ = −3.5 to −5.9; T_DM = 1.1–1.4 Ga) support a provenance by fluid-absent melting processes of exclusively supracrustal sources (mainly metapelites), similar to the adjoining country rocks of the Beiras Group of the DBSG. Full article

Researchers focused on assessing differences in gene diversity within and between populations, whether cosmopolitan or local. However, the identification of patterns of variation in non-random heterozygous genomic stretches, known as Heterozygosity-Rich regions (HRRs), has not yet been determined in European local pig breeds. A total of 23 pig breeds (20 local and 3 cosmopolitan) were assessed and compared in terms of heterozygosity-rich regions. The breeds with the highest number of HRRs were Large White, Lithuanian Old type, and Landrace, followed by Lithuanian Native, Mora Romagnola, and Duroc. The breeds with the lowest number were Alentejana, Iberian, and Majorcan Black. No shared HRR islands were found in all breeds, but gene enrichment analysis performed in the most common HRRs revealed several biologically important genes that cluster together and play significant roles, primarily related to the immune system. Permutation analysis indicated that some local breeds serve as true reservoirs of genetic diversity, displaying distinct and unique characteristics in terms of heterozygosity. This study suggests the importance of investigating heterozygosity to develop a comprehensive picture of pig breeds, regardless of the production system, country of origin, or population size. Full article

For an electric company, having an accurate forecast of the expected electrical production and maintenance from its wind farms is crucial. This information is essential for operating in various existing markets, such as the Iberian Energy Market Operator—Spanish Hub (OMIE in its Spanish acronym), the Portuguese Hub (OMIP in its Spanish acronym), and the Iberian electricity market between the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic (MIBEL in its Spanish acronym), among others. The accuracy of these forecasts is vital for estimating the costs and benefits of handling electricity. This article explains the process of creating the complete dataset, which includes the acquisition of the hourly information of four European wind farms as well as a description of the structure and content of the dataset, which amounts to 2 years of hourly information. The wind farms are in three countries: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (France), Aragon (Spain), and the Piemonte region (Italy). The dataset was built and validated following the CRISP-DM methodology, ensuring a structured and replicable approach to data processing and preparation. To confirm its reliability, the dataset was tested using a basic predictive model, demonstrating its suitability for wind energy forecasting and maintenance optimization. The dataset presented is available and accessible for improving the forecasting and management of wind farms, especially for the detection of faults and the elaboration of a preventive maintenance plan. Full article

This study examines the global evolution of sow productivity, with a particular focus on Spain. The analysis is based on key performance metrics such as piglets weaned per sow per year (PWSY), prolificacy, and pre-weaning mortality, utilizing data from literature reviews, the InterPIG, and BDporc^® databases. Globally, significant advancements in genetic selection and management practices have led to productivity increases across major pig-producing countries, with notable improvements in prolificacy. However, higher prolificacy has been accompanied by rising piglet mortality rates during lactation, posing sustainability challenges. In Spain, the average productivity of commercial sows increased from 23.78 PWSY in 2009 to 29.45 PWSY in 2023, while Iberian sows reached an average of 17.44 PWSY. Despite these gains, Spain’s figures remain slightly below the European Union average. The study highlights the need for new benchmarks, such as non-productive days, piglet survival, and sow longevity, to more accurately assess farm efficiency. These indicators, combined with considerations for animal welfare and environmental sustainability, are crucial for addressing current challenges such as piglet mortality, sow culling, and the carbon footprint. The findings emphasize the importance of adopting comprehensive management strategies that balance productivity with growing social and environmental demands on the swine industry. Full article

Mammals may experience physical changes from birth, and their diet varies at different stages of life. This study investigates the impact of development on the diet composition of three horseshoe bats: Rhinolophus euryale, R. hipposideros, and R. ferrumequinum in the Basque Country, north of the Iberian Peninsula. The diets of juvenile and adult individuals of each species were obtained by analysing their droppings using metabarcoding and then compared at (1) the taxonomic and (2) prey trait levels (size, flying speed, hardness). The diets of juvenile and adult individuals of R. euryale and R. hipposideros showed significant differences at the taxonomic level and regarding prey traits. In contrast, in the case of R. ferrumequinum, we could only observe discernible diet patterns through the trait analysis. Additionally, we discovered a shared pattern: younger individuals tend to feed on easier-to-hunt and/or handle smaller and smoother prey. The varying degrees of dissimilarity between juvenile and adult diets observed in this study suggest that the relative importance of psychomotor development, foraging strategies, prey discrimination, and/or spatial learning may differ among species. These findings contribute to conservation efforts, especially by recognising the dietary needs of juveniles for their survival and successful development. Full article

The European Food Safety Authority has recently listed Q fever as a priority for setting up a coordinated surveillance system. Although Spain is the country with the highest human incidence of the disease in the European Union, updated data on Coxiella burnetii in ruminants are still limited. A total of 780 serum samples from small ruminants and 605 sera from wild ruminants were collected in the Mediterranean ecosystems of southern Spain during the period 2015–2023. Anti-C. burnetii antibodies were detected using a commercial indirect ELISA. The overall individual seroprevalence in the small ruminants was 49.1% (383/780; 95% CI: 45.6–52.6). Antibodies against C. burnetii were identified in 40.0% (156/390) of sheep and in 58.2% (227/390) of goats. At least one seropositive animal was observed in all sheep (100%) and in 92.3% of goat flocks. The species (goat) and the existence of reproductive disorders in primiparous females were potential risk factors for C. burnetii exposure in small ruminant farms. In the wild ruminants, the overall seroprevalence against C. burnetii was 1.5% (9/605; 95% CI: 0.8–2.8). Anti-C. burnetii antibodies were found in 1.8% (2/110) of mouflon, 1.5% (6/390) of red deer, and 1.0% (1/105) of Iberian ibex. The high exposure of the small ruminants to C. burnetii, particularly in goats, detected in the present study is of animal and public health concern. Our results denote that wild ruminants only play a minor role in the epidemiology of this bacterium in southern Spain and suggest an independent epidemiological cycle of C. burnetii in domestic and wild ruminant species in the study area. Full article

The present study characterizes gamma dose rate (GDR) concentrations in Bilbao, located in the northern Iberian Peninsula, utilizing a comprehensive 10-min interval database spanning from 2009 to 2018. This station belongs to the radiological environmental monitoring of the Basque Country network. The daily average GDR was found to be 0.07624 ± 0.00004 µSv/h, with the daily 95th percentile averaging 0.08026 ± 0.00007 µSv/h throughout the entire period. Our analysis specifically addresses the impact of precipitation on GDR, revealing a higher correlation coefficient for daily 95th percentile values compared to daily averages. Additionally, the influence of the Galerna (GL) event, a natural meteorological phenomenon in this region, on GDR was investigated, noting that it can develop both with and without precipitation. Understanding the interaction between GDR and this meteorological scenario is vital for the development of more reliable radiological monitoring strategies and for safeguarding public health. For this purpose, 40 GL events were analyzed. The present results indicate that GDR values frequently exceed alarm levels when a GL is formed. These GDR peaks should be considered natural radiological events, necessitating the classification of such GDR peaks as false alarms within the radiological monitoring network. To explain them in detail, 10-min time series of precipitation and radon outdoor concentrations were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the GL event with precipitation is a meteorological scenario that can be associated with false alarms. The present analysis provides a distinct contrast in radon behavior under the same meteorological event in case of being developed with precipitation or without precipitation. The findings from this analysis are crucial for avoiding and understanding false radiological alarms triggered in the monitoring network, thereby enhancing the accuracy of radiological data interpretation and improving public safety measures. Full article

The role of veterinary doctors, particularly those dedicated to Zoological Medicine, is becoming increasingly relevant and essential within the One Health framework. Educational and employment opportunities in this field vary widely across Europe, prompting us to characterise the sector in Portugal and Spain. A survey was conducted, resulting in 169 valid responses from veterinarians. Respondents were characterised based on gender, age, work environment, the highest level of education, additional training, whether they attended zoological medicine classes at university and their perception of the adequacy of that training. Further factors included years of experience, the percentage of their work involving zoological medicine, sectors they work in, the types of animals they treat, their confidence in treating these animals, sources of information they use, and membership in relevant professional associations. Relationships between these variables were examined. The results describe Iberian professionals working with non-traditional pets, wildlife, and zoo animals. Notably, only half of these professionals had taken zoological medicine classes at university; among those, the majority felt they inadequately prepared them for their work. Given the findings, enhancing the training and resources available to these professionals is crucial to prepare them for their roles better. Full article

The study delves into the primary large-scale atmospheric features contributing to extreme weather events across Europe during early September 2023. The period was examined using a dataset composed by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analysis and satellite imagery. In early September 2023, an omega blocking pattern led to the development of a low-pressure system over the Iberian Peninsula producing heavy precipitation and flooding over Spain and acting as a mechanism for a mineral dust outbreak. A second low-pressure system developed over Greece. Extreme precipitation was recorded across Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria as the system gradually shifted southward over the Mediterranean. The system earned the name “Storm Daniel” as it acquired subtropical characteristics. It caused floods over Libya and its associated circulation favoured the transport of mineral dust over Northern Egypt as it moved eastward. Meanwhile, the high-pressure blocking system associated with the omega pattern induced heatwave temperatures in countries further north. This period was compared with the large-scale circulation observed in mid-September 2020, when severe weather also affected the Mediterranean region. However, the weather systems were not directly connected by the large-scale circulation, as shown in September 2023. Although mesoscale conditions are relevant to formation and intensification of some atmospheric phenomena, the establishment of an omega blocking pattern in early September 2023 showed how large-scale atmospheric dynamics can produce abnormal weather conditions on a continental scale over several days. Full article

Seventy-five samples were collected from 15 beehives in the central highlands of Ecuador (Tungurahua–Chimborazo) to assess Africanization in managed bee populations using wing geometric morphometric and mitochondrial DNA analyses. The results indicated that when grouping the apiaries based on altitudinal floors into 2600–2800, 2801–3000, and 3001–3274 m above sea level, differences (p < 0.001) were observed. The morphotypes were similar in the first two floors, but the third indicated that altitude plays a crucial role in the differentiation of populations. When comparing with the pure subspecies, we found differences (p < 0.001); the nearest Mahalanobis distance was for Apis mellifera scutellata (D2 = 3.51), with 95.8% Africanization via father in the area. The maternal origin of all patterns belonged to lineage A (A. m. scutellata), with seven haplotypes. The most frequent haplotypes were A26 and A1; however, the A1q haplotype was not detected at the national level or in nearby countries. The identified haplotypes do not coincide with A4, which is predominant in South Africa and Brazil. The results indicate a double origin due to their presence in North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. The formation of specific morphological groups within ecoregions is suggested. Full article

Learning the dynamics of power prices in a given market is important for a number of players (e.g., producers, consumers, and policy makers) at both macro- and microeconomic levels. This paper analyzes the recent behavior of spot prices in eight Western European countries. The sample period coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic for the most part: it starts in April 2020 and runs until May 2023; it includes the start of the Russia–Ukraine war. We introduce a new model for the hourly spot price of electricity. The deterministic component includes yearly, weekly, and daily seasonalities; the stochastic component accounts for volatility, mean reversion, and discrete jumps. We estimate the model with publicly available hourly data. Regarding the development of the internal market for electricity, we find that core mainland power markets now move closer in step with one another than before, but the integration process of the Iberian Peninsula seems to have kicked into reverse. As for the dynamics of power prices, in the last part of the sample period the speed of reversion falls everywhere, and price volatility increases noticeably; the expected number of jumps per hour decreases, but their average size turns to positive and they become more volatile. Full article

The Barroso–Alvão region is an excellent setting for studying Li mineralization associated with granitic pegmatites and developing Li exploration techniques. Among the distinguished pegmatite types in this pegmatite field, the spodumene-bearing dyke from Alijó is a representative example of an Iberian Li–Cs–Ta (LCT) pegmatite currently under exploitation. In this work, we examine the internal evolution of the Alijó dyke and its external metasomatic effect on the surrounding metasediments, contributing to lithium exploration techniques. Electron microprobe analyses provided clues about the crystallization conditions and the degree of differentiation of the pegmatitic melt, whereas the external metasomatism induced by the spodumene-bearing pegmatite was studied through whole-rock geochemistry. The obtained results indicate that the primary crystallization of the studied dyke likely occurred at temperatures between 450–500 °C, with emplacement at shallow crustal levels of about 2–3 kbar. The high concentrations of trace elements such as Li, Cs, Rb, Be, Sn, Nb, Ta, Ge, U, and Tl in the pegmatitic melt suggests high availability of these elements, allowing their partitioning into an early exsolved fluid phase. The exsolution of this fluid phase, subtracting components such as F and B, from the pegmatitic melt would cause a significant undercooling of the melt. Moreover, the interaction of this expelled fluid with the country rock generated a metasomatic overprint in the surrounding metasedimentary host rocks. The metasomatic effect in Alijó is strongly influenced by the nature of the host metasediments, with a significantly higher grade of metasomatism observed in pelitic (mica-rich) samples compared to psammitic (mica-poor) samples collected at same distances from the dyke. The greisen developed close to the pegmatite contact reflects this metasomatic signature, characterized by the mobilization of at least B, F, Li, Rb, Cs, Sn, Be, Nb, Ta, and Tl. We cautiously suggest that whole rock Li concentrations greater than 300 ppm, combined with a minimum value of 1000 ppm for the sum of B, F, Li, Rb, Cs, and Sn in pelitic metasediments of Barroso–Alvão, may be indicative of a mineralized pegmatite in this region. Full article