Person:
Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De

First Name

María Del Pilar De

Last Name

Arana Montes

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/74322

Affiliation

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Faculty / Institute

Ciencias Biológicas

Department

Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología

Area

Genética

Identifiers

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Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

Testing effectiveness of discriminant functions to sex different populations of Mediterranean yellow-legged gulls" Larus michahellis michahellis"
(Ardeola, 2009) Aguirre, Jóse I.; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De; Antonio García, María Teresa
In this study a series of morphological measurements were taken and individuals of Larus michahellis from the Chafarinas Islands were sexed genetically. New discriminants have been developed which, in spite of correctly sexing 86 % of the individuals, may be applicable at any time of year as only purely skeletal measurements were used, such as the tarsus and the nalospi and also the maximum chord of the folded wing. This study shows that it is necessary to develop specific sexual discriminants for dif ferent populations of the same species and to include, where possible, skeletal variables which are easily taken in the field.
Using MaxEnt algorithm to assess habitat suitability of a potential Iberian Lynx population in central Iberian Peninsula
(Community Ecology, 2019) Alfaya Herbello, Pedro; González Casanovas, Jorge; Lobon-Rovira, Javier; Matallanas Peñas, Beatriz; Cruz Varona, Alejandra; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De; Alonso Campos, Germán
Iberian lynx distribution is currently restricted to the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Nevertheless, there is evidence of the presence of several small groups in the peninsular centre that have been forgotten by management and conservation actions. In this research, we gathered evidences of Iberian lynx presence along 21 transects located in the southwest of the Madrid province. In these transects lynx DNA was identified in 47 scats, which scientifically proves the presence of the species in that location. Using these locations (presence-only data) we built a maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) to estimate the suitability of the study area for the species. Our results show the existence of an almost continuous area that is approximately 744 km2 that is suitable for the Iberian lynx. Seventy-eight percent of this area is within the Natura 2000 network and, therefore, it falls under regulations to preserve and restore habitat types, flora and fauna. This study shows the suitability of this territory has for the Iberian lynx.
Mitochondrial DNA sequence variability in red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, Spanish populations and the origins of genetic contamination from A. chukar
(Conservation Genetics, 2007) Martinez-Fresno, María; Henriques-Gil, Nuno; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De
The analysis of 135 mitochondrial D-loop sequences of the Iberian autochthonous red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) from wild population hunting bags from various locations and fowl runs in Spain yielded 37 different haplotypes. Among these, three haplotypes correspond to chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar), indicating genetic introgression from birds illegally introduced for restocking: three individuals carrying such haplotypes where found in natural populations, one appeared among those sampled on a mass reproduction farm and the remaining 10 in another fowl-run. The geographical origin of the contaminating chukar haplotypes could be assigned to the most easterly area of the chukar partridge geographical distribution in China. Molecular diversity parameters in the A. rufa samples indicate a considerable amount of genetic variation. FST showed significant differences among populations that are not explained by geographical distance alone. Particularly, one northern population (Palencia) shows a certain degree of genetic differentiation that could reflect a previously suggested subspecies division.
Dynamics of sperm DNA fragmentation in domestic animals: II. The stallion
(Theriogenology, 2007) Lopez-Fernandez, C.; Crespo Castejón, Francisco; Arroyo, F.; Fernandez, J. L.; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De; Johnston, S. D.; Gosalvez, J.
The mixed success of equine artificial insemination programs using chilled and frozen-thawed semen is most likely associated with the variable response of the sperm cell to the preservation process and the fact that stallions are not selected on the basis of reproductive performance. We propose that the traditional indicators of sperm viability do not fully account for male factor infertility in the stallion and that knowledge of sperm DNA damage in the original semen sample and during semen processing may provide a more informed explanation of an individual stallion's reproductive potential. This study reports on the validation of a sperm DNA fragmentation test based on the sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD) for stallion spermatozoa and on its application to semen that was chilled (4 °C; n = 10) or frozen-thawed (n = 13). Semen samples were collected by artificial vagina and the proportion of sperm with fragmented DNA determined. Seminal plasma was then removed by centrifugation and the sperm pellet re-suspended in commercial extenders prior to being chilled or cryopreserved using standard industry protocols. Chilled semen was cooled slowly to 4 °C and stored for 1 h before commencing the analysis; cryopreserved semen was thawed and immediately analyzed. Following chilling or cryopreservation, the semen samples were incubated at 37 °C and analyzed for SCD after 0, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h storage. The results of this investigation revealed that there was no significant difference in the sperm DNA fragmentation index (sDFI) of sperm evaluated initially after collection compared to those tested immediately after chilling or cryopreservation. However, within 1 h of incubation at 37 °C, both chilled and frozen-thawed spermatozoa showed a significant increase in the proportion of sDFI; after 6 h the sDFI had increased to over 50% and by 48 h, almost 100% of the sperm showed DNA damage. While the sDFI of individual stallions at equivalent times of incubation was variable, an analysis of the rate of change of sDFI revealed no difference between stallions or the way in which the semen was preserved. In terms of sperm DNA fragmentation dynamics, the highest intensity of sperm DNA damage occurred in the first 6 h of incubation. We suggest that the SCD test can be used as a routine assessment tool for the development and refinement of preservation protocols designed to reduce stallion sperm DNA damage.
Mitotic microtubule development and histone H3 phosphorylation in the holocentric chromosomes of Rhynchospora tenuis (Cyperaceae)
(Genetica, 2006) Guerra, M.; Brasileiro-Vidal, A. C.; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De; Puertas Gallego, María Jesús
In the present work we report the phosphorylation pattern of histone H3 and the development of microtubular structures using immunostaining techniques, in mitosis of Rhynchospora tenuis (2n = 4), a Cyperaceae with holocentric chromosomes. The main features of the holocentric chromosomes of R. tenuis coincide with those of other species namely: the absence of primary constriction in prometaphase and metaphase, and the parallel separation of sister chromatids at anaphase. Additionaly, we observed a highly conserved chromosome positioning at anaphase and early telophase sister nuclei. Four microtubule arrangements were distinguished during the root tip cell cycle. Interphase cells showed a cortical microtubule arrangement that progressively forms the characteristic pre-prophase band. At prometaphase the microtubules were homogeneously distributed around the nuclear envelope. Metaphase cells displayed the spindle arrangement with kinetochore microtubules attached throughout the entire chromosome extension. At anaphase kinetochoric microtubules become progressively shorter, whereas bundles of interzonal microtubules became increasingly broader and denser. At late telophase the microtubules were observed equatorially extended beyond the sister nuclei and reaching the cell wall. Immunolabelling with an antibody against phosphorylated histone H3 revealed the four chromosomes labelled throughout their entire extension at metaphase and anaphase. Apparently, the holocentric chromosomes of R. tenuis function as an extended centromeric region both in terms of cohesion and H3 phosphorylation.
Relationship between CDC cross-match in liver recipients and antibody screening by flow cytometry
(Transplantation proceedings, 2003) Muro, M.; Sánchez-Bueno, F.; Marín, L.; Torío, A.; Moya-Quiles, M. R.; Minguela, A.; Montes, O.; Guerra Pérez, Natalia; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De; Pérez-López, M. J.; Robles, R.; Ramirez, P.; García-Alonso, A. M.; Parrilla, P.; Álvarez-López, M. R.
Several authors have shown that anti-donor antibodies before liver transplantation are associated with decreased graft survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anti-donor antibodies detected by the CDC technique or by FlowPRA, and acute or chronic rejection as well as graft survival. Furthermore, we sought to determine whether anti-donor antibodies, detected by the CDC technique, correlated with those discovered by cytometric screening. The acute rejection incidence among patients with complement-dependent cytotoxicity positive CDC cross-match was similar to that for patients with a negative cross-match. None of the patients with a positive cross-match developed chronic rejection. Allograft survival was significantly lower among recipients with a positive T-lymphocyte cross-match. Indeed, the majority of recipients with positive CDC cross-matches displayed graft failures before first postransplant year. The results of a positive FlowPRA determination were concordant with a positive CDC cross-match in 85.71% of cases. Our data demonstrate that pretransplant FlowPRA correlates with the final CDC cross-match results. This finding suggests that in the future prospective pretransplant antibody screening with FlowPRA or CDC techniques may be useful to identify high-risk recipients.
Genetic analysis of the Hispano-Breton heavy horse
(Animal Genetics, 2008) Perez-Gutierrez, L. M.; Peña Gómez, Alicia De La; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De
Hispano-Breton (HB) is a horse breed with a recent mixed ancestry. It was developed in the 1930s by crossing local mares with Breton draught horses imported from France. Nowadays it is considered to be in a vulnerable situation due to census decline. To genetically characterize the breed and to set up the basis for a conservation programme, we have employed two types of molecular markers: a 347-bp D-loop mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragment and 13 microsatellite loci. A representative sample of 53 HB individuals was analysed together with a sample of 40 Pura Raza Española horses for comparison. Both types of markers revealed a high level of genetic diversity in the HB breed, emphasizing the importance of its conservation. The construction of a phylogenetic network with mtDNA sequences including various Iberian breeds and European heavy horses provided an overall picture of the ubiquitous appearance of HB matrilines with respect to other breeds and revealed the singularity of certain HB maternal lineages. Despite the high allelic richness found in HB horses, microsatellite analysis evidenced a certain degree of inbreeding as a consequence of the type of management generally used for local breeds.
Comparing morphological, parasitological, and genetic traits of an invasive minnow between intermittent and perennial stream reaches
(Freshwater Biology, 2022) Cruz Varona, Alejandra; Linares, Carla; Martin-Barrio, Inés; Castillo-Garcia, Gema; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De; Garcia-Berthou, Emili; Fletcher, David H.; Almeida, David
1. Invasive fishes are a major environmental issue at the global scale, particularly for their impacts on freshwater ecosystems via the mechanisms of hybridisation, competition, predation, and disease transmission. This is of special conservation concern on the Iberian Peninsula due to the high level of endemism. With the aim to improve our knowledge on the invasion process of non-native fishes, the present study consists of analysing key biological traits potentially related to their colonisation capacity: morphology, parasite communities, and genetic diversity. 2. A non-native population of Languedoc minnow Phoxinus septimaniae (leuciscid species native to south-east France) was assessed in Tordera Stream (north-eastern Iberian Peninsula). Fish were sampled in mid-May (reproductive period) 2018 and 2019. Biological traits were compared between colonising and resident individuals from stream reaches of intermittent and perennial flow, respectively. 3. After adjusting for fish size/body mass with analysis of covariance, body condition and health status (external and internal examination) tended to be better in the intermittent reach. Parasite load (number) and diversity (Shannon index) were significantly higher in the perennial reach. Fish development was also more stable in colonising minnow, as detected by low levels of fluctuating asymmetry for the eye diameter and the length of pectoral fins (adjusted for bilateral character size). Genetic diversity (microsatellite markers) was lower in resident minnow. Minnow genetic homozygosity (index of internal relatedness) was positively associated with parasite load and developmental instability (high fluctuating asymmetry levels). 4. Our results show that colonising minnows display particular profiles of morphological, parasitological, and genetic traits that apparently allow these individuals to increase their dispersal capacity to survive and reproduce in harsher environmental conditions. The potential mechanisms may be related to a wider physiological tolerance, better immune response, parasite resistance/tolerance, and genetic diversity in colonising specimens. 5. Such information reveals the specific traits of successful fish invaders under a seasonal colonisation dynamic. These data are relevant for environmental managers, to predict and identify areas vulnerable to invasion, in order to establish monitoring programmes for early detection, which will help to reduce the spread of non-native fish populations.
Project number: 211
Herramientas de aprendizaje para estudiantes de secundaria: Aplicación de la Genética y la Genómica
(2020) Linacero de la Fuente, María Rosario; Espino Nuño, Francisco Javier; Beroiz Remírez, Beatriz; Callejas Hervás, Carmen; Gallego Rodríguez, Francisco Javier; González Sánchez, Mónica; Vega Melero, Juan Manuel; Arana Montes, María Del Pilar De; Figueiras Merino, Ana Margarita; Cuñado Rodríguez, Nieves; Peña Gómez, Alicia De La; Méndez Cea, Belén; Lantero Bringas, Esther; Blasio, Francesco; Matallanas Peñas, Beatriz; Barrios Díaz, José; Llanos Saavedra, Carolina; Moreno Ortiz, María del Carmen; Benito Jiménez, César; Gómez-Aldecoa Cuadrado, Fernando; Buendia Ávila, Daniel