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The intensification of agriculture in olive groves, especially the modification or elimination of spontaneous vegetation, alters the relationships in arthropod communities and reduces their interactions and ecosystem services. This study was carried out in nine olive groves in which there was either a planted cover crop, spontaneous cover crop or bare ground. The interactions of ground-dwelling, canopy and flying arthropods in trophic webs were calculated for each olive grove soil management regime at the family level taking into consideration their different functional traits: feeding guilds, specific agricultural traits and trophic level. Olive groves with spontaneous cover had trophic webs with a higher number of plausible links between arthropod families and a more balanced distribution of specimens among trophic levels compared to those with planted cover and bare ground. There was a similar number of arthropod families consisting of both pests and their natural enemies in the planted cover regime, while olive groves with bare ground had simpler trophic webs. The complexity of plausible trophic links was greater in olive groves with spontaneous plant cover despite the similar values for family richness in the three-olive grove soil management regimes. Qualitative values (such as functional traits) were more diverse in agroecosystems with spontaneous plant cover in which there were more sources of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of the article is to present and describe the main foundational elements, as well as the iconic events and mission, of the Ibero-American Federation of Psychology Associations (FIAP). The contributions and tasks of this organization are described, as well as the difficulties of building an organized psychology, vulnerable to the fragilities and diversities of the socio-economic and socio-political realities of the region. The final purpose is to discuss the role of the FIAP within the organization and representation of the psychology profession, as well as its shortcomings, challenges, and tasks, in order to continue to promote the positioning and internationalization of the psychological science and profession in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central areas of many cities are characterized today by the excessive weight that tourism has acquired in them, with varied repercussions on the population residing there. These are complex spaces in which not only tourism, local identity or the interests of its inhabitants act, but also living spaces with complex transformations that are not always coincident: gentrification, aging, foreign immigration... This article, essentially focused on the demographic analysis of these territories aims to characterize them basically through the study of the population of the historical centers of some Spanish cities, in order to differentiate them from the rest of the city and other different urban areas while highlighting recent changes affecting them. overtourism and demographic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pituitary tumours are slowly growing tumours of the pituitary gland, and they can cause damage due to the invasion or compression of surrounding tissues, such as the nerves responsible for vision, and/or due to altered hormone production. The treatment of pituitary tumours is complex and requires a wide range of medical specialists, including neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, and otorhinolaryngologists, among others. Thus, optimal management of patients with pituitary tumours is best provided in the context of a dedicated multidisciplinary team with expertise in treating such conditions. The optimal care for patients with pituitary tumours is best provided in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment, which requires the contribution of multiple medical specialties working together. The benefits and advantages of the pituitary multidisciplinary team (MDT) are broad, and all relevant international consensus and guidelines in the field recommend that patients with pituitary tumours should always be managed in a MDT. Endocrinologists and neurosurgeons are normally the leading specialties within the pituitary MDT, supported by many other specialties with significant contributions to the diagnosis and management of pituitary tumours, including neuropathology, neuroradiology, neuro-ophthalmology, and otorhinolaryngology, among others. Here, we review the literature concerning the concepts of Pituitary MDT/Pituitary Tumour Centre of Excellence (PTCOE) in terms of their mission, goals, benefits, structure, proposed models of function, and barriers, and we also provide the views of different specialists involved in our Pituitary MDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palaeoseismological studies play a crucial role in the seismic characterization of regions with slow moving faults. This is the case of the Central Betic Cordillera, a highly populated area where the record of prehistoric earthquakes is very scarce, despite of being one of the regions with the highest seismic hazard in Spain. We present here a palaeoseismological characterization of the Galera Fault, one of the active faults accommodating deformation in the Central Betic Cordillera. We excavated and analysed several trenches along the fault trace. We quantitatively correlate the results from these trenches, resulting in a surface rupture history involving 7 or 8 events (accounting for the epistemic uncertainties) during the last ca. 24000 yr, with a recurrence interval ranging between 1520 and 1720 yr. Further analysis of this surface rupture history seems to indicate that the Galera Fault is prone to produce earthquakes clusters, as we recorded five events in ca. 400 yr (ca. 1536-1126 BC), and only two events in the next ca. 3200 yr. Using the fault geometry and palaeoseismological data, we also carried out a seismogenic characterization of the fault. This analysis yielded a maximum expected magnitude of 6.7 ± 0.3 and a recurrence interval of 1857 yr. Furthermore, we also present a geodetic rupture scenario for the maximum expected event, involving displacements of up to 0.5 m. Finally, we discuss the possible impact of the deduced palaeoearthquakes in the development of Bronze Age human settlements located in the vicinity of the fault. Other than their intrinsic value, our results will be the basis for future seismic hazard assessment carried out in the Central Betic Cordillera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European rabbit translocation is an extended practice in Spain, France, and Portugal, for both conservation and hunting purposes. Some of these translocations are carried out with the aim of reinforcing existing rabbit populations. In these cases, some of the new rabbits are released into warrens already occupied by resident conspecifics. This could have a negative impact upon both the released and the resident individuals owing to the “dear enemy” effect and the territoriality of the resident rabbits. In this study, we evaluated the effect of rabbit release into occupied warrens, in small areas populated by low-density resident rabbit populations. We observed negative effects at two different levels: the number of active entrances per recipient warren and the number of active warrens per reinforced plot, in addition to a general lack of increase in rabbit abundance in the area and, therefore, the failure of the reinforcement actions. Our results strongly suggest that the release of European rabbits into warrens occupied by resident rabbits is contraindicated if the objective is to recover rabbit populations in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the importance of knowing the intellectual and musical skills in the youth of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, we set ourselves the objective to analyze the relationship between musical and intellectual abilities of Elementary School children. The participants were 932 students (488 girls and 444 boys) aged between ten and twelve. The instruments employed included the Battery of Differential and General attitudes (BADyG -E3) for the cognitive area and Seashore Test of Musical Ability to assess musical skills. The results show that musical skills of school children are located below the fiftieth percentile. Notably they stand out best at discriminating pace and duration. In conclusion, we note that there is a positive correlation of moderate intensity between the variables under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of refuge has been suggested as one of the main factors affecting reptiles in intensive crops, but this theory has not been explored to any great extent. The aim of this work is to compare the reptile abundance and species richness between traditional and intensive vineyards and olive groves, and to test the acceptance of artificial shelter due to its scarcity in the new intensive woody crop. A total of 288 transects were carried out (144 in olive groves and 144 in vineyards) in six different types of plots: traditional olive groves, traditional vineyards, intensive olive groves with and without artificial refuge, and trellis vineyards with and without artificial refuge. The results showed a greater species richness and abundance of reptiles in the traditional plots than in the intensive plots (independently of the experimental refuges added). An important number of animals were observed using the artificial refuges in olive groves. Furthermore, most of the individuals were located on or escaped to old trees in traditional systems, including an important proportion of reptiles hidden in olive trunk cavities, whereas more individuals were observed on the ground in intensive systems. Our finding suggests the importance for reptile communities of the traditional agricultural systems due to the high availability of the refuge provided by old olive tree trunks and free-standing gobelet vineyards. Our results show that providing refuge may mitigate the negative effects of woody crops intensification on reptile communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we prove the usefulness of morphometric analyses, typically applied to basin-border faults, to define the tectonic geomorphology of a slow-moving, intrabasinal structure: the Galera Fault (Guadix-Baza Basin, southern Spain). The Galera Fault is a 30 km-long, oblique-slip fault with major left-lateral and minor vertical slip components. Through geological and structural analyses, we define for the first time the detailed surface geometry of the fault, which is characterized by features typical of left-lateral strike-slip faults. The morphometric analysis indicates that a combination of slow slip rates and the high erodibility of the juxtaposed basin infill deposits favours a rapid landscape response to fault activity that erases many landscape effects related to active tectonics. This masking is more effective on features generated by strike-slip displacement, leaving only subtle evidence, such as local stream deflections and upstream widening of catchments. In contrast, geomorphic effects related to vertical displacement are better preserved, including the control of the geometry of the main rivers and morphological differences in the drainage network between the two fault blocks. On the upthrown fault block, streams are generally shorter and steeper and have greater valley incision, leading to the development of a badland landscape. Moreover, the vertical deformation of a Middle Pleistocene glacis surface (ca. 90 m) demonstrates the important role of this slow-moving intrabasinal fault in the generation of relief in the Betic Cordillera during recent Quaternary time. Although the impact of this fault on relief building is very low in comparison with oblique-slip, basin-border faults in the mountain range, it has a key control on the Quaternary landscape evolution. • Tectonic geomorphological study of an oblique-slip, slow intrabasinal fault (S Spain) • Uses fault analysis and geomorphic indices (PRR, surface marker offset, k sn , AF, Vf) • Erosion dominates landscape, masking typical fault-related geomorphic evidence. • Geomorphic indices are useful for revealing a fault-related geomorphic response. • Major intrabasinal faults have low impact on broader mountain belt relief development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A superbly exposed ~5 km² slump is developed in middle Pleistocene lacustrine deposits of the Tecopa Basin (California, United States). A subhorizontal detachment (<1°) with a single sheet ~8 m thick is displaced eastward nearly 100 m. The different parts of the slump are continuously exposed for more than 1 km, with extensional structures in the head zone and contractional features in the intermediate and toe zones. Meter-scale normal faults and thrusts coexist with meter- to decameter-scale open folds, all of them detached, on a clay bed rich in sepiolite. These well-exposed deformation structures were produced by liquidization of the clay bed, due to the thixotropic behavior of the sepiolite. Processes such as oversteepening or sedimentary overloading are discarded in light of sedimentological and paleoenvironmental analyses. Thixotropic behavior of sepiolites might have been caused by seismic shaking related to regional faults that were capable of producing large earthquakes during the middle Pleistocene (between 579 and 200 ka). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some evidences show that fatigue, that is one of the main effects of prolonged driving, can be more evident on elderly people. This work describes a study on the effects of prolonged driving using a driving simulator within a group of individuals older than 55 years. These individuals underwent medical and psychological examinations before and after the driving experience: on the one hand, Blood Pressure and PulseOximetry were monitored and they took the Driver-Test. Preliminary results suggest a decreasing performance after driving, especially affecting decision-making capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Every year, about three million farm-reared red-legged partridges are released in Spain for hunting purposes, most of them for restocking where the success is very low. Some factors such as the sudden shift from abundant commercial energy-rich diet to natural food and absence of experience at looking for natural food resources could cause a rapid physical deterioration, being more vulnerable to predation and disease. To determine fasting capacity in red-legged partridges, we fasted 32 birds during 4 days and then we refed them, collecting blood samples and body masses during the experiment. Red-legged partridges entered in the third critic phase of fasting, in which body proteins became the main energetic source, after 48 h of fasting. The fasting period caused an average loss of 17% of their initial body mass and only attained a 93.6% of their initial body mass after 24 days of refeeding. The limited capacity to resist fasting in the red-legged partridge could be one of the reasons for the low success in restocking, mainly in those where neither supplementary feeding nor acclimation period is allowed for birds before they are finally released. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The differentiation of units in the Sierra de Almagro has been a source of controversy. There were defined the Almagride and Ballabona–Cucharo´n complexes, the former considered by several authors as part of a Subbetic metamorphosed and outcropping in a tectonic window. In this study, the units of Ballabona, Almagro and Cucharo´n are integrated into a single one, that of Tres Pacos, because they correspond to different parts of the same stratigraphic series. This unit is tectonically over the Nevado–Filabride Complex. The existence of the Almagride and Ballabona–Cucharo´n complexes is discarded and their units form part of the Alpujarride Complex. To cite this article: C. Sanz de Galdeano, F.J. Garcı´a Tortosa, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 355–362. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study reveals mineral and deformation processes associated with faulting of lacustrine unconsolidated sediments in the Guadix-Baza Basin (Betic Cordillera, S Spain) affected by the Baza Fault. Brittle carbonate and silt sediments develop deformation bands frequently sealed by dolomite crystallization, whereas ductile clay-rich sediments form clay smearing bands where late crystallization of gypsum can be observed. Granular flow and local cataclasis were the main deformation mechanisms in the brittle deformation bands. Flow alignment, grain-boundary sliding, and extrusion were predominant in the clay smearing bands. These water and clay-rich bands reduced shear strength of the faulting process due to their lubricating effect. Beidellitic smectite defines shear foliation of the smeared bands, but Mg-Fe, a K-rich smectite (Fe + Mg > 1 and K content up to 0.8 a.p.f.u), crystallizes in the micropores surrounding brittle clasts produced by deformation pressure shadows. These data suggest that the interaction of micromechanical events, which increased sediment porosity by the generation of pressure shadows, and the flow and concentration of saline fluids in these pores promoted structural diagenesis processes that favoured the beginning of local illitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and PD ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression predict the biological behaviour, aggressiveness, and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in different cancers. We reviewed the published data on PD-L1 expression in pituitary tumours from the perspective of its biological role and prognostic usefulness. Summary: A literature review focused on PD-L1 expression in pituitary tumours was performed. Six immunohistochemistry-based studies which assessed PD-L1 positivity in pituitary tumours were included, encompassing 704 patients. The cohort consisted of 384 (54.5%) nonfunctioning tumours and 320 (43.5%) functioning pituitary tumours. PD-L1 expression was positive in 248 cases (35.2%). PD-L1 positivity rate was higher in functioning than in nonfunctioning tumours (46.3% vs. 26.0%; p < 0.001) but also higher in growth hormone-secreting tumours (56.7%) and prolactinomas (53.6%) than in thyrotroph (33.3%) or corticotroph tumours (20.6%). While proliferative pituitary tumours showed higher rate of PD-L1 positivity than non-proliferative tumours (p < 0.001), no association with invasion or recurrence was found. Key Messages: PD-L1 is expressed in a substantial number of pituitary tumours, predominantly in the functioning ones. PD-L1 positivity rates were significantly higher in proliferative pituitary tumours in comparison to non-proliferative tumours, but no differences were found concerning invasive or recurrent pituitary tumours. More studies following homogeneous and standardised methodologies are needed to fully elucidate the role and usefulness of PD-L1 expression in pituitary tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports a detailed observational study of nest switching and alloparental care in the white stork, Ciconia ciconia. Details of methods; Results and discussion.

Agricultural intensification has greatly affected biodiversity in recent decades. One common and recent transformation that has taken place in Mediterranean countries is olive grove intensification, although its effects on biodiversity have rarely been studied.In the present study, we investigated the effect of soil management practices, with versus without soil cover crops, on the arthropod abundance, richness, diversity and species composition in Andalusia olive groves, South Spain.The results obtained show that these soil cover crops positively affect the diversity of arthropods, along with other variables such as the diversity of the plant community and Shannon index of the landscape. By contrast, the number of arthropods was higher in olive groves with bare ground as a result of the abundance of two families (Entomobryidae and Aeolothripidae), which comprised more than 50% of all the individuals collected.Rank abundance diagrams and multivariate analyses showed differences between the two types of soil management systems with respect to the composition of families.In conclusion, soil cover crops strongly improve the diversity of arthropods in olive orchards, which helps to maintain biodiversity in these intensive agroecosystems at the same time as improving other ecosystems services, such as soil fertility and the prevention of soil erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabbits can successfully avoid their enemies by evaluating the risk of predation. They have various defensive strategies, such as morphological adaptations and behaviours patterns, which enable them to perceive their predators and thus reduce the risk of predation. It is well documented that rabbits recognise the scats of terrestrial predators and avoid those areas in which they are present. However, few studies show whether the prey species can recognise the presence of congeners in carnivores’ scats, which would allow them to identify their predators in a more efficient manner. We have carried out a comparative analysis of the use of space made by rabbits on plots on which a neutral odour (water) or the odours of the ferrets’ scats that had consumed either rabbit or another mammal (beef) were applied. Our results showed a lower number of rabbit pellets on those plots containing predator odours than on the control plots. During the first 6 days after applying the first odour, the number of rabbit pellets was lower on plots on which rabbit had been included in the diet when compared with scats obtained from a beef diet. However, no differences between the two experimental plots were recorded during the third visit (9 days after applying the first odour). Our results suggest that rabbits may be able to detect congeners in their predators’ scats, thus leading them to, in the short term, avoid areas in which their terrestrial predators’ diet is based on conspecifics, probably as the result of them perceiving a higher risk of predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Spain, Holocene deposits are widespread, and although they have been extensively investigated by quaternarists for several decades, their malacological content has remained scarcely studied. In the framework of a German–French–Spanish collaboration, alluvial and tufa sequences in the Baza Basin, Andalusia, Spain are analysed with a multidisciplinary approach, including the analysis of the molluscan successions. Holocene fossil molluscs of the studied sequences reveal a rich assemblage of 53 species, among which 33 are terrestrial. Between 10,000 and 9,000 cal. yr BP, the Galera succession indicates strong river dynamics that prevented the establishment of adjacent terrestrial habitats. The Early to Middle Holocene transition reflects the continuity of humid environments. The Middle Holocene fauna reveals a decrease in humidity accompanied by slight evidence of drier habitats in the near periphery of the floodplain/tufa deposits from 5,900 cal. yr BP onwards. Late Holocene deposits (around 3,000 to 300 cal. yr BP) point to dry and open biotopes indicated by the appearance of xero-resistant and mesophilous gastropods. The palaeoenvironmental reconstruction inferred from the malacocenoses allows discussing local to regional responses of the malacofauna to environmental changes and is consistent with past regional environmental and climatic trends identified in southeastern Spain. The fossil record at Galera offers new evidence to question and clarify the modern range of endemic taxa whose distributions are fragmented. By following a 'conservation paleobiology' approach, the analysis of the mollusc fossil record at Galera provides (1) baselines to determine the natural variability of ecosystems and their response to environmental changes, (2) data to discuss and clarify species distribution evolution and (3) arguments to support conservation priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of distance to food from rubbish dumps and colony size on White Stork breeding success. Waste from poultry farms is expanding in the study area and is commonly used by the White Stork as a new food resource, which may explain the increase in the number of breeding Storks in the region. The study was carried out at 24 sites, including 88 different colonies of White Stork in northern Algeria, Sétif (36°09′N, 05°26′E; 900 m.a.s.l.); over a 4-year period (2002-2005) with considerable variation in rainfall. Nests were monitored at different distances from 30 rubbish dumps emanating largely from chicken farms. Results of the General Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) showed that breeding success of White Stork was dependent upon distance to dumps, recording the highest values in nests close to these places with food supply. There was a highly significant interaction between the year and the distance to the rubbish dumps. That is, reproductive success was higher when there was extra food in all years except in 2002, which could be due to the very low rainfall during spring 2002. Also, we found a significant interaction between colony size and distance to a rubbish dump. Results suggest that White Stork breeding success was also affected by natural food resources, since bigger colonies may deplete natural prey sooner, which is more evident in dry years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian rhythms of Neotropical lizards have been poorly studied, which represents a problem when designing ecological studies or monitoring such species based on direct observations. In this work, 1000 m-long transects were established in an agroecosystem area of the Ecuadorian coast region to study the activity patterns of Stenocercus iridescens. The number of individuals (as a response variable) was correlated with local weather conditions: temperature, precipitation, and heliophany (duration of the solar brightness). We carried out the study in both dry and rainy seasons, and during different time ranges. The time range in which the transects were performed was the most important predictor, and the activity peak was established between 16:00 h and 18:00 h. Heliophany negatively affected lizard activity, but only on the days with higher heliophany during the dry season, whereas temperature was not a significant predictor. Our results suggest that in an area where temperature is relatively constant and the solar radiation is high, particularly during the dry season, the heliophany (an indirect measure of solar radiation) can affect ectotherm activity patterns more than temperature, particularly in open habitats such as agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arrival of a new variant of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, known as RHDV2, has recently taken place in the native range of the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), a keystone species which has undergone a sharp decline over the last sixty years as a consequence of certain harmful factors. Several works have noted the presence of this new variant in wild rabbit populations, and have in some cases recorded high mortality rates. However, little is known about the response to the arrival of this new virus variant at the population level. The goal of this work is therefore to show recent trends in 26 wild rabbit populations between 2010 (before the outbreak of the disease) and 2014 (after its onset) in two different ecosystems (woodland and agricultural areas), in order to test how their abundances changed over this period, which coincided with the spread of the RHDV2. Overall, our results showed that rabbit abundance was much lower in 2014 than in 2010, and that only 11.5% of the populations monitored proved to have a positive trend, that is, a higher abundance in 2014 than 2010. A positive correlation between rabbit abundance in 2010 and rabbit population trends was obtained, thus suggesting that the impact of the new variant on rabbit abundance is less evident in high density populations. Our results suggest that smaller rabbit populations are those most vulnerable to the outbreak of RHDV 2 and are therefore likely to decline sharply or even become extinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the conservation efforts for the white stork in central Iran, specifically in the Bishe-Dalan Wetland. The white stork is at risk due to collisions with power lines and electrocution. In response to reports of stork electrocutions, the Birds and Power Lines Committee recommended actions to prevent electrocutions and save nests. The mitigation project involved reconfiguring power lines to be bird-friendly, installing nest platforms on power poles, and raising public awareness through workshops. The project has been successful so far, with no electrocutions and all nest platforms being used by breeding pairs. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this study was to determine author productivity and scientific collaboration in the Journal Ansiedad y Estrés during the period 1994-2011 using social network analysis methodologies. Social network analysis is a tool increasingly used to understand the relationships between the different elements that comprise a bibliographic scientific work. In this paper researchers' collaboration patterns have been studied and networks of coauthorship and collaboration have been built to identify the different research groups. Results show an increase in the number of works published by women throughout the period studied. The information collected was analyzed using Pajek and Ucinet programs and network graphics were designed with Netdraw graphics software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage caused by wildlife foraging can lead to significant agricultural losses and the problem can be further complicated if the damage-inducing animal is a valuable resource in its own right. Provision of alternative food sources such as cover crops might be a means of reducing the damage which appears to be linked to scarcity of alternative foods in intensively-managed agroecosystems. Cover crops may provide other benefits to agroecosystems, i.e. preventing soil erosion but can potentially have some undesired consequences, i.e. water competition with the cash crop. In our study, we tested the effectiveness of cover crops in reducing the damage caused by foraging European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus to vineyards in a semi-arid agroecosystem in southern Spain. Experimental treatments consisted of a combination of the presence/absence of sown cover crops (70% oat Avena sativa and 30%garden vetch Vicia sativa) with/without rabbit exclusion. In the 2009 growing season, we assessed rabbit-induced damage using a browsing index on vine shoots, rabbit use of plots was estimated based on faecal pellet counts and grapevine yield was measured at harvest. Rabbits ate the cover crops, and rabbit use was highest in the plots sown with the oat and vetch cover crop. However, the effect of the presence of the cover crop on the amount of damage caused by rabbits was limited and, moreover, the presence of the cover crop had a negative effect on grapevine yield. Exclosure fences effectively reduced rabbit damage by keeping rabbit densities close to zero, but even a low rabbit number (;1 rabbit/ha) can cause significant damage.Although cover crops provided rabbits with an alternative food source, they acted as attractants for rabbits and were not effective in reducing the damage caused to vineyards by higher rabbit numbers. Therefore, adding cover crops might not be an effective measure in controlling rabbit-induced damage in semi-arid wine-growing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific journals define the research front of any academic discipline. A characteristic interaction exists between the level of institutional development and social acceptance, and the number and diversity of journals. This is specially clear in the case of Spanish Psychology. This paper offers a study of the actual situation of the Psychology Spanish magazines, analysing some of its formal characteristics such as oldness and periodicy, localization and institution editing, data bases and accessibility to them, through the inclusion of the main bibliographical data bases, both national and international. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of the COP (Spanish College of Psychologists) was of enormous significance in establishing the identity of psychology in Spain. The organization, aimed at organizing and representing the profession, has not stopped growing, despite the serious internal and external issues it has had. This article presents a legislative and documentary review, particularly based on its representative publication, Papeles del Psicólogo/Psychologist Papers. We analyze the second stage of the COP, that of professionalization, decentralization, and reorganization as the Spanish Psychological Association, taking into account its role in the internal and international projection of the discipline as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent focus has been given on the effects of high-intensity infrasound (HII) exposure, and whether it induces changes in pancreatic morphology and glucose metabolism is still unknown. As such, we have studied the impact of HII exposure on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, pancreatic islet morphology, muscle GLUT4 and plasma insulin and corticosterone levels. Normal and glucose intolerant wild-type Wistar rats were randomly divided in two groups: one group not exposed to HII and the other continuously exposed to HII. Animals were sacrificed at three timepoints of exposure (1, 6 or 12 weeks). An intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed, blood samples were collected and the pancreas and the quadriceps femoris muscle were excised. Circulating insulin and corticosterone levels were determined and pancreatic and muscular tissue were routinely processed for histochemistry and immunohistochemistry with an anti-GLUT4 antibody. Animals exposed to HII had higher corticosterone levels than animals not exposed. No differences were found on insulin concerning HII exposure or glucose intolerance. Glucose intolerant animals had pancreatic islet fibrosis and no differences were found in GLUT4 ratio concerning HII exposure. In conclusion, we found that continuous exposure to HII increases stress hormone levels without inducing glucose intolerance in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of the Spanish Psychological Association (Spanish acronym, COP) was of enormous significance in the establishing of psychology in Spain, and in the creation of its identity. Since the publication of the 1980 Law of Creation [of the COP], this organization--aimed at regulating and representing the psychology profession--has not stopped growing, despite the serious internal and external issues it has had. The Spanish Psychological Association has gone through different stages over the past 40 years, which reflect and help us to characterize the short history of Spanish psychology, in particular the history of its delimitation with respect to other professions. This article presents an extensive legislative and documentary review, particularly based on its representative publication, Papeles del Psicólogo/Psychologist Papers. We analyze the complicated early years, up to 1993, under the direction of Carlos Camarero and Adolfo Hernández, a phase marked by the internal configuration of the organization, a serious challenge for the profession, and the fight to approve the master's degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of the Spanish Psychological Association (Spanish acronym, COP) was of enormous significance in the establishing of psychology in Spain, and in the creation of its identity. Since the publication of the 1980 Law of Creation [of the COP], this organization--aimed at regulating and representing the psychology profession--has not stopped growing, despite the serious internal and external issues it has had. The Spanish Psychological Association has gone through different stages over the past 40 years, which reflect and help us to characterize the short history of Spanish psychology, in particular the history of its delimitation with respect to other professions. This article presents an extensive legislative and documentary review, particularly based on its representative publication, Papeles del Psicólogo/Psychologist Papers. We analyze the complicated early years, up to 1993, under the direction of Carlos Camarero and Adolfo Hernández, a phase marked by the internal configuration of the organization, a serious challenge for the profession, and the fight to approve the master's degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a mineralogical analysis of the effect of hypersaline lake environments rich in organic matter on the mineral transformations in sediments of the eastern part of the Guadix-Baza Basin (Betic Cordillera). Dark sediments with fragments of organic matter are rich in phyllosilicates (K-white mica, illite-smectite mixed layers, –I/S– minor amounts of paragonite, palygorskite, chlorite and kaolinite) and contain quartz, feldspars, and framboidal pyrite. X-ray diffraction patterns of I/S (R0 type, disordered) revealed a continuous between the positions of pure smectite and 30% of illite layers. Chemical composition of I/S mixed layers indicated a significant beidellitic substitution of Si by AlIV, Fe + Mg > 1 atoms per formula unit (a.p.f.u.) and K content up to 0.42 a.p.f.u. These data suggested the presence of a minor and variable amount of illitic layers among the major smectitic ones. Saline waters of the lake and the reducing environment of the sediment favored Mg and Fe2+ uptake, generating octahedral negative charge, which together with the beidellitic substitution would provide clay layer negative charge enough to admit K incorporation in the interlayer, hence the beginning of a diagenetic low temperature illitization. • Hypersaline environments promoted low temperature diagenetic transformations. • Mg and Fe2+ uptake in smectites favored K incorporation in the interlayer. • Illite-smectite mixed layers indicate the beginning of a diagenetic illitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Differences in fish species richness and abundance depending on the sampling method. • Video-transect method was more efficient to assess the study variables. • Visibility significantly affected fish species richness and abundance. • Fish abundance was more affected by visibility in both sampling methods. • Visibility is a key factor for evaluating fish communities of rocky reefs. The effectiveness of using standardized sampling methods for fish communities in coral and rocky reefs has been widely discussed because it largely depends on the experience and skill of the observer, availability of high-definition equipment and the stability of local environmental parameters. The rocky reefs in Ecuador have highly variable conditions of turbidity, which can generate biases in the sampling of reef fish. The present work compares the effectiveness of detection of two sampling methods: 1) observer-band transects and 2) video-transects, as tools to determine the composition of fish communities in two rocky reefs subjected to high anthropic pressure and high variability in the conditions of turbidity. To achieve this goal, 48 transects of 100 m and variable-width on the dependence of turbidity conditions were performed in three geomorphological reef zones: the crest, slope, and bottom, where a community of fish was sampled from September 2017 to April 2018 using both methods. The results showed significant differences in the fish abundance recorded depending on the sampling method, the video-transect method was more efficient for the estimation of abundance. Comparison of the survey methods in reef zones showed that video-transects are more effective in detecting significant differences in abundance on the slopes of the reefs in comparison with observer-band transects. Turbidity significantly affected the abundance of fish detected by both sampling methods. Our results suggest that the video-transect method is more efficient to record fish abundance with respect to the observer-transect method under different conditions of turbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodiversity of farmed landscapes is, in the context of agricultural intensification, a key aspect with regard to improving the sustainability of agroecosystems. Olive groves are undergoing rapid changes because of the spread of intensive farming systems, which may have negative environmental impacts. This paper reports a survey on the aboveground flora and seed banks in five olive groves located in Andalusia (Southern Spain). In this study, the following three management systems have been compared: no‐tillage, with the mowing of spontaneous weedy vegetation; no‐tillage, with the mowing of planted cover crops (Poaceae); and conventional tillage practices. Results showed that coverage and an abundance of vegetation are favored by spontaneous weedy vegetation with mowing management, while the richness of aboveground species was affected by landscape diversity and the presence of edges, which increases the richness and diversity of aboveground flora species in olive groves. Seed bank composition showed a low relationship with aboveground flora in the three cover crop management systems. The multivariate analysis performed pointed to those seed species that have a major influence on the aboveground flora communities of each of the three agricultural systems. The seed bank was clearly impoverished in terms of both abundance and species richness after the long‐term conventional tillage practices. We conclude that the intensive long‐term conventional tillage dramatically reduces weed communities in olive orchards and the subsequent ecosystem services provided by them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Successive excavation of 13 trenches of different orientations reveals the complexity of a normal fault zone in Pliocene-Pleistocene unconsolidated sediments on a strand of the Baza Fault, central Betic Cordillera, south Spain. These trenches and the excavation floor are interpreted and integrated to reconstruct the 3D geometry and internal architecture of the fault zone. The structure consists of two main fault strands: an eastern one with a few hundred metres throw and a western one with at least 15 m throw. These strands interact and gradually merge to the south, bounding a main deformation zone narrowing from ∼7 to 1 m along strike. Fault-bounded rock bodies, clay and sand smears, and clay injections define the structure. These features are highly variable in 3D. In the northern part of the outcrop, deformation is localized around the main strands, brittle in the west and more ductile to the east. As the strands and their fault zones increasingly interact, fault throw, rock deformation and maturity of the structure increase. Mechanical stratigraphy also controls the style of deformation. A realistic representation of this 4D picture of fault deformation is critical for modelling fluid flow in shallow to possibly deep, faulted sedimentary reservoirs. Highlights • A 3D trench study reveals the complexity of a normal fault zone in soft sediments. • Highly variable rock bodies, faults, smears and clay injections form the fault zone. • Variable fault geometries and throws cause a variable distribution of deformation. • Mechanical stratigraphy has a key role in the variability and style of deformation. • As main strands approach, fault throw, deformation and fault zone maturity increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a bibliometric analysis of Clínica y Salud, a journal edited by the Spanish Association of Psychologists (COP), Madrid. A relational database was created to analyze different issues, such as authors, institutions, gender, subjects, and its impact on Web of Science databases. The results allow us to observe the increasing international cooperation and the existence of a small group of very productive authors, in collaboration groups close to the editorial team. The journal is also open to the professional world, including both freelancers and employed. Also, there is an institutional supporting axis that includes a small group of Spanish universities that links academy with foreign institutions, particularly Mexican, but also Asian, North American, Ibero-American and, of course, European institutions. Apart from Spanish, this journal uses English for its communicative tasks. There is a high presence of productive women (authors) with a good positioning in the order of signature and differential impact on the scientific community, also well represented in the Editorial Board. The journal topics show a major concern for methodology and evidence-based testing. The impact of its articles is relevant in journals located in WOS' first quartiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding use of space in free ranging populations that cause damage to agriculture can help in the design of measures aimed at reducing their impact. Food availability is known to determine use of space in terrestrial vertebrates so, providing alternative food sources during a specific time period may help the management of vertebrate pests by reducing their ranging behavior. We investigated space use by a crop damaging species, the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), in an intensively-managed agricultural landscape within its native range and evaluated the potential of food availability to restrict areas of rabbit activity. We determined the size of day-time home range (95% minimum convex polygon, MCP) and core area (50% MCP) of rabbits before and after providing additional food to one rabbit population, while an unsupplemented population served as a control. Rabbits in the study area had large home ranges in comparison with those previously reported in the literature, probably linked to the heterogeneous and unpredictable distribution of resources in intensively-managed Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. There was a general reduction in size of home ranges and core areas between the experimental phases, but we found evidence that additional feeding restricted the space use of rabbits. The wide-ranging behavior of rabbits documented in the present study might explain why even moderate rabbit densities can cause widespread damage to crops. These findings may facilitate the design of management tools to mitigate damage in agricultural areas where rabbits are considered an agricultural pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses all psychology journals included in the different categories of the JCR (SCI and SSCI) and SJR databases during the period 2014-2016 in order to identify the journals that are better positioned in the discipline, and the specialities and countries with the highest number of publications indexed in such databases. Method: The distribution of psychology journals by country, quartile, and subject category was studied in order to determine the total number and position of journals in each country, and to identify the countries with more journals of 'excellence' in psychology in the international scene. Results: The United States and the United Kingdom had the highest number of journals included in the databases, as well as the Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain. Only 11 countries have psychology journals in quartile 1 in JCR, and 14 in SJR databases. Conclusions: As a result of the application of new evaluation criteria in psychology research in Spain, the paper addresses the difficulties and consequences that some of these measures may have for the survival of psychology journals that do not have a position in quartile 1 or 2 in the databases used for the evaluation of professionals' research in this discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction While the use of bicycles as mean of transport is growing worldwide, the increasing rates of traffic crashes involving cyclists have turned into a relevant scientific, public health, and road safety concern. According to several studies, and despite the fact that some countries are taking part in preventive actions, the data indicate that the problem of cycling injuries implies high costs for the community welfare, for the economy, and for healthcare systems, thus proving a clear need for solutions. In this regard, and considering the available empirical evidence, risky and positive riding behaviors have gained significant weight in terms of explaining, intervening in, and preventing traffic crashes of cyclists, and some evidence suggests that gender may influence the road behavior of users. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the effect of gender on cyclists' risky and positive riding behavior, considering a set of demographic, psychosocial and bike-use-related variables as potential predictors. Method For this cross-sectional study, data from 1064 cyclists (61.2% males and 38.8% females, aged between 17 and 80) from 20 countries, responding an electronic survey, were analyzed through a multi-group structural equation modeling approach. Results: Although hourly intensity, psychological distress and level of knowledge of traffic rules similarly predict the risky road behaviors of both genders, age and risk perception are significant behavioral predictors only in the case of male cyclists. On the other hand, positive behaviors of men are predicted by cycling intensity, knowledge of traffic rules and risk perception, while in the case of women psychological distress predicts -to a significant extent- positive behaviors. Age had no significant effect on the explanation of positive behaviors. Conclusion The findings of this study support the influence of gender in the statistical explanation of risky and protective behaviors, and they also reveal differentiating variables predicting the riding behavior of male and female cyclists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific publications are one of the basic dimensions of the evaluation of the quality of research of teaching and research personnel in Spain. The most used criterion for the evaluation is the publication of papers in journals included in the Web of Science (WoS) or Scopus databases. The objective of this work is to know that psychology journals, which publish works of legal psychology, are currently included in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases, offer an analysis and comparison of the quality indicators of the journals in these databases, in order that researchers working in this discipline know the status of publications in their field of knowledge and provide them with the best choice to publish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is a key attribute for the future of the olive grove. Cover crops can be considered as an effective tool to achieve sustainability of olive orchards to reduce soil erosion, improve soil fertility and increase biodiversity. However, wild herbivores may forage on cover crops when natural food resources are scarce. In this study we assessed the impact of European rabbit grazing on the implantation of herbaceous cover crops of two native plant species, one palatable ( Bromus rubens L.) and the other unpalatable ( Anthemis arvensis L.) in two olive orchards with very scarce vegetation cover in Andalusia, Southern Spain. Eight rabbit exclusion plots, close to eight other unfenced plots, were planted where the aboveground biomass, height and the ground covered by each species were measured. The results showed that the biomass, height and the ground cover by B. rubens were higher in the rabbit exclusion areas (ground cover: 36.5 ± 3.3%; height: 30.3 ± 3.9 cm, averaged over the entire measuring period; and biomass: 158 ± 36 g/m 2 , in April) than in unfenced areas (ground cover: 1.9 ± 0.2%; height: 5.6 ± 0.7 cm; biomass: ≅0), while A. arvensis showed no difference in biomass, height or ground cover between the two treatments (ground cover: 11.3 ± 6.3%; height: 12.2 ± 7.9 cm, averaged over the entire measuring period; and biomass: 49.5 ± 10 g/m 2 , in April). The results further showed that the damage by rabbits was caused from the early stages of development of B. rubens , which avoid its growth; notwithstanding the plant biomass consumption was minimal, the damage caused was critical. These findings suggest that unpalatable species such as A. arvensis could be a suitable tool for establishing herbaceous cover crops in olive groves at high rabbit densities, where other palatable species (e.g., B. rubens ) are strongly consumed, thus contributing to soil conservation and improvement in olive groves with soils already degraded by erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 63-year-old female patient who underwent endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for a gastric subepithelial lesion previously identified during upper endoscopy, and a linear echoendoscope was used and no subepithelial lesion was found.

The present-day relief of the Betic Cordillera formed since the Late Miocene through the regional N-S to NW-SE Africa-Eurasia convergence that developed large folds. The Laujar Fault Zone is a south-dipping E-W oriented structure located at the northern boundary of the Alpujarran Corridor Neogene intramontane basin, which separates Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Gador antiforms, in the Internal Zones of the Betic Cordillera. The fault zone acted in a first stage as a dextral strike-slip fault. Currently it moves as a normal fault evidenced by striated calcretes, also in agreement with regional continuous GPS (CGPS) data that support the hypothesis of an active N-S extension in the fault area. In order to analyse the deep geometry of the Laujar Fault Zone, we combined several geophysical techniques (gravity, magnetic, electric resistivity tomography and audio-magnetotelluric data) with field geological observations. Fault surfaces seem to join at a southward-dipping shallow detachment level, including faults covered by the sedimentary infill. The fault zone was developed in a previously weakened area by wrench faults parallel to the Alpujarran Corridor. The recent normal activity of this fault zone may be a consequence of a change in the Africa-Eurasia convergence orientation, which implies a decrease in the N-S compression component. This structure along the southern limb of Sierra Nevada antiform evidences the gravitational collapse of previously thickened crust in a regional compressional context simultaneous to metamorphic core uplift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a mineralogical and mechanical analysis of the clay-rich materials and structures identified in the Galera Fault Zone, southern Spain that formed as a consequence of active deformation processes affecting this seismically active region. Significant differences in clay mineral assemblages and chemical composition were identified in rocks from the Galera Fault Zone, through a series of analytical techniques including XRD, SEM, TEM and XRF. Three distinct mineral assemblages were identified: 1) wall-rock assemblages including white marls and dark lutite layers, with the latter also found in injection features. Their assemblage includes dolomite, gypsum, quartz, calcite and phyllosilicates 2) smectite- and palygorskite-rich fault gouges formed on materials from the upper part of the stratigraphic sequence at the NE area of the fault (Galera Village), and 3) sepiolite-rich gouges in areas of the lower part of the stratigraphic sequence at the central SW segment of the fault (Rambla de los Pilares). Fibrous clay-rich gouges were formed by hydrothermal alteration during periods of fluid-rock interaction that was concentrated in fault planes and fractures. Their mineralogy is dominated by authigenic Mg-rich fibrous clay minerals; sepiolite, precipitated directly from an Mg-rich fluid; and palygorskite as the product of the interaction of the fluid with the Al-rich host rock. Experimental data from frictional sliding experiments on these clay-rich fault gouges reveal strong differences in their mechanical properties. Towards the north-eastern areas of the fault, the smectite- and palygorskite-rich gouge has a low friction coefficient (0.17 wet and 0.59 under vacuum) and its values of the friction stability parameter (a–b) are always positive indicating a stable regime that could be related with creeping and stable-sliding processes. In the central-south-western segment, however, the gouge is rich in authigenic sepiolite and presents complete absence of smectite. The higher friction coefficient (0.47 wet and 0.68 under vacuum) and negative values of a–b for this gouge suggest a more neutral to unstable regime that could favour earthquake nucleation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring predator–prey systems in diverse ecosystems increases our knowledge about ecological processes. Predator population growth may be positive when conspecific density is low but predators also need areas with prey availability, associated with competition, which increases the risk of suffering losses but stabilises populations. We studied relationships between European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus (prey) and adult eagle owls Bubo bubo (predators) in south-western Europe. We assessed models explaining the predator population growth and stability. We estimated the abundance of rabbits and adult eagle owls during three years in eight localities of central-southern Spain. We explored models including rabbit and adult eagle owl abundance, accounting for yearly variations and including the locality as a random variable. We found that population growth of adult eagle owls was positive in situations with low conspecific abundance and tended to be negative but approaching equilibrium in situations of higher conspecific abundance. Population growth was also positively related to previous summer rabbit density when taking into account eagle owl conspecific abundance, possibly indicating that rabbits may support recruitment. Furthermore, abundance stability of adult eagle owls was positively related to previous winter–spring rabbit density, which could suggest predator population stabilisation through quick territory occupation in high-quality areas. These results exemplify the trade-off between prey availability and abundance of adult predators related to population growth and abundance stability in the eagle owl–rabbit system in south-western Europe. Despite rabbits have greatly declined during the last decades and eagle owls locally specialise on them, eagle owls currently have a favourable conservation status. As eagle owls are the only nocturnal raptor with such dependence on rabbits, this could point out that predators may overcome prey decreases in areas with favourable climate and prey in the absence of superior competitors with similar foraging mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landscape in southern Iberia has, over the last four decades, altered as a result of the land abandonment, while the abundance of wild boar Sus scrofa and red deer Cervus elaphus has simultaneously increased, and some key prey species such as the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus have declined. In this work we explore: 1) the relationships between big game species (red deer and wild boar) and rabbit abundance, and 2) whether these relationships could have effects on food quality (total nitrogen available in the pasture and percentage of leguminosae) and food availability of (herbaceous cover). We therefore selected nine big game estates with a range of abundance as regards ungulates and similar Mediterranean habitat. Wild boar abundance was statistically negative in relation to rabbit abundance, while no significant statistical relationships between rabbit abundance and habitat structure and forage quality were evidenced. However, wild boar abundance, but not that of red deer, was negatively associated with leguminosae cover, and the percentage of surface rooted by wild boar was negatively associated with the percentage of herbaceous cover. Overall, our results suggest that the abundance of wild boar is negatively related to that of rabbits, and could have a negative effects on rabbit abundances by food competition as a result of: 1) a decrease in herbaceous coverage and leguminosae in the pasture and 2) an increase in the total percentage of soil disturbed as a result of rooting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Some psychotropic medications (e.g., benzodiazepines, sedative antidepressants, etc.) may impair cognitive and psychomotor functions and, therefore, endanger traffic safety (Ravera, Br J Clin Pharmacol, 72(3):505-513, 2011). They affect detection, registration, and information processing, problem solving, and decision-making processes, and they also affect emotional and social aspects. The objective of this research was to clarify three closely related issues that are significant for traffic safety: the prevalence of psychotropic drugs on driving, the most frequently used psychotropic drugs to treat depression, anxiety, insomnia, or any tranquilizers (whether it is a medical prescription or self-medication), and finally, provide a further understanding of the socio-demographic and psycho-social characteristics of drivers related to the psychotropic drugs consumption in Spain. Methods A sample of 1,200 Spanish drivers ranging from 18 to 64 years was used, 666 men and 534 women were asked to answer a questionnaire composed by a set of questions structured in different sections. The only selection criteria were to be in possession of any type of driving license for vehicles other than motorcycles and drive frequently. Results The results showed that 15% of the participants were consuming psychotropic drugs to treat depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, insomnia, or tranquilizers; 13.5% were using drugs to treat one of these disorders; while 1.5% used them for several of these disorders. A 2.5% of drivers were using medicines to treat depression, 2.6% to treat anxiety, and 3.7% to treat insomnia. The 8.3% of those drivers who were not using any drugs to treat these three disorders were occasionally using some type of tranquilizers. Benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were the most used type of medicines among drivers. Benzodiazepines were the most used medicines to treat anxiety, while SSRIs were the most used to treat depression, 56.5% and 43.5%, respectively. Conclusions Measures can be developed to reduce traffic accidents caused by the effects of these drugs; however, this will only be possible once the drivers and the use of these drugs are understood. Health care professionals and patients should be properly informed about the potential effects of some psychotropic medications on driving abilities considering individual and group differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfactory signalling is widespread among mammal inter- and intra-specific communication systems. Social mammals use latrines (faecal accumulations) as a communication system, which address the needs of individuals both inside and outside the social group. Latrines are commonly used as olfactory and visual signals for the delimitation of territories, and the location of these signals may thus provide useful clues for the study of the marking animals' behaviour and the delimitation of a spatial framework for these studies. In this work, we have tested the application of indigestible faecal markers in order to define territorial boundaries marked by latrines in wild rabbit social groups. Different combinations of baits and markers were first tested on wild rabbits kept in captive conditions, and the best combinations were then applied to rabbits in semi-natural conditions in order to test their feasibility for use with wild populations. As one possible application of the method, Minimum Convex Polygons and Kernel density estimators were used to analyse the distribution of the latrines of three wild rabbit social groups in semi-natural conditions. The results of this showed that the marked bait method is a useful tool for exploring the territorial behaviour of social mammals that use latrines for communication. It can also provide useful information for the definition of spatial frameworks based on social structures, and is fast, straightforward, easy, cheap, and does not require specialised training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]