Papers by Ana Andreu Rubio
Herpetological Journal, 1995
The main activity period of Blanus cinereus occurred from March to July, and a second period with... more The main activity period of Blanus cinereus occurred from March to July, and a second period with lower activity was detected in autumn. Individuals were mainly diurnal, but they also exhibited nocturnal activity in April, June and especially in July. Daily activity appeared to be related to air and surface temperatures, while the annual variation in activity was also related to underground temperature. Recaptured individuals showed little mobility, frequently persisting at the same location. The recapture rate between years was low.
Aquatic Insects, 2019
In a very dry year, when aquatic habitats were scarce, we observed exceptionally massive corixid ... more In a very dry year, when aquatic habitats were scarce, we observed exceptionally massive corixid oviposition on terrapin shells in Doñana National Park, southwestern Spain. Most terrapins inhabiting a large pond devoid of aquatic vegetation exhibited a dense cover of corixid eggs, while terrapins from vegetated ponds had no egg cover. Corixid oviposition had also been observed on terrapin shells in previous periods of severe drought. Considering that terrapins frequently alternate between aquatic and terrestrial environments, we experimentally assessed the viability of corixid eggs in varying degrees of dry exposure. A significant proportion of corixid eggs did not hatch when they were occasionally dried under sun exposure, but egg mortality was lower when they were dried in the shade. The massive oviposition on terrapin shells was probably a consequence of the limited availability of adequate oviposition sites, and it might increase the odds of egg survival when terrapins migrate to other ponds.
Scientific Reports, 2017
Human-mediated secondary contact of recently diverged taxa offers valuable opportunities for stud... more Human-mediated secondary contact of recently diverged taxa offers valuable opportunities for studying the evolutionary mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of genetic boundaries between taxa. We used mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to examine a recently introduced population of the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) of mixed origin in the Doñana National Park (SW Spain). The earliest records of tortoises in Doñana trace back to the 18th century, but several population reinforcements in the 20th century with animals from Morocco are well-documented. Consequently, different genetic lineages, which represent distinct subspecies, are thought to co-exist there. Our results confirmed the presence of distinct lineages by revealing that tortoises of the subspecies T. g. marokkensis were introduced into a local allochthonous T. g. graeca population. Unexpectedly, T. g. marokkensis haplotypes exclusively appeared in males, and admixture levels were statistical...
Chemosphere, 2015
Several halogenated flame retardants were detected in black kite, white stork and greater flaming... more Several halogenated flame retardants were detected in black kite, white stork and greater flamingo unborn eggs from Doñana Natural Space (Spain) collected in 1999, 2003, 2011 and 2013. The main components of Penta-BDE commercial mixture (BDE-47, -99 and -100) showed a decrease in the studied time interval, concurring with the ban of this mixture in the European Union (EU) in 2006. On the other hand, BDE-209, the main component of Deca-BDE mixture showed a clear trend in black kites but further monitoring is needed since its production ceased at the end of 2013. Besides, even if Dechlorane Plus (DP) was proposed by the EU as an alternative to BDE-209 no time trends were observed. Furthermore, total concentrations of PBDEs (classical FRs) are still higher than concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and alternative FRs halogenated norbornenes (HNs), which are theoretically substitutes of the already banned PBDEs.
Spur-thighed tortoises, Testudo graeca, in southwestern Spain lay 3-4 clutches in shallow nests f... more Spur-thighed tortoises, Testudo graeca, in southwestern Spain lay 3-4 clutches in shallow nests from April to June. In the present study the incubation temperature of nests laid in field enclosures in April, May and June was monitored over four years. Mean daily temperature throughout incubation averaged 27.9ºC, but displayed a wide daily range, with average maximum values around 41ºC (also in nests where hatching success was >0), and an absolute maximum of almost 50ºC. Early (April) nests displayed lower mean daily temperatures than intermediate (May) and late (June) nests, although all nests reached similar high temperatures during the hottest month (July). Incubation temperatures were affected by nest vegetation cover. Incubation length varied from 67-129 days. Because the length of incubation was negatively correlated with nest temperature, early nests had longer incubation periods than intermediate and late nests. Hatching success averaged 61% and was mainly affected by variables related to maximum temperatures. Thus unsuccessful nests (i.e. no eggs hatching) were associated with higher temperatures or longer exposure to higher temperatures. Differences in hatching or nest success were not related to the nesting month, but might have been influenced by the location of the nest. Lethal temperatures for embryo development were frequently reached during July, therefore vegetation cover of the nest is likely to play an important role in avoiding deleterious nest environments.
Basic and Applied Herpetology, 2014
We monitored reproductive females of Emys orbicularis and Mauremys leprosa during the summer of 2... more We monitored reproductive females of Emys orbicularis and Mauremys leprosa during the summer of 2001 in Doñana National Park. Radiographs revealed that females of both species may lay at least two clutches from May to July. We recorded incubation temperatures in one nest of each species, and found them to be 24.7ºC in E. orbicularis and 28.7ºC in M. leprosa. Egg incubation lasted 83 days in E. orbicularis, with all the hatchlings remaining in the nest until we extracted them in October, and 46-53 days in M. leprosa, with three hatchlings emerging one to 12 days after hatching, and three hatchlings remaining in the nest. We detected M. leprosa hatchlings in their first trip to the pond from late August to early October and E. orbicularis hatchlings from September 18 th to September 23 rd .
Journal of Zoology, 1997
Hatching success, egg incubation, emergence and hatchling characteristics were assessed for 44 na... more Hatching success, egg incubation, emergence and hatchling characteristics were assessed for 44 naturally incubating nests of Testudo graeca in south‐western Spain. Nest predation rate was 4.5% and overall hatching success was 82.4%. Incubation periods ranged from 78 to 114 days, and hatchlings delayed emergence from the nest from one to 23 days. Emergences occurred from mid August to late September, and were not correlated with nesting dates, but earlier laid nests had longer incubation times, which was probably owing to lower temperatures experienced by clutches laid at the beginning of the nesting season. Variance of hatchling body size and mass was high and was mainly influenced by the gravid female. Mean straight carapace length was 34.14mm, and mean body mass 10.8g. Hatchlings from clutches laid last in the nesting season had significantly better physical condition. Hatchling mass was positively correlated with egg mass, and both variables were positively correlated with emerge...
Journal of Herpetology, 1998
... DELIBES, M. 1980. Feeding ecology of the spanish lynx in the Coto Dofiana. Acta Theriol. 25:3... more ... DELIBES, M. 1980. Feeding ecology of the spanish lynx in the Coto Dofiana. Acta Theriol. 25:309-324. DIAZ-PANIAGUA, C., C., KELLER, AND AC ANDREU. 1995. ... Res. Reports 13. DUNHAM, AE, PJ MORIN, AND HR WILBUR. 1988. Methods for the study of reptile populations. ...
Hydrobiologia, 2014
Invasive crayfish have severely impacted invaded aquatic ecosystems worldwide. We studied tempora... more Invasive crayfish have severely impacted invaded aquatic ecosystems worldwide. We studied temporal and spatial variation in the range expansion of the red swamp crayfish at one of the first European localities to which it was introduced: Doñana National Park (SW Spain). In contrast to the rapid range expansion witnessed in other areas, this invasive crayfish has not spread across the entire park. Instead, its distribution has expanded during wet periods, but contracted during drought periods. The red swamp crayfish has caused steep amphibian declines in other invaded areas. However, after approximately 35 years of crayfish presence in Doñana National Park, we have yet to detect a reduction in the number or occurrence of amphibian species. Amphibians may thus be protected by the large abundance of temporary ponds in the area, which provides them with an effective refuge network. We show that natural fluctuations in annual rainfall and in the number of ponds filled can temporarily eliminate invasive crayfish from particular areas. This fact should be taken into account when attempting to reduce the impact of crayfish on aquatic communities, intensifying crayfish removal during particularly dry years, when it is most effective. .
Canadian Journal of Zoology, 1997
Activity, mobility, growth rates, and space use of 48 hatchling spur-thighed tortoises, Testudo g... more Activity, mobility, growth rates, and space use of 48 hatchling spur-thighed tortoises, Testudo graeca, were monitored over a period of 8 months, from emergence from the nest in September until May. Individuals were followed by means of thread trailing and radio tracking. Overall average distance moved was 4.42 m/day and average home-range size was 13.7 m2. Hatchlings were active from emergence until mid-December, exhibited discontinuous hibernation until mid-February, and reached highest activity and mobility values in April–May. Overall, mobility varied significantly with daily solar radiation values and maximum temperature, and was significantly dependent on body condition in winter. Body size and mass had no influence on individual performance, and a significant proportion of variance among individuals remained unexplained. Little growth occurred in autumn and body condition decreased steadily, increasing only from February onwards. Growth rates increased in March–April. No indi...
Revista española de …, 2006
Entre los años 2000 y 2005 se capturaron 197 y 227 individuos de Trachemys scripta elegans en dos... more Entre los años 2000 y 2005 se capturaron 197 y 227 individuos de Trachemys scripta elegans en dos lagunas de Huelva donde también se localizan Mauremys leprosa y Emys orbicularis. En una de las dos poblaciones de la especie exótica, la proporción de sexos ...
Acta Theriologica, 2011
The Iberian hare Lepus granatensis is a common and abundant species throughout the Iberian Penins... more The Iberian hare Lepus granatensis is a common and abundant species throughout the Iberian Peninsula; however, studies documenting its ecology are scarce. Between August 1996 and September 1997, after a long drought, we studied the effects of a widespread flood on the Iberian hare ecology in ecotone pastures of Doñana National Park. Hares were captured using vertical nets through part of 1996 and 1997. Fourteen adult hares (nine females and five males) were tagged with radiocollars and located by triangulation on a daily basis at least once a week. Habitat use was estimated using a geographical information system. The average home range size was 28 ha for males and 24 ha for females. No significant differences were observed between sexes. Significant differences were observed in the use of scrub areas and in dry pastures. During the dry and wet seasons, males and females were most often located in the pastures of the ecotone, rush stands and scrub. The dense bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and seaside bulrush (Scirpus maritimus) communities were avoided. These results are the first on the spatial ecology of this species in its native habitat.
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Papers by Ana Andreu Rubio