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- Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate cladePublication . Elst, Tobias van; Sgarlata, Gabriele M.; Schüßler, Dominik; Tiley, George P.; Poelstra, Jelmer W.; Scheumann, Marina; Blanco, Marina B.; Aleixo-Pais, Isa; Evasoa, Mamy Rina; Ganzhorn, Jörg U.; Goodman, Steven M.; Hasiniaina, Alida F.; Hending, Daniel; Hohenlohe, Paul A.; Ibouroi, Mohamed T.; Iribar, Amaia; Jan, Fabien; Kappeler, Peter M.; Pors, Barbara Le; Manzi, Sophie; Olivieri, Gillian; Rakotonanahary, Ando N.; Rakotondranary, S. Jacques; Rakotondravony, Romule; Ralison, José M.; Ranaivoarisoa, J. Freddy; Randrianambinina, Blanchard; Rasoloarison, Rodin M.; Rasoloharijaona, Solofonirina; Rasolondraibe, Emmanuel; Teixeira, Helena; Zaonarivelo, John R.; Louis, Edward E.; Yoder, Anne D.; Chikhi, Lounès; Radespiel, Ute; Salmona, JordiGlobal biodiversity is under accelerating threats, and species are succumbing to extinction before being described. Madagascar’s biota represents an extreme example of this scenario, with the added complication that much of its endemic biodiversity is cryptic. Here we illustrate best practices for clarifying cryptic diversification processes by presenting an integrative framework that leverages multiple lines of evidence and taxon-informed cut-offs for species delimitation, while placing special emphasis on identifying patterns of isolation by distance. We systematically apply this framework to an entire taxonomically controversial primate clade, the mouse lemurs (genus Microcebus, family Cheirogaleidae). We demonstrate that species diversity has been overestimated primarily due to the interpretation of geographic variation as speciation, potentially biasing inference of the underlying processes of evolutionary diversification. Following a revised classification, we find that crypsis within the genus is best explained by a model of morphological stasis imposed by stabilizing selection and a neutral process of niche diversification. Finally, by clarifying species limits and defining evolutionarily significant units, we provide new conservation priorities, bridging fundamental and applied objectives in a generalizable framework.
- A pastorícia, transformações e resistência, pelo olhar das mulheresPublication . Aleixo-Pais, Isa; Castro, José; Castro, João Paulo; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, MarinaO pastoreio extensivo, particularmente de pequenos ruminantes, é uma atividade histórica no Parque Natural de Montesinho (PNM) no nordeste de Portugal. Na continuidade e herança da organização económica camponesa, esta atividade toma contornos de resistência, adequando-se a uma economia agrária marcada, entre outros, pelas diretivas europeias da política agrícola comum, pelo subsídio dependência e pelas oscilações do mercado liberal. A partir da etnografia de caminhada conduzida desde 2022, com cinco pastores do PNM e das entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas às mulheres das mesmas unidades domésticas (no âmbito do Projeto PASTOPRAXIS; FCT-MTS/CAC/0028/2020), retratamos as transformações na organização do trabalho, e a complementaridade de ocupações, parte delas não agrárias, dos membros destas unidades, com enfoque no papel das mulheres. Desconstruir-se-á assim a visão da pastorícia enquanto atividade imutável e de trabalho individual do pastor na relação com os seus animais. Trata-se de uma aproximação pelo feminino às formas de resiliência do sistema agro-silvo-pastoril num território fortemente despovoado e transformado, fruto da situação político-económica da segunda metade do séc. XX, e, agora, fustigado pelos efeitos das mudanças climáticas. Em consonância, serão apresentadas as perceções e expectativas destas mulheres face ao futuro, e, em concreto, sobre a possibilidade de futuro para a pastorícia.
- Pastoral landscapes in north-eastern portugal: drought, changes, and vulnerabilitiesPublication . Castro, José; Aleixo-Pais, Isa; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, MarinaClimate change and resulting are significantly impacting the livelihoods of pastoralists in Trás-os-Montes (Portugal)
- Dietary flexibility of western red colobus in two protected areas with contrasting anthropogenic pressurePublication . Aleixo-Pais, Isa; Borges, Filipa; Sesay, Nazie; Songe, Mustapha; Cassama, Mamadu; Camara, Iaia T.; Ramos, Catarina; Barca, Benjamin; Turay, Brima S.; Swaray, Mohamed; Barros, Aissa Regalla de; Quecuta, Queba; Silva, Maria Joana F. da; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Bruford, Michael William; Minhos, TaniaFood distribution and abundance can affect intra- and inter-dietary variation in non-human primates, influencing feeding ecology and altering behaviour. Natural and/or human-induced actions can influence the dynamics between primates and the environment, with associated impacts on socio-ecology and demography. This relationship in anthropogenic landscapes, however, is poorly understood. Here, we use DNA metabarcoding to obtain high resolution dietary diversity data, and multivariate generalised linear models to investigate variation in the diet of this threatened primate. We characterise the diet of the western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius) in both the better preserved Gola Rainforest National Park (GRNP, Sierra Leone), and in the fragmented forests of Cantanhez National Park (CNP, Guinea-Bissau), and evaluate biological, ecological and temporal differences. Dietary plant species richness was high in both protected areas, and the type of plants consumed varied significantly across seasons, space, and time. Although we identify dependence on a few key plants, red colobus in CNP consumed a higher average number of plant taxa than in GRNP, and 11% of the diet consisted of cultivated foods (e.g. mango). This is the first time a molecular approach has been used to investigate red colobus diet, and reveal dietary flexibility in degraded forests. Predicting the consequences of dietary change on long-term population persistence, however, remains a significant knowledge gap. Nevertheless, our results provide critical information to inform targeted regional conservation planning and implementation.