Repositório RCAAP

The present study aims at evaluating the impact of anobiid damage on pine timber elements. Anobiid attack produces a diffuse damage of the elements with a set of tunnels in random directions and sizes, thus confusing quantification. Therefore, a method was developed based on X-ray micro-computed tomography (µ-XCT) to obtain, for naturally infested timber samples, an empirical correlation between lost material percentage (consumed by beetles) and timber apparent density (original, before degradation—OTD and residual, after degradation—RTD). The quantified density loss can then be used in further assessment of the structure. The results of the tests performed showed high correlation between original apparent density and lost material percentage (r2 = 0.60) and between residual apparent density and lost material percentage (r2 = 0.83), which confirms µ-XCT as a valuable tool to the required quantification. The loss of density results can be further applied on the definition of an assessment method for the evaluation of the residual strength of anobiids infested timber, thus contributing to reducing unnecessary replacement. The optimized procedure of the µ-XCT study for infested Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is presented and discussed in this article.

The Upper Garonne Basin included the largest glacial system in the Pyrenees during the last glacialcycle. Within the long‐term glacial retreat during Termination‐1(T‐1), glacier fluctuations left geomorphic evidencein the area. However, the chronology of T‐1 glacial oscillations on the northern slopes of the Central Pyrenees is stillpoorly constrained. Here, we introduce new geomorphological observations and a 12‐sample dataset of10Becosmic‐ray exposure ages from the Ruda Valley. This U‐shaped valley, surrounded by peaks exceeding 2800 m a.s.l.,includes a sequence of moraines and polished surfaces that enabled a reconstruction of the chronology of the lastdeglaciation. Following the maximum ice extent, warmer conditions prevailing at ~15–14 ka, during theBølling–Allerød (B–A) Interstadial, favoured glacial retreat in the Ruda Valley. Within the B–A, glaciers experiencedtwo phases of advance/stillstand with moraine formation at 13.5 and 13.0 ka. During the early Younger Dryas (YD),glacial retreat exposed the highest surfaces of the Saboredo Cirque (~2300–2350 m) at 12.7 ka. Small glacierspersisted only inside the highest cirques (~2470 m), such as in Sendrosa Cirque, with moraines stabilising at 12.6 ka.The results of this work present the most complete chronology for Pyrenean glacial oscillations from the B–A to theYD

The majority of thermal modification processes are at temperatures greater than 180 °C, resulting in a product with some properties enhanced and some diminished (e.g., mechanical properties). However, the durability of thermally modified wood to termite attack is recognised as low. Recent attempts at combining thermal modification with chemical modification, either prior to or directly after the thermal process, are promising. Buffers, although not influencing the reaction systems, may interact on exposure to certain conditions, potentially acting as promoters of biological changes. In this study, two zwitterionic buffers, bicine and tricine, chosen for their potential to form Maillard-type products with fragmented hemicelluloses/volatiles, were assessed with and without thermal modification for two wood species (spruce and beech), with subsequent evaluation of their effect against subterranean termites (Reticulitermes grassei Clément) and their symbiotic protists. The effect of the wood treatments on termites and their symbionts was visible after four weeks, especially for spruce treated with tricine and bicine and heat treatment (bicine HT), and for beech treated with bicine and bicine and heat treatment (bicine HT). The chemical behaviour of these substances should be further investigated when in contact with wood and also after heat treatment. This is the first study evaluating the effect of potential Maillard reactions with zwitterionic buffers on subterranean termite symbiotic fauna.

Uncontrolled wildfires have a substantial impact on the environment, the economy and local populations. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), between 2000 and 2013 wildfires burned up to 740 000 ha of land annually in the south of Europe, Portugal being the country with the highest percentage of burned area per square kilometre. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the impacts of the wildfire-related pollutants on the mortality of the country's population. All wildfires occurring during the fire season (June–July–August–September) from 2001 and 2016 were identified, and those with a burned area above 1000 ha (large fires) were considered for the study. During the studied period (2001–2016), more than 2 million ha of forest (929 766 ha from June to September alone) were burned in mainland Portugal. Although large fires only represent less than 1 % of the number of total fires, in terms of burned area their contribution is 46 % (53 % from June to September). To assess the spatial impact of the wildfires, burned areas in each region of Portugal were correlated with PM10 concentrations measured at nearby background air quality monitoring stations. Associations between PM10 and all-cause (excluding injuries, poisoning and external causes) and cause-specific mortality (circulatory and respiratory) were studied for the affected populations using Poisson regression models. A significant positive correlation between burned area and PM10 was found in some regions of Portugal, as well as a significant association between PM10 concentrations and mortality, these being apparently related to large wildfires in some of the regions. The north, centre and inland of Portugal are the most affected areas. The high temperatures and long episodes of drought expected in the future will increase the probabilities of extreme events and therefore the occurrence of wildfires.

The mechanisms that enable preservation of gut mucosal integrity during persistent viral replication and inherent inflammation remain unclear. Here, we investigated, for the first time, gut homeostasis in HIV-2 infection, a naturally occurring form of attenuated HIV disease. We found viral replication in both sigmoid and ileum of asymptomatic HIV-2+ patients (range: 240-851 circulating CD4+T-cells per μl) despite their undetectable viremia, accompanied by interferon-γ-producing CD8 T-cell expansion, irrespective of antiretroviral treatment. Nevertheless, there was no CD4 T-cell depletion, and Foxp3+ and IL-17- or IL-22-producing CD4 T-cell numbers were unaffected. Moreover, IL-22-producing innate lymphoid cells and IL-22-induced antimicrobial peptides and mucins were maintained. In agreement, the epithelium histology was preserved, including tight junction protein zonula occludens (ZO-1) levels. Furthermore, in vitro infection of colon epithelia with primary isolates revealed no HIV-2 impact on ZO-1 expression. Notably, sigmoid transcriptional levels of CCL20 and CCL28 were significantly increased, in direct correlation with GM-CSF, indicating a local response able to enhance CD4 T-cell recruitment. In conclusion, maintenance of mucosal integrity in HIV-2 infection was associated with T-cell recruitment responses, potentially counteracting CD4 T-cell depletion due to HIV-2 replication. These data have unique implications for the design of therapies targeting gut homeostasis in HIV-1 infection and other chronic inflammatory settings.

The dependence of modern societies upon critical raw materials (nearly all metals) is overwhelming. Some believe that demand is growing faster than offer, not only because of geological availability but also for political and economic reasons. For these reasons it is imperative to consider new sources for raw materials.The seafloor stands as a likely candidate. We must create readiness now to be prepared when the need comes. One of the greatest fears is the environmental cost involved in mining the deep seafloor. However, the mining industry no longer deserves its partially not favorable reputation. We need both the resources and the environment. And nIMBY (not In My Back Yard) will not help.

Swine production has been associated with health risks and workers' symptoms. In Portugal, as in other countries, large-scale swine production involves several activities in the swine environment that require direct intervention, increasing workers' exposure to organic dust. This study describes an updated protocol for the assessment of occupational exposure to organic dust, to unveil an accurate scenario regarding occupational and environmental risks for workers' health. The particle size distribution was characterized regarding mass concentration in five different size ranges (PM0.5, PM1, PM2.5, PM5, PM10). Bioburden was assessed, by both active and passive sampling methods, in air, on surfaces, floor covering and feed samples, and analyzed through culture based-methods and qPCR. Smaller size range particles exhibited the highest counts, with indoor particles showing higher particle counts and mass concentration than outdoor particles. The limit values suggested for total bacteria load were surpassed in 35.7% (10 out of 28) of samples and for fungi in 65.5% (19 out of 29) of samples. Among Aspergillus genera, section Circumdati was the most prevalent (55%) on malt extract agar (MEA) and Versicolores the most identified (50%) on dichloran glycerol (DG18). The results document a wide characterization of occupational exposure to organic dust on swine farms, being useful for policies and stakeholders to act to improve workers' safety. The methods of sampling and analysis employed were the most suitable considering the purpose of the study and should be adopted as a protocol to be followed in future exposure assessments in this occupational environment.

Santa Maria Island constitutes the oldest volcanic island within the Azores Archipelago, with no onshore record of eruptions younger than ≈2.8 Ma. A recent high-resolution multibeam bathymetric survey, however, revealed the presence of a seemingly young submerged wide volcanic edifice at approximately −70/−80 m, on the northeastern sector of the island shelf. The outer flanks of this volcanic edifice are partially eroded by marine erosion, but its general morphology is largely preserved, attesting to its relative youth. The edifice's aspect ratio and crater size are typical of a tuff ring formed by very violent surtseyan to taalian eruptions (with water/magma interaction ratios close to 1), implying extrusion at sea level or in very shallow waters, conditions that are incompatible with the present-day water depth at which this structure occurs. A detailed geomorphological analysis – coupled with a correlation with a modified reference eustatic curve – allowed the formulation and discussion of a formation model for the tuff ring, which involves extrusion during a period immediately preceding a rapid relative sea-level drop, most likely at ≈43 ka. Extrusion during such a period would have allowed for the subaerial consolidation and palagonitization of the tuff ring, increasing its resistance to erosion, before being finally submerged during the Last Glacial Termination. Submersion during the Last Glacial Termination – a period characterised by extremely fast sea-level rise – also helps to explain why this tuff ring was submerged without being completely razed by marine erosion. Our study offers insights on the formation and preservation of tuff rings in coastal environments, and in relation to sea-level oscillations, suggesting that consolidation plays a crucial role in the process. Crucially, our study suggests that Santa Maria's volcanism might have extended well into the very late Pleistocene, raising important hazard implications. Future work is scheduled to confirm this hypothesis, including sampling of the volcanic products by dredging and/or by remote operated vehicle. Our study also emphasises the importance of available high-resolution bathymetric surveys to the formulation of solid volcanic hazard assessments on volcanic islands.

Objective: It is unclear whether blockade of the angiotensin system has effects on mental health. Our objective was to determine the impact of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockers on mental health domain of quality of life. Study design: Meta-analysis of published literature. Data sources: PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov databases. The last search was conducted in January 2017. Study selection: Randomized controlled trials comparing any angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or AT1R blocker versus placebo or non-angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or non-AT1R blocker were selected. Study participants were adults without any major physical symptoms. We adhered to meta-analysis reporting methods as per PRISMA and the Cochrane Collaboration. Data synthesis: Eleven studies were included in the analysis. When compared with placebo or other antihypertensive medications, AT1R blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors were associated with improved overall quality of life (standard mean difference = 0.11, 95% confidence interval = [0.08, 0.14], p < 0.0001), positive wellbeing (standard mean difference = 0.11, 95% confidence interval = [0.05, 0.17], p < 0.0001), mental (standard mean difference = 0.15, 95% confidence interval = [0.06, 0.25], p < 0.0001), and anxiety (standard mean difference = 0.08, 95% confidence interval = [0.01, 0.16], p < 0.0001) domains of QoL. No significant difference was found for the depression domain (standard mean difference = 0.05, 95% confidence interval = [0.02, 0.12], p = 0.15). Conclusions: Use of angiotensin blockers and inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension in otherwise healthy adults is associated with improved mental health domains of quality of life. Mental health quality of life was a secondary outcome in the included studies. Research specifically designed to analyse the usefulness of drugs that block the angiotensin system is necessary to properly evaluate this novel psychiatric target.

O ponto de partida deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um projecto de índole artística com alunos do 8º ano do Ensino Básico, no âmbito da disciplina de Oficina de Expressão Plástica. O projecto decorreu em vinte e uma sessões semanais de noventa minutos, dezanove em sala de aula e duas sessões de visitas guiadas num museu e numa oficina de cerâmica em horário extra-escolar. Teve como objectivo a criação de maquetas para esculturas a implantar no exterior da escola. Os alunos envolvidos no projecto foram adolescentes com idades compreendidas entre os 12 e os 16 anos, considerados pelos professores como “alunos desmotivados” e com “baixa auto-estima”. No sentido de criar uma maior envolvência, autonomia e vontade de saber dos alunos, foi implementada uma estratégia didáctica centrada na exploração da Identidade e da Alteridade. A propósito do trabalho desenvolvido, procurou-se verificar de que forma é que explorar a Identidade como estratégia de ensino em Expressão Plástica pode promover o reconhecimento da importância do Outro na construção de aprendizagens e o envolvimento dos adolescentes na procura do conhecimento, potenciando o sucesso escolar.

Macaronesia is a complex oceanic region spanning three tectonic plates in the northeast Atlantic ocean. It is composed of four archipelagos, widely distributed and limited to the east by the Iberian Peninsula and north-western coast of Africa. This study aims to clarify recent Macaronesian kinematics from 19 GNSS stations located on the four archipelagos and the Iberian and African coastlines. The analysis is based on nearly 15 years of common data acquisition and aimed to detect new effects of intraplate tectonics or similar local/regional events consistent with calculated ground displacements. Evaluating the GNSS stations residual velocities relative to those expected from the NNR-MORVEL56 model, higher residuals were found at continental coastal stations (Africa) than at oceanic ones (Canaries and Madeira). From the computed strain rate map, the possible existence of a shear zone connecting the Gloria and Transmoroccan fault systems, already mentioned by other authors, was depicted. Cluster statistical analysis of the horizontal residual velocities helped to identify tectonic boundaries in Macaronesia and four groups of analogous intraplate residual velocities within this region. Three of four groups were identified in the Azores, highlighting the African-Nubian-Eurasian diffuse plate boundary in this region. Furthermore, in the Canary Islands, two distinct kinematic behaviours were detected, possibly due to the activity along a previously detected tectonic fault between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where some stations have similar intraplate residuals to those at Madeira and Cape Verde stations, while others have similar intraplate residuals to those of continental stations. Finally, all stations on oceanic crust, except Cape Verde, present recent ground subsidence which may be attributed to isostatic adjustment.

In the Central Atlantic archipelagos – the Canaries, Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores – tsunami hazard is often regarded as low, when compared with other extreme wave events such as hurricanes and storms. The geological record of many of these islands, however, suggests that tsunami hazard may be underestimated, notwithstanding being lower than in areas adjacent to subduction zones, such as the margins of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Moreover, tsunamis in oceanic islands are generally triggered by local large-scale volcanic flank collapses, for which little is known about their frequency, making it difficult to estimate the probability of a new occurrence. Part of the problem lies in the fact that tsunami deposits are usually difficult to date, and few islands in the world exhibit evidence for repeated tsunami inundation on a protracted timescale. This study reports on the presence of abundant tsunami deposits (conglomerates and sandstones) on Maio Island (Cape Verde) and discusses their stratigraphy, sedimentological characteristics, probable age and tsunamigenic source. Observations indicate that four distinct inundation events of variable magnitude took place during the Pleistocene. One of the tsunami deposits yielded a high-confidence U/Th age of 78.8 +- 0.9 ka, which overlaps within error with the 73 +- 7 ka age proposed for Fogo volcano’s flank collapse, an event known to have had a significant tsunami impact on nearby Santiago Island. This shows that the Fogo tsunami also impacted Maio, resulting in runups in excess of 60 m above coeval sea-level at ca 120 km from the source. Two older deposits, possibly linked to recurrent flank collapses of the Tope de Coroa volcano in Santo Antão Island, yielded lower-confidence ages of 479 to 390 ka and 360 to 304 ka. A younger deposit (<78 ka) remains undated. In summary, the geological record of Maio exhibits well-preserved evidence of repeated tsunami inundation, reinforcing the notion that tsunami hazard is not so low at volcanic archipelagos featuring prominent and highly-active volcanoes such as in Cape Verde.

Males of several fish species aggregate and vocalize together, increasing the detection range of the sounds and their chances of mating. In the Lusitanian toadfish (Halobatrachus didactylus), breeding males build nests under rocks in close proximity and produce hundreds of boatwhistles (BW) an hour to attract females to lay their demersal eggs on their nest. Chorusing behaviour includes fine-scale interactions between individuals, a behavioural dynamic worth investigating in this highly vocal fish. Here we present a study to further investigate this species' vocal temporal patterns on a fine (individual rhythms and male-male interactions) and large (chorus daily patterns) scales. Several datasets recorded in the Tagus estuary were labelled with the support of an automatic recognition system based on hidden Markov models. Fine-scale vocal temporal patterns exhibit high variability between and within individuals, varying from an almost isochronous to an apparent aperiodic pattern. When in a chorus, males exhibited alternation or synchrony calling patterns, possibly depending on motivation and social context (mating or male-male competition). When engaged in sustained calling, males usually alternated vocalizations with their close neighbours thus avoiding superposition of calls. Synchrony was observed mostly in fish with lower mean calling rate. Interaction patterns were less obvious in more distanced males. Daily choruses showed periods with several active calling males and periods of low activity with no significant diel patterns in shallower intertidal waters. Here, chorusing activity was mainly affected by tide level. In contrast, at a deeper location, tide level did not significantly influence calling and there was a higher calling rate at night. These data show that photoperiod and tide levels can influence broad patterns of Lusitanian toadfish calling activity as in other shallow-water fishes, but fine temporal patterns in acoustic interactions among nesting males is more complex than previously known for fishes.

Stemming from a pervasive lack of knowledge on biodiversity, important areas for conservation are typically identified using a subset of well known species, commonly termed surrogate or indicator groups. Birds have been commonly used as biodiversity surrogates due to the good level of knowledge on their taxonomy, ecology and distribution. Raptors in particular have been often proposed as an effective surrogate for other biodiversity based on their dietary diversity, being at the top of the food chain, their preference for highly productive areas, their generally threatened status and high public appeal. However, so far the surrogacy effectiveness of raptors has been largely studied locally or using a narrow selection of surrogate and surrogated taxa. Here we use a spatial conservation planning tool to quantify the surrogacy performance of raptors, overall and by different raptor groups (hawks and eagles, falcons, vultures, owls) to represent important biodiversity areas (such as IUCN protected areas and key biodiversity areas), wilderness areas and the worlds ecoregions. We compared the above surrogacy performance with that of all other non-raptor avian species. We show that raptors perform marginally worse than all other avian species in representing important biodiversity areas and ecoregions. However, raptors representation for wilderness areas was similar or slightly better compared to that of using all non-raptor birds. We also report a large variation in the representation performance by the four raptor groups. Falcons had a particularly high potential in representing protected areas and wilderness areas, equaling or largely surpassing the representation potential provided by all raptors and all other non-raptor birds. Overall, the results suggest that raptors, and particularly falcons, can perform relatively well in representing some important areas for conservation, such as protected areas and wilderness areas, but are relatively poor surrogates for key biodiversity areas and ecoregions. These rather contrasting results call for caution on the use of raptors as global surrogates of wider biodiversity.

Large body size, the defining characteristic of “charismatic megafauna,” is often viewed as the most significant correlate of higher public interest in species. However, common, local species (many of which are not large) can also generate public interest. We explored the relative importance of body size versus local occurrence in patterns of online interest in birds using a large sample of digital human-wildlife interactions (367 million Wikipedia pageviews) that included more than 10,000 bird species and a range of cultural and geographic contexts (represented by 25 Wikipedia language editions). We compared interest in Wikipedia, as measured by pageviews, with a bird's body size and its regional observation frequency (using data from eBird.org). We found that local species (i.e., those that occur in the wild in the country responsible for the majority of a Wikipedia language edition's pageviews) attract more pageviews than global species. Both body size and observation frequency had a positive correlation with Wikipedia pageviews across languages, but eBird observation frequency explained more of the variance in pageviews on average. In a model that included both observation frequency and body size, observation frequency was a significantly better predictor of pageviews than body size in 24 of 25 languages. Our results demonstrate that the opportunity to encounter birds in the wild is a significant correlate of increased online interest in birds across multiple linguistic and geographic contexts. This relationship provides insight into why some species attract greater interest than others and emphasizes the overlooked potential of common species in conservation marketing.

In Faial Island (Azores Archipelago, North Atlantic Ocean), charcoalified and mummified wood fossils have been reported within late Holocene (Meghalayan) pyroclastic deposits from the Caldeira Formation. Due to their recent age, a detailed study conveys a snapshot into Azorean palaeophytodiversity and palaeovegetation, ca. 7–5 centuries before the arrival of Portuguese settlers to the Azores Islands. Here we provide the first detailed anatomical and taxonomical study of these wood fossils. In total, 41 samples were collected from seven localities, mainly from a ~1200 yr BP ignimbrite. Field work revealed autochthonous and paraautochthonous assemblages, with tree trunks in upright position. The anatomical study of the fossil woods resulted in the identification of Juniperus brevifolia, Laurus azorica, Myrsine retusa, Morella faya, Picconia azorica, Prunus lusitanica subsp. azorica, and Vaccinium cylindraceum. Two fossil assemblages are comparable to the proposed potential natural vegetation (PNV) for the Azores. Surprisingly, P. lusitanica subsp. azorica was the second most abundant fossil wood suggesting that this tree was more abundant in a recent past in Faial Island and probably in the archipelago. This is corroborated by historical accounts, and its modern scarcity was certainly anthropically driven. Identifying Holocene plant macrofossils is essential to properly reconstruct oceanic islands terrestrial palaeoecosystems, especially where forests with high percentage of entomophilous taxa are underrepresented in palaeopalynological limnic record. Further work is necessary to reconstruct Faial Island and Azores archipelago palaeovegetation which is essential to provide an ecosystem base-line for restoration and management.

Verifica-se presentemente um aumento acelerado da procura e consumo de recursos metálicos, muitos deles críticos, incluindo terras raras, cobalto, níquel, tungsténio, molibdénio, cobre, titânio, nióbio, platinídeos, índio, gálio, telúrio e muitos outros. A sociedade em geral mal se apercebe deste facto, alimentado pelo crescimento da população e sobretudo pelo aumento generalizado do poder de compra, e o concomitante crescimento do consumo de bens de alta tecnologia. A chamada economia circular terá de continuar a ser alimentada por mineração. A situação é particularmente grave para a UE, pois nela produzem-se apenas 5% dos recursos minerais utilizados pela indústria dessa mesma UE. Por este motivo, aumentou muito a procura de novas fontes de matérias-primas minerais, nomeadamente alvos a grande profundidade nos continentes, o Árctico, e os fundos marinhos, destacando-se estes últimos, onde são já conhecidas vastas quantidades de recursos. Mais que partir apressadamente para mineração sub-oceânia profunda em larga escala, precisamos de prontidão, o que implica, entre outras condicionantes, conhecer melhor o ecossistema. À ciência compete indicar o caminho, à indústria adoptar as descobertas científicas, à governança criar o quadro legal, e fazê-lo cumprir. A primeira regra terá de ser sempre “as operações ilegais ou não reguladas têm de ser encerradas”. Urge criar “mineração azul”, que respeite o ecossistema, da mesma forma que necessitamos de pescas e agricultura sustentáveis. Há bons exemplos a seguir, com relevo para o da Noruega. Sem prejuízo da necessária mudança de mentalidades (com menos consumismo), não queremos escolher entre indústria e ambiente, queremos ambos.

The rare earth elements (REE), comprising 15 elements of the lanthanum series (La-Lu) together with yttrium (Y) and scandium (Sc), have become of particular interest because of their use, for example, in modern communications, renewable energy generation, and the electrification of transport. However, the security of supply of REE is considered to be at risk due to the limited number of sources, with dependence largely on one supplier that produced approximately 63% of all REE in 2019. As a result, there is a growing need to diversify supply. This has resulted in the drive to seek new resources elsewhere, and particularly on the deep-ocean floor. Here, we give a summary of REE distribution in minerals, versatile applications, and an update of their economic value. We present the most typical onshore methods for the determination of REE and examine methods for their offshore exploration in near real time. The motivation for this comes from recent studies over the past decade that showed ΣREE concentrations as high as 22,000 ppm in ocean-floor sediments in the Pacific Ocean. The ocean-floor sediments are evaluated in terms of their potential as resources of REE, while the likely economic cost and environmental impacts of deep-sea mining these are also considered.

An annotated checklist of the species and subspecies of rose chafers (Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) hitherto known from Guinea-Bissau is given. This list includes historical and published species records, but also novel information from several entomological expeditions/missions to that country carried by the author (1983, 1992, 1995, 2006 and 2009). A total of 49 species and 3 subspecies are recorded for Guinea-Bissau. Endemic taxa are unknown for the country and some native species were recorded based on a single specimen only (some without precise locality data). Five genera and thirteen species are reported for the first time from Guinea-Bissau in this study. A historical review, as well as some considerations on the distribution and conservation status of these beetles in Guinea-Bissau is also presented.

Although haplodiploidy is widespread in nature, the evolutionary consequences of this mode of reproduction are not well characterized. Here, we examine how genome-wide hemizygosity and a lack of recombination in haploid males affects genomic differentiation in populations that diverge via natural selection while experiencing gene flow. First, we simulated diploid and haplodiploid “genomes” (500-kb loci) evolving under an isolation-with-migration model with mutation, drift, selection, migration, and recombination; and examined differentiation at neutral sites both tightly and loosely linked to a divergently selected site. So long as there is divergent selection and migration, sex-limited hemizygosity and recombination cause elevated differentiation (i.e., produce a “faster-haplodiploid effect”) in haplodiploid populations relative to otherwise equivalent diploid populations, for both recessive and codominant mutations. Second, we used genome-wide SNP data to model divergence history and describe patterns of genomic differentiation between sympatric populations of Neodiprion lecontei and N. pinetum, a pair of pine sawfly species (order: Hymenoptera; family: Diprionidae) that are specialized on different pine hosts. These analyses support a history of continuous gene exchange throughout divergence and reveal a pattern of heterogeneous genomic differentiation that is consistent with divergent selection on many unlinked loci. Third, using simulations of haplodiploid and diploid populations evolving according to the estimated divergence history of N. lecontei and N. pinetum, we found that divergent selection would lead to higher differentiation in haplodiploids. Based on these results, we hypothesize that haplodiploids undergo divergence-with-gene-flow and sympatric speciation more readily than diploids.