Similar local and landscape processes affect both a common and a rare newt species.

Although rare species are often the focus of conservation measures, more common species may experience similar decline and suffer from the same threatening processes. We tested this hypothesis by examining, through an information-theoretic approach, the importance of ecological processes at multiple scales in the great crested newt Triturus cristatus, regionally endangered and protected in Europe, and the more common smooth newt, Lissotriton vulgaris. Both species were similarly affected by the same processes, i.e. suitability of aquatic and terrestrial components of their habitat at different scales, connectivity among breeding sites, and the presence of introduced fish. T. cristatus depended more on water depth and aquatic vegetation than L. vulgaris. The results show that environmental pressures threaten both common and rare species, and therefore the more widespread species should not be neglected in conservation programs. Because environmental trends are leading to a deterioration of aquatic and terrestrial habitat features required by newt populations, populations of the common species may follow the fate of the rarest species. This could have substantial conservation implications because of the numerical importance of common species in ecosystems and because commonness could be a transient state moving towards rarity. On the other hand, in agreement with the umbrella species concept, targeting conservation efforts on the most demanding species would also protect part of the populations of the most common species.

3-years experience review of neonatal screening for hemoglobin disorders using tandem mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal screening programs for sickle cell disease are common in North America and in some European countries. Isoelectric Focusing or High Performance Liquid Chromatography is the main technique used for hemoglobin variant detection. METHODS: Since tandem mass spectrometry is being used for screening of inherited metabolic disorders and allows protein identification, we had developed an application to identify the most relevant hemoglobin mutations with this technology. RESULTS: This approach had been previously validated and has been routinely applied in our laboratory for the last three years. We report here our experience with this new method in the field, applied to our East-Belgian population. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, mass spectrometry provides an efficient alternative approach for laboratories performing neonatal screening of hemoglobin disorders.