The ibex Capra pyrenaica has recently recolonized its former Portuguese range from a contiguous Spanish protected area. The first observations of ibex in Portugal were in Peneda-Gerês National Park in 1998. In 2001 we began a survey to confirm ibex presence in Portuguese territory, and to determine the current status of the species there. There are three ibex nuclei in the general area of the international border, and they are expanding their geographical range with two of the nuclei almost restricted to Portuguese territory. In 2003 the ibex population consisted of a minimum of 75 individuals. Different founder histories have led to distinct age structures in each nucleus, but in general they exhibit the population dynamics typical of a recently reintroduced population with high reproductive potential. Priority conservation actions for this newly established population need to include increased monitoring, and reinforcement of the population with individuals from elsewhere. Effective conservation will require collaboration between staff of both Portuguese and Spanish protected areas and an integrated Spanish-Portuguese conservation plan.

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Abstract:We carried out a pilot study about the influence of the domestic goat Capra hircus on the feeding ecology of the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica in the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PGNP, Portugal). We mapped the grazing areas of domestic goat flocks and determined their stocking rates in two mountains of PGNP, Gerês and Amarela, and we investigated the diets of both ungulates using fecal microhistology in an area where they partially overlapped during spring and summer. Diet composition, ligneous diversity, and ligneous trophic niche were compared seasonally. Although differences in ligneous components were observed, results revealed a considerable diet overlap mainly due to graminoids consumption, especially during autumn and spring. This suggests that direct or indirect foraging competition between the goat species should not be discarded if they spatially concur. Results also emphasized distinct summer feeding strategies of C. pyrenaica in the area, and the influence of cattle (Bos taurus) and horses (Equus caballus) were hypothesized. We recommend removing feral goats from the mountain environment and monitoring grazing areas of domestic flocks. Estimates of ecological carrying capacity and future diet studies should include cattle, horses, and improvement of herb identification.

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Relative bioavailability of cisapride was investigated after oral administration of a test versus a reference formulation of immediate release tablets of cisapride, both with 10 mg per unit. The study was conducted in a two-way cross-over design, as a single dose open-label randomised trial. The two formulations were administered in two treatment days , separated by a washout period of 6 days, in fasted subjects who received one single oral dose of 20 mg of one study medication of cisapride as two 10 mg tablets. Multiple samples were collected over 24 h post-dosing. Plasma samples were assayed for cisapride using a selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection. The pharmacokinetic parameter values (mean+/-RSD%) of cisapride as the test formulation were: AUC0-infinity=329+/-20.9 ng.h/ml, Cmax=52.8+/-22.6 ng/ml, tmax=1.26+/-22.0 h and t1/2=4.08+/-15 h. Following administration of the reference formulation the values obtained for the same parameters were: AUC0-infinity=317+/-19.2 ng.h/ml, Cmax=49.2+/-21.3 ng/ml, tmax=1.38+/-30.1 h and t1/2=4.52+/-24.8 h. These results show that the two cisapride formulations can be considered as bioequivalent, with respect to the above mentioned parameters.

This study intended to know Iberian wild goat Capra pyrenaica Schinz, 1838 feeding strategy in two proximate mountains it recently recolonized, Gerês and Amarela (Peneda-Gerês National Park, PGNP, Portugal). For that purpose we studied species dietary composition using faecal diet microhistological determinations and also its diet selection. Albeit wild goat exhibited an intermediate browse - graze behaviour in the two areas, grazing was more pronounced in Gerês while browsing in Amarela. Both areas presented a dietary shift in spring consisting in an increase on the consumption and preference for graminoids. This feeding strategy extended through summer only in Amarela. Results obtained are congruent with wild goat generalist feeding behaviour in other regions of the Iberian Peninsula and suggest that species feeding strategy in PGNP respond to spatial patterns of resources, specifically of graminoids, and to livestock stocking rates and management.