bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tasa relativa de crecimiento en plántulas de dos poblaciones de Magnolia pugana (Magnoliaceae) en distintos niveles de luz y fertilidad del suelo
Authors: García Castro Karla Denisse , Romo-Campos Rosa de Lourdes , Pereira César Jacobo , Gómez-Rubio Raúl
Published: October 2018

Relative growth rate in Magnolia pugana (Magnoliaceae) seedlings from two populations at different light levels and soil fertility. The study of ecophysiology of endangered species is key to the success of conservation and ecological restoration programs. The objective of this work was to know the effect of light, soil fertility and seed origin on the growth of Magnolia pugana seedlings. The relative growth rate (RGR) and its components (Net Assimilation Rate: NAR and Leaf Area Ratio: LAR), as well as the root-shoot ratio (R/S) were estimated. Seedlings were obtained from seeds collected in two localities in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, the first is a wild population in San Nicolás (SN) and the second is a plantation located in the gardens of the Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias (CUCBA). The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions. In September 2015, 96 seedlings of approximately three months old were subjected to the following treatments in a factorial experiment (2x2x2): light level (high = 1 120 μmol m-2 s-1 and low = 136.3 μmol m-2 s-1), seedling origin (SN and CUCBA) and soil fertility (high fertility = SN soil, low fertility = CUCBA soil) with 12 replicates for each combination of factors and levels. Growth was estimated in two harvests: the first harvest after 30 days of starting the experiment and the second at 60 days. Light and soil fertility levels, as well as seedling origin influenced growth through physiological and morphological adjustments. In general, Magnolia pugana showed higher RGR and NAR in high light, while LAR decreased. Soil fertility and seedling origin did not affect RGR or its components. However, these were affected by the light level, seedlings from SN grew more in high light. Stem height varied due to soil fertility and seedling origin, in low fertility soil (CUCBA) the seedlings of SN were 35 % higher than those of CUCBA. Low fertility soil under high light caused greater investment in seedling root biomass. The physiological component (NAR) was the major determinant of intraspecific variation in RGR. SN seedlings showed greater phenotypic plasticity due to coming from a wild population, which possibly has higher genetic variation than the cultivated population from CUCBA. The results suggest that Magnolia pugana is a species capable of adapting to diverse environments due to its phenotypic plasticity in response to different light and soil fertility levels. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 622-633. Epub 2018 June 01.
Diversidad y patrones de actividad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en la Reserva de la Biosfera La Encrucijada, Chiapas, México
Authors: Hernández Hernández Julio C. , Chávez Cuauhtémoc , List Rurik
Published: October 2018

Diversity and activity patterns of medium and large mammals in La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico. In Mexico, wetlands occupy an important portion of the country, among them, mangroves are particularly diverse. La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve (ENBIRE) is a coastal ecosystem of mangrove located along the Pacific Coastal Plain in the Southwestern portion of Chiapas state. The ENBIRE mangroves are among the most important of the American Pacific Coast, highlighting the role they play in the maintenance of the community of mammals on the coast of the state. There are few studies in Mexico related to the mammals associated with these ecosystems, our aim was to estimate the diversity and activity patterns of medium and large mammals in the ENBIRE. Sampling was conducted from August 2015 to August 2016 using camera traps. We obteined 1 851 independent photographs records, with a total sampling effort of 5 400 trap-days. Nineteen species of mammals were registered belonging to 15 families and seven orders, and five species were new records to the area. Six species present are listed, two as endangered and four as threatened. Interpolation and extrapolation analyzes showed an asymptotic trend in the curves for the rainy and dry seasons. The coverage of the sample for both seasons was 99.9 % and 99.8 %, respectively, indicating that both cases were a representative sample. According to the relative abundance index obtained, the most abundant species were Procyon lotor (IAR = 4.35), Nasua narica (IAR = 3.91), Philander opossum (IAR = 2.04), Cuniculus paca (IAR = 1.89), Didelphis marsupialis (IAR = 1.67) and Dasypus novemcinctus (IAR = 1.02). In terms of patterns of activity C. paca, P. opossum, D. marsupialis and D. novemcinctus were primarily nocturnal; P. lotor showed a tendency towards nocturnal habits but was also recorded during the day; N. narica was mainly diurnal. This information can be useful to the creation of management programs and the conservation of medium and large mammals in the ENBIRE, especially for species at risk. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 634-646. Epub 2018 June 01.
Interstitial annelids from the Caribbean Coast of Colombia
Authors: Lagos Ana Milena , Leon M. Victoria , Quiroga Sigmer Y. , Martínez Alejandro
Published: October 2018

A total of 298 species of polychaetes have been recorded from Colombia. However, only the family Protodrilidae has been reported from the marine interstitial realm. We here aim at identifying the interstitial annelids inhabiting the sandy beaches in Santa Marta region to the most accurate taxonomic level based on light microscopy examinations. Our samples, collected from the intertidal zone at three touristic beaches in the department of Magdalena (Santa Marta Bay, Rodadero Bay, and Taganga Bay), yielded a total of 83 specimens, which we assigned to five families, ten genera and nine species. From those, two families, eight genera, and the species Hesionides gohari, Neogyptis mediterranea, Neopetitia amphophthalma, Westheidesyllis gesae, and Syllis beneliahuae represent new records for the Colombian fauna. This survey should be considered as a first step towards a complete knowledge of the Colombian diversity of interstitial annelids, and our results significantly contribute to fill the gap of our current knowledge, suggesting a high diversity of species comparable to this in better-known areas of the Caribbean and the Atlantic coasts of Brazil. A brief diagnosis, comments on distribution and ecology, and remarks are provided for each record, in order to facilitate the re-identification of the species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 658-673. Epub 2018 June 01.
Cercas vivas en sistemas de producción tropicales: una revisión mundial de los usos y percepciones
Authors: Morantes-Toloza Javier Leonardo , Renjifo Luis Miguel
Published: October 2018

Live fences in tropical production systems: a global review of uses and perceptions. The expansion of agricultural and livestock production has been a key factor in deforestation in the world and especially in the tropical region. Currently, more than half of the Earth’s surface is used for the establishment of production systems; in this context, live fences can generate positive effects on the environment and provide environmental goods and services. In this work, we reviewed the effects of live fences on production systems from the tropical regions of America, Africa, Asia and Australia, analyzing the uses and perceptions of farmers that have made use of these fences. It was found that live fences were mainly related to the delimitation of farms and pastures. However, their uses and benefits are manifold, among which we found: provide forage, wood extraction, fruit supply, windbreaks, medicinal, to avoid soil erosion, moisture retention and nutritional support. In addition, other positive perceptions were: increasing landscape connectivity, increasing economic incomes, reducing production costs, reducing pressure on remaining vegetation, keeping maintenance costs down, contributing to pest control, and improving fertility. However, negative perceptions included the excessive work in repairing or pruning them, shade negative impact on agricultural production, lack of information discourages establishment, high establishment costs, generation of property conflicts and management difficulty. It was found that the uses by farmers are focused on improving the yields of productive systems, but also on the conservation of natural resources especially soil and biodiversity. We proposed research topics for the future, as determining the criteria in the selection of native species to establish and enrich living fences valuing ecological and socioeconomic aspects; in additionally, we must deepen the benefits they produce on the yields of productive systems. We suggest the development of live fences studies in the tropical region of Australasia, because no data was found for this region, in order to know the biodiversity and services status that they provide to the rural communities. As a conclusion, it will be important to generate initiatives that encourage the formulation of rural policies, the creation of programs that encourage the establishment of live fences, whether through payments for environmental services, tax compensation or other mechanisms. Providing adequate information to farmers and livestock farmers is a key aspect on dynamizing the establishment of live fences. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 739-753. Epub 2018 June 01.
Micropropagation of Baccharis antioquensis (Asteraceae) and photoinduction of polyphenols by UV radiation
Authors: Naranjo-Gómez Esther J. , Puertas-Mejía Miguel A. , Mejía-Giraldo Juan C. , Amaya-Nieto Anggy Z. , Atehortúa Lucia
Published: October 2018

Polyphenols are a large diversity of chemical types and interactions that can be responsible for a multiplicity of protective functions ranging from toxicity and light/UV shielding to signal transduction. Bacharis antioquensis has been described as a potential source of new photoprotective compounds with antioxidant capacity associated to polyphenols compounds. The aim of the present work was to develop a micropropagation protocol of B. antioquensis and evaluate the production of polyphenols by in vitro plants exposure to UVB radiation. Branches in juvenile stage of B. antioquensis were collected, desinfected and cultured on half strength Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented or not with growth regulators (TDZ, BA or GA3) on light/darkness conditions and liquid/solid media. After UV treatments, the absorption coefficient in the UVA-UVB range, the antioxidant capacity and the total phenol content (TPC) from all tissue cultures and the wild tissue were evaluated. Growth regulators, light conditions and type of culture medium (solid or liquid) had a favorable effect on the response of explants. Treatments containing BA + GA3 regulators (2 and 0.5 mg/L respectively) and TDZ (0.5 mg/L) showed positive results in bud growth in liquid medium and darkness. Results showed that UVR exhibited promoting effects on the accumulation of polyphenols, enhancing the absorption coefficient in the UVA-UVB range, the antiradical capacity and the TPC of B. antioquensis in vitro plants. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 754-764. Epub 2018 June 01.
Historias de vida y demografía de Physalaemus biligonigerus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) en una charca periurbana del centro de Argentina
Authors: Nicolino Ana M. , Bionda Clarisa de L. , Salas Nancy E. , Martino Adolfo L.
Published: October 2018

Demography and life histories of Physalaemus biligonigerus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in a peri-urban pond in central Argentina. Knowledge of population dynamics provides information on the recent history, current status, and future trends of a population. Physalaemus biligonigerus is widely distributed in the Neotropics, this anuran has a high and explosive reproductive activity, but its populations seem to be composed of young individuals. The objective of this study was to analyze the population demography of P. biligonigerus in a semipermanent pond in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina and to carry out a population projection through 30 generations. The age structure was determined from the use of skeletochronology, and a static life table was later made. Fertility and survival rates were calculated for each stage, by which a Leslie Matrix was constructed and the population projection was performed. The projection shows oscillations in the number of individuals but in spite of this, the final tendency of the population is an increase in its size. The highest proportion of survivors occurs in the egg-to-larval stages and the mortality force acts intensively on the larval phase. The net reproductive rate indicates that the population of P. biligonigerus of the study pond is increasing. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 765-775. Epub 2018 June 01.
Densidad poblacional y estructura de talla del pepino de mar Holothuria (Halodeima) grisea (Aspidochirotida: Holothuriidae) en aguas someras del sur del golfo de Morrosquillo, Caribe Colombiano
Authors: Nisperuza Pérez Carlos Andrés , Padilla Cantero Jaminson , Quirós-Rodríguez Jorge A.
Published: October 2018

Density population and size structure of the sea cucumber Holothuria (Halodeima) grisea (Aspidochirotida: Holothuriidae) in shallow waters south of the gulf of Morrosquillo, Colombian Caribbean. Holothuria grisea, despite not being considered a commercial resource has been the subject of illegal extractions in Colombia, a fact that becomes more serious due to the empty of biological information of these organisms. For this reason the density population and size structure of H. grisea were evaluated in three sectors south of the gulf of Morrosquillo from April to November 2015. To this end, three circular transects were located each month in each sampling site covering an area of 300 m2, where individuals were counted and measured in situ. The average density of H. grisea in the study area was 0.4 ind m-2, with the highest values in the La Ahumadera (1.09 ± 0.11 ind m-2) and the lowest values in Banco de Arena (0.02 ± 0.004 ind m-2). The analysis of variance showed a significance in the values of density and size of H. grisea in the studied sectors. The species presented a unimodal distribution of sizes with an average size of 13.5 ± 0.9 cm with a minimum size of 2.5 and a maximum of 30 cm, intermediate sizes generally showed a higher representativeness throughout this study (77.2 %). The biological aspects presented in this paper are of great importance for the conservation of this species and corresponds to an advance in the knowledge of the Holothuroidea class in the Colombian Caribbean. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 776-787. Epub 2018 June 01.
Composición taxonómica y abundancia espacio-temporal de la ictiofauna del Río Presidio, Sinaloa, México
Authors: Sánchez-Gonzáles Sergio , Ruiz-Campos Gorgonio , Herrrera-Flores Alejandro , Lozano-Vilano María de Lourdes , González-Acosta Adrián F. , Inzunza-Beltrán Héctor Manuel
Published: October 2018

Taxonomic composition and spatio-temporal abundance of the ichthyofauna in Presidio River, Sinaloa, Mexico. The Rio Presidio in the southern Sinaloa, Mexico belongs to Nearctic-Neotropical zoogeographical transition zone, where its fish fauna could manifest changes in the abundance and distribution of the species during rainy and dry periods. The main objective of this study was to describe the taxonomic composition and spatial and temporal abundance of the fish fauna from the lower and middle Rio Presidio, by means of bimonthly samplings from April 2008 to February 2009. Forty fish species (39 native and 1 exotic) belonging to 32 genera and 19 families were registered. Two families (Gerreidae and Poeciliidae) contained the highest numbers of species (five and four, respectively). Six species (Lile stolifera, Oreochromis aureus, Awaous banana, Anchoa analis, Gobiomorus maculatus and Atherinella crystallina) in this order of importance contributed with almost 49 % of the total fish abundance. Species richness and salinity showed a direct relationship and an inverse relationship with the altitude. Based on the coefficient of similarity of species among sites two fish assemblages were identified. The first assemblage formed by species from marine derivation (peripheral) occurring in the lower part of the river, and the second assemblage by secondary freshwater species in the middle part. The higher fish species similarity observed in August and September was under the influence of the highest flows of the rainy period. Twenty-seven 27 species showed affinity to the Tropical Eastern Pacific Region, six species to the Neotropical region and two to the Nearctic region (Dorosoma smithi and Ictalurus cf. pricei ); one species has an Amphiatlantic distribution (Mugil curema), another is circumtropical (Mugil cephalus), two species have Amphiamerican distribution (A. monticola and G. cinereus), and one is exotic (O. aureus). Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 848-862. Epub 2018 June 01.
Antimalarial effect of two photo-excitable compounds in a murine model with Plasmodium berghei (Haemosporida: Plasmodiidae)
Authors: Spencer Lilian M. , Peña-Quintero Andreyna , Canudas Nieves , Bujosa Inexis , Urdaneta Neudo
Published: October 2018

Malaria represents a major health problem worldwide, affecting around 198 million people in 2016 according to WHO database. For decades, anti-malarial drug therapy has been used in the battle against this disease and its uncontrolled usage in endemic areas has developed the appearance of the drug resistance. Thus, it has emerged the necessity of finding new treatments that could be used as an alternative cure to malaria infection. The aim of this work was the evaluation of two photo-excitable compounds: Compound 1, which is (2E)-3-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-1-(4-imidazol-1-yl-phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one) and Compound 2, (1E,4E)-1-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-pentadiene-3-one) as possible anti-malaria drugs with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain in BALB/c mice as murine model. Cytotoxicity effect was evaluated by a cell proliferation by colorimetry assay (MTS); and the drug incorporation into the parasite was assessed in vitro with Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) to determine the localization of the drugs into the parasitized red blood cells (RBCs). Finally, the curative effect of compounds no-radiation (fundamental state) and ration drugs were evaluated by oral drug administration of this drugs in BALB/c mice and chloroquine was used as positive control. This curative effect was determined daily by the parasitemia percentage. The results showed that both compounds were cytotoxic in fundamental state. Furthermore, cytotoxic effect was increased after radiation into the Solar Simulator, and compound 2 was more cytotoxic than compound 1. Curative assays showed that both compounds in fundamental state were non effective as anti-malarial drug. However, in the curative assays in the mice treated with compound 2, when this was ration showed a survival rate of 33 % and a parasitemia percentage decrease in compare to compound 1. Although the compounds did not show a similar or better anti-malarial effect than Chloroquine, Compound 2 presented certain anti-malarial effect after solar radiation. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 880-891. Epub 2018 June 01.
Reintroducing plant coverage in a tropical wetland contaminated with oil and sulfate: rhizosphere effects on Desulfovibrio populations
Authors: Trujillo-Narcía Antonio , Rivera-Cruz María del Carmen , Trujillo-Rivera Eduardo Antonio , Roldán Garrigos Antonio
Published: October 2018

The Mexican tropical wetland is a coastal system with capacity to support the contamination derived from the extractive industry and the transformation of crude oil, due to its high plant biodiversity and the presence of rhizospheric reducing sulphate bacteria from plants tolerant to crude oil. A field experiment was carried out for nine months to evaluate the adaptation of aquatic plants Leersia hexandra grass and Eleocharis palustris spikerush reintroduced in a wetland contaminated with 75 560 to 118 789 mg kg-1 of weathered petroleum and also with sulfate, derived from oil and gas pipeline leaks, and gaseous emissions. The effect of the weathered oil and sulfate on the dry matter production and the population density of the bacterium Desulfovibrio spp, isolated from the rhizosphere and soil of both plants, were evaluated. The means of the variables had statistical differences (p< 0.05). Weathered oil inhibited dry matter production of L. hexandra but not E. palustris; the effect of petroleum on Desulfovibrio density was very significant negative in the rhizosphere and in the soil of both plants. Sulfate reduced the dry matter of grass. The exposure of Desulfovibrio to sulfate significantly reduced its density in rhizosphere and soil (p< 0.01). We recommend the use of E. palustris for the decontamination of flooded soils contaminated with weathered oil and sulfate. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 908-917. Epub 2018 June 01.
Ecología trófica y rasgos ecomorfológicos de Triportheus magdalenae (Characiformes: Triportheidae) en el embalse El Guájaro, cuenca baja del río Magdalena, Colombia
Authors: Morales Jenny , García-Alzate Carlos Arturo
Published: October 2018

This study integrated morphological characteristics and trophic ecology of Triportheus magdalenae in the El Guájaro reservoir, Atlántico, lower Magdalena River Basin, Colombia, based on the analysis of stomach contents and ecomorphological attributes. Five samplings were made between September 2014 and February 2016 considering each phase of the flood pulse. The fish were sampled using traditional fishing gear such as nets and trawls. The index of food importance (IAi %) was used to establish the dietary habits of the species, and the variation of the diet at interspecific level, and the vacuity coefficient (CV %) was also calculated. The Levins index standardized by Hurlbert (BA) was used to evaluate the amplitude between sizes, sex and hydrological phases. The oropharyngeal structures and the digestive tract were characterized, which together with morphological measurements, allowed and analyze 11 ecomorphological traits related to the use of habitat, such as position in the water column, and the exploitation of a particular trophic resource. The relationship between the ecomorphological traits and the diet of the species was analyzed by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). We analyzed 89 individuals (34 - 124 mm SL). Triportheus magdalenae was classified as carnivore/zooplanktivore, and has a narrow trophic niche (BA = 0.12). Showed a high exploitation of zooplankton (95.9 % IAi), mostly Cladocera (Ceriodaphnia sp.) and Copepoda (Notodiaptomus sp. and Thermocyclops sp).  The youngest juveniles (34 - 190 mm SL) also consumed allochthonous insects (3.4 % IAi).The ecomorphological traits that contributed the most to this trophic specialization were the relative length of the gillrakers (LRBE) and the number of gillrakers (NBE), which varied significantly from the smaller to the larger ones, with an increase in both number as well as in length as individuals grow, which explains the strongly marked degree of specialization on zooplankton in adults, since they present a greater degree of efficiency in the process of filtering. The vacuity coefficient was high  (54 %), which could be associated with a decrease in the density of zooplankton populations, especially during the time of lower waters strongly influenced by the EL NIÑO event, however the observed diet (22 items food) corresponded to 80 % of the diet estimated (28 estimated food items).
Rizobacterias promotoras de crecimiento en Guarianthe skinneri (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Aguilar Diaz Trinidad , Bertolini Vincenzo , Carrillo Castañeda Guillermo , Guillén Navarro Griselda Karina , García Fajardo Luz Verónica , Castro Chan Ricardo Alberto
Published: October 2018

The Guarianthe skinneri orchid is included in NOM-059-ECOL-2010, Mexico standard as an endangered species. In order to study PGPR (promoting growth plant rhizobacteria) from this orchid, 10 roots were collected from different plants to isolate bacteria associated with the roots, which were analyzed by in vitro tests such as: production of AIA, nitrogen fixation, interaction with the mycorrhizal fungus Thanatephorus sp. strain RG26 and phosphate solubilization. We obtain 71 bacterial isolates, 10 strains of them were characterized by sequencing with the 16d rDNA marker identifying six bacteria: Sphingomonas sp. Sinorhizobium sp. Bacillus sp. Nocardia cerradoensis, Bacillus megaterium and Burkholderia phytofirmans. We observed that the bacterium Sinorhizobium sp. produced a greater amount of AIA (69.189 μg/ml) and Bacillus sp. performed greater acetylene reduction (10.251 nmol cultivo/96h). In the interactions of the bacteria and the fungus RG26, four categories were presented (extremely positive, positive, antagonism 50-50 and inhibition). In relation to the solubilization of phosphate, Burkholderia phytofirmans presented higher IS after 48 and 96 hr with an IS of 3.11 and 3.48, respectively. The results indicate that Bacillus sp. it could have the best characteristics to promote the development of the G. skinneri orchid by inoculating seeds and seedlings.
Mamíferos medianos y grandes asociados al bosque tropical seco del centro de México
Authors: Pérez-Solano Luz Adriana , González Matilde , López-Tello Eva , Mandujano Salvador
Published: October 2018

The tropical dry forest is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, mainly due to deforestation and fragmentation. In Mexico more than half of its surface has disappeared, affecting biodiversity. The objective of this study was to compare the richness, diversity, and relative abundance of medium and large mammals in two sites with different management and conservation status, and where tropical dry forest is present. We also sought to find out which variables of habitat and human influence are related to the presence of the most common species. The study sites were in Pastorias, Actopan, Veracruz and San Juan Bautista Cuicatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico. The first site is highly transformed by anthropogenic activities, while the second is within the protected natural area of the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve (TCBR). In Pastorias 11 camera-traps were set up from september 2015 to september 2016; while in Cuicatlan 10 camera traps were set up from october 2013 to july 2014. The sampling effort was 3526 days/trap which yielded 443 independent records for the first site, and 2690 days/trap that yielded 378 independent records for the second site. In each locality 13 species of mammals were recorded. In particular, three of these species are endangered (Tamandua mexicana, Leopardus wiedii, and Lynx rufus) and two are under threat (Herpailurus yagouaroundi and Galictis vittata). The true diversity of medium and large mammals between communities was different. According to the relative abundance index (RAI) the most abundant species are Odocoileus virginianus, Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Canis latrans. Regression analyses suggest that the variables of season, the cover of secondary vegetation and distance to the nearest human locality are related to the record of these species. Despite the anthropogenic pressure in Pastorias, tropical dry forest remnants still maintain high species richness, which is very similar to that of a site as preserved as Cuicatlan. However, the low RAIs value of several mammals may indicate that habitat quality could not maintain large population numbers. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs to conserve this ecosystem.
Evaluación de alimentos microencapsulados en el cultivo de larvas de pejelagarto (Atractosteus tropicus)
Authors: Saenz de Rodrigáñez Miguel , Aguilar-Tellez Federico Vladymir , Alarcón-López Francisco Javier , Pedrosa-Islas Ruth , Peña-Marín Emyr Saul , Martínez-García Rafael , Guerrero-Zárate Rocío , Matamoros Wilfredo A. , Álvarez-González Carlos Alfonso
Published: October 2018

Four microencapsulated diets were evaluated with respect to the growth and survival of tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus larvae. The treatments consisted of four experimental diets and one control diet 1) fish meal, 2) a combination of pork and poultry meals, 3) Nannochloropsis gaditana meal, 4) enzyme preparation and the control treatment 5) Artemia nauplii. The evaluation indicated that the larvae fed the Artemia nauplii obtained the greatest growth and survival (3.93 cm, 0.19 g y 82 % respectively), which justifies a correct culture system operation. While larvae fed microencapsulated diets best values in survival were observed with diets Nannochloropsis gaditana and enzyme preparation (20.0 and 19.2 %). Our results showed that microencapsulated could be used to feed A. tropicus in feasibly form. However, more information concerning to optimize the design and manufacturing are required to improve the growth and survival of organisms.
Morfogénesis de la fase sexual de los helechos epífitos Microgramma mortoniana y Pleopeltis macrocarpa (Polypodiaceae) reserva Natural Punta Lara, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Gorrer Daniel Alejandro , Cayetano Berrueta Pedro , Ramos Giacosa Juan Pablo , Giudice Gabriela Elena , Luján Luna Marìa
Published: October 2018

The Punta Lara Natural Reserve is located on the riverside of the La Plata River in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is the Southern most relict in the world of subtropical riparian forest. The epiphytic ferns studied in this work belong to the Polypodiaceae family: Microgramma mortoniana and Pleopeltis macrocarpa. Plant communities are subject to high levels of anthropization and introduction of exotic species. The goals of this work are to provide information on the morphogenesis of epiphytic gametophytes and to extend knowledge of their life cycles, contributing to their conservation. Sowing was carried out in Dyer medium. In both species the spores are monolete, ellipsoidal, yellowish and with verrucate sculpture. The equatorial diameter is 60-61 μm, the polar diameter is 39-42 μm. The germination is the Vittaria type; in M. mortoniana occurs at 20 days, while in P. macrocarpa occurs at six days. The filaments are uniseriate of 3-6 cells in length. The gametophyte development is Drynaria type. The cordated form is given after 40 days. In M. mortoniana, buds originated after 40 days. In P. macrocarpa, after 120 days, clathrate trichomes scale-like appear mainly on the margins of the gametophyte. The gametangia are typical of leptosporangiate ferns. The sporophyte of M. mortoniana emerged after 120 days and that of P. macrocarpa arose after 500 days, its blades are simple, spatulate and unicellular and multicellular branching hairs were observed. The germination pattern, gametophyte development, the presence of a lipid globule in the prothalic cell and the formation of unicellular capitated hairs are relevant characters that could be considered for systematic group. The delay in the formation of sporophytes through sexual reproduction, allows us to infer that the success of their establishment in situ would be given by the vegetative reproduction through creeping rhizomes and buds of gametophytes.
Insect galls from Córdoba, central Argentina: a case where stem galls predominate
Authors: Kuzmanich Nicolás , Giorgis Melisa , Salvo Adriana
Published: October 2018

Galls are structures produced by plants in response to the activity of several types of organisms. Gall-inducing species have a close relationship with their host plant, as their habitat is largely restricted to the gall and the plant organ in which it develops. All plant organs are susceptible to gall induction by insects, the leaves being the most vulnerable. Knowledge about interactions between gall-inducing insects and plants is fragmented and incomplete in Argentina. In this study, we completed an inventory of galls induced by insects on plants in Córdoba (central Argentina) using information from field surveys and a review of the literature. We also focused on the frequency of plant-insect taxonomic associations and plant organs most commonly attacked by gall-inducing insects. Field surveys were performed systematically in 26 sites of Chaco Serrano, which were visited five times in two consecutive years, and in17 sites of the province, which were sampled one or two times each. A comprehensive literature search of electronic and conventional databases was also conducted to complete the inventory. A total of 99 gall morphospecies on 58 plant species (21 families and 44 genera) were recorded through both field surveys and a literature review, enlarging the list of species available for the region by almost 50 %. Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the plant families most attacked by galling insects, in partial concordance with the most species-rich plant families in the region. Diptera, particularly the family Cecidomyiidae, was the most species-rich group in the community of galling insects, which is in agreement with different studies across the globe. Baccharis was the genus displaying the highest number of gall morphotypes, followed by Acacia, Condalia, Geoffroea, Prosopis and Schinus. Almost 60 % of the morphotypes were stem galls, a pattern uncommon in the literature. Fusiform and globoid-shaped galls were predominant. Our study highlights the scarce knowledge there is about the interactions between plants and gall-inducing insects in Argentina, particularly those involving species of Cecidomyiidae, with more than 30 undescribed species. Possible mechanisms involved in the predominance of stem galls in central Argentina are discussed.
A comparative study of ant diversity under three coverages in a Neotropical coffee landscape
Authors: Garcia Cárdenas Delly Rocio , Montoya-Lerma James , Armbrecht Inge
Published: October 2018

The coffee cultivation has displaced natural vegetation and its associated biological diversity. The present study describes the diversity of ground-dwelling ants on eight plantations where coffee is grown in the shade (SHD), eight plantations where coffee is grown under unshaded coffee (SUN) and four patches of forest (FOS) in a coffee-growing region of Colombia. The research was conducted in transects composed of 12 sampling stations, each of which employed active collection, pitfall traps and litter sifting. Nine habitat variables were analyzed to characterize each site, and these values were related to the diversity of ants and functional groups. A total of 92 morphospecies were collected. Myrmicinae was the subfamily with the highest representation. The sample coverage presented a deficit of less than 5 %. The rank abundance curves exhibited differences in the ant assemblages. The ant communities found in the forest exhibited greater diversity and a larger number of exclusive species than the communities found in locations of other land uses; the SHD and SUN communities were characterized by 80.3 % and 62.3 %, respectively, of the diversity found in the forest communities. The functional similarity index as adapted for guilds by Sørensen reveals a high degree of similarity in the structure of their ant communities, but less so in their composition.The shaded coffee plantations have a richer and more equitable ant fauna than the exposed coffee plantations, reinforcing the idea that shade cultivation favors the establishment of ant fauna and, consequently, ecological functionality.
Humedales del Parque Nacional Chirripó, Costa Rica: características, relaciones geomorfológicas y escenarios de cambio climático
Authors: Veas-Ayala Néstor , Quesada-Román Adolfo , Hidalgo Hugo G. , Alfaro Eric J.
Published: October 2018

The geomorphological, climatological and hydrological characteristics of the high Andean wetlands of the Chirripó National Park (PNCh) are analyzed. The PNCh is located in south-central Costa Rica, Central America. This analysis includes a geomorphological survey on a 1: 25 000 scale of the relief forms and processes, particularly those of glacial origin. The National Wetland Inventory carried out by the Wetlands Project (UNDP-SINAC-GEF) was also used, along with different climate change projections corresponding to the scenarios for the 2039-2059 and 2079-2099 horizons. The main objective is to characterize the current state of these ecosystems, to explain how and why they are formed, as well as to assess the possible implications in the hydrological cycle and the water supply of these wetlands due to future climate variations. The results showed the relevance of these natural reservoirs in maintaining the ecological dynamics of the PNCh. We also studied the services of water provision and regulation of the hydrological cycle in the basins that compose this protected area.
Estructura y diversidad de la vegetación del matorral espinoso tamaulipeco con condiciones prístinas en el noreste de México
Authors: Valdez Marroquín Carlos Gerardo , Guzmán Marco Antonio , Valdés Arcadio , Forougbakhch Rahim , Alvarado Marco Antonio , Rocha Alejandra
Published: October 2018

Tamaulipan scrubland is a type of shrub vegetation endemic to Northeastern Mexico and Southern Texas in the U.S.The structure of the Tamaulipan scrubland was evaluated in the study, establishing the minimum area with plots of 256 m2 by determining the species-area curve, valuing the composition and diversity of the strata of the plant species (arboreal, shrub, low forest, semi shrubby, herbaceous and epiphytes); three sampling sites of 16 × 16 m were established. Dasometric information such as height, diameter and cup coverage was recorded to determine the structural variables of coverage, density, relative density, dominance, relative dominance, frequency, relative frequency and Importance Value Index, as well as estimation of the Margalef richness index, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Menhinick, Simpson and Pielou’s evenness index. The floristic richness was of 33 species distributed in 30 genera and 19 families, leaving the predominance value of the highest species of Leguminosae (Fabaceae). Six strata were recognized for the studied vegetation from which the highest IVI was Helietta parvifolia with 17.68 % for the shrubby stratum with 14 species and within the plant community of the MET the IVI was 8.53 %; for the low forest stratum with 8 species, the one with the highest IVI was Bernardia myricifolia with 39.20 %; and within the vegetal community 7.74 % for the semi shrubby there were 7 species where Lantana canescens has an IVI of 60.38 % and of 13.09 % inside the community. For the herbaceous stratum with 2 species, Wissadula sp. dominates with 54.20 % and 2.06 % for the community. In the arboreal stratum, the species with the highest IVI was Celtis laevigata with 100.00 % and when integrated to the plant community, it presented a value of 1.98 %. For the stratum formed by the epiphytes, the species Adiantum capillus-veneris had an IVI of 100 % and inside the plant community presented an IVI of 1.55 %. For the MET plant community studied, an H' value of 2.42 and a DMg value of 4.34 was obtained.
Depredación del borrego Ovis canadensis (Artiodactila: Bovidae) y el venado bura Odocoileus hemionus (Artiodactila: Cervidae) por Puma concolor (Carnivora: Felidae) en Coahuila, México
Authors: Sotelo-Gallardo Hugo , García-Salas Juan Antonio , Contreras-Balderas Armando Jesús
Published: October 2018

Small and isolated populations of bighorn sheep (subject to special protection according to NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010) are vulnerable to predation by mountain lion in habitat sympatric with mule deer. Understanding the specific causes of death and survival is important for the development of conservation strategies for bighorn sheep and other ungulates that share the same habitat, such as mule deer.We evaluated and compared the rate of predation by puma in 12 bighorn sheep (10 females, two males) and 10 adult females of mule deer with radio collars through measure risk program (micromorts). The impact of predation in both populations of herbivores is evaluated through the estimation of densities of sheep and mule deer. 88 % (8/9) deaths by puma in bighorn sheep with an average monthly survival rate of 0.79 and predation rates due to puma range from 0.17 to 0.30. In mule deer predation due to puma was 83 % (5/6) with an average monthly survival rate of 0.86 and predation rates due to puma range from 0.10 to 0.25, however when comparing the mountain lion depredation rate we found a significant difference between species (Z = 1.826, df = 6, P = 0.05). The density in mule deer was 9x more that bighorn. The bighorn sheep being the prey most selected and the one most affected as the population with the lowest density.
Apis mellifera pollen loads to understand the pollen foraging pattern used for apicultural practice in a potentially agricultural belt in Bengal, India
Authors: Nandi Tripti , Karmakar Prakash
Published: October 2018

For accurate determination of polleniferous taxa vis-a-vis floral fidelity of Apis mellifera L. in North 24 Pargana, West Bengal, we carried out pollen analyses of individual corbicular pollen loads collected from four apiaries during 2015-2016. Among the 2 434 analyzed loads, 72.97 % were unifloral type, 19.0 % bifloral and 8.10 % were multifloral in pollen composition. We identified 43 different types of palynomorphs belonged to 28 botanical families. Major polleniferous plant species include: Alangium salviifolium, Borassus flabellifer, Brassica nigra, Coriandrum sativum, Croton bonplandianum, Cyanotis axillaris, Luffa cylindrica, Neolamarckia cadamba, Phoenix sylvestris, Poa gangetica, Sesamum indicum and Trema orientalis. Among them, T. orientalis is newly reported from West Bengal especially during June to August (monsoon season). The plant family provided maximum number of loads was Arecaceae (20.91 %), followed by Brassicaceae (16.2 %), Poaceae (6.70 %), Pedaliaceae (6.38 %), Apiaceae (6.16 %) and Fabaceae (5.38 %). Month wise highest number of pollen diversity were obtained during March (13 pollen types) and a minimum of 6 types in November. The present investigation will help the beekeepers to maintain their hives in the region for sustainable apicultural practices.
Genes de virulencia en Aeromonas spp. (Aeromonadales: Aeromonadaceae) aisladas de Oreochromis spp. (Perciformes: Cichlidae) para consumo humano en México
Authors: Ortega Balleza JESSICA LIZBETH , Sánchez-Varela Alejandro , Rodríguez-Luna Isabel C. , Guo Xianwu
Published: October 2018

The genus Aeromonas are widely distributed in aquatic ecosystems are Gram-negative rods, oxidase-positive, and glucose-fermenting, considered emerging pathogens in humans. Aeromonas belongs to the fish microbiota, these microorganisms have a diversity of virulence factors responsible for a variety of infections in humans mainly gastrointestinal diseases. The presence of Aeromonas in products intended for consumption with high commercial demand such as tilapia generates sanitary concern due to the pathogenic potential of this bacteria. In this context, identification of virulence genes in strains of Aeromonas isolated in Oreochromis spp. intended for human consumption in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico is important due to the lack of molecular studies in this geographical area. In the present study the pathogenic potential of 15 strains of Aeromonas (A. veronii, A. hydrophila and A. schubertii) from Oreochromis spp. for human consumption were analyzed. Through PCR six virulence genes were analyzed (alt, ast, aerA, hlyA, gcat and stx1) and the strains used as control were: Aeromonas hydrophila subsp. hydrophila ATCC 7966, Aeromonas caviae 429865 INP, Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Escherichia coli K12. El 100 % (n = 15) of the strains harbored at least one virulence gene, aerA gene was detected in 86.66% of the analyzed strains, while ast and stx1 genes were not identified. Moreover, Aeromonas strains had associated genes in the same strain: aerA / gcat, alt / aerA, alt / aerA / gcat / hlyA and alt / aerA / gcat, of which aerA / gcat were observed mostly in A. veronii, while A. hydrophila had the highest associations. These findings indicate that the strains of Aeromonas isolated in Oreochromis spp. have the potential to cause human diseases, and therefore, this species used as food, could be a vehicle for infections caused by Aeromonas. It also allows to provide information on this emerging microorganism to effectively treat and control any epidemiological event caused by Aeromonas spp. in the future.
Biomasa y carbono en Guadua angustifolia Kunth y Bambusa oldhamii Munro en dos comunidades de la sierra Nororiental de Puebla, México
Authors: Aguirre-Cadena Juan Francisco , Ramírez Valverde Benito , Cadena-Iñiguez Jorge , Juárez-Sánchez José Pedro , Caso-Barrera Laura , Martínez-Carrera Daniel
Published: October 2018

The increase of CO2 in the atmosphere can be reduced by capturing them through the photosynthetic process, with special emphasis on fast growing perennial species such as bamboo. The objective of the present study was to quantitatively evaluate the aerial biomass and estimate the carbon content for the species Guadua angustifolia Kunth and Bambusa oldhamii Munro, in commercial plantations established in communities of the Northeast Sierra of Puebla, Mexico. The estimation of population and aerial biomass for both species is tended by a selection of 10 % of plants in one hectare. The samplings were carried out from June 2016 to September 2017. For the plantation of B. Oldhamii Munro, the number of culms per plant gradually increased towards the most recent generations, from 3.6 stems in the most adult cohort to 4.5 in the youngest. The diameter of the stems and their average height show a gradual increase from the older cohorts to the recent cohorts. The total aerial biomass estimated in the plantation of B. oldhamii Munro was 103 403 48 Mgha-1 distributed in the asses of the four years. The total aerial biomass estimated in the plantation of G. angustifolia Kunth is 47 665 11 Mgha-1
'Gender, Power and Political Speech: Woman and Language in the 2015 UK General Election'. By Deborah Cameron and Sylvia Shaw
Authors: Fan Lei , Fan Weiwei
Published: October 2018

Gender, Power and Political Speech: Woman and Language in the 2015 UK General Election
By Deborah Cameron and Sylvia Shaw (2016)
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 140pp.
'Gender Representation in Learning Materials: International Perspectives'. Edited by Sara Mills and Abolaji S. Mustapha
Authors: Namatende-Sakwa Lydia
Published: October 2018

Gender Representation in Learning Materials: International Perspectives 
Edited by Sara Mills and Abolaji S. Mustapha (2015)
New York: Routledge, 247pp.
Critical state of polymer-coated sands
Authors: Liu Deyun , Lourenço Sérgio D. N. , Yang Jun
Published: October 2018

The water-repellent behaviour of polymers such as polydimethylsiloxane enables them to be utilised as coatings in soil particles to control wetting, with potential applications in barriers and fills. However, little information exists on the mechanics of coated soils. Here, the mechanical behaviour of a coated sand subjected to two mass ratios of dimethyldichlorosilane (0·05% and 3%) was investigated by triaxial tests. Dimethyldichlorosilane was mixed with the sand to produce polydimethylsiloxane coatings. Damage to the polymer coatings was investigated by interferometry. The results revealed that for a low mass ratio of dimethyldichlorosilane (0·05%), the shear strength and critical state locus are similar to those of natural sand; whereas for a high mass ratio of dimethyldichlorosilane (3%), there is a marked reduction of the shear strength, with the critical state locus showing a significant difference compared to that of natural sand. The quantification of roughness prior to and after the triaxial tests confirms the damage to the polymer coatings, with the effect of the coatings diminishing with the rise of stress level. The findings highlight the importance of the thickness of the coatings, with the 0·05% coated sand sufficient to manipulate the soil's hydraulic behaviour and the 3% coated sand opening new possibilities to manipulate the soil's mechanical behaviour.