CONVIVIENDO CON LOS MAPACHES: DEL CONFLICTO A LA COEXISTENCIA

Unplanned urban growth is directly associated with an increase of conflicts between humans and wildlife. Probably, rac­coons have been the most adaptable mammals to the conditions offered by urban centers. In the last five years, reports about these animals have increased in the Metropolitan Area of our country. Currently, raccoons represent an economic cost for all their damages caused to infrastructure, an investment of time repairing what was destroyed, and a potential risk to human and pets’ health. This paper aims to summarize the information generated in a forum held at the School of Biology at the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) in order to establish the necessary guidelines for a harmonious living with these animals. Clearly, it has become a problem that is beyond capacity for the institutions in charge of the man­agement of wildlife health in our country. Immediate actions are required by academic and government authorities in search for a solution according to the Costa Rican idiosyncrasy. El crecimiento urbano sin planificación está asociado directamente con un crecimiento en los conflictos entre los hu­manos y la fauna silvestre. Los mapaches son quizás los mamíferos más adaptables a las condiciones que ofrecen los centros urbanos; por lo tanto, los reportes de estos animales se han incrementado en los últimos cinco años en la Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM) de nuestro país. Actualmente representan un costo económico en daños a infraestructura e inversión de tiempo laboral en las reparaciones respectivas, así como un riesgo para la salud humana y de los animales domésticos. Este artículo pretende resumir la información generada en un foro realizado en la Escuela de Biología de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) con el fin de establecer las pautas necesarias para la convivencia armoniosa con estos animales. Es claro que se ha convertido en un problema que supera la capacidad de las instituciones responsables en el manejo y salud de vida silvestre en Costa Rica; de esta manera, es necesaria una intervención inmediata por parte de las autoridades académicas y gubernamentales en búsqueda de una solución acorde con la idiosincrasia costarricense.

Actividad gastroprotectora del extracto etanólico de hojas de Licania platypus (Hemsl.) Fritsh.

La especie Licania platypusdistribuida en países tropicales. Tradicionalmente, en América Central se han utilizado diferentes partes de la planta para diversos problemas de salud, especialmente gastrointestinales. Objetivo: Investigar la posible actividad antiulcerosa gástrica del extracto etanólico de hojas de platypus. Métodos: Las lesiones gástricas fueron inducidas por los modelos de etanol e indometacinaevaluó el extracto con el modelo modificado de Shay. El extracto se administró por vía oral y se midió el área dañada. Además, se analizaron otros parámetros en el modelo de ligadura pilórica. Resultados: La administración oral de una dosis área de las lesiones gástricas (p < 0.05) en los modelos de inducción de etanol e indometacina. Además, se observó un incremento significativo en la secreción de moco gástrico en el modelo modific0.05). Conclusión: El extracto etanólico de Licania platypus de inducción de úlceras agudas. Este trabajo brinda la primera evidencia de especies pertenecientes al género Licania con actividad gastroprotectora y permite promover la realización de estudios para elucidar un mecanismo de acción específico.The species Licania platypusdistributed in tropical countries. Traditionally, different parts of the plant have been used in Central America for various health problems, especially gastrointestinal problems. Objective: To investigate the possible gastric antiulcer activity of the ethanolic extract of platypus leaves. Methods: Gastric lesions were induced by ethanol and indomethacin models and the extract was evaluated with the modified Shay model. The extract was administered orally and the damaged area was measured. In addition, other parameters were analyzed in the pyloric ligation model. Results: Oral administration of a dose area of gastric lesions (p < 0.05) in the ethanol and indomethacin induction models. In addition, a significant increase in gastric mucus secretion was observed in the model modif0.05). Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Licania platypus induced acute ulcers. This work provides the first evidence of species belonging to the genus Licania with gastroprotective activity and allows promoting studies to elucidate a specific mechanism of action.Escuela de Medicina Veterinari

Ongoing harlequin toad declines suggest the amphibian extinction crisis is still an emergency

Biodiversity loss is extreme in amphibians. Despite ongoing conservation action, it is difficult to determine where we stand in overcoming their extinction crisis. Among the most threatened amphibians are the 131 Neotropical harlequin toads. Many of them declined since the 1980s with several considered possibly extinct. Recently, more than 30 species have been rediscovered, raising hope for a reversing trend in the amphibian extinction crisis. We use past and present data available for harlequin toads (Atelopus), to examine whether the amphibian extinction crisis is still in an emergency state. Since 2004 no species has improved its population status, suggesting that recovery efforts have not been successful. Threats include habitat change, pathogen spread and climate change. More mitigation strategies need implementation, especially habitat protection and disease management, combined with captive conservation breeding. With harlequin toads serving as a model, it is clear that the amphibian extinction crisis is still underway. The status of the harlequin toads has not improved since 2004 despite species rediscoveries accompanied by increasing conservation efforts, and habitat destruction and degradation continue to threaten them today, according to an analysis of population status records over the period 2004-2022