An Integrative Analysis Uncovers a New, Pseudo-Cryptic Species of Amazonian Marmoset (Primates: Callitrichidae: \u3cem\u3eMico\u3c/em\u3e) from the Arc of Deforestation

Amazonia has the richest primate fauna in the world. Nonetheless, the diversity and distribution of Amazonian primates remain little known and the scarcity of baseline data challenges their conservation. These challenges are especially acute in the Amazonian arc of deforestation, the 2500 km long southern edge of the Amazonian biome that is rapidly being deforested and converted to agricultural and pastoral landscapes. Amazonian marmosets of the genus Mico are little known endemics of this region and therefore a priority for research and conservation efforts. However, even nascent conservation efforts are hampered by taxonomic uncertainties in this group, such as the existence of a potentially new species from the Juruena–Teles Pires interfluve hidden within the M. emiliae epithet. Here we test if these marmosets belong to a distinct species using new morphological, phylogenomic, and geographic distribution data analysed within an integrative taxonomic framework. We discovered a new, pseudo-cryptic Mico species hidden within the epithet M. emiliae, here described and named after Horacio Schneider, the pioneer of molecular phylogenetics of Neotropical primates. We also clarify the distribution, evolutionary and morphological relationships of four other Mico species, bridging Linnean, Wallacean, and Darwinian shortfalls in the conservation of primates in the Amazonian arc of deforestation

Ancient DNA of the Pygmy Marmoset Type Specimen \u3cem\u3eCebuella pygmaea\u3c/em\u3e (Spix, 1823) Resolves a Taxonomic Conundrum

The pygmy marmoset, the smallest of the anthropoid primates, has a broad distribution in Western Amazonia. Recent studies using molecular and morphological data have identified two distinct species separated by the Napo and Solimões-Amazonas rivers. However, reconciling this new biological evidence with current taxonomy, i.e., two subspecies, Cebuella pygmaea pygmaea (Spix, 1823) and Cebuella pygmaea niveiventris (Lönnberg, 1940), was problematic given the uncertainty as to whether Spix’s pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea pygmaea) was collected north or south of the Napo and Solimões-Amazonas rivers, making it unclear to which of the two newly revealed species the name pygmaea would apply. Here, we present the first molecular data from Spix’s type specimen of Cebuella pygmaea, as well as novel mitochondrial genomes from modern pygmy marmosets sampled near the type locality (Tabatinga) on both sides of the river. With these data, we can confirm the correct names of the two species identified, i.e., C. pygmaea for animals north of the Napo and Solimões-Amazonas rivers and C. niveiventris for animals south of these two rivers. Phylogenetic analyses of the novel genetic data placed into the context of cytochrome b gene sequences from across the range of pygmy marmosets further led us to re-evaluate the geographical distribution for the two Cebuella species. We dated the split of these two species to 2.54 million years ago. We discuss additional, more recent, subdivisions within each lineage, as well as potential contact zones between the two species in the headwaters of these rivers

“Control-Alt-Delete”: Rebooting Solutions for the E-Waste Problem

A number of efforts have been launched to solve the global electronic waste (e-waste) problem. The efficiency of e-waste recycling is subject to variable national legislation, technical capacity, consumer participation, and even detoxification. E-waste management activities result in procedural irregularities and risk disparities across national boundaries. We review these variables to reveal opportunities for research and policy to reduce the risks from accumulating e-waste and ineffective recycling. Full regulation and consumer participation should be controlled and reinforced to improve local e-waste system. Aiming at standardizing best practice, we alter and identify modular recycling process and infrastructure in eco-industrial parks that will be expectantly effective in countries and regions to handle the similar e-waste stream. Toxicity can be deleted through material substitution and detoxification during the life cycle of electronics. Based on the idea of "Control-Alt-Delete", four patterns of the way forward for global e-waste recycling are proposed to meet a variety of local situations

Phylogenetic relationships of the New World titi monkeys (Callicebus): First appraisal of taxonomy based on molecular evidence

Background: Titi monkeys, Callicebus, comprise the most species-rich primate genus-34 species are currently recognised, five of them described since 2005. The lack of molecular data for titi monkeys has meant that little is known of their phylogenetic relationships and divergence times. To clarify their evolutionary history, we assembled a large molecular dataset by sequencing 20 nuclear and two mitochondrial loci for 15 species, including representatives from all recognised species groups. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using concatenated maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses, allowing us to evaluate the current taxonomic hypothesis for the genus. Results: Our results show four distinct Callicebus clades, for the most part concordant with the currently recognised morphological species-groups-the torquatus group, the personatus group, the donacophilus group, and the moloch group. The cupreus and moloch groups are not monophyletic, and all species of the formerly recognized cupreus group are reassigned to the moloch group. Two of the major divergence events are dated to the Miocene. The torquatus group, the oldest radiation, diverged c. 11 Ma; and the Atlantic forest personatus group split from the ancestor of all donacophilus and moloch species at 9-8 Ma. There is little molecular evidence for the separation of Callicebus caligatus and C. dubius, and we suggest that C. dubius should be considered a junior synonym of a polymorphic C. caligatus. Conclusions: Considering molecular, morphological and biogeographic evidence, we propose a new genus level taxonomy for titi monkeys: Cheracebus n. gen. in the Orinoco, Negro and upper Amazon basins (torquatus group), Callicebus Thomas, 1903, in the Atlantic Forest (personatus group), and Plecturocebus n. gen. in the Amazon basin and Chaco region (donacophilus and moloch groups). © 2016 Byrne et al

Study of Chromium Removal by the Electrodialysis of Tannery and Metal-Finishing Effluents

The metal-finishing and tannery industries have been under strong pressure to replace their current wastewater treatment based on a physicochemical process. The electrodialysis process is becoming an interesting alternative for wastewater treatment. Electrodialysis is a membrane separation technique, in which ions are transported from one solution to another through ion-exchange membranes, using an electric field as the driving force. Blends of polystyrene and polyaniline were obtained in order to produce membranes for electrodialysis. The produced membranes were applied in the recovery of baths from the metal-finishing and tannery industries. The parameter for electrodialysis evaluation was the percentage of chromium extraction. The results obtained using these membranes were compared to those obtained with the commercial membrane Nafion 450

Nanocellulose-tannin films: From trees to sustainable active packaging

Cellulose nanofibrils and condensed tannins were chosen to prepare a strong, sustainable packaging material. Cellulose nanofibrils provided the physical and mechanical requirements, while the tannin was incorporated due to its antioxidant properties. Herein, an easy, one-step method was designed to prepare a film containing 190 mg/g of active molecules. The incorporation of tannin into the cellulose matrix was carried out through the mechanical fibrillation of cellulose pulp and tannin mixtures. The tanninincorporated cellulose films presented high density and improved surface hydrophobicity, which resulted in a 6-fold enhancement in their air-barrier properties. A slow release of antioxidant components was verified upon soaking, as well as good resistance to several solvents. The mechanical features of the cellulose matrix were not significantly affected by the incorporation of such phenolic molecules. These properties are key factors to put forward the utilization of tannin-added films as a valid green, nontoxic packaging material for food and pharmaceutical products

Efficient removal of congo red dye using activated lychee peel biochar supported Ca-Cr layered double hydroxide

Congo red is a known carcinogenic and mutagenic dye, so its presence in bodies of water is dangerous. The present work aims to synthesize and characterize a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-biochar composite and evaluate its application in the adsorption of Congo red dye (CR). CaCr/LDH was anchored over lychee activated biochar through coprecipitation. The composite was characterized using scanning electronic mapping (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometer SEM (EDS-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET). The effect of pH, adsorption kinetics, isotherms, ionic strength, and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated. The pH results show a stable adsorption capacity in a useful range of pH (pH 4-9). Adsorption kinetics fitted the Elovich model, suggesting a heterogeneous system. The maximum adsorption capacity value (qe) calculated was achieved by applying the Sips model, with 631.1 mg g-1 at 50 °C. Ionic strength experiments show that the capacity increased with increasing NaCl concentration, which is desirable for real use as other ions are commonly present in dye wastewater. π-π interactions and hydrogen bonding seems to be involved in the adsorption mechanisms. CaCr-LDH/lychee biochar has better structure stability over several adsorption-desorption cycles with anionic exchange regeneration (in comparison with thermal regeneration), wide operational pH and high adsorption capacity. Therefore, this new composite presents a very good potential for the adsorption of dye from waste- or ground- water