Jaguar interactions with pumas and prey at the northern edge of jaguars’ range

We present the first study that evaluates jaguar-puma interactions in the arid lands of northern Mexico, where jaguars have their northernmost breeding population and both predators are persecuted for livestock depredation. We tested whether jaguars are the dominant species in this unique ecosystem, where: (1) pumas outnumber jaguars, (2) pumas are better adapted to arid environments, and (3) jaguars and pumas are of similar size. We analyzed four years of data with two approaches; a two species conditional occupancy model and an activity patterns analysis. We used camera location and prey presence as covariates for jaguar and puma detection and presence probabilities. We also explored overlap in activities of predators and prey. Where both species were detected, peccary presence was positively correlated with both jaguar and puma presence, whereas in areas where jaguars were detected but pumas were not, deer presence explained the probability of jaguar presence. We found that both predators were more likely to co-occur together than to be found independently, and so we rejected the hypothesis that jaguars were the dominant species in our study area. Predators were mainly nocturnal and their activity patterns overlapped by 60%. Jaguar, as compared with puma, overlapped more with deer and calves; puma overlapped with calves more than with other prey, suggesting a preference. We believe exploring predator relationships at different scales may help elucidate mechanisms that regulate their coexistence

Are Private Reserves Effective for Jaguar Conservation?

We present the first study of density and apparent survival for a jaguar (Panthera onca) population in northern Mexico using 13 years of camera trap data from 2000 to 2012. We used the Barker robust design model which combines data from closed sampling periods and resight data between these periods to estimate apparent survival and abundance. We identified 467 jaguar pictures that corresponded to 48 jaguar individuals. We included camera type and field technician as covariates for detection probabilities. We used three covariates to evaluate the effect of reserve on jaguar apparent survival: i) private reserve creation ii) later reserve expansions, and iii) cattle ranches' conservation activities. We found that the use of digital cameras in addition to film cameras increased detection probability by a factor of 6x compared with the use of only film cameras (p = 0.34 ± 0.05 and p = 0.05 ± 0.02 respectively) in the closed period and more than three times in the open period (R = 0.91 ± 0.08 and R = 0.30 ± 0.13 mixed and film cameras respectively). Our availability estimates showed no temporary emigration and a fidelity probability of 1. Despite an increase of apparent survival probability from 0.47 ± 0.15 to 0.56 ± 0.11 after 2007, no single covariate explained the change in these point estimates. Mean jaguar density was 1.87 ± 0.47 jaguars/100 km2. We found that 13 years of jaguar population monitoring with our sampling size were not enough for detecting changes in survival or density. Our results provide a baseline for studies evaluating the effectiveness of protected areas and the inclusion of ranch owners in jaguar conservation programs and long-term population viability

Study area in 2012.

<p>Northern Jaguar Reserve and cattle ranches near the reserve. The reserve is private land without cattle. Since 2007, cattle ranches have been enrolled in an agreement for jaguar and other feline protection in the eastern part of Sonora, Mexico.</p

Changes in study area from 2000 to 2012.

<p>The extension of the study area is due to ranchers’ permission for monitoring in the area and camera availability. Darker areas correspond to land purchased for the reserve creation and light polygons correspond to cattle ranches. A) study area in 2000, B) study area from 2001 to 2002, C) study area from 2003 to 2006, D) study area from 2007, E) study area from 2008 to 2010, F) study area from 2010 to 2012.</p

List of the eight best supported models for a jaguar population in northern Mexico.

<p>Phi-apparent survival probability, R-resight probability in the open period, p-capture probability in the closed period, c-recapture probability in the closed period. RESERVE + RANCHES refers to the model tested for the inclusion of the adjoining ranches to the conservation agreement, RESERVE EST. was the model that tested for the first ranch purchase in 2003, RESERVE EXP. tested the first and second ranch purchase (2003 and 2008), RESERVE STEPS tested each ranch purchase (2003, 2008, 2010), T/ tested the first capture in a closed period as a different class (transient model), TIME tested a time effect, FILM VS MIXED tested the use of different camera model (film camera versus a mixture of film and digital cameras) in the capture and recapture probability.</p><p>List of the eight best supported models for a jaguar population in northern Mexico.</p

El poder de los gobernadores. Conceptualización y medición en los ejecutivos locales mexicanos

Mexican governors have had great capabilities for action, before and after the transition, although in different degrees. The literature holds measurements of the power of governors; however, most lack an abstract conceptualization or do not consider the influence that local executives have beyond the territory they govern. In this work we establish a conceptualization to identify what is the basis of the power of governors. Based on the above, we formulate the Governor's Power Index and a couple of typologies to capture and measure the power that local executives have in Mexico. Methodology: The research is based on the multilevel nature of the structuring of a concept. On the first level we establish an abstract conceptualization of a governor's power. In the second level we identify the constituent dimensions that point to the presence or absence of the concept. On the third level, we determine empirical indicators (based on the constituent dimensions) to identify the concept in reality. These indicators are the basis of the index and the typologies. Conclusions: The governor of the state of Mexico, for the year 2015, has greater capabilities with respect to the rest; the above, both in the general index and in the typologies built. He is very closely followed by Jalisco and Chiapas, although this is not constant, as it is in the state of Mexico. On the other hand, the local executive of the state of Morelos is the weakest and is closely followed by the one in Querétaro. Originality: The conceptual framework established allows the formulation of a quantitative instrument, which is practical in comparative research. With this conceptual basis, the development of typologies is also possible, which is useful for research that needs to delve into specific aspects of the power of local executives.Os governadores mexicanos têm tido grandes capacidades de ação antes e depois da transição, embora em diferentes graus. Na literatura, há medições do poder dos governadores, mas a maioria carece de uma conceituação abstrata ou não considera a influência que os executivos locais têm mais além do território que governam. Neste trabalho, estabelecemos uma conceituação para identificar o que fundamenta o poder dos governadores. Com base nisso, formulamos o Índice de Poder do Governador e algumas tipologias para capturar e dimensionar o poder que os executivos locais têm no México. Metodologia: Esta pesquisa está baseada na natureza multinível da conformação de um conceito. No primeiro nível, estabelecemos uma conceituação abstrata do poder do governador. No segundo nível, identificamos as dimensões constitutivas que nos indicam quando está presente o conceito e quando não. No terceiro nível, determinamos indicadores empíricos (com base nas dimensões constitutivas) para identificar o conceito na realidade. Esses indicadores são a base do índice e das tipologias. Conclusões: O governador do estado de México, em 2015, teve maiores capacidades a respeito dos demais, tanto no índice geral quanto nas tipologias construídas. Os de Jalisco e Chiapas não estão longe disso, embora isso não seja constante, como acontece no estado de México. Em compensação, o executivo local do estado de Morelos é o mais fraco, e o segue muito de perto o de Querétaro. Originalidade: O referente conceitual constituído permite a formulação de um instrumento quantitativo, o que é prático em pesquisas comparativas; com essa base conceitual, também é possível desenvolver tipologias; isso é útil para pesquisas que exijam aprofundar em aspectos específicos sobre o poder dos executivos locais.Los gobernadores mexicanos han tenido grandes capacidades de acción, antes y después de la transición, aunque en diferentes grados. En la literatura existen mediciones del poder de los gobernadores; no obstante, la mayoría carecen de una conceptualización abstracta o no toman en cuenta la influencia que los ejecutivos locales tienen más allá del territorio que gobiernan. En este trabajo establecemos una conceptualización para identificar qué fundamenta el poder de los gobernadores. Basándonos en lo anterior, formulamos el Índice de Poder del Gobernador y un par de tipologías para capturar y dimensionar el poder que tienen los ejecutivos locales en México. Metodología: La investigación está basada en la naturaleza multinivel de la conformación de un concepto. En el primer nivel establecemos una conceptualización abstracta del poder del gobernador. En el segundo nivel identificamos las dimensiones constitutivas que nos señalan cuando está presente el concepto y cuando no. En el tercer nivel, determinamos indicadores empíricos (basándonos en las dimensiones constitutivas) para identificar el concepto en la realidad. Esos indicadores son la base del índice y las tipologías. Conclusiones: El gobernador del estado de México, para el año 2015, tiene mayores capacidades respecto al resto; lo anterior, tanto en el índice general como en las tipologías construidas. Muy de cerca lo siguen Jalisco y Chiapas, aunque esto no es constante, como sí lo es en el estado de México. En contrapartida, el ejecutivo local del estado de Morelos es el más débil, y lo sigue muy de cerca el de Querétaro. Originalidad: El marco conceptual constituido permite la formulación de un instrumento cuantitativo, lo cual es práctico en investigaciones comparativas; con esta base conceptual también es posible el desarrollo de tipologías, esto es útil para investigaciones que requieren profundizar en aspectos específicos sobre el poder de los ejecutivos locales

Quorum sensing network in clinical strains of A. baumannii : AidA is a new quorum quenching enzyme

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen that causes nosocomial infections generally associated with high mortality and morbidity in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Currently, little is known about the Quorum Sensing (QS)/Quorum Quenching (QQ) systems of this pathogen. We analyzed these mechanisms in seven clinical isolates of A. baumannii. Microarray analysis of one of these clinical isolates, Ab1 (A. baumannii ST-2-clon-2010), previously cultured in the presence of 3-oxo-C12-HSL (a QS signalling molecule) revealed a putative QQ enzyme (α/β hydrolase gene, AidA). This QQ enzyme was present in all nonmotile clinical isolates (67% of which were isolated from the respiratory tract) cultured in nutrient depleted LB medium. Interestingly, this gene was not located in the genome of the only motile clinical strain growing in this medium (A. baumannii strain Ab421-GEIH-2010 [Ab7], isolated from a blood sample). The AidA protein expressed in E. coli showed QQ activity. Finally, we observed downregulation of the AidA protein (QQ system attenuation) in the presence of HO (ROS stress). In conclusion, most of the A. baumannii clinical strains were not surface motile (84%) and were of respiratory origin (67%). Only the pilT gene was involved in surface motility and related to the QS system. Finally, a new QQ enzyme (α/β hydrolase gene, AidA protein) was detected in these strains