First report of satellite males during breeding in <i>Leptodactylus latrans</i> (Amphibia, Anura)

A male Leptodactylus latrans was observed calling within a foam nest located at about 40 cm from the edge of the pond. The male was collected (voucher deposited at the Herpetological Collection of the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Montevideo, Uruguay, MNHN 9476). Ten minutes after the calling male was removed, we observed an amplectic L. latrans pair laying eggs in the same nest. In addition, a third male was at the edge of the foam nest and sporadically swam under the amplectic pair.Asociación Herpetológica Argentina (AHA

First report of satellite males during breeding in <i>Leptodactylus latrans</i> (Amphibia, Anura)

A male Leptodactylus latrans was observed calling within a foam nest located at about 40 cm from the edge of the pond. The male was collected (voucher deposited at the Herpetological Collection of the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Montevideo, Uruguay, MNHN 9476). Ten minutes after the calling male was removed, we observed an amplectic L. latrans pair laying eggs in the same nest. In addition, a third male was at the edge of the foam nest and sporadically swam under the amplectic pair.Asociación Herpetológica Argentina (AHA

Gap solitons in a model of a hollow optical fiber

We introduce a models for two coupled waves propagating in a hollow-core fiber: a linear dispersionless core mode, and a dispersive nonlinear quasi-surface one. The linear coupling between them may open a bandgap, through the mechanism of the avoidance of crossing between dispersion curves. The third-order dispersion of the quasi-surface mode is necessary for the existence of the gap. Numerical investigation reveals that the entire bandgap is filled with solitons, and they all are stable in direct simulations. The gap-soliton (GS) family is extended to include pulses moving relative to the given reference frame, up to limit values of the corresponding boost $\delta$, beyond which the solitons do not exists. The limit values are nonsymmetric for $\delta >0$ and $\delta <0$. The extended gap is also entirely filled with the GSs, all of which are stable in simulations. Recently observed solitons in hollow-core photonic-crystal fibers may belong to this GS family.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

First Report of Satellite Males during Breeding in \u3cem\u3eLeptodactylus latrans\u3c/em\u3e (Amphibia, Anura)

Individual males can adopt alternative mating tactics. The occurrence of satellite males is a common behaviour across anuran taxa (e.g., Lithobates clamitans, Wells, 1977; Anaxyrus cognatus, Krupa, 1989; Dendropsophus ebraccatus, Miyamoto and Cane, 1980; Rhinella crucifer, Forester and Lynken, 1986). Satellite males take peripheral positions to calling males, and adopt alternate mating tactics in an attempt to intercept females that are attracted to calling males (Wells, 2007) to increase their own mating success. Satellite males could have an inexpensive form of mate-locating, avoiding predators, and saving energy (Arak, 1983). Furthermore, this strategy could play an important role in the genetic structure of populations (Lodé and Lesbarrères, 2004)

Assessment of the calling detection probability throughout the day of two invasive populations of bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) in Uruguay

Bullfrog invasion is a major conservation concern in South America, so there is an urgent need to detect and monitor its many invasion foci. Amphibian sampling methods commonly use calling display, specifically the nuptial calls of males. With the aim of obtaining the better day period to sample and monitor Lithobates catesbeianus presence, we recorded its calls at three ponds in two invaded localities in Uruguay (Aceguá, Cerro Largo, and San Carlos, Maldonado) during the reproductive season. Then, we studied the records, obtaining a subsample of calling intensity at the first 5 minutes for each hour. We detected that vocalization intensity remained almost constant between 20:00 and 05:00 h. Detection probability remained high and constant during this period, and then decreased. Therefore, bullfrog displays a constant calling activity during the nights of its reproductive period, even longer than native anurans. This long calling period facilitates its detection during nocturnal sampling

Large Isospin mixing in phi radiative decay and the spatial size of the f0(980)- a0(980) meson

The measured rate for phi to gamma f0(980) appears to be larger than allowed on rather general grounds. We show that mixing between the f0(980) and a0(980), due to their dynamical interaction with the nearby KKbar thresholds, radically affects some existing predictions of their production in phi radiative decay. We predict that Gamma(phi to gamma f0)/Gamma(phi to gamma a_0) approx 3; that sum (b.r.(phi to gamma f0) + b.r. (phi to gamma a_0)) < 5 x 10^-4 with probable individual branching ratios 2 x 10^-4 and 0.7 x 10^-4 respectively.Comment: 7 pages, Late

Current status of American bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, invasion in Uruguay and exploration of chytrid infection

The American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus is an invasive species that can strongly affect native amphibian communities through competition, predation, or introduction of diseases. This frog has invaded multiple areas in South America, for which niche models predict suitable environments across much of the continent. This paper reveals the state of the invasion of this species in Uruguay and its possible relationship with the chytrid pathogenic fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Surveys at invaded sites were conducted from 2007 to 2015, identified two populations undergoing recent range expansion (one of them exponential), two populations that failed to establish, and a new record in an urban area of the capital city, Montevideo. In all the analysed feral populations, chytridiomycosis was found. Our data suggest that the invasion of L. catesbeianus in Uruguay is at an early stage, with very localized populations, which might allow for the implementation of cost-effective management plans, with eradication constituting a plausible option

Assessment of the calling detection probability throughout the day of two invasive populations of bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) in Uruguay

Bullfrog invasion is a major conservation concern in South America, so there is an urgent need to detect and monitor its many invasion foci. Amphibian sampling methods commonly use calling display, specifically the nuptial calls of males. With the aim of obtaining the better day period to sample and monitor Lithobates catesbeianus presence, we recorded its calls at three ponds in two invaded localities in Uruguay (Aceguá, Cerro Largo, and San Carlos, Maldonado) during the reproductive season. Then, we studied the records, obtaining a subsample of calling intensity at the first 5 minutes for each hour. We detected that vocalization intensity remained almost constant between 20:00 and 05:00 h. Detection probability remained high and constant during this period, and then decreased. Therefore, bullfrog displays a constant calling activity during the nights of its reproductive period, even longer than native anurans. This long calling period facilitates its detection during nocturnal sampling

American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) diet in Uruguay compared with other invasive populations in Southern South America

Between 2000-2020, more than ten new populations of the invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) have been reported in the southern cone of South America. We studied the stomach contents of 126 bullfrogs from a population at an early invasion stage in Uruguay (Acegua, Cerro Largo Department). We observed a rich diet, with extensive prey volume range (1 mm3 to more than 7 000 mm(3)); the most frequent items were Hymenoptera (19.6%), Coleoptera (16.4%), Amphipoda (13.3%), Anura (8.9%) and Heteroptera (8.7%). Despite some overlap, differences were observed in volume (chi(2) = 54.6, p \u3c0.001, d.f. = 2) and prey quantity (F = 8.1, p \u3c0.001, d.f. = 79) between males, females, and juveniles. Juveniles showed significantly higher consumption of terrestrial prey by count (82% of their total ingestion) than adults (29% for males and 32% for females) (chi(2) = 28.5, p \u3c0.001, d.f. = 2). Adults, especially females, showed a high frequency of cannibalism (33% of their total ingestion; chi(2) = 20.9, p \u3c0.001, d.f. = 2). Comparing our data with other bullfrog regional studies, we found great plasticity in trophic habits and differences in the incidence of cannibalism (higher incidence in the populations of Acegua, Uruguay, and Buenos Aires, Argentina). These differences could be related to local biodiversity, but also could be affected by the invasion phase. Cannibalism frequency was higher in small bullfrog populations, where it could be favoring the establishment success. This shift in foraging strategies during the invasion process had been insufficiently evaluated in amphibians. Knowing the ecological determinants for the invasion by bullfrogs can be useful to the development of management strategies

Salvage high-dose chemotherapy for children with extragonadal germ-cell tumours

We reviewed the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) experience with salvage high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) in paediatric patients with extragonadal germ-cell tumour (GCT). A total of 23 children with extragonadal GCT, median age 12 years (range 1–20), were treated with salvage HDC with haematopoietic progenitor cell support. The GCT primary location was intracranial site in nine cases, sacrococcyx in eight, retroperitoneum in four, and mediastinum in two. In all, 22 patients had a nongerminomatous GCT and one germinoma. Nine patients received HDC in first- and 14 in second- or third-relapse situation. No toxic deaths occurred. Overall, 16 of 23 patients (70%) achieved a complete remission. With a median follow-up of 66 months (range 31–173 months), 10 (43%) are continuously disease-free. Of six patients who had a disease recurrence after HDC, one achieved a disease-free status with surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In total, 11 patients (48%) are currently disease-free. Eight of 14 patients (57%) with extracranial primary and three of nine patients (33%) with intracranial primary GCT are currently disease-free. HDC induced impressive long-term remissions as salvage treatment in children with extragonadal extracranial GCTs. Salvage HDC should be investigated in prospective trials in these patients