Phyllomedusa Venusta (Lovely Leaf Frog)

PHYLLOMEDUSA VENUSTA (Lovely Leaf Frog). DIET.Phyllomedusa venusta is an arboreal frog found in northern Colombia, the valley of Magdalena, the Darién on both sides of the ColombiaPanamá border, and western Venezuela. The species is common, but populations are decreasing due to deforestation by agricultural and livestock activities, illegal plantations, human establishments, and use of agrochemicals (Rodríguez-Mahecha et al. 2008. Guía Ilustrada de Fauna del Santuario de Vida Silvestre Los Besotes,Valledupar, Cesar, Colombia. Editorial Panamericana, Formas e Impresos, Bogotá, Colombia. 574 pp.). The food habits and many other aspects of its biology and ecology are unknown. Herein we describe the diet of P. venusta in the dry tropical forest of Colombia at three sites: 1) The Natural Reserve of Civil Society Campoalegre, Municipality Los Cordobas, Department of Cordoba (8.48502°N, 76.19520°W, WGS84; elev. 120 m); 2) Finca Los Mameyales, Municipality Piojó, Department of Atlántico (10.74480°N, 75.09279°W, WGS84; elev. 206 m); 3) Las Delicias farm, Municipality Aracataca, Department of Magdalena (10.58694°N, 74.14224°W, WGS84; elev. 197 m). We examined 28 stomachs of P. venusta collected during 0800–1200 h and 1600–1800 h within forests and disturbed areas. Samples were obtained during 2007 in the dry season (January–March), first rains (April–June), and heavy rains (September–December). SUL (mm), and maximum mouth width (mm) were recorded for each individual. We identified prey to lowest taxonomic level possible (family and genus), and their length and width were measured (complete prey only) using a digital caliper (nearest 0.1 mm). The individual volume of each prey item and the number of prey items per stomach for each prey category were recorded. Volume of each prey item was estimated using the formula of a prolate spheroid. Of the captured frogs, six were females and 22 were males (mean SUL = 67.60 ± 8.76 mm; mean mouth width = 21.76 ± 2.10 mm). The diet consisted of 16 types of prey and was dominated in volume and frequency by orthopterans. Acarina showed the highest numerical contribution (Table 1). It has been suggested that acariphagia occurs in small anurans in terrestrial habits. However, P. venusta is large and arboreal, suggesting that acariphagia is a trophic phenomenon not limited to the species defined by Simon and Toft (1991. Oikos 61:263–278). The large numbers of orthopterans and blattarians consumed are congruent with that reported for other Phyllomedusa spp. (Parmelee 1999. Sci. Pap. Nat. His. Mus. Univ. Kansas 11:1–59; Vaz-Silva et al. 2004. Herpetol. Rev. 35:160; Freitas et al. 2008. Biota Neotrop. 8:101–110). Considering the type and prey proportion, P. venusta appears to be a generalist predator with a sit-and-wait foraging strategy.Fil: Blanco Torres, Argelina. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Duré Pitteri, Marta Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Bonilla, M. A.. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Colombi

La búsqueda de información en la Red. El caso Google.

O jornal comunitário Voz do Nicéia é um projeto de extensão universitária desenvolvido por alunos do curso de jornalismo da Unesp, Câmpus de Bauru, e direcionado aos moradores da comunidade carente Jardim Nicéia, bairro localizado a três quadras da universidade, mas, ao mesmo tempo, isolado da cidade por suas condições sociais, políticas e econômicas. Até há alguns anos, tratava-se de um conjunto de casas completamente fora do centro urbano. Todavia, com a expansão imobiliária hoje é rodeado por condomínios de luxo. O objetivo da publicação é dar voz aos moradores, expondo seus problemas ao poder público e impulsionando a mobilização social na comunidade. O jornal possibilita aos estudantes o exercício pleno da atividade jornalística, visto que eles participam de todas as etapas de produção, desde a coleta de pautas à distribuição do produto aos moradores do bairro. Além disso, o exercício da responsabilidade é obrigatório porque o público alvo existe e fiscaliza o conteúdo dos jornais

The architectural design of urban space and its influence in the communities of parasites in two areas of Buenos Aires City with different circulation dynamic of companion animals

Las excretas de mascotas constituyen un factor de riesgo para la transmisión urbana de zoonosis parasitarias. La abundancia de excretas depende del número de animales, de la posibilidad de acceso y el uso de distintos espacios urbanos. En plazas y parques públicos los animales deambulan acompañados por personas; en parques y jardines privados, el acceso y circulación está restringido a aquellos animales cuyos dueños habitan en el predio. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar si las barreras artificiales antropogénicas, condicionantes del tránsito de animales, limitan la dispersión de enteroparásitos. En áreas con desplazamiento restringido (BPLA) y con circulación libre (PP), fueron colectadas heces (BPLA: n=39; PP: n=50) y suelo (BPLA: n=20; PP: n=20) y procesadas por métodos convencionales. La frecuencia de especies en cada ambiente y para cada tipo de muestra fue comparada por el test de Diferencia de Proporciones. Las diferencias entre el número de especies parasitarias en cada matriz ambiental fueron establecidas con el test de Mann-Whitney (alfa=0,05). La similitud de las comunidades fue determinada con el Índice cualitativo de Sorensen (ICS). La proporción de muestras positivas en BPLA fue mayor que en PP (Tierra: 1,0 vs. 0,70; p<0,05 y Heces 0,56 vs. 0,32; p<0,05). En suelo, no se detectaron helmintos; el número de especies por unidad de muestreo fue mayor en BPLA que en PP (Mann-Whitney: U=300; p<0,01) así como la frecuencia relativa de Cryptosporidium sp. (1,0 vs. 0,56; p=0,0006); la riqueza de especies fue similar (ICS=0,8). El confinamiento de animales domésticos urbanos y la restricción de su desplazamiento al espacio verde cercado de su peridomicilio determinan el grado de contaminación fecal del suelo, agravado por el mal hábito higiénico de los propietarios. En estas situaciones, el suelo concentraría algunas formas infectivas y facilitaría su transmisión, realimentando los ciclos de infección y reinfección parasitaria.The presence of canine and feline faeces is a known risk factor for the transmission of zoonotic parasitoses. Their dispersion is tightly linked to the mobility of its hosts and their capability of contaminating such environments with faecal matter, and the latter will be clearly influenced by the ability of entering and exiting such area. Different uses of the urban space where the hosts inhabit may affect precisely that aptitude. It was hypothesized that certain artificial barriers created by urban settings, such as walls and fences, could limit the dispersion of parasitoses as they would limit the mobility of their hosts. The objective of this study was to determine if there were any differences between the communities of intestinal parasites found in excreta and soil samples within two bordering areas, one with restricted circulation (BPLA) and another one without such restrictions (PP). Faecal (BPLA: n=39; PP: n=50) and soil (BPLA: n=20; PP: n=20) samples were collected, processed according to the Willis and the Bacigalupo–Rivero techniques, and diagnosed by optical microscopy of fresh smears, lugol, Kinyoun and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. In order to establish statistical differences between the frequencies for all parasite species found in either environment for each sample type, the two populations‟ Difference in Proportions Test was performed. To assess communities‟ similarity, the Sorensen index was utilized and to determine if there were differences between the number of different species per sample the Mann–Whitney test was applied. Statistical differences were found in the total frequency of faeces and soil samples positive for any parasitic form, being higher in BPLA in both cases (p&lt;0, 05). On the other hand, there were no statistical differences for any particular species in any of the two sample types studied, with the exception of Cryptosporidium sp. that proved to be higher in BPLA soil samples (p&lt;0,01). The Sorensen index to compare the similarity among faecal and soil communities found in each urban environment were both 0,8. However, the Mann-Whitney test showed that there were a statistically major number of species per soil sample in BPLA than in PP. When taking these results into consideration, it could be inferred that urban architectonic barriers restricting pet displacements tend toward a raise of faecal contamination, thus increasing the chance of transmission of the studied pathogens, and accelerating cycles of transmission and reinfection.En "Documentos relacionados" se encuentra el link para acceder a la versión en español del artículo.Asociación Parasitológica Argentin

Systematics of the Neotropical Genus Leptodactylus Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura: Leptodactylidae): Phylogeny, the Relevance of Non-molecular Evidence, and Species Accounts

A phylogeny of the species-rich clade of the Neotropical frog genus Leptodactylus sensu stricto is presented on the basis of a total evidence analysis of molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) and non-molecular (adult and larval morphological and behavioral characters) sampled from > 80% of the 75 currently recognized species. Our results support the monophyly of Leptodactylus sensu stricto, with Hydrolaetare placed as its sister group. The reciprocal monophyly of Hydrolaetare and Leptodactylus sensu stricto does not require that we consider Hydrolaetare as either a subgenus or synonym of Leptodactylus sensu lato. We recognize Leptodactylus sensu stricto, Hydrolaetare, Adenomera, and Lithodytes as valid monophyletic genera. Our results generally support the traditionally recognized Leptodactylus species groups, with exceptions involving only a few species that are easily accommodated without proposing new groups or significantly altering contents. The four groups form a pectinate tree, with the Leptodactylus fuscus group diverging first, followed by the L. pentadactylus group, which is sister to the L. latrans and L. melanonotus groups. To evaluate the impact of non-molecular evidence on our results, we compared our total evidence results with results obtained from analyses using only molecular data. Although non-molecular evidence comprised only 3.5% of the total evidence matrix, it had a strong impact on our total evidence results. Only one species group was monophyletic in the molecular-only analysis, and support differed in 86% of the 54 Leptodactylus clades that are shared by the results of the two analyses. Even though no non-molecular evidence was included for Hydrolaetare, exclusion of that data partition resulted in that genus being nested within Leptodactylus, demonstrating that the inclusion of a small amount of non-molecular evidence for a subset of species can alter not only the placement of those species, but also species that were not scored for those data. The evolution of several natural history and reproductive traits is considered in the light of our phylogenic framework. Invasion of rocky outcrops, larval oophagy, and use of underground reproductive chambers are restricted to species of the Leptodactylus fuscus and L. pentadactylus groups. In contrast, larval schooling, larval attendance, and more complex parental care are restricted to the L. latrans and L. melanonotus groups. Construction of foam nests is plesiomorphic in Leptodactylus but their placement varies extensively (e.g., underground chambers, surface of waterbodies, natural or excavated basins). Information on species synonymy, etymology, adult and larval morphology, advertisement call, and geographic distribution is summarized in species accounts for the 30 species of the Leptodactylus fuscus group, 17 species of the L. pentadactylus group, eight species of the L. latrans group, and 17 species of the L. melanonotus group, as well as the three species that are currently unassigned to any species group.Se presenta una filogenia del género Leptodactylus, un ciado neotropical rico en especies, basada en análises combinados de datos moleculares (marcadores nuclear y mitocondriales) y no moleculares (caracteres de la morfología de adultos y larvas así como de comportamiento) se muestrearon > 80% de las 75 especies reconocidas. Los resultados apoyan la monofília de Leptodactylus sensu stricto, con Hydrolaetare como su grupo hermano. La monofília recíproca de Hydrolaetare y Leptodactylus no requiere considerar a Hydrolaetare como un subgénero o sinónimo de Leptodactylus sensu lato. Se reconocen Leptodactylus sensu stricto, Hydrolaetare, Adenomera y Lithodytes como géneros monofiléticos válidos. Los resultados en general resuelven los grupos tradicionalmente reconocidos de Leptodactylus, con excepciones de algunas especies que son reasignadas sin la necesidad de proponer nuevos grupos o alterar significativamente el contenido de los grupos tradicionales. Los cuatro grupos de especies forman una topología pectinada donde el grupo de L. fuscus tiene una posición basal, seguido por el grupo de L. pentadactylus que es el grupo hermano al clado formado por los grupo de L. latrans y L. melanonotus. Se estimó el impacto de los datos no moleculares en los resultados, comparándose los resultados de evidencia total con los de los análises de datos moleculares solamente. Los datos no moleculares representan un 3.5% de la matriz de evidencia total, pero estos datos tuvieron un impacto significativo en los resultados del análisis de evidencia total. En el análisis estrictamente molecular solamente un grupo de especies resultó monofilético, y el apoyo difirió en 86% de los 54 ciados de Leptodactylus compartidos entre los dos análises. A pesar que datos no moleculares no fueron incluidos para Hydrolaetare, la exclusión de evidencia no molecular resultó en el género estar dentro de Leptodactylus, demostrando que la inclusión de evidencia no molecular pequeña para un subgrupo de especies altera no solamente la posición topológica de esas especies, sino tambien de las especies para las cuales dichos datos no fueron codificados. La evolución de patrones de historia natural y reprodución se evalúan en el contexto filogenético. La invasión de afloramientos rocosos y la construción de cámaras de reprodución subterraneas está limitada a los grupos de Leptodactylus fuscus y L. pentadactylus, mientras que la oofagia larval está restringida al grupo de L. pentadactylus. Por otro lado, los cárdumenes larvales, la proteción del cárdumen, y otros comportamientos parentales complejos carecterizan al clado formado por los grupos de especies de L. latrans y L. melanonotus. Los resúmenes de especies incluyen información de sinonimias, etimología, morfología de adultos y larvas, cantos, y distribución geográfica para las 30 especies del grupo de Leptodactylus fuscus, 17 especies del grupo L. pentadactylus, ocho especies del grupo de L. latrans, 17 especies del grupo de L. melanonotus, así como para las tres especies que actualmente no se encuentran asociadas a ninguno de los grupos de especies.Taran Grant was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico Proc. 307001/2011-3 and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Proc. 2012/10000-5

Proyecto MAPEC-Salta: una nueva modalidad de atención para personas con hipertensión arterial en tres centros de atención primaria de la salud de la ciudad de Salta, Argentina.

Background: Hypertension (HT) is the first cause of worldwide cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, it is often a poorlycontrolled disease, mainly because health care systems are oriented to the attention of acute diseases. The Argentine Ministry ofHealth proposed a new model for the care of hypertensive patients called MAPEC, based on the Chronic Care Model.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of MAPEC implementation to improve blood pressure (BP) control,changes in lifestyle, disease knowledge and treatment adherence in hypertensive patients treated in three primary health care centersof the City of Salta, Argentina.Methods: Blood pressure was measured with a digital blood pressure monitor and the Batalla and Morisky-Green-Levine tests wereused to evaluate disease knowledge and adherence to treatment, respectively.Results: The study included 232 patients. After model implementation, significant differences (p<0.0001) were found in bloodpressure control, disease understanding, treatment adherence and changes in hygienic-dietary measures. There was a decrease inmean BP with a reduction of 12.97 (95% CI: 9.52-16.42) mm Hg and 6.93 (95% CI: 4.70-9.16) mm Hg in systolic and diastolic BP,respectively.Conclusions: There was evident improvement in the analyzed health parameters after MAPEC implementation. This model canbe easily adapted to primary health care centers at a low cost. In addition, it agrees with the 25×25 WHO targets to reduce 25%cardiovascular premature deaths by 2025.Introducción: La hipertensión arterial (HTA) es la primera causa de morbimortalidad cardiovascular. A menudo es una enfermedadmal controlada porque los sistemas de salud están más orientados a atender enfermedades agudas. El Ministeriode Salud de Argentina propuso un nuevo modelo de atención para pacientes hipertensos conocido como MAPEC, basado enel modelo de cuidados crónicos.Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la implementación del MAPEC en el control de la presión arterial (PA), el cuidado de las medidashigiénico-dietéticas, el conocimiento de la enfermedad y la adherencia al tratamiento en pacientes hipertensos asistidosen tres centros de atención primaria de la ciudad de Salta, Argentina.Material y Métodos: Se midió la PA con tensiómetro digital automático; se evaluó el conocimiento de la HTA y la adherenciaal tratamiento con los test de Batalla y Morisky-Green-Levine, respectivamente.Resultados: Se estudiaron 232 pacientes. Hubo diferencias significativas (p <0,0001) luego de la intervención en el controlde la PA, el conocimiento de la enfermedad, la adherencia al tratamiento y las medidas higiénico-dietéticas. También enlos promedios de PA, con una disminución de 12,97 (IC95: 9,52-16,42) mmHg en la presión sistólica y de 6,93 (IC95: 4,70-9,16) mmHg en la presión diastólica.Conclusiones: Fue evidente la mejoría en los parámetros de salud analizados en los pacientes con la implementación del MAPEC.Este modelo es de fácil aplicación y bajo costo. Además, está en consonancia con los objetivos 25×25 de la OMS, mediantelos que se busca una reducción del 25% de las muertes prematuras por enfermedades cardiovasculares hacia el año 2025

Brote de histoplasmosis en la Escuela de Cadetes de la Base Aérea de Morón, Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina Histoplasmosis outbreak in Morón, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Se describe un brote de histoplasmosis que afectó a 6 cadetes de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina, sin antecedentes patológicos previos. Todos consultaron por problemas respiratorios después de haber limpiado un hangar. En ese recinto se encontraron abundantes deyecciones de animales, presuntamente de palomas y murciélagos. Los pacientes sufrieron fiebre, mialgias, taquipnea y tos no productiva. Las radiografías y tomografías de tórax mostraron imágenes pulmonares micronodulares, engrosamiento de los tabiques interalveolares y adenopatías hiliares. Todos tuvieron una evolución favorable y no requirieron tratamiento antifúngico. Las pruebas de inmunodifusión y contrainmunoelectroforesis con antígenos de Histoplasma capsulatum fueron positivas, al igual que las intradermorreacciones con histoplasmina. Se recogieron 5 muestras de tierra del lugar, las que fueron inoculadas por vía intraperitoneal a 20 hámsteres. De los cultivos de hígado y bazo de dichos animales se consiguió aislar la fase micelial de H. capsulatum. La cepa aislada se comparó con las obtenidas de 12 pacientes argentinos utilizando perfiles genéticos y se observó un clado único con más de 96% de similitud, lo que confirma la homogeneidad de las cepas argentinas. Si bien la histoplasmosis es endémica en la Pampa húmeda, este es el primer brote totalmente documentado al sur del paralelo 34°.<br>An histoplasmosis outbreak affecting 6 previously healthy Air Force cadets is herein presented. The patients suffered from fever and respiratory symptoms after having cleaned an abandoned hangar soiled with pigeons and bat droppings. They all presented fever, myalgia, tachypnea, and nonproductive cough. Chest X-ray and CT scan studies showed disseminated reticulonodular images affecting both lungs. Hiliar adenomegalies were also observed. All patients achieved a favourable outcome without antifungal treatment. Both serologic tests searching for specificic antibodies (immunodiffusion and counterimmunoelectrophoresis) and histoplasmin skin tests were positive in all cases. Five soil samples mixed with pigeons and bat droppings were collected from the hangar. Suspensions of these samples were inoculated into 20 hamsters by intraperitoneal injection; mycelial phase of H. capsulatum was isolated from liver and spleen cultures. The genetic profile of this strain was compared with 12 isolates obtained from Argentinean patients, and a great degree of homogeneity was observed (> 96% similarity). Although histoplasmosis is endemic in the wet Pampas, this is the first epidemic outbreak reported south of the 34th parallel

Diet and microhabitat use by two Hylodinae species (Anura, Cycloramphidae) living in sympatry and syntopy in a Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest area Dieta e uso do microhabitat em duas espécies de Hylodinae (Anura, Cycloramphidae) vivendo em simpatria e sintopia em uma área de Mata Atlântica

We analyzed the diet and microhabitat use for two Hylodinae anurans (Cycloramphidae), Hylodes phyllodes Heyer & Cocroft, 1986 and Crossodactylus gaudichaudii Duméril & Bibron, 1841, living in sympatry at an Atlantic Rainforest area of Ilha Grande, in southeastern Brazil. The two species live syntopically at some rocky streams. The two species differed strongly in microhabitat use. Hylodes phyllodes occurred mainly on rocks, whereas C. gaudichaudii was observed mostly on the water. Regarding diet, coleopterans, hymenopterans (ants), and larvae were the most important prey item consumed by both species. Data suggest that microhabitat use appears to be an important parameter differentiating these frogs with respect to general resource utilization.<br>Nós analisamos a dieta e o uso do microhabitat em duas espécies de anuros da subfamília Hylodinae (Cycloramphidae), Hylodes phyllodes Heyer & Cocroft, 1986 e Crossodactylus gaudichaudii Duméril & Bibron, 1841, que vivem em simpatria em uma área de Mata Atlântica na Ilha Grande, na região sudeste do Brasil. As duas espécies vivem sintopicamente em alguns riachos pedregosos. As duas espécies diferiram fortemente no uso do microhabitat. Hylodes phyllodes ocorreu principalmente sobre pedras, enquanto C. gaudichaudii foi observado na maioria das vezes dentro d'água. Com relação à dieta, coleópteros, himenópteros (formigas), e larvas foram as presas mais consumidas por ambas as espécies. Os dados sugerem que o uso do microhabitat parece ser um importante parâmetro diferenciando esses anuros com respeito a utilização de recursos