OBSERVATIONS ON THE NESTING OF THE GRAY-HEADED DOVE (LEPTOTILA PLUMBEICEPS) IN A SHADE-GROWN COFFEE PLANTATION, IN VERACRUZ, MEXICO

The Gray-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps) is a neotropical bird distributed from northeastern Mexico to eastern Colombia; its breeding biology is virtually unknown. In May 2020, we found a pair of these doves nesting in a shade-grown coffee plantation, in central-western Veracruz, Mexico. The nest was a circular plataform (20 cm in diameter), made of sticks, leaves, and artificial materials. The clutch consisted of two eggs that were incubated for 14 days, and the nestlings remaining in the nest 12 days after hatching. To our knowledge, this work is the first to study the breeding of the Gray-headed Dove. Although we evidence the plasticity of this dove by incorporating artificial materials in its nests, these can be a hazard for adults and chicks

First report of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens (Caudata: Plethodontidae) in Veracruz, México

Several cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been documented in salamanders. These abnormalities can be partial or total and are derived from the absence or excess of pigmentation produced by chromatophores (pigment cells). Here, we present the first record of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens, from Veracruz, Mexico, being this the second case of abnormal pigmentation in the genus Bolitoglossa.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

First report of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens (Caudata: Plethodontidae) in Veracruz, México

Several cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been documented in salamanders. These abnormalities can be partial or total and are derived from the absence or excess of pigmentation produced by chromatophores (pigment cells). Here, we present the first record of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens, from Veracruz, Mexico, being this the second case of abnormal pigmentation in the genus Bolitoglossa.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

First report of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens (Caudata: Plethodontidae) in Veracruz, México

Several cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been documented in salamanders. These abnormalities can be partial or total and are derived from the absence or excess of pigmentation produced by chromatophores (pigment cells). Here, we present the first record of melanism in the salamander Bolitoglossa rufescens, from Veracruz, Mexico, being this the second case of abnormal pigmentation in the genus Bolitoglossa.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

First green now blue: first case of axanthism in Smilisca baudinii (Duméril and Bibron, 1841) (Amphibia: Anura)

Cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been documented in several amphibians and reptiles. These abnormalities have been classified as leucism, albinism, melanism and axanthism, among others. We report here the first case of axanthism in the frog Smilisca baudinii, as well as in the entire corresponding genus. To our knowledge, it is also the first report of axanthism in wild amphibians from Mexico.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

The distribution of Cuban Brown Anoles, Anolis sagrei (Squamata: Dactyloidae), in Mexico, with new records and comments on ecological interactions

The Cuban Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) is native to the Bahamas, the Cuba Archipelago, and Little Cayman, but is now among the world’s most widely distributed invasive lizards. In Mexico, the species has been reported from the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Jalisco, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Yucatán. However, no complete compendium exists summarizing the locality-level distribution of A. sagrei in Mexico. Herein we provide an exhaustive compilation of vouchered Mexican specimens based on museum records and the literature. Supplementing this review are reports of five new localities for A. sagrei in Veracruz and Tabasco. We conclude with brief comments on the potential ecological effects of this species in Mexico

Observaciones del rascón pinto, Pardirallus maculatus (Aves: Rallidae) en el centro-occidente de Veracruz

Presentamos los primeros registros del rascón pinto (Pardirallus maculatus) en el centro-oeste de Veracruz, su presencia en esta área puede explicarse por la gran capacidad de dispersión o vagabundeo de la especie o bien, por sesgos en el conocimiento de su distribución. Asimismo, reportamos el consumo de lenteja de agua (Lemnaceae) para este rascón.We report the first records of the Spotted Rail (Pardirallus maculatus) in central-western Veracruz. The presence of Spotted rails in this area can be explained by the high dispersal capabilities or wandering behavior of the species but also it could be due to the fact that there are biases in the knowledge of its distribution. Also, we report the consumption of duckweed plants (Lemnaceae) for this rail

Ara militaris en el centro-occidente de Veracruz: registros recientes

Based on interviews and field observations, we present information about individuals of Military Macaw (Ara militaris) in the common of Caballo Blanco, in central western of Veracruz. We obtained observations in 2014 and 2015 on a site with cliffs covered by deciduous forest relicts. However, local people said they had seen Military Macaws in this area at least since 2012. It is important to continue working with the people of Caballo Blanco in order to ensure the preservation of this population of Military Macaw. Also, it is necessary to deepen aspects of their ecology on this site, which would be the only one with recent and constant presence of this species in Veracruz.RESUMEN. Con base en entrevistas y observaciones de campo, presentamos información sobre individuos de la guacamaya verde (Ara militaris) en la comunidad de Caballo Blanco, en el centro occidente de Veracruz. Se obtuvieron observaciones en 2014 y 2015 en un sitio con acantilados cubiertos por relictos de bosques caducifolios. Sin embargo, la población local dijo que había visto guacamayas verdes en esta área por lo menos desde 2012. Es importante seguir trabajando con la gente de Caballo Blanco para asegurar la preservación de esta población de guacamayas verdes. Además, es necesario profundizar aspectos de su ecología en este sitio, que sería el único con presencia reciente y constante de esta especie en Veracruz.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate and functional status among older people: A systematic review

Background: The association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and functional status may change as a function of the equation used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We reviewed the predictive value of different eGFR equations in regard to frailty and disability outcomes. Methods: We searched Pubmed from inception to March 2018 for studies investigating the association between eGFR and self-reported and/or objective measures of frailty or disability. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were separately analysed. Results: We included 16 studies, one of which reporting both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Three out of 7 cross-sectional studies compared different eGFR equations in regard to their association with functional status: two studies showed that cystatin C-based, but not creatinine-based eGFR may be associated with hand-grip strength or frailty; another study showed that two different creatinine-based eGFR equations may be similarly associated with disability. Four out of 10 longitudinal studies provided comparative data: two studies reported similar association with disability for different creatinine-based eGFR equations; one study showed that creatinine-based eGFR was not associated with frailty, but a not significant trend for association was observed with cystatin C-based eGFR; one study showed that cystatin C-based but not creatinine-based eGFR may predict incident mobility disability, while both methods may predict gait speed decline. High heterogeneity was observed in regard to confounders included in reviewed studies. None of them included the most recently published equations. Conclusion: Available data do not support the superiority of one of the eGFR equations in terms of measuring or predicting functional decline

Design and methodology of the screening for CKD among older patients across Europe (SCOPE) study: A multicenter cohort observational study

Background: Decline of renal function is common in older persons and the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising with ageing. CKD affects different outcomes relevant to older persons, additionally to morbidity and mortality which makes CKD a relevant health burden in this population. Still, accurate laboratory measurement of kidney function is under debate, since current creatinine-based equations have a certain degree of inaccuracy when used in the older population. The aims of the study are as follows: to assess kidney function in a cohort of 75+ older persons using existing methodologies for CKD screening; to investigate existing and innovative biomarkers of CKD in this cohort, and to align