Taxonomy, zoogeography, and conservation of the herpetofauna of Nicaragua

Central America is one of the world’s most herpetological diverse areas in relation to its size. Nicaragua is the largest country in this region and separates Nuclear from Lower Central America. It is one of the least herpetological explored countries in Central America and few studies dealing with the herpetofauna of a potion or the entire country have been published. I here update the checklist of the Nicaraguan herpetofauna, present taxonomic revisions of some difficult species complexes, compare the similarities of the composition of the herpetofaunal communities in the major forest formations present in the country within a zoogeographical context, and identify those species with a greater vulnerability risk in Nicaragua. Taxonomy The herpetofauna of Nicaragua currently consists of 244 species representing 134 genera and 42 families with 78 amphibian species representing 35 genera and 15 families, and 166 reptile species representing 99 genera and 27 families, which includes six marine species. Sixteen species (12 amphibians and four reptiles) are endemic to the country. Of the 12 endemic amphibian species, three are here described. In addition, five genera (Anotheca, Cerrophidion, Duellmanohyla, Isthmohyla, and Rhinobothryum) and two species (Rhadinea godmani and Urotheca decipiens) are known to occur both north and south of Nicaragua although there are no voucher specimens of these taxa to confirm their presence in country. I complete a bibliographic research updating the nomenclature changes and provide a brief herpetological history of Nicaragua, a recompilation of all species described upon Nicaraguan material and their current synonymy, the first time each species was recorded from the country, and a list of all recognized subspecies occurring in Nicaragua. I discuss the taxonomic uncertainties among the Nicaraguan populations of amphibians and reptiles and take further detailed taxonomic revisions on selected Nicaraguan species groups from the genera Anolis, Bolitoglossa, and Craugastor along their known distributional range. I describe five new species of herpetofauna (three of which are based on Nicaraguan material), redescribe five species of Anolis (three of which occur in Nicaragua), and provide voucher specimens of five other species for the first time in Nicaragua. In detail: • I studied the pholidosis, morphometrics as well as hemipenis and dewlap morphology in Anolis wermuthi, an anole endemic to the highlands of northern Nicaragua. I examine patterns of geographic variation using discriminant function analysis and discuss the characters that vary both individually and among populations. The results indicate that A. wermuthi is a single species with several disjunct, slightly divergent populations. I provide a standardized description, illustrations of the everted hemipenis of an adult topotype, the male and female dewlap, and a distribution map. I also provide brief descriptions of the localities where this species occurs and some ecological notes. • I studied the pholidosis, morphometrics as well as hemipenis morphology in the Central American anole species Anolis humilis, A. quaggulus, and A. uniformis. The three taxa are distinct in hemipenis morphology. However, very little differentiation in pholidotic and morphometric characters is documented. I document interspecific variation in several characters but with overlap of the documented ranges. A discriminant function analysis based on five pholidotic characters yielded a scatter diagram that showed large overlap between the clusters of the three taxa. I provide head scalation illustrations, an identification key, a distribution map, and standardized descriptions of the commonly distributed in Nicaragua A. quaggulus as well as of the other two species. • I describe two new species of anoles (genus Anolis) from Panama formerly referred to as Anolis limifrons. The two new species, Anolis apletophallus and Anolis cryptolimifrons, differ from A. limifrons by having a large bilobed hemipenis (small and unilobed in A. limifrons). The new species differ from each other in male dewlap size and coloration. I provide illustrations of the head scalation, everted hemipenis, and dewlap, an identification key, a distribution map, and standardized descriptions of the commonly distributed in Nicaragua A. limifrons and the two new species described herein. • I describe two new species of salamanders of Bolitoglossa from southern Nicaragua. Bolitoglossa indio is known from Río Indio in the lowlands of the Río San Juan area and Bolitoglossa insularis from the premontane slopes of Volcán Maderas on Ometepe Island. The two new species are of unknown affinities but both differ from their congeners in coloration. Bolitoglossa indio is most similar to B. mexicana and B. odonnelli from which differ by having both broad dorsolateral pale brown stripes not clearly delimited in outline. Bolitoglossa insularis is most similar to B. mombachoensis and B. striatula from which differ by the absence of dark or light defined stripes on dorsum and venter. • I describe a new species of frog of the genus Craugastor from Río San Juan, Nicaragua. The new species, Craugastor chingopetaca, is assigned to the fitzingeri group and differs from most Central American species of that group by the absence of a midgular pale stripe. Within the fitzingeri group it is most similar to C. crassidigitus and C. talamancae from which it differs in several morphological characteristics such as more extensive webbing, retuse disk covers on some digits, and relative toe length. • I provide voucher specimens of Cochranella spinosa, Kinosternon angustipons, Mesaspis moreletii, Cnemidophorus lemniscatus and Adelphicos quadrivirgatum for the first time in Nicaragua. I include descriptions, illustrations, and brief ecological notes for the five new country records. Zoogeography Based on the concept of ecological formations proposed by HOLDRIDGE (1967), nine forest formations are found in Nicaragua. Of the total number of terrestrial species of herpetofauna found in Nicaragua, 131 species (55.0%) occur in Lowland Wet Forest, 21 of which (8.8%) are restricted to this forest formation, 168 species (70.6%) occur in Lowland Moist Forest, 15 of which (6.3%) are restricted to this forest formation, 84 species (35.3%) occur in Lowland Dry Forest, four of which (1.7%) are restricted to this forest formation, 47 species (19.7%) occur in Lowland Arid Forest, with no species restricted to this forest formation, 59 species (24.8%) occur in Premontane Wet Forest, three of which (1.3%) are restricted to this forest formation, 116 species (48.7%) occur in Premontane Moist Forest, 10 of which (4.2%) are restricted to this forest formation, 51 (21.4%) species occur in Premontane Dry Forest, with no species restricted to this forest formation, 13 species (5.5%) occur in Lower Montane Wet Forest, two of which (0.8%) are restricted to this forest formation, and 50 species (21.0%) occur Lower Montane Moist Forest, seven of which (2.9%) are restricted to this forest formation. The Coefficient of Biogeographic Resemblance algorithm show a distinct composition of the herpetofauna from the isolated highlands of northeastern Nicaragua, which is characterized by a high proportion of endemic species. Two other clusters are evident when analyzing the herpetofaunal similarities among Nicaragua, the Pacific versant and the central mountains and the Atlantic lowlands. In addition, the Pacific lowlands are characterized by a relatively homogeneous composition of the herpetofauna. In contrast, many species have their northern limit of distribution in the Atlantic lowlands with the ranges of most of these species ending in southern Nicaragua. The central mountains constitute the southern limit of distribution of several highland species. In general, there is a greater contribution of reptile than amphibian species to the total herpetofauna present in each forest formation. This unbalance is slightly higher in the dry than in the moist parts of the country. The similarities in the composition of the reptiles between the different forests formations seem to be relatively distinct on an elevation factor, whereas in amphibians similarities might be better explained in correlation with humidity. The total amount of amphibian and reptile species in Nicaragua has a Middle American Element dominance and varies between amphibians and reptiles, with and a greater South American Element influence in anurans and a greater Old Northern Element influence in reptiles. In general, there is a greater percentage of species with a South American Element in extreme southeastern Nicaragua with a decreasing tendency towards northern Nicaragua. Taking in account the geography and geologic history of Nicaragua as well as the known Central American dispersal routes, I identify species of probable occurrence in Nicaragua as well as those places with a greater potential to hold undescribed endemic species. Conservation In Nicaragua, no amphibian or reptile populations are entirely free from anthropogenic impact. I determine the endangerment level of all Nicaraguan amphibian and reptile species using the IUCN categorizations and the Environmental Vulnerability Scores. Seventy-six species (31.9%) of Nicaraguan amphibians and terrestrial reptiles have high vulnerability, 118 (49.6%) medium vulnerability, and 44 (18.5%) low vulnerability. Eighteen species (7.4% of the total herpetofauna) are unknown from protected areas, including 13 high vulnerability species (three are endemic), four medium vulnerability species, and one low vulnerability species. To preserve the future of Nicaragua’s amphibians and reptiles, every species should reside in at least one protected area, the protected areas must be guarded, and monitoring programs are needed to detect changes in amphibian and reptile populations, prioritizing highly vulnerable species.Mittelamerika gehört zu den Regionen der Welt mit der relativ artenreichsten Herpetofauna. Nicaragua ist das größte Land Mittelamerikas und liegt zwischen den nördlichen und südlichen Hochlandblöcken. Es ist eines der am wenigsten herpetologisch erforschten Länder in Mittelamerika und es wurden bisher nur wenige Studien über die Herpetofauna des Landes veröffentlicht. Im Rahmen meiner Doktorarbeit komplettiere ich die herpetologische Artenliste Nicaraguas, präsentiere taxonomische Revisionen schwieriger Artkomplexe, vergleiche die Zusammensetzung verschiedener herpetologischer Artengemeinschaften aus den größeren Waldgebieten Nicaraguas und identifiziere die besonders bedrohten Arten. Taxonomie Die Herpetofauna Nicaraguas umfasst 244 Arten aus 134 Gattungen und 42 Familien, wobei 78 Arten aus 35 Gattungen und 15 Familien auf die Amphibien entfallen, und 166 Arten, inklusive sechs marine Arten, aus 99 Gattungen und 27 Familien auf die Reptilien. 16 Arten (zwölf Amphibienarten und vier Reptilarten) sind für Nicaragua endemisch. Von den zwölf endemischen Amphibienarten werden drei in dieser Arbeit beschrieben. Desweiteren gibt es sechs Gattungen (Anotheca, Cerrophidion, Duellmanohyla, Isthmohyla und Rhinobothryum) und zwei Arten (Rhadinea godmani und Urotheca decipiens), die sowohl nördlich als auch südlich von Nicaragua vorkommen, die aber bis jetzt noch nicht durch Belegexemplare auch für Nicaragua nachgewiesen werden konnten. Basierend auf einer Überprüfung der Literatur bringe ich die Nomenklatur der Arten auf den aktuellen Stand und gebe weiterhin einen Überblick über die Geschichte der herpetologischen Erforschung Nicaraguas, eine Auflistung aller Arten, die basierend auf nicaraguanischen Material beschrieben wurden sowie deren aktuelle Synonymie, das Datum des Erstnachweises jeder Art für Nicaragua sowie eine Liste aller anerkannten in Nicaragua vorkommenden Unterarten. Unklarheiten in der Taxonomie nicaraguanischer Amphibien- und Reptilienpopulationen werden diskutiert und taxonomische Revisionen ausgewählter Artengruppen der Gattungen Anolis, Bolitoglossa, and Craugastor entlang ihrer Verbreitung durchgeführt. Fünf neue Arten (drei davon basierend auf nicaraguanischen Material) werden beschrieben, fünf Anolis-Arten (drei davon aus Nicaragua) werden detailliert wiederbeschrieben, und von fünf Arten habe ich erstmals Belegexemplare aus Nicaragua gesammelt. Im einzelnen wurden folgende Punkte untersucht: • Pholidose, Morphometrie sowie Hemipenis- und Kehlfahnen-Morphologie von Anolis wermuthi, eine für das Hochland Nicaraguas endemische Anolis-Arten, wurden untersucht. Dabei wurde die geographische Variation mit Hilfe der Diskriminanzfunktionsanalyse untersucht und die Variation ausgewählter Merkmale zwischen Individuen und Populationen diskutiert. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, dass es sich bei A. wermuthi um eine einzige Art mit mehreren disjunkten, leicht divergenten Populationen handelt. Eine genaue Artbeschreibung, inklusive Abbildungen eines ausgestülpten Hemipenis eines adulten Topotypus, der männlichen und weiblichen Kehlfahne und eine Verbreitungskarte werden zusammen mit kurzen Beschreibungen der Fundorte sowie einigen ökologischen Notizen aufgeführt. • Pholidose, Morphometrie und Hemipenis-Morphologie dreier mittelamerikanischer Anolisarten (Anolis humilis, A. quaggulus, und A. uniformis) wurden untersucht, um den taxonomischen Status der nicaraguanischen Populationen zu klären. Diese drei Taxa unterscheiden sich deutlich in der Hemipenis-Morphologie, aber nur geringfügig in pholidotischen und morphometrischen Merkmalen. Bei mehreren Merkmalen wurde interspezifische Variation dokumentiert, allerdings mit großer Überlappung der Variationsbreite. Eine auf fünf pholidotischen Merkmalen beruhende Diskriminanzanalyse ergab ein Streudiagramm, welches starke Überlappungen zwischen den Clustern der drei Taxa zeigt. Ein Bestimmungsschlüssel sowie Abbildungen der Kopfbeschuppung, Verbreitungskarten und standardisierte Beschreibungen der drei Arten werden vorgelegt. • Zwei neue Anolis-Arten aus Panama, die bisher der Art A. limifrons zugeordnet waren, werden beschrieben. Die beiden neuen Arten, A. apletophallus und A. cryptolimifrons, unterscheiden sich von A. limifrons in ihren großen zweilappigen Hemipenes (klein und einlappig bei limifrons). Untereinander unterscheiden sich die beiden neuen Arten in der Größe der Kehlfahne des Männchens und der Färbung Neben einem Bestimmungsschlüssel werden Abbildung der Kopfbeschuppung, des ausgestülpten Hemipenis, der Kehlfahne, Verbreitungskarten und standardisierte Beschreibungen sowohl der beiden neuen Arten als auch A. limifrons vorgelegt. • Zwei neue Salamanderarten der Gattung Bolitoglossa aus Süd-Nicaragua werden beschrieben. Bolitoglossa indio stammt vom Rio Indio im Tiefland der Rio San Juan -Region; B. insularis kommt an den prämontanen Hängen des Maderas-Vulkans auf der Insel Ometepe vor. Die Verwandtschaftsbeziehungen der beiden neuen Arten zu den anderen Arten dieser Gattung sind unklar, sie unterscheiden sich jedoch in der Farbgebung. Bolitoglossa indio ähnelt am stärksten B. mexicana und B. odonelli, von denen sich die neue Art durch ihre verschwommenen breiten dorsolateralen braunen Streifen abgrenzen lässt. Bolitoglossa insularis zeigt die größte Ähnlichkeit zu B. mombachoensis und B. striatula, weist aber keine klaren hellen oder dunklen Streifen an Bauch und Rücken auf. • Eine neue Art der Froschgattung Craugastor vom Río San Juan in Süd-Nicaragua wird beschrieben. Craugastor chingopetaca wird der fitzingeri-Gruppe zugeordnet, unterscheidet sich von den meisten anderen Arten dieser Gruppe durch das Fehlen eines blassen Kehlstreifens. Innerhalb der fitzingeri-Gruppe ähnelt die neue Art am stärksten C. crassidigitus und C. talamancae. Eine Abgrenzung ist anhand mehrerer morphologischer Merkmale wie stärker ausgebildete Schwimmhäute, eingekerbte Fingerscheiben und die relative Zehenlänge möglich. • Erste Belegexemplare für Nicaragua von die Arten Cochranella spinosa, Kinosternon angustipons, Mesaspis moreletii, Cnemidophorus lemniscatus and Adelphicos quadrivirgatum wurden gesammelt. Beschreibung, Abbildungen und kurze ökologische Angaben werden für die fünf neuen Landesnachweise vorgelegt. Zoogeographie Basierend auf dem Konzept der Waldkategorien von HOLDRIDGE (1967) kann man in Nicaragua neun Waldtypen unterscheiden. Betrachtet man die Einteilung der terrestrischen Herpetofauna, so stellt man fest, dass 131 Arten (55,0%) im Lowland Wet Forest vorkommen, 21 dieser Arten (8,8%) kommen dabei nur in diesem Waldtyp vor; 168 Arten (70,6%) kommen im Lowland Moist Forest vor, 15 Arten (6,3%) kommen nur hier vor; 84 Arten (35,3%) kommen im Lowland Dry Forest vor, vier Arten (1,7%) sind auf diesen Lebensraum beschränkt; 47 Arten (19,7%) kommen im Lowland Arid Forest vor, wobei keine Art ausschliesslich hier vorkommt; 59 Arten (24,8%) kommen im Premontane Wet Forest vor, wobei drei (1,3%) Arten nur hier vorkommen; 116 Arten (48,7%) sind im Premontane Moist Forest verbreitet, zehn dieser Arten (4,2%) kommen nur hier vor; 51 Arten (21,4%) kommen im Premontane Dry Forest vor, wobei keine Art ausschliesslich hier vorkommt; 13 Arten (5,5%) sind im Lower Montane Wet Forest verbreitet, wobei zwei Arten (0,8%) nur hier vorkommen; und 50 Arten (21,0%) kommen im Lower Montane Moist Forest vor, mit sieben (2,9%) auf diesen Typ beschränkten Arten. Der „Coefficient of Biogeographic Resemblance“-Algorithmus belegt, dass die isolierten Hochlandgebiete im Nordosten Nicaraguas eine distinkte Zusammensetzung der Herpetofauna aufweisen, charakterisiert durch einen hohen Endemiten-Anteil. Es zeigen sich zwei weitere Cluster, zum ein der pazifische Abhang und zum anderen die zentrale Bergregion und der atlantische Abhang. Das pazifische Tiefland zeichnet sich durch eine relativ homogene Zusammensetzung der Herpetofauna aus. Im Gegensatz dazu haben viele Arten ihre nördliche Verbreitungsgrenze im atlantischen Tiefland, wobei die Areale der meisten dieser Arten im südlichen Nicaragua enden. Die zentralen Berge bilden die südliche Verbreitungsgrenze für einige Hochland-Arten. Generell ist in jeder Waldkategorie der Beitrag der Reptilien zur Diversität der Herpetofauna größer als der der Amphibien, wobei dies in den trockenen Gebieter stärker ausgeprägt ist als in den feuchten Zonen. Gemeinsamkeiten der Artenzusammensetzung der Reptilien finden sich vor allem in Gebieten gleicher Höhe, während Gemeinsamkeiten in der Artenzusammensetzung der Amphibien eher durch Niederschlag bedingt sind. Generell ist die Herpetofauna Nicaraguas von mittelamerikanischen Elementen dominiert, wobei bei den Anuren auch deutliche südamerikanische Einflüsse erkennbar sind, während die Reptilien mehr nördliche Elemente aufweisen Generell ist der Anteil der südamerikanischen Elemente im südöstlichen Nicaragua relativ hoch, nimmt jedoch nach Norden hin ab. Unter Berücksichtigung der Geographie und Geologie Nicaraguas sowie der bekannten mittelamerikanischen Ausbreitungswege, identifiziere ich Arten, die mit großen Wahrscheinlichkeit zukünftig in Nicaragua nachgewiesen werden, sowie Gebiete, die ein größeres Potential für noch unbeschriebene endemische Arten haben. Schutz In Nicaragua unterliegen alle Amphibien- und Reptilienpopulationen anthropogenen Einflüssen. Ich habe für alle Amphibien- und Reptilienarten Nicaraguas den Grad der Bedrohung mit Hilfe der IUCN-Kategorien und der Environmental Vulnerability Scores ermittelt. Sechsundsiebzig (31,9%) der nicaraguanischen Arten von Amphibien und terrestrischen Reptilien sind stark bedroht, 118 (49,6%) sind bedroht, und 44 (18,5%) sind mäßig bedroht. Achtzehn (7,4%) Arten kommen in keinem der Schutzgebiete vor, davon gehören 13 zu den stark bedrohten Arten (drei davon sind endemisch in Nicaragua), vier sind bedroht, und eine Art ist mäßig bedroht. Um den Fortbestand der Amphibien und Reptilien Nicaraguas langfristig zu gewährleisten, sollten alle Arten mindestens in einem Schutzgebiet vorkommen; die Schutzgebiete müssen zudem bewacht werden, und Monitoring-Programme sind notwendig, um eventuelle Veränderungen in den Amphibien- und Reptilienpopulationen wahrzunehmen. Der Schwerpunkt sollte hierbei auf den stark bedrohten Arten liegen

Ocular anomaly in Rhinella marina (Anura: Bufonidae) from Cerro Jesús, Nueva Segovia, Northern Nicaragua

Rhinella marina is a common and resilient species. Occasionally, it can be vector of different diseases due to its dispersion ability. Ocular alteration can be produced by abiotic and biotic factors. One of these factors, are the diseases, such as chytridiomycosis (produced by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which in some cases produces stratum corneum hyperkeratinisation. In field-work carried out in August 2011, we found an individual of R. marina with a whitish epidermal ocular anomaly. We swab the toad, which tested negative to Bd. We consider relevant to highlight these anomalies, which on occasions could reflect some diseases. This is especially important in Cerro Jesús, where we confirmed the presence of some endangered amphibians species.Peer reviewe

A partial bibliography of the scientific publications of Dr. Jamie D. Villa

Integrative Biolog

FOUR NEW SPECIES OF ANOLES (GENUS ANOLIS) FROM THE SERRANIA DE TABASARA , WEST-CENTRAL PANAMA (SQUAMATA: POLYCHROTIDAE)

ABSTRACT: We describe four new species of anoles (genus Anolis) from the Serranı´a de Tabasara´, westcentral Panama. Two of the new species are most similar in external morphology to a cluster of Central American species that are short-legged (fourth toe of adpressed hindlimb reaches only to tympanum), have a single elongated prenasal scale, smooth ventral scales, and slender habitus, often delicate. They differ from the other species in this cluster by hemipenial morphology and scalation characteristics. One of the new species appears to be most similar to A. pachypus and A. tropidolepis from which it differs by male dewlap coloration and its very small dorsal head scales. The fourth new species appears to be most similar to A. laeviventris from which it differs by its multicarinate head scales, lack of heterogeneous flank scalation, and an overall green coloration.ABSTRACT: We describe four new species of anoles (genus Anolis) from the Serranı´a de Tabasara´, westcentral Panama. Two of the new species are most similar in external morphology to a cluster of Central American species that are short-legged (fourth toe of adpressed hindlimb reaches only to tympanum), have a single elongated prenasal scale, smooth ventral scales, and slender habitus, often delicate. They differ from the other species in this cluster by hemipenial morphology and scalation characteristics. One of the new species appears to be most similar to A. pachypus and A. tropidolepis from which it differs by male dewlap coloration and its very small dorsal head scales. The fourth new species appears to be most similar to A. laeviventris from which it differs by its multicarinate head scales, lack of heterogeneous flank scalation, and an overall green coloration

First record of Aspidoscelis motaguae (Sackett, 1941) (Reptilia: Squamata: Teiidae) from Nicaragua

Reporting on the first locality in Nicaragua, we extend the known geographic distribution of Aspidoscelis motaguae (Sackett, 1941) about 43 km southeastward from its nearest known locality, in Honduras. We shortly discuss some conservational implications and provide a photo of one Nicaraguan individual that was not collected

Cancer outcomes among Parkinson's disease patients with leucine rich repeat kinase 2 mutations, idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients, and nonaffected controls

BACKGROUND: Increased cancer risk has been reported in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients carrying the leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S mutation (LRRK2-PD) in comparison with idiopathic PD (IPD). It is unclear whether the elevated risk would be maintained when compared with unaffected controls. METHODS: Cancer outcomes were compared among 257 LRRK2-PD patients, 712 IPD patients, and 218 controls recruited from 7 LRRK2 consortium centers using mixed-effects logistic regression. Data were then pooled with a previous study to examine cancer risk between 401 LRRK2-PD and 1946 IPD patients. RESULTS: Although cancer prevalence was similar among LRRK2-PD patients (32.3%), IPD patients (27.5%), and controls (27.5%; P = 0.33), LRRK2-PD had increased risks of leukemia (odds ratio [OR] = 4.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-10.61) and skin cancer (OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.09-2.37). In the pooled analysis, LRRK2-PD patients had also elevated risks of leukemia (OR = 9.84; 95% CI, 2.15-44.94) and colon cancer (OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.15-4.74) when compared with IPD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The increased risks of leukemia as well as skin and colon cancers among LRRK2-PD patients suggest that LRRK2 mutations heighten risks of certain cancers. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Use of a Real-Time Remote Monitoring Network (RTRM) to Characterize the Guadalquivir Estuary (Spain)

The temporal variability of hydrological variables in the Guadalquivir estuary was examined during three years through a real-time remote monitoring network (RTRM). The network was developed with the aim of studying the influence of hydrodynamical and hydrological features within the estuary on the functioning of the pelagic ecosystem. Completing this data-gathering network, monthly cruises were performed in order to measure biogeochemical variables that are indicative of the trophic status of the aquatic environment. The results showed that several sources of physical forcing, such as wind, tide-associated currents and river discharge were responsible for the spatio-temporal patterns of dissolved oxygen, salinity and turbidity in the estuary. The analysis was conducted under tidal and flood regime, which allowed us to identify river discharge as the main forcing agent of the hydrology inside the estuary. In particular, episodes of elevated turbidity detected by the network, together with episodes of low salinity and dissolved oxygen were closely related to the increase in water supply from a dam located upstream. The network installed provided accurate data that can be rapidly used for research or educational applications and by policy-makers or agencies in charge of the management of the coastal area

Discovering the 3′ UTR-mediated regulation of alpha-synuclein

Recent evidence indicates a link between Parkinson's Disease (PD) and the expression of a-synuclein (SNCA) isoforms with different 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs). Yet, the post-transcriptional mechanisms regulating SNCA expression are unknown. Using a large-scale in vitro /in silico screening we identified RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that interact with SNCA 3' UTRs. We identified two RBPs, ELAVL1 and TIAR, that bind with high affinity to the most abundant and translationally active 3' UTR isoform (575 nt). Knockdown and overexpression experiments indicate that both ELAVL1 and TIAR positively regulate endogenous SNCA in vivo. The mechanism of regulation implies mRNA stabilization as well as enhancement of translation in the case of TIAR. We observed significant alteration of both TIAR and ELAVL1 expression in motor cortex of post-mortem brain donors and primary cultured fibroblast from patients affected by PD and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Moreover, trans expression quantitative trait loci (trans-eQTLs) analysis revealed that a group of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TIAR genomic locus influences SNCA expression in two different brain areas, nucleus accumbens and hippocampus. Our study sheds light on the 3' UTR-mediated regulation of SNCA and its link with PD pathogenesis, thus opening up new avenues for investigation of post-transcriptional mechanisms in neurodegeneration

A collection and analysis of amphibians and reptiles from Nicaragua with new country and departmental records

Nicaragua is a biodiverse country, but documented herpetological specimens are underrepresented compared to neighboring countries. In 2018 we conducted a collaborative expedition between the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology and Nicaraguan biologists. We visited sites in the Pacific Low‑ lands, Caribbean Lowlands, and the Central Highlands, representing the three major biogeographic regions of Nicaragua. We collected specimens of 100 species from a total of 106 encountered. We provide acces‑ sion numbers and morphological, genetic, and ecological information for these specimens. We recorded 23 new departmental records and the first country record of Metlapilcoatlus indomitus (Smith & Ferrari‑Castro, 2008), filling gaps in the known distribution of the species within Nicaragua and across Central America. When available for each species, we provide range maps and comparative genetic trees including conspecific reference sequences from the region, making this work a significant addition to existing checklists of the herpetofauna in Nicaragua

The Cornella Health Interview Survey Follow-Up (CHIS.FU) Study: design, methods, and response rate

BACKGROUND: The aim of this report is to describe the main characteristics of the design, including response rates, of the Cornella Health Interview Survey Follow-up Study. METHODS: The original cohort consisted of 2,500 subjects (1,263 women and 1,237 men) interviewed as part of the 1994 Cornella Health Interview Study. A record linkage to update the address and vital status of the cohort members was carried out using, first a deterministic method, and secondly a probabilistic one, based on each subject's first name and surnames. Subsequently, we attempted to locate the cohort members to conduct the phone follow-up interviews. A pilot study was carried out to test the overall feasibility and to modify some procedures before the field work began. RESULTS: After record linkage, 2,468 (98.7%) subjects were successfully traced. Of these, 91 (3.6%) were deceased, 259 (10.3%) had moved to other towns, and 50 (2.0%) had neither renewed their last municipal census documents nor declared having moved. After using different strategies to track and to retain cohort members, we traced 92% of the CHIS participants. From them, 1,605 subjects answered the follow-up questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The computerized record linkage maximized the success of the follow-up that was carried out 7 years after the baseline interview. The pilot study was useful to increase the efficiency in tracing and interviewing the respondents