Adaptation and Convergent Evolution within the Jamesonia-Eriosorus Complex in High-Elevation Biodiverse Andean Hotspots

The recent uplift of the tropical Andes (since the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene) provided extensive ecological opportunity for evolutionary radiations. We test for phylogenetic and morphological evidence of adaptive radiation and convergent evolution to novel habitats (exposed, high-altitude páramo habitats) in the Andean fern genera Jamesonia and Eriosorus. We construct time-calibrated phylogenies for the Jamesonia-Eriosorus clade. We then use recent phylogenetic comparative methods to test for evolutionary transitions among habitats, associations between habitat and leaf morphology, and ecologically driven variation in the rate of morphological evolution. Páramo species (Jamesonia) display morphological adaptations consistent with convergent evolution in response to the demands of a highly exposed environment but these adaptations are associated with microhabitat use rather than the páramo per se. Species that are associated with exposed microhabitats (including Jamesonia and Eriorsorus) are characterized by many but short pinnae per frond whereas species occupying sheltered microhabitats (primarily Eriosorus) have few but long pinnae per frond. Pinnae length declines more rapidly with altitude in sheltered species. Rates of speciation are significantly higher among páramo than non-páramo lineages supporting the hypothesis of adaptation and divergence in the unique Páramo biodiversity hotspot

Comparative Composition, Diversity and Trophic Ecology of Sediment Macrofauna at Vents, Seeps and Organic Falls

Sediments associated with hydrothermal venting, methane seepage and large organic falls such as whale, wood and plant detritus create deep-sea networks of soft-sediment habitats fueled, at least in part, by the oxidation of reduced chemicals. Biological studies at deep-sea vents, seeps and organic falls have looked at macrofaunal taxa, but there has yet to be a systematic comparison of the community-level attributes of sediment macrobenthos in various reducing ecosystems. Here we review key similarities and differences in the sediment-dwelling assemblages of each system with the goals of (1) generating a predictive framework for the exploration and study of newly identified reducing habitats, and (2) identifying taxa and communities that overlap across ecosystems. We show that deep-sea seep, vent and organic-fall sediments are highly heterogeneous. They sustain different geochemical and microbial processes that are reflected in a complex mosaic of habitats inhabited by a mixture of specialist (heterotrophic and symbiont-associated) and background fauna. Community-level comparisons reveal that vent, seep and organic-fall macrofauna are very distinct in terms of composition at the family level, although they share many dominant taxa among these highly sulphidic habitats. Stress gradients are good predictors of macrofaunal diversity at some sites, but habitat heterogeneity and facilitation often modify community structure. The biogeochemical differences across ecosystems and within habitats result in wide differences in organic utilization (i.e., food sources) and in the prevalence of chemosynthesis-derived nutrition. In the Pacific, vents, seeps and organic-falls exhibit distinct macrofaunal assemblages at broad-scales contributing to ß diversity. This has important implications for the conservation of reducing ecosystems, which face growing threats from human activities

Practice Improvement Project: Developing a Platform for a Remote At-Home Preoperative Evaluation for Elective Noncardiac Procedures

Objective: To assess the feasibility, safety, and patient satisfaction associated with a remote cardiac evaluation protocol during a preanesthesia medical evaluation (PAME) before elective noncardiac surgical procedures. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients undergoing elective noncardiac procedures from May 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 were selected from an anesthesia triage list at a single health care center. Patients received electronic devices for remote blood pressure measurement and 12-lead electrocardiogram collection. Patients either had a telemedicine-based PAME (tPAME) visit or an in-person PAME (iPAME) visit afterward. Patients’ charts were reviewed 30 days after procedure to identify after procedure complications. Patients were asked to provide feedback about their experiences through a digital after procedure satisfaction survey. Comparisons between the tPAME group and the iPAME group were made with χ2, Fisher exact, or Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Of 129 eligible patients, 48 (37.2%) participated in the study. 29 (60.4%) patients had an iPAME visit, and 19 (39.6%) patients had a tPAME visit. There were no major adverse cardiovascular events after a remote cardiac evaluation in the iPAME and the tPAME groups. One (3.4%) patient in the iPAME group developed a deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after procedure, and 1 (3.4%) patient in the iPAME group had an emergency room visit within 30 days after their procedure. Patients were very satisfied with their experience in the study. Conclusion: These findings support the concept that a remote cardiac evaluation during a PAME before elective noncardiac procedures is feasible, safe, and associated with high patient satisfaction