DIETA DE LA LECHUCITA VIZCACHERA (ATHENE CUNICULARIA) EN UN HUMEDAL DE ALTURA DE LA PROVINCIA DE TUCUMÁN, NOROESTE DE ARGENTINA

Resumen · La Lechucita Vizcachera (Athene cunicularia) ha sido ampliamente estudiada en cuanto a sus hábitos alimentarios, tanto en Argentina como en el resto de América del Sur, especialmente en ambientes perturbados y ecosistemas agrarios. Sin embargo, son pocos los estudios realizados sobre poblaciones en áreas de altura del noroeste argentino. El presente trabajo aporta información sobre los hábitos alimentarios de A. cunicularia en áreas próximas a humedales de altura y su variación estacional. El estudio se realizó a partir del análisis de 613 egagrópilas y 135 restos casi completos de anfibios, colectadas a lo largo de un año, entre abril de 2013 y marzo de 2014, en cercanías al embalse La Angostura, valle de Tafí, Tucumán, Argentina. Se identificaron 28 ítems presa (10 pequeños mamíferos, un ave, un anfibio y 16 artrópodos), representados por 14791 individuos. El grupo más consumido fue Insectos, representados mayoritariamente por los órdenes Hymenoptera (50,4%) y Coleoptera (41,1%). Los mamíferos estuvieron representados por el 1,9% de los individuos consumidos, en tanto que los anfibios representaron sólo el 0,9%. Las aves fueron el grupo menos abundante, con sólo el 0,03%. La amplitud de nicho trófico estandarizado fue más baja en verano (0,02) y más alta en primavera (0,23). Nuestros resultados coinciden con la caracterización general de esta especie, considerada como oportunista-generalista, que incluye en su dieta una amplia variedad de ítems. Los resultados también son consistentes con aquellos reportados por otros autores para diferentes ecosistemas, los cuales han demostrado también una marcada variabilidad estacional en la dieta de esta lechuza. Abstract · Diet of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in a highland wetland of the province of Tucumán, northwestern Argentina The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) has been widely studied in terms of food habits, both in Argentina and in the rest of South America, especially in disturbed environments and agricultural ecosystems. However, there are few studies conducted on populations in high-altitude areas of northwestern Argentina. This work contributes to the knowledge about the food habits and their seasonal variation of A. cunicularia in areas close to high-altitude wetlands. The study was carried out based on the analysis of 613 pellets and 135 almost complete remains of amphibians, collected over a year between April 2013 and March 2014 near the La Angostura reservoir, Tafí del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina. We identified 28 prey items (10 small mammals, one birds, one amphibian, and 16 arthropods), represented by 14,791 individuals. The most consumed group were insects, represented mostly by the orders Hymenoptera (50.4%) and Coleoptera (41.1%). Mammals were represented by 1.9% of the consumed individuals, while the amphibians represented only 0.9%. The least abundant group consumed were birds, with only 0.03%. The standardized trophic niche-breath was lower during the summer (0.02) and higher in spring (0.23). Our results coincide with the general characterization of this species, considered as opportunist-generalist that includes in its diet a wide variety of items. The results are also consistent with those reported by other authors for different ecosystems, which have also shown a marked seasonal variability in the diet of this owl

Reproductive biology of four species of Fulica, in the La Angostura reservoir, Tafí del Valle, Tucumán

El género Fulica consta de 11 especies a nivel mundial, de las cuales seis habitan Argentina. El presente trabajo trata sobre la biología reproductiva de cuatro especies de Fulica residentes en un humedal de altura, en la provincia de Tucumán. El Embalse La Angostura se encuentra en el departamento de Tafí del Valle, Tucumán; a unos 2000 m snm y cuenta con un espejo de agua de 12 Km. Allí es común observar una gran diversidad de aves acuáticas, entre ellas, a F. armillata, F. leucoptera, F. rufifrons y F. ardesiaca las cuales son el objeto de este estudio. Entré agosto de 2004 a diciembre de 2005 se realizaron monitoreos en los sitios de nidificación. Allí se tomaron datos tales como: las medidas de los nidos y el tipo de material empleado en su construidos; el número, el tamaño y patrón de coloración de los huevos de cada nidada; la presencia de pichones, juveniles o inmaduros; y un banco de imágenes para una mejor descripción de las diferentes etapas de la biología reproductiva. Entre los resultados obtenidos más relevantes están: el uso de plásticos en la nidificación (primer registro en Argentina), que las nidadas fueron menores a lo documentado en otros estudios y el posible parasitismo de cría intraespecífico de Fulica ardesiaca en nidos de Coscoroba coscoroba. Para poder corroborar dichos resultados sería importante realizar estudios más profundos de manera sistemática y a más largo plazo.Fulica genus is comprised of 11 worldwide species, six of which inhabit Argentina. The current study is focused on the reproductive biology of four Fulica species resident in a high-altitude wetland in the province of Tucumán. La Angostura dam is located in the department of Tafí del Valle, Tucumán, at about 2000 m asl and has a water body of 12 km in length. There is a great diversity of waterbirds, including F. armillata, F. leucoptera, F. rufifrons, and F. ardesiaca, which are the subject of this study. Between August 2004 and December 2005, monitoring was carried out at the nesting sites. We collected data, such as: the measurements of nests and the type of material used for their construction; the number, size, and coloring pattern of the eggs in each clutch; the presence of chicks, juveniles, or immatures in each nest; and we created an image bank for a better description of the different stages of reproductive biology. Among the most relevant results obtained are the use of plastics as nesting material (first record in Argentina), the fact that clutches were smaller than documented in other studies, and the possible intraspecific brood parasitism of Fulica ardesiaca in Coscoroba coscoroba nests. To corroborate these results, it would be important to carry out more in-depth studies on a systematic and long-term basis.Fil: Echevarria, Ada Lilian. Fundación Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, María Valeria. Fundación Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Benavídez, Analía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet Noa Sur. Centro Regional de Energia y Ambiente Para El Desarrollo Sustentable. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Energia y Ambiente Para El Desarrollo Sustentable.; ArgentinaFil: Fanjul, Maria Elisa. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Diet of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in a highland wetland of the province of Tucumán, northwestern Argentina

La Lechucita Vizcachera (Athene cunicularia) ha sido ampliamente estudiada en cuanto a sus hábitos alimentarios, tanto en Argentina como en el resto de América del Sur, especialmente en ambientes perturbados y ecosistemas agrarios. Sin embargo, son pocos los estudios realizados sobre poblaciones en áreas de altura del noroeste argentino. El presente trabajo aporta información sobre los hábitos alimentarios de A. cunicularia en áreas próximas a humedales de altura y su variación estacional. El estudio se realizó a partir del análisis de 613 egagrópilas y 135 restos casi completos de anfibios, colectadas a lo largo de un año, entre abril de 2013 y marzo de 2014, en cercanías al embalse La Angostura, valle de Tafí, Tucumán, Argentina. Se identificaron 28 ítems presa (10 pequeños mamíferos, un ave, un anfibio y 16 artrópodos), representados por 14791 individuos. El grupo más consumido fue Insectos, representados mayoritariamente por los órdenes Hymenoptera (50,4%) y Coleoptera (41,1%). Los mamíferos estuvieron representados por el 1,9% de los individuos consumidos, en tanto quelos anfibios representaron sólo el 0,9%. Las aves fueron el grupo menos abundante, con sólo el 0,03%. La amplitud de nicho trófico estandarizado fue más baja en verano (0,02) y más alta en primavera (0,23). Nuestros resultados coinciden con la caracterización general de esta especie, considerada como oportunista-generalista, que incluye en su dieta una amplia variedad de ítems. Los resultados también son consistentes con aquellos reportados por otros autores para diferentes ecosistemas, los cuales han demostrado también una marcada variabilidad estacional en la dieta de esta lechuza.The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) has been widely studied in terms of food habits, both in Argentina and in the rest of South America, especially in disturbed environments and agricultural ecosystems. However, there are few studies conducted on populations in high-altitude areas of northwestern Argentina. This work contributes to the knowledge about the food habits and their seasonal variation of A. cunicularia in areas close to high-altitude wetlands. The study was carried out based on the analysis of 613 pellets and 135 almost complete remains of amphibians, collected over a year between April 2013 and March 2014 near the La Angostura reservoir, Tafí del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina. We identified 28 prey items (10 small mammals, one birds, one amphibian, and 16 arthropods), represented by 14,791 individuals. The most consumed group were insects, represented mostly by the orders Hymenoptera (50.4%) and Coleoptera (41.1%). Mammals were represented by 1.9% of the consumed individuals, while the amphibians represented only 0.9%. The least abundant group consumed were birds, with only 0.03%. The standardized trophic niche-breath was lower during the summer (0.02) and higher in spring (0.23). Our results coincide with the general characterization of this species, considered as opportunist-generalist that includes in its diet a wide variety of items. The results are also consistent with those reported by other authors for different ecosystems, which have also shown a marked seasonal variability in the diet of this owl.Fil: Martínez, María Valeria. Fundación Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Echevarria, Ada Lilian. Fundación Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Ortiz, Pablo Edmundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Departamento de Geología. Cátedra Geología Estructural. Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Fanjul, Maria Elisa. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Departamento de Geología. Cátedra Geología Estructural. Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica; Argentin

Strategies to reengage patients lost to follow up in HIV care in high income countries, a scoping review

Background: Despite remarkable achievements in antiretroviral therapy (ART), losses to follow-up (LTFU) might prevent the long-term success of HIV treatment and might delay the achievement of the 90-90-90 objectives. This scoping review is aimed at the description and analysis of the strategies used in high-income countries to reengage LTFU in HIV care, their implementation and impact. Methods: A scoping review was done following Arksey & O'Malley's methodological framework and recommendations from Joanna Briggs Institute. Peer reviewed articles were searched for in Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science; and grey literature was searched for in Google and other sources of information. Documents were charted according to the information presented on LTFU, the reengagement procedures used in HIV units in high-income countries, published during the last 15 years. In addition, bibliographies of chosen articles were reviewed for additional articles. Results: Twenty-eight documents were finally included, over 80% of them published in the United States later than 2015. Database searches, phone calls and/or mail contacts were the most common strategies used to locate and track LTFU, while motivational interviews and strengths-based techniques were used most often during reengagement visits. Outcomes like tracing activities efficacy, rates of reengagement and viral load reduction were reported as outcome measures. Conclusions: This review shows a recent and growing trend in developing and implementing patient reengagement strategies in HIV care. However, most of these strategies have been implemented in the United States and little information is available for other high-income countries. The procedures used to trace and contact LTFU are similar across reviewed studies, but their impact and sustainability are widely different depending on the country studied

Avifauna of the bañados of Añatuya, important bird area (IBA) of Santiago del Estero, Argentina

En este trabajo damos a conocer la avifauna de los Bañados de Añatuya, Santiago del Estero. Se realizaron tres campañas de tres días cada una, en octubre de 2012, marzo de 2013 y junio de 2014. Se identificaron 56 especies, 20 especies migratorias (15 regionales y cinco neárticas-neotropicales), el resto son residentes. Determinamos cinco ensambles tróficos (aves que buscan alimento): I- nada en superficie, II- bucea o zambullida, III- caminata en playas o aguas someras, IV- desde perchas o en vuelo, V- desplazamiento entre la vegetación. Debido a que las aves son un grupo indicador y los Bañados de Añatuya un AICA, es importante se continúen los estudios para plantear pautas de manejo y conservación en la región.In this work we present the avifauna of the Bañados de Añatuya, Santiago del Estero. Three campaigns of three days each were held in October 2012, March 2013 and June 2014. We identified 56 species, 20 migratory (15 regional and five Neartic-Neotropical) and the remaining residents. We determined five trophic assemblages according to bird’s foraging strategies: I- swim on the surface, II- diving or plunging, III- walking on beaches or waters shallow, IV- from perches or in flight, V- moving between the vegetation. Because the birds are an indicator group and the Bañados de Añatuya an Important Bird Area (IBA), it is important to continue the studies to establish guidelines for management and conservation in the region.Fil: Echevarria, Ada Lilian. Fundación Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Fanjul, Maria Elisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, María Valeria. Fundación Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Benavídez, Analía. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Estudios Ambientales Territoriales y Sociales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Bird diversity-environment relationships in urban parks and cemeteries of the Neotropics during breeding and non-breeding seasons

Background Urbanization will increase in the next decades, causing the loss of green areas and bird diversity within cities. There is a lack of studies at a continental scale analyzing the relationship between urban green areas, such as parks and cemeteries, and bird species richness in the Neotropical region. Bird diversity-environment relationships in urban parks and cemeteries may be influenced by latitudinal gradients or species-area relationships. However, the seasonal variation of species diversity- environment has not been analyzed at a continental scale in the Neotropics. Methods Bird surveys were conducted in 36 cemeteries and 37 parks within 18 Neotropical cities during non-breeding and breeding seasons. Bird diversity was assessed through Hill numbers, focusing on species richness, the effective number of species derived from Shannon index and the Simpson index. Environmental variables included latitude, altitude, and local scale variables such as area size, habitat diversity and pedestrian traffic. Results Species richness and Shannon diversity were higher during the breeding season, whereas Simpson diversity did not vary between seasons. During both seasons, species richness increased with area size, was negatively related to altitude, and was the highest at 20° latitude. Species richness was also positively related to habitat diversity, pedestrian traffic, and was highest in suburban areas during the non-breeding season. Shannon and Simpson diversity showed significant relationships with habitat diversity and area size during the breeding season. Bird diversity was similar between parks and cemeteries. Discussion Our results showed that urban parks and cemeteries have similar roles in conserving urban bird diversity in Neotropical cities. However, species diversity-environment relations at the continental scale varied between seasons, highlighting the importance of conducting annual studies

Prediction of long-term outcomes of HIV-infected patients developing non-AIDS events using a multistate approach

Outcomes of people living with HIV (PLWH) developing non-AIDS events (NAEs) remain poorly defined. We aimed to classify NAEs according to severity, and to describe clinical outcomes and prognostic factors after NAE occurrence using data from CoRIS, a large Spanish HIV cohort from 2004 to 2013. Prospective multicenter cohort study. Using a multistate approach we estimated 3 transition probabilities: from alive and NAE-free to alive and NAE-experienced ("NAE development"); from alive and NAE-experienced to death ("Death after NAE"); and from alive and NAE-free to death ("Death without NAE"). We analyzed the effect of different covariates, including demographic, immunologic and virologic data, on death or NAE development, based on estimates of hazard ratios (HR). We focused on the transition "Death after NAE". 8,789 PLWH were followed-up until death, cohort censoring or loss to follow-up. 792 first incident NAEs occurred in 9.01% PLWH (incidence rate 28.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 26.80-30.84, per 1000 patient-years). 112 (14.14%) NAE-experienced PLWH and 240 (2.73%) NAE-free PLWH died. Adjusted HR for the transition "Death after NAE" was 12.1 (95%CI, 4.90-29.89). There was a graded increase in the adjusted HRs for mortality according to NAE severity category: HR (95%CI), 4.02 (2.45-6.57) for intermediate-severity; and 9.85 (5.45-17.81) for serious NAEs compared to low-severity NAEs. Male sex (HR 2.04; 95% CI, 1.11-3.84), ag

Impact of late presentation of HIV infection on short-, mid- and long-term mortality and causes of death in a multicenter national cohort : 2004-2013

To analyze the impact of late presentation (LP) on overall mortality and causes of death and describe LP trends and risk factors (2004-2013). Cox models and logistic regression were used to analyze data from a nation-wide cohort in Spain. LP is defined as being diagnosed when CD4 < 350 cells/ml or AIDS. Of 7165 new HIV diagnoses, 46.9% (CI:45.7-48.0) were LP, 240 patients died.First-year mortality was the highest (aHR = 10.3[CI:5.5-19.3]); between 1 and 4 years post-diagnosis, aHR = 1.9(1.2-3.0); an

Strategies to reengage patients lost to follow up in HIV care in high income countries, a scoping review

Background: Despite remarkable achievements in antiretroviral therapy (ART), losses to follow-up (LTFU) might prevent the long-term success of HIV treatment and might delay the achievement of the 90-90-90 objectives. This scoping review is aimed at the description and analysis of the strategies used in high-income countries to reengage LTFU in HIV care, their implementation and impact. Methods: A scoping review was done following Arksey & O'Malley's methodological framework and recommendations from Joanna Briggs Institute. Peer reviewed articles were searched for in Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science; and grey literature was searched for in Google and other sources of information. Documents were charted according to the information presented on LTFU, the reengagement procedures used in HIV units in high-income countries, published during the last 15 years. In addition, bibliographies of chosen articles were reviewed for additional articles. Results: Twenty-eight documents were finally included, over 80% of them published in the United States later than 2015. Database searches, phone calls and/or mail contacts were the most common strategies used to locate and track LTFU, while motivational interviews and strengths-based techniques were used most often during reengagement visits. Outcomes like tracing activities efficacy, rates of reengagement and viral load reduction were reported as outcome measures. Conclusions: This review shows a recent and growing trend in developing and implementing patient reengagement strategies in HIV care. However, most of these strategies have been implemented in the United States and little information is available for other high-income countries. The procedures used to trace and contact LTFU are similar across reviewed studies, but their impact and sustainability are widely different depending on the country studied