Geographic and potential distribution of a poorly known south American bat, Histiotus macrotus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

The vespertilionid bat Histiotus macrotus occurs in western Argentina, central regions of Chile and south of Argentina and Chile, and it may be also present in Bolivia and southern Peru. In this work, we analyzed the geographic and potential distribution of a poorly known species of South American bat. As a tool, environmental niche modeling has been used to study the distributional patterns of species and more recently, taxonomic boundaries of cryptic species. We used MaxEnt v 3.3.e, Worldclim database and a vegetation map, covering the entire area of species' occurrence. We registered 64 localities from Argentina (43), Chile (10), Peru (8) and Bolivia (5). We divided recording localities in different datasets according to several taxonomic schemes, and analyzed potential distribution models separately (i.e., all known records; Argentina-Chile; Peru) in five different models. Models including all known localities showed a disjoint distribution, with two basic core areas of high predictive values, one in NW Argentina and another in southern Chile and SW Argentina separated by the South American Arid Diagonal. A third area appeared in Atacama and Sechura deserts in the models that included Peruvian and Bolivian localities. Model including only Peruvian localities showed the opposite pattern, with high predictive values only in arid environments from southern Peru. We interpreted that localities correctly assigned to H. macrotus belong to a taxonomic complex distributed in two contrasting areas, each one inhabited by a different taxon: 1) Bolivia and NW Argentina and 2) S and central Chile and SW Argentina. Given the systematic uncertainty of Histiotus, these two forms might be sister species or may not share an immediate common ancestor within the genus. Further, we consider that the specimens from localities referred to H. macrotus from southern Peru should be revised. These alternatives await a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of Histiotus.Fil: Giménez, Analía Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Evolución y Biodiversidad; ArgentinaFil: Giannini, Norberto Pedro. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schiaffini, Mauro Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Evolución y Biodiversidad; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; ArgentinaFil: Martin, Gabriel Mario. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Evolución y Biodiversidad; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; Argentin

From pediatric to adult care: a survey on the transition process in type 1 diabetes mellitus and the diabetes services in Italy

AimsThe present study assessed the transitioning process of young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in Italy.Materials and methodsWe asked Pediatric Diabetes Centers (PDC) and Adult Diabetes Centers (CAD) to fill in a web-based survey on the current state of services, the number of transitioning adolescents with T1D within the last year, observations on limitations, and future directions.Results93 centers (46 PDCs, 47 CADs) joined the study. The total number of subjects with T1D being followed by a PDC was 16,261 (13,779 minors and 2483 young adults), while CADs had 25,500 patients. The survey showed an uneven situation. Only some services had a dedicated diabetes team (78% of PDCs, 64% of CADs). 72% of PDCs and 58% of CADs reported a protocol dedicated to transition. The median age for transition was 19 (range 16-25 years); the time required for preparing transition, indicated by both PDCs and CADs, was 5.5 months. A high percentage of CADs (80%) confirmed receiving sufficient clinical information, mainly through paper or computerized reports. The transition process is hampered by a lack of resources, logistical facilities, and communication between services. While some services have a protocol, monitoring of results is only carried out in a few cases. Most specialists expressed the need to enhance integration and continuity of treatment.ConclusionsThe current situation could be improved. Applying standard guidelines, taking into consideration both clinicians' and patients' necessities, would lead to a more successful transition process