Wing morphology predicts individual niche specialization in Pteronotus mesoamericanus (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Morphological variation between individuals can increase niche segregation and decrease intraspecific competition when heterogeneous individuals explore their environment in different ways. Among bat species, wing shape correlates with flight maneuverability and habitat use, with species that possess broader wings typically foraging in more cluttered habitats. However, few studies have investigated the role of morphological variation in bats for niche partitioning at the individual level. To determine the relationship between wing shape and diet, we studied a population of the insectivorous bat species Pteronotus mesoamericanus in the dry forest of Costa Rica. Individual diet was resolved using DNA metabarcoding, and bat wing shape was assessed using geometric morphometric analysis. Inter-individual variation in wing shape showed a significant relationship with both dietary dissimilarity based on Bray-Curtis estimates, and nestedness derived from an ecological network. Individual bats with broader and more rounded wings were found to feed on a greater diversity of arthropods (less nested) in comparison to individuals with triangular and pointed wings (more nested). We conclude that individual variation in bat wing morphology can impact foraging efficiency leading to the observed overall patterns of diet specialization and differentiation within the population

The structure of tropical bat-plant interaction networks during an extreme El Nino-Southern Oscillation event

Interaction network structure reflects the ecological mechanisms acting within biological communities, which are affected by environmental conditions. In tropical forests, higher precipitation usually increases fruit production, which may lead frugivores to increase specialization, resulting in more modular and less nested animal–plant networks. In these ecosystems, El Niño is a major driver of precipitation, but we still lack knowledge of how species interactions change under this influence. To understand bat–plant network structure during an extreme El Niño‐Southern Oscillation event, we determined the links between plantivorous bat species and the plants they consume by DNA barcoding seeds and pulp in bat faeces. These interactions were recorded in the dry forest and rainforest of Costa Rica, during the dry and the wet seasons of an extreme El Niño year. From these we constructed seasonal and whole‐year bat–plant networks and analysed their structures and dissimilarities. In general, networks had low nestedness, had high modularity, and were dominated by one large compartment which included most species and interactions. Contrary to our expectations, networks were less nested and more modular in drier conditions, both in the comparison between forest types and between seasons. We suggest that increased competition, when resources are scarce during drier seasons and habitats, lead to higher resource partitioning among bats and thus higher modularity. Moreover, we have found similar network structures between dry and rainforests during El Niño and non‐El Niño years. Finally, most interaction dissimilarity among networks occurred due to interaction rewiring among species, potentially driven by seasonal changes in resource availability

Spatiotemporal and demographic variation in the diet of New Zealand lesser short-tailed bats (Mystacina tuberculata)

Variation in the diet of generalist insectivores can be affected by site‐specific traits including weather, habitat, and season, as well as demographic traits such as reproductive status and age. We used molecular methods to compare diets of three distinct New Zealand populations of lesser short‐tailed bats, Mystacina tuberculata. Summer diets were compared between a southern cold‐temperate (Eglinton) and a northern population (Puroera). Winter diets were compared between Pureora and a subtropical offshore island population (Hauturu). This also permitted seasonal diet comparisons within the Pureora population. Lepidoptera and Diptera accounted for >80% of MOTUs identified from fecal matter at each site/season. The proportion of orders represented within prey and the Simpson diversity index, differed between sites and seasons within the Pureora population. For the Pureora population, the value of the Simpson diversity index was higher in summer than winter and was higher in Pureora compared to Eglinton. Summer Eglinton samples revealed that juvenile diets appeared to be more diverse than other demographic groups. Lactating females had the lowest dietary diversity during summer in Pureora. In Hauturu, we found a significant negative relationship between mean ambient temperature and prey richness. Our data suggest that M. tuberculata incorporate a narrower diversity of terrestrial insects than previously reported. This provides novel insights into foraging behavior and ecological interactions within different habitats. Our study is the first from the Southern Hemisphere to use molecular techniques to examine spatiotemporal variation in the diet of a generalist insectivore that inhabits a contiguous range with several habitat types and climates

TRATAMIENTO SINDROMICO DE FLUJO VAGINAL EN GESTANTES ATENDIDAS EN EL CENTRO DE SALUD CHACAPUNCO ENERO A JUNIO 2017

TesisObjetivo: Determinar las características del tratamiento sindrómico de flujo vaginal. Metodología: El tipo de investigación es sustantiva, nivel descriptivo y diseño descriptivo simple. Se trabajó con una muestra censal de 30 gestantes que desarrollaron síndrome de flujo vaginal resultados: Las características encontradas en la edad fue edad mínima 17 años y la máxima 40 años, la mayoría presentó 23 años., el 53% son convivientes. Según el grado de instrucción, el 60% de las gestantes tienen primaria, el 47% son amas de casa, el 87% procede del área rural. Dentro de las características clínicas el 67% de las gestantes tienen abundante secreción, las características de las secreciones vaginales son el 67% presentan aspecto leche cortada, el 33% mal olor. Y los síntomas identificados fueron 60% disuria y prurito vulvar. Se encontró que el 60% de las gestantes atendidas tienen como diagnostico presuntivo trichomona y cándida. Las complicaciones encontradas fueron: amenaza de parto prematuro 60%, amenaza de aborto 27%. La respuesta al tratamiento sindrómico de flujo vaginal en gestantes el 73% de las gestantes se suministró el Metronidazol y al 87% con Clotrimazol. Conclusión: El tratamiento sindrómico de flujo vaginal con medicamentos resulto que el 83% de las gestantes fue efectivo y el 17% de las gestantes no fue efectivo. Palabras claves: Síndrome de flujo vaginal, tratamiento y gestantes