Aristonectes quiriquinensis, sp. nov., a new highly derived elasmosaurid from the upper Maastrichtian of central Chile

This paper describes a new species of elasmosaurid plesiosaur, Aristonectes quiriquinensis, sp. nov., based on a partial skeleton recovered from upper Maastrichtian beds of the Quiriquina Formation of central Chile. The material described here consists of two skeletons, one collected near the village of Cocholgue, and a second juvenile specimen from Quiriquina Island. Prior to these finds, Aristonectes was viewed as a monospecific genus, including only the enigmatic Aristonectes parvidens, the holotype of which consists of an incomplete skull and incomplete postcranium. Other material referred to the genus includes an incomplete juvenile skull and other postcranial material from the upper Maastrichtian of Antarctica, as well as a partial skull from the Quiriquina Formation of central Chile. The relationships of Aristonectes have been controversial, with competing theories assigning the genus to Cryptoclididae, Elasmosauridae, and Aristonectidae; however, there is a developing consensus that Aristonectes is a derived elasmosaurid, and this paper gives strong evidence for this view. Comparison of the specimen here studied with the holotype of A. parvidens demonstrates that A. quiriquinensis is a distinct species. The completeness of the adult skeleton allows the first confident size estimates for adult Aristonectes. It is a large plesiosaurian with a relatively large skull with numerous homodont teeth, a moderately long and laterally compressed neck, and relatively narrow trunk, with slender and elongate forelimbs. The two specimens are restricted to the upper Maastrichtian of central Chile, posing questions concerning the austral circumpolar distribution of different elasmosaurids towards the end of the Cretaceous.Fil: Otero, Rodrigo A.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Soto Acuña, Sergio. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: O'Keefe, Frank Robin. Marshall University; Estados UnidosFil: O'gorman, Jose Patricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Paleontología Vertebrados; ArgentinaFil: Stinnesbeck, Wolfgang. Heidelberg University; AlemaniaFil: Suárez, Mario E.. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Rubilar-Rogers, David. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Salazar, Christian. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Quinzio Sinn, Luis Arturo. Universidad de Concepción; Chil

One-Step Hydrothermal Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 Nanoparticles as an Efficient Visible Light Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Congo Red Azo Dye

A hydrothermal method was successfully employed to synthesize kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and optical ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy were used for characterization of structural, chemical, morphological, and optical properties. XRD results confirmed that a nanocrystalline CZTS phase corresponding to the kesterite structure was formed. Raman analysis confirmed the existence of single pure phase CZTS. XPS results revealed the oxidation states as Cu+, Zn2+, Sn4+, and S2−. FESEM and TEM micrograph images revealed the presence of nanoparticles with average sizes between 7 nm to 60 nm. The synthesized CZTS nanoparticles bandgap was found to be 1.5 eV which is optimal for solar photocatalytic degradation applications. The properties as a semiconductor material were evaluated through the Mott–Schottky analysis. The photocatalytic activity of CZTS has been investigated through photodegradation of Congo red azo dye solution under solar simulation light irradiation, proving to be an excellent photo-catalyst for CR where 90.2% degradation could be achieved in just 60 min. Furthermore, the prepared CZTS was reusable and can be repeatedly used to remove Congo red dye from aqueous solutions.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Transcriptome analysis and postharvest behavior of the kiwifruit `Actinidia deliciosa¿ reveal the role of ethylene-related phytohormones during fruit ripening

Kiwifruit are climacteric fruit, so they must be harvested before they are fully ripe, allowing for the extension of their shelf-life via cold storage. Therefore, an adequate knowledge about how ethylene-induced fruit senescence is required to avoid significant economic losses. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the kiwifruit ripening process at the physiological and molecular levels by RNA-seq after 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, ethylene inhibitor) and Ethrel® (ethylene stimulator) treatments. The results showed that Ethrel® (ethephon) treatment induced more accelerated fruit ripening, leading to rapid fruit senescence, meanwhile 1-MCP caused a slowing flesh softening, and thus a longer shelf-life period. The RNA-seq was carried out on the fruit after 4 and 13 days, considering day 4 as the most determinant in terms of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The sequencing achieved 70.7% alignment with the `Hongyang¿ genome, obtaining 18,036 DEGs. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network shows the interaction between different pathways in two main clusters: (1) pentose and glucoronate interconversions, citrate cycle, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis or starch, and sucrose metabolism and (2) porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism. The first cluster is mainly interconnected by G6PD1 (pentose pathway); E1 ALPHA and ACLB-2 (citrate cycle); Achn209711 (pentose and glucoronate); LOS2 (glycolysis); HKL1 and HXK1 (glycolysis¿starch and sucrose); and PHS2 (starch and sucrose). In the second cluster, GUN5 through PORA is interacting with CRD1 and NYC1 which were overexpressed by 1-MCP in the porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism. In addition, genes linked to PSBY and PSBP photosynthesis-linked proteins in photosystem 2 were overexpressed by 1-MCP which is undoubtedly related to chlorophyll degradation and fruit senescence. These results suggest that in kiwifruit, the main pathways that are regulated by ethylene-induced senescence comprise sugar catabolism and chlorophyll degradation.The authors would like to thank the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) of Chile government through the project FONDEF N° D09i-1136. Additionally, we thank the Seneca Foundation in the region of Murcia (Spain) through the Regional subprogram “Saavedra Fajardo” (20397/ SF/17) and Ministry of Science and Innovation through the project “Juan de la Cierva Incorporación” N° IJC2018-0366-

Limited genetic parallels underlie convergent evolution of quantitative pattern variation in mimetic butterflies

Mimetic systems allow us to address the question of whether the same genes control similar phenotypes in different species. Although widespread parallels have been found for major effect loci, much less is known about genes that control quantitative trait variation. In this study, we identify and compare the loci that control subtle changes in the size and shape of forewing pattern elements in twoHeliconiusbutterfly co-mimics. We use quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis with a multivariate phenotyping approach to map the variation in red pattern elements across the whole forewing surface ofHeliconius eratoandHeliconius melpomene. These results are compared with a QTL analysis of univariate trait changes, and show that our resolution for identifying small effect loci is somewhat improved with the multivariate approach, but also that different loci are detected with these different approaches. QTL likely corresponding to the known patterning geneoptixwere found in both species but otherwise, a remarkably low level of genetic parallelism was found. This lack of similarity indicates that the genetic basis of convergent traits may not be as predictable as assumed from studies that focus solely on Mendelian traits.Peer reviewe

Acuerdo Asociación UE-CAN: ¿quiénes ganan y quiénes pierden? : un estudio exploratorio sobre el sector agrícola

El presente estudio, elaborado por encargo de la Red UE-CAN, cuenta con tres partes. En la primera parte se analizan los efectos sobre la CAN de un Acuerdo de Asociación con la UE, integrando el análisis de Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador y Perú. Basta con leer esto pero, si uno quiere un análisis más detallado o buscar las fuentes de información, deberá recurrir a las siguientes partes dado que han sido insumos más detallados para la elaboración de ésta

Haplotype tagging reveals parallel formation of hybrid races in two butterfly species.

Genetic variation segregates as linked sets of variants or haplotypes. Haplotypes and linkage are central to genetics and underpin virtually all genetic and selection analysis. Yet, genomic data often omit haplotype information due to constraints in sequencing technologies. Here, we present "haplotagging," a simple, low-cost linked-read sequencing technique that allows sequencing of hundreds of individuals while retaining linkage information. We apply haplotagging to construct megabase-size haplotypes for over 600 individual butterflies (Heliconius erato and H. melpomene), which form overlapping hybrid zones across an elevational gradient in Ecuador. Haplotagging identifies loci controlling distinctive high- and lowland wing color patterns. Divergent haplotypes are found at the same major loci in both species, while chromosome rearrangements show no parallelism. Remarkably, in both species, the geographic clines for the major wing-pattern loci are displaced by 18 km, leading to the rise of a novel hybrid morph in the center of the hybrid zone. We propose that shared warning signaling (Müllerian mimicry) may couple the cline shifts seen in both species and facilitate the parallel coemergence of a novel hybrid morph in both comimetic species. Our results show the power of efficient haplotyping methods when combined with large-scale sequencing data from natural populations

Genomics of altitude-associated wing shape in two tropical butterflies.

Understanding how organisms adapt to their local environment is central to evolution. With new whole-genome sequencing technologies and the explosion of data, deciphering the genomic basis of complex traits that are ecologically relevant is becoming increasingly feasible. Here, we studied the genomic basis of wing shape in two Neotropical butterflies that inhabit large geographical ranges. Heliconius butterflies at high elevations have been shown to generally have rounder wings than those in the lowlands. We reared over 1,100 butterflies from 71 broods of H. erato and H. melpomene in common-garden conditions and showed that wing aspect ratio, that is, elongatedness, is highly heritable in both species and that elevation-associated wing aspect ratio differences are maintained. Genome-wide associations with a published data set of 666 whole genomes from across a hybrid zone, uncovered a highly polygenic basis to wing aspect ratio variation in the wild. We identified several genes that have roles in wing morphogenesis or wing aspect ratio variation in Drosophila flies, making them promising candidates for future studies. There was little evidence for molecular parallelism in the two species, with only one shared candidate gene, nor for a role of the four known colour pattern loci, except for optix in H. erato. Thus, we present the first insights into the heritability and genomic basis of within-species wing aspect ratio in two Heliconius species, adding to a growing body of evidence that polygenic adaptation may underlie many ecologically relevant traits

Aristonectes quiriquinensis, sp. nov., A New Highly Derived Elasmosaurid from the Upper Maastrichtian of Central Chile

This paper describes a new species of elasmosaurid plesiosaur, Aristonectes quiriquinensis, sp. nov., based on a partial skeleton recovered from upper Maastrichtian beds of the Quiriquina Formation of central Chile. The material described here consists of two skeletons, one collected near the village of Cocholgue, and a second juvenile specimen from Quiriquina Island. Prior to these finds, Aristonectes was viewed as a monospecific genus, including only the enigmatic Aristonectes parvidens, the holotype of which consists of an incomplete skull and incomplete postcranium. Other material referred to the genus includes an incomplete juvenile skull and other postcranial material from the upper Maastrichtian of Antarctica, as well as a partial skull from the Quiriquina Formation of central Chile. The relationships of Aristonectes have been controversial, with competing theories assigning the genus to Cryptoclididae, Elasmosauridae, and Aristonectidae; however, there is a developing consensus that Aristonectes is a derived elasmosaurid, and this paper gives strong evidence for this view. Comparison of the specimen here studied with the holotype of A. parvidens demonstrates that A. quiriquinensis is a distinct species. The completeness of the adult skeleton allows the first confident size estimates for adult Aristonectes. It is a large plesiosaurian with a relatively large skull with numerous homodont teeth, a moderately long and laterally compressed neck, and relatively narrow trunk, with slender and elongate forelimbs. The two specimens are restricted to the upper Maastrichtian of central Chile, posing questions concerning the austral circumpolar distribution of different elasmosaurids towards the end of the Cretaceous.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI): herramienta para la reducción del riesgo volcánico en el sur del Perú

El OVI es un centro de investigación y monitoreo de volcanes activos del sur del Perú, de carácter interdisciplinario, ubicado en la ciudad de Arequipa, cuyo fin es estudiar los volcanes activos, determinar la naturaleza y probabilidad de ocurrencia de una erupción volcánica a través del monitoreo sistemático y constante; evaluar los tipos de peligros volcánicos en base a estudios geológicos; y proporcionar alertas oportunas a la sociedad sobre actividad volcánica inminente, a fin de reducir el riesgo de desastre en el sur del país

La erupción del volcán Ubinas 2013-2014: evolución, productos emitidos y efectos

El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la evolución de la erupción del volcán Ubinas que tuvo lugar entre setiembre de 2013 y junio de 20t4. El volcán Ubinas (16"22'S, 70"54'0) está localizado -65 km al este de la ciudad de Arequipa. Se han reportado al menos 25 eventos eruptivos (VEI 1-3) entre el inicio de la conquista (1532 AD) hasta la actualidad (Simkim & Siebert, 1994; Thouret et al., 2005; Rivera et al., 2010). Durante el período histórico, la actividad del Ubinas se caracterizó por la ocurrencia de frecuentes erupciones de talla pequeña a moderada (VEI 1-2), que incluían explosiones de tipo vulcaniano y frecuentes emisiones de gases y ceniza. Este tipo de erupciones corresponde a la actividad observada para el Ubinas durante el reciente episodio eruptivo (2006-2009 AD; Rivera et al., 2010). Sin embargo, el evento más importante del período histórico fue una erupción de talla moderada (VEI 3), catalogada como de tipo vulcaniana, acaecida en el año 1667 AD, que se caracterizó por generar flujos piroclásticos de escoria que fueron depositados en los flancos superiores del edificio. Luego de 4 años de reposo, el 1ero de setiembre de 2013, el Ubinas inició un nuevo ciclo de actividad. Entre el 1ero y 7 de setiembre se registraron 7 explosiones freáticas importantes que generaron importantes columnas eruptivas de gases y ceniza de hasta 2 km de altura (Fig. 1). Posteriormente, entre el 8 de setiembre de 2013 y el 31 de enero de 2014, la actividad volcánica se mantuvo en niveles bajos, con emisiones de gases y esporádicamente ceniza pero de muy poco volumen, que formaron columnas de emisión de menos de 1 km de altura sobre el cráter. A partir del 1ero de febrero de 2014, la actividad eruptiva se incrementó gradual- y sostenidamente, hasta alcanzar el periodo más importante hasta le fecha, del 13 al 23 de abril de 2014, con la ocurrencia de constantes e importantes explosiones y formación de columnas eruptivas que alcanzaron alturas máximas entre 3 y 5 km (Fig. 2). Durante fines de abril y mayo las emisiones de gases y ceniza siguieron siendo importantes, con columnas eruptivas que alcanzaron en promedio entre 500 m y 3 km de altura. Sin embargo, el número y energía de las explosiones disminuyeron respecto a lo registrado entre la primera y segunda semana de abril