No branch left behind: tracking terrestrial biodiversity from a phylogenetic completeness perspective

Biodiversity is ultimately the outcome of millions of years of evolution; however, due to increasing human domination of the Earth, biodiversity in its multiple dimensions is changing rapidly. Here, we present “phylogenetic completeness” (PC) as a concept and method for safeguarding Earth's evolutionary heritage by maintaining all branches of the tree of life. Using data for five major terrestrial clades, we performed a global evaluation of the PC approach and compared the results to an approach in which species are conserved or lost at random. We demonstrate that under PC, for a given number of species extinctions, it is possible to maximize the protection of evolutionary innovations in every clade. The PC approach is flexible, may be used to conduct a phylogenetic audit of biodiversity under different conservation scenarios, complements existing conservation efforts, and is linked to the post-2020 UN Convention on Biodiversity targets.Fil: Pinto Ledezma, Jesús N.. University of Minnesota; Estados UnidosFil: Díaz, Sandra Myrna. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Halpern, Benjamin S.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Khoury, Colin. San Diego Botanic Garden; Estados Unidos. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical; ColombiaFil: Cavender Bares, Jeannine. University of Minnesota; Estados Unido

New range limit of the Anopetia gounellei (Aves: Trochilidae): state of art and a review on the updated area

New technologies and the rapid amount of data help to improve and update the distribution of the species. Anopetia gounellei (Broad-tipped Hermit, Trochilidae) is a poorly known hummingbird and has been recorded outside its formal range since 2009. Here we reviewed the records of the Broad-tipped Hermit, proposing new range limits and discussing the species ecoregional endemism. The species was recorded in a variety of vegetation, including caatinga and humid forest. Our updated range-limit suggest an increase of 80% from the previous range, exceeding the Caatinga limits, calling into question the endemism of the species to this biome, but confirming a close relationship with dry ecoregions in Brazil. Basic information about its biology is needed, and further studies about breeding and ecological requirements are recommended

Patterns of Beta Diversity of Vascular Plants and Their Correspondence With Biome Boundaries Across North America

Understanding why species composition and diversity varies spatially and with environmental variation is a long-standing theme in macroecological research. Numerous hypotheses have been generated to explain species and phylogenetic diversity gradients. Much less attention has been invested in explaining patterns of beta diversity. Biomes boundaries are thought to represent major shifts in abiotic variables accompanied by vegetation patterns and composition as a consequence of long-term interactions between the environment and the diversification and sorting of species. Using North American plant distribution data, phylogenetic information and three functional traits (SLA, seed mass, and plant height), we explicitly tested whether beta diversity is associated with biome boundaries and the extent to which two components of beta diversity—turnover and nestedness—for three dimensions of biodiversity (taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional)—are associated with contrasting environments and linked to different patterns of historical climatic stability. We found that dimensions of vascular plant beta diversity are strongly coupled and vary considerably across North America, with turnover more influential in biomes with higher species richness and greater environmental stability and nestedness more influential in species-poor biomes characterized by high environmental variability. These results can be interpreted to indicate that in harsher climates with less stability explain beta diversity, while in warmer, wetter more stable climates, patterns of endemism associated with speciation processes, as well as local environmental sorting processes, contribute to beta diversity. Similar to prior studies, we conclude that patterns of similarity among communities and biomes reflects biogeographic legacies of how vascular plant diversity arose and was shaped by historical and ecological processes

Composición e invarianza factorial de la versión corta del Physical Self Description Questionnaire en adolescentes mexicanos

The aim of this research was to analyze the psychometric properties proposed by Marsh et al. (2010) for the Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ-S). The total sample has been composed by 915 Mexican adolescents, 400 athletes and 515 non-athletes, with ages from 11 to 15 years (M = 12.31, SD = 1.43). The factor structure of questionnaire has been analized through the confirmatory factor analysis. This analysis shows that a nine factors structure is viable and adequate for the total sample (GFI .964; RMSEA .030; CFI .981) and the populations of athletes (GFI .921; RMSEA .049; CFI .946) and non-athletes (GFI .943 y RMSEA .049; CFI .970). The nine factors structure (physical activity, appearance, body fat, coordination, endurance, flexibility, health, sport competence, and strength), according to statistical and substantive criteria, has shown adequate indicators of reliability and validity adjustment. On the other hand, the factorial structure, the factorial loads and the intercepts are considered invariant according to the variable sports practice; however, there are differences between athletes and non-athletes in favor of athletes in terms of their physical self-concept: physical activity (-1,243, p <0.001), body fat (-0.212, p <0.05), coordination (-0.765, p <0.001), endurance (-0.882, p <0.001), flexibility (-0.427, p <0.001 ), health (-0.172, p <0.05), sports competition (-1.026, p <0.001) and strength (-0.614, p <0.001). In conclusion, the PSDQ-S can be a useful tool to advance in the study of the factors that affect the physical self-concept.El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas propuestas por Marsh, Martin y Jackson (2010) para la versión corta del Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ-S). La muestra total fue de 915 adolescentes mexicanos 400 deportistas y 515 no deportistas, con edades comprendidas entre 11-15 años (M = 12.33; DE = 1.43). La estructura factorial del cuestionario se analizó mediante análisis factoriales confirmatorios. Los análisis, muestran que una estructura de nueve factores (actividad física, apariencia, grasa corporal, coordinación, resistencia, flexibilidad, salud, competencia deportiva y fuerza) es viable y adecuada tanto para la muestra total (GFI .964; RMSEA .030; CFI .981) como para las poblaciones de adolescentes mexicanos deportistas (GFI .921; RMSEA .049; CFI .946) y no deportistas (GFI .943 y RMSEA .049; CFI .970). La estructura de nueve factores, atendiendo a criterios estadísticos y sustantivos, ha mostrado adecuados indicadores de ajuste de fiabilidad y validez. Por otro lado, la estructura factorial, las cargas factoriales y los interceptos se consideran invariantes de acuerdo a la variable práctica deportiva; sin embargo, existen diferencias significativas a favor de los deportistas en cuanto a su autoconcepto físico: actividad física (-1.243, p <0.001), grasa corporal (-0.212, p <0.05), coordinación (-0.765, p <0.001), resistencia (-0.882, p <0.001), flexibilidad (-0.427, p <0.001), salud (-0.172, p <0.05), competencia deportiva (-1.026, p <0.001) y fuerza (-0.614, p <0.001). En conclusión, el PSDQ-S puede ser una herramienta útil para avanzar en el estudio de los factores que afectan al autoconcepto físico.O principal objetivo deste estudo foi analizar as propiedades psicométricas propostas por Marsh et al. (2010) para a versão curta de Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ-S). Amostra total foi de 915 adolescentes mexicanos 400 atletas e 515 não- atletas com idades entre 11-15 anos (M = 12.33; DE = 1.43). A estrutura fatorial foi analisado com anàlise fatorial confirmatòria. Os analises mostran a estrutura do nove fatores (atividade física, aparência, gordura corporal, coordenação, resistencia, flexibidade, saúde, competencia esportiva e força) e factível e adequado para a mostra total (GFI .964; RMSEA .030; CFI .981) e para ambas as populações, atletas (GFI .921; RMSEA .049; CFI .946) e não atletas (GFI .943 y RMSEA .049; CFI .970). A estrutura de nove fatores, em resposta a criterios estatísticos e materiais tem mostrado indicadores de ajuste adequados de confiabilidade e validade. Além disso a estrutura de fatores, cargas fatoriais e intercepto são considerados invariantes em variável prativa esportiva, porém diferenças entre atletas e não atletas forom encontrados em favor dos atletas em termos de seu autoconceito físico: atividade física (-1,243, p <0,001), gordura corporal (-0,212, p <0,05), coordenação (-0,765, p <0,001), resistência (-0,882, p <0,001), flexibilidade (-0,427, p <0,001 ), saúde (-0,172, p <0,05), competição esportiva (-1,026, p <0,001) e força (-0,614, p <0,001). Em conclusão, el PSDQ-S pode ser uma ferramenta útil para avançar no estudo dos fatores que afetam o autoconceito físico

BII-Implementation: The causes and consequences of plant biodiversity across scales in a rapidly changing world

The proposed Biology Integration Institute will bring together two major research institutions in the Upper Midwest—the University of Minnesota (UMN) and University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW)—to investigate the causes and consequences of plant biodiversity across scales in a rapidly changing world—from genes and molecules within cells and tissues to communities, ecosystems, landscapes and the biosphere. The Institute focuses on plant biodiversity, defined broadly to encompass the heterogeneity within life that occurs from the smallest to the largest biological scales. A premise of the Institute is that life is envisioned as occurring at different scales nested within several contrasting conceptions of biological hierarchies, defined by the separate but related fields of physiology, evolutionary biology and ecology. The Institute will emphasize the use of ‘spectral biology’—detection of biological properties based on the interaction of light energy with matter—and process-oriented predictive models to investigate the processes by which biological components at one scale give rise to emergent properties at higher scales. Through an iterative process that harnesses cutting edge technologies to observe a suite of carefully designed empirical systems—including the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and some of the world’s longest running and state-of-the-art global change experiments—the Institute will advance biological understanding and theory of the causes and consequences of changes in biodiversity and at the interface of plant physiology, ecology and evolution. INTELLECTUAL MERIT The Institute brings together a diverse, gender-balanced and highly productive team with significant leadership experience that spans biological disciplines and career stages and is poised to integrate biology in new ways. Together, the team will harness the potential of spectral biology, experiments, observations and synthetic modeling in a manner never before possible to transform understanding of how variation within and among biological scales drives plant and ecosystem responses to global change over diurnal, seasonal and millennial time scales. In doing so, it will use and advance state-of-the-art theory. The institute team posits that the designed projects will unearth transformative understanding and biological rules at each of the various scales that will enable an unprecedented capacity to discern the linkages between physiological, ecological and evolutionary processes in relation to the multi-dimensional nature of biodiversity in this time of massive planetary change. A strength of the proposed Institute is that it leverages prior federal investments in research and formalizes partnerships with foreign institutions heavily invested in related biodiversity research. Most of the planned projects leverage existing research initiatives, infrastructure, working groups, experiments, training programs, and public outreach infrastructure, all of which are already highly synergistic and collaborative, and will bring together members of the overall research and training team. BROADER IMPACTS A central goal of the proposed Institute is to train the next generation of diverse integrative biologists. Post-doctoral, graduate student and undergraduate trainees, recruited from non-traditional and underrepresented groups, including through formal engagement with Native American communities, will receive a range of mentoring and training opportunities. Annual summer training workshops will be offered at UMN and UW as well as training experiences with the Global Change and Biodiversity Research Priority Program (URPP-GCB) at the University of Zurich (UZH) and through the Canadian Airborne Biodiversity Observatory (CABO). The Institute will engage diverse K-12 audiences, the general public and Native American communities through Market Science modules, Minute Earth videos, a museum exhibit and public engagement and educational activities through the Bell Museum of Natural History, the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (CCESR) and the Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Association

Linear epitopes of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Other Fungal Agents of Human Systemic Mycoses As vaccine Candidates

Dimorphic fungi are agents of systemic mycoses associated with significant morbidity and frequent lethality in the Americas. Among the pathogenic species are Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii, which predominate in South AmericaHistoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides posadasii, and Coccidioides immitis, and the Sporothrix spp. complex are other important pathogens. Associated with dimorphic fungi other important infections are caused by yeast such as Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. or mold such as Aspergillus spp., which are also fungal agents of deadly infections. Nowadays, the actual tendency of therapy is the development of a pan-fungal vaccine. This is, however, not easy because of the complexity of eukaryotic cells and the particularities of different species and isolates. Albeit there are several experimental vaccines being studied, we will focus mainly on peptide vaccines or epitopes of T-cell receptors inducing protective fungal responses. These peptides can be carried by antibody inducing beta-( 1,3)-glucan oligo or polysaccharides, or be mixed with them for administration. The present review discusses the efficacy of linear peptide epitopes in the context of antifungal immunization and vaccine proposition.FAPESPCAPESUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Microbiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Lab Med Mycol IMTSP HCFMUSP LIM53, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Microbiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Lab Med Mycol IMTSP HCFMUSP LIM53, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2016/08730-6FAPESP: 2010/51423-0Web of Scienc

Origin and assembly of Furnariides assemblages across space and time: the role of historical processes

Submitted by Marlene Santos ([email protected]) on 2018-07-26T17:56:37Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Jesús Nazareno Pinto Ledezma - 2017.pdf: 8871426 bytes, checksum: 451cfc37da75487787cfc68ca57f9d82 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2018-07-27T15:03:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Jesús Nazareno Pinto Ledezma - 2017.pdf: 8871426 bytes, checksum: 451cfc37da75487787cfc68ca57f9d82 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-27T15:03:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Jesús Nazareno Pinto Ledezma - 2017.pdf: 8871426 bytes, checksum: 451cfc37da75487787cfc68ca57f9d82 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-07Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPESOne of the major challenges in biology is to understand the processes that originate and maintain of species diversity, and that in turn, determinate the observed patterns of biological diversity at different spatial and temporal scales. Here, we explore the historical processes that generate the species diversity and the assembly of local assemblages of Furnariides, the largest bird continental endemic radiation. In general, we used data of geographic distribution, local assemblages, life history (e.g., habitat preference) and molecular phylogenies. Furnariides diversified mainly during the Tertiary period, period in which South America was an island continent. Also, they are tightly related with the habitat that they occupy, where, the forest habitats represent the ancestral habitat for this clade. The Furnariides species richness pattern follows the same species richness pattern of birds in general, with a higher concentration of species at low latitudes and in forest habitats. Although the concentration of species is higher in these regions, the regions at higher latitudes and of open habitats, present rapid rates of speciation, extinction and colonization, suggesting that these habitats represent an effective arena for diversification in the Neotropics, and that are important for the maintenance of species diversity in forest habitats. Finally, the phylogenetic structure of assemblages of Furnariides, is influenced for the habitat preferences, and that the assembly of local assemblages is determined by the combined effect of historical colonisation and local extinction, as well as, the niche conservatism and environmental filtering.Um dos principais desafios em biologia é entender os processos que dão origem e mantêm a diversidade de espécies, e que, por sua vez, determinam os padrões observados da diversidade biológica em diferentes escalas espaciais e temporais. Nesta tese, exploramos os processos históricos que geram a diversidade de espécies e a montagem de assembleias locais no infraorder dos Furnariides, a maior radiação continental endêmica de aves. De maneira geral se usaram dados de distribuição das espécies, de assembleias locais, historia de vida (e.g., preferência de habitat) e filogenias moleculares. Se demostra que os Furnariides principalmente diversificaram no período Terciário, período no qual América do Sul foi uma ilha continente. Além disso, estão estreitamente relacionadas com o habitat que elas ocupam, sendo que os habitats de floresta representam o habitat ancestral deste clado. O padrão de riqueza de espécies de Furnariides segue o mesmo padrão de riqueza de aves em geral, com uma maior concentração de espécies em latitudes menores e em habitats de floresta. Embora a concentração de espécies seja maior em estas regiões, as regiões de latitudes maiores e de habitats abertos, apresentaram taxas de especiação, extinção e dispersão mais rápidas, sugerindo que os habitats abertos representam areias efetivas de diversificação no Neotrópico e são importantes para o mantimento da diversidade de espécies em habitats de floresta. Finalmente, a estrutura filogenética das assembleias dos Furnariides e influenciada pela preferência de habitat, além disso, a montagem de assembleias locais depende do efeito combinado das taxas diferencias de colonização e extinção local, assim como a conservação de nicho e da filtragem ambiental

Applying remote sensing to biodiversity science

Biodiversity is organized hierarchically from individuals to populations to major lineages in the tree of life. This hierarchical structure has consequences for remote sensing of plant phenotypes and leads to the expectation that more distantly related plants will be more spectrally distinct. Applying remote sensing to understand ecological processes from biodiversity patterns builds on prior efforts that integrate functional and phylogenetic information of organisms with their environmental distributions to discern assembly processes and the rules that govern species distributions. Spectral diversity metrics critical to detecting biodiversity patterns expand on the many metrics for quantifying multiple dimensions of biodiversity—taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional—and can be applied at local (alpha diversity) to regional (gamma diversity) scales to examine variation among communities (beta diversity). Remote-sensing technologies stand to illuminate the nature of biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships and ecosystem service trade-offs over large spatial extents and to estimate their uncertainties. Such advances will improve our capacity to manage natural resources in the Anthropocene