Sole coloration as an unusual aposematic signal in a Neotropical toad

Many animals have evolved remarkable strategies to avoid predation. In diurnal, toxic harlequin toads (Atelopus) from the Amazon basin, we find a unique colour signal. Some Atelopus populations have striking red soles of the hands and feet, visible only when walking. When stationary, the toads are hard to detect despite their yellow-black dorsal coloration. Consequently, they switch between high and low conspicuousness. Interestingly, some populations lack the extra colour display of the soles. We found comprehensive support that the red coloration can act as an aposematic signal directed towards potential predators: red soles are significantly more conspicuous than soles lacking red coloration to avian predators and the presence of the red signal significantly increases detection. Further, toads with red soles show bolder behaviour by using higher sites in the vegetation than those lacking this signal. Field experiments hint at a lower attack risk for clay models with red soles than for those lacking the signal, in a population where the red soles naturally occur. We suggest that the absence of the signal may be explained by a higher overall attack risk or potential differences of predator community structure between populations. © 2019, The Author(s)

Percepción de la experiencia de violencia doméstica en mujeres víctimas de maltrato de pareja

This study aimed to understand the perceptions that domestic violence has a group of women victims of it. To this end we conducted a qualitative study on the technique of focus groups. The research participants were 9 women victims of domestic violence between the ages of 25 and 60 years served in an ONG of Bogotá city. It was found in women with a negative perception of themselves while minimizing many of the skills they possess, and evaluating their skills as inferior to men, which have learned from their families of origin.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender las percepciones que sobre la violencia doméstica tiene un grupo de mujeres víctimas de la misma. Para tal fin, se llevó a cabo una investigación de tipo cualitativo bajo la técnica de grupos focales. Las participantes de la investigación fueron nueve mujeres víctimas de la violencia doméstica, con edades comprendidas entre los 25 y 60 años, atendidas en una ONG de la ciudad de Bogotá. Se encontró que las mujeres tienen una percepción negativa de sí mismas, aprendida desde sus familias de origen, pues minimizan muchas de sus capacidades y evalúan sus habilidades como inferiores a las de los hombres