Identification and characterization of phenolic compounds in hydromethanolic extracts of sorghum wholegrains by LC-ESI-MSn

Hydromethanolic extracts of brown, red, and white sorghum whole grains were analysed by LC-MSn in negative ESI mode within the range m/z 150–550 amu. Besides the flavonoids already reported in sorghum, a number of flavonoids were also identified in the sorghum grain for the first time, including flavanones, flavonols and flavanonols, and flavan-3-ol derivatives. Various phenylpropane glycerides were also found in the sorghum grain, the majority of them are reported here for the first time, and a few of them were detected with abundant peaks in the extracts, indicating they are another important class of phenolic compounds in sorghum. In addition, phenolamides were also found in sorghum grain, which have not been reported before, and dicaffeoyl spermidine was detected in high abundance in the extracts of all three type sorghum grains. These results confirmed that sorghum is a rich source of various phenolic compounds

Highly diversified coronaviruses in neotropical bats

Bats host a broad diversity of coronaviruses (CoVs), including close relatives of human pathogens. There is only limited data on neotropical bat CoVs. We analysed faecal, blood and intestine specimens from 1562 bats sampled in Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Brazil for CoVs by broad-range PCR. CoV RNA was detected in 50 bats representing nine different species, both frugivorous and insectivorous. These bat CoVs were unrelated to known human or animal pathogens, indicating an absence of recent zoonotic spill-over events. Based on RNAdependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)-based grouping units (RGUs) as a surrogate for CoV species identification, the 50 viruses represented five different alphacoronavirus RGUs and two betacoronavirus RGUs. Closely related alphacoronaviruses were detected in Carollia perspicillata and C. brevicauda across a geographical distance exceeding 5600 km. Our study expands the knowledge on CoV diversity in neotropical bats and emphasizes the association of distinct CoVs and bat host genera.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaInstituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestr

The role of fragmentation and landscape changes in the ecological release of common nest predators in the neotropics

Loss of large mammalian carnivores may allow smaller mesopredators to become abundant and threaten other community members. There is considerable debate about mesopredator release and the role that other potential factors such as landscape variables and human alterations to land cover lead to increased mesopredator abundance. We used camera traps to detect four mesopredators (tayra, Eira barbara; white-nosed coati, Nasua narica; northern raccoon, Procyon lotor and common opossum, Didelphis opossum) in a biological corridor in Costa Rica to estimate habitat covariates that influenced the species' detection and occurrence. We selected these mesopredators because as semi-arboreal species they might be common nest predators, posing a serious threat to resident and migratory songbirds. Pineapple production had a pronounced positive effect on the detectability of tayras, while forest cover had a negative effect on the detection of coatis. This suggests that abundance might be elevated due to the availability of agricultural food resources and foraging activities are concentrated in forest fragments and pineapple edge habitats. Raccoon and opossum models exhibited little influence on detection from habitat covariates. Occurrence models did not suggest any significant factors influencing site use by nest predators, revealing that all four species are habitat generalists adapted to co-existing in human altered landscapes. Furthermore, fragmentation and land cover changes may predispose nesting birds, herpetofauna, and small mammals to heightened predation risk by mesopredators in theNeotropics.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaInstituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestr

Detecting river otter Lontra canadensis latrines near bridges: Does habitat and season influence survey success?

During 2006, we conducted riparian surveys to detect river otter Lontra canadensis latrines at 15 bridge-suites along riverine habitats in southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland, USA. We defined a bridge-suite as consisting of survey locations at the bridge, a random site and a site chosen by application of a Pattern Recognition Model developed for predicting the location of latrines, with each survey location consisting of both shorelines along a 200-m section of the river. We used occupancy modeling to assess the influence of the continuous covariate SiteScore (a probability derived from Pattern Recognition modeling, with higher scores predicting habitat conditions where river otters are most likely to establish latrines). We also included two categorical covariates with the modeling, each with three factor levels: SiteType (consisting of the three survey locations within a bridge-suite: Bridge, Random and Select, chosen based on having the highest SiteScore among non-Bridge sites within a bridge-suite) and Season (spring, summer and fall) on the probability of detecting a positive site (i.e. a site with >= 1 latrine). The selected model suggested that probabilities of detection were positively related to SiteScore (i.e. habitat quality), higher in spring and fall than in summer, and higher at Selected and Random sites than at Bridge sites. In our study areas, efficacy of surveys to detect river otter signs (i.e. scats at latrines) would be considerably enhanced by considering habitat quality when selecting survey locations and by conducting surveys during spring or fall.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaInstituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestr

Factors influencing the occurrence of the Endangered Baird's tapir Tapirus bairdii: Potential flagship species for a Costa Rican biological corridor

Dengue fever is the fastest spreading, most prevalent and deadly arthropod-borne viral disease world-wide, present in over 125 countries. In 2013, Costa Rica is experiencing the highest number of Dengue infec-tions since the virus’s reintroduction to the country in 1993. This study evaluated the Dengue-related knowledge of 320 community members, and polled opinions on how to better educate and mobilize the community on Dengue prevention in Quebrada Ganado, Costa Rica during March-May, 2013. In addition, property inspections were used to find relationships between knowledge or opinions and presence of Aedes breeding sites. Results showed that while citizens knew the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that reproduce near water, they lacked knowledge on Aedes habits and confused it with other mosquitoes. Eighty-one percent of respondents assumed some responsibility for dengue prevention. Suggestions for improved education included consistent and con-tinual information on the risks and dangers dengue poses to an individual. Characteristics relating to households with more positive breeding sites were: lower education level, higher prevalence of dengue infections in the household, lesser knowledge of dengue symptoms, a lower rating on the dangers of dengue and a lower rating on the importance of preventative actions. While a range of prevention methods are implemented, active com-munity involvement is highly important for successful Dengue prevention. Continual evaluation is necessary to make more immediate, long-term behavioral societal changes, and to maximize the economic resources spent on Dengue prevention.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaInstituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestr

Camera trapping ocelots: An evaluation of felid attractants

Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and other wild cats are often surveyed using camera traps to identify individuals for density estimation via capture-recapture analyses or estimate occupancy via detection/non-detection analyses. Though attractants are sometimes used in such surveys, there have not been any evaluations of the effectiveness of common visual and olfactory attractants in field settings. As part of a medium and large mammal camera survey in the San Juan – La Selva Biological Corridor, Costa Rica, we integrated camera trap data within an occupancy modelling framework to estimate the effects of hanging compact disks (visual), cologne (olfactory), and sardines in oil (olfactory) on ocelot detection probabilities. Compact disks appeared to have the most information-theoretic model support, whereas cologne received less model support. The use of compact disks in surveys was also less time-consuming and less expensive than the olfactory attractants. Ocelots are visual hunters and using visual attractants can increase detection probabilities and therefore reduce uncertainty and/or reduce survey effort to obtain robust population or occupancy estimates, although using cologne might also have similar effects. Depending on logistic constraints, we recommend employing several attractants as the most appropriate way to survey ocelots and other rare felids in the future when detection biases are assumed to be strong, particularly as part of mammal community surveys.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaInstituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestr

Habitat Selection of Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis) (Carnívora: Mustelidae) in the Iberá Natural Reserve, Argentina

Habitat selection of the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) was evaluated in the Iberá Natural Reserve, province of Corrientes, Argentina, from July to November 2014. We sampled 99 segments of 300 m in length, which were located in the Iberá lagoon, the Paraná lagoon, and the Arroyo Carambola. Each segment was visited to create detection / non-detection histories of the neotropical otter. Environmental attributes were measured, such as environment type, vegetation cover, and influence of alligator (Caiman latirostris and C. yacare). These attributes were used to create occupation models. The neotropical otter selected the Iberá lagoon over the other environments analyzed. No type of vegetation cover was selected over another, and the influence of alligator did not seem to condition the use of the space of neotropical otter in the sites sampled

Pesticides Burden in Neotropical Rivers: Costa Rica as a Case Study

IRET ICOMVISNeotropical ecosystems are highly biodiverse; however, the excessive use of pesticides has polluted freshwaters, with deleterious effects on aquatic biota. This study aims to analyze concentrations of active ingredients (a.i) of pesticides and the risks posed to freshwater Neotropical ecosystems. We compiled information from 1036 superficial water samples taken in Costa Rica between 2009 and 2019. We calculated the detection frequency for 85 a.i. and compared the concentrations with international regulations. The most frequently detected pesticides were diuron, ametryn, pyrimethanil, flutolanil, diazinon, azoxystrobin, buprofezin, and epoxiconazole, with presence in >20% of the samples. We observed 32 pesticides with concentrations that exceeded international regulations, and the ecological risk to aquatic biota (assessed using the multi-substance potentially affected fraction model (msPAF)) revealed that 5% and 13% of the samples from Costa Rica pose a high or moderate acute risk, especially to primary producers and arthropods. Other Neotropical countries are experiencing the same trend with high loads of pesticides and consequent high risk to aquatic ecosystems. This information is highly valuable for authorities dealing with prospective and retrospective risk assessments for regulatory decisions in tropical countries. At the same time, this study highlights the need for systematic pesticide residue monitoring of fresh waters in the Neotropical region.Los ecosistemas neotropicales son altamente biodiversos; sin embargo, el uso excesivo de plaguicidas ha contaminado el agua dulce, con efectos deletéreos sobre la biota acuática. Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las concentraciones de los ingredientes activos (a.i) de los plaguicidas y los riesgos que plantean los ecosistemas neotropicales de agua dulce. Recopilamos información de 1036 muestras de agua superficial tomadas en Costa Rica entre 2009 y 2019. Calculamos la frecuencia de detección para 85 a.i. y comparó las concentraciones con las regulaciones internacionales. Los plaguicidas detectados con mayor frecuencia fueron diurón, ametrina, pirimetanil, flutolanil, diazinon, azoxistrobina, buprofezina y epoxiconazol, con presencia en> 20% de las muestras. Observamos 32 plaguicidas con concentraciones que excedían las regulaciones internacionales, y el riesgo ecológico para la biota acuática (evaluado usando el modelo de fracción potencialmente afectada de múltiples sustancias (msPAF)) reveló que el 5% y el 13% de las muestras de Costa Rica presentan un alto o riesgo agudo moderado, especialmente para los productores primarios y los artrópodos. Otros países neotropicales están experimentando la misma tendencia con altas cargas de pesticidas y el consecuente alto riesgo para los ecosistemas acuáticos. Esta información es muy valiosa para las autoridades que se ocupan de evaluaciones de riesgo prospectivas y retrospectivas para decisiones regulatorias en países tropicales. Al mismo tiempo, este estudio destaca la necesidad de un monitoreo sistemático de residuos de plaguicidas en aguas dulces en la región Neotropical.Doctorado en Ciencia Naturales de para el Desarrollo (DOCINADE), Costa RicaUniversidad Nacional, Costa RicaCentro Nacional de Alta Tecnología (CeNAT), Costa RicaInstituto Regional de Estudios en Sustancias TóxicasInstituto Internacional de Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestr

Integrating occupancy modeling and camera-trap data to estimate medium and large mammal detection and richness in a Central American biological corridor

Noninvasive camera-traps are commonly used to survey mammal communities in the Neotropics. This study used camera-traps to survey medium and large mammal diversity in the San Juan - La Selva Biological Corridor, Costa Rica. The connectivity of the corridor is affected by the spread of large-scale agriculture, cattle ranching, and a growing human presence. An occupancy modeling approach was used to estimate corridor species richness and species-specific detection probabilities in 16 forested sites within four different matrix-use categories: eco-lodge reserves, tree plantations/general reforestation, cattle ranches, and pineapple/agricultural plantations. Rarity had a highly negative effect (β = -1.96 ± 0.65 SE) on the ability to detect species presence. Corridor richness was estimated at 20.4 ± 0.66 species and was lower than that observed in protected areas in the Neotropics. Forest cover was significantly less at pineapple plantations than other land-use matrices. Richness estimates for different land-use matrices were highly variable with no significant differences; however, pineapple plantations exhibited the highest observed richness. Given the limited forest cover at those sites, we believe that this reflects the concentrated occurrence of medium and large mammals in small forest patches, particularly because the majority of pineapple plantation communities were generalist mesopredators. Fragmentation and connectivity will need to be addressed with reforestation and limitations on pineapple production for the region to function as an effective corridor. Occupancy modeling has only recently been applied to camera-trap data and our results suggest that this approach provides robust richness and detection probability estimates and should be further explored.Càmaras-trampa no invasivas son comúnmente utilizadas para estudiar las comunidades de mamíferos en los Neotrópicos. En éste estudio se utilizaron càmaras-trampa para estudiar la diversidad de mamíferos de tamaños medianos y grandes en el Corredor Biológico San Juan - La Selva en Costa Rica. La conectividad del corredor se ve afectada por la expansión de la agricultura a gran escala, la ganadería y continuo crecimiento poblacional humano. Se desarrolló un modelo de ocupación para estimar la riqueza de especies y especies específicas para el corredor, con probabilidades de detección en 16 localizaciones forestales en cuatro diferentes categorías de uso de la matriz: reservas eco-lodge, plantaciones de àrboles / reforestación general, ranchos ganaderos y piñas / plantaciones agrícolas. Rareza tenía un efecto altamente negativo (β = −1,96 ± 0,65 SE) en la capacidad de detectar la presencia de especies. La riqueza de especies en el corredor se estimó en 20,4 ± 0,66 especies y fue menor que la observada en las àreas protegidas en los Neotrópicos. La cubierta forestal fue significativamente menor en las plantaciones de piña que en otras matrices de uso de suelo. Las estimaciones de riqueza para matrices diferentes de uso del suelo fueron muy variables sin diferencias significativas. Sin embargo, las plantaciones de piña exhibieron la mayor riqueza de especies observadas. Dada a la cobertura forestal limitada en estos sitios, consideramos que lo antes mencionado refleja una incidencia concentrada de mamíferos medianos y grandes en pequeños parches de bosque, sobre todo porque la mayoría de las comunidades de las plantaciones de piña sumaron mesodepredadores generalistas. Por esta razón, tendràn que ser abordados con la reforestación y las limitaciones de la producción de piña para que la región bajo estudio pueda funcionar como un corredor eficaz. Modelos de ocupación se han aplicado recientemente a los datos de la càmara-trampa y nuestros resultados sugieren que éste enfoque proporciona un estimado robusto de riqueza de especies y sólida probabilidad de detección, lo cual propone estudiarse a cabalidad en el futuro.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaUniversity of Central Missouri, USASelva Verde Lodge, Costa RicaCentro Científico Tropical, Costa RicaInstituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestr

Biomass and carbon models for Gmelina arborea trees in clonal plantations

INISEFORICOMVIS[Introducción]: La evaluación de la biomasa y el desarrollo de modelos es un elemento clave para determinar el potencial de mitigación del cambio climático de los ecosistemas forestales. Los bosques plantados año tras año ocupan mayor área, también adquieren mayor relevancia en el almacenamiento de carbono, pero existe poca in-formación sobre la cuantificación de biomasa y carbono para la diversidad de especies, sitios y grado de manejo. [Objetivo]: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la biomasa de los distintos componentes o fracciones (hojas, ramas, fuste, raíz) del árbol. [Metodología]: Por medio del método destructivo e indirecto, para construir modelos predic-tivos de biomasa y carbono para los distintos componentes del árbol. Los modelos se desarrollaron por medio del método de mínimos cuadrados ordinarios que utiliza como variable predictora el diámetro normal. [Resultados]: Estas ecuaciones explicaron más del 92 % de la variabilidad observada en biomasa y el carbono, con errores de estimados inferiores a 8.5 %, excepto para el carbono en hojas con menor ajuste (R2= 78.2) y mayor error (10.9 %). El fuste representó el 65.6 % de biomasa total del árbol, tiene 37 % de materia seca y 0.48 de fracción de carbono. [Conclusiones]: El aporte del follaje a la biomasa y carbono total del árbol es mínimo, por lo cual debería justificarse muy bien la asignación de tiempo y recursos para evaluar este componente. Los modelos elegidos son muy prácticos de usar porque requieren solo del diámetro como variable predictora.[Introduction]: Assessing biomass and model development is key in determining the mitigation potential of climate change in forest ecosystems. Forests planted year after year occupy a greater area and are becoming more relevant for carbon storage; however, there is little information about biomass and carbon quantification for the diversity of species, sites, and management degree. [Objective]: The objective of the study was to evaluate the biomass of the di-fferent tree components (leaves, branches, stem, root). [Methodology]: The study used the destructive and indirect method to build predictive models of biomass and carbon for the different tree components. Models were deve-loped with the ordinary least squares method using the normal diameter as a predictor variable. [Results]: These equations explained more than 92 % of the variability observed in biomass and carbon, with errors of the estimates below 8.5 %, except for carbon in leaves, which had less adjustment (R2 = 78.2) and greater error (10.9 %). Stem re-presented 65.6 % of the tree’s total biomass, with 37 % dry matter and 0.48 carbon fraction. [Conclusions]: Foliage contribution to total tree biomass and carbon is minimal; consequently, allocating time and resources to evaluate this component should be well justified. The models chosen are very practical to use because they only require the diameter as a predictor variable.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Ciencias AmbientalesInstituto Internacional en Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestr