Comportamiento de apareamiento en Zeromastax selenesii (Orthoptera : Caelifera : Eumastacidae) primera descripción etológica reportada para esta familia de saltamontes

Dentro del estudio etológico de los seres vivos, la comunicación es un componente fundamental dentro de sus interacciones, ya que el uso de diferentes tipos de señales permite suplir diferentes necesidades de supervivencia en la naturaleza. Los insectos gozan de una diversa gama de despliegues, colores, movimientos, tamaños, que varían a lo largo de los órdenes, dando una idea de la complejidad que pueden presentar los sistemas de comunicación que usan. Los eumastácidos son una familia de saltamontes muy colorida presente en Colombia, con muchos estudios taxonómicos, pero con un gran vacío en el estudio comportamental del o los canales de comunicación que emplean en diferentes contextos. Por esta razón, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo describir el comportamiento de apareamiento en Zeromastax selenesii (Caelifera: Eumastacidae). Esto se hizo mediante el análisis de fotografías, grabaciones de video y observaciones focales durante cuatro meses. Como resultado, se describen por primera vez los patrones de apareamiento (pre cópula, cópula y post cópula) en dicha familia, resaltando el uso de señales visuales y vibracionales. Se concluye de manera general que el uso de señales vibracionales (tremulación) antes y durante la cópula, parece no ser una estrategia que beneficie al macho Z. selenesii para conseguir pareja. Así mismo, los patrones comportamentales de apareamiento en Z. selenesii (Eumastacidae), a pesar de presentar algunas variaciones, son muy similares a los que emplean otras especies de caeliferos. Igualmente, el presente estudio permitió el planteamiento de múltiples preguntas que aún no han sido resueltas dentro de esta familia.Parque Natural ChicaqueWithin the ethological study of living beings, communication is a fundamental component in their interactions, since the use of different types of signals can meet different survival necessity in nature. Insects enjoy a diverse range of displays, colors, movements, sizes, which vary along the orders, giving an idea of the complexity that the communication systems they use can present. The eumastacid grasshoppers are a very colorful family present in Colombia, with many taxonomic studies, but with a big gap in the behavioral study of the communication channels used in different contexts. For this reason, the present study aimed to describe the mating behavior in Zeromastax selenesii (Caelifera: Eumastacidae). This was done through the analysis of photographs, video recordings and focal observations for four months. As a result, the mating patterns (pre-copulation, copulation and post-copulation) in this family are described for the first time, highlighting the use of visual and vibrational signals. It concludes that the use of vibrational signals (tremulation) before and during copulation does not seem to be a strategy that benefits the male Z. selenesii to get a mate. Likewise, the behavioral patterns of mating in Z. selenesii (Eumastacidae), despite having some variations, are very similar to those used by other caelifera species. Equally, multiple questions arose from this study that have not yet been resolved within this family.Biólogo (a)Pregrad

Prospective comparative multi-centre study on imported Plasmodium ovale wallikeri and Plasmodium ovale curtisi infections

Abstract Background Few previous retrospective studies suggest that Plasmodium ovale wallikeri seems to have a longer latency period and produces deeper thrombocytopaenia than Plasmodium ovale curtisi. Prospective studies were warranted to better assess interspecies differences. Methods Patients with imported P. ovale spp. infection diagnosed by thick or thin film, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were recruited between March 2014 and May 2017. All were confirmed by DNA isolation and classified as P. o. curtisi or P. o. wallikeri using partial sequencing of the ssrRNA gene. Epidemiological, analytical and clinical differences were analysed by statistical methods. Results A total of 79 samples (35 P. o. curtisi and 44 P. o. wallikeri) were correctly genotyped. Males predominate in wallikeri group (72.7%), whereas were 48.6% in curtisi group. Conversely, 74.3% of curtisi group were from patients of African ethnicity, whilst 52.3% of Caucasians were infected by P. o. wallikeri. After performing a multivariate analysis, more thrombocytopaenic patients (p = 0.022), a lower number of platelets (p = 0.015), a higher INR value (p = 0.041), and shorter latency in Caucasians (p = 0.034) were significantly seen in P. o. wallikeri. RDT sensitivity was 26.1% in P. o. curtisi and 42.4% in P. o. wallikeri. Nearly 20% of both species were diagnosed only by PCR. Total bilirubin over 3 mg/dL was found in three wallikeri cases. Two patients with curtisi infection had haemoglobin under 7 g/dL, one of them also with icterus. A wallikeri patient suffered from haemophagocytosis. Chemoprophylaxis failed in 14.8% and 35% of curtisi and wallikeri patients, respectively. All treated patients with various anti-malarials which included artesunate recovered. Diabetes mellitus was described in 5 patients (6.32%), 4 patients of wallikeri group and 1 curtisi. Conclusions Imported P. o. wallikeri infection may be more frequent in males and Caucasians. Malaria caused by P. o. wallikeri produces more thrombocytopaenia, a higher INR and shorter latency in Caucasians and suggests a more pathogenic species. Severe cases can be seen in both species. Chemoprophylaxis seems less effective in P. ovale spp. infection than in P. falciparum, but any anti-malarial drug is effective as initial treatment. Diabetes mellitus could be a risk factor for P. ovale spp. infection