Monitoring a Puma (Puma concolor) Population in a Fragmented Landscape in Southeast Brazil

ABSTRACT The northeast area of São Paulo state has been intensively deforested, resulting in a highly fragmented landscape composed of a few large patches and several small patches of natural vegetation surrounded by sugarcane, eucalyptus, and citrus plantations. In this scenario, we investigated the puma (Puma concolor) population size, sex ratio, and relatedness in two of the last, and largest, natural refuges in the area using a noninvasive method during 2004–2008. By collecting and individualizing fecal samples by microsatellites, we identified 17 individuals, 13 females (76.4%) and 4 males (23.6%) in these areas. Five females were sampled in distinct years and over an extended time and probably represented resident adults. By investigating the relatedness among individual pumas inhabiting the area, we found that only three animals were not related to each other. We also found evidence that young females might establish an adjacent or overlapping territory to their mothers (phylopatry). Moreover, we registered 11 road‐killed individuals nearby the study area, ten males and one female, and six human–puma conflicts. The study area may act as a source of individuals that disperse across the matrix to occupy new home ranges, maintaining some degree of gene flow in a source–sink metapopulation structure. Finally, we recommend that puma management should be conducted at the landscape level to provide effective puma conservation in northeastern São Paulo state. Abstract in Portuguese is available in the online version of this article.     

Biology of the leaf roller <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salbia lotanalis</Emphasis> and its impact on the invasive tree <Emphasis Type="Italic">Miconia calvescens</Emphasis>

Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae) is an invasive alien tree in native forests on some Pacific islands and a potentially invasive species in Australia. Searches for potential classical biocontrol agents have been undertaken for over a decade in the centre of origin (Central and South America). Salbia lotanalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a leaf roller which has been recognized as a promising classical biocontrol agent for M. calvescens. This paper presents the biology and an impact study of S. lotanalis on M. calvescens. Life table parameters showed that S. lotanalis has a high reproductive capacity, with up to six generations a year. Miconia calvescens seedlings attacked by S. lotanalis caterpillars had their growth rate significantly reduced. Seedlings subjected initially to a high level of defoliation (80%) caused by caterpillars had leaf fall and a lower leaf area than controls after 210 days. Considering the high population growth rate and significant impact on young plants, S. lotanalis appears to have a high potential for use as a classical biological control agent to be used against M. calvescens.     

Taking Aim

Taking Aim. 1993. 41 min., color. video by Monica Frota. For more information contact Monica Frota at Rua Visconde de Ouro Preto 611/201, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 22250-180, (55 21 5376235).     

Pain threshold and morphine activity in vitamin D-deficient rats

In rats, vitamin D-deficiency increases basal pain threshold and the analgesic effect of morphine (hot plate test). Cholecalciferol (1000 I.U./Kg/day s.c.x 5 days) restores pain sensitivity in vitamin D-deficient rats and brings the analgesic effect of morphine back to normal. On the other hand, tolerance to morphine develops faster in vitamin D-deficient rats, this effect too being prevented by cholecalciferol treatment. These data suggest a role for vitamin D status in pain sensitivity and opiate activity.     

Infusion of high concentration of lactate in perfused liver,simulating in vivo hyperlactatemia,prevents the reduction of gluconeogenesis in Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats

Gluconeogenesis (GN) is increased in patients with cancer cachexia, but is reduced in liver perfusion of Walker-256 tumor-bearing cachectic rats (TB rats). The causes of these differences are unknown. We investigated the influence of circulating concentrations of lactate (NADH generator) and NADH on GN in perfused livers of TB rats. Lactate, at concentrations similar to those found on days 5 (3.0 mM), 8 (5.5 mM), and 12 (8.0 mM) of the tumor, prevented the reduction of GN from 2.0 mM lactate (lactatemia of healthy rat) in TB rats. NADH, 50 or 75 μM, but not 25 μM, increased GN from 2.0 mM lactate in TB rats to higher values than healthy rats. High concentrations of pyruvate (no NADH generator, 5.0 and 8.0 mM) did not prevent the reduction of GN from 2.0 mM pyruvate in TB rats. However, 50 or 75 μM NADH, but not 25 μM, increased GN from 2.0 mM pyruvate in TB rats to similar or higher values than healthy rats. High concentration of glutamine (NADH generator, 2.5 mM) or 50 μM NADH prevented the reduction of GN from 1 mM glutamine in TB rats. Intraperitoneal administration of pyruvate (1.0 mg/kg) or glutamine (0.5 mg/kg) similarly increased the glycemia of healthy and TB rats. In conclusion, high lactate concentration, similar to hyperlactatemia, prevented the reduction of GN in perfused livers of TB rats, an effect probably caused by the increased redox potential (NADH/NAD⁺). Thus, the decreased GN in livers from TB rats is due, at least in part, to the absence of simulation of in vivo hyperlactatemia in liver perfusion studies.     

Phylogenetic relationships,population demography,and species delimitation of the Alouatta belzebul species complex (Atelidae: Alouattinae)

Primates - Howler monkeys (genus Alouatta) exhibit the most extensive distribution among platyrrhines, comprising Mesoamerican and South American species groups, with the South American group...     

Invasive alien species records are exponentially rising across the Earth

Humans are facilitating the introduction and range expansion of invasive alien species (IAS), which have negatively impacted ecological and socio-economic systems worldwide. Understanding the global diffusion of IAS is important for developing environmental policies and management strategies. We estimate the rate of increase and the doubling times of the number of new records of 178 IAS using a global dataset with c. 3.4 million records obtained over c. 100 years. Here, we show that the number of records of IAS have exponentially increased with a mean double time of c. 14 years across the Earth. For the most analysed species, the number of records increased faster in the non-native than native continents, suggesting that such IAS might be exponentially expanding their range size. We also found that each continent has a taxonomic group with a particular increase in IAS records. Governments and scientists should pay attention to these taxonomic groups to implement appropriate control or management actions. Our study provides an indication that the current local, regional and continental efforts to control invasions may be not sufficient at the global scale. This is a concerning situation given the great number of areas available for invasion worldwide.

     

Salinity thresholds for understory plants in coastal wetlands

The effects of sea level rise and coastal saltwater intrusion on wetland plants can extend well above the high-tide line due to drought, hurricanes, and groundwater intrusion. Research has examined how coastal salt marsh plant communities respond to increased flooding and salinity, but more inland coastal systems have received less attention. The aim of this study was to identify whether ground layer plants exhibit threshold responses to salinity exposure. We used two vegetation surveys throughout the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula (APP) of North Carolina, USA to assess vegetation in a low elevation landscape (≤?3.8 m) experiencing high rates of sea level rise (3–4 mm/year). We examined the primary drivers of community composition change using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) and used Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) to detect thresholds of compositional change based on indicator taxa, in response to potential indicators of exposure to saltwater (Na, and the Σ Ca?+?Mg) and elevation. Salinity and elevation explained 64% of the variation in community composition, and we found two salinity thresholds for both soil Na⁺ (265 and 3843 g Na⁺/g) and Ca⁺ +?Mg⁺ (42 and 126 µeq/g) where major changes in community composition occur on the APP. Similar sets of species showed sensitivity to these different metrics of salt exposure. Overall, our results showed that ground layer plants can be used as reliable indicators of salinity thresholds in coastal wetlands. These results can be used for monitoring salt exposure of ecosystems and for identifying areas at risk for undergoing future community shifts.

     

Non-fluoroscopic catheter ablation: A randomized trial

BackgroundCatheter ablation provides curative treatment for tachyarrhythmias. Fluoroscopy, the method used for this, presents several risks. The electroanatomical mapping (MEA) presents a three-dimensional image without using X-rays, and may be adjunct to fluoroscopy.ObjectivesWe evaluated the possibility of performing catheter ablation with the exclusive use of electroanatomical mapping (MEA), dispensing with fluoroscopy. We compared the total time of procedure and success rates against the technique using fluoroscopy (RX) with emission of X-rays.MethodsRandomized, unicentric, uni-blind study of patients referred for tachyarrhythmia ablation.ResultsTwelve patients were randomized to the XR group and 11 to the EAM group. The mean age was 48.5 (±12.6) vs 46.3 (±16.6) (P = ns). Success occurred in 11 patients (91.7%) in the RX group and 9 (81.8%) in the MEA group (P = 0.46). The procedure time in minutes was higher in the MEA group than in the RX group (79-47-125min vs 49-30-100min; P = 0.006). The mean fluoroscopy time was 11 ± 9 min versus zero (RX vs MEA: P < 0.001). The mean radiofrequency applications were lower in the RX group against the MEA group (6 ± 3.5 × 13.2 ± 18.2 p < 0.019). There were no complications.ConclusionMEA opened new therapeutic possibilities for patients with arrhythmias, reducing the risk of radiation. In this study, it was possible to demonstrate that it is feasible to perform ablation only with the use of MEA, with similar success with fluoroscopy, at the expense of a longer procedure time.     

Standardized sampling plan for Aphis gossypii based on the cotton cultivar,plant phenology and crop size

A standardized sampling plan is the starting point for developing a decision‐making system for pest control. Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a destructive sap‐feeding pest on cotton worldwide. However, research addressing cotton cultivar, plant phenology and field size with the aim of developing a sampling plan for A. gossypii has not been done. Therefore, in this study, we developed a standardized sampling for A. gossypii as a function of these factors. To accomplish this, A. gossypii densities in four experimental cotton cultivars were sampled weekly during year one to determine the ideal aphid characteristic to sample (by individual or colony). During year one and two, A. gossypii densities were sampled weekly in the same cultivars to determine sampling unit, sampling technique and the number of samples for an A. gossypii sampling plan. Using the sample number determined, the sampling time was recorded for cotton field size of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 150 ha in order to estimate the sampling cost. In cotton, the count of individuals was the best characteristic for the assessment of A. gossypii. Leaves of the most apical branches for the vegetative and reproductive cotton plant stage were the best sampling units. The best sampling technique was direct counting. The cotton cultivar did not affect the development of the sampling plan. The A. gossypii sampling plan involved the evaluation of 58 samples per zone and required 20 min (<0.35 min/sample) for the evaluation of these samples. However, the walking time between samples was the main factor responsible for the total sampling time and cost in cotton fields, and this factor strongly depends on the size of the cotton field.