Prevalence survey of schistosomiasis in Mindanao and the Visayas, The Philippines

The first two phases of a national prevalence survey of schistosomiasis in The Philippines were completed in Mindanao in 2005 and the Visayas in the first quarter of 2007. The design was a stratified two-step systematic cluster sampling, with two Kato-Katz thick smears examined from each participant. In Mindanao, a total of 22 provinces spread in six regions were covered by the survey with five barangays (equivalent to a village) per province for a total of 110 barangays. The response rate was 70.9% with a total of 21,390 individuals examined. The province of Maguindanao, a known endemic area for schistosomiasis japonica, failed to take part in the survey. In the Visayas, 10 out of 11 provinces, spread out in three regions, participated in the survey. There were 6321 respondents for an overall participation rate of 32.2%. Mindanao showed a wider coverage of the disease than the Visayas (60% versus 45%). By region, Caraga or Region 13 ranked first in Mindanao and Region 8 in the Visayas. By province, Agusan del Sur is first on the list, followed by Northern Samar and then Eastern Samar. Overall, the prevalence rate among males is higher than that of females suggesting the occupational hazard of farming and fishing among the males. The higher exposure among farmers and fishermen is also borne out by the age distribution of the disease. Prevalence remains consistently high among the adults compared with the younger age groups. The survey also covered other helminth infections that can be detected in a stool survey, notably soil-transmitted helminthes and food-borne trematodes.     

Demographic and contraceptive patterns among women in northern Mindanao,the Philippines

Abstract

Desired family size and contraceptive behavior of 986 ever‐married women aged 15–54 from Northern Mindanao, the Philippines, are described. Using the Dow and Werner typology of demographic and contraceptive patterns, it was found that a majority of the women were traditional in their demographic attitude and contraceptive behavior. A substantial proportion of the women desired medium to large families. Inconsistency in attitude and behavior was also manifested by women who desired small families but have never used efficient family planning methods. Sociodemographic characteristics of these women are described. A majority of the women who have never used efficient contraception also never practiced family planning. Rhythm was the primary method of birth control among demographic innovators and traditionals who have ever used inefficient methods; the pill was popular among contraceptive innovators and the moderns. A considerable proportion of the demographic innovators and the traditionals were not currently using any family planning method; a lesser proportion of contraceptive innovators and moderns were also not using birth control methods. Relevance of the findings to family planning programs is pointed out. Recommendations are given.     

Demographic and contraceptive patterns among women in Northern Mindanao, the Philippines

Desired family size and contraceptive behavior of 986 ever-married women aged 15-54 from Northern Mindanao, the Philippines, are described. Using the Dow and Werner typology of demographic and contraceptive patterns, it was found that a majority of the women were traditional in their demographic attitude and contraceptive behavior. A substantial proportion of the women desired medium to large families. In consistency in attitude and behavior was also manifested by women who desired small families but have never used efficient family planning methods. Sociodemographic characteristics of these women are described. A majority of the women who have never used efficient contraception also never practiced family planning. Rhythm was the primary method of birth control among demographic innovators and traditionals who have ever used inefficient methods; the pill was popular among contraceptive innovators and moderns. A considerable proportion of the demographic innovators and the traditionals were not currently using any family planning method; a lesser proportion of contraceptive innovators and moderns were also not using birth control methods. Relevance of the findings to family planning programs is pointed out. Recommendations are given. Motivation for a small family is a prerequisite for a successful family planning program. Without motivation, what family planning programs do is reduce the number of unwanted births. Family planning programs should reach out to those who are sufficiently motivated to have small families but have never used efficient family planning methods. A major finding of this research is that a majority of the women who never used efficient contraception also never used inefficient or traditional methods. Efforts should be made to change this. Additionally, efforts should be made to bring those modern and contraceptive innovators who had stopped using any family planning method to practice contraception again.     

Plagiostachys lourdesiae (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Mindanao,Philippines

A new species, Plagiostachys lourdesiae, from Mindanao, Philippines is described here. Plagiostachys escritorii, which also occurs in Mindanao, is the most closely related species. The new species differs from P. escritorii in its petiolate lamina, lax inflorescence, red and strongly curved upward labellum, and globose to subglobose maroon fruit. A colour plate, notes on its distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status as well as a key to Plagiostachys species in the Philippines are provided.     

Distribution of endemic and threatened herpetofauna in Mt. Malindang,Mindanao, Philippines

Mt. Malindang is one of the upland ranges where biodiversity has been severely threatened due to forest loss. Fieldwork was conducted from October 2003 to December 2004 in 14 sampling sites from an elevation of 120 to over 1,700 m above sea level to assess the distribution of endemic and threatened herpetofaunal species. Twenty-six species of amphibians and 33 species of reptiles were observed for all sampling sites. The level of endemism for amphibians was 42% where 7 of the 11 recorded species are found only in Mindanao. Nine species were in the threatened category, 8 vulnerable and 1 endangered. For the reptiles, 48% endemicity was observed. No threatened species was found. Field observations show that the major threat to the herpetofauna is habitat destruction, particularly the conversion of the forest to agricultural farms by the local people. It was also observed that endemic and threatened species were distributed in high elevation sites (submontane, dipterocarp, almaciga, and montane forests). Despite habitat loss in Mt. Malindang, 18% of the recorded herpetofaunal species recorded in the Philippines were found in Mt. Malindang, indicating the conservation importance of this mountain range.     

Yaws in the Philippines: A clinico-seroprevalence study of selected communities in Mindanao

BackgroundYaws is a chronic, highly contagious skin and bone infection affecting children living in impoverished, remote communities. It is caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue. We report the prevalence of active yaws among elementary schoolchildren based on clinical and serological criteria in selected municipalities of Southern Philippines.MethodsFrom January to March 2017, exploratory cross-sectional surveys and screening of skin diseases were conducted in the Liguasan Marsh area of the provinces Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato. We included 9 municipalities and randomly selected one public elementary school per municipality. Members of students’ households and the communities were also examined and treated. Yaws suspects and contacts had blood tests for treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies using Dual Pathway Platform and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) tests.ResultsA total of 2779 children and adults were screened for any skin disease: 2291 students, 393 household members, and 95 community members. Among 210 yaws suspects and contacts, 150 consented to serologic tests. The estimated prevalence of active yaws among schoolchildren screened was 1 out of 2291 (0.04%). Among 2532 children who were 14 years old and younger, 4 (0.2%) had active yaws. Eight adult household contacts and community members had latent yaws and 2 had past yaws. Five out of 9 municipalities were endemic for yaws.ConclusionsThis study confirmed that the Philippines is endemic for yaws but at a low level in the schools surveyed. This is an under-estimation due to the limited sampling. The lack of proper disease surveillance after the eradication campaign in the 1960’s has made yaws a forgotten disease and has led to its resurgence. Yaws surveillance is needed to determine the extent of yaws in the Philippines and to help develop a strategy to eradicate yaws by 2030.     

Species Account of Anura ns from the Western Slope of Mt. Kita nglad,Mindanao Island,Philippines

The Mt. Kitanglad Range is one of the country’s important key biodiversity sites;however, information about anuran diversity in this protected area remains depauperate. Herein we provided accounts of anuran species from high-elevation forests, in three sites of the western slope of Mt. Kitanglad range. The combined belt-transect sampling and microha bitat searches accounted for 13 species representing five families. The most represented family was Rhacophoridae with five representative species of the genus Philautus. Twelve out of the 13 species documented in the current survey are endemic. Four previously unaccounted species(Pelophr yne brevipes, Pulchrana grandocula, Sanguirana mearnsi, and Philautus surrufus) were added and brought the total anurans known from Mt. Kitanglad to 26 species. Most of the species were also recorded in forested sites, suggestive of their lesser affinity to non-forested ecosystems. The additional species detected during our survey may also imply that full understanding of anuran diversity of Mt. Kitanglad remains far from complete.     

Species Diversity,Distribution, and Microhabitats of Anurans on Mt. Kalo-Kalo of the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park,Bukidnon, Philippines

Anurans are considered good indicators of habitat quality due to their bi-phasic life mode,limited dispersal abilities,and sensitivity to environmental changes brought about by habitat fragmentation,pollution,climate change,and emerging infectious diseases.This study aimed to determine species diversity and local distribution of anurans in lower(1000–1400 masl)and upper(1400–1600 masl)montane forests on Mt.Kalo-Kalo of the Mt.Kalatungan Range Natural Park,Central Mindanao,Southern Philippines by employing standard sampling techniques for amphibians.We recorded a total of 251 individual anurans,representing 12 species during a brief recent study period.Mt.Kalo-Kalo’s upper montane forest has a higher diversity index(H’=1.276)than the lower montane forest(H’=0.851).Despite the very low diversity indices,the level of endemism of anurans was 100%where ten of the recorded species are Mindanao Faunal Region endemics and an additional two species are Philippine endemics.Ansonia muelleri exhibited the highest local abundance and individuals of this species which constituted 73%of individual anurans observed.Most of the species encountered prefer terrestrial and aquatic microhabitats,specifically on the rocks and bank substrates along the rivers and streams.Three species of anurans(Philautus acutirostris,P.poecilius,and Rhacophorus bimaculatus)were strictly found in arboreal microhabitats.Limnonectes magnus and A.muelleri have overlapping microhabitats.Results indicate that for such a short survey and modest sampling effort,the lower and upper montane forests of Mt.Kalo-Kalo support high endemism of anuran species suggesting that conservation efforts continue to be a priority in this unique protected area.     

A new species of the blind goby Caecogobius (Gobioidei,Gobiidae, Gobionellinae) from a cave system on Mindanao Island,the Philippines

Ichthyological Research - A new species of the eyeless goby genus Caecogobius is described from a cave system on Mindanao Island, the Philippines. Caecogobius personatus sp. nov. is the second...     

Phylogenetic analyses and cross-infection studies of Phytophthora species infecting cacao and durian in South-Central Mindanao,Philippines

Phytophthora pathogens have contributed largely to the production losses of plantation crops such as cacao and durian. Correct identification and knowledge of the diversity of the pathogen is a requisite in the formulation of effective management strategies. Fifty-eight putative Phytophthora isolates were collected from cacao and durian orchards in South-Central Mindanao, Philippines, with 43 from cacao and 15 from durian. Molecular identification of isolates based on DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial β-tubulin (β-tub) and mitochondrial gene (cox2+spacer) regions combined with morphocultural characterization identified 57 Phytophthora palmivora isolates from cacao and durian typically showing variations in colony morphology and sporangial shape. However, these variations were not phylogenetically informative. One Phytophthora meadii (CDDS-P3) causing pod rot of cacao was phylogenetically isolated from P. palmivora. Phylogenetic analysis of isolates using combined ITS, β-tubulin (β-tub) and mitochondrial (cox2+spacer) DNA regions showed an intraspecific variation within P. palmivora. Representative isolates of P. palmivora used for cross-inoculation showed more aggressiveness on its original host with higher lesion diameter and less aggressiveness on its potential hosts with smaller lesion diameter on artificially inoculated detached plant part. All Phytophthora isolates were tested pathogenic to cacao, durian and its potential hosts (rubber and coconut); therefore, cross-infection in the field is possible in an intercrop system. Implementation of combined control strategies should be done against highly diverse pathogens such as P. palmivora and the potentially destructive pathogen P. meadii, which was tested pathogenic and virulent to its original (cacao) and potential hosts (coconut, durian and rubber).     

贡嘎山东坡的鸟类多样性和区系

经过7年5次野外系统调查并综合有关文献,贡嘎山东坡分布有鸟类336种,其中,留鸟204种(60.7%),夏候鸟89种(26.5%),冬候鸟18种(5.4%),旅鸟25种(7.4%);东洋界物种205种(61.0%),古北界物种105种(31.3%),广布种26种(7.7%);雀形目Passeriformes鸟类245种(72.9%);繁殖鸟类293种(87.2%)。本地区有国家Ⅰ级重点保护鸟类3种,国家Ⅱ级重点保护鸟类29种;横断山-喜马拉雅地区特有鸟类53种;CITES附录Ⅰ鸟类3种,附录Ⅱ鸟类25种;世界自然保护联盟濒危物种红色名录濒危鸟类1种,易危鸟类2种。研究发现,东洋界物种的海拔分布下限平均、上限平均、中点平均和海拔跨度平均都低于古北界物种,但仅海拔分布中点平均和上限平均差异有统计学意义(P0.05),体现了东洋界和古北界物种对高海拔环境适应能力的不同可能与其不同的生物地理演化历史有关;东洋界占优势的特有种(51/53)海拔分布下限平均、中点平均和上限平均显著高于非特有物种,体现出东洋界特有种对高山环境的适应也许与其特有化过程有关。贡嘎山东坡鸟类丰富度在中海拔1 800~2 800 m的落叶阔叶混交林和针阔叶混交林中最高,在高海拔和低海拔物种丰富度较低,物种丰富度呈中峰模式,鸟类生态群落随植物群落结构变化而呈现一定的垂直生态替代规律。     

Biogeography of Anurans from the Poorly Known and Threatened Coastal Sandplains of Eastern Brazil

The east coast of Brazil comprises an extensive area inserted in the Tropical Atlantic Domain and is represented by sandy plains of beach ridges commonly known as Restingas. The coastal environments are unique and house a rich amphibian fauna, the geographical distribution patterns of which are incipient. Biogeographical studies can explain the current distributional patterns and provide the identification of natural biogeographical units. These areas are important in elucidating the evolutionary history of the taxa and the areas where they occur. The aim of this study was to seek natural biogeographical units in the Brazilian sandy plains of beach ridges by means of distribution data of amphibians and to test the main predictions of the vicariance model to explain the patterns found. We revised and georeferenced data on the geographical distribution of 63 anuran species. We performed a search for latitudinal distribution patterns along the sandy coastal plains of Brazil using the non-metric multidimensional scaling method (NMDS) and the biotic element analysis to identify natural biogeographical units. The results showed a monotonic variation in anuran species composition along the latitudinal gradient with a break in the clinal pattern from 23°S to 25°S latitude (states of Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo). The major predictions of the vicariance model were corroborated by the detection of four biotic elements with significantly clustered distribution and by the presence of congeneric species distributed in distinct biotic elements. The results support the hypothesis that vicariance could be one of the factors responsible for the distribution patterns of the anuran communities along the sandy coastal plains of eastern Brazil. The results of the clusters are also congruent with the predictions of paleoclimatic models made for the Last Glacial Maximum of the Pleistocene, such as the presence of historical forest refugia and biogeographical patterns already detected for amphibians in the Atlantic Rainforest.     

What causes the vegetation types on Mount Bloomfield,a coastal tropical mountain of the western Philippines?

Mount Bloomfield has been shown to have several vegetation types, including medium stature forest on greywacke, small stature forest on serpentinized peridotite, and scrub and Gymnostoma woodland on dunite. The causes of the large physiognomic and floristic differences among these vegetation types have been investigated by soil chemical analyses, soil physical studies, and by a phytometer experiment involving the crop plant Zea mays. There was no relationship between maximum tree height and the soil chemical factors analysed (P, K, Ca, Mg, Ni) but there was a directly proportional relationship between maximum tree height and soil water retention. The phytometer experiment supported the idea that there is no acute soil toxicity in spite of the high soil Ni and Mg/Ca quotients recorded in this study. It is concluded that soil water retention, perhaps in combination with fire, is the major cause of stature differences among the vegetation types and together with soil chemistry is an important determinant of floristic composition.     

DNA Barcoding Survey of Anurans across the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia and the Impact of the Andes on Cryptic Diversity

Colombia hosts the second highest amphibian species diversity on Earth, yet its fauna remains poorly studied, especially using molecular genetic techniques. We present the results of the first wide-scale DNA barcoding survey of anurans of Colombia, focusing on a transect across the Eastern Cordillera. We surveyed 10 sites between the Magdalena Valley to the west and the eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera, sequencing portions of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) genes for 235 individuals from 52 nominal species. We applied two barcode algorithms, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and Refined Single Linkage Analysis, to estimate the number of clusters or “unconfirmed candidate species” supported by DNA barcode data. Our survey included ~7% of the anuran species known from Colombia. While barcoding algorithms differed slightly in the number of clusters identified, between three and ten nominal species may be obscuring candidate species (in some cases, more than one cryptic species per nominal species). Our data suggest that the high elevations of the Eastern Cordillera and the low elevations of the Chicamocha canyon acted as geographic barriers in at least seven nominal species, promoting strong genetic divergences between populations associated with the Eastern Cordillera.     

High-throughput sequencing-based analysis of bacterial communities associated with Barbour's seahorses (Hippocampus barbouri) from Surigao del Norte,Philippines

This study identified the bacterial community composition associated with Barbour's seahorses (Hippocampus barbouri). Seahorses and samples from the surrounding environment (sediment and water) were collected from Cantiasay Island in Surigao del Norte, Philippines. Genomic DNA was isolated from these samples, and the V1–V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. There were 929 803 sequence reads corresponding to 859 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were obtained from the six genomic libraries. The results showed that the most abundant OTUs were affiliated to the phylum Proteobacteria, particularly those belonging to the genera Shewanella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas, which were found to be dominant in seahorse gut samples. The only exception was for the skin of male seahorses, which was dominated by members belonging to the genus Bacillus (phylum Firmicutes). These findings on bacterial community structure and composition may shed light on therapeutic claims of Barbour's seahorses and help in the conservation of this species.     

1996年秋帽儿山迁徙鸟类环志研究

１９９６年秋５０天连续环志鸟类２８种７７８只,红胁蓝尾鸲、黄喉、灰头３种占总量８０％。５天左右一个迁徙高峰,最高峰在迁徙期后半。今秋山丁子、黄檗树不结实,斑鸫和北朱雀甚少。原地当季重捕率１５４％。捕到去秋或今春环志鸟９只,全是黄喉。旅鸟停歇最长记录１７天。日落后半小时至１小时加一次网,能减少网上死鸟。     

望谟县蚊类初步调查报告

望谟县位于我省的最南部,在北纬25°—25°30′,东经106°—106°20′区内,南面隔红水河与广西呲隣。1958年3—5月间我们在该县南端的蔗乐板、陈乐康等乡迸行疟疾流行病学调查的同寸,对当地蚊虫孳生与栖息场所进行了全面的普查。据蔗乐水文站记录:当地海拔为400米左右,1953—1957年的年平均温度为20.16℃,月平均温度最低为11.52℃(1月),最高为27.08℃(7     

Altitudinal Variation in Leaf Nitrogen Concentration on the Eastern Slope of Mount Gongga on the Tibetan Plateau,China

Mount Gongga spans 6500 m in elevation and has intact and continuous vertical vegetation belts, ranging from subtropical evergreen broad-leaved vegetation to an alpine frigid sparse grass and desert zone. Investigating the altitudinal trends in leaf nitrogen (N) on Mount Gongga can increase our understanding of the global biogeography of foliar N. In this study, 460 leaf samples from mosses, ferns, and seed plants were collected along an altitudinal gradient on the eastern slope of Mount Gongga, and the variation in leaf N concentration (mass basis) with elevation was analyzed. There are considerable differences in leaf N between mosses and ferns, mosses and seed plants, C₄ and C₃ plants, and evergreen and deciduous woody plants. The general altitudial pattern of leaf N in Mount Gongga plants was that leaf N kept increasing until an elevation of about 2200 m above sea level, with a corresponding mean annual temperature (MAT) of 8.5°C, and then decreased with increasing elevation. However, the evergreen woody plants displayed a decline trend in leaf N across the altitude gradient. Our findings provide an insight into the altitudinal variation in leaf N.