Genetic polymorphism and forensic parameters of nine short tandem repeat loci in Ngöbé and Emberá Amerindians of Panama

Nine STR loci (CSF1PO, TPOX, TH01, F13A01, FESFPS, VWA, D16S539, D7S820, and D13S317) were analyzed in unrelated Ng?bé and Emberá Amerindians of Panama. The chi-square test demonstrated statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) in the allele frequencies for all markers except one (D16S539; P < 0.01). Both populations shared their alleles with the highest frequencies in seven loci. However, there were also noticeable differences at the TPOX locus, which showed its highest frequencies at alleles 11 (0.48) and 6 (0.54) for the Ng?é and Emberá, respectively. Interestingly, these alleles are present in one population and are absent in the other, suggesting that they could be distinctive for each population. These results demonstrate that, despite the fact that each population belongs to a different linguistic stock [Chibchan (Ng?bé) and Chocoan (Emberá)], both retain strong similarities in their allele-frequency distributions. Three loci (TPOX, VWA, and F13A01) in the Ng?bé and two loci (TH01 and TPOX) in the Emberá departed from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The analysis of the STR markers demonstrates that, despite their low levels of genetic polymorphisms, most of them could be informative for forensic purposes, showing a combined power of discrimination of 0.9999 for both Amerindian populations. However, powers of exclusion in the Ng?bé were very low, particularly at the TH01 (0.04) and FESFPS (0.08) loci. The combined powers of exclusion were 0.9338 and 0.9890 for the Ng?bé and the Emberá, respectively. Furthermore, the combined typical paternity index in the Ng?bé was considerably low (2.58), and in the Emberá it was 40.44, which is also very low. The low genetic polymorphism levels suggest that theuse of additional loci supplementing the battery of the nine loci is recommended for paternity and forensic tests in both populations, particularly for the Ng?bé.     

Plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase values for the common long-nosed armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus

Plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase activities were determined for 40 free-living and 12 captive common long-nosed armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) in order to establish normal values for monitoring pesticide exposure. Plasma cholinesterase activity ranged from 105 to 549 U/liter with no sexual or seasonal differences. Plasma values from captive animals were significantly lower than those from wild armadillos. Erythrocyte cholinesterase activity ranged from 2,915 to 15,126 U/liter with no differences detected between captive and wild animals or between sexes. However, erythrocyte cholinesterase values varied seasonally. Erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase activities were not significantly correlated. Packed cell volume ranged from 24 to 51% and did not vary significantly between captive and wild samples, between sexes or among seasons. However, both whole blood and erythrocyte cholinesterase activities showed significant negative correlations with packed cell volume. Controlled experiments are needed to find the factors responsible for the statistically significant difference between plasma cholinesterase activities of captive and wild armadillos. The seasonal variation in erythrocyte cholinesterase activity and the negative correlation between erythrocyte cholinesterase activity and packed cell volume can be explained by an hypothesis that relates the variation in erythrocyte cholinesterase activity to variation in erythrocyte turnover rate. Future work should involve experiments to test this hypothesis.     

Abundance and aggregation egg of Aedes aegypti L. and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) in the north and northwest of the State of Paraná, Brazil

The abundance and aggregation of eggs of Aedes aegypti L. and Aedes albopictus Skuse was evaluated in the municipalities of Cambé, Ibipor?, Jacarezinho, Maringá and Paranavaí, in the State of Paraná, Brazil by means of oviposition traps. Of the 225 installed traps, 100 were registered as positive for eggs; 4140 eggs were collected, thus demonstrating an highly aggregate distribution. Both species were registered in Cambé, Jacarezinho, Maringá and Paranavaí. Ae. albopictus was generally less abundant and was not present in Ibipor? nor in the oviposition traps of a second collection of Maringá. The relation between sexes for Ae. aegypti was approximately 1:1. In the comparison of the number of adults collected between the two species, a negative correlation was obtained in the samples of Maringá and Cambé, what was attributed the seasonality of these populations. The coexistence of these species indicates that both are under pressure by the control programs, therefore specific evaluations are necessary.     

Allelic frequencies and statistical data obtained from 12 codis STR loci in an admixed population of the Brazilian Amazon

The allelic frequencies of 12 short tandem repeat loci were obtained from a sample of 307 unrelated individuals living in Macapá, a city in the northern Amazon region, Brazil. These loci are the most commonly used in forensics and paternity testing. Based on the allele frequency obtained for the population of Macapá, we estimated an interethnic admixture for the three parental groups (European, Native American and African) of, respectively, 46%, 35% and 19%. Comparing these allele frequencies with those of other Brazilian populations and of the Iberian Peninsula population, no significant distances were observed. The interpopulation genetic distances (F(ST) coefficients) to the present database ranged from F(ST) = 0.0016 between Macapá and Belém to F(ST) = 0.0036 between Macapá and the Iberian Peninsula.     

Population genetics analysis of Podocnemis sextuberculata (Testudines, Podocnemidae): lack of population structure in the central Amazon Basin

The chelonians are, in general, important for the economy of the traditional populations of the Amazon region, especially as a source of animal protein. Furthermore, sub-products, such as eggs and fat, are utilized in the manufacture of cosmetics, and the plastron and carapace are used in the manufacture of adornments. The freshwater turtle species Podocnemis sextuberculata, locally known as "ia?á" or "pitiú", is widely distributed in the Amazon Basin in Brazil and also in Colombia and Peru. This species is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List in the category of vulnerable species. We examined the genetic variability and population structure of three populations represented by 64 individuals sampled from Reserva Federal de Abufari, Tapauá, Amazonas State; Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, Amazonas State, and Terra Santa, Pará State. All of these are over 1000 km from each other. A partial 415-bp sequence of the mitochondrial gene ND1 was utilized as a molecular marker. Seven haplotypes were observed; the most common haplotype was shared by all the areas sampled, while the rarest haplotypes were represented by a single individual and were thus restricted to a single locality. The sharing of the most common haplotype, the high number of migrants (Nm) and the AMOVA results indicate a lack of genetic structure among the sampling localities. The levels of genetic variability observed were homogeneous among the sampling localities. These results (?(ST) and Nm) are compatible with what is known about the ecology of this species, which has a great migratory capacity.     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 43. Diplectanum monticellii n. sp. (Diplectanidae) from the gills of Cynoscion leiarchus (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) in Brazil

Diplectanum monticellii n. sp. is described from the gills of Cynoscion leiarchus, a marine Sciaenidae, from Itacuru?á, Rio de Janeiro (type locality); Baía de Guaratuba, Paraná; and Pontal do Sul, Paraná in Brazil. The new species is characterized by the following features: bell-shaped male copulatory organ with a sleevelike base, accessory piece absent, vas deferens looping left intestinal cecum, vaginal aperture sinistroventral, and ventral anchor with elongate superficial and deep roots.     

Prevalence and level of antibodies to the circumsporozoite protein of human malaria parasites in five states of the Amazon region of Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria infection and antibodies against the repetitive epitopes of the circumsporozoite (CS) proteins of Plasmodium falciparum, P. malariae, P. vivax VK210, P. vivax VK247, and P. vivax-like in individuals living in the states of Rond?nia, Pará, Mato Grosso, Amazonas, and Acre. Active malaria transmission was occurring in all studied sites, except in Acre. P. falciparum was the predominant species in Pará and Rond?nia and P. vivax in Mato Grosso. Infection by P. malariae was low but this Plasmodium species was detected in Rond?nia (3.5%), Mato Grosso (2.5%), and Pará (0.8%). High prevalence and levels of serological reactivity against the CS repeat peptides of P. falciparum were detected in Rond?nia (93%) and Pará (85%). Sera containing antibodies against the CS repeat of P. malariae occurred more frequently in Rond?nia (79%), Pará (76%), and Amazonas (68%). Antibodies against the repeat epitope of the standard CS protein of P. vivax VK210, P. vivax VK247, and P. vivax-like were more frequent in Rond?nia, Pará, and Mato Grosso. The high frequency of reactions to P. malariae in most of the areas suggests that the infection by this Plasmodium species has been underestimated in Brazil.     

Comparative Genetic Structure between Tropical Colombian and North American Drosophila pseudoobscura Populations1

Since the discovery of Drosophila pseudoobscura in the tropical highlands of the Colombian Andes during the 1960s, this population has been studied by many evolutionary biologists because of its geographical isolation from the main North American range of this species. We used five highly variable microsatellite loci (DPSX001, DPS2001, DPS3001, DPS3002, and DPS4001) to analyze the genetic structure of three Colombian populations and the genetic relationships with four North American populations. We found that the average heterozygosity was consistent among the three tropical Colombian populations (H = 0.665–0.675), but they had less variability than their North American counterparts. Nonetheless, the genie diversity found in the Colombian populations was higher than that found previously using other genetic markers. The average genie heterogeneity estimate among the Colombian populations (Rjr = 0.042), although statistically significant, was substantially lower than that found among the North American populations (RsT ⁼ 0.088). We identified alleles in the Colombian populations not reported in North American populations, suggesting further divergence between the populations. We estimated that the populations on the two continents diverged ca 80,000 years ago, consistent with independent sequence analyses of these populations but contrary to some suggestions in the literature. Finally, we estimated an average effective population size of the Colombian populations to be on the order of 100,000.     

Morphometric characterization of thalassohaline Artemia franciscana populations from the Colombian Caribbean

Aim To establish possible interpopulation relationships among Colombian Artemia franciscana (Crustacea, Anostraca) populations. Location Colombian Caribbean coast (Manaure, Galerazamba, Salina Cero and Tayrona) and a similar thalassohaline reference population from San Francisco Bay (SFB‐USA). Methods Morphometric characters of male and female cultured individuals of A. franciscana were measured. The populations were grouped according to: (1) population type (populations grouped according to two broad regions of origin: North America and the Caribbean coast), and (2) specific geographical origin (populations selected according to five specific local origins: Manaure, Galerazamba, Salina Cero, Tayrona and SFB) and evaluated using forward stepwise discriminant analysis (SPSS, Ver. 10). Results Optimal discriminant variables for males grouped by the type of population were left setae and antenna length, and for females they were abdominal length and antenna length. However, for males grouped by their specific geographical origin, the optimal variables were furca length, left setae, antenna length, eye separation, abdominal width and abdominal length, and for the females, they were furca length, abdominal length, left setae and eye separation. Male and female Colombian Caribbean populations were separated from the North American populations. However, our results show that the classification based on male characters provides better group membership than females. Main conclusions Male morphometric characters separated the type of population groups more clearly than the female characters, because all Colombian populations were correctly positioned in the Caribbean coast region and the SFB population in the North American region, with no overlapping between the two types, as was the case for the female individuals. Likewise, male individuals correctly position the Salina Cero population to its neighbouring Galerazamba population and to the other Colombian populations. In contrast, female individuals from Salina Cero did not cluster with the other Colombian coast populations (Galerazamba, Tayrona and Manaure) or with the SFB population.     

Migratory behaviour of a dominant detritivorous fish Prochilodus lineatus evaluated by multivariate biochemical and pollutant data

This paper studies the migration pathways and ranges of a dominant detritivorous fish Prochilodus lineatus along pollution gradients in the Río de la Plata basin using multivariate analysis of biochemical and pollutant data. Biochemical composition (water, ash, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, neutral lipids classes and fatty acids), aliphatic hydrocarbons (ALI), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), linear alkylbenzenes (LAB) and organochlorine pesticides (OClP) were determined in muscle samples of P. lineatus collected in Metropolitan Buenos Aires, the lower Paraná River (Paraná: 200-1000 km from Buenos Aires) and the middle Paraná and Paraguay Rivers (North: 1000-1400 km north). Biochemical variables and pollutants exhibited large variability [Lipids 1.1-89.5% wet mass; ALI 1.4-413; LABs not detectable (n.d.)-115.2; PCBs n.d.-27.9; OClPs n.d.-11.8 μg g(-1) dry mass], due to the contrast of Buenos Aires with North fish. Fish from Buenos Aires were fatty (lipids 24.7 ± 12.3% wet mass), enriched in 18 carbon fatty acids and severely contaminated (ALI 152.4 ± 72.3; LABs 65.1 ± 26.4; PCBs 15.2 ± 6.8; OClPs 1.8 ± 1.9 μg g(-1) dry mass mean ±S.D.). In contrast, fish from North were lean (4.1 ± 3.1% wet mass), enriched in long chain (>20 carbons) polyunsaturated fatty acids, with average one to two orders of magnitude lower pollutant levels (ALI 41.2 ± 51.9; PCBs 2.2 ± 3.5; LABs 8.8 ± 21.1; OClPs 0.67 ± 0.75 μg g(-1) dry mass mean ±S.D.). Paraná showed intermediate values in all variables, denoting the mixing of different fish stocks. Based on principal component analysis, 14 outliers from 60 North and Paraná samples (representing 26 from 108 individual fish) were identified as pertaining to the Buenos Aires group with very similar lipid and pollutant levels. Data suggest that P. lineatus migrates a highly variable distance, exceeding 800-1000 km in multiple spatial and temporal overlapping ranges. Chemometric analysis of biochemical and pollutant data effectively discriminates fish according to the chemical signature acquired by detritus feeding in pristine and contaminated urban or industrial areas.     

Cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz genetic resources: VI. Anatomy of a diversity center

Central Brasil is one of the four centers of diversity of Manihot species. Of 26 wild Manihot species reported to occur in this region, 20 were collected from two limited areas, each less than 100 km in diameter. These two areas are Goiás Velho and Corumbá de Goiás. Considering the Harlan concept of geographic patterns of variation of cultivated crops, it is assumed that the two areas are microcenters of cassava diversity. Topographic, soil and ethnological data of these species were collected and compared.     

Advantages of the WRAIR whole blood cholinesterase assay: comparative analysis to the micro-Ellman, Test-mate ChE, and Michel (DeltapH) assays

Red blood cell AChE (RBC-AChE) and plasma BChE can be used as sensitive biomarkers to detect exposure to OP nerve agents, pesticides, and cholinergic drugs. In a comparative study, RBC-AChE and serum BChE activities in whole blood was obtained from forty seven healthy male and female human volunteers, and then exposed separately ex vivo to three OP nerve agents (soman (GD), sarin (GB) and VX) to generate a wide range of inhibition of AChE and BChE activity (up to 90% of control). These samples were measured using four different ChE assays: (i) colorimetric microEllman (using DTNB at 412 nm), (ii) Test-mate ChE field kit (also based on the Ellman assay), (iii) Michel (delta pH), and (iv) the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Whole Blood (WRAIR WB) cholinesterase assay. The WRAIR assay is a modified Ellman method using DTP at 324 nm (which minimizes hemoglobin interference and improves sensitivity), and determines AChE and BChE in a small whole blood sample simultaneously. Scatter plots of RBC-AChE activities were determined using the WRAIR ChE assay versus the micro-Ellman, Test-mateTM and Michel after exposure to varying concentrations of soman, sarin and VX. Regression analyses yielded mostly linear relationships with high correlations (r2 = 0.83-0.93) for RBC-AChE values in the WRAIR assay compared to the alternate methods. For the plasma BChE measurements, individual human values were significantly more variable (as expected), resulting in lower correlations using WRAIR ChE versus the alternate assays (r2 values 0.5 - 0.6). To circumvent the limitations of simple correlation analysis, Bland and Altman analysis for comparing two independent measurement techniques was performed. For example, a Bland and Altman plot of the ratio of the WRAIR whole blood AChE and Michel AChE (plotted on the y-axis) vs. the average of the two methods (x-axis) shows that the majority of the individual AChE values are within +/- 1.96 S.D. of the mean difference, indicating that the two methods may be used interchangeably with a high degree of confidence. The WRAIR ChE assay can be thus be used as a reliable inter-conversion assay when comparing results from laboratory-based (Michel) and field-based (Test-mateTM ChE kit), which use different methodology and report in different units of AChE activity.     

Molecular characterization of cajá, Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae), by RAPD markers

The arboreal species Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) is widely distributed in Brazil, where the fruits, known by the common name of cajá, are an important commercial commodity. We evaluated genetic variability among 32 cajá accessions of the Germplasm Collection of Embrapa Meio-Norte using RAPD technique. Reaction conditions for efficient RAPD amplifications were optimized in preliminary tests, and primers were selected from a set designed by the University of British Columbia on the basis of high levels of polymorphism and adequate band resolution. The 21 primers employed in the final analysis produced 145 fragments, 79% of which were polymorphic. Based on the RAPD data, a dendrogram was constructed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean clustering technique. The 32 cajá accessions were classified into three main groups with a mean genetic similarity of 68.8%. Group I comprised 26 accessions (74.1% similarity), and group II included five accessions (74.0% similarity), while group III consisted of one accession (BGC 06), which exhibited the lowest similarity coefficients. Accessions BGC 06 and BGC 31 were the most unrelated and, hence, most suitable for initial crossings in order to obtain high levels of segregation. We concluded, based on the repeatability and reproducibility tests, that the RAPD technique is reliable and efficient for revealing the genetic diversity of cajá accessions, which will be useful for genetic improvement programs.     

Morphology of Philometroides barbi (Nematoda: Philometridae), a rare tissue parasite of the Mediterranean barbel Barbus meridionalis (Osteichthyes)

A female specimen of the nematode Philometroides barbi Moravec, Simková, Hanzelová, Spakulová et Caki?, 2005, a little-known histozoic parasite of the Mediterranean Barbus meridionalis, was recorded from the fin of its fish host in Bulgaria. Scanning electron microscopical examination, used for the first time in this species, made it possible to determine the character of cephalic papillae (14 papillae arranged in 2 circles) and amphids and confirmed the presence of 4 large caudal lobes. These features distinctly distinguish P. barbi from Philometroides cyprini and other congeners parasitizing European fishes.     

Advantages of the WRAIR whole blood cholinesterase assay: Comparative analysis to the micro-Ellman, Test-mate ChE™, and Michel (ΔpH) assays

Red blood cell AChE (RBC-AChE) and plasma BChE can be used as sensitive biomarkers to detect exposure to OP nerve agents, pesticides, and cholinergic drugs. In a comparative study, RBC-AChE and serum BChE activities in whole blood was obtained from forty seven healthy male and female human volunteers, and then exposed separately ex vivo to three OP nerve agents (soman (GD), sarin (GB) and VX) to generate a wide range of inhibition of AChE and BChE activity (up to 90% of control). These samples were measured using four different ChE assays: (i) colorimetric microEllman (using DTNB at 412 nm), (ii) Test-mate ChE field kit (also based on the Ellman assay), (iii) Michel (delta pH), and (iv) the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Whole Blood (WRAIR WB) cholinesterase assay. The WRAIR assay is a modified Ellman method using DTP at 324 nm (which minimizes hemoglobin interference and improves sensitivity), and determines AChE and BChE in a small whole blood sample simultaneously.Scatter plots of RBC-AChE activities were determined using the WRAIR ChE assay versus the micro-Ellman, Test-mateTM and Michel after exposure to varying concentrations of soman, sarin and VX. Regression analyses yielded mostly linear relationships with high correlations (r2 = 0.83–0.93) for RBC-AChE values in the WRAIR assay compared to the alternate methods. For the plasma BChE measurements, individual human values were significantly more variable (as expected), resulting in lower correlations using WRAIR ChE versus the alternate assays (r2 values 0.5 – 0.6).To circumvent the limitations of simple correlation analysis, Bland and Altman analysis for comparing two independent measurement techniques was performed. For example, a Bland and Altman plot of the ratio of the WRAIR whole blood AChE and Michel AChE (plotted on the y-axis) vs. the average of the two methods (x-axis) shows that the majority of the individual AChE values are within ± 1.96 S.D. of the mean difference, indicating that the two methods may be used interchangeably with a high degree of confidence. The WRAIR ChE assay can be thus be used as a reliable inter-conversion assay when comparing results from laboratory-based (Michel) and field-based (Test-mateTM ChE kit), which use different methodology and report in different units of AChE activity.     

Factors associated with health effects from occupational exposure to pesticide residues among greengrocers in fresh market,Bangkok, Thailand

Greengrocers are occupationally exposed to pesticide residues (PRs) on vegetables via dermal contact, especially organophosphates (OPs). The study's aim was to explore health effects from exposure to PRs. Eighty five vegetable vendors at a large fresh market in Bangkok were tested blood cholinesterase activity by the Test-mate ChE Kit (Model 400). The average acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma cholinesterase (PChE) levels were 3.33 ± 0.66 U/ml and 2.06 ± 0.46 U/ml, respectively. The subjective symptoms were skin rash/itching, fatigue/tiredness, eye irritation/blurred vision, headache, and excessive sweating. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a positively significant association between scores of practices regarding exposure to PRs and AChE levels, and a negatively significant relationship between OP residues on hands and PChE levels (p-value < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that either AChE or PChE was significantly associated with eye symptoms and neuromuscular symptoms (p-value < 0.05). A statistically significant association between low score of dermal practice and having skin symptoms was found. Exposure to PRs by hand contact and consumption with poor hygiene habits can pose health problems among greengrocers. The findings emphasized that good personal hygiene practices such as wearing gloves and washing hands can prevent and reduce the health effects from exposure to PRs.     

Biochemical biomarkers in gills of mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae from three Brazilian estuaries

Responses of biochemical biomarkers were evaluated in gills of immature adult mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae collected in three estuarine regions along the Brazilian coast. In each region, ten oysters were collected in one reference site (R) located far from pollution sources, and in two polluted sites (P-I and P-II sites) located in another water body with similar characteristics. P-I site is located close to recognized pollution sources while P-II site is in the same water body, but far from pollution sources. At the Paranaguá Bay (Southern Brazil), polluted sites receive domestic, harbor and phosphate fertilizer plant discharges. High lipid peroxides (LPO) content was observed in winter oysters from the P-I site. In summer, higher catalase activity was observed in these oysters. In the Piraquê region (Southeastern Brazil), polluted sites receive domestic and agricultural effluents. Lower total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) towards peroxyradicals was observed in summer oysters from both P-I and P-II sites. In the Itamaracá region (Northeastern Brazil), polluted sites receive paper mill and caustic soda and chlorine factories effluents. Increased glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was observed in oysters from the P-I site in both summer and winter. At Paranaguá Bay (higher latitude), no seasonal differences were observed in oysters from the R site, suggesting that temperature was not an important factor influencing biomarkers levels. Lower GST activity was observed in oysters from the R site of the Itamaracá Bay (lower latitude) in winter and summer. Taken together, data obtained point to responses of biomarkers in oysters from polluted sites of the three estuarine regions analyzed, indicating the need for future monitoring of the biological effects of contaminants in these environments. They also point to the relevance to consider both season and latitude as factors influencing biomarker responses in environmental contamination monitoring programs.     

First record of Sinoxylon conigerum Gerstäcker (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in Brazil

This is the first register of Sinoxylon conigerum attacking timber of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.), mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) and (Astronium fraxinifolium Schott) in the municipalities of Cuiabá and Várzea Grande, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil.     

Regional cholinesterase activity in white-throated sparrow brain is differentially affected by acephate (orthene®)

Effects of a 14-day dietary exposure to an organophosphorus pesticide, acephate (acetylphosphoramidothioic acid O,S-dimethyl ester), were determined on cholinesterase activity in three regions (basal ganglia, hippocampus, and hypothalamus) of the white-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, brain. All three regions experienced depressed cholinesterase activity between 0.5–2 ppm acephate. The regions exhibited cholinesterase recovery at 2–16 ppm acephate; however, cholinesterase activity dropped and showed no recovery at higher dietary levels (>16 ppm acephate). Evidence indicates that the recovery is initiated by the magnitude of depression, not the duration. In general, as acephate concentration increased, differences in ChE activity among brain regions decreased. Three terms are introduced to describe ChE response to acephate exposure: 1) ChE resistance threshold, 2) ChE compensation threshold, and 3) ChE depression threshold. It is hypothesized that adverse effects to birds in the field may occur at pesticide exposure levels customarily considered negligible.     

Genetic make up and structure of Colombian populations by means of uniparental and biparental DNA markers

Colombia is a country with great geographic heterogeneity and marked regional differences in pre‐Columbian native population density and in the extent of past African and European immigration. As a result, Colombia has one of the most diverse populations in Latin America. Here we evaluated ancestry in over 1,700 individuals from 24 Colombian populations using biparental (autosomal and X‐Chromosome), maternal (mtDNA), and paternal (Y‐chromosome) markers. Autosomal ancestry varies markedly both within and between regions, confirming the great genetic diversity of the Colombian population. The X‐chromosome, mtDNA, and Y‐chromosome data indicate that there is a pattern across regions indicative of admixture involving predominantly Native American women and European and African men. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:13–20, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.