The relationship between frugivory and insectivory in primates

Fruit and insects are two of the major components of primate diets. Previous investigators have often assumed that the consumption of fruit by primates was unassociated with the consumption of insects. We contend that much of what has been termed fruit-eating by primates involves a significant and deliberate ingestion of insects. The implications of this are discussed.     

Factors affecting searcher efficiency and scavenger removal of bat carcasses in Neotropical wind facilities

Bat fatalities at wind facilities have been reported worldwide, and environmental impact assessments depend on searches for carcasses around wind turbines to quantify impacts. Some of the carcasses may go undetected by search teams or be removed by scavengers during search intervals, so these biases must be evaluated and taken into account in fatality estimation. We investigated the influence of different factors on searcher efficiency and scavenger removal in a dry forest area in northeastern Brazil, one of the regions with the highest density of wind turbines in the Neotropics. We conducted searcher efficiency and scavenger removal trials around 34 wind turbines from January 2017 to January 2018. Searcher efficiency was influenced by cover type, season, and carcass size, ranging between 12% for small bats in shrub vegetation during the rainy season and 96% for large bats in absent or sparse vegetation during the dry season. Carcass type and season affected scavenger removal; carcass persistence time was shorter for chicks (1.2 days) than for bats and mice (2.1 days), and the probability of a carcass persisting for a whole day was higher in the rainy season, while the probability of carcass persistence for 7, 14, and 28 days was higher in the dry season. The scavenger community was composed of canids, birds of prey, and insects, with systematic removal of carcasses by the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) throughout the year and by dung beetles in the rainy season. Based on our findings, impact assessments of wind facilities on bats should conduct searcher efficiency trials in all seasons and cover types around wind turbines, using bat carcasses or models of different sizes. Scavenger removal trials should cover all seasons as well, and use mouse carcasses (but not chick carcasses) as surrogates for bats.     

Connectivity,diversity, and hybridization between two endemic fish species (Percilia spp.) in a complex temperate landscape

The identification of closely related species with partially overlapping distributions is fundamental for effective conservation. Here we analyzed 28 sequenced microsatellites, mtDNA sequences, and morphological data, to describe the connectivity, genetic relationship, and distribution of Percilia gillissi and Percilia irwini, two endangered species inhabiting two contiguous watersheds in Chile (Itata and Biobío). We provide evidence of discordance in the spatial distribution of the two genomes (nuclear and mitochondrial). Three large clusters were identified with microsatellites, with one cluster straddling both watersheds. Three clusters were also evident in mtDNA with one cluster straddling both watersheds and the other two restricted to the Itata watershed’s northern reaches. Analyses of both microsatellite and mtDNA identified P. gillissi in the Itata watershed northern reaches and P. irwini in the Biobío watershed. Fish were detected in the Itata watershed that carried mtDNA characteristic of P. irwini but nuclear microsatellite profiles of P. gillissi suggesting an incomplete reproductive barrier between the species and connectivity between the watersheds. Additionally, fish were identified in the Itata northern reaches carrying mtDNA haplotypes sufficiently distinct from those of P. gillissi and P. irwini to suggest the existence of higher mtDNA diversity within P. gillissi than previously recognized. Finally, there was limited support for taxonomical classification based on morphological and meristic traits in this region.

     

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.     

Whistle variability of Guiana dolphins in South America: Latitudinal variation or acoustic adaptation?

A previous comparison of whistles using data sampled at 48 kHz suggested that certain frequency parameters vary along a latitudinal gradient. This geographical pattern may be biased because whistles sampled at higher frequencies could potentially have very different frequency contents. The current study compared the acoustic parameters of Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) whistles recorded at a higher sampling rate (96 kHz) and from groups occupying two never before sampled sites, Benevente Bay, Espírito Santo, Brazil, and Formosa Bay, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, with recordings of other populations in South America. By only considering data sampled at a rate of at least 96 kHz, we aimed to detect differences in whistles across locations. Contrary to previous findings, our analyses do not indicate any clear separation between northern and southern populations based on whistles, and do not corroborate the hypothesis of latitudinal acoustic variation in this species. The variation in Guiana dolphin whistle parameters found here appears to be influenced by latitude to some extent, but several other factors, including sampling method, environmental fluctuations, and social influence on vocal learning, may be confounding the detection of a geographic pattern in these whistle samples.