A comparative study on the dental health status of five precolumbian Peruvian cultures.

In a survey of dental health status of ancient Southern Peru, 101 skeletal remains were studied from five cultures: Paracas, Nazca, Tiahuanaco, Ica, and Inca. The Paracas and Ica cultures exhibited more missing antemortem teeth per mandible than the other cultures. Frequency of missing one or more third molars was less than expected and not as high as reported in peoples of Mongoloid heritage. The Paracas, Ica and Nazca, "coastal" cultures had a higher caries incidence than the "inland" cultures. Whether this relates to some difference in diet or water supply remains unresolved and warrants further investigation. Moderate attrition was noted in all the Precolumbian cultures but pulpal involvement was not observed. Osteitis, noted in all the cultures, was more pronounced in the Nazca, Paracas and Ica cultures. There appeared to be a direct relationship between caries involvement and the number of missing antemortem teeth to osteitis. Calculus was heavier in the Paracas and Ica cultures. In addition, the Paracas culture exhibited a dark brown stain on the teeth which may imply some difference between the cultures in either the food, water or social habits.     

Genetic variation of Calycophyllum spruceanum in the Peruvian Amazon Basin, revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis

An understanding of the level, structure and origin of genetic variation within and among populations of tropical trees is essential for devising optimum management strategies for their sustainable utilization and conservation. Here, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to partition genetic variation within and among nine populations of the predominantly riverine tree, Calycophyllum spruceanum , sampled across a wide geographical range along river tributaries of the Peruvian Amazon Basin. Analysis of molecular variance ( AMOVA ) employed 65 AFLP markers and revealed most variation among individuals within populations (91%), although variation among populations was highly significant ( P < 0.001). Calculation of genetic distances and nested AMOVA indicated a degree of structuring among populations based on geographical proximity, although clustering did not depend on geographical distance alone. No firm evidence was obtained for unidirectional seed dispersal by water playing an important role in determining genetic structure over the geographical range sampled. Implications of data for optimising genetic management of the species are discussed and areas for further study identified.     

Positive density dependence in seedlings of the neotropical tree species Garcinia macrophylla and Xylopia micans

Question: The Janzen‐Connell hypothesis predicts that herbivores and pathogens prevent seedlings from establishing in dense patches near adult conspecifics. Although many studies have investigated the Janzen‐Connell hypothesis, the environmental context – local or regional – in which juveniles establish is often overlooked. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate Janzen‐Connell effects in contrasting environments, and (2) to incorporate microsite variation into the study of this hypothesis. Location: Pacaya‐Samiria Reserve, Peru. Methods: I assessed seedling performance of two tree species, Garcinia macrophylla and Xylopia micans, during one growing season. In an observational study, mortality and growth rates were regressed against distance to the nearest adult conspecific, conspecific seedling density, heterospecific plant density, and several abiotic variables in upland and floodplain forests. Field and shadehouse experiments were used to isolate distance‐ and density‐dependent effects. Results: Contrary to predictions, seedling survivorship increased in the presence of conspecific seedlings (Garcinia) and heterospecific understory plants (Garcinia and Xylopia) in the observational study. Survivorship in the field experiment, however, was unaffected by conspecific seedling density or adult proximity. In the shadehouse, Garcinia growth rates were highest in floodplain soils collected near adult conspecifics, but mortality was unrelated to the soil's habitat or proximity to an adult. Conclusions: The positive density dependence found in this study could have been produced by: (1) environmental factors that increase both density and survivorship, or (2) interspecific facilitation, if heterospecifics reduce herbivore or pathogen pressure on the focal species. Such interactions could help explain species coexistence in tropical forests.     

A revision of species limits in Neotropical pipits Anthus based on multilocus genetic and vocal data

Previous investigations of the systematics of Neotropical pipits Anthus revealed multiple cases of paraphyly. We revised the species limits of this group based on sequence data of mitochondrial (ND2) and nuclear genes (ACOI9, MB, FGB5) from 39 tissue samples of all 22 subspecies‐level taxa in the New World Anthus clade, as well as analysis of display song. We found that Anthus lutescens peruvianus is not part of Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens genetically or vocally; thus, we elevate peruvianus to species rank (Peruvian Pipit). Anthus lutescens abariensis Chubb (Bull. Br. Orn. Club., 41, 1921a, 79) should be placed in synonymy with Anthus lutescens parvus (instead of A. l. lutescens), at least until further morphological or vocal data become available. Paramo Pipit Anthus bogotensis is likewise paraphyletic, with Anthus meridae sister to all other bogotensis subspecies and also to Hellmayr's Pipit Anthus hellmayri. However, placement of the taxon is based on a relatively short stretch of mitochondrial DNA, and further data are needed. Andean populations of Short‐billed Pipit Anthus furcatus are split as Puna Pipit Anthus brevirostris, based on genetic and vocal data. South Georgia Pipit Anthus antarcticus is, at least genetically, part of Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera, and we recommend considering it a subspecies of Correndera Pipit, in line with the taxonomy of other morphologically distinct but genetically little‐differentiated insular bird taxa.     

A guide for optimal iodine staining and high‐throughput diceCT scanning in snakes

Diffusible iodine‐based contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) visualizes soft tissue from micro‐CT (µCT) scans of specimens to uncover internal features and natural history information without incurring physical damage via dissection. Unlike hard‐tissue imaging, taxonomic sampling within diceCT datasets is currently limited. To initiate best practices for diceCT in a nonmodel group, we outline a guide for staining and high‐throughput µCT scanning in snakes. We scanned the entire body and one region of interest (i.e., head) for 23 specimens representing 23 species from the clades Aniliidae, Dipsadinae, Colubrinae, Elapidae, Lamprophiidae, and Viperidae. We generated 82 scans that include 1.25% Lugol''s iodine stained (soft tissue) and unstained (skeletal) data for each specimen. We found that duration of optimal staining time increased linearly with body size; head radius was the best indicator. Postreconstruction of scans, optimal staining was evident by evenly distributed grayscale values and clear differentiation among soft‐tissue anatomy. Under and over stained specimens produced poor contrast among soft tissues, which was often exacerbated by user bias during “digital dissections” (i.e., segmentation). Regardless, all scans produced usable data from which we assessed a range of downstream analytical applications within ecology and evolution (e.g., predator‐prey interactions, life history, and morphological evolution). Ethanol destaining reversed the known effects of iodine on the exterior appearance of physical specimens, but required substantially more time than reported for other destaining methods. We discuss the feasibility of implementing diceCT techniques for a new user, including approximate financial and temporal commitments, required facilities, and potential effects of staining on specimens. We present the first high‐throughput workflow for full‐body skeletal and diceCT scanning in snakes, which can be generalized to any elongate vertebrates, and increases publicly available diceCT scans for reptiles by an order of magnitude.     

Institutions,information exchange,and migrant social networks in Rome

While a considerable body of work examines immigrant networks, inadequate attention has been devoted to understanding how networks regulate the relationship between immigrants and host institutions. A rich immigrant process may reinforce current power structures by providing a convenient buffer between the elite and challengers. Conversely, immigration may challenge the status quo. I employ social network analysis to examine three understudied immigrant groups in Rome, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, and Peruvians. I find that they have developed systems of problem-solving and sense-making that often interrupt their interactions with host institutions. The state tolerates this because it situates immigrants’ concerns outside its sphere of responsibility.     

Space-for-time substitution reveals a hump-shaped distribution of dung beetles

Unraveling how climate change impacts the diversity and distribution patterns of organisms is a major concern in ecology, especially with climate-sensitive species, such as dung beetles. Often found in warmer weather conditions, beetles are used as bio-indicators of environmental conditions. By using an altitudinal gradient as a proxy for climate change (i.e., space-for-time substitution), we assessed how changes in climatic variables, such as temperature and precipitation, impact patterns of dung beetle diversity and distribution in the Peruvian Andes. We recorded dung beetle diversity using three different types of baits, feces, carrion, and fruits, distributed in 18 pitfall traps in five different altitudinal sites (from 900 to 2500 m, 400 m apart from each other) in the rainy and dry season. We found that (i) dung beetle richness and abundance were influenced by the climate gradient, (ii) seasonality influenced beetle richness, which was high in the wet season, but did not influence abundance, (iii) dung beetle richness and abundance fit to a hump-shaped distribution pattern along the altitudinal gradient, and (iv) species richness is the beta-diversity component that best describes the composition of dung beetle species along the altitudinal gradient. Our data show that the distribution and diversity of dung beetles are different at larger scales, with different patterns resulting from the response of species to both abiotic and biotic factors.     

Instruments for transnasal brain removal during embalming by the ancient Egyptians

From the Mook—Collection in Munich 81 skulls and 7 complete heads of mummies found around Thebes and Abydos and dating from 1500–1000 BC were examined by fiberendoscope and operation microscope. Especially the nasal cavities and the ethmoidal perforations were studied through which the ancient moidal perforations were studied through which the ancient Egyptian embalmers removed the brain in the process of mummification. In many skulls these ethmoidal perforations had been nicely and meticulously prepared and we called in question whether this could be achieved merely by means of a metal hook as been described by Herodotus. We saw four different sites of the artificial foramina in the ethmoid. 22 perforations were symmetrically located in the ethmoid, 12 predominantly in the right ethmoid, 49 prediminantly in the left ethmoid and 5 perforations in the sphenoid. We present a new concept about the transnasal approach to the cranium, based on experiments in fresh cadavers in which we were able to remove the brain through the nostril by means of a simple rod of bamboo partially wrapped with moistened linen bandages. This technique of brain removal could during the process of mummification.     

ABO blood groups in Peruvian mummies. I. An evaluation of techniques.

Blood groups of Peruvian mummies of known origin were determined by three different methods: agglutination-inhibition, induction of antibody production and mixed cell agglutination. The three techniques gave identical results, but the last two were useful in establishing the presence of H (O) antigen, while the first technique would not. The results indicate the presence of A, B, AB and O blood groups in America prior to known European contact. This suggests the need for a revision of concepts of blood groups in the American Indian.