ABSTRACT
Phorophyte specificity and microenvironmental preferences of corticolous lichens in five phorophyte species from premontane forest of Finca Zíngara, Cali, Colombia). Lichenized fungi or lichens are organisms that have been little studied in the tropics and which distribution is affected by microenvironmental factors and substrate characteristics. The present study aimed to identify phorophyte specificity and microenvironmental preferences of corticolous lichens in five phorophyte species from premontane forest of the farm Finca Zingara in Cali, Colombia. For this, five individuals were selected from five tree species (phorophytes). Lichen species present in a 0.50x0.20m² quadrant located in the trunk of each tree at a height of 1.3m were identified. Substrate parameters such as bark pH, Diameter Breast Height (DBH) and bark structure were measured. Also, microenvironmental factors including temperature, humidity and irradiance were determined. In order to detect phorophyte preferences, a non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) and indicator species analysis were made. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assert the relationship between environmental variables and groupings found in the NMS. A total of 69 species of lichens were found, of which 37 were identified to species, 18 to genera and 14 were not determined because they were sterile or had no spores. NMS showed that some individuals of the same tree species were grouped alongside the analysis dimensions, and they were related with the factors of light intensity, temperature and DBH. Only three lichens with preference for certain tree species were found (Arthonia microsperma by Meriania sp., Cladonia ceratophylla and sorediado 8 by Clusia sp.), suggesting absence of phorophyte preferences. Thus, it can be concluded that lichens from the study area do not show phorophyte preference, but their distribution is affected by light, temperature and DBH. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (2): 843-856. Epub 2012 June 01.
El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la especificidad de forófito y las preferencias microambientales de los líquenes cortícolas en el Bosque de la Finca Zíngara (Cali, Colombia). Asimismo, se seleccionaron cinco individuos de cinco especies de árboles. Además, se identificaron las especies de líquenes presentes en un cuadrante de 0.50x0.20m2 ubicado en el tronco de cada árbol a 1.3 m de altura. También, se midieron parámetros microambientales como pH de la corteza, diámetro a la altura del pecho (DAP), estructura de la corteza, humedad relativa e irradianza. Para detectar las preferencias de forófito, se realizó un escalamiento no métrico multidimensional (NMS) y un análisis de especies indicadoras. Luego se efectúo un análisis de correlación de Spearman para evaluar la relación entre las variables ambientales y los agrupamientos encontrados en el NMS. Se encontraron 69 especies de líquenes, de los cuales 37 fueron determinados hasta especie, 18 hasta género y 14 no fueron determinados. El resultado del NMS mostró que algunos individuos de la misma especie de árbol se agruparon a lo largo de las dimensiones del análisis, y están relacionados con los factores intensidad de luz, temperatura y DAP. Sólo tres especies mostraron preferencia por ciertas especies de árboles (Arthonia microsperma por Meriania sp., Cladonia ceratophylla y sorediado 8 por Clusia sp.), lo cual sugiere ausencia de preferencias de forófito.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Lichens/physiology , Trees , Colombia , Lichens/classificationABSTRACT
Objective To estimate the prevalence of global developmental delay among children under 3 years of age and study the determinant factors. Methods Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in field practice areas of the Department of Community Medicine, JN Medical College, Aligarh, India. A total of 468 (243 boys and 225 girls) children aged 0–3 years were included. Developmental screening was performed for each child. A multitude of biological and environmental factors were analysed. Results As many as 7.1% of the children screened positive for global developmental delay. Maximum delay was observed in the 0–12 months age group (7.0%). Undernutrition and prematurity were the two most prevalent etiological diagnoses (21% each). Stunting and maternal illiteracy were the microenvironmental predictors on stepwise binary logistic regression while prematurity and a history of seizures emerged significant biological predictors. Conclusions Developmental delay can be predicted by specific biological and environmental factors which would help in initiating appropriate interventions.