Change in the composition of fauna associated with Pocillopora spp. (Scleractinia, Pocilloporidae) following transplantation

Introduction: Associated fauna comprises most of the diversity of a coral reef and performs ecological functions essential to the reef's survival. Since Pocillopora corals harbor an important associated fauna, reef restoration efforts are underway in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, to preserve them. Objective: To describe changes in cryptofauna and fish communities associated with Pocillopora colonies to better understand the succession of associated fauna following transplantation. Methods: An experimental patch of 30 nursery-grown Pocillopora colonies and a control patch containing no colonies were monitored for 8 months following transplantation in Golfo Dulce. Cryptofauna within each colony and fish within each patch were observed using SCUBA to quantify temporal changes in the abundance, diversity, and community structure of the colonies. Results: The abundance and diversity of cryptofauna increased throughout the experiment. Obligate symbiont decapods were the most abundant. The composition of the community of cryptofauna differed between periods with fish in the genus Scarus as the main contributor to any differences. The increase in abundance and diversity of cryptofauna and fish may reflect coral growth and the corresponding availability of space and environmental complexity in the experimental patch. The composition of the cryptofauna communities was generally consistent with other studies. However, a high density of decapod symbionts could suggest that without other Pocillopora colonies to move to, they may crowd together despite their aggressive tendencies. Conclusions: Pocillopora colonies will experience an increase in symbionts that could positively contribute to the health and survival of the coral following transplantation.

Introducción: La fauna asociada comprende la mayor parte de la diversidad de un arrecife de coral y realiza funciones ecológicas esenciales para la supervivencia del arrecife. Dado que los corales Pocillopora albergan una importante fauna asociada, se están realizando esfuerzos de restauración de arrecifes en Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, para preservarlos. Objetivo: Describir los cambios en la comunidad de criptofauna y peces asociados a las colonias de Pocillopora para comprender mejor la sucesión de la fauna asociada después del trasplante. Métodos: Un parche experimental de 30 colonias de Pocillopora cultivadas en vivero y un parche de control que no contenía colonias fueron monitoreados durante 8 meses después del trasplante en Golfo Dulce. La criptofauna dentro de cada colonia y los peces dentro de cada parche se observaron usando SCUBA para cuantificar los cambios temporales en la abundancia, diversidad y estructura de la comunidad de las colonias. Resultados: La abundancia y diversidad de criptofauna aumentó a lo largo del experimento. Los decápodos simbiontes obligados fueron los más abundantes. La composición de la comunidad de criptofauna difirió entre períodos con peces del género Scarus como el principal contribuyente a cualquier diferencia. El aumento en la abundancia y diversidad de criptofauna y peces puede reflejar el crecimiento de coral y la correspondiente disponibilidad de espacio y complejidad ambiental en el parche experimental. La composición de las comunidades de criptofauna fue generalmente consistente con otros estudios. Sin embargo, una alta densidad de simbiontes decápodos podría sugerir que, sin otras colonias de Pocillopora a las que trasladarse, pueden amontonarse a pesar de sus tendencias agresivas. Conclusiones: Las colonias de Pocillopora experimentarán un aumento de simbiontes que podrían contribuir positivamente a la salud y supervivencia del coral después del trasplante.

What do different landscapes of the Atlantic Forest reveal about the occurrence of Discothyrea Roger, 1863 (Formicidae: Proceratiinae)? / O que diferentes paisagens da Floresta Atlântica nos mostram sobre a ocorrência de Discothyrea Roger, 1863 (Formicidae: Proceratiinae)?

Abstract: Discothyrea is a genus composed of specialist predatory species rarely recorded and with little known biology. Specimen collection is usually associated with preserved native vegetation. In this work, we explore the landscape of sites with occurrence of Discothyrea seeking to improve knowledge about the natural history of this genus. Species of Discothyrea were recorded in ten Atlantic Forest sites. We analyzed the landscape around the place of occurrence of each species using a 500-m buffer. We classified the landscape as heterogeneous and homogeneous according to the percentage of natural (native vegetation), urban, and rural areas. We found 67 specimens of Discothyrea; 59 of them were D. sexarticulata, occurring in 88% of the fragments. There were also eight specimens of D. neotropica occurring in 12% of the fragments. The results show that D. sexarticulata can be found in homogeneous landscapes with anthropic influence (0-51% of rural area and 0-68% of urban area). Discothyrea neotropica is found in heterogeneous landscapes with a dominant presence of native vegetation (between 74-95%). The results improve knowledge on the biology of Discothyrea mainly in relation to the vicinity of occurrence sites. In addition, the results indicate that regional studies are important to understand species ecology.

Resumo: Discothyrea é um gênero composto por espécies predadoras especialistas, raramente registradas e com biologia pouca conhecida. A coleta de espécimes geralmente está associada à vegetação nativa preservada. Neste trabalho exploramos a paisagem de locais com ocorrência de Discothyrea, buscando incrementar o conhecimento sobre a história natural do gênero. Espécies de Discothyrea foram registradas em dez áreas de Mata Atlântica. A paisagem ao redor do local de ocorrência de cada espécie foi analisada, usando um buffer de 500 m. Classificamos a paisagem em heterogênea e homogênea de acordo com a porcentagem de área natural (vegetação nativa), urbana e rural. Encontramos 67 espécimes de Discothyrea; 59 de D. sexarticulata, em 88% dos fragmentos. E oito espécimes de D. neotropica, em 12% dos fragmentos. Nossos resultados mostram que D. sexarticulata pode ser encontrada em paisagens homogêneas e sob influência antrópica, com 0-51% de área rural e 0-68% de área urbana; e D. neotropica em paisagens heterogêneas, com presença dominante de vegetação nativa (entre 74-95%). Nossos resultados trazem um aporte de conhecimento à biologia de Discothyrea, principalmente em relação às adjacências do local de ocorrência. Além disso, nossos resultados indicam que estudos regionais são importantes ferramentas para o conhecimento da ecologia das espécies.

Frecuencia de Chlamydia trachomatis en mujeres de edad fértil al usar PCR en tiempo real en el Servicio de Laboratorio del Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín / Recurrence of Chlamydia Trachomatis in women of childbearing age when using CRP in real time in the Laboratory Department of Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital

Introducción: Chlamydia trachomatis es una bacteria patógena comúnmente reportada como causante de infecciones del tracto urogenital. Materiales y métodos: Mediante este estudio se determinó la frecuencia de infección por C. trachomatis utilizando PCR en tiempo real en mujeres de edad fértil (18 ­ 45) que acudieron al laboratorio del Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín. Para el estudio se colectaron 200 muestras de orina y se identificó el patógeno utilizando un kit comercial que identificó el plásmido críptico y al gen ompA presentes en la bacteria. Resultados: Se detectaron 3 muestras positivas que correspondieron al 1.5% de frecuencia. Los casos positivos se encontraron dentro de grupo de edad de 25 a 26 años. Discusión: Los resultados obtenidos en la presente investigación son comparables con estudios similares realizados en Latinoamérica con grupos de bajo riesgo.

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is a pathogenic bacterium commonly reported as cause of infections of the urogenital tract. Methods: This study determined the frequency of C. trachomatis infection using real-time PCR. Two hundred urine samples from women in reproductive age were analyzed (range: 18 ­ 45 years old), which have attended at Carlos Andrade Marín Hospital. In order to test the samples, a commercial kit that identifies the criptic plasmid and the ompA gene from C. trachomatis was used. Results: From the 200 samples, three were positive that corresponed to a frequency of 1.5%. All positive cases were found within the group of 25 and 26 years old. Discussion: The results obtained in this research are comparable with similar studies obtained in several Latin American countries in low risk population

Detección de Chlamydia trachomatis en muestras de exudado endocervical mediante una prueba de diagnóstico rápido y dos técnicas de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa / Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in endocervical swab using rapid test and two reaction techniques polymerase chain

Introducción: Chlamydia trachomatis es el principal agente bacteriano que produce infecciones de transmisión sexual.Objetivo: detectar la presencia de C. trachomatis utilizando una prueba de diagnóstico rápido y compararla con la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (RCP).Métodos: se procesaron 50 muestras de exudado endocervical, de mujeres sintomáticas del municipio 10 de Octubre. A las muestras se les aplicó la prueba Chlamy-check-1, un ensayo de RCP del gen del plásmido críptico y una RCP en tiempo real (RCP-TR) de la proteína mayor de la membrana externa (MOMP) de C. trachomatis, que fue utilizada como referencia. Se calculó, sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y negativo (VPN).Resultados: de las muestras estudiadas, 44 resultaron positivas por la prueba rápida, mientras que por la RCP del plásmido críptico solo 3 muestras (6 porciento) amplificaron. Al aplicar la RCP-TR, 4 muestras (8 porciento) se confirmaron como positivas, coincidiendo 3 por los tres métodos de diagnóstico. Al evaluar la prueba Chlamy-check-1 frente a la prueba de referencia se observó una sensibilidad de 100 porciento, mientras que la especificidad fue de 13 porciento, así como un VPP de 9,1 porciento y VPN de 100 porciento. Por el contrario, la RCP del plásmido críptico mostró una sensibilidad y especificidad de 75 y 100 porciento, respectivamente; un VPP de 100 porciento y VPN de 97,9 porciento.Conclusiones: se obtuvo diferencia entre los porcentajes de positividad detectados con la prueba rápida, y las técnicas de RCP. La baja especificidad de la prueba rápida indica la necesidad de realizar estudios de evaluación de este estuche diagnóstico.

Introduction: Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading bacterial agent that causes sexually transmitted infections.Objective: to detect the presence of C. trachomatis using a rapid test and compare it with the chain reaction (PCR).Methods: 50 endocervical exudates taken from symptomatic women were processed in Diez de October municipality. The samples were applied the Chlamy-check-1 test, a PCR assay of the cryptic plasmid gene and a real-time PCR (RT-PCR) of major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of C. trachomatis which was used as reference. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive value were calculated.Results: 44 samples were positive by the rapid test, whereas only three samples (6 percent) amplified by cryptic plasmid PCR. Applying RT-PCR, 4 samples (8 percent) were confirmed as positive, 3 samples matched with three diagnostic methods. In assessing the Chlamy-check-1 versus the reference test, 100 percent of sensitivity was observed, while the specificity was 13 percent> Also PPV was 9.1percent and NPV was 100 percent. On the contrary, the cryptic plasmid PCR had 75 and 100 percent of sensitivity and specificity respectively, 100 percent PPV and 97.9 percent NPV.Conclusions: the difference was obtained between the percentages of positivity detected with both the rapid test, and CPR techniques. The low specificity of the rapid test indicates the need for further studies to evaluate this diagnostic kit.