ABSTRACT
Natural and human-induced stressors have threatened the sustainability of the fish communities of coral-rocky reefs worldwide in the last decades. The composition of the fish communities on the reefs of Ecuador and the factors affecting spatiotemporal changes are unknown. We studied the influence of the descriptors of structural complexity, the current status of coral and human-induced variables over fish communities. A video transect method was used to assess fish communities in three zones (slope, crest, and bottom) of two reefs during two seasons (rainy and dry). The structure of fish communities was highly influenced by the zones and season; rugosity and live coral affected the fish composition on the crest and slope zones. The fractured coral and derelict fishing gear on coral produced an adverse effect on fish composition over the crest. A multifactorial process causing loss of structural complexity and affecting fish composition was identified, however, periodical assessment is required for a greater understanding of this process.
Subject(s)
Anthozoa , Coral Reefs , Animals , Ecosystem , Ecuador , Fishes , Humans , Rain , SeasonsABSTRACT
The general bacterial microbiota of the soft tick Ornithodoros turicata found on Bolson tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) were analyzed using next generation sequencing. The main aims of the study were to establish the relative abundance of bacterial taxa in the tick, and to document the presence of potentially pathogenic species for this tortoise, other animals, and humans. The study was carried-out in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve in the northern-arid part of Mexico. Bolson tortoises (n = 45) were inspected for the presence of soft ticks, from which 11 tortoises (24.4%) had ticks in low loads (1-3 ticks per individual). Tick pools (five adult ticks each) were analyzed through 16S rRNA V3-V4 region amplification in a MiSeq Illumina, using EzBioCloud as a taxonomical reference. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) revealed 28 phyla, 84 classes, 165 orders, 342 families, 1013 genera, and 1326 species. The high number of taxa registered for O. turicata may be the result of the variety of hosts that this tick parasitizes as they live inside G. flavomarginatus burrows. While the most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, the most abundant species were two endosymbionts of ticks (Midichloria-like and Coxiella-like). Two bacteria documented as pathogenic to Gopherus spp. were registered (Mycoplasma spp. and Pasteurella testudinis). The bovine and ovine tick-borne pathogens A. marginale and A. ovis, respectively, were recorded, as well as the zoonotic bacteria A. phagocytophilum,Coxiella burnetii, and Neoehrlichia sp. Tortoises parasitized with O. turicata did not show evident signs of disease, which could indicate a possible ecological role as a reservoir that has yet to be demonstrated. In fact, the defense mechanisms of this tortoise against the microorganisms transmitted by ticks during their feeding process are still unknown. Future studies on soft ticks should expand our knowledge about what components of the microbiota are notable across multiple host-microbe dynamics. Likewise, studies are required to better understand the host competence of this tortoise, considered the largest terrestrial reptile in North America distributed throughout the Chihuahuan Desert since the late Pleistocene.
ABSTRACT
Hay indicios de que la fatiga, uno de los principales efectos de la conducción prolongada, es más notable en mayores. El presente artículo recoge un estudio sobre el efecto de la conducción prolongada utilizando un simulador, en un grupo de sujetos mayores de 55 años. Los sujetos fueron evaluados médica y psicológicamente antes y después de la prueba de conducción. Se aplicaron las pruebas médicas de tensión arterial, pulso y saturación de oxígeno en sangre y como prueba psicológica, el Driver-Test. Resultados preliminares indican que existe una disminución del rendimiento después de conducir, afectando especialmente a la capacidad de toma de decisiones.
Some evidences show that fatigue, that is one of the main effects of prolonged driving, can be more evident on elderly people. This work describes a study on the effects of prolonged driving using a driving simulator within a group of individuals older than 55 years. These individuals underwent medical and psychological examinations before and after the driving experience: on the one hand, Blood Pressure and PulseOximetry were monitored and they took the Driver-Test. Preliminary results suggest a decreasing performance after driving, especially affecting decision-making capacity.