Carbon and nitrogen isotopic similarity between the endangered Darwin's fox (Lycalopex fulvipes) and sympatric free-ranging dogs in Chiloé Island, Chile.

Darwin's fox is an opportunistic omnivorous predator native to Chile classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List. Habitat use by Darwin's foxes can be negatively affected by the presence of free-ranging dogs that range freely across native and non-native habitats and can be a source of fox mortality. The objective of this study was to analyze the isotopic similarity of Darwin's fox and sympatric free-ranging dogs in Chiloé Island to determine the impact of anthropogenic environmental alterations on wild predators. We use hair samples to characterise and compare their δ13C and δ15N values and to evaluate isotopic similarity and isotope niches overlap. A generalised linear model was used to associate the isotope value with landscape variables (forest cover and vegetation type) and distance to the nearest house. We found no significant differences in δ13C or δ15N values between foxes and dogs, and a marginally significant isotope niche overlap (59.4 %). None of the selected variables at landscape and site scale were related to isotope values. Although our study is not a probe of direct contact between foxes and free-ranging dogs, the high isotopic similarity highlights the risk of pathogen spillover from free-ranging dogs to Darwin's foxes.

EAR MITES, OTODECTES CYNOTIS, ON WILD FOXES (PSEUDALOPEX SPP.) IN CHILE.

We found the ear mite parasite (Otodectes cynotis; Acari: Psoroptidae) in two distant insular endangered fox populations in Chile. We identified O. cynotis in both the Darwin's fox (Pseudalopex fulvipes) from Chiloé and the Fuegian culpeo (Pseudalopex culpaeus lycoides) in Tierra del Fuego. These populations are approximately 2,000 km apart. Infestation rates were high for both endemic foxes: 76% (19/25) of Darwin's foxes were affected, and 73% (11/15) of Fuegian culpeos had ear mites. Two Darwin's foxes had abundant ear discharge, and one of these also exhibited secondary infections of Morganella morganii and Geotrichum sp. fungi. Mites were characterized molecularly as Otodectes spp. for the Fuegian culpeo samples. Genetic analyses of two mites found the O. cynotis genotype I, as well as what appeared to be a new allele sequence for O. cynotis. These results confirmed the hypothesis of a worldwide distribution species of ear mite. Introduced chilla foxes (Pseudalopex griseus; n=11) on Tierra del Fuego Island and domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris; n=379) from both islands were also sampled, but they showed no signs of infection. Our findings provided insight into the genetic diversity, the origins, and the possible impact of this globally distributed mite on endemic free-ranging populations of foxes.

Organochlorine pesticides in surface waters from Reloncaví Fjord and the inner sea of Chiloé (~39.5°S - 43°S), Chilean Patagonia.

Surface water samples from the environmental continuum spanning rivers (Petrohue, Cochamo, Puelo), fjord (Reloncaví), and the inner sea of Chiloé in Chilean Patagonia were analyzed to estimate concentration and distribution of dissolved Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). High concentrations of HCHs, DDTs and endosulfan found in surface waters from rivers suggest that rivers are the major source of dissolved OCPs to coastal marine ecosystems. We interpret variations in the distribution and concentration as an apparent oscillation between rain and snow-scavenging processes that might determine the type of OCPs that can be preferentially deposited on mountains, glaciers, rivers, estuaries, and finally transferred to the marine realm. Predominance of α-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p'-DDE and α-endosulfan compounds suggest that the main deposition mechanism of OCPs to the Chilean Patagonia is rain scavenging. Snow and rain can be additional sources of OCPs that must be considered for future studies in fjord systems in Chilean Patagonia.

Coastal debris survey in a Remote Island of the Chilean Northern Patagonia.

Global marine litter pollution is increasing dramatically, and oceanic islands are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems due to their high debris accumulation rate compared to continental sites. Remote areas, such as inhabited islands, represent a perfect study case to track marine debris sources, due to the assumed low rates of local production of debris. Guafo Island is one of the largest islands of the Chilean Northern Patagonia and is considered a remote zone. The accessible coast of Guafo Island was monitored during four austral summers revealing higher levels of marine debris accumulation than continental Chile. Plastic was the most abundant type of debris constituting 50% of the total litter monitored. Our results suggest that most of the plastic identified is likely to be related to local fisheries activities. Mitigation measures including collaboration among fishing communities and scientists could contribute to reduce the coastal debris pollution in remote areas.

Ethylene vinyl acetate polymer as a tool for passive sampling monitoring of hydrophobic chemicals in the salmon farm industry.

Current monitoring programs are focused on hydrophobic chemicals detection in aquatic systems, which require the collection of high volumes of water samples at a given time. The present study documents the preliminary use of the polymer ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) as a passive sampler for the detection of a hydrophobic chemical used by salmon industries such as cypermethrin. Initially, an experimental calibration in laboratory was performed to determine the cypermethrin equilibrium between sampler and aquatic medium, which was reached after seven days of exposure. A logarithm of partitioning coefficient EVA-water (logKEVA-W) of 5.6 was reported. Field deployment of EVA samplers demonstrated average concentrations of cypermethrin in water to be 2.07 ± 0.7 ng L(-)(1) close to salmon cages, while near-shore was 4.39 ± 0.8 ng L(-)(1). This was a first approach for assessing EVA samplers design as a tool of monitoring in water for areas with salmon farming activity.

Violencia intrafamiliar (VIF): Quinchao, Chiloé (Chile) / Intrafamilial violence (IFV): Quinchao, Chiloe (Chile)

Objetivo: Caracterizar los nuevos episodios de VIF durante el 2008 en la Comuna de Quinchao, provincia de Chiloé. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo, en el cuál se analizaron las denuncias por VIF en Carabineros y en Tribunal Mixto durante el 2008. Se utilizó información de Carabineros, y de los archivos de causas procesadas y sentencias dictadas en dicho Tribunal. Resultados: De 231 acusaciones presentadas al Tribunal de Familia, 90 correspondieron a delitos por VIF. De este número, 36 no finalizaron el proceso judicial. Treinta y ocho casos presentaron VIF psicológica, agregándose física en 16 de ellos. Destaca que 43 de las 54 acusaciones presentaron consumo de alcohol concomitante. En relación al género, la mayoría de los agresores son hombres y la mayoría de las relaciones victima-victimario son de pareja (38/54).Conclusiones: Los resultados no son comparables a los nacionales por la metodología empleada. Sin embargo pudieran entrever rasgos de la idiosincrasia local, como son patrones de violencia masculina perpetuados, en parte, por el aislamiento geográfico.

Objective: To characterize the new episodes of IFV in 2008 in the Commune of Quinchao of the Province of Chiloé. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive study; charges of intrafamilial violence brought to the police and to the relevant judicial court during 2008 were analyzed. We utilized official information from the local police station and from the court files on cases and verdicts. Results: Of all the 231 accusations presented to the Family Court, 90 (90/231) concerned to intra familiar violence crimes. From this number, 36 of them didn’t finish the judicial process. Thirty eight presented psychological violence and 16 also had physical violence. Notably, in 43 of the se 54 cases accusations were alcohol consumption involved. Relating to the gender, most of the aggressors were men and most of the relationships between the victim and the aggressor were a couple (38/54). Conclusions: the results are similar to the national ones, but show some noveltys: the population study idiosyncrasy presents patterns of masculine violence perpetuated, in part, by the geographic isolation of the area.

El Viaje / The voyage

Las exploraciones hidrográficas y geográficas siempre han sido necesarias para Inglaterra, muy consciente de su condición insular. El marino Robert Fitz Roy participa en dos de ellas incorporando a Charles Darwin en la segunda, quien a los 22 años era bachiller en Teología, Filosofía y Artes en Cambridge. Además se había preparado en geología e historia natural. Gran observador y capaz de llegar a conclusiones generales desde los detalles visibles. Ése viaje duró casi 5 años, tanto por mar como por las exploraciones por tierra que efectúo Darwin. Reconoció el bosque húmedo, los glaciares y fue testigo de erupciones volcánicas, maremotos y terremotos. En las Islas Galápagos hizo sus observaciones zoológicas que dieron base a sus postulados sobre el origen de las especies y la supervivencia de las más aptas. De vuelta en Inglaterra sus observaciones serán maduradas por él y sus seguidores, por décadas, tarea que continúa en la actualidad.

Hydrographical and geographic knowledge have been essential for England, an insular nation. Robert Fitz Roy took part in two voyages as a seaman. In the second, Charles Darwin, aged 22, joined the expedition. He had received a degree in Theology, Philosophy and Arts at Cambridge. He had also studied Geology and Natural History. Darwin was a keen observer, capable of drawing conclusions from details. The voyage and explorations lasted nearly 5 years. He examined the rainforest and glaciers and witnessed volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. At the Galapagos Islands, he made his most important zoological observations, which became the essence of his proposal on the origin of species and natural selection. Back in England, he and other scientists continued improving his ideas, a task yet to be completed.