Preliminary checklist of spiders (Araneae) from Coiba National Park, Panama.

Background: Coiba National Park is an offshore region on the Pacific side of Panama, which hosts several endemic species of animals and plants. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Despite the title awarded to the Park, knowledge about basic elements of its biodiversity are still lacking, which are of vital relevance for management and conservation policies. For instance, until now, no study had ever monitored the araneofauna diversity of the Park. New information: Here, we provide the first checklist of spider species in Coiba National Park, including the main island and several surrounding islands. We sampled during several field trips carried out from August 2021 to August 2023. We identified at least 152 species (98 genera and 30 families) and we report three new spiders species for Panama, namely Ctenusnigrolineatus Berland (1913), Chapodagitae Zhang & Maddison (2012) and Sarindanigra Peckham & Peckham (1892). We discuss the implications of our results and recommend future lines of work that include DNA barcoding, monitoring of population and community dynamics, plus linkage of climatic data from the newly-installed meteorological station on the Island.

The challenging biogeography of the Juan Fernández Islands and Coast Range of central Chile explained by new models of East Pacific tectonics.

Biogeographers have often been puzzled by several unusual features in the Juan Fernández Islands (JFI) biota. These include the very high endemism density, multiple endemics that are older than the current islands, close biogeographic affinities with the central and West Pacific, and affinities with the diverse Coast Range of central Chile. We review aspects of biogeography in the JFI and the Coast Range in light of recent geological studies. These have examined the mantle below the East Pacific and South America, and have produced radical, new ideas on tectonic history. A long-lived, intraoceanic archipelago ~9000 km long is now thought to have existed in the East Pacific (passing between the JFI hotspot and mainland Chile) until the mid-Cretaceous. At this time, South America, which was moving westward with the opening of the Atlantic, collided with the archipelago. The assumption that the JFI biota is no older than its current islands is questionable, as taxa would have survived on prior islands produced at the JFI hotspot. We propose a new interpretation of evolution in the region based on tectonics rather than on island age and incorporating the following factors: the newly described East Pacific Archipelago; a long history for the JFI hotspot; metapopulation dynamics, including metapopulation vicariance; and formation of the Humboldt Current in the Cretaceous. The model accounts for many distinctive features of the JFI and Coast Range biota.

First assessment of persistent organic pollutants and halogenated natural compounds in an omnivorous resident coral-reef fish species, black triggerfish, Melichthys niger, from an Atlantic oceanic island, Brazil.

Studies on the occurrence of POPs and other persistent compounds in pristine areas are extremely valuable, as they offer insights on the long-range transportation of POPs and the occurrence of natural compound producers' areas. In this regard, this study aimed to report data of both anthropogenic (polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs) and natural (methoxylated PBDEs, MeO-BDEs) compounds in tissues of the black triggerfish, Melichthys niger (Tetraodontiformes, Balistidae), specimens (n = 30) sampled in 2018 during a scientific expedition conducted at Trindade Island. Concentrations of ∑28PCBs ranged from 73 to 1052 ng g-1 lw in liver, 334 to 1981 ng g-1 lw in gonads, and 20 to 257 ng g-1 lw in muscle, with the predominance of PCB-180 in liver and PCB-52 in gonad and muscle. Concentrations of ∑7PBDEs ranged from

Corrigendum: Case report: Unveiling a less severe congenital nephrotic syndrome in a Rapa Nui patient with a NPHS1 Maori founder variant.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneph.2024.1379061.].

The virome of bubaline (Bubalus bubalis) tonsils reveals an unreported bubaline polyomavirus.

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) farming is increasing in many regions of the world due to the species' ability to thrive in environments where bovine cattle would struggle. Despite water buffaloes being known for their resistance to diseases, there is a lack of data about the diversity of the microbiome of the species. In this study, we examined the virome diversity in palatine tonsils collected from animals from the island of Marajó, northern Pará state, Brazil, which harbors the largest bubaline flock in the country. Tonsil fragments from 60 clinically healthy bubalines were randomly selected from a sample of 293 animals. The samples were purified, extracted, and randomly amplified with phi29 DNA polymerase. After amplification, the products were purified and sequenced. Circular DNA viruses were predominant in the tonsils' virome. Sequences of genome segments representative of members of the genera Alphapolyomavirus (including a previously unreported bubaline polyomavirus genome) and Gemycircularvirus were identified, along with other not yet classified circular virus genomes. As the animals were clinically healthy at the time of sampling, such viruses likely constitute part of the normal tonsillar virome of water buffaloes inhabiting the Ilha do Marajó biome.

Identification of the first nursery area of the Galápagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) in the south-east Pacific Ocean.

The identification of important areas (i.e., nursery grounds) is essential for the conservation of most shark species. To assess whether Salas y Gómez Island serves as a nursery area for the Galápagos shark Carcharhinus galapagensis, we conducted a thorough literature review. Multiple lines of evidence show that young-of-the-year (YOY);  inhabiting the remote Salas y Gómez Island (1) present a higher density around Salas y Gómez Island than the surrounding deeper oceanic waters and in the south-eastern Pacific, (2) potentially display high fidelity to this area, and (3) demonstrate the repeated use of this area over multiple years. We also discuss the significance of this isolated island for the Galápagos shark population and propose specific research, management, and conservation actions for its preservation.

Reproductive Activity of Socorro Island Merino Ewes and Their Crosses with Pelibuey under Heat Stress Conditions.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of spring and autumn seasons on the reproductive activity of Merino Socorro Island ewes and their crosses with Pelibuey under heat stress (HS) conditions in the tropics. All ewes (n = 80) were randomly assigned to one of two breeds during the first and second periods, respectively: (1) Twenty Socorro Island Merino ewes (SIM) and (2) 20 Pelibuey Crossbred ewes (PBC). Animals were fed the same diet and given water ad libitum. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS statistical software 9.12 procedures. In both seasons, a mean of more than 80 U of maximum THI was obtained, while in spring and autumn, the minimum THI exceeded 30 and 40 U, respectively. All animals were in oestrus and ovulated in both seasons. The frequency of animals in spring during the first 48 h of oestrus expression was greater (p < 0.05) than 48-55 h but similar (p > 0.05) than 55-65 h; in autumn during the first 48 h and 48-55 h were similar (p > 0.05), but different (p < 0.05) than 55-65 h. The duration of oestrus expression was longer in the spring than in the autumn (p < 0.05). The frequency of animals was higher (p < 0.05) in SIM than in PBC ewes during the first oestrus cycle (1-17 d) and was also higher (p < 0.05) in PBC than in SIM ewes during the second oestrus cycle (18-35 d). The SIM ewes produced more (p < 0.05) progesterone (P4) than the PBC ewes. During the sampling days of the oestrus cycle, more P4 was created in autumn than in spring (p < 0.05). Both breeds showed severe HS. In the future, ewes treated under assisted reproductive programs in the tropics may improve reproductive efficiency.

Case report: Unveiling a less severe congenital nephrotic syndrome in a Rapa Nui patient with a NPHS1 Maori founder variant.

Background: Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) is a severe kidney disorder characterized by edema, massive proteinuria, and hypoalbuminemia that manifests in utero or within three months after birth. CNS affects 1-3 per 100,000 children, primarily associated with genetic variants and occasionally with infections. Genetic analysis is the first-line method for diagnosis. The most common founder variants have been identified in European populations, often resulting in end-stage kidney disease by 1-2 years of age. Case-diagnosis/treatment: A female full-term neonate, without prenatal signs of kidney disease, was admitted to Rapa Nui (Eastern Island) Hospital at the age of 2 months due to bronchial obstruction. She presented fever, oliguria, edema, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) 433.33, and hypoalbuminemia (0.9 g/dL). She was transferred to a mainland Chilean hospital following CNS diagnosis. Viral screening detected cytomegalovirus (CMV) positivity in both blood and urine. A kidney biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis and diffuse podocyte damage and the tissue PCR resulted negative for CMV. Interviews with the parents revealed consanguinity, suggestive of hereditary CNS. Genetic analysis identified the Maori founder variant, NPHS1 c.2131C>A (p.R711S), in homozygosis. The patient received albumin infusions and antiviral therapy, being discharged when she was 5 months old, with improved laboratory parameters evidenced by UPCR 28.55, albumin 2.5 g/dL, and cholesterol 190 mg/dL. Subsequent clinical monitoring was conducted through virtual and in-person consultations. At her last follow-up at 4 years 2 months old, she presented UPCR 16.1, albumin 3.3 g/dl and cholesterol 220 mg/dL, maintaining normal kidney function and adequate growth. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this represents the first case of CNS in Chile carrying a NPHS1 variant associated with prolonged kidney survival. As described in the Maori population, the patient exhibited a less severe clinical course compared to classical NPHS1 patients. Genetic testing for the Maori founder variant in CNS patients related to the New Zealand population, could impact management decisions and potentially prevent the need for nephrectomies.

Can displaced Anguilla marmorata return to their original habitat? Daily tracking study of their homing behavior.

Anguilla marmorata collected in the Odana River lower reaches were passive integrated transponder-tagged displaced and released into the upper river reaches (54 up-transported eels), and eels collected in the upper reaches were tagged and released downstream (52 down-transported eels). Their movements were detected once per day for 10 days using a portable radio-frequency identification (RFID) system. The homing rate of the down-transported eels was 38.9%, compared to 3.7% for the up-transported eels, suggesting that eels inhabiting upstream areas have relatively high fidelity to their habitats and downstream eels have less fidelity.

Gender Differences in Trends in Incidence and Mortality of Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Small Island Developing State of Barbados.

Objective To determine trends, identify predictors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence and mortality, and explore performance metrics for AMI care in Barbados. Methods Data on all cases diagnosed with AMI were collected by the Barbados National Registry for Non-Communicable Diseases (BNR) from the island's only tertiary hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the National Vital Registration Department. Participants who survived hospital admission were then followed up at 28 days and one year post event via telephone survey and retrieval of death certificates. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated. Determinants of mortality at 28 days were examined in multivariable logistic regression models. Median and interquartile ranges (IQR) were calculated for performance metrics (e.g., time from pain onset to reperfusion). Results In a 10-year period between 2010 and 2019, 4,065 cases of myocardial infarction were recorded. The median age of the sample was 73 years (IQR: 61,83), and approximately half (47%) were female. Over a 10-year period, standardized incidence increased in women on average yearly by three per 100,000 (95% CI: 1 to 6; p=0.02), while in men, the average increase per year was six per 100,000 (95% CI: 4 to 8; p<0.001). There was no increase in 28-day mortality in women; mortality in men increased each year by 2.5 per 100,000 (95% CI: 0.4 to 4.5; p=0.02). The time from arrival at the hospital to the ECG was 44 minutes IQR (20,113). Conclusion AMI incidence and mortality are increasing in Barbados, and men have a higher velocity of mortality rate increase than women, which contradicts global data.

Astrobiological implications of the organic and inorganic cyanide utilization by a novel Antarctic hyperthermophilic Pyrococcus strain.

Organic and inorganic cyanides are widely distributed in nature, yet not much is known about the ability of microorganisms to use these compounds as a source of nitrogen and/or carbon at high temperatures (>80 °C). Here we studied the capacity of organic and inorganic cyanides to support growth of an hyperthermophilic Pyrococcus strain isolated from Deception Island, Antarctica. This microorganism was capable of growing with aromatic nitriles, aliphatic nitriles, heterocyclic nitriles, amino aromatic nitriles and inorganic cyanides as nitrogen and/or carbon source. This is the first report of an hyperthermophilic microorganism able to incorporate these compounds in its nitrogen and carbon metabolism. Based on enzymatic activity and genomic information, it is possibly that cells of this Pyrococcus strain growing with nitriles or cyanide, might use the carboxylic acid and/or the ammonia generated through the nitrilase enzymatic activity, as a carbon and/or nitrogen source respectively. This work expands the temperature range at which microorganisms can use organic and inorganic cyanides to growth, having important implications to understand microbial metabolisms that can support life on Earth and the possibility to support life elsewhere.

Spatial and Temporal Variation of Urban Heat Islands in French Guiana.

A surface urban heat island (SUHI) is a phenomenon whereby temperatures in urban areas are significantly higher than that of surrounding rural and natural areas due to replacing natural and semi-natural areas with impervious surfaces. The phenomenon is evaluated through the SUHI intensity, which is the difference in temperatures between urban and non-urban areas. In this study, we assessed the spatial and temporal dynamics of SUHI in two urban areas of the French Guiana, namely Ile de Cayenne and Saint-Laurent du Maroni, for the year 2020 using MODIS-based gap-filled LST data. Our results show that the north and southwest of Ile de Cayenne, where there is a high concentration of build-up areas, were experiencing SUHI compared to the rest of the region. Furthermore, the northeast and west of Saint-Laurent du Maroni were also hotspots of the SUHI phenomenon. We further observed that the peak of high SUHI intensity could reach 5 °C for both Ile de Cayenne and Saint-Laurent du Maroni during the dry season when the temperature is high with limited rainfall. This study sets the stage for future SUHI studies in French Guiana and aims to contribute to the knowledge needed by decision-makers to achieve sustainable urbanization.

Faith-based leaders' perceptions on the implementation of programs to promote healthy lifestyles in churches in Barbados-a mixed-methods analysis.

Background: There is a high burden of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes in small island developing states (SIDS). SIDS governments have committed to a range of public health, healthcare, and fiscal measures to reduce this burden including community-based health education in collaboration with civil society organizations. We sought to explore perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of implementing self-management health programs in 20 faith-based organizations in the small island developing state of Barbados. Methods: This was a concurrent mixed methods study - a quantitative online survey and a qualitative inquiry using semi-structured interviews. Acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of the intervention were assessed using the following quantitative assessment tools: Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted virtually, recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis based on deductive codes from Proctor's implementation outcomes definitions. Results: From the 52 respondents of the survey, the median and interquartile ranges for the AIM, IAM and FIM scales were 16 (15-20), 16 (16-20) and 16 (15-17) (out of 20), respectively. We found high levels of acceptability, 82% (95% CI (69%, 95%)) of leaders indicating that health programs in churches met with their approval; and high levels of appropriateness-90% (95% CI (80%, 100%)) indicating health programs in churches were "fitting" and "a good match". Feasibility scores were lower, with 60% (95% CI (44%, 76%)) indicating that health programs in churches would be easy to use. In interviews, leaders expressed acceptance of healthy lifestyle programs in churches and described their appropriateness through alignment with church doctrines stating, "the body is the temple of God". They felt that economic impacts from COVID-19 were likely to be a barrier to the success of programs. Leaders expressed the need for support from healthcare providers who are sensitive and respectful of church culture. Conclusion: We found that health-based programs in churches align well with church doctrines, but the success of these programs will depend on establishing trust through the engagement of church-based champions, tailoring programming to include a biblical perspective and engaging entire households.

A Spatial Signal of Niche Differentiation in Tropical Forests.

AbstractExplaining diversity in tropical forests remains a challenge in community ecology. Theory tells us that species differences can stabilize communities by reducing competition, while species similarities can promote diversity by reducing fitness differences and thus prolonging the time to competitive exclusion. Combined, these processes may lead to clustering of species such that species are niche differentiated across clusters and share a niche within each cluster. Here, we characterize this partial niche differentiation in a tropical forest in Panama by measuring spatial clustering of woody plants and relating these clusters to local soil conditions. We find that species were spatially clustered and the clusters were associated with specific concentrations of soil nutrients, reflecting the existence of nutrient niches. Species were almost twice as likely to recruit in their own nutrient niche. A decision tree algorithm showed that local soil conditions correctly predicted the niche of the trees with up to 85% accuracy. Iron, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, and soil pH were among the best predictors of species clusters.

Diversity of fungal endophytes from mangrove plants of Santa Catarina Island, Brazil.

The mangrove ecosystem plays a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of plants, animals, and microorganisms that are essential for materials cycles. However, the exploration of endophytic fungi isolated from mangroves, particulary in Santa Catarina (SC, Brazil), remains limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the biodiversity of endophytic fungi found in Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, and Spartina alterniflora from two mangroves on the Island of Santa Catarina: one impacted by anthropic action (Itacorubi mangrove) and the other environmentally preserved (Ratones mangrove). Samplings were carried out between January 2020 and May 2021. Fungi were isolated from leaves, stems, and roots, identified, and clustered into groups through morphological characteristics. Further, a representative strain of each group was identified through ITS1 sequencing. A total of 373 isolates were obtained from plant tissues, of which 96 and 277 isolates were obtained from Itacorubi and Ratones mangroves, respectively. Molecular identification showed that the endophytic fungal community comprised at least 19 genera. The data on fungal community diversity revealed comparable diversity indices for genera in both mangroves. However, we observed differences in the total frequency of fungal genera between impacted (27.38%) and non-impacted (72.62%) mangroves. These findings suggest that anthropic activities in and around the Santa Catarina mangroves have had negative impact on the frequency of endophytic fungi. This emphasizes the reinforcing the significance of preserving these environments to ensure the maintenance of fungal community diversity.

The genome assembly of Island Oak (Quercus tomentella), a relictual island tree species.

Island oak (Quercus tomentella) is a rare relictual island tree species that exists only on six islands off the coast of California and Mexico, but was once widespread throughout mainland California. Currently, this species is endangered by threats such as non-native plants, grazing animals, and human removal. Efforts for conservation and restoration of island oak currently underway could benefit from information about its range-wide genetic structure and evolutionary history. Here we present a high-quality genome assembly for Q. tomentella, assembled using PacBio HiFi and Omni-C sequencing, developed as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP). The resulting assembly has a length of 781 Mb, with a contig N50 of 22.0 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 63.4 Mb. This genome assembly will provide a resource for genomics-informed conservation of this rare oak species. Additionally, this reference genome will be the first one available for a species in Quercus section Protobalanus, a unique oak clade present only in western North America.

Techno-economic dataset and assumptions for long-term energy systems modelling in the Dominican Republic (2024-2050).

The land transport sector, impacting fossil fuel consumption, has been selected as one of the sectors to apply decarbonization strategies. Energy systems modelling is an applied tool to evaluate scenarios and strategies that can be implemented in the transport sector to achieve energy transitions. These energy modelling tools need a dataset that allows the simulation of alternative scenarios of the systems. For this purpose, a collection and processing of technical-economic data is needed to ensure a quality input for simulation tools. This article presents a set of open data to create a model of the energy system of the Dominican Republic to assess alternative scenarios and develop strategies to achieve the energy transition in the land transport sector. This exercise is performed to support the energy planning policies of the country. Although the dataset is presented for the conditions of the Dominican Republic, the insight regarding data gathering and processing can be applied to other island countries. The data obtained are an open-access database of energy regulators, generation agents, and representatives of the generation, transmission, and distribution sector, as well as websites, databases of international organizations, scientific journals, and standards. Therefore, the data presented can be updated as the technical-economic information becomes public.

Data exploration on the factors associated with cost overrun on social housing projects in Trinidad and Tobago.

This data article explores the factors that contribute to cost overrun on public sector projects within Trinidad and Tobago. The data was obtained through literature research, and structured questionnaires, designed using open-ended questions and the Likert scale. The responses were gathered from project actors and decision-makers within the public and private construction industry, mainly, project managers, contractors, engineers, architects, and consultants. The dataset was analysed using frequency, simple percentage, mean, risk impact, and fuzzy logic via the fuzzy synthetic evaluation method (FSE). The significance of the analysed data is to determine the critical root causes of cost overrun which affect public sector infrastructure development projects (PSIDPs), from being completed on time and within budget. The dataset is most useful to project and construction management professionals and academia, to provide additional insight into the understanding of the leading factors associated with cost overrun and the critical group in which they occur (political factors). Such understanding can encourage greater decisions under uncertainty and complexity, thus accounting for and reducing cost overrun on public sector projects.

Bioprospecting the potential of the microbial community associated to Antarctic marine sediments for hydrocarbon bioremediation.

Microorganisms that inhabit the cold Antarctic environment can produce ligninolytic enzymes potentially useful in bioremediation. Our study focused on characterizing Antarctic bacteria and fungi from marine sediment samples of King George and Deception Islands, maritime Antarctica, potentially affected by hydrocarbon influence, able to produce enzymes for use in bioremediation processes in environments impacted with petroleum derivatives. A total of 168 microorganism isolates were obtained: 56 from sediments of King George Island and 112 from Deception Island. Among them, five bacterial isolates were tolerant to cell growth in the presence of diesel oil and gasoline and seven fungal were able to discolor RBBR dye. In addition, 16 isolates (15 bacterial and one fungal) displayed enzymatic emulsifying activities. Two isolates were characterized taxonomically by showing better biotechnological results. Psychrobacter sp. BAD17 and Cladosporium sp. FAR18 showed pyrene tolerance (cell growth of 0.03 g mL-1 and 0.2 g mL-1) and laccase enzymatic activity (0.006 UL-1 and 0.10 UL-1), respectively. Our results indicate that bacteria and fungi living in sediments under potential effect of hydrocarbon pollution may represent a promising alternative to bioremediate cold environments contaminated with polluting compounds derived from petroleum such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dyes.

Description of six new cyanobacterial species from soil biocrusts on San Nicolas Island, California, in three genera previously restricted to Brazil.

As the taxonomic knowledge of cyanobacteria from terrestrial environments increases, it remains important to analyze biodiversity in areas that have been understudied to fully understand global and endemic diversity. This study was completed as part of a larger algal biodiversity study of the soil biocrusts of San Nicholas Island, California, USA. Among the taxa isolated were several new species in three genera (Atlanticothrix, Pycnacronema, and Konicacronema) which were described from, and previously restricted to, Brazil. New taxa are described herein using a polyphasic approach to cyanobacterial taxonomy that considers morphological, molecular, ecological, and biogeographical factors. Morphological data corroborated by molecular analysis including sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, and the associated 16S-23S ITS rRNA region was used to delineate three new species of Atlanticothrix, two species of Pycnacronema, and one species of Konicacronema. The overlap of genera from San Nicolas Island and Brazil suggests that cyanobacterial genera may be widely distributed across global hemispheres, whereas the presence of distinct lineages may indicate that this is not true at the species level. Our data suggest that based upon global wind patterns, cyanobacteria in both Northern and Southern hemispheres of the Americas may have a more recent common ancestor in Northern Africa, but this common ancestry is distant enough that speciation has occurred since transatlantic dispersal.