Detection of Filariid Infections in Mexican Primate Populations Through qPCR.

Filariae are parasitic nematodes of high veterinary and medical importance, responsible for some acute tropical diseases. They are transmitted through the bite of hematophagous vectors such as biting midges and blackflies. Filariae are among the most prevalent vector-borne parasitoses in Neotropical primates in which severe infections can cause inflammatory reactions and tissue damage. Given the location inside the host (peritoneal cavity, bloodstream, and lymphatics), the detection of filariid nematodes is challenging and is mostly postmortem; hence the scarcity of studies on the prevalence of filariae in wild primate populations. Here, we report the prevalence of filariid infections in free-ranging populations of Geoffroy's spider (Ateles geoffroyi) and black howler (Alouatta pigra) monkeys across southern Mexico, using a combination of noninvasive sampling and molecular diagnostic techniques. Fecal samples were screened for filariid DNA by qPCR protocols. A total of 88 samples were examined with an overall prevalence of 26%. Filariae were slightly more common in spider monkeys compared to howler monkeys. This study constitutes the first report of the prevalence of infection of filariid nematodes in populations of wild spider monkey across southern Mexico, and the first reporting of filariae in black howler monkeys, as part of a new era of primate parasitology and the diagnostics of parasite infections in light of the everyday more affordable molecular tools.

Influence of sediments and tungsten traces on the skeletal structure of Pseudodiploria: a reef building scleractinian coral from the Veracruz Reef System National Park, Mexico / Influencia de los sedimentos y trazas de tungsteno en la estructura del esqueleto de Pseudodiploria un coral escleractinio constructor de arrecifes del Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, México

Abstract:Coral reefs are under intense conditions of stress caused by the anthropogenic activities in coastal areas and the increase of human population. Water effluents from urban and industrial areas carry large amounts of sediments and pollutants affecting corals populations, inducing bioerosion, increasing diseases and promoting the development of algae that compete for space with corals. In the Veracruz Reef System National Park (VRSNP) coral reefs are strongly affected by human activities carried out in the area. Gallega and Galleguilla reefs are among the most affected by wastewater discharges from the industrial (petrochemical and metallurgical) and urban areas in their vicinity. To assess the potential impact of this contamination on corals in the VRSNP, a chemical composition and morphology study of 76 Pseudodiploria colonies collected in reefs Gallega, Galleguilla, Isla Verde and Isla de Enmedio, was performed. Fragments of ~10 cm2 were collected and boric acid at 0.5 % was used to remove tissue from the skeleton; once clean, the morphology of each sample was determined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Subsequently, to test the chemical composition, an energy dispersion spectroscopy of X-ray chemical microanalysis (EDSX) was performed in the SEM. We found that corals from Gallega and Galleguilla reefs, located closer to human populations, presented high levels of tungsten and the skeleton exhibited multiple perforations. In contrast, corals from the farthest offshore reefs (Isla Verde and Isla de Enmedio) exhibited lower levels of tungsten and fewer perforations in their skeleton. These results demonstrated that anthropogenic activities in the NPVRS are affecting corals skeleton, highly damaging and promoting their bioerosion. The presence of traces of tungsten in the skeleton of corals is an evidence of the damage that waste discharges are causing to coral reefs. Discharges of large amounts of contaminants promoted the growth of harmful species that grow and develop into the corals skeleton, causing its bioerosion, and making them susceptible to disease and physical damage. This study is the first evidence of the effects of contamination on these species; therefore, further studies are necessary to determine the impact of pollution on their biology and survival. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1077-1089. Epub 2016 September 01.

ResumenLos arrecifes de coral se encuentran bajo condiciones intensas de estrés causado por las actividades antropogénicas y el incremento de las poblaciones humanas en las zonas costeras. Las descargas de aguas de origen urbano e industrial transportan sedimentos y contaminantes que afectan a las poblaciones de corales, induciendo la bioerosion, el aumento de enfermedades en los corales y promueven el desarrollo de algas que compiten por espacio con los corales. En el Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (NPVRS) los arrecifes de coral son afectados fuertemente por las actividades humanas que se llevan a cabo en la zona. Los arrecifes Gallega y Galleguilla son de los más afectados por las descargas de aguas residuales provenientes de la industria (petroquímica y metalúrgica) y de áreas urbanas que desembocan sus aguas en las proximidades de los arrecifes. Para evaluar el posible impacto de las descargas de aguas en los corales del NPVRS, se realizó un estudio de la composición química y morfología de 76 colonias de Pseudodiploria en los arrecifes Gallega, Galleguilla, Isla Verde e Isla de Enmedio. Se recolectaron fragmentos de ~10 cm2, el tejido del esqueleto fue removido utilizando ácido bórico al 0.5 %. Una vez limpia la muestra, la morfología fue analizada con un microscopio electrónico de barrido (SEM), posteriormente, para analizar la composición química de las muestras, realizamos una espectroscopia de dispersión de energía o micro-análisis químico de rayos X (EDSX) en el SEM. Encontramos que los corales de los arrecifes Gallega y Galleguilla que se encuentran ubicados cerca de poblaciones humanas, presentan altos niveles de tungsteno y el esqueleto exhibe múltiples agujeros. En contraste, los corales de los arrecifes más lejanos (Isla Verde e Isla de En medio) mostraron niveles más bajos de tungsteno y un menor número de agujeros en su esqueleto. Nuestros resultados demuestran que las actividades antropogénicas en el NPVRS, están afectando el esqueleto de los corales y promueven la bioerosión. Las descargas de grandes cantidades de contaminantes hacia las zonas costeras, promueven el crecimiento de especies dañinas que crecen y se desarrollan dentro del esqueleto de los corales, causando bioerosión del esqueleto, haciéndolos susceptibles a enfermedades y daños físicos. Debido a que este estudio es la primera evidencia de los efectos de la contaminación sobre esta especie de corales, son necesarios más estudios para determinar el impacto de la contaminación sobre su biología y la supervivencia de los corales.

[Influence of sediments and tungsten traces on the skeletal structure of Pseudodiploria: a reef building scleractinian coral from the Veracruz Reef System National Park, Mexico]. / Influencia de los sedimentos y trazas de tungsteno en la estructura del esqueleto de Pseudodiploria un coral escleractinio constructor de arrecifes del Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, México.

Coral reefs are under intense conditions of stress caused by the anthropogenic activities in coastal areas and the increase of human population. Water effluents from urban and industrial areas carry large amounts of sediments and pollutants affecting corals populations, inducing bioerosion, increasing diseases and promoting the development of algae that compete for space with corals. In the Veracruz Reef System National Park (VRSNP) coral reefs are strongly affected by human activities carried out in the area. Gallega and Galleguilla reefs are among the most affected by wastewater discharges from the industrial (petrochemical and metallurgical) and urban areas in their vicinity. To assess the potential impact of this contamination on corals in the VRSNP, a chemical composition and morphology study of 76 Pseudodiploria colonies collected in reefs Gallega, Galleguilla, Isla Verde and Isla de Enmedio, was performed. Fragments of ~10 cm2 were collected and boric acid at 0.5 % was used to remove tissue from the skeleton; once clean, the morphology of each sample was determined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Subsequently, to test the chemical composition, an energy dispersion spectroscopy of X-ray chemical microanalysis (EDSX) was performed in the SEM. We found that corals from Gallega and Galleguilla reefs, located closer to human populations, presented high levels of tungsten and the skeleton exhibited multiple perforations. In contrast, corals from the farthest offshore reefs (Isla Verde and Isla de Enmedio) exhibited lower levels of tungsten and fewer perforations in their skeleton. These results demonstrated that anthropogenic activities in the NPVRS are affecting corals skeleton, highly damaging and promoting their bioerosion. The presence of traces of tungsten in the skeleton of corals is an evidence of the damage that waste discharges are causing to coral reefs. Discharges of large amounts of contaminants promoted the growth of harmful species that grow and develop into the corals skeleton, causing its bioerosion, and making them susceptible to disease and physical damage. This study is the first evidence of the effects of contamination on these species; therefore, further studies are necessary to determine the impact of pollution on their biology and survival.