Evidence of population genetic structure in Ecuadorian Andean bears.

Wildlife conservation in Andean countries is a global priority because of the high levels of biodiversity and endemism. Historically, these countries have had limited resources to monitor wildlife (e.g., through genetic tools) and establish conservation programs. Focusing on the study and emblematic use of a few charismatic species has been a strategic approach to direct efforts for conservation and development planning. Consequently, the Andean bear is a flagship and umbrella species for highly biodiverse Andean countries like Ecuador. The few studies exploring the population genetics of this species have concluded that it has low genetic diversity and few units for conservation as populations appear to be well connected. However, these results might be attributed to ascertainment bias as studies have been performed with heterologous molecular markers. Here, using both mtDNA sequences and species-specific microsatellite markers, we show that Andean bears in Ecuador have population structure. Additionally, we found through the study of three Ecuadorian populations that the species might have a higher genetic diversity than we previously thought. These results could support the revision of research priorities, conservation, and planning strategies to improve connectivity for this species which occurs in crucial biodiversity hotspots.

Optimization of microfibrillated cellulose isolation from cocoa pod husk via mild oxalic acid hydrolysis: A response surface methodology approach.

Theobroma cacao L. species, cultivated worldwide for its valuable beans, generates up to 72% weight of the fruit as waste. The lack of reutilization technologies in the cocoa agroindustry has hindered the exploitation of valuable bio-components applicable to the generation of high value added bioproducts. One such bioproduct is microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), a biopolymer that stands out for its desirable mechanical properties and biocompatibility in biomedical, packing, 3D printing, and construction applications. In this study, we isolated microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from cocoa pod husk (CPH) via oxalic acid hydrolysis combined with a steam explosion. MFC isolation started with the Solid/Liquid extraction via Soxhlet, followed by mild citric acid hydrolysis, diluted alkaline hydrolysis, and bleaching pre-treatments. A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the hydrolysis reaction at levels between 110 and 125 °C, 30-90 min at 5-10% (w/v) oxalic acid concentration. The cellulose-rich fraction was characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses. Characterization analyses revealed a cellulose-rich polymer with fibers ranging from 6 to 10 µm, a maximum thermal degradation temperature of 350 °C, and a crystallinity index of 63.4% (peak height method) and 29.0% (amorphous subtraction method). The optimized hydrolysis conditions were 125 °C, 30 min, at 5% w/v oxalic acid: with a 75.7% yield. These results compare with MFC obtained through highly concentrated inorganic acid hydrolysis from different biomass sources. Thus, we show a reliable and greener alternative chemical treatment for the obtention of MFC.

Clustering Analysis of the Multi-Microbial Consortium by Lactobacillus Species Against Vaginal Dysbiosis Among Ecuadorian Women.

The vaginal microbiota plays vital protection in women. This probiotic activity is caused not only by individual Lactobacillus species but also by its multi-microbial interaction. However, the probiotic activity promoted by multi-microbial consortia is still unknown. The aim of this study was the individual and collective analysis on the prevalence of five vaginal lactobacilli (Lactobacillus iners, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus jensenii, and Lactobacillus acidophilus) among healthy women and women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) or aerobic vaginitis (AV). PCR assays were realized on 436 vaginal samples from a previous study. Chi-square, univariable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses with the Benjamini-Hochberg adjustment evaluated associations between these lactobacilli and vaginal microbiota. Multi-microbial clustering model was also realized through Ward's Minimum Variance Clustering Method with Euclidean squared distance for hierarchical clustering to determine the probiotic relationship between lactobacilli and vaginal dysbiosis. Concerning the individual effect, L. acidophilus, L. jensenii, and L. crispatus showed the highest normalized importance values against vaginal dysbiosis (100%, 79.3%, and 74.8%, respectively). However, only L. acidophilus and L. jensenii exhibited statistical values (p = 0.035 and p = 0.050, respectively). L. acidophilus showed a significant prevalence on healthy microbiota against both dysbioses (BV, p = 0.041; and AV, p = 0.045). L. jensenii only demonstrated significant protection against AV (p = 0.012). Finally, our results evidenced a strong multi-microbial consortium by L. iners, L. jensenii, L. gasseri, and L. acidophilus against AV (p = 0.020) and BV (p = 0.009), lacking protection in the absence of L. gasseri and L. acidophilus.

Population Genetics and Phylogeography of Galapagos Fur Seals.

Pinnipeds found across islands provide an ideal opportunity to examine the evolutionary process of population subdivision affected by several mechanisms. Here, we report the genetic consequences of the geographic distribution of rookeries in Galapagos fur seals (GFS: Arctocephalus galapagoensis) in creating population structure. We show that rookeries across four islands (nine rookeries) are genetically structured into the following major groups: 1) a western cluster of individuals from Fernandina; 2) a central group from north and east Isabela, Santiago, and Pinta; and possibly, 3) a third cluster in the northeast from Pinta. Furthermore, asymmetric levels of gene flow obtained from eight microsatellites found migration from west Isabela to Fernandina islands (number of migrants Nm = 1), with imperceptible Nm in any other direction. Our findings suggest that the marked structuring of populations recovered in GFS is likely related to an interplay between long-term site fidelity and long-distance migration in both male and female individuals, probably influenced by varying degrees of marine productivity.