Modelos de distribución de especies y estado de conservación de murciélagos amenazados en la región tumbesina de Ecuador y Perú / Species distribution models and conservation status of threatened bats in the Tumbesian region of Ecuador and Perú

Resumen Introducción: La biodiversidad se está perdiendo a un ritmo acelerado como resultado del cambio global. Herramientas como los modelos de distribución de especies (MDEs) han sido ampliamente usados para mejorar el conocimiento sobre el estado de conservación de las especies y ayudar a desarrollar estrategias de gestión para mitigar la pérdida de biodiversidad. Objetivo: Determinar cómo la distribución potencial predicha por los MDEs para ocho especies de murciélagos amenazados difiere de los mapas de distribución reportados por la UICN. También, inferir el área de distribución y estado de endemismo de cada especie, y evaluar la importancia de la región tumbesina para su conservación. Métodos: Basados en registros de presencia del rango global de las especies, usamos MDEs para evaluar el estado de conservación de estas ocho especies en la región tumbesina de Ecuador y Perú. Resultados: Las áreas estimadas por los MDEs eran 35-78 % más pequeñas para cuatro especies (Eptesicus innoxius, Lophostoma occidentale, Platalina genovensium y Lonchophylla hesperia) y 26-1 600 % más grandes para tres especies (Amorphochilus schnablii, Promops davisoni y Rhogeessa velilla) que aquellas reportadas por la UICN. Para Tomopeas ravus, el área estimada por el MDE y la UICN fue similar, pero difirió en la distribución espacial. Los MDEs coincidieron con áreas de endemismo informadas por autores previos para E. innoxius, R. velilla y T. ravus, pero fueron diferentes para A. schnablii, P. genovensium, P. davisoni y L. hesperia, debido en parte a las distribuciones proyectadas para estas últimas especies en valles secos interandinos según los MDEs. Conclusiones: La región tumbesina representa una porción significativa (40-96 %) de la distribución predicha de siete de las ocho especies estudiadas, subrayando la importancia de esta región para la conservación de murciélagos. Nuestros resultados muestran las probables distribuciones para estas especies y proporcionan una base importante para identificar vacíos de investigación y desarrollar medidas de conservación para murciélagos amenazados en el punto caliente de biodiversidad de Tumbes.

Abstract Introduction: Biodiversity is being lost at an accelerating rate because of global change. Tools such as species distribution models (SDMs) have been widely used to improve knowledge about species' conservation status and help develop management strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss. SDMs are especially important for species with restricted distributions, such as endemic species. Objective: To determine how potential distribution predicted by SDMs for eight threatened bat species differed from the distribution maps reported by the IUCN. Also, to infer the area of distribution and state of endemism of each specie, and to evaluate the importance of the Tumbesian region for their conservation. Methods: Based on presence records across the species' entire ranges, we used SDMs to assess the conservation status of these eight species in the Tumbesian region of Ecuador and Peru. Results: The areas estimated by SDMs were 35-78 % smaller for four species (Eptesicus innoxius, Lophostoma occidentale, Platalina genovensium and Lonchophylla hesperia) and 26-1 600 % larger for three species (Amorphochilus schnablii, Promops davisoni and Rhogeessa velilla) than those reported by the IUCN. For Tomopeas ravus, the area estimated by the SDM and IUCN was similar but differed in spatial distribution. SDMs coincided with areas of endemism reported by previous authors for E. innoxius, R. velilla, and T. ravus, but were different for A. schnablii, P. genovensium, P. davisoni, and L. hesperia, due in part to projected distributions for these latter species in dry inter-Andean valleys according to the SDMs. Conclusions: The Tumbesian region represents a significant portion (40-96 %) of the predicted distribution of seven of the eight species studied, underscoring the importance of this region for bat conservation. Our results show likely distributions for these species and provide an important basis for identifying research gaps and developing conservation measures for threatened bats in the Tumbes biodiversity hotspot.

Environmental sympatry through time: spatio-temporal distribution and conservation status of two sympatric anuran species (Leptodactylidae) in South America / Simpatría ambiental a través del tiempo: distribución espacio-temporal y estado de conservación de dos especies de anuros simpátricos (Leptodactylidae) en América del Sur

Abstract Introduction: Leptodactylus latinasus and Physalaemus cuqui are sympatric anuran species with similar environmental requirements and contrasting reproductive modes. Climatic configuration determines distribution patterns and promotes sympatry of environmental niches, but specificity/selectivity determines the success of reproductive modes. Species distribution models (SDM) are a valuable tool to predict spatio-temporal distributions based on the extrapolation of environmental predictors. Objectives: To determine the spatio-temporal distribution of environmental niches and assess whether the protected areas of the World Database of Protected Areas (WDPA) allow the conservation of these species in the current scenario and future. Methods: We applied different algorithms to predict the distribution and spatio-temporal overlap of environmental niches of L. latinasus and P. cuqui within South America in the last glacial maximum (LGM), middle-Holocene, current and future scenarios. We assess the conservation status of both species with the WDPA conservation units. Results: All applied algorithms showed high performance for both species (TSS = 0.87, AUC = 0.95). The L. latinasus predictions showed wide environmental niches from LGM to the current scenario (49 % stable niches, 37 % gained niches, and 13 % lost niches), suggesting historical fidelity to stable climatic-environmental regions. In the current-future transition, L. latinasus would increase the number of stable (70 %) and lost (20 %) niches, suggesting fidelity to lowland regions and a possible trend toward microendemism. P. cuqui loses environmental niches from the LGM to the current scenario (25 %) and in the current-future transition (63 %), increasing the environmental sympathy between both species; 31 % spatial overlap in the current scenario and 70 % in the future. Conclusion: Extreme drought events and rainfall variations, derived from climate change, suggest the loss of environmental niches for these species that are not currently threatened but are not adequately protected by conservation units. The loss of environmental niches increases spatial sympatry which represents a new challenge for anurans and the conservation of their populations.

Resumen Introducción: Leptodactylus latinasus y Physalaemus cuqui son especies de anuros simpátricos con requerimientos ambientales similares y modos reproductivos contrastantes. La configuración climática determina los patrones de distribución y promueve la simpatría de los nichos ambientales, pero la especificidad/selectividad determina el éxito de los modos reproductivos. Los modelos de distribución de especies (MDE) son una herramienta valiosa para predecir distribuciones espacio-temporales basadas en la extrapolación de predictores ambientales. Objetivos: Determinar la distribución espacio-temporal de los nichos ambientales y evaluar si las áreas protegidas de la base de Datos Mundial de Áreas Protegidas (DMAP) permiten la conservación de estas especies en el escenario actual y futuro. Métodos: Aplicamos diferentes algoritmos para predecir la distribución y superposición espacio-temporal de nichos ambientales de L. latinasus y P. cuqui dentro de América del Sur en el último máximo glacial (UGM), Holoceno medio, actual y futuro. Evaluamos el estado de conservación de ambas especies con las unidades de conservación de la DMAP. Resultados: Todos los algoritmos aplicados mostraron un alto rendimiento para ambas especies (TSS = 0.87, AUC = 0.95). Las predicciones de L. latinasus mostraron amplios nichos ambientales desde LGM hasta el escenario actual (49 % de nichos estables, 37 % de nichos ganados y 13 % de nichos perdidos), sugiriendo fidelidad histórica por regiones climático-ambientales estables. En la transición actual-futura L. latinasus incrementaría la cantidad de nichos estables (70 %) y perdidos (20 %), sugiriendo fidelidad por regiones de tierras bajas y la posible tendencia hacia el microendemismo. P. cuqui pierde nichos ambientales desde el LGM al escenario actual (25 %) y en la transición actual-futura (63 %), incrementando la simpatría ambiental entre ambas especies; 31 % de superposición espacial en el escenario actual y 70 % en el futuro. Conclusión: Los eventos de sequía extrema y las variaciones de precipitaciones, derivados del cambio climático, sugieren la pérdida de nichos ambientales para estas especies, actualmente no se encuentran amenazadas, pero no están adecuadamente protegidas por las unidades de conservación. La pérdida de nichos ambientales aumenta la simpatría espacial que representa un nuevo desafío para estos anuros y la conservación de sus poblaciones.

Interspecific association between two primatespecies in an urban park / Associação interespecífica entre duas espécies de primatas em um parque urbano

As with Amazonian primates, mixed associations between species in the Atlantic Forest are also influenced by ecological factors. However, Atlantic Forest primates may face additional challenges, such as isolation pressures and fragmentation of forest habitats, which may increase the frequency of these arrangements. The main of this work is to report a sympatry with possible interaction between individuals of two species of primates of the Pitheciidae and Callitrichidae families: Callicebus nigrifrons (Spix 1823) and Callithrix aurita (É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1812) in an urban park in the south of the state of Minas Gerais. Individuals were observed interacting during foraging and displacement. The association of individuals of the two species can be explained by the low quality of the forest fragment, as it can increases the chances of obtaining food resources and configures a dilution strategy against predator attacks.

Assim como ocorre com os primatas amazônicos, as associações mistas entre espécies na Mata Atlântica também são influenciadas por fatores ecológicos. No entanto, os primatas da Mata Atlântica podem enfrentar desafios adicionais, como pressões de isolamento e fragmentação de habitats florestais, que podem aumentar a frequência desses arranjos. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um relato de simpatia com possível interação entre indivíduos de duas espécies de primatas das famílias Pitheciidae e Callitrichidae: Callicebus nigrifrons (Spix 1823) e Callithrix Resumo aurita (É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1812) em um parque urbano no sul do estado de Minas Gerais. Foram observados indivíduos interagindo durante o forrageio e deslocamento. A associação de indivíduos das duas espécies pode ser explicada devido à baixa qualidade do fragmento florestal, pois pode aumentar as chances de obter recursos alimentares e configura uma estratégia de diluição de contra-ataques de predadores.

First record of the coypu Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782)for the Arthur Thomas Municipal Park in themunicipality of Londrina, Paraná / Primeiro registro de ratão-do-banhado Myocastor coypus(Molina, 1782) para o Parque Municipal ArthurThomas no município de Londrina, Paraná

Myocastor coypus (coypu or nutria) is considered one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world due to its risk to local wildlife, such as waterfowl, zoonotic risks, and environmental damage, such as riverbank erosion, arising from its habit of constructing burrows along the edge of water bodies. The presence of M. coypus is already known locally in the municipality of Londrina based on records at Igapó Lake. This paper presents the first record of M. coypus in Arthur Thomas Municipal Park, a Conservation Unit of Integral Protection located in the urban area of Londrina. The records were obtained through direct observation of one live individual and one carcass during campaigns to monitor medium and large mammals. Subsequently, ten records were obtained using camera traps, of unknown gender, located near waterbodies. We emphasize the need for continuous fauna monitoring in conservation units to detect and verify potential increases in invasive alien species populations that can result in environmental damage.

A espécie Myocastor coypus (ratão-do-banhado) é considerada uma das 100 piores espécies invasoras do mundo por representar risco para a fauna local, como aves aquáticas, e risco de zoonoses, além de causar danos ambientais, como desbarrancamento de encostas de rios, devido ao seu hábito de construção de tocas nas margens de corpos d'água. A presença de M. coypus já é conhecida localmente no município de Londrina a partir de registros no Lago Igapó. Assim, este estudo apresenta o primeiro registro de M. coypus no Parque Municipal Arthur Thomas, uma Unidade de Conservação de Proteção Integral localizada na zona urbana de Londrina. Os registros foram obtidos através da observação direta de um indivíduo vivo e uma carcaça durante campanhas de monitoramento de mamíferos de médio e grande porte. Posteriormente foram obtidos dez registros por armadilha fotográfica de indivíduos de sexo desconhecido, próximos a corpos d'água. Enfatiza-se a necessidade do monitoramento contínuo da fauna em áreas de conservação para a detecção do potencial aumento na população de espécies exóticas e invasoras que podem causar severos danos ambientais.

Cytotoxicity induced by three commercial neonicotinoid insecticide formulations in differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Background: Neonicotinoid insecticides are used worldwide for crop protection. They act as agonists at postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), disrupting normal neurotransmission in target insects. Human exposure is high due to the widespread use of neonicotinoids and their residues in food. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro neurotoxicity of three neonicotinoid commercial formulations Much 600 FS® (imidacloprid 600 g L-1), Evidence 700 WG® (imidacloprid 700 g kg-1), and Actara 250 WG® (thiamethoxam 250 g kg-1) in differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Methods: Cells were incubated with the pesticides for 96 h, and the cytotoxicity was evaluated through the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium·bromide (MTT) reduction and neutral red (NR) uptake assays. Toxicological pathways such as reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell death mode, and the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax were also evaluated. Results: EC50 values of 266.4, 4,175, and 653.2 mg L-1 were found for Much®, Evidence® and Actara®, respectively. Significant increases in ROS and RNS generation were observed for all pesticides, while mitochondrial membrane potential and Bax protein expression showed no significant changes. Analysis of cell death mode revealed an increase in early apoptotic cells. Conclusion: Therefore, neonicotinoid insecticides are potentially neurotoxic, reinforcing concerns about human exposure to these commercial formulations.

Floristic survey of vascular plants of the Parque Estadual da Pedra Selada, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background: The Atlantic Forest is one of the most diverse and threatened phytogeographical domains in the world. Despite that, it includes regions with poor floristic knowledge, even in protected areas. Although the importance of protected areas in conserving the Atlantic Forest hotspot is undisputed, it is necessary to recognise the floristic richness of these areas to propose effective conservation actions. In this sense, online databases have proved to be a promising tool for compiling species lists with relevant biodiversity information. This study is based on the list of vascular plants of the "Parque Estadual da Pedra Selada", published in the "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil". It summarises the species richness, endemism and conservation status of this protected area. New information: The published list of vascular plants was based on data obtained from herbarium collections available in online databases. A total of 303 species have been recorded for the "Parque Estadual da Pedra Selada," of which 297 are native to Brazil, 78 are endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, and seven are endemic to the State of Rio de Janeiro. More than 60% of the species are woody, and more than 40% are trees. Eight threatened species (Endangered - EN and Vulnerable - VU), of which five are endemic to the State of Rio de Janeiro, are housed in this protected area. One species was classified as Data Deficient (DD). Our results increase the knowledge of the Atlantic Forest flora in the State of Rio de Janeiro and support effective conservation planning for this protected area.

Northward migration past the nearctic biogeographical divide; neotropical Gyrodactylus spp. infecting Astyanax have crossed the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.

The neotropical fish genus Astyanax (Characidae) and its associated helminths migrated northward from South America following the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI): ca. 150 Astyanax spp. are found throughout South and Central America, up to the Mexico-USA border. Most characids are distributed south of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB), which bisects the country and represents a major transition zone between the neotropical and nearctic realms. Here, we characterize parasites of the monogenean genus Gyrodactylus infecting Astyanax spp. in Mexico: Astyanax aeneus south of the TMBV, Astyanax mexicanus north of it. Based on morphological, phylogenetic (internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome oxidase subunit II (cox 2)) and statistical analyses of morphometric data, we confirmed the validity of Gyrodactylus pakan and Gyrodactylus teken, and erected two new species, Gyrodactylus aphaa n. sp. and Gyrodactylus ricardoi n. sp. These four gyrodactylids are part of a complex of morphologically cryptic species, which are phylogenetically closely related to each other, and sister species to Gyrodactylus carolinae and Gyrodactylus heteracanthus, parasites of characins in Brazil. Four gyrodactylid lineages (G. pakan, G. ricardoi n. sp., G. teken, Gyrodactylus sp. A) are distributed north of the TMVB; G. pakan is also widely distributed south of the TMVB, together with G. aphaa n. sp. Based on the ITS phylogeny, Brazilian parasites form a sister clade to all Mexican gyrodactylids, whose derived clades are distributed in progressively more northerly latitudes in Mexico - the three most-derived species north of the TMVB. This would suggest that gyrodactylid species diverged gradually, presumably as their characid fish hosts colonized and adapted to new environments north of the TMVB.

Lake Bacterial Communities in North Patagonian Andes: The Effect of the Nothofagus pumilio Treeline.

One of the most noticeable environmental discontinuities in mountains is the transition that exists in vegetation below and above the treeline. In the North Patagonian Andean lakes (between 900 and 1950 m a.s.l.), we analyzed the bacterial community composition of lakes in relation to surrounding vegetation (erected trees, krummholz belt, and bare rocks), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and total dissolved nutrients (nitrogen, TDN and phosphorus, TDP). We observed a decrease in DOC, TDP, and TDN concentrations with altitude, reflecting shifts in the source inputs entering the lakes by runoff. Cluster analysis based on bacterial community composition showed a segregation of the lakes below treeline, from those located above. This first cluster was characterized by the cyanobacteria Cyanobium PCC-6307, while in the krummholz belt and bare rocks, bacterial communities were dominated by Actinobacteria hgcl-clade and Proteobacteria (Sandarakinorhabdus and Rhodovarius), with the presence of pigments such as actinorhodopsin, carotenoids, and bacteriochlorophyll a. The net relatedness index (NRI), which considers the community phylogenetic dispersion, showed that lakes located on bare rocks were structured by environmental filtering, while communities of lakes below treeline were structured by species interactions such as competition. Beta-diversity was higher among lakes below than among lakes located above the treeline. The contribution of species turnover was more important than nestedness. Our study brings light on how bacterial communities may respond to changes in the surrounding vegetation, highlighting the importance of evaluating different aspects of community structure to understand metacommunity organization.

Antifungal susceptibility and biofilm production of Candida species- causative agents of female genital tract infections.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) is a chronic infection affecting 8-10% of women worldwide. Biofilm production of the infecting species and reduced sensitivity to antimycotics could contribute to the recurrence of this infection. This study aimed to examine the biofilm production ability and antifungal susceptibility of genital yeast isolates to determine their virulence potential. METHODS: Matrix-assisted laser desorption in ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to identify 300 Candida species. Using crystal violet method, strains were categorized into non-producers, weak, moderate, and strong biofilm producers (BFP). Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using commercial Integral System YEASTS Plus test (ISYPT) and broth microdilution method (BMM). RESULTS: MALDI-TOF MS identified 150 Candida albicans, 124 non-albicans Candida (NAC), and 26 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Within 138 (46.0%) BFP, 23 (16.7%) were strong, 44 (31.9%) moderate, and 71 (51.4%) weak. BMM was done for 43 BFP selected isolates with nystatin MIC ˃1.25 µl, fluconazole MIC ˃64 µl, and clotrimazole MIC ˃1.0 µl determined by ISYPT. Compared to all examined isolates, BMM confirmed that: i) C. albicans and NAC BFP showed low sensitivity to fluconazole (12% and 4%, respectively); ii) all BFP showed low sensitivity to nystatin (12.7% C. albicans, 14.5% NAC, and 23.1% S. cerevisiae); iii) clotrimazole in vitro was the most efficient regarding C. albicans and S. cerevisiae strains, but in 4.0% NAC BFP for this antimycotic higher MIC was established. CONCLUSION: Novel antimycotics or possible combinations of antifungal agents and natural products could be a new treatment option for RVVC.

Effects of the control of an invasive tree on the structure of a plant-frugivore network.

Invasive non-native species are one of the main causes of degradation of ecosystems worldwide. The control of invasive species is key to reducing threats to ecosystem viability in the long term. Observations of structural changes in ecological interaction networks following invasive species suppression can be useful to monitor the success of ecological restoration initiatives. We evaluated the structure of plant-bird frugivory interaction networks in a plant community invaded by the guava tree (Psidium guajava L.) by comparing network metrics before and after control actions. Psidium guajava was relevant in all metrics for the unmanaged network in this study, with high degree centrality and high nestedness contribution. Based on the asymmetry of species interactions, we found that birds were highly dependent on the invasive plant before suppression. Once P. guajava trees were eliminated, bird and plant species richness, total number of interactions, and modularity increased, whereas nestedness and interaction strength asymmetry decreased. The diet of the bird community became more diversified once P. guajava was no longer available and relevant species roles in community structure emerged. Our results corroborate the fact that ecological restoration interventions should include the control of non-native plant species that attract frugivorous animals in order to diversify plant-frugivore interactions and thus maintain biodiversity in natural ecosystems.

Insights into the bioactive potential of the Amazonian species Acmella oleracea leaves extract: A focus on wound healing applications.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acmella oleracea is traditionally used by Amazonian folks to treat skin and mucous wounds, influenza, cough, toothache, bacterial and fungal infections. Its phytoconstituents, such as alkylamides, phenolic compounds, and terpenes, are reported to produce therapeutic effects, which justify the medicinal use of A. oleracea extracts. However, the scientific evidence supporting the application A. oleracea bioactive products for wound treatment of remains unexplored so far. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition of methanolic extract of A. oleracea leaves (AOM) and to investigate their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and healing potential focusing on its application for wound healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The dried leaves from A. oleracea submitted to static maceration in methanol for 40 days. The phytochemical constitution of AOM was analyzed based on the total phenolic dosage method and by UFLC-QTOF-MS analysis. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH and NO scavenging activities, as well as MDA formation, evaluation of ROS levels, and phosphomolybdenum assays. In vitro anti-inflammatory activities were assessed by reduction of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α production and accumulation of LDs in peritoneal macrophages cells. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by determining MIC and MBC/MFC values against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. epidermidis, S. aureus and C. albicans, bacterial killing assay, and biofilm adhesion assessment. In vitro wound healing activity was determined by means of the scratch assay with L929 fibroblasts. RESULTS: Vanillic acid, quercetin, and seven other alkamides, including spilanthol, were detected in the UFLC-QTOF-MS spectrum of AOM. Regarding the biocompatibility, AOM did not induce cytotoxicity in L929 fibroblasts and murine macrophages. The strong anti-inflammatory activity was evidenced by the fact that AOM reduced the cellular production of inflammatory mediators IL-6, TNF-α, NO, and LDs in macrophages by 100%, 96.66 ± 1.95%, 99.21 ± 3.82%, and 67.51 ± 0.72%, respectively. The antioxidant effects were confirmed, since AOM showed IC50 values of 44.50 ± 4.46 and 127.60 ± 14.42 µg/mL in the DPPH and NO radical inhibition assays, respectively. Additionally, AOM phosphomolybdenium reducing power was 63.56 ± 13.01 (RAA% of quercetin) and 104.01 ± 21.29 (RAA% of rutin). Finally, in the MDA quantification assay, AOM showed 63,69 ± 3.47% of lipid peroxidation inhibition. It was also observed that the production of ROS decreased by 69.03 ± 3.85%. The MIC values of AOM ranged from 1000 to 125 µg/mL. Adhesion of S. aureus, P. Aeruginosa, and mixed biofilms was significantly reduced by 44.71 ± 4.44%, 95.50 ± 6.37 %, and 51.83 ± 1.50%, respectively. AOM also significantly inhibited the growth of S. aureus (77.17 ± 1.50 %) and P. aeruginosa (62.36 ± 1.01%). Furthermore, AOM significantly enhanced the in vitro migration of L929 fibroblasts by 97.86 ± 0.82% compared to the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report total antioxidant capacity and intracellular LD reduction by AOM. The results clearly demonstrated that AOM exerts potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound healing effects, encouraging its further investigation and promising application in wound treatment.

Linking intraspecies variability of Salmonella enterica isolates under acidic conditions to genotype.

There is a lack of information about Salmonella enterica strains under acidic conditions and their association with their genome. This study characterized intraspecies variability in the growth of 167 S. enterica isolates under two acid conditions (pH 4 and 5) and linked to the whole genome sequencing (WGS) data. A total of 1002 curves for each condition were obtained using turbidimetry measurements, and Baranyi and Roberts model was used to estimate the maximum rate of change (rcmax; OD600 nm h-1). Strains were categorized into slow, intermediate, and fast; and associations with their WGS data were performed. Huge variability in r c max ¯ $\overline {{\mathrm{r}}{{{\mathrm{c}}}_{{\mathrm{max}}}}} $ was observed at both conditions (pH 5 = 0.016-0.066 OD600nm h-1 and pH 4 = 0.003-0.028 OD600nm h-1). The majority of isolates was classified as intermediate r c max ¯ $\overline {{\mathrm{r}}{{{\mathrm{c}}}_{{\mathrm{max}}}}} $ (59.5% at pH 5 and 46.1% at pH 4). Strains classified as fast had a low frequency of allABCD genes at both pHs, and any of them having the presence of pefABCD, spvBCR, aadA2, dfrA12, and gyrA_D87G genes were linked to virulence or antimicrobial resistance. This study suggests that strains with fast capacity for growth under acidic conditions could have a fitness cost in their virulence or resistance potential. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Data presented in this study could be used to select representative strains to evaluate the exposure assessment in different food items, mainly the growth and survival in acidic foods.

A new four-pored Amphisbaena Linnaeus, 1758 (Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae) from the north of Espinhaço Mountain Range, Brazil.

A new species of Amphisbaena is described from the north of Espinhaço Mountain Range, municipality of Caetité, state of Bahia, Brazil. Amphisbaenaamethysta sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) snout convex in profile, slightly compressed not keeled; (2) pectoral scales arranged in regular annuli; (3) four precloacal pores; (4) distinct cephalic shields; (5) 185-199 dorsal half-annuli; (6) 13-16 caudal annuli; (7) conspicuous autotomic site between 4th-6th caudal annuli; (8) 16-21 dorsal and ventral segments at midbody; (9) 3/3 supralabials; (10) 3/3 infralabials; and (11) smooth and rounded tail tip. The new species is the 71st species of genus with four precloacal pores, and the 22nd species from the Caatinga morphoclimatic domain. The identification of Amphisbaenaamethysta sp. nov. indicates that the reptile fossorial fauna in the Espinhaço Mountain Range region is far from being completely known and that it may harbour a much greater diversity of endemic taxa.

Effects of urbanization on orchid bee diversity and orchid pollination: From neotropical cloud forests to urban cores.

Urbanization is a significant driver of land use change, profoundly impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services worldwide. However, its effects in the tropics, which host some of the planet's highest biodiversity, remain inadequately understood. Orchid bees (Apidae: Euglossini) are key pollinators in Neotropical ecosystems, playing crucial roles in maintaining floral diversity and reproductive success of orchids and other plant families. Yet, little is known about how urbanization influences their diversity and pollination. In this study, we analyzed the diversity and composition or orchid bee communities along an urbanization gradient which extends from the city center to the surrounding cloud forests, which bear high orchid endemism while being highly threatened. Along the same gradient, we further evaluated pollination of a model native orchid, Gongora galeata, which is exclusively pollinated by the bee Euglossa obrima. As expected, increasing urbanization led to a decrease in orchid bee diversity, as well as a clear separation in species composition between urban and non-urban sites and a reduction in G. galeata pollination (i.e. fruit production). However, contrary to our expectations, orchid pollination also decreased with environmental heterogeneity and the abundance of its specific pollinator. Despite urban areas still hosting orchid bee species, our results reveal clear negative effects of urbanization not only on diversity, but also on the ecosystem function of a highly threatened group of bees. This study highlights the importance of considering local factors of urban landscapes for preserving not only biodiversity, but also fundamental ecological processes in cities.

Protective effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on hepatorenal syndrome in rats.

BACKGROUND: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is the most prevalent form of acute kidney injury in cirrhotic patients. It is characterized by reduced renal blood flow and represents the most severe complication in cirrhotic patients with advanced disease. Previous research has indicated that antioxidants can delay the onset of a hyperdynamic circulatory state in cirrhosis and improve renal function in HRS patients. Regular omega-3 supplementation has significantly reduced the risk of liver disease. This supplementation could represent an additional therapy for individuals with HRS. AIM: To evaluated the antioxidant effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on the kidneys of cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced in rats by biliary duct ligation (BDL) for 28 d. We used 24 male Wistar rats divided into the following groups: I (control); II (treated with omega-3, 1 g/kg of body weight); III (BDL treated with omega-3, 1 g/kg of body weight); and IV (BDL without treatment). The animals were killed by overdose of anesthetic; the kidneys were dissected, removed, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored in a freezer at -80℃ for later analysis. We evaluated oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, DNA damage by the comet assay, cell viability test, and apoptosis in the kidneys. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, and means were compared using the Tukey test, with P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Omega-3 significantly decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (P < 0.001) and lipoperoxidation in the kidneys of cirrhotic rats treated with omega-3 (P < 0.001). The activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase increased in the BDL+omega-3 group compared to the BDL group (P < 0.01). NO production, DNA damage, and caspase-9 cleavage decreased significantly in the omega-3-treated BDL group. There was an increase in mitochondrial electrochemical potential (P < 0.001) in BDL treated with omega-3 compared to BDL. No changes in the cell survival index in HRS with omega-3 compared to the control group (P > 0.05) were observed. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that omega-3 can protect cellular integrity and function by increasing antioxidant enzymes, inhibiting the formation of free radicals, and reducing apoptosis.

Preclinical evaluation of fenretinide against primary and metastatic intestinal type­gastric cancer.

In recent years there has been a decline in the incidence of gastric cancer, however the high mortality rate has remained constant. The present study evaluated the potential effects of the retinoid fenretinide on the viability and migration of two cell lines, AGS and NCI-N87, that represented primary and metastatic intestinal gastric cancer subtypes, respectively. It was determined that a similar2 dose of fenretinide reduced the viability of both the primary and metastatic cell lines. In addition, it was demonstrated that combined treatment with fenretinide and cisplatin may affect the viability of both primary and metastatic gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, a wound healing assay demonstrated an inhibitory effect for fenretinide on cell migration. As part of the characterization of the mechanism of action, the effect of fenretinide on reactive oxygen species production and lipid droplet content was evaluated, with the latter as an indirect means of assessing autophagy. These results support the hypothesis of combining using fenretinide with conventional therapies to improve survival rates in advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.

Mating system, morphological and genetic evidence endorse clonality as an essential reproductive mode in Daphnopsis filipedunculata (Thymelaeaceae), a dioecious and endemic species from the Amazon.

Background and Aims: Clonality is characterized by the formation of independent individuals of the same genotype that are capable of reproducing and propagating vegetatively. Although clonality is an important mechanism that facilitates the persistence of a population, its extensive use can lead to negative impacts on sexual reproduction due to trade-offs in the investment of resources. Therefore, studies on the sexual reproduction of species that exhibit clonality can provide information about resilience to environmental changes, information about fecundity, the risk of the absence of pollinators and the ability to persist in unfavourable conditions and to successfully occupy new areas. Here, we investigated the role of clonal propagation and sexual reproduction in Daphnopsis filipedunculata (Thymelaeaceae), a dioecious species distributed only in Serra dos Carajás. Methods: We evaluated the extent of clonality in this species using molecular tools and anatomical analyses of the underground system responsible for developing new ramets. Furthermore, we analysed the sexual system and its contribution to reproductive success through morphometric analyses of floral types and pollination experiments in the field. Key Results: Overall, we found that clonal propagation plays an important role in maintaining the population of D. filipedunculata. Specifically, we demonstrated that this species presents functional male and female plants, indicating that D. filipedunculata is an obligate xenogamous species but has low reproductive success. We also showed that clonal vegetative propagation is the main form of asexual reproduction in this species, with roots responsible for clonal growth. Finally, our results indicated that this species presents an intermediate phalanx-guerrilla clonal architecture. Conclusions: Our study provides the first insights into sexual reproduction and clonal propagation in D. filipedunculata and can inform management practices, conservation and the restoration of endemic species.

Genomics and evolutionary analysis of Chlorella variabilis-infecting viruses demarcate criteria for defining species of giant viruses.

Chloroviruses exhibit a close relationship with their hosts with the phenotypic aspect of their ability to form lytic plaques having primarily guided the taxonomy. However, with the isolation of viruses that are only able to complete their replication cycle in one strain of Chlorella variabilis, systematic challenges emerged. In this study, we described the genomic features of 53 new chlorovirus isolates and used them to elucidate part of the evolutionary history and taxonomy of this clade. Our analysis revealed new chloroviruses with the largest genomes to date (>400 kbp) and indicated that four genomic features are statistically different in the viruses that only infect the Syngen 2-3 strain of C. variabilis (OSy viruses). We found large regions of dissimilarity in the genomes of viruses PBCV-1 and OSy-NE5 when compared with the other genomes. These regions contained genes related to the interaction with the host cell machinery and viral capsid proteins, which provided insights into the evolution of the replicative and structural modules in these giant viruses. Phylogenetic analysis using hallmark genes of Nucleocytoviricota revealed that OSy-viruses evolved from the NC64A-viruses, possibly emerging as a result of the strict relationship with their hosts. Merging phylogenetics and nucleotide identity analyses, we propose strategies to demarcate viral species, resulting in seven new species of chloroviruses. Collectively, our results show how genomic data can be used as lines of evidence to demarcate viral species. Using the chloroviruses as a case study, we expect that similar initiatives will emerge using the basis exhibited here.IMPORTANCEChloroviruses are a group of giant viruses with long dsDNA genomes that infect different species of Chlorella-like green algae. They are host-specific, and some isolates can only replicate within a single strain of Chlorella variabilis. The genomics of these viruses is still poorly explored, and the characterization of new isolates provides important data on their genetic diversity and evolution. In this work, we describe 53 new chlorovirus genomes, including many isolated from alkaline lakes for the first time. Through comparative genomics and molecular phylogeny, we provide evidence of genomic gigantism in chloroviruses and show that a subset of viruses became highly specific for their hosts at a particular point in evolutionary history. We propose criteria to demarcate species of chloroviruses, paving the way for an update in the taxonomy of other groups of viruses. This study is a new and important piece in the complex puzzle of giant algal viruses.

Density of Limnoperna fortunei larval stages in a cascade of subtropical reservoirs: spatiotemporal variation and environmental influences.

The golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) is an invasive bivalve that has established itself in several South American river systems, impacting ecosystem functioning. Reservoir cascades provide their larvae with the means of rapid dispersal, but the relationship between environmental variables and larval stage structure remains unclear. In this study, the density of three L. fortunei larval stages and quantitative detection using DNA are analyzed in a cascade of five reservoirs in the upper Uruguay River Basin and associated with spatiotemporal variation in environmental parameters. The analysis of L. fortunei eDNA presence and absence in freshwater systems appears to be a valuable mapping tool; however, no significant link was found between the eDNA magnitude and the overall larval density. The increase in larval density was related to the fluctuation of environmental parameters over a year, with the highest average larval densities observed in the CN and ITA reservoirs, though no significant difference was observed between the five reservoirs, where D-shaped larvae predominated. During winter, larval density decreased significantly, however, other variables also contribute to species activity and development in the upper Uruguay River Basin reservoirs and may be considered limiting factors. The relationships between environmental parameters were evaluated using a multivariate model. The interaction between reservoir area and precipitation, water temperature, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen had a significant effect on larval density but showed specific influences on each larval stage. Any increase in density was regulated by dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity content at all larval stages. Furthermore, total phosphorus affected the density of F1 and F3 larvae. The interaction between reservoir area and precipitation, nitrate content, phosphate concentrations, and water temperature had the most influence on the density of F2 and F3 larval stages; the F1 stage was mainly affected by calcium concentrations. The isolated effect of precipitation also contributed to the density of F2 and F3 larvae. Our findings shed light on the interaction between different phases of golden mussel larvae and the main nutrients found in reservoirs, which may be a determining factor in the rise in density of the non-native species in these systems.

Integrative morphological, cytogenetic and molecular characterization of the Andean climbing catfish Astroblepus mindoensis (Regan, 1916) (Siluriformes:Astroblepidae).

Astroblepus species, commonly known as Andean climbing catfish, exhibit a unique challenge in species delimitation, leading to ongoing taxonomic debates. Here we report data on Astroblepus mindoensis, a vulnerable species endemic to Ecuador, obtained by an integrative approach that includes cytogenetic analysis, molecular identification of the specimens, and recording of morphological and morphometric characters useful for species diagnosis. Thus, this study aimed to associate the karyotype data of the specimens analyzed with morphological and molecular characters, improving and expanding the existing taxonomic information, thus contributing to the systematics of the species. Our morphology results, unlike Regan's original description, which is brief and ambiguous, provide a more detailed morphometric and meristic description. Molecular phylogenetic reconstruction and genetic distance based on a fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) showed that our samples constitute a well-supported and monophyletic clade within the A. grixalvii species complex. The cytogenetic analysis identified distinct chromosomal markers, including a single cluster of major ribosomal genes (on chromosome pair 3) and of minor ribosomal genes (on chromosome pair 12) with their localization differing from those reported in other Astroblepus species analyzed. Additionally, the presence of a heteromorphic chromosome pair in males suggests the presence of an XX/XY sex-determination system that has not been identified in other congeneric species. Further investigation is necessary to determine if these chromosomes are associated with the accumulation of repeated sequences, as typically occurs with sex chromosomes, and to assess their presence in other species of the genus.