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In humans, adverse physical and/or psychological traumas in childhood may predispose to developing psychiatric disorders in adulthood, including panic disorder. To model early life adversity in mice, we subjected male and female C57BL/6 J mice to a limited bedding and nesting (LBN) protocol between postnatal days 2-9 and investigated its effect on responsiveness to panicogenic challenges in adulthood. Panic-like escape behaviour was assessed during exposure to a high concentration of CO2 (20%) or in the beetle mania task (BMT), used to model respiratory and non-respiratory-related types of panic respectively. Neonatal exposure to LBN increased panic-like jumping during the CO2 challenge in male but not female mice. In an initial pharmacological validation of the BMT as a panic-inducing paradigm, undirected jumping and horizontal escape behaviours were reduced significantly by the panicolytic alprazolam (0.05 and 0.1mg.kg-1 i.p.) whilst tolerance to the close proximity of the aversive robo-beetle increased. The anxiolytic diazepam (1 mg.kg-1 i.p.) reduced only the number of horizontal escape attempts. In both sexes, previous experience of LBN significantly enhanced the number of horizontal escape episodes, indicating a pro-panic phenotype. Directed escape to access a safe ledge on the wall of the test arena, which was seen only in males, was also reduced significantly following LBN. These findings indicate that early life adversity produced by fragmented and unpredictable maternal care promotes a sex-specific increase in susceptibility to panic-like behaviour in adulthood. Whilst non-respiratory-related panic-like behaviour was enhanced in both sexes, females were resilient to respiratory-related challenges.

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Seabirds have become biovectors of plastic pollutants between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and transport of plastics to their nesting sites becomes relevant due to increasing levels of pollution. To determine the pathways by which plastic reaches their colonies, we analysed the abundance of plastics at the nesting sites of five seabird species (Humboldt penguin Spheniscus humboldti, Peruvian booby Sula variegata, kelp gull Larus dominicanus, grey gull Leucophaeus modestus, Markham's storm-petrel Hydrobates markhami) nesting in northern Chile. Seabirds were primarily grouped according to their nesting behaviour, but two species foraging in contrasting habitats (kelp gull and Markham's storm-petrel) were also compared directly. The abundance, type, and polymer of macro-, meso- and microplastics were analysed in the soil of colonies and control sites, and microplastic ingestion was evaluated for selected species. Densities of plastics in colonies of surface-nesting seabirds ranged from 0 to 21.4 items m-2 (mainly plastic bags and thin films), and 0.002 to 19.7 items m-2 (mainly hard fragments) in colonies of burrow-nesting seabirds. Mean microplastic loads in the stomachs of seabirds were between 3.7 ± 4.2 plastic items individual-1. Overall, the abundances of plastic items in all seabird colonies were low, suggesting a limited transfer of plastics from sea to land. For kelp gulls, the results indicate transfer of macroplastic items to colonies, reaching the colony via regurgitates, with landfills considered as the main plastic source. Our results suggest that contrasting nesting behaviour and foraging habitats among species can explain differential plastic accumulation in seabird colonies, but also other factors, such as wind, contribute to the accumulation of plastic debris in colonies. Proper management of sanitary landfills are key to reduce plastic contamination of coastal seabirds and their colonies.

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The Amazonian coastal ecosystems face a significant threat from plastic contamination, posing a major risk to their biodiversity. Here, we provide the first evidence of using plastics in nest building by Yellow-cacique Cacique (Cacicus cela) and Greater Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus). During 2023 and 2024, 15 nests built with ropes and fishing lines were recorded in the Brazilian Amazon Coast, a colony of 12 nests in the State of Amapá and one nest in Pará for C. cela, and one nest for P. sulphuratus was observed in Maranhão during the fieldwork, covering all Brazilian Amazon Coast. These nests were observed on the edge of mangroves, built with solid waste from fishing activities, pointing out how environmental pollution can be incorporated into wildlife this issue. Our records emphasize the effect of plastic pollution on two passerine species associated with mangrove forests and the need for conservation measures and further research.

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Birds have been impacted by plastic pollution via entanglement, accidental ingestion, and exposure to chemical contaminants. However, plastics were also observed as a nesting material for several species. For the first time, we describe the occurrence and composition of plastics in 36 nests of the crested oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) in three different sites on the Amazon coast. Plastics were present in 67 % of abandoned, fallen nests. At the mangrove site, all nests contained plastics, while at the grassy clearing and the fishermen's village, plastics were present at 35.3 and 90 % of the nests, respectively. Blue fibers and ropes were the main plastics observed, probably derived from discarded fishing gear. Of 79 analyzed fibers, 97.5 % were composed of Polyethylene, and 83.5 % contained Cobalt Phthalocyanine as an additive. Our results showed a widespread use of plastics by P. decumanus, which may increase the exposure of both juveniles and adults to potential contaminants.

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The guanay cormorant (Leucocarbo bougainvilliorum) and red-legged cormorant (Poikilocarbo gaimardi) are known for their prolific nest-building behavior, utilizing a diverse array of materials, including anthropogenic debris, thereby serving as valuable indicators of ocean plastic pollution. To elucidate inter-specific variations in nest plastic occurrence between these two cormorant species, we conducted a comprehensive examination of nests at 12 colonies along the Peruvian coast in 2018-2019. Our findings revealed a significantly higher occurrence of plastic in red-legged cormorant nests (mean 50 ± 27 %, N = 100 nests in 7 colonies) compared to guanay cormorant nests (mean 10 ± 20 %, 3497 nests in 8 colonies). Furthermore, the prevalence of plastic waste varied across colonies within both species. Off-white/clear plastic bags were the predominant color and type of debris found in both cormorant nests. This study is a baseline of plastic marine pollution occurrence along the Peruvian coast.

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The study was conducted within a well-managed beef cattle operation in northeastern Mexico. Each nest was weighed and dissected to obtain the plant and animal material used to build the nests. The number of materials present per nest and relative frequency were determined. Twenty-one building materials were used. Over the years, Muhlenbergia torreyi represented 85.5% of the total biomass of the nests, and Aristida longiseta, Bouteloua gracilis, Brickellia canescens, Purshia mexicana and Cirsium ehrenbergii constituted 2.45, 2.80, 2.44, 1.34 and 1.11% of the total biomass, respectively. The above-mentioned grasses represented 95.62% of the total biomass. Material of animal origin was horse and cow hair, which represented 0.84 and 0.58% of the total biomass, respectively. It was concluded that, at the study site, Muhlenbergia torreyi was a key nest-building material for the Worthen sparrow nest.

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Our study aimed to establish reference values for nesting females and compare them with those previously reported to understand olive ridley turtles' health status and contribute to long-term health assessment and monitoring in foraging and nesting areas from the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. In August and September 2018, morphometric data and biochemical profiles were collected from 33 nesting olive ridley turtles from Ceuta Beach Sanctuary (CBS) and 14 foraging female turtles captured at the foraging site, Navachiste Marine Area (NMA). Nesting turtles sampled had greater CCL (65.86 ± 1.70 cm) than those from the foraging area (61.54 ± 1.22) (p < 0.05). Regarding biochemical profiles, post-nesting turtles had higher packed cell volume (PCV), albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol, triglycerides, and calcium than turtles from the foraging area (p < 0.05). Phosphorus levels were higher in foraging turtles than in nesting turtles (p = 0.001), while the remaining parameters showed no significant differences. The present study describes for the first time the blood biochemical values of nesting turtles from the Ceuta Beach Sanctuary in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, similar to those of foraging turtles from the north of the state. The significant differences observed between the two analysis groups may be due to the energy reserves and reproductive and nesting activity of the nesting turtles, so the blood biochemistry values described in this study can be used as a standard reference blood value for the olive ridley turtle population of Sinaloa, Mexico.

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Solitary bees and wasps that nest in cavities in tree trunks are important components of terrestrial ecosystems, providing pollination services, and in the case of wasps, the regulation of their prey populations. However, little is known about the vertical strata where bees and wasps build their nests. This is especially the case of urban forest remnants in the Amazon, which is relevant in the context of the global crisis in insect losses. We investigated the existence of vertical stratification in the nesting of solitary bees and wasps in an urban forest in Rio Branco, state of Acre, in the western Brazilian Amazon. We focused on whether wood temperature, ants, and termites are predictors of bee and wasp nesting. We sampled bee and wasp nests in the forest using trap-nests made with wooden blocks containing cavities with three different diameters for twelve months. Trap-nests were installed randomly at three heights in the forest. We collected 145 nests of 25 species, belonging to 11 genera and 6 families. A higher number of nests and species were collected in the upper stratum of the forest, strengthening the hypothesis that there is vertical stratification in the assemblage of solitary bees and wasps. Wood surface temperature and termite attacks on trap-nests were significantly different between strata, which may explain the vertical stratification of bee and wasp assemblages. Considering the importance of these insects for tropical forest ecosystems, the conservation of structurally complex and stratified forests is of paramount importance to maintain the diversity of this insect group.

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The housing conditions of laboratory mice must be strictly controlled in order to reduce the impact of pathophysiological changes that affect animal health and welfare, possibly resulting in increased variability within experimental results. One way to improve the activity and survival of laboratory mice is to provide nesting material. The objective of this study was to determine if nest-building quality could be used to detect changes in murine mating behaviour in a rodent facility under controlled conditions. Nesting scores of 847 cages with monogamous pairs from three different genetic backgrounds (129, B6 and BALB/c) of both sexes were correlated with 18 predefined variables. The effects on nest quality were evaluated using descriptive data analysis, correspondence analysis and ordinal logistic model fitting. The results showed a strong relationship between nest quality and nest position. Humidity, genetic background, cage change and the number and age of pups in the cage affected the nest-building scores. The most important indicators were cage change and relative humidity, both of which exerted significant negative effects on nest-building quality. Even though the criteria were well defined, the observer could still influence nest score appraisal. However, in a long-term observational study, observers could improve their assessment by training and acquiring greater experience in score assignment. Nest-building scores are easy to assess in the cage, with little discomfort to the animal. Moreover, the nest score is a valid indicator of the health and well-being of laboratory mice and can provide valuable support in the management of animal facilities.

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Olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea) are the most common sea turtle found in the Gulf of California. Unfortunately, the bacterial flora of nesting olive ridley turtles is still unknown. We conducted a study to identify, characterize, serotype, and determine the antibiotic resistance of potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated from olive ridley turtles nesting in northwestern Mexico. Bacteria were isolated and identified from the oral cavity and cloaca of 47 postnesting turtles. Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were characterized, and antibiotic resistance testing was performed. One hundred bacteria belonging to 21 species were isolated, 53 from the oral cavity and 47 from the cloaca, the most prevalent being Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and E. coli, among others. Moreover, two to three different bacterial species were found co-colonizing both anatomical sites in some turtles. E. coli phylogroups B1, A, F, and unknown were identified as diarrheagenic E. coli (enteroaggregative and enteropathogenic E. coli). O1, O4, K8, K12, OUT, and KUT of V. parahaemolyticus serogroups were identified, also comprising pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains. Finally, 100% of the bacterial species tested were antibiotic resistant, and both MDR and XDR strains were found. In conclusion, olive ridley turtles are colonized by a diversity of bacterial species with a high rate of antibiotic resistance, some with pathogenic potential to turtles, representing a health risk factor for the species.

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Introducción: El Campamento Tortuguero de Cedeño ha sido el sitio menos investigado del Golfo de Fonseca, donde se protege a la tortuga golfina en Honduras desde 1975. Objetivo: Evaluar la anidación de la tortuga Golfina (Lepidochelys olivacea) durante la temporada de veda entre el 2011 y 2021 en Campamento Tortuguero Cedeño, Choluteca, Honduras. Métodos: Entre 2011 a 2021, se llevó a cabo el monitoreo diario de las actividades de anidación durante la veda del 1 al 25 de septiembre. Los patrullajes se realizaron entre las 6:00-18:00 h, y las 18:00-5:00 h. Se registró el número total de tortugas que anidaban y se recogieron sus huevos, que se transportaron al criadero, donde se tabularon los resultados de las puestas y las crías. Resultados: Se registró un total 1 065 tortugas de L. olivacea, 95 051 huevos recolectados, 1 065 nidos marcados en tres playas que fueron reubicados en viveros artificiales y una eclosión exitosa de 62 747 neonatos. La playa Las Doradas fue el sitio con el mayor número de tortugas anidadoras, seguido de Los Delgaditos y por último Cedeño. El promedio de la frecuencia de anidación fue de 96 nidos. Del 2011 al 2021 el esfuerzo de recolección de los nidos aumentó en un 91.6 %, pasando de 84 a 161 nidos. El número de personas patrullando se asoció con la cantidad de nidos detectados en las playas. Conclusión: Los esfuerzos de monitoreo y conservación para la especie han indicado que ha habido un incremento en la anidación de L. olivacea en las tres playas, con un mayor incremento en Playa Las Doradas. Este escenario comprueba la funcionalidad de la veda en esta zona.

Introduction: The Cedeño Turtle Camp has been the least researched site in the Fonseca Gulf, where Olive Ridley Turtles in Honduras have been protected since 1975. Objective: To evaluate the nesting of Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) during the closed season from 2011 to 2021 in Campamento Tortuguero Cedeño, Choluteca, Honduras. Methods: From 2011 to 2021, daily monitoring of nesting activities was conducted during the closed season from the 1st to 25th of September. Patrols were conducted between 6:00-18:00 h, and 18:00-5:00 h. The total number of nesting turtles was recorded, and their eggs were collected and transported to the hatchery, where clutch and hatchling performance were tabulated. Results: A total of 1 065 L. olivacea turtles were recorded, 95 051 eggs collected, 1 065 nests marked on three beaches that were relocated in artificial hatcheries and a successful hatching of 62 747 hatchlings. Las Doradas beach was the site with the highest number of nesting turtles, followed by Los Delgaditos and lastly Cedeño. The average nesting frequency was 96 nests. From 2011 to 2021 the nest collection effort increased by 91.6 %, from 84 to 161 nests. The number of people patrolling was associated with the number of nests detected on the beaches. Conclusion: Monitoring and conservation efforts for L. olivacea in the Campamento Tortuguero Cedeño show a positive trend in nesting with a greater increase in Playa Las Doradas. This scenario proves the functionality of the closed season in this area.

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In birds, parental care and attachment period differ widely depending on the species (altricial or precocial), developmental strategies, and life history traits. In most bird species, parental care can be provided by both female and male individuals and includes specific stages such as nesting, laying, and hatching. During said periods, a series of neuroendocrine responses are triggered to motivate parental care and attachment. These behaviors are vital for offspring survival, development, social bonding, intergenerational learning, reproductive success, and ultimately, the overall fitness and evolution of bird populations in a variety of environments. Thus, this review aims to describe and analyze the behavioral and endocrine systems of parental care and newborn attachment in birds during each stage of the post-hatching period.

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Fishes of the family Pomacentridae present a wide diversity of mating systems, ranging from polygyny to promiscuity and from individual territorial defense to the establishment of reproductive colonies of males. The damselfish species Abudefduf troschelii has a reproductive colony mating system, in which males temporarily aggregate in reproductive areas to court and attract females. Males defend an individual territory where they receive eggs and perform paternal care behaviors for their offspring. The present study evaluated the advantages of the colonial mating system in A. troschelii. During an entire reproductive period, in a breeding colony within a rocky reef, we located, marked, geo-referenced, and measured the distances between the territories of all males. We quantified the variance among males in their patterns of paternal care investment, eggs acquired, hatching success, reproductive success, body size, and changes in body coloration. We found that males spatially distributed their nests in groups or independently (i.e., solitary nests). Nesting groups are formed by larger males that show intense nuptial coloration during the entire receptivity period. They are located centrally to the colony and consist of three to six males whose territories overlap. In contrast, small solitary males that fail to acquire or maintain nuptial coloration during the receptivity period establish their nests peripherally to the colony, away from the territories of other males. Our results highlight that the reproductive benefits of colonial nesting are unequal for males, as the spatial distribution of nests within the colony determines the reproductive success of males. Group nesting confers the highest reproductive benefits to males regarding eggs obtained, hatching success, and relative fitness and also enables males to reduce their parental investment in brood care behaviors. The preference of females for oviposition could be associated with greater intrasexual competitiveness, defense ability, body condition, or experience of group-nesting males located at the center of the colony or because their progeny will have a lower probability of predation than they would in solitary nests males.

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RESUMEN Los componentes alfa (α) y beta (ß) de la diversidad gamma (γ), y la partición de ß en anidamiento y recambio, contribuyen a entender los factores que determinan la diversidad biológica. El objetivo de este estudio fue entender los factores que afectan los cambios espaciales de diversidad de macroinvertebrados en lagos andinos tropicales de alta montaña, a partir del estudio de los componentes de diversidad y la partición de la diversidad ß. Para esto, se realizó un muestreo en noviembre de 2018, en un lago ubicado a 3740 m.s.n.m. Se recolectaron macroinvertebrados bentónicos en 20 sitios distribuidos en las zonas litoral, sublitoral y profunda. In situ, se midieron profundidad, temperatura, pH, conductividad y oxígeno disuelto; se realizaron perfiles verticales de oxígeno y temperatura. Se evaluaron los componentes de riqueza mediante el modelo γ= α +ß. Se realizaron: análisis de regresión entre a y g, análisis de disimilitud a partir de la partición de la diversidad ß en recambio y anidamiento, Escalamiento Multidimensional no Métrico (nMDS) y Porcentaje de Similaridad (Simper). Los resultados mostraron que la diversidad a por sitios y zonas del lago es baja con relación a la diversidad g, y la diversidad ß es alta. Esto indica que los lagos tropicales andinos de alta montaña, a pesar de su pequeño tamaño, son importantes para una alta diversidad de macroinvertebrados. La riqueza taxonómica depende de las variaciones ambientales en los gradientes vertical y horizontal. Sin embargo, estos lagos son vulnerables a tensores naturales y antrópicos como el calentamiento global.

ABSTRACT The alpha (α) and beta (ß) components of gamma (γ) diversity, and the partitioning of ß into nesting and turnover, contribute to understanding the factors that determine biological diversity. The objective of this study was to understand the factors affecting spatial changes in macroinvertebrate diversity in tropical high mountain Andean lakes, from the study of diversity components and beta diversity partitioning. For this, sampling was conducted in November 2018, in a lake located at 3740 m.a.s.l. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected in 20 sites distributed in littoral, sublittoral and deep zones. In situ, depth, temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured; vertical profiles of oxygen and temperature were made. Richness components were evaluated using the γ= α +ß model. Regression analysis between a and g, dissimilarity analysis from the partitioning of beta diversity into turnover and nesting, Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (nMDS) and Percent Similarity (Simper) were performed. The results showed that a diversity by sites and lake zones is low relative to g diversity, and ß diversity is high. This indicates that high mountain tropical Andean lakes, despite their small size, are important for high macroinvertebrate diversity. Taxonomic richness depends on environmental variations in gradients vertically and horizontally. However, these lakes are vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic stressors such as global warming.

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In Corozalito beach, Costa Rica, Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) nest both solitarily and in arribadas. The predation of solitary nests was monitored from 2008 to 2021, recording date, time, sector of the beach, zone, status of nest (predated or partially predated) and predator when possible. We recorded 4450 predated nests in total (N = 30,148 nesting events); predation rates showed a fluctuating trend, with recent percentages reaching up to 30%, with four distinctive dips in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2017. The spatial distribution of predated nests along the beach showed significant differences among the sectors regardless of the seasons (Friedman test, chi-squared = 14.778, df = 2, p-value = 0.000), with most predated nests (47.62%) occurring in the northern sectors of the beach. Predators were identified by their tracks and/or direct observations (N = 896, 24.08%). The most conspicuous predators identified were raccoons (55.69%) and black vultures (22.77%). As seen in Corozalito, predation rates have increased in recent years despite established conservation efforts. A comprehensive assessment of all threats towards the overall hatching success for clutches is needed, considering predation during mass nesting events, poaching and beach erosion, among other factors, to fully understand the nesting dynamics occurring in this beach.

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Trindade Island is an important wildlife refuge in the South Atlantic Ocean and hosts the largest nesting population of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Brazil, about which temporal ecological dynamics are still not well understood. The present study examines 23 years of nesting for green turtles at this remote island to evaluate annual mean nesting size (MNS) changes and post-maturity somatic growth rates. Our results show a significant decrease in annual MNS over the study; Whereas MNS during the first three consecutively monitored years (1993-1995) was 115.1 ± 5.4 cm, during the last three years (2014-2016) it was 111.2 ± 6.3 cm. There was no significant change in post-maturity somatic growth rate over the course of the study; the mean annual growth rate was 0.25 ± 0.62 cm/year. These findings suggest an increase in the relative proportion of smaller, presumptive neophyte nesters appearing in Trindade during the study period.

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Tropical montane communities host the world's highest beta diversity of birds, a phenomenon usually attributed to community turnover caused by changes in biotic and abiotic factors along elevation gradients. Yet, empirical data on most biotic factors are lacking. Nest predation is thought to be especially important because it appears to be common and can change selective pressures underlying life history traits, which can alter competitive interactions. We monitored 2538 nests, 338 of which had known nest predators, to evaluate if nest predation changes along a tropical elevational gradient. We found that nest predation decreased with elevation, reflecting the loss of lowland predators that do not tolerate colder climates. We found different "super" nest predators at each elevation that accounted for a high percentage of events, suggesting that selection pressures exerted by nest predator communities may be less diffuse than has been hypothesized, at least for birds nesting in the understory.

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Annual monitoring of leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting grounds in Grenada, West Indies has identified relatively low hatch rates compared to worldwide trends. This study investigated the impact of selected environmental variables on leatherback sea turtle embryonic development and hatching success rates on Levera Beach in Grenada between 2015-2019. The mean number of nests per year and eggs per nest were 667.6 ± 361.6 and 80.7 ± 23.0 sd, respectively. Within excavated nests, 35.6% ± 22.0 sd of eggs successfully developed embryos and 30.6% ± 22.6 sd of eggs successfully hatched. The number of eggs per nest, along with embryo and hatching success rates, differed by nesting year. Embryo development success rate was associated with nest location, and both embryo development and hatching success rates were positively associated with nest depth and negatively associated with the percentage of eggs exhibiting microbial growth and with the presence of inspissated yolk. There was no embryo development or hatchling success association with month of the nesting season, distance from the high-water mark, distance from vegetation, nor maternal carapace length. The mean nest temperature was 31.7 °C ± 1.64 sd and mean temperatures during the middle third of egg incubation suggest clutches are highly skewed towards a preponderance of female hatchlings. Histopathologic findings in hatchling mortalities included severe, acute, multifocal, heterophilic bronchopneumonia with intralesional bacteria in 4/50 (8%) hatchlings. Data from this study guide conservation strategies by identifying risk factors and further avenues of research needed to support reproductive success of leatherback sea turtles in Grenada and the greater Caribbean region.

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Environmental contaminants with chemical origins, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have major impacts on the health of marine animals, including sea turtles, due to the bioaccumulation of those substances by transference throughout the food chain. The effects of environmental pollution on the health of marine turtles are very important for management strategies and conservation. During recent decades, the south Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula have suffered from increasingly frequent disturbances from continental landmasses, river systems, urban wastewater runoff, port areas, tourism, industrial activities, pesticides from agricultural use, and other pollutants, such as metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and hydrocarbons (from the oil industry activities), which contaminate water and sediments and worsen the environmental quality of the marine ecosystem in this region. In this study, we assessed the concentrations of OCPs in the blood and eggs of 60 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting at the Punta Xen turtle camp, and their effects on the nesting population's reproductive performance: specifically, maternal transfer and embryonic development were analyzed. Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and haemoglobin levels, and plasma chemistry values, including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol and glucose, were also measured. The general health of the turtles in this study, as well as their levels of urea, serum creatinine, glucose, uric, acid, cholesterol, and triglyceride, fell within normal ranges and was similar to other normal values, which could indicate the turtles' good energy levels and body conditions for nest-building activity, with all of the turtles able to successfully come ashore to nest. All the same, the obtained results also indicate that OCPs affect the nesting and reproductive performance of the hawksbill turtles, as well as their fertility and the development of the population of eggs and reproductive performance, specifically in terms of maternal transference and embryonic development. There were significant differences in the concentrations of OCPs (ΣHCHs and ΣDienes) between maternal blood and eggs, indicating that these chemicals are transferred from nesting females to eggs and, ultimately, to hatchlings. OCPs may, therefore, have an effect on the health and reproductive performance of hawksbill turtles, both in terms of their fertility and egg development. Conservation strategies need to be species-specific, due to differences in feeding, and address the reasons for any decline, focusing on regional assessments. Thus, accurate and comparable monitoring data are necessary, which requires the standardization of monitoring protocols.

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This paper provides the first description of the nesting biology of Ancistrocerus flavomarginatus (Brèthes) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae), the only species of the genus found in Brazil. Our trap-nest experiments were conducted in two Mixed Ombrophilous Forest fragments and two adjacent matrices in Guarapuava (Paraná state, Brazil) from August 2017 to July 2018. In each area, we set 192 trap nests divided into six groups of 32 units, totalling 768 trap nests. We obtained a total of 47 nests of A. flavomarginatus, the vast majority of them (43, 91.5%) founded in the forest fragments. Most nests were built in wooden traps with a bore diameter of either 5 or 7 mm (19 nests in each type, 80.8%). Nests comprised 1-12 subcylindrical brood cells arranged linearly and separated from one another by transverse partitions of soil mastic. Larvae consumed 6-10 lepidopteran caterpillars before spinning the cocoon. Ancistrocerus flavomarginatus produced up to 6 annual generations (multivoltinism) and its immature forms were parasitized by chrysidid and ichneumonid wasps. The calculated sex ratio (1.78:1) was statistically biased towards males, but since they (21.3 ± 2.0 mg) were significantly lighter than females (50.9 ± 4.0 mg), the resulting investment ratio (1.34:1) was female biased. Males emerged from more external cells and developed significantly faster (27.2 ± 0.46 days) than females (30.1 ± 0.66 days), hence a case of protandry. We demonstrated that A. flavomarginatus is largely dependent on the Atlantic Rainforest and thus that deforestation poses a critical threat to this important species.

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