RESUMO

Plant-herbivore interactions have been extensively studied in tomato plants and their most common pests. Tomato plant chemical defenses, both constitutive and inducible, play a role in mediating these interactions. Damaged tomato plants alter their volatile profiles, affecting herbivore preferences between undamaged and damaged plants. However, previous studies on tomato volatiles and herbivore preferences have yielded conflicting results, both in the volatile chemistry itself as well as in the attraction/repellent herbivore response. This study revisits the volatile-mediated interactions between tomato plants and two of their main herbivores: the leafminer Tuta absoluta and the whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum. Tomato plant volatiles were analyzed before and after damage by each of these herbivores, and the preference for oviposition (T. absoluta) and settling (T. vaporariorum) on undamaged and damaged plants was assessed both after conspecific and heterospecific damage. We found that both insects consistently preferred damaged plants over undamaged plants. The emission of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) increased after T. absoluta damage but decreased after T. vaporariorum damage. While some of our findings are in line with previous reports, T. absoluta preferred to oviposit on plants damaged by conspecifics, which differs from earlier studies. A comparison of HIPVs emitted after damage by T. absoluta and T. vaporariorum revealed differences in up- or down-regulation, as well as significant variations in specific compounds (12 for T. absoluta and 26 for T. vaporariorum damaged-plants). Only two compounds, ß-caryophyllene and tetradecane, significantly varied because of damage by either herbivore, in line with the overall variation of the HIPV blend. Differences in HIPVs and herbivore preferences may be attributed to the distinct feeding habits of both herbivores, which activate different defensive pathways in plants. The plant's challenge in simultaneously activating both defensive pathways may explain the preference for heterospecific damaged plants found in this study, which are also in line with our own observations in greenhouses.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Frequent-fire forests were once heterogeneous at multiple spatial scales, which contributed to their resilience to severe fire. While many studies have characterized historical spatial patterns in frequent-fire forests, fewer studies have investigated their temporal dynamics. We investigated the influences of fire and climate on the timing of conifer recruitment in old-growth Jeffrey pine-mixed conifer forests in the Sierra San Pedro Martir (SSPM) and the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Additionally, we evaluated the impacts of fire exclusion and recent climate change on recruitment levels using statistical models with realized as well as fire suppression and climate change-free counterfactual scenarios. Excessive soil drying from anthropogenic climate change resulted in diminished recruitment in the SSPM but not in the Sierra Nevada. Longer fire-free intervals attributable to fire suppression and exclusion resulted in greater rates of recruitment across all sites but was particularly pronounced in the Sierra Nevada, where suppression began >100 years ago and recruitment was 28 times higher than the historical fire return interval scenario. This demonstrates the profound impact of fire's removal on tree recruitment in Sierra Nevada forests even in the context of recent climate change. Tree recruitment at the SSPM coincided with the early-20th-century North American pluvial, as well as a fire-quiescent period in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Episodic recruitment occurred in the SSPM with no "average" recruitment over the last three centuries. We found that temporal heterogeneity, in conjunction with spatial heterogeneity, are critical components of frequent-fire-adapted forests. Episodic recruitment could be a desirable characteristic of frequent-fire-adapted forests, and this might be more amenable to climate change impacts that forecast more variable precipitation patterns in the future. One key to this outcome would be for frequent fire to continue to shape these forests versus continued emphasis on fire suppression in California.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Water quality indices (WQIs) are numerical measures used by researchers and water managers to communicate water quality status to the public. This study analyzes the official databases from the CONAGUA monitoring network of the main tributary rivers in the middle basin of the San Pedro-Mezquital River in Durango, Mexico, for a 6-year period (2013-2018). We applied three WQIs to 432 data (18 sampling sites, four samples per year, 6 years): Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) WQI, National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) WQI, and Secretariat of Urban Development and Ecology (SEDUE) WQI. The Canadian index proved to be a flexible, appropriate, and rigorous methodology for assessing water quality based on its use. Results classify the water quality in the studied reservoirs as good, while river water was rated for public use, as marginal to very poor. No statistical significant differences in the quality of water between the rainy (June-October) and dry (November-May) seasons were found. However, tendency shows that in the rainy season the water quality was lower, mainly attributed to agricultural runoffs and bank erosion. The main contamination problem was the presence of fecal coliforms in high concentrations, which is associated to the high population density in the area, low sanitation efficiency, and multiple non-point discharges.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Introducción: Existen plantas que se usan desde tiempos ancestrales con efecto alucinógeno y alteraciones al sistema nervioso central, debido a la presencia principalmente de mezcalina son usadas para cumplir objetivos tradicionales asociados a la adivinación, curandería, divinidad y otros. Objetivos: Determinar el efecto del extracto acuoso de Trichocereus pachanoi a dosis de 10 por ciento, 20 por ciento y 30 por ciento sobre el comportamiento exploratorio de carácter depresivo en Rattus rattus var. albinus. Material y métodos: El presente estudio experimental es de carácter exploratorio aplicado, constructivo y prospectivo, se formaron 4 grupos de 10 ratas cada uno a las que se les administró extracto acuoso de Trichocereus pachanoi en dosis creciente, luego fueron sometidas a natación forzada con entrenamiento previo de 15 minutos. Resultados: El grupo que no recibió tratamiento alguno posee la más baja respuesta en gasto de tiempo para el escalamiento, comparado con los grupos B, C y D que presentan 13,5 min. 17,17 min. y 24,37 min. respectivamente. También en la evaluación de la movilidad, el grupo A posee en valor más bajo, comparado con los grupos B, C y D que presentan 13,42 min. 17,62 min. y 23,12 min., respectivamente. Conclusiones: El tratamiento en ratas con extracto acuoso de Trichocereus pachanoi a concentraciones de 10 por ciento, 20 por ciento y 30 por ciento ha sido eficaz en producir un efecto tranquilizante en el comportamiento exploratorio de carácter depresivo en el sujeto(AU)

Introduction: Since ancient times, some mescaline containing plants that have hallucinogen effects and cause alterations in the central nervous system have been used to fulfill traditional objectives associated with divination, healing, spirituality and others. Objective: To determine the effect of the aqueous extract of Trichocereus pachanoi at doses of 10 %, 20 % and 30 % solution on depression-like exploratory behavior in Rattus rattus var. albinus. Material and Methods: The present experimental study, which is exploratory, constructive and prospective in nature, was conducted in 4 groups of 10 rats. The rats were administered increasing doses of aqueous extract of Trichocereus pachanoi; then, they underwent forced swimming with a previous 15-minute training. Results: The group that did not receive any treatment had the lowest response to the duration of time spent at scaling compared to groups B, C and D that spent 13.5 min., 17.17 min., and 24.37 min., respectively. Also, in the evaluation of mobility, group A showed the lowest value compared to groups B, C and D that recorded 13.42 min., 17.62 min., and 23.12 min., respectively. Conclusions: The treatment with aqueous extract of Trichocereus pachanoi at concentrations of 10 percent, 20 percent and 30 percent applied to rats has been effective in producing a tranquilizer effect on the depression-like exploratory behavior in rats(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Archeological studies in the United States, Mexico, and Peru suggest that mescaline, as a cactus constituent, has been used for more than 6000 years. Although it is a widespread cactus alkaloid, it is present in high concentrations in few species, notably the North American peyote ( Lophophora williamsii) and the South American wachuma ( Trichocereus pachanoi, T. peruvianus, and T. bridgesii). Spanish 16th century chroniclers considered these cacti "diabolic", leading to their prohibition, but their use persisted to our days and has been spreading for the last 150 years. In the late 1800s, peyote attracted scientific attention; mescaline was isolated, and its role in the psychedelic effects of peyote tops or "mescal buttons" was demonstrated. Its structure was established by synthesis in 1929, and alternative routes were developed, providing larger amounts for pharmacological and biosynthetic research. Although its effects are attributed mainly to its action as a 5-HT2A serotonin receptor agonist, mescaline binds in a similar concentration range to 5-HT1A and α2A receptors. It is largely excreted unchanged in human urine, and its metabolic products are apparently unrelated to its psychedelic properties. Its low potency is probably responsible for its relative neglect by recreational substance users, as the successful search for structure-activity relationships in the hallucinogen field focused largely on finding more potent analogues. Renewed interest in the possible therapeutic applications of psychedelic drugs may hopefully lead to novel insights regarding the commonalities and differences between the actions of individual classic hallucinogens.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Leptospires are widespread spirochete bacteria that infect mammals, including rodents and humans. We investigated the presence of Leptospira antibodies in two species of rodents from San Pedro River Basin (SPRB) in northwestern Mexico as part of the black-tailed prairie dog ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) monitoring plan and the North American beaver ( Castor canadensis ) reintroduction program. We sampled a total of 26 black-tailed prairie dogs and three beavers during October-November 2015. We detected antibodies against Leptospira spp. by microagglutination test in 12 (46%) prairie dogs and in two (67%) beavers. The antibody titers for seropositive rodents varied from 1:100 to 1:200, but none of the animals showed clinical signs of disease. We found seven Leptospira spp. serogroups (Autumnalis, Australis, Bataviae, Canicola, Celledoni, Grippotyphosa, and Sejroe) circulating in rodent species in SPRB. We did not find any differences between sex and age concerning Leptospira-positive rodents. Our findings suggest the presence of endemic cycles and potential risks of Leptospira infection in both species from SPRB. Although the impact of this infection on threatened species remains unclear, human activities and environmental stress might facilitate the emergence or reemergence of leptospirosis disease as has been reported elsewhere.

Assuntos

RESUMO

AbstractSince 1983, San Pedro Bay in the Philippines had been reported to be the site of episodic Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum blooms that caused paralytic shellfish poisoning in its nearby coastal communities. This bay is also subjected to numerous storms; the strongest was super typhoon Haiyan in November 8, 2013. For the first time, the seasonal dynamics of potentially toxic and harmful phytoplankton in this bay is elucidated. This is also the first record of a bloom of the cyanobacteria, Trichodesmium erythraeum that reached 70 000 colonies/L in April 2013 in this area. There were other 19 potentially toxic and harmful phytoplankton encountered during the sampling period. These consisted of a haptophyte, Phaeocystis globosa, the diatom Pseudonitzschia and 17 dinoflagellates. Seven of these harmful algae had densities high enough to be traced through time. Normally, diatoms abound during the dry season. But Pseudo-nitzschia increased in abundance during the wet season of 2012 and 2013. The dinoflagellates and Phaeocystis globosa behaved as expected and exhibited a relative increase in cell density during the rainy season of both years too. High nutrient availability during this season must have influenced the behavior of the phytoplankton despite differences in temperature and light intensity among seasons. Other notable but rare harmful species found only in plankton net tows during the study were Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, Alexandrium tamiyavanichii, Cochlodiniumpolykrikoides, and Noctiluca scintillans. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 897-911. Epub 2016 June 01.

ResumenDesde 1983, la Bahía de San Pedro en Filipinas ha sido reportada como un sitio de proliferación de Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum que causó intoxicación paralítica en sus comunidades costeras cercanas. Esta bahía también está sometida a numerosas tormentas; entre las más fuertes se presentó un súper tifón en Haiyan, el 8 de noviembre 2013. Por primera vez, se explica la dinámica estacional del fitoplancton potencialmente tóxico y dañino en esta bahía. Este es también el primer registro en esta área de una proliferación de cianobacterias (Trichodesmium erythraeum) que alcanzó 70 000 colonias/L en abril 2013. Durante el periodo de muestreo se presentaron otras 19 proliferaciones de fitoplancton potencialmente tóxicas y dañinas. Estos consistían en una haptófita, Phaeocystis globosa, la diatomea Pseudo-nitzschia y 17 dinoflagelados. Siete de estas algas nocivas tenían densidades suficientemente altas como para ser rastreadas a través del tiempo. Normalmente, las diatomeas abundan durante la estación seca. Pero Pseudo-nitzschia aumentó en abundancia durante la temporada de lluvias de 2012 y 2013. Los dinoflagelados y Phaeocystis globosa se comportaron como se esperaba y exhibieron un aumento relativo de la densidad celular durante la temporada de lluvias en los dos años. La alta disponibilidad de nutrientes durante esta temporada debe haber influido en el comportamiento del fitoplancton a pesar de las diferencias en la temperatura y la intensidad de la luz entre estaciones. Otras especies nocivas notables, pero raras que se encontraron sólo en las redes de arrastre de plancton durante el estudio fueron: Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, Alexandriumtamiyavanichii, Cochlodinium polykrikoides y Noctiluca scintillans.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Bioarchaeological approaches are well suited for examining past responses to political and environmental changes. In the Andes, we hypothesized that political and environmental changes around AD 1100 resulted in behavioral changes, visible as shifts in paleodiet and paleomobility, among individuals in the San Pedro de Atacama oases and Loa River Valley. To investigate this hypothesis, we generated carbon and oxygen isotope data from cemeteries dating to the early Middle Horizon (Larache, Quitor-5, Solor-3), late Middle Horizon (Casa Parroquial, Coyo Oriental, Coyo-3, Solcor-Plaza, Solcor-3, Tchecar), and Late Intermediate Period (Caspana, Quitor-6 Tardío, Toconce, Yaye-1, Yaye-2, Yaye-3, Yaye-4). Carbon isotope data demonstrate a greater range of carbon sources during the late Middle Horizon compared with the Late Intermediate Period; while most individuals consumed largely C3 sources, some late Middle Horizon individuals consumed more C4 sources. Oxygen isotope data demonstrate greater diversity in drinking water sources during the late Middle Horizon compared with the Late Intermediate Period. Water samples were analyzed to provide baseline data on oxygen isotope variability within the Atacama Desert, and demonstrated that oxygen isotope values are indistinguishable in the San Pedro and Loa Rivers. However, oxygen isotope values in water sources in the high-altitude altiplano and coast are distinct from those in the San Pedro and Loa Rivers. In conclusion, instead of utilizing a wider variety of resources after environmental and political changes, individuals exhibited a wider range of paleodietary and paleomobility strategies during the Middle Horizon, a period of environmental and political stability.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The existing biocultural links are analyzed among ancient inhabitants of the Cochabamba valleys (Bolivia) from the Formative and Tiwanaku periods, coastal and inland Azapa region (Chile) from the Late Archaic to the Late periods, and the Atacama Desert oases (Chile) from the Formative period to the time of European contact. Craniometric information obtained from a sample of 565 individuals from different sites of the studied regions was evaluated using methods derived from quantitative genetics and multivariate statistical analysis techniques. It is shown that during the Formative and Tiwanaku periods inhabitants of the Cochabamba valleys maintained contact with the population of northern Chile. This contact was more fluid with the people from the interior valley of Azapa than it was with the settlers of San Pedro Atacama (SPA). An important biological affinity in the Late Period between the inhabitants of the Azapa valley and the late SPA groups is also examined. The Late-Inca Catarpe SPA sample shows a broad genetic variability shared with the majority of the groups studied. The results reaffirm the differences between the coastal and interior Azapa valley groups and strengthen the hypothesis of two pathways to populating the south central Andean area. The divergence observed among subpopulations can be explained by the spatiotemporal dispersion between them, genetic drift dispersion compensated by the action of gene flow, and cultural norms that regulate within group mating.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Ichthyofauna from wetlands of San Pedro, Balancán, Tabasco, México. San Pedro River’s wetlands sustain trophic nets in the fluvial system, due to the high habitat availability, and space and temporal variations. In order to describe the relationship between environmental parameters and ichthyofauna, this study evaluated fish assemblages composition, distribution, abundance, density, biomass, richness species, diversity and equitability in the wetlands. Sampling considered three different sites and climatic seasons (dry, rainy and cold fronts). The physical and chemical parameters considered were dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, water transparency and the depth. Fishes were caught with a shrimp net, after six minutes towings and were identified afterwards. A total of 1 049 organisms of 25 fish species were caught, two of which were exotic species: Oreochromis niloticus and Parachromis managuense. A total of 23 species were found at site I (with the highest density 0.23ind./m²), 17 at site II (0.23ind./m²) and 14 at site III (0.12ind./m²). The dry season had the highest species number with 21 species, followed by the rainy season with 17 species, and the cold season with five species. Similarly, the highest biomass (8.30g/m²) was found in dry season, followed by the rainy (2.16g/m²) and the cold seasons (0.03g/m²). Considering seasons, highest density was found during the dry (0.436ind./m²), followed by the rainy (0.213ind./m²) and the cold (0.023ind./m²) seasons. The dominant density species during the study period, according to the quadrants graphic of Olmstead-Tukey were: Petenia splendida, Vieja heterospila, Vieja synspila, Dorosoma petenense and Astyanax aeneus. There were significant differences in the species richness among sites. Temperature, depth and transparency showed differences among the seasons. The canonical correspondence analysis indicated that fish distribution was governed by environmental parameters during all seasons. In terms of fish abundance and composition, environmental parameters play an important role showing spatial and temporal differences in the ecosystem, this could be explained with the fact that most of young fishes have a movement behavior to the wetlands, searching refuge and feed during the dry season. Considering the diversity indexes variation, it may be concluded that San Pedro River’s wetlands correspond to a system where the ichthyofauna composition fluctuates spatial and seasonally. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 693-708. Epub 2011 June 01.

Los humedales de San Pedro sostienen redes tróficas del sistema fluvial debido a la alta disponibilidad de hábitats y a sus variaciones espacio-temporales. En esta investigación se estudió la composición, densidad y biomasa de la ictiofauna de los humedales; se capturaron 1 049 organismos de 25 especies, dos son exóticas: Oreochromis niloticus y Parachromis managuense. Con 23 especies capturadas en el sitio I, 17 en el II y 14 en el III. En la época de secas se obtuvo mayor riqueza con 21 especies, lluvias con 17 y cinco en nortes. La mayor densidad se mostró en el sitio II (0.23ind./m²), seguido de los sitios I y III (0.12, 0.12ind./m²). La mayor biomasa fue en secas (8.30g/m²), seguida de lluvias (2.1g/m²) y por último nortes (0.01g/m²). La mayor densidad se mostró en secas (0.43ind./m²) y la mínima en nortes (0.023ind./m²). Las especies dominantes en densidad según el diagrama Olmstead-Tukey fueron: Petenia splendida, Vieja heterospila, Vieja synspila, Dorosoma petenense y Astyanax aeneus. Por lo tanto, existieron diferencias significativas en los parámetros ecológicos y ambientales. Al considerar la variación en la riqueza podemos concluir que los humedales del río San Pedro, es un sistema donde la composición de la ictiofauna responde a las fluctuaciones espaciales y temporales.

Assuntos

RESUMO

El presente estudio analizó la distribución de la vegetación en el volcán San Pedro en términos de su riqueza, composición, estructura, y abundancia, con base en la posible relación que esta guarde con los cambios de exposición y altitud observados en el volcán. Para el efecto, el área con cobertura vegetal se dividió en tres pisos de altitud a partir de los 2,400 msnm hasta la cumbre a 3,020 msnm y en cuatro secciones verticales en relación a los cuatro puntos cardinales, dando como resultado el arreglo del área en 12 sub-áreas o estratos relativamente más homogéneos(en cuanto a altitud y exposición). En total se obtuvo una muestra de 36 unidades (parcelas de Whittaker de 0.1 Ha), correspondiendo tres parcelas por cada estrato...

Assuntos

RESUMO

A força da tradição é capaz de preservar costumes que caminham na contramão da trajetória sociocultural das populações urbanas atuais. Costumes como os rituais de sacrifício, apesar de muitas vezes condenados pela sociedade e de terem sofrido um sincretismo adaptativo, ainda guardam elementos tradicionais, confirmando sua importância como mediadores entre os mundos natural e sobrenatural. Um bom exemplo são as lutas rituais Tinku, identificadas em amostras esqueléticas pré-colombianas provenientes do deserto de Atacama, Chile, e que ainda persistem entre grupos andinos, com uma abrangência temporal de pelo menos 1.200 anos. O objetivo principal dessa luta é provocar o sangramento e a morte de seus participantes, oferecidos à divindade Pachamama para propiciar a fertilidade da terra e dos animais. Os rituais de sacrifício, como símbolos de identidade social, nos ajudam a conhecer melhor o ethos de sociedades passadas e atuais.

The power of tradition is capable of preserving customs that go counter to the social and cultural trends in today's urban centers. Though customs such as rites of sacrifice are often condemned by society and have undergone an adaptive syncretism, they still preserve ancient traditional elements that underline their importance as mediators between the natural and supernatural worlds. A good example of this is the Tinku ritual fight, identified in samples of Pre-Columbian skeletons from the Atacama desert in Chile, which continues to this day amongst Andean groups, having survived for at least 1,200 years. The main objective in this fight is that the participants bleed to death as offerings to the divinity, Pachamama, to assure the fertility of the land and the animals. When rites of sacrifice are understood as symbols of social identity, they give us a better understanding of the ethos of past and present societies, from a very particular perspective.

Assuntos