scholarly journals The impact of biological invasion and genomic local adaptation on the geographical distribution of Aedes aegypti in Panama

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly L. Bennett ◽  
W. Owen McMillan ◽  
Jose R. Loaiza.
Keyword(s):  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Population Persistence ◽  
Relative Fitness ◽  
Bocas Del Toro ◽  
Tropical Environments ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Caribbean

AbstractLocal adaptation is an important consideration when predicting arthropod-borne disease risk because it can impact on vector population fitness and persistence. However, the extent that vector populations are adapted to local environmental conditions and whether this can impact on species distributions generally remains unknown. Here we find that the geographic distribution of Ae. aegypti across Panama is rapidly changing as a consequence of the recent invasion by its ecological competitor, Aedes albopictus. Although Ae. albopictus has displaced Ae. aegypti in some areas, species coexist across many areas, raising the question: What biological and environmental factors permit population persistence?. Despite low population structure and high gene flow in Ae. aegypti across Panama, excepting the province of Bocas del Toro, we identify 128 candidate SNPs, clustered within 17 genes, which show a strong genetic signal of local adaptation. This putatively adaptive variation occurs across relatively fine geographic scales with the composition and frequency of candidate adaptive loci differing between populations in wet tropical environments along the Caribbean coast and the dry tropical conditions typical of the Pacific coast of Panama. Temperature and vegetation were important predictors of adaptive genomic variation in Ae. aegypti with potential areas of local adaptation occurring within the Caribbean region of Bocas del Toro, the Pacific coastal areas of Herrera and Panama City and the eastern Azuero Peninsula. Interestingly, several of these locations coincide with areas where Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus co-exist, suggesting that Ae. aegypti could have an adaptive edge under local environmental conditions that impacts on inter-specific competition with Ae. albopictus. Our results guide future experimental work by suggesting that locally adapted Ae. aegypti are able to persist on invasion by Ae. albopictus and, as a consequence, may fundamentally alter future arborviral disease risk and efforts to control mosquito populations.Author SummaryLocal environmental adaptation of mosquito vectors can alter the landscape of arthropod-borne disease by impacting on life history traits that increase their relative fitness thus promoting population persistence. We have identified a number of genomic loci in Ae. aegypti from Panama that exhibit a signal of natural selection associated with variation in the environment. Loci with a signal of local adaptation are predominately partitioned between wet and dry tropical environments with variation largely impacted by temperature and vegetation indices. Local adaptation in tandem with changes in the geographic distribution of Ae. aegypti due to the recent invasion of its ecological competitor, Ae. albopictus, has the potential to alter the landscape of arborviral disease.

scholarly journals Trophic position and isotopic niche of mangrove fish assemblages at both sides of the Isthmus of Panama

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara E Stuthmann ◽  
Gustavo A Castellanos-Galindo
Keyword(s):  
Food Webs ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Mangrove Ecosystem ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Isotopic Niche ◽  
Bocas Del Toro ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Caribbean

Fishes are important components of marine coastal ecosystems, often represented in food webs as second and third order consumers. Fish trophic positions (TP) in these food webs can vary across ontogeny and accurate estimation can provide insights into the functioning of these ecosystems. Mangrove ecosystem function can also vary depending on local and regional environmental conditions. Panamanian mangroves in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean occur under strikingly different environmental conditions after the closure of the Panama Isthmus over 3 mya and likely function differently. Here, we use δ15N and δ13C and Bayesian models to calculate the TP and the Convex Hull Area (TA) of the most common fish species inhabiting mangroves of the Gulf of Montijo and Bocas del Toro on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Panama, respectively. Thirteen dominant fishes were used for the estimation of TP, eight in the Pacific and five in the Caribbean. Mean TP of the communities was similar but with significantly larger variations in the Caribbean than in the Pacific. Similarly, the TA was larger for the Caribbean fish assemblage than for the Pacific. Both results indicate that trophic modes in the Caribbean fish assemblages are more varied than in the Pacific. With some exceptions, FishBase TP estimates correlated positively with TP stable isotope estimates. Our results suggest that TP and TA are good proxies for mangrove fish communities' trophic modes and that these metrics may vary depending on mangrove environmental settings.

scholarly journals Distribution extension for Anolis salvini Boulenger, 1885 (Reptilia: Squamata: Dactyloidae), in western Panama

Check List ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe-Felix Bienentreu ◽  
Andreas Hertz ◽  
Gunther Köhler ◽  
Sebastian Lotzkat
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Distribution ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
First Record ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Distress Call ◽  
Cordillera Central ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
New Localities ◽  
The Caribbean

We report new localities for the lizard Anolis salvini Boulenger, 1885, along the Pacific slopes of the Cordillera Central in Chiriquí province and the Comarca Ngöbe-Buglé of western Panama. These records extend the known geographic distribution of this species about 70 km eastwards. They also extend the known vertical distribution approximately 70 m uphill. Additionally, we provide the first record for the Caribbean slopes, an updated distribution map, photos of specimens from different localities, an analysis of a distress call, and comments on the morphology of this species.

scholarly journals New records of Diploglossus monotropis (Kuhl, 1820) (Squamata: Anguidae) from Urabá and Magdalena River valley, Colombia, with an updated geographic distribution map

Check List ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1703
Author(s):  
Román Felipe Díaz-Ayala ◽  
Paul David Gutiérrez Cárdenas ◽  
Angelly Mariela Vásquez-Correa ◽  
Jóse Rances Caicedo-Portilla
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
New Records ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Wide Geographical Distribution ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Magdalena River ◽  
Scientific Collections

Based on recent records, published data, and review of specimens deposited in scientific collections, we present an updated map of the geographic distribution of Diploglossus monotropis in Colombia. Our data show that this species has a wide geographical distribution, including the Pacific versant of the Cordillera Occidental, the inter-Andean valley of the Magdalena River, and the Caribbean lowlands of northern Colombia.

scholarly journals Exploring the Distribution of Coccidioides immitis in South Central Washington State

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Clifford
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Positive Sample ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Coccidioides Immitis ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
South Central

ObjectiveOur objective is to describe the environmental conditions associatedwith confirmedCoccidioides immitisgrowth and accumulation sitesin south central Washington in an effort to understand the ecology andidentify additional potential sites across this emerging endemic zone.IntroductionCoccidioidomycosis, commonly referred to as Valley Fever, iscaused by the soil-borne saprophytic fungusC. immitisandposadasii.These species have historically been found in the desert southwest andMexico; however, in 2010 there were three coccidioidomycosis casesidentified in central Washington. Colonization of soils byC. immitishas been confirmed at exposure sites associated with these cases1.Multiple studies have identified a relationship between environmentalconditions andC. immitisgrowth areas2,3,4, but these relationshipshave not been evaluated in Washington. The Washington StateDepartment of Health has been conducting environmental surveillancein an effort to understand the geographic distribution ofC. immitisincentral Washington and the associated risk to humans and animals.Here we describe our environmental surveillance efforts and presentpreliminary findings related to environmental conditions ofC. immitisgrowth areas in central Washington.MethodsWe collected soil samples at potential human exposure sites incentral Washington, as identified through clinical surveillance andpatient interviews. Soil samples were also collected from areasnot associated with human cases by looking for similar soils inareas of interest Soil samples are analyzed by the U.S. Centers forDisease Control and Prevention using real-time PCR that detectsCoccidioides-specific targets. We employed data from the USDA SoilSurvey Geographic (SSURGO) database to describe environmentalconditions associated with positive samples. We used our findingsto identify un-sampled regions of central Washington that couldpotentially supportC. immitisgrowth.ResultsWe detectedCoccidioidesin 13 soil sampling sites at fivelocations withing the region. These detections included locations notpreviously described in central Washington. We identified a bandstretching across central Yakima and Benton counties with similarsoil characteristics to our positive sample sites, which suggests theseregions could potentially support the growth ofC. immitis.ConclusionsCoccidioidomycosis is emerging in south central Washington, andthe ecology and geographic distribution of the pathogen are poorlyunderstood. We found thatC. immitispresents a risk to humans andanimals across a larger region of central Washington than previouslydescribed and highlights a need for continued environmentalsurveillance. The potential growth sites we identified also providea valuable tool for human and veterinary health care providers andpublic health practitioners to understand and mitigate disease risk.

scholarly journals Planktotrophic Brachiopod Larvae from the Pacific and Caribbean of Panama

Diversity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Collin ◽  
Dagoberto Venera-Pontón ◽  
Amy Driskell ◽  
Kenneth Macdonald ◽  
Michael Boyle
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Unit ◽  
Bocas Del Toro ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Low Levels

Lingulids and discinids are the only brachiopods that exhibit life histories that include a feeding planktonic stage usually referred to as a “larva”. We collected planktotrophic brachiopod larvae from the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Panama and took a DNA barcoding approach with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), mitochondrial ribosomal 16S, and nuclear ribosomal 18S genes to identify those larvae and to estimate their diversity in the region. We observed specimens from both coasts with distinct morphologies typical of lingulid and discinid larvae. COI and 16S were sequenced successfully for the lingulid larvae but failed consistently for all discinid larvae. 18S was sequenced successfully for larvae from both families. Sequence data from each gene revealed one lingulid operational taxonomic unit (OTU) from Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast, and one lingulid OTU from the Bay of Panama on the Pacific coast. These OTUs differed by >20% for COI, >10% for 16S and ~0.5% for 18S. Both OTUs clustered with GenBank sequences of Glottidia species, the only genus of lingulids in the Americas, but were distinct from G. pyramidata the only species reported for the Caribbean. Analysis of 18S sequence data for discinid larvae recovered 2 OTUs, one exclusively from the Pacific and one with a mixture of Pacific and Caribbean larvae. The 18S marker does not provide enough resolution to distinguish between species, and comparisons with GenBank sequences suggest that one OTU includes Pelagodiscus species, while the other may include Discradisca species. When compared with other marine invertebrates, our surveys of brachiopod larvae through DNA barcoding show relatively low levels of diversity for Panama.

scholarly journals Is urban bushmeat trade in Colombia really insignificant?

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie van Vliet ◽  
Maria Quiceno ◽  
Jessica Moreno ◽  
Daniel Cruz ◽  
John E. Fa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris ◽  
Wild Meat ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
Bushmeat Trade ◽  
Brocket Deer

AbstractThe bushmeat trade in ecosystems in South America other than those within the Amazon basin is presumed to be insignificant, as alternative sources of protein (e.g. beef, chicken, fish) are considered to be more readily available in non-moist forests. However, studies and confiscation reports from countries such as Colombia suggest that bushmeat is consumed in a variety of ecosystems, although the nature of market chains, particularly in urban areas, is still unknown. We studied the urban bushmeat trade in markets in the five main ecoregions in Colombia. We recorded a total of 85 species, the most frequently traded being the paca Cuniculus paca, red brocket deer Mazama americana, grey brocket deer Mazama gouazoubira, capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, armadillo Dasypus spp. and black agouti Dasyprocta fuliginosa. Most sales of wild meat occur through clandestine channels and involve a limited number of stakeholders. Bushmeat is a luxury product in urban areas of the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Andean regions. Further work is needed to quantify and monitor the volumes of bushmeat traded, comprehend motivations, explore ways of reducing threats, and engage with stakeholders to organize legal and sustainable use of bushmeat.

Identification of Tropical Cyclones’ Critical Positions Associated with Extreme Precipitation Events in Central America

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo G. Hidalgo ◽  
Eric J. Alfaro ◽  
Franklin Hernández-Castro ◽  
Paula M. Pérez-Briceño
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Critical Path ◽  
Central American ◽  
Pacific Basin ◽  
Extreme Precipitation Events ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Indirect Impacts ◽  
Precipitation Events

<p>Tropical cyclones are one of the most important causes of disasters in Central America. Using historical (1970–2010) tracks of cyclones in the Caribbean and Pacific basin, we identify critical path locations where these low-pressure systems cause the highest number of floods in a set of 88 precipitation stations in the region. Results show that tropical cyclones from the Caribbean and Pacific basin produce a large number of indirect impacts on the Pacific slope of the Central American isthmus. Although the direct impact of a tropical cyclone usually results in devastation in the affected region, the indirect effects are more common and sometimes equally severe. In fact, the storm does not need to be an intense hurricane to cause considerable impacts and damage. The location of even a lower intensity storm in critical positions of the oceanic basin can result in destructive indirect impacts in Central America. The identification of critical positions can be used for emergency agencies in the region to issue alerts of possible flooding and catastrophic events.</p>

scholarly journals New records and update on the geographic distribution of the Bonyeared Assfish, Acanthonus armatus Günther, 1878 (Ophidiidae, Neobythitinae), in the Caribbean region

Check List ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 767-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Polanco F. ◽  
Luisa F. Dueñas ◽  
Jorge Leon ◽  
Vladimir Puentes
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Current Distribution ◽  
New Records ◽  
Range Extension ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Continental Coast ◽  
Remote Operate Vehicle ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
First Time

Acanthonus armatus Günther, 1878 is reported for the first time in the southwestern Caribbean region, off Colombia. Remote Operate Vehicle videos and towed camera still photographs captured 13 images of A. armatus between 2215 and 2564 m. These are the first records of the species in the Caribbean continental coast of Colombia, representing a range extension to the southwestern Caribbean region, since previous records are from the northeastern Caribbean. Some photos of the specimens and the current distribution of the species in the Caribbean region are provided and reviewed.

scholarly journals Distribution extension for Leposoma rugiceps (Cope, 1869) (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) in Panama, with first record from Bocas del Toro Province

Check List ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 520
Author(s):  
Sebastian Lotzkat ◽  
Andreas Hertz ◽  
Rosalba De Leon ◽  
Gunther Köhler
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
First Record ◽  
Bocas Del Toro

Reporting on the first locality in Bocas del Toro province of extreme western Panama, we extend the known geographic distribution of the lizard Leposoma rugiceps (Cope, 1869) about 275 km westwards from the nearest locality in Panamá province. We provide photos of Panamanian specimens, comment on their morphology, and map the distribution of this binational endemism.

scholarly journals Shifts in the relative fitness contributions of fecundity and survival in variable and changing environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 224 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. jeb228031
Author(s):  
Lauren B. Buckley ◽  
Sean D. Schoville ◽  
Caroline M. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Relative Fitness ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Fitness Components ◽  
Climate Variability And Change ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Climate Gradients ◽  
Recent Climate

ABSTRACTOrganisms respond to shifts in climate means and variability via distinct mechanisms. Accounting for these differential responses and appropriately aggregating them is central to understanding and predicting responses to climate variability and change. Separately considering fitness components can clarify organismal responses: fecundity is primarily an integrated, additive response to chronic environmental conditions over time via mechanisms such as energy use and acquisition, whereas survival can be strongly influenced by short-term, extreme environmental conditions. In many systems, the relative importance of fecundity and survival constraints changes systematically along climate gradients, with fecundity constraints dominating at high latitudes or altitudes (i.e. leading range edges as climate warms), and survival constraints dominating at trailing range edges. Incorporating these systematic differences in models may improve predictions of responses to recent climate change over models that assume similar processes along environmental gradients. We explore how detecting and predicting shifts in fitness constraints can improve our ability to forecast responses to climate gradients and change.

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