Updating the bionomy and geographical distribution of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albitarsis F: A vector of malaria parasites in northern South America

Anopheles albitarsis F is a putative species belonging to the Albitarsis Complex, recognized by rDNA, mtDNA, partial white gene, and microsatellites sequences. It has been reported from the island of Trinidad, Venezuela and Colombia, and incriminated as a vector of malaria parasites in the latter. This study examined mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase I (MT-CO1) sequences of An. albitarsis F from malaria-endemic areas in Colombia and Venezuela to understand its relations with other members of the Complex, revised and update the geographical distribution and bionomics of An. albitarsis F and explore hypotheses to explain its phylogenetic relationships and geographical expansion. Forty-five MT-CO1 sequences obtained in this study were analyzed to estimate genetic diversity and possible evolutionary relationships. Sequences generated 37 haplotypes clustered in a group where the genetic divergence of Venezuelan populations did not exceed 1.6% with respect to Colombian samples. Anopheles albitarsis F (π = 0.013) represented the most recent cluster located closer to An. albitarsis I (π = 0.009). Barcode gap was detected according to Albitarsis Complex lineages previously reported (threshold 0.014–0.021). Anopheles albitarsis F has a wide distribution in northern South America and might play an important role in the transmission dynamics of malaria due to its high expansion capacity. Future studies are required to establish the southern distribution of An. albitarsis F in Venezuela, and its occurrence in Guyana and Ecuador.

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The rudist Amphitriscoelus (Bivalvia-Hippuritacea) in the lower Cretaceous of southwestern Mexico

Journal of Paleontology ◽

10.1017/s0022336000038336 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 399-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Gloria Alencaster ◽

Jerjes Pantoja-Alor

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

South America ◽

Lower Cretaceous ◽

Volcanic Rocks ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Carbonate Sediments ◽

Rudist Bivalves ◽

Northern South America ◽

A New Species ◽

Rich Fauna

The emended descriptions of the genus Amphitriscoelus and the species A. waringi Harris and Hodson are given, and a new species is proposed (A. pluriloculata). These rudist bivalves are derived from a thick Lower Cretaceous sequence of carbonate sediments interlayered with siliciclastic, volcaniclastic, and volcanic rocks in southwestern Mexico, near Huetamo, in the State of Michoacan. The species belong to a recently discovered rich fauna containing other rudists, nerineid gastropods, orbitolinid foraminifers, and calcareous algae. The fauna shows a close affinity with the Amphitriscoelus fauna of northern South America. Similar assemblages are also present in Texas, Cuba and other Mexican localities. The wide distribution of the fauna allows interpretation of paleogeographic relations among all the regions as well as interpretation of paleoecological similarities. The existence of an homogeneous large faunistic province during the Early Cretaceous is suggested.

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Ecology and biogeography in the introduction to “De bestiis marinis” by Georg Wilhelm Steller

Archives of Natural History ◽

10.3366/anh.2019.0554 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 63-74

Author(s):

Stefano Mattioli

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Marine Mammals ◽

Main Part ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Restricted Range ◽

Direct Influence ◽

Modern Biology

The rediscovery of the original, unedited Latin manuscript of Georg Wilhelm Steller's “De bestiis marinis” (“On marine mammals”), first published in 1751, calls for a new translation into English. The main part of the treatise contains detailed descriptions of four marine mammals, but the introduction is devoted to more general issues, including innovative speculation on morphology, ecology and biogeography, anticipating arguments and concepts of modern biology. Steller noted early that climate and food have a direct influence on body size, pelage and functional traits of mammals, potentially affecting reversible changes (phenotypic plasticity). Feeding and other behavioural habits have an impact on the geographical distribution of mammals. Species with a broad diet tend to have a wide distribution, whereas animals with a narrow diet more likely have only a restricted range. According to Steller, both sea and land then still concealed countless animals unknown to science.

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Air quality variations in Northern South America during the COVID-19 lockdown

The Science of The Total Environment ◽

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141621 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 749 ◽

pp. 141621 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Juan F. Mendez-Espinosa ◽

Nestor Y. Rojas ◽

Jorge Vargas ◽

Jorge E. Pachón ◽

Luis C. Belalcazar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

South America ◽

Northern South America

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Ground-motion model for subduction earthquakes in northern South America

Earthquake Spectra ◽

10.1177/87552930211027585 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 875529302110275

Author(s):

Carlos A Arteta ◽

Cesar A Pajaro ◽

Vicente Mercado ◽

Julián Montejo ◽

Mónica Arcila ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

Ground Motion ◽

Ground Motions ◽

Strong Motion ◽

Motion Prediction ◽

Depth Range ◽

Ground Motion Prediction ◽

Natural Period ◽

Nazca Plate ◽

Northern South America

Subduction ground motions in northern South America are about a factor of 2 smaller than the ground motions for similar events in other regions. Nevertheless, historical and recent large-interface and intermediate-depth slab earthquakes of moment magnitudes Mw = 7.8 (Ecuador, 2016) and 7.2 (Colombia, 2012) evidenced the vast potential damage that vulnerable populations close to earthquake epicenters could experience. This article proposes a new empirical ground-motion prediction model for subduction events in northern South America, a regionalization of the global AG2020 ground-motion prediction equations. An updated ground-motion database curated by the Colombian Geological Survey is employed. It comprises recordings from earthquakes associated with the subduction of the Nazca plate gathered by the National Strong Motion Network in Colombia and by the Institute of Geophysics at Escuela Politécnica Nacional in Ecuador. The regional terms of our model are estimated with 539 records from 60 subduction events in Colombia and Ecuador with epicenters in the range of −0.6° to 7.6°N and 75.5° to 79.6°W, with Mw≥4.5, hypocentral depth range of 4 ≤ Zhypo ≤ 210 km, for distances up to 350 km. The model includes forearc and backarc terms to account for larger attenuation at backarc sites for slab events and site categorization based on natural period. The proposed model corrects the median AG2020 global model to better account for the larger attenuation of local ground motions and includes a partially non-ergodic variance model.

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Human Q Fever on the Guiana Shield and Brazil: Recent Findings and Remaining Questions

Current Tropical Medicine Reports ◽

10.1007/s40475-021-00243-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Loïc Epelboin ◽

Carole Eldin ◽

Pauline Thill ◽

Vincent Pommier de Santi ◽

Philippe Abboud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

French Guiana ◽

Q Fever ◽

Guiana Shield ◽

Animal Reservoir ◽

The World ◽

Unique Strain ◽

Amazonian Region

Abstract Purpose of Review In this review, we report on the state of knowledge about human Q fever in Brazil and on the Guiana Shield, an Amazonian region located in northeastern South America. There is a contrast between French Guiana, where the incidence of this disease is the highest in the world, and other countries where this disease is practically non-existent. Recent Findings Recent findings are essentially in French Guiana where a unique strain MST17 has been identified; it is probably more virulent than those usually found with a particularly marked pulmonary tropism, a mysterious animal reservoir, a geographical distribution that raises questions. Summary Q fever is a bacterial zoonosis due to Coxiella burnetii that has been reported worldwide. On the Guiana Shield, a region mostly covered by Amazonian forest, which encompasses the Venezuelan State of Bolivar, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and the Brazilian State of Amapá, the situation is very heterogeneous. While French Guiana is the region reporting the highest incidence of this disease in the world, with a single infecting clone (MST 117) and a unique epidemiological cycle, it has hardly ever been reported in other countries in the region. This absence of cases raises many questions and is probably due to massive under-diagnosis. Studies should estimate comprehensively the true burden of this disease in the region.

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STUDIES ON STRONGYLOIDES AGOUTII SP. NOV. FROM THE AGOUTI (DASYPROCTA AGOUTI)

Canadian Journal of Research ◽

10.1139/cjr40d-015 ◽

1940 ◽

Vol 18d (5) ◽

pp. 173-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Henry J. Griffiths

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Variation ◽

South America ◽

Biological Study ◽

Free Living ◽

Classical Studies ◽

Group A ◽

Northern South America

A morphological and biological study is presented of a hitherto unrecorded member of the genus Strongyloides from the golden-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta agouti), a rodent native to Trinidad, B.W.I., and northern South America. The name Strongyloides agoutii sp. nov. is proposed for this species.Observations on the free-living development over a period of three years showed the indirect type to prevail; no seasonal variation was observed. Continuous propagation of the free-living generation of this species was not observed in faecal cultures or on artificial media.A brief résumé of the classical studies on species of the genus Strongyloides is included, together with a summary of existing hypotheses and theories on the biology of this group. A list of species and hosts for this genus is given.

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