Callogorgia spp. and Their Brittle Stars: Recording Unknown Relationships in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea

The habitat formed by the Callogorgia species, with their abundance and colony sizes, provides an important refuge for a variety of brittle stars which are recognized as the epibionts of octocorals in both shallow and deep environments. In such a relationship, ophiurans benefit directly from being elevated because they facilitate their feeding by suspension, while octocorals do not seem to benefit or be harmed. During three different expeditions developed in the Colombian Pacific from 2012 to 2013 and in the Caribbean Sea during 1998 and 2012 by the INVEMAR - Marine and Coastal Research institute, different samplings were carried out on soft bottoms through trawls with an epibenthic net. For the Pacific Ocean, 33 fragments of the octocoral Callogorgia cf. galapagensis Cairns, 2018 with 178 specimens of the ophiuroid Astrodia cf. excavata (Lütken and Mortensen, 1899) were found in two stations at depths 530 and 668 m. Considering the abundance of A. cf excavata, other biological characters such as size, presence of mature gonads, and evidence of arm regeneration were also detailed. In contrast, in the Caribbean Sea, Callogorgia gracilis (Milne Edwards and Haime, 1857) was found with ophiuroids belonging to the genera Asteroschema and Ophiomitra. The octocoral Callogorgia americana (Cairns and Bayer, 2002) was also found, but without associated brittle stars. These findings constituted the first specific association reported in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, and new relationships for the Caribbean Sea. This further reflected a possible specific association between the Callogorgia and Astrodia species that needed to be further explored. Thus, the Callogorgia species and the brittle star A. cf. excavata represented new records for the Colombian Pacific Ocean and the southern Caribbean Sea.

Pandemia en un contexto gore. Un análisis necropolítico de Tumaco

La desigualdad estructural, profundizada por el proyecto neoliberal, a la cual han sido sometidas muchas regiones de América Latina como el Pacífico colombiano, ha contribuido a la configuración de un contexto de vulnerabilidad en el que convergen múltiples violencias, cuyos efectos se recrudecen durante las crisis humanitarias. Este artículo tiene como propósito examinar, desde el análisis documental, algunos de los impactos de la pandemia de COVID-19 en Tumaco, bajo una lectura de necropolítica y capitalismo gore propuestos por Achille Mbembe (2011) y Sayak Valencia (2010). A partir de este análisis, se concluye que la condición geográfica de border, asociada al desarrollo de mercado que cohabita con profundas estructuras de desigualdad socioeconómica y violencias, multiplica los riesgos sobre ciertas vidas en momentos de crisis. Geografías de pobreza, participación de sujetos endriagos y circulación de mercancías ilícitas, recrudecen los ejercicios necropolíticos contra cuerpos afrodescendientes. Pandemic in a Gore context. A necropolitical analysis of Tumaco Abstract: The structural inequality, intensified with the neoliberal project, to which many regions of Latin America such as the Colombian Pacific have been subjected, has contributed to the con- figuration of a context of vulnerability in which multiple types of violence converge, whose effects worsen during humanitarian crises. The purpose of this article is to examine, from a documentary analysis, some of the impacts of COVID-19 in Tumaco under a reading of Necropolítica y Capi- talismo Gore proposed by Achille Mbembe (2011) and Sayak Valencia (2010). From this analysis, it is concluded that the geographic border condition, associated with the development of the market that coexists with deep structures of socioeconomic inequality and violence, multiplies the risks to certain lives in moments of crisis. Geographies of poverty, the participation of sujetos endriagos and the circulation of illicit merchandise intensify the necropolitical exercises against Afro-descendant bodies. Keywords: Tumaco, necropolitics, border, COVID-19, violence.

Hermaphroditism of bivalves Anadara tuberculosa and Anadara similis Sowerby 1883 (Arcidae) in Colombian Pacific mangroves

The hermaphrodite condition of the cockles Anadara tuberculosa and Anadara similis, gonochoric species living in mangroves of the Pacific coast of Colombia, are described in this paper. The gonads of 290 individuals of A. tuberculosa and 336 individuals of A. similis collected in five localities of the Colombian Pacific coast were analyzed using histological methods. Our results exposed that 3.1 % of A. tuberculosa and 3.0 % of A. similis analyzed showed signs of both ovules and spermatozoids, as well as simultaneous sexual maturation. Based on this frequency of occurrence of hermaphrodite individuals and the fact that hermaphrodite organisms were present in most of the sampling sites, we conclude that hermaphroditism is a normal rather than casual condition of these two species. We suggest that future studies in the hermaphroditism of these organisms center on the determination of factors potentially affecting this condition.

Telmatometropsis fredyi gen. nov., sp. nov.: a new water strider from the Colombian Pacific region (Insecta, Hemiptera, Gerridae)

A new genus of Gerridae (Insecta, Hemiptera, Heteroptera) in the subfamily Trepobatinae, Telmatometropsisgen. nov., with a single included species, T. fredyisp. nov., is described from the Colombian Pacific region. Representatives of the new genus were collected in mangrove lagoons of Buenaventura Bay, Valle del Cauca Department. The new genus can be diagnosed by the relative proportions of the antennomeres, the shape of the male fore tarsus, and by the black markings on the head, thorax and abdomen.

Identification of Synergies and Conflicts in Coastal and Marine uses in Colombian Pacific: a Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis

The increasing demands for physical space towards diverse maritime activities call for coherent planning and scientific knowledge to support the management of the marine the environment. Using secondary multi-scale geographic information gathered from national institutions, expert judgment and a multi-criteria analysis integrated with GIS tools, we aimed to identify potential synergies and conflicts between human activities occurring in the jurisdiction of the master harbor of Buenaventura in the Valle del Cauca department (CP01) in the Colombian Pacific coast. We identified 105 overlaps in which 5.04% were categorized with high CNI (Conflict Normalized Index), while 13 interactions were evaluated with the highest conflict value, representing 14 sectors/groups. Additionally, 12.97% of the overlaps were categorized with a medium number of overlaps (4-6 overlays use), specifically distributed inside the Buenaventura Bay. Conservation uses (Protected Areas – SINAP in Colombia) was consistent within all 13 incompatibilities and conflicts distribution along the study area was not homogenous. The methodological approach used in this study can be used to identify conflicts and synergies in human uses and activities in the marine and coastal environment through the implementation of a methodology adapted to the context of the area. It presents a technical contribution to future processes of Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning and the Integrated Management of the Coastal Zone of Colombia.