Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

This research directs the total microbiological coliform and Escherichia coli analysis in Anadara tubercullosa and Anadara similis; this research was done in the Archipelago of Jambeli, Province of El Oro. In the development of this study, samples were obtained from four strategic points. These samples were taken in the dry season (November) and in the rainy season (December); Chromocult Agar was used as a culture medium in 240 shells. The results obtained in the culture analysis show total coliform in A. similis. The median for the first sampling was 1.5x10-4 CFU/100g; the second sampling median was 2.0x10-4UFC/100g.  For A. tuberculose the first sampling median was 1.7x10-4 CFUs/100g; the second sampling median was 2.4x10-4 CFU/100g. Among the four sampling points, point two was the one with the highest contamination; it had 2.1 x 10.4UFC/100g. The presence of E. coli was not found in either species. It was suggested that the species´ bacterial count level be reduced by means of a purifications system and by cooking the bivalves before eating them.

At the present time, one of the main life means is being altered; this is due mainly to humans, whose productive daily activities generate bacteria that alter physical and chemical water conditions. The present work´s aim was to ascertain the total coliforms and Escherichia coli concentration in the Chulluype estuary, in the province of Santa Elena. Five sample were randomly collected in different estuary points. The microorganism concentration levels were ascertained; results were then compared with the maximum permissible limits established in the Ministry of Environment´s annex 1 of Book VI of Secondary Legislation Unified Text (TULSMA according to Spanish initials). Maximum total coliform values of 4x107 NMP / mL were obtained; these exceeded permissible limits. Values of 2x102 CFU / mL were obtained in relation to E. coli and these did not exceed permissible limits. A phytoremediation was finally proposed in order to recover natural conditions.

Mangrove forests support high levels of biodiversity that form the basis of subsistence and livelihoods in coastal communities worldwide. This paper explores the range of marine products consumed by households in a mangrove-dependent community in Ecuador. In ethnobiological interviews, 48 species of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans were named, of which 85% are harvested directly by the inhabitants and exchangedbetween households. Findings also suggest that changes in consumption patterns in the past 10 years reflect broader socio-environmental trends, such as a decline in available resources, population growth, and conflicts with industrial fishing fleets. A more systematic and detailed analysis is needed to advance understanding about the relationship between subsistence and environmental change.  

The leaf anatomy of Calliandra riparia was studied in an altitudinal gradient in order to establish the possible structural plasticity of this species to cope with environmental changes related with the increase on altitude. Leaves of adult plants growing at 800 and 1030 masl were collected, fixed in FAA (formaldehyde, acetic acid and ethanol) and then processed by classical techniques used in optical microscopy. The anatomy of the lamina, the midrib and the petiole were similar at both considered altitudes; however, differences were observed on quantitative anatomical variables of the leaf blade which seem to be related to the increase in solar radiation at the higher altitude. These differences show that this species develops some anatomical strategies at foliar level for its adaptation along the altitudinal gradient.

In Ecuador, Agreements for the Sustainable Use and Custody of Mangrove (ASUCM) require the beneficiaries to agree to protected it, in exchange for sustainable exploitation. This agreement demands beneficiaries to furnishnmonetary resources and/or man hours of work that are contributed by custodians. Some areas, are also part of the Social Mangrove Program. This program gives custodians a monetary incentive. The management accounting of Las Huacas and Pongalillo, between 2016 and 2018, was revised. LasHuacas and Pongalillo were in the Jambelí archipielago´s western face. This revision will allow as to become aware of the operation of the management models developed as well as to present alternative for the  sustainable strategic mangrove community development. The geographic distribution, the structuralorganization and management capacity of the areas under custody for this development must be recognized and play determinating roles in assignation of the scarce available resources. It is recommended that new sources of financing be developed in order to insure the success of ASUCM.

Distal cholangiocarcinoma is a highly lethal malignant tumor. The main carcinogenic risk factor is chronic inflammation of the bile ducts. Currently, Whipple surgery remains the only treatment option with curative intent. It is proposed to identify patients with this type of tumor and choose the ideal surgery method to maximize patient benefits. The case of a 62-year-old male patient, former smoker and alcoholic, has been reported for 20 years. I have intermittent abdominal pain, dyspepsia and loss of appetite. Imaging tests show large gallbladder with dilation of the upper third of the bile duct with narrowness in the distal segment. Whipple surgery was chosen due to laparotomy. The patient presented postoperative hemodynamic complications, so it is concluded that open surgery generates traumatic stress and should be managed by medical personnel and high-level hospitals.

During the last decade, the Ecuadorian government has designed and implemented a set of policies to improve mangrove forests conditions and their ability to provide ecosystem services. The present work aims to identify and explain current policies related to mangrove conservation in the Gulf of Guayaquil, which is a coastal region hosting more than 70% of Ecuador´s mangroves. The main assumption underlying this effort is the notion that mangrove conservation might be critically linked to subjective measures; these measures would better the welfare for populations that live in this ecosystem and depend on it. Based on the evidence of recent studies an institutional economic analysis was conducted; this analysis used the Situation, Structure and Performance framework. Results support the original assumption. Challenges were also identified for the continuity of current policies and new urgent needs for future research.

Urban parks are birds´ refuge, feeding and nesting places. They are, therefore, priority conservation areas. The avifauna richness, abundance and diversity in Centenario, Seminario and San Agustin parks were analyzed through the comparison of variables such as park surface area and bird distribution in vertical vegetation strata for conservation points establishment. Counting point methodology was used and birds were identified using the Aves del Ecuador field guide (Birds of Ecuador). It was determined that Centenario Park showed greater richness, since it registered a total of 20 birds observed; Seminario Park, 17 bird; and San Agustin Park, 7 birds. Three globally threatened species were recorded: Aratinga erythrogenys, Brotogeris pyrrhopterus and Conopias albovittata.

Notopleura agostinii is ae Henri Pittier National Park endemic species.  Leaf blade anatomy of two populations of this species, were studied in order to relate it to the habitat in which they develop. Blade samples were collected in plants growing in the transitional cloud forest (1100 m altitude) and at the cloud forest proper (1350 m altitude); they were fixed in FAA and processed following classical techniques used in optical microscopy. Leaf anatomy was described and some quantitative variables were ascertained.  Leaf anatomical characteristics showed higromorphic feature presence: few parenchymal layers with some funnel-shaped cells, lax spongy parenchyma, relatively large stomata and scarce mechanical tissue, those characters were found to be more pronounced when plants grow in the cloud forest (1350 m altitude).

The Asian psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is a potential problem for citrus farming in Ecuador due to the transmission of Huanlongbing, a devastating bacterial disease. Although the disease has not been reported, D. citri was detected in 2013 in Ecuador in the province of Guayas. It was observed in 2016 in the province of Manabí, on an orange jessamine tree, Murraya paniculata. Additionally, its parasitoid, Tamarixia radiata has not been referred to Manabí. To document the dispersion of the insect and parasitoid in the region, during May - December 2018, M. paniculata and citrus trees were sampled in 107 production units of Portoviejo and Santa Ana, where the phytophage and its parasitoid were detected on M. paniculata (since May 2018) and citrus only the phytophage was observed (since November 2018). Results suggest the establishment of D. citri and T. radiata on M. paniculata and its recent colonization on citrus.