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

Clerodendrum indicum (Lamiaceae) is a medicinally important shrub. We have studied the details of its pollination ecology which was hitherto unknown. The work was done during three consecutive years 2012-2014, based on 118 plants occurring in three widely separated wild populations in West Bengal, India, together with 25 individuals grown in an experimental plot. Details of flower structure and dynamics of floral events, pollen production and pollen dispersal, visitors and pollinators, floral attractants and floral rewards and pollen transfer mechanism have been worked out by standard methodologies with a 10x high resolution hand lens (IRL), a Leica WILD M3B Stereo-binocular microscope (Switzerland) and a Leica DMLB compound bright field light microscope (Germany). The tubular flower of four-day longevity attracts its visitors by visual cues. Flowers are visited regularly by ten species of insects. On the basis of the visitor behaviour, these can be classified into three distinct categories, viz., visitors belonging to Category-I act on cushion and trichome nectaries of calyx and corolla respectively, those of Category-II act on the dehisced anthers and trichome nectaries of corolla while those of Category-III act on dehisced anthers as well as receptive stigma. Majority of the visitors belong to either Category-I or Category-II. They visit only the 2nd day flowers and never visit a 3rd day flower when the stigma assumes receptivity. Therefore, they are not regarded as pollinators but, act as pollen and/or nectar robbers. Those are discriminated by offering secretions from extra-nuptial nectaries of the flower. Visitor species of Category-III, represented by a species of Trigona, constitute the legitimate pollinator of the plant and thereby, making the plant monophilic. Pollen presentation from the bisexual, dichogamous and protandrous flower takes place on the 2nd day, while the stigma assumes its receptivity on the 3rd day of flower opening. Pollen transfer to the body of the pollinator by a 2nd day flower in its male phase is achieved by offering edible pollen grains. On the other hand, a 3rd day flower at its female phase is devoid of the reward (pollen grain). The yellow shiny receptive stigma of such a flower strikingly mimics the freshly dehisced anthers and the pollinators being lured by such a stigma inadvertently transfer pollen onto it. C. indicum is so far the only known species of flowering plants where deceit pollination occurs by anther-mimicking stigma in a bisexual flower.

Nesting success has been a surrogate to assess environmental changes that affect the reproductive success of birds, and to analyze changes that influence natality. We analyzed the nesting success of Turdus grayi at "El Zapotal" Recreational Ecological Preserve, Central Chiapas. During the 2015 breeding season, we intensively searched for active nests and evaluated habitat characteristics. We located a total of 56 nests of which 27 (48.2 %) were successful and 29 (51.7 %) were unsuccessful. Most unsuccessful nests (19) were depredated, while 8 (27.6 %) were abandoned and 2 (6.9 %) parasitized. Nesting success was 46 %. Depredation was the main mechanism of nest failure, mostly during incubation. We identified operating variables at site and patch scales. Through analysis of binary logistic regression models for each scale, we predicted which variables increased the probability of nesting success. We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to rule out possible interactions among variables. At nest scale we found that nest height, ranging 4.2 - 5.1 m had increased nesting success, while at patch scale, the probability of nest success was greater at sites with a tree density ≥ 12. Our results indicated that the probability of nesting success did not show a relationship between scales. We suggest a decoupling between scales and mechanism. Thus, habitat changes occurring at local scale did not seem to interfere with the patch scale. Also, our results showed that variation in characteristics at nest scale could also influence depredation, when depredation had been presented at random, since nests with medium and high probability of being successful, failed also for this reason. Thus, in order to understand the factors, mechanisms and life history characteristics influencing nesting success, we suggest that in addition to the environmental variables, future studies should also consider the bird nesting behaviour.

The study of changes in abundance and composition of copepod species, at different temporal and spatial scales, help to understand the ecosystems function and how the oceanographic dynamics affects their variability and other resources abundances. Since very few studies have been developed on this group in Colombian Pacific coastal areas, the purpose of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal changes in the copepods community distribution at Cupica Bay, between December 2012 and February 2013. For this, oblique plankton hauls were performed along six transects perpendicular to the coast, in 22 stations, using a Bongo Net (30 cm diameter, 2.1 m large, with mesh size 250 µm and 500 µm) equipped with a flowmeter, during two contrasting oceanographic periods. The results showed significant changes in oceanographic conditions and superficial circulation patterns. Fifty two (52) copepods species were identified, from which thirty five (35) were new records for the Colombian Pacific. The biggest copepod abundance was recorded in February 2013 (28 604 ind. 100 m-3), and small copepods species were the most dominant. During December 2012, species of the order Poecilostomatida were the most abundant (58.2), but during February were the species of the order Calanoida (69.5 %). The community structure and species composition was characterized by five significant groups, three groups during December 2012 and two during February 2013, dividing the bay in different zones. A positive correlation between temperature and copepods assemblages was evident during both periods, but stronger during December 2012. The results suggested that community structure and species composition of resident copepods in North Colombian Pacific neritic zones, are modelled by the intensity of upwelling, superficial local pattern circulation, and continental freshwater discharges in the region. The results are helpful to understand the copepods community structure, and the future studies should attempt to examine other variables (e.g. effect of food available and oxygen concentration dissolved) to improve understanding of copepods structure in the Pacific coast region of Colombia. 

The pustulose ark A. tuberculosa is an emblematic species of mangrove ecosystem that is currently in a vulnerable condition. The development of its aquaculture, to begin with genetic breeding programs, requires the identification of molecular biomarkers, particularly those associated with salinity stress. With this purpose, specimens of A. tuberculosa were collected from the adjacent mangroves of Puerto Pizarro bay (Tumbes, Perú), from January 2015 to February 2016. Different assays (groups of ten animals in triplicate) were undertaken in separated periods of 16 days: hypo-osmotic stress (extreme: 5, 10 ppt); (Moderate: 15, 25 ppt) and no stress (control group: 33 ppt). The presence of salinity stress biomarkers was assessed at the genetic level throughout PCR detection of 19 genes reported to be key actors in osmoregulation, and at the proteomic level with the sequencing of peptides (tandem mass spectrometry MALDI TOF/TOF), expressed in ark tissues exposed to different salinities. None of the tested genetic markers could be amplified by PCR, suggesting that A. tuberculosa has significant genetic differences compared to other mollusks. Proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry on A. tuberculosa gill tissue, allowed to identify 26 peptides expressed in presential and differential forms at different salinities, highlighting possible markers such as HSP70 and trans-membrane chloride channel transportation protein, to be related with salinity adaptation. These amino acid sequences will allow the design of target specific primers for A. tuberculosa, to implement future research in ecophysiology of this important fishery resource.

The reintroduction of missing mammal species in former habitats has recently been of high interest. In Mexico, there have been several attempts to reintroduce Antilocapra since 1967, but until now none of the trials has been successful. Nowadays, different releasing methods have been practiced for mammal species, including soft and hard release ones. The aim of this study was to provide new information, and to evaluate the success of a recent release. The study was based on the monitoring of 100 individuals (70 females, 30 males) captured in New Mexico, USA, to be released in Maderas del Carmen, Coahuila, Mexico, in two different groups. The first group (fast release) of 45 specimens (20 females, 25 males) was released in the valley at the beginning of March 2009. The second one (soft release), with 55 individuals (50 female, 5 male), was released in March 2010. For both groups, we compared the mortality rate between dispersal and soft-release vs. hard-release methods. Our results showed that the release with adaptation gave highly significant results (χ2= 2, α= 0.05, p= 0.0001)). The comparison of mortality and dispersion among both methods was highly contrasting: with soft-release we obtained 4 % and 13 % of success, against 23 % and 46 %, respectively. Considering these results, we recommend the soft-release method to be used in future reintroduction attempts of Antilocapra, since more than 50 % of specimens from hard-releases died because of capture stress, or were dispersed, and thus reduced the reintroduction success chances. 

La langosta Centroamericana Schistocerca piceifrons piceifrons es una de las plagas más dañinas en México y Centroamérica. El presente trabajo se realizó para evaluar la fluctuación estacional de poblaciones de S. p. piceifrons y su asociación con la diversidad de vegetación, factores climáticos y edáficos en la zona gregarígena de la Península de Yucatán. Se seleccionaron siete sitios y se muestrearon a lo largo de tres estaciones: nortes (diciembre 2013), lluvias (junio 2014) y sequías (abril 2014). La densidad poblacional de la langosta fue muestreada en transectos de 100 m2, así como la vegetación en 16 m2 obteniendo la riqueza de especies vegetales (REV) y la densidad relativa de especies (DRE), y fueron analizadas por modelos lineales generalizados. Adicionalmente se obtuvieron muestras de suelo de 10 cm de profundidad en un área de 4 × 6 m, se clasificó el uso del suelo de cada sitio y se obtuvieron en una base de datos las condiciones de temperatura, precipitación y evaporación para cada sitio, estos datos se analizaron con análisis de factores múltiples. La densidad poblacional de S. p. piceifrons fue mayor en los sitios de Panaba, Tizimin, Tunkas y Cenotillo (F = 74.3, P < 0.0001). La caracterización de la vegetación mostró que la REV y la DRE fueron mayores en la estación de lluvias que en la de sequías (F = 50.4, P < 0.0001). La DRE fue el grupo más importante asociado a la densidad de la langosta (0.86), seguido por las isotermas/isoyetas (0.63) y la precipitación-temperatura máxima (0.60), así como el uso del suelo (0.65); no hubo correlación con las características del suelo. La densidad de la langosta fue correlacionada positivamente con la abundancia del pasto Panicum maximum (Sr2 = 0.85, PC5 = 0.87). El estudio mostró que las poblaciones de S. p. piceifrons fueron mayores en la estación lluviosa e influenciadas principalmente por la abundancia del pasto P. maximum y la precipitación. Los resultados indican que las exploraciones, la detección temprana y el control de la langosta en la Península de Yucatán puede enfocarse sobre áreas cultivadas con P. maximum para predecir áreas con riesgo y eficientar los recursos.

Fish can modify features of their life histories through evolutionary mechanisms to ensure the maintenance of their populations in response to environmental changes and/or fishing pressure. The reproductive biology of characid fish B. henni, in the Nare and Guatapé Rivers, Magdalena River Basin, Colombia was studied, and suggestions for conservation are presented. Ten field samplings were carried out between October 2007 and February 2012, in periods of rain, dry, transition from rain to dry and transition from dry to rain. A total of 848 specimens were collected, 360 of which were females, 441 males and 47 indeterminate. Males predominated in the catches, and the sex ratio of 1.00: 0.82 deviated significantly from the theoretical distribution 1:1. The average size captured for the total number of individuals studied was 121.5 mm SL (38.5-304.0 mm), with 133.1 mm SL for females (53.5-304.0), and 116.9 mm SL (38.5-232.5) for males. Based on the monthly variation of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the proportion of mature specimens, the spawning season occurs during periods of highest water levels in the rainy season. The lower values of hepatosomatic index HSI that coincide with the maximum values of the GSI, suggest that liver substances are transferred during the maturation of the ovary. The mean size at sexual maturity (L50) of B. henni was 171.5 mm SL in females, and 132.6 mm SL in males. The fecundity varied from 655 to 8 213 oocytes/female (mean= 2 072, SD= 1 648) and relative fecundity was 16.1 oocytes / g of total weight (SD= 5.9). The diameter of the oocytes was 1.24 mm (SD= 0.23). A similar development was observed in all oocytes, suggesting massive spawning activity concentrated in short periods of time. The protection of creeks and riparian habitats is a conservation priority, and protected areas such as fluvial nature reserves should be created to guarantee the survival of this species. Environmental education activities, along with water decontamination should be developed. For natural populations of B. henni is recommended to establish a minimum catch size of 270 mm SL (300 mm TL) combined with closed fishing seasons during periods of reproduction. 

In the Parana basin, the Serra de Maracaju juxtaposes the Seasonal Dry Forest and the cerradão (a phytophysiognomy of Cerrado), two distinct vegetation types that differ in canopy height, tree density, and composition of the understory. In the same way, these differences may be reflected in the composition of climbing plant species found in these two forest types. Thus, in this study we compared the climbing species in two forest fragments of Serra de Maracaju to understand: (1) Are species richness and floristic composition of climbing plants similar in cerradão and seasonal deciduous forest?, (2) What degree of floristic compositional difference exists between the two vegetation types?, (3) Do the two vegetation types differ significantly in climbing mechanisms, life forms, and dispersal syndromes represented among climbing species? For this, we established and sampled four plots per forest type over 24 months. Species were identified and each one classified, based on three discrete traits. Proportional differences were analyzed using chi-square tests. Our results showed that species richness and floristic composition of climbing plants in the cerradão and the seasonal deciduous forest were not similar. Climber species richness in cerradão was 37 while in the seasonal deciduous forest it was 31; they share only 13 species. Four families, Dioscoreaceae, Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, and Sapindaceae, included over 60% of the climbing species. The morphological traits most common in both forest types were herbaceous life form, apical twining mechanism, and wind dispersal. Dioscoreaceae was found to be the dominant family, but is the first time to be reported for this condition in Brazil. Bignoniaceae and Passifloraceae ocurred only in the cerradão, and Asteraceae and Combretaceae in the seasonal deciduous forest; some species were found exclusively in a type of forest. Floristic composition of the cerradão and seasonal deciduous forest fragments were substantially different, in spite of physical proximity. However, their climbing species are not statistically distinct in morphological characteristics, possibly due to uniform climatic conditions and the similarity of species because of a shared ancestry (similar families).

A total of forty seven species of benthic polychaetes belonging to twenty five families have been identified from bottom samples taken in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, by the RV Victor Hensen. Only those stations collected in waters less than 100 m depth contained polychaetes. The major feeding type of these polychaete species was surface deposit feeding with slightly fewer species recognized as carnivores. Comparison of the species identified from the RV Victor Hensen material with those of the RV. T.G. Thompson material collected in 1969 reveals very few that are common to the two studies, indicating that the polychaetes of Golfo Dulce are probably quite diverse and poorly known. An estimated total of eighty five species of polychaetes have been identified from Golfo Dulce in the two studies.

The present study is an annotated list of the marine crustaceans (Decapoda and Stomatopoda) from Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, collected during the RV Victor Hensen Cruise 1993-1994, at depths ranging from 20 to 260 m. Stomatopoda was represented by one family and two species. Decapoda was represented by 12 families and 21 species. Two new records for Costa Rica, Cancer johngarthi and Lysmata californica are reported. This increases the reported marine crustaceans of Golfo Dulce to three species of Stomatopoda and sixty-six of Decapoda (a complete check list is included). A list of species reported in the literature from the gulf is also included.