This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
In primates, sensory systems play an important role in the detection and selection of resources. ... more In primates, sensory systems play an important role in the detection and selection of resources. Here, we report a neglected ecological behavior, olfactory fruit selection in a Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), a primate species found in the Mesoamerican to northern South American region. We directly observed, videotaped, and described a fruits selection behavior using the sense of smell by a free-ranging Geoffroy's spider monkey during a foraging feeding event in a Manilkara zapota tree, in a tropical semi-evergreen forest area of south of Quintana Roo, México. During the observations, the spider monkey examined the sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) fruits one by one by bringing them close to its nose, apparently allowing it to distinguish between ripe and unripe fruits. Fruits that appeared unripe, were released from the branches without tearing them. Fruits that appeared to be ripe, as the observation suggests, were picked and eaten one at a time. This olfactory-driven selection challenges the common belief that vision, and taste govern food choices. Our findings underscore the vital role of olfaction in frugivore foraging, particularly in discriminating the palatability of cryptic-ripe fruit. This has wider implications for understanding ecosystem interaction networks, encompassing the evolution of distinct odors in fleshy-fruited plant species and the role of sniffing in food discrimination.
Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remark... more Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remarkable impact on socio-economic systems worldwide. Interactions between wild and domestic birds, humans, and swine can lead to spillover events. Backyard livestock systems in proximity to wetlands represent a high-risk area for viral spread. However, some gaps remain in our knowledge of IAV transmission at the wildlife – livestock interface in Mexico. Hence, the study aimed at molecular identification and phylogenetic characterization of IAV in the wild duck – backyard livestock interface at a wetland of Mexico. A total of 875 animals were tested by real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). We detected IAV in 3.68% of the wild ducks sampled during the winter season 2016 – 2017. Nonetheless, the samples obtained from backyard poultry and swine tested negative. The highest IAV frequency (11.10%) was found in the Mexican duck (Anas diazi). Subtypes H1N1, H3N2, and H5N2 were detected. Phylogenetic analysis of influenza viruses isolated from wild ducks of the Lerma marshes revealed that hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences were related to waterfowl, swine, and poultry IAV strains previously isolated in the United States and Mexico. In conclusion, the co-circulation of three IAV subtypes in wild ducks close to backyard farms in Mexico, as well as, the local identification of HA gene sequences genetically related to Mexican livestock IAV strains and also to North American waterfowl IAV strains, highlight the importance of the Lerma marshes for influenza surveillance given the close interaction among wild birds, poultry, pigs, and humans.
Climate change may modify the spatial distribution of reservoirs hosting emerging and reemerging ... more Climate change may modify the spatial distribution of reservoirs hosting emerging and reemerging zoonotic pathogens, and forecasting these changes is essential for developing prevention and adaptation strategies. The most important reservoir of bovine paralytic rabies in tropical countries, is the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). In Mexico, the cattle industry loses more than $2.6 million US dollar, annually to this infectious disease. Therefore, we predicted the change in the distribution of D. rotundus due to future climate change scenarios, and examined the likely effect that the change in its distribution will have on paralytic rabies infections in Mexico. We used the correlative maximum entropy based model algorithm to predict the potential distribution of D. rotundus. Consistent with the literature, our results showed that temperature was the variable most highly associated with the current distribution of vampire bats. The highest concentration of bovine rabies was in Central and Southeastern Mexico, regions that also have high cattle population densities. Furthermore, our climatic envelope models predicted that by 2050-2070, D. rotundus will lose 20 % of its current distribution while the northern and central regions of Mexico will become suitable habitats for D. rotundus. Together, our study provides an advanced notice of the likely change in spatial patterns of D. rotundus and bovine paralytic rabies, and presents an important tool for strengthening the National Epidemiological Surveillance System and Monitoring programmes, useful for establishing holistic, long-term strategies to control this disease in Mexico.
Contenido presentación parte i. distribución y ecología Conservación del jaguar y puma en el nore... more Contenido presentación parte i. distribución y ecología Conservación del jaguar y puma en el noreste de Sonora. octavio c. rosas rosas, raúl valdéz y Louis c. Bender. Situación del jaguar en el estado de Tamaulipas. arturo caso. Distribución y situación del jaguar en el occidente de México. rodrigo Núñez pérez. Determinación de áreas críticas para la supervivencia del jaguar en la Sierra Madre Oriental. osvaldo eric ramírez Bravo y carlos a. López González.
In spite of its highly divergent cyt-b sequence we retain the form frenata as a subspecies of P. ... more In spite of its highly divergent cyt-b sequence we retain the form frenata as a subspecies of P. opossum, because of the immense geographic distance between the sample localities tested by Patton and Da Silva (1997). However, the classification is not definitive because all geographic and taxonomic forms have not been thoroughly studied. Didelphids are very conservative in their chromosomal complements and form three distinct groups with diploid numbers of 14, 18, or 22. The clade with 2n ϭ 22 includes the large opossums Chironectes, Didelphis, Lutreolina, and Philander (Reig et al., 1977). This group showed high relatedness, not only in their karyotype but also using cladistic analysis with several morphologic characters (Reig et al., 1987). Moreover, data from mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequences (Patton et al., 1996) and DNA-DNA hybridization data (Kirsh et al., 1993) indicate that Didelphis and Philander are strong sister taxa. The relationships between these two taxa are so close that Philander has been classified as a subgenus of Didelphis (Pine, 1973). The following key to species of Philander is based on infor
Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease of special importance in tropical regions of the ... more Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease of special importance in tropical regions of the world and is closely related to climatic conditions. In Mexico, at least eight Leptospira serogroups are known to affect sheep, but little is known about their distribution. The aim was to analyze the spatial distribution of seroreactive sheep to eight serogroups of Leptospira spp. through ecological niche modeling from the state of Veracruz. We carried out a cross-sectional, multi-stage, and stratified epidemiological study, sampling 405 sheep in different regions of the state (north, center, and south). The sera were analyzed using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) to identify seropositivity to eight Leptospira serogroups (Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Grippotyphosa, Canicola, Pomona, Hardjo, Wolffi, and Tarassovi). Management variables in the sampled herds were evaluated through a survey among the producers, which was analyzed using the Chi-square test for cross-tabulation. Geospatial modeling was conducted using MAXENT and 19 climatic variables and the validation was carried out using the area under the curve (AUC). No positive animals were found for Pomona in any area of Veracruz and there was only one case of seroreactivity to Grippotyphosa. The total seroprevalence found was 53.83% (95% CI: 48.84-58.75). The main serogroup found was Sejroe (55.31%, 95% CI 50.32 - 60.20%), followed by Canicola (8.64%, 95% CI 6.17 - 11.92%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (4.69%, 95% CI 2.93 - 7.36%), Tarassovi (3.95%, 95% CI 2.35 - 6.47%), Pyrogenes (2.47%, 95% CI 1.26 - 4.64%), Australis (0.99%, 95% CI 0.32 - 2.69%) and Grippotyphosa (0.25%, 95% CI 0.01 - 1.59%). The predictive model for Australis was not significant. Acceptable predictive models (AUC>0.7-0.8) were found for Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, and Tarassovi; while for Sejroe it was excellent (AUC> 0.85); consequently, the climatic variables that most contributed to the model were those related to precipitation. The potential distribution of Pyrogenes, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Canicola was located to a greater extent in the three regions; Pyrogenes and Tarassovi were distributed mostly in the north and central regions and Sejroe is mostly located in the center and south of the state. Ecological niche modeling could support epidemiological control and surveillance programs for affected sheep herds in the state of Veracruz. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, Dec 1, 2020
Gastrointestinal helminths of migratory waterfowl can cause several lesions that may affect the h... more Gastrointestinal helminths of migratory waterfowl can cause several lesions that may affect the health and even the survival of their hosts. As part of an ongoing project that aims to inventory the helminth species that infect this group of birds, as well as the histopathologic lesion they cause, a total of 200 digestive tracts of nine species of anatid birds (Spatula discors, S. cyanoptera, S. clypeata, Mareca strepera, M. americana, Anas crecca, A. acuta, A. platyrhynchos diazi, and Oxyura jamaicensis) were collected in the Atarasquillo marsh of Lerma, in the State of Mexico. The present work had a twofold goal: to determine the taxonomic identity of the helminth species present in waterfowl as well as their infection levels and to describe the lesions caused by gastrointestinal parasites in migratory and resident anatids in Atarasquillo marsh, State of Mexico. The specimens were examined using routine helminthological and histopathological techniques. A total of 23 helminths were identified: six trematodes (Zygocotyle lunata, Notocotylus triserialis, Notocotylus seineti, Psilochasmus oxyurus, Australapatemon burti and Cotylurus magniacetabulus), four cestodes (Cloacotaenia megalops, Fimbriaria fasciolaris, Gatrotaenia cygni and Diorchis sp.), eleven nematodes (Echinuria uncinata, Tetrameres sp., Tetrameres fissispina, Hystrichis sp., Streptocara sp., Amidostomum sp., Epomidiostomum uncinatum, Capillaria sp., Capillaria contorta, Ascaridia sp. and Heterakis sp.) and two acanthocephalans (Pseudocorynosoma constrictum and Filicollis sp.). At the proventriculus level, Echinuria uncinata caused the most severe lesions; in the gizzard, Amidostomum sp. and E. uncinatum produced hemorrhages and necrosis. Finally, the main lesions found in the intestine (necrosis, heterophilic granulomas and the formation of lumps on the serosa) were caused by the implantation of the acanthocephalans’ proboscis. Eleven species of gastrointestinal helminths found are new records for the Lerma marshes, as well as the first record in Mexico of the nematode Capillaria contorta and the acanthocephalan Filicollis sp.
Intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) are a sustainable alternative to monoculture systems (MS). ... more Intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) are a sustainable alternative to monoculture systems (MS). The presence of trees and legumes improves animal welfare due to the increased food quality and quantity and the presence of shade while providing a variety of environmental services. As cattle behaviour is greatly affected by environmental conditions, knowledge on the behavioural tradeoffs that cattle make to meet their demands while foraging in different grazing systems is important, as this will help us understand the perceived advantages of ISS. This pilot study assessed the behaviour of heifers in an ISS (n = 8 heifers) and MS (n = 8 heifers) in the Mexican tropics during the dry and rainy seasons, and its relationship with forage availability, mean travelled distance and the temperature humidity index (THI). In both seasons, daily foraging times were longer in the MS than the ISS (P < 0.01). The duration of rumination was higher for ISS (P < 0.01) and the duration of lying was higher for the dry season (P < 0.05). The decrease in foraging times in relation to THI was significantly higher in the ISS than in the MS (mean slope ± SE: ISS = − 4.64 ± 0.34; MS = − 2.34 ± 0.22; t = − 14.20, P < 0.001). The results suggest that the forage availability and access to shade in the ISS allow cattle to rest longer and increase rumination, whereas cattle in MS spend more time searching for food and foraging at times of the day were the temperatures were higher as a compensatory strategy, which potentially decreases cattle's welfare and production qualities when compared with the ISS. In conclusion, ISS are likely to generate positive behavioural tradeoffs that result in better welfare conditions and higher productive potential.
Revista mexicana de ciencias forestales, Jun 26, 2019
Los Bosques Mesófilos de Montaña (BMM) son parte de la gran diversidad de comunidades vegetales q... more Los Bosques Mesófilos de Montaña (BMM) son parte de la gran diversidad de comunidades vegetales que se desarrollan en México, albergan cerca de 10 % de la diversidad existente en el país, en 5 % del territorio nacional. Dentro de los BMM, Quercus es uno de los géneros arbóreos más representativos, abundantes e importantes por los servicios ecosistémicos que proporciona. A pesar de su importancia, se han realizado pocos estudios enfocados en conocer su estado fitosanitario en BMM. En el 2017, se realizó un muestreo por cuotas, en las temporadas seca y de lluvias, en tres sitios con dicho tipo de vegetación y diferente grado de conservación: perturbado, intermedio y conservado. Se midió la altura del árbol, el diámetro a la altura del pecho y se recolectaron tres ramas por individuo para analizar los organismos existentes en las hojas, las cuales se contaron y clasificaron con una escala de daño. El análisis de correspondencia mostró que las variables bosque y grados de infección están significativamente asociadas (x 2 p<0.001), de tal forma que los bosques perturbado e intermedio están asociados a los grados más altos de infección. Durante la época de sequía, los tres bosques evidencian un mayor número de hojas infectadas. Se obtuvieron principalmente dos tipos de insectos agallícolas pertenecientes a la Familia Cynipidae de los géneros Andricus y Kinseyella, así como diversos tipos de artrópodos y defoliadores.
CONTEXT AND CONTENT. Order Carnivora, Family Mephitidae, Genus Spilogale, species pygmaea (Dragoo... more CONTEXT AND CONTENT. Order Carnivora, Family Mephitidae, Genus Spilogale, species pygmaea (Dragoo and Honeycutt, 1997). Ewer (1973) questioned the validity of S. pygmaea arguing that the small size and color pattern approached those of S. putorius tropicalis and implied that these species might be conspecific; he reported that only five specimens were known. However, by 1979 there were at least 37 specimens collected and deposited in museums in Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom (L6pez-Forment and Urbano, 1979). Validity of the subspecies has been questioned by some authors (Schreiber et al., 1989), because of the continuity in the range and habitats where this species occurs. Four subspecies have been named, of which only three currently are recognized (L6pez-Forment and Urbano,
Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remark... more Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remarkable impact on socio-economic systems worldwide. Interactions between wild and domestic birds, humans, and swine can lead to spillover events. Backyard livestock systems in proximity to wetlands represent a high-risk area for viral spread. However, some gaps remain in our knowledge of IAV transmission at the wildlife – livestock interface in Mexico. Hence, the study aimed at molecular identification and phylogenetic characterization of IAV in the wild duck – backyard livestock interface at a wetland of Mexico. A total of 875 animals were tested by real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). We detected IAV in 3.68% of the wild ducks sampled during the winter season 2016 – 2017. Nonetheless, the samples obtained from backyard poultry and swine tested negative. The highest IAV frequency (11.10%) was found in the Mexican duck (Anas diazi). Subtypes H1N1, H3N2, and H5N2 were detected. Phylogenetic analysis of influenza viruses isolated from wild ducks of the Lerma marshes revealed that hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences were related to waterfowl, swine, and poultry IAV strains previously isolated in the United States and Mexico. In conclusion, the co-circulation of three IAV subtypes in wild ducks close to backyard farms in Mexico, as well as, the local identification of HA gene sequences genetically related to Mexican livestock IAV strains and also to North American waterfowl IAV strains, highlight the importance of the Lerma marshes for influenza surveillance given the close interaction among wild birds, poultry, pigs, and humans.
Resumen Las prioridades de conservación de especies que tienen grandes áreas de actividad, como l... more Resumen Las prioridades de conservación de especies que tienen grandes áreas de actividad, como los jaguares, deben de planearse a diferentes escalas (local a geográfica), además de tomar en cuenta el tamaño del área de actividad, el área de distribución y los distintos ...
Backyard animal husbandry is common in rural communities in developing countries and, given the c... more Backyard animal husbandry is common in rural communities in developing countries and, given the conditions in which it occurs, it can increase the risk of disease transmission, such as arboviruses. To determine the presence of the Zika virus (ZIKV) and abundance of its arthropod vectors we evaluated the socioeconomic implications involved in its transmission in two highly vulnerable Mayan communities in the state of Yucatan that practice backyard farming. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out throughout 2016 to understand socioeconomic variables and seasonal patterns in mosquito populations. We selected 20 households from each community. Social exclusion indicators were analyzed, human and domestic animals were sampled, and mosquitoes were collected and identified. Four out of eight indicators of social exclusion were higher than the reported national averages. We captured 5,825 mosquitoes from 16 species being Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti the most abundant...
DIAGNOSIS. Marmosa canescens (Fig. 1) can be differentiated from other species of the genus in Me... more DIAGNOSIS. Marmosa canescens (Fig. 1) can be differentiated from other species of the genus in Mexico by its gray pelage. This feature contrasts with the bright brick red or orange color of M. mexicana. The gray mouse opossum is also distinguished from M. mexicana by its prominent postorbital processes set off by constrictions in front and behind and by presence of an accessory fenestrate on each side of M2 (Alonso-Mejia and Medellin 1992; Hall 1981). A small diastema between 14 and C is often present in M. canescens but absent in M. mexicana. Crown of Ml is short and wide, which contrasts with a proportionately long, narrow, triangular crown on that of M. mexicana (Tate 1933).
In primates, sensory systems play an important role in the detection and selection of resources. ... more In primates, sensory systems play an important role in the detection and selection of resources. Here, we report a neglected ecological behavior, olfactory fruit selection in a Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), a primate species found in the Mesoamerican to northern South American region. We directly observed, videotaped, and described a fruits selection behavior using the sense of smell by a free-ranging Geoffroy's spider monkey during a foraging feeding event in a Manilkara zapota tree, in a tropical semi-evergreen forest area of south of Quintana Roo, México. During the observations, the spider monkey examined the sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) fruits one by one by bringing them close to its nose, apparently allowing it to distinguish between ripe and unripe fruits. Fruits that appeared unripe, were released from the branches without tearing them. Fruits that appeared to be ripe, as the observation suggests, were picked and eaten one at a time. This olfactory-driven selection challenges the common belief that vision, and taste govern food choices. Our findings underscore the vital role of olfaction in frugivore foraging, particularly in discriminating the palatability of cryptic-ripe fruit. This has wider implications for understanding ecosystem interaction networks, encompassing the evolution of distinct odors in fleshy-fruited plant species and the role of sniffing in food discrimination.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
In primates, sensory systems play an important role in the detection and selection of resources. ... more In primates, sensory systems play an important role in the detection and selection of resources. Here, we report a neglected ecological behavior, olfactory fruit selection in a Geoffroy&#39;s spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), a primate species found in the Mesoamerican to northern South American region. We directly observed, videotaped, and described a fruits selection behavior using the sense of smell by a free-ranging Geoffroy&#39;s spider monkey during a foraging feeding event in a Manilkara zapota tree, in a tropical semi-evergreen forest area of south of Quintana Roo, México. During the observations, the spider monkey examined the sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) fruits one by one by bringing them close to its nose, apparently allowing it to distinguish between ripe and unripe fruits. Fruits that appeared unripe, were released from the branches without tearing them. Fruits that appeared to be ripe, as the observation suggests, were picked and eaten one at a time. This olfactory-driven selection challenges the common belief that vision, and taste govern food choices. Our findings underscore the vital role of olfaction in frugivore foraging, particularly in discriminating the palatability of cryptic-ripe fruit. This has wider implications for understanding ecosystem interaction networks, encompassing the evolution of distinct odors in fleshy-fruited plant species and the role of sniffing in food discrimination.
Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remark... more Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remarkable impact on socio-economic systems worldwide. Interactions between wild and domestic birds, humans, and swine can lead to spillover events. Backyard livestock systems in proximity to wetlands represent a high-risk area for viral spread. However, some gaps remain in our knowledge of IAV transmission at the wildlife – livestock interface in Mexico. Hence, the study aimed at molecular identification and phylogenetic characterization of IAV in the wild duck – backyard livestock interface at a wetland of Mexico. A total of 875 animals were tested by real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). We detected IAV in 3.68% of the wild ducks sampled during the winter season 2016 – 2017. Nonetheless, the samples obtained from backyard poultry and swine tested negative. The highest IAV frequency (11.10%) was found in the Mexican duck (Anas diazi). Subtypes H1N1, H3N2, and H5N2 were detected. Phylogenetic analysis of influenza viruses isolated from wild ducks of the Lerma marshes revealed that hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences were related to waterfowl, swine, and poultry IAV strains previously isolated in the United States and Mexico. In conclusion, the co-circulation of three IAV subtypes in wild ducks close to backyard farms in Mexico, as well as, the local identification of HA gene sequences genetically related to Mexican livestock IAV strains and also to North American waterfowl IAV strains, highlight the importance of the Lerma marshes for influenza surveillance given the close interaction among wild birds, poultry, pigs, and humans.
Climate change may modify the spatial distribution of reservoirs hosting emerging and reemerging ... more Climate change may modify the spatial distribution of reservoirs hosting emerging and reemerging zoonotic pathogens, and forecasting these changes is essential for developing prevention and adaptation strategies. The most important reservoir of bovine paralytic rabies in tropical countries, is the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). In Mexico, the cattle industry loses more than $2.6 million US dollar, annually to this infectious disease. Therefore, we predicted the change in the distribution of D. rotundus due to future climate change scenarios, and examined the likely effect that the change in its distribution will have on paralytic rabies infections in Mexico. We used the correlative maximum entropy based model algorithm to predict the potential distribution of D. rotundus. Consistent with the literature, our results showed that temperature was the variable most highly associated with the current distribution of vampire bats. The highest concentration of bovine rabies was in Central and Southeastern Mexico, regions that also have high cattle population densities. Furthermore, our climatic envelope models predicted that by 2050-2070, D. rotundus will lose 20 % of its current distribution while the northern and central regions of Mexico will become suitable habitats for D. rotundus. Together, our study provides an advanced notice of the likely change in spatial patterns of D. rotundus and bovine paralytic rabies, and presents an important tool for strengthening the National Epidemiological Surveillance System and Monitoring programmes, useful for establishing holistic, long-term strategies to control this disease in Mexico.
Contenido presentación parte i. distribución y ecología Conservación del jaguar y puma en el nore... more Contenido presentación parte i. distribución y ecología Conservación del jaguar y puma en el noreste de Sonora. octavio c. rosas rosas, raúl valdéz y Louis c. Bender. Situación del jaguar en el estado de Tamaulipas. arturo caso. Distribución y situación del jaguar en el occidente de México. rodrigo Núñez pérez. Determinación de áreas críticas para la supervivencia del jaguar en la Sierra Madre Oriental. osvaldo eric ramírez Bravo y carlos a. López González.
In spite of its highly divergent cyt-b sequence we retain the form frenata as a subspecies of P. ... more In spite of its highly divergent cyt-b sequence we retain the form frenata as a subspecies of P. opossum, because of the immense geographic distance between the sample localities tested by Patton and Da Silva (1997). However, the classification is not definitive because all geographic and taxonomic forms have not been thoroughly studied. Didelphids are very conservative in their chromosomal complements and form three distinct groups with diploid numbers of 14, 18, or 22. The clade with 2n ϭ 22 includes the large opossums Chironectes, Didelphis, Lutreolina, and Philander (Reig et al., 1977). This group showed high relatedness, not only in their karyotype but also using cladistic analysis with several morphologic characters (Reig et al., 1987). Moreover, data from mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequences (Patton et al., 1996) and DNA-DNA hybridization data (Kirsh et al., 1993) indicate that Didelphis and Philander are strong sister taxa. The relationships between these two taxa are so close that Philander has been classified as a subgenus of Didelphis (Pine, 1973). The following key to species of Philander is based on infor
Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease of special importance in tropical regions of the ... more Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease of special importance in tropical regions of the world and is closely related to climatic conditions. In Mexico, at least eight Leptospira serogroups are known to affect sheep, but little is known about their distribution. The aim was to analyze the spatial distribution of seroreactive sheep to eight serogroups of Leptospira spp. through ecological niche modeling from the state of Veracruz. We carried out a cross-sectional, multi-stage, and stratified epidemiological study, sampling 405 sheep in different regions of the state (north, center, and south). The sera were analyzed using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) to identify seropositivity to eight Leptospira serogroups (Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Grippotyphosa, Canicola, Pomona, Hardjo, Wolffi, and Tarassovi). Management variables in the sampled herds were evaluated through a survey among the producers, which was analyzed using the Chi-square test for cross-tabulation. Geospatial modeling was conducted using MAXENT and 19 climatic variables and the validation was carried out using the area under the curve (AUC). No positive animals were found for Pomona in any area of Veracruz and there was only one case of seroreactivity to Grippotyphosa. The total seroprevalence found was 53.83% (95% CI: 48.84-58.75). The main serogroup found was Sejroe (55.31%, 95% CI 50.32 - 60.20%), followed by Canicola (8.64%, 95% CI 6.17 - 11.92%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (4.69%, 95% CI 2.93 - 7.36%), Tarassovi (3.95%, 95% CI 2.35 - 6.47%), Pyrogenes (2.47%, 95% CI 1.26 - 4.64%), Australis (0.99%, 95% CI 0.32 - 2.69%) and Grippotyphosa (0.25%, 95% CI 0.01 - 1.59%). The predictive model for Australis was not significant. Acceptable predictive models (AUC>0.7-0.8) were found for Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, and Tarassovi; while for Sejroe it was excellent (AUC> 0.85); consequently, the climatic variables that most contributed to the model were those related to precipitation. The potential distribution of Pyrogenes, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Canicola was located to a greater extent in the three regions; Pyrogenes and Tarassovi were distributed mostly in the north and central regions and Sejroe is mostly located in the center and south of the state. Ecological niche modeling could support epidemiological control and surveillance programs for affected sheep herds in the state of Veracruz. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, Dec 1, 2020
Gastrointestinal helminths of migratory waterfowl can cause several lesions that may affect the h... more Gastrointestinal helminths of migratory waterfowl can cause several lesions that may affect the health and even the survival of their hosts. As part of an ongoing project that aims to inventory the helminth species that infect this group of birds, as well as the histopathologic lesion they cause, a total of 200 digestive tracts of nine species of anatid birds (Spatula discors, S. cyanoptera, S. clypeata, Mareca strepera, M. americana, Anas crecca, A. acuta, A. platyrhynchos diazi, and Oxyura jamaicensis) were collected in the Atarasquillo marsh of Lerma, in the State of Mexico. The present work had a twofold goal: to determine the taxonomic identity of the helminth species present in waterfowl as well as their infection levels and to describe the lesions caused by gastrointestinal parasites in migratory and resident anatids in Atarasquillo marsh, State of Mexico. The specimens were examined using routine helminthological and histopathological techniques. A total of 23 helminths were identified: six trematodes (Zygocotyle lunata, Notocotylus triserialis, Notocotylus seineti, Psilochasmus oxyurus, Australapatemon burti and Cotylurus magniacetabulus), four cestodes (Cloacotaenia megalops, Fimbriaria fasciolaris, Gatrotaenia cygni and Diorchis sp.), eleven nematodes (Echinuria uncinata, Tetrameres sp., Tetrameres fissispina, Hystrichis sp., Streptocara sp., Amidostomum sp., Epomidiostomum uncinatum, Capillaria sp., Capillaria contorta, Ascaridia sp. and Heterakis sp.) and two acanthocephalans (Pseudocorynosoma constrictum and Filicollis sp.). At the proventriculus level, Echinuria uncinata caused the most severe lesions; in the gizzard, Amidostomum sp. and E. uncinatum produced hemorrhages and necrosis. Finally, the main lesions found in the intestine (necrosis, heterophilic granulomas and the formation of lumps on the serosa) were caused by the implantation of the acanthocephalans’ proboscis. Eleven species of gastrointestinal helminths found are new records for the Lerma marshes, as well as the first record in Mexico of the nematode Capillaria contorta and the acanthocephalan Filicollis sp.
Intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) are a sustainable alternative to monoculture systems (MS). ... more Intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) are a sustainable alternative to monoculture systems (MS). The presence of trees and legumes improves animal welfare due to the increased food quality and quantity and the presence of shade while providing a variety of environmental services. As cattle behaviour is greatly affected by environmental conditions, knowledge on the behavioural tradeoffs that cattle make to meet their demands while foraging in different grazing systems is important, as this will help us understand the perceived advantages of ISS. This pilot study assessed the behaviour of heifers in an ISS (n = 8 heifers) and MS (n = 8 heifers) in the Mexican tropics during the dry and rainy seasons, and its relationship with forage availability, mean travelled distance and the temperature humidity index (THI). In both seasons, daily foraging times were longer in the MS than the ISS (P < 0.01). The duration of rumination was higher for ISS (P < 0.01) and the duration of lying was higher for the dry season (P < 0.05). The decrease in foraging times in relation to THI was significantly higher in the ISS than in the MS (mean slope ± SE: ISS = − 4.64 ± 0.34; MS = − 2.34 ± 0.22; t = − 14.20, P < 0.001). The results suggest that the forage availability and access to shade in the ISS allow cattle to rest longer and increase rumination, whereas cattle in MS spend more time searching for food and foraging at times of the day were the temperatures were higher as a compensatory strategy, which potentially decreases cattle's welfare and production qualities when compared with the ISS. In conclusion, ISS are likely to generate positive behavioural tradeoffs that result in better welfare conditions and higher productive potential.
Revista mexicana de ciencias forestales, Jun 26, 2019
Los Bosques Mesófilos de Montaña (BMM) son parte de la gran diversidad de comunidades vegetales q... more Los Bosques Mesófilos de Montaña (BMM) son parte de la gran diversidad de comunidades vegetales que se desarrollan en México, albergan cerca de 10 % de la diversidad existente en el país, en 5 % del territorio nacional. Dentro de los BMM, Quercus es uno de los géneros arbóreos más representativos, abundantes e importantes por los servicios ecosistémicos que proporciona. A pesar de su importancia, se han realizado pocos estudios enfocados en conocer su estado fitosanitario en BMM. En el 2017, se realizó un muestreo por cuotas, en las temporadas seca y de lluvias, en tres sitios con dicho tipo de vegetación y diferente grado de conservación: perturbado, intermedio y conservado. Se midió la altura del árbol, el diámetro a la altura del pecho y se recolectaron tres ramas por individuo para analizar los organismos existentes en las hojas, las cuales se contaron y clasificaron con una escala de daño. El análisis de correspondencia mostró que las variables bosque y grados de infección están significativamente asociadas (x 2 p<0.001), de tal forma que los bosques perturbado e intermedio están asociados a los grados más altos de infección. Durante la época de sequía, los tres bosques evidencian un mayor número de hojas infectadas. Se obtuvieron principalmente dos tipos de insectos agallícolas pertenecientes a la Familia Cynipidae de los géneros Andricus y Kinseyella, así como diversos tipos de artrópodos y defoliadores.
CONTEXT AND CONTENT. Order Carnivora, Family Mephitidae, Genus Spilogale, species pygmaea (Dragoo... more CONTEXT AND CONTENT. Order Carnivora, Family Mephitidae, Genus Spilogale, species pygmaea (Dragoo and Honeycutt, 1997). Ewer (1973) questioned the validity of S. pygmaea arguing that the small size and color pattern approached those of S. putorius tropicalis and implied that these species might be conspecific; he reported that only five specimens were known. However, by 1979 there were at least 37 specimens collected and deposited in museums in Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom (L6pez-Forment and Urbano, 1979). Validity of the subspecies has been questioned by some authors (Schreiber et al., 1989), because of the continuity in the range and habitats where this species occurs. Four subspecies have been named, of which only three currently are recognized (L6pez-Forment and Urbano,
Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remark... more Influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks constitute a constant threat to public health and pose a remarkable impact on socio-economic systems worldwide. Interactions between wild and domestic birds, humans, and swine can lead to spillover events. Backyard livestock systems in proximity to wetlands represent a high-risk area for viral spread. However, some gaps remain in our knowledge of IAV transmission at the wildlife – livestock interface in Mexico. Hence, the study aimed at molecular identification and phylogenetic characterization of IAV in the wild duck – backyard livestock interface at a wetland of Mexico. A total of 875 animals were tested by real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). We detected IAV in 3.68% of the wild ducks sampled during the winter season 2016 – 2017. Nonetheless, the samples obtained from backyard poultry and swine tested negative. The highest IAV frequency (11.10%) was found in the Mexican duck (Anas diazi). Subtypes H1N1, H3N2, and H5N2 were detected. Phylogenetic analysis of influenza viruses isolated from wild ducks of the Lerma marshes revealed that hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences were related to waterfowl, swine, and poultry IAV strains previously isolated in the United States and Mexico. In conclusion, the co-circulation of three IAV subtypes in wild ducks close to backyard farms in Mexico, as well as, the local identification of HA gene sequences genetically related to Mexican livestock IAV strains and also to North American waterfowl IAV strains, highlight the importance of the Lerma marshes for influenza surveillance given the close interaction among wild birds, poultry, pigs, and humans.
Resumen Las prioridades de conservación de especies que tienen grandes áreas de actividad, como l... more Resumen Las prioridades de conservación de especies que tienen grandes áreas de actividad, como los jaguares, deben de planearse a diferentes escalas (local a geográfica), además de tomar en cuenta el tamaño del área de actividad, el área de distribución y los distintos ...
Backyard animal husbandry is common in rural communities in developing countries and, given the c... more Backyard animal husbandry is common in rural communities in developing countries and, given the conditions in which it occurs, it can increase the risk of disease transmission, such as arboviruses. To determine the presence of the Zika virus (ZIKV) and abundance of its arthropod vectors we evaluated the socioeconomic implications involved in its transmission in two highly vulnerable Mayan communities in the state of Yucatan that practice backyard farming. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out throughout 2016 to understand socioeconomic variables and seasonal patterns in mosquito populations. We selected 20 households from each community. Social exclusion indicators were analyzed, human and domestic animals were sampled, and mosquitoes were collected and identified. Four out of eight indicators of social exclusion were higher than the reported national averages. We captured 5,825 mosquitoes from 16 species being Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti the most abundant...
DIAGNOSIS. Marmosa canescens (Fig. 1) can be differentiated from other species of the genus in Me... more DIAGNOSIS. Marmosa canescens (Fig. 1) can be differentiated from other species of the genus in Mexico by its gray pelage. This feature contrasts with the bright brick red or orange color of M. mexicana. The gray mouse opossum is also distinguished from M. mexicana by its prominent postorbital processes set off by constrictions in front and behind and by presence of an accessory fenestrate on each side of M2 (Alonso-Mejia and Medellin 1992; Hall 1981). A small diastema between 14 and C is often present in M. canescens but absent in M. mexicana. Crown of Ml is short and wide, which contrasts with a proportionately long, narrow, triangular crown on that of M. mexicana (Tate 1933).
In primates, sensory systems play an important role in the detection and selection of resources. ... more In primates, sensory systems play an important role in the detection and selection of resources. Here, we report a neglected ecological behavior, olfactory fruit selection in a Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), a primate species found in the Mesoamerican to northern South American region. We directly observed, videotaped, and described a fruits selection behavior using the sense of smell by a free-ranging Geoffroy's spider monkey during a foraging feeding event in a Manilkara zapota tree, in a tropical semi-evergreen forest area of south of Quintana Roo, México. During the observations, the spider monkey examined the sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) fruits one by one by bringing them close to its nose, apparently allowing it to distinguish between ripe and unripe fruits. Fruits that appeared unripe, were released from the branches without tearing them. Fruits that appeared to be ripe, as the observation suggests, were picked and eaten one at a time. This olfactory-driven selection challenges the common belief that vision, and taste govern food choices. Our findings underscore the vital role of olfaction in frugivore foraging, particularly in discriminating the palatability of cryptic-ripe fruit. This has wider implications for understanding ecosystem interaction networks, encompassing the evolution of distinct odors in fleshy-fruited plant species and the role of sniffing in food discrimination.
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