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•Another matamata species is described as new to science.•Chelus orinocensis is genetically and morphologically significantly different.•Chelus orinocensis and C. fimbriata diverged ...approximately 13 million years ago.•Chelus orinocensis lives in the Orinoco, Río Negro, and Essequibo drainages.•Chelus fimbriata sensu stricto occurs in the Amazon and Mahury drainages.
The matamata is one of the most charismatic turtles on earth, widely distributed in northern South America. Debates have occurred over whether or not there should be two subspecies or species recognized due to its geographic variation in morphology. Even though the matamata is universally known, its natural history, conservation status and biogeography are largely unexplored. In this study we examined the phylogeographic differentiation of the matamata based on three mitochondrial DNA fragments (2168 bp of the control region, cytochrome oxidase subunit I, and the cytochrome b gene), one nuclear genomic DNA fragment (1068 bp of the R35 intron) and 1661 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Our molecular and morphological analyses revealed the existence of two distinct, genetically deeply divergent evolutionary lineages of matamatas that separated in the late Miocene (approximately 12.7 million years ago), corresponding well to the time when the Orinoco Basin was established. As a result of our analyses, we describe the genetically and morphologically highly distinct matamata from the Orinoco and Río Negro Basins and the Essequibo drainage as a species new to science (Chelus orinocensis sp. nov.). Chelus fimbriata sensu stricto is distributed in the Amazon Basin and the Mahury drainage. Additionally, the analyses revealed that each species displays phylogeographic differentiation. For C. orinocensis, there is moderate mitochondrial differentiation between the Orinoco and the Río Negro. For C. fimbriata, there is more pronounced differentiation matching different river systems. One mitochondrial clade was identified from the Amazon, Ucayali, and Mahury Rivers, and another one from the Madeira and Jaci Paraná Rivers. The C. orinocensis in the Essequibo and Branco Rivers have haplotypes that constitute a third clade clustering with C. fimbriata. Phylogenetic analyses of the R35 intron and SNP data link the matamatas from the Essequibo and Branco with the new species, suggesting past gene flow and old mitochondrial introgression. Chelus orinocensis is collected for the pet trade in Colombia and Venezuela. However, neither the extent of the harvest nor its impact are known. Hence, it is crucial to gather more information and to assess its exploitation throughout its distribution range to obtain a better understanding of its conservation status and to design appropriate conservation and management procedures.
La matamata es una de las tortugas más carismáticas del mundo, ampliamente distribuida en el norte de Sudamérica. Debido a su variación morfológica geográfica, se debate sobre el reconocimiento de dos subespecies o especies. A pesar de que la matamata es universalmente conocida, su historia natural, estado de conservación y biogeografía han sido muy poco estudiados. En este estudio examinamos la diferenciación filogeográfica de las matamatas en base a tres fragmentos de ADN mitocondrial (2168 pb de la región de control, la subunidad I del citocromo oxidasa y el gen del citocromo b), un fragmento de ADN genómico nuclear (1068 pb del intrón R35) y 1661 polimorfismos de nucleótido único (SNPs). Nuestros análisis moleculares y morfológicos revelaron la existencia de dos linajes evolutivos distintos de matamatas, genéticamente divergentes que se separaron en el Mioceno tardio (hace aproximadamente 12.7 millones de años), correspondiendo al tiempo en que se estableció la cuenca del Orinoco. Como resultado de nuestros análisis, describimos las genéticamente y morfológicamente distintas matamatas de las cuencas del Orinoco, Río Negro y Essequibo como una especie nueva para la ciencia (Chelus orinocensis sp. nov.). Chelus fimbriata sensu stricto se distribuye en la cuenca del Amazonas y en el drenaje del Mahury. Adicionalmente, los análisis revelaron que cada especie muestra diferenciación filogeográfica. Para C. orinocensis, hay una moderada diferenciación mitocondrial entre el Orinoco y el Río Negro. Para C. fimbriata, hay una diferenciación más pronunciada, concordando con los diferentes sistemas fluviales. Se identificó un clado de los ríos Amazonas, Ucayali y Mahury y otro de los ríos Madeira y Jaci Paraná. Las C. orinocensis de los ríos Essequibo y Branco tienen haplotipos que constituyen un tercer clado que se agrupa con C. fimbriata. Los análisis filogenéticos del intrón R35 y los datos de SNP asocian las matamatas de Essequibo y Branco con la nueva especie, sugiriendo flujo de genes pasado e introgresión mitocondrial antigua. Chelus orinocensis se colecta para el comercio de mascotas en Colombia y Venezuela. Sin embargo, ni se conoce el alcance de las colectas ni su impacto. Por lo tanto, es crucial recopilar más información y evaluar su explotación en todo su rango de distribución, comprender mejor su estado de conservación y para diseñar acciones apropiadas de conservación y manejo.
Conservation of large predator species has historically been a challenge because they often overlap in resource utilization with humans; furthermore, there is a general lack of in-depth knowledge of ...their ecology and natural history. We assessed the conservation status of the Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius), defining regional habitat priorities/crocodile conservation units (RHP/CCU) and regional research priorities (RRP) for this species. We also estimated a species distribution model (SDM) to define current suitable areas where the species might inhabit and/or that might be successfully colonized. The SDM area obtained with a suitable habitat probability ≥ 0.5 was 23,621 km2. Out of 2,562 km2 are included within protected areas in both Colombia (1,643 km2) and Venezuela (919 km2), which represents only 10.8% of C. intermedius' potential range. Areas such as Laguna de Chigüichigüe (flood plain lagoon) exhibited an increase in population abundance. In contrast, localities such as the Cojedes and Manapire Rivers reported a significant reduction in relative abundance values. In Colombia, disparity in previous survey methods prevented accurate estimation of population trends. Only one study in this country described an increase over a 13 years span in the Ele, Lipa, and Cravo Norte River populations based on nest surveys. We defined 34 critical areas (16 in Colombia, 17 in Venezuela, and one covering both countries) where we need to preserve/research/monitor and/or generate management actions, 10 RHP/CCU (six from Venezuela and four from Colombia) and 24 RRP (11 from Venezuela, 12 from Colombia, and one in both countries). Caño Guaritico (Creek) and the Capanaparo River in Venezuela and the Ele, Lipa, Cravo Norte River System and the Guayabero River in Colombia were defined as areas with the most optimal conditions for long-term preservation and maintenance of C. intermedius populations. We conclude that the conservation status of this species is still critical, which implies the necessity to increase efforts to recover the species, especially in Colombia, to guarantee its survival as a structural and functional component of the ecosystems it inhabits.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Although habitat fragmentation fosters extinctions, it also increases the probability of speciation by promoting and maintaining divergence among isolated populations. Here we test for the effects of ...two isolation factors that may reduce population dispersal within river networks as potential drivers of freshwater fish speciation: 1) the position of subdrain-ages along the longitudinal river gradient, and 2) the level of fragmentation within subdrainages caused by natural waterfalls. e occurrence of native freshwater fish species from 26 subdrainages of the Orinoco drainage basin (South America) was used to identify those species that presumably arose from in-situ cladogenetic speciation (i.e. neo-endemic species; two or more endemic species from the same genus) within each subdrainage. We related subdrainages fish diversity (i.e. total, endemic and neo-endemic species richness) and an index of speciation to our two isolation factors while controlling for subdrainages size and energy availability. The longitudinal position of subdrainages was unrelated to any of our diversity measures, a result potentially explained by the spatial grain we used and/or the contemporary connection between Orinoco and Amazon basins via the upstream Casiquiare region. However, we found higher neo-endemic species richness and higher speciation index values in highly fragmented subdrainages. These results suggest that habitat fragmentation generated by natural waterfalls drives cladogenetic speciation in fragmented subdrainages. More generally, our results emphasize the role of history and natural waterfalls as biogeographic barriers promoting freshwater biodiversity in river drainage basins.
The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) has long been regarded as a panmictic fish and has been confirmed as such in the northern part of its range. In this paper, we tested for the first time whether ...panmixia extends to the tropical range of the species. To do so, we first assembled a reference genome (975 Mbp, 19 chromosomes) combining long (PacBio and Nanopore and short (Illumina paired‐end) reads technologies to support both this study and future research. To test for population structure, we estimated genotype likelihoods from low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing of 460 American eels, collected at 21 sampling sites (in seven geographic regions) ranging from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago. We estimated genetic distance between regions, performed ADMIXTURE‐like clustering analysis and multivariate analysis, and found no evidence of population structure, thus confirming that panmixia extends to the tropical range of the species. In addition, two genomic regions with putative inversions were observed, both geographically widespread and present at similar frequencies in all regions. We discuss the implications of lack of genetic population structure for the species. Our results are key for the future genomic research in the American eel and the implementation of conservation measures throughout its geographic range. Additionally, our results can be applied to fisheries management and aquaculture of the species.
Abstract Dwarf caiman species of the genus Paleosuchus (Paleosuchus palpebrosus and Paleosuchus trigonatus) are old, widespread crocodilian lineages with populations affected by habitat modification. ...For both species, phylogeographical studies revealing crucial information have already been performed, but for important ecoregions, such as the Orinoco, knowledge is lacking. In this study, the phylogenetic identity of individuals of Paleosuchus spp. from the Orinoco basin of Colombia and Venezuela was evaluated. The genetic structure of the two species of Paleosuchus was also determined and their genetic diversity quantified. The results show a marked genetic structuring in both species, also indicating that the populations of P. trigonatus and P. palpebrosus of the Orinoco basin are well differentiated from those of other hydrographic basins. For Colombia, it was possible to infer that there are two independent management units for both species (Orinoco and Amazonas) and that the populations of the Orinoco basin present high genetic and haplotypic diversity. In Venezuela, only one management unit was identified for each species. This finding, together with the results of previous studies, show that, in total, there are at least five management units for P. palpebrosus and six for P. trigonatus, throughout their distribution areas. It is necessary to take this information into account when establishing conservation strategies for these species, although it is stressed that the geographical sampling must be improved in future phylogeographical studies, because information gaps persist at the geographical level.
Anthropogenic freshwater habitats may provide undervalued prospects for long‐term conservation as part of species conservation planning. This fundamental, but overlooked, issue requires attention ...considering the pace that humans have been altering natural freshwater ecosystems and the accelerated levels of biodiversity decline in recent decades. We compiled 709 records of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) inhabiting a broad variety of anthropogenic habitat types (from small ponds to large reservoirs and canals) and reviewed their importance as refuges for this faunal group. Most records came from Europe and North America, with a clear dominance of canals and reservoirs. The dataset covered 228 species, including 34 threatened species on the IUCN Red List. We discuss the conservation importance and provide guidance on how these anthropogenic habitats could be managed to provide optimal conservation value to freshwater mussels. This review also shows that some of these habitats may function as ecological traps owing to conflicting management practices or because they act as a sink for some populations. Therefore, anthropogenic habitats should not be seen as a panacea to resolve conservation problems. More information is necessary to better understand the trade‐offs between human use and the conservation of freshwater mussels (and other biota) within anthropogenic habitats, given the low number of quantitative studies and the strong biogeographic knowledge bias that persists.
We compiled 709 records of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) inhabiting anthropogenic habitat types (from small ponds to large reservoirs and canals). The dataset covered 228 species, including 34 threatened species on the IUCN Red List. Although some of these anthropogenic habitats may have conservation importance, others may function as ecological traps owing to conflicting management practices or because they act as a sink for some populations. We discuss the conservation importance and provide guidance on how these anthropogenic habitats could be managed to provide optimal conservation value to freshwater mussels.
Objetivo. El presente artículo expone la importancia de la comunicación popular como estrategia ético-política e innovadora en el ejercicio profesional del trabajo social comunitario. Metodología. Su ...exposición se realiza desde dos momentos: primero, desde el abordaje conceptual e histórico de la misma, integrando categorías como trabajo, comunicación, alienación, identidad, conciencia y lo urbano-popular; segundo, se examina la relación de la comunicación popular con el trabajo comunitario, para lo cual se describen sus características, aportes, particularidades, formas de manifestación social, evidenciándose la necesidad que existe de integrar sus componentes teórico metodológicos a los planes de estudio de formación profesional. Resultados. Se presenta la manera en que puede utilizarse en el marco de las luchas sociales y en la ofensiva contra hegemónica que deviene de los sectores urbano-populares. Conclusión. Los dos momentos se constituyen en aspectos esenciales para comprender la comunicación popular como escenario de praxis del trabajo social comunitario.
Knowledge about the distribution and diversity of wetlands has become an essential tool for environmental management and policy-making. Yet, while recent estimates indicate that 27% of the area of ...Colombia is covered by wetlands and despite a number of regional studies, information about the diversity of wetlands nationally is scarce. In response, we present a national wetland classification system that is based on an ecological approach, from the perspective of wetland scientists, and which builds upon the assumptions underlying the flood pulse concept and hydrogeomorphic approach. Thus, the approach and structure of the Brazilian wetland classification system are used, with geomorphological adjustments made according to Colombia’s topography. The classification is hierarchical, multi-scale, functional, and organized according to four levels (system, macroregion, subsystem, and class), with the wetland diversity of Colombia represented nationally by 89 macrohabitats across marine-coastal, inland, and anthropogenic systems. The primary purpose of this classification is to provide integrated and organized information on the distribution and diversity of Colombian wetlands that will serve as a baseline for transparent environmental policy-making.
Este artículo presenta el cálculo de los indicadores ODS 11.3.1 y 11.7.1 en Colombia, integrando información estadística y geoespacial, como fuentes esenciales para lograr una medición robusta y ...desagregada territorialmente. Con base en los procesos definidos por ONU-Hábitat, se desarrolla una metodología con énfasis geoespacial, soportada en el procesamiento de imágenes satelitales a través del algoritmo de clasificación supervisada Random Forest, para obtener las métricas requeridas en el cálculo de los dos indicadores, como son las áreas construidas, el consumo del suelo urbano, y los espacios abiertos, en conjunto con análisis integrados de información estadística. El indicador ODS 11.3.1 durante el periodo 2015-2020 se calculó para 63 ciudades definidas, cuyo valor nacional de 0,43 destaca que en el país se hace uso eficiente del suelo, mientras que el ODS 11.7.1 para 2018, se calculó en una muestra representativa de nueve ciudades, derivando que a nivel nacional un 33,2 % de las áreas construidas se destinan a espacios abiertos de uso público. Estos resultados hacen del país un referente regional en el monitoreo de los ODS, resaltando la posibilidad de actualizar los resultados a futuro, gracias a los procesamientos automatizados en la nube empleando desarrollos por medio de scripts.