Area Of Costa Rica Research Articles

A Cryptic NewJemadia(Hesperiidae: Pyrginae: Pyrrhopygini) from Costa Rica and Panama with a Subtly Distinctive Combination of Blue Rays and White Bands

ABSTRACT. “We have little doubt it is rightly referred to this species,” wrote Godman and Salvin (1893: 262) about their only Panamanian specimen, a female from Calobre, in order to treat the South American Jemadia hewitsonii (Mabille, 1878) in their “Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta. Lepidoptera—Rhopalocera.” Half a century later, Evans included her in a type series of the newly described subspecies J. hewitsonii pater Evans, 1951, which after 50 more years Burns elevated to species status. This female is neither J. hewitsonii nor J. pater, but a new species, possibly closest to South American Jemadia ovid Evans, 1951, new status. The new Central American Jemadia, repeatedly reared in the Caribbean rain forest of Costa Rica's Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, is described here as Jemadia suekentonmiller Grishin, sp. nov.; and its facies, genitalia, and DNA barcodes are closely compared with those of various congeners. The twice-misplaced female is a paratype of J. suekentonmiller and is still the only...

APLICACIÓN DE SISTEMAS DE INFORMACIÓN GEOGRÁFICA Y TÉCNICAS DE AUTO-CORRELACIÓN ESPACIAL PARA ANALIZAR LA DEMANDA POR EMPLEO INDUSTRIAL EN LOS 81 CANTONES DE COSTA RICA EN 2011

<p>Este artículo trata de demostrar que existe una elevada concentración del empleo industrial en algunas áreas geográficas de Costa Rica. Para ello se dispone de una base de datos novedosa y completa derivada del Censo de Población y Vivienda del año 2011, el cual permite crear una matriz origen-destino de empleo y con ello tener por primera vez para el país información sobre la demanda por empleo industrial que genera cada cantón. El uso de índices de dependencia espacial, de Sistemas de Información Geográfica y coeficientes de localización industrial permiten demostrar la existencia de conglomerados de empleo industrial en algunos cantones de Costa Rica.</p>

Correlation between virulence and genetic structure of Escovopsis strains from leaf-cutting ant colonies in Costa Rica.

Leaf-cutting ants (genera Atta and Acromyrmex) cultivate a specialized fungus for food in underground chambers employing cut plant material as substrate. Parasitism occurs in this agricultural system and plays an important role in colony fitness. The microfungi Escovopsis, a specialized mycoparasite of the fungal cultivar, is highly prevalent among colonies. In this study, we tested the antagonistic activity of several Escovopsis strains from different geographical areas in Costa Rica. We employed a combination of laboratory tests to evaluate virulence, including pure culture challenges, toxicity to fungus garden pieces and subcolony bioassays. We also performed a phylogenetic analysis of these strains in order to correlate their virulence with the genetic structure of this population. The bioassays yielded results consistent between each other and showed significant differences in antagonistic activity among the parasites evaluated. However, no significant differences were found when comparing the results of the bioassays according to the source of the ants' fungal cultivar. The phylogenetic analyses were consistent with these results: whilst the fungal cultivar phylogeny showed a single clade with limited molecular variation, the Escovopsis phylogeny yielded several clades with the most virulent isolates grouping in the same well-supported clade. These results indicate that there are Escovopsis strains better suited to establish their antagonistic effect, whilst the genetic homogeneity of the fungal cultivars limits their ability to modulate Escovopsis antagonism. These findings should be taken into consideration when evaluating the potential of Escovopsis isolates as biocontrol agents for this important agricultural pest in the Neotropics.

An automatic acoustic bat identification system based on the audible spectrum

Nowadays the task of monitoring bat species is a very difficult task because of several factors. The main ones are the difficulty of creating databases automatically and the particularities of the vocalizations of bats. For this reason, it is common to extract bat calls manually from a recording and treat them individually. We propose a new form of identification and labeling process based on adapting bat calls to the audible spectrum and significantly reducing the noise of its spectrogram. This process can be performed automatically from a recording made in a natural area. Our database consists of 189h of recordings obtained in various natural areas in Costa Rica. 50 bats calls of 7 different classes are extracted from this database. We have obtained an average error of 2.7% and 3 of the 7 classes have an error below 1%.

Microcistina en plantas de tratamiento de agua para consumo humano en un ambiente tropical: el Área Metropolitana de Costa Rica

We measured microcystin levels in water of the Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica by competitive inhibition ELISA and we quantified total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli (by a Most Probable Number method) and aerobic count. We wanted to identify any cyanotoxin correlation with these parameters, as a public health risk. We sampled in the rainy season of 2003 (April-October) and in the dry season of 2004 (February-March) (30 samples/season). We sampled pre-treated, semi-treated and treated water. Microcystin levels < 0.5 ppb were found in the rainy season (and > 0.5 ppb in the dry season). Dry season levels exceeded World Health Organization limits (1.0 ppb). Cyanotoxins occurred in the Tres Rios plant. We did not find a correlation between these microbiologic parameters of water quality and microcystin levels in water.

Efecto de la labranza mínima y la convencional en frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) en la Región Huetar Norte de Costa Rica.

The work was conducted in the northern area ofCosta Rica where two plots were sown: one of minimumtillage (1.85 ha) and another of conventional tillage (2 ha).Both tillage systems were planted with a hydraulic sowerfertilizer. The sown variety was the Brunca. The population ofbean plants evaluated during the vegetative stage was of 9.37plants/lineal meter in minimum tillage, and of 9.55plants/lineal meter in conventional tillage. The weed densitywas larger under conventional tillage and the most prevalentweeds were Richardia scabra, Rottboellia cochinchinensis ySpermacoce sp. The dry weight of weeds was of 37.6 g ofweed/frame of 0.25 m2 in minimum tillage, while in theconventional tillage it was of 46.4 g of weed/frame. Theincidence and severity of web-blight (Tanatheporuscucumeris) in the system of minimum tillage was of 42.8%and of 0.83, respectively, while in conventional tillage it wasof 52.2% and 1.22, respectively. In the system of minimumtillage the yield was of 930 kg/ha, and in conventional of 676kg/ha.

Pesticides in blood from spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) downstream of banana plantations in Costa Rica

Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) are fish-eating crocodilians that inhabit freshwater habitat in tropical regions of the Americas. To assess the exposure of caiman to pesticides from banana plantations, the authors collected whole blood samples (30 mL) from 14 adult caiman that were captured in the North Atlantic region of Costa Rica. Blood samples were analyzed for 70 legacy- and current-use pesticides and breakdown products using newly developed ultra-trace, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Caiman accumulated pesticides ranked by concentration as dieldrin > permethrin > mirex > 4,4'-DDE > alpha-endosulfan > heptachlor epoxide > oxychlordane > heptachlor > cypermethrin. Caiman within the high-intensity banana crop watershed of Rio Suerte had higher pesticide burdens relative to other more remote locations (F = 12.79; p = 0.00). Pesticide concentration decreased with distance from upstream banana plantations in this river system (F = 20.76; p = 0.00). Caiman body condition was negatively correlated with total pesticide concentrations (F = 6.23; p = 0.02) and with proximity to banana plantations (F = 5.05; p = 0.04). This suggests that either pesticides elicited toxic effects in caiman, resulting in diminished overall health, or that the quantity or quality of their prey was reduced by pesticides downstream of plantation waterways. The authors' results indicate that pesticide use in banana plantations is impacting a high trophic level species inhabiting one of the most important wilderness areas in Costa Rica (Tortuguero National Park).

Longer leukocyte telomere length in Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula: A population-based study

Studies in humans suggest that leukocyte telomere length may act as a marker of biological aging. We investigated whether individuals in the Nicoya region of Costa Rica, known for exceptional longevity, had longer telomere length than those in other parts of the country. After controlling for age, age squared, rurality, rainy season and gender, the mean leukocyte telomere length in Nicoya was substantially longer (81 base pairs, p<0.05) than in other areas of Costa Rica, providing evidence of a biological pathway to which this notable longevity may be related. This relationship remains unchanged (79 base pairs, p<0.05) after statistically controlling for nineteen potential biological, dietary and social and demographic mediators. Thus the difference in the mean leukocyte telomere length that characterizes this unique region does not appear to be explainable by traditional behavioral and biological risk factors. More detailed examination of mean leukocyte telomere length by age shows that the regional telomere length difference declines at older ages.

Prevalence of fur mites (Acari: Atopomelidae) in non-human primates of Costa Rica

Parasites have been investigated for some New World primates; however, very little is known about ectoparasites and specifically fur mites. In this study, Alouatta palliata, Cebus capucinus, Saimiri oerstedii, and Ateles geoffroyi monkeys from different areas of Costa Rica were searched for fur mites. A total of 276 monkeys were evaluated, and 51 of them were positive for mites of the family Atopomelidae. Listrocarpus alouattae was identified on 22.3% of A. palliata; Listrocarpus capucinus on 12.8% of C. capucinus; and Listrocarpus costaricensis on 36.8% of S. oerstedii; No fur mites were found on A. geoffroyi. Sex was not considered a determinant of mite infestation, but prevalence was significantly higher in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range Conservation Area for L. alouattae (p=0.01) and in the Central Pacific Conservation Area for L. capucinus (p=0.002). These primate fur mites are highly host-specific. Differences in the geographical distribution may be due to monkey behavior and history, as well as to environmental conditions.

Bureaucratic Barriers Limit Local Participatory Governance in Protected Areas in Costa Rica

The importance of local participation in biodiversity governance was recently recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through the incorporation of Indigenous Peoples' and Local Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) as a protected area category. This paper explores what barriers ICCAs might face in their successful implementation within already existing protected area systems. I look at this issue in the context of the decentralisation of biodiversity governance in Costa Rica and examine the internal makeup of four different conservation areas within the National System of Conservation Areas. My findings suggest that it is not enough to enact legal reforms allowing and encouraging local participation. Successfully involving local participation requires attention to the class-based relationships within the protected area bureaucracy that create incentives (or not) to link with the local rural citizenry affected by these areas. In three out of four conservation areas, the dominant social class and urban-rural dynamics combined with a lack of accountability mechanisms have discouraged any real rural involvement and empowerment for decision-making. The strategy of the one area that succeeded at sorting these obstacles to incorporate local participation is described in detail.

Institutional Arrangements for Adaptive Governance of Biodiversity Conservation: The Experience of the Area de Conservación de Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Se ha dedicado mucha atención a entender cómo evitar la sobre-explotación de los recursos de uso común, mientras que el estudio de cómo producirlos en primera instancia ha recibido menos atención en la literatura. En este trabajo utilizamos el caso del Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) en Costa Rica, para identificar varios atributos institucionales involucrados en su habilidad para co-producir ‘conservación de la biodiversidad.’ Los atributos observados en el ACG son: (1) una visión clara e inspiradora internalizada por el personal operativo; (2) oportunidades de aprendizaje y práctica; (3) alta contextualización organizacional; (4) autonomía financiera y administrativa de largo plazo; y (5) acceso a una variedad de recursos a través de vínculos a múltiples escalas. Discutimos como estos atributos interactúan para crear un sistema dinámico para la gobernanza adaptativa de biodiversidad y porqué estos factores estaban ausentes en otras áreas protegidas de Costa Rica.

Relations Between Bulk Precipitation, PM10 Composition and Meteorological Conditions in the Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica

Concentrations of inorganic ions (Cl-, H+, SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) and metals (V, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cr Mn, Al, Fe) in bulk precipitation and PM10 samples collected in the metropolitan area of Costa Rica were analyzed. Good correlations between acidity in bulk precipitation with the concentrations of aerosols in the air were observed. The scavenging of the pollutants from the air directly affects the pH and composition of the bulk precipitation. The major ions in bulk precipitation in the metropolitan area of Costa Rica were SO42-, NH4+, Ca2+, Na+ ion percentages with 41.4, 12.0, 10.9 and 9.1 respectively. Al, Fe and Mn were the most abundant trace metals. The alkaline cations, NH4+ and Ca2+, actedas acid neutralizers and buffered the acidity of bulk precipitation. Meteorological conditions presented during the events determine the composition of bulk precipitation samples.

ASSESSING LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY BY INCORPORATING THE SURFACE COVER INDEX AS A MEASUREMENT OF VEGETATIVE COVER

ABSTRACTLocal environmental conditions are known to be the most influential in landslide dynamics. Some variables, such as slope, elevation, lithology, vegetative cover, and soil type, are more common and influential than others. Every variable, except for vegetative cover, has been incorporated into many different statistical models as a continuous variable showing nuances and differentiation among the data. In regions where vegetative cover is the single most important variable in determining slope stability, a land cover classification cannot provide the level of information required for efficient modeling of landslide events. It is hoped that the surface cover index (SCI) can be used to numerically assess vegetative cover by using Landsat imagery and sub‐pixel analysis. Two models utilizing simple raster calculations involving slope and the SCI were created. Each model was then assessed and validated for accuracy by using a user‐created multi‐temporal landslide inventory of the Dominical, Costa Rica area. Results determined that normalized inputs of slope and SCI can produce an algorithm with a high degree of accuracy and proved that the SCI can be used in assessing landslide hazard in a tropical forest environment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Identifying landslide activity as a function of economic development: a case study of increased landslide frequency surrounding Dominical, Costa Rica

Despite legislation and voluntary initiatives aimed at protecting the environment, previously undeveloped areas of Costa Rica are subject to new development opportunities. This growth has been largely unchecked, and has led to enormous amounts of foreign direct investment. This unchecked investment has led to destabilization of the natural environment, and, in the case of the Dominical–Uvita corridor on the Pacific Coast, has led to an observed increase in landsliding activity. Data collection for a landslide inventory of the study area was created via direct inspection and remote sensing techniques in December 2007 and November 2008. Evaluation of data was based on the slide location, surrounding land cover/land use, and evidence of reactivation. Data were subjected to a χ2 2 × 3 contingency table and the Freeman–Halton extension of the Fisher exact probability test to gauge the level of impact from human-induced land-use change on the rate of landslide events. The results suggest more attention needed to monitor the impacts of human agency in the region lest landslide susceptibility become greater.

Guazuma ulmifolia (Sterculiaceae), a new natural host of 16SrXV phytoplasma in Costa Rica

Guacimo trees (Guazuma ulmifolia, Sterculiaceae) showing witches' broom symptoms (GWB), small leaves, short internodes, stunting and no flower and fruit production were observed on side roads and fences in different areas of Costa Rica. The occurrence of phytoplasma infection in GWB trees was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and by molecular analyses based on 16S rDNA: nested-PCR/RFLP, sequencing and phylogenetics. Phytoplasmas were observed only in the sieve cells of symptomatic trees by TEM. The infection was confirmed by nested-PCR; amplicons of about 1.2 kb were obtained from all DNA samples from symptomatic trees. The RFLP analysis generated patterns identical among GWB samples and showed a relationship of this phytoplasma to hibiscus witches' broom group (16SrXV). The 16S rDNA sequence (1460 nt), obtained from the P1A/16S-SR semi-nested-PCR products of two phytoplasma strains, shared 98.8% similarity with 'Candidatus Phytoplasma brasiliense' (GenBank accession: AF147708). The virtual RFLP pattern indicated a similarity coefficient of 0.95 with 16Sr group XV-A (AF147708), suggesting that the GWB phytoplasma may represent a new subgroup within this group. This is the first report of a phytoplasma infecting the neotropical tree species G. ulmifolia and the natural occurrence of a phytoplasma strain closely related to 'Ca. Phytoplasma brasiliense' in Costa Rica.

Genetic discontinuities and disequilibria in recently established populations of the plant pathogenic fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis

Dispersal processes of fungal plant pathogens can be inferred from analysis of spatial genetic structures resulting from recent range expansion. The relative importance of long-distance dispersal (LDD) events vs. gradual dispersal in shaping population structures depends on the geographical scale considered. The fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis, pathogenic on banana, is an example of a recent worldwide epidemic. Founder effects in this species were detected at both global and continental scale, suggesting stochastic spread of the disease through LDD events. In this study, we analysed the structure of M.fijiensis populations in two recently (∼1979-1980) colonized areas in Costa Rica and Cameroon. Isolates collected in 10-15 sites distributed along a ∼250- to 300- km-long transect in each country were analysed using 19 microsatellite markers. We detected low-to-moderate genetic differentiation among populations in both countries and isolation by distance in Cameroon. Combined with historical data, these observations suggest continuous range expansion at the scale of banana-production area through gradual dispersal of spores. However, both countries displayed specific additional signatures of colonization: a sharp discontinuity in gene frequencies was observed along the Cameroon transect, while the Costa Rican populations seemed not yet to have reached genetic equilibrium. These differences in the genetic characteristics of M.fijiensis populations in two recently colonized areas are discussed in the light of historical data on disease spread and ecological data on landscape features.

Fungal and Viral Pathogen Occurrence in Costa Rican Amphibians

Abstract Amphibians are declining globally at an unprecedented rate. Disease and climate change are implicated as causes of enigmatic declines. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is an amphibian pathogen prevalent in the Neotropics and is commonly associated with declining populations. Another amphibian pathogen, ranavirus, has not been detected in the nontemperate areas of the Neotropics, but few investigators have sampled for it. We used molecular techniques to test for Bd and ranaviruses in two areas of Costa Rica with a history of amphibian declines. We detected Bd from field-sampled amphibians in Monteverde and Las Cruces, Costa Rica; ranaviruses were not detected in either area. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that Bd was involved in declines at both sites, and provides additional information on its distribution in Costa Rica.

Consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos en atención primaria en Costa Rica: evolución y variabilidad geográfica

Objective To determine changing patterns and variability in consumption of classic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) among the health areas in Costa Rica between 2000 and 2005. Methods The drugs studied were ibuprofen, indomethacin, penicillamine, sulindac, tenoxicam, and diclofenac sodium. To measure consumption, we used the defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID). To analyze variability, the coefficient of variation weighed by the population size (CVw), extremal ratio, interquartile ratio, dot plot and map graphs were used. Results From 2000-2005, NSAID consumption increased by 48% and the annual cost rose by 184%. The drugs with greatest consumption and participation in cost were sulindac and indomethacin. NSAID consumption varied between 0.1 and 61.8 DID according to health areas, with a CVw of 66.8%. Variability was greatest with penicillamine (CVw = 449.89%) and tenoxicam (CVw = 315.26%). Conclusions Clearly differentiated geographical patterns in NSAID consumption were found in Costa Rica, with very different rates within the same region. According to the results obtained, two factors associated with this variability were the supply of health services and the percentage of the population aged 65 years or more within the catchment area.

Consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents in primary care in Costa Rica: changing patterns and geographical variability

OBJECTIVE To determine changing patterns and variability in consumption of classic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) among the health areas in Costa Rica between 2000 and 2005. METHODS The drugs studied were ibuprofen, indomethacin, penicillamine, sulindac, tenoxicam, and diclofenac sodium. To measure consumption, we used the defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID). To analyze variability, the coefficient of variation weighed by the population size (CVw), extremal ratio, interquartile ratio, dot plot and map graphs were used. RESULTS From 2000-2005, NSAID consumption increased by 48% and the annual cost rose by 184%. The drugs with greatest consumption and participation in cost were sulindac and indomethacin. NSAID consumption varied between 0.1 and 61.8 DID according to health areas, with a CVw of 66.8%. Variability was greatest with penicillamine (CVw = 449.89%) and tenoxicam (CVw = 315.26%). CONCLUSIONS Clearly differentiated geographical patterns in NSAID consumption were found in Costa Rica, with very different rates within the same region. According to the results obtained, two factors associated with this variability were the supply of health services and the percentage of the population aged 65 years or more within the catchment area.

Environmental management for the control of Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811), (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Costa Rica: a pilot project

An ecological control method, using environmental management operations, based on biological and behavioral characteristics of Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811), was implemented as a pilot project in an area of Costa Rica where the bug is prevalent. The sample was represented by 20 houses with peridomestic colonies (two also had indoor infestation), divided in two equivalent groups of 10 each. In one group we intervened the houses, i.e. all objects or materials that were serving as artificial ecotopes for the bugs were removed, and the second group was used as control houses. After a year of periodic follow up, it became evident that in those houses with a modified environment the number of insects had decreased notoriously even after the first visits and this was more evident after a period of 12.5 to 13.5 months in which no insects were detected in eight of the houses. It also became clear that in this group of houses, recolonization by wild bugs from the surrounding areas, became more difficult, probably due to the absence of protection from bug predators. In the control houses, with the exception of three in which the inhabitants decided to intervene on their own, and another house with a peculiar situation, the insect populations remained the same or even showed a tendency to increase, as confirmed at the end of the experiment. We believe that the method is feasible, low costing and non contaminating. It could be used successfully in other places where T. dimidiata is common and also in countries where other species colonize peridomestic areas of homes. Environmental management of this kind should seek the participation of the members of the communities, in order to make it a more permanent control measure.