Areas Of Ecuador Research Articles

Reproduction and population structure ofOctopus mimusfished in a Marine Protected Area of Ecuador

Octopus mimusis the main octopus targeted by the small-scale fishery in the Eastern Pacific. Commercial catches of octopus from the Reserva de Producción Faunística Marino-Costera Puntilla de Santa Elena (REMACOPSE) Marine Protected Area in Ecuador were sampled from July to December 2013 in order to describe the reproduction and population structure of this octopus. The 4171 sampled octopuses ranged from 56 to 250 mm in mantle length (ML) and 45 to 3178 g in body weight (BW). Mean octopus weight did not change monthly. Males were mostly mature while the majority of females were immature. Presence of some mature and a few spent females in all months sampled suggests that the population shows an extended spawning period. No spawning peak could be properly defined. Sex ratios did not significantly shift from the expected 1:1 in most samples. Females mature at a larger size (1234 g, BW; 165 mm, ML) than males (487 g BW; 114 mm ML). We recommend considering a minimum legal size of 1200 g BW. A year-long sampling programme forO. mimusshould also be completed in order to detect any spawning peak.

Fuzzy Logic Methods to Evaluate the Quality of Life in the Regions of Ecuador

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to propose a methodological framework that calculates a synthetic indicator of satisfaction of citizens of the nine geographical areas of planning and development of Ecuador (zones).Methodology/Approach: The methodology is based on fuzzy logic and the degree of similarity to ideal solutions. The information is obtained through the application of a structured survey based on the European Social Survey to the Ecuadorian society. The analysis is based on eight different dimensions of satisfaction, namely: (1) Life; (2) Economy; (3) City Government; (4) Transparency; (5) Education; (6) Health System; (7) Roads; and (8) National Government.Findings: The results obtained help different stakeholders to have important insights about how the citizens’ quality of life and satisfaction depend to some extent on important public services that form the pillars of the social welfare, education and health system. However, our results also suggest that other areas of Ecuador can also benefit from the improvement of the policies developed by the local governments.Research Limitation/implication: An important research limitation is based on the limited number of segment variables used in the study, the geographical zones. Thus, an important venue for future research can be envisaged including other interesting traits analyzed by other scholars, like access to the internet, the social class or the size of the city.Originality/Value of paper: The analysis of individual satisfaction and citizens’ quality of life is paramount by the existing interdependence with social cohesion that exists nowadays in Ecuador.

The potential of protected areas to halt deforestation in Ecuador

SUMMARYEcuador, a country with nearly unparalleled levels of biodiversity and endemism, has one of the highest deforestation rates of South America. I examined whether governmentally protected areas in Ecuador have been effective at reducing deforestation. After estimating deforestation rates from existing land cover change data for 2000 to 2008, I used a matching approach to compare the rates of forest loss inside and outside protected areas, which corrected for geographic biases in the locations of protected areas. I tested for the effects of protected area age, size and level of protection on the rate of deforestation using generalized linear models. Governmentally protected areas still experienced deforestation – with no apparent effect of age, size and level of protection – of nearly 10,000 ha per year, but deforestation rates were lower inside compared to outside protected areas. Governmental protection led to the avoidance of additional deforestation of 2600–7800 ha of natural forest per year. Actions to mitigate deforestation in Ecuador are of global importance and as such it is promising that protected areas can help diminish deforestation, although the effectiveness of Ecuador's protected areas can still be improved upon.

Epilepsy-associated levels of perceived stigma, their associations with treatment, and related factors: A cross-sectional study in urban andrural areas in Ecuador.

Epilepsy is felt to be a stigmatizing condition. Stigma has been considered one of the major factors contributing to the burden of epilepsy and to the treatment gap. Stigma has a negative effect on the management of people with epilepsy (PWE). Furthermore, lack of information and inappropriate beliefs are still the factors that most contribute to stigma and discrimination. In this study, we assessed the level of perceived stigma in urban and rural areas and we report their association with in antiepileptic drug (AED) use, effects on seeking medical care, and stigma-associated factors. A cross-sectional study in urban and rural areas in Ecuador from January 2015 until May 2016. People with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy were included using three sources of information. The survey was implemented through a questionnaire to determine perceived stigma and evaluate the factors associated. The perceived stigma was measured using the revised Jacoby's stigma scale to detect differences in levels of stigmatization. Access to treatment was evaluated through self-report of AED use, and attainment of medical care and stigma-associated factors were assessed. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis adjusted for possible confounders was performed using stigma as the outcome variable. A total of 243 PWE were interviewed, 65.8% reported feeling stigmatized and 39.1% reported a high stigmatized level. We found a significant difference in high stigma perception in the urban area compared to the rural area. However, the lack of use of AEDs was significantly higher in the rural areas. No significant correlation was found between use of AEDs and the levels of perceived stigma. PWE who did not talk about their condition and those who did not feel well informed about their epilepsy had significantly higher perceived stigma levels. Additionally, the multivariate analysis demonstrated that area, educational level, type of seizure, talk about epilepsy, and information were associated with perceived stigma. The stigma perception was relevant in all PWE. We found a higher stigma level perception in the urban compared to rural area. Moreover, the lack of treatment was a serious problem mainly in rural areas. Even though we did not find that perceived stigma was associated with AED use, our study pointed out the influence of educational level and information related to stigmatization. Consequently, a coordinated effort to reduce stigma should include strategies focused on PWE education and information about their condition.

Tuber Quality Characteristics of Ecuadorian Potato Landraces and Farmer Preferences

Antioxidants, such as polyphenols and carotenoids, are present in potato and reported to have positive effects on human health. For Ecuadorian landraces there is a lack of data on these compounds. The present study aims 1) to characterize potato landraces from three areas in Ecuador for dry matter, total polyphenol and total carotenoid contents and 2) to determine if farmer preferences for certain landraces are based on characteristics related to nutritional value. We evaluated 23 potato landraces collected from farmer’s fields and organized workshops in the areas to collect information on the preferences of local farmers. We found varying levels of dry matter, total polyphenol and total carotenoid contents among Ecuadorian potato landraces, some even comparable to improved varieties. The extent of the use of these potato landraces by farmers and breeders is discussed.Accepted for publication: June 30, 2012.

Anthropometric, Blood Pressure, Dietary, and Physical Activity Differences in Urban‐Compared to Rural‐Dwelling Women in the Chimborazo Region of Ecuador

BackgroundRapidly increasing rates of obesity and hypertension (as well as heart disease, and type 2 diabetes) in Ecuador suggest that the nutrition transition from ancestral dietary patterns to convenience dietary patterns characterized by greater consumption of high energy density foods, as well as the physical activity transition to more sedentary lifestyles are occurring in many areas of the country. The magnitude of these nutrition and activity transitions is influenced by economic resources and location, but even residents of limited resource, remote rural areas in Ecuador have increasing access to a variety of convenience, processed foods including sugar‐sweetened beverages. Therefore in this cross‐sectional investigation we sought to determine differences in anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure (BP), and dietary and physical activity patterns in women residing in rural and urban locations in a region of Ecuador characterized by limited economic resources.MethodsUrban‐dwelling women (UW, n= 190, × age=44y) were randomly selected from 3 neighborhoods within the city of Riobamba (250,000 population) and rural‐dwelling women (RW; n=210, × age=47y) were randomly selected from three rural communities outside of Riobamba in the Chimborazo region of the Andes highlands. Food intake patterns were measured by a food frequency questionnaire (FFW) and by 24‐h dietary recall; physical activity patterns were determined by questionnaire. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured by standard procedures and BP was determined using an automated sphygmomanometer.Results91% of the UW obtained their food primarily through markets and local food stores compared to only 35% of the RW. 65% of the RW women obtained their food from their own cultivation. Based on food‐frequency questionnaire data, UW compared to RW women reported significantly greater consumption of sugar‐sweetened juices and sodas, cookies, white rice, and refined white bread, and lower intakes of dietary fiber, all of which are characteristic of a nutrition transition to a more highly processed, commercial, convenience dietary pattern. UW compared to RW women also reported spending significantly more time in sedentary activities, and less time walking and in strenuous work. The dietary and physical activity patterns of UW were associated with twice the prevalence of obesity (BMI>30 kg/m2) compared to RW (UW= 18.5%; RW=9.6%), higher mean body mass index (UW: x±SD=26.8±4.2 kg/m2; RW: x±SD=25.0±3.8; p<0.001), higher waist circumference (UW: x±SD=88.2±11.4 cm; RW: x±SD=85.5±10.8; p<0.001), and higher age‐adjusted resting systolic BP (UW: x±SEM=117.4±1.0 mmHg; RW: x±SEM=113.2±0.9; p<0.005). On the other hand, RW compared to UW reported significantly lower intakes of protein‐rich foods including beef, chicken, and pork, and the 24‐h dietary recall data revealed lower intakes of energy, protein, zinc, iron, vitamin A, and folate.ConclusionThe nutrition transition from a more ancestral pattern characterized by consumption primarily of locally grown foods to a pattern with greater consumption of commercially available foods, and the physical activity transition to more a more sedentary lifestyle are more evident in urban compared to rural‐dwelling women. These patterns in UW are associated with greater risk for overweight and obesity and higher blood pressure, but lower risk for protein and specific micro‐nutrient deficiencies compared to RW.Support or Funding InformationFunding: Fulbright Foundation, Colorado School of Public Health

Selection of a suitable plant for phytoremediation in mining artisanal zones

ABSTRACTA study was undertaken with the aim of identifying a suitable plant for the phytoremediation of metal-polluted soil from an artisanal mining area in Ecuador. Three zones including a natural zone (NZ), abandoned zone (AZ) and intensively mined zone (IZ) were selected. Three common native plants grown in the three zones were identified and collected, including Miconia zamorensis, Axonopus compressus and Erato polymnioides. The percentage of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization that benefits their own survival in polluted soil was analyzed in the root samples of these candidate species. Analysis of the soils and plants collected from the different zones showed that the concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd were comparatively lower in the NZ, higher in the AZ and IZ, and highest in the AZ for all the metals. The concentration of all these metals in plant tissues was the highest in E. polymnioides. The data analysis including the metal accumulation index, bioconcentration factor and translocation factor strongly identified E. polymnioides as a hyperaccumulator plant suitable for phytoremediation.

Familias Unidas for high risk adolescents: Study design of a cultural adaptation and randomized controlled trial of a U.S. drug and sexual risk behavior intervention in Ecuador

BackgroundDeveloping, testing and implementing evidence-based prevention interventions are important in decreasing substance use and sexual risk behavior among adolescents. This process requires research expertise, infrastructure, resources and decades of research testing, which might not always be feasible for low resource countries. Adapting and testing interventions proven to be efficacious in similar cultures might circumvent the time and costs of implementing evidence-based interventions in new settings. This paper describes the two-phase study, including training and development of the research infrastructure in the Ecuadorian university necessary to implement a randomized controlled trial. Methods/designFamilias Unidas is a multilevel parent-centered intervention designed in the U.S. to prevent drug use and sexual risk behaviors in Hispanic adolescents. The current study consisted of Phase 1 feasibility study (n=38) which adapted the intervention and study procedures within a single-site school setting in an area with a high prevalence of drug use and unprotected sexual behavior among adolescents in Ecuador, and Phase 2 randomized controlled trial of the adapted intervention in two public high schools with a target population of families with adolescents from 12 to 14years old. DiscussionThe trial is currently in Phase 2. Study recruitment was completed with 239 parent-youth dyads enrolling. The intervention phase and the first follow-up assessment have been completed. The second and third follow-up assessments will be completed in 2016. This project has the potential of benefitting a large population of families in areas of Ecuador that are disproportionally affected by drug trafficking and its consequences. Trial registrationMSP-DIS-2015-0055-0, Ministry of Public Health (MSP), Quito, Ecuador.

Análisis del hábitat del zorro costeño (Lycalopex sechurae) en el departamento de Lambayeque y propuesta de corredores ecológicos con herramientas SIG

The coastal fox or Sechura’s fox, whose scientific name is Lycalopex sechurae, is distributed among the areas of Ecuador’s northwest and the central coast of Peru. There is still little information about the biology of coastal fox and its role in ecosystems that are part of its habitat. Today the coastal fox habitat is under a state of fragmentation by human intervention. In this research, synthesized information about biological, ecological and geographical distribution of coastal fox is presented; with the status of threat and persecution, so conservation strategies are required, and this research focused on propose ecological corridors. The Corridor Designer, an extension of ArcGIS tools, could standardize the resolution of natural, anthropogenic, trophic and protective variables, and with those variables an habitat suitability between the ACP Chaparri and the ACR Huacrupe La Calera was obtained, which are connected from the design of two different ecological corridors, concluding that both are functional, although the first result of corridor would become more efficient and potential to put into the practice and reality.

Hacia la construcción de métricas alternativas. Estudio cualitativo sobre percepciones subjetivas del Buen Vivir en Cuenca y Nabón (Ecuador)

This article aims to describe the methodological design of a qualitative study on the population settled in a Southern Ecuador territory. It is a research project implementing a qualitative methodology with a view to obtaining information on subjective perceptions about Living Well and its dimensions, and also about the contexts for social participation and everyday life which are representative of rural and urban areas in Ecuador. Our qualitative research is part of the research proposal about alternative development measurements being conducted at the University of Cuenca’s PyDLOS research unit. The proposed methodological strategy presents two ways of producing social discourses about Living Well. With regard to a rural area (Nabon), a series of group techniques based on participation dynamics (workshops and group interviews) are applied to natural and homogeneous groups whose unit is the community, due to the great singularity of the settlements in the territory. On the other hand, for the urban area (Nabon), two techniques are employed: a) the focus group technique in certain social sectors, thus structuring several non-natural homogeneous groups on certain social divides which have been detected, and b) the in-depth interview technique to determine the corporate discourse on everyday city life through representatives of civic organizations.

Analysis of the implementation process for anti-epileptic treatment in Ecuador

Background: The World Health Organization estimates that 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy and nearly 80% of them are found in developing countries. Although epilepsy responds to treatment in 70-80% of individuals, a major problem is the lack of access to appropriate treatment. Furthermore, we know that the treatment of epilepsy is limited by several factors: the difficulty of tracking the different stages of treatment, lack of qualified staff, the tools for securing the diagnosis, non-compliance with the therapeutic dosing because of beliefs, and the high cost of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the most important actions necessary to improve the accessibility of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in rural and urban areas in Ecuador. Patients and methods: An observational epidemiological study is underway in Quito and the province of Napo in Ecuador from January 2015, to September 2016. Different surveys will assess all the AED circuits including the Ministry of Health and national services, components of the medical circuit (wholesalers, drug manufacturers and retailers) prescribers and healthcare facilities and the people with epilepsy. We are going to use three sources of information (medical records, key informants and door-to-door surveys) to find patients with epilepsy in these study areas. Expected results: The goal is to identify the barriers and facilitators to access of care and especially of AEDs, one of the first steps needed to improve health access for patients with epilepsy in Ecuador.

Efficiency of Indigenous Filamentous Fungi for Biodegradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Medium and Soil: Laboratory Study from Ecuador.

The competence of two fungal isolates for degrading petroleum hydrocarbons was evaluated. The filamentous fungi were isolated from a crude oil-contaminated soil in northeastern Ecuador, and were 99 %-100 % similar in 18S rDNA sequence to the genus Geomyces. Their efficiencies of degradation were tested in vitro for 30 days, using medium and soil microcosm. Residual hydrocarbons were tracked by gas liquid chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The maximum removal percentages of total petroleum hydrocarbons were 77.3 % and 79.9 % for experiments in the medium and soil microcosm, respectively. The percent germination of cow pea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds was increased from 20 % to 100 % upon bioremediation. Isolates sporulated optimally on minimal salts agar medium at pH 5, 25°C temperature, 1 %-1.5 % substrate (crude oil) and 4-6 g L(-1) N-P-K. These findings suggest that these fungal isolates are potential degraders for bioremediation in crude oil-contaminated areas in Ecuador.

Using Appreciative Inquiry for Work in Border Areas in Ecuador: From Cruelty and Social Injustice to Respect and Acceptance of Diversity

Using Appreciative Inquiry for Work in Border Areas in Ecuador: From Cruelty and Social Injustice to Respect and Acceptance of Diversity

Investigation of tick-borne bacteria (Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Borrelia spp.) in ticks collected from Andean tapirs, cattle and vegetation from a protected area in Ecuador.

BackgroundIxodid ticks play an important role in the transmission and ecology of infectious diseases. Information about the circulation of tick-borne bacteria in ticks is lacking in Ecuador. Our aims were to investigate the tick species that parasitize Andean tapirs and cattle, and those present in the vegetation from the buffer zone of the Antisana Ecological Reserve and Cayambe-Coca National Park (Ecuador), and to investigate the presence of tick-borne bacteria.MethodsTick species were identified based on morphologic and genetic criteria. Detection of tick-borne bacteria belonging to Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Borrelia genera was performed by PCRs.ResultsOur ticks included 91 Amblyomma multipunctum, 4 Amblyomma spp., 60 Rhipicephalus microplus, 5 Ixodes spp. and 1 Ixodes boliviensis. A potential Candidatus Rickettsia species closest to Rickettsia monacensis and Rickettsia tamurae (designated Rickettsia sp. 12G1) was detected in 3 R. microplus (3/57, 5.3%). In addition, Anaplasma spp., assigned at least to Anaplasma phagocytophilum (or closely related genotypes) and Anaplasma marginale, were found in 2 A. multipunctum (2/87, 2.3%) and 13 R. microplus (13/57, 22.8%).ConclusionsThis is the first description of Rickettsia sp. in ticks from Ecuador, and the analyses of sequences suggest the presence of a potential novel Rickettsia species. Ecuadorian ticks from Andear tapirs, cattle and vegetation belonging to Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus genera were infected with Anaplasmataceae. Ehrlichia spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were not found in any ticks.

Suitable rubber growing in Ecuador: An approach to South American leaf blight

Rubber growing (Hevea brasiliensis) is showing real development in Latin America, where the production of natural rubber is still held back by the incidence of the South American leaf disease caused by a fungus, Microcyclus ulei, recently renamed Pseudocercospora ulei, which causes repeated defoliation of trees. The solutions are genetic in order to grow varieties resistant to the disease, or developing new plantations in areas where disease incidence is less severe and does not present a serious risk due to adverse climatic conditions for the fungus. The aim of this study was to identify areas in Ecuador for their climatic characteristics suitable for rubber growing, and also the zones that are unsuited to the fungus P. ulei, in order to allow the establishment of rubber plantations with less phytosanitary risk. A geographic study was thus carried out at national level based on the biophysical basis of existing data, by selecting the most relevant parameters with their appropriate ranges for rubber cultivation. Different maps were obtained, displaying 749,824ha suitable for cultivation, of which 80,174ha are in escape areas.

A Broad Transition from Cloud Forest to Páramo Characterizes an Undisturbed Treeline in Parque Nacional Llanganates, Ecuador

This study aimed at investigating the vegetation pattern associated with the transition from upper northern Andean cloud forest to páramo grassland in a relatively unmodified area in Ecuador’s Eastern Cordillera. Single 20 × 10 m plots were randomly placed in representative sites along an altitudinal gradient from continuously wet Andean montane cloud forest at 3400–3700 m to páramo grassland at 3900–4000 m. Also sampled was a disjunct stand of the stem-rosette Espeletia pycnophylla var. llanganatensis, some 200 km south of the limit of the otherwise continuous distribution of this genus. Several physical and chemical soil factors, including temperature at -30 cm, were determined. Visual estimates of cover in four life-form classes (trees, shrubs, herbs, ground cover) at each site revealed similarities related to their relative proximity along an elevation gradient. Stands with a tree cover were more species-rich than those without, due largely to the differential distribution of the woody flora. No abrupt discontinuity occurred in the mix of species along this gradient. Soil temperature and altitude were the most important factors of those measured to explain the variability in plant community structure and composition. There was no clear zonation evident along the altitudinal gradient, with vegetation structure and floristics displaying continuous variation. No clear upper forest limit was differentiated. The isolated presence of Espeletia in the area is discussed, but the theory about its origin remains speculative.

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in slaughtered cattle identified by nested-PCR in abattoirs from two dairy areas of Ecuador.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic granulomatous disease that primarily affects lung tissue and lymph nodes (LN) in cattle, with economic impact on their productivity. Furthermore, it is potential zoonoses that may cause public health hazard. In this study, we evaluated the presence of bTB in two abattoirs: Cayambe and Pelileo countries located in the Ecuadorian provinces of Pichincha and Tungurahua, respectively. In total, 578 cattle were sampled (Cayambe 271 and Pelileo 307): 1,156 LN and 578 lung tissue samples were collected to apply in vitro culture and nested-PCR, respectively. The results determined a total apparent prevalence of 4.33%, with 4.06% at Cayambe's abattoir and 4.56% at Pelileo's abattoir. Additionally, the Bayesian analysis showed a total true prevalence of 2.51%, with 89.7% of sensitivity and 97.6% of specificity. The risk factors were evaluated by the use of simple logistic regressions with and without the random effect of places of origin. Associations of the origin of cattle in the selected slaughterhouses were found. The results showed an efficient method for the detection of bTB, which could identify a large number of infected animals, and the usefulness of lung tissue samples for early diagnosis of the disease was demonstrated in this study.

Predictors of validity and reliability of a physical activity record in adolescents.

BackgroundPoor to moderate validity of self-reported physical activity instruments is commonly observed in young people in low- and middle-income countries. However, the reasons for such low validity have not been examined in detail. We tested the validity of a self-administered daily physical activity record in adolescents and assessed if personal characteristics or the convenience level of reporting physical activity modified the validity estimates.MethodsThe study comprised a total of 302 adolescents from an urban and rural area in Ecuador. Validity was evaluated by comparing the record with accelerometer recordings for seven consecutive days. Test-retest reliability was examined by comparing registrations from two records administered three weeks apart. Time spent on sedentary (SED), low (LPA), moderate (MPA) and vigorous (VPA) intensity physical activity was estimated. Bland Altman plots were used to evaluate measurement agreement. We assessed if age, sex, urban or rural setting, anthropometry and convenience of completing the record explained differences in validity estimates using a linear mixed model.ResultsAlthough the record provided higher estimates for SED and VPA and lower estimates for LPA and MPA compared to the accelerometer, it showed an overall fair measurement agreement for validity. There was modest reliability for assessing physical activity in each intensity level. Validity was associated with adolescents’ personal characteristics: sex (SED: P = 0.007; LPA: P = 0.001; VPA: P = 0.009) and setting (LPA: P = 0.000; MPA: P = 0.047). Reliability was associated with the convenience of completing the physical activity record for LPA (low convenience: P = 0.014; high convenience: P = 0.045).ConclusionsThe physical activity record provided acceptable estimates for reliability and validity on a group level. Sex and setting were associated with validity estimates, whereas convenience to fill out the record was associated with better reliability estimates for LPA. This tendency of improved reliability estimates for adolescents reporting higher convenience merits further consideration.

A new spin on a compositionalist predictive modelling framework for conservation planning: A tropical case study in Ecuador

Knowledge about spatial biodiversity patterns is a basic criterion for reserve network design. Although herbarium collections hold large quantities of information, the data are often scattered and cannot supply complete spatial coverage. Alternatively, herbarium data can be used to fit species distribution models and their predictions can be used to provide complete spatial coverage and derive species richness maps. Here, we build on previous effort to propose an improved compositionalist framework for using species distribution models to better inform conservation management. We illustrate the approach with models fitted with six different methods and combined using an ensemble approach for 408 plant species in a tropical and megadiverse country (Ecuador). As a complementary view to the traditional richness hotspots methodology, consisting of a simple stacking of species distribution maps, the compositionalist modelling approach used here combines separate predictions for different pools of species to identify areas of alternative suitability for conservation. Our results show that the compositionalist approach better captures the established protected areas than the traditional richness hotspots strategies and allows the identification of areas in Ecuador that would optimally complement the current protection network. Further studies should aim at refining the approach with more groups and additional species information.

Chemosensory age discrimination in the snake <i>Boa constrictor</i> (Serpentes: Boidae)

Many snakes are able to use their chemosensory system to detect scent of conspecifics, which is important in many social contexts. Age discrimination based on chemical cues may be especially important to ensure access to sexually mature potential partners. In this study, we used 24 individual Boa constrictor snakes (12 adults mature and 12 non-mature individuals) that had been captured in different areas of Ecuador, and were maintained in captivity at the Vivarium of Quito. We used tongue-flick experiments to examine whether these snakes were able to discriminate between scents from mature and non-mature individuals. Results showed that B. constrictor snakes used chemical cues to recognize conspecifics and that the scent of individuals of different ages elicited chemosensory responses of different magnitudes. The scents from adult conspecifics elicited the quickest and highest chemosensory responses (i.e., short latency times and high tongue-flick rates), although we did not find differential responses to scent of males and females. The magnitude of the responses was lower to scent of sub adult individuals, and then even lower to scent of juvenile snakes, but in all cases the scent of snakes was discriminated from a blank control. We discuss the potential chemical mechanisms that may allow age recognition and its implications for social and sexual behavior of this snake species.