Department Of Cauca Research Articles

Ain’t no mountain high enough? New records of Notiomastodon platensis (Mammalia, Proboscidea) from Colombia and the Quaternary dry corridor of the Cauca valley

ABSTRACT In this study, we present new records of the extinct South American proboscidean Notiomastodon platensis from three new fossiliferous sites in the riverbed of Cauca River, in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The fossil specimens were found in late Pleistocene deposits and include immature to senile Notiomastodon platensis individuals, comprising abundant dental and post-cranial materials. A review of the geographic distribution of the Notiomastodon platensis records in Colombia suggests that this giant mammal used the inter-Andean valleys as migratory corridors, possibly due to the presence of more suitable environmental conditions (lower temperatures and dry-forest) and energy-saving terrains, avoiding more prominent Andean hills. In addition, the Cauca Valley deposits stand out as having palaeontological significance to the comprehension of the late Pleistocene of the western region of South America.

Determination of botanical and geographical origin of Pollen samples of honeys collected by Apis mellifera Linnaeus in Cauca Department, Colombia

Introducción: Para la comercialización y mercadeo es importante determinar el origen botánico y geográfico mediante estudios polínico de mieles colectados por Apis mellifera (A. mellifera). Objetivo: efectuar un análisis polínico en muestras de mieles del departamento del Cauca, Colombia colectada por A. mellifera. Materiales y métodos. Las muestras de mieles fueron tomas en 11 apiarios durante 12 meses (2014-2015) en los municipios de Timbio, Totoró y Piendamó, se tomaron ejemplares de herbario de las plantas melíferas a 2Km a la redonda de los apiarios. Resultados. Se identificaron 110 tipos polínicos inmersos en las mieles, de los cuales la guayaba (Psidium guajava - Mirtaceae) con un 64% fue el tipo más frecuente para el municipio de Totoró, limpia dientes (Gouania polígama - Ramnaceae) con un 18,2% y 46% en Piendamó y Timbio, respectivamente. El resto de tipos polínicos se encuentran en menores proporciones. Conclusiones. Los análisis polínicos demuestran que las mieles colectadas durante la investigación se clasifican como poliflorales por la alta variedad de plantas cultivadas y silvestres que conservan y cultivan los apicultores del Cauca.

Arbovirus Antibody Seroprevalence in the Human Population from Cauca, Colombia.

Several arboviruses have emerged or reemerged into the New World during the past several decades, causing outbreaks of significant proportion. In particular, the outbreaks of Dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) have been explosive and unpredictable, and have led to significant adverse health effects. These viruses are considered the leading cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses in Colombia. However, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is endemic in Colombia, and arboviruses such as the Mayaro virus (MAYV) and the Oropouche virus (OROV) cause febrile illnesses in neighboring countries. Yet, evidence of human exposure to MAYV and OROV in Colombia is scarce. In this study, we conducted a serosurvey study in healthy individuals from the Cauca Department in Colombia. We assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against multiple arboviruses, including DENV serotype 2, CHIKV, VEEV, MAYV, and OROV. Based on serological analyses, we found that the overall seroprevalence for DENV serotype 2 was 30%, 1% for MAYV, 2.6% for CHIKV, 4.4% for VEEV, and 2% for OROV. This study provides evidence about the circulation of MAYV and OROV in Colombia, and suggests that they-along with VEEV and CHIKV-might be responsible for cases of acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses that remain undiagnosed in the region. The study results also highlight the need to strengthen surveillance programs to identify outbreaks caused by these and other vector-borne pathogens.

Novelties in Chrysochlamys membranacea (Clusiaceae: Clusieae), an Update on the Nomenclatural and Morphological Knowledge of this Species Described from Biogeographic Chocó, Colombia

Chrysochlamys membranacea Planch. & Triana is a species described as a pistillate specimen collected between Nariño and Cauca departments, in the locality of biogeographic Chocó, Colombia. In that publication the authors also provide a description of staminate flowers, however, there is no clarity about the collection related to it. During studies on the Clusiaceae family in Colombia, it was shown that C. membranacea is one of the species for which clarity about its sexual dimorphism is lacking and that, additionally, the citation of collections and localities has also generated taxonomic and nomenclatural uncertainty. In this work the knowledge about the identity of C. membranacea is revalued, its morphology is extensively described, emphasizing the fruits and staminate flowers, and the lectotype for this species is proposed. Finally, some notes are provided on its geographic distribution, phenology, taxonomic affinities, sexual dimorphism, and threat category according to the categories and criteria of the IUCN.

Molecular detection of tick-borne rickettsial pathogens in ticks collected from domestic animals from Cauca, Colombia

Some hard ticks’ species can act as vectors of a wide variety of pathogens of human and animal importance such as Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia spp. In Colombia, a total of forty-six tick species have been described, and some of them have been implicated as vectors of some infectious agents. The department of Cauca is one of the thirty-two departments of Colombia. Most of its population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture as the main economic activity, favoring exposure to ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the tick species and tick-borne pathogens circulating in this region. From August to November 2017, ticks were collected from dogs, horses and cattle from eight rural areas of four municipalities in the department of Cauca. All collected ticks were classified according to taxonomic keys and organized in pools. DNA was extracted from all tick pools for molecular confirmation of tick species and detection of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia spp. A total of 2809 ticks were collected which were grouped in 602 pools. Ticks were morphologically identified as Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. The molecular identity of A. cajennense s.l. was confirmed as Amblyomma patinoi. A total of 95% of the pools scored positive for members of the Anaplasmataceae family, of which, 7.8% and 7.3% were positive to Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp., respectively, being identified as Anaplasma marginale, Ehrlichia minasensis and Ehrlichia canis; and 16.1% were positive for Rickettsia spp. with high identity for Rickettsia asembonensis, Rickettsia felis and Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis. This is the first report describing the natural infection of ticks with rickettsial pathogens and the occurrence of A. patinoi ticks in Cauca department, Colombia.

Mobility assessment of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in andic soils of the department of Cauca, Colombia

El herbicida ácido 2,4 – diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) es un ácido selectivo y sistémico que, desde 1940, es ampliamente utilizado en suelo agrícolas, de todo el mundo. Su uso radica a su selectividad entre la vegetación de hoja ancha y cultivos de gramíneas y como regulador del crecimiento vegetal; sin embargo, este herbicida se puede acumular en el ambiente y, adicionalmente, puede ser transportado por lixiviación, a través del suelo, llegando a contaminar aguas subterráneas, lo que genera un alto riesgo para el ambiente y la salud del ser humano. El estudio de la movilidad del 2,4-D en suelos con alto contenido de materia orgánica permitió conocer, que no solo la materia orgánica se correlaciona indirectamente con la movilidad de este compuesto, sino que, también, influye la humedad, al reducir la lixiviación y el potencial de contaminación del recurso hídrico subterráneo, mientras que la conductividad hidráulica se relaciona, de manera directa, con la lixiviación de este herbicida.

Rapid assessment of mercury-contaminated sites through the Toxic Site Identification Program (TSIP). Colombia

Mercury concentration measurements were compiled from 72 sites located throughout seven departments of Colombia using field information gathered from 2016–2021 by Pure Earth, an international non-profit organization, and secondary information from previously conducted studies. These measurements and other data such as type of contaminated resource (water, soil), resource use (fishing, agricultural, residential, and industrial), estimated at-risk population, and permissible contamination limits were entered into Pure Earth’s Toxic Site Identification Program (TSIP) database. Using information from the TSIP database, the Blacksmith Index, a contaminated site intervention prioritization index, was calculated for all 72 sites. After applying exclusion criteria to the sites for this study, the results show that approximately 55,095 people are affected by mercury contamination in 44 sites. Of these study sites, the site with the highest Blacksmith Index value and therefore, the highest health risk due to mercury contamination, is La Bocana in the department of Valle del Cauca.

First report in Colombia and diagnosis of <i>Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid wasp of <i>Diaphorina citri</i>(Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is herein reported for the first time from Colombia based on specimens collected in the municipality of Palmira, department of Valle del Cauca. Adult male and female wasps of this endoparasitoid are diagnosed based on published literature and character states taken from specimens collected in the present study. The adult parasitoids were extracted from parasitized nymphs (mummies) of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Information is provided on the differences in the morphology of parasitized nymphs of D. citri with exit holes made by the two main primary parasitoids, i.e., Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and D. aligarhensis. Rates of parasitization on D. citri ranged from 1.5 to 24.2 % for T. radiata and 0.3 to 1.0 % for D. aligarhensis. With the present study, the presence of D. aligarhensis in Colombia becomes the second confirmed report of the species in South America, after Ecuador.

Adaptive Model of Classification of Professions in Vocational Guidance Systems

Vocational guidance is part of psychosocial development and is understood as a method that helps to determine the most appropriate profession according to the aptitudes and abilities of the student. The processes of vocational guidance are dynamic and focus on educating and favoring the decision-making process in the professional choice for a learning pathway throughout the student's life, which will benefit society in the long run. Most of the current solutions, both theoretical and applied, from Europe and North America differ when used in the Colombian context, mainly for adults, since the process of classifying professions is not accurate nor precise. In addition, there are various educational projects and evaluation systems in secondary education level institutions. At this level, the students have a changing vocational choice which implies taking into account specific characteristics of the context, also, the student profile vocational guidance determinants. The objective of this article is to describe the adaptive model of occupational classification integrated into the Intelligent Web Platform used in educational institutions in the Department of Cauca. The use of the CRISP-DM methodology allowed finding the Naive Bayes and Deep learning algorithms as those with the best performance in the classification of professions.

Frequency and associated factors of non-adherence to prenatal care in pregnant women 35 years of age or older in Cauca, Colombia, 2016-2018

To describe the frequency and factors associated with non-adherence to prenatal follow-up in pregnant women 35 years of age or older in the department of Cauca, Colombia, between 2016 and 2018. Cross-sectional, descriptive observational study of records of pregnant women between 35 and 41 years of age affiliated to the Cauca Indigenous Association Health Benefit Plan Management Organization-I (EAPB AIC-I) and registered in the prenatal care program, between 2016 and 2018. Duplicate records and records with incomplete information were excluded. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, as well as program outcomes, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Odds ratios and their confidence intervals were calculated. In 1016 patients between 35 and 41 years of age, a frequency of 61.3 % of non-adherence to at least six prenatal visits was found. History of abortion (adjusted OR: 0.46; 95 % CI 0.33-0.64) and pregnancy of five or more (adjusted OR: 3,22; IC 95 % 1,50-6,91) were the associated factors. Non-adherence to prenatal care by pregnant women of 35 years or more affiliated to the Cauca EAPB AIC-I is high. Further qualitative studies are needed to examine the cultural and social factors present in these communities that may affect adherence to prenatal monitoring, together with prospective studies to confirm the exploratory analysis of factors associated with non adherence. Insurance organizations in the subsidized regime should be called upon to conduct promotion activities in these communities in order to improve adherence.

Causal Complexity of Perinatal and Late Neonatal Mortality in the Department of Cauca, Colombia from the Perspective of Systems Thinking

Description of Background: Causes of perinatal and neonatal death are complex due to the multiple groups of factors, including clinical (biomedical), demographic, social, economic, and even political factors, as well as the interactions among them. The specific combination and interaction of those factors faced by one individual makes it more or less likely to have access to healthcare; in particular, they condition the effectiveness of key interventions to prevent perinatal and neonatal death such as accurate prenatal care. A holistic analysis of this variables and factors and interactions among them for subnational areas that lag in infant mortality is necessary to identify entry points to accelerate progress on mortality reduction results. Methods: Systemic and dynamic thinking methodology was applied to construct a causal loops diagram through brainstorming process among experts and executors and adapted to the Department of Cauca in Colombia, following the techniques of Williams B and Sturmber JP. Results: Many more reinforcing loops were found than balancing loops, while specific regional barriers were identified, facilitating the location of points for effective preventive interventions in the dynamic system that would allow the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG,2030). The causal loops diagram and referrals were validated through surveys of a group of first- and second-line experts in maternal and childcare, who provided feedback. Conclusions: The causal loops diagram adapted to regional particularities improves the Colombian path of compliance with the United Nations sustainable development goals and equity at the departments and subregions level. Relevance: In the Colombian case, because the main barrier in the Cauca Department, as others in the country, is the diversity in perinatal and late neonatal deaths by subregions when the whole Department average is acceptable in relation with UN-ODS, 2030.

Variation in population density of the Andean night monkey (Aotus lemurinus) in areas with different landscape characteristics

In the Colombian Andes, most of the populations of Andean night monkeys (Aotus lemurinus) are found in fragmented landscapes due to the predominant changes in land use in the region. Thus, forest fragments differ in shape, size, degree of isolation, and availability of resources. These factors have had a differential effect on the ecology and permanence of their populations. In order to determine the effect of fragmentation on A. lemurinus, we estimated its population density in a protected area of 489 ha of sub-Andean forest - at Otún Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary- which is structurally connected with other protected areas; then, we compared it with another study carried out in the unprotected Sub-andean forest fragments (900 ha) of Dapa, at the Valle del Cauca department. To estimate its density, the distance sampling method was used with 31 linear transects, and the data were analyzed with the software Distance. Landscape metrics was estimate with patch analyses tools with a Corine Land Cover information 1:100,000 scale. The plant structure and diversity were measurement with transects to 50 x 4 m and taking account the trees with diameter at breast height over 10 cm. We use average comparison to evaluate the similarities between patrons of the population density and explanatory variables. A population density of 39 ind/km2 was found in our study, which is lower than the 113 ind/km2 found in the Dapa. This relation was similar to relations of mean shape index, mean patch size and mean diameter at breast height, and inverse with the relations of proportion of the forest in the area, weighted cover index, plant diversity and density of trees. It is likely that the protected area, by being connected and having a greater diversity of primates and trees, allows this population not to suffer from a crowding phenomenon, and that the population does not increase it carrying capacity due to the low presence of competing species, conversely to what could be occurring in the unprotected fragments. Conversely, high density in Dapa could be reflect a system depletion in diversity and ecological processes.

The Hummingbird and the Condor among the Nasa Symbolize Spirituality in the Ceremony of the Saakhelu

Among the Nasa, an Indigenous culture of Colombia, established in the Departments of Cauca, Huila, Valle del Cauca, Caquetá, and Putumayo, the Hummingbird and the Condor are symbols of spirituality. The Hummingbird represents the fertility and abundance of crops; it is the giver of water and the one that harmonizes the Condor to prevent it from bringing negative energies to the territory. On the other hand, the Condor is the ruler of the great mountains, who can bring good or bad energies to the territories because it is the only one that knows the way to the afterlife. To achieve both harmonization and protection of the territory, the Nasa people, every September 21, perform the Saakhelu ceremony. This ceremony symbolizes their cultural identity and this legacy has been maintained for thousands of years, representing the most significant festival within their five grand festivities, bringing them together throughout their territory. All the spirits of nature are invited to this ceremony, particularly the Hummingbird and the Condor. Therefore, this study aims to understand the biocultural importance of these two birds in the Nasa culture. For this, the Saakhelu ceremony was analyzed, following ethnographic methods and the dialogue of knowledge with three knowledge holders of the Nasa people, who have the ancestral knowledge of their culture and the spiritual responsibility of being essential guides for their people.

Mercury Concentrations in Water, Sediments, Soil, and Fish Around Ancestral Afro-Descendant Territories Impacted by Gold Mining in the Cauca Department, Colombia

Mercury Concentrations in Water, Sediments, Soil, and Fish Around Ancestral Afro-Descendant Territories Impacted by Gold Mining in the Cauca Department, Colombia

The genus Ptiloneura (Psocodea: Ptiloneuridae) in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, altitudinal distribution, new records, and description of two species.

From recent collections of psocids in natural areas of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, new records and two new species of the genus Ptiloneura were found. The latter are described and illustrated: P. elduende n. sp., and P. pichindensis n. sp., that correspond to a subclade previously named as genus Loneuroides. A map with the geographical and altitudinal distribution of the species in the department of Valle del Cauca, and a key for the determination of the species (males) in this subclade are presented.

Spatio-temporal clusters and patterns of spread of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in Colombia.

Colombia has one of the highest burdens of arboviruses in South America. The country was in a state of hyperendemicity between 2014 and 2016, with co-circulation of several Aedes-borne viruses, including a syndemic of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in 2015. We analyzed the cases of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika notified in Colombia from January 2014 to December 2018 by municipality and week. The trajectory and velocity of spread was studied using trend surface analysis, and spatio-temporal high-risk clusters for each disease in separate and for the three diseases simultaneously (multivariate) were identified using Kulldorff's scan statistics. During the study period, there were 366,628, 77,345 and 74,793 cases of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, respectively, in Colombia. The spread patterns for chikungunya and Zika were similar, although Zika's spread was accelerated. Both chikungunya and Zika mainly spread from the regions on the Atlantic coast and the south-west to the rest of the country. We identified 21, 16, and 13 spatio-temporal clusters of dengue, chikungunya and Zika, respectively, and, from the multivariate analysis, 20 spatio-temporal clusters, among which 7 were simultaneous for the three diseases. For all disease-specific analyses and the multivariate analysis, the most-likely cluster was identified in the south-western region of Colombia, including the Valle del Cauca department. The results further our understanding of emerging Aedes-borne diseases in Colombia by providing useful evidence on their potential site of entry and spread trajectory within the country, and identifying spatio-temporal disease-specific and multivariate high-risk clusters of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, information that can be used to target interventions.

Range extension and distribution update of Hsunycteris cadenai (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

We report the northernmost collecting locality for the nectar-feeding bat Hsunycteris cadenai in the Colombian Biogeographic Chocó. This record extends the range of the species to 224 km north of the species type locality in Zabaletas river, department of Valle del Cauca, and 75 km west of Santa Cecilia, Risaralda. The specimen was collected on May 5, 2010, in a primary forest in Pacurita, Central Chocó. Our specimen of H. cadenai (CMCH 883) exhibits all the diagnostic characteristics of the species including the lateral projections on the postorbital region, a skull length greater than 20.0 mm, and a forearm shorter than 34.5 mm. We also present an updated distribution map for the species.

On the Tityus forcipula species group: redescription of Tityus forcipula (Scorpiones, Buthidae), description of a new Andean species, and notes on the taxonomy of the group.

The Tityus forcipula species group has had an intricate taxonomic history, changing its diagnostic characters and composition on several occasions. One of the alleged reasons for this taxonomic uncertainty is the use of superficial characters (i.e. raw similarity instead of putative synapomorphies) for species group delimitation. Here, we conducted a thorough phenotypic survey across the Tityus forcipula species group, as currently delimited, including characters that had been suggested elsewhere as putative synapomorphies for delimiting lineages within Tityus. In doing so we also redescribe Tityus forcipula and describe a new species belonging to the Tityus forcipula species group: Tityus moralensis sp. nov. based on specimens from the Andean region of Valle del Cauca department, Colombia. The Tityus forcipula species group is here delimited to Andean species from Colombia and Ecuador that share strongly sclerotized and brown colored pectines, basal middle lamellae of female pectines dilated and suboval or ovoid shaped, basal plate of female pectines without glandular region and telotarsi with two ventrosubmedian rows (type II) of stout macrosetae (i.e., Tityus crassicauda, Tityus cuellari, Tityus forcipula, Tityus fuhrmanni and Tityus moralensis sp. nov). The new Tityus species is placed into a phylogenetic context with other buthid species using DNA sequences (COI and 28S). Finally, we provide a map with updated distributional records of the Tityus forcipula species group.

Emancipatory Methodologies: Knowledge Production and (Re)existence of the Misak People in Colombia

Indigenous communities such as the Misak people in Colombia continue to struggle against the consequences of colonization and violence, but at the same time, they propose emancipatory methodologies of knowledge production. These practices towards epistemic justice are crucial to assure the (re)existence of indigenous peoples and their wisdom in Abya Yala. In this vein, our article sheds light on research methodologies rooted in Misak cosmogonies and processes to validate ancestral knowledge production. Through ethnographic and participatory action research in the indigenous reserve of Shura Manéla in the Colombian Cauca Department, we got insight into the spiral of persistent existence (espiral de pervivencia) and the law of origin of the Misak people. On this basis, we describe the Latá-Latá methodology reinvented by the community to recover their ancestral knowledge, and the Pachakiwa social cartography applied to depict their territorial relations. Moreover, we explain how collective validation processes work in practice. This serves to open up a transdisciplinary discussion on the potentials and the limitations of such vernacular research methodologies. We observe that healing from the trauma of colonization and inferiorization is a key driver of indigenous research processes. Therefore, developing further emancipatory methodologies based on equal subject-subject relations is an urgent task in the field of decoloniality. Learning from communities like the Misak is an invitation to become aware of the pluriversal complexity, listen to silenced sagacity, and find methods to pursue epistemic equality.

Evaluation of Cup Profile for Post-Harvest in Coffee Variety Castillo from Cauca Department

The post-harvest processes of coffee are widely accepted as key factors in determining the quality of the product. In the Cauca department, Southwestern Colombia, this stage is carried out empirically by farmers in the region, using old methods that do not assure consistent quality. This study proposes to determine the best post-harvest temperature and time conditions for coffee produced in the region. For this purpose, we carried the fermentation and honey process out on different coffee samples of the Coffea Arabica species of the Castillo variety. Subsequently, the cup profile quality of the coffee samples was determined by a sensory evaluation by experts. Finally, we applied descriptive statistical techniques to the resulting data and principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis to find similarities between the samples. The results suggest that the honey process gets better evaluations in the cup profile over any condition of temperature and fermentation time.
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