Cuban Archipelago Research Articles

Morphological and molecular characterization of Klossnema viguerasi n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridomorpha: Hystrignathidae) from a Cuban passalid beetle (Coleoptera: Passalidae), first record of the genus for Cuba.

Klossnema viguerasi n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridomorpha: Hystrignathidae) is described from the passalid beetle Antillanax pertyi (Kaup, 1869), endemic to Cuba. The females of K. viguerasi n. sp. are morphologically similar but slightly longer than K. repentina Cordeiro Artigas, 1983 (1.143 mm vs. 1.000 mm). Both species differ in that K. viguerasi n. sp. has a longer procorpus (139 µm vs. 110 µm), isthmus (39 µm vs. 24 µm), and tail length (28 µm vs. 21 µm). The distance from the vulva to the anterior end is also longer in the new species (0.748 mm vs. 0.650 mm). The males of K. viguerasi n. sp. are larger than K. repentina (0.980 mm vs. 0.800 mm), but their isthmus is shorter (38 µm vs. 48 µm). New features of the cephalic end of both sexes, and copulatory papillae pattern of the males were observed by SEM and the generic diagnosis is emended in order to include such features. The phylogeny of K. viguerasi n. sp. is inferred by the analysis of the D2-D3 domains of the 28S rDNA and the 18S rDNA. This constitutes the first record of the genus Klossnema for the Cuban archipelago and the West Indies.

Diversity patterns of free-living nematode assemblages in seagrass beds from the Cuban archipelago (Caribbean Sea).

Diversity patterns of free-living marine nematodes in tropical seagrass beds are understudied. Here, we describe the species richness and assemblage composition of nematodes in 13 seagrass sites covering the whole Cuban archipelago. Nematodes were collected from Thalassia testudinum seagrass beds and identified to species level. We provide a checklist of nematode species from seagrass beds. The species richness of nematode assemblages is high, with 215 species, 138 genus, 35 families, seven orders and two classes. That γ-diversity is higher than other studies and points to seagrass beds as diversity hotspots of free-living marine nematodes. Local species richness in seagrass bed sites is about 57 ± 17 species and broadly similar across the sites, despite the environmental heterogeneity. The geographical distance plays a weak, but significant, role on the decay of similarity likely affected by limited dispersal of nematodes. The pairwise similarity values, related to poor-coloniser nematodes, were twice more affected by the distance than those related to good-colonisers, possibly due to differential success of transport and settlement.

Cuba in Mexico: first record of Phyllops falcatus (Gray, 1839) (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) for Mexico and other new records of bats from Cozumel, Quintana Roo.

The first record of Phyllops falcatus (Gray, 1839) in Mexico is documented from the island of Cozumel, Quintana Roo. This species is present in the Antilles, distributed in all the Cuban archipelago, Cayman Islands, and Hispaniola. It is likely that a hurricane moved these bats from Cuba to Cozumel. The Cozumel record extends the distribution more than 200 km west. Two new records from Cozumel of the bats Lasiurus ega and Molossus alvarezi are also provided.

Population genetic structure of the great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, across the Cuban archipelago with comparisons between microsatellite and SNP markers

Coral reef habitats surrounding Cuba include relatively healthy, well-developed shallow and mesophotic (30–150 m) scleractinian communities at the cross-currents of the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA). However, Cuba’s coral communities are not immune to the declines observed throughout the TWA, and there is limited information available regarding genetic connectivity, diversity, and structure among these populations. This represents an immense gap in our understanding of coral ecology and population dynamics at both local and regional scales. To address this gap, we evaluated the population genetic structure of the coral Montastraea cavernosa across eight reef sites surrounding Cuba. Colonies were genotyped using nine microsatellite markers and > 9,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated using the 2bRAD approach to assess fine-scale genetic structure across these sites. Both the microsatellite and SNP analyses identified patterns of genetic differentiation among sample populations. While the microsatellite analyses did not identify significant genetic structure across the seven shallow M. cavernosa sampling sites, the SNP analyses revealed significant pairwise population differentiation, suggesting that differentiation is greater between eastern and western sites. This study provides insight into methodological differences between microsatellite and SNP markers including potential trade-offs between marker-specific biases, sample size, sequencing costs, and the ability to resolve subtle patterns of population genetic structure. Furthermore, this study suggests that locations in western Cuba may play important roles in this species’ regional metapopulation dynamics and therefore may merit incorporation into developing international management efforts in addition to the local management the sites receive.

Arribazones de Sargassum en la costa norte occidental de Cuba

The pelagic macroalgae finches of the Sargassum genus in the Caribbean Sea currently represent a very natural problem due to their negative impact on the tourism industry, fishing industry, the environment and society in general. This work presents an above report of Sargassum that occurred on the north western coast of the Cuban archipelago in March 2019. The macroalgae species identified in the tidal zone were Sargassum fluitans and S. natans, and the specific geographic area where the impact of the upheaval occurred was from the west of Matan-zas bay to Mariel bay. The finches of these macroalgae were cataloged with a moderate magnitude compared to other reports in the Mexican Caribbean and in the Dominican Republic. This order of magnitude was cataloged based on its covered area of 169.3 km and its distribution along the coast in large patches, but very fragmented, despite the prevailing winds from the first quadrant (from north to east) during this period. Other events of this type reported in Cuba and the Caribbean region are taken up and discussed. Keywords: Caribbean Sea, Sargassum fluitans, Sargassum natans, Cuba.

New insights on the quaternary fossil record of Isla de la Juventud, Cuba

The fossil record of Isla de la Juventud, the second largest island in the Cuban archipelago, is very limited in the number of taxa and localities so far studied but can be key to further understand the biogeographical history and extinction of the fauna in the region. Here, we report the faunal assemblages of two recently discovered Quaternary deposits containing numerous vertebrates and land snails in northern Isla de la Juventud. The first locality, a marble breccia on the coast of Punta Bibijagua, contained remains of an extinct rodent and a sloth. The second locality, a dissolution fissure filled with fossil-bearing sediment in a marble quarry in Sierra de Casas, contained a rich assemblage of land snails and vertebrates. Nineteen species, 14 genera and nine families of gastropods were identified, of which 11 species and two genera are endemic. The snail fossil assemblage is similar to the community of living gastropods in the locality. Moreover, 12 taxa, four of them extinct, 11 genera from ten families of terrestrial vertebrates were recognized; including the first report of fossils frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, and tortoises from Isla de la Juventud. Because remains at Sierra de Casas were collected ex-situ, any possible stratigraphic relationship among them was lost, but we were able to determine the presence of at least two taphonomic modes that suggest different depositional histories. Furthermore, we found no evidence of extinction or extirpation among land snails in the region, but of the vertebrates’ assemblage two rodents, two sloths and a tortoise went extinct. These five taxa also disappeared in the mainland, suggesting that the extinction was in some cases taxonomic specific across the Cuban Archipelago.

First record of the Cuban Many-ringed Wormlizard, Amphisbaena barbouri (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae), from an offshore cay

Amphisbaena barbouri Gans and Alexander, 1962 is a Cuban endemic distributed in the western half of the main island (Rodríguez et al. 2013). This species has been reported at about 15 sites from Pinar del Río to Cienfuegos provinces (Rodríguez et al. 2013; iNaturalist 2020; Fig. 1). On 10 August 2017 we found an adult A. barbouri (173 mm SVL, 14 mm tail length; Fig. 2) near the biological station at Cayo Galindo (23.2547, -80.8725; 1 m a.s.l.; point 4 in Fig. 1). This key is located towards the westernmost end of the Archipiélago de Sabana-Camagüey cay system, in Martí Municipality, Matanzas Province (Fig. 1). This finding constitutes the first record of the species from an offshore cay. It also represents the northernmost record, just 4 km southeast of the northernmost point of the Cuban archipelago (i.e., Cayo Cruz del Padre). The distribution of A. barbouri is now extended about 75 km east-northeast of Matanzas, the nearest published record (Gans & Alexander 1962).

Coastal accretion and sea-level rise in the Cuban Archipelago obtained from sedimentary records

Sea-level rise (SLR) is one of the most pervasive consequences of global warming, and the Cuban Archipelago is threatened by current and future SLR. In order to support adaptation plans, it is essential to have reliable information about sea-level change during the last decades at the local scale, particularly in the most vulnerable regions. Here, we use sedimentary records to evaluate coastal accretion and to estimate the relative sea-level rise (RSLR) in two vulnerable coastal sites in central Cuba: Cayo Santa María (CSM) and Península de Ancón (PA). Both sites showed sediment sections with a continuous record of sediment accretion as a result of relative SLR and tropical storms. The sedimentary process was different between CSM and PA owing to differences in geomorphology and primary mineral composition. Sedimentary records also showed recent impacts of anthropogenic activities, likely increasing the vulnerability of the shoreline to SLR. The estimated RSLR values agreed with tidal gauge records, although they spanned a much longer time period (CSM: 0.5 ± 0.1 mm a−1, span of 38 years; PA: 1.5 ± 0.3 mm a−1, span of 92 years). Our results confirm that this methodology may be used to estimate the RSLR in places where data by instrumental records do not exist.

Diet Segregation between Sexes by a Gregarious Greater Antillean Bat, Phyllonycteris poeyi (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Phyllonycteris poeyi is endemic to Cuba and Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles, and it is among the most common and widespread bats of the Cuban archipelago. This species is an obligate cave dweller and forms the largest aggregations of bats found in Cuban caves; and could be considered a hot cave specialist. This high gregariousness could increase intraspecific competition of food resources. In this study, we examined the diet of P. poeyi at Cueva de los Majaes located in Baconao Biosphere Reserve in the southeastern region of Cuba. We hypothesized sexual diet variation as a way to reduce intraspecific competition. We estimated the percentage volume and frequency of occurrence of different food categories consumed by both sexes, using faecal analysis. Throughout the year, the diet of P. poeyi is a combination of fruits, pollen and insects; fruits of at least 17 plant species and flowers of five species are used by P. poeyi and the most frequent items were pollen of Roystonea regia and fruits of Piper aduncum and Piper umbellata. Insects occurred in the faeces of both sexes and their frequency and volume were low and did not differ between sexes. Although both sexes fed on similar food categories, we found significant variation in diet composition between sexes. Throughout the year, the majority of females mainly consumed fruits while males had preference for floral resources. We did not find differences in the sexes-reproductive season interaction, therefore the differences could not be attributed to changes associated to reproduction energetics. The average volume of fruits and pollen consumed by females were independent of the reproductive season, only significant differences were found in the consumption of insects, being the highest during the reproductive season. We conclude that this dietary partitioning behaviour between sexes of P. poeyi may be a strategy to maintain a high year-round gregariousness that could be critical to the viability of their large colonies in Cuban caves.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the genus Hypnea (Cystocloniaceae, Rhodophyta) in Cuba

A phylogenetic analysis of representatives of the red algal genus Hypnea in the Cuban archipelago was carried out utilizing two genetic markers: plastid rbcL and the mitochondrial cox1. Percent of base pair differences and Bayesian analyses indicate the presence of three species of Hypnea in Cuba: H. musciformis, H. spinella, and H. cryptica. The species H. cryptica, first described from Brazil, is confirmed here for the island of Cuba. This first record for the island of Cuba expands the distribution of this species into the Caribbean Sea.

A checklist of aquatic nematodes from Cuban Archipelago.

The diversity of free-living aquatic nematodes is largely unknown for the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The Cuban Archipelago is an important part of this because of its large area and diversity of habitats. We analyzed the free-living nematodes from 83 sites from seven aquatic habitats around Cuba, to produce a checklist for many habitats, including seagrass meadows, coral degradation zones, algal turf, bare sands, unvegetated muds, freshwater and anchihaline caves, and deep-sea sediments. The checklist contains 469 species, 229 genera, 50 families, and 9 orders. Chromadorida, Enoplida, and Monhysterida were the best represented orders with 112, 100, and 83 species respectively. The most abundant species were Euchromadora vulgaris, Terschellingia longicaudata, Desmodora pontica, Sabatieria pulchra , and Epsilonema sp. Most of the listed species were new records for the region. There were differences in the number of species recorded in each habitat type, with seagrass meadows having 280 species, coral degradation zones having 139 species, deep waters having 116 species, algal turf having 114 species, bare sands having 100 species, unvegetated muds having 78 species, freshwater caves having 19 species, anchihaline caves having 16 species, and freshwater streams having 6 species. The checklist is the most comprehensive recent report of the diversity of free-living nematodes in the regions of Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The reported diversity is higher than many other regional checklists likely reflecting the intense sampling effort and the variety of microhabitats in Cuban Archipelago.

Triterpenic Glycosydic Component Isolated from the Holoturian Holothuria Floridana Inhabiting the Cuban Archipelago

Background: A triterpene glycoside fraction was isolated from methanolic extract of Holothuria floridana inhabiting in shallow waters of the south-western marine insular platform of Cuba archipelago. Methods: The fraction was separated chromatographically on Amberlite and was isolated a triterpene glycoside. Its structure has been deduced, in a preliminary study, from spectral analysis (NMR, FTIR) and chemical evidence (chromogenic reactions). Results and conclusions: The compound is an open-chain, holost-Δ 9,11-en-12 α,17 α, 22 ξ triol tetraoside, belonging to the group A of the holoturins, which possesses 3 β-D-glucose, D-xylose, D-quinovose and 3-O-methyl-Dglucose as monosaccharide fragments.

New bat locality records from Cuba with emphasis on the province of Matanzas

Here we provide a compilation of bat distribution records based on neontological and paleontological data, updating the known distribution in Matanzas province, the Isle of Pines, and Central Cuba. From 97 collecting localities in the Province of Matanzas, we report 27 taxa out of the 34 known from the Cuban archipelago; 21 of them are extant while the other six are extinct. Antrozous koopmani and Natalus primus are considered locally extinct in Matanzas, as in most of the archipelago today, but had a wider distribution in the past that lasted until very late in the Holocene. The extinct endemics, Artibeus anthonyi, and Phyllops vetus, are reported for the first time in the province, and the distribution records of Phyllops falcatus, Lasiurus pfeifferi, Lasiurus insularis, Chilonatalus macer, and Eumops ferox are updated and expanded. These records make Matanzas the second richest province in bat diversity of the Cuban archipelago and an area of considerable conservation potential.

Population status of Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816) in Cuban coral reefs

Acropora palmata is the most important reef-building species in the crest biotopes in the Caribbean Sea. Their populations have been decimated in the last century by disease outbreaks, hurricanes and coral bleaching events. The species has been declared as threatened based on its wide-range decline and poor recovery. We evaluated the status of A. palmata populations across 41 shallow reefs (= sites) around the Cuban archipelago. Density, maximum diameter, and mortality percentage of A. palmata colonies were quantified as main metrics of status. Living coral cover (all species) and reef complexity per site were quantified as well. Metrics of A. palmata varied significantly among sites. A. palmata density was less than 5 colonies 10 m−1 except in one site and only three sites had dominance greater than 50% with respect to the rest of corals. The diameter of A. palmata colonies ranged from 10 to 600 cm, with 70% of sites having a median of less than 200 cm. The mortality was large, with 50% of the sites having more than 50% of mortality, and six sites having 100% mortality. The three sites with better apparent conditions after metric scores were determined were Faro de Cazones, Cayo Fragoso, and Baracoa. A. palmata populations had a bad or regular status in 38 out of 41 studied sites; but, the abundance of erect colonies in many of the sites favored the reef complexity and likely maintained its ecological functions. The low percentage of living coral tissue likely limits the reproductive potential of the species and hence the resiliency of reef crests. In conclusion, the overall status of the species in Cuban archipelago is bad.

Phylogeographic evidence that the distribution of cryptic euryhaline species in the Gambusia punctata species group in Cuba was shaped by the archipelago geological history

The main drivers of diversification of freshwater fishes in Cuba are not yet well understood. For example, salt tolerance was thought as the main factor involved in the diversification of Gambusia punctata species group in this archipelago. However, evidence from a recent DNA barcoding survey suggested the presence of cryptic species and no correlation between species delimitation and level of salinity. In this study, we analyzed the cryptic diversification of G. punctata species group in Cuba, based on a comprehensive sampling of its distribution and including habitats with different salinity levels. We evaluated the patterns of molecular divergence of the samples by sequencing a set of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) regions and genotyping nine nuclear microsatellite loci. We also used cytochrome b gene (cytb) partial sequences and these microsatellite loci to analyze population structure inside putative species. Five mtDNA well-differentiated haplogroups were found, four of them also identified by the analysis of the microsatellite polymorphism which corresponds to two already recognized species, G. punctata, and G. rhizophorae, and three putative new species. The extent of hybrid zones between these groups is also described. In each group, populations inhabiting environments with contrasting salinity levels were identified, indicating a generalized trait not specific to G. rhizophorae. The geographic distribution of the groups suggested a strong association with major relict territories of the Cuban Archipelago that was periodically joined or split-up by changes in seawater levels and land uplifts. Salinity tolerance might have facilitated sporadic and long-distance oversea dispersal but did not prevent speciation in the Cuban archipelago.

The Influential Role of the Habitat on the Diversity Patterns of Free-Living Aquatic Nematode Assemblages in the Cuban Archipelago

Free living nematodes are the most abundant and diverse metazoans in aquatic sediments. We used a framework of habitat types to reveal quantitative patterns in species richness (SR), β-diversity, and biological traits (BT). Meiofauna was quantitatively collected from 60 sites within nine habitat types and 24,736 nematodes were identified to species level. We reported a regional richness of 410 ± 12 species for the Cuban archipelago; however, caves and deep waters need to be sampled more intensively. Relationships between SR and abundance supported the dynamic equilibrium model with habitats ordered across gradients of resource availability and physical disturbance. Seagrass meadows were the most specious and freshwater/anchihaline caves the least diverse habitats. Differences in β-diversity likely were due to habitat heterogeneity and limitations for dispersal. The assemblage composition was unique in some habitats likely reflecting the effects of habitat filtering. However, coastal habitats shared many species reflecting high connectivity and dispersal capability of nematodes due to hydrodynamics. The BTs “life strategy”, “trophic group”, and “tail shape” reflected ecological adaptations; but “amphidial fovea” and “cuticle”, likely reflected phylogenetic signatures from families/genera living in different habitats. Habitat type played an influential role in the diversity patterns of aquatic nematodes from taxonomic and functional points of view.

Exploraciones botánicas a poblaciones de Consolea (Cactaceae) en Cuba: estado de conservación y principales amenazas

Four species of Consolea have been reported from the Cuban archipelago, each of which has been considered under threat of extinction. During the last three years various expeditions were carried out to try to update existing information about the conservation status of populations of the different species and their primary threats. Likewise, we revised and identified herbarium specimens from HAC, HAJB, HMC, MNHN, and NY to put together distribution maps for each species on Cuba. All native species of Consolea on Cuba are under threat of extinction/ extirpation. Consolea moniliformis is the species with the largest populations on Cuba, while C. macracantha displays the widest range of any other species on the island. Two new localities of C. macracantha were found during this study, but likewise, showed the only signs to date of attack by the invasive moth, Cactoblastic cactorum. Among the principle threats detected for species of Consolea on Cuba are exotic, invasive plant species, livestock grazing and development. We provide a key to the species on Cuba.

Homophobia: A Psychodynamic Analysis

The World Day to Combat Homophobia and Transphobia is commemorated, in the Cuban archipelago and beyond our island geographical borders, since 1973; date in which homosexuality -as a no so graphic entity- was eliminated forever from the International Classification of Mental Illnesses. To evoke this historical event, I make this article available to the readers of this periodical publication.

Potential migratory routes of Urania boisduvalii (Lepidoptera: Uraniidae) among host plant populations

AbstractAimMigratory species depend on various habitats and resources along their migration routes. Characteristics such as dependence on distinct habitats and the presence of multiple threats along their migratory routes make these species vulnerable, and gaps in knowledge about their ecology and migration processes make them difficult to conserve. Urania boisduvalii is a diurnal moth endemic to Cuba that feeds on plants of Omphalea spp. during its larval phases. These plants produce secondary metabolites as a defence against the moth's larvae, which then are forced to migrate. Although some ecological aspects of Urania boisduvalii are known, its migration routes remain largely unknown. This research proposes potential migratory routes of Urania boisduvalii among populations of its host plant.LocationCuba.MethodsWe developed ecological niche models of the moth and its hosts based on environmental, anthropic, biotic and biogeographic factors to obtain potential distributional areas that include zones where positive interactions are found but exclude those where negative factors are present. These areas were overlapped to hypothesize potential breeding areas for the moths. Potential migratory corridors were proposed based on environmental connectivity.ResultsThe moth and its hosts have broad potential distributions; however, limiting factors have substantially reduced these areas, especially for plants. The potential migratory routes of Urania boisduvalii are complex and mostly involve the western and eastern regions of Cuba. Most records outside potential breeding areas were close to these migratory corridors.Main conclusionsWe offer initial hypotheses of the migratory routes of U. boisduvalii, which may be useful to guiding monitoring projects that can provide more definitive views of the seasonal distribution of this species across the Cuban archipelago.

Ecological condition of coral reef assemblages in the Cuban Archipelago

ABSTRACTThe condition of coral reefs in the Cuban Archipelago is poorly known. We aimed to analyse coral assemblages across 199 reef sites belonging to 12 localities. Crest and fore reefs were assessed using six metrics: species richness, density, coral cover, mortality, coral size and reef complexity. The condition of reefs varied across the archipelago from healthy to depleted reefs. The localities with best scores were Cienfuegos, Bahía de Cochinos and Cazones. These reefs have values of living coral cover (>20%) and complexity (>50 cm) similar to the best preserved Caribbean reefs. However, the majority of crest biotopes suffered important deterioration with old mortality of Acropora palmata populations and moderate coral cover (15%); although crest reefs still maintained their structural complexity. Despite moderate levels of coral cover in fore reefs (18%), their condition was alarming because 25% of the sites had cover below the recovery threshold of 10%, accumulated mortality and structural flattening. Compared with the 1980s, the species richness was roughly the same (42) for crest and fore reefs, although dominance has changed to widespread tolerant species. Coral reef assemblages varied at local and regional scales in similar magnitude, suggesting the combined effects of natural and anthropogenic drivers.