Pacific Coast Of South America Research Articles

Mangleticornia (Amaranthaceae: Salicornioideae) — a new sister for Salicornia from the Pacific coast of South America

Mangleticornia ecuadorensis is a newly recognized monotypic genus from SW Ecuador and adjacent N Peru, where it had previously been identified as Salicornia fruticosa (Arthrocnemum fruticosum) or S. peruviana. It occurs on the coast adjacent to or in Equatorial-Pacific mangroves. Molecular phylogenetic evidence determines that this genus is distinct from and sister to Salicornia sensu lato, and is supported by morphological evidence. The genus is distinguished by a unique combination of characters that are otherwise rare in Salicornioideae: flowers without a visible perianth, anthers and stigmas exserted through pores in the fleshy cortical tissue of the segments, fruit included in the segments, which are dispersed by disarticulation of the infructescence, and large seeds.Citation: Ball P. W., Cornejo X. & Kadereit G. 2017: Mangleticornia (Amaranthaceae: Salicornioideae) — a new sister for Salicornia from the Pacific coast of South America. — Willdenowia 47: 145–153. doi: https//doi.org/10.3372/wi.47.47206Version of record first published online on 13 July 2017 ahead of inclusion in August 2017 issue.

Ancient female philopatry, asymmetric male gene flow, and synchronous population expansion support the influence of climatic oscillations on the evolution of South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens).

The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) is widely distributed along the southern Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America with a history of significant commercial exploitation. We aimed to evaluate the population genetic structure and the evolutionary history of South American sea lion along its distribution by analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and 10 nuclear microsatellites loci. We analyzed 147 sequences of mtDNA control region and genotyped 111 individuals of South American sea lion for 10 microsatellite loci, representing six populations (Peru, Northern Chile, Southern Chile, Uruguay (Brazil), Argentina and Falkland (Malvinas) Islands) and covering the entire distribution of the species. The mtDNA phylogeny shows that haplotypes from the two oceans comprise two very divergent clades as observed in previous studies, suggesting a long period (>1 million years) of low inter-oceanic female gene flow. Bayesian analysis of bi-parental genetic diversity supports significant (but less pronounced than mitochondrial) genetic structure between Pacific and Atlantic populations, although also suggested some inter-oceanic gene flow mediated by males. Higher male migration rates were found in the intra-oceanic population comparisons, supporting very high female philopatry in the species. Demographic analyses showed that populations from both oceans went through a large population expansion ~10,000 years ago, suggesting a very similar influence of historical environmental factors, such as the last glacial cycle, on both regions. Our results support the proposition that the Pacific and Atlantic populations of the South American sea lion should be considered distinct evolutionarily significant units, with at least two managements units in each ocean.

A global geography of synchrony for terrestrial vegetation

AbstractAimPrevious work demonstrated a pronounced geography of synchrony for marine phytoplankton and used that geography to infer statistical environmental determinants of synchrony. Here, we determine whether terrestrial vegetation (measured by the enhanced vegetation index, EVI) also shows a geography of synchrony and we infer determinants of EVI synchrony. As vegetation is the basis of the terrestrial food web, changes in spatio‐temporal vegetation dynamics may have major consequences.LocationThe land.Time period2001–2014.Major taxaPlants.MethodsSynchrony in terrestrial vegetation is mapped globally. Spatial statistics and model selection are used to identify main statistical determinants of synchrony and of geographical patterns in synchrony.ResultsThe first main result is that there is a pronounced and previously unrecognized geography of synchrony for terrestrial vegetation. Some areas, such as the Sahara and Southern Africa, exhibited nearly perfect synchrony, whereas other areas, such as the Pacific coast of South America, showed very little synchrony. Spatial modelling provided the second main result, namely that synchrony in temperature and precipitation were major determinants of synchrony in EVI, supporting the presence of dual global Moran effects. These effects depended on the time‐scales on which synchrony was assessed, providing our third main result, namely that synchrony of EVI and its geography are time‐scale specific.Main conclusionsTo our knowledge, this study is the first to document the geography of synchrony in terrestrial vegetation. We showed that geographical variation in synchrony is pronounced. We used geographical patterns to identify determinants of synchrony. This study is one of very few studies to demonstrate two separate synchronous environmental variables driving synchrony simultaneously. The geography of synchrony is apparently a major phenomenon that has been little explored.

Истоки погребальных традиций древних культур Тихоокеанского побережья Южной Америки

The most ancient burial complexes on the Pacific coast of South America (territories of modem Ecuador, Peru and Chile) are of highest information value for the interpretation of ritual activity and social relationships in the Archaic period cultures (10-3,500 BP). These complexes are represented by single, double, and group burials within the borders of the settlements (Paloma, Pernil Alto), ritual centers (Nanchoc), and necropolis (Las Vegas), cave contexts (Tres Ventanas), and shell mounds (Carizzal). In spite of the simplicity of burial constructions and modest character of burial toolkit, all the listed complexes demonstrate the very careful treatment of the dead persons of both gender and all ages; sophisticated manipulations with the parts of the bodies and the skeletons including natural and artificial mummifications (Chinchorro and Quiani traditions); the use of primary and secondary burial techniques. They also reflect the basic activities (fishing, hunting, and gathering), exchange contacts and conflict situations (Villa del Mar) with the neighboring groups. Most of the described elements continued to be in use in the forthcoming Formative period cultures, and up to the pre-contact times.

Raman Identification of Pigments in Wall Paintings of the Colonial Period from Bolivian Churches in the Ruta De La Plata

Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to analyze and identify pigments and determine the palette of color in wall paintings from four churches of the Colonial Period, in the Bolivian highlands. The ancient churches Santiago de Callapa, Curahuara de Carangas, NuestraSenora de Copacabana de Andamarca and San Jose de Soracachi were constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries, around the important colonial Ruta de la Plata, between Potosi city and Arica harbor on the Pacific coast of South America. Most pigments used in the wall paintings correspond to inorganic minerals as well as to organic colorants. Fully chlorinated copper phthalocyanine (green), copper phthalocyanine (blue), β-naphthol (yellow) and benzoimidazolone (red), were identified in the corresponding colored areas suggesting subsequent recent interventions or restorations. Ground layer materials were also characterized. The present results allow for discussion of the pictorial techniques used in the Andean highland during the colonial period and allow conservators and restorers to make important decisions regarding the type of intervention to perform in the case of these important historical and patrimonial monuments.

Two new species of digeneans (Lecithasteridae and Haploporidae) of the intertidal blenny Scartichthys viridis (Valenciennes) from the central coast of Chile.

Two new digenean species are described from the intertidal blenny Scartichthys viridis (Valenciennes) (Blenniidae) collected off the coasts of Chile. The digenean Monorchimacradena viridis n. sp. (Lecithasteridae: Macradenininae) differs from the only known species described in the genus, M. acanthuri Nahhas and Cable 1964, in the presence of Drüsenmagen in the caeca, the location of the seminal vesicle between the testis and ovary (anterior to the testis in M. viridis n. sp.), and the pre-ovarian vitellarium. Megasolena littoralis n. sp. (Haploporidae), which is also reported from Scartichthys gigas (Steindachner), differs from the five valid species of Megasolena in that the post-caecal region (from the posterior edge of the caeca to the end of the body) is larger in M. viridis n. sp., meaning that the caeca are shortest in this species. Also, M. littoralis n. sp. is distinguished, from the other congeneric species, in a combination of characteristics, e.g., body length, suckers, pharynx, testes, hermaphroditic sac and sucker-length ratio. Sequences of ITS2 rDNA were generated for specimens of both species from various localities, indicating that it was invariant within the species. This study describes species of Monorchimacradena and Megasolena in Chilean waters, here reported for the first time off the Pacific Coast of South America.

Modulatory effect of the exudates released by the brown kelp Lessonia spicata on the toxicity of copper in early developmental stages of ecologically related organisms

Lessonia spicata is a key dominant species along the Pacific coast of South America, providing a habitat for many organisms. However, this role can be affected by abiotic stress, such as metals. To counteract the toxic effect, L. spicata, among other seaweeds, releases exudates that bind metals. In this study, tolerances to copper of organisms related to the kelp forest (spores of Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyceae) and L. spicata (Phaeophyceae) and Zoea I of Taliepus dentatus (Milne-Edwards, Crustacea)) were studied; then, exudates are assessed by their protective effect. Exudates increase the 48-h 50% effective concentration (EC50) of the germination of spores from 8 to 23 μg Cu L−1 for U. lactuca and from 119 to 213 μg Cu L−1 for L. spicata and the survival of the larvae Zoea I 48-h 50% of lethal concentration (LC50) from 144 to 249 μg Cu L−1. Results indicated that exudates had a protective effect. Each species is specifically sensitive to copper. Crab larvae Zoea I were able to support higher doses, and exposure before hatching increased their tolerance.

Functional insights into the testis transcriptome of the edible sea urchin Loxechinus albus.

The edible sea urchin Loxechinus albus (Molina, 1782) is a keystone species in the littoral benthic systems of the Pacific coast of South America. The international demand for high-quality gonads of this echinoderm has led to an extensive exploitation and decline of its natural populations. Consequently, a more thorough understanding of L. albus gonad development and gametogenesis could provide valuable resources for aquaculture applications, management, conservation and studies about the evolution of functional and structural pathways that underlie the reproductive toolkit of marine invertebrates. Using a high-throughput sequencing technology, we explored the male gonad transcriptome of this highly fecund sea urchin. Through a de novo assembly approach we obtained 42,530 transcripts of which 15,544 (36.6%) had significant alignments to known proteins in public databases. From these transcripts, approximately 73% were functionally annotated allowing the identification of several candidate genes that are likely to play a central role in developmental processes, nutrient reservoir activity, sexual reproduction, gamete generation, meiosis, sex differentiation, sperm motility, male courtship behavior and fertilization. Additionally, comparisons with the male gonad transcriptomes of other echinoderms revealed several conserved orthologous genes, suggesting that similar functional and structural pathways underlie the reproductive development in this group and other marine invertebrates.

Reconstructing drowned terrestrial landscapes. Isotopic paleoecology of a late Pleistocene extinct faunal assemblage: Site GNL Quintero 1 (GNLQ1) (32° S, Central Chile)

Site GNL Quintero 1 (GNLQ1), located nearshore at Quintero bay in the central coast of Chile (32° S), is the only documented Late Pleistocene drowned terrestrial site along the Pacific coast of South America. During the last decade, through underwater archaeological operations conducted at GNLQ1, several clusters of shallowly buried bone deposits were documented and excavated, revealing a well preserved high-resolution in situ context. Taxonomic analysis of the faunal assemblage recovered yielded at least 26 individuals comprising extinct Camelidae, Cervidae, Equidae, Mylodontidae, and Xenarthra as well as Canidae, Myocastoridae, Octodontidae, Cricetidae, among others. By conducting stable isotope analyses (δ13Cap and δ18Oap) on mammalian bioapatite, we aim to perform a first characterization of the GNLQ1 taxa paleoecology and carry out paleoenvironmental inferences. Regional records for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) suggest lower sea surface temperatures and more humid climatic conditions for Central Chile. Isotopic data obtained suggests a landscape of mixed vegetation areas, in good agreement with the sedimentary context of the fossil remains and a preliminary Quintero paleolandscape model: a wetland environment developed under semiarid conditions prior to post-glacial sea level rise, with GNLQ1 located >6 km inland as the paleoshoreline was further out on the continental shelf.

The relative role of ecological interactions and environmental variables on the population dynamics of marine benthic polychaetes

In order to elucidate how ecological interactions drive the abundances of marine benthic polychaete populations and the role that environmental variables play in their dynamics, we examined long-term dynamics of winter abundance in 13 polychaete species from benthic samples obtained over 15 years (1993 to 2007) at Punta Coloso, northern Chile on the Pacific coast of South America. We examined the relative importance of density dependence, winter sea surface temperature (SSTW) and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) on polychaete dynamics. All species studied showed conspicuous abundance oscillations, consistent with negative density-dependent population feedbacks. Model selection across a suite of population dynamic models showed that for six species, the best model included the effect of environmental variables, SSTW in the previous year, while the SOI index was the relevant variable in two polychaete species. A pure density-dependent model best explained the population dynamics of the remaining five species. Our results contrast with traditional approaches, which focus on the importance of abiotic factors in structuring marine benthic systems, and demonstrate the importance of theoretical synthesis and analysis to understand long-term dynamics in these ecosystems.

Host–pathogen evolutionary signatures reveal dynamics and future invasions of vampire bat rabies

Anticipating how epidemics will spread across landscapes requires understanding host dispersal events that are notoriously difficult to measure. Here, we contrast host and virus genetic signatures to resolve the spatiotemporal dynamics underlying geographic expansions of vampire bat rabies virus (VBRV) in Peru. Phylogenetic analysis revealed recent viral spread between populations that, according to extreme geographic structure in maternally inherited host mitochondrial DNA, appeared completely isolated. In contrast, greater population connectivity in biparentally inherited nuclear microsatellites explained the historical limits of invasions, suggesting that dispersing male bats spread VBRV between genetically isolated female populations. Host nuclear DNA further indicated unanticipated gene flow through the Andes mountains connecting the VBRV-free Pacific coast to the VBRV-endemic Amazon rainforest. By combining Bayesian phylogeography with landscape resistance models, we projected invasion routes through northern Peru that were validated by real-time livestock rabies mortality data. The first outbreaks of VBRV on the Pacific coast of South America could occur by June 2020, which would have serious implications for agriculture, wildlife conservation, and human health. Our results show that combining host and pathogen genetic data can identify sex biases in pathogen spatial spread, which may be a widespread but underappreciated phenomenon, and demonstrate that genetic forecasting can aid preparedness for impending viral invasions.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in South America: water, seafood and human infections.

The bacterial species, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, are ubiquitous in estuaries and coastal waters throughout the world, but they also happen to be important human pathogens. They are concentrated by filter-feeding shellfish which are often consumed raw or undercooked, providing an important potential route of entry for an infective dose of these bacteria. Vibrio parahaemolyticus can cause abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, chills and fever. Vibrio vulnificus can cause similar gastrointestinal-related symptoms, but can also spread to the bloodstream, resulting in primary septicaemia, and it can also cause disease via wound infections. The objective of this article is to summarize, for the first time, the incidence and importance of V.parahaemolyticus and V.vulnificus in South America, in environmental waters and seafood, especifically molluscan shellfish, as well as human infection cases and outbreaks. It appears that infections from V.parahaemolyticus have been more strongly related to shellfish ingestion and have been more frequently reported on the Pacific coast of South America. Conversely, V.vulnificus has been more frequently acquired by water contact with open wounds and its presence has been more heavily reported along the Atlantic coast of South America, and while documented to cause serious mortality, have been relatively few in number. The impacts of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have been observed to cause an increase in V.parahaemolyticus outbreaks on the Pacific coast of South America. The implementation of a regulated monitoring approach, along with the use of faster, more accurate and virulence-specific detection approaches, such as PCR confirmation, should be considered to detect the presence of pathogenic Vibrio strains in environmental and seafood samples for protection of public health. Furthermore, improved clinical surveillance with suspected cases should be implemented. This review highlights the need for more research and monitoring of vibrios in South America, in water, shellfish and clinical samples.

First record along the Uruguayan coast of the largest sea nettle jellyfish, Chrysaora plocamia (Lesson, 1830) (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)

Chrysaora plocamia is one of the 15 species of the jellyfish genus Chrysaora. This species has an unusual distribution pattern, occurring on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America. It is distributed along the southeastern Pacific Ocean, encompassing coastal areas of Peru and Chile, and reaching the Patagonian coast of Argentina in the southwestern Atlantic. During two separate events, two large specimens of Chrysaora were collected on the east coast of Uruguay at La Paloma. Based on morphology and molecular data, these specimens were identified as Chrysaora plocamia. These records are de­scribed along with oceanographic features observed at that time. Unusual oceanographic and atmospheric conditions may explain the presence of these specimens 1,100 km north of the current northernmost known distribution.

Present diversity of Galápagos leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylidae: Phyllodactylus) stems from three independent colonization events

We re-examined the biogeography of the leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylus) endemic to the Galápagos Islands by analyzing for the first time samples of P. gilberti, a species endemic to Wolf island, in a phylogenetic framework. Our aim was to test the three-colonizations scenario previously proposed for these lizards and estimate the age of each colonization event. To achieve this we estimated simultaneously a species tree and divergence times with Bayesian methods. Our results supported the three-colonizations scenario. Similar to a previous hypothesis, the species tree obtained here showed that most species of Phyllodactylus are nested in a single clade with an age between 5.49 and 13.8Ma, whereas a second independent colonization corresponding to P. darwini from San Cristóbal island occurred 3.03Ma ago. The species from Wolf island, P. gilberti, stems from a more recent colonization event (0.69Ma). Thus, present diversity of Galápagos leaf-toed geckos stems from three independent, asynchronous colonization events. As with other Galápagos organisms, the Pacific coast of South America seems to be the source for the founders of P. gilberti.

Spatio-temporal trends of precipitation, its aggressiveness and concentration, along the Pacific coast of South America (36–49°S)

ABSTRACTPrecipitation is the most critical climatic element that directly affects the availability of water resources. The objective of this study was to describe and discuss spatio-temporal patterns of annual precipitation, its aggressiveness, and its concentration along the southwest coast of South America (36°–49°S) from 1930 to 2006. An annual and multi-decadal analysis was applied to 107 sampling stations distributed throughout this region, using the Mann-Kendall test (MK), and the Sampling Uncertainty Analysis (SUA) coupled with Gumbel probability density function (SUA-Gumbel). The analysis revealed positive but not significant trends in annual precipitation and aggressiveness for the region between 36° and 44°S, at least during the last 50 years of the analysed period. However, a significant decrease in annual precipitation and aggressiveness was observed between 44° and 49°S during the same period. The annual concentration of precipitation became slightly more seasonal in the last 50 years within the entire study area.

Ocean Acidification and Increased Temperature Have Both Positive and Negative Effects on Early Ontogenetic Traits of a Rocky Shore Keystone Predator Species.

The combined effect of ocean acidification and warming is expected to have significant effects on several traits of marine organisms. The gastropod Concholepas concholepas is a rocky shore keystone predator characteristic of the south-eastern Pacific coast of South America and an important natural resource exploited by small-scale artisanal fishermen along the coast of Chile and Peru. In this study, we used small juveniles of C. concholepas collected from the rocky intertidal habitats of southern Chile (39°S) to evaluate under laboratory conditions the potential consequences of projected near-future levels of ocean acidification and warming for important early ontogenetic traits. The individuals were exposed long-term (5.8 months) to contrasting pCO2 (ca. 500 and 1400 μatm) and temperature (15 and 19°C) levels. After this period we compared body growth traits, dislodgement resistance, predator-escape response, self-righting and metabolic rates. With respect to these traits there was no evidence of a synergistic interaction between pCO2 and temperature. Shell growth was negatively affected by high pCO2 levels only at 15°C. High pCO2 levels also had a negative effect on the predator-escape response. Conversely, dislodgement resistance and self-righting were positively affected by high pCO2 levels at both temperatures. High tenacity and fast self-righting would reduce predation risk in nature and might compensate for the negative effects of high pCO2 levels on other important defensive traits such as shell size and escape behaviour. We conclude that climate change might produce in C. concholepas positive and negative effects in physiology and behaviour. In fact, some of the behavioural responses might be a consequence of physiological effects, such as changes in chemosensory capacity (e.g. predator-escape response) or secretion of adhesive mucous (e.g. dislodgement resistance). Moreover, we conclude that positive behavioural responses may assist in the adaptation to negative physiological impacts, and that this may also be the case for other benthic organisms.

Identification and Salinity Tolerance of the Western Hemisphere MusselMytella charruana(D'Orbigny, 1842) in the Philippines

ABSTRACT Beginning in 2014, mussels have been found by shellfishers in parts of the Philippines that are morphologically distinct from native mytilids. These mussels, with a thick black periostracum, were first found in Manila Bay near an international shipping port, and later in 2014 appeared in western Tambac Bay (approximately 16.28° N, 119.9° E). The next year (July 2015), they were found near the village of Tucok (Dagupan City; 16.0272° N, 120.3147° E), and more recently (early 2016) they have been observed in Longos, San Fabian, Pangasinan (16.1887, 120.4043). About 50 mussels from Tucok were preserved in 95% ethanol and sent to the University of Maine for genetic evaluation. Sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I polymerase chain reaction products identified the nonnative mussels as Mytella charruana, the charru mussel, native to the tropical Caribbean and western Pacific coasts of South America. Further analysis indicates that populations on the Caribbean Coast of South America are the l...

Occupational Safety and Health in Peru

Peru is a country located on the Pacific coast of South America with a population of more than 30 million inhabitants. In the past 10 years, Peru has had a steady economic growth. Peru is predominantly an extractive industry country, but the manufacturing and construction sectors are booming. It is in this context that regulations have been implemented to protect the safety and health of workers. One of the most important regulations is the Law on Safety and Health at Work, which has been recently promulgated. Regulations are complemented by training and education in occupational safety and health. The measures are yet to be fully implemented thus a positive effect in reducing accidents and occupational diseases at work has not yet been seen.

A comparison of the fine-scale structure of the diurnal cycle of tropical rain and lightning

In this study, the fine-scale structure of the diurnal variability of ground-based lightning is systematically compared with satellite-based rain. At the outset, it is shown that tropical variability of lightning exhibits a prominent diurnal mode, much like rain. A comparison of the geographical distribution of the timing of the diurnal maximum shows that there is very good agreement between the two observables over continental and coastal regions throughout the tropics. Following this global tropical comparison, we focus on two regions, Borneo and equatorial South America, both of which show the interplay between oceanward and landward propagations of the phase of the diurnal maximum. Over Borneo, both rain and lightning clearly show a climatological cycle of “breathing in” (afternoon to early morning) and “breathing out” (morning to early afternoon). Over the equatorial east coast of South America, landward propagation is noticed in rain and lightning from early afternoon to early morning. Along the Pacific coast of South America, both rain and lightning show oceanward propagation. Though qualitatively consistent, over both regions the propagation is seen to extend further in rainfall. Additionally, given that lightning highlights vigorous convection, the timing of its diurnal maximum often precedes that of rainfall in the convective life cycle.

Biogenic and diagenetic indicators in archaeological and modern otoliths: Potential and limits of high definition synchrotron micro-XRF elemental mapping

Fish otoliths are biogeochemical archives of environmental conditions and are a valuable tool for examining life traits. These sclerochronological life history records, accessed through geochemical analyses, are widely used in fisheries sciences, and are seeing growing use as palaeoenvironmental archives or for reconstruction of past human activities. The fidelity of such reconstructions relies on the preservation of the biogenic geochemistry, which may be altered through diagenetic processes. In this work, a methodology is provided that enables measurement of elemental concentrations with a high precision with simultaneous quality control of the data to ensure high reliability and a multi-technique sample marking strategy to ensure precise alignment. Thin sections of four archaeological and two modern otoliths from the Pacific coast of South America were examined by synchrotron μXRF. High-definition elemental maps of sample sections up to 3.2×1.0mm2 (V×H) were produced with an on-sample spot size of 6.0×16μm2. Thirteen elements were detected, some of which may be useful indicators of diagenetic alteration. Strontium was accurately quantified and one sample presented local concentrations above the previously described range in literature. The quantity of collected data allows the use of statistical approaches to examine the intra- and inter-sample Sr distribution. A highly reliable profile, produced by integrating multiple points, additionally permits identification of defects and potential alteration along its length through changes in median absolute deviation. Contamination at the edge of some of the specimens was evidenced from preparation and other post-mortem alterations, even in modern samples, however diagenetic alteration in the elemental signals was not evidenced significantly further than a few hundred micrometres deep in the samples. Medium-energy SR-μXRF therefore provides a fast and sensitive elemental probe without a visible effect on the sample, and the integration volume which limits the attainable lateral resolution in this energy range is discussed. This paper discusses the methodological limitations and opens new perspectives in the analysis of biomineral carbonate palaeoproxies.