Province Argentina Research Articles

Indigenous vs. Peasants’ rights? Lhaka Honhat v. Argentina and the role of the Inter-American Human Rights System in communal interethnic conflicts

This article presents a socio-legal analysis of the Lhaka Honhat case, a decades-long territorial dispute between Indigenous communities and peasant settlers (criollos) in the Northern Argentinian Province of Salta. This is the first case in which the Inter-American Court of Human Rights confronted the normative implications of interethnic communal conflicts. The court was called to apply human rights standards to resolve conflicting land claims between two similarly impoverished rural groups. The judgment compelled Argentina to protect the right to land of Indigenous communities and to relocate hundreds of criollo settlers, while incorporating some exceptional provisions that indirectly recognized the vulnerable situation of the criollo population. We argue that this decision opens a third wave in the jurisprudential evolution of Indigenous rights cases before the Inter-American System. Initially, the court focused on protecting Indigenous land rights vis-à-vis powerful interests. The second wave registered cases where Indigenous land claims were brought against the encroachment of other non-Indigenous groups holding private property rights. In this third wave, the court would confront the challenge of protecting Indigenous land while also recognizing other modes of property and livelihoods. The article describes this evolution and discusses the implications both for international jurisprudence and local communities.

Within the forest: a new species of Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) from northwestern Patagonia

Abstract The genus Ctenomys is represented by 68 species within at least 9 species groups. In Patagonia, there are 11 described species of Ctenomys in 3 phylogenetic species groups: (1) the sociabilis group; (2) the magellanicus group; and (3) the mendocinus group—added to this is C. maulinus, which is not clearly related to any species group. The magellanicus group is the most representative of Patagonia and includes 6 species, several unnamed forms, and has a widespread distribution from Río Negro and Neuquén provinces in the north of Patagonia to Tierra del Fuego province to the south. The magellanicus group is a highly supported clade and comprises 3 geographically defined lineages: the bidaui clade (northern clade) composed of C. bidaui, C. pulcer, and several undescribed forms; the polytypic haigi clade (central clade) comprising C. haigi, C. contrerasi, C. thalesi, C. sericeus, and Ctenomys cf. C. lentulus (sensu Teta and D’Elía 2020); and the monotypic magellanicus clade (southern clade) consisting of haplotypes assigned to C. magellanicus (including C. colburni). Ctenomys magellanicus (Magellanic Tuco-tuco) is widely distributed from southern Santa Cruz province in Argentina and central Aysén in Chile to Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego in Argentina and Chile. Based on mitochondrial Cytochrome b DNA sequences and morphological assessment (qualitative and quantitative), we describe a new species of Ctenomys related to C. magellanicus from northwestern Chubut Province, Argentina. We provide anatomical comparisons between the new species and other species of Ctenomys from Patagonia, especially C. magellanicus, C. haigi, and C. plebiscitum. In addition, we recognize 2 groupings within C. magellanicus because of their morphometric differences, and report new localities for C. haigi and C. plebiscitum.

COVID-19 mortality: educational inequalities and socio-spatial context in two provinces of Argentina.

Motivation for the study. There are very few studies on the educational inequalities in COVID-19 mortality, taking into account social contextual factors. Main findings. We found educational inequalities of COVID-19 mortality during both the 2020 and 2021 waves, regardless of the level of poverty and urbanization in the departments of Mendoza and San Juan provinces (Argentina). Implications. Preventive policies should focus not only in areas with high levels of poverty, but also in areas with adults of low educational level. With the aim of describing the association between sociodemographic characteristics and contextual factors with COVID-19 mortality during 2020-2021 in the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan in Argentina, we conducted an ecological study, which included the sociodemographic factors: age, sex and educational level, and the contextual factors: poverty and urbanization at the departmental level. The analyses were estimated using negative binomial Bayesian hierarchical models. Educational inequalities existed regardless of socioeconomic context and level of urbanization. The exception was the age group 65 years and older during 2021, which, regardless of educational level, showed a higher risk of death by COVID-19 in departments with high levels of structural poverty. In conclusion, educational inequality is an indicator of social inequality that increases vulnerability to COVID-19 mortality.

Invasive freshwater gastropods in South America: Physa acuta and its expansion to Austral Patagonia in Argentina

Physa acuta is a freshwater snail of North American origin that has spread to all continents. In South America it was detected for the first time in 1966 (Brazil) and is currently present in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay, occupying 13 of the 52 South American freshwater eco-regions. Its introduction would be related to the import and transportation of aquatic plants. Here we update the distribution of P. acuta in Argentina based on a review of scientific collections, published works and new collections. Our review expands the distribution of the species from 11/23 Argentine provinces (until 2010) to 19/23, and we report the first record for the province of Santa Cruz, this being the southernmost site of the species. This new discovery in the province of Santa Cruz (Austral Patagonia), with an established and reproducing population in an urban area, poses a potential threat to local biodiversity (where there are no records of other non-native mollusks) and to human and animal health. This is due to the finding of populations in southern Argentina that are naturally infested by Fasciola hepatica. The record of P. acuta in aquatic environments of southern Patagonia makes it necessary to generate monitoring and control plans with the objective of identifying the dispersion vectors and preventing the spread of the species in other water bodies in the region.

Prytanoides gen. nov., a new myodochine genus to include a new species from Argentina, and new records for Prytanes Distant, 1893 species (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae)

AbstractA new genus, Prytanoides gen. nov., is described to accommodate the new species Prytanoides prorrectus gen. et sp. nov. from Argentina. Its relationship with the presumably closely related Prytanes Distant,1893 is discussed. The distributional range of four Prytanes species is also extended: Prytanes formosus (Distant, 1882) and Prytanes foedus (Stål, 1860) are recorded for many provinces in Argentina; Prytanes oblongus (Stål, 1862) is recorded from Ecuador for the first time; and Prytanes tumens (Stål, 1874) from Mexico. For each species, we provide a colour habitus of the adult, together with photographs of the male genitalia of the new genus and species.

First Bioprospecting Study of Skin Host-Defense Peptides in Odontophrynus americanus.

The adaptation of amphibians to diverse environments is closely related to the characteristics of their skin. The complex glandular system of frog skin plays a pivotal role in enabling these animals to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats and consists of crucial functions such as respiration and water balance as well as serving as a defensive barrier due to the secretion of bioactive compounds. We herein report the first investigation on the skin secretion of Odontophrynus americanus, as a potential source of bioactive peptides and also as an indicator of its evolutionary adaptations to changing environments. Americanin-1 was isolated and identified as a neutral peptide exhibiting moderate antibacterial activity against E. coli. Its amphipathic sequence including 19 amino acids and showing a propensity for α-helix structure is discussed. Comparisons of the histomorphology of the skin of O. americanus with other previously documented species within the same genus revealed distinctive features in the Patagonian specimen, differing from conspecifics from other Argentine provinces. The presence of the Eberth-Katschenko layer, a prevalence of iridophores, and the existence of glycoconjugates in its serous glands suggest that the integument is adapted to retain skin moisture. This adaptation is consistent with the prevailing aridity of its native habitat.

China's role in the reconfiguration of Latin American peripheries: A case study of the Argentine provinces

China's role in the reconfiguration of Latin American peripheries: A case study of the Argentine provinces

Buenos Aires Youth Tourism Access Policy

Summary In Argentina, in the south of Latin America, student tourism has been associated with trips for young people who finish secondary school level. Such trips have a mountain and snow destination during the winter season and are organised privately between travel agencies and student groups, without the intervention of schools or state aid. Although sustained for decades, given their high costs, access to this type of tourism has become increasingly associated with upper-middle socio-economic sectors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, the government of Buenos Aires, one of the largest and most populous provinces of Argentina, established the programme “End of Term Trip”, a local public policy of student tourism aimed at secondary school students of that province. Through a free trip package, it links the aims of universality and equality with a tourism policy that promotes new destinations, favours the work of travel agencies, and boosts off-season tourism. Based on documented data and an interview with a programme official this case study presents a tourism policy that seeks to boost the tourism sector and, at the same time, encourages the participation of young people from different social sectors in recreational tourism practices and their access to leisure and tourism rights. Information © The Authors 2024

The political ecology of justice outcomes of lithium mining: The case of Salar del Hombre Muerto, Argentina

Electromobility and lithium-ion batteries are seen as key for the global energy transition, but injustices have been identified in several stages of the life cycle of electric vehicles, particularly in the resource extraction stage. Little is known about the micropolitics driving the acceptance or contestation of lithium mining by communities directly affected by this activity in the highland Andes of South America. In this paper, we explore complaints and demands made by communities living near Salar del Hombre Muerto, a salt flat in the Argentinian province of Catamarca where lithium has been extracted for decades. Having collected ethnographic data from conversations with affected communities and during public meetings and hearings, we applied a coding process using political ecology and energy justice conceptual frameworks. This led to the identification of place-based complaints and demands associated with distributive, procedural, and recognition justice. We further discuss our findings in terms of recent literature on lithium mining to provide explanations of the justice outcomes identified. Although lithium mining may not be the sole cause of (at least some of) these injustices, it nevertheless generates expectations and catalyzes attempts to end marginalization in areas where local and regional institutions are incapable of doing so.

Successful control of Echinococcosis in Argentina and Chile through a One Health approach, including vaccination of the sheep intermediate host.

Cystic echinococcosis control in South American countries requires a comprehensive integrative ‘One Health’ approach. While insular nations have seen successful in their elimination programmes, South American countries face persistent challenges in hostile environments, with Echinococcus granulosus s.l., posing a significant public health concern. Vaccination of intermediate hosts has demonstrated the efficacy of the EG95 vaccine in reducing transmission rates. For example, since 2009, Rio Negro Province in Argentina has added, with marked success, the EG95 vaccine to the control programme, supplementing dog deworming. The Aysen Region of Chile has also reported encouraging preliminary results in reducing cyst prevalence in vaccinated sheep after 3 years of vaccination. The challenges in aligning control strategies with socio-cultural factors, especially in indigenous communities, underlines the need for context-specific strategies. The Rio Negro programme demonstrated commendable compliance, underlining the importance of community engagement in achieving lasting success. The most promising strategies for effective echinococcosis control involved dog deworming and the routine vaccination of sheep and/or goats, underscoring the importance of sustained implementation until all grazing animals have been replaced. For lasting success, these interventions need to be combined with a robust surveillance system.

Экономическая основа местного самоуправления в Аргентине: некоторые подходы к правовому регулированию

The author analyzes the legislation of some provinces of Argentina in terms of regulating the economic foundations of the organization of municipal authorities. The article touches upon property aspects and approaches to the delimitation of public and private property of municipalities (public and private domains), some requirements for concession agreements, and forms of public participation in decision-making by local governments in the economic sphere.

On the distribution and habitat use of the sub-Antarctic fly Hyadesimyia clausa Bigot (Diptera, Tachinidae) according to citizen science.

Hyadesimyia clausa Bigot is a morphologically striking tachinid that inhabits the Sub-Antarctic Ecoregion of the Magallanes Region in Chile and Tierra del Fuego province in Argentina. Much of the distributional information about this species is restricted to the Cape Horn islands, which have extreme environmental conditions, but the species' natural history, range limits, and habitat use have never been described or confirmed. Our goals were to describe the distributional limits of this sub-Antarctic fly with the help of citizen science and use this information type to describe this tachinid's habitat use and potential biological interactions with nonvascular and vascular flora. We found that citizen science significantly increased our understanding of the extent of occurrence, expanding the known distributional range by 195 km to the north and 153 km to the west. On the contrary, the values for the area of occupancy were not significant, but the occupancy overlap between different records was very low. We confirmed that H. clausa's habitat uses peatlands and although we have not provided evidence of pollination or movement of spores, we hypothesized, that the walking activity of H. clausa could help move sperm from mosses and pollen from the flowers of vascular plants, so they could act as potential pollinators. Citizen science can reduce and eliminate some scientific knowledge shortfalls and propose new ecological questions that could increase our knowledge of extreme ecosystems.

Detection of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in native wildlife species at conservation risk of Argentina.

Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are mainly environmental but can cause opportunistic infections and diseases in humans and animals. Livestock and wild animals can be infected with NTM. In Argentina, there are native wild species facing conservation risks, and they are the focus of protection and reintroduction projects designed to preserve biodiversity in various ecoregions. The aim of this study was to report the presence of NTM in samples collected from four endangered native wild species from nine Argentine provinces, as part of their pre-release health assessment. A total of 165 samples from giant anteater, peccary, tapir and pampas deer were obtained, these included either bronchoalveolar or endotracheal lavages, or oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal or tracheal swabs. Bacteriological culture followed by molecular identification and sequencing were performed. A total of 27 NTM were detected, including Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis, M. intracellulare, M. terrae, M. gordonense, M. kumamotonense, M. fortuitum, M. saskatchewanense, and M. genavense. Results revealed a 16,36% NTM recovery rate, with the giant anteater showing the highest prevalence among the mammals under study. In Argentina, due to extensive production systems, the interaction between domestic and wild species sharing the same environment is frequent, increasing the exposure of all the species to these NTM. In this way, the transmission of infectious agents from one to another is feasible. Moreover, NTMs might interfere with the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis. These findings emphasize the importance of active health surveillance in conservation programs. It highlights the need to address NTM epidemiology in wildlife and its impact on conservation and public health.

“Towards the East, Towards Jerusalem”

In this paper, archaeo- and ethnoastronomical methods are used to investigate the orientation of synagogues, graves and prayer among Ashkenazi Jewish communities in the central-northern part of the Argentinian Province of Santa Fe, in the southern Gran Chaco region of South America. These communities have their origin in Jewish agricultural colonies, which were established by immigrants from central and eastern Europe who arrived during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The study shows the complexity of the logics involved in the construction of the meaning of spatial orientations in local Jewish religious practices, and also the necessity of ethnographic surveys as a complement to quantitative studies of orientations.

Asymmetries between national articulation and the autonomy of state governments in implementing health technologies to fight COVID-19 in Argentina

Argentina, as other countries, showed several public policies related to the health technologies implemented to fight and treat the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to analyze how articulation vs. cooperation and autonomy vs. division of powers between entities occurred in Argentina, exploring asymmetries between several entities in implementing public policies related to health technologies during the pandemic and the influences of other actors. For this, a documentary research was carried out related to 2020-2021 (technical reports published by the World Health Organization, national agencies and scientific societies, laws, court decisions, press, and research and in-depth interviews with members of the Argentine Ministries of Health). The processes and results of decision-making in the Ministries of Health were analyzed, outlining the coverage and orientations of each technology and the political party in power in the province. This study found heterogeneous results and processes between Ministries and disputes within them. It also observed the poor adherence to official guidelines due to technical-political criteria (power relations, social, media, academic, judiciary, and legislative pressure). Some cases showed a strong tension between the government and its opposition over the discussion of technologies. Each province in Argentina has autonomously defined its policies on health technologies for COVID-19, and decision-making in public administration was disorderly, complex, and non-linear during the pandemic.

Saúde mental perinatal e cuidado. Interseções e reconfigurações no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19, na Argentina

Perinatal mental health refers to the psychosocial processes that occur during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. A study was carried out with a quantitative-qualitative design, with quota sampling, with pregnant and postpartum women from three hospitals in two Argentine provinces during the Covid-19 pandemic. An in-person survey was conducted with 300 women. The results indicate a slight increase in care time and a decrease in time dedicated to paid work. A great concern was found among women about changes in health care, the care and health of their children, and the daily management of care. A high incidence of anxiety in pregnant women and postpartum depression was recorded. Studying maternal mental health and the organization of care from a gender perspective allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the suffering of women mothers understood as social subjects.

The Impact of Divided Government and the Probabilities of Alternation in the Debt of Argentine Provinces (1996-2020)

El artículo explica los niveles de deuda per cápita no flotante de las veinticuatro entidades federativas argentinas en el periodo 1996-2020. Su principal hallazgo reside en que las situaciones de gobierno dividido solo restringen las posibilidades de endeudamiento cuando la oposición percibe la probabilidad de una alternancia en el ejecutivo provincial. En concordancia con trabajos previos realizados a nivel subnacional en lo relativo cuestiones fiscales, la deuda se incrementa a medida que se acentúa el desequilibrio fiscal vertical, mientras que disminuye a cuando incrementa el porcentaje de ingresos provinciales en materia de regalías y mejora el resultado fiscal primario.

Monoecocestus (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) diversity in Sigmodontinae rodents characterized by morphology and molecular methods.

This paper provides new morphological and molecular data for identifying Monoecocestus species from rodents: a) morphological update of Monoecocestus spp., b) morphological data on Anoplocephalidae taxa from Sigmodontinae rodents, c) analyses of the genetic distances between the specimens studied and other Anoplocephalidae from rodents available in GenBank, and phylogenetic inferences. A total of 25 specimens of Holochilus spp. were examined from four provinces of Argentina. Cestodes specimens were removed from the rodents small intestines. Conventional studies were used for the morphological and molecular analysis. Four taxa of Monoecocestus were identified. Monoecocestus threlkeldi was identified as first record in Holochilus chacarius and from Argentina. Molecular and morphological aspects of Monoecocestus sp.1, Monoecocestus sp.2 and Monoecocestus sp.3 were described. Specimens belonging to the genus Monoecocestus may represent closely related species, demonstrating the importance of using integrative taxonomic approaches to understand biological diversity. The continuity of the studies on Anoplocephalidae will allows to advance in investigation of molecular analyses and ecological aspects that determine parasite-host-environment relationship.

The Relationship Between Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Environmental Factors in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina: Cross-Sectional Study.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are widely distributed throughout the world. Various factors, including the environment, socioeconomic characteristics, and access to water and sanitation, play an important role in the spread and persistence of these parasites within communities. They, in turn, affect the growth and development of members of the community, especially children. Studies in the northern provinces of Argentina have shown variable prevalence of STHs, but the factors associated with their presence have not been completely elucidated. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the socioeconomic and environmental factors related to STH infection in indigenous villages located in Puerto Iguazú (Misiones), Argentina. Between 2018 and 2019, stool samples were collected from individuals ≥1 year residing in 3 villages: Mini-Marangatú, Yriapú, and Fortín Mbororé. Standard parasitological methods were used to determine STH prevalence. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess participants' habits, customs, and household characteristics, and environmental data were obtained through satellite imagery. Multilinear regression with Akaike information criterion stepwise variables was used to explore relevant associations. A total of 342 individuals from the 3 villages participated in this study. The prevalence of STHs varied across villages: 89.6% (43/48), in Mini-Marangatú, 80.8% (101/125) in Yriapú, and 68.5% (115/169) in Fortín Mbororé. Notably, there was a significant difference in hookworm infection among the villages (P=.02). The analysis highlighted the significant influence of specific environmental factors on STH presence and spatial distribution, particularly in relation to hookworm infection. Vegetation patterns represented by the Vegetation Heterogeneity Index, created ad hoc for this study, emerged as a critical factor, with 2 significant predictors related to it (P=.002 and P=.004) alongside impervious surface density with a significant predictor (P<.001). The multilinear regression model yielded a high F test score (F108=4.75, P<.001), indicating a strong fit (R2=0.5465). Furthermore, socioeconomic factors, including walking barefoot in houses with dirt floors and overcrowding, were significantly correlated with hookworm infection intensity (P<.001 and P=.001, respectively). We also used the multilinear regression model to calculate hookworm infection intensity (F110=21.15, P<.001; R2=0.4971). Our study underscores the complexity of STH transmission, as villages with similar living conditions and environmental characteristics displayed varied STH prevalence and spatial distribution. Specific environmental factors, such as vegetation pattern and impervious surface density, played major roles in STH presence, demonstrating the crucial relationship between environmental factors and hookworm infection distribution. Moreover, our findings emphasize the significant influence of socioeconomic factors on hookworm infection intensity. By gaining insights into this complex interplay, our research contributes to a better understanding of STH transmission characteristics, thereby informing targeted public health interventions for effective control.

Temporal variation of the microplastic concentration in a stream that receives discharge from wastewater treatment plants

The temporal variation of the microplastic concentration was studied in the Langueyú stream, which is located in the department of Tandil, in the southeast of the Buenos Aires province in Argentina. This stream receives discharge from the wastewater treatment plants from a medium-sized city. A quantitative analysis of the microplastic concentration was carried out in different samplings, corresponding to different seasons. The study focused on the most contaminated point, located after the discharge of effluents from plants. Higher concentrations of MPs were found in winter (dry season), having approximately 6 times the concentrations found in summer and autumn (wet seasons). However, these differences would not be a direct consequence of the amount precipitation, but rather would be associated with a seasonal variation of human activities, mainly with respect to the type of clothing used in the cold season. The microfibers correspond to around 60–90% of microplastics found. The discharge from the plants causes changes in the parameters of the stream water, such as high electrical conductivity values, and also provide metallic contaminants such as Ca, Zn, and in smaller amounts Pb, Fe, Ni and Cu, which were found adhered to the microplastics and remain in the stream water in high quantities 3 km after the study point. The microplastic concentration presents a linear empirical correlation with the conductivity, and it was found that conductivity measurements would serve as an indicator of the microplastic concentration in the system under study.