Panama Research Articles

Two New Species ofCoussapoa(Urticaceae, Cecropieae)

Abstract. Two new species, Coussapoa dariensensis C. C. Berg and C. peruviana C. C. Berg, are described and illustrated from Panama and Peru, respectively, for the Urticaceae, tribe Cecropieae.

Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle (review)

Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle (review)

Sloth Hair as a Novel Source of Fungi with Potent Anti-Parasitic, Anti-Cancer and Anti-Bacterial Bioactivity

The extraordinary biological diversity of tropical forests harbors a rich chemical diversity with enormous potential as a source of novel bioactive compounds. Of particular interest are new environments for microbial discovery. Sloths – arboreal mammals commonly found in the lowland forests of Panama – carry a wide variety of micro- and macro-organisms on their coarse outer hair. Here we report for the first time the isolation of diverse and bioactive strains of fungi from sloth hair, and their taxonomic placement. Eighty-four isolates of fungi were obtained in culture from the surface of hair that was collected from living three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus, Bradypodidae) in Soberanía National Park, Republic of Panama. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a diverse group of Ascomycota belonging to 28 distinct operational taxonomic units (OTUs), several of which are divergent from previously known taxa. Seventy-four isolates were cultivated in liquid broth and crude extracts were tested for bioactivity in vitro. We found a broad range of activities against strains of the parasites that cause malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) and Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), and against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Fifty fungal extracts were tested for antibacterial activity in a new antibiotic profile screen called BioMAP; of these, 20 were active against at least one bacterial strain, and one had an unusual pattern of bioactivity against Gram-negative bacteria that suggests a potentially new mode of action. Together our results reveal the importance of exploring novel environments for bioactive fungi, and demonstrate for the first time the taxonomic composition and bioactivity of fungi from sloth hair.

Expansion of the Panama Canal and the Rise of the Isthmus

Expansion of the Panama Canal and the Rise of the Isthmus

Geographic distribution notes on Trimetopon barbouri Dunn 1930 from western Panama

We document the first records of the small colubrid snake Trimetopon barbouri Dunn, 1930, from Coclé Province, Republic of Panama. Comparisons with the type description are presented for one specimen.

Is logarithmic transformation necessary in allometry? Ten, one-hundred,one-thousand-times yes

Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA 94305, USA Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai‘i at Mânoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, USDA Forest Service, Hilo, HI 96720, USA Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 2072, Balboa, Republic of Panama

A Revision of the Neotropical GenusAmithaoThomson, 1878 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Gymnetini)

The genus Amithao Thomson, 1878 is comprehensively revised. Redescriptions of previously known species, a key for identification, and illustrations of the 13 species are provided. Guatemalica marginicollis (Burmeister) is transferred to Amithao. The following new synonyms are established: Desicasta nonfriedi Schoch and Amithao erici Mitter are Amithao erythropus (Burmeister); Amithao thomsoni (Janson) is Amithao haematopus (Schaum); Amithao niveosparsus Moser and Amithao sparsus Casey are Amithao lafertei (Thomson); and Amithao spence (Gory and Percheron) is Amithao tristis (F.). Amithao obscurus Schoch is a female of Tiaocera rhinoceros (Gory and Percheron). Amithao staudingeri Schürhoff is rediscovered. Amithao tristis (F.) is transferred from junior to senior synonymy. Amithao anthracinus Ratcliffe from Panama is described as a new species.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a Province of Panama

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) are associated with severe morbidity and mortality in equines and humans. In the U.S., EEE is both the least frequent and the most lethal of the principal arbovirus encephalitides. To examine features of an outbreak of encephalitis in humans and horses in Darien, an eastern province of Panama, researchers identified 19 patients with encephalitis admitted to …

Viruses of cucurbits in Panama.

The main areas of field-grown cucurbit production in Panama were surveyed for the occurrence and distribution of viruses in the growing seasons of 2006 and 2008. Notably, in 2006 only Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) was detected, while Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) was the most frequent in 2008 in terms of number of fields and samples analysed, followed by Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) and MNSV. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Squash mosaic virus (SqMV), Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Cucumber leaf spot virus (CLSV), Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), Beet pseudoyellows virus (BPYV), Beet yellows virus (BYV), and Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV) were not detected . Single and double (PRSV+WMV; PRSV+ZYMV; ZYMV+MNSV) infections were detected in 60% and 40% of the samples tested, respectively. The occurrence and distribution of each virus varied according to the region and cucurbit species.

New species of Macrobaris Champion grass weevils from the New World tropics and subtropics (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Baridinae)

Macrobaris Champion is synonymized with Iops Casey (new synonym), transferred from Baridini: Baridina to Apostasimerini: Madopterina (new placement), and revised. Twenty one species are documented from fourteen countries, ranging from the USA in the north to Paraguay in the south. Thirteen new species are described: M. acutipennis new species (Mexico), M. aquilonia new species (USA), M. balicosa new species (Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela), M. colemycter new species (Mexico), M. exerens new species (Venezuela), M. laciniosa new species (Mexico), M. lateriquetra new species (Costa Rica, Panama), M. leptochele new species (Peru), M. runa new species (Panama, Peru), M. spinigera new species (Brazil, Venezuela), M. stictica new species (Ecuador, Peru), M. unguiculus new species (Ecuador), and M. zacatensis new species (Costa Rica). Iops bicolor Hustache is excluded from the genus and transferred to Madopterina incertae sedis (new placement). Five species were collected from Poaceae, four of them from bamboos. A dichotomous key for the identification of currently known species is provided, with M. sparsa Casey treated as a morphologically unresolved complex. Limnobaris rufula Champion is transferred to Valdenus Casey, as V. rufulus new combination, and is reported from Costa Rica for the first time. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Nonself Recognition Through Intermolecular Disulfide Bond Formation of Ribonucleotide Reductase in Neurospora

Type I ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) are conserved across diverse taxa and are essential for the conversion of RNA into DNA precursors. In Neurospora crassa, the large subunit of RNR (UN-24) is unusual in that it also has a nonself recognition function, whereby coexpression of Oak Ridge (OR) and Panama (PA) alleles of un-24 in the same cell leads to growth inhibition and cell death. We show that coexpressing these incompatible alleles of un-24 in N. crassa results in a high molecular weight UN-24 protein complex. A 63-amino-acid portion of the C terminus was sufficient for un-24(PA) incompatibility activity. Redox active cysteines that are conserved in type I RNRs and essential for their catalytic function were found to be required for incompatibility activity of both UN-24(OR) and UN-24(PA). Our results suggest a plausible model of un-24 incompatibility activity in which the formation of a complex between the incompatible RNR proteins is potentiated by intermolecular disulfide bond formation.

Distribution record of Tantilla alticola Boulenger, 1903 (Squamata: Colubridae) in Coclé Province, Republic of Panama

A single specimen of Tantilla alticola was collected from Parque Nacional G. D. Omar Torrijos Herrera of Coclé Province, Republic of Panama. This record fills in a gap in the distribution for this species within the cloud forests of Central America.

Trans-species activity of a nonself recognition domain

BackgroundThe ability to distinguish nonself from self is a fundamental characteristic of biological systems. In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, multiple incompatibility genes mediate nonself recognition during vegetative growth. One of these genes, un-24, encodes both nonself recognition function and the large subunit of a type I ribonucleotide reductase, an evolutionarily conserved enzyme that is essential for the conversion of NDP precursors into dNDPs for use in DNA synthesis. Previous studies have shown that co-expression of the two allelic forms of un-24, Oakridge (OR) and Panama (PA), in the same cell results in cell death.ResultsWe identify a 135 amino acid nonself recognition domain in the C-terminus region of UN-24 that confers an incompatibility-like phenotype when expressed in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Low-level expression of this domain results in several cytological and phenotypic characteristics consistent with an incompatibility reaction in filamentous fungi. These incompatibility phenotypes are correlated with the presence of a non-reducible complex consisting of the PA incompatibility domain and Rnr1p, a large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase in yeast. When the PA incompatibility domain is switched to high-level expression, the incompatibility phenotype transitions to wild-type concomitant with the appearance of a complex containing the PA incompatibility domain and Ssa1p, an Hsp70 homolog.ConclusionsResults from this study provide insights into the mechanism and control of vegetative nonself recognition mediated by ribonucleotide reductase in N. crassa, thus establishing the yeast system as a powerful tool to study fungal nonself recognition. Our work shows that heat shock proteins may function to deactivate vegetative incompatibility systems, as required for entry into the sexual cycle. Finally, our results suggest that variations on the PA incompatibility domain may serve as novel and specific antimicrobial peptides.

The false limpet Siphonaria gigas, a simultaneous hermaphrodite, lives in pairs in rock fissures on the Pacific coast of Panama

The pulmonate limpet Siphonaria gigas, a simultaneous hermaphrodite, lives in the mid- to upper-intertidal zone on rocky shores in the tropical Eastern Pacific. Samples along five transects taken in June–July, 2004, on Culebra Point (8o54′N to 79o31′W), Republic of Panama, showed that 71 % of the population occurred in fissures, a significant preference for this habitat. Of 200 adults in 27 fissures, 150 lived side by side in pairs with their shells touching or nearly so, a significant deviation from the number of pairs expected given a random arrangement. Pair frequency did not increase with limpet density suggesting pairing was not an incidental consequence of crowding. Pair living was unknown in the genus Siphonaria, and is very uncommon among simultaneous hermaphrodites. Reproductive synchrony and restrictions on movement due to predation and environmental stress may limit opportunities for encountering and mating with multiple partners favoring pair living in S. gigas.

Response to Comment on “Determination of neo- and d-chiro-Inositol Hexakisphosphate in Soils by Solution 31P NMR Spectroscopy”

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVCorrespondence/Rebut...Correspondence/RebuttalNEXTResponse to Comment on “Determination of neo- and d-chiro-Inositol Hexakisphosphate in Soils by Solution 31P NMR Spectroscopy”Benjamin L. Turner†*, Alexander W. Cheesman†, H. Yasmin Godage‡, Andrew M. Riley‡, and Barry V. L. Potter‡View Author Information† Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Republic of Panama‡ Wolfson Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom*Phone: +507-212-8171; fax +507-212-8148; e-mail [email protected]Cite this: Environ. Sci. Technol. 2012, 46, 20, 11480–11481Publication Date (Web):September 27, 2012Publication History Published online5 October 2012Published inissue 16 October 2012https://doi.org/10.1021/es303737mCopyright © 2012 American Chemical SocietyRIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views286Altmetric-Citations1LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (161 KB) Get e-AlertsSUBJECTS:Geological materials,Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy,Organic compounds,Phosphates,Soils Get e-Alerts

A new species of Novantinoe Santos-Silva & Hovore 2007 from Panama (Coleoptera: Disteniidae)

Abstract A new species of Novantinoe Santos-Silva & Hovore 2007 is described from Panama. Modified key couplets including the new species are included.

A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical weevil genus Cleogonus Schönherr (Curculionidae, Molytinae).

Ten described and seven new species of Cleogonus are recognized in the Neotropics. The larvae of at least five are seed predators on Andira and one possibly on Albizia, both being widely distributed fabaceous trees with many commercial uses. Lectotypes are designated for C. armatus Champion, 1904, C. brasiliensis Fiedler, 1951, C. fratellus Fiedler, 1951, C. lateralis Fiedler, 1951, and C. rectirostris Fiedler, 1951 to promote stability in the usage of these names. New synonyms are C. distinctus Chevrolat (= C. columbianus Chevrolat 1880, syn. n., C. mixtus Fiedler, 1951, syn. n.), C. marginesulcatus Chevrolat, 1880 (= C. lateralis Fiedler, 1951, syn. n., C. marginatus Fiedler, 1951, syn. n.), and C. nucula (Germar, 1824) (= C. brevirostris Fiedler, 1951, syn. n.). Three species, as follows, are excluded from Cleogonus based on their descriptions; the types are either destroyed or could not be located: Cleogonus pumillus Montrouzier, 1855 and C. trochilus (Olivier, 1807) are transferred to the Cryptorhynchini, as Pseudomus trochilus comb. n. and Thyestetha pumillus comb. n., and C. grossulus Suffrian, 1872 to Cleogonini incertae sedis. Newly described are C. boberix sp. n. [Mexico, Panama], C. caveyi sp. n. [Argentina, Brazil], C. eldarayae sp. n. [Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru], C. foveipennis sp. n. [Brazil, Paraguay], C. nuculipar sp. n. [Bolivia], C. striatipennis sp. n. [Brazil], and C. toricrus sp. n. [Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil]. Habitus illustrations are provided for all new species. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Introduction: Interoceanic Diasporas and The Panama Canal's Centennial

Introduction: Interoceanic Diasporas and The Panama Canal's Centennial

New Species and Notes onBegonia(Begoniaceae) from Middle America, I

Four new species for the Begoniaceae, Begonia campanensis Burt-Utley & Utley and B. fortunensis Burt-Utley & Utley from Panama; B. matudae Burt-Utley & Utley from Chiapas, Mexico; and B. makrinii Burt-Utley & Utley from Oaxaca, Mexico, are described and illustrated. Begonia mucronistipula C. DC. from Panama is evaluated and synonymized with B. davidsoniae Standl. ex L. B. Sm. & B. G. Schub. and B. brevicyma C. DC.Begonia campanensis Burt-Utley & Utley y B. fortunensis Burt-Utley & Utley de Panamá, así como B. matudae Burt-Utley & Utley de Chiapas y B. makrinii Burt-Utley & Utley de Oaxaca, México se describen como nuevo. Se ilustran y evalúa B. mucronistipula C. DC. de Panamá, lo que resulta en la sinonimia de B. davidsoniae Standl. ex L. B. Sm. & B. G. Schub. y B. brevicyma C. DC. con ella.

Diverse interactions mediate asymmetric incompatibility by the het-6 supergene complex in Neurospora crassa

Heterokaryon incompatibility (HI) in filamentous fungi is a form of nonself recognition that operates during the vegetative phase of the life cycle. One HI gene complex in Neurospora crassa, the het-6 locus, comprises two incompatibility genes, het-6 and un-24, each having two allelic variants, Oak Ridge (OR) and Panama (PA). The un-24 gene also encodes the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase while het-6 appears to be a member of a repetitive gene family with no other known function aside from HI. These two genes are in severe linkage disequilibrium such that only un-24ORhet-6OR and un-24PAhet-6PA haplotypes occur in nature. In this study we unravel several genetic interactions that govern the HI functions of this gene complex. We use novel un-24PAhet-6OR strains and het-6 deletion strains to demonstrate that nonallelic interactions occur between un-24 and het-6 and reveal an allelic incompatibility interaction between the OR and PA forms of un-24 that is asymmetrically enhanced by the presence of het-6OR or het-6PA. We also show how two allelic forms of vib-1, a suppressor of het-c- and mat-associated incompatibility, differentially act as recessive suppressors of HI associated with nonallelic interactions between un-24PA and het-6OR. In contrast, vib-1 is a dominant suppressor of HI associated with allelic differences at un-24 and a dominant partial suppressor of the un-24OR and het-6PA nonallelic interaction. The range of suppressor activities is largely explained by an interesting differential effect on het-6OR and het-6PA transcript levels by VIB-1.