Sites In Madagascar Research Articles

Hidden schemes and suspicious constructions. Inversive moments of occult infrastructures in Madagascar

ABSTRACT This contribution explores rumours of dubious activities at coastal sites in Madagascar, investigating occult formations through their underlying infrastructures. By introducing the concept of ‘occult infrastructure’, it illuminates the socio-material arrangements enabling the flow of occult forces. Suspicious constructions, marked by technological innovations and symbolic displays of power and social status, embody tangible expressions of occult infrastructures. The contribution contends that the interplay between the enduring nature of these structures and the transient quality of occult rumours creates moments of inversion – a temporary overlap between the occult and the ordinary, resulting in brief revelations before receding into concealed realms. This alignment of temporal, discursive, and material elements within occult phenomena aims not to uncover a hidden scheme but to provide an additional layer of understanding to an ongoing narrative.

Nature's contributions to human well‐being under climate change: Evidence from Central and Eastern Madagascar

Abstract Anthropogenic climate change has an unprecedented impact on ecosystems and their services, with severe consequences for human well‐being, particularly for the marginalised and vulnerable members of society in the Global South. The well‐being of communities relies not only on material and regulating services ecosystems provide but also on non‐material services. In this paper, we unravel the diverse ways that climate change impacts affect Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) and the well‐being of rural populations in four sites in Madagascar—a biodiversity hotspot but one of the economically poorest countries in the world. We conducted participatory community workshops, mapping and semi‐structured interviews with local residents across social subgroups to understand the mechanisms of climate‐related degradation and the resulting impacts on different dimensions of human well‐being through an NCP lens. We found that non‐material services are generally more often associated with well‐being effects. Climate change degrades material and non‐material services through sea level rise, biodiversity loss, drought, precipitation and temperature variability, with consequences for materials, companionship and labour, food and feed, and physical and psychological experiences. Loss of land and forests is expressed through ecological grief. The outcome of our research provides evidence‐based information to local policymakers, conservation practitioners, and climate change agencies. This information can help improve government efforts toward holistic conservation and climate change adaptation by addressing the impacts on the physical and mental well‐being of the most vulnerable communities. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Upland rice varietal mixtures in Madagascar: evaluating the effects of varietal interaction on crop performance.

Rice plays a critical role in human livelihoods and food security. However, its cultivation requires inputs that are not accessible to all farming communities and can have negative effects on ecosystems. simultaneously, ecological research demonstrates that biodiversity management within fields contributes to ecosystem functioning. This study aims to evaluate the mixture effect of four functionally distinct rice varieties in terms of characteristics and agronomic performance and their spatial arrangement on the upland rice performance in the highlands of Madagascar. The study was conducted during the 2021-2022 rainfall season at two close sites in Madagascar. Both site differ from each other's in soil properties and soil fertility management. The experimental design at each site included three modalities: i) plot composition, i.e., pure stand or binary mixture; ii) the balance between the varieties within a mixture; iii) and for the balanced mixture (50% of each variety), the spatial arrangement, i.e., row or checkerboard patterns. Data were collected on yields (grain and biomass), and resistance to Striga asiatica infestation, Pyricularia oryzea and bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae-pv from each plot. Varietal mixtures produced significantly higher grain and biomass yields, and significantly lower incidence of Pyricularia oryzea compared to pure stands. No significant differences were observed for BLB and striga infestation. These effects were influenced by site fertility, the less fertilized site showed stronger mixture effects with greater gains in grain yield (60%) and biomass yield (42%). The most unbalanced repartition (75% and 25% of each variety) showed the greatest mixture effect for grain yield at both sites, with a strong impact of the varietal identity within the plot. The mixture was most effective when EARLY_MUTANT_IAC_165 constituted 75% of the density associated with other varieties at 25% density. The assessment of the net effect ratio of disease, an index evaluating the mixture effect in disease reduction, indicated improved disease resistance in mixtures, regardless of site conditions. Our study in limited environments suggests that varietal mixtures can enhance rice productivity, especially in low-input situations. Further research is needed to understand the ecological mechanisms behind the positive mixture effect.

Thermal sensitivity of black corals (Antipatharia: Hexacorallia): Comparisons between sympatric species from a thermally fluctuating site in Madagascar and between allopatric congenerics

This study investigated factors shaping the thermal sensitivity in antipatharians, a taxon whose members form dense aggregations in all oceans, harbouring a high biodiversity. First, we tested the thermal responses of five sympatric species (Antipathes grandis, Cupressopathes abies, Stichopathes cf. maldivensis, Cirrhipathes anguina and Cirrhipathes cf. spiralis) from the Great Reef of Toliara (Madagascar), using an acute ramping methodology. We then compared the thermal performance curves (TPCs) for oxygen consumption of these five species. Results indicated that phylogeny alone does not explain differences in thermal sensitivity (Antipathidae vs. Myriopathidae). On the contrary, morphology (branched vs. unbranched) appeared as a key factor, with unbranched species (S. cf. maldivensis, C. anguina, C. cf. spiralis) being more tolerant to thermal stress than branched ones (A. grandis and C. abies). Several hypothesis could explain these variations in thermal tolerance across morphology, such as tissue thickness, surface/volume ratio or mass-transfer efficiency. Secondly, we compared the TPC of Stichopathes from Madagascar with those previously obtained in congenerics from the Canary Islands and French Polynesia. This revealed a higher thermal tolerance in the two former than in the latter. It is proposed that it is linked to higher annual temperature variability (but not daily variability) in these two sites compared to French Polynesia. It is concluded that thermal sensitivity in antipatharians is linked to their morphology influencing their physiology and to their thermal history. Phylogeny at the family level plays a less important role in explaining differences in thermal sensitivity in antipatharians.

Environmental protection in Madagascar: Biodiversity offsetting in the mining sector as a corporate social responsibility strategy

Drawing on the example of industrial mining in Madagascar, this article explores the emergence of biodiversity offsets as a corporate social responsibility strategy (CSR) put forward by companies and their implications for environmental protection. It adopts the notion of the State's “selective absence” to frame an analysis of how reforms to regulatory frameworks in the 1990s resulted in the State's retreat and transfer of what were formerly considered State functions to private operators. The article examines specific mine sites in Madagascar and continuity with past trends to document the nature and extent of mining's environmental impacts and the implications of such strategies for the rich biodiversity that characterises the island. To illustrate certain responses mining companies have had to these impacts, the article draws attention to biodiversity offsets companies have voluntarily implemented to achieve no net loss or net gain of biodiversity to compensate for residual biodiversity loss from their activities. It documents the evolution of the discourse that legitimises such practices of environmental protection and their consequences, including the violation of local communities’ rights. It concludes that the nature of this type of CSR initiative in Madagascar is characterised by important shortcomings and cannot be considered as providing longer-term, or environmentally sustainable, solutions to the issues at hand.

Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and its determinants among outpatient children in 3 low- and middle-income countries: A multicentric community-based cohort study.

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where antibiotics required to treat resistant infections are not affordable. LMICs also bear a disproportionately high burden of bacterial diseases, particularly among children, and resistance jeopardizes progress made in these areas. Although outpatient antibiotic use is a major driver of antibiotic resistance, data on inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in LMICs are scarce at the community level, where the majority of prescribing occurs. Here, we aimed to characterize inappropriate antibiotic prescribing among young outpatient children and to identify its determinants in 3 LMICs. We used data from a prospective, community-based mother-and-child cohort (BIRDY, 2012 to 2018) conducted across urban and rural sites in Madagascar, Senegal, and Cambodia. Children were included at birth and followed-up for 3 to 24 months. Data from all outpatient consultations and antibiotics prescriptions were recorded. We defined inappropriate prescriptions as antibiotics prescribed for a health event determined not to require antibiotic therapy (antibiotic duration, dosage, and formulation were not considered). Antibiotic appropriateness was determined a posteriori using a classification algorithm developed according to international clinical guidelines. We used mixed logistic analyses to investigate risk factors for antibiotic prescription during consultations in which children were determined not to require antibiotics. Among the 2,719 children included in this analysis, there were 11,762 outpatient consultations over the follow-up period, of which 3,448 resulted in antibiotic prescription. Overall, 76.5% of consultations resulting in antibiotic prescription were determined not to require antibiotics, ranging from 71.5% in Madagascar to 83.3% in Cambodia. Among the 10,416 consultations (88.6%) determined not to require antibiotic therapy, 25.3% (n = 2,639) nonetheless resulted in antibiotic prescription. This proportion was much lower in Madagascar (15.6%) than in Cambodia (57.0%) or Senegal (57.2%) (p < 0.001). Among the consultations determined not to require antibiotics, in both Cambodia and Madagascar the diagnoses accounting for the greatest absolute share of inappropriate prescribing were rhinopharyngitis (59.0% of associated consultations in Cambodia, 7.9% in Madagascar) and gastroenteritis without evidence of blood in the stool (61.6% and 24.6%, respectively). In Senegal, uncomplicated bronchiolitis accounted for the greatest number of inappropriate prescriptions (84.4% of associated consultations). Across all inappropriate prescriptions, the most frequently prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin in Cambodia and Madagascar (42.1% and 29.2%, respectively) and cefixime in Senegal (31.2%). Covariates associated with an increased risk of inappropriate prescription include patient age greater than 3 months (adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) ranged across countries from 1.91 [1.63, 2.25] to 5.25 [3.85, 7.15], p < 0.001) and living in rural as opposed to urban settings (aOR ranged across countries from 1.83 [1.57, 2.14] to 4.40 [2.34, 8.28], p < 0.001). Diagnosis with a higher severity score was also associated with an increased risk of inappropriate prescription (aOR = 2.00 [1.75, 2.30] for moderately severe, 3.10 [2.47, 3.91] for most severe, p < 0.001), as was consultation during the rainy season (aOR = 1.32 [1.19, 1.47], p < 0.001). The main limitation of our study is the lack of bacteriological documentation, which may have resulted in some diagnosis misclassification and possible overestimation of inappropriate antibiotic prescription. In this study, we observed extensive inappropriate antibiotic prescribing among pediatric outpatients in Madagascar, Senegal, and Cambodia. Despite great intercountry heterogeneity in prescribing practices, we identified common risk factors for inappropriate prescription. This underscores the importance of implementing local programs to optimize antibiotic prescribing at the community level in LMICs.

Factors influencing terrestriality in primates of the Americas and Madagascar.

Among mammals, the order Primates is exceptional in having a high taxonomic richness in which the taxa are arboreal, semiterrestrial, or terrestrial. Although habitual terrestriality is pervasive among the apes and African and Asian monkeys (catarrhines), it is largely absent among monkeys of the Americas (platyrrhines), as well as galagos, lemurs, and lorises (strepsirrhines), which are mostly arboreal. Numerous ecological drivers and species-specific factors are suggested to set the conditions for an evolutionary shift from arboreality to terrestriality, and current environmental conditions may provide analogous scenarios to those transitional periods. Therefore, we investigated predominantly arboreal, diurnal primate genera from the Americas and Madagascar that lack fully terrestrial taxa, to determine whether ecological drivers (habitat canopy cover, predation risk, maximum temperature, precipitation, primate species richness, human population density, and distance to roads) or species-specific traits (body mass, group size, and degree of frugivory) associate with increased terrestriality. We collated 150,961 observation hours across 2,227 months from 47 species at 20 sites in Madagascar and 48 sites in the Americas. Multiple factors were associated with ground use in these otherwise arboreal species, including increased temperature, a decrease in canopy cover, a dietary shift away from frugivory, and larger group size. These factors mostly explain intraspecific differences in terrestriality. As humanity modifies habitats and causes climate change, our results suggest that species already inhabiting hot, sparsely canopied sites, and exhibiting more generalized diets, are more likely to shift toward greater ground use.

Genomic prediction of zinc-biofortification potential in rice gene bank accessions

Key messageA genomic prediction model successfully predicted grain Zn concentrations in 3000 gene bank accessions and this was verified experimentally with selected potential donors having high on-farm grain-Zn in Madagascar.Increasing zinc (Zn) concentrations in edible parts of food crops, an approach termed Zn-biofortification, is a global breeding objective to alleviate micro-nutrient malnutrition. In particular, infants in countries like Madagascar are at risk of Zn deficiency because their dominant food source, rice, contains insufficient Zn. Biofortified rice varieties with increased grain Zn concentrations would offer a solution and our objective is to explore the genotypic variation present among rice gene bank accessions and to possibly identify underlying genetic factors through genomic prediction and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A training set of 253 rice accessions was grown at two field sites in Madagascar to determine grain Zn concentrations and grain yield. A multi-locus GWAS analysis identified eight loci. Among these, QTN_11.3 had the largest effect and a rare allele increased grain Zn concentrations by 15%. A genomic prediction model was developed from the above training set to predict Zn concentrations of 3000 sequenced rice accessions. Predicted concentrations ranged from 17.1 to 40.2 ppm with a prediction accuracy of 0.51. An independent confirmation with 61 gene bank seed samples provided high correlations (r = 0.74) between measured and predicted values. Accessions from the aus sub-species had the highest predicted grain Zn concentrations and these were confirmed in additional field experiments, with one potential donor having more than twice the grain Zn compared to a local check variety. We conclude utilizing donors from the aus sub-species and employing genomic selection during the breeding process is the most promising approach to raise grain Zn concentrations in rice.

Functional Diversity of the Litter-Associated Fungi from an Oxalate-Carbonate Pathway Ecosystem in Madagascar.

The oxalate-carbonate pathway (OCP) is a biogeochemical process linking oxalate oxidation and carbonate precipitation. Currently, this pathway is described as a tripartite association involving oxalogenic plants, oxalogenic fungi, and oxalotrophic bacteria. While the OCP has recently received increasing interest given its potential for capturing carbon in soils, there are still many unknowns, especially regarding the taxonomic and functional diversity of the fungi involved in this pathway. To fill this gap, we described an active OCP site in Madagascar, under the influence of the oxalogenic tree Tamarindus indica, and isolated, identified, and characterized 50 fungal strains from the leaf litter. The fungal diversity encompassed three phyla, namely Mucoromycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota, and 23 genera. Using various media, we further investigated their functional potential. Most of the fungal strains produced siderophores and presented proteolytic activities. The majority were also able to decompose cellulose and xylan, but only a few were able to solubilize inorganic phosphate. Regarding oxalate metabolism, several strains were able to produce calcium oxalate crystals while others decomposed calcium oxalate. These results challenge the current view of the OCP by indicating that fungi are both oxalate producers and degraders. Moreover, they strengthen the importance of the role of fungi in C, N, Ca, and Fe cycles.

Plant Species Fed on by Wild Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) at Nine Sites

A key aspect of a primate’s ecology is its food source, the very nature of which is spatially and seasonally dependent and may be affected by anthropic pressures. One of the most endangered, yet best-studied, strepsirrhine primates is the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), a species that has experienced significant human-induced habitat loss over many decades. To help understand feeding variability across time and space, I present a literature review of plant species (and parts) fed on by ring-tailed lemurs at nine sites in Madagascar: Ambatotsirongorongo, Andringitra Massif, Anja Reserve, Antserananomby, Berenty Reserve, Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve, Cap Sainte-Marie, Tsaranoro Valley Forest, and Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. I gathered literature using keyword searches on Google Scholar ( https://scholar.google.com/ ) and verified scientific names using the “Catalogue of the Plants of Madagascar” ( http://legacy.tropicos.org/Project/Madagascar ). From 24 studies, I identify 221 genera and 241 species of consumed plants, with 92 genera and 70 species consumed at two or more sites. Based on the available distribution data, 63% of species are endemic and 22% native. Sixty-seven plants are known only by Malagasy common names and excluded from analyses. When authors identify the plant tissue consumed, 52% of species in the diet are represented by a single tissue type, typically leaves (mature and immature) or fruit (ripe or unripe). This review highlights the importance of studying multiple populations when creating dietary summaries of species and should prove valuable to those exploring ecological trends and habitat use by ring-tailed lemurs.

SENTINEL-1 AND SENTINEL-2 TIME SERIES PROCESSING CHAINS FOR CYCLONE IMPACT MONITORING IN SOUTH WEST INDIAN OCEAN

Abstract. Monitoring the spatial footprint of cyclone impacts by remote sensing offers great potential for assessing the extent of damage and monitoring the resilience of the affected territories. For this purpose, as part of the Renovrisk-Impact project, we have developed two change detection processing chains based on optical (Sentinel-2) and SAR (Sentinel-1) data. These chains have been used to track different events in different regions of the world. In this article we focus on two study sites in Madagascar: the city of Miandrivazo, which was heavily affected by severe rainfall from Cyclone AVA in January 2018, and more recently the town of Marovoay which suffered a major disaster following the passage of tropical storm DIANE in January 2020. The obtained results were evaluated and compared with the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service product, showing good consistency with this product and between them. These results confirm the potential of these Sentinel data and the developed processing chains for monitoring the impacts of cyclones, but also open up prospects for longer-term monitoring.

Status Assessment and Population Trends of the Madagascar Pond-Heron (Ardeola idae) from 1993-2016

The Madagascar Pond-heron (Ardeola idae) is a migratory species that breeds exclusively in Madagascar and nearby islands (Europa, Aldabra and Mayotte). Changes in the population of this species were investigated over the last 23 years through literature reviews, field monitoring, and surveys undertaken from 1993 to 2016. Data from 111 sites were collected and analyzed for population assessment, including 11 known breeding sites in Madagascar (n = 6), Mayotte (n = 4), and Europa (n = 1). Trend analyses were done with surveys from 1993-2016 (omitting 1996) and population estimates from the last 5 years of surveys, 2012-2016. The species occurred in all types of wetlands including lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, mangroves, pasture wet meadow, and rice fields. During the non-breeding season (May-September), many pond-herons migrate to eastern and central Africa; however, some birds (911 records) remained in Madagascar and Mayotte during austral winter. Data show the current population estimated at ∼1100 breeding birds in the total breeding area. The population has declined significantly, with 41.6% and 52.9% declines, respectively, at the two colony sites in Tsimbazaza and Tsarasaotra parks with the longest history of breeding. Main threats to the species are habitat destruction, collection of eggs and fledglings, predation, and human disturbance at all breeding sites.

Was there mid Holocene habitation in Madagascar? A reconsideration of the OSL dates from Lakaton'i Anja

Abstract

Rapid assessment of geo-hydrological hazards in Antananarivo (Madagascar) historical centre for damage prevention

The historical centre of Antananarivo represents one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Madagascar. During 2015, the whole city area was severely affected by geo-hydrological hazards due to cyclonic rain, resulting in severe flooding, and in widespread shallow landslides along the hillslopes. This event proved the vulnerability to geo-hydrological risk of the Upper town’s historical buildings. In October 2017, a geo-hydrological hazard mapping was performed in the Upper Town by combining field surveys, remote sensing and geomatic data analysis in a GIS environment. This provided detailed products such as a geological-geomorphological map, a map of the hydrographic network and of the creek basins, and a geodatabase to be used for detecting areas prone to erosion and geo-hydrological hazards. The final aim was to understand the geological, geomorphological and hydrographic features of the Upper Town, in order locate the more critical areas and to recommend priority works to be carried out, as a first step toward a risk management strategy and a conservation/valorization plan for building the resilience of the site. The results highlighted that a Cultural Heritage site protection strategy can be planned also in case of limited data, which is a frequent condition in developing countries.

Using camera traps to investigate spatial co‐occurrence between exotic predators and native prey species: a case study from northeastern Madagascar

AbstractThe presence of exotic predators in ecosystems across the world is a leading driver of native species’ declines. Exotic predators largely influence native species through predation and harassment, which may cause native species to avoid them spatially. We used a camera trap dataset from seven sites in Madagascar's largest protected area complex to investigate spatial co‐occurrence patterns between three exotic predators (free‐ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris and cats Felis silvestris, and small Indian civet Viverricula indica) and native ground‐dwelling forest birds (n = 5) and small mammals (n = 4). We created 216 two‐species occupancy models for 27 exotic predator‐native species pairings to examine how habitat, exotic predator presence or both, influenced each native species’ occupancy and/or detection. We found that native bird and small mammal occupancy and/or detection were strongly related to an exotic predator's presence 52% of the time (i.e. 14 of 27 exotic predator‐native species pairings). Six of the 14 species pairings (i.e. 43%) had non‐independent co‐occurrence patterns, four of which were habitat‐mediated. The effect of exotic predator presence on native species’ detection was largely negative, depressing native species’ detection in seven out of 12 instances (i.e. 58% of the time). The small Indian civet and free‐ranging cats each strongly influenced the occupancy and/or detection of six species for a combined impact on seven native species, while domestic dogs strongly influenced two species. By including habitat covariates in two‐species occupancy models, we gained deeper insight into the effect exotic predator presence has on native species’ distribution. We also note that the strong effect of exotic predator presence on our ability to detect native species can hinder the ability of researchers to provide accurate parameter estimates. We recommend future research into the synergistic effects that habitat degradation and exotic species presence has on native species.

The evolution of fruit colour: phylogeny, abiotic factors and the role of mutualists

The adaptive significance of fruit colour has been investigated for over a century. While colour can fulfil various functions, the most commonly tested hypothesis is that it has evolved to increase fruit visual conspicuousness and thus promote detection and consumption by seed dispersing animals. However, fruit colour is a complex trait which is subjected to various constraints and selection pressures. As a result, the effect of animal selection on fruit colour are often difficult to identify, and several studies have failed to detect it. Here, we employ an integrative approach to examine what drives variation in fruit colour. We quantified the colour of ripe fruit and mature leaves of 97 tropical plant species from three study sites in Madagascar and Uganda. We used phylogenetically controlled models to estimate the roles of phylogeny, abiotic factors, and dispersal mode on fruit colour variation. Our results show that, independent of phylogeny and leaf coloration, mammal dispersed fruits are greener than bird dispersed fruits, while the latter are redder than the former. In addition, fruit colour does not correlate with leaf colour in the visible spectrum, but fruit reflection in the ultraviolet area of the spectrum is strongly correlated with leaf reflectance, emphasizing the role of abiotic factors in determining fruit colour. These results demonstrate that fruit colour is affected by both animal sensory ecology and abiotic factors and highlight the importance of an integrative approach which controls for the relevant confounding factors.

Usefulness of environmental DNA for detecting Schistosoma mansoni occurrence sites in Madagascar

ObjectivesSchistosomiasis is an important disease in Madagascar, and several studies on the disease have focused on the occurrence of the parasite in humans. However, the range of the pathogen in the environment and its impact on human infection is difficult to predict. An environmental DNA (eDNA) detection system for Schistosoma mansoni was developed to improve schistosomiasis eco-epidemiology studies. MethodsPrimers and probes were designed and tested in experimental biotopes. The field study was conducted in Maevatanana District of Madagascar. Seven water sources with human use were sampled, with a total of 21 water samples collected. Snails were collected, and patients were examined by ultrasound to determine the occurrence of schistosomiasis in the study area. ResultsOne water source with active transmission was identified through the detection of S. mansoni eDNA in the water and the intermediate host Biomphalaria pfeifferi collected from the same water source. People with clinical schistosomiasis were found in the area, reinforcing the findings. ConclusionsThe application of eDNA in eco-epidemiology enables the determination of hot spots and safe spots in endemic areas, constituting an alternative ecological tool for follow-up and monitoring of control programs for schistosomiasis, and contributing information on water safety for improving the standard of living of the people in endemic areas.

Host Ecology Rather Than Host Phylogeny Drives Amphibian Skin Microbial Community Structure in the Biodiversity Hotspot of Madagascar.

Host-associated microbiotas of vertebrates are diverse and complex communities that contribute to host health. In particular, for amphibians, cutaneous microbial communities likely play a significant role in pathogen defense; however, our ecological understanding of these communities is still in its infancy. Here, we take advantage of the fully endemic and locally species-rich amphibian fauna of Madagascar to investigate the factors structuring amphibian skin microbiota on a large scale. Using amplicon-based sequencing, we evaluate how multiple host species traits and site factors affect host bacterial diversity and community structure. Madagascar is home to over 400 native frog species, all of which are endemic to the island; more than 100 different species are known to occur in sympatry within multiple rainforest sites. We intensively sampled frog skin bacterial communities, from over 800 amphibians from 89 species across 30 sites in Madagascar during three field visits, and found that skin bacterial communities differed strongly from those of the surrounding environment. Richness of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and phylogenetic diversity differed among host ecomorphs, with arboreal frogs exhibiting lower richness and diversity than terrestrial and aquatic frogs. Host ecomorphology was the strongest factor influencing microbial community structure, with host phylogeny and site parameters (latitude and elevation) explaining less but significant portions of the observed variation. Correlation analysis and topological congruency analyses revealed little to no phylosymbiosis for amphibian skin microbiota. Despite the observed geographic variation and low phylosymbiosis, we found particular OTUs that were differentially abundant between particular ecomorphs. For example, the genus Pigmentiphaga (Alcaligenaceae) was significantly enriched on arboreal frogs, Methylotenera (Methylophilaceae) was enriched on aquatic frogs, and Agrobacterium (Rhizobiaceae) was enriched on terrestrial frogs. The presence of shared bacterial OTUs across geographic regions for selected host genera suggests the presence of core microbial communities which in Madagascar, might be driven more strongly by a species’ preference for specific microhabitats than by the physical, physiological or biochemical properties of their skin. These results corroborate that both host and environmental factors are driving community assembly of amphibian cutaneous microbial communities, and provide an improved foundation for elucidating their role in disease resistance.

Long-term field studies of lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers

Lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers are socially and ecologically diverse primates that include some of the most endangered mammals. We review results of long-term studies of 15 lemur species from 7 sites in Madagascar and 1 species each of loris and tarsier in Indonesia. We emphasize that the existence of long-term study populations is a crucial prerequisite for planning and conducting shorter studies on specific topics, as exemplified by various ecophysiological studies of lemurs. Extended studies of known individuals have revealed variation in social organization within and between ecologically similar species. Even for these primates with relatively fast life histories, it required more than a decade of paternity data to characterize male reproductive skew. The long-term consequences of female rank on reproductive success remain poorly known, however. Long-term monitoring of known individuals is the only method to obtain data on life-history adaptations, which appear to be shaped by predation in the species covered here; long-term studies are also needed for addressing particular questions in community ecology. The mere presence of long-term projects has a positive effect on the protection of study sites, and they generate unique data that are fundamental to conservation measures, such as close monitoring of populations.

No serological evidence for Zika virus infection and low specificity for anti-Zika virus ELISA in malaria positive individuals among pregnant women from Madagascar in 2010.

It was previously reported that a malaria infection may interfere with the specificity of a commercial ELISA test against Zika virus (ZIKV). We analyzed 1,216 plasma samples from healthy, pregnant women collected in two sites in Madagascar in 2010 for ZIKV antibodies using a commercial ELISA and for Plasmodium infection by PCR. This screen revealed six putative ZIKV-positive samples by ELISA. These results could not be confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence assays or virus neutralization tests. Four of these six samples were also positive for P. falciparum. We noted that the frequency of malaria positivity was higher in ZIKV-ELISA positive samples (50% and 100% in the two study sites) than ZIKV-negative samples (17% and 10%, respectively), suggesting that malaria may have led to false ZIKV-ELISA positives.