South America Research Articles

Giants beasts updated: A review of new knowledge about the South American megafauna

ABSTRACTSince the publication of Megafauna: Giant Beasts of Pleistocene South America by Fariña et al. in 2013, much has been published on this fascinating subject. Here, we sum up those contributions according to their aim: taxonomic, geographical and phylogenetic novelty, new approaches to the natural history of those species, and extinction and its aftermath. The traditional centres of interest since the 19th century, especially the Río de la Plata region, have now been complemented as a source of information by many other regions in South America, and the remains are now being studied by biogeochemistry and molecular biology, as well as with finite element analysis and constantly refined statistics. Finally, scholars and the public are becoming more interested in the demise of the megamammals as the starting point of the current process of biodiversity loss.

Potential role of heterologous flavivirus immunity in preventing urban transmission of yellow fever virus

During the recent yellow fever (YF) epidemics in Brazil, human cases were attributed to spillover infections via sylvatic mosquito transmission. Despite YF virus (YFV) transmission in major urban centers with insufficient vaccination coverage and abundant populations of the domestic vector, Aedes aegypti, there was no evidence of human-amplified transmission. Furthermore, the historic absence of YF in Asia, despite abundant Ae. aegypti and an immunologically naive human population, is unexplained. We tested the hypothesis that pre-existing, heterologous flavivirus immunity, specifically from dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses, limits YFV viremia and transmission by Ae. aegypti. We infected cynomolgus macaques with DENV or ZIKV, then challenged them 6–9 months later with YFV. We then measured viremia and disease and allowed Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to feed during peak macaque viremia. Although prior heterologous immunity had variable effects on disease, DENV and ZIKV immunity consistently suppressed YFV viremia. Despite no statistical difference due to a small sample size, the suppression in viremia led to a significant reduction in Ae. aegypti infection and a lack of transmission potential. These results support the hypothesis that, in DENV- and ZIKV-endemic regions such as South America and Asia, human flavivirus immunity suppresses YFV human amplification potential, reducing the risk of urban outbreaks.

VLIK from Madrid to Vienna: the Search for a New Political Direction in the Liberation of Lithuania

The Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania (Vyriausiasis Lietuvos išlaisvinimo komitetas, VLIK), relying on its right to speak on behalf of the subjugated nation and its belief in the meaning of the Helsinki Accords, emphasised the importance of the Madrid conference for the liberation activities of Lithuania. One more aspect of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, specifically the territorial integrity principle applicable to the liberation process of the Baltic States, was raised in the Spanish capital. Starting in 1981, the VLIK sought to draw international attention to the situation of Lithuanian dissidents in the Soviet Union and drafted memoranda on the situation in Lithuania. After it was ascertained that there was no possibility to raise the case of Lithuania’s freedom at the United Nations, focus was shifted to the situation evolving in Europe. A permanent VLIK representative for maintaining contacts with the European Parliament (EP) was therefore appointed. In co-operation with the Lithuanian diplomatic service and political organisations, the VLIK operated consistently and saw the passing of an EP resolution on the situation in the Baltic States in 1983. Observing signs of a new political trend in the liberation process of Lithuania, the VLIK sought to ensure that the ‘passive position of non-recognition of the occupation of Lithuania’ would become ‘an active and effective campaign’. To this end, expanding the geographical scope of its political activities, the VLIK established and strengthened its representative offices in North and South America, Australia, and Europe. The earlier strategy of cooperation between Lithuanians in the free world and those in the occupied country remained. Having established its intention to restore the ‘execution of the sovereign powers of Lithuania’, VLIK urged political figures at the Vienna conference to hold ‘a broader campaign in Europe’.

Population density estimates and conservation status of Aegla jacutinga Marçal & Teixeira, 2020 (Decapoda: Anomura: Aeglidae) from the type locality in Brazil

Abstract Anomuran crabs of the genus AeglaLeach, 1821 are endemic to temperate and subtropical regions of South America and are commonly found in streams and rivers, where they are generally restricted to healthy environments because they are sensitive to environmental changes. The genus presents worrying data regarding its conservation, like the many Brazilian freshwater species classified as being at some level of threat of extinction. We inventoried unexplored watersheds, estimated the population density of Aegla jacutinga Marçal & Teixeira, 2020 in its type locality, updated information on the distribution of the species, and assessed its conservation status using IUCN criteria.

Wood hardness drives nest-site selection in woodpeckers of the humid Chaco

Abstract Avian excavators (woodpeckers and other species) select nest sites based on characteristics of the nest patch, nest tree, and substrate. These characteristics could increase foraging opportunities or reduce the risk of predation, but there is also a potentially important role for wood hardness in restricting nest-site selection, a role that has been little explored and is expected to vary among species according to their ability to excavate. We examined patterns of nest-site selection in 8 woodpecker species in the humid Chaco of South America, where the dominant trees have extremely hard wood. We hypothesized that (1) wood hardness is the main factor driving selection of excavation sites, and (2) interspecific variation in body size and foraging behavior (traits frequently related to excavation ability) explain interspecific variation in the wood hardness of excavated nest substrates. From 2016 to 2019 in well-preserved forests of the Argentine Chaco, we compared nesting cavities excavated in wood (cases; n = 42) vs. potential wood substrates without cavities (matched controls) and made 187 focal observations of foraging woodpeckers. Woodpeckers selected nesting substrates with softer heartwood than potential substrates, regardless of any other characteristics of the tree or nest patch. Wood hardness around nest cavities increased with body size and the prevalence of chiseling during foraging, traits that were positively correlated. Woodpeckers often excavated in Prosopis spp. (Algarrobos) but rarely in Schinopsis balansae (Quebracho), a tree with exceptionally hard internal wood, in which cavity adopters frequently nest in non-excavated cavities. Wood hardness is critical to assessing the role of woodpeckers as cavity facilitators, understanding the costs and benefits of excavation, and interpreting excavation patterns across species and forests globally.

Navigating hidden borderlands: the role of cultural heritage for black African refugee students in American higher education

ABSTRACT In this conceptual paper, we advance a scholarly conversation about Black African refugee students in the United States. Although agreeing on a universal definition of a refugee is conceptually challenging, for the sake of focus, we define refugees as: individuals who have encountered forced migration, who have lived in the U.S. for less than five years, and who are not yet eligible for U.S. citizenship. While there are also Asian, European, Latin American, and South American refugee groups living in the United States, our paper focuses on Black African refugee students because the anti-Black racism of U.S. society positions them distinctly. Overall, we observe that Black African refugees exist in a metaphorical borderland that hides and (dis)locates their existence. While living within this borderland, Black African refugees engage in different mobilities and tap into their social network capital through cultural heritage. Cultural heritage, which includes both tangible and intangible artifacts, can be a source of psychological and social resilience, buttressing resettlement and reconstruction of identity. We also argue that Black African refugee students exhibit agentic, encouraged, and necessitated hiddenness. We conclude with a closer look into how this population may help higher education scholars arrive at liberatory possibilities that have implications for higher education research. Specifically, we recommend explicitly focusing on refugee student needs, crafting a culturally responsive curriculum and instructions, and facilitating relationships with refugee-supporting community organizations.

Identifying gene-level mechanisms of successful dispersal of Vibrio parahaemolyticus during El Niño events.

El Niño events, the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation, facilitate the movement of warm surface waters eastwards across the Pacific Ocean. Marine organisms transported by these waters can act as biological corridors for water-borne bacteria with attachment abilities. El Niño events have been hypothesized as driving the recent emergence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) variants, marine bacterium causing gastroenteritis, in South America, but the lack of a robust methodological framework limited any further exploration. Here, we introduce two new analysis approaches to explore Vp dynamics in South America, which will be central to uncovering Vp dynamics in the future. Distributed non-linear lag models found that strong El Niño events increase the relative probability of Vp detection in Peru, with a 3-4-month lag time. Machine learning found that the presence of a specific gene (vopZ) involved in attachment to plankton in a pandemic Vp clone in South America was temporally associated with strong El Niño events, offering a possible strategy for survival over long-range dispersal, such as that offered by El Niño events. Robust surveillance of marine pathogens and methodological development are necessary to produce resolute conclusions on the effect of El Niño events on water-borne diseases.

Predicting oxygen-18 and deuterium over South America: Local Meteoric Water Lines for countries and biogeographical regions

ABSTRACT Rainfall stable isotopes ratios of water, 2H/1H and 18O/16O, play a crucial role as natural tracers through the various compartments of the hydrological cycle in hydrological studies. Knowing the isotopic signatures of precipitation help us to interpret water entry into continental hydrological systems, such as basins and aquifers. Spatial predictions of δ18 O and δ2 H in precipitation across South America were performed using multivariate geostatistics supported by remote sensing covariates. This is the first map dedicated to describing countries and biogeographical region’s spatiotemporal isotopic distributions with their Local Meteoric Water Lines (LMWL). R2 from 0.90 to 0.99 were found considering all LMWLs. Historical, May-September, and October-April periods modeling errors are 2.83, 2.41, and 2.67% for δ2 H, and 0.33, 0.37, and 0.41% for δ18 O, respectively.

Identification of the Emerging C1-like Lineage of Enterovirus A71 in Two Uruguayan Children with Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Neurological Complications

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is a major cause of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), particularly in cases that involve complications affecting the nervous system or cardiopulmonary function. In South America, EV-A71 has primarily been identified through studies of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and other neurological disorders. In September 2022, two children from a small city in Uruguay were hospitalized with presumptive rhombencephalitis, exhibiting symptoms of HFMD. EV-A71 was identified through RT-PCR and next-generation sequencing of stool and skin lesion samples. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis of the P1 coding region classified the Uruguayan strains as part of an emerging lineage, primarily reported in Europe over the past decade, known as the C1-like lineage. The findings presented here represent the first detection of the EV-A71 C1-like lineage in cases of HFMD and encephalitis reported from South America, underscoring the urgent need to enhance surveillance for HFMD, aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and AFP, in countries facing challenges in establishing effective surveillance programs related to enteroviruses and associated diseases.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the healthcare staff and students about disposal of unwanted medications: a systematic review

Abstract Introduction Improper disposal of medications poses a significant environmental risk on the ecosystems and human beings1. When medicines are discarded by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the household trash, their active components may leak into the water supply2. Aim This systematic review seeks to compile studies that examine healthcare professionals' and students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding medication disposal. It also aims to explore recommendations and barriers related to appropriate medication disposal. Methods A systematic review was conducted by adhering to guidelines outlined in Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 and the Joanna Briggs Institute. The primary outcome is to measure the levels of the healthcare staff and students' knowledge, as well as their attitudes, and practices about disposal of unwanted medications. Authors included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method primary research studies. Participants included pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and both undergraduate and postgraduate medical, pharmacy, and nursing students due to their significant involvement with medication and its disposal in healthcare settings. Data extraction was conducted by four of the researchers independently. The study details were categorised into three main domains i.e., knowledge, attitude, and practice using the KAP model. Other relevant information was also extracted, thematically, such as challenges and recommendations. Ethical approval was not required as this systematic review used previously published data. Results 37 studies from 18 countries (21 from Asia, 7 from the US, 5 from Africa, and 2 each from the EU and South America) met the inclusion criteria. 86.5% (n=32) investigated participants' knowledge of medication disposal. Although there is a good level of awareness about the environmental impacts, there are significant gaps in knowledge regarding correct disposal methods, available services, guidelines, and training. 30 studies explored participants' attitudes toward medication disposal. The results indicate a generally positive attitude towards the need for environmentally safe disposal practices. 35 studies evaluated participants' practices in relation to medication disposal. Although there was generally a positive attitude and some understanding of appropriate disposal methods, majority of the participants do not follow the practice guidelines, especially outside healthcare settings. This inconsistency may be due to numerous factors such as inadequate practical training, limited resources, or unclear guidelines. Discussion/ Conclusion Overall, it was found that while healthcare staff and students have fair knowledge and positive attitudes toward medicine disposal, their actual practices are lacking. One significant challenge identified is the limited awareness about proper disposal methods coupled with a lack of established services or guidelines in many regions. Even in cases where take-back programs are available, they often face issues with accessibility. To tackle these challenges, it is suggested by the studies that governmental bodies should establish and enforce clear policies on medication disposal while also expanding educational initiatives to increase understanding among healthcare professionals and students about appropriate disposal methods. Furthermore, improving access to take-back programs is crucial for ensuring safe medication disposal and minimising potential environmental and health hazards.

Compound dry-hot-fire events connecting Central and Southeastern South America: an unapparent and deadly ripple effect

South America has experienced severe compound drought-heatwaves (CDHW), exacerbating fires. Recently, the unprecedented Pantanal 2020 fire season (P20F), burning a third of the biome, resulted in well-reported local impacts on the ecosystem, economy, and health. Nevertheless, the long-range ripple effects of this event remain unknown. We investigated the P20F-related cascading hazards, integrating models, observational and satellite-based data. P20F-related smoke elevated PM2.5 levels in the SA’s most populated area, exceeding WHO guidelines by up to 600%. Smoke-induced air pollution episodes coincided with widespread heatwaves, amplifying health risks. The mortality burden attributable to this multi-hazard short-term (14 days) exposure was estimated to be 2150 premature deaths (21% increase above expected levels). Our findings highlight that the impacts of CDHW-fires in SA are beyond the local level, implying growing challenges for risk management and public health and the need for governance based on telecoupled flows, linking different systems over multiple scales.

Geological screening of onshore saline aquifers for CO2 storage: Paraná and Espírito Santo basins, Brazil

Abstract. ​​​​​​​To meet the global goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, many governments are turning to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a critical technology. Brazil is the largest CO2 emitter in South America and the 7th largest globally, yet it is in the early stages of CCS development. Using publicly available geological and infrastructure data, this study evaluates the feasibility and suitability of saline aquifers for CO2 storage in onshore intracratonic basins in southern Brazil. Saline aquifers deemed suitable for CO2 sequestration are those below 800 m deep, with a thickness greater than 20 m, and in areas with regionally extensive caprock at least 10 m thick. Using these criteria, we classify areas within the Rio Bonito Formation of the Paraná Basin and the Mucuri Member in the onshore extent of the Espírito Santo Basin into potential and exclusion areas for CO2 storage. The Rio Bonito Formation is present in the central-southern Paraná Basin and ranges from outcrop exposures to over 3900 m depth. The formation ranges in thickness from 25–350 m, and sandstone intervals within the formation have a cumulative thickness between 13 and 150 m. Caprocks consist mainly of shale and siltstone. Based on the criteria used, CO2 sequestration in the Rio Bonito Formation is optimal in two zones of the Paraná Basin that extend over ca. 27 700 km2 (northern zone) and ca. 38 100 km2 (southern zone). The Mucuri Member is present in almost the entire onshore extent of the Espírito Santo Basin and ranges in depth from 500 to 2650 m. The unit reaches 400 m thick with a cumulative thickness of sandstone layers ranging from 0 to 320 m. Caprocks consist mainly of evaporites, but shale and sandstone intervals are also present. CO2 sequestration in the Mucuri Member is optimal in one zone of the onshore Espírito Santo Basin, which extends over ca. 630 km2. Together, these zones have the capacity to store > 6.1 Gt CO2 providing Brazil with suitable capacity for reducing its CO2 emissions over the short- to medium-term.

In splendid isolation: a new cloud forest species expands the distribution of Myrceugenia (Myrtaceae) into Las Yungas and adds a new genus to the flora of Bolivia

Myrceugenia is a temperate or subtropical genus of c. 50 species with a disjunct distribution across South America. The ‘western’ species occur in central Chile and north-western Argentina with one species in the Juan Fernández Islands. The ‘eastern’ species occur in Uruguay, southern Brazil, and marginal regions of Argentina and Paraguay, reaching montane eastern Brazil (two isolated taxa in Central Brazil). It is hypothesized that Myrceugenia once grew across the temperate forests of southern South America, but that oceanic transgressions and the elevation of the Andes during the Miocene divided its populations as the forests retracted from the centre of the continent. The Las Yungas floristic province is a strip of cool, temperate forest that runs along the eastern slopes of the Andes from Venezuela to northern Argentina; Myrceugenia was not known to occur there. We report the discovery of a new species of Myrceugenia in southern Las Yungas (Bosque Tucumano Boliviano). It is distinct from all other species of the genus by the combination of solitary flowers, sub-ancipitate hypanthium, bilocular locules, and 12-13 clustered ovules. The phylogeny of Myrceugenia shows geographic structuring with three basal western clades and one derived eastern clade. The isolated taxa of Myrceugenia from Central Brazil were sisters, respectively, to the rest of the eastern clade and to one of its two subclades, suggesting that isolated taxa are relictual. The discovery of this species has made Myrceugenia the only genus of Myrtaceae to grow in the three cool, humid forests of southern South America.

Immigrant Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes: Sociodemographic Variation Related to Restriction of Children's Sugar Intake.

Focusing on immigrant parents with children aged 0-6 months, this study assessed whether awareness of and attitudes towards restricting children's sugar consumption vary according to family sociodemographic background and parents' oral-health-related behaviours. A cross-sectional study was conducted including immigrant parents attending child public health centers for vaccination of their children. The study included parents born in Asia, Africa, South America, Central America and Eastern Europe. Parents from Western Europe and North America were included if they were partners of the above-mentioned participants. Cross-tabulation and multiple variable logistic regression were used to assess associations of parental knowledge and attitudes with their child's sugar intake and sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, response rate was 72.6%. A total of 345 parents completed personal, structured interviews during their visit to the health centers. Attitudes and knowledge, but not indulgence, related to children's sugar restriction were sociodemographically unequally distributed among immigrant parents. Employed mothers, mothers with immigrant background from North America or Western Europe as well as parents with less frequent own sugar intake were more likely to confirm positive attitudes towards restricting children's sugar snacking. The corresponding odds ratios were OR=1.8 (95% CI 1.1-3.1) and OR=6.6 (95% CI 2.3-18.9). Employed mothers and parents having received dental care information were more likely than their counterparts to possess good oral-health-related knowledge. Parents from sociodemographically disadvantaged backgrounds were less inclined to express positive attitudes and demonstrate sufficient knowledge regarding the limitation of their children's sugar snacking. Culturally adapted oral health intervention programs should be implemented for immigrants, with special reference to children's dietary habits.

Global Incidence and Prevalence of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review.

Data on the global prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is significantly varied and limited across countries and over time. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the global, regional, and national burden of CRS from the years 1980 to 2021, as well as identify those factors that influence levels of such burden. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of general population-based observational studies focusing on CRS. We calculated pooled estimates of CRS prevalence and incidence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted stratifying by sex, age cohorts, geographic regions, smoking status, obesity, and comorbid conditions. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. We included general population-based observational studies on CRS published from database inception through October 20, 2023. A total of 28 eligible studies, encompassing more than 237 million participants and 11,342,923 patients with CRS from 20 countries across four continents, were included in the analysis. Global pooled prevalence of CRS and CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) was found to be 8.71% (95% CI, 6.69-11.33; number of studies, 20) and 0.65% (95% CI, 0.56-0.75; number of studies, 4), respectively. The prevalence of CRS was greater in Europe compared with North America, South America, and Asia; adults compared with children; smokers compared with never-smoker; those with obesity compared with normal weight; and those with comorbidities such as asthma, diabetes mellitus, eczema, and nasal septal deviation. Pooled prevalence of CRS increased from 1980 to 2020 (1980-2000: 4.72%; 95% CI, 2.12-10.49; 2014-2020: 19.40%; 95% CI, 12.12-31.07). Similar patterns were observed in CRS incidence. Our study provides valuable insights into CRS prevalence and incidence across diverse demographic and clinical factors, highlighting its increasing global burden. The reported prevalence of CRS varies internationally, and may be increasing over time. To enhance data quality and comparability, standardization of reporting methodologies is imperative. PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42024527805).

Intercontinental Insights into Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Synthesis of Environmental Influences and DNA Methylation

Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a broad range of symptoms. The etiology of ASD is thought to involve complex gene-environment interactions, which are crucial to understanding its various causes and symptoms. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that potentially links genetic predispositions to environmental factors in the development of ASD. This review provides a global perspective on ASD, focusing on how DNA methylation studies may reveal gene-environment interactions characteristic of specific geographical regions. It delves into the role of DNA methylation in influencing the causes and prevalence of ASD in regions where environmental influences vary significantly. We also address potential explanations for the high ASD prevalence in North America, considering lifestyle factors, environmental toxins, and diagnostic considerations. Asian and European studies offer insights into endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC), persistent organic pollutants (POP), maternal smoking, and their associations with DNA methylation alterations in ASD. In areas with limited data on DNA methylation and ASD, such as Africa, Oceania, and South America, we discuss prevalent environmental factors based on epidemiological studies. Additionally, the review integrates global and country-specific prevalence data from various studies, providing a comprehensive picture of the variables influencing ASD diagnoses over region and year of assessment. This prevalence data, coupled with regional environmental variables and DNA methylation studies, provides a perspective on the complexities of ASD research. Integrating global prevalence data, we underscore the need for a comprehensive global understanding of ASD’s complex etiology. Expanded research into epigenetic mechanisms of ASD is needed, particularly in underrepresented populations and locations, to enhance biomarker development for diagnosis and intervention strategies for ASD that reflect the varied environmental and genetic landscapes worldwide.

Spatial and temporal predictions of mosquito potential breeding sites and densities: integration of satellite imagery, in-situ data, and process-based modeling

Abstract. Dengue fever, primarily transmitted worldwide by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, poses significant public health challenges in tropical and subtropical regions. While effective vector control is crucial in the absence of reliable dengue vaccines, traditional control methods face obstacles like mosquito resistance to insecticides and a very high cost. By combining geospatial data, including satellite imagery, as descriptors, and entomological surveys as target variables in a Random Forest model, we predicted the number of potential mosquito breeding sites, derived the associated environmental carrying capacity for larvae, and used the Arbocarto process-based model to predict Ae.aegypti population densities in an urban region of French Guiana, South America. Our findings highlight that remote sensing data may help predict the number of potential breeding sites over urban areas. Our simulations indicate higher mosquito densities in urban residential areas and a strong spatial and temporal heterogeneity. These densities fluctuate according to intra-annual variations in temperature and precipitation, with higher densities associated with intermediate housing. A comparison with the conventional estimation of environmental carrying capacity for larvae in the current Arbocarto procedure highlights the advantages of our approach. Our study demonstrates the utility of integrating remote sensing with predictive modeling to enhance vector surveillance and control strategies, and provides a replicable approach for monitoring a dengue vector mosquito population in dynamic urban landscapes.

Taxonomic Revision of Lippia in Paraguay

Lippia L. is the largest genus in Verbenaceae, with ca. 140 species distributed mainly in temperate and tropical South America and the Caribbean, and some lineages in Africa and Asia. A complete taxonomic revision of Lippia in Paraguay is here provided, based on the study of almost 700 herbarium specimens. As a result, 27 taxa, 25 species (two endemic), and two varieties are here recognized. A key for species identification is provided, plus detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, photographs, updated synonymy with eight new synonyms, discussion about the relationships among closely related taxa, notes on geographic distribution and ecology, distribution maps, and a list of selected specimens analyzed. Fifteen lectotypes are designated for Lantana aristata Schauer var. brachypoda Briq., Lantana aristata (Schauer) Briq. var. latiuscula Briq., Lippia aristata Schauer f. pluripedunculata Kuntze, Lippia balansae Briq., Lippia calliclada Briq., Lippia citrata Cham., Lippia globiflora (L’Hér.) Kuntze f. lilacina Kuntze, Lippia gracilis Schauer, Lippia heterophylla Briq. var. ciliatifolia Briq., Lippia lasiocalycina Cham., Lippia recolletae Morong, Lippia tegulifera Briq. var. parvifolia Briq., Lippia turnerifolia Cham. var. camporum Griseb., Lippia villafloridana Kuntze, and Verbena globiflora L’Hér. Four second-step lectotypes are designated for Lippia lupulina Cham., Lippia morongii Kuntze, Lippia obscura Briq., and Lippia phryxocalyx Briq.

Renewable Solar Energy Facilities in South America—The Road to a Low-Carbon Sustainable Energy Matrix: A Systematic Review

South America is a place on the planet that stands out with enormous potential linked to renewable energies. Countries in this region have developed private investment projects to carry out an energy transition from fossil energies to clean energies and contribute to climate change mitigation. The sun resource is one of the more abundant sources of renewable energies that stands out in South America, especially in the Atacama Desert. In this context, South American countries are developing sustainable actions/strategies linked to implementing solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) facilities and achieving carbon neutrality for the year 2050. As a result, this systematic review presents the progress, new trends, and the road to a sustainable paradigm with disruptive innovations like artificial intelligence, robots, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for solar energy facilities in the region. According to the findings, solar energy infrastructure was applied in South America during the global climate change crisis era. Different levels of implementation in solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities have been reached in each country, with the region being a worldwide research and development (R&D) hotspot. Also, high potential exists for concentrated solar power (CSP) facilities considering the technology evolution, and for the implementation of the hybridization of solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities with onshore wind farm infrastructures, decreasing the capital/operation costs of the projects. Finally, synergy between solar energy infrastructures with emerging technologies linked with low-carbon economies like battery energy storage systems (BESSs) and the use of floating solar PV plants looks like a promising sustainable solution.

Isotopic evidence of diet breadth hunter-gatherers changes during the Holocene in the Central Pampean Dunefields (Argentina, South America).

Based on the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of bone collagen, stable carbon isotopes of bone apatite and an extensive AMS dating series (~10,000-299 years cal BP), the human paleodiets of 34 individuals from the Central Pampean Dunefields (Argentina, South America) are evaluated. These data are interpreted from the isotopic ecology of animals with archaeofaunal evidence of consumption and isotopic models of human diet. Multivariate carbon and nitrogen stable isotope model and Bayesian stable isotope ellipses were used to interpret human diets. Analysis of isotopic values indicates intake of enriched lipids and/or carbohydrates in relation to the proteins consumed throughout the Holocene. The isotopic values of Middle Holocene humans in relation to the values of exploited resources point out that individuals obtained protein mainly from guanaco. Subsequently, there was an increase in the human breadth diet during the Late Holocene, with a greater relevance of small prey of high trophic levels and vegetables. This contrasts with zooarchaeological information indicating generalist human diets during the Middle Holocene and specialized human diets in guanaco during the Late Holocene. It is proposed that during the Middle Holocene arid period, the combination of low human population density and high residential mobility in wide foraging ranges allowed the guanaco to be the main source of protein. During the Late Holocene humid period, there was an increase in human population density and a decrease in residential mobility, which caused greater pressure on foraging territories and increased dietary breadth.