An integrated system to assess marine extinctions.

More than 20 global marine extinctions and over 700 local extinctions have reportedly occurred during the past 500 years. However, available methods to determine how many of these species can be confidently declared true disappearances tend to be data-demanding, time-consuming, and not applicable to all taxonomic groups or scales of marine extinctions (global [G] and local [L]). We developed an integrated system to assess marine extinctions (ISAME) that can be applied to any taxonomic group at any geographic scale. We applied the ISAME method to 10 case studies to illustrate the possible ways in which the extinction status of marine species can be categorized as unverified, possibly extinct, or extinct. Of the 10 case studies we assessed, the ISAME method concludes that 6 should be categorized as unverified extinctions due to problems with species' identity and lack of reliable evidence supporting their disappearance (periwinkle-Littoraria flammea [G], houting-Coregonus oxyrinchus [G], long-spined urchin-Diadema antillarum [L], smalltooth sawfish-Pristis pectinata [L], and largetooth sawfish-P. pristis [L]). In contrast, ISAME classified the Guadalupe storm-petrel (Oceanodroma macrodactyla [G]) and the lost shark (Carcharhinus obsolerus [G]) as possibly extinct because the available evidence indicates that their extinction is plausible-while the largetooth sawfish [L] and Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas [G]) were confirmed to be extinct. Determining whether a marine population or species is actually extinct or still extant is needed to guide conservation efforts and prevent further biodiversity losses.

[Epidemiological panorama of venomous snake bites in the state of Yucatan, Mexico (2003-2012)]. / Panorama epidemiológico de las mordeduras por serpiente venenosa en el estado de Yucatán, México (2003-2012).

No information has been yet published on the epidemiological panorama of snakebite in the state of Yucatan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the geographic and temporal patterns of this problem in the state. Snakebite data was obtained from the Program of Zoonosis of the Health Services of Yucatan between 2003 and 2012. A total of 821 snakebite cases and an incidence of 41.9 accidents/100,000 inhabitants were recorded during this period. The annual average cases and incidence were 82.1 and 4.1 (bites/100,000 inhabitants), respectively. The highest number of snakebites occurred in 2005, while in 2003 the lowest number was recorded. Geographically, we observed a great disparity between municipalities, some of them reaching very high levels of incidence. This geographical variation may reflect the distribution and abundance of venomous snakes on one hand, and human population densities and their activities on the other. This study will help health authorities to know preliminarily the magnitude of snakebites in Yucatan and improving strategies to mitigate it.