Skeletal evidence of structural violence among undocumented migrants from Mexico and Central America.

OBJECTIVES: We examine the prevalence and sociodemographic risk factors of skeletal indicators of stress in forensic samples of undocumented migrants from Mexico and Central America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cranial and dental remains of 319 migrants recovered in the Arizona and Texas borderlands were assessed for porotic hyperostosis (PH), cribra orbitalia (CO), and linear enamel hypoplasias (LEH). Logistic regression models for each condition were estimated to test for associations with biological sex, age, recovery location, and whether individuals were identified. Additional models estimated for a subsample of identified migrants included region of origin, residential context, and community indigeneity. RESULTS: The full sample shows moderate crude prevalence of CO (9.6%) and LEH (34.1%), and a high prevalence of PH (49.6%). Significantly higher odds of PH are associated with being male (2.16 times higher), unidentified (1.89 times higher), and recovered in Arizona (3.76 times higher). Among identified migrants, we fail to find associations significant at the p < 0.05 level between skeletal stress and all sociodemographic variables except age. DISCUSSION: The factors associated with PH may be related to influences on decisions to migrate and diversity among migrant sending regions. The skeletal evidence for early life stress is generally consistent with common public health concerns among impoverished communities in the region. The lesions themselves are viewed as embodied risk of physiological disturbance when resource access is structured by higher-level social, economic, and political forces. Forensic anthropologists would benefit from increased sensitivity to embodied structural violence among the vulnerable individuals and communities they serve.

Equisetum giganteum influences the ability of Candida albicans in forming biofilms over the denture acrylic resin surface.

CONTEXT: Equisetum giganteum L. (Equisetaceae) is an endemic plant of Central and South America used in traditional medicine. Natural drugs have been frequently used in the treatment of a myriad of diseases, proving to be an alternative to synthetic chemicals, and have been intensively studied in the prevention of sicknesses, including oral diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the in vitro antiadherent activity of E. giganteum extract against Candida albicans biofilms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crystal violet and colony-forming units assays were used to quantify the total biofilm biomass and biofilm living cells on a denture base acrylic resin pretreated with hydroethanolic extract of E. giganteum in different concentrations (50, 25, 16, 8, and 4 mg/mL), after 24 h of biofilm development. RESULTS: Equisetum giganteum affected biofilms by reduction of biomass and living cells per area of acrylic specimens. The results revealed reduction of 15-44% of the biofilm mass and reduction of numbers of colony-forming units (CFUs) present in biofilms (79%) compared to the untreated control (CTRL/PBS). At all concentrations, it demonstrated important antiadherent activity on Candida albicans biofilms, the main microbe in denture stomatitis. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The present findings show that E. giganteum antimicrobial effects may qualify the extract as a promising natural alternative for topical treatment or prevention of denture stomatitis. The usage of drugs made of natural products shows advantages in relation to synthetic drugs on the market, such as lower cost, lower toxicity, and in relation to the occurrence of microbial resistance.

Phylogeny and biogeography of Poecilia (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliinae) across Central and South America based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers.

Poeciliids are a diverse group of small Neotropical fishes, and despite considerable research attention as models in ecology and evolutionary biology, our understanding of their biogeographic and phylogenetic relationships is still limited. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships of South and Central American Poecilia, by examining 2395 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA (ATPase 8/6, COI) and nuclear DNA (S7) for 18 species across six subgenera. Fifty-eight novel sequences were acquired from newly collected specimens and 20 sequences were obtained from previously published material. Analyses of concatenated and partitioned mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA sets resulted in a well-supported phylogeny that resolved several monophyletic groups corresponding to previously hypothesized subgenera and species complexes. A divergence-dating analysis supported the hypothesis of the genus Poecilia dispersing into Central America in the early Pliocene (ancestors of Psychropoecilia+Allopoecilia+Mollienesia: 7.3-2.0Mya) from predominantly South America. Subsequently, one lineage (subgenus Allopoecilia: 5.1-1.3Mya) expanded deeper into South America from Lower-Central America, and one lineage expanded from Nuclear-Central America into South America (subgenus Mollienesia: 0.71-0.14Mya). The subgenus Mollienesia diverged into three monophyletic groups that can be identified by nuptial male dorsal fin morphology and inner jaw dentition. A subclade of the unicuspid short-fins (subgenus Mollienesia) was the lineage that expanded into South America during the middle Pleistocene. Species in this subclade are now distributed across northern South America, where they are partially sympatric with Allopoecilia. However the P. (A.) caucana complex was not monophyletic, with P. (A.) wandae clustering in the Mollienesia subclade that expanded into South America. It is apparent that characters (body size, scale count, pigmentation, and gonopodium morphology) used to define the P. (A.) caucana complex are homoplastic and suggestive of rapid convergence in northern South America. Our improved taxon sampling and divergence-time calibration allowed for insights into the timing and direction of dispersals, and provides an improved understanding of the biogeographic history of an enigmatic group of fishes. Furthermore, we provided strong evidence for the monophyly of the subgenus Mollienesia and further substantiated its species complexes; therefore, we advise a taxonomic re-evaluation for the P. (A.) caucana complex to maintain monophyly of both Mollienesia and Allopoecilia.

Ecological diversification associated with the pharyngeal jaw diversity of Neotropical cichlid fishes.

Innovations can facilitate bursts of diversification by increasing access to novel resources and the attainment of novel functional designs. Pharyngognathy, exhibited by highly diverse groups such as wrasses and cichlid fishes, is hypothesized to increase foraging capacity and efficiency. Here, I test the hypothesis that pharyngeal jaw shape and tooth morphology are adaptive in an ecologically diverse radiation of Neotropical cichlid fishes that spans North, Central and South America. I partitioned species into generalized trophic guilds using published stomach content analyses and quantified shape variation of the lower pharyngeal jaw (LPJ) using geometric morphometrics. Additionally, I tested for convergence in LPJ shape and trophic guild by mapping the phylogeny onto the principal components and testing for shifts towards similar evolutionary regimes. Major LPJ shape variation included the length and orientation (i.e. narrow or wide) of the lateral processes and length of the medial process, which varied based on the proportion of fishes and plants consumed. Pharyngeal tooth number, diversity and the frequency of tooth types were not evenly distributed among trophic guilds. There were seven distinct evolutionary regimes that converged upon four optima. Pharyngeal jaw diversification is associated with the exploitation of novel resources among Neotropical cichlids such that pharyngeal specialization has increased access to otherwise poorly accessible resources, such as resources that are difficult to crush (e.g. hard-shelled organisms) and assimilate (e.g. algae).

Biogeography in deep time - What do phylogenetics, geology, and paleoclimate tell us about early platyrrhine evolution?

Molecular data have converged on a consensus about the genus-level phylogeny of extant platyrrhine monkeys, but for most extinct taxa and certainly for those older than the Pleistocene we must rely upon morphological evidence from fossils. This raises the question as to how well anatomical data mirror molecular phylogenies and how best to deal with discrepancies between the molecular and morphological data as we seek to extend our phylogenies to the placement of fossil taxa. Here I present parsimony-based phylogenetic analyses of extant and fossil platyrrhines based on an anatomical dataset of 399 dental characters and osteological features of the cranium and postcranium. I sample 16 extant taxa (one from each platyrrhine genus) and 20 extinct taxa of platyrrhines. The tree structure is constrained with a "molecular scaffold" of extant species as implemented in maximum parsimony using PAUP with the molecular-based 'backbone' approach. The data set encompasses most of the known extinct species of platyrrhines, ranging in age from latest Oligocene (∼26 Ma) to the Recent. The tree is rooted with extant catarrhines, and Late Eocene and Early Oligocene African anthropoids. Among the more interesting patterns to emerge are: (1) known early platyrrhines from the Late Oligocene through Early Miocene (26-16.5Ma) represent only stem platyrrhine taxa; (2) representatives of the three living platyrrhine families first occur between 15.7 Ma and 13.5 Ma; and (3) recently extinct primates from the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola) are sister to the clade of extant platyrrhines and may have diverged in the Early Miocene. It is probable that the crown platyrrhine clade did not originate before about 20-24 Ma, a conclusion consistent with the phylogenetic analysis of fossil taxa presented here and with recent molecular clock estimates. The following biogeographic scenario is consistent with the phylogenetic findings and climatic and geologic evidence: Tropical South America has been a center for platyrrhine diversification since platyrrhines arrived on the continent in the middle Cenozoic. Platyrrhines dispersed from tropical South America to Patagonia at ∼25-24 Ma via a "Paraná Portal" through eastern South America across a retreating Paranense Sea. Phylogenetic bracketing suggests Antillean primates arrived via a sweepstakes route or island chain from northern South America in the Early Miocene, not via a proposed land bridge or island chain (GAARlandia) in the Early Oligocene (∼34 Ma). Patagonian and Antillean platyrrhines went extinct without leaving living descendants, the former at the end of the Early Miocene and the latter within the past six thousand years. Molecular evidence suggests crown platyrrhines arrived in Central America by crossing an intermittent connection through the Isthmus of Panama at or after 3.5Ma. Any more ancient Central American primates, should they be discovered, are unlikely to have given rise to the extant Central American taxa in situ.

Social support associated with restorative treatment, professionally applied fluoride and flossing: A cross-sectional analysis including recent immigrants from Central America and Mexico in the Midwest USA.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined how Mexican and Central American immigrants' social support was associated with three selected dental outcomes among recent immigrants, prior to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Using baseline wave data from the 2017-2022 VidaSana study about the health and social networks of Mexican and Central American immigrants living in Indiana, this study utilized logistic and ordinal logistic regression to predict lifetime fluoride use, lifetime dental restoration and flossing frequency, across levels of social support and differences between Mexican and Central American immigrants. RESULTS: Data from 547 respondents were included in the present analysis (68% women; mean age 34.4 years [SD 11.2]; Central American 42%; Mexican 58%). Results show a high level of social support was associated with increased probability of fluoride use, dental restoration and higher flossing frequency for Mexican immigrants. However, social support for Central American immigrants was associated with a decreased likelihood of fluoride use, more infrequent flossing, and had no significant association with dental restorations experience. What would be a negative association between Central American immigrants and dental restoration was accounted for by education level and never having been to a dentist. CONCLUSIONS: While higher social support was linked to beneficial outcomes for oral health in Mexican immigrants, the opposite was found in Central Americans. These findings highlighted the complexities of social relationships among new immigrants, and potential heterogeneity within the Hispanic population, particularly regarding social and behavioural measures as they pertain to oral health. Further research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms producing both differences in social support and oral health outcomes.

Phylogeny and biogeography of the Poecilia sphenops species complex (Actinopterygii, Poeciliidae) in Central America.

We inferred the phylogenetic relationships among members of the Poecilia sphenops species complex to resolve the colonization process and radiation of this group in Central America. We analyzed 2550 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), including ATP synthase 6 and 8, cytochrome oxidase subunit I and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 genes, and 906bp of the nuclear S7 ribosomal protein of 86 ingroup individuals from 61 localities spanning most of its distribution from Mexico to Panama. Our mitochondrial data rendered a well-supported phylogeny for the P. sphenops complex that differed with the nuclear data set topology, which did not recover the monophyly of the P. mexicana mitochondrial lineage. Coalescent-based simulations tests indicated that, although hybridization cannot be completely ruled out, this incongruence is most likely due to incomplete lineage sorting in this group, which also showed the widest geographic distribution. A single colonization event of Central America from South America was estimated to have occurred between the early Paleocene and Oligocene (53-22millionyears ago). Subsequently, two largely differentiated evolutionary lineages diverged around the Early Oligocene-Miocene (38-13million years ago), which are considered two separate species complexes: P. sphenops and P. mexicana, which can also be distinguished by their tricuspid and unicuspid inner jaw teeth, respectively. Ultimately, within lineage diversification occurred mainly during the Miocene (22-5million years ago). All major cladogenetic events predated the final closure of the Isthmus of Panama. The allopatric distribution of lineages together with the long basal internodes suggest that vicariance and long term isolations could be the main evolutionary forces promoting radiation in this group, although dispersal through water barriers might also have occurred. Lastly, our results suggest the need to review the current species distribution and taxonomy of the P. sphenops complex sensu lato.

Description of Glaucomides bromelicola n. gen., n. sp. (Ciliophora, Tetrahymenida), a macrostome forming inhabitant of bromeliads (Bromeliaceae), including redescriptions of Glaucoma scintillans and G. reniformis.

Glaucomides bromelicola n. gen., n. sp. is a tetrahymenid ciliate common in tank bromeliads of Central and South America. The new genus is characterized by having a kinety fragment along the left mouth margin, an unciliated dorsolateral area, a tetrahymenid silverline pattern, and the ability to produce macrostomes when bacterial food is depleted. I provide a detailed description of the microstome and the macrostome morph, using several morphological methods. This showed that G. bromelicola does not belong to the Glaucomidae, but to the Bromeliophryidae. However, various morphological traits are highly similar to those of Glaucoma reniformis and G. scintillans, which are thus redescribed and compared with G. bromelicola. Most differences are inconspicuous, showing that new tetrahymenids must be described very carefully. The morphological and molecular data suggest a common ancestor for Glaucoma and Glaucomides, both performing their own radiation, the former in ordinary limnetic habitats, the latter in tank bromeliads.

A review of the Central American and Caribbean species of the ant genus Eurhopalothrix Brown and Kempf, 1961 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with a key to New World species.

The ant genus Eurhopalothrix occurs throughout the Neotropics and Australasian tropics, where it is an inhabitant of forest leaf litter and soil. The New World species are reviewed, with an emphasis on the fauna of the MesoAmerican corridor and the Caribbean. Previously unappreciated characters of mandibular dentition and labrum shape vary dramatically among species and species groups. A total of 28 New World species are recognized, of which 14 are described as new. A key to workers of all New World species is provided. Eurhopalothrix procera is reported for the first time in the New World. The following new species are described: E. cimu Longino, sp. nov., E. circumcapillum Longino, sp. nov., E. guadeloupensis Longino, sp. nov., E. hunhau Longino, sp. nov., E. mabuya Longino, sp. nov., E. machaquila Longino, sp. nov., E. megalops Longino, sp. nov., E. ortizae Longino, sp. nov., E. oscillum Longino, sp. nov., E. semicapillum Longino, sp. nov., E. sepultura Longino, sp. nov., E. vulcan Longino, sp. nov., E. xibalba Longino, sp. nov., and E. zipacna Longino. sn. nov. Eurhopalothrix schmidti (Menozzi) is removed from synonymy with E. gravis (Mann).

Phylogeny and revision of Toechorychus Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of thirty-five new species.

The Neotropical Toechorychus Townes is revised, cladistically defined, and diagnosed. A total of 40 species are recognized, 35 of which are described as new: T. amapaeus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. amazonensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. barticus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. benius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. bombuscarus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. calius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. callangus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. catarinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. coaracius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. darienus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. fluminensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. guarapuavus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. heredius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. itapuensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. jatainus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. kawus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. linaresius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. marcapatus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. marowijnus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. martinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. melgassus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. morelus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. napus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. nourageus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. ondensis Tedesco, sp. nov., T. paramaribus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. pirrus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. sinopus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. surinamus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. taperinus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. teutonius Tedesco, sp. nov., T. tumazulus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. vilhenus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. vinhaticus Tedesco, sp. nov., T. zulius Tedesco, sp. nov. The other valid species are T. abactus (Cresson), T. albimaculatus (Taschenberg), T. brevicaudis (Szépligeti), T. cassunungae (Brauns), and T. stramineus (Taschenberg). Toechorychus can be recognized by the epicnemial carina usually not reaching more than 0.3 of the distance to subtegular ridge; dorsal valve of ovipositor with a subapical V-shaped sulcus; ovipositor with a subapical constriction; ovipositor sheath about 0.1 as long as hind tibia; and dorsal margin of pronotum swollen. A key and descriptions, including photographic illustrations and distribution maps, are provided to all valid species; a cladistic analysis of the genus is also performed. Seventy three new characters are proposed for the analysis of Cryptinae phylogeny. Toechorychus was recovered as a monophyletic group supported by 7­17 synapomorphies, closely related to Lymeon Förster and Acerastes Cushman. Two new synapomorphies are discovered for Toechorychus, a subapical V-shaped sulcus at the dorsal valve of the ovipositor, and a subapical constriction of the ovipositor present basad of the apical teeth of the ventral valve. Published host records were compiled and three new records are provided as follows: T. albimaculatus is a parasitoid of Mischocyttarus drewseni (Saussure) (Vespidae, Polistinae); T. stramineus is a parasitoid of M. basimacula (Cameron) and T. heredius sp. nov. is a parasitoid of M. collarellus Richards. A neotype is designated for T. cassunungae.

Revision of the rare Mesoamerican bee genus Mexalictus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) with the description of 21 new species.

The Mesoamerican bee genus Mexalictus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Halictinae) is a group of rare bees which are found at high elevations from southern Arizona (USA) to Panama. The genus is revised using traditional taxonomic approaches. The following twenty one new species are described: M. albofasciatus Dumesh, n. sp., M. anatolii Dumesh, n. sp., M. astriatus Dumesh, n. sp., M. ayalai Dumesh, n. sp., M. benyamini Dumesh, n. sp., M. diversus Dumesh, n. sp., M. jovelus Dumesh, n. sp., M. genalis Dumesh, n. sp., M. gibbsi Dumesh n. sp., M. guatemalensis Dumesh, n. sp., M. hansoni Dumesh, n. sp., M. hondurensis Dumesh, n. sp., M. laurencei Dumesh, n. sp., M. mandibularis Dumesh, n. sp., M. nicaraguensis Dumesh, n. sp., M. punctatus Dumesh, n. sp., M. raavo Dumesh, n. sp., M. sheffieldi Dumesh, n. sp., M. vera-cruzense Dumesh, n. sp., M. verdazulus Dumesh, n. sp., M. vitriolus Dumesh, n. sp. These and five previously known species are diagnosed, described, illustrated, and keyed. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 43 unordered morphological characters, resulted in 4 equally most parsimonious trees (L=176; Ci=36.4; Ri=56.6). Based upon these results, the sub-generic classification of Mexalictus into Georgealictus and Mexalictus s.str., is resurrected.

Presence of microplastics in six bivalve species (Mollusca, Bivalvia) commercially exploited at the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Central America.

Microplastic pollution represents a serious threat to coastal marine systems. We evaluated the presence of microplastics (MPs) in 168 specimens of six commercially exploited bivalve species in the Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica. MPs were present in 100 % of the specimens of Leukoma asperrima and L. ecuadoriana, 74 % of Mytella strigata, 82 % of M. guyanensis, 84 % of Asthenometis asthenodon, and 82 % of Tagelus affinis. When considering all specimens, we found on average 4.8 ±â€¯8.0 pieces per individual and 2.1 ±â€¯3.3 items g-1 of wet tissue. There were significant differences between species with L. asperrima and L. ecuadoriana containing the highest number of pieces. Fibers and particles comprised 92 % and 8 %, respectively. This is the first study from the Central America's Pacific region showing the presence of MPs in bivalve species.

Comparative rates of lower jaw diversification in cichlid adaptive radiations.

The lower jaw (LJ) provides an ideal trophic phenotype to compare rates and patterns of macroevolution among cichlid radiations. Using a novel phylogeny of four genes (ND2, dlx2, mitfb, and s7), we examined the evolutionary relationships among two of the most phylogenetically disparate cichlid radiations: (i) the Central America Heroines; and (ii) the East African Lake Malawi flock. To quantify jaw morphology, we measured two LJ lever systems in approximately 40 species from each lineage. Using geologic calibrations, we generated a chronogram for both groups and examined the rates of jaw evolution in the two radiations. The most rapidly evolving components of the LJ differed between the two radiations. However, the Lake Malawi flock exhibited a much faster rate of evolution in several components of the LJ. This rapid rate of divergence is consistent with natural selection, promoting unparalleled trophic diversification in Lake Malawi cichlids.

Improvement and optimization of a multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection and typing of Vesicular stomatitis virus.

An improvement to a previously reported real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) assay for the detection of Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is described. Results indicate that the new assay is capable of detecting a panel of genetically representative strains of VSV present in North, Central, and South America. The assay is specific for VSV and allows for simultaneous differentiation between Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus and Vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus. This real-time RT-PCR is able to detect current circulating strains of VSV and can be used for rapid diagnosis of VSV and differentiation of VSV from other vesicular diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease.

Physical growth and development of the malnourished child: contributions from 50 years of research at INCAP.

This paper reviews the main findings and policy implications of 50 years (1949-1999) of research conducted by INCAP on growth and development. Topical areas reviewed include a) maternal size and birthweight and the causes of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), b) patterns and causes of postnatal growth retardation, c) the relative importance of genetics and the environment in explaining differences in growth among populations, d) the implications of being small, for both children and adults, e) bone growth and maturation and dental development, f) menarche, and g) methodological contributions such as anthropometric reference data, quality control of data collection, development of risk indicators and use of anthropometry in nutrition surveillance systems. Key contributions to knowledge by INCAP include a) characterization of growth failure and maturational delays as mainly occurring during the intrauterine period and the first 3 years of life b) clarification of the role of small maternal size and of inadequate dietary intakes during pregnancy as major causes of intrauterine growth failure, c) evidence that diarrheal diseases and poor dietary intakes are the principal causes of growth failure in early childhood, d) demonstration that environmental factors related to poverty, and not genetic or racial ancestry, account for most of the differences in growth between populations, e) evidence that growth failure predicts functional impairment in the child as well as in the adult andf) demonstration that nutrition interventions are effective in preventing growth failure and its consequences, if targeted to needy women and young children. INCAP's work has contributed knowledge that has informed and improved policies and programs aimed at overcoming maternal and child undernutrition and promoting optimal growth and development.

Utilization of surgical resources during the USNS COMFORT humanitarian mission to the Americas, June to October 2007.

In 2007, the United States Navy Ship (USNS) COMFORT (T-AH 20), a full-capability medical treatment facility, departed for Partnership for the Americas, her first large-scale humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) mission. Analysis of operational data describes surgical resource utilization. Lessons from previous military humanitarian assistance operations were helpful when placed in the cultural context of Latin America. Premission planning decisions that included time in each port and funding determined the services that were offered to host nations. Surgical, dental, immunizations, preventive medicine, and biomedical repair services had lasting impacts. COMFORT and similar hospital ships are a superior platform to combatant vessels in providing comprehensive surgical care. Medical planning is heavily dependent upon statistics. Collection of additional clinical data on subsequent HCA missions could aid future planning decisions regarding manning, equipment, supplies, and objectives.

Field evaluation of a multiplex real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of Vesicular stomatitis virus.

Sporadic outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis (VS) in the United States result in significant economic losses for the U.S. livestock industries because VS is a reportable disease that clinically mimics foot-and-mouth disease. Rapid and accurate differentiation of these 2 diseases is critical because their consequences and control strategies differ radically. The objective of the current study was to field validate a 1-tube multiplexed real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) assay for the rapid detection of Vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus and Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus strains occurring in Mexico and North and Central America. A comprehensive collection of 622 vesicular lesion samples obtained from cattle, horses, and swine from throughout Mexico and Central America was tested by the real-time RT-PCR assay and virus isolation. Overall, clinical sensitivity and specificity of the real-time RT-PCR were 83% and 99%, respectively. Interestingly, VS virus isolates originating from a specific region of Costa Rica were not detected by real-time RT-PCR. Sequence comparisons of these viruses with the real-time RT-PCR probe and primers showed mismatches in the probe and forward and reverse primer regions. Additional lineage-specific primers and a probe corrected the lack of detection of the missing genetic lineage. Thus, this assay reliably identified existing Mexican and Central American VS viruses and proved readily adaptable as new VS viruses were encountered. An important secondary result of this research was the collection of hundreds of new VS virus isolates that provide a foundation from which many additional studies can arise.

Macrophyes pacoti n. sp. (Araneae: Anyphaenidae) from Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with notes on an araneopathogenic fungus.

The spider genus Macrophyes O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1893 includes five species from the Neotropical region (World Spider Catalog 2019). Two species were described from Central America, M. attenuata, the type species, by Pickard-Cambridge (1893), known until now only by the male, and M. elongata by Chickering (1937) know by both sexes. Three other species were described from South America, M. silvae Brescovit, 1992 and M. manati Brescovit, 1993 from Peru, and M. jundiai Brescovit, 1993 from Brazil (Brescovit 1992, 1993). Brescovit (1997) diagnosed this genus from other Anyphaeninae by the cylindrical abdomen, retrolateral margin of the chelicera with prominent distal tooth, close to the claw and by the tibia of the male palp almost twice longer than the cymbium. The females could be confused with Mesilla Simon by the long and cylindrical abdomen, but are distinguished by the epigynum with narrow, sinuous lateral borders and, internally, by the long copulatory ducts (see Brescovit, 1997: figs 146, 150-151).

Identifying Southwest Hispanics using nonmetric traits and the cultural profile.

Due to the increasing number of Southwest Hispanics in the United States, as well as the overwhelming number of foreign nationals that die every year trying to enter the United States along the southern United States border with Mexico, new methods for classifying individuals have been established at the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner in Tucson, Arizona (PCOME). For each of the past 5 years, the PCOME has investigated a record number of deaths associated with these border crossings. The overwhelming majority of the identified decedents are Mexican Nationals. However, approximately 25% of these undocumented border crossers have yet to be identified, making it clear that improved methods for human identification are greatly needed. The first goal of this paper is to delineate the suite of skeletal nonmetric traits utilized in assessing Southwest Hispanic ancestry at the PCOME. This suite of nonmetric traits has proven to be an effective component in establishing the "biological profile" of unknown individuals in these cases. The second goal of this paper is to introduce methods used at the PCOME to establish the "cultural profile" of individuals in these cases. The "cultural profile" is a set of identification criteria that include: the geographic context of recovery, personal effects, dental health, and cultural accoutrements. Establishing the "cultural profile" in these cases is essential in identifying individuals as foreign nationals who have died trying to cross the border.

Pulp pathosis associated with ancient Maya dental inlays.

OBJECTIVE: The ancient Maya used to practice dental inlays as part of the cultural traditions. Most of those inlays remain in place after more than one thousand years. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the incidence of pulp pathosis associated with ancient Maya dental inlays to assess the impact that such common practice had on the population's oral health. DESIGN: We scored 193 anterior inlaid teeth from 107 pre-Hispanic Maya dentitions studied at three archaeological storage facilities (Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Harvard University, Atlas of Guatemala Project). Two hundred eleven untreated frontal teeth of pre-Hispanic Mayan collections were used as controls. We performed macroscopic, radiographic and microscopic analyses to assess the frequency of caries, pulp calcifications, internal root resorption (IRR), and periapical lesions (PALs). RESULTS: In the inlaid teeth, the frequencies of pulp calcifications, IRR, caries and PALs were 59.8%, 2.2%, 18.5% and 19.2%, respectively. Compared with untreated teeth, inlaid specimens exhibited greater susceptibility to caries, pulp calcifications, IRR and PALs than untreated teeth (pulp calcifications: 44.5%, IRR: 0%, caries: 1.4%, and PAL: 1.9%). Age-at-death did not have any significant influence on susceptibility to pulp calcifications, IRR, caries or PALs. CONCLUSIONS: We noted relatively low pulp irritation and a low frequency of carious infections, IRR and PALs in Mayan inlaid teeth. However, these levels exceeded the frequencies of untreated teeth from the same area and time period. We follow that the cements used by the pre-Hispanic Maya to fix the inlays into their sockets provided excellent sealing characteristics on average.