Environmental determinants in morphospace and diet of the larval blenny Calliclinus geniguttatus from an upwelling ecosystem.

The effects of two contrasting environmental conditions in nearshore waters off central Chile on the diet and morphospace of two cohorts of larval labrisomid blenny Calliclinus geniguttatus were studied using geometric morphometrics and gut content analysis. The two environmental conditions corresponded to (a) a cold period with upwelling-favourable southwesterly winds and a mixed water column of cooler water and (b) a warm period with calm winds and stratified warmer water. During the cold period, fish larvae had a more hydrodynamic head shape, longer jaws and a higher feeding incidence, suggesting a greater food supply due to upwelling events and a possible increase in encounter rates in the turbulent environment. In contrast, the larvae from the warm period had a more robust head shape with smaller jaws and a lower feeding incidence, which was related to higher water temperatures and lower wind intensities. The present study suggests that larvae have a rapid response to environmental changes on a short time scale (i.e., from weeks to months), showing a link between environmental conditions and changes in the phenotypic traits and diet of the larval stages of this cryptobenthic species.

Daily growth patterns and age-at-recruitment of the anchoveta Engraulis ringens as indicated by a multi-annual analysis of otolith microstructure across developmental stages.

The anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) plays a key role in the ecology of the Humboldt Current System and is of major economic importance; however, many aspects of its early life history are still poorly understood. In this study, an analysis of daily age and length patterns was carried out using the sagittal otoliths from wild larvae (0-0.2 cm standard length, LS ), pre-recruits (3-6 cm total length, LT ), recruits (7-12 cm LT ) and young adults (12-15 cm LT ). Additionally, variability in growth and age at recruitment (AR ) were evaluated for recruits caught in northern Chile in 1973, 1982, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The age-length relationship showed four allometric patterns that were well described by Laird-Gompertz models. The absolute growth rates at the inflexion point (GAR ) were 0.56, 0.75, 1.22 and 1.16 mm d-1 for larvae, pre-recruits, recruits and young adults, respectively. At the interannual scale, GAR values were always >1 mm d-1 (mean ± S.D. 1.37 ± 0.21 mm d-1 ; range 1.12-1.64 mm d-1 ), irrespective of the season of hatching (i.e. winter v. spring); additionally, in most cases, GAR values were reached before the second month of life (mean ± S.D. 50.47 ± 9.73 days) at c. 4 cm LT (mean ± S.D. 4.22 ± 0.29 cm). Mean AR was < 150 days (112 ± 29 days; range 75-149 days); in contrast, estimates of AR were higher and growth rates were lower in 1973, 1983 and 2000. These results demonstrate very fast growth and early AR of anchoveta in northern Chile, suggesting most fish are removed by the fisheries at very early ages. An evaluation of the implications of these results on stock assessment and management of this species is highly recommended.

Divergence in Glyphosate Susceptibility between Steinchisma laxum Populations Involves a Pro106Ser Mutation.

The characterization of the mechanisms conferring resistance to herbicides in weeds is essential for developing effective management programs. This study was focused on characterizing the resistance level and the main mechanisms that confer resistance to glyphosate in a resistant (R) Steinchisma laxum population collected in a Colombian rice field in 2020. The R population exhibited 11.2 times higher resistance compared to a susceptible (S) population. Non-target site resistance (NTSR) mechanisms that reduced absorption and impaired translocation and glyphosate metabolism were not involved in the resistance to glyphosate in the R population. Evaluating the target site resistance mechanisms by means of enzymatic activity assays and EPSPS (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene sequencing, the mutation Pro106Ser was found in R plants of S. laxum. These findings are crucial for managing the spread of S. laxum resistance in Colombia. To effectively control S. laxum in the future, it is imperative that farmers use herbicides with different mechanisms of action in addition to glyphosate and adopt Integrate Management Programs to control weeds in rice fields of the central valleys of Colombia.

The effects of a parasitic copepod on the recent larval growth of a fish inhabiting rocky coasts.

Parasites can infect larval, juvenile or adult marine fishes; however, the effects of parasites on the growth and condition of fish larvae have seldom been investigated. This study analysed the effects of a parasitic copepod on the larval growth of the Chilean triplefin Helcogrammoides chilensis (Tripterygiidae) based on the microstructure of the sagittal otoliths. Fish larvae were collected during the austral spring of 2010 off central Chile. Their body length ranged from 5.1 to 16.6 mm (2 to 57 days old). They were parasitised by a penellid larval copepod that was always externally attached to the ventral side of the fish's gut. The prevalence of the copepod ranged from 2.7% to 20.8%, with one to four parasites per fish larva. Relationships between otolith size (radius, perimeter) and larval size were equal for parasitised and unparasitised fish larvae (P > 0.05). Larval growth was also similar for unparasitised (0.21 mm/day) and parasitised fish larvae (0.19 mm/day) (P > 0.05). However, a comparison of same-aged larvae showed that the larvae with copepods were smaller in both length and estimated body volume than the larvae without copepods. The Recent Otolith Growth Index, indicated that larval H. chilensis with copepods showed a reduction in recent growth and condition compared with those without evidence of copepods (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, a higher parasite load (two vs. one pennellids) did not decrease the condition of the larval fish. The infestation of pennellids on coastal fish larvae may therefore induce an increase in the pelagic larval duration and potentially affect the settlement rates of this intertidal fish.

Glyphosate resistance in Chloris radiata from colombian rice fields involves one target-site mechanism.

At present, appearance of herbicide resistant weeds is not new because repeated herbicide treatments per agricultural year/cycle are usual in both perennial and annual crops worldwide. Characterizing resistance mechanisms implied in each herbicide resistant weed is the best tool and the basis to develop integrated weed management (IWM) strategies. The main resistance mechanisms which confer low sensibility to glyphosate in a previously confirmed glyphosate-resistant Chloris radiata population (ChrR), occurring in Colombian rice fields, were characterized. Pure line selection by clone plants showed high resistance levels in ChrR. Comparing with GR50 and LD50 values, ChrR was 9.6 and 10.8 times more resistant with respect to a representative susceptible population (ChrS). The nontarget site mechanisms reduced glyphosate absorption and translocation did not contribute to the glyphosate resistance of the ChrR population. However, enzyme activity assays and DNA sequencing demonstrated that at least one target-site resistance mechanism is involved in such resistance. All ten ChrR plants tested had the amino acid substitution Pro-106-Ser. The results may be crucial to decrease the resistance distribution of C. radiata in Colombia by implementing IWM programs. The change in weed control strategies in rice fields from Colombia must include herbicides with different mode of action from glyphosate and non chemical methods to preserve the useful life of glyphosate longer for weed control in the country.

Something old, something new: Evolution of Colombian weedy rice (Oryza spp.) through de novo de-domestication, exotic gene flow, and hybridization.

Weedy rice (Oryza spp.) is a worldwide weed of domesticated rice (O. sativa), considered particularly problematic due to its strong competition with the crop, which leads to reduction in yields and harvest quality. Several studies have established multiple independent origins for weedy rice populations in the United States and various parts of Asia; however, the origins of weedy rice in South America have not been examined in a global context. We evaluated the genetic variation of weedy rice populations in Colombia, as well as the contributions of local wild Oryza species, local cultivated varieties, and exotic Oryza groups to the weed, using polymorphism generated by genotyping by sequencing (GBS). We found no evidence for genomic contributions from local wild Oryza species (O. glumaepatula, O. grandiglumis, O. latifolia, and O. alta) to Colombian weedy rice. Instead, Colombian weedy rice has evolved from local indica cultivars and has also likely been inadvertently imported as an exotic pest from the United States. Additionally, weeds comprising de novo admixture between these distinct weedy populations now represent a large proportion of genomic backgrounds in Colombian weedy rice. Our results underscore the impressive ability of weedy rice to evolve through multiple evolutionary pathways, including in situ de-domestication, range expansion, and hybridization.