Phylogenomic analysis of evolutionary relationships in Ranitomeya poison frogs (Family Dendrobatidae) using ultraconserved elements.

The use of genome-scale data in phylogenetics has enabled recent strides in determining the relationships between taxa that are taxonomically problematic because of extensive morphological variation. Here, we employ a phylogenomic approach to infer evolutionary relationships within Ranitomeya (Anura: Dendrobatidae), an Amazonian lineage of poison frogs consisting of 16 species with remarkable diversity in color pattern, range size, and parental care behavior. We infer phylogenies with all described species of Ranitomeya from ultraconserved nuclear genomic elements (UCEs) and also estimate divergence times. Our results differ from previous analyses regarding interspecific relationships. Notably, we find that R. toraro and R. defleri are not sister species but rather distantly related, contrary to previous analyses based on smaller genetic datasets. We recover R. uakarii as paraphyletic, designate certain populations formerly assigned to R. fantastica from Peru as R. summersi, and transfer the French Guianan and eastern Brazilian R. amazonica populations to R. variabilis. By clarifying both inter- and intraspecific relationships within Ranitomeya, our study paves the way for future tests of hypotheses on color pattern evolution and historical biogeography.

Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Simulator-based versus Traditional Teaching of Direct Ophthalmoscopy for Medical Students.

OBJECTIVE: To compare results of simulator-based vs traditional training of medical students in direct ophthalmoscopy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: First-year medical student volunteers completed 1 hour of didactic instruction regarding direct ophthalmoscopes, fundus anatomy, and signs of disease. Students were randomized to an additional hour of training on a direct ophthalmoscope simulator (n = 17) or supervised practice examining classmates (traditional method, n = 16). After 1 week of independent student practice using assigned training methods, masked ophthalmologist observers assessed student ophthalmoscopy skills (technique, efficiency, and global performance) during examination of 5 patient volunteers, using 5-point Likert scales. Students recorded findings and lesion location for each patient. Two masked ophthalmologists graded answer sheets independently using 3-point scales. Students completed surveys before randomization and after assessments. Training groups were compared for grades, observer- and patient-assigned scores, and survey responses. RESULTS: The simulator group reported longer practice times than the traditional group (P = .002). Observers assigned higher technique scores to the simulator group after adjustment for practice time (P = .034). Combined grades (maximum points = 20) were higher for the simulator group (median: 5.0, range: 0.0-11.0) than for the traditional group (median: 4.0, range: 0.0-9.0), although the difference was not significant. The simulator group was less likely to mistake the location of a macular scar in 1 patient (odds ratio: 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.056-1.35, P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: Direct ophthalmoscopy is difficult, regardless of training technique, but simulator-based training has apparent advantages, including improved technique, the ability to localize fundus lesions, and a fostering of interest in learning ophthalmoscopy, reflected by increased practice time.

New distributional records of the Samana least gecko (Sphaerodactylus samanensis, Cochran, 1932) with comments on its morphological variation and conservation status.

We report here five new localities across the distribution of the lizard Sphaerodactylus samanensis, extending its current geographic range to the west, in the Cordillera Central of Hispaniola. We also report phenotypic variation in the color pattern and scutellation on throat and pelvic regions of males from both eastern and western populations, which is described below. Furthermore, based on these new data, we confirm that the species is not fitting in its current IUCN category, and in consequence propose updating its conservation status.

A new species of frog (Terrarana, Strabomantidae, Phrynopus) from the Peruvian Andean grasslands.

We describe a new, medium-sized species of terrestrial frog of the genus Phrynopus from a single locality in the central Andes of Peru (Departamento de Huánuco) at 3,730 meters of elevation. Phylogenetic analyses supported Phrynopus remotum sp. nov. as an independent lineage, sister to most of its congeners. The new species is morphologically distinguishable by the presence of small tubercles on upper eyelids and heels, an areolate venter, and the absence of dorsolateral folds or ridges. This species inhabits the highlands adjacent to the Marañón Dry valley. The only sympatric amphibian species recorded is the marsupial frog Gastrotheca peruana.

Adherencia terapéutica, interacción equipo médico-paciente y justicia social en población indígena Mixteca de Guerrero, México / Therapeutic adeherence, doctor-patient interaction and social justice in Mixteca indigenus population from Guerrero, México / Adesão terapêutica, interação equipe médica-paciente e justiça social em população indígena Mixteca de Guerrero, México

Resumen: En México habitan diversos grupos sociales, entre ellos se encuentra el pueblo indígena de los mixtecos, que en su mayoría se caracteriza por vivir en condiciones de extrema pobreza, situación que posibilita estados desfavorables de salud por las características sociales y físicas particulares. Además, estos grupos indígenas utilizan sistemas médicos propios, distintos al sistema biomédico. Cuando el Gobierno amplía su cobertura a estas comunidades se presentan dificultades debido a la incompatibilidad de sistemas médicos. Se ha observado que el uso de habilidades interculturales, tales como los componentes verbales valorativos y transcriptivos, favorece un ajuste entre los pacientes y los sistemas biomédicos de salud. Con el objetivo de revisar si los profesionales que prestan sus servicios a comunidades indígenas presentan habilidades interculturales, se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, no experimental, y transversal para identificar el uso de componentes verbales interculturales por parte del equipo médico de la Unidad Médica Rural, ubicada en la comunidad de Dos Ríos, municipio de Cochoapa el Grande, Guerrero. Se observó la interacción equipo médico-paciente durante 6 meses, con un total de 103 consultas registradas. Asimismo, se contempló que los profesionales tienen un escaso uso de los componentes verbales interculturales y que no han incorporado estrategias que permitan el ajuste médico de los pacientes mixtecos al sistema biomédico. Los datos se analizan con relación a los aspectos bioéticos y de justicia social implicados en el comportamiento de las instituciones oficiales de salud.

Abstract: Mexico's inhabitants comprise various social groups and among them we find the indigenous people of the Mixtecos, who are mostly characterized by living in extreme poverty conditions, a situation that enables unfavorable health conditions due to their particular social and physical characteristics. Furthermore, these indigenous groups use their own medical systems, different from the biomedical system. When the Government extends its coverage to these communities, difficulties arise due to the incompatibility of medical systems. The use of intercultural skills, such as evaluative and transcriptional verbal components, has been observed to favor an adjustment between patients and biomedical health systems. With the aim of reviewing whether the professionals who provide their services to indigenous communities have intercultural skills, a descriptive, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the use of intercultural verbal components by the medical team of the Rural Medical Unit, located in the community of Dos Ríos, municipality of Cochoapa el Grande, Guerrero. The doctor-patient team interaction was observed for 6 months, with a total of 103 registered consultations. Likewise, it was found that professionals have little use of intercultural verbal components and that they have not incorporated strategies that allow the medical adjustment of Mixtec patients to the biomedical system. Data was analyzed in relation to the bioethical and social justice aspects involved in the behavior of official health institutions.

Resumo: No México, há diversos grupos sociais, entre eles se encontra o povo indígena dos mixtecos, que, em sua maioria, é caracterizado por viver em condições de extrema pobreza, situação que possibilita estados desfavoráveis de saúde. Além disso, esses grupos indígenas utilizam sistemas médicos próprios, diferentes do sistema biomédico. Quando o governo amplia a cobertura dessas comunidades, são apresentadas dificuldades devido à incompatibilidade de sistemas médicos. Observa-se que o uso de habilidades interculturais, como os componentes verbais valorativos e transcritivos, favorece uma adaptação entre os pacientes e os sistemas biomédicos de saúde. A fim de revisar se os profissionais que prestam serviços a comunidades indígenas apresentam habilidades interculturais, realizou-se estudo descritivo, não experimental e transversal para identificar o uso de componentes verbais interculturais por parte da equipe médica da Unidade Médica Rural, localizada na comunidade de Dos Ríos, município de Cochoapa el Grande, Guerrero. Observou-se a interação equipe médica-paciente durante seis meses, com um total de 103 consultas registradas. A partir disso, foi verificado que os profissionais têm um escasso uso dos componentes verbais interculturais e que não incorporaram estratégias que permitam a adaptação médica dos pacientes mixtecos ao sistema biomédico. Os dados são analisados quanto aos aspectos bioéticos e de justiça social envolvidos no comportamento das instituições oficiais de saúde.

Phylogenetic relationships and systematics of the Amazonian poison frog genus Ameerega using ultraconserved genomic elements.

The Amazonian poison frog genus Ameerega is one of the largest yet most understudied of the brightly colored genera in the anuran family Dendrobatidae, with 30 described species ranging throughout tropical South America. Phylogenetic analyses of Ameerega are highly discordant, lacking consistency due to variation in data types and methods, and often with limited coverage of species diversity in the genus. Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenomic reconstruction of Ameerega, utilizing state-of-the-art sequence capture techniques and phylogenetic methods. We sequenced thousands of ultraconserved elements from over 100 tissue samples, representing almost every described Ameerega species, as well as undescribed cryptic diversity. We generated topologies using maximum likelihood and coalescent methods and compared the use of maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods for estimating divergence times. Our phylogenetic inference diverged strongly from those of previous studies, and we recommend steps to bring Ameerega taxonomy in line with the new phylogeny. We place several species in a phylogeny for the first time, as well as provide evidence for six potential candidate species. We estimate that Ameerega experienced a rapid radiation approximately 7-11 million years ago and that the ancestor of all Ameerega was likely an aposematic, montane species. This study underscores the utility of phylogenomic data in improving our understanding of the phylogeny of understudied clades and making novel inferences about their evolution.

Integrative taxonomy reveals first country record of Hyalinobatrachium mondolfii Señaris and Ayarzagüena 2001, and distribution range extensions for Cochranella nola Harvey 1996, and Rulyrana spiculata Duellman 1976 (Anura: Centrolenidae) in Peru.

We used an integrative taxonomy approach to investigate the taxonomic identity of several populations of glassfrogs from Peru, which are notoriously challenging to identify due to their overall similarity in morphology and coloration. We relied on comparisons of morphology, bioacoustics, and partial fragments of 16S rRNA DNA sequences. We report for the first time the presence of Hyalinobatrachium mondolfii in Peru, being this the southernmost locality known for the species. Likewise, we update and extend the distribution ranges of Rulyrana spiculata and Cochranella nola in the Andes of Peru, provide a 16S sequence of a topotype of R. spiculata, and confirm its presence in Bolivia. For all three species, we increase the current knowledge on their geographic distribution and genetic and phenotypic variation.

Speciation with introgression: Phylogeography and systematics of the Ameerega petersi group (Dendrobatidae).

The Tropical Andes contains exceptionally high diversity, much of it arising within the Quaternary period. The complex geology of the Andes and paleoclimate fluctuations within the Quaternary suggest complex speciation scenarios. This, in turn, has contributed to idiosyncratic speciation modes among shallowly diverged Amazonian taxa. Many relationships among these taxa remain poorly resolved. Here we use a sequence capture approach, ultraconserved elements (UCEs), to address the phylogenetic relationships among three recently diverged Peruvian Ameerega poison frog species (A. cainarachi, A. petersi, and A. smaragdina; family Dendrobatidae) and explore a possible mode of speciation in this group. We assess concordance among concatenated phylogenetic tree inference, gene-tree based species tree inference, SNP-based species tree inference, and Bayes factor lineage delimitation to resolve species boundaries. We complement these analyses with assessments of call divergence to address the presence of a prezygotic reproductive barrier. Additionally, we further explore the phylogeographic history of these species of Ameerega with demographic inference, considering evidence for admixture and population expansions. Our results support the synonymy of A. smaragdina as a junior synonym of A. petersi and we find that speciation in this group is characterized by admixture and signatures of a population bottleneck followed by expansion. We invoke the disturbance-vicariance hypothesis to explain the observed patterns and call for more, detailed investigations of in-situ speciation in the Tropical Andes.

Systematics of the Ameerega rubriventris complex (Anura: Dendrobatidae) with descriptions of two new cryptic species from the East-Andean versant of Peru.

We describe two new species of poison frog from central and southern Peru that have been referred to as Ameerega picta, A. hahneli, or A. altamazonica throughout the past thirty years. Our phylogenies generated with genomic data provide strong support that the two new species are successive sisters to two described taxa, A. rubriventris and A. altamazonica, and collectively comprise the Ameerega rubriventris complex. The first new taxon, Ameerega panguana sp. nov., can be distinguished from all other Ameerega by its combination of a unique white venter and an advertisement call of 1-2 notes per second. The second new taxon, Ameerega imasmari sp. nov., is the only cryptically colored Ameerega species that is disttributed across the Fitzcarrald Arch in Southern Peru which possesses a 'peep' advertisement call consisting of 3-4 notes per second and a dominant frequency of 4.3-4.5 kHz. Within the Ameerega rubriventris complex, we observed differences between species in their ventral coloration, tympanum diameter, and call, which suggest that these taxa are reproductively isolated from each other.

A new species of arboreal microteiid lizard of the genus Euspondylus (Gymnophtalmidae: Cercosaurinae) from the Andean slopes of central Peru with comments on Peruvian Euspondylus.

We describe a new species of arboreal gymnophtalmid lizard from the eastern Andean slopes in central Peru. Euspondylus excelsum sp. nov. is assigned tentatively to this genus for the presence of a transparent and divided lower palpebral disc, a pair of prefrontals, striated, subimbricated and homogeneous dorsal scales, lateral scales reduced in proximity to ventrals, and a discontinuous series of femoral pores in males and females. We include a revision of the type material of E. maculatus and clarify morphological differences with the new species. Finally, we discuss the taxonomic status of Peruvian species of Euspondylus.

Correction: Systematics of the Dendropsophus leucophyllatus species complex (Anura: Hylidae): Cryptic diversity and the description of two new species.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171785.].

Systematics of the Dendropsophus leucophyllatus species complex (Anura: Hylidae): Cryptic diversity and the description of two new species.

Genetic data in studies of systematics of Amazonian amphibians frequently reveal that purportedly widespread single species in reality comprise species complexes. This means that real species richness may be significantly higher than current estimates. Here we combine genetic, morphological, and bioacoustic data to assess the phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries of two Amazonian species of the Dendropsophus leucophyllatus species group: D. leucophyllatus and D. triangulum. Our results uncovered the existence of five confirmed and four unconfirmed candidate species. Among the confirmed candidate species, three have available names: Dendropsophus leucophyllatus, Dendropsophus triangulum, and Dendropsophus reticulatus, this last being removed from the synonymy of D. triangulum. A neotype of D. leucophyllatus is designated. We describe the remaining two confirmed candidate species, one from Bolivia and another from Peru. All confirmed candidate species are morphologically distinct and have much smaller geographic ranges than those previously reported for D. leucophyllatus and D. triangulum sensu lato. Dendropsophus leucophyllatus sensu stricto occurs in the Guianan region. Dendropsophus reticulatus comb. nov. corresponds to populations in the Amazon basin of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru previously referred to as D. triangulum. Dendropsophus triangulum sensu stricto is the most widely distributed species; it occurs in Amazonian Ecuador, Peru and Brazil, reaching the state of Pará. We provide accounts for all described species including an assessment of their conservation status.

A new species of frog of the genus Pristimantis from Tingo María National Park, Huánuco Department, central Peru (Anura, Craugastoridae).

A new species of Craugastoridae frog encountered from 1000-1700 m in elevation in the premontane forests of the Peruvian central Andes is described. The new species is similar in appearance to many other species of Pristimantis, but is easily distinguishable from these species by having bright red coloration on the groin, posterior surface of thighs, and shanks. The new species is only known for two localities 27 km apart in the Huánuco Region.

ResumenDescribimos una nueva especie de rana de la familia Craugastoridae de los bosques premontanos de los Andes centrales peruanos, los especímenes fueron encontrados entre los 1000 ­ 1700 metros de elevación. Esta especie es similar en apariencia a muchas especies de Pristimantis, sin embargo es facilmente distinguible por tener ingles, superficie posterior de los muslos y de la tibia rojo brillante. La nueva especie es conocida solo de dos localidades en la Región Huánuco, ambas separadas por alrededor de 27 km.

Phylogeny and biogeography of the most diverse clade of South American gymnophthalmid lizards (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae, Cercosaurinae).

Nearly 50% of the diversity of the speciose Neotropical lizard clade Gymnophthalmidae is nested within the subclade Cercosaurinae. The taxonomy of Cercosaurinae lizards has been historically confusing because many diagnostic characters of those clades traditionally ranked as genera do not represent true diagnostic apomorphies. Even though molecular phylogenies of several 'genera' have been presented in the last few years, some of them remain poorly sampled (e.g., Anadia, Echinosaura, Potamites, Riama). In this paper we present a more comprehensive phylogeny of Cercosaurinae lizards with emphasis on Andean taxa from Ecuador and Peru, as well as a time-calibrated phylogeny with reconstruction of ancestral areas. Our analysis includes 52% of all recognized species of Cercosaurinae (67 species) and 1914 characters including three mitochondrial and one nuclear gene. We find that Anadia, Echinosaura, Euspondylus, Potamites, Proctoporus, and Riama are not monophyletic: the Tepuian Anadia mcdiarmidi is not sister to Andean species of Anadia; Echinosaura sulcarostrum is not included in the same clade formed by other species of Echinosaura and their more recent common ancestor; Teuchocercus is nested within Echinosaura; species of Euspondylus included in this study are nested within Proctoporus; Riama laudahnae is included in Proctoporus; and Potamites is paraphyletic and split in two separate clades, one of which we name Gelanesaurus, also a new genus-group name. Within Potamites, P. ecpleopus is paraphyletic, and P. strangulatus strangulatus and P. strangulatus trachodus are recognized as two distinct species. We also identify three unnamed clades (i.e., not nested within any of the recognized 'genera') from Andean populations in Ecuador and Peru. The estimated age of the clade Cercosaurinae (∼60Ma) corresponds to the early stages of the northern Andes. Even though the distribution of the most recent common ancestor of Cercosaurinae remains equivocal, our analysis shows that these lizards colonized and radiated along the northern Andes before reaching the central Andes in Peru. Finally, we present phylogenetic definitions for some of the recovered clades to promote a clear and precise classification of Cercosaurinae lizards.

A new Andean lizard of the genus Potamites (Sauria, Gymnophthalmidae) from Manu National Park, southeastern Peru.

We describe a new lizard of the genus Potamites from elevations of 1000-2100 m in the montane forests of the Cordillera de Paucartambo and the upper Kosñipata valley, Region of Cusco, Peru. The new species differs from other species of Potamites by having scattered keeled scales on dorsum, an undivided frontonasal and absence of femoral pores in females.

A new species of Andean semiaquatic lizard of the genus Potamites (Sauria, Gymnophtalmidae) from southern Peru.

We describe a new lizard species of the genus Potamites from the montane forests of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba (Cusco region) and Apurimac River valley (Ayacucho region), between 1500 and 2000 meters of elevation, in southern Peru. The new species is distinguishable from all other species of the genus mainly by having highly keeled scattered scales on dorsum and females lacking femoral pores.

Two new species of Andean gymnophthalmid lizards of the genus Euspondylus (Reptilia, Squamata) from central and southern Peru.

Two new species of lizards assigned to the genus Euspondylus from the montane forests of the Peruvian Andes in the Pasco Department (central Peru) and Ayacucho Department (southern Peru) both at elevations of 2550 and 3450 m, respectively, are described. The new species are distinguishable from all other Peruvian and Ecuadorian species of Euspondylus by a unique combination of morphometric, scalation and color pattern characteristics. Natural history data for the new species and for Euspondylus spinalis are also provided.

Infestación por esparganos en ranas del genero Pristimantis (Anura, Strabomantidae) del Perú / Spargana infection in frogs of genus Pristimantis (Anura, Strabomantidae) from Peru

En el presente estudio, reportamos el parasitismo por esparganos del cestode Spirometra sp. en los anfibios: Pristimantis nephophilus y Pristimantis rhodostichus, provenientes del departamento de San Martin, Perú. Tres estructuras filiformes localizadas a nivel subcutáneo, fueron colectadas e identificadas como esparganos. El hallazgo de este metacestode constituye el primer registro en anfibios del Perú y demuestra que las ranas P. nephophilus y P. rhodostichus son nuevos hospederos intermediarios para Spirometra sp.

In this study, we report the parasitism by sparganum of tapeworm Spirometra sp. in amphibians: Pristimantis nephophilus and Pristimantis rhodostichus, from the department of San Martin, Peru. We collected three filiform structures located at the subcutaneous and identified as sparganum. The finding of this metacestode is the first record in amphibians of Peru, and shows that frogs P. nephophilus and P. rhodostichus are new intermediate hosts for Spirometra sp.

[Splenosis and pelvic pain. A report of a case and literature review]. / Esplenosis y dolor pélvico. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Initially described by Buchbinder and Lipkoff in 1929, esplenosis is the transplant of the splenic heterotopy weave in the abdominal cavity. It is observed after the splenic traumatic rupture and appendectomy. It occurs also during the embryonic development. The most frequent places where it takes place are: the intrathoraxic cavity, intraperitoneal, retroperitoneo, and brain. Although the presence of this ectopic splenic weave is symptomatic, this pathology can be evident by pain in the pelvis or it can be confused with other pathologies such as hemangiomas of intestine, and endometriosis including metastasis carcinoma. It is impossible to predict which patients will develop the splenosis after the splenic trauma. The time of rupture or damage of the splectonomy and the amount of blood in the peritoneal cavity are not related with the number of implants. The symptoms are the clue. When the splenosis is diagnosed incidentally in a symptomatic patient, the complete surgery removal is not indicated. However this surgery is recommended when the abdominal pain or the diagnosis is uncertain. In this paper a case with a secondary pelvic pain, probably due to a tubaric abortion, agreeing with secondary splenosis and a traumatic splenic rupture, is reported.