Aedes aegypti oviposition dynamics in towns with low human population density in yungas and dry chaco, Salta, Argentina.

We assessed the presence of Aedes aegypti in five ecorregions of Salta province and compared the oviposition activity of Ae. aegypti using ovitraps in towns of two contrasting ecoregions (yungas and Chaco dry forests) in the province of Salta, Argentina, a major contrast in these ecoregions are rain patterns and altitude. Our aim was to estimate how oviposition activities were associated with the ecoregion and site scale local environmental variables. Mosquito oviposition activity was monitored weekly during the summer using ovitraps. Predictor variables were ecoregion, town, and meteorological variables. The effect of the predictor variables was measured on the response variables using multi-model inference. Besides yungas, the presence of Aedes aegypti was confirmed in towns of dry Chaco and High Monte. The only factor that had a significant effect on the presence of eggs in the ovitraps was the ecoregion, with the frequency of positives being higher in yungas. For the number of eggs, the ecoregion, the night temperature of the first week and the NDVI would explain said variable. Overall, results indicate that the variations between towns would be more related with their ecological and climatic characteristics than with the more immediate meteorological variations.

Assessing Natural Incidence of Resident Pupal Parasitoids on the Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Population in Non-crop Fruits.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), world-renowned as spotted-wing drosophila, is an invasive pest mainly affecting healthy, soft and stone fruit crops throughout Argentinian fruit-growing regions. Natural environments overgrown by exotic feral host plants apparently favour D. suzukii proliferation. This is common in the subtropical northwestern Argentina's berry-producing region. An assemblage of resident parasitoid species has been associated with D. suzukii in crop and non-crop areas of Tucumán, the Argentina's leading berries producer and exporter. Consequently, the hypothesis that the combined action of two pupal parasitoid species, Pachycrepoideus vindemiae Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Trichopria anastrephae Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), occurring in non-crop fruit areas, has a significant impact on D. suzukii natural regulation in such invaded habitats was tested. A survey of D. suzukii puparia from both feral peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] (Rosaceae) and guava (Psydium guajava L.) (Myrtaceae) fallen fruits and soil surrounding them was performed in a wilderness area of Tucumán. Abundance of D. suzukii and associated parasitoids, and parasitism levels were assessed. Whole of 3437 D. suzukii puparia were recovered; 78% and 22% were surveyed from fruits and soil underneath the fruit, respectively. Tested fruits are important D. suzukii multiplying hosts. Both P. vindemiae and T. anastrephae accounted for 99.8% of total parasitoid individuals. Pupal parasitoids contribute to the D. suzukii natural mortality, as they killed a quarter of all puparia. Mostly T. anastrephae foraged on host puparia located in the fruit and P. vindemiae in both microhabitats. This information supports an augmentative biological control strategy in non-crop areas.

Modeling potential risk areas of Orthohantavirus transmission in Northwestern Argentina using an ecological niche approach.

BACKGROUND: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a rodent-borne zoonosis in the Americas, with up to 50% mortality rates. In Argentina, the Northwestern endemic area presents half of the annually notified HPS cases in the country, transmitted by at least three rodent species recognized as reservoirs of Orthohantavirus. The potential distribution of reservoir species based on ecological niche models (ENM) can be a useful tool to establish risk areas for zoonotic diseases. Our main aim was to generate an Orthohantavirus risk transmission map based on ENM of the reservoir species in northwest Argentina (NWA), to compare this map with the distribution of HPS cases; and to explore the possible effect of climatic and environmental variables on the spatial variation of the infection risk. METHODS: Using the reservoir geographic occurrence data, climatic/environmental variables, and the maximum entropy method, we created models of potential geographic distribution for each reservoir in NWA. We explored the overlap of the HPS cases with the reservoir-based risk map and a deforestation map. Then, we calculated the human population at risk using a census radius layer and a comparison of the environmental variables' latitudinal variation with the distribution of HPS risk. RESULTS: We obtained a single best model for each reservoir. The temperature, rainfall, and vegetation cover contributed the most to the models. In total, 945 HPS cases were recorded, of which 97,85% were in the highest risk areas. We estimated that 18% of the NWA population was at risk and 78% of the cases occurred less than 10 km from deforestation. The highest niche overlap was between Calomys fecundus and Oligoryzomys chacoensis. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies potential risk areas for HPS transmission based on climatic and environmental factors that determine the distribution of the reservoirs and Orthohantavirus transmission in NWA. This can be used by public health authorities as a tool to generate preventive and control measures for HPS in NWA.

Ancient mitochondrial genome diversity in South America: Contributions from Quebrada del Toro, Northwestern Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to enhance our understanding of the population history in South America, specifically Northwestern Argentina, by analyzing complete ancient mitogenomes of individuals from the Ojo de Agua archeological site (970 BP) in Quebrada del Toro (Salta, Argentina). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed teeth from four individuals from the site Ojo de Agua (970 ± 60 BP), located in Quebrada del Toro (Andean region of Northwestern Argentina). DNA extracts were converted to double-stranded DNA libraries and indexed using unique dual-indexing primer combinations. DNA libraries were then enriched for the complete mitochondrial genome, pooled at equimolar concentrations, and sequenced on an Illumina® MiSeq™ platform. Reads from high quality libraries were trimmed, merged, and then mapped to the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence. The aDNA damage patterns were assessed and contamination estimated. Finally, variants were called, filtered, and the consensus mitogenome was constructed and used for haplogroup assignment. We also compiled available mitogenome sequences from ancient and present-day populations from the Southcentral Andes and other surrounding regions in Argentina. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions were obtained using the generated dataset. RESULTS: We successfully obtained the complete mitogenome sequence from one individual with an average depth coverage of 102X. We discovered a novel haplotype that was assigned to haplogroup D1. Phylogenetic reconstructions suggests that this haplotype falls within the sister branches of the D1j lineage, forming a well-supported clade. The estimate TMRCA of this clade that includes D1j and its sister branches ranged between 12,535 and 18,669 ya. DISCUSSION: The sequence analyzed in this study represents the first ancient mitogenome from within the valley region in Northwestern Argentina. We found that a representative of a lineage highly associated with D1j was already present approximately 1000 BP in the region. Our results agree with the proposed origin of D1j in other regions north of Patagonia and independent of the Pacific coast fast migratory route, contrary to what was originally hypothesized. This study highlights the lack of information regarding pre-Hispanic genetic diversity and contributes to the knowledge about the peopling process in South America.

OBJETIVOS: El objetivo de este estudio fue contribuir a mejorar la comprensión del poblamiento de Sudamérica, específicamente del Noroeste Argentino, mediante el análisis de mitogenomas antiguos completos de individuos del sitio arqueológico Ojo de Agua (970 AP), Quebrada del Toro (Salta, Argentina). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se analizaron dientes de cuatro individuos del sitio Ojo de Agua (970 ± 60 AP), ubicado en la Quebrada del Toro (región andina del Noroeste Argentino). A partir de los extractos de ADN se armaron librerías doble cadena y se indexaron utilizando combinaciones únicas de pares de cebadores. Las librerías fueron luego enriquecidas en ADN mitocondrial, llevadas a concentraciones equimolares y secuenciadas en una plataforma Illumina® MiSeq™. Las lecturas de las librerías de alta calidad fueron recortadas, fusionadas y, posteriormente, alineadas con la Secuencia de Referencia de Cambridge revisada. Se evaluaron los patrones de daño del ADNa y se estimó la contaminación. Por último, se identificaron las variantes, se filtraron y se construyó el mitogenoma consenso, que se utilizó para la asignación de haplogrupos. Además, se recopilaron secuencias de mitogenomas disponibles para poblaciones pre-hispánicas y actuales de los Andes Centrosur y otras regiones adyacentes de Argentina. Utilizando el conjunto de datos generado, se obtuvieron reconstrucciones filogenéticas mediante Máxima Verosimilitud y estimación Bayesiana. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo la secuencia completa del mitogenoma de un individuo con una profundidad media de 102X. Esta secuencia corresponde a un nuevo haplotipo que fue asignado al haplogrupo D1. Las reconstrucciones filogenéticas sugirieron que este haplotipo se encuentra dentro del grupo hermano del linaje D1j, conformando un clado bien soportado. La datación estimada para este clado que contiene a D1j y a todo su grupo hermano fue de entre 12.535 y 18.669 años atrás. DISCUSIÓN: La secuencia analizada en este estudio representa el primer mitogenoma antiguo de la región valliserrana del Noroeste Argentino. Se halló que un representante de un linaje altamente asociado con D1j ya estaba presente hace aproximadamente 1000 años AP en la región. Nuestros resultados concuerdan con un origen de D1j en otras regiones al norte de la Patagonia, e independientemente de la ruta migratoria rápida por la costa del Pacífico, en contraposición a lo planteado inicialmente. Este estudio pone en evidencia la falta de información que se tiene actualmente sobre la diversidad genética en tiempos prehispánicos y contribuye al conocimiento del proceso de poblamiento de Sudamérica.

A new species of Liolaemus (Reptilia: Squamata) of the Liolaemus capillitas clade (Squamata, Liolaemini, Liolaemus elongatus-kriegi group) from Sierra de Velasco, La Rioja Province, Argentina.

A new species of the Liolaemus capillitas clade is described. Liolaemus galactostictos sp. nov. differs from other members of its group by a combination of morphological and molecular traits, in particular its black dorsal coloration pattern not found in any other Liolaemus species. Liolaemus galactostictos sp. nov. is only known from its type locality. This new species is found in rocky fields surrounded by grasslands on the top of the Velasco Mountains, a ¨sky island environment¨, in northwestern Argentina. As well as other members of its clade this species seems to be strictly saxicolous, viviparous and feeds on insects.

First record sheds light on the distribution of the cyprinodontiform genus Jenynsia (Günther, 1866) in the High Andean Plateau.

This is the first record of the genus Jenynsia in the High Andean Plateau (HAP). It has been found at elevations between 3400 and 3900 m in three endorreheic systems: Salar Antofalla, Antofagasta de la Sierra and El Peñón, northwestern Argentina, South America. This finding increases the number of known HAP fish genera to five. Furthermore, in contrast to the old Andean species-rich genus Orestias, the presence of Jenynsia obscura populations in young high-altitude, non-marine saline wetlands reported here supports a recent dispersal into the HAP.

Further study on Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) pintoi (Kohn et Fernandes, 1988) (Nematoda: Camallanidae) in Corydoras paleatus and Corydoras micracanthus (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from Salta, Argentina, with a key to congeneric species from Neotropical Realm.

This study describes the morphology of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) pintoi (Kohn et Fernandes, 1988), isolated from the intestine of Corydoras micracanthus Regan, 1912 and C. paleatus (Jenyns, 1842) (both Callichthyidae, Siluriformes) from Bermejo and Juramento River basins, respectively, province of Salta, Argentina. This is the first record of P. (S.) pintoi in C. micracanthus from Northwestern Argentina. The light and scanning electron microscopy observations of P. (S.) pintoi, revealed a few previously unreported morphological details of the cephalic region, vulva and caudal region of males. In addition, morphometric variability was observed in, mainly body size, glandular oesophagus length and position of the vulva between present specimens and those described in previous studies. A key to the species of Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) from the Neotropical Realm is proposed.

Determinación de la curva de lactancia de cabras Saanen del noroeste argentino

La curva de lactancia puede ser definida como la expresión del comportamiento productivo del rebaño caprino. Conocerla resulta una herramienta de selección. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue el de estudiar el comportamiento productivo de cabras Saanen en condiciones semi intensivas mediante diferentes modelos matemáticos para describir así su curva de lactancia, caracterizar la evolución de la producción de leche y analizar su variación asociadas con el número de lactancia y el número de cabritos al parto. Se utilizaron registros de datos de lactancias correspondientes a 182 animales. De cada animal fue relevado el número de partos, el tipo de parto y la producción individual diaria a partir del tercer día pos parto hasta el final de lactancia (270 días). El modelo de Cappio-Borlino fue el que mejor ajuste presentó. Al analizar los resultados obtenidos en cuanto al momento en el que se alcanza el pico de producción se observa que, además de ser numéricamente menor, las cabras de primer parto son las que lo manifiestan más tardíamente respecto a las multíparas. A su vez, los animales con partos dobles si bien presentaron una mayor producción láctea al principio de la lactancia, la persistencia fue menor respecto a los de partos triple.

The lactation curve can be defined as the expression of the productive behavior of the goat herd. Knowing it is a selection tool. The objective of this work was to study the productive behavior of Saanen goats under semi-intensive conditions using different mathematical models to describe their lactation curve, characterize the evolution of milk production and analyze the variation associated with lactation number and the kids size. Data records of 182 animals were used. From each animal, we recorded: calving number, litter size and the individual daily production from the third day after parity until the end of lactation (270 days). The Cappio-Borlino model was the best fit. When analyzing the results obtained regarding the moment in which the production peak is reached, it is observed that, in addition to being numerically smaller, the goats of first calving are the ones that show it later with respect to the multiparous. In turn, the animals with double births, although they presented a higher milk production at the beginning of the lactation, the persistence was lower than goats with triple births.

Niveles séricos de minerales en hembras de cría bovina en un establecimiento de la región de selva y pastizal pedemontano del norte de Salta

Las deficiencias minerales son un problema de gran impacto productivo a nivel mundial. En el Noroeste argentino (NOA) la cría extensiva es una de las actividades económicas más importantes y está en franco crecimiento. En el NOA, los estudios sobre enfermedades carenciales son escasos y parciales. El presente trabajo tiene por objeto describir variaciones estacionales de los niveles séricos de calcio, fósforo, magnesio, cobre y zinc en vacas de cría y terneras de recría. En un establecimiento ganadero se seleccionaron 20 vacas y 20 terneras que fueron mantenidos en condiciones de pastoreo y sin suplementación externa. Se efectuaron muestreos de sangre a intervalos de 3 meses durante un año. Se determinaron niveles séricos de calcio, magnesio, cobre y zinc por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica y de fósforo por espectrofotometría uv-visible. Los resultados indican la existencia de hipocupremia moderada a leve en las terneras (48,6±11μg/dL) durante todos los períodos muestreados. Las vacas presentaron valores promedio normales (66±3,5 μg/dL) pero cercanos al límite inferior durante algunos muestreos. Se observaron niveles subnormales de fósforo durante el verano (diciembre y marzo) en ambas categorías. Este trabajo sugiere que el cobre y el fósforo pueden comportarse como factores limitantes en las condiciones evaluadas.

Mineral deficiencies are a problem of great productive impact worldwide. In the Argentine Northwest (NOA) extensive breeding is one of the most important economic activities and it is in frank growth. In the NOA, studies on deficiency diseases are scarce and partial. The present work aims to describe seasonal variations of serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and zinc in beef cows and rearing calves. In a farm, 20 cows and 20 weaned heifer calves were selected, which were maintained under grazing conditions and without external supplementation. Blood samples were taken at intervals of 3 months for one year. Serum levels of calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and phosphorus by UV-visible spectrophotometry. The results indicate the existence of moderated hypocupremia in the calves (48.6 ± 11μg / dl) during all sampled periods. Cows presented normal values (66 ± 3.5 μg / dl) but close to the lower limit during some sampling. Subnormal levels of phosphorus were observed during the summer (December and March) in both categories. This work confirms that copper and phosphorus can behave as limiting factors in the evaluated conditions.

An update on the distribution and nomenclature of fleas (Order Siphonaptera) of bats (Order Chiroptera) and rodents (Order Rodentia) from La Rioja Province, Argentina.

The mammalian and flea fauna of La Rioja Province is one of the least known from northwestern Argentina. In this study, the distribution and nomenclature of 13 species of fleas of bats and rodents from La Rioja Province are updated. Four species of fleas are recorded for the first time in La Rioja Province including a new record for northwestern Argentina, and two new flea-host associations. An identification key and distribution map are included for all known species of Siphonaptera of bats and rodents from La Rioja Province, Argentina.

Nematodes gastrointestinales en la recría bovina de la región del Chaco Serrano del noroeste de Argentina

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar la epidemiología de los nematodes gastrointestinales (NGI) en la recría bovina en la región del Chaco Serrano del Noroeste Argentino durante los períodos mayo-sept. 2014 y mayo-marzo 2015-16. En cada período se formaron tres grupos de 17 terneras de destete: GTS con tratamiento cada 45-50 días con moxidectina, GTL con 1 solo tratamiento: 6/2014 ivermectina y 7/2015 doramectina y GST sin tratamiento. Se realizaron conteos de huevos (hpg) y coprocultivos y se registró la ganancia de peso vivo (GPV). Al inicio en ambos períodos los hpg fueron moderados (=515±449, 2014; =484±464, 2015) elevándose hacia fines del otoño, para luego descender hacia la primavera. Los hpg del GTL mostraron postratamiento solo un descenso parcial y el GTS siempre tuvo valores de hpg muy bajos. Los géneros de nematodes predominantes fueron Cooperia (41,8%), y Haemonchus (53,7%). En ambos períodos el efecto de los tratamientos se evidenció desde el invierno, mostrando el GTS una mayor GPV (p<0,05) que la de los otros dos grupos cuando se mejoró la oferta alimenticia. Las GPV totales del GTS fueron mayores. Al final del ensayo, los promedios en la GPV fueron en kg de 11,2, 11,5 y 19,6 (2014) y de 54,3, 56,5 y 73,4 (2015-16) respectivamente para el GST, GTL y el GTS.

The aim of this work was to study the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) on beef cattle in the Chaco Serrano region of northwestern Argentina, during the periods May-Sept. 2014 and May -March 2015-16. During each period, three groups of 17 heifer calves were performed: STG: calves treated every 45-50 days with moxidectin, LTG: calves treated once, June/2014 ivermectin and July/2015 doramectin and UTG: untreated calves. Eggs per gram of feces (epg) and feces cultures were performed. Live weight gain (LWG) was recorded. At the start of both periods the mean calf epg was moderate (=515±449, 2014; =484±464, 2015) and peaks towards late autumn, to decrease forward the spring. LTG epg post treatment only decreases partially and STG epg always showed negligible values. Predominant genera were Cooperia (41.8%) and Haemonchus (53.7%). In both periods, the treatment effect was evident from the winter, showing STG a significant (p<0.05) higher LWG than the other groups when the ranch increased the alimentary offer. At the end of the trial, average total LWG were in kg, 11.2, 11.5 and 19.6 (2014) and 54.3, 56.5 and 73.4 (2015) respectively for NTG, LTG y el STG.

Mansonella ozzardi in Neotropical region of Argentina: Prevalence through time (1986-2010).

Human filariasis caused by Mansonella ozzardi is a parasitic infection of a controversial pathology and poorly studied in Argentina. The aim of this study was not only to obtain data of the prevalence of M. ozzardi in Northwestern Argentina through comparison of infection rates in relation to sex and age group determining the range of distribution of mansonelliasis in the region but also to investigate the prevalence of the cases over time. Through field work carried between 1986 and 2010 by technicians of the National Ministry of Health, aiming to detect active cases of malaria in the Northwestern Argentina, blood samples were taken for smear and thick blood. 417 blood samples were examined, 381 of them (91.4%) were positive for M. ozzardi. The highest prevalence was found in Salta province (92.3%) mainly affecting the male sex (92.6%) and the age groups comprised between 48-57 years (97.0%) and ≥ 68 (90.7%). The paired t-test and Spearman coefficients showed significant differences in prevalence according to sex (t=2.677; p=0.015), and according infection rates in males and females/age (r=0.994; p=0.001; r=0.994, p=0.001, respectively). The prevalence over time showed a general pattern with the highest cases in 1986, decreasing later during the following years. Aguas Blancas, El Oculto and San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, exhibited a pattern of prevalence according to the general trend but Salvador Mazza and Tartagal, which are also localities close to the border with Bolivia, showed peaks of cases up to 2010. These results provide relevant information about M. ozzardi in Argentina, demonstrating not only its presence and endemicity after almost 100 years from its discovery in the country, but also its wide range of distribution in the region.

Los remedios del monte: vigencia del conocimiento fitoterapéutico local en Los Juríes Santiago del Estero, Argentina / The remedies from the “monte”: currency of local phytotherapeutic knowledge in Los JuríesSantiago del Estero, Argentina

The objective of this work was to analyze the currency of traditional medicine in the rural population of Los Juríes, Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Five field works have been performed to the study area, where ethnobotany walk and semistructured interviews were used for gathering data. Thirty nine plant species mentioned as medicinal have been recorded. Digestive illnesses were the most conspicuous ones, with 27 percent of mentions of use over the total of the named illnesses. An ad hoc designed index has been used to determine the specificity in the use of medicinal plants, which major value was presented by poleo (Lippia turbinata) and chañar (Geoffroea decorticans). The number of recorded plants was minor in comparison with similar works carried out in neighbouring areas, nevertheless the currency of the knowledge and use of phythotherapy was confirmed.

El objetivo de este trabajo consistió́ en analizar la vigencia de la medicina tradicional entre la población rural de Los Juríes, Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Se realizaron 5 viajes de campaña a la zona de estudio, donde fueron utilizadas caminatas etnobotánicas y entrevistas semiestructuradas para la recolección de los datos. Se registraron 39 especies de plantas mencionadas como medicinales. Las afecciones del sistema digestivo fueron las más conspicuas, correspondiéndose con el 27 por ciento de las menciones totales de uso por dolencia nombrada. Se aplicó́ un índice diseñado ad hoc a fin de evaluar la especificidad en el uso medicinal de las plantas, cuyo valor máximo fue alcanzado por el poleo (Lippia turbinata) y el chañar (Geoffroea decorticans). El número de plantas registradas fue menor que los mencionados en trabajos similares en áreas vecinas, sin embargo se confirmó́ la vigencia del conocimiento y uso de la fitoterapéutica.

Interannual and seasonal variability of macroinvertebrates in monsoonal climate streams

The aim of this study was to assess the interannual and seasonal changes in the community composition, abundance and presence-absence of macroinvertebrates in the streams of the northwestern of Argentina. The importance of environmental variability in determining these changes was also analyzed. Macroinvertebrates were collected in eleven streams during high (March) and low (September) water periods during two years. Physical variables and water parameters were also recorded at each site. Community composition and abundance differed significantly between seasons, but the presence-absence data did not exhibit a clear pattern of seasonal change. Rapid recolonization of disturbed substrate could ensure the recuperation of benthic community. Small body sizes, short life cycles and continous reproduction could be important strategies that ensure the rapid resilience and persistence of macroinvertebrate assemblages in time.