A new species of terrestrial toad of the Rhinellafestae group (Anura, Bufonidae) from the highlands of the Central Cordillera of the Andes of Colombia.

The genus Rhinella (Bufonidae) comprises 92 species of Neotropical toads. In Colombia, Rhinella is represented by 22 recognized species, of which nine belong to the Rhinellafestae group. Over the past decade, there has been increasing evidence of cryptic diversity within this group, particularly in the context of Andean forms. Specimens of Rhinella collected in high Andean forests on both slopes of the Central Cordillera in Colombia belong to an undescribed species, Rhinellakumandaysp. nov. Genetic analyses using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene indicated that the individuals belong to the festae species group. However, they can be distinguished from other closely related species such as Rhinellaparaguas and Rhinellatenrec by a combination of morphological traits including the presence of tarsal fold, a moderate body size, and substantial genetic divergence in the 16S rRNA gene (> 5%). Through this integrative approach, the specimens from the Central Cordillera of Colombia are considered an evolutionary divergent lineage that is sister to R.paraguas, and described as a new species. Rhinellakumandaysp. nov. is restricted to the Central Cordillera of Colombia inhabiting both slopes in the departments of Caldas and Tolima, in an elevational range between 2420 and 3758 m. With the recognition of this new species, the genus Rhinella now comprises 93 species with 23 of them found in Colombia, and ten species endemic to the country.

Marine introgressions and Andean uplift have driven diversification in neotropical Monkey tree frogs (Anura, Phyllomedusinae).

The species richness in the Neotropics has been linked to environmental heterogeneity and a complex geological history. We evaluated which biogeographic processes were associated with the diversification of Monkey tree frogs, an endemic clade from the Neotropics. We tested two competing hypotheses: the diversification of Phyllomedusinae occurred either in a "south-north" or a "north-south" direction in the Neotropics. We also hypothesized that marine introgressions and Andean uplift had a crucial role in promoting their diversification. We used 13 molecular markers in a Bayesian analysis to infer phylogenetic relationships among 57 species of Phyllomedusinae and to estimate their divergence times. We estimated ancestral ranges based on 12 biogeographic units considering the landscape modifications of the Neotropical region. We found that the Phyllomedusinae hypothetical ancestor range was probably widespread throughout South America, from Western Amazon to Southern Atlantic Forest, at 29.5 Mya. The Phyllomedusines' ancestor must have initially diverged through vicariance, generally followed by jump-dispersals and sympatric speciation. Dispersal among areas occurred mostly from Western Amazonia towards Northern Andes and the South American diagonal of dry landscapes, a divergent pattern from both "south-north" and "north-south" diversification hypotheses. Our results revealed a complex diversification process of Monkey tree frogs, occurring simultaneously with the orogeny of Northern Andes and the South American marine introgressions in the last 30 million years.

Vicuña antipredator diel movement drives spatial nutrient subsidies in a high Andean ecosystem.

Large animals could be important drivers of spatial nutrient subsidies when they ingest resources in some habitats and release them in others, even moving nutrients against elevational gradients. In high Andean deserts, vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) move daily between nutrient-rich wet meadows, where there is abundant water and forage but high risk of predation by pumas (Puma concolor), and nutrient-poor open plains with lower risk of predation. In all habitats, vicuñas defecate and urinate in communal latrines. We investigated how these latrines impacted soil and plant nutrient concentrations across three habitats in the Andean ecosystem (meadows, plains, and canyons) and used stable isotope analysis to explore the source of fecal nutrients in latrines. Latrine soils had higher concentrations of nitrogen, carbon, and other nutrients than did nonlatrine soils across all habitats. These inputs corresponded with an increase in plant quality (lower C:N) at latrine sites in plains and canyons, but not in meadows. Stable isotope mixing models suggest that ~7% of nutrients in plains latrines originated from vegetation in meadows, which is disproportionately higher than the relative proportion of meadow habitat (2.6%) in the study area. In contrast, ~68% of nutrients in meadow latrines appear to originate from plains and canyon vegetation, though these habitats made up nearly 98% of the study area. Vicuña diel movements thus appear to concentrate nutrients in latrines within habitats and to drive cross-habitat nutrient subsidies, with disproportionate transport from low-lying, nutrient-rich meadows to more elevated, nutrient-poor plains. When these results are scaled up to the landscape scale, the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus subsidized in soil at plains latrines was of the same order of magnitude as estimates of annual atmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus deposition for this region (albeit far more localized and patchy). Thus, vicuña-mediated nutrient redistribution and deposition appears to be an important process impacting ecosystem functioning in arid Andean environments, on par with other major inputs of nutrients to the system.

An Elevational Phylogeographic Diversity Gradient in Neotropical Birds Is Decoupled from Speciation Rates.

AbstractA key question about macroevolutionary speciation rates is whether they are controlled by microevolutionary processes operating at the population level. For example, does spatial variation in population genetic differentiation underlie geographical gradients in speciation rates? Previous work suggests that speciation rates increase with elevation in Neotropical birds, but underlying population-level gradients remain unexplored. Here, we characterize elevational phylogeographic diversity between montane and lowland birds in the megadiverse Andes-Amazonian system and assess its relationship to speciation rates to evaluate the link between population-level differentiation and species-level diversification. We aggregated and georeferenced nearly 7,000 mitochondrial DNA sequences across 103 species or species complexes in the Andes and Amazonia and used these sequences to describe phylogeographic differentiation across both regions. Our results show increased levels of both discrete and continuous metrics of population structure in the Andean mountains compared with the Amazonian lowlands. However, higher levels of population differentiation do not predict higher rates of speciation in our dataset. Multiple potential factors may lead to our observed decoupling of initial population divergence and speciation rates, including the ephemerality of incipient species and the multifaceted nature of the speciation process, as well as methodological challenges associated with estimating rates of population differentiation and speciation.

Bivalent VSV Vectors Mediate Rapid and Potent Protection from Andes Virus Challenge in Hamsters.

Orthohantaviruses may cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome or hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. Andes virus (ANDV) is the only orthohantavirus associated with human-human transmission. Therefore, emergency vaccination would be a valuable public health measure to combat ANDV-derived infection clusters. Here, we utilized a promising vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccine to advance the approach for emergency applications. We compared monovalent and bivalent VSV vectors containing the Ebola virus (EBOV), glycoprotein (GP), and ANDV glycoprotein precursor (GPC) for protective efficacy in pre-, peri- and post-exposure immunization by the intraperitoneal and intranasal routes. Inclusion of the EBOV GP was based on its favorable immune cell targeting and the strong innate responses elicited by the VSV-EBOV vaccine. Our data indicates no difference of ANDV GPC expressing VSV vectors in pre-exposure immunization independent of route, but a potential benefit of the bivalent VSVs following peri- and post-exposure intraperitoneal vaccination.

How to fill the biodiversity data gap: Is it better to invest in fieldwork or curation?

Data gaps and biases are two important issues that affect the quality of biodiversity information and downstream results. Understanding how best to fill existing gaps and account for biases is necessary to improve our current information most effectively. Two current main approaches for obtaining and improving data include (1) curation of biological collections, and (2) fieldwork. However, the comparative effectiveness of these approaches in improving biodiversity data remains little explored. We used the Flora de Bogotá project to study the magnitude of change in species richness, spatial coverage, and sample coverage of plant records based on curation versus fieldwork. The process of curation resulted in a decrease in species richness (synonym and error removal), but it significantly increased the number of records per species. Fieldwork contributed to a slight increase in species richness, via accumulation of new records. Additionally, curation led to increases in spatial coverage, species observed by locality, the number of plant records by species, and localities by species compared to fieldwork. Overall, curation was more efficient in producing new information compared to fieldwork, mainly because of the large number of records available in herbaria. We recommend intensive curatorial work as the first step in increasing biodiversity data quality and quantity, to identify bias and gaps at the regional scale that can then be targeted with fieldwork. The stepwise strategy would enable fieldwork to be planned more cost-effectively given the limited resources for biodiversity exploration and characterization.

Argyrotaeniasocoromaensis sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), a sexually dimorphic micromoth with polyphagous larvae from the arid Andes of northern Chile.

Argyrotaeniasocoromaensissp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae, Tortricinae, Archipini) from the arid Andes of northern Chile is described and illustrated. Adults are sexually dimorphic, with differences in wing size, shape and pattern. The larvae feed on Steviaphilippiana Hieron. (Asteraceae) and Lupinusoreophilus Phil. (Fabaceae). Genetic distance between DNA barcodes of male and female adults reared from larvae collected on the two hosts was 0-0.2% (K2P). The discovery of A.socoromaensissp. nov. represents the first record of the genus Argyrotaenia Stephens, 1852 and the tribe Archipini for the Chilean fauna of Tortricidae.

Prevalence and distribution pattern of Sarcocystis spp. in slaughtered cattle from the Peruvian tropical Andes, Peru.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and distribution patterns of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle tissues in Chachapoyas province in the Peruvian tropical Andes. Additionally, the risk factors associated with the prevalence and the correlation of two diagnostic techniques (direct microscopy of squashed fresh muscle tissues and histopathology) were explored. The tongue, heart, esophagus, Latissimus dorsi muscle, and diaphragm of 210 animals slaughtered in the municipal slaughterhouse of Chachapoyas were evaluated by both techniques. Macroscopic sarcocysts were detected in 16.7% of tissues (CI 95% 11.7-21.7%). The total prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. was 96.2% (95% CI 93.6-98.8%) by direct light microscopy and 100% by histopathology. The highest Sarcocystis prevalence was detected in the esophagus. No significant statistical differences were found in the prevalence of Sarcocystis related to sex, age, or provenance. Both techniques demonstrated a very weak Kappa correlation (κ ≤ 0.24) in predicting the presence of the parasite in each of the five evaluated muscles. Direct microscopy can be implemented at slaughterhouses as a rapid screening test, but it is essential to confirm by histopathology the absence of the parasite in direct-microscopy-negative samples. It is also recommended that beef from the Peruvian Andes be thoroughly cooked for both human and animal consumption because of the zoonotic potential of some species of Sarcocystis.

Triclabendazole efficacy, prevalence, and re-infection of Fasciola hepatica in bovine and ovine naturally infected in the Andes of Ecuador.

Fasciola spp., infections are distributed worldwide including the Andes region of Ecuador, affecting cattle, sheep, porcine, humans, and other herbivores. Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is commonly used to treat animal infections. However, prospective studies on TCBZ efficacy and fascioliosis prevalence have not been studied in the highlands of Ecuador. This study was performed in a rural community at central of the Ecuadorian Andes in freely roaming bovine and ovine aimed to 1) evaluate the efficacy of TCBZ by administering a single oral dose of 12 mg/kg body weight, 2) assess the prevalence of F. hepatica infection and 3) to monitor re-infections for a follow-up period of five months. In total, 122, 86, 111, 110, 89, and 90 and 49, 34, 47, 28, 27, and 31 stool samples were collected each month from bovines and ovine, respectively. Besides, 32 stool samples from porcine were also collected at the beginning of the study. Stools were microscopically analyzed by formalin-ether concentration method to detect F. hepatica ova. The prevalence of F. hepatica infections before treatment was 55,7% and 63,3% for bovine and ovine, respectively. The infection prevalence was of 22% in porcine. The efficacity of triclabendazole was 83% and 97% in bovines and ovine, respectively, at 30 days post-treatment. The re-infection reaches to 54,4% in bovines and 61,3% in ovine after five months. TCBZ had a high efficacy and could be used for bovines and ovine Fasciola infections in the study region; however, re-infections reach the initial prevalence after five months. Therefore, we recommend integrated control strategies, including chemotherapy with a single oral dose of TCBZ, vector control, and future drug resistance studies.

Testing the Tropical Niche Conservatism Hypothesis: Climatic Niche Evolution of Escallonia Mutis ex L. F. (Escalloniaceae).

We assess the Tropical Niche Conservatism Hypothesis in the genus Escallonia in South America using phylogeny, paleoclimate estimation and current niche modelling. We tested four predictions: (1) the climatic condition where the ancestor of Escallonia grew is megathermal; (2) the temperate niche is a derived condition from tropical clades; (3) the most closely related species have a similar current climate niche (conservation of the phylogenetic niche); and (4) there is a range expansion from the northern Andes to high latitudes during warm times. Our phylogenetic hypothesis shows that Escallonia originated 52.17 ± 0.85 My, in the early Eocene, with an annual mean temperature of 13.8 °C and annual precipitation of 1081 mm, corresponding to a microthermal to mesothermal climate; the species of the northern and central tropical Andes would be the ancestral ones, and the temperate species evolved between 32 and 20 My in a microthermal climate. The predominant evolutionary models were Brownian and Ornstein-Uhlenbeck. There was phylogenetic signal in 7 of the 9 variables, indicating conservation of the climatic niche. Escallonia would have originated in the central and southern Andes and reached the other environments by dispersion.

Draft genome assemblies for two species of Escallonia (Escalloniales).

OBJECTIVES: Escallonia (Escalloniaceae) belongs to the Escalloniales, a diverse clade of flowering plants with unclear placement in the tree of life. Escallonia species show impressive morphological and ecological diversity and are widely distributed across three hotspots of biodiversity in the Neotropics. To shed light on the genomic substrate of this radiation and the phylogenetic placement of Escalloniales as well as to generate useful data for comparative evolutionary genomics across flowering plants, we produced and annotated draft genomes for two species of Escallonia. DATA DESCRIPTION: Genomic DNA from E. rubra and E. herrerae was sequenced with Oxford Nanopore sequencing chemistry, generating 3.4 and 12 million sequence reads with an average read length of 9.4 and 9.1 Kb (approximately 31 and 111 Gb of sequence data), respectively. In addition, we generated Illumina 100-bp paired-end short read data for E. rubra (approximately 75 Gb of sequence data). The Escallonia rubra genome was 566 Mb, with 3,233 contigs and an N50 of 285 Kb. The assembled genome for E. herrerae was 994 Mp, with 5,760 contigs and an N50 of 317 Kb. The genome sequences were annotated with 31,038 (E. rubra) and 47,905 (E. herrerea) protein-coding gene models supported by transcriptome/protein evidence and/or Pfam domain content. BUSCO assessments indicated completeness levels of approximately 98% for the genome assemblies and 88% for the genome annotations.

The role of introgressive hybridization in shaping the geographically isolated gene pools of wax palm populations (genus Ceroxylon).

The speciation continuum is the process by which genetic groups diverge until they reach reproductive isolation. It has become common in the literature to show that this process is gradual and flickering, with possibly many instances of secondary contact and introgression after divergence has started. The level of divergence might vary among genomic regions due to, among others, the different forces and roles of selection played by the shared regions. Through hybrid capture, we sequenced ca. 4,000 nuclear regions in populations of six species of wax palms, five of which form a monophyletic group (genus Ceroxylon, Arecaceae: Ceroxyloideae). We show that in this group, the different populations show varying degrees of introgressive hybridization, and two of them are backcrosses of the other three 'pure' species. This is particularly interesting because these three species are dioecious, have a shared main pollinator, and have slightly overlapping reproductive seasons but highly divergent morphologies. Our work supports shows wax palms diverge under positive and background selection in allopatry, and hybridize due to secondary contact and inefficient reproductive barriers, which sustain genetic diversity. Introgressed regions are generally not under positive selection. Peripheral populations are backcrosses of other species; thus, introgressive hybridization is likely modulated by demographic effects rather than selective pressures. In general, these species might function as an 'evolutionary syngameon' where expanding, peripheral, small, and isolated populations maintain diversity by crossing with available individuals of other wax palms. In the Andean context, species can benefit from gained variation from a second taxon or the enhancement of population sizes by recreating a common genetic pool.

Safety and Immunogenicity of an Andes Virus DNA Vaccine by Needle-Free Injection: A Randomized, Controlled Phase 1 Study.

BACKGROUND: Andes virus (ANDV), a rodent-borne hantavirus, causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The safety and immunogenicity of a novel ANDV DNA vaccine was evaluated. METHODS: Phase 1, double-blind, dose-escalation trial randomly assigned 48 healthy adults to placebo or ANDV DNA vaccine delivered via needle-free jet injection. Cohorts 1 and 2 received 2 mg of DNA or placebo in a 3-dose (days 1, 29, 169) or 4-dose (days 1, 29, 57, 169) schedule, respectively. Cohorts 3 and 4 received 4 mg of DNA or placebo in the 3-dose and 4-dose schedule, respectively. Subjects were monitored for safety and neutralizing antibodies by pseudovirion neutralization assay (PsVNA50) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50). RESULTS: While 98% and 65% of subjects had at least 1 local or systemic solicited adverse event (AE), respectively, most AEs were mild or moderate; no related serious AEs were detected. Cohorts 2, 3, and 4 had higher seroconversion rates than cohort 1 and seropositivity of at least 80% by day 197, sustained through day 337. PsVNA50 geometric mean titers were highest for cohort 4 on and after day 197. CONCLUSIONS: This first-in-human candidate HPS vaccine trial demonstrated that an ANDV DNA vaccine was safe and induced a robust, durable immune response. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT03682107.

Taxonomic Review of Zabrotica Hull 1958 (Diptera: Asilidae: Stenopogoninae), a Senior Synonym of Aymarasilus Artigas 1974, with Descriptions of Six New Species.

Zabrotica Hull, 1958 is revised and six new species are described from Peru: Zabrotica artigasi sp. nov. from Junín, Zabrotica floresi sp. nov. from Huánuco, Zabrotica hockingi sp. nov. from Huánuco and Pasco, Zabrotica hulli sp. nov. from Pasco, Zabrotica maidecita sp. nov. from Cajamarca, and Zabrotica mariae sp. nov. from Apurímac, Cuzco and Puno. Additionally, Aymarasilus Artigas, 1974 syn. nov., is herein proposed as a junior synonym of Zabrotica. A diagnosis for the genus is provided, as well as an identification key to the known species and distribution maps.

Revision of Neotropical wolf spider genus Arctosa C.L. Koch, 1847 (Araneae: Lycosidae), with description of seven new species

The genus Arctosa C.L. Koch is redescribed and diagnosed. Seven new species are described, four of them based on both sexes (A. conflicta sp. nov., A. costenola sp. nov., A. jibarosa sp. nov. and A. villa sp. nov.), two only on females (A. ayaymama sp. nov. and A. mineira sp. nov.), and one only on the male (A. pacaya sp. nov.). We also propose the transference of Arctosa humicola (Bertkau, 1880) and Arctosa fusca (Keyserling, 1877) to Trochosa C.L. Koch, 1847, and the new synonymy of Arctosa inconspicua (Bryant, 1948) with Trochosa humicola (Bertkau, 1880) comb. nov. Besides, Arctosa andina (Chamberlin, 1916) and Arctosa pugil (Bertkau, 1880) are transferred to Hogna Simon, 1885, and Arctosa aussereri (Keyserling, 1877) to Prolycosides Mello-Leitão, 1942. Additionally, eight lycosid species are synonymized with Prolycosides aussereri: Schizocosa proletaria (Tullgren, 1905); Arctosa workmani (Strand, 1909); Hogna planithoracis (Mello-Leitão, 1938); Hogna variolosa (Mello-Leitão, 1941); Megarctosa melanostoma (Mello-Leitão, 1941); Hippasosa huachoi (Mello-Leitão, 1942); Pirata abalosi (Mello-Leitão, 1942); and Pirata soukupi (Mello-Leitão, 1942). We also transfer Trochosa tenebrosa Keyserling, 1877 to Arctosa. The males of Arctosa tenebrosa (Keyserling, 1877) comb. nov. and Trochosa humicola (Bertkau, 1880) comb. nov. are described for the first time.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of high blood pressure in a cohort in Northern Andean Peru.

BACKGROUND: Gaps exist along the high blood pressure (HBP) diagnosis-treatment-control pathway in high, low and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HBP and to describe the levels of awareness, control and treatment of HBP in the rural Peruvian Andes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is embedded into a multigenerational cohort. We analysed data of all adult participants aged ≥ 30 years (n = 2752) who answered a baseline health and lifestyle questionnaire and underwent a physical examination, which included three blood pressure readings. HBP was defined as measured systolic or diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 and/or 90 mm Hg and/or self-reported physician-diagnosed hypertension and/or self-reported antihypertensive intake. The determinants of the prevalence of HBP, unawareness of HBP and uncontrolled HBP were assessed using mixed-effect logistic regressions. RESULTS: HBP was present in 18.9% of the participants. Of those with measured HBP, 72.2% were unaware of their HBP. Among those with a diagnosed or medically treated hypertension, 58.4% had uncontrolled HBP. The prevalence of HBP was higher in women (OR: 1.12, CI: 1.02-1.24), increased with age (OR: 1.01, CI: 1.01-1.01) and the presence of family history of hypertension (OR: 1.15, CI: 1.08-1.24), and decreased with healthier lifestyle score (OR: 0.93, CI: 0.91-0.95). Unawareness of HBP was lower among women (OR: 0.56, CI: 0.38-0.83), higher among participants living over 3000 m Above Sea Level (OR: 1.15, CI: 1.03-1.27) and decreased with age (OR: 0.99, CI: 0.98-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Unawareness of HBP was high, few HTN patients received treatment and BP remained high in the presence of antihypertensive treatment.

Características del hábitat que regulan la estructura de las comunidades de macroinvertebrados en ríos tropicales de montaña (Antioquía, Colombia) / Habitat characteristics that regulate the structure of macroinvertebrate communities in tropical mountain rivers (Antioquía, Colombia)

Introducción: Las comunidades de macroinvertebrados son afectadas simultáneamente por la calidad del agua y las características físicas del hábitat acuático, complicando su uso en la bioindicación. Objetivo: Determinar cuáles variables del hábitat condicionan la comunidad de macroinvertebrados acuáticos en algunas corrientes (quebradas) de montaña del Oriente antioqueño (Colombia). Métodos: El muestreo se realizó en febrero 2021 (periodo de transición seco-lluvia), para evaluar variables físicas y químicas en tres tipos de mesohábitats: rápidos, rizos y pozas en corrientes con coberturas vegetales contrastantes. Los macroinvertebrados fueron recolectados en diez sitios de muestreo con red tipo net, pantalla y manual, y preservados en etanol al 70 %. Resultados: Se recolectaron 4 484 macroinvertebrados (16 órdenes, 46 familias y 75 géneros). El mesohábitat rizo presentó mayores valores de diversidad y abundancia, mientras las pozas presentaron los menores. Hubo diferencias en la concentración de oxígeno, profundidad, velocidad y abundancia de macroinvertebrados entre mesohábitats. Las pozas defirieron de los otros mesohábitats en profundidad, velocidad, así como en la composición, abundancia y riqueza de macroinvertebrados, y fue el hábitat de menor preferencia. Conclusión: La velocidad, profundidad y concentración de oxígeno disuelto, desempeñan un papel muy importante en el establecimiento de las comunidades de macroinvertebrados en los diferentes mesohábitats. En el mismo tipo de mesohábitat, la calidad de la cobertura vegetal determinó la diversidad y abundancia de esta comunidad.

Introduction: Macroinvertebrate communities are affected by water quality and physical characteristics of the aquatic habitat, simultaneously, complicating their use as bioindicators. Objective: To determine which habitat variables regulate the macroinvertebrate community in mountain streams in Eastern of Antioquia (Colombia). Methods: Sampling was carried out in February 2021 (dry-rain transition period), to evaluate physical and chemical variables in three types of mesohabitat: ripples, pools, and rapids in streams with contrasting vegetation covers. The macroinvertebrates were collected from ten sampling sites with a net, screen and manual type net preserved with 70 % ethanol. Results: 4 484 macroinvertebrates were collected (16 orders, 46 families and 75 genera). The ripples mesohabitat presented higher values of diversity and abundance, while the pools presented the lowest. There were differences for oxygen concentration, depth, speed, and macroinvertebrate abundance between mesohabitats. Pools differed from the other mesohabitats in depth, speed, as well as in composition, abundance, and richness in macroinvertebrates, and was the least preferred mesohabitat. Conclusion: Speed, depth, dissolved oxygen concentration played a very important role in the establishment of macroinvertebrates community in different mesohabitats. For the same type of mesohabitat, the quality of the plant cover determined both diversity and abundance of this community.

Calceolariaceae809: A bait set for targeted sequencing of nuclear loci.

Premise: The genus Calceolaria (Calceolariaceae) is emblematic of the Andes, is hypothesized to have originated as a recent, rapid radiation, and has important taxonomic needs. Additionally, the genus is a model for the study of specialized pollination systems, as its flowers are nectarless and many offer floral oils as a pollination reward collected by specialist bees. Despite their evolutionary and ecological significance, obtaining a resolved phylogeny for the group has proved difficult. To address this challenge, we present a new bait set for targeted sequencing of nuclear loci in Calceolariaceae and close relatives. Methods: We developed a bioinformatic workflow to use incomplete, low-coverage genomes of 10 Calceolaria species to identify single-copy loci suitable for phylogenetic studies and design baits for targeted sequencing. Results: Our approach resulted in the identification of 809 single-copy loci (733 noncoding and 76 coding regions) and the development of 39,937 baits, which we validated in silico (10 specimens) and in vitro (29 Calceolariaceae and six outgroups). In both cases, the data allowed us to recover robust phylogenetic estimates. Discussion: Our results demonstrate the appropriateness of the bait set for sequencing recent and historic specimens of Calceolariaceae and close relatives, and open new doors for further investigation of the evolutionary history of this hyperdiverse genus.

Larval polyphagy of Cataspilatesmarceloi (Lepidoptera, Geometridae), a Neotropical geometrid moth with flightless females.

Surveys in the arid shrubland of the central Andes revealed larval polyphagy for Cataspilatesmarceloi Vargas, 2022 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae, Boarmiini), a geometrid moth with flightless females. This discovery suggests that, as well as in the Holarctic fauna, larval polyphagy would have been important for the evolution of flightlessness among Neotropical geometrid moths of the tribe Boarmiini.