RESUMO
Introduction: Indigenous communities grapple with unique challenges in the aging process, often encountering amplified barriers to healthcare and resources, possibly due to their remote locations and distinct cultural backgrounds. Limited research exists on aging within Costa Rica's NgäbeBuglé Indigenous community, particularly the La Casona community in Coto Brus. This study explores the aging experience of the NgäbeBuglé community in La Casona, aiming to identify challenges and potential resources to enhance the quality of life and aging experience for elderly community members. Methods: This qualitative study utilized semistructured interviews to collect data from 14 elderly participants (6 female, 8 male), aged 52-90 years, living in the La Casona community. Participants were selected through purposeful snowball sampling techniques, and individual interviews were conducted at their residences. Interviews were conducted with assistance from an interpreter and lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. Thematic analysis was used to examine participants' responses to understand their experiences with aging. Results: Three primary themes emerged: economic difficulties, insufficient social support, and cultural aspects related to La Casona. Among the three primary themes were a total of eight subcategories. Economic challenges encompassed financial constraints and food insecurity, housing and infrastructure needs, and difficulties in accessing healthcare. Insufficient social support was evident through heavy reliance on family, limited community aid, and an absence of engaging activities. Cultural aspects highlighted the community's deep connection to nature and concerns about the fading cultural heritage among younger generations. These themes collectively contribute to the challenges confronted by elderly adults in the NgäbeBuglé community. Conclusions: Improving healthcare access, enhancing social interactions, and preserving cultural heritage are essential when it comes to improving the aging experience in La Casona. The following participant discussions provide insight into public health interventions. Addressing these issues will require governmental support and policy changes aimed at uplifting the NgäbeBuglé community.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Qualidade de Vida , Apoio Social , Humanos , Costa Rica , Feminino , Masculino , Idoso , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Envelhecimento/psicologia , Povos Indígenas/psicologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: New approaches to control HPV infections and prevent progression to cervical precancer are needed. We investigate the probability of viral clearance and progression to cervical precancer in women infected with HPV16/18 without evidence of precancer at study enrollment to inform research efforts targeted at reducing cervical cancer. METHODS: We included 530 women aged 18-25 who tested HPV16/18 DNA-positive and did not have cytological evidence of high-grade-squamous-intraepithelial-lesion (HSIL) at enrollment in CVT. At each visit, clinicians collected cervical cells for cytology and HPV-DNA testing. Those with abnormal cytology were referred to colposcopy, biopsy, and treatment as needed. We estimated the probability of HPV clearance (loss of detection) and progression to intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 or 3 or worse (CIN2+, CIN3+) based on histological findings by expert pathologists over 4-years of follow-up. RESULTS: At enrollment, there were 550 prevalently detected HPV16 and/or HPV18 infections among 530 women without cytologic HSIL. Corresponding probabilities of HPV16 and HPV18 clearance were 68.5 % (95 %CI 63.6 %-73.0 %) and 85.0 % (78.6 %-90.1 %) by 24-months and 82.1 % (78.0 %-85.7 %) and 90.2 % (84.7 %-94.2 %) by 48-months after initial detection. Risk of clearance of prevalently detected HPV16 and HPV18 infections decreased with increasing age by 12-, 24-, 36-, and 48-months after initial detection (ptrend-values≥0.31). Among the same 530 women, by 24-months and 48-months of follow-up, the corresponding probabilities of progression to CIN2+ were 5.5 % (3.8 %-7.7 %) and 13.0 % (10.4 %-16.1 %), and to CIN3+ were 2.6 % (1.5 %-4.3 %) 7.5 % (5.5 %-10.0 %). Probability of progression was 2-5 times higher in women with HPV16 infections than with HPV18. Risk of progression to CIN2+ and CIN3+ increased with increasing age during the follow-up period (ptrend-values≥0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Among young adult women without evidence of HSIL by cytology, clearance of prevalently detected HPV16/18 infection is a common event, and progression to precancer occurs infrequently but in a sizeable proportion of those with prevalent infection.
Assuntos
Papillomavirus Humano 16 , Papillomavirus Humano 18 , Infecções por Papillomavirus , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus , Displasia do Colo do Útero , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero , Humanos , Feminino , Papillomavirus Humano 18/imunologia , Papillomavirus Humano 16/imunologia , Adulto Jovem , Infecções por Papillomavirus/prevenção & controle , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/epidemiologia , Adulto , Adolescente , Costa Rica , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/virologia , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/administração & dosagem , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/imunologia , Displasia do Colo do Útero/virologia , Displasia do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Displasia do Colo do Útero/epidemiologia , Progressão da Doença , DNA Viral , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas/virologia , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas/prevenção & controle , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Humpback whales, a species of baleen whale occurring in all oceans globally, undergo seasonal migration between their breeding grounds in tropical warm waters and high latitude feeding grounds. Using multiple years of satellite tracking data, we modeled the effect of oceanic conditions on the movement behaviour of 42 humpback whales belonging to the Southeastern Pacific population (also known as Breeding Stock G) during their migration from breeding grounds in Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador to feeding grounds in waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. We report evidence that during their migration, humpback whales engage in a movement behaviour frequently associated with feeding, and that this behaviour was more likely to occur in relatively more productive waters. We show that whales partly rely on cues they perceive in their immediate environment to initiate their southward migration, but also on their memory of oceanic conditions on their feeding grounds, timing their arrival with the complete melting of sea ice which triggers a bloom of krill in the Antarctic Ocean. Overall, our findings suggest that humpback whales integrate information they gather from their immediate environment to predict the oceanic conditions at distant locations and adjust the timing of their migration, maximizing their interaction with their preys. However, it is unclear if humpback whales will fully succeed in tracking their preys in a rapidly changing climate and ensure the long-term persistence of the species.
Assuntos
Migração Animal , Mudança Climática , Jubarte , Animais , Migração Animal/fisiologia , Jubarte/fisiologia , Oceano Pacífico , Estações do Ano , Costa Rica , Panamá , Regiões Antárticas , Equador , Comportamento Alimentar/fisiologiaRESUMO
Laboratory studies have broadened our understanding of primate arboreal locomotor biomechanics and adaptation but are necessarily limited in species availability and substrate complexity. In this field study, we filmed the locomotion of 11 species of platyrrhines (Ecuador and Costa Rica; n = 1234 strides) and remotely measured substrate diameter and orientation. We then explored ecological and phylogenetic influences on quadrupedal kinematics in multivariate space using redundancy analysis combined with variation partitioning. Among all species, phylogenetic relatedness more strongly influenced quadrupedal kinematics than variation in substrate. Callitrichines were maximally divergent from other taxa, driven by their preferred use of higher speed asymmetrical gaits. Pitheciids were also distinctive in their use of lower limb phases, including lateral sequence gaits. The biomechanical implications of interspecific differences in body mass and limb proportions account for a substantial portion of the phylogenetic-based variation. Body mass and kinematic variation were inversely related-whereas the larger taxa (atelids) were relatively restricted in kinematic space, and preferred more stable, symmetrical gaits, the smallest species (callitrichines) used faster, more asymmetrical and less cautious gaits along with symmetrical gaits. Intermembral index had a positive relationship with limb phase, consistent with higher limb phases in atelines compared to pitheciids. Substrate alone accounted for only 2% of kinematic variation among all taxa, with substrate orientation influencing kinematics more than diameter. Substrate effects, though weak, were generally consistent with predictions and with previous laboratory and field-based research. Excluding callitrichines and asymmetrical gaits, the influence of substrate alone remained low (2%), and the phylogenetic signal dropped from 31% to 8%. The substantial residual kinematic variation may be attributable to substrate or morphological variables not measured here, but could also reflect basic biomechanical patterns shared by all taxa that serve them well when moving arboreally, regardless of the challenges provided by any particular substrate.
Assuntos
Marcha , Filogenia , Platirrinos , Animais , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Platirrinos/fisiologia , Marcha/fisiologia , Costa Rica , LocomoçãoRESUMO
PURPOSE: This paper aimed to the enhancement of health-care services at a female penitentiary center in Costa Rica by implementing good documentation practices (GDocP) and good storage and distribution practices (GSDP) among the staff responsible for medications (SRM). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The methodology used in this project was qualitative, as it sought to deepen and reinforce the knowledge of the SRM about GDocP and GSDP in the Vilma Curling CAI to achieve its implementation. Additionally, different questionnaires were applied to measure the initial level of knowledge of GDocP and GSDP and the new skills acquired by the SRM at the end of the project. FINDINGS: Some improvement opportunities were identified in pharmaceutical service, management of the documentary system and knowledge of GDocP and GSDP among SRM. It is important to highlight the essential role of pharmacists, as experts in medical products, in health-care teams. Their participation significantly contributes to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, such as incarcerated women. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Limitations included a small sample size, the security regulations to entry to the penitentiary center and limited information related to the implementation of GDocP and GSDP in such environment. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This project explores a poorly researched field such as the implementation of GDocP and GSDP and the impact that this could have on the pharmaceutical service of a penitentiary center.
Assuntos
Documentação , Armazenamento de Medicamentos , Humanos , Costa Rica , Feminino , Documentação/normas , Prisões , Assistência FarmacêuticaRESUMO
Agricultural systems are both emitters of greenhouse gases and have the potential to sequester carbon, especially agroforestry systems. Coffee agroforestry systems offer a wide range of intensities of use of agricultural inputs and densities and management of shade trees. We assessed the agronomic carbon footprint (up to farm gate) and modelled the carbon sequestration of a range of coffee agroforestry systems across 180 farms in Costa Rica and Guatemala. The agronomic carbon footprint included upstream, direct and indirect processes associated with chemical and organic fertiliser use and energy consumption (excluding processing of cherries). Carbon sequestration was modelled using the CAF2021 model a processed based model of the C, N and water dynamics specifically designed for coffee agroforestry systems. The carbon footprint per kg of coffee cherries was significantly and positively related to the level of nitrogen inputs. Modelled changes in C stocks i.e. carbon sequestration was significantly and positively related to the Leaf Area Index (LAI) of the trees, and the levels of nitrogen inputs. Increasing nitrogen inputs per hectare was positively associated with emission per kg as nitrogen efficiency varied significantly across the sample. The net carbon balance, defined as sequestration minus CO2e emissions was also positively related to shade tree LAI but negatively with yield and N application. Carbon positive farms were characterized by shade cover over 60 %, but low yields and low net income. However, farms that were close to carbon neutral had higher yields and higher net income, with shade levels of about 50 % cover, while carbon negative farms which had shade cover averaging 40 %. Nevertheless, farms showed a large variation in performance with all combinations of positive and negative for carbon balance and net income. However, among the farms with a positive net income, those with a positive carbon balance had a significantly lower net income than those that were carbon negative (i.e. net emitters). This confirms the economic trade-off for farmers seeking to maximise these two goals. If farmers are expected to generate positive carbon balances and potentially to offset emissions higher in the supply chain, then they should receive economic support to compensate continued on-farm carbon accumulation.
Assuntos
Agricultura , Pegada de Carbono , Sequestro de Carbono , Agricultura/métodos , Costa Rica , Guatemala , Agricultura Florestal , Carbono/análise , Coffea/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial post-transcriptional regulators involved in inflammatory diseases, such as asthma. Poor lung function and airflow issues in childhood are linked to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood. METHODS: We analyzed small RNA-Seq data from 365 peripheral whole blood samples from the Genetics of Asthma in Costa Rica Study (GACRS) for association with airflow levels measured by FEV1/FVC. Differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified using DESeq2 in R, adjusting for covariates and applying a 10% false discovery rate (FDR). The analysis included 361 samples and 649 miRNAs. The two DE miRNAs were further tested for association with airflow obstruction in a study of adult former smokers with and without COPD. RESULTS: We found 1 upregulated and 1 downregulated miRNA in participants with airflow below the threshold compared to those above it. In the adult study, the same miRNAs were upregulated and downregulated in individuals with FEV1/FVC < 0.7 versus those with FEV1/FVC > 0.7, showing suggestive statistical evidence. The target genes of these miRNAs were enriched for PI3K-Akt, Hippo, WNT, MAPK, and focal adhesion pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Two differentially expressed miRNAs were associated with airflow levels in children with asthma and airflow obstruction in adults with COPD. This suggests that shared genetic regulatory systems may influence childhood airflow and contribute to adulthood airflow obstruction.
Assuntos
Asma , MicroRNAs , Humanos , Asma/genética , Asma/sangue , Asma/diagnóstico , Masculino , Feminino , Criança , MicroRNAs/sangue , MicroRNAs/genética , Adulto , Adolescente , Volume Expiratório Forçado/fisiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/sangue , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/genética , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/diagnóstico , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/fisiopatologia , Capacidade Vital/fisiologia , Costa Rica/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Costa Rica is a coffee producer and consumer country, but this product is prone to ochratoxin contamination; therefore, this study aims evaluates the human health risk associated with ochratoxin exposure among coffee consumers in the Costa Rica. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic compound classified as a Group 2B carcinogen, produced by the fungi Aspergillus section Circumdati, Aspergillus section Nigri and Penicillium spp.â¯â¯The presence of OTA and ochratoxin B (OTB) in Costa Rican coffee products (n = 175) was determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. OTA was detected in 58.2% of the green coffee beans (1.01 ± 0.85 ng g -1), in 36.8% of the pure roasted coffee (2.59 ± 4.41 ng g -1), in 23.1% of the sugar-added roasted coffee (1.59 ± 0.33 ng g-1) and 75% of the instant coffee samples (0.69 ± 0.58 ng g-1). The contamination with OTB was 45.5% (1.28 ± 0.83 ng g -1), 31.6% (1.60 ± 2.04 ng g -1), 30.8% (1.42 ± 0.86 ng g -1), and 41.7% (2.64 ± 2.07 ng g -1), respectively. The dietary exposure to OTA of the Costa Rican population was assessed by a probabilistic approach. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) of OTA from coffee was: 0.184 (90% IC: 0.179-0.189) ng kg-1 bw day-1 for the total population (0.189 [90% IC: 0.184-0.194] ng kg-1 bw day-1 for males and 0.181 [90% IC: 0.176-0.186] ng kg-1 bw day-1 for females). â¯The EDIs were lower than the tolerable human intake benchmarks for OTA set by international food safety authorities (even though more than 80% of OTA is extracted during coffee preparation). The results evidence a low risk (related to ochratoxin) for coffee consumers in Costa Rica.
Assuntos
Café , Contaminação de Alimentos , Ocratoxinas , Ocratoxinas/análise , Costa Rica , Café/química , Humanos , Contaminação de Alimentos/análise , Medição de Risco , População Urbana , Feminino , Masculino , AdultoRESUMO
Social behavior is a key adaptation for group-living primates. It is important to assess changes to social behavior in human-impacted landscape zones to better understand the impact of anthropogenic disturbance on primate species. We investigated social behavior rate and type in three species of platyrrhines across 100 m anthropogenic edge and interior zones of a fragmented forest in Costa Rica, La Suerte Biological Research Station (LSBRS). Following results from other sites, we predicted that spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), capuchin monkeys (Cebus imitator) and howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) would show lower rates and fewer types of social behavior in forest edge compared to interior. We collected 1341 h of instantaneous focal data from 2017 to 2023 across the three monkey species. We found mixed support for our predictions, with spider and capuchin monkeys modifying some but not all aspects of social behavior across forest zones at LSBRS. Spider monkeys had lower rates of social behavior and capuchin monkeys performed different types of social behaviors in forest edge compared to interior at LSBRS. In contrast, howler monkeys did not modify social behavior. Two out of three platyrrhine species altered their social behavior when in anthropogenic edges, indicating behavioral adjustment when in human-altered habitat areas at LSBRS.
Assuntos
Alouatta , Florestas , Comportamento Social , Animais , Costa Rica , Alouatta/fisiologia , Cebus/psicologia , Cebus/fisiologia , Ateles geoffroyi , Comportamento Animal , Feminino , Ecossistema , MasculinoRESUMO
Remotely-sensed risk assessments of emerging, invasive pathogens are key to targeted surveillance and outbreak responses. The recent emergence and spread of the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), in Europe has negatively impacted multiple salamander species. Scholars and practitioners are increasingly concerned about the potential consequences of this lethal pathogen in the Americas, where salamander biodiversity is higher than anywhere else in the world. Although Bsal has not yet been detected in the Americas, certain countries have already proactively implemented monitoring and detection plans in order to identify areas of greatest concern and enable efficient contingency planning in the event of pathogen detection. To predict areas in Costa Rica with a high Bsal transmission risk, we employed ecological niche modeling combined with biodiversity and tourist visitation data to ascertain the specific risk to a country with world renowned biodiversity. Our findings indicate that approximately 23% of Costa Rica's landmass provides suitable conditions for Bsal, posing a threat to 37 salamander species. The Central and Talamanca mountain ranges, in particular, have habitats predicted to be highly suitable for the pathogen. To facilitate monitoring and mitigation efforts, we identified eight specific protected areas that we believe are at the greatest risk due to a combination of high biodiversity, tourist visitation, and suitable habitat for Bsal. We advise regular monitoring utilizing remotely-sensed data and ecological niche modeling to effectively target in-situ surveillance and as places begin implementing educational efforts.
Assuntos
Batrachochytrium , Biodiversidade , Costa Rica , Animais , Medição de Risco/métodos , Batrachochytrium/genética , Ecossistema , Micoses/epidemiologia , Micoses/microbiologia , Micoses/transmissão , Espécies IntroduzidasRESUMO
Nasalance is a valuable clinical biomarker for hypernasality. It is computed as the ratio of acoustic energy emitted through the nose to the total energy emitted through the mouth and nose (eNasalance). A new approach is proposed to compute nasalance using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) trained with Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients (mfccNasalance). mfccNasalance is evaluated by examining its accuracy: 1) when the train and test data are from the same or from different dialects; 2) with test data that differs in dynamicity (e.g. rapidly produced diadochokinetic syllables versus short words); and 3) using multiple CNN configurations (i.e. kernel shape and use of 1 × 1 pointwise convolution). Dual-channel Nasometer speech data from healthy speakers from different dialects: Costa Rica, more(+) nasal, Spain and Chile, less(-) nasal, are recorded. The input to the CNN models were sequences of 39 MFCC vectors computed from 250 ms moving windows. The test data were recorded in Spain and included short words (-dynamic), sentences (+dynamic), and diadochokinetic syllables (+dynamic). The accuracy of a CNN model was defined as the Spearman correlation between the mfccNasalance for that model and the perceptual nasality scores of human experts. In the same-dialect condition, mfccNasalance was more accurate than eNasalance independently of the CNN configuration; using a 1 × 1 kernel resulted in increased accuracy for +dynamic utterances (p < .000), though not for -dynamic utterances. The kernel shape had a significant impact for -dynamic utterances (p < .000) exclusively. In the different-dialect condition, the scores were significantly less accurate than in the same-dialect condition, particularly for Costa Rica trained models. We conclude that mfccNasalance is a flexible and useful alternative to eNasalance. Future studies should explore how to optimize mfccNasalance by selecting the most adequate CNN model as a function of the dynamicity of the target speech data.
Assuntos
Redes Neurais de Computação , Humanos , Masculino , Acústica da Fala , Nariz/fisiologia , Feminino , Adulto , Fala/fisiologia , Costa Rica , Chile , Medida da Produção da Fala/métodos , IdiomaRESUMO
Salmonella spp. are one of the leading causes of illness, and in the last years there is an increasing interest in the role of different wild animals as reservoir of Salmonella enterica, especially multidrug resistant strains. To establish preventive and action strategies, it is essential to monitor bacterial resistance profiles and systematically collect information. This study aims to report Salmonella enterica and their resistance profile isolated from feces of wild felids that receive veterinary cares by the Hospital de Especies Menores y Silvestres, Costa Rica in 2021 and 2022. Overall, 100% (7/7) of Salmonella spp. isolates exhibited resistance against cefazoline, followed by 71% (5/7) to ciprofloxacin, and 43% (3/7) to nitrofurantoin. A single isolate was found to be multidrug resistant against Ampicillin/Sulbactam-Cefazolin-Ceftriaxone-Gentamicin-Ciprofloxacin-Nitrofurantoin. These resistant profiles highlight that Salmonella enterica isolation can represent a threat to public health and wildlife conservation, especially for those organisms expressing resistant phenotypes to drugs commonly used in clinical settings. Fluoroquinolone resistant Salmonella spp. have been called by the World Health Organization a high priority for research. As these organisms are expanding beyond livestock and hospital associated environments, to understand the epidemiology and impact of fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella spp. we require a One Health approach.
Assuntos
Animais Selvagens , Antibacterianos , Felidae , Salmonelose Animal , Salmonella enterica , Animais , Costa Rica/epidemiologia , Salmonella enterica/efeitos dos fármacos , Salmonella enterica/isolamento & purificação , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Salmonelose Animal/microbiologia , Salmonelose Animal/epidemiologia , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana Múltipla , Fezes/microbiologiaRESUMO
Two new species of Megalostrata Karsch, 1880 are described: M. paludosa spec. nov. based on male and female specimens gathered in mangrove swamps in the Colombian Caribbean, and M. pacifica spec. nov., based on a female specimen from Heredia, Costa Rica. Megalostrata monistica (Chamberlin, 1924) from the Mexican west coast is redescribed, M. bruneri (Bryant, 1936) from the Island of Cuba is re-diagnosed based on photographs of the holotype, and the female of M. depicta (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1895) from Southeast Mexico is described for the first time. The known range of M. raptor (L. Koch, 1866), which was previously known from the Central American mainland, is extended to Curaçao, Caribbean Netherlands. A distribution map and key to the six known species of Megalostrata are also provided.
Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Tamanho Corporal , Aranhas , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Aranhas/classificação , Aranhas/anatomia & histologia , Tamanho do Órgão , Estruturas Animais/anatomia & histologia , Estruturas Animais/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Costa Rica , México , EcossistemaRESUMO
Heterogorgia abdita sp. nov. is a newly identified mesophotic octocoral species collected at Tigre shoal off Santa Elena Peninsula (Pacific Costa Rica). The new species is described based on distinctive morphological characters that classify it within the genus Heterogorgia. It is characterised by its conspicuous small branching colony with prominent calyces and thin branches. While its scleroma aligns with the genus, the presence of club-like spindles is notable, as these have previously been observed only in the sole Atlantic Heterogorgia species. This study enhances our understanding of the intriguing genus Heterogorgia and contributes to the knowledge of octocoral biodiversity within the Área de Conservación Guanacaste north Pacific Costa Rica and the broader marine biodiversity of the eastern tropical Pacific.
Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Antozoários , Animais , Antozoários/anatomia & histologia , Antozoários/classificação , Oceano Pacífico , Estruturas Animais/anatomia & histologia , Estruturas Animais/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Tamanho Corporal , Tamanho do Órgão , Costa Rica , Masculino , Feminino , Ecossistema , BiodiversidadeRESUMO
The new genus Helicosina is described to include three new Neotropical species characterized by swollen hind femora, cruciate interfrontal setae, strongly flattened notum and a distinctly narrow-elongate surstylus. At least one species is associated with furled Heliconia leaves. The following new species are described: H. crena sp. nov. from Costa Rica, H. sica sp. nov. from Ecuador, and H. valga sp. nov. from Costa Rica and Panama.
Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Tamanho Corporal , Dípteros , Animais , Masculino , Feminino , Costa Rica , Equador , Dípteros/classificação , Dípteros/anatomia & histologia , Panamá , Tamanho do Órgão , Estruturas Animais/anatomia & histologia , Estruturas Animais/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
The genus Platocerella is a monotypic otiocerine genus (Derbidae: Otiocerinae: Otiocerini) reported from Guyana. A new species of Platocerella associated with palms is herein described from Costa Rica. Molecular data for the barcoding region cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 18S rRNA gene, and D9-D10 expansion region of the 28S rRNA gene is provided to produce a preliminary phylogenetic tree including the new species and related taxa to place the new species relative to other otiocerine planthoppers.
Assuntos
Hemípteros , Filogenia , Animais , Hemípteros/classificação , Hemípteros/anatomia & histologia , Hemípteros/genética , Costa Rica , Masculino , Feminino , Distribuição Animal , Arecaceae/parasitologia , Tamanho Corporal , Estruturas Animais/anatomia & histologia , Estruturas Animais/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Tamanho do Órgão , Complexo IV da Cadeia de Transporte de Elétrons/genéticaRESUMO
Three species of Platyrhacidae from Costa Rica are treated and illustrated in due detail: Barydesmus truncatus sp. nov., Nyssodesmus alboalatus Cook, 1896, and N. python (Peters, 1865). Barydesmus truncatus sp. nov. is easily distinguished from congeners mainly through a peculiar, truncated tip of the gonopodal lateral branch. Nyssodesmus python, presently considered as perhaps the most common platyrhacid widespread along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, is revised and properly illustrated based both on new and old samples, including the female holotype. In gonopodal structure, only very slightly variable though, N. python is virtually identical to N. alboalatus Cook, 1896, the type species of Nyssodesmus Cook, 1896, also revised and illustrated from type material, including lectotype designation. It could have jeopardized the younger N. alboalatus had it not been for a few morphological differences observed between both these two formal species: usually completely dark mid-dorsal parts of metaterga with contrasting light paraterga and darker legs, distinct metatergal granulations and a missing to vestigial solenomere in N. alboalatus, vs more or less wide, pale, mid-dorsal parts of metaterga with contrasting light paraterga and either light or dark legs, indistinct metatergal granulations and often a very short solenomere vestige in N. python. Coupled with gross sympatry and variable colour patterns, the issue of their synonymy, N. python being the older and therefore valid name, is bound to persist until molecular genetic techniques are applied.
Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Artrópodes , Animais , Costa Rica , Feminino , Masculino , Artrópodes/classificação , Artrópodes/anatomia & histologia , Tamanho Corporal , Estruturas Animais/anatomia & histologia , Estruturas Animais/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Tamanho do ÓrgãoRESUMO
Recent surveys of palm-associated planthoppers in Costa Rica have revealed many new species, primarily in the families Derbidae and Cixiidae, but also Myconus jacquelinae Bahder & Bartlett, in the Achilidae. Here a new species of Myconus from the the Osa peninsula is described as Myconus florae sp. n. with supplemental molecular data for the barcoding region (5'-half) of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, 18S rRNA gene, and histone 3 (H3) gene. A key to all species of Myconus is provided.
Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Hemípteros , Animais , Hemípteros/anatomia & histologia , Hemípteros/classificação , Costa Rica , Masculino , Feminino , Tamanho Corporal , Tamanho do Órgão , Estruturas Animais/anatomia & histologia , Estruturas Animais/crescimento & desenvolvimento , FilogeniaRESUMO
Based on an exhaustive review of the bibliography, and consultation of entomological collections around the world, we present an illustrated catalog with 16 Castniidae taxa present in Costa Rica. Corybantes veraguana veraguana (Westwood, 1877) is recorded for the first time in the country and new records are reported for rare and little-known species such as Athis analibiae (Espinoza-Sanabria & González, 2005), Athis delecta (Schaus, 1911) and Mirocastnia pyrrhopygoides smalli Miller, 1980. A taxonomic catalog of each taxon is included, as well as general information on geographic distribution, biogeography, ecology, seasonality, flight habits, material examined, and illustrations of males and females for all those taxa known from more than one specimen from Costa Rica.
Assuntos
Distribuição Animal , Mariposas , Animais , Costa Rica , Feminino , Masculino , Mariposas/anatomia & histologia , Mariposas/classificação , Estruturas Animais/anatomia & histologia , Estruturas Animais/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Tamanho Corporal , Ecossistema , Tamanho do ÓrgãoRESUMO
Based on past and expanded DNA sampling, the orthopteran families Stenopelmatidae and Anostostomatidae, as currently structured, are shown to be non-monophyletic. The splay-footed cricket genus Comicus is confirmed to be genetically distinct from all Stenopelmatidae. We add two specimens to our previously published phylogenetic tree for New World Stenopelmatus Jerusalem cricket species and report the first multilocus DNA recovery for S. ater from Costa Rica. Male internal genitalia may be of systematic value in Jerusalem crickets, but we believe they should be analyzed when in their unfolded, "physiologically functional" configuration, where morphological characters can be seen in more detail when compared to their preserved, folded state. We describe Stenopelmatus nuevoguatemalae n. sp. from Guatemala.