A5079880622- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Plant and animal studies
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Botanical Research and Applications
- Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas
2011-2025
Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Ecología
2025
Academia Nacional de Medicina Venezuela
2021
University of Guelph
2003
McMaster University
2003
Central University of Venezuela
1994
University of Maryland, College Park
1991
Abstract Systematic assessments of species extinction risk at regular intervals are necessary for informing conservation action 1,2 . Ongoing developments in taxonomy, threatening processes and research further underscore the need reassessment 3,4 Here we report findings second Global Amphibian Assessment, evaluating 8,011 International Union Conservation Nature Red List Threatened Species. We find that amphibians most threatened vertebrate class (40.7% globally threatened). The updated...
Broad scale population estimates of declining species are desired for conservation efforts. However, many secretive including large carnivores, such often difficult. Based on published density obtained through camera trapping, presence/absence data, and globally available predictive variables derived from satellite imagery, we modelled occurrence a carnivore, the jaguar, across species' entire range. We then combined these models in hierarchical framework to estimate total population. Our...
Lantana camara, a native plant from tropical America, is considered one of the most harmful invasive species worldwide. Several studies have identified potentially invasible areas under scenarios global change, on assumption that niche conserved during invasion process. Recent studies, however, suggest many plants do not conserve their niches. Using Principal Components Analyses (PCA), we tested hypothesis conservatism for L. camara by comparing its in South America with expressed Africa,...
Rhinella marina is a Neotropical toad that has been introduced widely worldwide. Its toxic effects to frog-eating predators threaten the native and domestic fauna of some regions where it introduced. Despite previous studies suggesting two genetically distinct cryptic species within R. marina, one east west Andes, its taxonomic status remained unresolved due absence morphological complementary evidence. For first time, data from mitochondrial genes (ND3 CR) 23 morphometric landmarks are...
Abstract Biodiversity loss is extreme in amphibians. Despite ongoing conservation action, it difficult to determine where we stand overcoming their extinction crisis. Among the most threatened amphibians are 131 Neotropical harlequin toads. Many of them declined since 1980s with several considered possibly extinct. Recently, more than 30 species have been rediscovered, raising hope for a reversing trend amphibian We use past and present data available toads ( Atelopus ), examine whether...
Density is crucial for understanding large carnivore ecology and conservation, but estimating it has proven methodologically difficult. We conducted 1 year of camera trapping to estimate jaguar (Panthera onca) density population structure in the Los Llanos region Venezuela on Hato Piñero ranch, where hunting prohibited livestock are excluded from half ranch lands. identified 42 different jaguars determined their sex, age class, reproductive status. estimated adult densities with spatial...
Harlequin frogs, genus Atelopus, are a species-rich group of bufonid anurans from the Neotropics with more than 100 species. For nearly four decades now, this has suffered massive population declines. Almost all species threatened extinction, and many populations several considered extinct or possibly extinct. This results in limited sampling available for studies on harlequin frog systematics, especially terms molecular genetic information. However, efficient conservation frogs requires an...
Mark–recapture studies indicate that Bufo marinus populations introduced into Australia tend to attain densities much higher than those reported in native habitats South America. Moreover, its high rate of spread northern is raising concerns about the local fauna. The major ecological factors contributing observed differences density are unknown. A population model based on empirical data from both continents was derived explore relationship between life history parameters and this species,...
Abstract Atelopus is among the most threatened of all amphibian genera. Most species harlequin frogs disappeared more than two decades ago and only a few still exist. From ten critically endangered endemic to Venezuela, cruciger one that can be located at present. To assess status remnant populations A. provide demographic data for designing in situ management programs, we estimated: (1) population size; (2) apparent survival; (3) recruitment rates using mark‐recapture data. The adult size...
ESR Endangered Species Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsSpecials 29:103-116 (2015) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00695 Population trends and survival of nesting green sea turtles Chelonia mydas on Aves Island, Venezuela Marco A. García-Cruz1, Margarita Lampo1,*, Claudia L. Peñaloza2,*, William Kendall3, Genaro Solé4, Kathryn M. Rodríguez-Clark1 1Centro de Ecología, Instituto...
The delimitation of cryptic species within the main vector American visceral leishmaniasis, Lutzomyia longipalpis, remains a topic controversy. An analysis genetic variability based on 8 enzymatic loci revealed fixed differences in 2 diagnostic loci, adenylate kinase (Ak) and hexokinase (Hk), between sympatric allopatric populations at 4 localities Venezuela. absence heterozygotes for these 1 locality indicates, first time, presence reproductively isolated or L. longipalpis. Significant were...
Some evidence suggests that bats may provide an alternative blood source for Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of American visceral leishmaniasis. Feeding trials were conducted to determine whether L. longipalpis feeds on captive bats. The high feeding success indicated is capable at least four species Implications epidemiology leishmaniases are discussed.
Abstract Biological invasions have a great impact on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide. Kalanchoe daigremontiana is noxious invasive plant in arid zones. Besides being toxic for domestic animals wildlife, this species inhibits the growth of native plants. Its rapid proliferation Cerro Saroche National Park (Venezuela) concern because area hosts several endemic to scarce zones Caribbean. The traits K. that contribute its success are unknown. Based empirical data, we derived...
Harlequin toads (Atelopus) are among the most severely impacted amphibians by emergence of chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Many species disappeared while others suffered drastic contractions their geographic distribution to lower altitudes. A diminished virulence Bd in warm habitats was proposed explain survival lowland populations harlequin (i.e. thermal refuge hypothesis). To understand mechanisms that allow some reach an endemic...
Testing and isolation have been crucial for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Venezuela has one of weakest testing infrastructures in Latin America low number reported cases country attributed to substantial underreporting. However, Venezuelan epidemic seems lagged behind other countries region, with most occurring within capital region four border states. Here, we describe spatial epidemiology its relation population mobility, migration patterns, non-pharmaceutical interventions fuel...
Molecular data on Lutzomyia are very scarce, despite the fact that this genus includes all species involved in transmission of leishmaniasis America. We examine genetic relationships among eight morphologic groups within and two Brumptomyia species, using nine enzyme loci last 285 basepairs mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The structure variation analyzed indicated a closer relationship members group than between different groups. lower levels recorded these compared with suggest subgeneric...
The genus Melocactus comprises 36 species of globose cacti with the most derived traits in Cereeae tribe. It is proper study system to examine what are reproductive strategies within that This aims characterize biology and estimate mating parameters two Andean melocacti, schatzlii M. andinus.
Abstract Pathogens can exert great selective pressures on the life history traits of their hosts. Species experiencing high mortality throughout adulthood benefit from breeding earlier. Chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), has been major driver extinction for harlequin toads Atelopus ) and continues to be frequent cause adult species persisting with endemic infections. We compared body size cruciger between remnant population long...