A5103057560- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Plant and animal studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Helminth infection and control
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Botany and Geology in Latin America and Caribbean
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
University of Concepción
2020-2025
University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras
1979-2022
University of Magdalena
2019-2020
University of Puerto Rico System
2000-2010
California Lutheran University
2001
Pennsylvania State University
1998
La Roche College
1986
Miami Dade College
1983
Worm-like snakes (scolecophidians) are small, burrowing species with reduced vision. Although largely neglected in vertebrate research, knowledge of their biogeographical history is crucial for evaluating hypotheses snake origins. We constructed a molecular dataset scolecophidians detailed sampling within the largest family, Typhlopidae (blindsnakes). Our results demonstrate that have had long Gondwanan history, and initial diversification followed vicariant event: separation East West...
Studies of the Caribbean herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) have made significant contributions to our knowledge evolutionary patterns processes. A prerequisite for these studies are accurate taxonomies robust phylogenetic hypotheses. One notable radiation lacking such data dwarf geckos genus Sphaerodactylus. Systematics Puerto Rican Sphaerodactylus been turbulent since initial species descriptions no molecular phylogenies exist that include complete or near-complete taxon sampling....
The Amblyomma marmoreum complex includes afrotropical species, such as sparsum, a three-host tick that parasitizes reptiles, birds, and mammals, is recognized vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium. However, the lack morphological, genetic ecological data on A. sparsum has caused considerable confusion in its identification. In this study, we used microscopy metagenomic approaches to analyze ticks collected from puff adder snake (Bitis arietans) southwest Senegal (an endemic rickettsioses area)...
Abstract A detailed description of the skull and jaw gecko Sphaerodactylus roosevelti is presented. The bones are described articulated isolated with special consideration given to type suture among joining elements. S. was compared 109 gekkotan species evaluate osteological variation find characters for cladistic analysis. Changes in associated miniaturization process discussed within sphaerodactylid geckos. noticeable increase overlapping sutures observed snout smallest sphaerodactylids...
Here we describe 11 new species of blindsnakes the genus Typhlops from West Indies. Four are southern Hispaniola and were previously confused with T. hectus Thomas. Seven other described Cuba related to biminiensis Richmond. Diagnostic morphological differences distinguish all these species, at least three pairs known be sympatric. With taxa, 40 now recognized Indies, which endemic region. Nearly found on single islands or island banks. We classify Indian into nine groups, most exhibit...
The morphological variation of the gekkotan skull, as visualized through dorsal and lateral views a large sample skulls (164 species; 68% all genera), was analysed using geometric morphometrics. We describe skull changes variables associated with contour variations (uniform components), well localized (partial warps). defined dietary categories based on available information for 105 species. These categories, together phylogenetic affinities, were used descriptors shape in subsequent...
Small mammals play an essential role in the transmission and maintenance cycles of Borrelia spirochetes. In Chile, recent studies have characterized novel genotypes ticks collected from small mammals, a fact that suggests these vertebrates are hosts for spirochetes this genus. Considering evidence, goal study was to determine presence DNA inhabiting northern Chile. winter 2018, 58 were captured five localities. Blood samples rodents extracted by PCR targeting flaB gene rrs-rrlA intergenic...
Abstract Background Deer species play an important role in the enzootic cycles of several Anaplasma species. While Northern Hemisphere ticks genus Ixodes are well recognized vectors these intracellular bacteria, less is known regarding biological spp. South America. Methods Using PCR protocols and Sanger sequencing, we assessed presence blood collected on a native deer ( Pudu puda ) from southern Chile. Results Based phylogenetic analyses 16S rRNA, gltA groEL genes calculation average...
Abstract Relative to the numerous studies focused on mammalian schistosomes, fewer include avian schistosomatids particularly in southern hemisphere. This is changing and current research emerging from Neotropics shows a remarkable diversity of endemic taxa. To contribute this effort, nine ducks ( Spatula cyanoptera , S. versicolor Netta peposaca ), 12 swans Cygnus melancoryphus ) 1,400 Physa spp. snails Chile Argentina were collected for adults larval schistosomatids, respectively. Isolated...
Cervids are important hosts for ticks and although they refractory to some tick-borne agents such as Borrelia, do act reservoirs others Babesia. Babesia Borrelia commonly transmitted by Ixodes spp. associated with deer, most of the knowledge on their biological cycles comes from northern latitudes globe. In this study, we performed genetic screenings detect in blood stilesi collected an insular population threatened pudu (Pudu puda), a pygmy deer species that inhabits temperate rainforests...
Avian schistosomes are blood flukes parasitizing aquatic birds and snails, which responsible for a zoonotic disease known as cercarial dermatitis, hypersensitive reaction associated to the cutaneous penetration of furcocercariae. Despite its worldwide distribution, knowledge is fragmentary in Neotropics, with most data coming from Argentina Brazil. In Chile, there only two mentions these parasites birds, one human outbreak was genus "Trichobilharzia". However, identity such pending. The aim...
Abstract Trichinellosis is a zoonosis caused by nematodes of the Trichinella genus, which 10 species have been described. Species identification when larvae found only possible using molecular tools. Meat from pigs and game animals not subjected to veterinary inspection are main sources human infections. The hunting native carnivores prohibited in Chile due conservation issues fact that those favor pest control. illegal cougar (Puma concolor) occurred September 2020. Herein, larvae,...
pattern, Typhlops biminiensis Richmond and caymanensis Sackett are considered to comprise a single Antillean group of the genus. New distributional records given for T. (Cayman Brac, localities in Cuba Bahamas), two new subspecies described. paradoxus is described on basis specimens from Great Inagua characterized by narrow rostral scale extensive pigmentation. epactia five Cayman Brac rostral, small size slender build. It postulated that entered West Indies along Ridge rather than through...
In Chile, studies of parasites from the family Sarcocystidae (Apicomplexa) have mostly been related to domestic animals. We aimed assess presence taxa in cricetid rodents Central and Southern Chile. studied 207 rodents, encompassing six species, 13 localities. isolated DNA tissue samples, amplified 18S rRNA gene with polymerase chain reaction, performed phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood Bayesian inferences. addition, we examined blood smears histological organs DNA-positive...