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Simple Summary: In this study, we performed microbial community ecology analyses of bacteria present in the spleen of six species of rodents in Panama in order to identify taxa with zoonotic potential in the country. Genera of bacteria containing species with zoonotic potential detected in this study included Acinetobacter, Bartonella, Cutibacterium, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus. The results obtained are of value for estimating the prevalence and relative abundance of the bacteria found and the potential of different species of rodents as reservoirs of bacterial zoonosis. This study provides information for comparative studies in the Neotropics and other regions of the world and to generate knowledge on the conditions that may drive zoonosis in different rural vs. suburban environmental settings. Emerging zoonotic diseases are one of the main threats to human and animal health. Among the agents with the potential for zoonoses, those of bacterial origin have great relevance in Public Health. Rodents are considered one of the main reservoirs of pathogens that represent a risk to human health or animal species. We used massive 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing to survey bacteria present in the spleen of six species of rodents in Panama in order to identify bacterial taxa with zoonotic potential in the country. We found 3352 bacterial Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs, i.e., phylogenetic species) in the spleen of six rodent species surveyed (Liomys adspersus, Melanomys caliginosus, Mus musculus, Proechimys semispinosus, Rattus rattus, Zygodontomys brevicauda). This bacterial community was represented by 25 phyla, 55 classes, 140 orders, 268 families, and 508 genera. The three predominant phyla were Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, and the five predominant classes were Actinobacteria, Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia. There were seven high-abundance genera: Acinetobacter, Bartonella, Cutibacterium, Enterococcus, Sarcina, Staphylococcus, and Wolbachia. Genera found with less abundance included Bradyrhizobium, Chryseobacterium, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, Pseudonocardia, Rhodococcus, and Sphingomonas. Some of these genera (high or low abundance) have clinical importance. The identification of bacterial taxa with zoonotic potential in rodent species performed here allows us to have surveillance mechanisms for these pathogens and to be able to recognize localities to be prioritized for prevention of transmission and outbreaks, thus being of value for public health in Panama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telmatometra withei (Bergroth, 1908) is a common water strider found across the Neotropics. Although, the taxonomy of T. withei is relatively well known, the specie's life cycle has not been characterized. We use field surveys and laboratory experiments to describe the life cycle of two populations of T. withei in the Pacific coast of Panama. Specifically, we compared the life cycle between fresh and brackish water populations known to show local adaptation to each environment. We also contrast the life cycle of T. withei with that of other water striders previously reported in the literature. We found that the average life cycle of T. withei is approximately 66.7 days, and this period did not vary significantly between fresh (65.0 days) and brackish (68.3 days) populations. However, these estimates were longer than those reported for other species of water strides. In addition, traits associated with reproductive success such as egg length and fecundity varied significantly between populations, with females from freshwater populations showing larger values. This suggests that salinity can have important consequences for reproductive traits in T. withei, even if the overall life cycle may not be affected by salinity. Thus, characterizing the life history of these Neotropical organisms is crucial to understand the rich freshwater biodiversity of this region, as well as its response to both natural and anthropogenic disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The characterization of Zika outbreaks is of great importance to determine the individual and collective risk factors involved in their occurrence and is the basis for the development of effective strategies for surveillance, prevention and control of Zika transmission. Objective: To describe epidemiologically the main characteristics of the first epidemic outbreak of Zika recorded in Panama, in the Guna Yala region. Materials and methods: A descriptive and retrospective study of the first Zika outbreak that occurred between 27 November 2015 and 22 January 2016 in Guna Yala, Panama, was designed and conducted. Results: A total of 68 serum samples were collected from suspected patients, 38 samples were positive by PCR for Zika in the Guna Yala Comarca, Ustupo registered the highest number of cases (n = 29, 76.3%), (n = 43; 86%) of the cases were younger than 59 years, (n = 37; 74%) of the cases were economically active population (14 to 65 years of age) and (n = 30; 60%) of the cases were female. Conclusion: This study has shown the ease with which arboviral diseases such as Zika can be introduced, spread and have an impact on the public health of the population, the health system and become established in the regions where these health events occur. Further studies strengthened epidemiological surveillance and consideration of risk factors are needed to ensure the sustainability of health interventions and to reduce the social and economic impact of this arbovirosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinization of freshwater ecosystems represents a potential threat to biodiversity, but the distribution of salinity tolerance among freshwater organisms and its functional consequences are understudied. In this study, we reviewed global patterns of salinity tolerance across a broad range of freshwater organisms. Specifically, we compared published data on LC (a metric of salinity tolerance) across climatic regions, taxa, and functional feeding groups (FFGs). We found that microinvertebrates were more sensitive to salinity than vertebrates and macroinvertebrates. Within aquatic insects, there was considerable variability in tolerance across FFGs. Specifically, scrapers, gatherers, and filterers were more sensitive on average than omnivores, shredders, and predators. Thus, we predict that increasing salinization can negatively impact trophic diversity and in turn cause overall changes in the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems. We also identified both historical exposure and taxonomic affinity as potential drivers of contemporary salinity tolerance across freshwater organisms. Finally, we found important gaps in our understanding of the potential impacts of salinization on freshwater biodiversity, particularly in regions expected to be affected by increased salinization due to climate change and secondary salinization. Understanding the differential vulnerability of freshwater taxa is critical to predicting the ecosystem impacts of salinization, and informing conservation and management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]