Search

This needs analysis study sought to identify the contextual requirements to design and implement a blended learning program in English at a Colombian public university. Data on teachers’ and administrators’ perceptions were gathered through a questionnaire, interviews, and focus groups and analyzed using grounded theory. Findings revealed the need to invest considerably in new personnel and e-infrastructure. Likewise, students’ context should be considered to design EFL blended programs. Teachers and students should be offered ICT and methodological professional development. Finally, the program should carefully balance the integration of face-to-face and online modalities. This investigation can help the academic community of language educators and curriculum designers carry out needs analysis studies for creating contextualized blended learning programs.

Cities can host significant biological diversity. Yet, urbanisation leads to the loss of habitats and, potentially, to local extinctions. Understanding how multiple taxa respond to urbanisation globally is essential to promote and conserve biodiversity in cities and surrounding landscapes. Using a dataset with site-level occurrence and trait data of 5302 species from six terrestrial fauna taxonomic groups across 379 cities on 6 continents, we show that urbanisation produces taxon-specific changes in trait composition, with traits related to reproductive strategy consistently showing the strongest response. The effect of urbanisation on community trait composition is strongest at the largest spatial scale considered, and more closely linked to landscape composition (% urban) than arrangement (aggregation), although latitude and climatic variables remain a stronger influence. This study did not find evidence in support of a global urban taxa syndrome, but instead we suggest that there are four general urban trait syndromes, with resources associated with reproduction and diet likely to be driving patterns in traits associated with mobility and body size. Functional diversity measures showed a wide range of responses, leading to a shift in trait space that is most likely driven by the distribution and abundance of critical resources, and the urban trait syndrome displayed by individual species within a community. Further research is required to understand the interactions between the four general urban trait syndromes, resource distribution and abundance and changes in functional diversity of taxa at different spatial and temporal scales. Maximising opportunities to support species within taxa groups with different urban trait syndromes should be pivotal in conservation and management programmes within and among cities. This will reduce the likelihood of biotic homogenisation at the taxa level, and helps ensure that urban environments have the ecological capacity to respond to challenges such as climate change, further habitat fragmentation and loss, and other disruptions. These actions are critical if we are to reframe the role of cities in global biodiversity loss.

The transformation of tropical forests to agricultural systems modifies the diversity of species. Species respond differentially to disturbance depending on how they interact with their environment; therefore, the diversity of species that results following the transformation of a tropical forest could depend on the type of agricultural system that is established and the traits and functions of the species that make up the native communities. In this study, the effect of establishing two agricultural systems on an assemblage of tropical forest lizards was evaluated. To do so, the functional diversity and species diversity of lizards in tropical forest, a citrus crop and a coconut crop in southeastern Mexico were analyzed. The results showed that both the functional diversity and the diversity of species decrease when the tropical forest was transformed into either of these agricultural systems. However, this decrease differs in magnitude depending on the type of crop, since in the citrus crop (less heterogeneous) there was a greater reduction in richness of species, of functional groups, and of the members of the functional groups than in the coconut crop (more heterogeneous). The agricultural systems studied are not capable of maintaining the diversity of native species or the functional diversity of tropical forest lizards. Therefore, in landscapes modified by humans, it is essential to maintain fragments of native forest between agricultural plots to conserve those species highly susceptible to tropical forest transformation, as well as assemblages of species with a wide variety of functional traits.

En esta nota informamos sobre el primer registro del tlaconete de cola larga Pseudoeurycea lineola, en un área protegida dominada por bosque secundario, en la periferia de la ciudad de Xalapa, Veracruz. El registro ocurre más de un siglo después del único registro que ha habido de la especie en el municipio de Xalapa.

The Cordillera del Cóndor (CC) mountain range, located parallel to the Eastern Andes and bordering both Ecuador and Peru, is a discontinuous formation whose elevation spans 190–3200 m a.s.l., with unique geology and vegetation, and a wide variety of climates. Here, based on a thorough revision of databases, the scientific literature and on field work, we evaluate the importance of the CC to the species diversity of amphibians and reptiles. We update species richness and composition information, analyze their spatial and elevation distributions, review their conservation status and compare their species richness and composition with those of eight other cordilleras in South America. A total of 165 amphibian species and 137 reptile species have been recorded for the CC. The spatial distribution of the collection localities is notably biased toward a few zones in the cordillera, and the greatest species richness occurs between 1400 and 1800 m a.s.l. Close to 12% of the amphibian species and 3% of the reptile species of the CC are threatened; however, for 22% of the species, either the data are insufficient to assign a risk category or their conservation status has not been evaluated. Of the nine cordilleras compared, the CC has the greatest number of amphibian species and reptile species recorded, and its species composition is similar to that of the Kutukú and Kampankis cordilleras. The CC is an area of enormous importance at the regional level in terms of amphibian and reptile diversity and should be a high conservation priority.

Tropical montane cloud forest harbors great species diversity in a small area of the planet and has a high proportion of endemics. At the local scale, species richness is low, but species turnover is high. We examined how amphibian species richness and the number of endemic species varies in cloud forests along a latitudinal gradient (23°N–5°S) in the Neotropics, where the latitudinal distribution of cloud forest is the most widespread compared with all of the other tropical regions. We also compared diversity patterns between anurans, caudates and gymnophionids, and tested their relationship to climate variables. Based on an analysis of 1005 species, we found that amphibian species richness increased towards the equator, but the increase was not linear. In Middle America there is a notable fluctuation in the number of species. The greatest species richness occurred between 6°N and 7°N, and there was an abrupt change between this region and Middle America. Analyses at the level of order and the endemic species level revealed two opposite patterns: anuran, gymnophionid and endemic species richness increased towards lower latitudes, while salamander species richness increased towards northern latitudes. Climate variables explained less than half of the variations in total species richness, suggesting that factors other than climate such as the historical biogeography of each taxon, orographic heterogeneity and the natural history traits of each group may be playing relevant roles in the patterns observed.

The Selva Zoque region is characterized by a great variety of ecosystems for which there is little information about reptile species diversity and their conservation status. This study is the first assessment of the species richness, composition, and conservation status of reptiles of this region. Additionally, this information is compared with that of seven other tropical regions in northern Mesoamerica. In total, 141 native reptile species belonging to 81 genera and 29 families are recorded for the Selva Zoque region. Sixty species (42% of the total) recorded in Selva Zoque are in high-risk categories according to the Mexican Ministry of the Environment, the highest number for the Mexican regions of Mesoamerica. According to the IUCN, six species are in high-risk categories, seven species are in Data Deficient, and 23 (16%) have not been evaluated yet. According to the Environmental Vulnerability Scores approach, 28 species (20%) are in the high vulnerability category. The Selva Zoque species composition is most similar to Los Tuxtlas and Lacandona regions, and most dissimilar to Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve. The reptilian fauna of Selva Zoque has a distinctive composition, with the highest number (11 species) of endemic reptiles in the northern Mesoamerican, and species from two biogeographic provinces: the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Pacific Coast. These results indicate that the Selva Zoque is the most diverse region in native reptile species in northern Mesoamerica, highlighting it as extremely important for the conservation of the reptile fauna at local (southern Mexico) and regional levels (northern Mesoamerica).

El aprendizaje de una nueva lengua conlleva no solo retos cognitivos, sino también existenciales. El impacto que supone el aprendizaje del idioma inglés en la dimensión vivida ha sido escasamente tematizado en las investigaciones empíricas. En consecuencia, esta investigación tiene por objetivo describir la experiencia vivida del aprendizaje del inglés de los estudiantes que se profesionalizan en dicha lengua en la Universidad Tecnológica de Izúcar de Matamoros. Por su énfasis en lo vivido, se optó por una metodología cualitativa de carácter fenomenológico. Se conformó una muestra intencional definida por criterios de máxima variación. Los datos fueron recabados a través de entrevistas en profundidad y de relatos experienciales. Se realizó un análisis temático, se identificaron tres temas: oscuridad lingüística, lengua-mundo y claro lingüístico. Los resultados muestran que el tema oscuridad lingüística está marcado por la extrañeza, la pena, el miedo y la inseguridad; el tema lengua-mundo se caracteriza por la actitud de apertura a la nueva lengua, y el tema claro lingüístico se distingue por la autonomía en el aprendizaje. Se concluye que el estudiante transita de “no voy a entender nada” a “aprendí sin darme cuenta”, lo que implica un acompañamiento del docente que tenga en cuenta esta dimensión vivida.

This paper presents a framework for teaching English in synchronous computer-mediated environments. This research shows the components of the framework, how it materializes in the teachers' pedagogical practices, and in the students' perceptions of lessons designed using the framework. The sources of data for this investigation are a questionnaire for students, in-depth interviews with teachers, and an analysis of the transcripts of synchronous sessions that were planned and executed using the framework. This investigation presents suitable guidelines to plan, carry out, and close lessons delivered synchronously. This study shows that when the framework is used, it helps teachers plan activities, and it supports the creation of a suitable environment for learning English online. This investigation also shows that when the framework is employed, it promotes a risk-free environment. It encourages collaboration, and it fosters the linking of ideas and the comprehension of fundamental concepts.

Running is a complete and accessible physical exercise for the population, but little research has been done on the psychological and environmental variables related to its practice. The objective of this research was to determine how emotional intelligence, psychological well-being, and body dissatisfaction are related to running in natural spaces for men and women. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 331 runners from 20 states of the Mexican Republic (55.3% women), between 18 and 80 years old (m = 37.4; SD = 11.5), with an average of 7 years running experience (SD = 9.3). The Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Body Shape Questionnaire were used. The results show that men who run in natural spaces have greater psychological well-being and emotional intelligence (stress management) and less body dissatisfaction, and they run more days per week than those who run in built spaces. Predictors of running in natural spaces were greater psychological well-being and emotional intelligence (stress management). On the other hand, women who run in natural spaces show lower emotional intelligence (stress management) and run for more minutes per day. The predictors for running in natural spaces were identified as lower emotional intelligence (stress management), running for more minutes per day, and practicing another physical exercise. In conclusion, in this heterogeneous sample, natural environments are likely to be related to better performance and certain psychological indicators for runners. However, these relationships differ between men and women, so further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings.

espanolEl estudio poblacional de especies amenazadas requiere tecnicas de marcaje que no afecten a la supervivencia de los individuos. En este estudio, evaluamos la efectividad de los implantes visibles de elastomero (VIE, en sus siglas en ingles) en la identificacion y supervivencia de individuos de la salamandra Parvimolge townsendi. Comparamos tres grupos de salamandras sometidos a diferentes tratamientos: Intervenido, Intervencion Simulada y Testigo. No se observaron diferencias de mortalidad entre los grupos (con dos, ninguno y un individuo, respectivamente), pero se observo la migracion del implante en cuatro de los 10 individuos intervenidos. Aunque los VIE no tienen un efecto significativo en la supervivencia, deberia considerarse la migracion de los implantes antes de emplearlos en estudios poblacionales. EnglishThe population study of threatened species requires marking techniques that do not affect the survival of individuals. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of visible implant elastomer (VIE) in the identification and survival of individuals of the salamander Parvimolge townsendi. We compared three salamander groups under different treatments: intervened, simulated intervention and control. No significant mortality differences were observed between groups (with two, none, and one individual, respectively), but implant migration was observed in four of 10 intervened individuals. Although VIE does not have a significant effect on survival, implant migration should be considered before use in population studies

Human alteration toward environment modifies the spatial distribution of available resources that influences habitat selection in animals. Thus, it is necessary to identify the resources that deter...

The professional practice of the psychologist in organizations is essential in addressing the problems of the relationship between the individual and work. This research aimed to describe the competencies, functions and areas of action of psychologists working in the organizational context. A questionnaire designed for the research was applied to 62 psychologists belonging to 45 companies in Neiva (Colombia) selected under non- robabilistic criteria for convenience. The results show that the participants work mostly in private sector companies whose economic activity is to offer administrative and support services. They affirm being more competent in knowledge, attitudes, ethical values, professional development, as well as in knowing, arguing and applying concepts of organizational psychology. The results indicate that the most performed functions by psychologists are to prepare and present reports orally and in writing, to promote the organizational climate, to work in interdisciplinary teams and to train the staff. Relocating employees within the organization, supporting the definition of salary policies and recognition of merits, and conducting research processes are among the lowest performing functions.

espanolEl libro profundiza sobre el desarrollo del pensamiento tecnologico, su didactica y formas de evaluacion en la escuela. Recoge algunos de los resultados del proyecto de investigacion: Pensamiento tecnologico a traves de la robotica educativa en educacion basica (SGI 2880) producto de la iniciativa interinstitucional e interfacultades entre los Grupos de Investigacion CETIN, RESET de la Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia (UPTC), y EPISTEME de la Universidad Pedagogica Nacional (UPN). EnglishThe book delves into the development of technological thinking, its didactics and forms of evaluation in school. It collects some of the results of the research project: Technological thinking through robotics in basic education (SGI 2880). It is initiative between the Research Groups CETIN, RESET of Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia (UPTC), y EPISTEME de la Universidad Pedagogica Nacional (UPN).

Endemic to the central mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, the volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi), known locally as the zacatuche, is a threatened species at risk of extinction. In the Ajusco-Chichinautzin Mountain Range, the Pelado and Tlaloc volcanoes are core distribution areas for this species; however, suitable habitat within these areas is patchy. We analyzed the habitat of this species at the landscape level, taking into account biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors. We used geographic information systems for the habitat analysis and a linear mixedeffects model to identify the habitat patches available, analyze them in the FRAGSTATS program, and calculate their landscape metrics. To identify the habitat of the volcano rabbit, we used its relative abundance index in the context of land use and vegetation, elevation, slope, road and highway density, and distance to human settlements. The analyses indicated that the relative abundance index of this species decreases with increasing proximity to human settlements and with increasing road and highway density. At the landscape level, there are 957 patches of habitat available to the species, covering 75.44 km2. Most of the patches are 2,500 m2 in area and regular in shape (square); however, because they are small patches it is possible that they will disappear. The largest patches are located on the Pelado and Tlaloc volcanoes, and coincide with the core distribution areas of the volcano rabbit described in the literature.

Language teaching is a field in constant evolution and the use of technology has boosted its development. This article explores the design and the implementation of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities to develop oral skills in an online English course. The article uses a mix-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative research methods. The participants in the study were 6 graduate students. The main findings of this investigation show that the synchronous learning activities prompt errors that translate into opportunities for learning. These results show that the use of asynchronous learning activities produce errors despite the fact that the participants have time to prepare and anticipate language inaccuracies. The results suggest that the use of asynchronous learning activities promotes the development of language awareness as participants can identify general categories of errors.

Quantifying biodiversity patterns in the context of human-caused environmental degradation is a fundamental task to improve conservation strategies; yet, it can be difficult given the rapid increase of available analytical methods. To guide studies on the topic, in this brief essay we present four approaches, accompanied by empirical examples, that can be used to accurately assess the impact of human activities on different facets of biological diversity. Such approaches include: (1) measurement of alpha diversity by incorporating interpolation-extrapolation techniques, Hill numbers and rank-abundance graphs; (2) beta diversity and its components of turnover and richness differences due to nestedness; (3) functional diversity, and (4) phylogenetic diversity. We highlight that a critical assessment, understanding and appropriate application of these and other emerging concepts and methods to assess biodiversity is needed to support both theoretical and applied studies, especially in biological conservation.

Tropical forest restoration is increasingly seen as an activity that may counteract or reduce biodiversity loss. However, few studies monitor fauna or consider measures of functional diversity to assess restoration success. We assessed the effect of a tropical montane forest restoration program on species and functional diversity, using amphibians as the target group. We compared amphibian assemblages in three types of land use: restoration areas, tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF; reference ecosystem) and cattle pastures (degraded ecosystem) in southern Mexico. We also described microclimate, microhabitat heterogeneity, woody vegetation structure and diversity for each type of land use, and their relationship to amphibian species and functional diversity. Compared to TMCF, restoration areas had similar environmental conditions. However, amphibian species richness was similar in the three types of land use and abundance was lower in the restoration areas. In TMCF, the amphibian assemblage was dominated by forest-specialist species, the pastures by generalist species, and the restoration areas by a combination of both species types. Interestingly, functional richness, functional evenness and functional divergence did not vary with land use, though the number of functional groups in restoration areas and TMCF was slightly higher. Overall, the results suggest that after seven years, active restoration provided habitat heterogeneity and recovered woody vegetation capable of maintaining amphibian species and functional groups similar to those inhabiting TMCF. Forest fragments adjacent to restoration areas seem to facilitate fauna recolonization and this emphasizes the importance of the conservation of the reference ecosystems to achieving restoration success.

Resumen La composición de la dieta en anfibios puede ser influenciada por diversos factores que causan su variación intraespecífica, como pueden ser la distribución geográfica, ontogenia, estacionalidad, y el sexo de los organismos. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la composición de la dieta en adultos de la Craugastor rhodopis (rana hojarasquera común) en la región montañosa del centro de Veracruz, México. Un total de 77 individuos adultos fueron colectados durante la época de lluvias de 2012, de los cuales 66 tuvieron contenido estomacal. Se realizó un análisis de la variación intersexual en la diversidad de la dieta, y el volumen, número de presas, y número de categorías de presa consumidas. La dieta de C. rhodopis estuvo compuesta por 20 categorías, de las cuales predominó Orthoptera en cuanto a número, volumen, frecuencia de ocurrencia e importancia relativa. Los machos consumieron presas de menor tamaño en relación a las hembras. Aunque ambos sexos consumieron similar número de presas, se encontró un efecto significativo de la interacción del sexo y el tamaño de las ranas sobre esta variable de la dieta, en la cual las hembras pequeñas consumen más presas que las grandes, y los machos grandes consumen más presas que los pequeños. El alto consumo de ortópteros (al menos en cuanto a volumen) es un fenómeno común dentro de la familia Craugastoridae y posiblemente está relacionado con el éxito de algunas especies en los ecosistemas donde habitan. A pesar de que la composición de la dieta fue similar entre sexos en C. rhodopis, se sugiere que la competencia intersexual por los recursos tróficos es mínima, dadas las diferencias en el tamaño de presas consumidas por machos y hembras. Abstract Dietary composition in amphibians may be influenced by several factors that cause their intraspecific variation, such as geographic distribution, ontogeny, seasonality, and sex of organisms. The objective of this study was to analyze the composition of the diet in adults of the Polymorphic Robber Frog Craugastor rhodopis in the mountainous region of central Veracruz, Mexico. A total of 77 adult individuals were collected during the rainy season of 2012, of which 66 had stomach contents. We performed an analysis of the intersexual variation in diet diversity, volume, number of prey, and number of prey categories consumed. The diet of C. rhodopis was composed by 20 categories. Orthoptera predominated in terms of number, volume, frequency of occurrence, and relative importance. Males consumed smaller prey items relative to females. Although both sexes consumed similar numbers of prey, we found a significant effect of interaction of sex and size of frogs on this variable, with small females consuming more prey than the large ones, whereas in males the opposite occurred. High consumption of orthopterans (at least in volume) is a common phenomenon within Craugastoridae and is possibly related to the success of some species in the ecosystems where they live. Although the composition of the diet was similar between sexes in C. rhodopis, we suggest that intersexual competition for trophic resources is minimal, given differences in prey size consumed by males and females.

Language teaching is a field in constant evolution and the use of technology has boosted its development. This article explores the design and the implementation of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities to develop oral skills in an online English course. The article uses a mix-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative research methods. The participants in the study were 6 graduate students. The main findings of this investigation show that the synchronous learning activities prompt errors that translate into opportunities for learning. These results show that the use of asynchronous learning activities produce errors despite the fact that the participants have time to prepare and anticipate language inaccuracies. The results suggest that the use of asynchronous learning activities promotes the development of language awareness as participants can identify general categories of errors.