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Bats of genus Eptesicus are represented in South America by nine species of short-eared taxa (subgenus Eptesicus ), and 10 species of long-eared species (subgenus Histiotus ). Here we describe a new species of short-eared Eptesicus based on 19 specimens collected in the sub-Andean Bolivian-Tucumanian forest of Santa Cruz, between 1800-2020 masl. For this, we include morphological, morphometric, and molecular comparisons; we use principal component, discriminant function and mitochondrial genes (cytochrome- b , cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase) to compare the new species with other taxa of the subgenus Eptesicus from South America. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by cranial shape, body measurements, and genetic distances. Furthermore, the new species is similar in cranial morphology to Eptesicus andinus but presents a highly developed frontal preorbital process, poorly developed in other related species ( i. e. , E. andinus, E. furinalis, and E. brasiliensis ). All males were consistently darker than females in the new species. This taxon increases to 10 the number of species of bats of the subgenus Eptesicus in South America.

In Colombia, seven species of small-eared shrews of the genus Cryptotis Pomel, 1848 have been reported, and five of them endemic to the country. Here, we present the first confirmed record from Colombia of Cryptotis niausa Moreno Cárdenas & Albuja, 2014, a species that was previously known from only nine localities in Ecuador. The Colombian record comes from the Departamento de Nariño, in extreme southwestern Colombia, and it is supported by morphology and cytochrome-b gene evidence. This record increases to eight the number of species of Cryptotis from Colombia.

The genus

Eptesicus diminutus Osgood, 1915 is the smallest species of the subgenus Eptesicus found in South America. It has a discontinuous distribution, with northern populations in Colombia and Venezuela, and southern populations in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. We reviewed specimens assigned to the northern populations of E. diminutus and compared them to these from the southern populations. Based on morphologic, morphometric, and molecular analyses, we support the recognition of the northern populations of E. diminutus as a new species. This new species is distributed in the Llanos of the Orinoco region in Colombia and Venezuela (and likely in Guyana). Eptesicus sp. nov. is morphologically similar to E. diminutus and E. furinalis, from which it can be distinguished by its intermediate size. This taxon increases to 11 the number of species of bats of the subgenus Eptesicus in South America.

Mazama temama (Kerr, 1792) is a representative species of the northern Neotropics, but the geographic range limits for this species remain unclear. We report the southernmost record of M. temama from the southwestern Colombian Andes, increasing the previously known range of this species by more than 300 km. We obtained a cytochrome gene sequence (849 bp) which is 95% identical to samples from Mexico. This record raises the need for extensive sampling to obtain more complete information about the distribution of M. temama in northern Colombia.

Worldwide, canine mammary cancer (CMC) is the most frequent type of neoplasia in female dogs, and it is three times more frequent in dogs than in humans. In Colombia, CMC is the second most frequent type of cancer, after skin neoplasia. Genetics is one of the most important factors in- volved in any type of cancer, and the genetic ba- sis of this disease is reflected through line breed- ing due to changes in allelic frequencies that are traceable using molecular markers. This study aimed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with CMC in blood samples collected from collected from healthy and CMC female dogs at Diego Villegas Toro Veterinary Hospital of Universidad de Caldas (Manizales, Colombia). We designed primers using Primer- BLAST and Primer3, and gene fragments from HER2, MUC1, ESR1, and BRCA1 were amplified to identify SNPs through genome mapping using the UCSC Genome Institute genome browser. We used the genome of Canis lupus familaris Boxer breed [GCF_000002285.3, (CanFam 3.1)] as a refer- ence to compare the gene fragments and SNPs. We associated SNPs with the CMC and control groups by testing odds ratios (OR) through Fish- er’s exact tests to determine an association or risk for CMC. We detected two SNPs for ESR1, three for MUC1, six for HER2, and one for BRCA1. MUC1 was the only gene to display an SNP in an exonic region that resulted in an amino acid substitution (Pro>Thr). No significant differences based on the OR were found, though the majority of SNPs, with the exception of four, were found in females with CMC. We report a novel molecu- lar marker for HER2 that amplifies exons 25–26 and introns 24–25, and highlight the importance of conducting further studies on MUC1 and elu- cidating the role of introns and splicing in candi- date genes associated with CMC.

Ticks are considered the second most important vectors of pathogens worldwide, after mosquitoes. This study provides a systematic review of vector-host relationships between ticks and mammals (domestic and wild) and consolidates information from studies conducted in Colombia between 1911 and 2020. Using the PRISMA method, 71 scientific articles containing records for 51 tick species (Argasidae and Ixodidae) associated with mammals are reported. The existing information on tick-mammal associations in Colombia is scarce, fragmented, or very old. Moreover, 213 specimens were assessed based on morphological and molecular analyses, which allowed confirming eight tick species associated with mammals: Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma mixtum, Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma varium, Ixodes luciae, and Ixodes tropicalis. Several tick species are molecularly confirmed for Colombia and nine new relationships between ticks and mammals are reported. This research compiles and confirms important records of tick-mammal associations in Colombia.

Birds are important hosts for the development of the immature stages of several tick species that are vectors for disease-causing microorganisms in animals and humans. Colombia has the highest number of bird species worldwide; however, there is scarce data on the role of birds in the circulation of ticks and their associated pathogens, such as rickettsiae. The department of Arauca has a high diversity of resident and migratory (boreal and austral) birds and ticks associated with the transmission of Rickettsia. The objective of this research was to identify tick species parasitizing birds and to detect Rickettsia species in these ectoparasites. We conducted samplings in the municipalities of Arauca, Cravo Norte, and Tame between November of 2018 and August of 2019. Birds were captured using mist nets and examined for the presence of tick species. The collected ticks were morphologically and molecularly identified. Furthermore, we detected rickettsiae in ticks by amplifying fragments of the citrate synthase (gltA) and outer membrane protein (ompB) genes. We captured 606 birds belonging to 25 families and 115 species. Tick infestation rate was 3.3% (20/606) in the birds captured and eight new associations between wild birds and ticks are reported for the American continent. We identified four tick species: Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma mixtum, and Amblyomma sp.. Moreover, we confirmed the presence of Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest in A. nodosum, a medically-relevant rickettsia due to cases of rickettsiosis in the American continent. This finding manifests the importance of wild birds as hosts and dispersal agents of ticks infected with pathogenic rickettsiae, as well as the need to monitor migratory birds in the Orinoquia and other regions of Colombia and America., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Wild birds are important hosts of ticks of the family Ixodidae that are infected by pathogen rickettsiae. • This study provides knowledge on the interactions between birds, ticks, and rickettsiae in Colombia. • We report new associations between wild birds and ticks in the American continent.

The genus Molossops includes two species that are restricted to South America: Molossops neglectus and Molossops temminckii. The smaller dog-faced dwarf Molossops temminckii is distributed from Colombia to Argentina and has a wide morphological variation and vocal plasticity. In Colombia, this species remains poorly known. To fill distributional gaps, we present novel records from Arauca, Atlántico, Bolívar, Córdoba, and Huila departments. We also present an analysis of the morphometric variation in South America using Principal Component Analyses. These show an external and cranial difference of specimens of Colombia in respect of other and South America populations. In Colombian landscapes dominated by the floodplain savanna of the Orinoco region, Molossops temminckii is smaller than in the other regions of the country, and the previously suggested existence of cryptic diversity within the taxon should be evaluated. Therefore, we suggest further integrative analyses to investigate a possible subspecific status of some Colombian populations.

The Neotropical region has a wide aquatic biodiversity, which is affected by anthropogenic activities. Mining has caused a negative impact on these ecosystems, directly affecting benthic communities. Aquatic macroinvertebrates are effective bioindicators of water quality, especially Chironomidae larvae, since these show high species richness, abundance, and sensitivity to human activities. The genus Polypedilum is among the most representative of the family Chironomidae. Research on these species is focused on their abundance and dominance in water bodies. In addition, several studies have addressed alterations in the external morphology of some Chironomidae due to mining pollution (heavy metals). However, little is known about the effects of mining on the internal morphology of these species. This study provides the first histological description of different systems and organs of Polypedilum sp. larvae. Furthermore, we report histopathological alterations in larvae collected from two tributaries affected by mining, namely Toldafría and La Elvira streams located in the municipalities of Villamaría and Manizales (Caldas – Colombia). Our findings show target organs of mining pollution in a species of Polypedilum, which represent potential early-warning histopathological biomarkers with relevant implications for water quality monitoring.

Ticks of the Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) group are represented by three species: Amblyomma maculatum, Amblyomma tigrinum, and Amblyomma triste. This group is widely distributed throughout the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, from the United States of America (USA) to Argentina. They parasitize several vertebrates, including domestic mammals and humans. Nonetheless, the identification and distribution of the species within the group have been controversial but can be solved with integrative studies on their taxonomy and ecology. In Colombia, a Neotropical country from which up to 58 tick species have been reported, only Amblyomma maculatum Koch, 1844 (sensu stricto - s.s.) - morphotype II – has been molecularly confirmed. Here, specimens of the A. maculatum group from three departments of Colombia were examined by morphological and molecular analyses. The results confirmed the wide distribution of A. maculatum s.s. in Colombia. Furthermore, the presence of A. triste s.s. - morphotype I was confirmed for the first time at the molecular level, which broadens the distribution of this species in the American continent. Considering that both taxa are vectors of pathogens such as Rickettsia parkeri s.s., additional taxonomic, reproductive compatibility and niche distribution studies are needed, as well as the application of new molecular markers due to the controversial taxonomy. This will allow us to explore cryptic diversity within the recently established putative groups., Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación of Colombia - Minciencias for funding the PhD in Science-Biology of the student Paula Andrea Ossa López (PAOL) "Convocatoria del Fondo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación del Sistema General de Regalías para la conformación de una lista de proyectos elegibles para ser viabilizados, priorizados y aprobados por el OCAD dentro del Programa de Becas de Excelencia cohorte 1–2019".

Interest in research on soft ticks has increased in recent decades, leading to valuable insight into their role as disease vectors. The use of metagenomics-based analyses have helped to elucidate ecological factors involved in pathogen, vector, and host dynamics. To understand the main bacterial assemblages present in Ornithodoros cf. hasei and its mammalian hosts, 84 ticks and 13 blood samples from bat hosts (Chiroptera) were selected, and the 16S rRNA gene V4 region was sequenced in five pools (each one related to each host-tick pairing). Bacterial taxonomic assignment analyses were performed by comparing operational taxonomic units (OTUs) shared between ticks and their host blood. This analysis showed the presence of Proteobacteria (38.8%), Enterobacteriaceae (25%), Firmicutes (12.3%), and Actinobacteria (10.9%) within blood samples, and Rickettsiaceae (39%), Firmicutes (25%), Actinobacteria (13.1%), and Proteobacteria (9%) within ticks. Species related to potentially pathogenic genera were detected in ticks, such as Borrelia sp., Bartonella tamiae, Ehrlichia sp. and Rickettsia-like endosymbiont, and the presence of these organisms was found in all analyzed bat species (Cynomops planirostris, Molossus pretiosus, Noctilio albiventris), and O. cf. hasei. About 41–48.6% of bacterial OTUs (genera and species) were shared between ticks and the blood of bat hosts. Targeted metagenomic screening techniques allowed the detection of tick-associated pathogens for O. cf. hasei and small mammals for the first time, enabling future research on many of these pathogens.

Avian haemosporidian from the genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium are a diverse and widely distributed group of vector-borne blood parasites. These parasites can have negative effects on bird survival by influencing several aspects of their life cycle, causing different clinical signs and even death. Colombia has the widest range of bird richness throughout the globe; however, the associations between haemosporidian parasites and wild birds in different ecosystems remain poorly explored. Within this frame of reference, the objective of the present study was to identify and understand haemosporidian associated with resident and migratory wild birds and their lineages in northeast Orinoquia region, Colombia. Birds were captured in 8 localities and blood samples were collected, identifying the presence of haemosporidian parasites through morphological and molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Blood samples from 233 wild birds (86 species) were analyzed for haemosporidian parasites. Sixteen individuals (6.9%) from 15 resident and migratory species were positive for Haemoproteus or Plasmodium. Fourteen haemosporidian lineages were identified, five of them reported for the first time. These new lineages are reported in four resident birds and one boreal migratory bird (Parkesia noveboracensis). This study is the first developed in the department of Arauca and contributes to the knowledge of haemosporidian lineages and their interaction with wild birds in the Colombian Orinoquia region and South America.

Bat ectoparasites have a complex natural history narrowly tied to their hosts at ecological, behavioral, and evolutionary scales. As flying and social organisms, bats represent a potential mechanism of dispersal, a source of feeding, and a roost for ectoparasite reproduction. The chiggerflea Hectopsylla pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) is widely distributed across the Neotropics. Females of this ectoparasite have been found in their neosomal form on bats of the family Molossidae, Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, and Vespertilionidae. Here we present the record of infestation of chiggerfleas on the Argentine bat, Eptesicus furinalis (Vespertilionidae) in Colombia, representing the first record of the flea on this species, and providing novel genetic information of this poorly known flea species.

Breeding biology in a population of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) at different elevations in the Tropical Andes. Elevation strongly influences the evolution of life history traits associated with bird physiology and reproduction. Since life history traits in birds are modulated by environmental factors that vary with elevation, we expected to find changes in breeding biology traits of Z. capensis at different elevations. In this study, we compared the breeding biology (clutch size, egg volume, and reproductive activity) of a non-migratory population of Z. capensis in two localities at different elevations (low and high elevations, 1 800 m a.s.l., and 3 800 m a.s.l., respectively) and same latitude in the Colombian Tropical Andes for a one-year period. We found no differences in clutch size between the localities; however, egg volume was higher at high elevation. Furthermore, the reproductive activity differed significantly between localities. We propose that clutch size is likely conserved throughout the altitudinal distribution of Z. capensis since the species evolved in Tropical lowlands. On the other hand, the larger egg volume at high elevation could obey local environmental factors that may favor the reproductive success of the population. Resumen: Biología reproductiva en una población de Gorrión Copetón (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) a diferente elevación en los Andes tropicales. La elevación influye fuertemente en la evolución de los rasgos de historia de vida asociados con la fisiología y reproducción de las aves. Dado que los rasgos de historia de vida en las aves están modulados por factores ambientales que varían con la elevación, esperábamos encontrar cambios en los rasgos de la biología reproductiva de Z. capensis a diferentes elevaciones. En este estudio, comparamos la biología reproductiva (tamaño de puesta, volumen del huevo y actividad reproductiva) de una población no migratoria de Z. capensis en dos localidades a diferente elevación (elevación baja 1 800 m snm, y elevación alta 3 800 m snm,) y a la misma latitud en los Andes tropicales colombianos por un período de un año. No encontramos diferencias en el tamaño de puesta entre las localidades; sin embargo, el volumen del huevo fue mayor en elevación alta. Además, la actividad reproductiva difirió entre las localidades. Proponemos que el tamaño de puesta probablemente se conserve en toda la distribución altitudinal de Z. capensis, ya que la especie evolucionó en las tierras bajas tropicales. Por otro lado, el mayor volumen del huevo a elevación alta podría obedecer a factores ambientales locales que pueden favorecer el éxito reproductivo de la población.

Wild birds have an important role as hosts of ticks infected by rickettsiae. However, the role of birds as reservoirs of tick-borne rickettsiae is unknown and poorly understood. This is particularly relevant in several tropical and subtropical areas, where migration influences the global spread of ectoparasites and pathogens of public health importance. This research aimed to detect and evaluate the exposure to spotted fever group rickettsiae in wild birds that could represent reservoirs in the Department of Arauca in the Colombian Orinoquia region. Sampling was conducted in three municipalities of the Department of Arauca (Colombia). Blood samples were collected from 255 birds and processed to obtain serum (n = 155) and DNA (n = 255) samples. The serum samples were processed for indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) for the detection of antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia rhipicephali, and Rickettsia bellii. Additionally, we investigated rickettsiae DNA in blood samples by amplification of the citrate synthase gene (gltA). The IFA results revealed seropositivity in 97 samples from 54 species of resident and migratory birds. No sample was positive for rickettsial DNA. The presence of antibodies in 62.5% of the sera indicates previous exposure of these birds to rickettsiae. The null detection of rickettsiae in the blood of seropositive birds is possibly due to a short period of bacteremia. Experimental studies are required to improve our understanding of the role of wild birds as sources of rickettsial infections in ticks.

Ticks are considered the second most important vectors of pathogens worldwide, after mosquitoes. This study provides a systematic review of vector-host relationships between ticks and mammals (domestic and wild) and consolidates information from studies conducted in Colombia between 1911 and 2020. Using the PRISMA method, 71 scientific articles containing records for 51 tick species (Argasidae and Ixodidae) associated with mammals are reported. The existing information on tick-mammal associations in Colombia is scarce, fragmented, or very old. Moreover, 213 specimens were assessed based on morphological and molecular analyses, which allowed confirming eight tick species associated with mammals: Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma mixtum, Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma varium, Ixodes luciae, and Ixodes tropicalis. Several tick species are molecularly confirmed for Colombia and nine new relationships between ticks and mammals are reported. This research compiles and confirms important records of tick-mammal associations in Colombia.

Populations that breed along steep elevation gradients show diverse physiological and morphological changes in response to the different environmental conditions. The latter has been discussed by Bergmann’s and Allen’s ecogeographic rules about body and appendage sizes and environmental temperature. We compared morphometric measures (mass, bill width, tarsus, wing, and tail length) of a Zonotrichia capensis population in two localities at different elevations with similar latitudes and photoperiods on the western slope of the Colombian Central Andes. We compared a Low Elevation locality (LE) at 1800 m a.s.l. and a High Elevation locality (HE) at 3853 m a.s.l. that have approximate wind speeds of 1.3 m/s and 8.4 m/s, respectively. During 12 months of sampling, we captured 46 adults using mist-nets; 26 in the LE and 20 in the HE. Each individual was sexed using molecular techniques at the Laboratory of Genetics of the Department of Biological Sciences of Universidad de Caldas. Individuals (males + females) from the HE had longer wings and tails than those from the LE (F1,44 = 5.93; P = 0.019). Also, wings of males in the HE were longer than those of females in both localities and tails of males in the HE were longer than those of LE males. Our results did not agree with what was expected according to Allen’s and Bergmann’s ecogeographic rules. Longer wings and tails increase sustainment, maneuverability, and balance in low atmospheric pressures and strong air currents and these conditions are found at high elevation habitats. Most likely, the longer wings found for HE males allow greater movement during territorial behavior. Further, these differences in morphological traits along elevational gradients could result from micro-evolutionary changes between localities or phenotypic plasticity of individuals exposed to different environmental conditions. Resumen Las poblaciones que se reproducen en gradientes altitudinales, adoptan diversos cambios morfológicos para afrontar las condiciones ambientales. En el presente estudio se compararon las medidas morfológicas (peso corporal, longitud del tarso, ala, cola y culmen) de una población de Zonotrichia capensis, a diferente altitud en los Andes colombianos. Las localidades de tierra baja (TB) y alta (TA) se encuentran a 1800 m.s.n.m. y 3853 m.s.n.m., con velocidad aproximada del viento de 1.3 m/s y 8.4 m/s, respectivamente. Durante 12 meses se realizó la captura de 46 individuos (TB n=26, TA n=20) para la medición de los rasgos morfológicos. La longitud del ala de los individuos de TA fue mayor que en TB. Así mismo, en machos de TA la longitud del ala fue mayor que en hembras en general. Es posible que a las más grandes incrementen la eficiencia del vuelo en zonas ventosas y con baja presión atmosférica, como ocurre en TA. Probablemente la diferencia del tamaño del ala entre los machos de TA y las hembras, se deba a un mayor desplazamiento dentro de la conducta territorial. Estas diferencias podrían ser el resultado de cambios microevolutivos entre localidades o la plasticidad fenotípica de individuos expuestos a diferentes condiciones ambientales.

Some species of mastiff bats, Molossus Geoffroy, 1805, inhabit human shelters such as houses and barns. Among them, the Pallas’s mastiff bat, Molossus molossus Pallas, 1766, is the most common species in South America. There are a few studies on this bat in Colombia, mostly on colony size, diet, ectoparasite records, and activity patterns in the Andean and Caribbean regions. Here, we provide information on the prevalence of chiggerfleas, Hectopsylla pulex (Haller, 1880), on M. molossus, along with molecular data on the flea, and its distribution in Colombia. In addition, we describe the size and sex ratio of the infested bat colony, located in the central Andes of Colombia. The bat colony was represented by ca. 45 individuals, of which 33 were captured. The colony had more females (25 individuals) than males (8 individuals). A total of four Pallas’s mastiff bats had chiggerfleas, H. pulex, most of which were attached to the bat’s faces and ears. The composition of the colony (sex ratio) and the observed activity times match those reported for other colonies of the species in Colombia. The cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, and the 12S rRNA mitochondrial gene obtained from H. pulex represent the second and first available sequences for the species, respectively. The level of infestation of individuals in the colony was low, similar to that observed in other South American countries, such as Brazil. Finally, the new locality is the seventh confirmed and the highest elevational record of H. pulex in Colombia.

The Quichua porcupine (Coendou quichua) is a neotropical rodent with uncertain taxonomic and conservation status. Two Quichua porcupines with severe hyperkeratosis and alopecia were found in the Magdalena River Basin of Colombia. Sarcoptes scabiei, the mite causing mange, a disease carried mainly by domestic animals, was confirmed via parasitological and molecular methods. This is the first report of mange in neotropical porcupines to date. The population-level impact of mange in Coendou spp., related mammals and predators in Colombia might represent a threat and needs further investigation., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Pathological characterisation of sarcoptic mange in cryptic Coendou quichua is carried out. • The impact of sarcoptic mange on Coendou quichua is currently unknown. • New data on Sarcoptes hosts carries significance for the economy and conservation. • Sarcoptic mange is of low priority in Colombia, affecting the understanding of the disease.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:50:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-01-01 Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación The known tick fauna of Colombia includes 58 species (15 Argasidae and 43 Ixodidae). To add to the knowledge of the biology of ticks in Colombia, hard ticks (Ixodidae) were collected from domestic animals or vegetation during 2014–2016 in 10 of Colombia's Departments. Ticks were identified to species through morphological examinations. Taxonomic identification was confirmed for some specimens by molecular methods, including phylogenetic analyses inferred from three tick genes (cytochrome c oxidase, 16S rDNA, second internal transcribed spacer). A total of 1745 tick specimens encompassing 8 species were collected. Overall, 5 tick species were recorded on cattle [Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma mixtum, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.)], 5 on dogs (Amblyomma maculatum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma varium, R. microplus, R. sanguineus s.l.), 3 on horses (A. mixtum, D. nitens, R. sanguineus s.l.), 3 on donkeys (A. mixtum, D. nitens, R. microplus), 1 on pig (D. nitens), and 2 from vegetation (A. mixtum, A. dissimile). This included the first records of A. mixtum from two Colombian Departments, indicating that the distribution of this tick in Colombia may be broader than currently known. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that R. sanguineus s.l. specimens from 8 Departments belong to the “tropical species”. Moreover, Colombian specimens of A. maculatum formed a large clade with GenBank sequences of A. maculatum and A. triste, although some Colombian specimens grouped with A. maculatum from the United States while others grouped with A. triste from Brazil. Significant polymorphisms were observed between specimens of A. ovale or D. nitens; for the former species, it is noteworthy that two distinct clades were observed. Our study provides new records for 8 tick species parasitizing domestic animals in Colombia, including species with veterinary and medical importance in the Neotropical region, such as R. microplus, R. sanguineus, D. nitens, A. mixtum, and A. maculatum. Noteworthy, we provide the first record of A. varium infesting a domestic mammal. Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP – Universidade Estadual Paulista, Avenida 24-A, Bairro Bela Vista Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária Grupo de Investigación BIOSALUD Departamento de Ciencias Básicas para la Salud Facultad de Ciencias para la Salud Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas Grupo de Investigación GEBIOME Departamento de Desarrollo Rural y Recursos Naturales Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas Grupo de Investigación GEBIOME Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas Universidade Estadual de Campinas Museu de Zoologia R. Charles Darwin s/n cidade universitária Departamento de Salud Animal Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP – Universidade Estadual Paulista, Avenida 24-A, Bairro Bela Vista Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación: 112765740609

The Colombian Tropical Andes are one of the regions with highest bird diversity on Earth. However, information on bird morphology, reproductive phenology, and molt is particularly scarce in this region. Also, this region is heavily impacted by deforestation, and it is vulnerable to climate change. Hence, providing baseline information on life history and morphological traits will be essential to support future research on functional diversity, climate change effects, conservation, evolution, and phenology. To fill this gap, we have compiled information on bird distribution, morphology, molt, and reproductive phenology at 52 localities of the Department of Caldas, covering an elevation range between 148 and 3845 m. This compilation comprises a wide range of habitats, including native forests, forestry plantations, croplands, and paramo. Our database presents information for 3,398 records belonging to 379 bird species (representing 23 orders, 53 families, and 258 genera). From those records, 2,843 correspond to information collected in the field between 2008 and 2019, and the remaining 555 records correspond to specimens deposited in the Natural History Museum of the Caldas University, collected between 1969 and 2014. We measured nine morphological traits from all specimens: total culmen, gape, bill width, bill depth, tarsus, wing length, tail length, total length, and mass. We also have reproductive condition information for 257 species and molt information available for 378 species. The information contained in this data set represents ~20% of the Colombian avifauna and ~11% of the bird species richness in South America. This data set is released for non-commercial use only. Credits should be given to this paper (i.e., proper citation), and the products generated with this database should be shared under the same license terms (CC BY-NC-SA).

Several bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia are recognized as causal agents of diseases in domestic and wild animals and humans. These bacteria are considered emerging or reemerging and are transmitted by ticks, fleas, and lice vectors. In recent decades, there have been reports of rickettsias in ticks of the genus Amblyomma, Ixodes, and Haemaphysalis collected from wild birds. Accordingly, birds play a plausible role in the transport and spread of ticks infected by Rickettsia spp. In this study, we performed molecular detection of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from wild birds in the department of Caldas, Colombia. We detected and identified Rickettsia amblyommatis, 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi' and a Rickettsia sp. closely related to 'Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae' and Rickettsia canadensis. This study contributes to the knowledge on infection by Rickettsia in ticks collected from wild birds in Colombia. We also provide the first reports of infection by R. amblyommatis in the genus Ixodes collected from wild birds in South America and the presence of Rickettsia at elevations above 3000 m a.s.l.

Ticks of the family Ixodidae are vectors of important pathogens in human and animal health. Birds are involved in long-distance transport and dispersion of hard ticks. Tick infestations on wild birds mostly involve species within the genera Amblyomma, Ixodes, and Haemaphysalis. In Colombia, tick research is scarce and there are no studies to date about the associations between wild birds and ticks. We aimed to contribute to the knowledge of the associations between wild birds and hard ticks based on the collection of 2314 wild birds belonging to 29 families in Caldas – Colombia between 2015 and 2019. In total, we collected 133 hard ticks that were found parasitizing 78 birds representing 45 species and 14 wild bird families. We report at least seven tick species on birds confirmed by morphological and molecular methods: Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma varium, Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma calcaratum and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris. In addition, we recorded three Ixodes species, which yielded DNA sequences that did not have high identity (≤ 95 %) to any species in GenBank. Ticks were found infesting resident and migratory boreal birds. This is the first study addressing the associations between wild birds and hard ticks in Colombia. We describe new associations between birds and ticks in the Americas.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:52:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-05-01 Rickettsiosis are emerging or re-emerging diseases, with a worldwide distribution associated to transmission by arthropod vectors. Rickettsia species belong to the spotted fever group (SFG) and are transmitted by hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) that may act as vectors and reservoirs. This study carried out a molecular detection of Rickettsia from 7 species of the family Ixodidae collected from domestic hosts by PCR amplification of fragments of the citrate synthase “gltA” gene and outer membrane protein “ompA” gene. Of the 204 samples analyzed, 11.3% (23) were positive for rickettsial infection. Three Rickettsia species belonging to the SFG were found, constituting the first reports of Rickettsia rickettsii in 2 departments of Colombia. Furthermore, we confirmed the first occurrence of Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae in Colombia, a species with an unknown pathogenic role in humans. These results raise awareness regarding the need to increase epidemiological control measures, as well as to consider new endemic regions in Colombia for Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP – Universidade Estadual Paulista, Avenida 24-A, 1515, Bairro Bela Vista Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária Grupo de Investigación GEBIOME Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales Universidade Estadual de Campinas Museu de Zoologia, R. Charles Darwin s/n, cidade universitária Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP – Universidade Estadual Paulista, Avenida 24-A, 1515, Bairro Bela Vista

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:48:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-01-01 Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Andesiops peruvianus is widely distributed in the Andean region and has been preliminarily used as a bioindicator of good water quality. Given the morphological variations that are reported for the species, this study aimed to address whether such morphological variability in nymphs captured in tributaries of the Upper Chinchiná River Basin, Caldas-Colombia, could be connected to genetic differences, suggesting the existence of hidden, hitherto unknown taxonomic diversity. The morphological evaluation allowed confirming the presence of 73 females and 83 males belonging to what can be considered A. peruvianus sensu lato. However, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and Poisson Tree Processes modeling identified four different taxonomic units. The genetic distances found for specimens of A. peruvianus were higher than expected for conspecific organisms, and DNA analyses allowed to separate A. peruvianus into taxonomic units, which were further supported by morphological characters (shape and size of the abdominal gills and number of denticles of the tarsal claws). The results of this study show that A. peruvianus represents a species complex, with four putative species inferred, contributing to the growing knowledge of the existence of pseudocryptic species. These new findings could influence the conservation status of these rivers. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Caldas - Grupo de Investigación GEBIOME Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the most studied aquatic organisms for water biomonitoring, due to its sensitivity to environmental degradation and resistance to toxic substances. This study determined the presence of micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in peripheral blood erythrocytes, and assessed the gene expression of caspase-3 (CASP-3) and metallothionein 1 (MT-1) in the gills and liver of D. rerio. The study fish (n = 45) were exposed to water collected from two stations with mining impact (E2 and E3) and a reference station without evident mining contamination (E1), all located in La Elvira stream (Manizales-Colombia). In addition, a positive control (PC) with HgCl2 (50 μg/L) and negative control (NC) with tap water were included. The fish from the PC and E2 and E3 treatments displayed genotoxic effects and changes in gene expression, with significant differences in micronuclei formation and the presence of blebbed nuclei. The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was used as reference and proved to be stable compared to the β-actin and 28S ribosomal RNA (28S) genes. In gills, CASP-3 expression was higher in the PC, and MT-1 expression was higher in the PC and E3 treatment. In liver, CASP-3 was expressed in the E2 treatment, and MT-1 expression was low. These results show that the genotoxic effects and differential gene expression observed in fish exposed to water from La Elvira stream could also be affecting the organisms present in this habitat.

Se evaluaron familias de hongos formadores de micorriza arbuscular (HMA) asociados a dos variedades de aguacate Persea americana Mill (hass y lorena), en 12 muestras de suelo rizosférico y raíces en Caldas, Colombia. Las esporas se obtuvieron por tamizado húmedo y centrifugación en gradiente de sacarosa, y montadas en los reactivos Polivinilactoglicerol y Melzer para determinar su morfología, y las raíces tratadas con hidróxido de potasio, ácido acético, azul de tripano y lactoglicerol, para establecer su colonización. El ADN fue extraído por DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (QiagenTM) y amplificado por PCR utilizando iniciadores sobre los genes 18S y 28S del ADNr nuclear, visualizado y purificado en geles de agarosa, y secuenciado por Macrogen Advancing Through Genomics–Corea del Sur. Los resultados muestran presencia de 12 morfotipos pertenecientes a las familias Acaulosporaceae, Gigasporaceae, Diversisporaceae y Glomeraceae, y una colonización micorrízica superior al 90% en ambas variedades de aguacate. Se logró aislar ADN de nueve morfotipos y amplificar siete. El alineamiento de las secuencias de ADN se realizó en el programa ClustalW incluido en el programa Mega 6, junto con secuencias depositadas en el GenBank, utilizando el parámetro de distancia Kimura 2 (K2P), permitieron construir un árbol de similitud por el método Neighbor-Joining (NJ) agrupando las muestras determinadas por morfología en las familias correspondientes. Estos resultados permitieron estandarizar protocolos para familias de este grupo, donde su taxonomía es dificultosa y controversial, registrando familias citadas en la literatura como de elevada importancia para la protección e incorporación de nutrientes en la planta.