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Currently smartphones technology results in small portable devices, highly sophisticated and with a wide range of integrated sensors, among which are the GPS/GNSS receivers. This were incorporated to smartphones to developed location based services, which allows access to personalized spatial information, by informatics networks. There is still some distrust on the value of these sensors for scientific research but a growing number of papers had validated their use. In the current review we present the position of the general scientific literature in ecology and environmental fields worldwide in relation to location sensors at smartphones. Besides assisted GPS system, modern models incorporate multi-constellation and double frequency receivers with spatial precision similar to other commercial GPS, around few meters. Several factors should be taken into account such as smartphone model, measurement places and the goal of the research. By following appropriated validation protocols and carefully selecting the app to gather data, it has been demonstrated that this sensors in modern smartphones can be reasonable alternatives with enough quality for most of the field work uses in Ecology. Citation: Denis, D., Cruz, D.D., Ferrer-Sánchez, Y. & Felipe, F.L. 2021. Potencialidades de los celulares inteligentes para investigaciones biológicas. Parte 2: Receptores GPS/GNSS. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 42: 209-216. Received: 19 September 2020. Accepted: 25 January 2021. Online: 13 August 2021. Editor: Luis Manuel Leyva.

Smartphones have irrupted in every facets of modern life for most of the humankind, including professional and scientific activities. Many apps exist to help in guiding experimental protocols, literature management and wireless connection to other equipment. But the wide range of miniaturized integrated sensors, of high accuracy that act in hidden aspect of cellphone functioning, has not yet been fully explored. Modern smartphones contain powerful digital cameras, microphones, GPS/GNSS receivers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetism sensor, light sensors, barometers, thermometers, moisture sensors, biometric sensors and many others with the potential of became important allied for researcher´s data collect during his work. Based on them, had emerge compasses, altimeters, scanners, barcode or QR readers, face, sounds or species identification apps, metal detectors, movement and vibration detectors, pedometers, colorimeter, spectrophotometer and many others. All this tools are producing a high impact in many scientific fields such as medicine, social sciences, environmental monitoring, transportation and industry. The advantages and possibilities of these sensors for biological investigations are still unknown. For this reason, the present paper is a review of the potentials associated to common modern smartphones sensors and its applications in biological researches. In conditions were technical equipment is limited, smartphones, its sensors and corresponding apps can be reasonably efficient alternatives to overcome the technological breach and to increase quality of researches. Citation: Denis, D., Cruz, D.D., Ferrer-Sánchez, Y. & Felipe, F.L. 2021. Potencialidades de los celulares inteligentes para investigaciones biológicas. Parte 1: Sensores integrados. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 42: 77-91. Received: 17 September 2020. Aceppted: 25 January 2021. Online: 26 April 2021. Editor: Luis Manuel Leyva.

Several rare species of the island of Cuba are facing local extinction risk and threats. The endemic Cuban Black-Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii) is threatened by habitat loss as ~50% of its original habitat has been fragmented by tourism activity. Despite this situation, little information on its population size is available and its abundance patterns in relation to environmental variables are largely unknown. Such information is urgently needed to understand its geographic distribution and population abundance trends. We modeled the spatial patterns of abundance of the hawk in central Cuba and then assessed the effectiveness of protected areas for conserving this species. We fitted an ecological niche model to occurrence data of the Cuban Black-Hawk. The centroid of the predicted distribution range was calculated in ecological space and the multidimensional Euclidean distance to the niche centroid (DNC) was estimated. A function describing the relationship between the species abundance and the distance to the niche centroid was used to construct a map depicting the distribution of the Cuban Black-Hawk abundance. The potential distribution range of the raptor encompasses a 703.4 km2 area and represents 12.5% of the total study area. Results show an inverse relationship between DNC and abundance (R2 = 0.37): the sites closer to the centroid of the ecological niche of the species contain more individuals. The model shows that a shorter distance to the coastline and larger distance to urban zones increase the probability of occurrence of the hawk. Based on these results, we estimated that only 24% of the area where a high hawk abundance is expected is currently included in protected areas. We suggest establishing priority survey sites and strengthening protection of the Cuban Black-Hawk in the zones we identified as most valuable in the archipelago. This approach could also be used for other rare and endemic species in other ecosystems.

El uso de bacterias probióticas como agentes de control biológico ha sido efectivo, sin embargo, los trabajos se han centrado en la aplicación de manera individual, sin tomar en cuenta que las mezclas podrían potenciar los efectos. En este trabajo se evaluaron mezclas de bacterias con potencial probiótico sobre larvas y juveniles de Argopecten ventricosus. Los organismos se cultivaron en condiciones de laboratorio y fueron tratados con seis mezclas de Bacillus y Lactobacillus en dos diferentes concentraciones. Se incluyó un grupo de organismos tratados con ampicilina y otro sin tratamiento como control. El tratamiento con la mezcla de Lactobacillus y Bacillus (MIX-LBC2) presentaron una respuesta significativa en las variables supervivencia, crecimiento y fijación de larvas. En juveniles el mayor crecimiento se observó con la mezcla de Lactobacillus (MIX-LC2) y la mezcla con Bacillus y Lactobacillus (MIX-LBC1). Durante el reto experimental con V. alginolyticus , la mezcla de Bacillus (MIX-BC2) aumentó significativamente la supervivencia de juveniles, lo que concuerda con la actividad de la enzima superóxido dismutasa. Los resultados indican que el mecanismo de acción de las mezclas con bacterias probióticas es específico de la etapa y la cepa, mejorando la supervivencia, el crecimiento y mayor resistencia contra el patógeno.

Prioritizing biodiversity conservation strategies is urgently needed. Surrogate species have been used for that purpose as a means to lower costs/effort to assess representation of other species important for conservation planning. Such strategy should include multiple species and habitats within a given landscape or geographic area. The use of surrogates provides an appealing shortcut to monitoring biodiversity as it enables an efficient use of limited resources. As a group, raptors feed on a very wide range of prey sizes and, therefore, on a high diversity of prey species, which should improve their surrogacy complementarity. The aim of this paper is to identify a suitable approach that can be used as an efficient surrogate of regional diversity in desert ecosystems. First, through assemblage concordance analysis we tested two alternative approaches either using: (a) a single raptor species or (b) the entire group of raptor species as surrogates of biodiversity. Second, through correlation analysis we also tested whether the species richness of single target groups (raptors, other birds, reptiles, mammals and plants), or of two-group combinations, was correlated with the pooled species richness of the remaining groups, and then determine each of the taxonomic groups as surrogates of the entire biodiversity at the regional scale. Four single raptor species showed significant concordance with the entire bird community but, overall, most comparisons between single raptor species and other taxonomic groups failed to show any consistent correlation. A remarkable finding from the single species approach was that the strongest significant positive association was that found between caracara C. cheriway and bird species richness. This raptor is a habitat and diet generalist, thus contradicting the hypothesis that specialist species make the best bioindicators. Raptor species were significantly associated with non-raptor birds, vegetation and rodents, but not with the mammal or reptile communities. Plant species richness showed a statistically significant concordance with most of the other groups except for reptiles. Reptiles were the group that showed less concordance with the others. Between-groups comparisons showed that the species richness was strongly correlated between birds and plants, followed by between raptors and birds; correlations between birds and mammals, reptiles and mammals and raptors and plants were weak albeit statistically significant. Species richness of some individual groups, namely other birds, plants and mammals, were significantly correlated with their corresponding remaining richness values. The pooled species richness of two-group combinations were strongly correlated for raptors and other birds, raptors and plants, other birds and mammals, and reptiles and plants, and their corresponding remaining richness. We propose an approach using the combined species richness of two taxonomic groups given the high, statistically significant correlation with their corresponding remaining richness in the Baja California peninsula and possibly in other desert ecosystems too.

RESUMEN En Ecuador las especies exóticas invasoras (EEI) provocan consecuencias negativas en los aspectos ecológicos, económicos y de seguridad alimentaria. Los agroecosistemas hacen parte de los sectores productivos a nivel mundial, pero son vulnerables a sufrir invasiones biológicas por la constante actividad humana y por el traslado de vegetación, tierra y semillas, por lo que deben ser constantemente monitoreados, pues desempeñan un papel importante en la economía al ser fuente de empleo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la influencia potencial de las EEI sobre los agroecosistemas de Ecuador continental a través del modelado del nicho ecológico. Se usó como método de modelación el algoritmo de máxima entropía y se emplearon los registros de presencia de seis especies de plantas, tres insectos y un molusco en sus regiones nativas y en zonas invadidas a nivel mundial. Los registros provienen de Global Biodiversity Information Facility y de Tropicos. Como variables explicativas se emplearon 19 variables bioclimáticas y seis variables de vegetación. Se obtuvieron los mapas de distribución geográfica potencial, las áreas de superposición de la distribución de las especies y la delimitación de las zonas de mayor riesgo. Se determinó que las condiciones ambientales de las regiones Sierra y Amazónica son idóneas para una posible invasión de seis y siete especies. Además, más del 50 % de la cobertura agropecuaria del país podría ser afectada por las especies Wasmannia rochai, Spondias purpurea L., Lissachatina fúlica y Conium maculatum L., siendo los cultivos de ciclo corto los más vulnerables a la invasión por estas especies. ABSTRACT In Ecuador, invasive alien species (IAS) cause negative consequences in ecology, economy, and food security. Agroecosystems belong to one of the productive sectors worldwide but are vulnerable to biological invasions by constant human activity and the transfer of vegetation, soil, and seeds, so they must be constantly monitored because of their important role in the economy to be a source of employment. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential influence of IAS on the agroecosystems of continental Ecuador through the modeling of the ecological niche. The maximum entropy algorithm was used as a modeling method, and the presence register in the native region and invaded areas at a global level of six plant species, three insect species and one mollusc species were used. Data were obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and Tropicos. As explanatory variables, 19 bioclimatic variables, and six vegetation variables were used. Maps of potential geographical distribution, the overlap areas of the distribution of the species, and the delimitation of the zones of greater risk were obtained. It was determined that the environmental conditions of the Sierra and the Amazonian regions are ideal for a possible invasion of most species. Moreover, more than 50 % of the agricultural coverage of the country could be affected by Wasmannia rochai, Spondias purpurea L., Lissachatina fulica, and Conium maculatum L., with short cycle crops being the most vulnerable to invasion.

Wetlands are ecosystems characterized by a high level of biodiversity and among those most under threat from human activities. Tintal (seasonally inundated forest dominated by Haematoxylum campechianum L.) are a characteristic wetland of the Yucatan Peninsula, and have a long history of commercial exploitation. In both conserved and human-disturbed wetlands, differences in relation to species richness, diversity and degree of specialization are expected. The objectives of this study were to analyze the variations in the richness and abundance between preserved and human-disturbed tintales, and to identify relationships between the characteristics of the epiphyte assemblage and the tintal assemblage. The study was carried out at 21 tintal sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, 10 preserved and 11 human-disturbed. At each sampled tintal sites, two 100 × 8 m (800 m2) transects were randomly plotted, in which the vascular epiphytes were quantified and identified. All the phorophytes (any plant on which an epiphyte grows) within the transects were divided into three microsites (low and middle trunk section, and branches), and all vascular epiphytes were recorded in each one of these microsites. Species-accumulation curves, dominance-diversity graph, Hill series diversity indices and species richness were calculated. Similarity matrices were calculated taking into account the relative abundance and the presence absence of the species, and a similarity analysis was performed. To assess the effect of the three microsites and the conservation status of tintales a generalized linear model was applied. The similarity matrices between locations for vascular epiphytes and phorophytes were correlated. The richness and abundance of vascular epiphyte species were related to degree of conservation but not with the richness, evenness, density, average DBH and average height of forophytes. A total of 55 taxa of vascular epiphytes (51 angiosperms, 4 ferns), 12 families and 7051 individuals were registered. The Orchidaceae family was the best represented (26 species, 3225 individuals). In preserved tintales, 6396 individuals (90.71% of the total), belonging to 49 taxa and 9 families were recorded. There is a similarity of 45.07% between both types of tintales. The preferred microsite in preserved and human-disturbed tintales was the branches (47 species; 5262 individuals). The most abundant species of tree was H. campechianum (62.84% of the total). The tintales can be important reservoirs of vascular epiphytes (richness and abundance) and they can function as islands and sources of diversity in degraded land matrices. In addition to working on the restoration of disturbed tintales, it is also essential to protect preserved tintales, considering the ecological importance of the latter. The tree species H. campechianum must be considered as a key species in this ecosystem.

Resumen Introducción: El tintal es un tipo de selva baja inundable característico del sureste de México, donde la especie dominante es el palo de tinte (Haematoxylum campechianum L.). Por sus características estructurales y las condiciones de las áreas donde se desarrollan, los tintales pueden funcionar como un hábitat crítico para muchas especies animales. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir la diversidad local y regional de la quiropterofauna presente en tintales de diferentes áreas del sureste mexicano. Métodos: Se trabajó en ocho localidades con presencia de tintal en los estados de Campeche y Tabasco. En cada una se colocaron seis redes de nylon durante tres noches. Se calculó la riqueza observada y la estimada para cada localidad, así como la abundancia total. Se elaboraron curvas de rango de abundancia y de acumulación de especies. Se realizaron análisis de similitud entre localidades y se correlacionaron estas similitudes con la distancia geográfica entre ellas. Resultados: Se registraron 25 especies de murciélagos pertenecientes a cinco familias, de las cuales Phyllostomidae fue la mejor representada. La mayoría de las especies fueron insectívoras (44 % del total), mientras los frugívoros fueron los más abundantes. Entre estas destacan Artibeus lituratus y A. jamaicensis, las cuales se registraron en un mayor número de localidades. Mientras tanto, Glossophaga soricina fue la más abundante. En Oxpemul, se registró la mayor riqueza de especies (N= 12) y en Las Bodegas la menor (N= 4), aunque esta fue la tercera localidad con mayor cantidad de individuos. La riqueza estimada de especies para toda el área, según nuestros datos, osciló entre 29 y 34. Los ensamblajes menos equitativos fueron Las Bodegas y Tres Brazos. Las localidades más semejantes entre sí en cuanto a la estructura de la comunidad fueron La Toza y Las Bodegas y, en cuanto a la composición de especies Oxpemul y Atasta. Las similitudes entre las localidades no estuvieron correlacionadas con la cercanía geográfica. Conclusiones: La mayoría de las localidades de estudio están altamente antropizadas, pero la tolerancia de varias especies de murciélagos a estas modificaciones del paisaje les ha permitido hacer uso de estas. La elevada abundancia de las especies consumidoras de frutos encontrada apoya la idea de la importancia de los murciélagos en la recuperación de la vegetación arbórea en zonas alteradas del sureste de México y el valor de los tintales dentro de estas áreas para la conservación de la biodiversidad. Abstract Introduction: The “tintal” is a type of seasonally inundated forest where the dominant species is Haematoxylum campechianum L. Due to its structural characteristics and the conditions of the areas where it develops, it could work as a critical habitat for many animal species. Objective: This work aimed at describing the regional and local diversity of the chiropterofauna inhabiting tintal along different areas in the Southeastern Mexico. Methods: The research was carried out in eight localities with presence of tintal in the states of Campeche and Tabasco, Mexico. In each site, six mist nets were placed during three nights. The observed and expected richness were calculated for each site, as well as the total abundance. Rank-abundance and species accumulation curves were generated. Similarity analyses between localities were performed and correlated with the geographical distance between them. Results: We recorded 25 bat species belonging to five families, where Phyllostomidae was the most represented. Most registered species were insectivorous (44 % of the total), while frugivorous were the most abundant. Frugivorous Artibeus lituratus and A. jamaicensis were the species recorded in a greater number of localities, and Glossophaga soricina was the most abundant. The highest richness of species was registered in Oxpemul (N= 12), while in Las Bodegas we found the lowest (N= 4), although the latter was the third locality with the highest number of individuals. The estimated richness of species for the whole area varied between 29 and 34. The least even assemblages were Las Bodegas and Tres Brazos. The most similar localities in terms of the structure of the assemblages were La Toza and Las Bodegas and, in terms of the species composition, Oxpemul and Atasta. The similarities between the localities were not correlated with geographical proximity. Conclusions: Most of the researched localities were highly anthropized, but the tolerance of several bat species to these landscape modifications has allowed them to make use of such areas. The high abundance of the frugivorous species registered supports that bats may play a key role in the recovery of tree vegetation in altered areas in Southeastern Mexico, and emphasizes the value of the tintal along this area for the conservation of biodiversity.

The Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) is a raptor of conservation interest. Here we report on 15 nests of the species in a wetland in Cuba. Nest detection was conducted using 150 observation points. The number of eggs/chicks, height of the nest, and diameter of the tree at breast height were recorded. The closest distance to roads and towns was measured. Nests were located over a period of 7 months. Of the nests found, 67% contained eggs and/or chicks; 40% contained only eggs, 33% contained only chicks, and 20% contained both. Nests were built on shrubs in inland lagoons. The minimum distance between nests and nearest roads was 0.7 km and from the nearest village was 1.3 km. These results can be used as a tool for the management and conservation of the population in the wetland.

Antecedentes y Objetivos: El género Haematoxylum está representado en la Península de Yucatán por dos especies. La más conocida es el palo de tinte (H. campechianum) y recientemente, en 2014, fue descrita H. calakmulense. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar y caracterizar las áreas de presencia histórica de ambas especies en la Península de Yucatán y dentro del sistema actual de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANPs) federales.Métodos: Para obtener registros históricos de presencia de ambas especies se consultaron los principales herbarios que reúnen ejemplares de las mismas: CICY, CIQR, ENCB, MEXU, UADY, UCAM y XAL. Para caracterizar las áreas donde se tomaron los registros se utilizaron coberturas de suelo, altimetría, climas, morfo-edafología y sistemas ecológicos potenciales y activos en la Península de Yucatán. Se calculó el número de registros de ambas especies contenidos dentro de las Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANPs) federales.Resultados clave: Haematoxylum campechianum está presente en un mayor número de localidades dispersas por toda la Península, mientras que H. calakmulense se observa mayormente hacia el interior de la Península, en la parte meridional, en los alrededores y el interior de la Reserva de la Biosfera de Calakmul y en la periferia del Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Bala’an K’aax. Para ambas especies la mayor parte de los registros se tomaron en áreas con una combinación de suelos Leptosoles-Vertisoles, con un clima cálido subhúmedo y con predominancia de selva alta y mediana subperennifolia. La mayor parte de las poblaciones de las dos especies se encuentran en áreas externas a las ANPs.Conclusiones: Tanto para H. campechianum como para H. calakmulense existen muchos vacíos de información y áreas sin explorar. Sería pertinente tenerlos en cuenta en estudios futuros, para ayudar a complementar la información existente y determinar con precisión su estatus de conservación.

Modeling the effect of colonial breeding in Bubulcus ibis (Aves: Ardeidae) on biomass and energy flows in coastal mangrove wetlands. The colonies of wading birds reach thousands of highly grouped nests, which have a marked influence on the characteristics of the soil or the water that surrounds them due to a hyperfertilization effect. This causes the harmful accumulation of nitrogen compounds altering the chemistry of the substrate and causing defoliation and death of vegetation. The impact of these colonies on the mangroves in Cuba has not been evaluated, due to the logistical difficulties involved and the complexity of their processes. Mathematical modeling is a useful tool in these situations, so in this work the estimation of the quantities of biomass, energy and nutrients mobilized in a colony of herons was carried out, through a bioenergetic model of system dynamics. We used 29 primary variables, 3 bioenergetic equations and the postnatal growth equation of this species, implemented in the STELLA 9.1.3 program. From the interaction of these variables, the energy required by the reproduction cycle, the biomass consumed and the nutrients deposited in the colony were obtained. A sensitivity analysis and an uncertainty analysis were carried out to explore the variables that have the most influence on the results. The model was validated by the consistency in the units, the test of extreme values and the comparison with values recorded in the literature. Finally, disturbances scenarios that can affect a real colony were simulated. According to the model, for the growth the chicks require 10 219.2 Kcal total. The colony must totally invest 6.71x106 Kcal, which represents consumption close to 2.2 tons of dams. Due to this consumption, the nutrients deposited in the colony by the excreta were 49 kg of nitrogen, 7 kg of phosphorus and 56 kg of calcium. According to the sensitivity analysis, the variables that produce the strongest changes in the result are the number of adults in the colony and the average clutch size. The uncertainty analysis showed little influence of the variables selected on the response variables. The most harmful simulated disturbances for the colony were the affectations to the recruitment and the increase of the mortality of the pigeons.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivos identi car la composición de capturas, describir la estructura de tallas y determinar la relación longitud-peso de las principales especies de peces nativos de interés comercial del humedal Abras de Mantequilla (AdM). Durante los meses de abril a septiembre de 2015 se recolectaron aleatoriamente 492 peces provenientes de los desembarques del humedal AdM y se midió la longitud total (Lt) y el peso total (Pt) a cada ejemplar. Para la identi cación taxonómica de las especies se utilizaron las claves, guías y catálogos especializados. La estructura de tallas se analizó mediante histogramas de frecuencia, se compararon las tallas medias de capturas (TMC) con la talla de comercialización permitida (TCP) y la talla media de madurez (TMM). La relación longitud-peso se estimó mediante la ecuación de alometría de Ricker. La especie más abundante fue Ichthyolephas humeralis seguida por Pseudocurimata spp., mientras que Leporinus ecuadoriensis fue la especie menos capturada. Rhamdia cinerascens presentó una TMC de 24.81 cm (Lt), inferior a la talla media de madurez (25 cm Lt). Ichthyolephas humeralis, Andinoacara rivulatus y Pseudocurimata spp., presentaron crecimiento alométrico negativo, y el resto de especies tuvieron crecimiento isométrico. En la mayoría de las especies de peces el reclutamiento ocurrió a una edad y tamaño óptimo en la que los peces ya aportaron con nuevos individuos a la población. Se evidenció que existe una relación entre las especies con crecimiento alométrico negativo y su abundancia en las capturas.

The availability of information on species abundance in the Neotropic is insufficient, and this prevents the execution of precise analysis and the definition of adequate conservation strategies for endemic and threatened species. This study aimed to analyze the population size of the endemic and threatened subspecies Grus canadensis nesiotes. For this, a simultaneous census was undertaken in 24 count stations in Isla de la Juventud (IJ) and 32 stations in Ciego de Ávila (CA), Cuba, during two consecutive days between 2008 and 2010. Abundance and behavior pattern (instantaneous method) were analyzed by habitat type, to help understand how cranes modify their behavioral pattern when the natural habitat is changed. Flocks in IJ had three individuals, and between 1.9 ± 1.5 and 2.8 ± 1.5 in CA. Population size in IJ was 164 individuals, and in CA of 137, 141 and 168 individuals for the 2008-2010 period, respectively. The counting efficacy was high (IJ: 91 %; CA: 81-87 %) and the numerical concordance was intermediate (IJ: 45.4 %; CA: 72 %). When comparing the habitat type, the abundance was higher in natural savannahs (83), followed by coastal flats (59), pines (23) and cattle pastures (7) in IJ; while in CA, marsh grasslands hosted the greatest abundance for the three years period (130; 120; 112), followed by grassland with palms (2; 17; 51) and cattle pastures (5; 4; 5). The cranes were fed more in cattle pastures and were more alert in natural savannas and marsh grasslands. The frequency of feeding and alert behaviors was different from the natural savannah/coastal flats and natural savannah/cattle pastures combinations in IJ. For CA, differences were found between marsh grasslands and marsh grasslands with palms. The population size increased by management strategies adopted in CA; nevertheless, might be affected by habitat loss associated with invasive alien plants in IJ. We propose the maintenance of prescribed fire in marsh grasslands under protection regime, as a strategy for long-term management to contribute with population growth.

La teledetección es una herramienta emergente en ecología, pero de uso limitado en países neotropicales. En este estudio probamos la relación entre las variables de las comunidades de aves y variables espectrales en un humedal de Cuba. Determinamos la composición y estructura de la ornitofauna en tres localidades del Gran Humedal del Norte de Ciego de Ávila y su relación con las variables espectrales. Realizamos 78 transectos y determinamos la abundancia relativa, riqueza, el índice de Brillouin, de Simpson y la composición en gremios. Sobre una imagen satelital del Landsat 7 medimos los índices de humedad, verdor, diversidad de arbustos vivos, índice normalizado de diferencia de agua y ndvi. Realizamos análisis multivariados para estimar la similitud entre formaciones vegetales a partir de variables comunitarias y espectrales. Para probar si existía correlación entre las variables realizamos una prueba de Mantel y una correlación entre los valores del primer componente de los Análisis de Componentes Principales a partir de las variables comunitarias y espectrales. Contabilizamos 1,298 aves pertenecientes a 73 especies, 33 familias y14 órdenes. Cada formación vegetal tuvo una combinación propia de sus índices espectrales. La vegetación costera se diferenció del resto de las formaciones vegetales, y la demás vegetación tuvo superposición. No encontramos una relación significativa entre las variables comunitarias de las aves y espectrales. Esto puede deberse a una selección de índices poco informativos. Aun así, el método puede ser eficiente como complemento para el monitoreo de la biodiversidad y válido como recurso metodológico con fines de conservación.

Several studies conducted in neotropical islands have found that the intensity of human activity has altered the original structure and richness of bird communities, strongly affecting endemic species. Despite these effects, studies are limited, and lacking for raptors, in contrast to temperate and continental regions. During breeding and non-breeding seasons of 2012, roadside surveys and point counts were conducted in natural and human-transformed areas of the island of Cuba to determine whether or not raptors from an island show a pattern of ecological response to human activity similar to those observed in continental studies. Raptors showed strong variation in relation to habitat transformations, with lower richness, abundance, and density in the more extensively transformed areas. A total of 11 species was recorded, mostly in natural areas. Similar numbers of species were observed in coastal vegetation and cattle pasture habitat types within each zone. Nine species were detected in agriculture, while ten were found in forest habitat. A gradient of species-habitat was identified: Specialists/endemics tend to occur in natural areas, “intermediate species” in moderately modified areas and generalists in heavily modified areas. Generalists had higher abundances in anthropogenic areas, whereas specialists were found only in natural areas. Under insular conditions, land use changes can pose major threats for endemic and specialist raptors, seriously compromising their conservation. Endemic raptors do not cope well with habitat changes on the island, thus a rapid process of species impoverishment might be expected. Establishing a conservation program in Cuba is urgently needed.

The availability of information on species abundance in the Neotropic is insufficient, and this prevents the execution of precise analysis and the definition of adequate conservation strategies for endemic and threatened species. This study aimed to analyze the population size of the endemic and threatened subspecies Grus canadensis nesiotes. For this, a simultaneous census was undertaken in 24 count stations in Isla de la Juventud (IJ) and 32 stations in Ciego de Avila (CA), Cuba, during two consecutive days between 2008 and 2010. Abundance and behavior pattern (instantaneous method) were analyzed by habitat type, to help understand how cranes modify their behavioral pattern when the natural habitat is changed. Flocks in IJ had three individuals, and between 1.9 ± 1.5 and 2.8 ± 1.5 in CA. Population size in IJ was 164 individuals, and in CA of 137, 141 and 168 individuals for the 2008-2010 period, respectively. The counting efficacy was high (IJ: 91 %; CA: 81-87 %) and the numerical concordance was intermediate (IJ: 45.4 %; CA: 72 %). When comparing the habitat type, the abundance was higher in natural savannahs (83), followed by coastal flats (59), pines (23) and cattle pastures (7) in IJ; while in CA, marsh grasslands hosted the greatest abundance for the three years period (130; 120; 112), followed by grassland with palms (2; 17; 51) and cattle pastures (5; 4; 5). The cranes were fed more in cattle pastures and were more alert in natural savannas and marsh grasslands. The frequency of feeding and alert behaviors was different from the natural savannah/coastal flats and natural savannah/cattle pastures combinations in IJ. For CA, differences were found between marsh grasslands and marsh grasslands with palms. The population size increased by management strategies adopted in CA; nevertheless, might be affected by habitat loss associated with invasive alien plants in IJ. We propose the maintenance of prescribed fire in marsh grasslands under protection regime, as a strategy for long-term management to contribute with population growth.

Human activity is widely influencing the processes that determine patterns of distribution and abundance of species, as well as the richness and specific composition in ecosystems, thus this factor should be included in studies aimed to understand these processes. It is very likely that effects and patterns in continental areas may differ from Neotropical islands where it has been found that the intensity of human activity can alter more significantly the original structure and richness of bird communities, strongly affecting endemic species. In contrast, in temperate and continental regions several bird species have been benefited. Despite these effects, studies on Neotropical islands are few, especially in raptors, having 17 threatened species (N=73 species of Neotropical raptors). The lack of identifiable patterns in the response of raptors to habitat changes has led to a controversy about the benefit/effect on species. The way that specialist/generalist raptors deal with human intervention has not been clearly defined in Neotropical islands. We designed a study in the island of Cuba to test two hypotheses. First, the abundance, distribution and breeding sites of specialist diurnal raptors are more negatively affected than generalists in an island ecosystem. We predict that different intensities of human activity and fragmentation will modify, differentially, the responses of species in their distribution and abundance. Second, human activity in natural and modified areas causes a decrease of raptor species richness in the island at different spatial scales. We predict that raptor species richness will be higher in natural areas without human intervention than in highly modified and fragmented areas, a trend similar to that observed in the continent. However, this effect may be amplified in the island due to the tight relations of endemic species with their habitat. In addition, human activity and heterogeneity of the environment will change the species-area relationship (in fragments) contrary to what it is established in the theory of island biogeography. To test these hypotheses we designed a study in the central region of the island of Cuba in order to determine the environmental and anthropogenic variables that influence the presence and abundance of diurnal raptors, as well as their nest-site selection [...] Los procesos que determinan patrones de distribución y abundancia de las especies, así como la riqueza y composición específica, no pueden actualmente describirse e interpretarse de manera correcta sin tener en cuenta variables de intrusión humana en los ecosistemas. Es importante entender que los efectos y patrones reconocidos en zonas continentales pueden diferir de lo que sucede en islas neotropicales donde se ha encontrado que la intensidad de la actividad humana puede alterar de manera más significativa la estructura original y la riqueza de las comunidades de aves, afectando fuertemente a las especies endémicas. En contraste, en las regiones templadas y continentales muchas especies de aves han sido beneficiadas. A pesar de estos efectos, los estudios en islas neotropicales son limitados, sobretodo en aves rapaces que tienen 17 especies amenazadas (N=73 especies de rapaces Neotropicales). Esta falta de patrones identificables en la respuesta de las rapaces a los cambios de hábitat ha conllevado a una controversia beneficio/afectación de las especies. La respuesta de aves rapaces especialistas/generalistas ante la intervención humana no se ha definido de manera clara en islas neotropicales. Se diseñó un estudio en al isla de Cuba para probar dos hipótesis. Primero, que las rapaces diurnas en un ecosistema isleño se ven afectadas por la actividad humana en su abundancia, distribución y localización de sus sitios de cría pero los efectos negativos de la pérdida de hábitat y la fragmentación son más intensos y frecuentes sobre rapaces especialistas que sobre las generalistas. Predecimos que diferentes intensidades de actividad humana y fragmentación modificarán, de manera diferencial, las respuestas de las especies en cuanto a su distribución y abundancia. Segundo, la actividad humana en las áreas naturales y modificadas disminuye la riqueza específica de las aves rapaces en la isla a diferentes escalas espaciales. A partir de esto predecimos que la riqueza específica de rapaces será mayor en áreas naturales sin intervención humana que en las altamente modificadas y fragmentadas y que la tendencia sería igual que en el Continente, pero tal vez con mayor efecto por las relaciones más estrechas al hábitat de las especies endémicas [...]

Resumen El flamenco caribeño (Phoenicopterus ruber) en México se distribuye en todo el complejo de lagunas dentro de los humedales costeros de la Península de Yucatán y se ha observado una cierta tendencia a un uso diferencial de las áreas entre los juveniles y adultos en las diferentes etapas de su ciclo de vida, según las estaciones del año. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las áreas más importantes donde se distribuyen espacialmente los flamencos en los humedales de Yucatán, México y sus variaciones temporales según la edad y las diferentes etapas de su ciclo de vida. Se utilizaron registros de individuos anillados que se han avistado durante el período 2010-2015. Se identificaron las áreas con el mayor número de individuos según la estación y la temporada. Se registraron flamencos en 39 áreas diferentes, de 43 muestreadas. En general, los sitios con el mayor número de registros fueron: La Angostura y Punta Mecoh. Tanto para los juveniles como para los adultos, las áreas con mayores porcentajes de ocupación fueron diferentes por edades entre las diferentes etapas del ciclo de vida y las estaciones del año. Charca Salinera Chel e Isla La Angostura fueron áreas en las que se registraron flamencos anillados de casi todas las edades. Aunque se siguen destacando como zonas importantes para la especie, ya descritas con anterioridad (Celestún, Ría Lagartos), aparecen nuevos sitios que albergan un número considerable de la población en algún momento de su ciclo de vida (e. g. Humedal Progreso. Salamandra, Laguna Rosada; Xcambo). A estos nuevos sitios se les debe prestar más atención y se recomiendan medidas de seguridad y protección importantes para todos ellos. Es necesario buscar nuevas fuentes de apoyo para realizar estudios que determinen el estado de las poblaciones de flamencos en áreas de difícil acceso de las que se tiene muy poca información. Abstract The Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) in Mexico is distributed throughout the complex of lagoons in coastal wetlands of the Yucatan Peninsula. The species shows a tendency toward differential use of areas between juveniles and adults at different stages of their life cycle, and in different seasons. The aim of this study was to determine the most important areas where flamingos are distributed in Yucatan wetlands, and to describe temporal variations according to age and stages of their life cycle. For this, we used the records of ringed individuals sighted during the period 2010-2015. The areas with the largest numbers of individuals, by stage and season, were identified. Flamingos were recorded in 39 different areas of 43 sampled. In general, the sites with the largest number of records were Isla La Angostura and Punta Mecoh. To both juveniles and adults, areas with higher occupancy rates differed by age between the different stages of the life cycle and seasons. In the Charca Salinera Chel and Isla La Angostura ringed flamingos of almost all ages were recorded. Although already described areas (Celestún, Ría Lagartos) are certainly important, new sites hosting considerable populations at some stage of this species life cycle were detected (e.g. Humedal Progreso; Salamandra, Laguna Rosada; Xcambo). These new sites should be given more attention and important security measures and protection are recommended to all of them. It is necessary to seek new support sources for studies that determine the flamingo population’s status in difficult access areas for which little information is available.

Parrots are a seriously threatened group because of the illegal pet trade, their habitat fragmentation and the destruction of tropical forests. This study aimed to determine the relationship between forest fragmentation and the geographic potential distribution of parrot species in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The research was carried out in the Mexican portion of the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic region, which includes the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan. We worked with the eight species of psittacids that inhabit the selected areas: Eupsittula nana, Amazona albifrons, Amazona xantholora, Amazona autumnalis, Pionus senilis, Pyrilia haematotis, Amazona oratrix and Amazona farinosa. For these species, we used the potential geographical distribution maps that were obtained through the Maximum Entropy algorithm, published in 2014. To measure the levels of forest fragmentation in the Peninsula, we employed the land use and vegetation maps from series IV (2007-2010) of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography. We calculated different landscape metrics at 100 sites randomly distributed within the predicted presence and absence areas for the species. Multivariate methods were used to shorten dimensionality in the analysis, as well as to explore the observed patterns. We did not find any pattern regarding the number of variables that contribute to the logistic regression models (LR) and the size of the parrots’ potential geographical distribution area within the Peninsula. For Pyrilia haematotis and Amazona oratrix, the fragmentation variables used did not seem to have any relationship with their potential geographical distribution in the Peninsula (intersection, Pr

ResumenCuba tiene la mayor diversidad de avifauna del Caribe y un alto número de especies amenazadas, siendo el comercio ilegal una de las grandes amenazas. Esto es particularmente preocupante en las islas neotropicales porque las aves son capturadas para el mercado ilegal nacional e internacional. Se identificaron las especies de aves silvestres cautivas como mascotas en 10 localidades de ambientes urbanos y rurales de la región central de Cuba y se determinó la riqueza y abundancia entre agosto-noviembre 2014 y juniooctubre 2015. Se realizó un censo y un muestreo aleatorio en las áreas rurales y urbanas respectivamente. Al menos 24 especies y 973 individuos de seis órdenes y 11 familias estuvieron cautivos. El orden mejor representado fue: Passeriformes (13 especies), seguido de Accipitriformes (cuatro especies). Las familias mejor representadas fueron: Thraupidae (3.3 ± 0.33) y Cardinalidae (2.6 ± 0.45) y las localidades Patria (17), Morón (13) y Bolivia (13) de la zona urbana tuvieron la mayor riqueza. La riqueza de residentes (5.80 ± 0.68) fue mayor que la de endémicos (1.70 ± 0.30) y migratorios (2.70 ± 0.52). La riqueza de endémicos (2.5 ± 0.29) y residentes (7.75 ± 0.63) fue mayor en la zona urbana. Hubo más especies cautivas de Preocupación Menor (6.20 ± 1.02). En la zona rural predominó la categoría En Peligro (12.5 %). El 46 % de las especies se clasificaron con tendencia al decrecimiento, 33.3 % al aumento y 20.8 % a la estabilidad. Las especies más frecuentes fueron: Passerina cyanea, Melopyrrha nigra, Tiaris olivaceus y Passerina ciris. La abundancia de especies con tendencia al decrecimiento (63.4 ± 22.13) fue mayor a las que tienden a la estabilidad (14.8 ± 9.9). El tráfico existente conducirá a las extinciones de especies, fundamentalmente psitácidos y rapaces, y pone en riesgo varios servicios ecológicos. El comercio ilegal debe enfrentarse como un problema ambiental, económico y social. Se planteó una estrategia para controlar este comercio insostenible. AbstractThe island of Cuba has the greatest diversity of birds in the Caribbean, and at the same time, a large number of endangered species. Illegal trade is one of major threats in Neotropical islands, because birds are captured for domestic and international illegal market. This study was undertaken with the aim to characterize the domestic market, in which captive wild birds are used as pets in the central region of Cuba. For this, a census and random survey to identify, and describe wild bird richness and abundance in 10 localities of urban and rural environments, was undertaken from August to November 2014, and from June to October 2015. Our results detected that at least 24 species and 973 individuals from six orders and 11 families were captive. The best represented order was Passeriformes (13 species), followed by Accipitriformes (four species). The best-represented families were Thraupidae (3.3 ± 0.33) and Cardinalidae (2.6 ± 0.45). Besides, the localities of Patria (17), Morón (13) and Bolivia (13) in the urban area had the highest richness. The richness of residents (5.80 ± 0.68) was higher than the endemics (1.70 ± 0.30) and migrants (2.70 ± 0.52), while the richness of endemics (2.5 ± 0.29) and residents (7.75 ± 0.63) was higher in urban areas. There were more captive species with Least Concern category (6.20 ± 1.02), but the Endangered category predominated in rural areas (12.5 %). The most common species were Passerina cyanea, Melopyrrha nigra, Tiaris olivaceus and Passerina ciris. A total of 46 % of the species were classified with a tendency to decrease, 33.3 % to increase and 20.8 % to stability. The abundance of species with a tendency to decrease (63.4 ± 22.13) was higher than those that tend to stability (14.8 ± 9.9). The actual traffic will lead to species extinction, mainly parrots and raptors, threatening several ecological services. Illegal trade should be addressed as an environmental, economic and social problem. Strategy for controlling this unsustainable trade was proposed. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (3): 962-974. Epub 2017 September 01.

Forty-six percent of tropical raptors are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Tropical raptors are generally rare species. The scarce information on distribution patterns of rare species makes it difficult to establish reliable conservation plans. We used ecological niche modelling to obtain good predictions of occurrence of two case species, the rare and endemic Gundlach’s and Cuban Black-hawks in Cuba, based on presence-only data. We used records from an intensive survey undertaken in natural and modified environments. Data were integrated with environmental variables using Maxent to predict species distributions. Subsequently, we overlaid the resulting predicted distributions, the land use map and the protected areas layers to establish potential suitable habitat for these endemics and to determine if a better design of protected areas than the existing one can be proposed using both hawks’ distribution in the design. Gundlach’s Hawk distribution was fragmented, depending on forest distribution. Cuban Black-Hawk distribution was narrow, near the coastline. Forests and mangrove represent 57% and 45% of Gundlach’s Hawk and Cuban Black-Hawk model predictions, respectively. 71% of the total forest area was represented in the distribution of Gundlach’s Hawk. Mangrove area overlaps 45% of the Cuban Black-Hawk distribution. Six protected areas preserved 50% and 92% of their distributions, respectively. With few presence-only data of rare species, Maxent models were statistically and ecologically significant and reliable to develop distribution maps with high predictive power. Our results highlight the importance of natural habitats for conservation efforts of these endemic species. A good conservation program should include the protection of suitable nesting areas and expand the protected areas network containing suitable habitats for both species in forest and coastal areas. We propose the use of predictive modelling tools to strengthen conservation actions not only for rare raptors but for the 238 endemic and threatened birds of the Neotropics with scarce data, small population sizes, restricted distributions and often specialist habits.