Repositorio Digital Ikiam (Univ. Regional Amazónica)
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Indigenous knowledge interaction network between host plants and edible insects in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Get PDFGlobally, nearly two billion people consume approximately 2,111 species of insects, 92% of which are harvested directly from their natural ecosystems. However, intensifying insect harvesting causes ecological alterations and biodiversity loss. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Kichwa people are the primary consumers of insects. Thus, this study characterised the diversity of edible insects, host plants, and cultural significance among two peri-urban Kichwa communities. We used photo-elicitation, free-listing, semi-structured interviews, and in situ walk-in-the-woods to identify relevant edible insects. Then, we used species accumulation curves, the Salience Smith Index (SSI), ecological interaction networks, and extinction models to assess insect-host species interactions and cultural significance. We registered 19 edible insect species from three orders and six families. Furthermore, we reported two new species for the world list of edible insects and one for the Ecuadorian list. Ten insect species were associated with 21 host plant species. The interaction between the Rhynchophorus palmarum beetle and the Bactris gasipaes palm tree had the highest cultural significance (SSI>0.18, P<0.05). Furthermore, we found that 30% of the insect species and 52% of the host plant species (of which 90% were palms) were essential for conserving the interaction network structure. Finally, the extinction models suggested that host plant species knowledge was intrinsically related to edible insect knowledge conservation. Our findings provide basic ecological and cultural information for developing edible insect breeding projects and safeguarding traditional knowledge
Urban soil management in the strategies for adaptation to climate change of cities in the Tropical Andes
Get PDFThe unique characteristics of a city amplify the impacts of climate change; therefore, urban planning in the 21st century is challenged to apply mitigation and adaptation strategies that ensure the collective well-being. Despite advances in monitoring urban environmental change, research on the application of adaptation-oriented criteria remains a challenge in urban planning in the Global South. This study proposes to include urban land management as a criterion and timely strategy for climate change adaptation in the cities of the Tropical Andes. Here, we estimate the distribution of the soil organic carbon stock (OCS) of the city of Quito (2,815 m.a.s.l.; population 2,011,388; 197.09 km2) in the following three methodological moments: i) field/laboratory: city-wide sampling design established to collect 300 soil samples (0–15 cm) and obtain data on organic carbon (OC) concentrations in addition to 30 samples for bulk density (BD); ii) predictors: geographic, spectral and anthropogenic dimensions established from 17 co-variables; and iii) spatial modeling: simple multiple regression (SMRM) and random forest (RFM) models of organic carbon concentrations and density as well as OCS stock estimation. We found that the spatial modeling techniques were complementary; however, SMRM showed a relatively higher fit both (OC: r2 = 20%, BD: r2 = 16%) when compared to RFM (OC: r2 = 8% and BD: r2 = 5%). Thus, soil carbon stock (0–0.15 m) was estimated with a spatial variation that fluctuated between 9.89 and 21.48 kg/m2; whereas, RFM showed fluctuations between 10.38 and 17.67 kg/m2. We found that spatial predictors (topography, relative humidity, precipitation, temperature) and anthropogenic predictors (population density, roads, vehicle traffic, land cover) positively influence the model, while spatial predictors have little influence and show multicollinearity with relative humidity. Our research suggests that urban land management in the 21st century provides key information for adaptation and mitigation strategies aimed at coping with global and local climate variations in the cities of the Tropical Andes
Identificación del conocimiento pseudocientífico en estudiantes de ciencias experimentales
Get PDFEn la era digital la sociedad tiene acceso a una gran cantidad de información, entre la que se encuentran conocimientos no científicos o anticientíficos, a cuya se le conoce como pseudociencia. En la pandemia del Covid-19 se evidenció la importancia de que la sociedad estuviera alfabetizada científicamente para tomar decisiones adecuadas, y sobre cómo los conocimientos anticientíficos no solo pueden causar pérdidas económicas, sino también vidas humanas. En la presente investigación se pretende diagnosticar si el conocimiento pseudocientífico está presente en 90 profesores en formación, pertenecientes a diferentes niveles académicos desde cuarto a séptimo semestre de Educación en Ciencias Experimentales de la Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam de Ecuador. Se utiliza una metodología cuantitativa, y para determinar el diagnóstico se aplica un cuestionario de 10 ítems con indicadores de la escala de Likert. Se verifica su fiabilidad y consistencia mediante el Alfa de Cronbach y posteriormente se desarrolla el análisis según el promedio-cargo, nivel académico, sexo y desglose de preguntas relevantes. Se encontró que el mayor porcentaje de profesores en formación no están de acuerdo con las ideas presentes en el cuestionario de pseudociencia, por lo cual, al tomar en cuenta los resultados se puede afirmar que no existe presencia de los conocimientos pseudocientíficos en los profesores en formación, y que la presencia mínima de estos se encuentra localizados en niveles académicos bajos
Composición de géneros y morfometría geométrica de abejas nativas sin aguijón (APIDAE: meliponini) de meliponarios de los Cantones Tena y Archidona, Napo
Get PDFLas abejas nativas sin aguijón (ANSA), Meliponini, son las únicas abejas sociales que
producen miel, además de las abejas melíferas, Apini. Debido a su extendida presencia en
Latinoamérica, las ANSA han sido manejadas en la meliponicultura, así como para la
polinización de cultivos. La meliponicultura puede generar información importante para la
conservación de este grupo, pero se ve limitada por la falta de conocimiento sobre el
mismo. Tradicionalmente la identificación de géneros, subgéneros o especies, se hace en
base a características morfológicas, sin embargo, las alas de las ANSA pueden ser usadas
como parte de la identificación a través de herramientas como la morfometría geométrica.
En consecuencia, el objetivo fue conocer la composición de géneros y morfoespecies de
ANSA usadas en meliponarios, a partir de la morfología tradicional y morfometría
geométrica. Se analizaron un total de 127 individuos que fueron divididos en seis géneros:
Melipona (Melikerria) sp, Melipona (Michmelia) sp1, Melipona (Michmelia) sp2,
Tetragonisca sp, Paratrigona sp, Nannotrigona sp, Scaura sp, y, Plebeia sp. En este trabajo
se evidencia la importancia de la morfometría geométrica en la discriminación de géneros
a través de los cambios en la venación alar. Los cambios en la forma más importantes se
ubicaron en la intersección de las venas: cubital (Cu) y cubital 1 (Cu1); radial (R) y rama
posterior de la vena radial (Rs); mediana o basal (M) y rama posterior de la vena radial (Rs)
e intersección entre el estigma y la rama posterior de la vena radial (Rs).Tutor: Jonathan Liria Salaza
An Update of the Geographic Distribution of the Red-Mantled Saddle-Back Tamarin, Leontocebus lagonotus (Callitrichidae), in Ecuador
Get PDFUnderstanding the geographic distributions of primates is necessary to ensure effective conservation strategies. Nonetheless, many gaps persist in information regarding the range limits of platyrrhines. Leontocebus lagonotus is no exception; it is one of the least studied primates in Ecuador and its geographic limits are poorly known. We obtained 296 records of its presence in Ecuador from field studies (between 1996 and 2020), museums, the literature, and databases. Of these, we validated 211 records and used 106 (excluding grouped points) to determine the potential distribution of this species using an ecological niche model (MaxEnt). The model suggested that the species’ distribution in Ecuador covers 64,028 km². Based on confirmed data, the extent of occurrence was 38,226 km², but after updating it with layers of remaining vegetation (2018), we determined that the current distribution is 32,643 km² (a 15% reduction). Our findings reduce the range proposed for the species in Ecuador, suggesting that areas north of the Napo River, the north-central area of Yasuní National Park, and the far eastern part of Waorani Ethnic Reserve were never part of the species’ range. We also identified the southern boundaries of its distribution, where the Paute-Upano and Cangaime-Morona rivers form a natural barrier. Its distribution in Peru possibly reaches the south of the Morona and Santiago rivers. We recommend a similar approach for other platyrrhines, particularly those under threat, for better implementation of conservation efforts
Amazon tree dominance across forest strata
Get PDFThe forests of Amazonia are among the most biodiverse plant communities on Earth. Given the immediate threats posed by climate and land-use change, an improved understanding of how this extraordinary biodiversity is spatially organized is urgently required to develop effective conservation strategies. Most Amazonian tree species are extremely rare but a few are common across the region. Indeed, just 227 ‘hyperdominant’ species account for >50% of all individuals >10 cm diameter at 1.3 m in height. Yet, the degree to which the phenomenon of hyperdominance is sensitive to tree size, the extent to which the composition of dominant species changes with size class and how evolutionary history constrains tree hyperdominance, all remain unknown. Here, we use a large floristic dataset to show that, while hyperdominance is a universal phenomenon across forest strata, different species dominate the forest understory, midstory and canopy. We further find that, although species belonging to a range of phylogenetically dispersed lineages have become hyperdominant in small size classes, hyperdominants in large size classes are restricted to a few lineages. Our results demonstrate that it is essential to consider all forest strata to understand regional patterns of dominance and composition in Amazonia. More generally, through the lens of 654 hyperdominant species, we outline a tractable pathway for understanding the functioning of half of Amazonian forests across vertical strata and geographical locations
Ocurrencia de actividad antimicrobiana en la secreción de la piel de Callimedusa ecuatoriana y caracterización estructural del péptido Ikiam 2599
Get PDFDefensive peptides from amphibian skin secretions have generated great interest in the
world for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, wound healing, antioxidant, and
even anticancer capabilities. Between them, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered
as a potential therapeutic alternative against infections caused by microorganisms resistant
to conventional antibiotics. In Phyllomedusidae family, new AMPs have been described,
with strong antimicrobial activity with low or no hemolytic activity, considering them
potential for clinical development. In Ecuador, there are species belonging to this family,
with biomedical potential that are in danger of extinction and unexplored as a source of
new MPAs, such as Callimedusa ecuatoriana. This study reports for the first time analysis
of the antimicrobial potential of C. ecuatoriana cutaneous secretion through fractionation
by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), antimicrobial assays and matrix assisted mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In addition, the primary structure of the first
peptide (Ikiam2599) from C. ecuatoriana skin obtained by molecular cloning is reported.
From the analysis of its precursor sequence against described peptides, it was identified
that Ikiam2599 peptide belongs to the recently described Picturin family. The synthetic
peptide Ikiam2599 lacks hemolytic and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and
Staphylococus aureus: additionally, it lack antifungal activity. This study demonstrates the
biomedical potential of the C. ecuatoriana cutaneous secretion, also showing the potential
of unexplored biological and molecular diversity in endemic species of Ecuado
Anaerobic codigestion of slaughter residues with agricultural waste of amaranth quinoa and wheat
Get PDFThe objective of this research is to experimentally evaluate the anaerobic co-digestion of
16 slaughterhouse residues in the city of Guaranda with straw residues from agriculture, such as:
17 amaranth, quinoa and wheat. The study was carried out on a laboratory scale using 311 ml
18 biodigesters under mesophilic conditions of 37 °C. Anaerobic co-digestion resulted in methane
19 yields of 407 ml CH4/g VS, with a methane content in the biogas of 77% for the mixture of
20 slaughterhouse waste and quinoa (RM-QU (25:75)). The increase in inoculum in the mixtures
21 composed of slaughterhouse residues and quinoa increased the biodegradability between 17 and
22 22%. However, in the mixtures of slaughterhouse waste and amaranth (RM-AM (0:100)), a
23 further increase in inoculum decreased biodegradability by 5%. To predict and simulate methane
24 production, 5 kinetic models were used: modified Gompertz, logistic equation, transfer, cone and
25 Richards. The cone model was the one that best adjusted the experimental values with those
predicted with an R2 26 of 0.982 to 0.999 and RMSE of 0.61 to 6.92 ml CH4/g VS. The calculatio
Diet and trophic structure of frugivorous bats (Phyllostomidae) in forests and chagras of the Andean–Amazon piedmont, Ecuador
Get PDFEcuador is experiencing a rapid conversion of its natural habitats, especially in its Andean–Amazon piedmont forests, a
conversion that in turn threatens the country’s biodiversity. Frugivorous bats (Phyllostomidae) are not only an example of a
taxa affected by habitat loss but may also play a role in overturning habitat loss and degradation. As important seed dispersers,
bats are key to many ecological processes such as forest regeneration and succession. To understand Phyllostomidae
diversity and trophic structure of Ecuador’s piedmont forests, as well as the potential role of bats in forest recovery through
seed dispersal, we sampled bats at both agroforestry (chagras) sites and patches of secondary forest in the buffer zone of the
Colonso Chalupas Biological Reserve, Napo Province (750–900 m asl.). For 4 months, we used mist nets and seed traps to
sample bats and the seeds they carried. In total, these efforts yielded 224 bats belonging to 33 species. We captured 224 bats
belonging to 33 species of which 114 individuals from 24 species transported seeds. We captured more species but fewer
individuals of bats in forests (17) than in chagras (15). The bats carried 15,685 seeds of 41 different morpho-seeds belonging
to twelve plant genera, with Piper, Cecropia, and Solanum being those with the highest number of seeds. The main disperser
we found was Carollia brevicauda, both in the forest (index value = 1.4) and in chagras (2.2). Bat-plant networks were more
symmetric in forests (− 1.63) compared to chagras (− 9.28) and showed higher degrees of specialization in chagras. Our
results show the great diversity of bats and the seeds they carry and highlight how this traditional agricultural system allows
for connectivity between forest patches by providing food niches for seed dispersers. Therefore, we argue both bats and
chagras must be considered in forest restoration programs
Efectos de factores socioeconómicos y características del paisaje urbano de Tena sobre el riesgo en la transmisión de Dengue.
Get PDFEl dengue es una enfermedad transmitida por mosquitos sinantrópicos del género Aedes. En
Ecuador la especie implicada es Aedes aegypti, que tiene un área de distribución asociada a
factores antropogénicos y por tanto a características del paisaje urbano. El objetivo del estudio
fue analizar factores socioeconómicos, de saneamiento y de composición del paisaje urbano
de Tena, para identificar las características de barrios relacionadas con los casos de dengue en
la ciudad. Utilizando correlaciones (Spearman y Pearson) se relacionaron los casos totales de
dengue de 2 años (2019-2020), y 15 variables predictoras: 4 socioeconómicas ,3 de
saneamiento y 8 de composición del paisaje urbano. Paralelamente, se realizaron dos análisis
de conglomerados, uno con componente espacial y otro sin considerar esta variable.
Finalmente, se calculó el índice de Moran para evaluar la correlación espacial de barrios con la
variable epidemiológica. Se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre la variable
epidemiológica y: el número de casas (ρ= 0,75; p < 0,001), usuarios de agua (ρ= 0,70; p < 0,001),
área ocupada por estructura (r= 0,64; p < 0,001), canchas totales (ρ= 0,46; p < 0,05), lavadoras
de autos (ρ= 0,44; p < 0,05) y talleres mecánicos (ρ= 0,33; p < 0,05). El índice de Moran (I= 0,36;
z= 3,09; p= 0,01) y los análisis de conglomerados sugieren correlación espacial entre barrios
con alta y baja incidencia de dengue en el centro de la ciudad. La urbanización desordenada y
el inadecuado manejo de los espacios que componen los barrios, influyen sobre los casos de
dengue en Tena.
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