Abstract Scinax comprises 129 species of treefrogs divided between the S. ruber and the S. catharinae clades. The S. rostratus group belongs to the S. ruber clade, and comprises ten species characterized by having a dark interorbital triangular mark, tubercle on the heel and by vocalizing in a head-down position. Within this group, S. kennedyi and S. rostratus are similar in that they are the only species that do not possess a row of tubercles on the lower jaw. In spite of their morphological similarity, they can be distinguished from each other by male size and advertisement call traits. Scinax kennedyi was described from eastern Colombia, and occurs from central Colombia to western Venezuela, whereas S. rostratus was described from northern Venezuela, and is thought to occur from Panama to eastern Venezuela, and in the Brazilian state of Pará. A recent study reported a population identified as S. rostratus from the state of Roraima, in northern Brazil. However, this population presented substantial differences in male size and advertisement call in comparison to the described for this species, and apparently it best fits the diagnosis of S. kennedyi instead. In view of this, the present study aimed to clarify the identity of this Brazilian population through a reassessment of its specimens and call recordings, together with the examination of data of S. kennedyi from its type locality, and of S. rostratus from northern Venezuela. Acoustic and morphological analyses revealed that specimens from northern Brazil were indeed misidentified as S. rostratus, and hence they were herein reassigned to S. kennedyi. The study therefore demonstrates the occurrence of S. kennedyi in Brazil, extending its distribution ca. 1,120 km east by south from its type locality, and ca. 844 km east-southeast from its easternmost previous record. With this reassessment, a clearer acoustic diagnosis between S. kennedyi and S. rostratus was provided, as well as further data on fine-scale temporal traits of their calls.

Abstract The pathogen causing the so-called fusarium wilt of the Musaceae, Fusarium oxysporum, f. sp. Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), recently classified as Fusarium odoratissimum Maryani, Lombard, Kema & Crous, 2019, is a fungus that poses a phytosanitary threat to global food security. It is considered the most devastating disease affecting the genus Musa, accounting for considerable losses in banana production in the affected regions. Foc TR4 was first spotted in plantations of the of Cavendish banana trees in Taiwan in 1967, then spreading to Malaysia, Java, Gran Canaria, the Philippines, and North Australia in the 1990s. In the 18 years that followed, it spread further to countries such as Laos, Vietnam, India, Myanmar, and Thailand; in other words, for nearly 30 years, its presence was restricted to Southeast Asia. However, during this period, there was the first transcontinental dispersal of fusarium into the Eastern hemisphere, spreading toward the Middle East and Africa, specifically Oman, Jordan, northern Mozambique, Lebanon, and Pakistan, then reaching Turkey in the year 2020. A transcontinental alert emerged again at the end of 2019 when Foc TR4 was first reported in America, specifically in La Guajira, Colombia, which certainly poses a potential threat to banana regions throughout America. The dispersal and potential establishment of Foc TR4 in the Americas can severely affect the regional economy and food security, where around 36.4% of global production is produced, with the marketing of some 14.5 million tons. Jointly, the Regional Agency for Agricultural Health (OIRSA*), the Andean Community (CAN*), the Southern Plant Health Committee (COSAVE*), the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) as Regional Plant Protection Bodies (RPPBs), as well as the National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) of the member countries and other countries across the Americas, argue that the fusarium wilt of the Musaceae poses a continental phytosanitary threat due to potential adverse effects on the banana production chain. Therefore, the objective of this research was to characterize the areas facing a phytosanitary risk of Foc TR4 under different risk levels. We used a phytosanitary geospatial approach to identify potential scenarios for the introduction and establishment of the pathogen on a global scale, with a particular focus on pantropical America. The specific objectives were to: 1) model the environmental similarity of the pathogen/host using the Maxent or ecological niche model; 2) estimate the economic damage potential (EDP) derived from the spatial association of trade nodes (source/destination); and 3) estimate the phytosanitary risk of the fusarium wilt of the Musaceae through a multi-criteria spatial assessment at different geographic scales (global and sub-continental “pantropical America”). The phytosanitary geospatial analysis integrated epidemic and spatial components, facilitating the definition of focal areas facing the highest global phytosanitary risk in Southeast Asia (insular region), South Asia, Central Africa, and Madagascar) and South America, in addition to various regions of Central and North America where conditions exist for the spread of the disease. In the Americas, we estimated approximately 15.8 million km2 with a phytosanitary risk, classified into five risk levels: very high, high, medium, low, and very low. A greater spatial resolution made possible to characterize the pantropical region of the Americas and identify the regions facing some level of phytosanitary risk in 2 countries in North America, 7 in Central America, 13 in South America, and 23 in the Caribbean region. However, there are territories with optimal characteristics for the establishment of the disease, i.e., potentially facing a very high phytosanitary risk (> 0.9), encompassing extensive areas in Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico, Guyana, Guatemala, Venezuela, Panama, and Colombia, which altogether encompass 26,598 km2, statistically supported by Moran’s Index. The results obtained can be considered a technical/scientific tool with the potential to strengthen and focus actions to prevent the spread of this pathogen on the pantropical region of America. It is considered an input that can strengthen the traditional pest risk analysis (PRA) carried out by regional and national plant protection organizations.

Resumen La comúnmente llamada Fusariosis de las musáceas es un patógeno que representa una amenaza para la seguridad alimentaria global. Es responsable de pérdidas considerables en la producción de plátano y banano en el mundo. Por casi 30 años, su presencia se restringió al Sureste asiático, sin embargo, en agosto de 2019 se detectó por vez primera en Colombia y se consideró un nuevo riesgo fitosanitario en América. Se modelaron los patrones espaciales de Fusarium oxysporum, f. sp. cubense raza 4 tropical (FocR4T) a nivel global y subcontinental (América pantropical) bajo un enfoque que integró los componentes epidémico y espacial, e incluyó la distribución potencial (patógeno/hospedante) y el potencial de daño económico por asociación espacial de nodos comerciales (origen/destino), lo cual se integró mediante la evaluación multicriterio (MCDA). A nivel territorial se caracterizaron cinco niveles de riesgo fitosanitario (muy alto, alto, medio, bajo y muy bajo). A escala global se determinó la existencia de cuatro áreas focales donde existen condiciones para la ocurrencia de la enfermedad. En la América pantropical se determinó la existencia de 26 598 km2 en riesgo fitosanitario muy alto (>0.9) ubicado por mayor extensión en Ecuador, Brasil, México, Guyana, Guatemala, Venezuela, Panamá y Colombia, aunque también existen 15.8 millones de km2 con un nivel de riesgo inferior. La cartografía obtenida representa una herramienta valiosa para fortalecer y direccionar las acciones preventivas en la dispersión de este patógeno en la región y se considera un insumo técnico/científico que fortalece el análisis de riesgo de plagas realizado por las organizaciones regionales y nacionales de protección fitosanitaria.

The hosts plants of eggs and nymphs of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), totaled 16 species grouped in 11 families, which were sampled and collected in adjacent areas to the plots of tomato production. This study was conducted in the locality of "La Mesa de San Martín", in the East region of Panama, through quarterly assessments carried out between May of 2013 and June 2014. Is per-formed random sampling that consisted of 15 points of 1 m², assessing the numbers of eggs and the nymphs of this insect vector of begomovirus, in five leaves or leaflets in the upper, medium and lower level of the plants. The total area sampled by leaf or leaflet of the host plant was 1,000 cm². The greater incidence of eggs and nymphs of B. tabaci is recorded in Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., Jatropha gossypifolia L., Solanum torvum Sw., Jatropha urens L. and Physalis angulata L. Discussed the role of the host plants of B. tabaci in the begomovirus spread and the management of this biotic interaction in the areas of tomato production.

Las plantas hospedantes de huevos y ninfas de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), totalizaron 16 especies agrupadas en 11 familias, las que fueron muestreadas y recolectadas en áreas adyacentes a las parcelas de producción de tomate. Este estudio se realizó en la localidad de "La Mesa de San Martín", en la región este de Panamá, mediante evaluaciones trimestrales realizadas entre mayo de 2013 y junio de 2014. Se realizaron muestreos aleatorios que constaron de 15 puntos de recolección de 1 m², evaluándose el número de huevos y ninfas de este insecto vector de begomovirus, en cinco hojas o foliolos en los estratos superior, medio e inferior de las plantas. La superficie total muestreada por hoja o foliolo de la planta hospedante fue de 1.000 cm². La mayor incidencia de huevos y ninfas de B. tabaci se registró en Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., Jatropha gossypifolia L., Solanum torvum Sw., Jatropha urens L. y Physalis angulata L. Se discutió el papel de las plantas hospedantes de B. tabaci en la diseminación de begomovirus y el manejo de esta interacción biótica en las áreas de producción de tomate.

La Formación Guineales se localiza en el norte de la Cordillera Occidental, al oeste del municipio de Dabeiba (Antioquia). Aflora como una franja NNW con 30 km de largo y tiene un ancho entre 2 y 3 km, formando un monoclinal con disposición N 10° - 23° W y buza entre 53° - 70° E; está constituida por bancos de conglomerados polimícticos con intercalaciones de capas de areniscas. El análisis estratigráfico estableció un espesor de secuencia de 2.199,26 m en la vía Dabeiba - Mutatá, entre las quebradas Choromandó y Guineales. Las capas de areniscas fueron clasificadas como wacas líticas y litoarenitas; el análisis de procedencia de los cantos determinó varios periodos de deposición de conglomerados con predominio de clastos volcánicos y otros con predominio de clastos sedimentarios. Mediante el análisis multi-método se determina que las unidades de aporte volcánico fueron los Basaltos de El Botón (Mioceno superior), Diabasas de San José de Urama (límite cretácico inferiorjurásico) y el Complejo Santa Cecilia - La Equis (Eoceno inferior) y como aporte sedimentario las Sedimentitas de Las Cruces (Eoceno inferior) y las Litoarenitas, Limolitas y Lodolitas de Urrao (Cretácico superior). La geocronología U-Pb en circones de la matriz arenosa de los conglomerados agrupó intervalos desde el Mioceno (10,5 Ma) hasta el Proterozóico (1.509 a 1.599 Ma), el intervalo más representativo tiene edades del Triásico medio (206,5 a los 287 Ma), que resultan concordantes con circones metamórficos que provienen del basamento Triásico de la Cordillera Central. El depósito de los conglomerados de la Formación Guineales representa el levantamiento, erosión y acumulación en un ambiente continental donde los ríos corrían de Este a Oeste en la zona de colisión entre el Bloque Cañasgordas y el Bloque Chocó-Panamá y podría estar relacionada con la Orogenia Andina ocurrida en el Plioceno. Basados en las relaciones estratigráficas, análisis de procedencia de clastos y geocronología de los circones detríticos es posible concluir que la acumulación de la Formación Guineales es posterior a 9 Ma (Mioceno tardío).

The Guineales Formation is located in the northern area of the Cordillera Occidental, to the West of the town of Dabeiba (Antioquia). It crops out as a N-S band, 30 km long and 2-3 km wide, forming a monocline structure that strikes N 10-23° W and dips 53- 70° E. It is composed by coarse polimyctic conglomerates with interbedded sandstones. The stratigraphic analysis of the sequence established a total thickness of 2199.26 m in the Dabeiba - Mutata road between the Choromandó and Guineales creeks. The sandstone layers were classified as lithic wackes and lithic arenites; the provenance analysis of the clasts in the conglomerates showed several cycles of deposition marked by the prevalence of volcanic or sedimentary clasts. The source for the volcanic clast were the Basaltos de El Botón (Upper Miocene), Diabasas de San José de Urama (Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous limit), and Complejo Santa Cecilia - La Equis formations (Lower Eocene), whereas the source for the sedimentary clasts were Sedimentitas de Las Cruces and Litoarenitas, Limolitas y Lodolitas de Urrao formations. The U-Pb geochronology zircons found in the matrix of the conglomerates, shows groups of zircons with ages ranging from Miocene (10.5 Ma) to Proterozoic (1509-1599 Ma), the most representative being the range in age that corresponds to Middle Triassic ( 206.5 to 287 Ma); this age is consistent with metamorphic zircons that come from the Triassic basement of the Cordillera Central. The depositional event represents uplifting, erosion and accumulation in a continental environment where rivers flowed from east to west in the collision area between the block and Cañasgordas and Chocó- Panama blocks, and could be related to the Andean orogeny occurred in the Pliocene. Based on stratigraphic relationships, provenance analysis of the clasts and detrital zircons geochronology, it is possible to conclude that the accumulation age of Guineales Formation is later than 9 Ma (Upper Miocene).

Resumen El Golfo Dulce es uno de los pocos fiordos tropicales del mundo, y recientemente ha sido declarado como un Área Marina de Pesca Responsable (AMPR), albergando ecosistemas de manglar, corales y pastos marinos que son áreas de alimentación importantes para la tortuga verde (Chelonia mydas). En este estudio estimamos la captura por unidad de esfuerzo (CPUE) y la estructura de la población, en un sitio del sector oeste del Golfo Dulce. Entre agosto de 2010 y marzo de 2013, se capturaron un total de 253 tortugas verdes (incluyendo 20 recapturas) utilizando redes de enmalle. La CPUE anual (CPUE, 1 unidad: 100m de red por 7h) durante el estudio osciló entre 0.19 y 0.45, reduciéndose progresivamente a través de los años, posiblemente propiciado por una mortalidad masiva ocurrida en enero de 2013. Se encontró que la estacionalidad y la temporalidad influyen en la CPUE de acuerdo al modelo de mejor ajuste. Cerca del 78.17% de las tortugas capturadas fueron consideradas como adultas, con un promedio de largo curvo de caparazón (LCC) de 79.6±0.9cm. Se recapturó una hembra que había sido previamente marcada en el Archipiélago de Galápagos. Mientras que ninguna de las tortugas marcadas en el Golfo Dulce fue reportada anidando en alguna playa. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el Golfo Dulce es un área importante para la tortuga verde, en donde se congregan individuos adultos o subadultos para alimentase de los pastos marinos y las partes carnosas de los mangles. Asimismo, el área representa un gran reto para la conservación internacional, ya que posiblemente las hembras adultas que capturamos provienen de playas de anidación de Panamá y Colombia, lo que requiere de acuerdos multilaterales que propicien la recuperación de la tortuga verde del Pacífico Este. Sugerimos la continuación de este proyecto de conservación para utilizar a las tortugas marinas como especie sombrilla para la protección de los ecosistemas del Golfo Dulce.

Abstract The Golfo Dulce is one of the few tropical fjords in the world, and has recently been declared a Marine Area for Responsible Fisheries (AMPR), harboring mangrove ecosystems, coral reefs and seagrass beds, which are important feeding areas for green turtles (Chelonia mydas). In this study we estimate the catch per unit effort (CPUE) and population structure in a site in the western sector of the Golfo Dulce. Between August 2010 and March 2013, were captured a total of 253 green turtles (including 20 recaptures) using entanglement nets. The annual CPUE (CPUE, 1 unit: 100m of net for 7h) during the study ranged between 0.19 and 0.45, decreasing gradually over the years, possibly prompted by mass mortality occurred in January 2013. We found that seasonality and temporality influence the CPUE according to the best-fit model. About 78.17% were considered adult females, with an average length of curved carapace (LCC) of 79.6±0.9cm. The female recaptured has been tagged previously in the Galapagos Archipelago. While none of the turtles tagged in the Golfo Dulce was reported nesting on any other beach. Our results suggest that the Golfo Dulce is an important area for green turtles, where individuals congregate for adults and subadults would feed on seagrasses and the fleshy parts of the mangroves. The area also represents a major challenge for international conservation, possibly because we captured adult females from nesting beaches of Panama and Colombia, which requires multilateral agreements that promote the recovery of the East Pacific green turtle. We suggest the continuation of this conservation project to use sea turtles as umbrella species to protect ecosystems in the Golfo Dulce. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (Suppl. 1): 363-373. Epub 2015 April 01.

El Banco Hannibal se encuentra en Coiba que es Patrimonio de la Humanidad de UNESCO en el Pacífico de Panamá y es una importante zona de pesca. Este estudio evaluó las principales características topográficas y la complejidad de la montaña submarina Banco Hannibal mediante el uso de sensores remotos acústicos. A pesar del estado de protección de la zona y la importancia para las especies comerciales de peces como el pargo y el atún, la montaña submarina no ha tenido ningún estudio detallado salvo alguna colección de organismos. El área de estudio de alrededor de 125km² identificada usando cartas de navegación fue definida usando datos de sonar de barrido lateral durante julio 2008. La información batimétrica fue importada a ArcGIS donde se creó un modelo digital batimétrico DBM y mapa de pendientes. La extensión del ArcGIS Benthic Terrain Modeler BTM se utilizó para calcular el índice de posición batimétrica o BPI pendiente de cada celda relativa a las celdas vecinas y rugosidad. El banco Hannibal es un guyot alargado, triangular montaña submarina plana en parte superior, que se extiende en profundidad desde 53m hasta 416m, tiene una superficie de 76km² y es de 14.4km de largo y 7.1km de ancho. El Banco Hannibal está compuesto por pendientes pronunciadas, pendientes más suaves, parte superior de la montaña submarina, crestas altos relieves en la parte superior, zonas rugosas en las crestas, parte superior de los montes submarinos y pendiente, barrancos y crestas. El banco es asimétrico, con una pendiente relativamente suave y con surcos a través de la superficie en el lado norte en comparación con el lado suroeste que es mucho más pronunciado y más rugoso. Hay dos cumbres al norte y al sureste de la orilla, que varían en profundidad de 180 a 333m. El sustrato rocoso comprende unos 22.6km² del banco y sedimentos 37.8km². El banco y sus caras abruptas, áreas rugosas y pináculos proporcionan estructuras verticales que pueden alterar y mejorar topográficamente las corrientes. Esto se cree produce un afloramiento local que explicaría las mayores agregaciones de peces que son el objetivo de la pesca comercial y deportiva. Es probable que el Banco Hannibal tenga una presión cada vez mayor en el futuro debido al cambio climático y la pesca y este estudio ha producido información valiosa que permite la clasificación de los hábitats para el manejo de las especies asociadas y su pesca, así como la iniciación de la investigación sobre montañas submarinas de Panamá.

The Hannibal Bank sits within the Coiba UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pacific Panama and is also a fisheries management zone. Despite the protected status of the area and the importance of the Bank for commercial fish species such as snapper and tuna, the seamount has received no detailed survey except some collection of organisms. This study mapped the major topographic features and complexity of the Hannibal Bank seamount using acoustic remote sensing. A survey area of around 125km² was defined using existing charts and side-scan sonar data were collected during July 2008. A bathymetric output was imported to ArcGIS where a digital bathymetric model and slope map were created. The Benthic Terrain Modeler BTM extension for ArcGIS was used to calculate bathymetric position index and rugosity, and used to create a map of zones representing the various seabed morphology zones. The Hannibal bank is an elongated, triangular guyot flat topped seamount, which ranges in depth from 53m to 416m, covers an area of 76km² and is 14.4km long and 7.1km wide. Hannibal bank is composed of steep slopes, more gentle slopes, top of the seamount, crests elevated ridges at the top of the pinnacles, rugose areas on crests, top of seamount and slope, gullies and pinnacles. The bank is asymmetric in nature with the Northerly side having a relatively gentle slope with gullies across the surface compared to the SouthWest side which is far steeper and more rugose. There are two pinnacles to the North and South East of the bank that range in depth from 180 to 333m. Rocky substrate makes up 22.6km² of the bank and sediment 37.8km². The bank and its steeply sided, rugose areas and pinnacles provide upright structures which can disrupt and topographically enhance currents, increasing productivity. The rugose areas of Hannibal Bank should be primary targets for further research efforts as they may contain corals and their rugosity indicates that these should be some of the highest faunal diversity areas of the bank. Hannibal Bank is likely to come increasing pressure in the future through climate change and fishing and this study has produced valuable information to assist in the future mapping and management of habitats, associated species and fisheries.

Resumen: El Complejo Volcánico La Yeguada es uno de los tres centros volcánicos cuaternarios en Panamá. Para evaluar los riesgos geológicos potenciales, se analizaron nuevas muestras utilizando el análisis de argón (40Ar/39Ar), y se obtuvo lo siguiente: la erupción más reciente ocurrió hace aproximadamente 32.000 años, en el cono de escoria Media Luna; la erupción más reciente del complejo principal, se produjo en el domo de Castillo, hace 357 ± 19 ka; Cerro Picacho, un domo dacítico separado 1,5 kilómetros al este del complejo principal, es de edad 4,47 ± 0,23 Ma; y el flujo piroclástico El Satro, que rodea la parte del norte del complejo volcánico, tiene una edad de 11,26 ± 0,17 Ma. Ninguna actividad del Holoceno (desde hace 10.000 años presentar) es registrada en el complejo volcánico La Yeguada y por lo tanto, es improbable que produzca otra erupción. El principal riesgo geológico son los deslizamientos de los escarpes pronunciados.

Abstract: La Yeguada volcanic complex is one of three Quaternary volcanic centers in Panama. To assess potential geologic hazards, new samples were analyzed using argon analysis (40Ar/39Ar ), and obtained the following: the most recent eruption occurred approximately 32,000 years ago at the Media Luna cinder cone; the youngest dated eruption from the main dome complex occurred 357 ± 19 ka, producing the Castillo dome unit; Cerro Picacho, a separate dacite dome 1.5 km east of the main complex is 4.47 ± 0.23 Ma; and the El Satro Pyroclastic Flow unit surrounds the northern portion of the volcanic complex is 11.26 ± 0.17 Ma. No Holocene (10,000 years ago to present) activity is recorded at the La Yeguada volcanic complex and therefore, it is unlikely to produce another eruption. The main geologic hazard at the La Yeguada volcanic complex is from landslides coming off the many steep slopes.

The phylogenic relationships among the Octopus species have not been fully established. We compared sequences for three mitochondrial genes (16S ribosomal RNA, cytochrome oxydase I, and cytochrome oxydase III) from Octopus maya, an endemic taxon of the Yucatan Peninsula, with homologous sequences from other taxa within the Octopus genus, with the aim of elucidating the phylogenetic relationships of this species. Maximum likelihood trees grouped O. maya with octopuses that inhabit the East Pacific. Considering that the distribution of O. maya is limited to the Yucatan peninsula in the West Atlantic and that the sequences analyzed show equal evolutionary rates across taxa, we propose that the divergence of O. maya possibly started during the formation of the Panama Isthmus, when the Pacific and Atlantic basins were split. The genetic distances that O. maya sequences show within the trees obtained are in the range of congeneric distances of other taxa in this genus so that these sequences are characters that support the inclusion of O. maya within the genus Octopus.

Las relaciones filogenéticas entre las especies del género Octopus no han sido establecidas por completo. En este estudio se compararon las secuencias de tres genes mitocondriales (ARN ribosomal 16S, citocromo oxidasa I y citocromo oxidasa III) de Octopus maya, una especie endémica de la península de Yucatán, con las secuencias de genes homólogos de otros taxones del género Octopus, con el objetivo de elucidar el estatus filogenético de esta especie. Los árboles de máxima verosimilitud agrupan a O. maya con pulpos que habitan en el Pacífico oriental. Debido a que la distribución de O. maya se limita a la península de Yucatán en el Atlántico occidental y que las secuencias analizadas presentaron tasas evolutivas iguales en los taxones analizados, se propone que O. maya tuvo origen durante la formación del istmo de Panamá, cuando las cuencas del Pacífico y el Atlántico se separaron. Las distancias genéticas que presenta O. maya se encuentran en el intervalo de distancias que presentan las demás especies del género; por lo tanto, estas secuencias son caracteres que apoyan la inclusión de O. maya dentro del género Octopus.

Background: Following the announcement of the Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic by the World Health Organization in April 2009, a surveillance program was carried out in Chile to detect the introduction of the virus in the country and to monitor its propagation and impact. Aim: To describe the onset of the outbreak and the genetic characterization of the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in the first detected cases in Chile. Material and Methods: Analysis of18 clinical samples coming from suspicious patients, received in a National Reference Laboratory. RNA reverse transcription and real time influenza gene DNA amplification was carried out in a 7500 Fast and Step One Real Time PCR Systems of Applied Biosystems and MxPro-Mx3000P thermocycler from Stratagene. Super Script III Platinum One-Step Quantitative RT-PCR was used. Results: The virus was first detected in three persons returning from the Dominican Republic via Panamá and a child from the east zone of Santiago. Genetic characterization of the virus showed that the child was infected by a different variant of the pandemic virus than the three persons returning from the Caribbean. Conclusions: The onset of the Influenza outbreak in Chile apparently carne from two different epidemiological groups. The spread of the virus detected in the voyagers was limited immediately However the virus of the fourth case was found in different regions of Chile.

Para mantener la competitividad regional y la viabilidad económica del Puerto de Bustamante -Kingston Harbour,Jamaica,se requería mejorar la entrada de buques de contenedores "Post Panamax "(nombre dado a los buques que son demasiado grandes para pasar por el canal de Panamá).Se propuso remover la parte norte del cayo coralino Rackham que obstruía parcialmente el lado oeste del canal del este.Este arrecife,estéticamente valioso,era usado por pescadores y forma parte del Área Protegida Palisadoes -Port Royal.Se propuso transplantar algunos organismos bentónicos para mitigar las pérdidas de elementos arrecifales.Entre diciembre 2001 y febrero 2002,se reubicó unos 60 000 organismos de corales constructores de arrecifes masivos y ramificados,gorgonaceos, erizos (Diadema y Tripneustes spp.)y meristemos de Thalassia .Durante el dragado las cantidades de sedimentos en suspensión fueron de 0.003 g/cm² /día en el sitio testigo y 0.008 g/cm² /día en el sitio de dragado.La cobertura de coral aumentó en el sitio de reubicación de 15%a 20%mientras que el sustrato desnudo disminuyó de 27%a 21%.En este trabajo se documentan los requerimientos para la mitigación; algunos factores que controlan la ecología del arrecife del Cayo Rackham;la metodología del proceso de reubicación; y el nivel de supervivencia de corales reubicados.Es común que se dé más importancia a consideraciones políticas y económicas de algunas propuestas de desarrollo que a las consideraciones ecológicas.El transplante de especies marinas bentónicas importantes,aunque consume mucho tiempo, es técnicamente desafiante y costoso,es una forma en que los "desarrollistas " y los "ecologistas " pueden alcanzar objetivos dispares.Este proyecto costó EEUU$1.7 millones. Los organismos trasladados no eran únicos ni endémicos y siguen siendo vulnerables a impactos naturales y antropogénicos.Sin embargo,este proyecto aumentó la percepción e interés en la importancia ecológica y económica de los arrecifes coralinos.Se anticipa que futuros proyectos de desarrollo costeros y de tierra adentro se van a beneficiar de las lecciones aprendidas durante esta intento de mitigación.

Maintaining regional competitiveness and economic viability for Port Bustamante -Kingston Harbour, Jamaica,required improved accessibility to "Post Panamax "(too large to pass through the Panama Canal)container vessels.Removal of the northern portion of the shallow coral reef at Rackham ’s Cay,which was partially obstructing the western end of the east ship channel,was proposed.This aesthetically valuable reef was used by local fishermen and comprises part of the declared Palisadoes -Port Royal Protected Area.The proposal to transplant certain of the benthic species was advanced to mitigate loss of viable reef components.Between December 2001 and February 2002,sixty thousand items,consisting of reef building massive and branching corals; gorgonians;urchins (Diadema and Tripneustes spp.)and Thalassia meristems were relocated.During dredging,sedimentation rates from suspended solids in the water column were 0.003 g/cm² /day at the control site and 0.008 g/cm² /day at the dredge site.Coral cover in the relocation area increased from 15%to 20%while bare substrate decreased from 27%to 21%.This paper documents the mitigation required;some factors controlling the ecology of Rackham ’s Cay reef;the methodology of the relocation process;and the level of post-dredging survivorship of relocated corals.Political and economic realities of some proposed developments often over-ride ecological considerations. Transplantation of important marine benthic species although time consuming, technically challenging,and expensive,may be one way for developers and ecologists to achieve sometimes disparate goals.This project cost US$1.7 million.The "items "moved were neither unique nor endemic and remain vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic impacts.This project increased public awareness and interest regarding the ecological and economic importance of reef ecosystems.It is anticipated that future coastal and inland developments will benefit from the lessons taught by these mitigative interventions.

En estudios anteriores se encontró que el área protegida del Parque Nacional Marino de Isla Bastimentos (PNMIB) no albergaba arrecifes en buen estado de conservación, desarrollo y diversidad, recomendándose ampliar el reconocimiento de arrecifes a otras áreas del archipiélago de Bocas del Toro, en particular el sector oriental del parque marino. En el presente estudio, se hizo un reconocimiento - ca. 107.5 km en total - detallado de la zona costera insular de islas Pastores, Cristóbal, Popa y Cayo Agua, donde se evaluó la distribución de los arrecifes coralinos. Se describieron un total de 24 arrecifes, los cuales representan las formaciones típicas para las distintas localidades. Se define por primera vez para el archipiélago el centro de mayor diversidad de organismos sésiles, que son importantes constructores de arrecies coralinos. El número de especies de corales escleractínidos para todo el archipiélago de Bocas del Toro aumentó a 57 y se actualizan también los registros para Panamá aumentando así a un total de 64 especies para el país. Esto implica que el archipiélago alberga el 89 % de las especies de Panamá, de las cuales 96 % o más están distribuidas en los arrecifes de la "zona de alta diversidad" encontrada en el presente estudio. De igual forma, la diversidad de octocorales aumentó a 29 especies (16 %) y las esponjas experimentaron un incremento de 16 especies (30 %) para un total de 53 especies. Se encuentran en la "zona de lata diversidad" el 94 % y 97 % de las especies de esponjas y octocorales, respectivamente. Se presentan cinco recomendaciones generales, siendo las más importante, modificar los límites existentes del PNMIB, de forma que se protejan las áreas que albergan la mayor diversidad general y la mayor abundancia de especies amenazada, o crear una red de áreas protegidas dentro del archipiélago.

Previous studies reported low coral diversity and poor reef development inside the marine protected area of Isla Bastimentos (PNMIB), and it was recommended to widen the survey further east into other areas of the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. This study describes reef distribution, structure and status in 24 reefs along ca. 107 km of coastline in Pastores, Cristobal, Popa y Agua islands. We define for the first time the main center of diversity or "hot spot" zone for important sessile reef-building organisms. Coral diversity increases to 57 species for the archipelago (89 % of Panama), adding up to 64 records for the country. There was also an increase to 29 and 53 species for octocorals and sponges, respectively. For local diversity, 96 %, 94 % and 97 % of the total number of coral, octocoral and sponge species, respectively, are recorded inside the "hot spot." Based on our results, we recommend the modification of the existing limit of the PNMIB to include reef areas with highest diversity and abundance of threatening species (e.g. Acropora palmata, A. cervicornis), or the creation of a network of marine protected areas within the archipelago.

The article approaches the investigation on the level of leptospiral infection of inhabitants who dwelled together human cases of leptospirosis, occurred in the Aricanduva River Valley, on the east side of São Paulo city, Brazil, in 1983. In a past paper, it was presented the data on person of the studied group and their environment. Is this paper, the sorologic aspects were 9,8% (6 cases) of serum samples showed reagents for serovars panama (2), copenhageni (1), javanica (2) and patoc (1).

Foi investigado o nível de infecção por leptospiras em 61 coabitantes de casos de lepitospirose humana ocorridos no vale do rio Aricanduva, a leste do município de São Paulo, em 1983. Em artigo anterior, foram apresentados os dados referentes ao grupo de pessoas e ao meio ambiente. No presente artigo, são relatados os aspectos sorológicos da investigação onde o nível de infecção encontrado foi de 9,8%. Os soros humanos investigados reagiram aos sorotipos: panama, copenhageni, javanica e patoc.

Foi investigado o nível de infecção por leptospiras em 61 coabitantes de casos de lepitospirose humana ocorridos no vale do rio Aricanduva, a leste do município de São Paulo, em 1983. Em artigo anterior, foram apresentados os dados referentes ao grupo de pessoas e ao meio ambiente. No presente artigo, são relatados os aspectos sorológicos da investigação onde o nível de infecção encontrado foi de 9,8%. Os soros humanos investigados reagiram aos sorotipos: panama, copenhageni, javanica e patoc.

The article approaches the investigation on the level of leptospiral infection of inhabitants who dwelled together human cases of leptospirosis, occurred in the Aricanduva River Valley, on the east side of São Paulo city, Brazil, in 1983. In a past paper, it was presented the data on person of the studied group and their environment. Is this paper, the sorologic aspects were 9,8% (6 cases) of serum samples showed reagents for serovars panama (2), copenhageni (1), javanica (2) and patoc (1).