Abstract Heat transfer process in the soil active layer is important for the knowledge of its thermal properties linked with climate issues. The objective of this work was to analyze the energy flux in different soil profiles by estimating the apparent soil thermal diffusivity ($ATD$). The study was carried out in Keller Peninsula, located at King George Island in four different sites differing by soil characteristics, as well as vegetation coverage and landscape setting. The $ATD$ was estimated in function of the long-term hourly temperature records at different soil depths. In addition, we estimated the seasonal mean of the $ATD$ and the freezing $N$-factor. Results showed that $ATD$ values were smaller at shallow depths and increased with depth. The diffusivity values presented lower variability in colder conditions, especially at deeper soil layers. Water content was the main factor affecting soil thermal diffusivity at sites $1$ and $3$ (more than $70$ and $63\%$ of probability). At sites $3$ and $4$ lower $N$-factors were observed, suggesting higher snow pack and permafrost closer to the soil surface. Hence, positive $ATD$ appears in the summer due to thawing increases soil moisture, while negative $ATD$ appears during the freeze of the snow pack and precipitation.

RESUMEN Los murciélagos suramericanos del género Histiotus comprenden entre cuatro y ocho especies, pero su taxonomía ha sido controversial y los límites entre sus especies y sus áreas de distribución no son bien entendidos. En Colombia, se han registrado a Histiotus humboldti y a H. montanus colombiae, pero se ha propuesto que hay especies por describir. Evaluamos la riqueza de especies de murciélagos His-tiotus colombianos incluyendo caracteres morfológicos, moleculares y acústicos. Nuestros resultados evidencian la presencia de tres especies en Colombia, los dos taxones previamente registrados y una especie nueva de la Cordillera Central de Colombia y el norte de Ecuador que describimos aquí. Además, revalidamos H. colombiae a nivel de especie. H. humboldti presenta la distribución más amplia en los Andes colombianos y ecuatorianos, y puede estar en simpatría con las otras dos especies. H. colombiae es sólo conocida de la Cordillera Oriental de Colombia. Finalmente, resaltamos la diversidad potencial no descrita de Histiotus en los Andes peruanos y bolivianos, la necesidad de resolver las relaciones evolutivas del género y sus implicaciones en el entendimiento de los procesos que han estructurado la fauna Andina de mamíferos.

ABSTRACT The South American bats of the genus Histiotus comprise between four and eight species, but their taxonomy has been controversial and the limits between species and their distribution are not well understood. In Colombia, Histiotus humboldti and H. montanus colombiae have been recorded, but un-described species has been suggested. We evaluated the species richness and distribution of Colombian Histiotus using morphological, molecular, and acoustic traits. Our results evidence three species in Colombia, the two previously recorded taxa and a new species from the Cordillera Central of Colombia and northern Ecuador that we describe here. We also revalidated H. colombiae as a full species. H. humboldti is widely distributed in the Colombian and Ecuadorean Andes and can be sympatric with the other two species. H. colombiae is restricted to the Colombian Cordillera Oriental. Finally, we highlight the potential hidden diversity within Histiotus in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes, the need to resolve the evolutionary relationships of the genus, and its implications to the understanding of the processes that have structured the Andean mammal fauna.

RESUMEN Los estudios sobre salud pública y biodiversidad de mamíferos silvestres incluyen un componente genético. Para las muestras de sangre, se debe tener condiciones óptimas de colección, ya que pueden afectar la preservación y la extracción del ADN. Este estudio evaluó el uso de métodos de preservación de ADN líquido y seco y métodos de extracción de ADN comerciales y no comerciales, en muestras de sangre, recolectadas en campo. Para ello, se recogieron 264 muestras de sangre totales de mamíferos salvajes. Se preservó un primer grupo de muestras en clorhidrato de guanidina (GuHCl) y se extrajo el ADN, utilizando seis kits comerciales: Bioline, Norgen, Invitrogen, Promega y Qiagen, además de dos protocolos no comerciales: fenol-cloroformo isoamil alcohol (PC) y guanidina tiocianato (GIT). Otro grupo de muestras, se preservó en tarjetas Whatman® FTA® y se extrajo el ADN, con PC y GIT. Las extracciones con GIT y PC mostraron los valores y variaciones más altas en la concentración de ADN (ng/µL), mientras que el kit comercial mostró una baja variación. La preservación de la muestra en tarjetas Whatman® FTA® proporcionó una baja variación y cantidad de ADN extraído, en comparación con el uso de GuHCl. En cuanto a la calidad del ADN, los kits comerciales produjeron una mayor pureza (A260/280), mientras que los protocolos basados en GIT y PC proporcionaron resultados muy variables. Además, el uso de GIT y PC originó una mayor cantidad de ADN, pero de calidad variable. En general, la extracción basada en kits comerciales y la conservación Whatman® FTA® permitió obtener calidades y cantidades de ADN más estandarizadas.

ABSTRACT Studies on public health and wild mammal biodiversity include a genetic component. For blood samples, there must be optimal sample collection conditions since these can affect DNA preservation and extraction. This study evaluated the use of liquid and dry DNA preservation methods and commercial and non-commercial DNA extraction methods on field-collected blood samples. For this, 264 total blood samples were collected from wild mammals. A first group of samples was preserved in guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) and DNA was extracted using six commercial kits: Bioline, Norgen, Invitrogen, Promega, and Qiagen, in addition to phenol-chloroform isoamyl alcohol (PC) and guanidine thiocyanate (GIT). Another group of samples was preserved in Whatman® FTA® cards and DNA was extracted with PC and GIT. The extractions with GIT and PC showed the highest values (ng/µL) and variation in DNA concentration, while the commercial kit showed low variation. Sample preservation in Whatman® FTA® cards provided low variation and quantity of the extracted DNA compared with the use of GuHCl. Concerning DNA quality, the commercial kits yielded higher purity, while GIT and PC-based protocols provided highly variable results. Furthermore, the use of GIT and PC yielded a higher amount of DNA, yet, of variable quality. Overall, extraction based on commercial kits and Whatman® FTA® preservation allowed obtaining more standardized DNA qualities and quantities.

Resumen Introducción. Los murciélagos (Chiroptera) representan el orden de mamíferos con mayor número de especies en Colombia, sin embargo, aún son escasos los estudios sobre la diversidad de este grupo taxonómico en algunas regiones del país. Objetivo. Describir la diversidad taxonómica de murciélagos en un bosque húmedo tropical (Reserva Agroecológica Santa Librada: RASL) en el departamento del Tolima, Colombia, y actualizar la lista de especies de los murciélagos en el departamento. Metodología. Se realizaron muestreos sistemáticos utilizando cinco redes de niebla y capturas manuales entre el 2016 y 2018 en la RASL, así como una revisión exhaustiva de registros sobre murciélagos del Tolima, a partir de fuentes literarias y especímenes en museos. Resultados. Para la RASL se registraron 19 especies pertenecientes a 13 géneros y 4 familias. Phyllostomidae fue la familia más representativa con 191 registros. Para el departamento se confirma la presencia de 99 especies de murciélagos. Conclusiones. La diversidad de murciélagos en el departamento del Tolima es mayor de lo que se ha considerado. Se adicionan 18 registros a la lista departamental y se identifican algunos vacíos de información y errores que pueden ser fuente de malas interpretaciones sobre la diversidad de murciélagos del Tolima reportada en la literatura. Finalmente, se reconoce la importancia de los parches de bosque húmedo tropical al norte del Tolima como sitios que albergan una alta diversidad de murciélagos, en su mayoría inexplorada.

Abstract Introduction. Bats (Chiroptera) represent the mammalian order with the highest number of species in Colombia, however, the studies on the diversity of this taxonomic group in some regions of the country are scarce. Objectives. The aim of this work is to describe the taxonomic diversity of bats in a humid tropical forest, (Santa Librada Agroecological Reserve, SLAR), in the department of Tolima, Colombia, and to update the bat species checklist and the state of knowledge of bats in the Department of Tolima. Methods. We performed field work sampling using 5 mist-nets and manual captures between 2016 and 2018 in SLAR, as well as, an exhaustive review of bat records of Tolima, from different sources and specimens in museums. Results. For the SLAR, we registered 19 species belonging to 13 genera and 4 families. Phyllostomidae was the most representative family with 191 records. Conclusions. Bats diversity at the Department of Tolima is greater than the previously reported. We included 18 additional species to the Department checklist and identified some information gaps and errors in the literature that might be a source of misunderstandings about the diversity of bats of Tolima. Finally, the patches of tropical humid forest at the north Tolima are recognized as important areas that host a high diversity of bats, mostly unexplored.

RESUMO: Os objetivos do presente estudo foram verificar se as temperaturas corpóreas e locais se alteram após exercício de alta intensidade e curta duração (prova de laço em dupla) e se treinamentos distintos podem influenciar nestas alterações. Foram utilizados 12 animais, machos e fêmeas, com idade entre 3 e 6 anos e peso médio de 450kg. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: treino regular (GTR) e treino esporádico (GTE). As aferições da temperatura por meio de termografia infravermelha foram feitas por uma câmera termal específica. As medições das temperaturas das regiões ocular, toracolombar, tendíneas distais (membros torácicos e pélvicos) e garupa foram realizadas 30 minutos antes, imediatamente depois, uma, duas, seis e 24 horas após a simulação de competição. No GTR houve aumento de temperatura ocular duas horas após o exercício, retornando ao basal apenas 24 horas depois. No GTE o aumento ocorreu imediatamente após o exercício e retornando ao basal duas horas depois. As temperaturas da região dos tendões dos membros pélvicos e garupa (lado direito) elevaram-se imediatamente após o exercício e não retornaram ao basal após 24 horas. O exercício de laço em dupla aumentou as temperaturas superficiais nas regiões distolateral de membros torácicos e pélvicos, garupa e região toracolombar de ambos os grupos e da temperatura ocular do GTE. A frequência de treinamento influenciou o perfil de temperatura superficial na região distal de membros pélvicos, garupa e toracolombar.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to verify whether the body and local temperatures change after high-intensity, short-duration exercise (team roping) and whether different pieces of training influence these changes. To this end, twelve animals, males and females, aged 3-6 years, with an average weight of 450 kg, were used. The horses were divided into two groups: regular training (RTG) and sporadic training (STG). The surface temperatures were assessed using a specific thermal camera. Temperatures of the ocular, thoracolumbar, distal tendon (thoracic and pelvic limbs) and croup regions were measured 30 min before, immediately after, and one, two, six and 24 hours after competition simulation. In the RTG, there was an increase in surface eye temperature two hours after exercise, returning to baseline level 24 hours later. In the STG, increase in eye temperature occurred immediately after exercise and returned to baseline level two hours later. Temperature of the pelvic limb tendons and croup (right side) rose immediately after exercise and did not return to baseline level 24 hours later. Team roping exercise increased the surface temperature of the distolateral thoracic and pelvic limb, croup and thoracolumbar regions in both groups and the eye temperature in the STG. Training frequency influenced the surface temperature profile in the distolateral pelvic limb, croup and thoracolumbar regions.

RESUMO: O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência de diferentes tipos de treinamento sobre o condicionamento físico de equinos por meio da determinação do lactato sanguíneo e da atividade sérica de creatina quinase, aspartato aminotransferase e lactato desidrogenase após exercício físico de alta intensidade e curta duração. Amostras de sangue venoso foram obtidas de 16 equinos da raça Quarto de Milha, divididos em dois grupos: grupo de treinamento regular (GTR) e grupo de treinamento esporádico (GTE), em sete diferentes momentos: 30 minutos antes do exercício (M0), imediatamente após (M1), 30 minutos (M2), uma (M3), duas (M4), seis (M5) e 24 (M6) horas após o exercício. Para a análise estatística, os dados foram testados quanto à normalidade e homogeneidade de variâncias. Para comparar os grupos e os momentos em cada grupo foram utilizados testes paramétricos (ANOVA) para a análise das atividades séricas das enzimas musculares e não paramétricos (Mann-Whitney e Friedmann) para a análise do lactato sanguíneo (P<0,05). Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos para nenhuma variável. No entanto, dentro dos grupos experimentais foi possível observar diferenças significativas entre os momentos avaliados, em relação ao lactato e à LDH. No GTE, foram observadas diferenças significativas quanto ao lactato, entre o M0 e o M1, com valores respectivos de 0,90 mmol/L (mín. 0,8 - máx. 1,6) e 3,65mmo/L (mín. 1,0 - máx. 5,7) e quanto à LDH, onde os valores descritos no M6 diferiram significativamente de M0, M1, M2, M3 e M4. No GTR, diferenças significativas entre os momentos experimentais foram observadas em relação à LDH, sendo que os valores observados no M6 foram os menores e diferiram significativamente daqueles encontrados no M1, M2, M3 e M4. Em conclusão, não houve diferença entre o condicionamento físico dos animais treinados regularmente e aqueles treinados esporadicamente. A baixa magnitude das elevações das concentrações de CK, AST e LDH após o exercício e o rápido retorno aos valores basais, inclusive do lactato, observados em ambos os grupos, sugere que todos os animais avaliados estavam condicionados e aptos a realizar tal atividade física.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different types of training on physical fitness through the determination of blood lactate and serum creatinine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activity after high intensity and short duration physical exercise. Venous blood samples were obtained from 16 Quarter Horses, divided into two groups: the regular training group (GTR) and sporadic training group (GTE), in seven different moments: 30 minutes before exercise (M0), immediately after the exercise (M1), 30 minutes (M2), one hour (M3), two hours (M4), six hours (M5) and 24 hours (M6) after the exercise. For statistical analysis, data was tested for normality and homogeneity of variances. To compare the groups and times in each group, parametric tests (ANOVA) were used for muscular enzymes activity and not parametric tests (Mann-Whitney and Friedmann) were used to analyze blood lactato (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups for any variable. However, within the experimental groups it was possible to observe significant differences between the evaluated moments, in relation to lactate and LDH. In the GTE, significant differences were observed for lactate between M0 and M1, with respective values of 0.90 mmol/L (min. 0.8, max. 1.6) and 3.65 mmol/L (min. 1.0, max. 5,7) and for LDH, where the values described in M6 differed significantly from M0, M1, M2, M3 and M4. In the GTR, significant differences between the experimental moments were observed in relation to LDH, and the values observed in M6 were the lowest and differed significantly from those found in M1, M2, M3 and M4. In conclusion, there was no difference between the fitness of animals regularly trained and those trained sporadically. The low magnitude of elevations of serum CK, AST and LDH activity after exercise and the quick return to baseline values, including the blood lactate observed in both groups, suggest that all of evaluated animals were conditioned and able to perform such physical activity.

Resumen El filo Cnidaria incluye organismos considerados dentro de los más venenosos en la naturaleza. Más específicamente, alrededor de 32 especies de anémonas marinas han sido reportadas como productoras de péptidos y proteínas citolíticas. Este estudio fue llevado a cabo para evaluar la actividad hemolítica del extracto crudo de la anémona marina Aiptasia pallida en Costa Rica. El material biológico fue colectado, triturado, homogenizado y posteriormente centrifugado para la obtención del extracto crudo. El mismo fue caracterizado a través de una evaluación de su actividad hemolítica (HA) con glóbulos rojos de sangre humana (RBC). Interesantemente, los resultados de HA no mostraron rompimiento de los eritrocitos, sin embargo hubo un incremento de la absorbancia en función del tiempo. El extracto crudo reveló la existencia de una banda de proteína alrededor de 30 kDa por SDS-PAGE, no se encontró banda características de actinoporinas en A. pallida. Estos resultados podrían estar asociados con una concentración sub-lítica de otra familia de proteínas las cuales alteran el equilibrio osmótico y cambian el volumen de las células, sin un efecto letal a las concentraciones ensayadas.

Abstract The Cnidaria phylum includes organisms that are among the most venomous animals. More than 32 species of sea anemones have been reported to produce lethal cytolytic peptides and proteins. This study was designed to evaluate the hemolytic activity on the crude extract of the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida. The anemone was collected, minced, homogenized and then centrifuged. Functional characterization of the crude extract was evaluated by hemolytic activity (HA) against human red blood cells. Interestingly, the HA results showed no lysis of the cells, but absorbance increased in function of time. The crude extract revealed the existence of proteins band around 30 kDa by SDS-PAGE, no actinoporin band was found in A. pallida. These results could be associated with a sub-lytic concentration of other protein family which is altering osmotic equilibrium and changing cells volume, with no lethal effect at the concentrations tested.