Ciencia, Tecnología y Salud

Telemetry Tracking of Two Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) at a mountain area of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala

2024-11-19T00:44:53+00:00

Telemetry tracking provides essential insights into avian movements and habitat preferences, aiding the identification of critical resources and conservation areas for endangered species such as the Resplendent Quetzal. In this study, we tracked two radio-tagged Resplendent Quetzals in a mountainous cloud forest region containing national protected areas, private reserves, and indigenous lands. Both individuals primarily remained within the protected Biotopo del Quetzal reserve and nearby areas for approximately five months; however, during the non-breeding season, one individual exhibited increased mobility, moving outside the reserve for three months and utilizing lower-elevation areas up to 5.5 km away. These areas are embedded in a modified landscape, comprising agricultural fields, roads, and human settlements. Together with previous telemetry data from Central America’s quetzal populations, these findings support the occurrence of seasonal migratory behavior in this species, indicating reliance on distinct habitats at different times of the year. Establishing biological corridors could provide safe passage between these habitats, facilitating access to vital foraging and roosting sites while mitigating genetic isolation effects through enhanced connectivity and genetic resilience. Key non-protected sites within the study area, such as Ranchitos del Quetzal and forest patches along the Panimá River basin, offer valuable opportunities for targeted conservation aimed at improving habitat connectivity, safeguarding critical resources, and engaging local communities. Finally, preserving and restoring plant species identified as primary food sources should be prioritized in protected and adjacent areas to ensure adequate nutrition for Quetzals throughout their migratory and breeding cycles.

Microsatellite instability phenotype in colorectal carcinoma through the ADN mismatch repair proteins expression

2024-09-07T02:09:59+00:00

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant concern in Guatemala and the region, where microsatellite instability (MSI) has been identified as a key molecular marker in its pathogenesis. IMS, characterized by point mutations, deletions and insertions, is seen in approximately 15% of CRC cases, most frequently in early stages of the disease. This cross-sectional study analyzed the most frequent phenotypes of IMS in CRC through the expression of DNA repair proteins, such as MSH2, MLH1, MSH6 and PMS2, using immunohistochemistry techniques in 101 cases of patients diagnosed with CRC. The results showed a loss of expression of these proteins in 36% of cases. The significant associations were between MLH1/PMS2 and MSH2/MSH6, with p < .001, indicating a significant association with CRC. Furthermore, women were identified as having a higher risk of developing CRC related to IMS, particularly in the MLH1/PMS2 and MSH6/MSH2 associations. Detection of IMS not only allows for early molecular diagnosis but is also crucial for treatment choice. Patients with positive MSI tend to have a better prognosis and are ideal candidates for immunotherapy treatments, specifically PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, which could increase their survival. This study highlights the importance of IMS detection as an integral part of CRC treatment, contributing to the improvement of clinical outcomes in the region.

Propagation of two tree ferns (Cyatheaceae) from the Guatemalan cloud forest by three different techniques

2024-11-12T23:06:29+00:00

The tree ferns of the Cyatheaceae family are in danger. They are slow-growing organisms, and their extraction from native forests for use as a substrate substitute for bromeliads and orchids has placed local populations at risk. As organisms with specific requirements for growth and development, an approach to their propagation could serve as the foundation for future conservation projects for these species. Over a period of forty weeks, three different spore propagation methods were compared for the species Cyathea divergens var. tuerckheimii (Maxon) R.M. Tryon and Sphaeropteris horrida (Liebm.) R.M. Tryon; three commercially valuable and easily propagated species were also evaluated as references. A conventional propagation method using prepared peat moss substrate was used as a control, an in vitro treatment using full-strength Murashige & Skoog culture medium (M&S 100) and half-strength nutrient concentration (M&S 50), and an alternative propagation method using an artificial cotton cloth substrate. The goal was to find a cost-effective medium with a germination and establishment rate suitable for future propagation programs of these species. It was found that the in vitro technique achieved a germination rate of 93.15% for S. horrida, while C. divergens achieved only 5.2%. A total of 1,224 young sporophytes of S. horrida were produced, and none of C. divergens. In terms of production costs, the average cost per sporophyte obtained was Q1.10 for substrate cultivation and Q95.96 for laboratory cultivation.

The Central Region of Guatemala, a Forgotten Area in the Study and Conservation of the Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

2025-02-12T01:07:03+00:00

Despite the fact that the Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a species of cultural and ecological importance for Guatemalans, there are still gaps in its knowledge and conservation. The known distribution in Guatemala includes the region of Las Verapaces, the western volcanic chain, areas of the departments of Huehuetenango and Quiché, and the Biosphere Reserves of Sierra de las Minas and Trifinio-Fraternidad. Although historically its presence extended to the central region of the country, in the Fuego and Agua volcanoes, the lack of recent records has created uncertainty about its persistence in the remaining cloud forests of this area. For this reason, the region has remained forgotten in the study and conservation of the Resplendent Quetzal for more than 150 years. We reviewed the available information and consider that the situation of the Resplendent Quetzal in the central region of the country is little known, due to the lack of verified records in the departments of Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, Escuintla and Guatemala. However, recent sightings on the Agua volcano and in areas around the city of Antigua Guatemala confirm the presence of the Resplendent Quetzal in the central region. These findings highlight the importance of the area’s cloud forests as a key habitat. They also show the urgent need to further investigate the region and establish more effective protection measures for the species. The conservation of these ecosystems is not only crucial to ensure the survival of the Resplendent Quetzal, but also to protect biodiversity in general and the connectivity of forests. The biological importance of this region is threatened by habitat loss, changes in land use, deforestation, forest fires, and the effects of climate change.

Oceans of opportunity: Marine Protected Areas and their potential in economically vulnerable regions

2024-09-06T14:52:29+00:00

The establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has become one of the most promising strategies to mitigate the overexploitation of marine resources and preserve biodiversity in a global context marked by climate change and ecosystem degradation. However, the success of MPAs depends not only on defining geographic spaces for conservation but also on understanding and managing the complex relationships among the involved stakeholders. In economically vulnerable regions, the tension between the needs of fishing communities and conservation objectives can dictate the outcome of these initiatives. Despite the recognized benefits of MPAs, such as increased ecosystem resilience, enhanced fish biomass, and the mitigation of unsustainable practices, their implementation faces significant challenges. These include the perception of exclusion by fishers, who often view MPAs as a direct threat to their livelihoods. The lack of inclusive planning and participatory approaches has resulted in resistance that undermines the effectiveness of these areas. This essay will analyze both the positive and negative effects of MPAs, highlighting the importance of integrating community voices from the outset and proposing a framework for community participation that optimizes conservation and socio-economic development outcomes. Moreover, recommendations for the proper implementation of MPAs will be discussed, along with a roadmap for the active and continuous involvement of key stakeholders.