Depth Influences Symbiodiniaceae Associations Among Montastraea cavernosa Corals on the Belize Barrier Reef
In Belize, shallow populations (10 and 16 m) of the coral species Montastraea cavernosa from the back reef and reef crest are genetically differentiated from deeper populations on the fore reef and reef wall (25 and 35 m). Like many species of scleractinian corals, M. cavernosa has an obligate symbiosis with dinoflagellate microalgae from the family Symbiodiniaceae. Here, we describe the Symbiodiniaceae taxa found within previously sampled and genotyped M. cavernosa populations along a depth gradient on the Belize Barrier Reef by implementing high-throughput sequencing of the ITS2 region of Symbiodiniaceae ribosomal DNA an...
Source: Frontiers in Microbiology - April 8, 2020 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research
Population genetic structure and habitat connectivity for jaguar (Panthera onca) conservation in Central Belize
Connectivity among jaguar (Panthera onca) populations will ensure natural gene flow and the long-term survival of the species throughout its range. Jaguar conservation efforts have focused primarily on connecting... (Source: BMC Genetics)
Source: BMC Genetics - December 27, 2019 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Angelica Menchaca, Natalia A. Rossi, Jeremy Froidevaux, Isabela Dias-Freedman, Anthony Caragiulo, Claudia Wultsch, Bart Harmsen, Rebecca Foster, J. Antonio de la Torre, Rodrigo A. Medellin, Salisa Rabinowitz and George Amato Tags: Research article Source Type: research
Mangroves reduce the vulnerability of coral reef fisheries to habitat degradation
by Alice Rogers, Peter J. Mumby
Despite general and wide-ranging negative effects of coral reef degradation on reef communities, hope might exist for reef-associated predators that use nursery habitats. When reef structural complexity is lost, refuge density declines and prey vulnerability increases. Here, we explore whether the presence of nursery habitats can promote high predator productivity on degraded reefs by mitigating the costs of increased vulnerability in early life, whilst allowing for the benefits of increased food availability in adulthood. We apply size-based ecosystem models of coral reefs with high and lo...
Source: PLoS Biology: Archived Table of Contents - November 11, 2019 Category: Biology Authors: Alice Rogers Source Type: research
An ICP study and an ICR/MALDI study at high mass resolution of two ancient Maya greenstone artifacts from Pacbitun, Belize, and two decorative jade specimens.
Abstract
Two Early Classic period (ca 250-600 CE) Maya carved, greenstone jade pendants, Specimens A and B, were recovered from the Pacbitun site in Belize in 1987. Novel highly-resolved polyatomic ions from jade grit have been observed using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS), specifically using the Bruker Daltonics, SolariX XR mass spectrometer, combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI); the matrix material was α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid. Mass scans of resolution ~600,000 were obtained for the jade pendants and two British Columbia jade orn...
Source: Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM - November 1, 2019 Category: Chemistry Authors: March RE Tags: Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom Source Type: research
Ancient Maya wetland fields revealed under tropical forest canopy from laser scanning and multiproxy evidence [Sustainability Science]
We report on a large area of ancient Maya wetland field systems in Belize, Central America, based on airborne lidar survey coupled with multiple proxies and radiocarbon dates that reveal ancient field uses and chronology. The lidar survey indicated four main areas of wetland complexes, including the Birds of Paradise... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - October 21, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Timothy Beach, Sheryl Luzzadder-Beach, Samantha Krause, Tom Guderjan, Fred Valdez Jr., Juan Carlos Fernandez-Diaz, Sara Eshleman, Colin Doyle Tags: Sustainability Science PNAS Plus Source Type: research
Warm bodies, cool wings: regional heterothermy in flying bats.
Abstract
Many endothermic animals experience variable limb temperatures, even as they tightly regulate core temperature. The limbs are often cooler than the core at rest, but because the large locomotor muscles of the limbs produce heat during exercise, they are thought to operate at or above core temperature during activity. Bats, small-bodied flying mammals with greatly elongated forelimbs, possess wings with large surfaces lacking any insulating fur. We hypothesized that during flight the relatively small muscles that move the elbow and wrist operate below core body temperature because of elevated heat ...
Source: Biology Letters - September 12, 2019 Category: Biology Authors: Rummel AD, Swartz SM, Marsh RL Tags: Biol Lett Source Type: research
The youngest meningioma? A historic Maya adolescent from Tipu, Belize
We present a hyperostotic cranial lesion in an adolescent from the early historic population of Tipu in west central Belize. It fits most clinical and epidemiological patterns of meningeal expression in modern children, and differential diagnosis finds other possible conditions, including dietary deficiencies and genetic anaemias, unlikely. The often subtle characteristics of meningiomas, which can be both osteolytic and osteoblastic, need to be described in detail to diffe rentiate them from other conditions, especially porotic hyperostosis. The Tipu case is the only nonadult example to correspond with published clinical ...
Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - September 10, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Marie Elaine Danforth,
Kelly Kramer,
Della Collins Cook,
Mark N. Cohen Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research
Fipronil and ivermectin treatment of cattle reduced the survival and ovarian development of field-collected Anopheles albimanus in a pilot trial conducted in northern Belize
Most malaria vector control programmes rely on indoor residual spraying of insecticides and insecticide-treated bed nets. This is effective against vector species that feed indoors at night and rest inside the... (Source: Malaria Journal)
Source: Malaria Journal - August 29, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Staci M. Dreyer, Donovan Leiva, Marla Maga ña, Marie Pott, Jonathan Kay, Alvaro Cruz, Nicole L. Achee, John P. Grieco and Jefferson A. Vaughan Tags: Research Source Type: research
The Youngest Meningioma? An Historic Maya Adolescent from Tipu, Belize
We present a hyperostotic cranial lesion in an adolescent from the early Historic population of Tipu in west central Belize. It fits most clinical and epidemiological patterns of meningeal expression in modern children, and differential diagnosis finds other possible conditions, including dietary deficiencies and genetic anemias, unlikely. The often subtle characteristics of meningiomas, which can be both osteolytic and osteoblastic, need to be described in detail to differentiate them from other conditions, especially porotic hyperostosis. The Tipu case is the only non‐adult exam ple to correspond with published clinica...
Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - August 27, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Marie Elaine Danforth,
Kelly Kramer,
Della Collins Cook,
Mark N. Cohen Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research
Adolescents´ perception of harms, benefits and intention to use marijuana within the context of regulatory changes in belize
Conclusion: the Belizean school-aged adolescents are more than likely to smoke marijuana because of friends ’ influence, low perception of risks and if marijuana is legally available and accessible to them.RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la percepci ón de los daños y beneficios del uso de la marihuana en adolescentes, para determinar la prevalencia de consumo de marihuana a lo largo de la vida, en el último año y en el último mes; y analizar la relación entre el consumo de marihuana y la percepción de los daños y beneficios de su uso. Métodos: se utilizó un estudio multicéntrico para el método de corte transvers...
Source: Texto e Contexto - Enfermagem - August 23, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Perception of harm and benefits of cannabis use among adolescents from latin america and caribe
Conclusion: statistics revealed that a strong perception of benefits, a low perception of risk, and friends ’ use of cannabis were associated with individual use as well as intention to use within a hypothetical context of regulatory change.RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar la percepci ón de daños y beneficios asociados al uso de marihuana en adolescentes y cómo los cambios regulatorios pueden afectar la intención de uso. Método: estudio multicéntrico, cuantitativo y transversal tipo encuesta. los participantes fueron 2,717 estudiantes entre 15 y 17 años de 10 ciudades de Belice, Brasil. Chile, Colombia, Repúbl...
Source: Texto e Contexto - Enfermagem - August 15, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Dreams Can Come True: Fighting the Stigma of Cancer and Facilitating Access to Safe, Appropriate Care in Belize
This article describes a national effort to open access to cancer services and treatment for persons living with cancer in the developing, low-income country of Belize. The journey to establish the Belize Cancer Center Dangriga, located in the depressed southern region of the country, that provides affordable, culturally sensitive care primarily to low-income patients and families is explained. The challenges of establishing this center, the only multisectorial, multidisciplinary cancer center in the country to date, given the stigma associated with cancer, are discussed. (Source: Nurse Leader)
Source: Nurse Leader - May 25, 2019 Category: Nursing Authors: Dellone M. Pascascio Source Type: research
Pathogenicity and transmission of virulent Newcastle disease virus from the 2018-2019 California outbreak and related viruses in young and adult chickens.
Abstract
In May of 2018, virulent Newcastle disease virus was detected in sick, backyard, exhibition chickens in southern California. Since, the virus has affected 401 backyard and four commercial flocks, and one live bird market in California, and one backyard flock in Utah. The pathogenesis and transmission potential of this virus, along with two genetically related and widely studied viruses, chicken/California/2002 and chicken/Belize/2008, were evaluated in both 3-week- and 62-week-old chickens given a low, medium, or high challenge dose. All three viruses were highly virulent causing clinical signs, k...
Source: Virology - March 21, 2019 Category: Virology Authors: Dimitrov KM, Ferreira HL, Pantin-Jackwood MJ, Taylor TL, Goraichuk IV, Crossley BM, Killian ML, Bergeson NH, Torchetti MK, Afonso CL, Suarez DL Tags: Virology Source Type: research
The Evolution of Marine Larval Dispersal Kernels in Spatially Structured Habitats: Analytical Models, Individual-Based Simulations, and Comparisons with Empirical Estimates.
Abstract
Understanding the causes of larval dispersal is a major goal of marine ecology, yet most research focuses on proximate causes. Here we ask how ultimate, evolutionary causes affect dispersal. Building on Hamilton and May's classic 1977 article "Dispersal in Stable Habitats," we develop analytic and simulation models for the evolution of dispersal kernels in spatially structured habitats. First, we investigate dispersal in a world without edges and find that most offspring disperse as far as possible, opposite the pattern of empirical data. Adding edges to our model world leads to nearly all offspri...
Source: The American Naturalist - February 24, 2019 Category: Biology Authors: Shaw AK, D'Aloia CC, Buston PM Tags: Am Nat Source Type: research
