Artículos científicos
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Ítem Estrategias de mediación que facilitan la integración del contexto en el aprendizaje de Biología con estudiantes de ciclo diversificado, Costa Rica- 2023(Universidad Estatal a Distancia (Costa Rica), 2024) Coto-Chinchilla, Valeria; Barrantes-León, Jesús Irán; Guevara-Mora, Meyer; Pereira-Chaves, José MiguelResumen. El presente estudio tuvo como finalidad identificar las principales estrategias de mediación que las personas docentes aplican en las clases de Biología para la integración del contexto, si consideró el entorno educativo, la comunidad o las propias vivencias estudiantiles en el proceso enseñanza y aprendizaje, los informantes fueron las personas estudiantes que participan en el proyecto OLICOCIBI (Olimpiadas Costarricense de Ciencias Biológicas) de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. Para ello, se realizaron entrevistas a estudiantes finalistas de las Olimpiadas, donde se les consultó si el docente utilizaban recursos para enseñarles sobre los distintos contenidos por medio del uso del contexto; además, se realizó un grupo focal compuesto por los docentes de los estudiantes que clasificaron a la final de la OLICICOBI, en la cual se analizaron cuáles estrategias de mediación utilizan y los beneficios que conlleva utilizar un aprendizaje contextualizado, dentro delos principales resultados, se evidenció que para la integración del contexto las personas docentes implementan estrategias como el aprendizaje basado en proyectos, aula invertida, aprendizaje cooperativo y estrategia magistral para la potenciación de habilidades cognitivas, sociales, afectivas y para la vida del estudiantado. Se concluyó que, a partir de la mediación pedagógica, se promueve la motivación y el interés en el estudiante para seguir aprendiendo y ser consciente de lo que le rodea y la realidad en la que se encuentra vista desde los contenidos desarrollados en la asignatura de Biología.Ítem Acciones de mitigación y adaptación ante la erosión costera de playas arenosas del Caribe Sur, Costa Rica(Instituto de Geografía (México), 2024) Castillo Chinchilla, Maikol; Piedra Castro, Lilliana María; Pereira Chaves, José Miguel; Sierra Sierra, LuisResumen. Las zonas costeras del mundo enfrentan serios problemas debido a las consecuencias de la erosión en playas. Si bien es cierto que se realizan esfuerzos por contener este avance del mar, estas en ocasiones se convierten en acciones aisladas debido a la carencia de instrumentos que orienten el proceso de toma de decisiones. Esta falta de metodologías y proyectos dirigidos a la contención del avance del mar también afecta al Caribe Sur de Costa Rica. El objetivo de la investigación fue formular un plan de acción que integre soluciones basadas en la naturaleza que puedan ser implementadas como herramientas de mitigación ante la erosión costera de las playas arenosas del Caribe Sur, Costa Rica. Para esto se trabajó con un grupo focal donde los actores sociales manifestaron sus percepciones respecto a los principales problemas que ocasiona la erosión de la costa, y realizaron reconocimientos de las playas arenosas de comunidades como Vizcaya, Estrella, Cahuita, Manzanillo y Gandoca. La información que brindaron se clasificó con el fin de valorar la viabilidad para ser incorporada en el plan de acción. Además, se realizó una selecta revisión bibliográfica respecto a experiencias en otros países que han implementado planes de acción y soluciones basadas en la naturaleza. Los resultados obtenidos a partir de los grupos focales muestran que el 95% de los actores locales reconoce la existencia de al menos tres impactos que son los detonantes del deterioro de la costa, a saber: arrastre de arena de las playas, pérdida de vegetación de la duna y de biodiversidad asociada. Los participantes también reconocieron el efecto que tiene el avance del mar hacia el continente sobre la fauna (57%) y la vegetación (36%) como agentes que producen mayor afectación. Reconocen la existencia de al menos cuatro ejes principales que tienen relación con este tema, como lo son la disminución del ingreso económico y la reducción de la entrada de turistas a las playas, principalmente de aquellas zonas que han sido identificadas previamente con tendencia erosiva fuerte, entre ellas Puerto Vargas, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo y Gandoca. Con base en la información recopilada se logró definir un plan de acción que consta de seis objetivos con sus respectivos indicadores, resultados esperados y actores involucrados en la ejecución. En esta herramienta, además, se detallan soluciones basadas en la naturaleza que pueden ser incorporadas para poner en marcha, tomando en cuenta las características que tiene cada una de las playas arenosas consideradas para esta investigación. De ahí que las medidas propuestas incluyen obras de tipo rígido y blandas, mismas que contribuyen a la protección de los ecosistemas, al permitir la reducción de la energía del oleaje, la diversificación de los hábitats marinos, las actividades de aprovechamiento de recursos disponibles para la pesca de subsistencia y el incremento de la resiliencia de las playas arenosas. Se concluye que para el Caribe Sur de Costa Rica existe terreno fértil para la realización y ejecución de pequeños proyectos con enfoque en costas vivas y soluciones basadas en la naturaleza. Es importante destacar que las acciones de mitigación propuestas deben estar contenidas en este plan de forma tal que sea integral, solidario y sostenible en el tiempo, lo cual permitirá que exista de manera efectiva la adaptación de las comunidades costeras ante la problemática que ocasiona la erosión de la costa.Ítem Caracterización del Bosque y el Gradiente Ambiental en dos áreas protegidas con Erosión Costera en el Caribe Sur de Costa Rica(Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Colombia), 2024) Castillo-Chinchilla, Maikol; Piedra Castro, Lilliana María; Pereira Chaves, José; Sierra-Sierra, Luis; Carvajal-Sánchez, JoséResumen. La erosión costera está relacionada directamente con el desbalance sedimentario que afecta las playas a nivel mundial, y tiene el potencial de cambiar las condiciones que requieren las comunidades vegetales. El objetivo de esta investigación es caracterizar la composición del bosque y el gradiente ambiental en dos áreas protegidas con erosión costera en el Caribe Sur de Costa Rica. Se realizaron 70 parcelas circulares de 15 m de diámetro que abarcaron desde los 50 m y hasta los 200 m tierra adentro, ubicados de manera perpendicular a las playas del Parque Nacional Cahuita (PNC) y Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo (REGAMA), que han sido identificadas previamente con tendencia erosiva fuerte entre 1960-2023. En cada parcela, se midieron parámetros fisicoquímicos y ambientales, se identificaron las especies de árboles y se analizaron las texturas del suelo. Se evidenció una zonificación que abarca desde los 50 m y hasta los 200 m respecto al mar, principalmente para los análisis fisicoquímicos y la textura del suelo, que inciden en la composición y estructura del bosque. Tanto en el PNC como en el REGAMA se destaca un ensamble básico de especies que funcionan como estabilizadoras de las reservas de sedimento de playas arenosas, que incluyen a Prioria copaifera, Lonchocarpus heptaphyllus, Pterocarpus officinalis, Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa y Tabernamontana alba. Se concluye que, en ambas áreas protegidas, la erosión costera tiene efectos sobre la composición del bosque e incide en los gradientes ambientales que se presentan en los primeros metros de la costa.Ítem Análisis de las estrategias de enseñanza utilizadas por docentes de educación secundaria costarricense en el tema configuración electrónica(Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) (Costa Rica), 2025) Piedra Marín, Gilberto; Pereira Chaves, José; Cervantes Altamirano, Adrián; López Rodríguez, MerilinResumen. En esta investigación se analizaron las estrategias didácticas utilizadas por las personas docentes de Química de educación secundaria en Costa Rica, al abordar el tema configuración electrónica. El estudio se desarrolló bajo un enfoque mixto con predominancia cualitativa utilizando un diseño de tipo incrustado concurrente (CUAL-cuan). La información se recolectó durante los meses de septiembre y octubre de 2021 utilizando un cuestionario dirigido a las personas docentes, una encuesta dirigida a las personas estudiantes y la técnica de grupo focal. La población estudiada incluyó a 10 personas docentes y 150 personas estudiantes de cuatro instituciones educativas públicas de Costa Rica (Liceo Fernando Volio, Liceo Laboratorio de Liberia, Liceo UNESCO y Liceo Diurno de Río Frío). Se encontró que, durante la mediación pedagógica, las personas estudiantes experimentaron estados de ánimo positivos (motivación, emoción, diversión) y negativos (tensión, confusión) que incidieron en el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje y que un alto porcentaje de las personas estudiantes afirmó comprender el tema configuración electrónica, así como percibir el propósito de las estrategias utilizadas. Se concluyó que el dominio conceptual de las personas docentes para abordar el tema configuración electrónica fue el adecuado y que las estrategias didácticas más empleadas por las personas docentes carecían de componentes dinámicos. Adicionalmente, se concluyó que las estrategias didácticas dinámicas (uso de simuladores, aplicaciones y plataformas web, entre otros) se consideran apropiadas para mejorar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, pero su implementación se ve limitada por la falta de capacitación y las restricciones de tiempo de las personas docentes.Ítem Factors influencing fumonisin B1 contamination in maize: insights from two production regions in Costa Rica(Springer Nature (Alemania), 2024) Sánchez‑Zúñiga, Katherine; Rivera‑Méndez, William; Campos‑Boza, Stefany; Araya‑Valverde, Emanuel; Solano-Campos, Frank; Vinas, MariaAbstract. Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop worldwide. Contaminated maize kernels pose a significant mycotoxin exposure risk for humans in Latin America. Fumonisins, the most prevalent mycotoxin in maize, typically occur during pre-harvest conditions leading to significant economic losses. Various factors, including weather conditions, may influence this contamination. This study aimed to determine the association between fumonisin B1 (FB1) contamination, prevalence of Fusarium verticillioides, weather conditions and kernel quality in the two primary maize production areas in Costa Rica (Brunca and Chorotega). All maize samples (100%) showed FB1 contamination, with higher concentrations in samples from Brunca region, consistent with the presence of F. verticilliodes. Weather conditions appeared to play an important role in this contamination, since Brunca region had the highest mean temperature and relative humidity after maize silking (R1) and the total monthly rainfall in this region was significantly higher during the last two months of maize cultivation (grain-filling and physiological maturity stages R3 to R6). Interestingly, this study found a negative correlation between grain damage and kernel contamination with FB1 and F. verticillioides. The concentration of mineral nutrients in kernels from both regions was largely similar. Most nutrients in kernels exhibited a negative correlation with FB1, particularly nitrogen. Zinc and phosphorus were the only nutrients in kernels showing a positive correlation with FB1 in samples from the Brunca region. The results highlight elevated levels of FB1 contamination in maize and contribute to a better understanding of pre-harvest factors influencing FB1 contamination in tropical conditions.Ítem Microbial diversity and community structure of microalgae (Nannochloropsis oculata) and rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) in aquaculture by 16S rRNA amplicon‑based sequencing(Springer Nature (Alemania), 2025) Carranza‑Quirós, Andrés; Solano-Campos, Frank; Carvajal Oses, Milagro; Chacón‑Guzmán, Jonathan; Navarrete, Paola; Reinoso, Samira; Umaña‑Castro, RodolfoAbstract. Live cultures, including Nannochloropsis oculata and Brachionus plicatilis, are essential in aquaculture due to its economic and nutritional value for commercial fish species. Pathogens and probiotics can be introduced to aquaculture systems by live feed, with variations in abundance influenced by environmental physicochemical parameters. To investigate this, amplicon sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA was conducted using Illumina MiSeq to elucidate bacterial abundances and their variations in response to changes in physicochemical parameters in live feed cultures. Results revealed that pathogens like, Tenacibaculum, predominantly found in rotifer cultures, was inhibited under dissolved oxygen levels of 6.87–8.19 mg/L and pH levels of 8.63–9.23. Winogradskyella, mainly present on day 1 of the microalgae culture, thrived under these same conditions. Potential probiotics were also analyzed. Phaeodactylibacter, primarily found on day 1 of microalgae cultures, was favored by dissolved oxygen levels of 7.11–7.68 mg/L and pH levels of 8.63–9.23 but was inhibited by nitrite levels of 0.46–0.5 mg/L. Overall, dissolved oxygen was the key parameter modulating microbial diversity. This study shows that optimizing environmental parameters can enhance culture health by promoting probiotics and reducing harmful bacteria.Ítem Thermal energetics of bats of the family Vespertilionidae: An evolutionary approach(Elsevier (Países Bajos), 2025) Araya Berdon, Jorge; Medina-Bello, Kevin I.; Carballo-Morales, Jorge D.; Saldaña-Vázquez, Romeo A.; Villalobos, FedericoAbstract. Thermal energetics define the way animals spend energy for thermoregulation. In this regard, numerous studies have determined that body mass (Mb) is the most influential morphological trait affecting the thermal traits in different species of birds and mammals. However, most of the studies have been focused on the basal metabolic rate (BMR), while other thermal traits have been less studied. We addressed this gap by examining thermal variables on bats of the family Vespertilionidae. Using open-flow respirometry, we measured BMR, absolute thermal conductance (C’), lower and upper critical temperatures (TLC and TUC), and breadth of the thermoneutral zone (TNZb) of 16 bat species ranging in Mb from ~ 4.0–21.0 g from central Mexico. We: 1) combined our empirical data with information gathered from the literature and conducted phylogenetic analyses to investigate the relationship between Mb and thermal traits, 2) tested the relationship between mass independent C’ and mass independent BMR with TLC and TUC of bats, and the relationship between critical temperatures and TNZb, and 3) mapped the thermal energetic traits along the phylogeny to explore their evolutionary trends. We found a positive relationship between Mb and BMR and absolute C’ but not to TLC, TUC and TNZb of bats. Mass independent BMR and mass independent C’ were positively related to TLC and TUC. Finally, TLC showed a negative relationship with TNZb while TUC exhibited a positive relationship with this thermal trait. The phylogenetic approach indicates that over the evolutionary history, BMR and C´have decreased while TLC, TUC and TNZb have increased. Our results suggest that: 1) differences in the limits of the TNZ and C’ may have helped bats to avoid the constraints on heat dissipation imposed by ambient temperatures, and 2) adaptive changes in Mb and thermal traits may have influenced the geographical distribution and energy-saving strategies of bats. These findings contribute to an understanding of how small endotherms cope with thermal challenges, shedding light on the physiological and evolutionary mechanisms that shape species’ ecological niches and biogeographic patterns across diverse environments.Ítem The habitat breadth of phyllostomid bats is partially determined by their diet and could be used as a predictor of extinction risk(Springer Nature (Alemania), 2024) Carballo‑Morales, Jorge D.; Villalobos, Federico; Saldaña‑Vázquez, Romeo A.; Herrera‑Alsina, LeonelAbstract. The tight relationship of niche breadth (i.e., environmental tolerance and resource use) with ecomorphological traits and extinction risk makes the study of habitat niche breadth (i.e., habitat heterogeneity; HB) crucial to understanding the species’ ecological niche and macroecological aspects. Additionally, HB has been associated with the species extinction risk (ER) due to human activity. Bats can be ideal for understanding HB’s ecological and conservation relevance due to their diverse diet and other traits, as well as the high number of threatened species. Here, we studied the association between HB, trophic guild (TG), body mass (BoM), and extinction risk (ER) in phyllostomid bat species using a phylogenetic comparative approach. Our results showed that the TG, not BoM, is significantly associated with HB in phyllostomid bats. Omnivorous and sanguinivorous bats have a wider HB than plant-eating and insectivorous bats. Regarding the ER of bats, our results showed that species without risk have wider HB than species at risk. The HB of species without conservation status does not differ from at-risk species, which suggests that at least some species should be considered at risk. In conclusion, our study suggests that diet is a relevant trait that influences the macroecological dynamic of phyllostomid bats due to its relation with HB. Additionally, we provided evidence supporting HB’s use as an ER predictor. Finally, we discussed the necessity of finding alternative and quicker ways to assess the ER of the species.Ítem Seabirds as biovectors in the transport of plastic debris across ecosystem borders: A case study from the Humboldt Current Upwelling System(Elsevier (Países Bajos), 2024) Fernández, Claudia E.; Luna-Jorquera, Guillermo; González Encinas, Verónica; Auger Lancelloti, Andrea; Lantadilla, Carlos; Aguilar-Pulido, Roberto; Kiessling, Tim; Knickmeier, Katrin; Varela, Andrea I.; Thiel, MartinAbstract. Seabirds have become biovectors of plastic pollutants between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and transport of plastics to their nesting sites becomes relevant due to increasing levels of pollution. To determine the pathways by which plastic reaches their colonies, we analysed the abundance of plastics at the nesting sites of five seabird species (Humboldt penguin Spheniscus humboldti, Peruvian booby Sula variegata, kelp gull Larus dominicanus, grey gull Leucophaeus modestus, Markham's storm-petrel Hydrobates markhami) nesting in northern Chile. Seabirds were primarily grouped according to their nesting behaviour, but two species foraging in contrasting habitats (kelp gull and Markham's storm-petrel) were also compared directly. The abundance, type, and polymer of macro-, meso- and microplastics were analysed in the soil of colonies and control sites, and microplastic ingestion was evaluated for selected species. Densities of plastics in colonies of surface-nesting seabirds ranged from 0 to 21.4 items m−2 (mainly plastic bags and thin films), and 0.002 to 19.7 items m−2 (mainly hard fragments) in colonies of burrow-nesting seabirds. Mean microplastic loads in the stomachs of seabirds were between 3.7 ± 4.2 plastic items individual−1. Overall, the abundances of plastic items in all seabird colonies were low, suggesting a limited transfer of plastics from sea to land. For kelp gulls, the results indicate transfer of macroplastic items to colonies, reaching the colony via regurgitates, with landfills considered as the main plastic source. Our results suggest that contrasting nesting behaviour and foraging habitats among species can explain differential plastic accumulation in seabird colonies, but also other factors, such as wind, contribute to the accumulation of plastic debris in colonies. Proper management of sanitary landfills are key to reduce plastic contamination of coastal seabirds and their colonies.Ítem Monitoring plastic pollution using bioindicators: a global review and recommendations for marine environments(Royal Society of Chemistry (Reino Unido), 2025) Savoca, Matthew S.; Abreo, Neil Angelo; Arias, Andres H.; Baes, Laura; Baini, Matteo; Bergami, Elisa; Brander, Susanne; Canals, Miquel; Choy, C. Anela; Corsi, Ilaria; De Witte, Bavo; Domit, Camila; Dudas, Sarah; Duncan, Emily M.; Fernández, Claudia E.; Fossi, Maria Cristina; Garcés-Ordóñez, Ostin; Godley, Brendan J.; González-Paredes, Daniel; González Carman, Victoria; Hamilton, Bonnie M.; Hardesty, Britta Denise; Hee Hong, Sang; Kahane-Rapport, Shirel; Kashiwabara, Lauren M.; Baptista Lacerda, Mariana; Luna-Jorquera, Guillermo; Manno, Clara; Nelms, Sarah E.; Panti, Cristina; Pérez-Venegas, Diego J.; Pham, Christopher K.; Provencher, Jennifer F.; Purca, Sara; Rashid, Harunur; Rodríguez, Yasmina; Sparks, Conrad; Sun, ChengJun; Thiel, Martin; Tsangaris, Catherine; Santos, Robson G.Abstract. Monitoring the movement of plastic into marine food webs is central to understanding and mitigating the plastic pollution crisis. Bioindicators have been a component of the environmental monitoring toolkit for decades, but how, where, and which bioindicators are used in long-term monitoring programs has not yet been assessed. Moreover, these programs have yet to be synthesized and evaluated globally. Doing so is imperative if we are to learn from these pioneering programs and expand on their efforts. We reviewed global monitoring programs using bioindicators that focus on plastic pollution and found 11 worldwide that met our definition of long-term monitoring. Limited data availability and few programs in the Global South hinder progress on tracking global trends. Most commonly, long-term programs either tracked macroplastics with opportunistic sampling of large vertebrates or monitored microplastics with targeted sampling of invertebrates. These long-term bioindicators could be incorporated as essential ocean variables in the global ocean observing system, and thus provide critical insights into the trajectory and effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems. However, to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of these monitoring efforts, there is a pressing need for the implementation of harmonized and standardized methods, increased collaboration between regions, and greater support for data sharing and open science practices. By addressing these challenges and expanding the geographic scope of monitoring programs, we can better inform evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at mitigating plastic pollution on a global scale.Ítem Prevalencia de AHPND en camaroneras del Golfo de Nicoya y Pacífico Central, Costa Rica(Universidad de Costa Rica (Costa Rica), 2025) Peña Navarro, Nelson; Rodríguez Rodríguez, Jorengeth Abad; Umaña-Castro, Rodolfo; Sancho Blanco, Carolina; Oviedo-Bolaños, Karen; Escobedo-Bonilla, Cesar MarcialResumen. Introducción. La enfermedad de la necrosis aguda del hepatopáncreas (AHPND, por sus siglas en inglés) es producida por bacterias Vibrio parahaemolyticus que poseen un plásmido con genes que codifican las toxinas pirA y pirB. La enfermedad se caracteriza por descamación masiva de las células epiteliales del hepatopáncreas, así como la atrofia y decoloración de ese órgano. Los camarones enfermos presentan anorexia y muestran un intestino vacío, debilidad, decoloración del cuerpo y altas mortalidades. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de Vibrio parahaemolyticus causante de AHPND en fincas de camarones en la zona del Pacífico de Costa Rica. Materiales y métodos. Durante los años 2019 y 2020, se recolectaron camarones (Penaeus vannamei) y agua de estanques de 32 fincas localizadas en la costa occidental del golfo de Nicoya (noroeste del país) y la costa del Pacífico Central (Puntarenas-Parrita). Los camarones recolectados en los muestreos tenían un peso de entre 7 y 15 g. El diagnóstico de la presencia de la enfermedad se analizó a nivel molecular con la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) punto final, y diferentes protocolos e iniciadores para detectar los genes de las toxinas pirA y pirB. Además, se hizo una correlación lineal entre la presencia de AHPND y la calidad del agua con el programa estadístico R. Resultados. La presencia de Vibrio parahaemolyticus causante de AHPND ocurrió en 93,75 % (30/32) de los estanques muestreados en ambas zonas de cultivo. Conclusiones. Este trabajo confirma la presencia y amplia distribución de AHPND en agua y camarones en treinta fincas camaroneras en el Pacífico de Costa Rica.Ítem Distancia a la vegetación, trazado de la carretera y atropello de vertebrados silvestres en Puntarenas, Costa Rica(Universidad Estatal a Distancia (Costa Rica), 2024) Granados-Rodríguez, Federico; Esquivel, Carolina; Barquero-González, José Pablo; Quesada-Ávila, Gabriela; Tenorio-Brenes, JavierResumen. Introducción: Comprender el impacto de las carreteras en la fauna es crucial para implementar medidas de protección; Costa Rica es uno de los países tropicales más estudiados en este aspecto, pero algunas áreas siguen siendo poco conocidas. Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre la frecuencia de atropellos de fauna, el trazado de la carretera y la distancia a la vegetación. Métodos: Trabajamos durante 15km del 8 al 10 de abril de 2016 en la Carretera Nacional Pacífica Fernández, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Contamos todos los atropellos visibles. Resultados: Registramos 56 individuos atropellados, principalmente sapos (Rhinella horribilis) e iguánidos. La vegetación cercana aumentó el número de víctimas, mientras que no hubo diferencias entre los tramos rectos y curvos de la carretera. Conclusiones: Recomendamos la implementación de barreras, reductores de velocidad y pasos de fauna adecuados, especialmente en áreas con vegetación densa cerca de la carretera.Ítem Diversidad y Estructura Genética en Híbridos Intraespecíficos de Cruza Simple de Vainilla y Accesiones Parentales(Sociedad Mexicana de Fitogenética (México), 2024) Hernández-Leal, Enrique; Solano-Campos, Frank; Azofeifa-Bolaños, José B.; Paniagua-Vásquez, Amelia; Hernández-Bautista, Aurelio; López-Morales, Fernando; Pascual Ramirez, Fermin; Reyes-López, DelfinoResumen. El conocimiento de la diversidad genética es de gran importancia en el diseño y conducción de un programa de mejoramiento genético, ya que de esto depende su éxito; en este sentido, el objetivo del presente estudio fue estimar la diversidad genética de 21 híbridos intraespecíficos de cruza simple y sus parentales en Vanilla planifolia con datos moleculares obtenidos de la amplificación por PCR de cuatro marcadores inter secuencias simples repetidas (ISSR) a partir de ADN genómico aislado de hojas. Se estimaron los parámetros de contenido de información polimórfica (CIP), índice de marcador (IM) y poder de resolución (PR). Para evaluar la diferenciación genética dentro y entre poblaciones se realizó un análisis de varianza molecular (AMOVA) y un análisis de componentes principales. Para identificar los genotipos con mayor similitud se realizó un análisis de conglomerados con las distancias genéticas de Jaccard y para conocer la estructura genética se realizó un análisis de agrupamiento bayesiano. El marcador ISSR-T06 fue el que presentó mayor CIP (0.31), mientras que el ISSR-C10 tuvo el IM (2.55) y PR (17.08) más altos. El AMOVA reveló el 97 % de varianza genética dentro de poblaciones y el 3 % entre poblaciones (P ≤ 0.01), estos resultados indican que se deben retener más individuos por población para la conservación de la especie. Las pruebas de GAP y Elbow y el análisis de agrupamiento bayesiano diferenciaron dos grupos, en tanto que el análisis de distancias genéticas de Jaccard detectó bajos niveles de asociación entre los genotipos, sugiriendo la existencia de un solo grupo. El primer grupo estuvo formado por accesiones parentales, las cuales presentaron pocas diferencias alélicas, mientras que el segundo se integró por los híbridos, que presentaron mayor porcentaje de loci polimórficos; así mismo, reveló un incremento del 3 % de la diversidad entre poblaciones. La hibridación entre individuos de diferente origen es una herramienta factible para incrementar la diversidad entre poblaciones.Ítem Global climate change impacts on the potential distribution of typical Trachinotus fishes and early warning assessment of invasions(Elsevier (Países Bajos), 2024) Chen, Shaohua; Xiao, Yongshuang; Xiao, Zhizhong; Li, Jun; Herrera-Ulloa, AngelAbstract. Marine habitats and ecosystems are increasingly being impacted by global climate change and the global spread of captive breeding. In this study, we focused on five typical Trachinotus species (Trachinotus anak, Trachinotus blochii, Trachinotus mookalee, Trachinotus goreenisi, Trachinotus ovatus) as research subjects. We utilized species distribution models and ecological niche models to predict the present and future potential distribution of these species, as well as to assess ecological niche overlap and evaluate the early warning of invasion by Trachinotus species. T. ovatus stands out with its broad distribution range and high adaptability to different environments. It occupies 1.114% of medium-high suitable areas, spanning 100,147 km2. Our predictions also suggest that T. ovatus would undergo a significant expansion (approximately 55% of the total area) under both past and future environmental scenarios, demonstrating a higher tolerance and adaptability to changes in ambient temperatures. It can be discerned that T. ovatus exhibits strong environmental adaptability, which may potentially lead to biological invasion along the southeastern coast of China. The T. anak, on the other hand, showed a higher expansion trend under high carbon dioxide concentrations (RCP8.5), indicating a certain convergence with carbon dioxide concentration. Our models showed that under future climatic conditions, T. ovatus would become the dominant species, with increased competition with T. mookalee and decreased competition with T. goreenisi, T. mookalee, and T. anak. Based on our findings and the net-pen culture mode of T. ovatus, we identified the hotspot habitat of T. ovatus to be located in the Indo-Pacific convergence zone. However, there is a possibility of an expansion trend towards the southeast coast of China in the future. Therefore, it is crucial to provide an early warning for the potential biological invasion of T. ovatus.Ítem Molecular Discrimination of morphologically similar fishery species: The Case of Tridentiger bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus(Elsevier (Países Bajos), 2025) Chen, Shaohua; Xiao, Yongshuang; Xiao, Zhizhong; Li, Jun; Herrera-Ulloa, AngelAbstract. Taxonomic studies demonstrated that Tridentiger bifasciatus and Tridentiger trigonocephalus were homologous species with highly analogous external morphology, which rendered them challenging to distinguish from one another. The results of species distribution modeling indicated that T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus exhibited significant overlap in their distribution points and suitable habitats, primarily concentrated in areas where freshwater and saltwater converge at river mouths. This paper presented a T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus species-specific marker, specific primers, applications, and a method for rapid identification in species identification to overcome the inadequacy of existing detection techniques for species identification of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus. A pair of primers could be used to amplify two DNA fragments of 497 bp and 644 bp with a difference of 147 bp in T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus individuals, only a single DNA fragment of 497 bp in T. bifasciatus individuals and 644 bp in a T. trigonocephalus. The DNA of individuals of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus could be amplified and resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis, reducing the time required for the identification of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus. Tridentiger species, reducing the time required for the accurate identification of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus, and improving the efficiency of species identification detection. This method provides an efficient, rapid, and accurate identification of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus species. It is significant and valuable for accurately assessing fishery resources and conserving biodiversity of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus. Additionally, it improves knowledge of sustainable replenishment of the resources of T. bifasciatus and T. trigonocephalus.Ítem Future climate change accelerates the invasive rhythm of alien marine species: New insights into the invasive potential of the world’s aquaculture species red drum Sciaenops ocellatus(Elsevier (Países Bajos), 2023) Xiao, Yongshuang; Liu, Jing; Wei, Jiehong; Xiao, Zhizhong; Li, Jun; Aguilar-Perera, Alfonso; Herrera-Ulloa, AngelAbstract. In recent decades, an unprecedented frequency of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) escapes from sea cages (i.e., million tail level) has generated enormous pressure on local marine biodiversity and ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the distribution and shifts of hotspot fitness zones for S. ocellatus under global climate change and to identify the trophic levels in the coastal waters of China. The species distribution model (SDM) identified four hotspot fitness zones at a global scale located in the Atlantic Ocean along the Gulf of Mexico and Uruguayan coasts, and in the Pacific Ocean along the Chinese and Australian coasts. Under global warming and climate change, the most suitable habitat for S. ocellatus would expand (448,178.6 km2) and the centre of mass would shift northwards. Stable isotope δ15N and δ13C ratios indicated S. ocellatus has very high ecological competition, within a wide feeding range and high ecological position (δ15N: 10.84 ∼ 12.84 ‰, 11.61 ± 0.62 ‰; δ13C: −15.28 ∼ -17.25 ‰, −16.45 ± 0. 52 ‰) in the escape zone. The results suggested that a wide range of habitats, high reproductive capacity, and ecological niche competition conferred escaped S. ocellatus with a great ability to invade across regions on a global scale.Ítem Prediction of suitable habitat shifts and assessment of ecological niche overlaps for three Tridentiger species with intertidal and subtidal characteristics under future climate changes(Elsevier (Países Bajos), 2024) Chen, Shaohua; Xiao, Yongshuang; Xiao, Zhizhong; Ma, Daoyuan; Li, Jun; Herrera-Ulloa, AngelAbstract. To show how dramatic global climate change affects marine ecosystem species in different habitats. We used a joint species distribution model (SDM) and an ecological niche model (ENM) to investigate the suitable habitat shifts and ecological niche overlaps of the Tridentiger fishes. In the present study, the SDM results showed that 5 hotspots were identified for T. trigonocephalus and T. barbatus, and 4 hotspots for T. bifasciatus. The study on center-of-mass transfer revealed notable reductions in the habitual range of the three Tridentiger species with future climate change and no significant bipolar shifts in the center of mass. The ENM results indicated that T. trigonocephalus and T. barbatus exhibited the greatest ecological niche overlap with Schoener's D (D) and Hellinger-based I (I) values of 0.4719 and 0.7690, respectively. Both SDM and ENM results have suggested that T. trigonocephalus occupied a wider distribution and greater adaptability to future climate change. This study sought to measure the variations in the effects of global climate change on marine species in different habitats. Our study first found that intertidal species with specific life histories may be more resilient to environmental change.Ítem Chromosome-level genome assembly of the silver pomfret Pampus argenteus(Springer Nature (Alemania), 2024) Wei, Jiehong; Xiao, Yongshuang; Liu, Jing; Herrera-Ulloa, Angel; Loh, Kar-Hoe; Xu, KuidongAbstract. Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen, 1788) is one of the major fishery species in coastal China. Pampus argenteus has a highly specialized morphology, and its declining fishery resources have encouraged massive research efforts on its aquacultural biology. In this study, we reported the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of P. argenteus obtained by integrating Illumina, PacBio HiFi, and Hi-C sequencing techniques. The final size of the genome was 518.06 Mb, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 20.47 and 22.86 Mb, respectively. The sequences were anchored and oriented onto 24 pseudochromosomes based on Hi-C data corresponding to the 24-chromatid karyotype of P. argenteus. A colinear relationship was observed between the P. argenteus genome and that of a closely related species (Scomber japonicus). A total of 24,696 protein-coding genes were identified from the genome, 98.9% of which were complete BUSCOs. This report represents the first case of high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for P. argenteus and can provide valuable information for future evolutionary, conservation, and aquacultural research.Ítem Suitable habitat shifts and ecological niche overlay assessments among benthic Oplegnathus species in response to climate change(Elsevier (Países Bajos), 2024) Chen, Shaohua; Xiao, Yongshuang; Xiao, Zhizhong; Li, Jun; Herrera-Ulloa, AngelAbstract. Climate change has had a significant impact on many marine organisms. To investigate the effects of environmental changes on deep-water benthic fishes, we selected the genus Oplegnathus and applied species distribution modeling and ecological niche modeling. From the last glacial maximum to the present, the three Oplegnathus species (O. conwayi, O. robinsoni, and O. peaolopesi) distributed in the Cape of Good Hope region of southern Africa experienced fitness zone fluctuations of 39.9%, 13%, and 5.7%, respectively. In contrast, O. fasciatus and O. punctatus, which were primarily distributed in the western Pacific Ocean, had fitness zone fluctuations of −6.5% and 11.7%, respectively. Neither the O. insignis nor the O. woodward varied by more than 5% over the period. Under future environmental conditions, the range of variation in fitness zones for the three southern African Oplegnathus species was expected to be between −30.8% and −26.5%, while the range of variation in fitness zones for the two western Pacific stonefish species was expected to remain below 13%. In addition, the range of variation in the fitness zones of the O. insignis was projected to be between −2.3% and 7.1%, and the range of variation in the fitness zones of the O. woodward is projected to be between −5.7% and −2%. The results indicated that O. fasciatus and O. punctatus had a wide distribution and high expansion potential, while Oplegnathus species might have originated in western Pacific waters. Our results showed that benthic fishes were highly adaptable to extreme environments, such as the last glacial maximum. The high ecological niche overlap between Oplegnathus species in the same region suggested that they competed with each other. Future research could explore the impacts of environmental change on marine organisms and make conservation and management recommendations.Ítem Composition of pelagic fish in commercial landings of the longline fishery in the Costa Rica Pacific during 2015-2021(Frontiers Media S.A. (Suiza), 2025) Centeno-Chaves, Allison; Marrari, Marina; Arias-Zumbado, Fausto; García-Rojas, Andrea; Mug-Villanueva, MoisésAbstract. Longline fishing in the Pacific of Costa Rica targets multiple species of large pelagic fishes and faces challenges in assessment due to lack of data. This study analyzes landing data of pelagic fish in this fishery using unconventional statistical methods, to better understand the dynamics and provide recommendations for improving data collection and analysis. Landing data reported during 2015-2021 were examined. A descriptive and comparative analysis of landings was conducted using Spearman correlation tests and Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) to visualize patterns in catch composition. Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) and Similarity Percentage Analysis (SIMPER) were employed to identify significant differences between fleet types, landing ports, months, and years, as well as species contribution to these differences. The annual mean total landing of large pelagic fish was 7531.01 tons, with 39.14% corresponding to sharks, 24.34% to billfish (Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae), 18.05% to mahi-mahi, and 14.94% to tuna. Statistically significant differences were found between fleet types, landing ports, months, and years. Shark landings were the least correlated (rho=0.36) and had the greatest influence on variation by fleet type. An increase in the similarity of catch composition by port since 2015 was observed. In addition, a shift towards increasingly less selective fishing over the study period was evident. Our findings highlight the urgent need for advanced research methodologies to address gaps in data collection for commercial fisheries in Costa Rica. Improving these methods is crucial to ensure that management policies are based on accurate and comprehensive information. Results highlight the need for a comprehensive strategy involving diverse stakeholders to improve our understanding and ensure the sustainability of fisheries and the preservation of marine ecosystems in Costa Rica.