UNED Research Journal

The role of wild mammals in seed dispersal and food chain in Costa Rican coffee agroecosystems

2023-12-21T11:08:44-06:00

Introduction: Shade coffee farms are complex ecosystems and there is a need for better understanding of their function and environmental services. Some of their environmental functions are similar to forest ecosystems and biodiversity is important. Mammals play a crucial role in these agroecosystems, controlling vegetation abundance and composition, contributing to seed dispersal, nutrient recycling and soil maintenance through excavation and aeration. Objective: To identify the role of wild mammals in seed dispersal and food chain in Costa Rican coffee agroecosystems. Methods: We worked in Rincón de Mora, San Ramón, Costa Rica, from March 2019 to January 2022. We used Pixestt and Havahart traps, and camera traps, to examine feces and behavior; depending on species, sample size ranged between 2 and 87. Results: We identified 19 species of mammals. Heteromys salvini had coffee beans in its pockets. Echinosciurus variegatoides, Didelphis marsupialis and Philander melanurus fed on the local vegetation. Dasyprocta punctata had the most diet data; we found a beetle in the feces of Procyon lotor and observed Eira barbara chasing D. punctata. Conclusion: Coffee agroecosystems provide food for wild mammals, which in turn contribute to the coffee ecosystem as seed dispersers and population control.

Crustaceans in Phragmatopoma sp. (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae) intertidal reefs, Pacific, Costa Rica

2023-08-21T10:49:14-06:00

Introduction: Annelid polychaete worms of the family Sabellariidae build reefs by cementing together sand grains. These reefs increase local habitat heterogeneity and species diversity. The reefs are used as a refuge by invertebrates, and crustaceans are frequent. Objective: To list the species of crustaceans found in Phragmatopoma sp. reefs on two localities of the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica and at the port of Puntarenas, Gulf of Nicoya estuary. Methods: We dislodged fragments of reef colonies qualitatively at low tide with a chisel, stored them in plastic bags and later disaggregated the fragments by hand. We identified the crustaceans whenever possible and deposited them in the collection at the University of Costa Rica (MZUCR). Results: We identified 30 species: 26 species of macro-crustaceans in samples from the North coast, eight of them Petrolisthes (Porcellanidae). From the Puntarenas samples we identified five species (27 macro-crustaceans and 3 isopods). A few micro-crustaceans (Amphipoda, Isopoda) were also present but not identified. Conclusions: The number of crustacean species found in Phragmatopoma sp. reefs is relatively high but comparisons with other studies are difficult. Porcellanid crabs are common on these reefs. The low diversity of Puntarenas reefs remains unexplained.

Zoonotic and non-zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in frogs from an urban tropical river of Costa Rica

2023-06-08T11:46:26-06:00

Introduction: The urban ecosystems of Costa Rica are home to several anuran species that coexist with still poorly studied parasites. Objective: To report the presence of zoonotic and non-zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni, Espadarana prosoblepon, Smilisca sordida, in urban river habtat in San José, Costa Rica. Methods: We analyzed 30 fecal samples, from specimens kept in the laboratory for ten months, with three diagnostic techniques. Results: We detected for the first time in Costa Rica the presence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium parvum in H. fleischmanni, E. prosoblepon and S. sordida (with antigen detection tests); in addition, nematodes (Strongylidae and Rhabdias spp.), intestinal ciliates and cestode eggs with other diagnostic techniques. Conclusion: These urban frogs carried at least six types of parasites, some of them, first reports.

Electroactive microorganisms in coffee processing wastewater (iron redox processes)

2023-06-09T09:52:43-06:00

Introduction: Wastewater is often a good source for electrogenic bacteria, which are essential for Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs). The electrons they release while metabolizing organic matter is evidence of their electrogenic capacity. Objective: To evaluate the iron-reducing capacity of bacteria isolated from coffee wastewater. Methods: We isolated morphologically distinct facultative bacteria from the anode electrode of MFCs, with coffee mill wastewater as our substrate. We did a preliminary identification with the Biolog GEN III system (Biolog Inc. Hayward, CA, USA). To assess the conversion of iron (III) to iron (II) by the isolated bacteria, we tested iron (III) citrate, iron (III) chloride, and iron (III) oxide. For comparison, we used S. oneidensis as a positive control in our experiments. Results: We identified eight bacterial isolates with a predominance of non-sporulated Gram positive bacilli morphology. They have reductive activity of iron compounds, giving the best conversion percentages from a for iron oxide (III). The isolate coinciding with the genus Citrobacter (SB), the only Gram negative bacillus, obtained iron conversion percentages higher than 1,0% in the three iron compounds (maximum: 4,3%). Conclusion: In the residual water from the coffee process, there are bacteria with electrogenic capability that could be used in Microbial Fuel Cells.

Antibacterial, antifungal, toxic and larvicidal activity of Ficus pumila (Moraceae) and Phthirusa stelis (Loranthaceae)

2023-09-29T10:45:24-06:00

Introduction: Ficus pumila and Phtirusa stelis are emerging as a source of natural products. Objectives: Identify the families of chemical compounds present in the species to be studied. Determine the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the crude extracts of F. pumila and P. stelis. Assess the toxicity of the crude extracts of the species against Artemia sp. Determine effects on Aedes aegypti larvae and. Methods: We evaluated the bioactivity of ethanolic, and isopropyl extracts obtained from the fruits, leaves and stems of both species were evaluated for antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, toxic activity against Artemia sp, A. aegypti larvae and phytochemical study. Results: We identificated flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenols in isopropyl and ethanol extracts of leaves, stems and fruits of F. pumila. We detected flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, triterpenes, and polyphenols in isopropyl and ethanol extracts of stems and leaves of P. stelis. We detected flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, triterpenes, and polyphenols in isopropyl and ethanol extracts of stems and leaves of P. stelis. F. pumila, the isopropyl stem extract demonstrated the most effective activity, since it exerted antibacterial activity, with inhibition halos being observed on B. subtilis (10 mm) and E. coli (7 mm), while the ethanolic extract of the leaves showed effect on Staphylococcus aureus (11 mm). The ethanolic extract of P. stelis leaves exhibited activity against S. aureus (10 mm), B. subtilis (10 mm) and that of stem extract showed similar results with inhibition zone of halos of 11 and 10 mm, respectively. The isopropyl extract of leaves also displayed activity against E. coli (15 mm). None of the extracts from F. pumila and P. stelis, showed any growth inhibitory effect against the pathogenic fungi. The majority of P. stelis extracts showed positive LC results against Artemia sp., with the ethanolic leaf extract exhibiting high toxicity (0,01 µg/mL). The isopropyl leaf extract also showed high toxicity (0,01 µg/mL), as did the isopropyl stem extract (0,02 µg/mL). The ethanolic and isopropyl extracts of F. pumila and P. stelis did not show toxicity to Aedes aegypti larvae. Conclusion: The plant species F. pumila and P. stelis, can be considered as sources of important and promising compounds for therapeutic research. These plants have shown potential in various studies, and further research could lead to the discovery of new treatments and therapies.

Chemical profile of essential oils of the Costa Rican native tree Myrcianthes storkii (Myrtaceae)

2023-07-08T11:23:31-06:00

Introduction: The genus Myrcianthes ranges from southern Florida to Chile, including the Caribbean, and the species Myrcianthes storkii is a shrub or tree found in Costa Rica and western Panama, in wet to very rainy, cloud, and oak forests (altitude 1300-3150m). Objective: To identify the chemical composition of essential oils from leaves, floral buds, and twigs of M. storkii of Costa Rica. Methods: We obtained the essential oils through hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition of the oils was done by GC/FID and GC/MS, using the retention indices on DB-5 and Carbowax types of capillary columns in addition to mass spectra. Results: The oils consisted mainly of terpenoids (55,45-87,75%). A total of 281 compounds accounted for 91,27-74,56% of the total amount of oils. The major constituents from the leaf oil were myrcene (17,44%), cis-calamenene (12,60%), α-pinene (5,48%), (E)-caryophyllene (5,16%), limonene (3,91%), p-cymene (3,71%), 1,8-cineole (2,80%), and α-humulene (2,80%). The floral bud essential oil consisted mainly of α-pinene (15,23%), cis-calamenene (12,70%), myrcene (8,59%), 1,8-cineole (4,26%), germacrene B (3,65%), α-humulene (3,55%), and (E)-caryophyllene oxide (2,93%). The major components of twig oil were cis-calamenene (11,31%), palmitic acid (7,99%), (E)-caryophyllene (4,68%), -cadinene (3,28%), cubenol (3,24%), and (Z)-caryophyllene oxide (2,94%). Conclusion: The presence of a significant quantity of myrcene and cis-calamenene seems to be characteristic of this species.

First pages 16 (Jan-Dec 2024)

2024-02-05T14:21:11-06:00