The evolutionary histories of plant and animal species are often tightly linked to geological histories. A key example is the closure of the Isthmus of Panama, which facilitated widespread biotic dispersal between North and South America after independent faunal assemblages had evolved within each region. Likewise, Andean uplift accelerated and, consequently, created many barriers that led to numerous lineage diversifications. Leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylidae: Phyllodactylus) represent an ideal model for exploring the impact of Isthmus of Panama closure and Andean uplift on their evolutionary history. We present the most complete time-calibrated phylogeny for this genus to date and reconstruct the biogeographical history of the group. Our phylogenetic hypotheses indicate that the North and Central American Phyllodactylus clade is older than the hypothesized time for the full Isthmus of Panama closure, and Phyllodactylus most probably dispersed over open ocean before full isthmus formation was complete. Andean uplift coincided with several divergence events, although not until the late Miocene, after many clades had already diverged. Associated instances of hidden diversity in the Andes were revealed in this reconstruction, indicating that the full extent of diversity is yet to be characterized fully. Identification of species complexes and paraphyly within Phyllodactylus has important conservation implications for the protection of these reptiles.

Island-mainland systems provide ideal scenarios in which to study the influence that contrasting ecologicalpressures have on closely related taxa. In exceptional cases, recent colonization events or anthropogenic introduction ofcontinental individuals to islands can facilitate the study of rapid phenotypic divergence experienced by newly formed insular populations. The Peruvian Lava Lizard (Microlophus peruvianus) is an abundant and conspicuous species found along the Peruvian coastal desert. This species was introduced to several offshore Peruvian islands in the 1940s as a potential biological control of guano-bird ectoparasites. Less than a century later, some populations of M. peruvianus still thrive in some of these islands. Relative to continental environments, the islands have barren, sparsely vegetated andscapes, and terrestrial vertebrates are generally scarce. Thus, potential differences in the availability of microhabitats and prey and the presence of predators might have imposed distinct selective pressures on island and mainland popu- ations, consequently resulting in the evolution of diverging phenotypes. In this study we compared the morphology of an insular and a continental population of M. peruvianus and found significant differences possibly driven by the contrasting ecological pressures they experience. For example, the larger heads of mainland lizards might allow them to take advantage of the higher diversity of prey found in the continent, which apparently includes items of relatively greater hardness that require stronger bite forces to subdue and consume. Similarly, the relatively longer hindlimb traits found in mainland individuals might allow them to navigate their habitat with higher speed, a beneficial trait in open terrains. In contrast, high speeds might not be as necessary for island individuals due to high population density and lack of predators that often characterize insular habitats. Despite strong morphological divergence, further studies on the ecological and population dynamics at both localities are necessary to clarify these potential ecomorphological relationships. Besides highlighting the importance of insular environments in driving phenotypic diversity, this study represents the first morphological comparison between populations found in the Peruvian desert and its offshore islands, a virtually unexplored island-mainland system.

En este trabajo se presenta el listado actualizado de anfibios y reptiles de Ica, las especies son comentadas, acompañadas de mapas de distribución y claves de identificación para reptiles y anfibios. Se recopiló información de registros en colecciones científicas, artículos científicos, informes de agencias gubernamentales de vida silvestre y bases de datos taxonómicas especializadas. Adicionalmente, entre los años 2019 y 2020 se realizaron evaluaciones de campo en zonas con vacíos de información. Se encontraron un total de 22 especies (anfibios 3 y reptiles 19). Los nuevos registros de reptiles para Ica incluyen la lagartija Liolaemus evaristoi y la serpiente Incaspis tachymenoides en la provincia de Chincha a 4200 y 3200 m de altitud respectivamente, la lagartija Stenocercus ornatissimus y la serpiente ciega Epictia tesselata en la provincia de Pisco a 3500 y 2800 m respectivamente. Los nuevos registros de anfibios incluyen a Pleurodema marmoratum en la provincia de Chincha (3900 m) y Telmatobius rimac en las provincias de Chincha y Palpa a 3900 y 2350 m respectivamente. La mayor riqueza y endemismos locales se encontraron en el desierto costero, mientras que, las ampliaciones de distribución y endemismos regionales se registraron en la vertiente occidental de los Andes. También, se observa que las familias Leptotyphlopidae y Viperidae, y los géneros Dicrodon, Stenocercus y Oxyrophus terminan su distribución en la vertiente occidental y la zona costera de los departamentos de Ica y Arequipa sin representantes en el extremo sur del Perú y norte de Chile.

This paper presents the updated list of amphibians and reptiles of Ica. Species are commented, accompanied by distribution maps and identification keys for reptiles and amphibians. Information was collected from scientific collections, scientific articles, governmental wildlife agency reports, and specialized taxonomic database. Additionally, between 2019 and 2020, field surveys were carried out in areas with information gaps. A total of 22 species were found (amphibians 3 and reptiles 19). The new records of reptiles include the Liolaemus evaristoi lizard and the Incaspis tachymenoides snake from Chincha province at 4200 and 3200 m altitude respectively, the Stenocercus ornatissi-mus lizard and the blind snake Epictia tesselata from Pisco province at 3500 and 2800 m respectively. New amphibian records include Pleurodema marmoratum in Chincha province (3900 m) and Telmatobius rimac in Chincha and Palpa provinces at 3900 and 2350 m respectively. The greatest richness and local endemism were found in the coastal desert, while the expansion of distribution and regional endemism were recorded on the western slope of the Andes. Also, it is observed that the families Leptotyphlopidae and Viperidae, and the genera Dicrodon, Stenocercus and Oxyrophus are finishing their distribution in the western slope and the coastal zone of the departments of Ica and Arequipa without representatives in the extreme south of Peru and Chile.

Small species with high home fidelity, high ecological specialization or low vagility are particularly prone to suffer from habitat modification and fragmentation. The Lima leaf-toed gecko ( Phyllodactylus sentosus) is a critically endangered Peruvian species that shelters mostly in pre-Incan archeological areas called huacas , where the original environmental conditions are maintained . We used genotyping by sequencing to understand the population genomic history of P. sentosus . We found low genetic diversity (He 0.0406–0.134 and nucleotide diversity 0.0812–0.145) and deviations of the observed heterozygosity relative to the expected heterozygosity in some populations (F is − 0.0202 to 0.0187). In all analyses, a clear population structuring was observed that cannot be explained by isolation by distance alone. Also, low levels of historical gene flow were observed between most populations, which decreased as shown in contemporary migration rate analysis. Demographic inference suggests these populations experienced bottleneck events during the last 5 ka. These results indicate that habitat modification since pre-Incan civilizations severely affected these populations, which currently face even more drastic urbanization threats. Finally, our predictions show that this species could become extinct in a decade without further intervention, which calls for urgent conservation actions being undertaken.

Saurians use differentially three dimensions of the ecological niche: spatial, temporal, and trophic niche to minimize or avoid competition. During dry season of 2006, we compared resource partitioning in two saurian species, Holcosus septemlineatus and Medopheos edracanthus. In Cerros de Amotape National Park (Tumbes, Peru), Holcosus septemlineatus and M. edracanthus presented high overlap in spatial (Φjk = 0.81) and temporal niches (Φjk = 0.88), while trophic niche overlap was intermediate (Φjk = 0.52). Both lizard species showed similar activity patterns (08:00 – 16:00) and body temperatures (35.9° and 36.6°C, respectively), although they faced different thermal environments, and selected different microhabitats. Holcosus septemlineatus selected more forest-covered microhabitats, while M. edracanthus used more sun-exposed microhabitats. Both species consumed a similar diet (crickets, spiders, termits and insect larvae). Apparently, the trophic niche index value could be associated with a high prey abundance and to slight differences in microhabitat use related to sun-exposure degree. This should be used as a resource partitioning strategy between these two species at Cerros de Amotape National Park.

El complejo, y creciente, conflicto entre el derecho a la protección de datos de las personas trabajadoras y el derecho empresarial a la prueba de las infracciones laborales de aquellas mediante cámaras de vigilancia ha conocido un nuevo episodio en el Tribunal Constitucional. Por una exigua mayoría, el Tribunal de Garantías ha optado por favorecer el derecho de la empresa frente al derecho de la persona trabajadora. Al margen de qué razones se consideren más convincentes, las del voto mayoritario o las del voto discrepante, lo cierto es que la sentencia hace un flaco favor a su función pedagógica y ejemplarizante, al normalizar los incumplimientos del derecho a la información previa y desincentivar el cumplimiento.

We extend the geographical distribution of Ctenoblepharys adspersa (Liolaemidae) an endemic and threatened lizard species from the Peruvian desert. Our new record extends the known species distribution ca. 60 km (straight line) east-southeastern from the eastemost record at Paracas National Reserve. We recorded two new type of habitat for C. adspersa that reach to the Pacific foothills and identified the native plants associated to its habitats. Moreover, we review the conservation status and the challenges that facing it, highlighted that most of its populations are vulnerable to the impacts on their habitat caused by the development of urban and agricultural infrastructure.

Conforme a los requisitos del articulo 219 de la LRJS, la Sala IV supera la admisibilidad del recurso, encontrando la contradiccion respecto de la sentencia de contraste en la diferente atribucion de competencias (en aquella afirmada para el orden jurisdiccional social, negada en la recurrida), sin que las actuaciones previas sean impedimento para apreciar la contradiccion. La cuestion litigiosa queda centrada y limitada a determinar si es competente el orden social de la jurisdiccion para conocer de demanda en la que interesa la responsabilidad por los danos sufridos por incumplimiento de las normas de prevencion de riesgos laborales psicosociales, invocandose la infraccion de las normas de prevencion de riesgos laborales (sin tratarse de proceso de tutela de derechos fundamentales), siendo el demandante funcionario publico. Tal cuestion encuentra acogida por el alto tribunal considerando que el orden social es competente para resolver la cuestion planteada, acordando por tanto devolver las actuaciones al organo de instancia previa anulacion de la causa desde el auto de inadmision de la demanda.

Ampliamos la distribución geográfica de Ctenoblepharys adspersa (Liolaemidae), una especie de saurio endémico y amenazado del desierto peruano. Nuestro nuevo registro extiende la distribucion de esta especie en 60 km (línea recta) de la localidad más oriental previamente conocida, la Reserva Nacional de Paracas. Registramos dos tipos de hábitat nuevos para C. adspersa al interior de las estribaciones andinas e identificamos las plantas nativas asociadas a sus hábitats. Además, revisamos el estado de conservación de esta especie y los desafíos que implican su conservación, resaltando que la mayoría de las poblaciones son vulnerables a los impactos en su hábitat producto del desarrollo de infraestructura urbana y/o agrícola

El término zapoteco Benhe wlhash “gente muy antigua” es utilizado en la Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, para referirse a sus ancestros encontrados en las tumbas prehispánicas. En este escrito se presentan los resultados obtenidos del trabajo de campo que se realizó durante los meses de marzo y abril del año 2018 en la comunidad de Santa María Temaxcalapa, en la Sierra norte de Oaxaca. Se pudo observar mediante un registro etnográfico y usando un enfoque desde la bioarqueología comunitaria, los diferentes factores que han generado una relación de pertenencia e identidad entre los restos óseos o wlhash depositados en las tumbas prehispánicas de la población y los actuales zapotecos. Así también pretendemos ofrecer una visión que valide el conocimiento local que las personas de Temaxcalapa tienen sobre su pasado y enriquecer con esto la arqueología de la región.

Two new species of Geckobia Mégnin, 1878, Geckobia andina n. sp. and Geckobia circumdata n. sp., ectoparasites commonly reported on geckos, are described from the host species Phyllodactylus gerrhopygus (Wiegmann). The specimens were collected in the subtropical region of the Andean Pacific of Peru. The geographic distribution of species of Geckobia in South America and the Caribbean are mapped. Furthermore, a dichotomous key for the species of New World Geckobia is provided.

Ontogenetic shifts from an insectivorous diet towards an herbivorous one are well known in lizards. Energetic, behavioral and morphological factors have been linked to this pattern, but the latter have received less attention, especially with respect to head morphology. It is known that robust heads are related to stronger bite forces, consequently facilitating the consumption of harder or tougher, more fibrous items such as plants. In this study the ontogeny of diet and head morphology of the omnivorous tropidurid lizard Microlophus thoracicus are described. We found a significant ontogenetic shift from a mainly insectivorous diet in juveniles to a mainly herbivorous one in adults. In parallel, we measured the length, height and width of the head of the studied individuals. We found that adult individuals showed proportionally taller and wider heads when compared to juveniles, and that these increases in proportional head dimensions were significantly correlated with the increase in plant material in the diet that we observed. Additionally, we compared the morphologies of adults and juveniles of M. thoracicus and two other Microlophus species known to be insectivorous. These comparisons showed that M. thoracicus adults have proportionally more robust heads when compared to their insectivorous congeners, which is in agreement with the hypothesized link between head morphology and diet characteristics. The results of this study suggest that the known relationship between herbivory and head morphology is maintained even in an ontogenetic context, but further study is needed to determine the effect of other selective pressures which influence these changes in morphology.

The home range is the area where an individual finds the resources for its survival; therefore, the home range studies of organisms are fundamental to know their ecology and conservation status. The Loma’s lizard, Microlophus tigris is an endemic species of Peruvian central coast, whose home range has not been studied. We used the Minimum Convex Polygon method on 15 individuals (9 males and 6 females) to estimate the home range of M. tigris during the non-breeding season in Lomas de Carabayllo, Lima, Peru. We found males were significantly larger and heavier than females. However, there were no significant differences between male and female home ranges due to high variability in males. The home range size of the evaluated lizards was not related to their body size (snout vent-length) or their weight. The lack of relation between home range and the analyzed variables suggests that the home range size of M. tigris, during the non-breeding season, may be related to other parameters such as resource availability or climatic conditions. The low home range overlap between and among sexes, indirectly indicates there is territorial behavior. According to our data and natural history information of other species of lizards, we believe there may be variation in the spatial use during other seasons. Therefore, it is necessary complementary evaluations to observe other relevant factors that define home range of M. tigris.

El ámbito de hogar o “home range”, es el área donde un individuo encuentra todos los recursos para su supervivencia, por ende su estudio es fundamental para conocer su ecología y estado de conservación. La lagartija de las Lomas, Microlophus tigris, es una especie endémica de la costa central del Perú, cuyo ámbito de hogar no ha sido estudiado. Para estudiar el uso del espacio de M. tigris se evaluó el ámbito de hogar de 14 individuos (9 machos y 6 hembras) durante la época no reproductiva en las Lomas de Carabayllo, Lima, Perú. Se empleó el método del Mínimo Polígono Convexo para estimar el área del ámbito de hogar. Los machos fueron significativamente más grandes y pesados que las hembras. No obstante, no hubo diferencias significativas entre el ámbito de hogar de los machos y hembras debido a la variabilidad del ámbito de hogar de los machos. El tamaño del ámbito de hogar de las lagartijas evaluadas no estuvo relacionado con su tamaño corporal (Longitud hocico-cloaca) ni con su peso. La ausencia de relación entre el ámbito de hogar y las variables analizadas sugiere que el tamaño del ámbito de hogar de estos reptiles, durante la época no reproductiva, respondería a otros parámetros como la abundancia de recursos, condiciones climáticas, entre otros. La baja superposición del ámbito de hogar intra e intergéneros, indicaría una evidencia indirecta de comportamiento territorial. A partir de nuestros datos y antecedentes en otras especies de saurios, consideramos que puede haber variaciones en el uso del espacio durante otras épocas del año, por lo tanto se necesitan evaluaciones complementarias a lo largo del año para observar los otros factores que determinan el tamaño del ámbito de hogar de M. tigris.

Reviewed by: Mosquito Trails: Ecology, Health, and the Politics of Entanglement by Alex M. Nading José G. Rigau Pérez Alex M. Nading. Mosquito Trails: Ecology, Health, and the Politics of Entanglement. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2014. xvi + 269 pp. Ill. $29.95 (978-0-520-28262-9). This ethnographic, anthropologic examination of dengue control activities in Ciudad Sandino (Managua metropolitan area, Nicaragua, 2006–9) seeks to demonstrate the importance of local specifics of how “people, pathogens, vectors, and their shared surroundings are always in the process of becoming, together” because “environments do not just cause health problems; rather humans and non-humans incorporate one another’s actions” (p. 202). Nading’s informants included community health workers (brigadistas, who worked as dengue case investigators and vector control officials), garbage collectors, scavengers, scrap metal buyers, Ciudad Sandino residents, physicians, entomologists, and epidemiologists. The analysis is first concerned with the layout and culture of the place, its relation to garbage as a source of both mosquitoes and income (recycling), and the parasitic relationships between large brokers and scavengers, mosquitoes and people, and humans and the environment. Then Nading stresses the appeals of [End Page 629] a well-ordered house and knowledge of the mosquito life cycle; the similarity of public health work with evangelical house-to-house visits and the mosquito’s life (brief visits to the homes’ most intimate spaces); and the gendered condition of dengue control work (women held responsible for prevention activities in the home, and the paradoxical self-identification of single-mother brigadistas with female mosquitoes, which become dangerous, biting humans and laying eggs, only after the males impregnate them and fly away). Finally, the author examines the intricacies of disease surveillance for global and local health, the disappearance of human stories into data points, and the repetitiveness and confluence of viral epidemics and clinical diagnoses. Nading defines “entanglement” as an analytical framework to examine “the unfolding, often incidental attachments and affinities, antagonisms and animosities that bring people, nonhuman animals, and things into each other’s worlds” (p. 11). Even in strictly biological terms, dengue is quite “entangled.” It is produced by any of four closely related viruses (dengue serotypes 1–4) transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes (mostly Ae. aegypti, also the vector of yellow fever). They breed in containers of relatively clean water associated with human environments, such as flower vases, old tires, cans, and bottles. Dengue is characterized by sudden onset, fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, loss of appetite, and other symptoms or signs of variable frequency. Each viral serotype provokes immunity only to itself, so residents of endemic areas with multiple serotypes face the lifetime probability of as many episodes of dengue. Repeat infections increase the risk of shock (sudden drop in blood pressure), which overwhelms the body’s control of coagulation and produces difficult-totreat hemorrhages and a fatal outcome. The nonspecific initial symptoms, variable nature of disease progression, and lack of inexpensive, rapid diagnostic tests or specific curative drugs produce a complicated situation for medical management. The explanations for the behavior of the disease further complicate the story. Dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) were characterized in Southeast Asia in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A prolonged controversy about the relative power of two factors for severity—viral characteristics versus immune response—was resolved in a consensus that both are important, but immune response is the common underlying trigger. This imposed the goal of a vaccine effective against all serotypes simultaneously, to avoid the chance of repeated infection and severe disease. At the end of the 1990s, new laboratory techniques raised hopes for a vaccine, so study sites were established to examine dengue in populations that might benefit from immunization (e.g., in Managua, pp. 148–49, 176, 186). In the meantime, control has focused on mosquito abatement through the elimination of breeding sites. The methods developed for individuals and communities to assume responsibility for vector control have shown limited success, and Nading shows many of the obstacles (pp. 64, 90, 98–99, 112, 126, 129–30, 140, 145, 147, 154–59). Dengue control efforts, as the author makes clear, must consider not only the universal interaction among...