Gerardo R. Camilo

The effect of Hurricane Hugo on six invertebrate species in the Luquillo Experimental Forest of Puerto Rico

Although the importance of disturbance regimes in affecting ecosystem structure and function is becoming an accepted paradigm in ecology, the consequences of catastrophic events are poorly understood. On 18 September 1989 Hurricane Hugo struck Puerto Rico, with the center of the hurricane passing within ten kilometers of the Luquillo Experimental Forest. This provided a rare opportunity to document direct and indirect effects of a natural disturbance of high intensity, large scale, but low frequency on selected aspects of animal ecology. The densities and spatial distributions of six species of common invertebrates (four snails, Caracolus caracolla, Polydontes acutangula, Nenia tridens, and Gaeotis nigrolineata, and two walking sticks, Lamponius portoricensis and Agamemnon iphimedeia) in the tabonuco rain forest were estimated before and after the hurricane. Circular quadrats (radius = 5 m; area = 78.54 m2) were established at each of 40 points in the Bisley watersheds. Numbers of individuals of each species were counted during nighttime surveys and densities were compared before and after the hurricane via paired t-tests. Both species of walking stick and three of the four species of snail exhibited statistically significant reductions in density after the hurricane. Densities of N. tridens, G. nigrolineata, and A. iphimedeia were reduced to the point that no specimens were detected in posthurricane surveys. In fact, all species of invertebrates were so rare after the hurricane that comparisons of spatial distribution were only possible for C. caracolla, and its distribution was significantly less clumped after Hurricane Hugo (G-test). At the Bisley watersheds, all size categories of C. caracolla suffered similar reductions in density; no significant alteration in size distribution was detected after the hurricane (G-test).

Factors Associated With Uterine Endometrial Hyperplasia and Pyometra in Wild Canids: Implications for Fertility

The ability to safely and effectively manage reproduction is central to the success of AZA captive-breeding programs. Although the AZA Wildlife Contraception Center routinely monitors contraceptive safety, there have been no studies that compare the effects of contraceptive use to separation of males from females, the other option for preventing reproduction. We used retrospective medical records and pathology reports submitted by AZA and related facilities for the seven AZA-managed canid species to assess rates of uterine pathology relative to female reproductive life histories. Our results showed that the prevalence of both pyometra and endometrial hyperplasia (EH) was associated not only with treatment with the two most common contraceptives (Suprelorin® and MGA implants) but also with the number of years barren (i.e., not producing a litter and not contracepted). Rates of pyometra and EH were especially high in African painted dogs and red wolves, but lowest in swift and fennec foxes. The number of years producing a litter had a low association, suggesting it could be protective against uterine pathology. A more recently developed Suprelorin® protocol using Ovaban® to prevent the initial stimulation phase, followed by implant removal when reversal is desired, may be a safer contraceptive option. These results concerning the relationship between reproductive management and uterine health have important implications for AZA-managed programs, since the unsustainability of many captive populations may be due at least in part to infertility. Managing a females reproductive lifespan to optimize or maintain fertility will require a reconsideration of how breeding recommendations are formulated.

EVALUATION OF PROGESTERONE LEVELS IN FECES OF CAPTIVE RETICULATED GIRAFFE (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS RETICULATA)

Abstract Fresh fecal samples were collected from seven adult female reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata). Samples were collected for several weeks before, during, and for a few weeks after gestation. Fecal samples were analyzed for progesterone levels by radioimmunoassay. There were significant differences in progesterone levels between pregestational and gestational samples and between gestational and postgestational samples. These results demonstrate that fecal progesterone levels are useful in determining pregnant versus nonpregnant reticulated giraffe.

A Checklist of the Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Abstract Concern over the declines of pollinator populations during the last decade has resulted in calls from governments and international agencies to better monitor these organisms. Recent studies of bee diversity in urban environments suggest that cities may contain significant amounts of bee species, even greater than surrounding agricultural areas, and in some occasions comparable to natural habitats. We conducted a three-year survey of bees in the city of St. Louis, MO. Like many other post-industrial cities in the United States, St. Louis is considered a shrinking city, with many vacant lots and unoccupied structures, mostly in the urban core. We sampled a broad range of habitats throughout the growing seasons of 2013 to 2016, e.g., vacant lots, city parks, community gardens, and urban farms, using aerial netting. This resulted in over 7,700 specimens. Data from other surveys, e.g., BioBlitz, and personal collections was also utilized in developing the species list. These data were supplemented with inspections of entomological collections from institutions in the state and the scientific literature. We identified a total of 198 species of bees from five different families that occur in the city. Only nine of the bee species present in the city are non-natives. The city of St. Louis currently hosts nearly 45% of the bee diversity of the state, likely making it one of most species-rich cities relative to its states total bee fauna in the country. This represents a great natural resource that must be better understood, and has potential conservation implications.

COMPARISON OF PROPOFOL CONSTANT RATE INFUSION AND ISOFLURANE FOR MAINTENANCE OF ANESTHESIA IN SPEKE'S GAZELLE, GAZELLA SPEKEI

Abstract The aims of this study were to determine if a propofol constant rate infusion (CRI) in Spekes gazelle, Gazella spekei, would serve as an effective alternative maintenance anesthetic, result in shorter recovery times, and improve anesthetic recovery quality when compared with isoflurane. Eight adult gazelle were enrolled in this complete crossover study with a minimum 3-wk washout period. All gazelle were induced with 10 mg/kg intravenous propofol and maintained with either propofol CRI (0.4 mg/kg/min) or isoflurane (1–3%) for 45 min. Animals were monitored for anesthetic depth and physiologic variables including heart and respiratory rates, oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, indirect blood pressure, and temperature every 5 min. Blood gas samples were analyzed within the first 10 min following anesthetic induction and within the last 10 min of anesthesia. Recovery times were recorded. Recovery quality was classified by a residual ataxia grading scale. Seven gazelle completed the study by undergoing both anesthetic treatments; one female (12 yr old) developed complications 2 days after isoflurane anesthesia, consisting of seizures, azotemia, leukocytosis, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia but was treated successfully. Propofol anesthesia resulted in lower respiratory rates compared with isoflurane and a decrease in respiratory rate over time. Propofol CRI maintained blood pressure values closer to physiologically normal ranges compared with isoflurane for 45 min of anesthesia. Recovery times were comparable between propofol and isoflurane treatments. While individuals receiving propofol had higher residual ataxia scores compared with individuals receiving isoflurane, differences were not clinically important. This study demonstrated that propofol CRI (0.4 mg/kg/min) is an effective maintenance anesthetic agent in healthy adult Spekes gazelle for noninvasive procedures with endotracheal intubation and intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

Pollination Ecology of Polylepis tomentella (Rosaceae), an Andean Anemophilous Tree Presenting a Potential Floral Fungal Infection

Premise of research. Anemophily is considered to be a mechanism that evolved to promote pollination success. However, reproductive output can decrease if pollen loads are scarce due to low abundance of compatible mates or floral infections. Here we analyze the effects of breeding system, pollen limitation, and a potential floral fungal infection on the reproductive output of the Andean tree Polylepis tomentella (Rosaceae). Methodology. We performed pollen supplementation experiments in the field to assess the extent of the effect of pollen limitation on fruit and seed set and to identify any pre- or postzygotic self-incompatibility responses within receptive pistils. Supplementary scanning electron microscopy and epifluorescence microscopy were used to observe the possible effects of a potential floral fungal infection on sexual reproduction. Pivotal results. Pollen supplementation did not increase fruit and seed set, suggesting weak evidence of pollen limitation. Most stigmas from self- and cross-pollinated flowers showed germinated pollen grains and pollen tubes in the style, indicating that the species exhibits prezygotic self-compatibility. The presence of three Ascomycota genera in stigmas and styles appears to have negatively affected the germination of pollen grains by inhibiting pollen tube growth, but we did not find evidence suggesting that hyphae are able to penetrate the ovary. Conclusions. This study showed that P. tomentella possesses a prezygotic self-compatible system and that fruit and seed set are not affected by pollen limitation. Therefore, reproductive assurance is achieved through pollen transfer between plants by wind and the role played by self-compatibility that allows selfing in the species. However, it is possible that the potential fungal infection could reduce the fecundity of its tree host, as hyphae are able to penetrate pollen grains.