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  1. Mohammad-Noor N, Moestrup Ø, Lundholm N, Fraga S, Adam A, Holmes MJ, et al.
    J Phycol, 2013 Jun;49(3):536-45.
    PMID: 27007042 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12062
    Coolia is a widespread and ecologically important genus of benthic marine dinoflagellates found in tropical regions. Historically, there has been taxonomic confusion about the taxonomy and toxicity of this group. The goal of this study was to resolve morphological questions concerning Coolia tropicalis and determine the taxonomic identity of the Australian Coolia isolate which has been reported to produce cooliatoxins. To accomplish this, the morphology of tropical strains from Belize (the type locality of C. tropicalis), Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia were examined and compared to published reports. The morphological analysis showed that C. tropicalis differs from the original description in that it has a slightly larger size (35-47 μm long by 30-45 μm wide versus 23-40 μm long by 25-39 μm wide), and the shape of fourth apical plate, and the length of Po plate (7.4-12 μm versus 7 μm). Based on both morphology and phylogenetic analysis using LSU D1- D3 rDNA sequences, the clones of C. tropicalis from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Belize were found to form a monophyletic clade within the genus. The strain producing cooliatoxin was found to be C. tropicalis, not Coolia monotis as originally assumed. To explore the factors influencing the growth of Coolia species, the growth rates of C. tropicalis and Coolia malayensis were determined at different temperatures and salinities. Both species tolerated a wide range of temperatures, but cannot survive at temperatures <20°C or >35°C. C. monotis, the dominant species reported in the literature, probably does not produce toxins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Belize
  2. Menchaca A, Rossi NA, Froidevaux J, Dias-Freedman I, Caragiulo A, Wultsch C, et al.
    BMC Genet, 2019 12 27;20(1):100.
    PMID: 31881935 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-019-0801-5
    BACKGROUND: 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 suitable habitat in a broad-scale. Accelerated habitat reduction, human-wildlife conflict, limited funding, and the complexity of jaguar behaviour have proven challenging to maintain connectivity between populations effectively. Here, we used non-invasive genetic sampling and individual-based conservation genetic analyses to assess genetic diversity and levels of genetic connectivity between individuals in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya Forest Corridor. We used expert knowledge and scientific literature to develop models of landscape permeability based on circuit theory with fine-scale landscape features as ecosystem types, distance to human settlements and roads to predict the most probable jaguar movement across central Belize.

    RESULTS: We used 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci to identify 50 individual jaguars. We detected high levels of genetic diversity across loci (HE = 0.61, HO = 0.55, and NA = 9.33). Using Bayesian clustering and multivariate models to assess gene flow and genetic structure, we identified one single group of jaguars (K = 1). We identified critical areas for jaguar movement that fall outside the boundaries of current protected areas in central Belize. We detected two main areas of high landscape permeability in a stretch of approximately 18 km between Sittee River Forest Reserve and Manatee Forest Reserve that may increase functional connectivity and facilitate jaguar dispersal from and to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Our analysis provides important insights on fine-scale genetic and landscape connectivity of jaguars in central Belize, an area of conservation concern.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study demonstrate high levels of relatively recent gene flow for jaguars between two study sites in central Belize. Our landscape analysis detected corridors of expected jaguar movement between the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya Forest Corridor. We highlight the importance of maintaining already established corridors and consolidating new areas that further promote jaguar movement across suitable habitat beyond the boundaries of currently protected areas. Continued conservation efforts within identified corridors will further maintain and increase genetic connectivity in central Belize.

    Matched MeSH terms: Belize
  3. Barrett JP, Behrens RH
    J Travel Med, 1996 Mar 01;3(1):60-61.
    PMID: 9815425
    Chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium vivax was originally reported in Papua, New Guinea by Reickman in 1989.1 In the same year, in Colombia, South America, Arias and Corredor2 reported relapses of 11 patients suffering from vivax malaria, following a chloroquine-primaquine regimen. Garavelli and Corti3 suggested chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium vivax may be present in Brazil following these therapeutic relapses. Further therapeutic failures in returned travelers from South America were reported by Moore et al (1994).4 We report vivax malaria in a group of expeditioners visiting Guyana who, whereas compliant with antimalarial chemoprophylaxis, developed clinical malaria, adding evidence to the presence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium vivax in South America. Raleigh International is a youth development charity that undertakes environmental and community projects around the world. These are usually in remote locations. Nine expeditions in countries such as Chile, Belize, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Malaysia are organized annually. A project manager and a medical officer are placed at each site, along with approximately 10 venturers (age 17-25.) Participants are of all nationalities, but, at present, they are predominantly British.
    Matched MeSH terms: Belize
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