Browsing by Author "Verdugo, Claudio"

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    Molecular divergence between insular and continental Pudu deer (Pudu puda) populations in the Chilean Patagonia
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2011) Fuentes Hurtado, Marcelo; Marin, Juan C.; Gonzalez Acuna, Daniel; Verdugo, Claudio; Vidal, Fernando; Vianna, Juliana A.
    Island-continent isolation scenarios have played major roles in the understanding and development of evolutionary theories. During the last glacial maximum (LGM) in southern Chile, ice sheet advances and retreats formed the Patagonian archipelago along the southern Pacific Ocean. Chiloe Island is the largest island from the archipelago isolated from the continent by a narrow and shallow stretch of ocean. Pudu puda is a species endemic to Chile and part of Argentina, distributed along the Valdivian Temperate rainforest. We used mtDNA control region (654 bp) and cytochrome b (734 bp) sequences to understand the consequences in the evolutionary history and population structure of Pudu puda island-continent isolation. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed two divergent clades corresponding to the continent and Chiloe Island. The Median Joining Network also supports these findings with an isolation of 10 mutational steps between Chiloe and the continent. We also found a significant high genetic structure (phi st = 0.75) and a sequence divergence percentage of 2.3% between the two clades. On the other hand, on the continent we found high haplotype genetic diversity (H = 0.9790 +/- 0.0103) but no clear geographical population structure or phylogenetic clades. Our results suggest that the southern Pudu deer populations were isolated since the interglacial period (less than 0.5 million years ago) from the continent leading to two reciprocally monophyletic clades. We propose two subspecies to be considered in the development of future conservation programs for the species.
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    Novel Avulaviruses in Penguins, Antarctica
    (2017) Neira, Víctor; Tapia, Rodrigo; Verdugo, Claudio; Barriga, Gonzalo; Mor, Sunil; Fei Fan Ng, Terry; García, Victoria; Del Río, José; Rodríguez, Pedro; Medina, Rafael; Briceño, Cristóbal; González Acuña, Daniel
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    Respiratory Mites (Orthohalarachne diminuata) and beta-hemolytic Streptococci-Associated Bronchopneumonia Outbreak in South American Fur Seal Pups (Arctocephalus australis)
    (WILDLIFE DISEASE ASSOC, INC, 2018) Seguel, Mauricio; Gutierrez, Josefina; Hernandez, Carlos; Montalva, Felipe; Verdugo, Claudio
    Although mites of the Orthohalarachne genus are common parasites of otariids, their role as agents of disease and in causing population-level mortality is unknown. In the austral summer of 2016, there was an increase in mortality among South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) pups at Guafo Island, Northern Chilean Patagonia. Pups found dead or terminally ill had moderate to marked, multifocal, mucopurulent bronchopneumonia associated with large numbers of respiratory mites (Orthohalarachne diminuata) and rare Gram-positive cocci. In lung areas less affected by bronchopneumonia, acute interstitial pneumonia with marked congestion and scant hemorrhage was evident. Bacteria from pups dying of bronchopneumonia were isolated and identified as Streptococcus marimammalium and Streptococcus canis. Respiratory mites obstructed airflow, disrupted airway epithelial lining, and likely facilitated the proliferation of pathogenic b-hemolytic streptococci, leading to severe bronchopneumonia and death of fur seal pups. An abrupt increase in sea surface temperature in Guafo Island corresponded to the timing of the bronchopneumonia outbreak. The potential role of environmental factors in the fur seal pup mortality warrants further study.