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Papers by Jaime Zaldívar-Rae

Research paper thumbnail of Kentropyx calcarata (Squamata: Teiidae): Mating behavior in the wild

There are few descriptions of the reproductive behavior of South American teiid lizards and none ... more There are few descriptions of the reproductive behavior of South American teiid lizards and none for the genus Kentropyx. We describe the behavior of a free-ranging pair of K. calcarata in the Amazonian region of northern Brazil. Other than the male following the female, there were no conspicuous signs of courtship during 13 min between encountering the pair and the onset of a consensual copulation, which lasted five minutes. The copulatory behavior of this K. calcarata pair was very similar to that of teiids like Ameiva, but lacks the bite-hold of the female's torso, which is common in genera like Aspidoscelis and Cnemidophorus.

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep and neurochemical modulation by the nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) in rat

Neuroscience Research, 2015

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear protein that plays an e... more The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear protein that plays an essential role in diverse neurobiological processes. However, the role of PPARα on the sleep modulation is unknown. Here, rats treated with an intrahypothalamic injection of Wy14643 (10μg/1μL; PPARα agonist) enhanced wakefulness and decreased slow wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep whereas MK-886 (10μg/1μL; PPARα antagonist) promoted opposite effects. Moreover, Wy14643 increased dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and adenosine contents collected from nucleus accumbens. The levels of these neurochemicals were diminished after MK-886 treatment. The current findings suggest that PPARα may participate in the sleep and neurochemical modulation.

Research paper thumbnail of Endogenous Levels of Adenosine in Obese Patients Before and After Hypocaloric Diet Treatment

Obesity is defined as excess body fat and it represents a public health problem in adults and chi... more Obesity is defined as excess body fat and it represents a public health problem in adults and children around the world. It has been suggested that this disease is a chronic inflammatory state, as a result of the enhancement production of inflammatory-related markers, such as adenosine (AD).The objective of this present study was to describe the levels of AD in plasma before and after treatment with a hypocaloric diet as well as anthropometric measurements. Our preliminary data shows that hypocaloric regimen decreased the obesity-related parameters. However, plasma samples containing AD showed no significant changes in obese patients after the treatment of hypocaloric diet. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether AD may be used as a marker for recognizing obesity and effectiveness of treatments.

Research paper thumbnail of Immobility time during the forced swimming test predicts sensitivity to amitriptyline, whereas traveled distance in the circular corridor indicates resistance to treatment in female Wistar rats

NeuroReport, 2015

You could be reading the full-text of this article now if you...

Research paper thumbnail of A Discussion of Horseshoe Crab Management in Five Countries: Taiwan, India, China, United States, and Mexico

Biology and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs, 2009

Abstract A panel of five international experts was convened during the International Symposium on... more Abstract A panel of five international experts was convened during the International Symposium on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs to compare and contrast horseshoe crab management in their countries. The panel members each responded to a series of ...

Research paper thumbnail of Brain Molecules and Appetite: The Case of Oleoylethanolamide

Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2013

The neurobiological mechanisms of feeding involve the activity of several brain areas as well as ... more The neurobiological mechanisms of feeding involve the activity of several brain areas as well as the engagement of endogenous compounds such as ghrelin, melanin-concentrating hormone, orexin, neuropeptide Y, leptin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, cholecystokinin, among others. Furthermore, the family of food-intake modulators has been enlarged due to the inclusion of lipids such as N-arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide), as well as oleoylethanolamide (OEA). In this regard, the food-intake suppressing properties of OEA have been described since pharmacological administration of this compound induces anorexia. It has been suggested that satiety induced by OEA may be through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-(PPAR-), a ligand-activated transcription factor that modulates several pathways of lipid metabolism. The mechanism of action of OEA remains unknown, it has been suggested that the ingestion of dietary fat stimulates epithelial cells of the small intestine and promotes the synthesis and release of OEA. Upon its release, this lipid acts within the gut engaging sensory fibers of the vagus nerve to diminish food-intake. Here, recent advances in our understanding of the neurobiological role of OEA in modulation of feeding will be reviewed. Also, we highlight the emerging molecular mechanism of anorexia induced by OEA.

Research paper thumbnail of Seasonal Breeding in the Western Mexican Whiptail Lizard Aspidoscelis costata on Isla Isabel, Nayarit, Mexico

The Southwestern Naturalist, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci from whiptails of the genus Aspidoscelis (Teiidae: Squamata) and related cnemidophorine lizards

Molecular Ecology Resources, 2008

We describe polymerase chain reaction primers and amplification conditions for 13 microsatellite ... more We describe polymerase chain reaction primers and amplification conditions for 13 microsatellite DNA loci isolated from two bisexual species of whiptail lizards Aspidoscelis costata huico and Aspidoscelis inornata. Primers were tested on either 16 or 48 individuals of A. c. huico and/or 26 individuals of A. inornata. Ten of the 13 primers were also tested against a panel of 31 additional whiptail taxa. We detected three to nine alleles per locus in A. c. huico and four to 19 alleles per locus in A. inornata, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.60 to 0.87 and from 0.15 to 1.00, respectively. These primers will be an important resource for surveys of genetic variation in these lizards.

Research paper thumbnail of Male whiptail lizards adjust energetically costly mate guarding to male–male competition and female reproductive value

Animal Behaviour, 2010

Aspidoscelis costata energetic cost male cost adjustment male lizard mate guarding whiptail lizar... more Aspidoscelis costata energetic cost male cost adjustment male lizard mate guarding whiptail lizard Simultaneous effects of mate guarding on a male's energy intake and expenditure have not been measured. We tested whether guarding males of the western Mexican whiptail lizard, Aspidoscelis costata, reduce energy intake and increase expenditure of energy on male-male aggression. Also, we tested whether guarding males calibrate their aggressive behaviour and feeding to aggression from male rivals (a proxy of their female's probability of extrapair copulation) and body size of the guarded female (positively correlated with fecundity in this species). Observation during and after guarding showed that guarding males (1) ate 77% fewer prey/h and 54% smaller prey, (2) initiated 87% more agonistic interactions/h and (3) participated in 120% more escalated agonistic interactions/h than when alone. Also, guarding males initiated more aggressions when aggression from other males and female size were greater. These results indicate that mate guarding is costly for males because of simultaneous reduction in energy intake and increased expenditure on aggression, and that males incur higher guarding costs when competition with other males and female reproductive value are greater. These costs of mate guarding probably result in negative energy balances that could reduce male fitness through diminished survival. The evolutionary persistence of mate guarding by males can be explained if the net gain in fitness derived from guarding more than offsets its survival costs. Ó

Research paper thumbnail of American horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, in Mexico: open possibilities

Little is known about Mexican Limulus polyphemus, the southernmost population of the species. We ... more Little is known about Mexican Limulus polyphemus, the southernmost population of the species. We present an overview of work on Mexican horseshoe crabs, their situation, and perceived threats and opportunities regarding the conservation of the species. Horseshoe crabs occur along the western, northern, and eastern coasts of the Yucatán peninsula, and are genetically distinct from populations in the United States. Spawning aggregations and nests are found continuously throughout the year, commonly in protected lagoons where mangrove (Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, Avicennia germinans, and Conocarpus erectus) and sea grass (Thalassia testudinum) communities proliferate. Populations are thought to be dwindling since the 1960s and Limulus is listed as “in danger of extinction” in Mexican legislation since 1994. The most important localities are within protected areas. Direct exploitation is not an important threat, but coastline modification (especially of mangrove areas and coastal lagoons) for housing and tourism is a major concern. Additional potential threats are the oil industry and shrimp fishery in the southern Gulf of Mexico, but their effects on horseshoe crab populations have not been assessed.

Research paper thumbnail of Kentropyx calcarata (Squamata: Teiidae): Mating behavior in the wild

There are few descriptions of the reproductive behavior of South American teiid lizards and none ... more There are few descriptions of the reproductive behavior of South American teiid lizards and none for the genus Kentropyx. We describe the behavior of a free-ranging pair of K. calcarata in the Amazonian region of northern Brazil. Other than the male following the female, there were no conspicuous signs of courtship during 13 min between encountering the pair and the onset of a consensual copulation, which lasted five minutes. The copulatory behavior of this K. calcarata pair was very similar to that of teiids like Ameiva, but lacks the bite-hold of the female's torso, which is common in genera like Aspidoscelis and Cnemidophorus.

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep and neurochemical modulation by the nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) in rat

Neuroscience Research, 2015

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear protein that plays an e... more The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear protein that plays an essential role in diverse neurobiological processes. However, the role of PPARα on the sleep modulation is unknown. Here, rats treated with an intrahypothalamic injection of Wy14643 (10μg/1μL; PPARα agonist) enhanced wakefulness and decreased slow wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep whereas MK-886 (10μg/1μL; PPARα antagonist) promoted opposite effects. Moreover, Wy14643 increased dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and adenosine contents collected from nucleus accumbens. The levels of these neurochemicals were diminished after MK-886 treatment. The current findings suggest that PPARα may participate in the sleep and neurochemical modulation.

Research paper thumbnail of Endogenous Levels of Adenosine in Obese Patients Before and After Hypocaloric Diet Treatment

Obesity is defined as excess body fat and it represents a public health problem in adults and chi... more Obesity is defined as excess body fat and it represents a public health problem in adults and children around the world. It has been suggested that this disease is a chronic inflammatory state, as a result of the enhancement production of inflammatory-related markers, such as adenosine (AD).The objective of this present study was to describe the levels of AD in plasma before and after treatment with a hypocaloric diet as well as anthropometric measurements. Our preliminary data shows that hypocaloric regimen decreased the obesity-related parameters. However, plasma samples containing AD showed no significant changes in obese patients after the treatment of hypocaloric diet. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether AD may be used as a marker for recognizing obesity and effectiveness of treatments.

Research paper thumbnail of Immobility time during the forced swimming test predicts sensitivity to amitriptyline, whereas traveled distance in the circular corridor indicates resistance to treatment in female Wistar rats

NeuroReport, 2015

You could be reading the full-text of this article now if you...

Research paper thumbnail of A Discussion of Horseshoe Crab Management in Five Countries: Taiwan, India, China, United States, and Mexico

Biology and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs, 2009

Abstract A panel of five international experts was convened during the International Symposium on... more Abstract A panel of five international experts was convened during the International Symposium on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs to compare and contrast horseshoe crab management in their countries. The panel members each responded to a series of ...

Research paper thumbnail of Brain Molecules and Appetite: The Case of Oleoylethanolamide

Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2013

The neurobiological mechanisms of feeding involve the activity of several brain areas as well as ... more The neurobiological mechanisms of feeding involve the activity of several brain areas as well as the engagement of endogenous compounds such as ghrelin, melanin-concentrating hormone, orexin, neuropeptide Y, leptin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, cholecystokinin, among others. Furthermore, the family of food-intake modulators has been enlarged due to the inclusion of lipids such as N-arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide), as well as oleoylethanolamide (OEA). In this regard, the food-intake suppressing properties of OEA have been described since pharmacological administration of this compound induces anorexia. It has been suggested that satiety induced by OEA may be through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-(PPAR-), a ligand-activated transcription factor that modulates several pathways of lipid metabolism. The mechanism of action of OEA remains unknown, it has been suggested that the ingestion of dietary fat stimulates epithelial cells of the small intestine and promotes the synthesis and release of OEA. Upon its release, this lipid acts within the gut engaging sensory fibers of the vagus nerve to diminish food-intake. Here, recent advances in our understanding of the neurobiological role of OEA in modulation of feeding will be reviewed. Also, we highlight the emerging molecular mechanism of anorexia induced by OEA.

Research paper thumbnail of Seasonal Breeding in the Western Mexican Whiptail Lizard Aspidoscelis costata on Isla Isabel, Nayarit, Mexico

The Southwestern Naturalist, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci from whiptails of the genus Aspidoscelis (Teiidae: Squamata) and related cnemidophorine lizards

Molecular Ecology Resources, 2008

We describe polymerase chain reaction primers and amplification conditions for 13 microsatellite ... more We describe polymerase chain reaction primers and amplification conditions for 13 microsatellite DNA loci isolated from two bisexual species of whiptail lizards Aspidoscelis costata huico and Aspidoscelis inornata. Primers were tested on either 16 or 48 individuals of A. c. huico and/or 26 individuals of A. inornata. Ten of the 13 primers were also tested against a panel of 31 additional whiptail taxa. We detected three to nine alleles per locus in A. c. huico and four to 19 alleles per locus in A. inornata, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.60 to 0.87 and from 0.15 to 1.00, respectively. These primers will be an important resource for surveys of genetic variation in these lizards.

Research paper thumbnail of Male whiptail lizards adjust energetically costly mate guarding to male–male competition and female reproductive value

Animal Behaviour, 2010

Aspidoscelis costata energetic cost male cost adjustment male lizard mate guarding whiptail lizar... more Aspidoscelis costata energetic cost male cost adjustment male lizard mate guarding whiptail lizard Simultaneous effects of mate guarding on a male's energy intake and expenditure have not been measured. We tested whether guarding males of the western Mexican whiptail lizard, Aspidoscelis costata, reduce energy intake and increase expenditure of energy on male-male aggression. Also, we tested whether guarding males calibrate their aggressive behaviour and feeding to aggression from male rivals (a proxy of their female's probability of extrapair copulation) and body size of the guarded female (positively correlated with fecundity in this species). Observation during and after guarding showed that guarding males (1) ate 77% fewer prey/h and 54% smaller prey, (2) initiated 87% more agonistic interactions/h and (3) participated in 120% more escalated agonistic interactions/h than when alone. Also, guarding males initiated more aggressions when aggression from other males and female size were greater. These results indicate that mate guarding is costly for males because of simultaneous reduction in energy intake and increased expenditure on aggression, and that males incur higher guarding costs when competition with other males and female reproductive value are greater. These costs of mate guarding probably result in negative energy balances that could reduce male fitness through diminished survival. The evolutionary persistence of mate guarding by males can be explained if the net gain in fitness derived from guarding more than offsets its survival costs. Ó

Research paper thumbnail of American horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, in Mexico: open possibilities

Little is known about Mexican Limulus polyphemus, the southernmost population of the species. We ... more Little is known about Mexican Limulus polyphemus, the southernmost population of the species. We present an overview of work on Mexican horseshoe crabs, their situation, and perceived threats and opportunities regarding the conservation of the species. Horseshoe crabs occur along the western, northern, and eastern coasts of the Yucatán peninsula, and are genetically distinct from populations in the United States. Spawning aggregations and nests are found continuously throughout the year, commonly in protected lagoons where mangrove (Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, Avicennia germinans, and Conocarpus erectus) and sea grass (Thalassia testudinum) communities proliferate. Populations are thought to be dwindling since the 1960s and Limulus is listed as “in danger of extinction” in Mexican legislation since 1994. The most important localities are within protected areas. Direct exploitation is not an important threat, but coastline modification (especially of mangrove areas and coastal lagoons) for housing and tourism is a major concern. Additional potential threats are the oil industry and shrimp fishery in the southern Gulf of Mexico, but their effects on horseshoe crab populations have not been assessed.