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Full-Text Articles in Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health

Alcohol Consumption And Its Effects On The Liver, Eveline Weinreb Jan 2023

Alcohol Consumption And Its Effects On The Liver, Eveline Weinreb

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Thousands of people die each year in the United States from alcohol related deaths. Why does the metabolism of alcohol cause severe damage to the body? Ethanol enters the body in the form of wine, and other alcoholic beverages and travels through the digestive system and then to the liver where it is metabolized. There are a series of steps involved in the breakdown of ethanol, and toxic byproducts are formed such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). These oxygen radicals can lead to damaged deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and to the formation of adducts. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver …


Growth And Survival Of Amphibians Exposed To Road Salt And Glyphosate-Based Herbicide, Jerica Eaton Jan 2023

Growth And Survival Of Amphibians Exposed To Road Salt And Glyphosate-Based Herbicide, Jerica Eaton

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Amphibian populations are threatened by increasing levels of environmental pollution resulting from human activities. Areas with mixed land use that include agriculture and urban development experience increased contamination from surface herbicide and road deicer application. Upon entering water sources, these chemicals have the capacity to disrupt the natural dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these contaminants on amphibian populations. I used the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) as a model, rearing larvae from hatching to metamorphosis. I subjected larvae in each of the treatment groups to varying levels of herbicide and salt concentrations. …


Fetal Alcohol Syndrome And Its Effects On Brain Development, Miriam Bayaz Jan 2023

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome And Its Effects On Brain Development, Miriam Bayaz

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Birth defects caused by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy, such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), are well-documented and preventable. The etiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, prevalence, and long-term effects of FAS are all covered in this paper’s thorough evaluation of the current state of knowledge. The teratogenic effects of alcohol on the growing fetus, as well as genetic, environmental, and maternal variables, all play a role in the complex etiology of FAS. A wide spectrum of physical, mental, and behavioral problems resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure on fetal development are discussed. FAS is characterized clinically by facial dysmorphology, growth retardation, central …


Sanfilippo Syndrome: Symptoms, Therapies And The Search For A Cure, Elisheva Garfinkel Jan 2023

Sanfilippo Syndrome: Symptoms, Therapies And The Search For A Cure, Elisheva Garfinkel

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Sanfilippo syndrome, also named Mucopolysaccharidosis III (MPS) is an uncommon disorder that develops due to abnormalities in the nervous system and brain. Aspects of this condition include losing motor and mental function beginning at just a few months old. Four different proteins are involved in the breakdown of Heparin Sulfate (HS) in the extracellular matrix. “When one of these proteins is missing or inadequate, Mucopolysaccharidosis III (MPS), can result (“Sanfilippo Syndrome”, 2019) The specific protein that is insufficient will determine which of the four corresponding forms of Sanfilippo syndrome is present. “All variations of Sanfilippo Syndrome are easily identified by …


Differences In The Neurological Pathways Of Innate And Learned Fear, Efrat Jacob Jan 2023

Differences In The Neurological Pathways Of Innate And Learned Fear, Efrat Jacob

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Fear is a fundamental emotion for survival. However, not all fears are the same, leading to a necessary distinction between the two main subsections of fear; innate and learned. This research paper investigates whether the neural pathways underlying innate and learned fear are independent of each other. Using optogenetics and pharmacology, researchers have manipulated specific brain regions and circuits involved in fear processing, such as the amygdala, hypothalamus, and PAG (periaqueductal gray). By measuring the behavioral and physiological indicators of fear in rodents exposed to different types of stimuli, research suggests that there may be partial overlap between the neural …


Keratoconus: The Conical Corneal Conundrum And Its Evolving Treatments, Sima Friedman Jan 2023

Keratoconus: The Conical Corneal Conundrum And Its Evolving Treatments, Sima Friedman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Keratoconus is an eye disease that transforms the shape of the cornea from its normal oval shape to a conical shape. This can lead to a decrease in vision and, if not treated, can lead to a loss of vision. Depending on the severity and progression of each case, many treatment options are now available, ranging from cross linking procedures and special contact lenses to corneal transplants.


Is Growth Hormone The Fountain Of Youth?, David Youlus Jan 2023

Is Growth Hormone The Fountain Of Youth?, David Youlus

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Finding the cure for aging has been a sought-after quest for as long as the world has existed. Growth hormone has been shown as a possible treatment to negate the phenotypic effects of aging. Growth hormone is released from the adenohypophysis in response to sleep, exercise and stress. This in turn stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion from the liver. Growth hormone circulation decreases in volume during aging. Studies on growth hormone therapy have indicated youth-like benefits, such as the reversal of sarcopenia, improved cognitive function, and boosted immunity. However, creating an imbalance of growth hormone and insulin-like factor-1 also …


The Evaluation Of The Efficacy And Safety Of Different Methods Of Myopia Control, Chaya Feuchtwanger Jan 2023

The Evaluation Of The Efficacy And Safety Of Different Methods Of Myopia Control, Chaya Feuchtwanger

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Myopia is the leading cause of preventable blindness in East Asia and has a rising global prevalence. If no treatment is done to curb myopic progression, the eye will continue to grow leading to high refractive errors. A higher prescription leads to an increased risk of developing sight-threatening diseases that can lead to irreversible blindness later in life. The discovery of a treatment that slows or even stops myopia from progressing is increasingly important with many studies being conducted worldwide. Currently, the most effective forms of myopia control are atropine eye drops and specialty contact lenses, with new studies exploring …


Epilepsy And Treatment Resistance, Eva Kowalsky Jan 2023

Epilepsy And Treatment Resistance, Eva Kowalsky

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Epilepsy is one of the most common debilitating neurological conditions. Individuals with epilepsy experience frequent seizures. Seizures are caused by hyperexcitable and hyper-synchronized neurons. Anti-seizure medications typically work to normalize the electrical activity in the brain. Many epileptic disorders are caused by genetic mutations, most of which cause mutations in ion channel mechanics. 30% of individuals with epilepsy do not respond to classic anti-seizure medications. A combination of factors typically contributes to treatment resistance. Individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy must turn to novel approaches for seizure relief. These approaches include following a ketogenic diet, using CBD products, utilizing a neurostimulator device, …


Stroke Recovery, Laya Brodie Jan 2023

Stroke Recovery, Laya Brodie

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

For years the brain was thought not to be regenerative, yet research has highlighted the role of neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and deep brain stimulation in promoting brain recovery and enhancing stroke rehabilitation. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize neural pathways in response to environmental or structural changes. Stroke recovery is possible due to the plasticity of the brain; the brain can create new neural pathways and neurons. Traditionally it was believed that humans were limited to generating new neurons in the brain, recent studies have shown that neurogenesis occurs throughout adulthood, particularly in the hippocampus, a region as- sociated with …


The Effects Of Nausea And Vomiting On Mother And Child, Mayane Bensoussan Jan 2023

The Effects Of Nausea And Vomiting On Mother And Child, Mayane Bensoussan

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects that can occur during pregnancy. On one hand, it can lead to its severe form called hyperemesis gravidarum, which can lead to hospitalization for electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, muscle weakness, or arrhythmias. On the other hand, nausea and vomiting may be an indication of a statistically healthier fetus. Benefits of maternal nausea and emesis to the developing fetus include improved neural development, decreased risk for congenital heart defects, and decreased incidence of miscarriages. Additionally, benefits to the mother include decreased risk for lung, cervical, and rectal cancer. The mothers also had an overall decreased …


Immunotherapy For The Treatment Of Pediatric Cancers: What Is The Best Option?, Miriam Raitport Jan 2023

Immunotherapy For The Treatment Of Pediatric Cancers: What Is The Best Option?, Miriam Raitport

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in the pediatric population in the United States. The current standard of care for treating pediatric cancer is traditional: chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However, these conventional approaches have many unpleasant short-term and long-term side effects and do not offer a genuine cure. Immunotherapy as a cancer treatment is a new approach that has produced very promising results in the pediatric population. Four leading therapies for pediatric cancers are CAR T-cell therapy, oncolytic virotherapy, monoclonal antibody treatments, and cancer vaccines. Some of the therapies have more promising results than others, and different …


What Is The Best Treatment For Osteoporosis?, Joshua Sodden Jan 2023

What Is The Best Treatment For Osteoporosis?, Joshua Sodden

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to frail bones, caused by osteoclasts destroying more bone than osteoblasts can create. It is more common among elderly people due to a lack of growth factors that promote osteoblasts. Estrogen plays a very important role in bone homeostasis of women; therefore post-menopausal women are most commonly affected because of their lack of estrogen production. Currently the FDA has approved eleven different drug treatments for osteoporosis. These treatments include anabolic treatments such as parathyroid hormone and anti-sclerostin, as well as catabolic treatments which include bisphosphonates, estrogen hormone, SERMs and anti-RANKL. This paper describes …


Effects Of Microdosing With Psilocybin Mushrooms, Chavivah Davis Jan 2023

Effects Of Microdosing With Psilocybin Mushrooms, Chavivah Davis

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Microdosing with psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in certain species of mushrooms, has gained popularity in recent years as a means of enhancing mood, cognition, and creativity without inducing the full-blown psychedelic experience. There are many potential benefits associated with microdosing with psilocybin. Although studies do show many positive effects of microdosing with psilocybin, long-term research is required to make a conclusive statement regarding this topic. Furthermore, there are risks and concerns involved that need to be considered, including the illegality of psilocybin and the lack of research. This paper will review the available literature on microdosing with psilocybin. It …


Full Issue: Volume 17, Number 1, Fall 2023 Jan 2023

Full Issue: Volume 17, Number 1, Fall 2023

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Complete .pdf file of Volume 17, Number 1 of The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences. Published Fall 2023.


Epinephrine And Cardiac Arrest: The Catch-22, Shaina Friedman Jan 2023

Epinephrine And Cardiac Arrest: The Catch-22, Shaina Friedman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Epinephrine has been a standard of care treatment for cardiac arrest for the last century; however, the use of epinephrine began without a significant amount of research. In recent years, many have started to question whether epinephrine is an appropriate treatment for cardiac arrest. While epinephrine causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and directs much-needed blood flow to the heart, it has also been shown to harm the microvessels of the brain, causing ischemia and neurological damage. Many trials, studies, and surveys were conducted to determine the correct course of action involving the use of epinephrine during cardiac arrest. Additional …


The Impact Of Gestational Diabetes On The Offspring, Deborah Daniel Jan 2023

The Impact Of Gestational Diabetes On The Offspring, Deborah Daniel

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

A prevalent pregnancy condition known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels while pregnant. GDM poses implications for both maternal and fetal health. Through extensive research, this paper provides a thorough analysis of the potential effects of GDM on the offspring. According to studies, GDM can negatively impact fetal growth and development, increasing the risk of macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, and neonatal hypoglycemia. Additionally, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are among the metabolic and cardiovascular disorders that infants born to women with GDM are more likely to experience as adults. These long-term effects may be …


Immunosuppression After Cardiac Transplantation: What Is The Best Approach?, Sara Batya Friedman Jan 2023

Immunosuppression After Cardiac Transplantation: What Is The Best Approach?, Sara Batya Friedman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Cardiac transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients in end-stage heart failure. Since the first heart transplant in 1967, survival rates have steadily increased. This is largely on account of advancing immunosuppressive therapies, although immuno- suppression protocol still varies greatly among transplant centers, with no ideal regimen to follow. A fine balance lies between under-immunosuppression leading to rejection, and over-immunosuppression causing complications, toxicity, and adverse effects. Some successful therapies include steroids, lymphocyte proliferation inhibitors, and calcineurin inhibitors. Much of the available evidence as to which regimens have been successful is from retrospective analyses, indicating the need for more studies to …


The Impact Of Maternal Health On Breastfeeding Duration, Yael Weinberg Jan 2023

The Impact Of Maternal Health On Breastfeeding Duration, Yael Weinberg

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The mechanism of breastfeeding is a complex biological process beginning with hormone production from the pituitary gland and ending with the ejection of milk from the breasts. Mothers are recommended to breastfeed exclusively for six months and then continue for another six with the addition of solid food. However, despite the countless health benefits associated with lengthened breastfeeding for both mother and infant, many women dismiss this recommendation. This paper aims to research the aspects of maternal health that can derail the recommended duration of breastfeeding, focusing on emotional health, nutritional intake, and various diseases or surgeries. It is found …


Do The Benefits Of Growth Hormone Outweigh The Risks?, Michael D. Goodstein Jan 2023

Do The Benefits Of Growth Hormone Outweigh The Risks?, Michael D. Goodstein

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Growth hormone treatment was introduced in the 1950s to confront growth hormone deficiency and metabolic irregularities. In 2003, however, the FDA approved growth hormone treatment for patients with abnormal growth rates unlinked to growth hormone deficiency. The treatment has become largely available to the general public, making the safety of growth hormone treatment an extremely important subject. This paper clarifies the benefits and efficacy of growth hormone treatment and analyzes the potential associated risks, including cancer and diabetes.


Co-Occurrence Of Marine And Freshwater Phycotoxins In Oysters, And Analysis Of Possible Predictors For Management, Sarah K. D. Pease, Todd A. Egerton, Kimberly S. Reece, Marta P. Sanderson, Michelle D. Onofrio, Evan Yeargan, Adam Wood, Amanda Roach, I-Shuo Wade Huang, Gail P. Scott, Allen R. Place, Amy M. Hayes, Juliette L. Smith Jan 2023

Co-Occurrence Of Marine And Freshwater Phycotoxins In Oysters, And Analysis Of Possible Predictors For Management, Sarah K. D. Pease, Todd A. Egerton, Kimberly S. Reece, Marta P. Sanderson, Michelle D. Onofrio, Evan Yeargan, Adam Wood, Amanda Roach, I-Shuo Wade Huang, Gail P. Scott, Allen R. Place, Amy M. Hayes, Juliette L. Smith

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were screened for 12 phycotoxins over two years in nearshore waters to collect baseline phycotoxin data and to determine prevalence of phycotoxin co-occurrence in the commercially and ecologically-relevant species. Trace to low concentrations of azaspiracid-1 and -2 (AZA1, AZA2), domoic acid (DA), okadaic acid (OA), and dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1) were detected, orders of magnitude below seafood safety action levels. Microcystins (MCs), MC-RR and MC-YR, were also found in oysters (maximum: 7.12 μg MC-RR/kg shellfish meat wet weight), warranting consideration of developing action levels for freshwater phycotoxins in marine shellfish. Oysters contained phycotoxins that impair shellfish health: karlotoxin1-1 and …


Proposing An Rna Interference (Rnai)-Based Treatment For Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) By Analyzing The Post-Transcriptional Gene Targeting Of Sars-Cov-2, Hepatitis C Virus, And A549 Lung Cancer Cells, Arjun Jagdeesh Jan 2023

Proposing An Rna Interference (Rnai)-Based Treatment For Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) By Analyzing The Post-Transcriptional Gene Targeting Of Sars-Cov-2, Hepatitis C Virus, And A549 Lung Cancer Cells, Arjun Jagdeesh

Undergraduate Research Posters

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects CD4+ T cell lymphocytes in humans, leading to the development of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated. While current treatment methods, including antiretroviral combination treatments, effectively limit HIV replication, HIV can evade these treatments due to its high mutation rate. Long-term antiretroviral treatment can also be toxic to patients, meaning patients would benefit from a new mechanism of HIV treatment. RNA interference (RNAi) is an antiviral pathway found in mammals, plants, and insects that involves a small-interfering RNA that is incorporated into a protein complex called the RNA-induced Silencing Complex …


Epithelial Membrane Protein 3 (Emp3b) Is A Novel Regulator Of Sympathetic Nervous System Development In Zebrafish., Jessica M. White Jan 2023

Epithelial Membrane Protein 3 (Emp3b) Is A Novel Regulator Of Sympathetic Nervous System Development In Zebrafish., Jessica M. White

Theses and Dissertations

Notable progress has been made in understanding the development of the neural crest (NC). Neural crest cells (NCCs) can be divided into 4-5 subpopulations. A major lineage among trunk NC derivatives are sympathoadrenal (SA) cells, which give rise to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Trunk NCCs follow a ventromedial migration pathway where signals derived from the dorsal aorta instruct migrating NCCs to a SA cell fate. Defects in NC development can result in syndromes known as neurocristopathies. Neuroblastoma is one of the most common forms of pediatric cancer affecting nearly 800 infants each year in the United States (Takita et …


Winter Dynamics Of Storm Water Management Ponds And Winter Tolerance In Three Aquatic Plant Species, Patrick Strzalkowski Jan 2023

Winter Dynamics Of Storm Water Management Ponds And Winter Tolerance In Three Aquatic Plant Species, Patrick Strzalkowski

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The vast majority of the research into the performance of stormwater management ponds (SWMPs) has been performed in warm regions or during the warmer seasons in temperate regions. It is presumed that SWMPs are inactive in the winter as any potential stormwater is trapped in snow and ice. The main goal of this thesis was to test this presumption and to study the dynamics and performance of three SWMPs during the winter. Remote water level loggers were installed into the three SWMPs and daily grab samples from the influents and effluents were taken and analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), chloride, …


Differences In Drifting Invertebrate Communities Across Arctic Ecozones And The Influence On Potential Growth Of Grayling (Thymallus Arcticus), Charles Chanyi Jan 2023

Differences In Drifting Invertebrate Communities Across Arctic Ecozones And The Influence On Potential Growth Of Grayling (Thymallus Arcticus), Charles Chanyi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Invertebrate drift is a key process that potentially affects multiple levels of food web organization within stream environments. However, our understanding of the mechanistic drivers of drift in high latitude streams and subsequent bottom-up control that drift may have on fish predators in these environments remains understudied. This project aimed to gain the baseline knowledge of how drift functions across two major high latitude ecozones, the boreal forest and tundra, and how those possible differences in drifting community characteristics may impact drift-feeding Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). These objectives were accomplished by characterizing stream environments across both ecozones, sampling …


Characterization Of The Thermophilic Xlanase Fsa272 From Candidatus Fervidibacter Sacchari Belonging To Glycoside Hydrolase Family Gh10, Nicole Torosian, Jonathan K. Covington, Allison M. Cook, Nancy O. Nou, Jan-Fang Cheng Dec 2022

Characterization Of The Thermophilic Xlanase Fsa272 From Candidatus Fervidibacter Sacchari Belonging To Glycoside Hydrolase Family Gh10, Nicole Torosian, Jonathan K. Covington, Allison M. Cook, Nancy O. Nou, Jan-Fang Cheng

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Candidatus Fervidibacter sacchari is a novel, facultatively anaerobic, hyperthermophilic bacterium found in terrestrial geothermal springs globally. Its genome encodes 115 putative glycoside hydrolase enzymes that are predicted to hydrolyze glycosidic bonds between carbohydrates. Fsa272, a member of the glycoside hydrolase family 10, was synthesized and cloned into Escherichia coli strain T7 Express. The transformed E. coli was grown with LB broth and ampicillin at 37°C. Fsa272 expression was induced with isopropylthio-beta-galactoside (IPTG), and the lysate was heat purified for 15 minutes at 80° C. The 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid assay identified xylanase activity with a pH range of 4.5 to 10.5 (pHopt …


Effects Of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Injections On Tissue Function And Morphology In Goldfish (Carassius Auratus), Bryan Joel Patterson Dec 2022

Effects Of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Injections On Tissue Function And Morphology In Goldfish (Carassius Auratus), Bryan Joel Patterson

Graduate Theses

Fish gills are sensitive to a variety of environmental factors because they regulate the exchange of oxygen and ions between the fish and the external environment. This study examined the effects of polyacrylic acid (PAA) coated titanium dioxide nanoparticle injections (TiO2 NPs) on goldfish (Carassius auratus) over 14 days. Following the experimental period, we examined gill histological samples and looked for signs of an inflammatory response through blood glucose levels and relevant gene expression. TiO2 injected fish developed a more robust ILCM (interlamellar cell mass) compared to the non-injected controls, which remained elevated over 14 days post injection. …


A Trichy Situation, Kathryn Purple Oct 2022

A Trichy Situation, Kathryn Purple

Cumberland Mountain Naturalist

This issue of the Cumberland Mountain Naturalist discusses Dr Kathryn Purple's research concerning Trichomonosis carried by pigeons.


Analysis Of Sanitizer Rotation On The Susceptibility, Biofilm Forming Ability And Caco-2 Cell Adhesion And Invasion Of Listeria, Md Asfakur Rahman, Nirakar Sahoo, Veerachandra K. Yemmireddy Aug 2022

Analysis Of Sanitizer Rotation On The Susceptibility, Biofilm Forming Ability And Caco-2 Cell Adhesion And Invasion Of Listeria, Md Asfakur Rahman, Nirakar Sahoo, Veerachandra K. Yemmireddy

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sanitizer use conditions on the susceptibility, biofilm forming ability and pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes. Two different strains of L. monocytogenes and a non-pathogenic L. innocua were exposed to sodium hypochlorite, benzalkonium chloride and peroxyacetic acid at different concentrations (4 to 512 ppm) and treatment times (30 s to 5 min), respectively. Under the tested conditions, no significant difference (p > 0.05) in reduction was observed among the three tested sanitizers. A reduction of 1 to 8 log CFU/mL was observed depending upon the sanitizer concentration and treatment times. The survived …


Critical Corridor: Survey Of Predator Occurrence And Habitat Use In A Threatened Rainforest Protected Area: Comatsa-Sud And Marojejy National Park, Madagascar, Patrick H. Ross Jun 2022

Critical Corridor: Survey Of Predator Occurrence And Habitat Use In A Threatened Rainforest Protected Area: Comatsa-Sud And Marojejy National Park, Madagascar, Patrick H. Ross

Theses

Madagascar is a nation praised for its floral and faunal endemism and biodiversity. Among the island nation’s most emblematic fauna are its native mammalian carnivores; they are members of the threatened and endemic Eupleridae family. The Corridor of Marojejy – Anjanaharibe Sud – Tsaratanana (COMATSA) is a system of forest protected areas in which three large protected areas are connected in northern Madagascar: Tsaratanana Reserve, Anjanaharibe Sud Special Reserve and Marojejy National Park which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. COMATSA is a newly protected and currently threatened corridor system that lacks detailed surveys and assessments of its native …