Aragua State Research Articles

Calabozoidea, A New Suborder of Stygobiont Isopoda, Discovered in Venezuela

A new type of stygobiont Isopoda has been collected from wells in the “Ilanos” of Venezuela, near Calabozo, and in the hyporheal of a river in the Aragua State. On account of its body segmentation, and structure of uropods and pleopods, it must be considered as representing a new suborder. A diagnosis of the new suborder, new family and new genus, and a description of the type-species, are provided. Finally, a morphologic comparison with some of the already known suborders is made.

Some New Records of Mosses for Venezuela

Some New Records of Mosses for Venezuela

Rhythmic and Melodic Elements in Negro Music of Venezuela

The study of the different rhythms that Venezuelan negroes beat on their drums is at present in an analytical and classificatory phase. The Folklore Institute of the Education Department of Caracas possesses a comprehensive record of these rhythms, gradually built up from 1940 to the present. It is unlikely that types of rhythms other than those recorded here remain to be found in Venezuela.The principal toques (rhythmic sounds from a drum), and songs accompanied by drums (known as golpes in most places where they have been found), have different distinguishing popular names. In the central zone, Barlovento, towards Eastern Venezuela, there are the golpes of the so-called “round drum,” and of the “big drum” or tambor mina. Further west, in the coastal zone of the Federal District, in the State of Aragua, and in parts of Carabobo, there are other golpes, the names of which derive from the lyrics, for example: El Alabado (The Sainted One); El Macizón; María Estaba Lavando (Mary Was Washing), etc. There is also another type of golpe, used only during religious processions, namely the sangueo, played in the central states of Aragua, Carabobo and Yaracuy.

A Decline of Citrus Plants in Venezuela

DURING the past year, the survey of a number of small Citrus groves has led me to conclude that a disease similar to “tristeza” is present in Venezuela, chiefly in the States of Carabobo and Aragua up to Sucre; western areas were not investigated. The disease has been previously attributed, by local agronomists, to high or deficient soil moisture or to an unclassified root injury, for the decay of rootlets, then of larger roots, occurs simultaneously with decline of the tops.