Huasteca Potosina Research Articles

Colonial Glass Beads (16th-Cent.) from Indigenous Localities of the Tamtoc Peninsula (San Luis Potosí), Mexico

We have investigated two Nueva Cádiz tubular glass beads (16th-Century) from the indigenous localities of the Tamtoc Peninsula, Huasteca Potosina (Mexico). It was part of an exceptional discovery of 96 European glass beads found in archaeological contexts of the Early Colonial period (dated 14C 1512 AD ± 30 years, before 1560 AD). They correspond typologically to the Kidd's typology's colour variants IIIc1 and IIIc2. These multilayered beads are made from a gob formed by three successive dips, then blown up, drawn, and hot-formed before being sectioned. PIGE/PIXE (Particle-induced Induced Gamma and X-Ray Emissions) and Raman spectroscopy analyses reveal that the glass type is an ashes soda-lime-silica glass. Trace elements associated with the metal oxides used to tint and opacify these glasses are also significant. The outer layer of both types is blue-coloured by copper oxide while a mixture of tin and lead oxides opacifies the middle layer in white through cassiterite (SnO2) formation. As, Ni, Bi, and U contents reveal this cobalt, mixed with manganese, which colours the inner layer of type IIIc1 beads in purple, comes from the Freiberg mine in Southeastern Germany (Saxony). Compared with other Pan-American finds from the same period, these Mexican Nueva Cádiz beads have similar chemical compositions to specimens discovered in the colonial city ‘ruins of Nueva Cádiz (Cubagua Island, Venezuela). Finally, we question 16th-Century texts on how Mesoamerican peoples might have culturally perceived these blue beads made with a material unknown to them. By studying Mexico's colonial history, we propose several Spanish expeditions that may have introduced these beads to the Huasteca.

Mineral Profile in Soil and Forages of Rangelands of the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico

Mineral Profile in Soil and Forages of Rangelands of the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico

Machine-Learning model for estimating sugarcane production at crop level

Yield maps provide essential information for those who manage the field. The anticipated production data will be able to make better decisions on how resources should be used in harvesting, define market strategies and, above all, it will help evaluate treatments used on the crop. Sugar cane is the predominant crop in Huasteca Potosina, Mexico. The proposed Machine Learning model based on Random Forest Regressor integrates time series of vegetation indices extracted from Sentinel-2 images and meteorological data. The R2 and RMSE metrics (0.84 y 0.034) show the effectiveness of the model for prediction.

Ethnomedicinal Study and Evaluation of the Anxiolytic-like and Diuretic Effects of the Orchid Stanhopea tigrina Bateman ex Lindl-(Orchidaceae).

Stanhopea tigrina Bateman ex Lindl. (Orchidaceae) is an orchid endemic to Mexico, known as "Calavera" or "calaverita", in the Huasteca Potosina (central region of Mexico). This plant species is used for the folk treatment of mental disorders and urological kidney disorders, according to the ethnomedicinal information obtained in this study. Ethanolic extracts of leaves (HE) and pseudobulb (PE) were obtained by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to carry out the chemical characterization of HE and PE. The pharmacological effects (antioxidant, diuretic, anxiolytic, locomotor, hypnotic, and sedative) of HE and PE were evaluated. The possible mechanism of action of the anxiolytic-like activity induced by HE was assessed using inhibitors of the GABAergic, adrenergic, and serotonergic systems. The possible mechanism of the diuretic action of HE was assessed using prostaglandin inhibitory antagonists and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockers. HE at 50 and 100 mg/kg exerted anxiolytic-like activity without inducing hypnosis or sedation. Flumazenil, prazosin, and ketanserin inhibited the anxiolytic-like activity shown by HE, which suggests the participation of GABA, α1-adrenergic receptors, and 5-HT2 receptors, respectively. The diuretic effect was reversed by the non-selective NOS inhibitor L-NAME, which caused the reduction in nitric oxide (NO). These results demonstrate that the ethanolic extract of S. tigrina leaves exhibited anxiolytic-like activity and diuretic effects without inducing hypnosis or sedation. This work validates the medicinal uses of this orchid species.

On the energy security and the apologies of the extraction: the case of the industrial gas pipeline of the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico

This article analyzes the hegemonic argument on energy security and its configuration as the main postulate of the Mexican model of hydrocarbon extraction. It is discussed that energy security has been used in the official discourse to specify the dominant paradigm of production, use and consumption of fossil energy, consolidating the apology for extraction. The methodology is built based on a specialized selection of literature and a legislative review, as well as field work. The research is oriented towards the dialogue between theory and praxis, articulating three critical elements: (1) extractivism, (2) energy security, and (3) strategic litigation. It is concluded that the collective construction of legal-political strategies contributes to the jurisdictional defense of territorial rights.

Towards an inventory of Mexican tardigrades (Tardigrada): a survey on the diversity of moss tardigrades with an emphasis in conifer forests from the Valley of Mexico Basin

From a large-scale sampling of limnoterrestrial tardigrades in the Valley of Mexico Basin, in the Huasteca Potosina, and Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Mexico, we develop an initial species list and determine the type of vegetation and substrates for most sampled species. In total 160 moss samples and over 2000 tardigrades were obtained, belonging to 17 genera, 35 putative species, one subspecies, of which eight could be accurately identified to species or subspecies, three to affinity, and 15 as morpho-species; the remaining samples were identified to genus, mainly due to the few specimens available and their preservation was not optimal. We provide novel records for one genus and two species from the country. Our estimates on five vegetation types and three substrate types indicates that our inventory is incomplete, and as many as twice the number of species may still be found in these ecosystems.

Sheep grazing to eliminate weeds in an organic ´Valencia´ orange orchard in the Huasteca Potosina

The Huasteca Potosina is one of the areas with orange orchards, where agrochemicals are applied to obtain an adequate harvest. However, year after year, producers are required to produce organically in the orchards, which makes it necessary to look for environmentally friendly alternatives for activities such as fertilization and elimination of weeds. This study describes using a portable cage for grazing sheep as an alternative to eliminating weeds in an organic ‘Valencia' orange orchard. The cage prototype is functional as the sheep direct the cage towards the weeds and do not cause damage to the trunks and branches of adult and young trees. Additional benefits are obtained, such as fertilization by manure and urine, economic benefits by reducing labor costs and the sale of sheep, and an environmentally friendly method of eliminating weeds.

Desarrollo local endógeno, una propuesta desde la acción participativa, el caso de la comunidad indígena de San Pedro Huitzquilico, San Luis Potosí

It is possible to find in the Mexican “Huasteca Potosina” a large amount of indigenous communities. Many of these ethnic groups in this country suffer from poverty and social relegation despite they are rich in natural and cultural values. This research was developed in the rural community of San Pedro Huitzquilico. It is populated by the indigenous group “nahuas”. It is located in the southeast of the “Huasteca Potosina” on the “Sierra Madre Occidental”, 15 kilometers away from the main town, “Xilitla”. In this community, poverty and social backwardness are still high despite structural changes and new implemented policies during the last years. Nowadays, this group faces new challenges derived form a global processes. These challenges are mainly related to global intercommunication, to the impact on the environment, to the social restructuration and local policies. All these changes affect to the group and the same time they can became new opportunities to take action from the inside the community. Considering these aspects, they have to identify local opportunities that could be better linked to global aspects. From this point, new action lines may emerged and may provide new possibilities for the local endogenous development as an alternative to improve their current condition. In the pursuing of new action local lines, a participative action research (IAP, for its name in Spanish) was considered to establish a bridge to allow a dialogue between academic knowledge and popular knowledge, creating synergy into the community. This way was possible to find adequate conducts of work which consider these theoretical ideas and local knowledge and it was possible to include the different social actors from the community of “San Pedro Huitzquilico”.

Implementation of pre-harvest techniques in emerging agroforestry systems to increase the yield of cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L.)

Cocoa is one of the most important tropical fruits worldwide, its importance lies in its use in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Cocoa yield has been affected by different environmental, cultural and phytosanitary aspects. The emergence of new growing areas allows exploring the possibility of generating new economic and ecological systems that comply with current trends in organic farming. For them, pre-harvest practices such as pruning and soil fertilization are two necessary tools to control the productivity of cocoa agroecosystems. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyses the implementation of pre-harvest techniques and the quality soil to increase the yield in a cocoa agroecosystem in an emerging zone in the Huasteca Potosina of Mexico. The work was carried out in an emerging zone in the cultivation of cocoa in three different zones delimited in 30 × 30 m. Thinning and pruning practices were carried out to keep the space clear and observe the influence on fruit yield. In addition, the quality of the soil was measured in terms of physical conditions and nutrient content. 25 kg/ha of nitrogen, 22 kg/ha of P2O5, 24 kg/ha of K2O and 4 kg/ha of magnesium were added following the recommendation of the fertilization laboratory. The physical properties of the pod were also analyzed, such as size, weight, number of grains and color. And some of the cocoa bean such as size, weight and hardness, all these parameters to measure the average yield of cocoa pods. The results show a clear influence of the soil quality and pre-harvest practices on the physical properties of the fruit and the total yield from 472.36 ± 52.01 to 520.06 ± 104.91 kg. However, other aspects are also modified, such as the increase in the size of the pod and the cocoa bean. Other aspects such as the color of the pod and the hardness of the grain do not present statistical difference. In conclusion, pre-harvest practices together with the application of fertilizers are factors that positively influence the yield of cocoa fruit. Some of the limitations of this research were the age of the plants and the local plant species.

Rivers as corridors for gene flow of the neotropical bamboo Guadua velutina

River network connectivity is the transfer of matter, energy, and organisms along the river and it can influence the pattern of genetic diversity and the population differentiation of riparian species. Riparian bamboo species are unknown about the levels of genetic diversity and the landscape drivers of gene flow. Guadua velutina is a riparian woody bamboo native to northeastern Mexico. It is distributed in the Huasteca Potosina (HP) San Luis Potosí and grows in agricultural landscapes where sugarcane and citrus crops are grown. This study aimed to 1) characterize the genetic diversity of G. velutina in the HP, and 2) evaluate the relative importance of network river connectivity, topography (elevation), geographic distance, and the environment (isothermalty, temperature and precipitation) on gene flow among populations. We sampled 11 riparian populations from four main rivers in the HP and genotyped 169 individuals from eight nuclear microsatellites. Our results reveal similar genetic diversity (HE = 0.322) compared to other bamboo species such as G. amplexifolia, G. inermis and G. tuxtlensis (HE = 0.38) and a moderate genetic differentiation (FST = 0.150) compared to the highest value reported in Guadua inermis (FST = 0.47). Landscape resistance analysis revealed that river network connectivity was the main factor explaining genetic differentiation, while elevation, and the environment variables did not provide enough information. The geographic distances between populations also influenced genetic differentiation. However, our study shows that rivers and watersheds are the main corridors of gene flow in Guadua velutina.

Conservation of Biocultural Diversity in the Huasteca Potosina Region, Mexico

The Huasteca Potosina region has a relevant landscape heritage of biocultural diversity, due to high biological diversity and the presence of the Teenek (Huastec Mayan), Nahua, and Xi’iuy (Pame) ethnic groups. The object of this study is to analyze, among the different cultural groups of the region, how the performances of the relevant Socioecological Systems (SESs) influence the conservation of biocultural diversity. Quantitative approaches are used to determine the expected trends of indices (Informant Consensus Factor, ICF; Cultural Importance Index, CII; Shannon–Wiener Biodiversity Index, SWI) commonly used in the ethnobotanical field. Data of the main domestic forest species used by the groups mentioned above were collected in 2021. We analyzed the SES profile for each of the ethnic groups and a mestizo group, as well as their relationship with the biome they mainly inhabit and the domestic functions fulfilled by the ethnobotanical species. As a result, we found that the low deciduous forest and the sub-evergreen tropical forest biomes, which co-evolved mainly with the Nahua and the Teenek SESs, present higher diversity and effective use of species so that offer better chances for conserving the landscape heritage of biocultural diversity. Otherwise, the results also show the critical nature regarding the biomes inhabited by the Pame and the mestizo’s SESs.

Geographical and ecological distribution of native bamboo species in San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Prior to this study, only four native bamboo species: Guadua longifolia, G. velutina, Lithachne pauciflora and Olyra latifolia, had been recorded in the state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. However, the ecological and geographical distribution of those species were unknown. Two questions are addressed in this study: How many native bamboo species are there in San Luis Potosí? and, what is the geographical and ecological distribution of those species? The botanical exploration was carried out in 2019 and 2020. The geographical and ecological distribution was determined with a record of herbaria specimens and a botanical exploration. Multivariate methods and a similarity index were used to analyze the information of bamboo species in 13 sub-basins of the Huasteca Potosina (HP). The study registered seven native species, of which five are woody species: Chusquea enigmatica, Guadua aff. longifolia, G. velutina, Otatea acuminata and Riphidocladum racemiflorum, and two are herbaceous species: Lithachne pauciflora and Olyra latifolia. The study also found that G. velutina is the most frequent native species in the study area, registered in 12 of the 13 sub-basins mapped. The species with the least frequency were C. enigmatica and O. acuminata, registered in only one sub-basin each. The sub-basins with the highest richness were located in a strip along the slopes of the Sierra Madre Oriental (the SMOR). The seven native bamboo species in San Luis Potosí are distributed in the HP region, from the windward side of the SMOR to its extension to the Gulf Coastal Plain (GCP), in an elevation range of 15–1815 m asl. These seven native species are distributed throughout the SMOR, whereas the G. velutina predominates in GCP. The distance from water bodies is a determining factor in the distribution of species, especially G. velutina, identified in the present study as a riparian species.

Vulnerability for food insecurity: Experiences of indigenous families in the Huasteca Potosina region, Mexico

Indigenous communities in Mexico are vulnerable to food insecurity (FI) due to a series of factors that prevent them from having access to sufficient and nutritious food. Therefore, this population group has the highest chronic malnutrition in the country. Objective: This study describes the FI conditions of an indigenous community in the Potosina Huastec. Methodology: FI was measured with the Household Food Insecurity Access Component Scale (HFIAS). Results: There is food insecurity ranging from concern about food lack, food reduction, and hunger. The 95.57% of households with children under 18 years were in some state of food insecurity, with severe food insecurity dominating. Limitations: Was a cross-sectional study carried out in a community of the Potosina Huastec. However, it is the municipality with the highest degree of marginalization in the area, but the community chosen is the largest in the municipality. Nonetheless, the results can be considered representative of the area. Conclusions: The food security community depends on climatic, socioeconomic, demographic, geographic, cultural factors, food preference conditions, among others. In addressing food insecurity, it is necessary to consider all factors to have a real diagnosis of food insecurity conditions in rural and indigenous communities.

Study of the toxicity of the ethanolic extract of Justicia spicigera in rats treated orally for 30 days

In Mexico, according to data from the ENSANUT, 2012, 6.4 million of Mexicans were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). Currently, there are several reports in the scientific literature supporting the use of plants for the treatment of T2DM. Justicia spicigera (JS) is widely distributed in Huasteca Potosina and its ethanolic extract (EEJS) has recently been shown that it has a hypoglycemic effect in normoglycemic rats and streptozotocin-induced DM model; however only its acute toxicity has been evaluated. therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the toxicity for prolonged periods. Oral toxicity was evaluated by repeated dose administration model for 30 days. The results showed that administration of EEJS induced mild adverse effects, particularly related to behavioral abnormalities. Additional experiments are currently being carried out in our laboratory to evaluate its chronic toxocity.

Applying EFDC Explorer model in the Gallinas River, Mexico to estimate its assimilation capacity for water quality protection

Sanitary and industrial wastewater discharged into rivers, is a general problem that occurs in most of the world and Mexico is not the exception, the main goal of this research is to determine based on simulations of pollutants concentrations, the assimilation capacity of the Gallinas River against discharges of agricultural and industrial wastewater from the cultivation and processing of sugar cane under two different hypothetical simulation scenarios, based on reproducing two well know scenarios. In sugarcane cultivation, large quantities of fertilizers are used whose main active components are based on nitrogen or phosphorus compounds, therefore, the wastewater resulting from sugarcane processing contains a high organic content from 20 to 40% of inorganic compounds, such as nitrogenous substances, organic acids, and phosphorous sulfates. For this reason, the physical–chemical variables of interest analyzed in this work are the PO_4 (phosphate), NO_3 (nitrate), and DO (dissolved oxygen). With the simulation results according to each scenery, it can be determined, that despite the continuous discharge of polluting elements, the Gallinas River has a good assimilation capacity thanks to reaeration processes that permit efficient recovery of the dissolved oxygen in the water column. Gallinas River is located in the region known as the Huasteca Potosina, this investigation is relevant for the region due to the River is of vital importance being the main tributary that allows socioeconomic development activities in this zone. To carry out the simulations, was used the Explorer Modeling System 8.4 (EFCD) model and was performed two samplings campaign along 15 km in the water body to calibrate the numerical model to represent the dry and wet seasons during May and September respectively named as calibration scenarios.

The turistic heritage, economic activities linked to ecotourism and its relation to vulnerability to climate change in the municipalities of the Huasteca Potosina

espanolLa presente investigacion tuvo el objetivo de identificar y estimar la relacion estadistica que existe entre el potencial ecoturistico, las actividades economicas vinculadas al turismo, como es el caso de la oferta de servicios de alojamiento y de alimentos y bebidas, y la vulnerabilidad al cambio climatico en los municipios de la zona Huasteca Potosina. Se obtuvieron los datos correspondientes al indice turistico natural y cultural por municipio, el numero de establecimientos de alojamiento temporal y de alimentos y bebidas, asi como el indice de vulnerabilidad al cambio climatico para cada uno de los dieciocho municipios de la zona. Posteriormente se calcularon los indices de correlacion Pearson entre las variables mencionadas, encontrandose relaciones estadisticamente significativas entre la oferta turistica y la vulnerabilidad climatica. EnglishThe object of this research was to identify and estimate the statistical relationship that exists between the ecotourism potential, the economic activities linked to tourism such as the lodging and food and beverages services, and vulnerability to climate change, in the municipalities of the Huasteca Potosina area. Research data were obtained from the natural and cultural tourism index by municipality, the number of temporary lodging and food and beverages providers, as well as the vulnerability index to climate change for each of the eighteen municipalities in the area. Subsequently, the Pearson correlation indexes were calculated among the aforementioned variables, finding statistically significant relationships between the tourism offering and climate vulnerability.

A new species of Lepidophyma (Squamata: Xantusiidae) from San Luis Potosí, México, with notes on its physiological ecology.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the descriptions of members of the lizard genus Lepidophyma. Herein, we describe a new species of Lepidophyma from the Huasteca Potosina region of Mexico, previously confused with L. gaigeae, from which it differs in lacking parietal spot, among other characteristics. We inferred its phylogenetic position and provide information on its thermal and hydric physiology, as well as on some other aspects of natural history. Molecular and morphological data supported the independent taxonomic status of the new species, indicating its placement as the sister taxon of L. gaigeae and a wide morphological separation between these species. Lepidophyma lusca sp. nov. has a diurnal-crepuscular activity period and occurs at lower elevations than L. gaigeae. Also, the new species differ from its sister taxon in its physiology, as reflected by its tendency toward higher thermal parameters and water loss rates. With the description of L. lusca sp. nov., the number of species in the genus Lepidophyma rises to 21.

Local Markets: Agrobiodiversity Reservoirs and Access Points for Farmers' Plant Propagation Materials

Local markets are access points to local agrobiodiversity and to part of the informal seed systems on which most small-scale farmers worldwide depend. With the urgent need for more sustainable food systems, detailed studies of the food plant diversity in local markets contribute to a better understanding of the role of local markets in a functioning rural food system. In particular, the products that farmers trade and also use for plant propagation are of interest, i.e., seeds and other propagules such as cuttings, pseudostems, rhizomes, or tubers purposes, since they represent our genetic capital for food production. This study aims to show the role of local markets as access points for plant propagation materials and their contribution to regional in situ conservation of local food plant resources. We analyzed the inter- and intra-specific food plant diversity of the products from local merchants in 10 markets in the agrobiodiversity rich region of the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico. We recorded 275 different food plants consisting of 99 plant species, which have a high intraspecific richness of 210 variants. The list includes 58 species that are useful for propagation. The average number of variants suitable for propagation at each market is 58.4. The results show that the different richness parameters vary within and between the inventoried markets. They correlate partially to different factors like market size and origin. We conclude that local markets in the Huasteca Potosina are important components of the rural food system by providing access to a great variety of local food plants, as well as to seeds and other propagation materials for farming. However, diversity may be threatened, because of the high average proportion of unique and rare food plants (63.5%) in the markets. Also, almost half (45.1%) of the total richness is present in <1% of the inventoried stands. Political actions are needed to maintain and promote the use and conservation of this diversity in the future.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures and early kidney damage in Mexican indigenous population.

The traditions and habits of indigenous communities in México include the use of wood and biomass burning to cook their food, which generates large amounts of smoke and therefore pollution inside the households. This smoke is composed of a complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which at high levels of exposure cause carcinogenic, genotoxic effects and some chronic pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases; however, few studies relate kidney health with exposure to PAHs. Thus, the aim of this study was the evaluation of 10 hydroxylated metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs), and their correlation with biomarkers of early kidney damage renal (cystatin-C (Cys-C)), osteopontin (OPN), retinol-binding protein-4 (RPB-4), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in the indigenous population of the Huasteca Potosina in Mexico. The results demonstrate the presence of the OH-PAHs and kidney damage biomarkers in 100% of the study population. The OH-PAHs were shown in the following order of frequency, 1-OH-PYR > 4-OH-PHE > 2-OH-NAP > 1-OH-NAP > 9-OH-FLU > 3-OH-FLU > 2-OH-FLU > 3-OH-PHE and with the following percentages of detection 97.6, 87.8, 78, 73.2, 68.3, 31.7, 14.6, and 12.2%, respectively. NGAL and RBP-4 were present in above 85% of the population, with mean concentrations of 78.5 ± 143.9 and 139.4 ± 131.7ng/g creatinine, respectively, OPN (64%) with a mean concentration of 642.6 ± 723.3ng/gg creatinine, and Cys-C with a mean concentration of 33.72 ± 44.96ng/g creatinine. Correlations were found between 1-OH-NAP, 2-OH-NAP, 9-OH-FLU, and 4-OH-PHE and the four biomarkers of early kidney damage. 3-OH-FLU with OPN and 1-OH-PYR correlated significantly with NGAL, OPN, and RPB-4.

Determination of the Water Quality Index (NFS WQI) of water bodies in the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico

The water quality of water bodies in Huasteca Potosina was assessed by the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NFS WQI) depending on nine water quality parameters include physical, chemical, and biological properties. The water quality obtained at the sampling site 50-90 in the NSF-WQI range shows the medium quality. Results revealed that the Moctezuma River in Tanquian de Escobedo has low water quality with a score of 50, the Tancuilin and Axtla Rivers have good water quality, and the Moctezuma River (Tampamolón Corona), Amajac River, Valles River, Panuco River, Patitos Lagoon, Plan de Iguala Lagoon were all located in medium water quality. This indicates that the water quality of the Huasteca Potosina is irregular, due to the presence of contaminating agents coming from fertilizers, pesticides, domestic water, and residual water from the communities adjacent to the rivers and lagoons, causing an environmental impact to the aquatic ecosystems of the place. However, this research shows the importance of making use of the water quality index in this region, this to relate the environmental impacts responsible for the contamination of surface water and interpret the experimental data of this water quality monitoring to facilitate decision making and consider frequent monitoring of the quality of water bodies in the Huasteca Potosina.