Mexican State Of Campeche Research Articles

New species, new geographical records and taxonomical notes on North and Central American Cerambycidae and Disteniidae (Coleoptera, Chrysomeloidea)

Elytrimitatrix (Grossifemora) pubescens Santos-Silva & Hovore, 2008 (Disteniidae) is redescribed based on three males, morphological and chromatic variation in the species is reported. The unknown female of Neocompsa flavoquadripunctata Botero & Santos-Silva, 2022 is shortly described and a new Mexican state record is provided. The absence of the paratype of Nealcidion bruchi (Melzer, 1934) in the MZSP collection (see acronym below) is reported, and the date of description of the species is commented. Alphinellus Bates, 1881 is transferred from Acanthocinini to Desmiphorini. Alphinellus minimus Bates, 1881 is recorded for the first time from the Mexican state of Campeche and from Guatemala. Three new species are described: Psyrassa peninsularissp. nov. (Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae, Elaphidiini) from Mexico (Quintana Roo); Pseudastylopsis skillmanisp. nov. (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Acanthocinini), from Guatemala; and Eranina amaurasp. nov. (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Hemilophini), from Guatemala.

Suicidal behavior in Mexican adolescents: A test of a latent class model using two independent probability samples

Suicidal behavior is a serious health issue that affects the adolescent population and that may be prevented through evidence-based approaches. There are many risk factors involved in suicidal behavior, but there are few studies encompassing the complex relationships between them. This study tested the similarity between two latent class models from two different epidemiological samples of middle-school students and evaluated if the multinomial regression model replicated the associations between the classes and the psychosocial variables. Data of 4013 adolescents from the Mexican states of Campeche and Querétaro were included in LCA to characterize suicide behavior and associated factors. The most likely latent class membership was used as the outcome in multinomial regression models. The model with data from Querétaro was consistent with the previous LC model from Campeche. The four latent classes were nearly identical for both populations and can be defined as follows: 1) “No Problems,” included 73% of the adolescents; 2) “Drug Use Only,” comprised 7% of the adolescents; 3) “Suicidal Behavior, No Depression,” captured 8% of the adolescents (25% reported binge drinking in the past month, 50% self-inflicted injuries, and 43% low-lethality suicide attempt); 4) “Depression and Suicidal Behavior,” comprised 12% of the sample (66% met criteria for Major Depressive Episode, 28% reported binge drinking in the past month, and 11% had a high-lethality suicide attempt). The congruence between the models and the consistency with identified factors highlight the need for appropriate and effective prevention strategies to minimize risk factors and reinforce protective factors in the adolescent population.

Looking beyond the conflict: Everyday interactions and relations between Maya and Mennonite farmers in the state of Campeche, Mexico

Deforestation and environmental contamination from the expansion of neoliberal agriculture, including transgenic soy, turned the municipality of Hopelchén, in the Mexican state of Campeche, into a focus of cultural and economic tensions. Previous studies focused on analyzing the conflict between the original population, Maya traditional farmers and beekeepers, and the recently arrived migrants, Mennonite industrial farmers. We used ‘A Theory of Access’ (Ribot and Peluso 2003) to analyze everyday interactions and relations among the two ethnic groups, and opinions of Maya farmers on Mennonites presence in the area. Our sources of data were scientific publications and interviews with local farmers. We found that Mennonites have a broader “bundle of powers” since they have more capital, farm machinery, technical agricultural knowledge, and organizational and entrepreneurial skills than Maya farmers. Besides the reported conflicts, Maya and Mennonite farmers also enter into many everyday interactions and relations of cooperation and mutual dependence. These results may inform the design of public policies for sustainable rural development, including the national REDD+ strategy, to promote positive environmental and economic changes and help to ameliorate social conflict in the municipality.

The Yucatan Yellow Bat (Vespertilionidae, Rhogeessa aeneus): a New Record for Banco Chinchorro Atoll, Mexico

The Yucatan yellow bat (Rhogeessa aeneus) is a poorly known species endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula, mainly distributed in tropical forests of the three Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan. Here, we report the first record of this species in Cayo Centro, the main cay of Banco Chinchorro atoll, located in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico, 47 km from the mainland in the Caribbean Sea. On May 2021, we captured three individuals of R. aeneus on Cayo Centro in a low coastal forest consisting mostly of Bursera simaruba. This is the second species of bat reported for the atoll, and more studies are needed to further the investigation on the species diversity and status of the populations there.

Modelo de Minett-Wang para la competencia lingüística del maya yucateco y español en la Península de Yucatán

La lengua maya yucateca es una de las lenguas mayenses que actualmente se habla en los estados mexicanos de Campeche, Quintana Roo y Yucatán, así como en los distritos norteños de Belice tales como Corozal. Una vez que el área fue ocupada por los españoles, el español fue introducido en el siglo XVI coexistiendo con el maya yucateco durante toda la era colonial. Sin embargo, la proporción de mayahablantes ha decrecido durante los años recientes. Método: En esta investigación, modelamos la competencia entre maya yucateco y español utilizando las ecuaciones diferenciales de Minett-Wang con tres enfoques principales de preprocesamiento de los datos: un enfoque directo, un enfoque generacional y un enfoque geográfico, ajustando los parámetros de los modelos mediante Descenso de Gradiente + Momentum con los datos históricos provistos por los censos y encuestas intercensales del Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) de los estados de Campeche, Quintana Roo y Yucatán desde 1930 hasta 2015. Las proyecciones poblacionales de los estados se realizaron mediante el modelo logístico. Resultados: En casi todos los enfoques se observó que la lengua maya yucateca tiende a la desaparición. El uso combinado de los enfoques directo y geográfico muestran que el maya yucateco se extinguirá en 2285 (en Felipe Carrillo Puerto-Tulum), 2390 en Campeche (en Calkiní) y finalmente en 2524 en Yucatán (en los municipios del sur y este). Sin embargo, existen dos casos donde la coexistencia es posible: Mayapán y Tahdziú. Discusión: El modelo de Minett-Wang describió adecuadamente un escenario incierto sobre competencia lingüística, dado que la lengua maya yucateca aún es numéricamente importante en la Península de Yucatán. Las zonas oriente-sur de Yucatán, centro de Quintana Roo y norte de Campeche tienen una mayor resistencia a la sustitución lingüística, pero las estimaciones paramétricas realizadas muestran que esta lengua tiende a un escenario de extinción en la mayoría de los municipios de México. Son necesarias las medidas pertinentes para minimizar este panorama en términos de políticas lingüísticas y realizar nuevas estimaciones con los resultados de los censos siguientes para actualizar los parámetros del modelo y monitorear el decaimiento del número de mayahablantes.

The effect of oil palm on income strategies and food security of households in rural communities in Campeche, Mexico

Oil palm cropping expands rapidly in the Mexican state of Campeche. The crop has the potential to contribute to agricultural diversification and economic development of rural communities. At the same time, the effect of its rapid, unplanned expansion on income strategies and food security of domestic groups in rural communities is largely unknown. The goal of this study is to analyze the effects of the oil palm crop on income strategies and food security in rural communities of the south of Campeche State, México. The Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) approach was used and information on cropping and SL was gathered through a survey and participatory community workshops. Results show that, until now, oil palm cropping is a complementary activity to the income strategies of the farmers’ families as these incorporate palm cultivation, while maintaining their other productive activities. Oil palm plantation establishment contributes to productive diversification, job creation and provision of stable incomes of domestic groups (DGs). Furthermore, domestic groups that include oil palm production in their income strategies have a greater degree of food security.

The Influence of Leaf Consumption on Time Allocation in Black Howler Monkeys (Alouatta pigra)

The analysis of factors that determine variation in time budgets is important to understand the interactions between environment, behaviour and fitness. We tested the hypothesis that changes in the dietary patterns of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) caused by a decrease in the availability of preferred foods are a main determinant of variation in time budgets. We predicted that individuals would trade off travel time for resting time (i.e., minimize energy expenditure) as the diet included more leaves. We conducted our study in the Mexican state of Campeche between 2005 and 2008, where we studied the behaviour of 28 adult males and 32 adult females belonging to 14 different groups for a total of 3,747.2 focal sampling hours. Study groups lived in forest fragments with variation in habitat quality. Individuals showed different rest:travel trade-offs in response to leaf consumption according to the quality of the forest fragments they lived in. Individuals that lived in high-quality fragments increased resting time under more folivorous regimes, whereas those living in low-quality fragments increased travel time. Our results suggest that howler monkeys living in low-quality fragments spend more time foraging to compensate for the low quality of the available resources.

Morphological characterization of Hirsutella citriformis Speare Mexican isolates and evaluation against Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

Diaphorina citri, the vector of the pathogen causing Huanglongbing, has been found infected by the entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella citriformis Speare in the Mexican citrus industry.  The objective of this study was to characterize morphologically eight H. citriformis isolates and evaluate their potential for the control of D. citri adults. The fungal isolates were obtained from citrus groves located in the Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, Veracruz, and Yucatán.  The fungi showed mycelium composed by delicate hyphae measuring 1.18-1.88 µm in diameter; phialides 30.7-40.9 µm in lenght and neck length of 24.7-35.8 µm.  Conidia measured 5.83-5.92 µm in length and 1.43-1.99 in diameter.  The mucilaginous layer was 7.83-8.12 X 5.86-5.99 µm.  The morphological characterization indicated that the isolates were related to H. citriformis.  The experiments for the evaluation of pathogenicity were conducted under controlled conditions (25±2°C, 76±4% RH and 16:8 h L:D).  Insects were inoculated by contact with sporulated cultures of the isolates.  For each H. citriformis isolate, 15 adults of D. citri received the spores of the fungus.  The results showed that mortality of the psyllids by the fungus began six days after inoculation; occurrence of the first H. citriformis sinnemata in the D. citri specimens was observed 10 days after inoculation.  In the first bioassay, the final record of survivorship was performed 27 days after the beginning of the experiments; the mean rate of mortality was 98 and 70% for the Tabasco, and San Luis Potosi H. citriformis isolates, respectively.

Mammal assemblages in forest fragments and landscapes occupied by black howler monkeys

Species assemblages in disturbed habitats vary as a function of the interaction between species requirements and the spatial configuration of the habitat. There are many reports accounting for the presence of howler monkeys in fragments where other mammals are absent, suggesting that they are more resilient. In the present study we explored this idea and predicted that if howler monkeys were more resilient to habitat loss and fragmentation than other mammals, mammal assemblages in fragments occupied by howler monkeys should include fewer species with decreasing amount of habitat (smaller fragment size and less habitat in the landscape) and increasing number of forest fragments. We explored these relationships by additionally considering the feeding and life habits of mammal species, as well as the isolation and proximity of each fragment to human settlements and roads. We sampled the presence of mammals in five fragments occupied by black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in the Mexican state of Campeche. Through direct sights performed during 240 h in each fragment, we observed 23 species. At the landscape scale, higher fragmentation was associated with a decrease in herbivores, omnivores and total number of species. At the fragment scale semiarboreal, omnivore, and total number of species increased with increasing fragment size. This study supports the idea that howler monkeys are more resilient to forest loss and fragmentation than other native mammals, and our exploratory analyses suggest that the specific mammal assemblages that are found in fragments are related to both landscape and fragment scale spatial attributes, as well as with species-specific characteristics.

Taxonomy and richness of nine genera of Amaranthaceae s.s. (Caryophyllales) in the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic Province

Amaranthaceae s.s. (Caryophyllales) is a cosmopolitan family well represented in the Yucatan Peninsula Biotic Province (YPBP). The YPBP is a biogeographic area that comprises entirely three Mexican states (Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan), partially two Mexican states (Chiapas and Tabasco), northern Belize, and northern Guatemala (Petén department). Most of the available checklists of the vascular plants from the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) merely include taxa from the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan. A study of the Amaranthaceae diversity in the YPBP in its expanded delimitation is here presented for the first time, on the basis of field surveys and examinations of the specimens kept in the main Mexican herbaria (CICY, ENCB and MEXU). Accepted names, main synonyms, morphological descriptions, phenology, habitat, elevation, ethnobotanical uses, vernacular Spanish and Mayan names, origin status, and digital illustrations are provided for each taxon. Keys of identification are also given. Each taxon was geographically mapped using ArcGIS software. Notes about diversity and distribution analyses were conducted comparing maps of distribution for each taxon considering vegetation types and climatic types characterizing the YPBP. A total of 28 species (with 4 varieties) representing nine genera of Amaranthaceae s.s. (excluding Iresine) ocurring in the YPBP were studied. An estimate of the family diversity in the YPBP is increased here, as records of four new taxa are presented for this region. Results suggest that most of the taxa are natives, aliens, and/or weeds mostly occupying perturbed vegetation types. Only Blutaparon vermiculare, Amaranthus greggii, and A. arenicola show affinity to sand dunes primary vegetation. This new information about the distribution of Amaranthaceae s.s. in the YPBP, considering its invasion and origin status, can help to develop further studies focused on conservative approaching to know more about natural biogeographic regions such as YPBP.

Seroprevalence ofTrypanosoma cruziandLeishmania mexicanain Free‐Ranging Howler Monkeys in SoutheasternMexico

Natural infection of wild mammals by protozoa parasites is quite common in nature. For Neotropical Primates different infections of parasites that are etiological agent of disease in human have been identified. In particular, infections by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania sp., have been reported for some New World primate species, but there are no reports of infection with these parasites in any primate species in Mexico. A serological study was conducted on two howler monkey species (Alouatta pigra and A. palliata) from the Mexican states of Campeche and Tabasco. A total of 55 serum samples (20 samples from A. pigra, 20 samples from A. palliata, and 15 samples from semifree ranging A. palliata of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz as negative controls) were analyzed for the detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. cruzi and Leishmania mexicana through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test, indirect immunofluorescence assay and Western blot. The overall prevalence of antibodies in howler monkeys was 17.5% for T. cruzi and 30% for L. mexicana. Our results also indicate that A. pigra is more susceptible to develop leishmaniasis than A. palliata. Finally, the finding of positive serology in these primates should be given serious consideration for public health, given the potential role of these primate species as wild reservoirs for these diseases and the increasing contact of monkeys with human populations due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Talisia olivaeformis(Sapindaceae) andZuelania guidonia(Flacourtiaceae): New Host Records forAnastrephaspp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) in México

scribed species, but new wild hosts frequently are found (Aluja et al. 2003). In the Mexican state of Campeche, 10 species of Anastrepha are known (Hern?ndez-Ortiz 1992; Hern?ndez-Ortiz et al. 2002; Tucuch-Cauich et al. 2008). Most records were obtained from label data on specimens de posited in entomological collections or from mon itoring systems with McPhail traps (baited with liquid protein), and little information has been generated from wild host fruits in the region. We now report new records of fruit flies reared from 2 wild host fruits of cultural and economic impor tance in the Mexican state of Campeche. Fruits of Talisia olivaeformis (H. B. K.) Radlk (Sapindaceae), known locally as guaya, fayum, guayo, or cotoperis, are green, 2-3 cm in diameter, spherical, with thick pericarp, orange-yellow flesh, and with a single seed (Pulido-Salas 1993). The edible fruits are a source of alternative in come to inhabitants in the Campeche region (Zarate-Hoyos 1998) and its timber has economic potential (Pulido-Salas 1993). The permetrina, paragua, tamay, or volador, Zuelania guidonia (Sw.) Britton & Millsp. (Fla courtiaceae) is a component of traditional Mayan gardens (Ford 2008) with spherical fruit 5 cm in diameter that ripen at the end of the dry season (Enquist & Sullivan 2001). Ripe fruits samples were collected on 27 May (4.1 kg of T. olivaeformis) and 8 Jul 2009 (1 kg. of Z. guidonia) in La Victoria, Campeche (18?29.251'N; 90?55.304'W; 42.6 elev.). The fruits were transported to the laboratory of the Escuela Superior de Ciencias Agropecuarias (Universidad Aut?noma de Campeche, UAC) and dissected for extraction of larvae. These larvae were placed in dividually in plastic cups for rearing (3x2 cm), with agrolite (Polietilenos del Sur?, Morelos, M?xico) as a substrate for pupation. The cham bers were maintained under ambient conditions (32?C? 2, RH 95% ? 5). Fruit flies began to emerge from T. olivaefor mis on 12 Jun, with parasitoids emerging on 22 Jun. Specimens emerged from Z. guidonia on 24 Jul. Adult flies were preserved in 70% alcohol for subsequent identification with the keys of Foote et al. (1993) and the parasitoids with those of Guimaraes et al. (2005) and Wharton (1997). Voucher specimens (insects and plants) were de posited in the entomological collection and her bariums of the Escuela Superior de Ciencias Agropecuarias (UAC) and Universidad Aut?noma de Yucat?n (UADY). Talisia olivaeformis yielded 168 pupae, of which 81 were Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiede mann) (47 females and 34 males), 6 were Anas trepha ludens (Loew) (3 females and 3 males), and 5 were Doryctohracon areolatus Szepligeti (5 fe males), a braconid parasitoid previously recorded from these Anastrepha species (L?pez et al. 1999). Zuelania guidonia yielded 81 pupae: 31 were A. fraterculus (16 females and 15 males), 1 was Anastrepha striata Schiner (male) and 2 were Od ontosema albinerve Kieffer (-Odontosema anas trephae, sensu Kieffer), a figitid parasitoid associ ated with these tephritid species (L?pez et al. 1999). Fruits of olivaeformis were recorded as a host for Anastrepha spp. in Venezuela by Guag liumi (1966), but the species were not deter mined; thus, the Anastrepha records presented here are the first identified Anastrepha species re ported for this host plant. Previously Anastrepha zuelaniae Stone was the only fruit fly known to be associated with Z. guidonia (Bush 1962; Norrbom & Kim 1988; Foote et al. 1993), but our data show that A. fraterculus and A. striata can complete their de velopment in this host, as well as A. zuelaniae. The increase in the number of fruit fly species that attack wild hosts may be a preference for small wild fruits compared with larger fruit with

Social modulation of testosterone levels in male black howlers (Alouatta pigra)

The influence of social factors on the modulation of male testosterone levels has been demonstrated among several vertebrate species. In addition to sexual activity, parental care and reproductive competition affect testosterone secretion. We examined variations in testosterone levels among male black howlers (Alouatta pigra) in various social contexts. Fecal samples were collected from nine males living in five different groups in the Mexican state of Campeche. The potential for intragroup and extragroup competition varied among the groups. The number of resident males living in the groups was the only variable that significantly explained variations in testosterone levels. Males living in unimale groups had higher testosterone levels; the highest testosterone levels were recorded for males that had experienced a shift from multimale to unimale group compositions. In this species, the probability of being challenged by extragroup males and evicted from the group during immigration events increases when males live in unimale groups. Therefore, our results suggest that male black howlers respond to competition for group membership by increasing their testosterone levels. In this context, testosterone secretion represents an anticipatory response to reproductive conflicts. Therefore, although males living in unimale groups have exclusive access to females, they face higher physiological costs associated with sustaining high testosterone levels for extended time periods.

The genus Gomphus in tropical and subtropical zones of Mexico

Gomphus calakmulensis, G. albidocarneus and G. pleurobrunnescens are proposed and described as new species from the Mexican states of Campeche and Chiapas, while G. pallidus, previously recorded only in the eastern U.S. and Japan, has now been found in various parts of Mexico for the first time. This work describes the species, illustrates their key features, discusses their distribution, as well as their similarities and differences, and provides an identification key for all of them. All of the specimens studied here come from tropical or subtropical ecosystems.

Ecology and Conservation of Baird's Tapir in Mexico

Baird's tapir ( Tapirus bairdii) is endangered primarily because of habitat loss and fragmentation, and overhunting throughout its distribution range (ca. 21,000 km2) in the Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and possibly Yucatan and Tabasco. The number of tapirs occurring in Mexico is estimated around 2,600 individuals, which are also threatened by factors such as forest fires, large-scale infrastructure projects (building of dams and highways), disease transmission from domestic animals, pollution of water bodies, and global climatic change effects. A strategy for tapir conservation in Mexico should include: 1) protection and management of extant habitat; 2) creation and maintaining of corridors among isolated forest fragments containing tapirs; 3) community-based control of poaching; 4) development of economic alternatives for people living near tapir habitat; 5) captive breeding programs with educational, scientific, and conservationist purposes; 6) environmental education and communication programs in rural and urban areas near tapir habitat; and 7) research on distribution, abundance, habitat use and availability, population status, movement patterns, feeding habits, genetic variability, interactions with domestic species, diseases, and responses to habitat fragmentation, hunting, and global climatic change.

DESCRIPTION OF SIX NEW SPECIES OF AMNESTUS DALLAS (HEMIPTERA–HETEROPTERA: CYDNIDAE) FROM MEXICO

Abstract Six new species of Amnestus Dallas from the Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, Hidalgo, and Veracruz are described. Illustrations of adults and diagnostic characters of the head, prosternal carina, pronotum, legs, parameres, and methatoracic scent gland are provided. Distribution and notes about their biology are included.

A new atractid nematode, Atractis vidali sp. n. (Nematoda: Atractidae), from cichlid fishes in southern Mexico

A new nematode species, Atractis vidali sp. n., is described from the intestine of cichlid fishes, Vieja intermedia (Günther) (type host) and Cichlasoma pearsei (Hubbs), from specimens collected in three localities in the Mexican states of Campeche (Santa Gertrudis Creek) and Chiapas (Cedros and Lacanjá Rivers). It differs from the only other atractid species reported in fishes of Mexico, Atractis bravoae, mainly in possessing two very unequal spicules. In contrast to the 10 species parasitising amphibians and reptiles in America, the new species has a longer body, spicules and a gubernaculum, and a different distribution of the caudal papillae. This is the second species of the genus Atractis recorded from freshwater fishes.

Mosses of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. III Phytogeography

There are 69 species and varieties of mosses reported for the Mexican part of the Yucatan Peninsula. These can be grouped into five floristic elements; the Caribbean element with 46 species indicates a close relationship of the peninsular flora with that of the West Indies. The endemic element is virtually absent. In Mexico the distribution of the peninsular flora includes the eastern and western coastal areas, ranging up to the Neovolcanic Belt in the center. This is similar to the distribution of characteristic area climates and vascular plant vegetation. There is no pen- insular effect evident in this area perhaps because of continued floristic exchange with mainland Mexico and the West Indies. The small size of the flora may be the result of intense human activity correlated with an undulating topography, absence of surface waterways, rapid drainage of rainfall and reduced number of microhabitats. Field work in the Mexican states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo over a period of years has resulted in a collection of about 600 specimens. These have been studied to determine number of species and moss distribution in the Yucatan Pen- insula. The list of species was given in two preceding publications (Delgadillo, Cairdenas & Sharp 1982; Delgadillo & Cardenas 1982) and included 69 species and varieties. However, the information derived from this research requires further analysis to clarify the significance of moss distribution in the Yucatan Peninsula and update an earlier analysis (Steere 1935).

A New Species of Mexican Anthonomus Related to the BoU Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)1

Anthonomus hunteri n. sp. is described from specimens collected in the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Yucatan. The species is apparently most closely related to the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, from which it is distinguished by several external characters. The known hosts of A. hunteri include the malvaceous plants Hampea nutricia Fryxell and Hampea trilobata Standley.