Mexico's Yucatan Research Articles

Evaluation of the Wind Shear at a Site in the North-West of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Extrapolations from 10m above the ground up to the wind turbine hub height are frequently made to the data available for wind power assessments. Because of its simplicity, the power law profile has been one of the most popular mathematical formulations to predict the vertical wind shear. This paper presents an analysis of wind speed and wind shear in terms of the directional, diurnal and seasonal patterns for a site at the Autonomous University of Yucatan which experiences the tropical conditions of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This analysis takes a detailed look at frequency distributions to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the local climatic conditions. Diurnal wind speed variations are shown to be affected in particular by the differing wind conditions associated with fetches over two distinct offshore regions. Seasonal behaviour suggests some departure from the oscillations expected from temperature variation. In addition, the use of rate of change of temperature at one height is proposed as an alternative to vertical temperature gradient inferred from two heights as an indicator of atmospheric stability which will affect the wind shear. The work presented is part of a regionally funded research program to evaluate the onshore and offshore wind potential in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Metal distribution in coral reef complex Cayo Arcas in the Gulf of Mexico

This study evaluated the spatial and temporal distribution of metals in the coral reef system Cayos Arcas and Triangulos in the Campeche Bank region, off the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. No information has been generated before for the incorporation of natural and non-natural occurring metals, some of which are possibly endowed by the oil marine station Cayo Arcas. The multivariate exploratory study of the metals on the coral skeletons, showed the formation of two distinct groups. The metals that have the highest influence on the differentiation of the groups are the metals that are natural constituents of the coral skeletons, in particular Sr can explain much of the differences between the groups, and to a much lesser extent are the metals that could be indicators of pollution. This differentiation suggests that, in our case, the environment around the corals has a higher impact than the non-naturally occurring metals (and possible indicators of pollution). The two groups formed corresponded to: the coral cores influenced by open sea variables and the coral cores in the inner part of the keys which is less exposed to open sea variables. A chronological study was made to two samples that had the longest coral section and were situated in two clearly distinctive zones: an exposed surface subjected to high wave forces and another that was less exposed. Ni and Zn show an accumulation trend in both coral samples, while Ba showed an increase in incorporation around 1980 when the Cayo Arcas oil marine station was constructed.

Detrital zircon geochronology of Jurassic sandstones of western Cuba (San Cayetano Formation): Implications for the Jurassic paleogeography of the NW Proto-Caribbean

Clastic sediments of the early (?) to late Jurassic (Oxfordian) San Cayetano Formation of western Cuba are interpreted to reflect syn-rift sedimentation coeval with the breakup of Pangaea. This sedimentary unit is the oldest known in the Guaniguanico Mountains and Cuba. U-Pb SHRIMP dating of 19 detrital zircon grains from two samples of San Cayetano micaceous sandstone provided concordant ages ranging from ∼398 to 2479 Ma. The oldest zircon population is of Paleoproterozoic age (∼2479 - 1735 Ma), but most zircons have early Mesoproterozoic and Grenvillian ages (∼1556 - 985 Ma), whereas still younger ages are Pan-African (561 Ma), Ordovician (451 Ma) and early Devonian (∼398 Ma). We discuss the possible origin of these zircons and conclude that the most likely source terrain(s) are Precambrian and early Paleozoic massifs in northern South America (Colombia and/or Venezuela) and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This is compatible with paleogeographic reconstructions of the Caribbean that imply that sediments of the San Cayetano Formation were still part of the disintegrating supercontinent Pangea in pre mid-Oxfordian time.

The Canaries: an important biogeographical meeting place

The Canaries: an important biogeographical meeting place

Performance and genetic variation of big-leaf mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla King) in provenance and progeny trials in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico

Stocks of the valuable big-leaf mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla King) are declining, and trials for growth and pest resistance are needed to select material for plantations. Seeds were collected from 67 open-pollinated trees from five provenances in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and planted in three provenance/progeny trials in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, in order to characterize genetic variation in growth traits and for Hypsipyla resistance or recovery, and to assess the potential for genetic gain. Differentiation among provenances was found only for relative height growth rate (RHGR). The total years of apical attack by Hypsipyla grandella varied by a magnitude of 100% among families but showed little heritability. After 4 years, mean height per family ranged from 328 to 564 cm, 160 to 381 cm, and 253 to 390 cm at each site. Although heritabilities for height were too low for cross-site selection, sufficient heritability ( h I 2 = 0.26 ), additive genetic coefficients of variation (AGCV = 22%), and type B genetic correlations ( r b(f) = 0.74) for RHGR across the two sites with poorer growth indicated that this trait might be used as a surrogate. This would yield an estimated gain of about 17% for the best 15% of trees. At the site with better growth, there was sufficient heritability ( h I 2 = 0.31 ) and AGCV (20%) for height at year 5 to obtain an estimated gain of 15% for the best 15% of trees. We suggest a selection strategy using the best germplasm from the best performing trial to exploit the resources on high quality sites, and the best material from the poorer sites for lower quality areas.

Preliminary identification and coat protein gene phylogenetic relationships of begomoviruses associated with native flora and cultivated plants from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico

A number of native and cultivated eudicots in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (YPM) exhibit symptoms associated with virus infection. Symptomatic leaves were collected and assessed for begomoviral detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and universal primers that amplify a fragment of the coat protein gene (core Cp). Begomovirus were detected in nine native and seven cultivated species, representing seven eudicot families. DNA extracts from the 16 hosts were used for PCR amplification and sequencing of a fragment containing the coat protein (Cp) gene. The complete Cp sequence was used to establish provisional species identification. Results indicated that 13 distinct begomovirus species were represented. Among these, five potentially new begomovirus species were identified, for which we propose the names Anoda golden mosaic virus (AnGMV), Boerhavia yellow spot virus (BoYSV), Papaya golden mosaic virus (PaGMV), Desmodium leaf distortion virus (DeLDV), and Hibiscus variegation virus (HiVV). Five previously described begomoviral species were provisionally identified for the first time in the YPM; these include Euphorbia mosaic virus (EuMV), Melon chlorotic leaf curl virus (MCLCuV), Okra yellow mosaic Mexico virus (OkYMMV), Sida golden mosaic virus (SiGMV), and Tobacco apical stunt virus (TbASV). Additionally, viruses previously reported from this region, Bean golden yellow mosaic virus (BGYMV), Pepper golden mosaic virus (PepGMV), and Tomato mottle virus (ToMoV) were provisionally identified in cultivated hosts. Phylogenetic analysis provisionally placed all isolates from the YPM in a Western Hemisphere begomovirus clade.

Introduction of Asian Soybean Rust Urediniospores into the Midwestern United States-A Case Study.

In 2005, weekly rain samples collected at 124 National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN) sites in the eastern and central United States were screened for Asian soybean rust (ASR; Phakopsora pachyrhizi) urediniospores. Application of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction method detected P. pachyrhizi DNA in the filter residue of rain samples collected during the week of 19 to 26 July 2005 in Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota. To determine the geographic origin of ASR urediniospores in those weekly composite samples, back air trajectories of the lifted condensation and mixed boundary layers were calculated for each rain event within the week, by sampling site. The calculations, based on the hybrid single-particle lagrangian integrated trajectory model, pointed to source areas in eastern and southern Texas. In a separate case, DNA of P. pachyrhizi was detected in a 28 June to 5 July 2005 rain sample from an eastern Texas site. Back trajectories pointed to southern Texas and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico as potential source areas of ASR urediniospores. Vertical motions of those back trajectories indicated a ventilation of the boundary layer in the upwind areas, suggesting the possible injection of urediniospores into the free troposphere where they can be transported for long distances before wet deposition.

ANTIBODIES TO WEST NILE VIRUS IN ASYMPTOMATIC MAMMALS, BIRDS, AND REPTILES IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO

Surveillance for evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in taxonomically diverse vertebrates was conducted in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico in 2003 and 2004. Sera from 144 horses on Cozumel Island, Quintana Roo State, 415 vertebrates (257 birds, 52 mammals, and 106 reptiles) belonging to 61 species from the Merida Zoo, Yucatan State, and 7 farmed crocodiles in Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche State were assayed for antibodies to flaviviruses. Ninety (62%) horses on Cozumel Island had epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibodies to flaviviruses, of which 75 (52%) were seropositive for WNV by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Blocking ELISA antibodies to flaviviruses also were detected in 13 (3%) animals in the Merida Zoo, including 7 birds and 2 mammals (a jaguar and coyote) seropositive for WNV by PRNT. Six (86%) crocodiles in Campeche State had PRNT-confirmed WNV infections. All animals were healthy at the time of serum collections and none had a history of WNV-like illness.

First report of a lethal yellowing phytoplasma in Thrinax radiata and Coccothrinax readii palms in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico

First report of a lethal yellowing phytoplasma in <i>Thrinax radiata</i> and <i>Coccothrinax readii</i> palms in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico

Are tourists willing to pay additional fees to protect corals in Mexico?

This paper seeks to determine if tourists visiting the Riviera Maya, Mexico, are willing to pay an entrance fee to enhance coral reef protection; and if so, how much would they pay? A discrete choice contingent valuation experiment with almost 400 visitors was used to determine a measure of compensating variation for contributing to a public trust to protect corals. Results suggest that there are significant possibilities for implementing a “coral fund” to raise revenues for coral protection programs in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. We estimate a mean willingness to pay (WTP) of over $55.00. Additionally, all three estimation methods used produced relatively similar values for mean WTP, ranging from $42 to $58. With approximately five million visitors passing through the Cancun International Airport each year, this suggests that it may be possible to collect between $100 and $400 million annually for coral reef management programs. Thinking very conservatively, if we take a $20 fee and assume that only 50% of tourists would actually be willing to pay, that is still $50 million left on the table annually.

Dependent Harvests: Grain Production on the American and Canadian Plains and the Double Dependency with Mexico, 1880-1950

For nearly sixty years, roughly 1880 to 1950, before the affordability and widespread use of combines, grain production in the American and Canadian Great Plains was dependent on harvesting with binders. Binders cut the grain stalks and then tied them into bundles with twine that farmhands later would gather into shocks to await threshing. The majority of the twine used was made from fiber from agave plants (sisal and henequen) from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The dependency on this Mexican commodity is illustrated by the fact that for the first two decades of the twentieth century, the United States and Canada consumed an estimated 230,000 tons ofthe fiber a year for the production of binder twine. Thus, a double agricultural dependency devel? oped between these regions that this essay seeks to explore. Along with this in? ternational dependency, corporate, social, and labor issues are integral aspects ofthe grain/twine story. International Harvester of Chicago came to dominate the twine industry in the United States, but faced stiff competition from Amer? ican and Canadian penitentiaries that developed their own twine mills using low-wage inmate labor. And in Mexico, wealthy henequen estate owners en? slaved Yaqui Indians from Sonora to work in their fields in the Yucatan. aDe? pendent Harvests seeks to introduce these themes and to east them into their proper transnational and agricultural history perspectives.

Structure of a unique inland mangrove forest assemblage in fossil lagoons on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico

Scrub mangrove wetlands colonize the intertidal zone of fossil lagoons located in carbonate continental margins along the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. These unique ecological types were investigated in October, 1994, by locating transects in several mangrove forests along the Caribbean coast of the peninsula. Four species of mangrove occurred at these sites including Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, Conocarpus erecta. This is one of the first examples of a species rich scrub forest. The mangroves fell into three height categories: short scrub less than 1.5 m, tall scrub to 3.0 m, and basin forests between 4.5 and 6 m. Average height, diameter (dbh), basal area, and complexity index generally increased from short scrub to basin forests. Basal area, ranged from 0.16 m2 ha−1 in a short scrub forest intermixed with Cladium jamaicense to 12.9 m2 ha−1 in a basin forest. Density ranged from 1520 trees ha−1 to over 25,000 trees ha−1 in a short scrub forest dominated by R. mangle. The complexity index ranged from 0.01 to 8.3. Height, dbh, basal area, and complexity index were positively related. A number of trees were growing as sprouts from larger downed trunks, suggesting that hurricanes, such as Gilbert that occurred in 1988, are important in controlling the structure of these forests. These forests appear isolated from the sea, but are influenced by groundwater exchange occurring at the land-margin zone.

In Search of the Rain Forest

Review: In Search of the Rain Forest By Candace Slater (Ed.) Reviewed by Elery Hamilton-Smith Charles Sturt University, Australia Candace Slater (Ed.). In Search of the Rain Forest. Durham: Duke University Press, 2003. 318 pp. ISBN 0-8223-3205-1 (cloth); 0-8223-3218-3 (paper). US$79.95 cloth; $22.95 paper. This book, which grew out of a six-month seminar that included a field visit to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, challenges most of the prevailing assumptions and discourses about the rain forest. The extent to which the Yucatan has come to be widely identified (not by the authors) as rain forest highlights the growing ambiguity of the very concept. The first essay focuses upon the X-Caret mega-theme park of the Yucatan. This is a spectacular nature-based amusement park with a well-integrated blend of authenticity and carefully contrived and executed romanticized falsehood. It has had many positive effects upon the conservation of various aspects of the environment, widespread awareness of environmental values, and the socio-economic development of the region. Yet it also raises a number of ethical and other problems. Its overwhelming dominance of the regional tourism industry causes some deep concerns for more humble operators, many of whom have a sincere commitment to authenticity and genuine conservation. I certainly enjoyed and appreciated my personal experience of X-Caret, but I sympathize with those who express concern. Any serious examination of it will inevitably generate ambiguity and ambivalence. Other essays deal respectively with wildfire in forested areas, apparently responsible oil extraction in Ecuador, the appropriation and industrialization of herbal medicine in the forests of Belize, a critical history of the Mayan rain forests, Indian preservation of tigers through protected areas, the generation and control of violence in the indigenous peoples of Kalimantan, and the viral forests of Africa as a horror spectacle. Interestingly, several essays develop and discuss, as a sub-theme, the way in which protected forests often provide a splendid environment for crime. The resources of the forest, both fauna and timber, are subject to poaching or other illegal harvesting; the environment also provides a haven within which such activities as distribution of illegal drugs can proceed without effective control. Regrettably, as a sub-theme, the complexities of illegality in this setting are not thoroughly explored and none of the authors appear to

Monogenean Parasites of some Elasmobranchs (Chondrichthyes) from the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Forty-two individuals representing 8 species of stingray were collected from 14 localities along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Monogeneans from 2 families (Monocotylidae Lebedev, 1988 and Capsalidae Baird, 1853) were found on the gills and body surfaces. Dendromonocotyle octodiscus Hargis, 1955 was collected from Dasyatis americana Hildebrand and Schroeder, 1928 from Blanquizal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and Urobatis jamaicensis (Cuvier 1816) McEachran and Fechhelm 1998 from Xcalak, Isla Contoy, Mexico, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and Ria Lagartos, Yucatan, Mexico. Decacotyle floridana (Pratt, 1910) Chisholm and Whittington, 1998 was collected from Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen 1790) from Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and Ciudad del Carmen and Champoton, Campeche, Mexico. Benedeniella posterocolpa (Hargis, 1955) Yamaguti, 1963 was collected from Rhinoptera bonasus (Mitchell, 1815) from Champoton, Campeche, Mexico. Quintana Roo and Yucatan, Mexico, are new distribution records for D. octodiscus, and U. jamaicensis is a new host record for this species from a host collected from nature. Quintana Roo is a new locality record for D. floridana, and Campeche, Mexico, is a new locality record for B. posterocolpa. Hypotheses of biogeographical and coevolutionary patterns concerning monogeneans of elasmobranchs are premature, but B. posterocolpa seems to be strictly host specific, whereas D. floridana and D. octodiscus display a much lower level of host fidelity at lower host taxonomic levels.

Spinel-bearing spherules condensed from the Chicxulub impact-vapor plume

Research Article| April 01, 2005 Spinel-bearing spherules condensed from the Chicxulub impact-vapor plume Denton S. Ebel; Denton S. Ebel 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street at Central Park West, New York, New York 10024-5192, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lawrence Grossman Lawrence Grossman 2Department of the Geophysical Sciences and Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2005) 33 (4): 293–296. https://doi.org/10.1130/G21136.1 Article history received: 12 Sep 2004 rev-recd: 15 Dec 2004 accepted: 16 Dec 2004 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Denton S. Ebel, Lawrence Grossman; Spinel-bearing spherules condensed from the Chicxulub impact-vapor plume. Geology 2005;; 33 (4): 293–296. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G21136.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Formation of the giant Chicxulub crater off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula coincided with deposition of the global Ir-rich Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) stratigraphic boundary layer ca. 65 Ma. The boundary is marked most sharply by abundant spherules containing unaltered grains of magnesioferrite spinel. Here we predict for the first time the sequential condensation of solids and liquids from the plume of vaporized rock expected from oblique K-T impacts. We predict highly oxidizing plumes that condense silicate liquid droplets bearing spinel grains whose compositions closely match those marking the actual boundary. Systematic global variations in spinel composition are consistent with higher condensation temperatures for spinels found at Atlantic and European sites than for those in the Pacific. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Introduction: international policy in the biosphere reserves of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula

This introduction describes the evolution of biosphere reserve policy as an international effort to protect areas representative of each type of natural ecosystem, with zoning to integrate neighboring human communities. The integration of local communities in conservation was originally proposed by a Mexican conservationist based on recognition by some of his country's political leaders of national dependency on “ecosystem services”: forests, watersheds, soils, and rainfall cycles [de Quevedo, M.A., 1902. Conveniencia de estudiar todas las circunstancias en que se distribuye el agua pluvial que cae en la varias cuencas del territorio, de coordinar las observaciones pluviométricas con las de hidrometría en las mismas cuencas, así como también de que se expidan las leyes conducentes a la conservación y repoblación de los bosques. In: Proceedings of the Congreso Meteorológico Nacional, México, 17–20 de diciembre de 1901 (s.p.). Ancira y Hermanos, Guadalajara, México (as cited in Simonian, 1995, p. 71); Beltrán, E., 1964. Use and conservation: two conflicting principles. In: Alexander, B.A. (Ed.), Proceedings of the First World Conference on National Parks. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Seattle, Washington, 30 June–1 July 1962. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC, pp. 35–43; Primack, R.B., Bray, D., Galletti, J.A., Ponciano, I. (Eds.), 1998. Timber, Tourists, and Temples: Conservation and Development in the Maya Forest of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. Island Press, Washington, DC, 426 pp.]. Mexico is among the top countries in the world in both biological and cultural diversity, one where the relatively pristine ecosystems are those occupied by indigenous peoples [Chapin, Mac., 1992. The coexistence of indigenous peoples and environments in Central America. National Geographic: Research and Exploration, vol. 8 (2), Map Supplement. National Geographic, Washington; Chapin, Mac., 2003. Indigenous peoples and natural ecosystems in Central America and Southern Mexico. National Geographic, Map Supplement, February 2003. National Geographic and The Center for Native Lands, Washington, DC]. Discovery of ecosystem degradation resulting from efforts to improve productivity has given rise to various programs introducing low-impact, alternative technologies that will improve livelihoods. We review (1) the evolution of biosphere reserve policy in general, (2) this process in Mexico as representative of the case in developing countries, and (3) the political history of the establishment of reserves in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula on lands and marine areas in use by communities of Yucatec Mayas and mestizos for livelihood. This article provides context for subsequent ones that analyze case studies and specific processes.

A participatory approach to conservation in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico

Since the advent of integrated conservation and development programs, participatory approaches have been used to engage local people in protected area management and conservation action. While participatory approaches provide local people a role in telling their own story and enable them to contribute to conservation and development processes, it is unclear how much consideration local people's opinions receive within the framework of a participatory process that exists to meet the specific goals and objectives of conservation programs. This paper evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the participatory approach used in an applied research program conducted in three ejido communities in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The research program used community mapping, historical matrices, institutional diagramming, seasonal calendars, semi-structured interviewing and other community-level reflection techniques to assess the complex interrelationships among population growth, migration, tenure regimes, and land-use practices in rural communities bordering the reserve. The program also sought to build local capacity and support for land-use planning and conservation programs. While the paper acknowledges the critical benefits of local participation it also questions the compatibility of this approach with conservation programs administered by conservation organizations as they are currently structured.

Heritage values and functions of wetlands in Southern Mexico

There is a wealth of heritage values and contemporary functions of freshwater and estuarine wetlands along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and northern Belize. These vary from ancient Maya use for multicropping and aquaculture to current use for fishing, hunting, freshwater supplies, salt extraction and nature tourism. Potential conflicts and collaborations will be discussed with reference to proposed restoration of ancient Maya water management systems combined with modern technologies. Particular attention will be paid to wetland use, which combines both traditional and “new” uses including partial restoration, agro-ecology and ecotourism.

A mutation in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is not associated with preeclampsia in women of southeast mexico

Background We investigated the possible association between C677T-5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) polymorphism and preeclampsia in women from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Methods We performed a comparative study among three groups of subjects: 148 preeclamptic women; 177 women with normal pregnancies, and 313 healthy volunteers as control group. All subjects were genotyped for C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene by PCR amplification and digestion of the product with Hinf I restriction enzyme. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were compared between affected women (preeclamptic) and nonaffected groups to determine the association using Fisher exact test. Odds ratios (ORs) were also calculated to obtain estimation of relative risk (RR) for developing preeclampsia. Results Statistical analysis of intergroup comparisons among preeclamptic women, women with normal pregnancies, and control group showed no statistically significant differences for any genotype or for T allele ( p >0.05). Conclusions Our results suggest that C677T-MTHFR polymorphism is not an associated risk factor for developing preeclampsia in southeast Mexico. Results also confirmed high prevalence of C677T mutation in Mexico.

A mutation in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is not associated with preeclampsia in women of southeast mexico

We investigated the possible association between C677T-5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) polymorphism and preeclampsia in women from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. We performed a comparative study among three groups of subjects: 148 preeclamptic women; 177 women with normal pregnancies, and 313 healthy volunteers as control group. All subjects were genotyped for C677T polymorphism in MTHFR gene by PCR amplification and digestion of the product with Hinf I restriction enzyme. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were compared between affected women (preeclamptic) and nonaffected groups to determine the association using Fisher exact test. Odds ratios (ORs) were also calculated to obtain estimation of relative risk (RR) for developing preeclampsia. Statistical analysis of intergroup comparisons among preeclamptic women, women with normal pregnancies, and control group showed no statistically significant differences for any genotype or for T allele (p >0.05). Our results suggest that C677T-MTHFR polymorphism is not an associated risk factor for developing preeclampsia in southeast Mexico. Results also confirmed high prevalence of C677T mutation in Mexico.