State Of Michoacan Research Articles

Polianthes venustuliflora (Asparagaceae, Agavoideae), una especie nueva endémica de Michoacán, México

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Polianthes es un género endémico de México conformado por 19 especies, incluida la que aquí se describe. Durante la revisión sistemática del género se efectuó una exploración botánica por toda su área de distribución geográfica conocida, descubriéndose varias especies nuevas, algunas ya fueron descritas y publicadas. Aquí se describe e ilustra P. venustuliflora, endémica del estado de Michoacán, la cual se diferencia de P. montana y P. platyphylla.Métodos: Se revisaron especímenes de Polianthes recolectados en el norte de Michoacán, provenientes de diferentes herbarios nacionales y dos extranjeros, con características morfológicas diferentes a las especies ya descritas. Asimismo, se realizó una exploración botánica por la zona indicada, para preparar ejemplares de herbario, en los cuales se evaluaron caracteres vegetativos y reproductivos que permitieron separar a Polianthes venustuliflora de especies morfológicamente similares. La categoría de riesgo se evaluó con base en el método propuesto por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza.Resultados clave: Se describe e ilustra Polianthes venustuliflora, una especie nueva del estado de Michoacán, México, la cual se relaciona morfológicamente con P. montana y P. platyphylla, y difiere de éstas por presentar 3 a 7 hojas en la roseta, a veces 9, hojas de 12 a 35, rara vez 40 cm de largo, con margen papiloso a regularmente denticulado; largo de la inflorescencia de 24 a 68 cm y número de nudos florales de 3 a 7. Se le asigna la categoría de riesgo en Peligro Crítico (CR).Conclusiones: Polianthes venustuliflora es endémica del norte de Michoacán. De acuerdo con el criterio B de la IUCN se considera una especie en Peligro Crítico (CR).

DEVELOPMENT A LOW-COST SOLAR ABSORBER COATING BASED ON SOOT OF BIOMASS-FOREST: THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATION IN A SOLAR COOKING SYSTEM

The present work shows the development of a low cost coating based on forest biomass soot, used to form solar absorbent surfaces for use in solar thermal technologies, such as solar cookers. A coating with an acrylic as a binder has been developed to be able to adhere the coating to metal surfaces. To characterize the thermal behavior of the metallic surfaces with the proposed coating, a theoretical and experimental methodology was designed. Experimentally the biomass soot coating was compared with a commercial high temperature paint used in solar thermal technologies. Through standard field tests for solar cookers, it was possible to corroborate the methodology suggested on metal surfaces with soot coatings; additionally the selectivity of the sooty surfaces was estimated, the results were similar to the thermal characterization. Finally, due to the coating's functionality, it was applied to 37 solar cooking systems that were implemented in an indigenous community in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. Due to the above, many applications of the developed coating are glimpsed.

Tendencias del uso agrícola del agua en tres municipios del bajío michoacano

La modernización de la agricultura y la producción de cultivos para exportación, impacta fuertemente en el ámbito rural. En el análisis exploratorio discutiremos el cambio de los patrones de cultivo y su efecto en el consumo de agua subterránea en municipios michoacanos. Específicamente examinamos las presiones que sufre un acuífero de una subcuenca, así como una desigual distribución de los recursos hídricos. Desde una perspectiva geográfica, utilizamos tres variables para evaluar la presión ejercida sobre los recursos hídricos: cantidad de pozos, volumen concesionado y profundidad de perforación. Ese primer acercamiento permite visualizar las áreas que están en riesgo de sobreexplotación, pues se han hecho muy pocos estudios hidrológicos sobre el nivel de equilibrio hidráulico de los acuíferos en México. Otro aspecto dilucidado es por qué hay un grado de concentración de pozos en un sitio determinado desde mediados de1980.

Species diversity of thrips (Thysanoptera) in selected avocado orchards from Mexico based on morphology and molecular data

Avocado is one of the most important crops in the world, and Mexico is the largest producer of this fruit. Several insect pests affect its production, and thrips are amongst the most important. A key step in the design of control methods is accurate species identification. Despite this, formal reports on species diversity of thrips in Mexico are very scarce. Morphological identification can sometimes be time-consuming and inconclusive. Therefore, we explored the species diversity of thrips in Mexican avocado orchards (Michoacan state) based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Forty-four specimens were analysed, which represented approximately 8% of all individuals collected from five localities distributed in three Municipalities. All specimens were analysed using the COI marker, and specimens within the genera Frankliniella were also analysed using a marker within the D2 domain of the 28S (28SD2) nuclear ribosomal DNA. Molecular identifications were confirmed using morphological taxonomy. Overall, six genera were found (Neohydatothrips, Scirtothrips, Frankliniella, Arorathrips, Caliothrips and Leptothrips). All genera contained only one species, except Frankliniella, for which there were six species. Data from the two molecular markers suggest the existence of cryptic species within Mexican F. occidentalis populations.

Forecasting from incomplete and chaotic wind speed data

Forecasting is the process of making value predictions given historical samples of the observed variable. In some cases, there are missing points in the series because of problems in the collector device such as connectivity, maintenance, or meteorological factors. In addition, time series would exhibit a chaotic behavior, which makes the prediction task harder. This paper proposes a technique that uses an Artificial Neural Network and k-Nearest Neighbors for reconstructing and forecasting an incomplete and chaotic time series. The approach was tested with different wind speed series collected at five different locations in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. Forecasting results with and without reconstruction were compared, they show that it is not necessary to reconstruct series with few missing values; but, the forecasting improves significantly by reconstructing series with more than 7% of missing values.

Ascomicetos hipogeos de la región occidental del Sistema Volcánico Transversal, México

Antecedentes y Objetivos: En México se han reportado 42 especies de ascomicetos con hábito hipogeo; son pocas considerando el conocimiento de otros grupos de hongos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue incrementar el conocimiento sobre la diversidad y distribución de especies de hongos hipogeos para México.Métodos: Se realizaron recolectas en diversos tipos de vegetación del Sistema Volcánico Transversal en la porción occidental perteneciente al estado de Michoacán. El material se fotografió y describió siguiendo los protocolos para el grupo.Resultados clave: Se presentan la descripción y discusión de seis especies de ascomicetos con hábito hipogeo, Elaphomyces appalachiensis, Genea mexicana, Genabea cerebriformis, Hydnobolites cerebriformis, Tuber pseudoseparans y T. tequilanum.Conclusiones: Los registros representan nuevas localidades para el país y primeras citas para la micobiota del estado de Michoacán. Se incrementa la distribución de Elaphomyces appalachiensis, Genabea cerebriformis e Hydnobolites cerebriformis, conocidos de los Estados Unidos de América y el Norte de México, hasta el Sistema Volcánico Transversal, mientras que Genea mexicana, Tuber pseudoseparans y T. tequilanum solo se conocen en este sistema montañoso.

New Geographical Records of Bat Flies (Diptera: Streblidae) Associated With Phyllostomid Bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in the West Highlands of Mexico.

Streblidae are ectoparasites exclusive to bats and feed only on their blood. Studies on ectoparasite fauna have increased our ecological knowledge of the parasitic relationship between streblids and their bat hosts. We evaluate assemblages of phyllostomid bats and their ectoparasitic flies in three scenarios with different types of anthropogenic use: pine-oak forest, avocado orchards, and an urban park during an annual cycle in the highlands of Michoacan, Mexico. We recorded a total of 325 bats belonging to nine species in three subfamilies: Glossophaginae, Desmodontinae, and Stenodermatinae, and obtained 225 bat flies belonging to seven species. The nectivorous bat Anoura geoffroyi Gray, 1838, had the highest prevalence of infestation and the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus (É. Geoffroy, 1810) was the host with the highest mean parasite abundance and mean intensity. Aspidoptera delatorrei Wenzel, 1966, Megistopoda proxima (Séguy, 1926), Paratrichobius longicrus (Miranda Ribeiro, 1907), Trichobius brennani Wenzel, 1966, and T. parasiticus Gervais, 1844, are new records for the state of Michoacan reported in this study.

Six new and one known species of Geomonhystera (Nematoda, Monhysteridae) from moss, an epiphytic plant and soil in México and Ecuador.

Six new species of Geomonhystera (Nematoda, Monhysterida: Monhysteridae) Andrássy, 1981, are described and illustrated, five from México and one from Ecuador. The new species have many features in common and in common with at least several other species of the genus. Consequently, those features individually are not very useful for species-level diagnosis. They include the cuticular striation which, under light microscopy, ranges from fine to apparently smooth; however, scanning electron micrographs reveal very fine cuticular striation on all the new species. All the new species have a few body setae scattered along the length of the body and the vulval lips of females are slightly protruding. As for other species of the genus, there is considerable overlap in the ranges of standard morphometric characters so a combination of standard and additional morphometrics, as well as qualitative characters, is necessary for species separation. Geomonhystera mexiquense sp. n., collected from moss on a rock and on the trunk of Quercus crassipes in Juchitepec, México State, México, has outer labial setae that are unsegmented and 44-67% of the head width, the cephalic setae are thin, unsegmented and 31-50% of the head width; the vulval lips protrude slightly. Geomonhystera michoacana sp. n., collected from moss on a rock in Tzararacua National Park, Uruapan, Michoacan State, México, has a very finely-striated cuticle which appears almost smooth and bears rare cervical and caudal setae; the tail is long, 15-17% of the body length, and the rectum also is long, 23-32 (27±2.0) µm. Geomonhystera longispiculata sp. n., collected from an epiphytic plant in the botanical garden of the Ecology Institute in Jalapa, Veracruz State, México, is distinguished from all the species of the genus by the long, slender spicules, 55-85 (75±3.0) µm. The cuticle has conspicuous fine striation and there are somatic setae scattered along the body. Geomonhystera ecuatoriana sp. n., collected from moss on the trunk of Scalesia pedunculata growing on the twin volcanoes of Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador, has fine cuticular striation and a few small body setae; the unsegmented outer labial setae are 42-54% of the head width and the cephalic setae are thin, unsegmented and 33-45% of the head width; the vulval lips protrude slightly and the vulva-anus distance is 37-48 µm or 2.1-2.5 times anal body diameter. Males of G. ecuatoriana have slightly arcuate spicules, 35 µm long. Geomonhystera galindoi sp. n., collected from moss on the trunk of Quercus peduncularis in San Pablo Ixzayo, Texcoco, México State, México, has fine cuticlar striation and a few fine body setae, the vulval lips are slightly protruding; the vulva-anus distance is 35-50 (41±0.9) µm, 1.5-2.2 (1.9±0.2) times anal body diameter. Males of G. galindoi are slightly ventrally curved with the posterior end strongly curved, giving the body a hook-shaped appearance. Geomonhystera chiautzingoensis sp. n., collected from moss on the trunk of Crataegus mexicana in Chiautzingo, Puebla State, México, has exceedingly fine striation of the cuticle and outer labial and cephalic setae that are less than 50% of the head width. Additionally, G. dubia Siddiqi Shahina, 2004 was sollected in soil samples around a plum tree (Prunus sp.) in the garden of Montecillo Campus, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco, México State, México This species has a small body with fine cuticular striation and a few sparsely-distributed body setae; the outer labial and cephalic setae are unsegmented, 5-8 and 3-5 µm long, 56-80% and 33-50% of the head width, respectively; the vulval lips protrude slightly but are sometimes flush with the body contour.

Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations triggered by extreme rainfall and agricultural practices (eastern Michoacan, Mexico)

The study of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSGSD) in Mexico is scarce; therefore, their localization and causes are highly overlooked. The present paper examines the characterization of the DSGSD of Jungapeo and Las Pilas in eastern Michoacan state, currently active and endangering their inhabitants. An integrated study, including detailed lithology, morpho-structural inventories, analysis of land use, and pluviometric regime, was performed and complemented with differential global positioning system monitoring networks. Both landslides developed over highly weathered volcano-sedimentary rocks. On the one hand, the Jungapeo landslide has an estimated volume of 990,455 m3 with steady decreasing velocity rates from 41 to 15 cm/month in the first monitoring period to 13–3 cm/month in the last one. On the other hand, the Las Pilas landslide estimated volume is about 1,082,467 m3 with a stable velocity rate of 1.3 to 0.1 cm/month. Despite the multi-storeyed style of activity, two behaviors of instability were distinguished: slow deformation and secondary landslide stages. The conditioning factors for slow deformation in both DSGSD are the combination of weathered lithology with clay- and sand-rich content, and the shift toward intensive monoculture. The triggering factor is related to excess water produced by an inefficient flood-irrigation system that also generates an atypical acceleration behavior in both landslides during the dry season. The DSGSD activity thus predisposes the generation of tension cracks and secondary scarps from which the collateral landslides are triggered by atypical rainfall, such as that of 2010.

Improvement of saline soils with Vicia sativa L. from a semiarid region

ABSTRACT In the Cienega de Chapala region of the state of Michoacan, Mexico, forage crops form a major pillar for traditional livestock systems. In this region, high soil salinity due to poor groundwater quality is a common problem. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of the forage species Vicia sativa L. for improved saline soil in a greenhouse and non-leaching conditions over the course of 90 days. In this experiment, three levels of NaCl salinity were tested: 5.3, 7.12 and 10.8 dS∙m–1. Samples of soil were analyzed for electrical conductivity of the saturation paste extract (ECe), soluble and interchangeable cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) content. Then, the forage species Vicia sativa L were divided into three categories (leaf, stem, and root) and their shoot biomass production and Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ content was determined. Analysis of variance was performed to examine the effects of salinity on each of the evaluated variables; Tukey’s test was used to detect differences between the mean values of the variables per treatment. In a greenhouse experiment, the species V. sativa is confirmed to be tolerant to a moderately saline level. The high concentrations of Na+ found in both the stems and leaves of this plant confirm that it may be used for the improvement of moderately saline soils. The decrease in pH, ECe, SAR and ESP in the pots via non-leaching conditions confirmed their role in the improvement of the chemical characteristics of the soil.

A Multi-Stakeholder Optimization of Food Supply Chains: an Undernourishment Reduction Strategy

Food supply has become one of the most important problems and challenges that the world faces nowadays due to the tremendous population growth and resource depletion around the world. In developing countries, where this problem is more noticeable, governments have implemented assistance programs to ensure food supply to disenfranchised people. However, these programs do not guarantee individual food security; besides, the local economic development is not promoted. In this paper, an optimization formulation for the strategic planning of food supply networks in disenfranchised communities is proposed, which includes the use and exchange of local resources between different communities to improve the local economy and satisfy specific nutritional needs according to age and gender, taking into account that the government should coordinate these activities. Since the strategic planning involves multiple interests and priorities, a multi-stakeholder optimization formulation to get trade-off solutions, useful for decision makers, is considered. A case study from Mexico involving 14 of the poorest communities from the State of Michoacan is presented. The results indicate that it is possible to meet nutritional needs of all the considered communities using the local resources and enhancing the local economy, avoiding this way government dependence. An initial inversion of MMUS$27.7 to supply 5 × 106 t of vegetable products and 6552 t of animal food is needed.

Memória social e ação política no processo de autonomia do pueblo indígena de Cherán

Este artigo procura compreender o processo de transformação sócio-política ocorrido no “pueblo” indígena de Cherán, pertencente ao Estado de Michoacán, México. Esta comunidade conquistou em 2011 o direito à instauração de um governo regido por seus usos e costumes, após uma série de con itos motivados tanto pela exploração ilegal de suas terras comunais por parte de madeireiros, envolvidos com o tráfico de drogas, quanto pelo descaso das autoridades governamentais frente aos ocorridos. O estudo deste processo social e político será realizado a partir da análise dos discursos e relatos veiculados em diferentes mídias, além de pesquisa bibliográfica e histórica, com o objetivo de perceber, através do discurso dos moradores deste “pueblo” e de sua memória coletiva, o sentido/significado para suas ações, buscando compreender porque a população de Cherán decidiu “defender” os bosques comunais através do confronto com os madeireiros e posterior instauração de um governo próprio. Percebemos que a memória coletiva, neste caso, propicia um horizonte de significados que, em conjunto com a figuração do tempo presente, motivaram a ação dos moradores de Cherán.

Building stones used in the architectural heritage of Morelia (México): quarries location, rock durability and stone compatibility in the monument

Four different rocks have been used in the architectural heritage of Morelia city (Michoacan state, Mexico). Piedra Vieja (PV) is the original building rock whilst Tlalpujahua, Cointzio and Jabalina stones (TL, CO and JA, respectively) are the replacement varieties used in the restoration works during the last decades. All of them correspond to rhyolitic ignimbrites quarried close to Morelia. The new varieties were selected exclusively after aesthetical similarity, and no petrophysical criterion was considered. In this paper, a deep analysis of the weathering process of these rocks during wet–dry and salt crystallization cycles is carried out. Rock decay is defined in terms of linearity and homogeneity: JA and TL show nonlinear decay mode and heterogeneous behaviours, whilst samples of CO and PV weather after linear and homogeneous modes. Moreover, each rock variety shows different decay patterns, such as differential erosion (PV and TL), fractures (TL), scaling (JA) and granular disintegration (CO). All these obtained results are discussed according to: (1) petrographic factors; (2) hydric and mechanical properties; and (3) the partial effective pressures reached inside the porous system of each rock during salt crystallization. Finally, a review about the quality of previously published durability estimators is carried out. In general terms, results reveal that theoretical estimators best fit the visual weathering suffered by the rocks than its mass loss. Concluding this paper, a petrophysical and aesthetical evaluation of the compatibility between both original and replacement building stones used in the architectural heritage of Morelia is carried out in order to offer technical recommendations for future restoration works. CO ignimbrite offers the highest chromatic compatibility with the original building rock (PV), but its durability is extraordinarily low and consequently its use is not recommended. JA and TL are advisable replacement stones, although from a petrophysical point of view, TL results the most convenient. These results highlight the importance of carrying out the selection of building stones for restoration works according to petrophysical criteria, instead of using exclusively an aesthetic valuation.

Factors that enable or limit the sustained use of improved firewood cookstoves: Qualitative findings eight years after an intervention in rural Mexico.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze the factors enabling/limiting the use of improved cookstoves among rural fuel wood users from one mestizo and two indigenous communities eight years after an intervention in the state of Michoacan, in Mexico.MethodsA qualitative study with an ethnographic perspective was conducted in 2013/2014 based on 62 interviews with women who had participated in an improved firewood cookstove program in 2005. Thematic qualitative content analysis was performed.ResultsVery few women from the indigenous communities were using the improved cookstove at the time of the study; the majority had dismantled or had ceased using it; whereas most of those from the mestizo community were using it for all of their cooking activities. In the indigenous communities, characterized by extended families, uptake of new technology was limited by traditional routine practices, rearrangement of rooms in the house, attachment to the traditional stove, a low- or non-risk perception of woodsmoke; gender relations, insufficient training, non-compliance with program recommendations and design-related aspects. Conversely, in the mestizo community, the uptake of the improved cookstove was favored by routine cooking practices in a nuclear family, a previous use of a raised cookstove and social representations on the health-disease-death effects of woodsmoke vs. the health benefits of cooking with improved stoves. The sociocultural dimension of communities and the cookstove design are aspects that either favor or limit the use of improved cookstoves in indigenous and mestizo populations.ConclusionsEffective cookstove programs must take these elements into account from their early planning stages, and blend them into implementation and follow-up. Project communication, training and differentiated follow-up activities ensuring the operation and maintenance of the cookstove, should be designed according to the specific needs and traditions of each community; they should be based on the preferences and needs of the users.

Áreas potenciales para plantaciones forestales con Brosimum alicastrum Sw., con fines de restauración

Las plantaciones forestales con fines de restauración son parte de una estrategia para recuperar los terrenos degradados y la prevención de la erosión, así como para la reconversión de suelos desmontados con fines agrícolas y pecuarios al uso forestal. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar las áreas potenciales para plantaciones forestales con Brosimum alicastrum, con fines de restauración en el estado de Michoacán, mediante el uso de los sistemas de información geográfica. La delimitación de las superficies se realizó con los programas IDRISI 32 y ArcView, a partir de los requerimientos ambientales de la especie; las variables consideradas fueron: altitud, precipitación total anual, temperatura media anual, pendiente, uso y tipo de suelo. Se generaron mapas para dos condiciones de pendiente (12 en total) para cinco regiones forestales (10) y para la entidad (2), en los que se muestran las áreas potenciales para el establecimiento de plantaciones en intervalos de pendiente de 0-15 % (mecanizadas) y de 15-30 % (no mecanizadas). La superficie total con potencial fue de 86 408 ha, de estas 71 687 ha corresponden a pendientes de 0-15 %, y 14 721 ha de 15-30 %; localizadas en las regiones: IV Oriente, V Tepalcatepec, VIII Tierra Caliente, IX Sierra Costa y X Infiernillo. El trópico seco de Michoacán por sus características ecológicas, geológicas, fisiográficas y topográficas presenta condiciones favorables para el desarrollo potencial de plantaciones forestales de restauración con Brosimum alicastrum.

Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus in Women from the State of Michoacan, Mexico, Showed High Frequency of Unusual Virus Genotypes.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), the leading cause of cervical cancer, are distributed worldwide, with high prevalence in developing countries. The objective of the study is to know the prevalence and genotypes of HPV in women from the state of Michoacán and the Women's Hospital in Morelia, Michoacán. Cervical smear samples (159,288) were subjected to HPV detection by hybrid capture 2. A subsample of 484 patients from the Women's Hospital was studied by Papanicolaou test and linear array HPV genotyping, and when positive, patients were also examined by colposcopy and histopathology. The overall prevalence for HPV in Michoacán State was 7.74%; 7.11% in 2009, 6.46% in 2010, 9.58% in 2011, and 8.43% in 2012. The highest prevalence was found in the age groups < 25 and 25-34 years. The prevalence at the Women's Hospital was 8.51%. Cytological examination revealed normal cytology in 64.44% of samples, 26.66 % with low-grade and 8.88 % with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). However, by colposcopy, normal tissue appearance was found only in 26.66%; 51% were reclassified as low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 17.77% as HSIL, and in 4.4% atrophy was observed. The most prevalent genotype in single infections was HPV59, followed by HPV51 and HPV45. Double infections occurred with the following genotypes: 52-53, 51-59, 61-67, 66-11, 16-62, 53-62, 59-CP6108, 45-66, and 45-51. Triple infections were identified as: 6-31-39, 51-59-62, 51-62-81, 54-55-59, 16-58-71, and 16-59-62. The prevalent genotype found among women from Michoacán, HPV59, was different to the rest of the country. The high prevalence of HPV59 could be due to cases imported to Michoacán by agricultural workers migrating to the USA or may be associated to ethnicity differences. Implications of this finding for immunization programs should be explored.

Identificación de Eustongylides tubifex (Nitzch in Rudolphi, 1819) (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) en una garza estriada (Butorides striata, Pelecaniforme: Ardeidae) en el humedal el banco, Michoacán, México

RESUMEN. El presente trabajo reporta el hallazgo de Eustongylides tubifex en una garza estriada (Butorides striata), hembra, adulta, que fue encontrada muerta en el humedal El Banco, en el estado de Michoacán, México. A la necropsia, se observaron estructuras tubulares que formaban túneles en las paredes del proventrículo y ventrículo, y adherencias en el peritoneo.

Evaluación de las tasas de deforestación en Michoacán a escala detallada mediante un método híbrido de clasificación de imágenes SPOT

En las últimas décadas, se han registrado altas tasas de deforestación en el estado de Michoacán. En el presente trabajo se puso en marcha un método de clasificación híbrido que combina procesos automatizados, análisis espacial e interpretación visual, el cual permitió generar cartografía de cubierta/uso de suelo para el estado de Michoacán, a escala 1:50 000, con un área mínima cartografiable de una hectárea para 2004, 2007 y 2014. Adicionalmente, se evaluó la fiabilidad de la cartografía generada. La evaluación del mapa para 2007 indicó que la fiabilidad global fue de 83.3%, con un intervalo de confianza de 3.1%. Las tasas de deforestación en Michoacán han disminuido (i.e., 2004–2007; 0.17%, 2007–2014; 0.07%). No obstante, existen dos focos principales de deforestación donde bosques de pino y pino-encino han sido sustituidos por huertas de aguacate (centro del estado) y selvas bajas y medianas han sido transformadas en pastizales (región sierra-costa)

Phyllogomphoides enriquei (Odonata: Gomphidae) a new species from Mexico

Phyllogomphoides Belle, 1970, is the second most diverse genus with 46 species within neotropical Gomphidae, after Progomphus Selys, 1854 with 69 species. Most of the Mexican species are very similar in color pattern, however, the male accessory genitalia, cerci and epiproct allow to identify and separate species. Here, Phyllogomphoides enriquei sp. nov. (holotype ♂: Mexico, Michoacán, Municipality of Tepalcatepec, Río Pinolapa, 19º00.524 N; 103º01.456 W, elevation 616m, 04 July 2005, R. Novelo &amp; J.A. Gómez leg.; to be deposited in Colección Entomológica del Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa) is described and illustrated, being characterized by the anterior hamuli bilobed, tumid anteriorly, ending in a strong spine posteriorly, followed by a wide, deep cleft between anterior and posterior lobes. It appears to be closely related to Phyllogomphoides luisi González-Soriano &amp; Novelo-Gutiérrez, 1990. A distributional map of Phyllogomphoides species from Michoacan State is provided. With this discovery, the number of species of Phyllogomphoides for Mexico rises to 13.

ATTACKING ILLEGALITY WITH MORE ILLEGALITY. THE CASE OF FEDERAL PRESIDENTIAL INTERVENTION IN THE STATE OF MICHOACÁN, MEXICO

Mexico has experienced the worst crisis of violence in its contemporary history as a result of the war on organized crime (drug-trafficking) launched by the federal government in 2007. During this war, the federal government and its agencies responsible for ensuring public safety (army, police) have committed countless violations of the country’s institutions. This article applies a qualitative methodological approach to analyze the effects of the political and juridical intervention by Mexico’s federal government in the state of Michoacan in 2014. Our hypothesis is that the government attacked the crimes generated by the operations of organized delinquent groups by committing violations of the law itself; an attempt to resolve lawlessness with more lawlessness. The Mexican government’s lack of any clear commitment to the rule of law weakens the actions it implements to combat drug cartels, and contributes to perpetuating the corruption that is one of the main structural causes of criminal violence in the country.