Veracruz Research Articles

An updated list of the Mexican herpetofauna: with a summary of historical and contemporary studies.

The growth in our knowledge of the diversity of the herpetofauna of Mexico has occurred over the period of approximately 445 years from the work of Francisco Hernández to that of a broad multinational array of present-day herpetologists. The work of this huge group of people has established Mexico as one of the most significant centers of herpetofaunal biodiversity in the world. This status is the result of a complex orography, in addition to diverse habitats and environments and the biogeographic history of Mexico. The current herpetofauna consists of 1,421 native and introduced species, allocated to 220 genera, and 61 families. This figure is comprised of 1,405 native species and 16 non-native species (as of April 2023). The non-native species include two anurans, 13 squamates, and one turtle. The level of endemism is very high, presently lying at 63%, with this level expected to increase with time. Species richness varies among the 32 federal entities in the country, from a low of 50 in Tlaxcala to a high of 492 in Oaxaca. Amphibian species richness by state-level can be envisioned as comprising three levels of low, medium, and high, with the lowest levels occurring in the Peninsula of Baja California, a group of seven states in north-central and central Mexico, and a group of three states in the Yucatan Peninsula, with the highest levels occupying the southern states of Guerrero, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, and the medium level in the remaining states of the country. Reptile species richness also can be allocated to three categories, with the lowest level occupying Baja California Sur, a group of central states, and the states of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the highest level found in a cluster of the states of Veracruz, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Knowledge of the Mexican herpetofauna will continue to grow with additional studies on systematics, conservation, and the construction of checklists at various levels.

Coccoloba efigeniana and C. ibarrae, two new species of Coccoloba sect. Paniculatae Meisn. (Polygonaceae)

Two new species of Coccoloba sect. Paniculatae are described and illustrated from Mexico, Central and South America. Coccoloba efigeniana is described for Costa Rica, Panama, and The Guianas and can be distinguished from the similar C. mollis and C. latifolia by having obpyramidal and pilosulose fruits. C. ibarrae is described for the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Veracruz and it is similar to C. belizensis from which is distinguished by having larger, ribbed, and crowned fruits.

Pizpireto Café: Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Times of Crisis

As a result of the economic setback caused by the COVID 19 crisis, many families lost their source of income and were forced to look for alternative forms of income. Thus "PIZPIRETO" Café was born, an example of entrepreneurship in times of crisis, a project that integrates sustainability, one of the life values of its creators. The present paper analyzes the way in which the company shaped and managed sustainability within their business until it became a fundamental pillar to boost the production and commercialization of their coffee, getting involved and being commited with the community of small coffee growers in the state of Veracruz.

Conventional to organic transition of Citrus x sinensis (L.) Osbeck (pro. sp.) orchards in municipalities of northern Veracruz state

This research determined the degree of transition towards organic production and management of Valencia orange in the municipalities of northern Veracruz State. One hundred and six surveys were administered to producers grouped into four consolidated civil associations. A constructed transition index considering six variables revealed an average of 0.768. Citrus grower/institution positively correlated with intercropping (p = 0.0281) and with internal factors (p = 0.0257). Determinant factors for transition index were intercropping (p = 0.00009), and citrus grower/institution interaction (p = 0.0000). These internal and external factors together with years of conversion, averaging six years, resulted in an intermediate transition degree towards organic Valencia orange production. Municipalities of northern Veracruz State stand on varying degrees of transition towards organic agriculture. Yet, many growers still conserve some management practices not consistent with organic production. Highlights: Transition index to organic agriculture of citrus growers was 0.768. Some citrus growers with few years of organic production apply all practices as advanced or organic. Growers of northern Veracruz, Mexico are in intermediate transition degree towards organic Valencia orange production.

Varietal description of two genotypes of manzano chili pepper (Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav.)

Objective: The objective of this research study was to obtain the varietal description of two varieties of manzano chili pepper in Las Montañas region, in central Veracruz, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: The varietal characterization module was established under greenhouse conditions. The markers recorded were in accordance with the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute for Capsicum and the Graphic Handbook for Variety Description of manzano chili pepper. The plants were characterized from seedling in greenhouse to adult plant. The agronomic management of the crop was carried out in accordance with the manual for the production of manzano chili pepper in Las Montañas, state of Veracruz. Results: All qualitative markers were constant for the two varieties, MEXUVNE1-15-C2 and MEXUVCU1-16-C2, from seedling to fruit setting. In contrast, there were dissimilarities in plant height, and stem, leaf, flower, fruit and seed dimensions. Study limitations/implications: The pandemic caused by COVID-19 was the main limitation, resulting in some markers not being recorded in a timely manner as indicated in the Graphic Handbook. Findings/conclusions: Both varieties are very similar; however, the greatest distinction was in the quantitative markers, such as: plant height, fruit length, fruit diameter and number of seeds.

Jatropha chazaroi (Euphorbiaceae), an endangered new species from Apazapan, Veracruz, Mexico

Jatropha chazaroi is described and illustrated as a new species from the state of Veracruz, Mexico. It is morphologically similar to J. podagrica but is distinguished by being a tree or shrub devoid of a caudex (vs. shrub with caudex) and lacking persistent and spinescent stipules (vs. having persistent and spinescent stipules). Its flowers possess connate staminate and pistillate calyces and corollas (vs. not connate). Jatropha chazaroi is only known from the municipality of Apazapan, Veracruz, and thrives in shady sites throughout intermittent waterways.

Usage of agricultural inputs in sugarcane producers of the ejido Jaeros, state of veracruz, México

Objective: in this research, we assessed the level of organic inputs usage in contrast to chemical inputs in sugarcane producers at the ejido Jareros, Veracruz, in the municipality of Ursulo Galvan.
 Design/methodology/approach: Through surveys, a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the main socioeconomic aspects of the sugarcane producers in the ejido and an analysis of the means significance of the level of usage of agricultural inputs (chemical / organic) divided into five variables: pesticides, fungicides, acaricides, fertilizers and weed control.
 Results: The significance value of the five variables analyzed was: pesticides (p=0.1774); fungicides (P = 0.2090); acaricides (0.3625); fertilizers (P = 0.0005) and weed control (P = 1.0000).
 Limitations on study/implications:
 Findings/conclusions: Based on the significance values and mean difference of the five assessed variables, it is concluded that the excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers is the factor with the greatest potential to negatively impact the environmental and edaphic deterioration of arable soils in the Jareros ejido, State of Veracruz, Mexico.

Climate Indices and Their Impact on Maize Yield in Veracruz, Mexico

The State of Veracruz (Mexico) is highly vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and analyze local climate extreme trends and explore potential relationships between climate indices and maize. The objectives of this research were (1) to describe recent trends of climate indices (1979–2018) and (2) to compare these climate indices with maize yields produced in Veracruz, Mexico, under rainfed conditions. The methodology calculated and analyzed the sector-specific climate indices (Rx5day, PRCPTOT, SPI6, R20mm, TXx, TNn, TXgt50p, and TXge35) in 18 observation sites using Climpact. Climate indices were calculated over the spring-summer agricultural cycle and correlated with rainfed maize yields. Results show increasing trends for Rx5day, TXx, TXgt50p, and TXge35 indices in 65%, 56%, 89%, and 67% of the analyzed sites, respectively, whereas decreasing trends in PRCPTOT and R20mm indices were detected in 59% and 47% of the sites. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) between climate indices and maize yield were found in eight municipalities, of which 62% were positive. In conclusion, extreme temperature and precipitation local events are increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity, and depending on the site’s local climate, these might positively or negatively impact maize yields.

Identification and characterization of microsatellites in isolates of Peronospora tabacina collected in tobaccoproducing states of Mexico

Peronospora tabacina is considered the main limiting factor in tobacco production worldwide. In Mexico, information on the genetic diversity of this pathogen is scarce; therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate 12 microsatellites in 20 isolates collected in the states of Nayarit, Chiapas, and Veracruz. PCR amplification and sequencing of these microsatellites were performed; as well as the alignment and comparison of the sequences deposited in the GenBank database. A total of 19 isolates showed amplification for the 12 microsatellites evaluated, while in one of the isolates, the amplification of two microsatellites was not observed, it being possible to determine that P. tabacina isolates present in Nayarit, Chiapas, and Veracruz are genetically homogeneous. Regions of dinucleotides were observed, most corresponding to (GT)n repeat motifs or (TG)n variations, as well as (AC)n, (CA)n, (AT)n and (AG)n motifs. The isolates analyzed in this study can be considered products of clonal lines, therefore no genetic diversity was found in these isolates.

Identification of the G184C, C190A and T2134A mutations in the para-sodium channel gene of the southern cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus associated with resistance to cypermethrin in northern Veracruz, Mexico

The southern cattle tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) represents one of the ectoparasites with the greatest distribution worldwide. Infestations by this arthropod can cause a decrease in the production of meat and milk, as well as anaemia and the transmission of bacterial and parasitic agents. For this reason, several active molecules have been developed to control these arthropods. A widely used group of ixodicides are pyrethroids, especially cypermethrin, which have knockdown effects on ticks. Resistance to cypermethrin has been reported in ticks since the 2000s; it was registered for the first time in Mexico in 2009. Even though multiple studies have evaluated resistance with conventional tests, there are few studies in Mexico that have identified the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with resistance. Hence, the aim of this work was to monitor three mutations associated with resistance in the sodium/chlorine channel in eight populations of ticks from northern Veracruz. Engorged adult females were collected from which genomic DNA was extracted. Subsequently, three mutations in domains II and III of para‑sodium channel gene were detected by conventional PCR and sequencing. Global alignments were done with the reference sequences deposited in GenBank. A total of 116 engorged females were analysed, of which 10 tested positive for G184C and C190A of domain II of the para‑sodium channel gene. T2134A was present in domain III in a single production unit. This is the first work where molecular monitoring of cypermethrin resistance has been carried out in the northern zone of the state of Veracruz.

The rediscovery of Heteragrion azulum Dunkle, 1989 with additional notes on the female (Odonata: Heteragrionidae)

Some details of the morphology of the female of Heteragrion azulum Dunkle, 1989 are described for the first time such as the intersternite, and illustrated with high quality photographs, based upon two specimens collected in the tropical rain forest at the region of Los Tuxtlas, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. A comparison with females of the other three species of Heteragrion Selys, 1862 occurring in Mexico is also provided. Additional data of males of H. azulum collected together with the females are also given, including some illustrations.

Identification of a triatomine infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in an urban area of the state of Veracruz, Mexico: A comprehensive study.

Chagas disease, considered a neglected disease, was initially confined to rural localities in endemic areas; however, in recent years through the process of urbanization and migration of infected people, the disease is gaining importance in urban environments. The presence of the vector in urban areas in most cases is due to the passive transport of vectors, but recently, its presence seems to be linked to vector adaptation processes associated with climate change. This paper reports the occurrence of an infected triatomine in the peridomicile of a house in an urban area of Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico, where the species found is described, the molecular characteristics and resistance to BZN and NFX of the Trypanosoma cruzi isolate obtained, as well as serological data of the dwelling inhabitants. These urban disease scenarios make it possible to generate new scientific knowledge and enable the creation of new control strategies for Chagas disease vectors.

Trichoprosopon mixtli sp. nov., a new sabethine species (Diptera: Culicidae) from a Mexican cloud forest, with an assessment of the genus and keys for the identification of known species

The genus Trichoprosopon Theobald, 1901 includes 13 described species in the Neotropical Region, three of which have been recorded in Mexico. In this work, a new species, Trichoprosopon mixtli sp. nov., is described based on characteristics of the fourth-instar larva, pupa, female and male genitalia, and adults. Larvae and pupae were collected from the flower bracts of Heliconia bourgaeana Petersen at the Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), inside the "Santuario del Bosque de Niebla", in Xalapa, Veracruz State, Mexico. This is the first time that the complete larval and pupal chaetotaxy of a species of Trichoprosopon is described. Keys for the identification of known species of Trichoprosopon are provided and the internal classification of the genus is discussed.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Peptides Derived from L1 Protein Against Bovine Papillomavirus-1/2 Identified Along Mexico's Cattle Export Route.

Bovine papillomatosis affects animal health and represents one of the greatest economic losses in the livestock sector. New control and prevention methods to protect the livestock industry from this disease are necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate a candidate peptide for antibody production against bovine papillomavirus (BPV). A total of 64 cattle underwent wart excision among 5,485 cattle distributed over 2 to 4 farms per state and 12 farms in total in the four Mexican states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Veracruz, and Nuevo León. The prevalence of bovine papillomatosis per farm was calculated by wart visualisation. The warts were genotyped by PCR and sequenced, then a phylogenetic tree was built using MEGA X software. A synthetic peptide was designed in the ABCpred, Bepipred 2.0, Bepipred IDBT, Bepitope, LBtope, and MHC II predictor online server software's based on the C-terminal region of the L1 protein. Mice antibody production was induced by subcutaneous immunisation with 50 μg of synthetic peptide and evaluated by indirect ELISA. The prevalence of BPV was higher in Tabasco, Chiapas, and Veracruz. Bovine papillomaviruses 1 and 2 were found in all representative samples. A phylogenetic tree showed that Mexican sequences were located in exclusive clades yet were highly related to international ones. The peptide immunisation induced antibody titres of 1 : 10,000/1 : 1,000,000 against synthetic peptide and whole wart lysate (WWL), respectively. Co-infections of BPV-1 and -2 were found in all four states. Immunisation of BALB/C mice with BPV-1/2-derived synthetic peptide based on the C-terminal region of the major viral capsid protein L1 induced the production of specific antibodies able to recognise BPV-1/2 viral particles from bovine WWL.

Socio-economic Status, Territory and Political Participation in Twenty-First- Century Mexico

This article is built on the reflections that the authors have had during their latest research on political participation in several municipalities of Mexico. Thus, based on the ethnographies conducted between 2006 and 2016, mainly in the town of Xico (Veracruz state), we set up as analyzing unities specific political interactions (including patronizing) among Mexican citizens within the five types recognized by Social Sciences: voting, campaigning, contacting political officials, working on public affairs and talking about politics. On this basis, we explore the articulation of the aforementioned interactions and, more specifically, of the roles adopted by the interacting citizens as identity markers linking these people in a highlighted way with a series of socio‑economic and socio‑territorial features, dimensions that, ultimately, turn out inseparable from the existing power relations in the local societies. In conclusion, we are of the opinion that, together with indicators of income, education, professional category or living nearby territory, it can be affirmed that the political behavior in Mexico is shown as both socio‑economic indicator and socio‑territorial belonging not because parties represent interests of class, but because there are well defined spheres of political behavior depending on the socio‑economic stratum and the socio‑territorial belonging of the individual.

Geochemistry and 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Sierra de Santa Marta in the tectonically controversial Los Tuxtlas Volcanic Complex (Veracruz, Mexico)

One of the most debated volcanic areas along the eastern coast of Mexico is Los Tuxtlas Volcanic Complex located in the south of the Veracruz state. This volcanic province stands out as an isolated massif between the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt to the NW and the Chiapanecan Volcanic Belt to the SE. Los Tuxtlas complex is surrounded by two large alluvial plains formed by the Papaloapan and Coatzacoalcos rivers, and include the active volcano San Martín Tuxtla, the last eruption of which occurred in 1793. The ages, distribution, morphology and geochemistry of the volcanic vents and lavas, particularly the co-existence of the alkaline and subalkaline suites, offer an excellent opportunity to understand, in space and time, the tectono-magmatic history of Los Tuxtlas in comparison with other similar volcanic complexes in the eastern Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Most of the volcanic centers of Los Tuxtlas show NW-SE alignments. This vent arrangement is associated with a left-lateral fault system known as the Veracruz fault, the northwestern expression of which are the submarine volcanoes that form the Anegada High. This fault might be a reactivation of the ancient Tamaulipas-Oaxaca fault related to the opening of the Gulf of Mexico. Based on geomorphological, geochemical, petrographical, and 40Ar/39Ar data, we propose three different stages of volcanic activity for Los Tuxtlas: The older Montepío-El Vigía (7–1.4 Ma), the intermediate Santa Marta (1–0.5 Ma), and the younger San Martín Tuxtla (50 ka to present). The main focus region of this paper is the stratovolcanoes of the Sierra de Santa Marta, formed by at least four major NW-SE aligned volcanic edifices, which from NW to SE are Encanto (950 m.a.s.l; identified and named in this work for the first time), Yohualtajapan (1450 m.a.s.l), Santa Marta (1685 m.a.s.l), and San Martín Pajapan (1250 m.a.s.l). The geological map, the 40Ar/39Ar dates, and the geochemistry data indicate a NW-SE migration of the volcanic activity of the four stratovolcanoes that have created the sierra de Santa Marta. Petrography and chemistry of rocks suggest that the subalkaline rocks of the three magmatic stages were fed by subduction activity of the Cocos Plate. The alkaline suite is likely associated with asthenosphere upwelling and slab edge melting, facilitated by a slab tear of the south Cocos plate evolved since the Early Miocene.

Cinnamom verum Plantations in the Lowland Tropical Forest of Mexico Are Affected by Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phylogenetically Classified into Phytophthora Subclade 7c

Cinnamon is a tree introduced to the lowlands of Mexico in the mid-16th century, but it spread to other places at the beginning of the 20th century due to its important commercial value as an aromatic spice. In the state of Veracruz, symptoms of dieback have been observed in 12-year-old cinnamon plantations cultivated in an agroforestry system, causing concern among producers. For this reason, the present investigation was carried out to determine the causal agent of these symptoms observed in cinnamon trees. Fifty symptomatic plants were recovered from established plantations. One hundred cinnamon root fragments showing dieback were selected and separated; isolates were made from tissue showing crown and root rot on clarified juice V-8 agar medium. After eight days, the growth of whitish coralloid mycelium with characteristics similar to the Phytophthora oomycete was consistently observed. Subsequently, the identity corresponding to P. cinnamomi was confirmed by morphological, taxonomic studies and Bayesian inference of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer. The pathogenicity test was performed on 20 6-month-old cinnamon plants grown in pots by inoculating 2.5 × 104/mL of zoospores around the roots. Control plants were inoculated with sterile distilled water and kept in a greenhouse under conditions controlled. After five weeks, symptoms of root rot were observed in the inoculated plants; however, the control group plants remained healthy. The results showed that P. cinnamomi subclade 7c was responsible for the symptoms observed in lowland cinnamon plantations in Mexico. Our findings suggest that this phytopathogen is a new threat for cinnamon growers; likewise, it is recommended that growers implement management strategies to avoid its introduction into nurseries or new plantations that could be susceptible to this pathogen.

¿Qué pasa a bordo? ¿Qué que pasa en el mundo? The Crossing of Spanish Republican Refugees on the SS Sinaia to Mexico (1939)

On 25 May 1939, the SS Sinaia left the French port of Sète, bound for Veracruz in Mexico. On board were 1,599 Republicans looking for a new home in Mexico after the end of the Spanish Civil War. During the crossing, the onboard newspaper, Sinaia: Diario de la primera expedición de republicanos españoles a México was published, providing reports of daily life on the ship and preparing the asilados (asylees) for society, culture, and politics in Mexico. ¿Lo que pasa a bordo? ¿Lo que pasa en el mundo? (What’s happening on board? What’s happening in the world?) Taking these questions as a starting point, this article adopts a transnational and transcultural perspective to show how the exiles’ experience of the crossing constituted a temporal and spatial dislocation between the self and that which is foreign, between the “Spanish” and the “Mexican.” Analyzing previously unpublished photographs by David Seymour (“Chim”) in terms of their symbolic imagery and political intent, this discussion demonstrates how the Spanish Republicans used the crossing to mediate their exile. Finally, it examines how artists translated the journey to Mexico, a cross-cultural event, into their specific artistic practices.

Hydrometeorological Hazards on Crop Production in the State of Veracruz, Mexico

Hydrometeorological hazards are considered the most important phenomena affecting crop production in the Eastern regions of Mexico, where the State of Veracruz is located. However, more information about their consequences on these sites needs to be studied. This research aims to determine the effects of hydrometeorological phenomena on the most important crops cultivated in the State of Veracruz. The methodology involved analyzing the State’s crop production database from 2001 to 2020 and comparing this data with the National Hydrometeorological Disaster Declarations database. Multivariable correlation analysis and geographic information systems were applied to geographically analyze 42 rainfed crops plus the five most valuable ones in the State to determine their production related to climatic phenomena. The results found that the most affected crops are corn, soy, sorghum, beans, and rice, with more than 10,000 lost hectares. Droughts caused total damage to corn, soy, and beans and decreased productivity in corn, orange, lemon, wheat, coffee, and sesame. For the most valuable crops, tropical cyclones caused the highest production decrements in corn, sugar cane, and pineapple, while droughts caused the same effects in lemon and orange. We conclude that tropical cyclones are the most critical phenomena negatively impacting Veracruz, with high implications on the agrifood system.

Eschweilera podoaquilae: A new species of Lecythidaceae from northwestern Ecuador

Eschweilera Mart. ex DC. s.l. (1828: 293), a neotropical genus of Lecythidaceae reportedly as ¨taxonomically difficult…¨, comprises ca. 100 species of often tall trees (Mori & Prance 1990, Mori et al. 2017), which is centered in the Guayana floristic region (Guiana Shield + north-central Amazon; Vargas & Dick 2020) in tropical South America, and it is distributed from Veracruz in Mexico to southern Brazil (Mori et al. 1990, 2015, 2017). Nineteen species of Eschweilera have been recorded for Ecuador from sea level up to 3.000 m, in moist to pluvial forests, and several species have not been formally described (Jørgensen & León 1999, Mori & Cornejo 2011), mainly because the insufficient herbarium material or inadequate collections. During herbarium and fieldwork carried out to document species of Lecythidaceae for the Flora of Ecuador (Cornejo & Mori, in prep.), a new species that belongs to the monophyletic Eschweilera integrifolia clade (Mori et al. 2017) has been found. Characters common to species of this clade include an androecial hood with three to four coils, style thick and very short or sometimes absent, and the geographic distribution on the Pacific slope of the Andes. This taxonomic novelty has been studied in the field by the author in two localities of northwestern Ecuador, and it is formally presented here.