Tierra Caliente Research Articles

A preliminary bioarchaeological study of the funerary urns from Los Tamarindos, Tierra Caliente, in Michoacan, Mexico

Abstract This article presents the results of a preliminary bioarchaeological study of 10 funerary urns containing human burned remains from the Los Tamarindos urn-field cemetery dated to the Postclassic period. I was able to determine the basic biological profile data. In addition, I determined the fragmentation rate as well as the thermal alternation of bones from funerary urns from Los Tamarindos, which allowed me to propose the first observations about the Pretarascan cremation burial practices in this region. The low weight of bones indicates that burials should be determined as partial burials; however, they contain fragments of bones from each anatomical region. The structure of the bones and the chromatic discoloration caused by the thermal alternation indicate that temperature during the cremation did not exceed 900°C, given that the cremains did not exhibit the recrystallization structure, which is interpreted as a characteristic feature of the high maximum temperature of a funerary pyre during the cremation.

Bacterial Diversity Profiling of Desert Sand from Tierra Caliente, Mexico, Based on 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing.

ABSTRACTTierra Caliente is an arid region in Mexico, representing a reservoir of understudied xerophilic bacteria. Here, we report the bacterial amplicon sequencing characterization of desert sand collected from the Zicuirán-Infiernillo Biosphere Reserve within Tierra Caliente. Bacteria known to be resistant to desiccation and high radiation were detected.

A Social Network Analysis of Mexico’s Dark Network Alliance Structure

This article assesses Mexico’s organized crime alliance and subgroup network structures. Through social network analysis (SNA) of data from Lantia Consultores, a consulting firm in Mexico that specializes in the analysis of public policies, it demonstrates differential alliance structures within Mexico’s bipolar illicit network system. The Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación’s (CJNG) alliance structure is top-down and hierarchical, while the Sinaloa Cartel is denser, particularly in the broader Tierra Caliente region. Additionally, our analysis found a sparse overall network with many isolates (groups with no relations to other groups) and disconnected components. Further, we identified organized crime networks that might fill future power vacuums based on their network positions, following state or rival high-value targeting of major cartels. The implications of these findings are discussed, and policy recommendations are provided.

Simulación de la Temperatura en la Tierra Caliente del estado de Michoacán, utilizando el modelo meteorológico de Mesoescala WRF

This work presents the results of the simulation of a heatwave which took place in the region of Tierra Caliente in the State of MichoacAin, in the month of May 2018. The modelling tool used was the open source software Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), which is a mesoscale numerical weather research program, unlike global meteorological models, take in account topography and ground conditions, to generate better modelling conditions closer to reality. According to the reports of the ComisiA³n Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA), the heatwave event occurred from the 28th of May to the 3rd of June of 2018 in some regions of the country, including MichoacAin. The results issued by the model show that in some areas of Tierra Caliente in the State of MichoacAin temperatures rise above 40°C, which allows establishing the usefulness of the generated model, that can be used for future modelling and various meteorological variables, also might be integrated like a useful tool for civil defence system for disaster prevention.

Legitimidad política en México y policía en zonas de alto conflicto

This paper analyzes the importance of political legitimacy in police actions in Mexico, especially in regions where criminal cartels build strategies that seek to justify their criminal activities through social and political actions that give them the legitimacy that the police lack on local and sub-national governments. The article observes aspects of legitimacy of the National Police of Colombia that can be applied to the Mexican case, specifically to the recently created Mexican National Guard. The analysis focuses on the municipalities of the so-called Tierra Caliente, Michoacana that exemplify the problems of political legitimacy and the difficulties that this implies for police activity.

Municipal police and organized crime. The case of Michoacán, México

This article analyzes the functions performed by municipal police to contain criminal activity in the state of Michoacan, Mexico; specifically in the ‘Hotlands’ ( Tierra Caliente ) in the 2000-2017 period. Using an ethnographic approach based on 35 in-depth interviews with key figures at the municipal level, we found that the police have been unable to control the advance of criminal activity. To make matters worse, there are cases in which they have become allies of delinquent groups. The lack of legitimacy of the police explains to a large extent their inefficiency. The study suggests that the only way out of the crisis of legitimacy facing municipal police forces is to strengthen the rule-of-law, consolidate democratic structures, and have the police adopt the role of mediators in social conflicts. Implementing structural solutions designed to improve the functioning of police in Mexico also demands enhancing the quality of the country’s democracy at the municipal level.

Territorio, memoria e imaginario del trabajo

La memoria y el imaginario referidos al territorio y al trabajo muestran dimensiones paradójicas de la vida ubicada de los sujetos. Así, este artículo tiene el objetivo de realizar un acercamiento a dos momentos en la región de Tierra Caliente de Michoacán (México): la Hacienda Nueva Italia –parte de un sistema latifundista– y el Ejido –forma colectiva de propiedad agraria– para comprender la relación del trabajador con esta área definidora de un territorio singular, a principios del del siglo XX. Metodológicamente, se trabaja con testimonios de habitantes de la actual Nueva Italia, para una reconstrucción de estas etapas con el análisis de los imaginarios y percepción pretérita del territorio, develados por los ex trabajadores informantes. Para ello, se articula la discusión sobre i) el espacio y el imaginario de la hacienda en la memoria local; ii) la cotidianeidad del trabajo en la hacienda y la vida privada de los trabajadores; iii) la lucha por la tierra, iv) la abundancia y la violencia en el ejido, y v) los Cusi y el General Cárdenas como alegoría de la hacienda y el ejido

Perfil parasitológico de Oreochromis niloticus y su relación con la calidad del agua en granjas acuícolas Tierra Caliente de Guerrero

La investigación se realizó en la región Tierra Caliente del Estado de Guerrero entre los meses de Enero a Octubre del año 2018. El objetivo fue determinar el perfil parasitológico de Oreochromis niloticus y su relación con la calidad del agua en granjas acuícolas de dicha Región Calentana ( representada por nueve municipios), ya que representa la zona de producción acuícola más grande y su principal fuente de abastecimiento de agua es el Rio Balsas y rio Cutzamala siendo uno de los ríos más contaminados del estado y país; por lo tanto utilizar sus aguas sin tratamientos de descontaminación para la producción de alimentos, representa un enorme riesgo a la salud humana. Para el estudio se muestrearon un promedio de siete granjas encontradas en las localidades de cada municipio de la región y se analizaron un total de 70 tilapias por municipio, teniendo un total 630 organismos, utilizando las técnicas de Disección, Raspado de piel y Coproparasitologicas, para la detección de parásitos adultos y huevos. Se encontraron 14 géneros de parásitos de los cuales cuatro son específicos de peces y diez de otros vertebrados, los géneros Phagobranchium sp y Trichodina sp presentaron mayor prevalencia con un 34.44% y 32.22% respectivamente, siendo los de menor prevalencia Ascaris sp, Enterobious sp, Heterakis sp y Paragonimus sp con 14.11% cada género. Se determinó que los parámetros indicadores de calidad de agua en los cultivos de tilapia en región Calentana, no influye sobre la presencia de parásitos ya que no se encontró relación significativa entre dichas variables según el Coeficiente de Correlación de Pearson, ya que el p-valor es mayor que 0.05, por lo tanto la presencia de parásitos en los cultivos de tilapias en región se le atribuye a la contaminación microbiológica de la fuente de abastecimiento de agua.

Grotesque Deconstruction of Oficial Colonial and Postcolonial Latin-American Identities From Valle-Inclan’s Tirano Banderas to Silviano Santiago’s Cosmopolitismo do pobre

This article explores the deconstructive function of grotesque elements in contemporary Spanish and Ibero-American Literature. Starting with Tirano Banderas. Novela de Tierra Caliente (1926), a highlight in Valle-Inclan’s esperpento aesthetics, mocking what authors as Bakhtin or Foucault pointed out as “official truths”, both collective and individual. It is argued that grotesque representation establishes a subversive relation when confronted with epic or tragic modes, as established by aristotelic-horatian and dogmatic poetics. This may shed some light on the relation between grotesque structure and critical deconstruction, from the so-called Baroque era up until modernist and postmodernist essay, such as it is the case of one of the most thoroughly sophisticated contemporary writers in Brasil, Silviano Santiago, whose collection of essays O Cosmopolitismo do Pobre (2004) is the third pillar of our analysis.

Grotesque Deconstruction of Oficial Colonial and Postcolonial Latin-American Identities From Valle-Inclan’s Tirano Banderas to Silviano Santiago’s Cosmopolitismo do pobre

This article explores the deconstructive function of grotesque elements in contemporary Spanish and Ibero-American Literature. Starting with Tirano Banderas. Novela de Tierra Caliente (1926), a highlight in Valle-Inclan’s esperpento aesthetics, mocking what authors as Bakhtin or Foucault pointed out as “official truths”, both collective and individual. It is argued that grotesque representation establishes a subversive relation when confronted with epic or tragic modes, as established by aristotelic-horatian and dogmatic poetics. This may shed some light on the relation between grotesque structure and critical deconstruction, from the so-called Baroque era up until modernist and postmodernist essay, such as it is the case of one of the most thoroughly sophisticated contemporary writers in Brasil, Silviano Santiago, whose collection of essays O Cosmopolitismo do Pobre (2004) is the third pillar of our analysis.

Mexico: The Binary Narrative of the Performance of Self-Defense Groups in Tierra Caliente Michoacán

Social symbolic action is interpreted through binary narrative as a discourse constructed by motives, relationships, and institutions. This discourse is based on a distinction between the pure and the impure, the good and the bad, and the sacred and the profane, and it is linked with the cultural imaginary that lends a particular meaning to social acts. In this case, the analysis of the binary narrative of self-defense groups in Tierra Caliente (Michoacán) allowed interpretations to be made regarding regional armed social action in a national setting, shaped by the government discourse that blames organized crime for national public insecurity.

Riesgo económico-agrícola y escenarios de cambio climático (2025-2075) en una región del trópico seco mexicano

De acuerdo con los escenarios de cambio climático global, la región de la Tierra Caliente en Michoacán, es una de las más vulnerables a este evento. A escala local y regional no se cuenta con la información al respecto, ni se conoce el grado de vulnerabilidad regional, ni el riesgo de la economía municipal vinculada con el sector agrícola. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo diseñar una metodología que permitiera cuantificar el riesgo económico-agrícola regional. Para ello se concibió el riesgo como el producto de la vulnerabilidad y la amenaza. Para la primera variable se diseñó un índice de vulnerabilidad económico-agrícola que emplea 21 indicadores (ivea). En tanto, se concibió el cambio climático regional como la amenaza, lo que se verificó mediante el análisis de temperatura y de precipitación bajo escenarios de cambio climático; para ello se analizaron 20 estaciones climatológicas. Los resultados muestran el riesgo económico agrícola para los municipios al interior de la región y que ésta experimentará incrementos en la temperatura máxima de 0.4 ºC a 3.1 ºC y en las temperaturas mínimas y 0.4 ºC a 2.4 ºC. Por su parte, la precipitación ya muestra indicios de una reducción en los períodos revisados, por lo que se espera una tendencia a la reducción de entre 10% y 20%, lo que verifica la señal del cambio climático en la región.

ANÁLISIS REGIONAL DE LA CONTAMINACIÓN POR PLAGUICIDAS ORGANOCLORADOS EN LECHE HUMANA EN GUERRERO, MÉXICO

During the 20th century in Mexico, organochlorine pesticides were applied intensively to combat various problems. The National Campaign for Malaria Eradication implied the intensive use of the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). On the other hand, hexachlorobenzene and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (Lindane) were used for protection of seeds and agricultural crops, causing a prolonged exposure of population. For this reason, this study evaluated the magnitude and distribution of contamination by these organochlorine pesticides in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, through the analysis of breast milk. From both urban and rural locations, 171 samples of volunteer donor mothers were collected in the seven regions of the State . The chemical analysis was performed by gas chromatography. Median concentrations of total DDT were 0.833 mg/kg in lipid base, while hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) presented 0.009 and 0.004 mg/kg, respectively. Comparisons for concentrations of the compounds between regions were made likewise. There were statistically significant differences in total DDT concentrations (p < 0.05), with higher levels in the Costa Chica (0.961 mg/kg) and Tierra Caliente (1.087 mg/kg). Meanwhile, the Costa Grande presented the highest concentration of β-HCH throughout the state (0.018 mg/kg). Women from rural areas had higher levels of all pesticides (with the exception of β-HCH) than those living in urban locations. The information generated may be useful to the design of studies that explain the role of these pollutants in the health of the population of this region of Mexico, and for the establishment of public policies and prevention and control programs.

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.

Linking Local Appreciation with Conservation of an Edible Fruit Species: The Case Study of Ilama (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Annona diversifolia&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Saff.) in Tierra Caliente, Mexico

The ilama tree (Annona diversifolia Saff.) is an underutilized fruit species from Mesoamerica with a noteworthy variability in southern Mexico. The present study describes differences in knowledge and appreciation of the fruit among inhabitants from different communities in Southern Mexico, as well as differences among their ilama trees. The study took place in Tierra Caliente, a region located in the states of Guerrero and the State of Mexico. Interviews were administered in three different communities as an attempt to associate the natural morphologic variation of plants and locals’ knowledge and use of the tree in order to identify their implications for conservation. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis, and the results suggest that the morphological variation of the plants and the commercial importance of ilama are well known by locals. Indigenous community inhabitants prefer and select only white pulp trees, whereas mestizo communities promote and conserve plants with white, red, purple, and blue pulp. Germplasm flow is dynamic in the region, and ilama fruit represents a different economic value for each community. Selling the fruit is the primary goal, but not specifically its conservation and promotion. Implications for in situ conservation of ilama in Mexico are discussed.

EVALUACIÓN DE INSECTICIDAS PARA CONTROL DE TRIPS Y ÁCAROS PLAGAS DEL MANGO (Mangifera indica L.) EN TIERRA CALIENTE, GUERRERO, MÉXICO

&lt;p&gt;The mango crop is attacked by various pests, in Arcelia, Tierra Caliente, Guerrero, Mexico. Scale insects (Hemiptera) and thrips (Thysanoptera) were identified, the pesticides imidacloprid, spinosad, sulfur and mineral oil were tested against them, as well as their effect on fruit quality, using pest action thresholds. The thrips &lt;em&gt;Frankliniella invasor&lt;/em&gt; appeared in the highest populations, but &lt;em&gt;F. difficilis&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;F. occidentalis&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;F. fortissima&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;F. cephalica&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Leptothrips macconnelli&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;L. bifurcatus&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;L. theobromae&lt;/em&gt; were also found. It was observed that mineral oil maintained the lowest populations and least damage in fruit; thrips species did not cause significant damage because they were seasonal pests that only occur when soft tissue is available in plants and once this tissue becomes unavailable populations diminish without the need of insecticides. The mite &lt;em&gt;Cisaberoptus kenyae&lt;/em&gt; was identified, which in high populations can cause crop damage; for its control sulfur yielded better results. The scale &lt;em&gt;Milviscutulus mangiferae&lt;/em&gt; was present in very low populations. Treatment with mineral oil resulted in the highest quality fruits.&lt;/p&gt;

Diagnóstico de la situación actual de la escama blanca del mango

El mango es el frutal de mayor importancia socioeconómica del estado de Guerrero. La escama blanca del mango (EBM), Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead, es una plaga emergente de importancia económica en México, debido a que daña el follaje y ramas de árboles de mango, así como la apariencia de frutos destinados a exportación y mercado nacional. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la distribución e intensidad de infestación de la plaga en los diferentes cultivares de mango de las regiones productoras del estado de Guerrero, lo cual es importante para implementar medidas de control. Durante los ciclos 2012-2013 y 2013-2014 de muestreo se encontraron diferencias significativas en la abundancia de las poblaciones de A. tubercularis entre las distintas áreas productoras de mango. La EBM se encontró en las regiones de la Costa Grande, Acapulco y la Costa Chica, las cuales conforman el área de mayor producción del estado. En las regiones de Tierra Caliente y Norte no se encontraron indicios de la presencia de la plaga. Los municipios con mayor incidencia fueron San Jerónimo con 2.91 total EBM/hoja, seguido por Juchitán, Marquelia y Tecpan de Galeana, con un promedio de 1.25, 1.23 y 1.23 individuos/hoja respectivamente. El cultivar que registró mayor presencia de escama blanca fueron Manila, seguido por Ataulfo, Tommy Atkings y Haden, y en menor cantidad Kent y el denominado criollo.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Violencia en Tierra Caliente: desigualdad, desarrollo y escolaridad en la guerra contra el narcotráfico

El presente estudio profundiza, desde un caso regional, el efecto de variables sociales y económicas en el incremento de la violencia en México a partir de la intensificación de la política de prohibición de drogas de la administración de Felipe Calderón. Por medio de un análisis estadístico de la tasa de homicidios con arma de fuego en los 31 municipios de Tierra Caliente, en el periodo de 2006 a 2012, se observa que el desarrollo agroindustrial, la desigualdad en el ingreso y la escolaridad tienen efectos sobre la violencia en esa región del país. Asimismo, este caso indica que hay posibilidad de encontrar coincidencias entre la literatura de guerras civiles y la sociología del crimen basadas en la relevancia de la desigualdad para explicar estos fenómenos.

Community Defense and Criminal Order in Michoacán: Contention in the Grey Area

The self-defense groups of La Ruana and Tepalcatepec and other communities in the Tierra Caliente of Michoacán, Mexico, emerged to oppose both the extortion and violence of the local parastatal order of organized crime and the central state’s demands for their disarming and dissolution. They represented a form of governmentality at the local level in which various nonstate actors performed the functions of government, control, and security in the grey area between legality and illegality. Los grupos de autodefensa de La Ruana y Tepalcatepec, así como de otras comunidades de tierra caliente en Michoacán, México, surgieron para contrarrestar las extorsiones y violencia del orden local paraestatal formado por el crimen organizado, así como las exigencias de desarme y disolución del estado central. Representaban una forma de gobernabilidad a nivel local, con varios actores no estatales haciendo las veces de gobierno, control y seguridad en un área gris entre lo legal y lo ilegal.

Potential Areas for Commercial Timber Plantations of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Tabebuia rosea&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Bertol.) DC. in Michoacan, Mexico

The targeted area for plant reforestation in the state of Michoacan is made up of eroded areas and pasture induced areas, both adding to 525,260 ha and representing 10.9% of the total surface of the state. The regions with the largest areas in need of reforestation are the Costa with 185,396 ha (29%), Oriente with 106,836 (17%) and Tierra Caliente with 96,284 (15%). Commercial forest plantations are an alternative for reducing the pressure on natural forests and creating options for sustainable and diversified development, changing the land use from fragmented agricultur and livestock purposes to forestry. The object of this study was to determine potential areas for the establishment of commercial forest plantations of Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC. in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, by using geographic information systems. The outlining of potential areas was performed with the IDRISI 32 and ArcView programs, according to the environmental requirements of T. rosea. These environmental requirements include precipitation, temperature, soil, altitude, land use and slope. The analysis resulted in two maps where the potential areas for the establishment of commercial forest plantations with this species were shown, which turned out a total potential area of 54,320 ha, distributed in 47,566 ha considering a slope of 0% - 15% for non-manual forest plantations, and 6754 ha considering a slope of 15% - 30% for manual forest plantations. The ecologic conditions in Michoacan are favorable for successful establishment and development of commercial forest plantations of T. rosea.