Region Of Veracruz Research Articles

Epidemiology of Human Leptospirosis in the Central Region of Veracruz, Mexico

Aims: To epidemiologically characterize patients confirmed as cases of leptospirosis in Central Veracruz, Mexico based on official records. Study Design: Descriptive retrospective study.

Estimating evapotranspiration in the central mountain region of Veracruz, Mexico

El ciclo hidrologico global, regional y local esta fuertemente ligado a la distribucion de la vegetacion. El ciclo hidrologico esta conformada por la precipitacion, la infiltracion, la escorrentia, la transpiracion y la evaporacion. La evaporacion se ve influenciada por altas temperaturas, fuertes vientos y baja humedad relativa. Este trabajo se centra en el estudio de la evapotranspiracion (ET) como variable principal de la perdida de agua en el balance hidrico en la region montanosa central de Veracruz, Mexico. La ET se estimo utilizando el modelo de Penman-Monteith, que requiere de variables medioambientales (radiacion neta, deficit de presion de vapor, temperatura del aire e intensidad del viento) y fisiologicas (resistencia estomatica y del dosel e indice de area foliar). Estas variables se midieron en dos sitios de la region (La Joya y La Orduna), comparando diferentes ecosistemas: bosques nublados de montana, de pino-encino y pino, y cultivos de cana de azucar y pastizales. Los resultados muestran que la ET estimada y real fueron altas; aunque se encontro una ganancia neta relacionada con la precipitacion en ambos sitios (533,8 y 526,5 mm) desde septiembre de 2006 hasta agosto de 2007. Al parecer, no se encontraron deficits hidricos en ambos lugares; sin embargo, en la estacion seca la ganancia de agua fue muy baja, nula o negativa. Marzo y abril fueron los meses con la menor contribucion de agua al sistema. Los bosques de la region montanosa central de Veracruz pueden proporcionar servicios ecosistemicos que favorecen la evapotranspiracion y regulan el balance hidrico.

Primer registro de Tlacuatzin canescens, (Mammalia, Didelphimorphia: Marmosidae) en Veracruz, México

Introduction: The Mexican Mouse Opossum ( Marmosa mexicana ) and the grayish mouse opossum ( Tlacuatzin canescens ) were the only two known species of tribu Marmosini (Mammalia, Didelphimorphi, Didelphidae) in Mexico. The genus Tlacuatzin and its species Tlacuatzin canescens are endemic. Its distribution extends from the south of the State of Sonora to the State of Chiapas. It is also found on the Islas Marias, in the state of Jalisco, in the Yucatan Peninsula, and in the State of Puebla. So far, T. canescens has not been previously sighted in the State of Veracruz or in the north coast of the Gulf of Mexico. This report describes the first official sighting of T. canescens from Veracruz, Mexico. Methods: The records were obtained: a) from voucher specimens deposited at the Coleccion Mastozoologica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas, Universidad Veracruzana, and b) by accidentally trapping these mammals in botanical surveys conducted at the El Centro de Investigaciones Costeras La Mancha, Instituto de Ecologia A.C. and its surroundings. Results: The presence of T. canescens in Veracruz State was documented by nine records collected at three different localities, from the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. All the locations were found in deciduous forest areas. Discussion and Conclusions: These new records increase the species’ known geographic distribution in 139 km, on a straight line from the nearest locality found in the state of Puebla. It is important to recall that these locations are all located on both sides of the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountain system (average altitude higher than 2000 meters above sea level, between localities), which serves as a barrier between the populations of Puebla and Veracruz. Key words: Didelphimorphia, geographic distribution, local distribution, marsupial, opossum-souris cendre

The long run industrial growth of Veracruz state, 1955-2008

Purpose – Has the Mexican inter-regional growth and convergence experience also occurred within single regions? Using the important southern region of Veracruz, the purpose of this paper is to examine this question over a 48-year period within a single Mexican state. Design/methodology/approach – Growth is examined using a standard two input stochastic production function (SPF) that creates a measure of technical efficiency. Convergence is measured using a convergence equation from the literature but which also included the results from the SPF analysis to incorporate not only initial levels of inputs but also the ability of a municipio to utilize these inputs. Data collection in Mexico and online included a long run database of 149 municipios in Veracruz from 1960 thru 2008. Findings – A stochastic Cobb-Douglas technology is found to fit the long run growth of Veracruz province well. In the 1960s, 2000s and the long run (1960-2008), weak evidence for the municipios in Veracruz appear to be converging with a relatively higher level of technical efficiency resulting in slower growth of industrial labor productivity is found. Some very recent improvement in technical efficiency may be the result of institutional as well as economic reforms finally allowing an exiting of inefficient firms that has kept the levels of municipio industrial technical efficiency stagnant for decades at about 70 percent. Research limitations/implications – Data were limited to 149 municipios because of the need to track long run trends. Data were also limited by the need to use what was available in 1960 in a direct comparison with 2008. The design of the study was to use the technical efficiency index as a proxy for much of the missing data on institutions in the historic period. Panel data were used because the economic census is not done every year plus the turmoil in the Mexican economy in the 1980s thru the end of the 1990s make imputation of missing years at the local level quite difficult. Practical implications – The paper provides a baseline to analyze the long run intra-regional economic growth of other Mexican states which have a large number of municipios. It begins the exciting possibility of looking at Mexican long run growth from the municipio level which has historically played an important role in Mexico. Originality/value – This is the first study to examine long run growth within a Mexican state at the municipio level using both the production function and convergence literature. Results suggest several avenues for further research inside Veracruz and across Mexico.

Flora potencialmente útil de la selva tropical en la parte central de Veracruz, México: consideraciones para su conservación

Las selvas tropicales perennifolias representan una fuente de recursos valiosos para la humanidad. Sin embargo, están desapareciendo a una velocidad alarmante, quedando solo fragmentos aislados localizados en zonas de difícil acceso y próximos a desaparecer. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las especies vegetales de la selva mediana perennifolia con características potenciales de uso en la región central del estado de Veracruz, México. Para ello se realizó un levantamiento florístico en fragmentos de selva y vegetación secundaria usando el método de muestreo por cuadros. El área total muestreada fue de 5600 m2. Mediante la ecuación del modelo de Clench, se evaluó la proporción de especies inventariadas, la cual fue de 80% (tq = 0.8) para la selva y 90% (tq = 0.9) para la vegetación secundaria. Se registró un total de 338 especies, 210 géneros y 89 familias. A través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, se generó un listado de las plantas útiles y se encontró que la población conoce y usa 47% de estas especies. Se realizaron tablas de contingencia y un análisis de correlación de Spearman para determinar las diferencias entre el conocimiento y uso de la vegetación en las localidades, así como entre el género y el grupo de edad de los entrevistados. Sin embargo, no se hallaron diferencias significativas (P > 0.05). Para analizar el uso de la flora, se calculó el valor de uso (UV) y para evaluar la relación entre el valor de uso de las especies y su importancia ecológica, se obtuvo el índice ajustado de valor de importancia ecológica (AEIV). Con ello se detectó que las plantas más usadas no son necesariamente las de mayor importancia ecológica. La flora potencialmente útil fue definida con base en la revisión bibliográfica, las entrevistas y a sus características visuales y morfológicas. De acuerdo con los datos obtenidos, más de 50% de las especies inventariadas poseen este valor, principalmente como ornamentales y medicinales, y proporcionan nuevas alternativas económicas para los pobladores locales con un mínimo de destrucción de la selva tropical.

Potential vulnerability to climate change of four tree species from the central mountain region of Veracruz, Mexico

Potential vulnerability to climate change of four tree species from the central mountain region of Veracruz, Mexico

Riqueza y composición florística de pteridobiontes en bosque mesófilo de montaña y ambientes asociados en el centro de Veracruz, México

We describe and compare the richness and floristic composition of ferns in natural humid montane forest and disturbed environments associated with different degrees of anthropogenic influence. The study sites were located at the Loma de Santa Rita in the Sierra de Chiconquiaco, central region of Veracruz, Mexico. Furthermore, we made a comparison with other fern inventories from humid montane forests in central Veracruz based on published studies. We established 72 sampling plots of 10×10m each in 6 different environments; natural forest, mature and young secondary forest, shade coffee, Pinus patula plantation, and pasture with remnant trees. We recorded a total of 81 species distributed in 17 families and 36 genera. The results indicate that the natural forest is most species rich, whereas fern diversity decreases with the degree of vegetation disturbance up to 70%. The study highlights the importance of fallows and shade coffee plantations to retain and allow the establishment of many species also found in the forest.

Ecophysiological vulnerability to climate change: water stress responses in four tree species from the central mountain region of Veracruz, Mexico

Ecophysiological vulnerability can be understood as the degree of susceptibility or inability of an organism to adapt their physiological functions to ecological and environmental changes. Changes in water availability and water stress are critical for species, which may respond differentially to different precipitation events. We analyzed the response of leaf water potential (Ψ) and stomatal conductance (gS) to water stress to assess the ecophysiological vulnerability and evaluated the drought tolerance of four tree species from the central mountain region of Veracruz, Mexico: Alnus acuminata, Quercus xalapensis, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Pinus ayacahuite. Drought stress was imposed for 15 days (except for Q. xalapensis) and then watered for 25 days in order to evaluate the species recovery under three watering treatments: 16.67, 33.33, and 50 % field capacity. Individuals were screened throughout the experiment. Ψ and gS were measured daily showing significant decrement and differential recovery for each species. L. styraciflua and P. ayacahuite needed more water and more days to recover, whereas Q. xalapensis needed less water and resisted more days without water. We found A. acuminata as a drought-tolerant/avoider species. After analyzing the precipitation and temperature trends for the region, we found negative precipitation trends with an increase in consecutive dry days, and we found positive temperature trends. We also developed potential distribution maps for all the species in the region, and after analyzing the precipitation and temperature changes, the potential distribution maps, the resistance to water stress, the number of days before leaf drop, the Ψ and stomatal responses, and the water amount and number of days required to recover, we found L. styraciflua as the most vulnerable species and Q. xalapensis as the least vulnerable.

Household risk factors associated to infestation of Triatoma dimidiata, the Chagas disease vector in Central Region of Veracruz, Mexico.

To evaluate risk factors facilitating the colonization of dwellings by Triatoma dimidiata in the central region of the state of Veracruz. We applied socioeconomic questionnaires and entomologic surveys in three localities (Chavarrillo, Soyacuautla and Arroyo Agrio) in central Veracruz involving 115 households. We found that the main risk factors were the predominance of unplastered walls and particularly those made of light weight aggregate concrete blocks and wood. At Chavarrillo, houses usually have unplastered walls, whereas in Soyocuautla walls are commonly manufactured with wood. In Arroyo Agrio, the phenomenon was seasonal, and bugs were commonly found in the dry season, particularly in relatively new houses, less than 20 years old. These results help to improve the surveillance capacity for this vector and the control strategies to reduce the transmission of Chagas disease in the state of Veracruz and other sites where this species is present.

Body and Health, Mind and Wellness I: Effects of a Psycho-Educative Intervention for Healthy Human Development in Students of Nursing

In recent times, research performed with students of Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Veracruz region, has revealed a diversity of physical and psychological problems that affect their academic performance and well-being. In this study a “Psycho-Educative Intervention (PEI): Self-knowledge and Care of the Soul” was applied to 45 student volunteers, 27 in the Experimental Group, and 18 in the Controls Group. The PEI consists of 15 sessions (daily from Monday to Friday). To determine the effectiveness of PEI, a comparison was made between the scores obtained by the students Before and After PEI in five questionnaires. Results demonstrated that the PEI significantly bettered the scores of the Experimental Group with respect to Controls, in both Women and Men, although it was more effective in rising the initially lower scores of Men than it was in rising the initially higher scores of Women.

Neoliberalization, Transnational Migration, and the Varied Landscape of Economic Subjectivity in the Totonacapan Region of Veracruz

Over the past two decades, many of Mexico's rural communities have been faced with significant challenges arising from two interrelated processes: the neoliberal restructuring of rural policy and citizenship, and the dramatic increase in transnational migration. The ways in which local communities experience and respond to such changes, however, are variable. We examine the intersection of neoliberal socioeconomic change and transnational migration in the Totonacapan region of Veracruz, highlighting their uneven regional impacts in the largely Mestizo coastal region and the more indigenous sierra. Drawing on in-depth interviews, we show how neoliberal change is filtered through local historical trajectories and cultural understandings that influence the development of migration in the region. We suggest how different conceptions of social responsibility influence the outcomes of migration, with some communities experiencing severe dislocation and others managing the process for the benefit of the common. In both cases, we argue, the new economic subjectivities arising from intensified migration can be seen as a symptom, and thus potentially a source of ethical critique, of neoliberalism's many failures.

Population Composition and Ectoparasite Prevalence on Bats (Sturnira ludovici; Phyllostomidae) in Forest Fragments and Coffee Plantations of Central Veracruz, Mexico

AbstractStudies comparing the abundance of frugivorous bats in shade‐coffee plantations and forest fragments report contradictory results, and have not taken into account the landscape context in which coffee plantations are immersed. Variables of population composition such as abundance, sex proportion, and reproductive condition, together with biological tags (i.e., bat fly prevalence), can provide information about spatiotemporal dynamics of habitats used by bats. In the central part of Veracruz, Mexico, we compared population variables and ectoparasite prevalence of the highland yellow‐shouldered bat (Sturnira ludovici) in two landscapes, one dominated by shade‐coffee plantations and another by forest fragments. Comparing these attributes between these two landscapes will increase our knowledge about the role of this agro‐ecosystem in the conservation of this species, which is an important seed disperser of cloud forest vegetation. Total abundance and proportion of females was greater in forest fragments than in coffee plantations, whereas the percentage of reproductive females and bat fly prevalence was similar between landscapes. Our results show that landscapes with forest fragments harbor the greatest abundance of S. ludovici, but shade‐coffee plantations also are utilized by S. ludovici and likely adjacent forest remnants provide enough food resources for this species and other frugivores. Moreover, this study provides more evidence documenting the importance of preserving the last cloud forest fragments in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico, and suggests that using shade‐coffee plantations to connect forest fragments may be an effective way of maintaining populations of S. ludovici and likely other volant frugivores.

Ectomycorrhizal association of three Lactarius species with Carpinus and Quercus trees in a Mexican montane cloud forest

Ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi are being monitored in the Santuario del Bosque de Niebla in the central region of Veracruz (eastern Mexico). Based on the comparison of DNA sequences (ITS rDNA) of spatiotemporally co-occurring basidiomes and EM root tips, we discovered the EM symbiosis of Lactarius indigo, L. areolatus and L. strigosipes with Carpinus caroliniana, Quercus xalapensis and Quercus spp. The host of the EM tips was identified by comparison of the large subunit of the ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene (rbcL). Descriptions coupled with photographs of ectomycorrhizas and basidiomes are presented.

“The Black and Cruel Demon” and Its Transformations of Space:

“The Black and Cruel Demon” and Its Transformations of Space:

Risk Factors Associated With Infection By Neospora Caninum In Dual- Purpose Cattle In The Central Region Of Veracruz, Mexico

Risk Factors Associated With Infection By Neospora Caninum In Dual- Purpose Cattle In The Central Region Of Veracruz, Mexico

Dispersal mode, shade tolerance, and phytogeographical affinity of tree species during secondary succession in tropical montane cloud forest

Secondary succession following land abandonment, represented by a chronosequence of 15 old fields (0–80 years old) and two old-growth forests, was studied in the tropical montane cloud forest region of Veracruz, Mexico. The objective was to determine successional trajectories in forest structure and species richness of trees ≥5 cm DBH, in terms of differences in seed dispersal mode, shade tolerance, and phytogeographical affinity. Data were analyzed using AIC model selection and logistic regressions. Mean and maximum canopy height reached values similar to old-growth forest at 35 and 80 years, respectively. Species richness and diversity values were reached earlier (15 and 25 years, respectively) while basal area and stem density tended to reach old-growth forest values within 80 years. Along the chronosequence, the proportion of species and individuals of wind-dispersed trees declined, that of bird dispersed small seeded trees remained constant, while that of gravity and animal dispersed large seeded trees increased; shade-intolerant species and individuals declined, while intermediate and shade-tolerant trees increased. Shade-tolerant canopy trees were rare during succession, even in the old-growth forest. Tropical tree species were more frequent than temperate ones throughout the chronosequence, but temperate tree individuals became canopy dominants at intermediate and old-growth forest stages.

Survey of protozoan, helminth and viral infections in shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus and prawn ­Macrobrachium acanthurus native to the Jamapa River region, Mexico

We surveyed protozoan and metazoan parasites as well as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and infectious hypodermal hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) in white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus and the palaemonid prawn Macrobrachium acanthurus native to the lower Jamapa River region of Veracruz, Mexico. The presence of parasites and the infection parameters were evaluated in 113 palaemonid prawns collected during the northwind (n = 45), rainy (n = 38) and dry seasons (n = 30) between October 2007 and July 2008, and in 91 shrimp collected in the rainy season between May and June 2008. In L. setiferus, ciliates of the subclass Apostomatia (Ascophrys sp.) were evident in gills, and third-stage larvae of the nematode Physocephalus sexalatus were evident in the stomach. Cestodes of the genus Prochristianella were evident in the hepatopancreas, while some gregarines of the genus Nematopsis, as well as unidentified larval cestodes, were observed in the intestine. Histology identified Ascophrys sp. in association with gill necrosis and tissue melanization. Slight inflammation was observed in intestinal epithelium near cestode larvae. In M. acanthurus, epibionts of the protozoans Epistylis sp., Acineta sp. and Lagenophrys sp. were observed under uropods, periopods and pleopods. An unidentified ciliate of the Apostomatia was also found in the gills, and Nematopsis was identified in the intestine. No histopathology was observed in association with these parasites. Moreover, neither WSSV nor IHHNV were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in any of the L. setiferus or M. acanthurus analysed.

Registros nuevos de murciélagos para el Centro de Investigaciones Costeras La Mancha, Actopan, Veracruz

We report 8 new records of bats for the Centro de Investigaciones Costeras La Mancha (CICOLMA), located in the coastal zone of Actopan, Veracruz, Mexico, accounting for a total of 23 species. The new records belong to Phyllostomidae (Artibeus intermedius, Chiroderma villosum, Uroderma bilobatum, Centurio senex, Leptonycteris curasoae), Mormoopidae (Mormoops megalophylla) and Vespertilionidae (Myotis fortidens, Myotis velifera) families. The conservation efforts of the CICOLMA biological station are important, because in spite of its small area, it keeps an important bat diversity from the coastal region of Veracruz.

Land use/land cover change dynamics and drivers in a low-grade marginal coffee growing region of Veracruz, Mexico

In the state of Veracruz, Mexico, lowland and marginal coffee growing regions have been particularly vulnerable since the 1989 coffee crisis. Government programs have promoted production diversification as a strategy to improve local incomes and conserve environmentally beneficial shade-tree coffee agroforests. We present results on land use/land cover dynamics in the municipality of Zozocolco de Hidalgo from 1973 to 2006. The municipality is recognized for its indigenous population and poverty, and currently, diversification efforts are being implemented. Our study combines remote sensing and GIS analyses, binary logistic regression and econometric modeling, as well as socioeconomic surveys to evaluate land use/land cover change (LULCC) dynamics and explore potential environmental and socioeconomic drivers. Results show that tree cover and coffee agroforests had largely been conserved during the first decade after the coffee crisis. But, recent trends indicate loss of tree cover in coffee agroforests and their conversion mostly to pasture. Land use/land cover drivers are largely explained by spatially explicit environmental variables such as slope and elevation. Relevant socioeconomic variables such as distance to markets and land use profitability were not significantly related to land use changes in Zozocolco. Surveys revealed that many households had converted coffee agroforests to pasture or agriculture in the past decade and others intended on renting or selling their agroforest plots, mostly for conversion to pasture. Diversification programs may not be sufficient to stem deforestation in lowland and marginal coffee growing regions. Moreover, information about locally varying socioeconomic and cultural contexts needs to be strongly considered in order to formulate effective strategies.

El manatí (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus,1758) (Sirenia) una especie sombrilla, para el Sistema Lagunar de Alvarado, Veracruz

The most emblematic mammal in the Alvarado Lagoon System (ALS) is the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus). In July 1975 was considered as endangered species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), since 1982 as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is considered an endangered species under Mexican laws. The manatee is a poorly studied animal in the state of Veracruz because in natural conditions are very difficult to observe. This species is reported as extinct in the northen region of Veracruz and recent observations indicate that the manatee population that survives in this area took refuge in the lagoons system Alvarado. Alvarado is a site with high biodiversity, coastal lagoons, and composed of more than 100 lakes and several rivers inland. We sought to establish the benefits of considering the manatee as a focal species to use as a charismatic species or flag in a conservation effort and run as an umbrella species.