Environmental state and tendencies of the Puerto Morelos CARICOMP site, Mexico

The CARICOMP site at Puerto Morelos, Mexico was monitored from 1993 to 2005. No significant changes in air temperature, wind patterns, periodicity and quantity of rainfall, sea-surface temperature and water transparency were observed between sampling years. During the study four hurricane impacts were registered. At the coral reef site overall mean cover of fleshy algae (47%) and turf algae (36%) were high, whereas cover of corals (2%) and sponges (3%), and abundance of sea-urchins (0.04 org m(-2)) were consistently low. Gorgonians were dominant and showed changes in their community structure; the number of species increased from 1993 to 1995, their abundance decreased after Hurricane Roxanne (1995) and recovered by 2001. At four seagrass sites total community biomass remained constant (707.1-929.6 g dry m(-2)) but the above-ground biomass of the seagrass Syringodium filiforme and fleshy algae increased gradually. Total biomass (531-699 g dry m(-2)) and leaf productivity (0.89-1.56 g dry m(-2) d(-1)) of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum remained constant, but the species invested proportionally more biomass in above-ground leaf tissues at the end of the study. The minor hurricanes from 1993 until 2005 had no detectable impacts on the seagrass beds, however, the major Hurricane Wilma (October 2005) changed the community composition at three stations and caused complete burial of the vegetation at a coastal station. The gradual changes in the seagrass and reef communities recorded in the 12 years of continuous monitoring of the CARICOMP site may reflect the increased pollution caused by the rapid augment in urban and tourist developments along the coasts and inland from Puerto Morelos, coupled with poor water management practices.     

Validation of data collection for an American trypanosomiasis epidemiologic study in the State of Morelos, México]

The purpose of this paper is to show up the importance of the standardization concepts in American Trypanosomiasis epidemiological studies. The consistence in the measurement of some dwelling characteristics was evaluated. A validation of the Queretaro antigen for indirect hemagglutination reaction as a diagnostic test and the interobserver concordance for the serologic readings were also made. The observers were instructed in some sessions. The pretests were made in the laboratory with positive and negative sera, with sera from the studied population. Results show that the interobserver concordance after the instruction, for the dwelling variables ranged from 70% to 100%. Sensitivity of the Queretaro antigen was 100%, specificity 55%, the predictive value of a positive test 55%, and the predictive value of a negative test 93%. The interobserver concordance was 47%. The pretest and the pilot study are very important in getting the objectives of the principal study.     

Characterization and modeling of atmospheric particles from sugarcane burning in Morelos,Mexico

Sugarcane processing emits atmospheric pollutants due to sugar mill operation as well as customary fields burning, intended to ease post harvesting land preparation and to minimize inherent wastes. Three atmospheric monitoring campaigns were conducted in the municipality of Zacatepec, Mexico. The data obtained were used to calibrate a Gaussian model built into a Geographic Information System, aimed at modeling a large number of plots from the burn database of the Zone of Zacatepec. During the sugarcane harvesting time and sugar mill operation, particulate matter (PM) concentrations went up to five- and threefold greater for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, respectively, than during the period without the agro-industrial process. The PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations decreased between 39 and 43% when biomass burning activities stopped. In addition, measurements of 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons showed also the highest concentrations during the burning and sugar mill operating periods, where the most abundant of these compounds corresponded to those with the highest molecular weight displaying carcinogenic properties. Maps obtained of particles and benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentrations allowed determining the populations mostly exposed, which are useful for the design of policies related to adequate conditions for agriculture burning, including the suitability of continuing with such practice.     

A new species of Malaxis (Orchidaceae) from Morelos, Mexico

A new species from the Mexican state of Morelos, Malaxis lyonnetii, is described and illustrated. It is similar to M. lepanthiflora but is distinguished by its much smaller flowers, distally uncinate basal lip lobes, and entire, rounded apical lip lobe.

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Resumen  Se describe e ilustra a Malaxis lyonnetii, una nueva especie del estado mexicano de Morelos. Esta especie es similar a M. lepanthiflora, de la que se distingue por las flores mucho menores, los lóbulos basales del labelo distalmente uncinados y el lóbulo apical del labelo entero y redondeado.

     

Benthic Primary Production Budget of a Caribbean Reef Lagoon (Puerto Morelos,Mexico)

High photosynthetic benthic primary production (P) represents a key ecosystem service provided by tropical coral reef systems. However, benthic P budgets of specific ecosystem compartments such as macrophyte-dominated reef lagoons are still scarce. To address this, we quantified individual and lagoon-wide net (P_n) and gross (P_g) primary production by all dominant functional groups of benthic primary producers in a typical macrophyte-dominated Caribbean reef lagoon near Puerto Morelos (Mexico) via measurement of O₂ fluxes in incubation experiments. The photosynthetically active 3D lagoon surface area was quantified using conversion factors to allow extrapolation to lagoon-wide P budgets. Findings revealed that lagoon 2D benthic cover was primarily composed of sand-associated microphytobenthos (40%), seagrasses (29%) and macroalgae (27%), while seagrasses dominated the lagoon 3D surface area (84%). Individual P_g was highest for macroalgae and scleractinian corals (87 and 86 mmol O₂ m⁻² specimen area d⁻¹, respectively), however seagrasses contributed highest (59%) to the lagoon-wide P_g. Macroalgae exhibited highest individual P_n rates, but seagrasses generated the largest fraction (51%) of lagoon-wide P_n. Individual R was highest for scleractinian corals and macroalgae, whereas seagrasses again provided the major lagoon-wide share (68%). These findings characterise the investigated lagoon as a net autotrophic coral reef ecosystem compartment revealing similar P compared to other macrophyte-dominated coastal environments such as seagrass meadows and macroalgae beds. Further, high lagoon-wide P (P_g: 488 and P_n: 181 mmol O₂ m⁻² lagoon area d⁻¹) and overall P_g:R (1.6) indicate substantial benthic excess production within the Puerto Morelos reef lagoon and suggest the export of newly synthesised organic matter to surrounding ecosystems.     

Reproductive aspects of Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) at Coatetelco Lake, Morelos, Mexico

Sex ratio, size at maturity, maturity stages, fecundity and egg diameter of Oreochromis niloticus from Coatetelco Lake, Morelos State, Mexico, were studied from January to December 1993. Sex ratio (male:female) was approximately 1:1.02. Length at maturity was 117 mm (males) and 120 mm (females). The fecundity ranged between 104 and 709 eggs, with egg diameter from 1,000 to 3,000 microns. The gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic index indicate that the species breeds during summer and winter.     

Reproductive biology of Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) at Emiliano Zapata dam, Morelos, Mexico

The reproductive season of tilapia was studied by monthly samplings at Emiliano Zapata dam, Morelos State, Mexico. From February 1999 through February 2000 a sample of 50 fish was taken from the commercial catch (castnet, 6.5 cm of mesh size). The observed sex ratio was 1:1.29 (females:males) (chi(2)=10.26; p<0.05). The tilapia reached maturity at 151.3 mm (females) and 152.0 mm (males) of total length. Rainy (August) and dry (February) seasons were determined as the breeding period. Fecundity variation was better correlated with length (r=0.7473: p<0.002) than with weight (r=0.7395; p<0.002). The fecundity ranged between 243 and 847 oocytes per fish, with egg diameter from 300 to 3 700 microm. Intensive breeding activity in August and February coincide with phytoplankton biomass increase.     

Sylvatic trichinosis in Ontario, Canada

Samples of muscle from 4,773 specimens of 18 species of wild mammals from Ontario were examined for Trichinella. One of 12 mink (Mustela vison), 83 of 1,821 fisher (Martes pennanti) and 68 of 1,980 marten (Martes americana) had T. spiralis. Prevalences of infections by Trichinella were determined for fisher and marten from the Algonquin region, over a 10-yr period. Prevalences ranged from 0.9-9.2% in fisher and 1.3-8.7% in marten indicating that the parasite is well-established in the region. Prevalences of Trichinella increased with age of both fisher and marten. Intensities determined for the 1981-1982 sample ranged from 0.4-15.8 larvae/g for fisher and 22.4-159.7 larvae/g for marten. Higher intensities were not correlated with older hosts. Fisher and marten appeared to be the key hosts maintaining Trichinella in the Algonquin region, but transmission dynamics were unclear. Transmission may include an unidentified small rodent or other host and natural carrion-feeding.     

Sylvatic vectors invading houses and the risk of emergence of cases of Chagas disease in Salvador, State of Bahia, Northeast Brazil

During the last twenty years, several adults of Triatoma tibiamaculata infected with Trypanosoma cruzi have been spontaneously caught by inhabitants, inside their houses in the new habitational district of Pitua?u of Salvador, Bahia. In this communication the authors call attention to the necessity of studies about the possibility of occurrence of new human cases of Chagas disease, to clarify the obscure origin of some positive blood donors in Salvador.     

In vitro nematicidal effects of medicinal plants from the Sierra de Huautla, Biosphere Reserve, Morelos, Mexico against Haemonchus contortus infective larvae

Twenty extracts from plants from Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve, Morelos, Mexico were evaluated against Haemonchus contortus infective larvae in an in vitro assay. The plant species evaluated were Bursera copallifera, B. grandifolia, Lippia graveolens, Passiflora mexicana, Prosopis laevigata, Randia echinocarpa and Urtica dioica. The plants were separated into their parts and macerated with different solvents (n-hexane, acetone, ethanol and methanol). An in vitro assay was used to evaluate the anthelmintic activity against unsheathed third stage H. contortus infective larvae. The experiment was carried out in 24-well cell culture plates at room temperature with three replicates per treatment and using a concentration of 20 mg ml- 1. Ten 5 microl aliquots were taken from the corresponding wells and deposited on a slide for microscopical observation at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-exposure. The evaluation criteria were based on the average numbers of live and/or dead larvae in the different treatments. Alive and dead larval numbers were statistically analysed through the ANOVA test (P>0.01). The Tukey test was used as a complementary tool to determine which treatment was different from the other treatments (P>0.05). The highest mortality was observed with P. laevigata hexanic extract from stem and leaves combined, which produced 51%, 81% and 86% larval mortality at 24, 48 and 72 h post-exposure, respectively. On the other hand, B. copallifera stem acetonic extract exhibited 18%, 59% and 66% nematicidal activity after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure, respectively.     

Necrophilous coleoptera (Scarabaeidae, Silphidae y Trogidae) of Malinalco, State of Mexico, Mexico

Collections were made during one year, between August 2005 and July 2006, in Malinalco, State of Mexico, in three sites of tropical deciduous forest, a pasture and a induced forest of pine-oak, established in a altitudinal gradient ranging from 1,253 m to 2,300 m. The total of 7,680 specimens Scarabaeidae, Silphidae and Trogidae were captured through NTP-80, representing 18 genera and 38 species. Onthophagus and Canthon contained 46% of the richness of Scarabaeidae. The more distant sites were complementary in their species composition. The lowest complementarity occurred between sites with tropical deciduous forest. It revises the material collected through pitffal traps and light traps funnel type, increasing the list of 38 to 50 species in the study area. Between 40% and 50% of the species in Malinalco are distributed in localities of the province of the basin Balsas and localities of the province of the Sierra Madre del Sur, and 30% in the localities of the province of Pacifica coast. For the first time 17 species of Scarabaeidae and three Trogidae were reported for the State of Mexico.     

A new species of Sciurodendrium (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) in Sciurus aureogaster (Rodentia: Sciuridae) from Morelos, Mexico

Sciurodendrium bravohollisae n. sp. (Heligmonellidae) is described as an intestinal parasite of 2 squirrels, Sciurus aureogaster Cuvier, 1829, collected from Los Robles, Municipio de Tlalnepantla, Morelos State, Mexico. The new species differs from all other congeners in possessing a very well-developed and sacciform genital cone. This is the seventh species described for the genus and the first one recorded in Mexico.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in chickens in Durango State, Mexico

Little is known concerning the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Mexico. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in 519 chickens in Durango, Mexico using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Two groups (A, B) of chickens were sampled. Group A chickens (n = 51) were raised in backyards in 7 municipalities in 3 geographical regions in Durango State. Group B chickens were raised in farms in the Mexican States of Sinaloa (n = 289) and Nayarit (n = 179) but slaughtered in 2 abattoirs in Durango City. Overall, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 36 (6.9%) of 519 chickens, with MAT titers of 1∶25 in 22, 1∶50 in 8, 1∶100 in 2, 1∶200 in 3, and 1∶400 in 1. Seroprevalence of T. gondii increased significantly with age and was significantly higher in Group A chickens than in Group B chickens. In Group A chickens, a 25.5% seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was found. Seropositive chickens were found in all 7 municipalities sampled. In Group B chickens, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 4.9%. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in chickens in Durango State, Mexico.     

Occurrence of fungi and mycotoxins in corn silage, Jalisco State, Mexico

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, mold count and mycotoxin contamination of corn silage collected during a six month-period. The results indicated that the chemical composition and the physicochemical parameters evaluated did not show significant variation during the sampling time. Fungal count on RBC ranged from 1.7 x 10(3) to 9 x 10e8 CFU/g. Mucor, Penicillium and Aspergillus spp. were the most frequent fungal species in the corn silage. Fusarium count ranged from 1.6 x 10(3) to 1.6 x 10e8 CFU/g in Nash Snyder culture media. Aflatoxin B, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone were detected throughout the period of corn silage maintenance (100% positive samples). However, only deoxynivalenol levels were higher than the maximum limit recommended by the FDA.     

Short Communication Anti-tick effects of Stylosanthes humilis and Stylosanthes hamata on plots experimentally infested with Boophilus microplus larvae in Morelos, Mexico

The anti-tick effects of the tropical pasture legumes Stylosanthes humilis and Stylosanthes hamata were evaluated and compared with two common grasses, Cenchurus ciliaris and Andropogon gayanus, in the state of Morelos, Mexico, on plots experimentally infested with larvae of the tick Boophilus microplus. The effect was evaluated by recovery of larvae from the experimental plots by flagging during a 4 week period. The anti-tick effect due to Stylosanthes was significantly higher for S. humilis and S. hamata (p < 0.05) and slightly better for S. humilis (3% survival) than for S. hamata (12% survival). Further studies are required to determine the potential role of Stylosanthes plants for tick control in Mexico. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998