Separation of Leydigia louisi Jenkin, 1934 from L. leydigi (Schoedler, 1863) (Chydoridae, Anomopoda, Cladocera)

The aim of the present article was to contribute to the systematics of the leydigi-like species of Leydigia consisting of a few (probably 3) formal species with: (1) a large basal spine on the postabdominal claw (as long as claw thickness at the base); (2) a short setulation at anterior margin of labral keel; (3) no longitudinal striation on the female valves; (4) at least three lateral setae in each fascicle on the postabdomen; (5) three large lateral setae on exopodite III. The morphology of L. leydigi (Schoedler, 1863) and L. louisi Jenkin, 1934 are redescribed, and type material of L. macrodonta Sars, 1916 is studied. In contrast to previous suggestions (Jenkin, 1934; Smirnov, 1971), I found that: (1) L. louisi is a valid species, not a subspecies of L. macrodonta; (2) L. macrodonta is not a member of the L. leydigi-group. The third member of leydigi-group, Leydigia macrodonta longiseta Chen Shou-zhong, 1992, was described from China. It is not a subspecies of L. macrodonta, but a relative of L. leydigi; most probably, it is a valid species, but this opinion must to be confirmed by examination of original Asian material. In this article, the presence of L. leydigi in Palearctic only, and that of L. louisi in only Africa was confirmed. A new subspecies of L. louisi, found in Mexico, will be reported separately.     

Description of Eucyclops tziscao sp. n., E. angeli sp. n., and a new record of E. festivus Lindberg, 1955 (Cyclopoida,Cyclopidae, Eucyclopinae) in Chiapas,Mexico

Two new species of the freshwater cyclopoid genera Eucyclops are described, Eucyclops tziscao sp. n. and E. angeli sp. n. Both species belong to the serrulatus-group defined by morphological features such as: the presence of distal spinules or hair-like setae (groups N1 and N2) on frontal surface of antennal basis; the fourth leg coxa with a strong inner spine that bears dense setules on inner side, yet proximally naked (large gap) on outer side; and a 12-segmented antennule with smooth hyaline membrane on the three distalmost segments. Eucyclops tziscao sp. n. is morphologically similar to E. bondi and E. conrowae but differs from these species in having a unique combination of characters, including a caudal ramus 4.05±0.25 times as long as wide, lateral seta of Enp3P4 modified as a strong, sclerotized blunt seta, coxal spine of fourth leg with inner spinule-like setules distally, and sixth leg of males bearing a strong and long inner spine 2.3 times longer than median seta. Eucyclops angeli sp. n. can be distinguished by an unique combination of morphological features: the short caudal ramus; the long spine on the sixth antennular segment of A1; the presence of one additional group of spinules (N12’) on the caudal surface of A2; the presence of long setae in females, or short spinules in males on the lateral margin of fourth prosomite; the strong ornamentation of the intercoxal sclerite of P4, specially group I modified as long denticles; the distal modified setae of Exp3P3 and Exp3P4 in females and males; and the short lateral seta of P5. Finally, we report on a new record of E. festivus in México, and add data on morphology of the species.     

Postembryonic development in Diaphanosoma brachyurum (Lievin, 1848) (Crustacea: Ctenopoda: Sididae)

Postembryonic females and males Diaphanosoma brachyurum from Lake Glubokoe (Moscow) have 3–4 and 3 juvenile instars, respectively. Females and males of the first three postembryonic instars can be identified by the different number of setae and setal rudiments on the proximal and distal segments of the exopodite of the swimming antennae: 3 + 7; (i + 3) + 7; 4 + (i + 7), respectively (i = rudiment of seta). The subsequent instars have 4 + 8 long plumose setae on these segments, but the fourth instar has the proximal lateral seta of the distal exopod segment slightly shorter and thinner than the others. The antennules and copulatory appendages of males are instar-specific. Diaphanosomas show small increments in body length during the postembryonic molts. The largest increments (about 115 m) occur during the first or second molts. The allometric equation of Huxley (1924) was used for a comparison of the relative growth rate of different body parts. In the middle of summer, the head and swimming antennae with the body and the antennal exopodite with the antennal basipodite grow in isometry. At the same time, the branches of the swimming antennae and their setae show allometric growth: the exopodite and distal setae grow faster than the endopodite and the lateral setae, respectively.     

Limited genetic diversity in the critically endangered Mexican howler monkey (Alouatta palliata mexicana) in the Selva Zoque,Mexico

The Mexican howler monkey (Alouatta palliata mexicana) is a critically endangered primate, which is paleoendemic to Mexico. However, despite the potential significance of genetic data for its management and conservation, there have been no population genetic studies of this subspecies. To examine genetic diversity in the key remaining forest refuge for A. p. mexicana, the Selva Zoque, we amplified full-length mitochondrial control region sequences (1,100 bp) from 45 individuals and found 7 very similar haplotypes. Haplotype diversity (h = 0.486) and nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0007) were extremely low compared to other Neotropical primates. Neutrality tests, used to evaluate demographic effects (Tajima’s D = ?1.48, p = 0.05; Fu’s F _s = ?3.33, p = 0.02), and mismatch distribution (sum of squares deviation = 0.006, p = 0.38; raggedness index = 0.12, p = 0.33) were consistent with a recent and mild population expansion and genetic diversity appears to be historically low in this taxon. Future studies should use a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear markers to fully evaluate genetic diversity and to better understand demographic history in A. p. mexicana. These studies should be undertaken throughout its geographic range in order to evaluate population structure and identify management units for conservation. Due to the limited distribution and population size of A. p. mexicana, future conservation strategies may need to consider genetic management. However, a more detailed knowledge of the population genetics of the subspecies is urgently recommended to maximise the conservation impact of these strategies.     

Separation of two Neotropical species: Macrothrix superaculeata (Smirnov, 1982) versus M. elegans Sars, 1901 (Macrothricidae, Anomopoda, Cladocera)

The morphology of two Neotropical taxa, Macrothrix elegans Sars, 1901 and M. superaculeata (Smirnov, 1982) (Macrothricidae, Anomopoda, Cladocera) was redescribed, based on type materials (a lectotype of M. elegans was selected here), and additional samples from the Americas. Previous conclusion about synonymy of both species was erroneous, because it was based on limited material from South America. M. superaculeata differs from M. elegans in the presence of a sharp spine at postero-dorsal angle of valves; a more fine ring around dorsal head pore; thinner hexagonal reticulation of valves; the presence of setules on basal segment of postabdominal seta; armature of exopod on antenna II, and some features of thoracic limbs. Previously, the discriminative features of the two species were not formulated accurately, and it was a reason of several misidentifications. Actually, M. superaculeata is found only in a limited set of localities from the Amazon basin, while M. elegans is one of the most common anomopod species in all Neotropics, from Argentina to Mexico.     

A new poecilostomatoid copepod (Erebonasteridae) from deep-sea cold seeps at the West Florida Escarpment

A new species of poecilostomatoid copepod, Erebonaster spinulosus (Erebonasteridae), is described on the basis of a single female from a depth of 3 266 m at cold seeps near the base of the West Florida Escarpment in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Among its distinctive features are: the large body highly ornamented with setules and spinules, the rostrum with small median teeth and lateral setules, the claw of the second maxilla with a prominent knob on the concave margin, the maxilliped ornamented with setules and its claw bearing a digitiform process near the seta, the third segment of the exopod of leg 4 with the formula II,I,4, and the highly ornamented leg 5 having on the free segment a very long seta 9 times the length of the segment.The genus Erebonaster now contains two species, the previously described Erebonaster protentipes found in 2000 m at the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, and the new Erebonaster spinulosus.     

Differentiation between African Leydigia ciliata Gauthier, 1939 and Neotropical L. cf. striata Birabén, 1939 (Chydoridae, Anomopoda, Cladocera)

We investigated the morphology and variability of Leydigia ciliata Gauthier, 1939 (Chydoridae, Anomopoda, Cladocera) from Africa and of Leydigia cf. ciliata from the Americas, using optical microscope and SEM. Some differences, predominantly in limb armature, between African and Neotropical populations were revealed. Probably, the name L. striata Birabén, 1939 must be used for Neotropical populations, but this opinion must be confirmed by re-examination of topotypical material (Puerto de La Plata, Argentina). The confused situation in the systematics of the Leydigia acanthocercoides-ciliata complex is confirmed and some characters previously applied to the discrimination of L. ciliata Gauthier, 1939 from L. acanthocercoides (Fischer, 1854), are discussed.     

Biomass, lipid content, and fatty acid composition of freshwater Chlamydomonas mexicana and Scenedesmus obliquus grown under salt stress

Two freshwater microalgae including Chlamydomonas mexicana and Scenedesmus obliquus were grown on Bold Basal Medium (BBM) with different levels of salinity up to 100 mM NaCl. The dry biomass and lipid content of microalgae were improved as the concentration of NaCl increased from 0 to 25 mM. Highest dry weight (0.8 and 0.65 g/L) and lipid content (37 and 34 %) of C. mexicana and S. obliquus, respectively, were obtained in BBM amended with 25 mM NaCl. The fatty acid composition of the investigated species was also improved by the increased NaCl concentration. At 50 mM, NaCl palmitic acid (35 %) and linoleic acid (41 %) were the dominant fatty acids in C. mexicana, while oleic acid (41 %) and α-linolenic acid (20 %) were the major fractions found in S. obliquus.     

Morphology and postembryonic development of males and females of Bosmina longispina Leydig (Crustacea, Anomopoda) from a North Iceland population

We investigated the morphology of adult and juvenile stages of females and males of Bosmina longispina Leydig from a North Icelandic population. There are additional setae near the basis of the second antenna and between its branches in adult males, not described in Bosmina, but known from other Anomopoda. New features of female morphology are also found. The development of the first limb and postabdomen of the male is described in detail. In juvenile males of B. longispina (belonging to subgenus Eubosmina), characteristics of morphology, similar to those in adult males of other subgenera are found.Abbreviations af antennal flap - as additional setae of male - bs basis of seta of clasper - bc basis of postabdominal claws - ch clasper hook - cl clasper - cs seta of clasper - cw claws of postabdomen - de distal endite of the first limb - dr dorsal row of denticles on male postabdomen - df dorsal fold of carapace - eh ejector hooks of limb I - ep epipodite - ex exopodite - fp frontal head pore - fs frontal seta - hs hair sensilla - in incision of juvenile male postabdomen - ir interrupted rows of setules on postabdomen - Ip lateral head pore - mp median head pore - mpr maxillar process of limb I - mr main row of denticles on postabdominal claws - pe predistal endite of limb I - pf preantennal fold of valve - pl plate above postabdominal setae - ps postabdominal setae - rs rudimentary setae - sr second row of denticles near basis of claws - vf ventral fold of valve - vr ventral row of denticles on male postabdomen     

A re-evaluation of the Macrothrix rosea-triserialis group, with the description of two new species (Crustacea Anomopoda: Macrothricidae)

We redescribe Macrothrix rosea (females and males) based on material collected in Belgium. We also compare seven populations of Macrothrix `triserialis' from different parts of the world, including a topotypical population of M. triserialis s. str. from Sri Lanka, and males from South India (here first described), relying heavily on the structure of the trunk limbs, beside classical features of morphology. M. rosea and M. triserialis are extremely closely related: males are easily separated, but the identification of females requires micro-characters such as the relative length of the apical segment of the setae natatoriae and the adornment of the first antenna and of the longest swimming seta of the antenna. M. rosea and triserialis together constitute a sub-group of the rosea-group. Macrothrix triserialis-like animals occur in the tropical–subtropical belts of four continents. We compare populations from Asia, South America and Africa, and find differences in microcharacters of the trunk limbs, but cannot decide whether these represent random variation or sound taxonomical differences. One of the basic characters of the Macrothrix rosea-triserialis subgroup is that the setae natatoriae of the postabdomen are implanted on a prominence, the `heel'. Other characters include the fact that the Fryer' forks are adorned with one or two big teeth only, and that the scrapers of trunk limb two form a row of eight without any doublings. Possibly, scraper five, and scraper four to a lesser degree has an enlarged subapical tooth. The exopodite of trunk limb three has four plumose setae, the back and front row of the endopodite six setae and/or receptors, the exopodite of trunk limb four has two setae, and the back row of the endopodite six setae, plus one on the gnathobase. The pre-epipodite of trunk limb five consists of three lobes, the `endopodite' is small, and the `exopodite' is reduced to a single seta. The male postabdomen has a tubular ending, without true end-claws, although a rudiment of an end-claw is seen in M. triserialis. Two new species are described: M. tabrizensis and M. agsensis. A comparison, including the males of Macrothrix triserialis, M. rosea, M. smirnovi and M. tabrizensis confirms the relationship of all these taxa, but also reveals a morphological series in the shape of the postabdomen, from a complete absence of end-claws, over rudiments of a pair of end-claws, to complete endclaws. Absence of end-claws is here considered to represent an evolved character state. Macrothrix smirnovi Ciros & Elías (1987) is less closely related to the rosea-triserialis group, and is considered to form a sub-group in its own right. It shows a short `heel' on the postabdomen, but carries a supplementary seta behind scraper 4 of the endopodite of trunk limb two, and has a male with a postabdomen that closely resembles that of the female. These are primitive characters, which are also found in Wlassicsia, Bunops and Onchobunops and provide a possible phylogenetic link between Macrothrix and these three genera, although the genetic distance between them is considered to be quite large.     

Genea mexicana, sp. nov., and Geopora tolucana, sp. nov., new hypogeous Pyronemataceae from Mexico, and the taxonomy of Geopora reevaluated

Two new species of hypogeous Pezizales in the Pyronemataceae are described from montane cloud forests in Mexico. Genea mexicana can be recognised by ITS sequence analysis and its distinct spore and seta dimensions; Geopora tolucana by ITS sequence analysis and its light brown hymenium, broadly ellipsoid ascospores and host preference. It belongs to the group of Geopora cooperi Harkn., which appears to be a rather heterogeneous assemblage, comprising a number of cryptic species. Our results indicate that the genus Geopora is non-monophyletic, occurring in two distinct phylogenetic clusters comprising species with either epigeous apothecial or hypogeous ptychothecial ascomata. Moreover, molecular divergence of Geopora is much higher than that of the neighbouring genera. Accordingly, we propose to reassign the cupulate apothecial Geopora species to the genus Sepultaria.     

Regeneration in the tail fan of crayfish

Summary The tail fan of a crayfish consists of the caudal end of the body, the telson, and the most caudal limbs, the uropods. We investigated the positional information in these structures with grafting operations. The uropods are biramous; they bifurcate to a lateral exopodite and a medial endopodite. After the distal part of a uropod ramus was grafted to the stump of a ramus, medio-lateral or dorso-ventral mismatch of surfaces provoked the production of supernumerary distal parts. Proximo-distal intercalation between exopodite and endopodite yielded a mosaic ramus. The results show that the two rami contain equivalent ramus fields in congruent orientation. The exopodite consists of basal and distal segments; each of these segments seems to have an equivalent segmental field.The telson regenerated an ablated distal portion poorly, unlike the limbs of crayfish. After the posterior lobe of the telson was inverted dorso-ventrally and grafted into the telson stump, supernumerary posterior lobes regenerated dorsal and ventral to the graft. Thus the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the telson embody different positional information. A grafted uropod endopodite or exopodite healed to the telson, but dorsoventral inversion of the graft did not provoke the formation of supernumerary structures at the graft-host boundary. Because supernumeraries did not form, the relations between positional information in the telson (a body axis structure) and the uropod (a limb) remain unclear.     

A reappraisal of the genus Phyllodiaptomus Kiefer, 1936, with the description of P. wellekensae n.sp. from India,and a redescription of P. tunguidus Shen & Tai, 1964 from China (Copepoda,Calanoida)

Phyllodiaptomus wellekensae n. sp. is described from south India. In the female, the genital somite is dilated at the left proximal margin and armed with an extraordinarily large, somewhat curved, laterally-directed spine; the right genital spine is much smaller than the left one. The terminal claw of leg 5 has a secretory pore at its tip and a characteristic conveyor canal on its anterior surface. In the right male P5, the coxal plate is short and unique in shape. The basis is 1.3 times as long as wide, with a long, sinuous, hyaline lamella on its medial margin. The first exopodite segment is short and optuse at its outer distal corner. The second segment is rectangular and has a short, hyaline, spinous projection between the lateral spine and the terminal claw. The left P5 has a large, serrate, hyaline fan between its apical thumb and medial apical seta. P. tunguidus is redescribed based on material newly collected from three localities in China.     

Analysis of Kozhowia Vasiljeva & Smirnov, 1969 (Chydoridae,Anomopoda, Branchiopoda), with a description of Parakozhowia n. gen.

The five endemic species of Kozhowia Vasiljeva & Smirnov, 1969 (Branchiopoda: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) are redescribed based on material from Lake Baikal, including types of all species. Two well-defined groups were found. A new genus Parakozhowia n.gen., with one species, P. baicalensis Vasiljeva & Smirnov, 1969 n. comb., is erected. An extended diagnosis for the genus Kozhowia is presented. Parakozhowia n. gen. differs from Kozhowia in (1) antennal formula; (2) proportions of postabdomen; (3) number of setae on exopodite IV; (4) presence of soft setae of endopodite IV; (5) presence of a limb VI, and (6) presence of an inflated rostrum in the adult male of Kozhowia. An improved key for the discrimination of the species is given. Thoracic limbs of all species were given special attention. There are six setae on exopodite IV in Parakozhowia n.gen., as normal for Aloninae, while only four setae and a rudimentary hillock were detected on exopodite IV in the species of Kozhowia. Kozhowia is a true member of the Aloninae, and the closest relative of Parakozhowia and Camptocercus, meaning that the diagnosis of the Aloninae must be amended: the number of setae on exopodite IV in Aloninae may vary from 4 to 6.     

Asterocheres flustrae n. sp. (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Asterocheridae) associated with Flustra foliacea L. (Bryozoa) from the White Sea

Asterocheres flustrae n. sp. is described from Flustra foliacea L. (Bryozoa) found in the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea. This is the first siphonostomatoid copepod to be reported in association with a bryozoan. Distinctive features of the new species are: (1) a female with 21- and male with 18-segmented antennules; (2) five setae on the inner lobe of the maxillule with one much reduced; (3) an aesthetasc on the syncoxa of the maxilla; (4) a 6-segmented maxilliped with a distal claw; and (5) the armature of endopodal segments 2, 1, 1 and 1. Sexual dimorphism was observed not only on the antennules, but also for maxilliped and legs 1–6. By using SEM some new fine structures were revealed, including: one seta on each of antennulary segments 1 to 4, 6 and 8 with a nipple-like tip and an apical pore surrounded at its base by a circlet of cuticular denticles; a rostral region having a circular area ornamented with minute cuticular protuberances; and the labrum ornamented with fine hair-like setules on either side of its apex.     

Leishmania (L.) mexicana Infected Bats in Mexico: Novel Potential Reservoirs

Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, an endemic zoonosis affecting a growing number of patients in the southeastern states of Mexico. Some foci are found in shade-grown cocoa and coffee plantations, or near perennial forests that provide rich breeding grounds for the sand fly vectors, but also harbor a variety of bat species that live off the abundant fruits provided by these shade-giving trees. The close proximity between sand flies and bats makes their interaction feasible, yet bats infected with Leishmania (L.) mexicana have not been reported. Here we analyzed 420 bats from six states of Mexico that had reported patients with leishmaniasis. Tissues of bats, including skin, heart, liver and/or spleen were screened by PCR for Leishmania (L.) mexicana DNA. We found that 41 bats (9.77%), belonging to 13 species, showed positive PCR results in various tissues. The infected tissues showed no evidence of macroscopic lesions. Of the infected bats, 12 species were frugivorous, insectivorous or nectarivorous, and only one species was sanguivorous (Desmodus rotundus), and most of them belonged to the family Phyllostomidae. The eco-region where most of the infected bats were caught is the Gulf Coastal Plain of Chiapas and Tabasco. Through experimental infections of two Tadarida brasiliensis bats in captivity, we show that this species can harbor viable, infective Leishmania (L.) mexicana parasites that are capable of infecting BALB/c mice. We conclude that various species of bats belonging to the family Phyllostomidae are possible reservoir hosts for Leishmania (L.) mexicana, if it can be shown that such bats are infective for the sand fly vector. Further studies are needed to determine how these bats become infected, how long the parasite remains viable inside these potential hosts and whether they are infective to sand flies to fully evaluate their impact on disease epidemiology.     

Effect of various microwave frequencies on the physiology of a cyanobacterium, Schizothrix mexicana

The effect of microwave modulated with square waves of different pulse repetition frequencies was studied on the physiologic behavior of the cyanobacterium Schizothrix mexicana Gomont (Oscillatorials). The organism was exposed for 2 h to microwave (9.685 GHz) modulated with square wave pulse repetition frequencies of 900, 720, 540, 360 and 180 Hz at a fixed incident power density (0.768 mW/cm²). Results revealed that growth rate, dry weight and photosynthetic pigments increased significantly especially in frequency of 540 Hz. Total carbohydrate and protein contents, and photosynthesis and nitrogenase activity showed drastic increase in 180, 360 and 540 Hz and dropped down when treated with 720 and 900 Hz frequency. This study revealed that the increase effect of microwave radiation on metabolism of Schizothrix mexicana was found to be frequency dependent. So, electrostimulation of Schizothrix mexicana provides a new extended domain of disciplines and methodologies for cultivation, processing of biomass and biofuels, biofertilizers and biotechnology applications. This study reveals that microwaves athermally induce different biologic effects.     

Population structure and genetic diversity of the only extant Baroninae swallowtail butterfly,Baronia brevicornis,revealed by ISSR markers

Due to its relict nature, the unique Baroninae swallowtail, Baronia brevicornis, is considered a “living fossil”. It is also one of the most enigmatic butterfly species with contentious origins and peculiar ecological characteristics. The aim of this study is to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of this endemic species of butterfly in Mexico. We sampled populations in two areas within its restricted geographical range in central Mexico and the isolated subspecies population in the state of Chiapas. Three ISSR primers produced 66 loci, indicating a high genetic diversity (P = 100 %, H _e  = 0.22) and variation range in these populations (62 % < P < 85 %, 0.18 < H _e  < 0.25). The Chiapas population presented the lowest values. The observed high values can be explained by the population dynamic of this species characterized by a very high density of individuals over very limited areas. Variation between populations appears to reflect both the age of colonization and locality perturbation level. Two methods of genetic structure analysis (Self-Organizing Map and Structure analysis) match to define three clusters. Natural and anthropogenic barriers may explain the separation between two clusters (cluster 1 and 2) of central Mexico but an unexpected result revealed that the Chiapas population is not genetically distinguishable from the central Mexico populations (cluster 3) leading us to hypothesize a possible “recent” separation or anthropogenic introduction. Habitat and host plant specificity probably limits the exchange of individuals between populations thus increasing fragmentation and leading to a complex genetic structure. We should put in place population monitoring schemes at different spatial scales, combining field occurrences and genetic tools, in order to reduce extinction susceptibility and keep track of recolonization events for this enigmatic species.     

Fine structure of the statocyst sensilla of the mysid shrimp Neomysis integer (Leach, 1814) (Crustacea,Mysidacea)

The fine structure of the statocyst sensilla of Neomysis integer was investigated. The statocyst contains about 35 sensilla, which are composed of two bipolar sensory cells, nine enveloping cells, and a seta. The sensory cells consist of an axon, a perikaryon, and a dendrite. The dendrite contains a proximal segment with a ciliary rootlet and at least one basal body, and a distal segment with a ciliary axoneme (9 × 2 + 0) at its base. The distal segment extends along the peripheral wall of the seta and is in close contact with the wall of the hair shaft. The enveloping cells surround the proximal and distal segments of the dendrite. The innermost enveloping cell contains a scolopale rod. It surrounds the receptor lymph cavity and secretes flocculent material into this cavity. From the tip of the cell a dendritic sheath, which encloses the distal segment of the dendrite, emerges. A peculiar feature of the second enveloping cell is the presence of a scolopale-like rod, which is more slender and less pronounced than in the first enveloping cell. The seta consists of three parts: a socket, a tubular midpart, and a gutter-like apical part, the tip of which penetrates into the statolith. The seta shows over its full length a bilaterally symmetrical axis that is coplanar with the plane in which the seta is bent toward the statolith. The structure of the seta and the position of the distal segments provide morphological evidence for directional sensitivity of the sensilla and for the magnitude of shear on the setal wall being an adequate stimulus.     

Comparative chemical composition of Agastache mexicana subsp. mexicana and A. mexicana subsp. xolocotziana

A comparative chemical analysis of Agastache mexicana subsp. mexicana and A. mexicana subsp. xolocotziana reveals that their methanol extracts constituents were very similar, with acacetin and (2-acetyl)-7-O-glucosyl acacetin being the most abundant compounds obtained. These results are consistent with the information reported for other species of Agastache. However, GS-MS analyses showed that methyl chavicol, limonene and linalool were the main constituents of the essential oils of A. mexicana subsp. mexicana, while pulegone, menthone and isopulegone were the major constituents found in A. mexicana subsp. xolocotziana. Furthermore, a different composition was found in their respective hexane extracts. These chemical composition dissimilarities between the two taxa support their recognition as distinct subspecies.