Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

El presente estudio explora la evolución del patrón en zigzag, símbolo omnipresente en la escultura y cerámica prehispánicas de Panamá, hasta su integración en el arte barroco indigenizado del periodo virreinal panameño, que alcanza su apogeo en el siglo XVIII. El patrón en zig-zag encadenado, presente en retablos como los de Santa Librada (Los Santos) y San Francisco de Asís (Veraguas), así como en el sagrario MARC 0008, atestigua la pervivencia de la identidad ngäbe-buglé. Esta pervivencia se manifiesta en la construcción de sus viviendas, el arte y los adornos personales, elementos que mantienen viva la cosmogonía comarcal.

Background and Aims: Fungi play an important role in ecosystems and in human culture. In the Northeast region of Brazil, little is known about the importance of these organisms in rural communities. The objective of this study was to register the richness of macrofungi and how this richness is perceived in rural communities of Piauí, Brazil.Methods: A total of 176 inhabitants (99 women and 77 men) from the municipalities of Canto do Buriti and Guaribas were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were used, complemented with an inventory of macrofungi. Samples were collected in eight areas of the two municipalities between December 2016 and February 2018, and the identifications were confirmed by specialists from the Federal University of Pernambuco and the Federal University of Paraíba. The Margalef Richness Index and the PCORD software were used for the analysis of the quantitative data; the qualitative analysis was based on the description of observational records and structured interviews.Key results: Fifty-one species of macrofungi (Basidiomycota and Ascomycota) distributed in six orders, 17 families and 32 genera were identified. Species richness (S=10.4) was considered high in the studied area. Agaricaceae was the most diverse family (18), followed by Polyporaceae (12). Macrofungi are perceived as environmentally important, but with little direct relevance to humans. According to the perception of local populations, some Agaricaceae species represent a risk to health. However, they are also seen as bioindicators for predicting climate change. Pycnoporus sanguineus (Polyporaceae), a species useful for local medicine, was the most cited, while Hexagonia hydnoides (Polyporaceae), Phellinus sp. and Fomitiporia sp. (Hymenochaetaceae) were perceived as parasites of timber plant species.Conclusions: The mycobiota present in the studied municipalities can be considered rich in macrofungal species and the local peoples recognize their presence, especially the presence of Agaricaceae and Polyporaceae.

Background and Aims: Mexico stands out as a megadiverse country, because of its wide range of ecosystems and the diversity of plant species present, including numerous endemic species, which harbor a significant reservoir of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); however, a constant search effort is necessary for the identification and registration of AMF species not yet described in the national territory. The present study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of AMF in Mexico, with the record of Glomus nanolumen described from Hawaiian dunes, and in Mexico it was found in tropical deciduous forest. Methods: AMF spores were isolated from soil samples collected in tropical deciduous forest, in the state of Guanajuato, by water and sucrose centrifugation and mounted on semi-permanent slides. Taxonomic identification was performed based on the morphological characteristics of the spores, the review of the original description of the species, and online portals specialized in AMF. Key results: The species Glomus nanolumen was recorded for the first time in Mexico, associated with a tropical deciduous forest; the species is characterized by sporocarps of up to 40 ovoid, irregular or ellipsoidal spores; the structure of the spore wall is composed of two hyaline layers, turning pale yellow, the outer layer has a thickness of less than 1 µm, while the inner layer is rigid and can measure up to 10 µm thick, both layers without reaction in Melzer's reagent. Its description and taxonomic comments are presented. Conclusion: With the record of G. nanolumen, the presence of 48% of Glomus species in the country is documented, among the 55 species described worldwide. With this contribution we have a total of 163 species of AMF in Mexico.

Background and Aims: Zamia, with 86 species, is the most diverse Neotropical cycad genus. In Mexico, 18 species occur, of which 15 are endemics. These taxa are distributed from sea level to 1200 m a.s.l. Recently, the phenology of Zamia in wild populations from southern Veracruz and Tabasco was studied to evaluate the morphological patterns of reproductive structures. While these records have been considered as Z. loddigesii, a species with a wide distribution along the Gulf of Mexico, different populations do possess morphological differences. Based on these data, we reevaluated the synonymy of Z. lawsoniana, which was described in 1884 and synonymized with Z. loddigesii in 1995. Methods: Botanical material was collected from three populations in Tabasco, ten in Veracruz and two in Oaxaca previously considered part of Z. loddigesii. Reproductive structures were measured at maturity in habitat. Populations were visited during 2022 and 2023 to record reproductive phenology. Herbarium specimens of Zamia lawsoniana and morphologically similar species (Z. loddigesii, Z. spartea and Z. stenophyllidia) were examined. A morphological description and an illustration for Z. lawsoniana were prepared. In addition, an identification key that included related species in terms of morphology, geography and phylogenetics was made. Key results: Zamia lawsoniana is removed from synonymy and some taxonomic clarifications are made. In this context, we provide a complete description of pollen strobili, including the microsporophylls, range of vegetative morphological variation, and a botanical illustration. Additionally, the ovulate strobilus is described for the first time and a preliminary conservation status is proposed. Conclusions: Based on morphological evidence of reproductive structures and vegetative characters, we propose the reestablishment of Zamia lawsoniana and its removal from synonymy with Z. loddigesii.

Background and Aims: The genus Dahlia is culturally and economically appreciated. The botanical explorations in richness areas for Dahlia still provide taxonomic novelties. The aims of this communication are to describe the new species D. gypsicola, and compare it morphologically and ecologically with D. calzadana, providing a distribution map, illustrations, an identification key for Dahlia of the Cañada-Mixteca biocultural region in Oaxaca, Mexico, and a species accumulation analysis. Methods: Our study was based on field exploration, herbarium material revision, and analysis of living collections. The conservation status was determined based on range size, and criteria and categories of the IUCN Red List. To measure the sampling effort, a predictive species richness analysis was calculated considering 41 taxa of Dahlia and 2297 herbarium records collected between 1791-2021. Key results: Dahlia gypsicola is a member of Dahlia section Dahlia, morphologically related to D. calzadana. It differs by the herbaceous habit, semi-succulent leaves and stems, smaller petioles and capitulum, more capitula per synflorescence, and fewer disk florets per capitulum. Moreover, both species are allopatric and do not share ecological preferences and phenology. The category of Critically Endangered (CR B1a) is proposed for D. gypsicola, and Endangered (EN B1a) for D. calzadana. The species prediction richness shows that the number of known Dahlia species is almost complete: the inventory is approaching 95% and the predicted number of species is close to 43. Conclusions: A complete knowledge of the diversity in Dahlia could enhance plant breeding programs with economic and cultural impacts, because the possibilities of generating new cultivars are many. It is recommended to continue the explorations and increase botanical collections; undescribed species may exist where gypsophyte centers of endemism overlap with richness areas of Dahlia.

Background and Aims: The cardón (Pachycereus pringlei) is a columnar cactus emblematic of the Sonoran Desert, a region where free-range livestock grazing has been present for centuries, both in the Baja California peninsula and in Sonora. However, the effect of livestock on the population dynamics of the cardón is unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze whether the exclusion of livestock for nearly three decades had any observable effect on the recruitment probability of the cardón and on the relationship of the new recruits with two nurse legumes (Olneya tesota and Prosopis articulata). Methods: The presence and size of cardón and the two nurse legumes were recorded in transects. These were distributed under two conditions, with livestock presence and with 27 years of livestock exclusion, in plots established in an arid shrubland in the south of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico. The study analyzed whether there were differences between these two conditions in (i) the recruitment probability of the cardón, and (ii) the association of new recruits with the nurse legumes. Key results: No differences were found in the recruitment probability between area with livestock and area with livestock exclusion. However, differences were observed in the association between recruited cardón individuals and nurse legumes, being positive in sites with livestock and absent in sites with livestock exclusion. Conclusions: The lack of differences in recruitment probability between conditions could be due to the influence of processes acting at spatio-temporal scales larger than those of our study. For example, the temporal scale, potentially multi-decadal, of cardón recruitment pulses or the spatial scale of activity ranges of pollinators, seed dispersers and consumers. Our results underscore the importance of spatio-temporal scale in studying the dynamics of long-lived species in arid regions.

Background and Aims: Hartweg’s pine (Pinus hartwegii) is the pine species distributed at highest altitude in Mexico, forming climax communities between 3700 and 4300 m a.s.l. This species is threatened by illegal logging and an increased presence of bark beetles (Dendroctonus sp.) and dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium sp.) which are parasites. This triggers control and management plans that focus on the removal of affected trees, many of which could be individuals with genetic pools of high value. The objective of this work was to identify sequences of defense and/or resistance genes of parasitized pines, since there are no reported sequences to date for Mexican pines according literature consulted.Methods: Sequences of defense and resistance genes of conifers phylogenetically close to Pinus hartwegii were obtained. From these sequences primers were designed and PCR reactions carried out. Products were sequenced and sequences obtained were analyzed to determine if they correspond to defense and resistance genes of this pine species. Key results: Four sequences of genes linked to defense and resistance in conifers were obtained with a homology level of 93-100% with conifers of the genus Picea, Pinus and Pseudotsuga. Possible functions of these sequences in Pinus hartwegii defense against bark beetles and dwarf mistletoe are discussed and accession numbers in GenBank are reported.Conclusions: The reported sequences can be used in genetic expression studies of the Hartweg’s pine.

Background and Aims: In the last two decades, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, there has been an increase in land use change for agriculture, livestock, and the establishment of Agave plantations to produce mezcal. In this research, the loss of forest ecosystems and carbon capture due to the increase in Agave plantations in the Río Alto Tehuantepec and Río Tequisistlán sub-basins in the state of Oaxaca was evaluated.Methods: A multitemporal analysis was carried out by freehand digitization of high-resolution satellite images (0.28 to 1.5 m/pixel), in the QGIS program.Key results: The cumulative rate of land use change from 1995 to 2022 was on average 3.07%. Agriculture accounted for 38% of forest cover loss, while Agave plantations accounted for 62%. In 27 years, a total of 34,953 ha of forest ecosystems have been lost in the sub-basins, with the most affected by their extension being: low deciduous forest with 52.91%, followed by pine-oak forest (17.92%) and oak forest (13.20%). The area occupied by agriculture in 1995 was 18,704 ha, with a decrease of 29% by 2022 (13,273 ha), while Agave plantations had an increase of more than 400% from 4889 ha in 1995 to occupying an area of 21,679 ha in 2022.Conclusions: The loss of forest cover represents a decrease in carbon capture, being 3,033,144 Mg C by the low deciduous forest, 487,998 Mg C by the pine-oak forests and 323,126 Mg C by the oak forests. The sub-basin that presented the greatest loss was the Alto Tehuantepec River with 75%, which is why ecological restoration strategies must be prioritized and implemented.

Background and Aims: The main threats to the conservation of cacti in Peru are the expansion of agricultural areas, mining, road construction, urban expansion, and population growth, causing fragmentation and habitat destruction. The disturbed ecosystems could be restored with seeds and seedlings of cacti. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of light on the germination of Peruvian cacti seeds. Methods: Cactaceae seeds were collected in the departments of Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa and Huánuco. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions using a completely randomized experimental design. Seed germination of the species Austrocylindropuntia floccosa, Armatocereus mataranus subsp. ancashensis, Browningia candelaris, Corryocactus aureus, C. brevistylus subsp. brevistylus, Cumulopuntia ignescens, Espostoa lanata subsp. ruficeps, Haageocereus platinospinus, Lobivia maximiliana subsp. westii, Opuntia macbridei, Trichocereus cuzcoensis, T. santaensis, Tunilla soehrensii and Weberbauerocereus weberbaueri was evaluated with both light and dark treatments, each with five replicates. Incubation took place in a growth chamber under a 12-hour light/12 hours dark photoperiod and temperature regimes ranging from 18 to 25°C. The average seed mass, germination time, and germination index relative to light were also calculated. Key results: Of the 14 species evaluated, 12 species germinated with light treatment, and two species germinated in both light and dark. Conclusions: The highest seed mass was observed in Austrocylindropuntia floccosa, while the lowest mass was recorded in Espostoa lanata subsp. ruficeps. Armatocereus mataranus subsp. ancashensis exhibited a germination period of 20.80 days, in contrast to Weberbauerocereus weberbaueri, which germinated within 10 days. Twelve species exhibited positive photoblastic responses, while Armatocereus mataranus subsp. ancashensis and Austrocylindropuntia floccosa demonstrated photoblastic neutrality.