Micropropagation of Guarianthe skinneri (Bateman) Dressler et W. E. Higging in Temporary Immersion Systems.

This study's aim was to establish a protocol for the micropropagation of G. skinneri using temporary immersion system (TIS). Different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg L-1), three different systems of cultivate semi-solid (SS) and liquid media under partial (PI) and temporary immersion systems (TIS), different compositions of the inorganic salts, and the number of subcultures were evaluated. The results showed a maximum of 16.56 shoots per explant obtained through TIS, adjusting all the parameters evaluated in our study. One higher number of shoots per explant was observed in the micropropagation of G. skinneri TIS compared to SS and PI. While the use of 3 mg L-1 of BAP + MS (Murashige and Skoog) media was better than 3 mg L-1 of BAP VW (Vacint and Went) for the generation of a greater number of shoots per explant, 6.33 and 2.72, respectively. The immersion frequency of 2 min every 4 h allowed the production to be scaled to 8.54 shoots per explant. While it was necessary to perform three subcultures every 30 days, to obtain 16.56 shoots per explant, a rooting phase was not required due to the generation of adventitious roots during the different subcultures. However, a phase of elongation of the regenerated plants with ½ MS + GA3 (gibberellic acid) was needed to guarantee 100% survival in the process of acclimatization. In conclusion, this plant production system can be applied for the commercial micropropagation of this species for ornamental purposes, as well as for its reintroduction in protected natural areas.

Passive air sampling of organochlorine pesticides in Mexico.

The spatial and temporal variation of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) in air across Mexico was investigated by deploying passive samplers at eleven stations across the country during 2005-2006. Integrated samples were taken over three-month periods and quantified for DDT compounds, endosulfans, toxaphenes, components of technical chlordane, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and dieldrin. Enantiomers of chiral chlordanes and o,p'-DDT were determined on chiral stationary phase columns as an indicator of source and age. Results are discussed in combination with pumped air samples taken at four other stations in southern Mexico during 2002-2004. DDT and its metabolites, endosulfan and toxaphene were the most abundant OCs detected in all sampling sites. Atmospheric concentrations of SigmaDDT (p,p'-DDT + o,p'-DDT + p,p'-DDE + o,p'-DDE + p,p'-DDD + o,p'-DDD) ranged from 15 to 2360 pg m(-3) with the highest concentrations found in southern Mexico and the lowest found in northern and central Mexico. A fresher DDT residue was observed at sites with greater DDT use and in the southern part of the country, as shown from the higher FDDTe = p,p'-DDT/(p,p'-DDT + p,p'-DDE) and nearly racemic o,p'-DDT. This agrees with the former heavy use of DDT in the endemic malarious area of the country. A local hotspot of endosulfan was identified at an agricultural area in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, with a annual mean concentration of SigmaENDO (endosulfans I + II + endosulfan sulfate) = 26,800 pg m(-3). At this site, higher concentrations of SigmaENDO were recorded during the winter (November to February) and spring (February to May) periods. From back trajectory analysis, this coincides with a shift in the air mass coming from the Pacific Ocean (May to November) to the inland agricultural area (November to May). The elevated SigmaENDO observed is likely due to the local agricultural usage. HCHs, chlordanes, transnonachlors, and dieldrin were more evenly distributed across the country likely due to them being aged residues and more diffuse in the environment. In contrast, hotspots of endosulfans, DDTs, and toxaphenes were observed as they were heavily used in localized agricultural or malarious regions of Mexico.

[Anthropoentomophagic biodiversity of the Zongolica region, Veracruz, Mexico]. / Biodiversidad antropoentomofágica de la región de Zongolica, Veracruz, México.

Anthropoentomophagic biodiversity of the Zongolica region, Veracruz, Mexico. During two and a half years (2003-2005) we recorded the insect species used as food at Zongolica, Veracruz State, Mexico. Interviews were made among people (200) of this municipality to know which insects they consumed. The total of registered species was 57 (Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Megaloptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera). The Orthoptera was the most frequently ingested. Twenty-four of these species were new records for edible insects of Mexico. They are eaten in immature stages or as adults, generally only roasted. Consumption is seasonal. Some species are commercialized in the "tianguis" (little town markets) and/or in the larger Zongolica market. There is a "protoculture" of three species, one cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae Fabricius) and two moths (Latebraria amphipyroides Guenée and Arsenura armida armida Cramer). In Zongolica, anthropoentomophagy is an ancestral habit.

Biodiversidad antropoentomofágica de la región de Zongolica, Veracruz, México / Anthropoentomophagic biodiversity of the Zongolica region, Veracruz, Mexico

Anthropoentomophagic biodiversity of the Zongolica region, Veracruz, Mexico. During two and a half years (2003-2005) we recorded the insect species used as food at Zongolica, Veracruz State, Mexico. Interviews were made among people (200) of this municipality to know which insects they consumed. The total of registered species was 57 (Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Megaloptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera). The Orthoptera was the most frequently ingested. Twenty-four of these species were new records for edible insects of Mexico. They are eaten in immature stages or as adults, generally only roasted. Consumption is seasonal. Some species are commercialized in the "tianguis" (little town markets) and/or in the larger Zongolica market. There is a "protoculture" of three species, one cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae Fabricius) and two moths (Latebraria amphipyroides Guenée and Arsenura armida armida Cramer). In Zongolica, anthropoentomophagy is an ancestral habit.

Durante dos años y medio (2003-2005) se rastrearon a los insectos que se ingieren en el área de Zongolica, Veracruz: para ello se entrevistó a la gente de ese municipio (200), para conocer cuáles especies ingerían. El total de especies registradas, ascendió a 57 distribuidas en los órdenes Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Megaloptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera e Hymenoptera, correspondiendo el mayor consumo al primer orden. De las especies registradas, 24 son nuevos registros de insectos comestibles para México. Estos se consumen tanto en estado inmaduro como en estado adulto y generalmente se ingieren asados. Hay una secuenciación estacional en el consumo de las diferentes especies y algunas de ellas (las cucarachas, la cuetla, la cuecla, los chapulines, los toritos, etc.) se comercializan en los tianguis (puestos de venta callejeros informales que se realizan un día a la semana en diversos lugares del país) o en el día de mercado en Zongolica. Existe el “protococultivo” de tres especies: una cucaracha (Periplaneta australasiae Fabricius) y dos mariposas (Latebraria amphipyroides Guenée y Arsenura armida armida Cramer). La antropoentomofagía es un hábito ancestral en Zongolica.