Comparison of performance and quantitative descriptive analysis sensory profiling and its relationship to consumer liking between the artisanal cheese producers panel and the descriptive trained panel.

The aim of this research was to compare the performance and sensory profiling of a panel of artisanal cheese producers against a trained panel and their relationship to consumer liking (external preference mapping). Performance was analyzed statistically at an individual level using the Fisher's test (F) for discrimination, the mean square error for repeatability, and Manhattan plots for visualizing the intra-panel homogeneity. At group level, performance was evaluated using ANOVA. External preference mapping technique was applied to determine the efficiency of each sensory profile. Results showed that the producers panel was discriminant and repetitive with a performance similar to that of the trained panel. Manhattan plots showed that the performance of artisanal cheese producers was more homogeneous than trained panelists. The correlation between sensory profiles (Rv = 0.95) demonstrated similarities in the generation and use of sensory profiles. The external preference maps generated individually with the profiles of each panel were also similar. Recruiting individuals familiar with the production of artisanal cheeses as panelists is a viable strategy for sensory characterization of artisanal cheeses within their context of origin because their results were similar to those from the trained panel and can be correlated with consumer liking data.

A multi-criteria approach to identify favorable areas for goat production systems in Veracruz, México.

This research identifies favorable areas for goat production systems in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Through the use of the analytic hierarchy process, layers of biophysical and soil information were combined to generate a model of favorability. Model validation was performed by calculating the area under the curve, the true skill statistic, and a qualitative comparison with census records. The results showed the existence of regions with high (4494.3 km2) and moderate (2985.8 km2) favorability, and these areas correspond to 6.25 and 4.15%, respectively, of the state territory and are located in the regions of Sierra de Huayacocotla, Perote, and Orizaba. These regions are characterized as mountainous and having predominantly temperate-wet or cold climates, and having montane mesophilic forests, containing pine, fir, and desert scrub. The reliability of the distribution model was supported by the area under the curve value (0.96), the true skill statistic (0.86), and consistency with census records.

[Genetic variability in captive populations of Crocodylus moreletii (Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) using microsatellites markers]. / Variabilidad genética de poblaciones en cautiverio de Crocodylus moreletii (Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) mediante el uso de marcadores microsatelitales.

Crocodylus moreletii, an extinction threatened species, represents an emblem for tropical ecosystems in Mexico. Surprisingly, there is a lack of information about their genetic constitution, which should be evaluated for a proper management ex situ and for making decisions on the release of crocodiles into natural habitats. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the genetic variability of four populations of C. moreletii (two wild versus two born ex situ). Through PCR were amplified seven microsatellite polymorphic loci, however a heterozygote deficit, diminished by the presence of null alleles, was found in the populations (average Ho=0.02). The AMOVA indicated that the highest proportion of genetic variability is within populations, and a limited genetic differentiation among populations (average F(ST)=0.03), probably due to high inbreeding index (average F(IS)=0.97). When comparing the genetic variability between and within other crocodilian species, we found that in C. moreletii is well below those reported. We concluded that the limited genetic variability in ex situ born populations is probably due to a founder effect derived from the social structure of their progenitors, and by the bottleneck effect, inferred by the limited effective population size, that historically characterizes their natural distribution in wild populations.

Variabilidad genética de poblaciones en cautiverio de Crocodylus moreletii (Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) mediante el uso de marcadores microsatelitales / Genetic variability in captive populations of Crocodylus moreletii (Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) using microsatellites markers

Genetic variability in captive populations of Crocodylus moreletii (Crocodylia: Crocodylidae) using microsatellites markers. Crocodylus moreletii, an extinction threatened species, represents an emblem for tropical ecosystems in Mexico. Surprisingly, there is a lack of information about their genetic constitution, which should be evaluated for a proper management ex situ and for making decisions on the release of crocodiles into natural habitats. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the genetic variability of four populations of C. moreletii (two wild versus two born ex situ). Through PCR were amplified seven microsatellite polymorphic loci, however a heterozygote deficit, diminished by the presence of null alleles, was found in the populations (average H O=0.02). The AMOVA indicated that the highest proportion of genetic variability is within populations, and a limited genetic differentiation among populations (average F ST=0.03), probably due to high inbreeding index (average F IS=0.97). When comparing the genetic variability between and within other crocodilian species, we found that in C. moreletii is well below those reported. We concluded that the limited genetic variability in ex situ born populations is probably due to a founder effect derived from the social structure of their progenitors, and by the bottleneck effect, inferred by the limited effective population size, that historically characterizes their natural distribution in wild populations.

Crocodylus moreletii representa un emblema para los ecosistemas tropicales de México pero actualmente está amenazada por extinción. Sorprendentemente, hay una falta de información de su constitución genética, que debe ser evaluada para un manejo apropiado ex situ y para toma de decisiones en la liberación de cocodrilos a su hábitat natural. El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar y comparar la variabilidad genética de cuatro grupos poblacionales de C. moreletii (dos silvestres y dos nacidas ex situ). Mediante PCR se amplificaron siete loci de microsatélites polimórficos, sin embargo se encontró déficit de heterocigotos en las poblaciones (promedio H O=0.02) mermado por la presencia de alelos nulos. El AMOVA indicó que la mayor proporción de variabilidad genética se encuentra dentro de las poblaciones y una limitada diferenciación genética entre poblaciones (promedio F ST =0.03), probablemente debida al alto índice de endogamia (promedio F IS=0.97). Al comparar la variabilidad genética inter e intra especies de cocodrilianos, encontramos que en C. moreletii está muy por debajo de los reportados. Se concluye que la limitada variabilidad genética de las poblaciones nacidas ex situ probablemente se debe al efecto fundador derivado de la estructura social de sus progenitores, y de las poblaciones silvestres, por el efecto cuello de botella, inferido por el limitado tamaño efectivo de población que presentó históricamente en su distribución natural.

Efecto del tipo de amamantamiento en la actividad ovárica postparto de ovejas pelibuey y tasas de crecimiento de corderos en los primeros 90 días de edad / Effect of Suckling Type on Ovarian Activity of Postpartum Pelibuey Ewes, and Lamb Growing Rate During the First 90 Days After Birth

La finalidad del presente estudio fue determinar el efecto del amamantamiento en la duración del intervalo parto-primera ovulación (IPPO), los cambios de peso corporal (CPC) posparto de las hembras y la ganancia diaria de peso (GDP) y mortalidad (M) de los corderos durante los primeros 90 d posparto en la raza Pelibuey. Cuarenta y dos ovejas multíparas con sus crías se asignaron al azar a uno de tres tratamientos: amamantamiento continuo (AC; n=16), amamantamiento restringido (AR; n= 16) y destete precoz (DP; n= 10). Los corderos en AC permanecieron con sus madres las 24 h del día con amamantamiento ad libitum; en AR, los corderos amamantaron durante 30 min al día (08:00 a 08:30); y en DP, las crías se separaron de sus madres desde los 7 d de nacidos sustituyéndose la alimentación con sustituto de leche. Para eliminar el efecto confundido de la época del año en los resultados obtenidos en el manejo del amamantamiento, se integró un grupo testigo con ovejas no gestantes (OV; n= 15). La eliminación del amamantamiento con el destete total (DP) de los corderos a los 7 d de edad aumentó el número de ovejas que ovularon antes de los 56 d posparto, disminuyó el IPPO y la pérdida de peso de las ovejas (P<0,05), disminuyó la GDP de las crías y aumentó la M de los corderos respecto a AC y AR (P<0,05). El AR disminuyó el IPPO con respecto a AC, mejoró la GDP y disminuyó la M de los corderos con respecto a DP (P<0,05). El AR parece ser el mejor sistema de manejo para un adecuado desarrollo del cordero y reiniciar la actividad reproductiva de las ovejas durante los primeros tres meses posparto.

It was studied the effects of suckling on ewe parturition-first ovulation period (IPPO), changes in post-parturition body weight (CPC), and lamb daily weight gain (GDP) and mortality (M) during the first 90 d postpartum. Forty-two multiparous Pelibuey ewes with lambs were randomly assigned to one of three suckling treatments: continuous suckling (AC; n=16), restricted suckling (AR; n=16) and early weaning (DP; n=10). Ewes and lambs in AC stayed together 24 h a day nursing ad-libitum, ewes and lambs in AR stayed together for only 30 min a day (from 08:00 to 08:30) to nurse, and lambs in DP were permanently separated from their mothers at day 7 after lambing and fed with a milk formula. A blank treatment consisting of non-pregnant ewes (OV; n=15) was included to remove the effect of season on treatments. Early weaning at day 7 after birth increased the number of ewes ovulating during the first 56 days postpartum, decreased the IPPO and weight lost of ewes (P<0.05), decreased lamb GDP and increased M relative to AC and AR (P<0.05). AR decreased the IPPO compared to AC, improved lamb GDP and decreased M compared to DP (P<0.05). Restricted suckling appears to be a better system for raising lambs and restore reproductive activity of ewes during the 3 month postpartum period.

Productividad y anatomía en sistemas de producción ovina: dos propiedades emergentes de los agroecosistemas / Productivity and autonomy in sheep production systems: two emergent propieties of agroecosystems

El bajo rendimiento de carne por animal y la excesiva dependencia de insumos como: mano de obra y alimentos; así como altos costos de producción en los sistemas de producción ovina y el desconocimiento del grado de independencia de éstos son limitantes para la competividad de las empresas pecuarias. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la productividad y la autonomía de dos sistemas de producción ovina en el estado de Veracruz, México bajo el enfoque en agroecosistemas. Durante el año 2004, se analizaron éstas propiedades emergentes de dos granjas ovinas ubicadas en la zona centro del estado de Vera-cruz. La productividad se evaluó en base a la eficiencia biológica, considerando: la producción de carne por ha por año (Pc/ha/año) y conversión alimenticia global (CA). La autonomía se investigó en: autonomía laboral (Al), autonomía alimentaria (Aa) y autonomía económica (Ae) considerando tipo de mano de obra utilizada, alimentos producidos en el sistema y alimentos totales utilizados convertidos a valor monetario, proporción total de insumos producidos en la granja y el total de insumos utilizados transformados a valor monetario. Se aplicaron técnicas de entrevistas semi-estructuradas. Para la granja "A" la Pc/ha/año fue de 917,8 kg y 32,8 kg/oveja/año y la CA de 0,01. La Al, Aa y Ae fue del 0; 40,5 y 18,5 por ciento, respectivamente. Para la granja "B" la Pc/ha/año fue de 380,9 y 57,2 kg/oveja/año, y la CA de 0,01. La Al, Aa y Ae 42,4; 71,1 y 52,3 por ciento