ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cacao is important for the economy of many countries in the humid tropics. Its quality is affected when fruits are not collected at the optimal harvest point. The aim of this study was to obtain maturity indices for producers to facilitate the timely harvest and improve the development of fermentation and the sensorial quality of cacao. The growth and respiration processes, and the physicochemical changes during the maturation of three cacao genotypes were determined. Physiological follow-ups measuring fruit length and diameter were performed from 30 days after anthesis to fruit deterioration in the tree. RESULTS: Growth equations were obtained, establishing four maturity stages based on days after anthesis, and fruit length and diameter. Nineteen descriptors were used for the characterization, and through Pearson's correlation and principal component analysis (PCA), five descriptors were identified as representative of the maturity stages of the cacao fruit. PCA results and respiration measurements established that stage 3 presented the highest substrate availability for obtaining good fermentation and quality cacao. This stage showed values between 124 and 197 days after anthesis with lengths between 167.7 and 249.73 mm, and diameters between 64.4 and 95.8 mm, according to the locality. CONCLUSION: Three growth phases of the cacao fruits were established considering days after anthesis. Both the edaphoclimatic conditions and the cacao genotype characteristics influenced this determination. Stage 3 of fruit maturation shows the best physicochemical conditions for good fermentation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Subject(s)
Cacao/metabolism , Fruit/growth & development , Cacao/chemistry , Cacao/growth & development , Fruit/chemistry , Fruit/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Respiration , Trees/chemistry , Trees/growth & development , Trees/metabolismABSTRACT
Resumen:Existe poca información acerca de la ecología del jaguar (Panthera onca) para la Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo, en el Estado de Tamaulipas, México. Los trabajos con los que se cuenta se limitan a experiencias anecdóticas y pocas publicaciones. Los objetivos de la presente investigación fueron: a) determinar la estructura y densidad poblacional del jaguar, b) analizar sus patrones de actividad y su traslape temporal con el puma (Puma concolor), c) determinar las abundancias de presas potenciales, y d) evaluar los daños por depredación en animales domésticos en el Municipio de Gómez Farías. Entre abril 2013 y abril 2014 se colocaron cámaras trampa con un esfuerzo de muestreo de 8 580 días cámaras trampa. Adicionalmente, se aplicaron 136 encuestas semi-estructuradas entre residentes de las comunidades del municipio de Gómez Farías y Llera con el objeto de recabar información sobre daños en animales domésticos por ataques de jaguar y otros carnívoros silvestres. Se identificaron ocho individuos de jaguar; cuatro hembras adultas, una hembra juvenil, dos machos adultos y un macho juvenil. La densidad estimada fue de 5.9 ± 1.3 ind/100 km². Con respecto a los patrones de actividad del jaguar y el puma, se encontró que existe un traslape en el que ambas especies mostraron un comportamiento nocturno-crepuscular. Las especies presa más abundantes fueron: Crax rubra, Cuniculus paca, Mazama temama, Odocoileus virginianus y Didelphis virginiana, mientras que las menos abundantes fueron Mephitis macroura y Procyon lotor. Los resultados de las encuestas mostraron que después de las aves de corral, los perros, los gatos y los cerdos fueron los animales de traspatio más depredados por los jaguares (n = 107). Este estudio representa el primer esfuerzo que aporta información sobre la ecología de la especie para la reserva, sin embargo, es evidente que se necesita incrementar el monitorio para determinar la situación actual de la población, generando estrategias adecuadas para su conservación. Finalmente, consideramos que la Reserva de la Biosfera "El Cielo" representa una unidad ecológicamente importante para las poblaciones de jaguares de la Sierra Madre Oriental, por la Vertiente del Golfo de México, ya que puede funcionar como un corredor biológico entre las poblaciones de San Luis Potosí y Nuevo León, México.
Abstract:Information on the ecology of jaguars (Panthera onca) in "El Cielo" Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas, Mexico is scant and limited to anecdotic records in a handful of publications. The objectives of our study were to: a) determine population density and structure of jaguars, b) compare their activity patterns with that of pumas (Puma concolor), c) ascertain potential prey relative abundance, and d) evaluate local resident's perception on loss of domestic animals due to jaguar predation. Between April 2013 and April 2014 we conducted camera trapping in Gomez Farias Township with a total sampling effort of 8 580 camera trap days. Besides, we completed 136 semi-structured interviews among local residents of Gomez Farias and Llera Townships to gather information on domestic animal losses attributed to jaguars and other carnivores. We identified eight different jaguar individuals during a complete year of camera-trapping, composed of four adult females, one juvenile female, two adult males and one juvenile male. We estimated a jaguar density of 5.9 ± 1.3 jaguars/100 km². Activity patterns for jaguars and pumas were similar as both were nocturnal and crepuscular in nature. The most abundant potential prey species for jaguars in the study site were Crax rubra, Cuniculus paca, Mazama temama, Odocoileus virginianus and Didelphis virginiana; while the rarest were Mephitis macroura and Procyon lotor. Interview results suggested that chickens, dogs, and house cats were the most consumed domestic animals from all reported losses by local residents (n= 107). This study represents the first attempt to describe jaguar ecology in "El Cielo" Biosphere Reserve; however, there is a need of additional monitoring efforts to determine the current status of jaguars in a larger area in order to establish conservation strategies. Finally, this jaguar population may have an important role in maintaining the species in the Sierra Madre Oriental biological corridor connecting populations in Nuevo Leon and San Luis states in Northeastern Mexico. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 1451-1468. Epub 2016 December 01.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Ecosystem , Panthera/physiology , Predatory Behavior , Population Density , Puma/physiology , Animal Distribution , MexicoABSTRACT
Information on the ecology of jaguars (Panthera onca) in "El Cielo" Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas, Mexico is scant and limited to anecdotic records in a handful of publications. The objectives of our study were to: a) determine population density and structure of jaguars, b) compare their activity patterns with that of pumas (Puma concolor), c) ascertain potential prey relative abundance, and d) evaluate local resident's perception on loss of domestic animals due to jaguar predation. Between April 2013 and April 2014 we conducted camera trapping in Gomez Farias Township with a total sampling effort of 8 580 camera trap days. Besides, we completed 136 semi-structured interviews among local residents of Gomez Farias and Llera Townships to gather information on domestic animal losses attributed to jaguars and other carnivores. We identified eight different jaguar individuals during a complete year of camera-trapping, composed of four adult females, one juvenile female, two adult males and one juvenile male. We estimated a jaguar density of 5.9 ± 1.3 jaguars/100 km². Activity patterns for jaguars and pumas were similar as both were nocturnal and crepuscular in nature. The most abundant potential prey species for jaguars in the study site were Crax rubra, Cuniculus paca, Mazama temama, Odocoileus virginianus and Didelphis virginiana; while the rarest were Mephitis macroura and Procyon lotor. Interview results suggested that chickens, dogs, and house cats were the most consumed domestic animals from all reported losses by local residents (n= 107). This study represents the first attempt to describe jaguar ecology in "El Cielo" Biosphere Reserve; however, there is a need of additional monitoring efforts to determine the current status of jaguars in a larger area in order to establish conservation strategies. Finally, this jaguar population may have an important role in maintaining the species in the Sierra Madre Oriental biological corridor connecting populations in Nuevo Leon and San Luis states in Northeastern Mexico.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Panthera/physiology , Animal Distribution , Animals , Female , Male , Mexico , Population Density , Predatory Behavior , Puma/physiologyABSTRACT
Con el objeto de evaluar la utilidad de tres distintos esquemas terapéuticos en la faringoamigdalitis aguda (FAA) no purulenta, se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado que comparó tres grupos de 30 pacientes cada uno: grupo A con tratamiento sintomático, grupo B tratado con penicilina procaínica por siete días más medicamentos sintomáticos, grupo C tratado con penicilina procaínica por dos días y con penicilina benzatínica por dos días y con penicilina benzatínica al tercer día, y sintomáticos. Este estudio nos permitió observar que no existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas cuando comparamos los tres grupos, p> 0.6, p> 0.6 y p> 1, respectivamente. Se propone el tratamiento sintomático en la FAA para brindar mayor beneficio terapéutico y evitar el uso indiscriminado de antibióticos en la consulta de medicina familiar
