Background: Vanilla planifolia, a threatened species, is distributed naturally in semi-deciduous and evergreen rain forests of southeastern Mexico and parts of Central America. In the wild, it is difficult to diagnose from another sympatric Vanilla species, and individuals with reproductive structures are usually required. Questions: Can ISSR discriminate wild individuals of Vanilla planifolia from other sympatric species of the genus? Can phylogenetic analyses of ITS recover the monophyly of V. planifolia and help identify Vanilla species? Studied species: The vanilla (V. planifolia), the second-most important economically spice in the world. Study site and years of study: Plant material was collected during 2014 in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. Methods: We analyzed 88 wild individuals of several Vanilla species. Individuals of five species of Vanilla reported for the region were used as reference. 84 ISSR loci were analyzed using three clustering methods. A phylogenetic inference using ITS was performed. Results: ISSR markers clearly discriminate wild Vanilla planifolia, finding definite genetic structure within the species. The three clustering methods identified genetic relationships with congruent patterns. Five groups were found and they corresponded with the species studied. Phylogenetic inference of ITS sequences supported the monophyly of the Vanilla and the resulting cladograms were coherent with the clustering pattern observed in the ISSR studies. Conclusions: Both ISSR and ITS analyses are able to identify V. planifolia. Molecular data suggest the presence of V. pompona and a new species of Vanilla in the Yucatan Peninsula. Keywords: Genetic identification, molecular markers, phylogenetic analysis, vanilla, wild populations.Vanilla planifolia silvestre y sus parientes en la Península de Yucatán, México: análisis sistemáticos con ISSR e ITS Resumen Antecedentes: Vanilla planifolia es una especie amenazada que se distribuye naturalmente en las selvas tropicales perennifolias y subperennifolias del sureste de México y parte de Centroamérica. En estado silvestre, es difícil de diferenciar de otras especies simpátricas de Vanilla, y usualmente se requieren individuos con estructuras reproductivas. Preguntas: ¿Pueden los marcadores ISSR discriminar individuos silvestres de Vanilla planifolia de otras especies simpátricas de vainilla?, ¿Puede el análisis de ITS recobrar la monofilia de V. planifolia y contribuir a identificar las especies de Vanilla? Especie en estudio: Económicamente, la vainilla (Vanilla planifolia) es la segunda especia más importante en el mundo. Sitio de estudio y fecha: La colecta se realizó en 2014 en la Península de Yucatán. Métodos: Se analizaron 88 de individuos silvestres de especies de Vanilla. Se utilizaron como testigos individuos de cinco especies de vainilla reportadas para la región. 84 loci de ISSR fueron analizados usando tres métodos de agrupamiento. Se realizó una inferencia filogenética con ITS. Resultados: Los ISSR discriminaron claramente a los individuos si...

En Yucatán existe una gran riqueza de conocimiento sobre el uso de las plantas medicinales, que se encuentra en riesgo debido a los actuales procesos de deterioro ambiental y cultural. En este trabajo se da a conocer el establecimiento de jardines comunitarios como una estrategia para salvaguardar el conocimiento que el pueblo maya posee acerca de la flora medicinal y conservar los recursos fitogenéticos de uso medicinal. Se establecieron cuatro jardines medicinales, mediante el método de investigación participativa. Los jardines resguardan el germoplasma de 206 especies, pertenecientes a 170 géneros y 66 familias botánicas; de éstas 160 son especies nativas, de las cuales 11 son endémicas de la Península de Yucatán y 46 son exóticas. Estas especies medicinales se emplean para tratar 301 padecimientos. Las categorías con mayor número de usos son problemas dermatológicos (68), gastrointestinales (59) y reproductivos (33). Estas categorías de uso también incluyeron el mayor número de especies: 82 para problemas dermatológicos, 72 para gastrointestinales, y 35 para los reproductivos y síndromes de filiación cultural. Las especies con mayor valor de uso fueron Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (5.5), Ocimum campechianum Mill. (4.75), Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (4.75), Ruta chalepensis L. (4.5), Tradescantia spathacea Sw. (3.5), Parthenium hysterophorus L. (3.25), Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. (3.0) y Cissampelos pareira L. (3.0). Las especies con mayor consistencia de uso fueron Tithonia diversifolia para el reumatismo (100 %), y Diphysa carthagenensis Jacq. para el mal de ojo (100 %); además se encontraron 12 especies con una consistencia de uso de 75 %. A largo plazo se espera que siguiendo esta estrategia se pueda consolidar una red de jardines medicinales que contribuya a salvaguardar la flora medicinal y el conocimiento asociado al uso de las plantas en esta región del país.

Given current urbanization trends, understanding the factors that affect local biodiversity is paramount for designing sound management practices. Existing evidence suggests that the assembly of urban communities is influenced by the environmental filtering of organisms based on their traits. Here, we investigate how environmental characteristics including isolation measurements affect the functional composition of avian assemblages in green spaces of Merida, Mexico, a Neotropical city. We sampled 22 sites, analyzed point-count data collected during fall migration, and characterized the habitat with regard to floristic and structural vegetation attributes, vegetation cover within green spaces, urban infrastructure, and isolation. We assessed the relationship between habitat descriptors and bird functional traits using RLQ and fourth-corner tests and compared trait–environment associations between resident and wintering species. Our results showed that functional composition of resident bird assemblages was linked to the environmental characteristics of the site, while the functional composition of wintering species was not. In particular, the degree of isolation revealed to be an important determinant of trait composition. Plant species richness, particularly native tree and shrub species, were critical for the functional composition of resident birds in green spaces. Our findings suggested shifts in body mass from less to more isolated green spaces. Specifically, we observed that large-bodied species predominated in isolated green spaces. This information is useful given the predicted increases in habitat isolation and transformation of green spaces due to urbanization.

<p><strong>Background:</strong><em> Amaranthus palmeri </em>is a dioecious weed that has become an invasive species because of its proliferation ability and high resistance to herbicides. This species is considered one of the most troublesome weed species for the United States of America agricultural system, therefore, the documentation of this species is important for a region that harbors high biodiversity as well as many agricultural activities, as the Peninsula of Yucatan.</p><p><strong>Question:</strong><em> Amaranthus palmeri</em> is distributed in Peninsula of Yucatan.<em></em></p><p><strong>Studied species: </strong><em>Amaranthus palmeri </em>S. Watson</p><p><strong>Study site:</strong> Two sites in Yucatán, México in 2014, 2017 y 2018.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Morphological characters were examined, characterized and measured, and floral characters were photographed.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong><em> Amaranthus palmeri </em>is documented for the first time in the Peninsula of Yucatan. The collected specimens are described. Differences and similarities with other species of the genus in the region are discussed. Intraspecific variation of the populations is reported. A key to the species of <em>Amaranthus</em> in the Peninsula of Yucatan is provided.</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Twelve species of <em>Amaranthus</em> were identified in the Yucatan Peninsula, including <em>A. palmeri</em>. The morphological variation of sepals of the female flowers of <em>A. palmeri</em> might indicate hybridization, phenotypic plasticity or intraspecific variation, which might be related to its ability to adapt to the agricultural systems and artificial environments that colonizes; therefore, the generation of knowledge for this species might be helpful in designing more efficient management solutions.