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Papers by Alejandro Moron-Rios

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Resumen Se compara el rendimiento productivo y econó-mico del cultivo de chile jalapeño con manej... more Resumen Se compara el rendimiento productivo y econó-mico del cultivo de chile jalapeño con manejo or-gánico como alternativa al cultivo convencional que utiliza agroquímicos. Se sembraron dos par-celas con chile jalapeño variedad " Don Benito " , sin riego, manejadas de acuerdo al calendario del agricultor. Durante el ciclo agrícola, men-sualmente, se registraron todas las inversiones monetarias realizadas en agroquímicos, jornales, adición de lombricomposta y fitoinsecticidas. También, se registró la biomasa de las plantas y las dimensiones de los frutos. La producción con manejo convencional fue mayor, pero el cos-to de producción se duplicó en comparación con el cultivo orgánico, afectándose negativamente su rentabilidad. Abstract The productive and economic crop yield under organic management of the jalapeno peeper as an alternative to conventional farming using agrochemicals is compared. Two plots of the ja-lapeño pepper variety " Don Benito " , managed acc...

Oecologia, 1997

Page 1. Alejandro Morón-Rıos·Rodolfo Dirzo Victor J. Jaramillo Defoliation and below-ground herbi... more Page 1. Alejandro Morón-Rıos·Rodolfo Dirzo Victor J. Jaramillo Defoliation and below-ground herbivory in the grass Muhlenbergia quadridentata: Effects on plant performance and on the root-feeder Phyllophaga sp. (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae) ...

Fungal Biology, 2012

Little is known about the dynamics of succession of fungi on limestone exposed in subtropical env... more Little is known about the dynamics of succession of fungi on limestone exposed in subtropical environments. In this study, the colonization of experimental blocks of compact and porous limestone by a fungal community derived from natural biofilms occurring on Structure X from the archaeological site of Becán (México), was studied using a cultivation-dependent approach after short-term (9 m) exposure in order to provide a preliminary insight of the colonization process under seminatural conditions. Microbial growth seen as the change of colour of stone surfaces to black/dark green was more abundant on the porous limestone. There was a fairly clear difference in microbial colonization between the onset of the experiment and the 6th month for both limestone types, but no significant increase in the colonization of coupons occurred between months 6 and 9. This could be related to the low rainfall expected for this period, corresponding to the dry season. A total of 977 isolates were obtained. From these, 138 sterile fungi were unidentified, 380 could only be assigned to the order Sphaeropsidales; the remaining isolates (459) were grouped into 27 genera and 99 different species. Nearly all detected fungal species belonged to the Ascomycota (90 %). Rare taxa (species represented by one to three isolates) included the recently described genus Elasticomyces, several species of genera Hyalodendron, Monodyctis, Papulospora, Curvularia, and Septoria. Other taxa were Minimedusa and Gliomastix luzulae, which have not been previously described for stone environments. Abundant fungi included several species of the common genera Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Taeniolella typical for a range of habitats. Succession of populations was observed for certain taxa, this shift in the composition of fungal communities was more evident in porous limestone. After 6 m of exposure, species of the genera Scolecobasidium, Hyalodendron, and Taeniolella were predominant, while after 9 m, the predominant species belonged to the genera Curvularia and Alternaria, particularly on porous stone. These results suggest that Curvularia and Alternaria replaced other fungi, due to a higher tolerance towards low levels of available water during the dry season. Higher levels of water within the porous stone, keep longer periods of microbial activity, minimizing the impact of desiccation. This study contributes to understand the diversity of fungal communities in stone surfaces in subtropical settings and the dynamics of colonization on limestone.

2011. Efecto del uso de suelo en las hormigas (Formicidae: Hymenoptera) de Tikinmul, Campeche, Mé... more 2011. Efecto del uso de suelo en las hormigas (Formicidae: Hymenoptera) de Tikinmul, Campeche, México. Acta Zoológica Mexicana (n. s.), 27(2): 441-461. RESUMEN. Se comparó el efecto del uso de suelo sobre la mirmecofauna del ejido de Tikinmul, Campeche, México. El estudio se llevó a cabo en monocultivos de cedro y huertos caseros, durante la época seca y lluviosa. Para la colecta de especies se utilizó el método Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TS-BF) modificado para sistemas agroforestales. Se encontraron un total de 37 morfoespecies, de las cuales nueve son exclusivas de cada uno de los dos sistemas, mientras 19 están presentes en ambos. Se observa una similitud (Sörensen) de 60.4% entre sistemas y 68% entre épocas. La subfamilia Myrmicinae con 8 géneros y 17 especies fue la mejor representada en el estudio. Solenopsis geminata y Dorymyrmex sp. fueron especies dominantes e indicadoras del monocultivo. La densidad de hormigas fue más alta en los monocultivos. No se encontró relación directa de la intensidad de manejo con la riqueza de especies. La cantidad de hojarasca se muestra como el factor determinante de abundancia de las hormigas. Los agroquímicos afectan de manera indirecta a sus poblaciones. Palabras clave: agroecosistemas, riqueza de especies, mirmecofauna. ABSTRACT. The effect of land use on ants was compared in Tikinmul, Campeche, Mexico. The research was carried out in cedar monocultures and home gardens, during dry and wet seasons. TSBF method modified to agroforestry systems was used to collect ants. 37 species were collected, nine of which were exclusive to both systems, while 19 were present in both systems. A similarity (Sörensen index) of 60.4% between systems and 68% between seasons was observed. The Myrmecinae Subfamily with eight genera and 17 species was the most represented. Solenopsis geminata and Dorymyrmex sp. were dominant and indicator species of monoculture system. Ant density was higher in monocultures. A direct relationship between management intensity and species richness was not found. Litter amount appear to be the determinant factor to define ants abundance. Ants populations were affected indirectly by agrochemicals.

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2005

Biological diversity conservation within natural reserves has been prioritized, but conservation ... more Biological diversity conservation within natural reserves has been prioritized, but conservation efforts outside protected areas (where most human activities take place) have been very little considered. In this scenario, an alternative agricultural practice that may reduce the impacts of fragmentation in outer landscapes is a perforation process, which involves conservation in agricultural fields surrounded by continuous forests. Such practices enhance the positive impact of ecological services on fields. In this study we analyzed the biological diversity state in perforation fields and their surrounding forests. The analysis was done using dung beetles as biological indicators. A nested pattern in dung beetles distribution was found, which ordered the surrounding continuous forest sites as the ones with the highest species richness, followed by the perforation fields, and placed the fragmentation practice fields (continuous agricultural fields surrounding forest patches) with the lowest one. Indicator species for perforation fields and surrounding continuous forests were chosen. In general, perforation practice fields differed in composition, based upon functional groups richness and identity; it also contained a higher species richness than the fragmentation practice. Agricultural practices that enhance biological diversity conservation such as perforation, should be recommended and considered in natural resource management by local communities in order to take advantage of ecological services that otherwise may be gradually lost.

Coleopterists Bulletin, 2009

Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille) is considered to be one of the primary vectors of Chagas disease i... more Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille) is considered to be one of the primary vectors of Chagas
disease in Southern Mexico and Central America. The objective of the present study was to obtain
ecological information on T. dimidiata in two rural communities of Campeche, Mexico, where the vector
is poorly studied. Our work consisted of monthly samplings carried out during one-year time at three
levels: sylvatic, peridomestic and intradomestic, in order to estimate the population abundance of this
species and its rate of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Triatoma dimidiata was the unique vector of
this disease collected in San Juan Bautista Sakcabchen (SJBS) and Crucero San Luis (CSL). The total
of 145 individuals were captured in SJBS; from these, 26.9%, 20% and 53.1% were collected in the
sylvatic, peridomestic and intradomestic area, respectively. In CSL captures yielded 108 individuals:
40.7% in the sylvatic area, 20.4% peridomestic and 38.9% intradomestic. We found no correlation
between climatic variables and population abundance of T. dimidiata. Dataset obtained suggests that
individuals from the sylvatic area exhibit a high rate of natural infection by T. cruzi, with monthly
percentages up to 61.5% for SJBS and 50% for CSL. At the peri and intradomestic level, the reservoirs
apparently play an important role in the transmission, as the seroprevalence in dogs was 61.5% y
65.4%, for SJBS y CSL, respectively. Based on these fi ndings, it was concluded that inhabitants of
both communities are at a high risk of Chagas disease infection.

Estimamos los patrones de diversidad (riqueza y abundancia) y disimilitud en comunidades de roedo... more Estimamos los patrones de diversidad (riqueza y abundancia) y disimilitud en comunidades de roedores y murciélagos en cuatro sitios (unidades de paisaje) en el Istmo de Tehuantepec en Oaxaca, México, una región muy importante debido a la gran cantidad de especies endémicas neotropicales. El objetivo principal fue relacionar los parámetros de la comunidad de roedores y murciélagos con la diversidad de hábitats y disturbio humano en un paisaje fragmentado. Capturamos 1,133 individuos de 13 especies de roedores y 26 especies de murciélagos de enero a agosto de 2006. En la unidad de paisaje con mayor diversidad de hábitats se registró la más alta diversidad de roedores. La disimilitud de especies fue baja entre las unidades de paisaje con mayor similitud en grado de disturbio humano. En roedores, el valor de disimilitud de especies entre diferentes hábitats del paisaje fue generalmente alto; por lo tanto, las especies no se distribuyen completamente por todo el paisaje. En murciélagos, el grado de disimilitud de especies entre los diferentes hábitats en el paisaje fue bajo. La distribución de las especies de murciélagos en el paisaje depende de su alta vagilidad y de la estructura espacial del paisaje. Los resultados muestran la importancia de la diversidad de hábitats en los patrones de la riqueza, abundancia y disimilitud de mamíferos en el área de estudio.

Ungrazed plots accumulated more aboveground plant biomass and litter during spring, providing
extra food for soil biota. However, grazing during autumn or spring did not affect SMC characteristics.
Reduction of inter-annual precipitation variability in autumn and spring increased the abundance of
two decomposer taxa: Oligochaeta and Diplopoda. Additionally, if summer drought was reduced, plant
species richness, litter and the abundance of Isopoda were increased. 3) Oligochaeta and Diplopoda
increase their abundance in spring, particularly, the most abundant taxon (Oligochaeta). We conclude
that inter- and intra-annual variability in precipitation is a key environmental factor for the decomposer
soil fauna in Mediterranean ecosystems, modifying the physical characteristics of the soils (humidity,
hardness, etc.), as well as affecting the amount or characteristics of plant biomass or litter. The respiration
system of the macroinvertebrates (cutaneous, tracheal or branquial) and the capacity to migrate vertically
into the soil may determine the decomposers' responses to precipitation.

Ungrazed plots accumulated more aboveground plant biomass and litter during spring, providing
extra food for soil biota. However, grazing during autumn or spring did not affect SMC characteristics.
Reduction of inter-annual precipitation variability in autumn and spring increased the abundance of
two decomposer taxa: Oligochaeta and Diplopoda. Additionally, if summer drought was reduced, plant
species richness, litter and the abundance of Isopoda were increased. 3) Oligochaeta and Diplopoda
increase their abundance in spring, particularly, the most abundant taxon (Oligochaeta). We conclude
that inter- and intra-annual variability in precipitation is a key environmental factor for the decomposer
soil fauna in Mediterranean ecosystems, modifying the physical characteristics of the soils (humidity,
hardness, etc.), as well as affecting the amount or characteristics of plant biomass or litter. The respiration
system of the macroinvertebrates (cutaneous, tracheal or branquial) and the capacity to migrate vertically
into the soil may determine the decomposers' responses to precipitation.

Biodiversity and …, Jan 1, 2005

Oecologia, Jan 1, 1997

In this study we evaluated (1) the combined effects of simulated defoliation and below-ground her... more In this study we evaluated (1) the combined effects of simulated defoliation and below-ground herbivory (BGH) on the biomass and nitrogen content of tillers and roots of the bunchgrass Muhlenbergia quadridentata and (2) the effect of defoliation on the survival of third-instar root-feeder larvae of Phyllophaga sp. The experiment was performed in a pine forest area at an altitude of 3200 m above sea level. The grass and the root-feeder species were native and dominant in the understory and in the macroarthropod root-feeder communities, respectively. Plants were established in pots in the field and were subjected to the following treatments in a factorial design: simulated defoliation (three levels) and BGH (with or without root-feeder larvae) with ten replicates per treatment. Plants were defoliated three times at 2-month intervals. The interaction between defoliation and root herbivory was significant for all components of plant biomass. In every case, light defoliation with BGH decreased live aboveground, root and total plant biomass, and the number of live tillers by more than 50% with respect to the same defoliation level without root-feeders. Plants apparently did not compensate for the carbon drain by root-feeders when a high proportion of older leaves were not removed by defoliation. Plants under heavy defoliation were not affected by the presence of root-feeders and showed a greater live/dead above-ground biomass ratio than lightly defoliated and control plants. Defoliation and BGH did not change tiller and root N concentrations but root herbivores did decrease live-tiller N con-tent in lightly defoliated plants. Root-feeders but not defoliation decreased the root/shoot ratio by 40% and the live/dead above-ground biomass ratio by 45% through increased tiller mortality. Survivorship and final biomass of Phyllophaga sp. larvae were not affected by defoliation treatments during the 6-month study period.

Canadian entomologist, Jan 1, 1997

Acta Zoológica Mexicana (nueva …, Jan 1, 2001

Se efectuaron colectas con trampa de luz tipo pantalla, trampas con fruta fermentada y captura di... more Se efectuaron colectas con trampa de luz tipo pantalla, trampas con fruta fermentada y captura directa sobre plantas, durante 1997 y 1998, que aportaron 40 especies de 24 géneros de Melolonthinae, Rutelinae, Dynastinae, Cetoniinae y Trichiinae. El mayor número de especies se encuentra en los géneros Phyllophaga, Anomala y Cyclocephala. Se encontraron especies recientemente descritas de los géneros Yaaxkumukia, Anomala, Mesosternus, Parisoleoides, Chrysina, Plusiotis, Hologymnetis y Phyllophaga. Hoplia subcostata Bates y Plusiotis quiche Morón se registran por primera vez para México, y se confirma la presencia de Archedinus relictus Morón y Krikken, especie relictual descrita de El Triunfo en 1990. La estimación de la riqueza de especies por esfuerzo de colecta indica que esta investigación aportaría el 70 % de las especies nocturnas de esta localidad. Con base en los ejemplares capturados, se presenta una clave preliminar para las especies de Melolonthidae de la reserva.

Acta Zool Mexic, Jan 1, 2003

Se presenta un estudio de las especies nocturnas de la familia Melolonthidae (sensu Endrödi, 1966... more Se presenta un estudio de las especies nocturnas de la familia Melolonthidae (sensu Endrödi, 1966) en Villa Las Rosas, Chiapas, con los objetivos de conocer su riqueza, abundancia y fenología. El municipio de Villa Las Rosas, se encuentra a 1,240 m de altitud, en un ambiente de transición entre selva baja subcaducifolia y bosque de coníferas. Para la captura de los ejemplares se utilizaron como trampas de luz las lámparas del alumbrado público. Durante 1999-2000 se aplicó un esfuerzo de colecta sistemática de 103 noches, y se capturaron 4,029 ejemplares pertenecientes a 50 especies de los géneros Diplotaxis, y Phileurus. La mayor riqueza y abundancia correspondió a las especies de Phyllophaga (16 spp.) y Anomala (11 spp.), algunas de las cuales podrían tener importancia económica, como posibles plagas que consumen las raíces de los cultivos en la región. Se citan por primera vez para México: Archophileurus simplex (Bates) y Phyllophaga anolaminata (Moser), y se consideran como primeros registros para Chiapas: Anomala decolor Bates, A. forreri Bates, Diplotaxis consentanea Bates, D. simillima Moser y Hoplia squamifera Burmeister. Se incluye una clave para separar las 50 especies encontradas. El 51% de las especies de Villa Las Rosas corresponde al patrón Paleoamericano con amplio éxito (sensu Halffter, 1976), pero a nivel genérico el predominio es Neotropical. Esta fauna tiene más similitud (QS Sorensen) con Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz (27.72%) y las montañas del Noreste de Hidalgo (27.40%). Palabras Clave: Melolonthidae, Phyllophaga, Anomala, taxonomía, distribución, selva baja subcaducifolia.

The Coleopterists Bulletin, Jan 1, 2008

European Journal of Soil …, Jan 1, 2010

Soil macroinvertebrate communities (SMC) are well known to influence major ecosystem processes, b... more Soil macroinvertebrate communities (SMC) are well known to influence major ecosystem processes, but relatively few investigations have examined the mechanisms and factors involved in SMC regulation. We conducted a factorial experiment with combinations of seasonal grazing by sheep and irrigation (simulating different precipitation regimes) to assess their effects on the SMC of a semiarid Mediterranean old-field. We also analyzed effects on plant species richness, total aboveground biomass, and litter. The data were collected in autumn and spring, the two favorable seasons for SMC and primary production in the region, and season was included as an additional random factor. Main results were: 1) Ungrazed plots accumulated more aboveground plant biomass and litter during spring, providing extra food for soil biota. However, grazing during autumn or spring did not affect SMC characteristics. 2) Reduction of inter-annual precipitation variability in autumn and spring increased the abundance of two decomposer taxa: Oligochaeta and Diplopoda. Additionally, if summer drought was reduced, plant species richness, litter and the abundance of Isopoda were increased. 3) Oligochaeta and Diplopoda increase their abundance in spring, particularly, the most abundant taxon (Oligochaeta). We conclude that inter-and intra-annual variability in precipitation is a key environmental factor for the decomposer soil fauna in Mediterranean ecosystems, modifying the physical characteristics of the soils (humidity, hardness, etc.), as well as affecting the amount or characteristics of plant biomass or litter. The respiration system of the macroinvertebrates (cutaneous, tracheal or branquial) and the capacity to migrate vertically into the soil may determine the decomposers' responses to precipitation.

Journal of Insect …, Jan 1, 2009

We evaluated changes in levels of diversity of copro-necrophilous staphylinids attracted to piles... more We evaluated changes in levels of diversity of copro-necrophilous staphylinids attracted to piles of cattle dung and rat carrion in four contrasting habitats (continuous oak forest, oak forest patches, savannah and ravines) in southeastern Mexico during 2005 and 2006. In total, 181 morpho-species (N = 9,875 individuals) of Staphylinidae were recorded, of which 40 were coprophiles, 98 were necrophiles, and 43 were present in both substrates. Ten species accounted for 65% of the total number of individuals, 68 species were represented by singletons, whereas 103 species registered intermediate abundances. Less disturbed habitats recorded higher levels of beetle diversity. A strong seasonality effect was recorded for necrophiles, but not for coprophiles. A beta diversity analysis suggested that continuous oak forest registered the lowest fauna similarity when contrasted to other habitats; yet beetle composition among oak forest patches, savannah and ravine remained comparable. Staphylinidae body size and trophic guilds differed significantly among habitats. The results of this study suggest that key habitats such as ravines may represent a more permanent and predictable habitat for beetles in highly seasonal landscapes, even at early stages, because this habitat is characterized by a slower turnover of Staphylinidae species than in the case of tropical oak patches or savannah habitats.