Fernando Chiang

Cultural change and loss of ethnoecological knowledge among the Isthmus Zapotecs of Mexico

BackgroundGlobal changes that affect local societies may cause the loss of ecological knowledge. The process of cultural change in Zapotec communities of the Oaxacan Isthmus intensified during the first years of the 20th century due to industrial and agro-industrial modernization projects and an increase in the level of formal schooling. Based on the case of the Oaxacan Isthmus, this study assesses the relationship between cultural change and the loss of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK).MethodsThree hundred male heads of family were interviewed from three municipalities in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico selected to span a wide range of cultural change. Each participant was shown herbarium specimens and photographs of a sample of 30 species drawn from a pool of 94 representing local plant diversity. Visual recognition of each species, knowledge of plant form, generic name, specific name, and local uses were scored. The sum of the five scores provided an index of global knowledge which we used as a proxy for TEK. Analysis of variance revealed differences between groups of economic activities. We collected socio-demographic data from the interviewees such as age, level of schooling, and competency in the local language. With these data we ran a principal component analysis and took the first axis as an index of cultural change, and correlated it with the scores obtained each respondent.ResultsWe found statistically significant differences between groups of people with different economic activities, as well as a highly significant negative relationship between the Index of cultural change and ecological knowledge at all levels, with regression coefficients between 81.2% and 88.3%, indicating that cultural change is affecting traditional botanical knowledge.ConclusionsOur results shown that cultural change, as indicated by occupational activity, level of formal schooling, and competence in the indigenous language, is negatively associated with the loss of Zapotec ethnobotanical knowledge. Heads of family engaged in secondary economic activities and services were less culturally competent, especially regarding the knowledge of generic and specific names as well as plant uses.

The confusion of Agave vivipara L. and A. angustifolia Haw., two distinct taxa

Agave vivipara L. andA. angustifolia Haw., considered conspecific by Wijnands, are shown to be two distinct species. A previous neotypification (as a lectotypification) ofA. angustifolia by Gentry is superseded because it is in conflict with the protologue; a new neotype is designated herein. The economic importance ofA. angustifolia is summarized.

Especie nueva del género Megastigma (Rutaceae), del estado de Guerrero, México

ResumenSe describe e ilustra a Megastigma balsense, del bosque tropical caducifolio en la cuenca oriental del Río Balsas, Guerrero, México, como especie nueva para la ciencia. Es más afín a M. galeottii.AbstractMegastigma balsense, from the Río Balsas basin, in Guerrero, Mexico, is described as new and illustrated. It is related to M. galeottii.

Taxonomic re-assessment of Phaseolus dasycarpus (Leguminosae): Systematic position, chromosome studies and re-description

AbstractBased on new information on floral structures, seedling, fruit, seed, root, and leaflet characters, Phaseolus dasycarpus is re-described and illustrated. Its chromosome number was determined as 2n  = 22, with metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes, and karyotype formula of 9m + 2sm. Previous phylogenetic analyses of ITS and trnK sequence data, and those obtained in the present study, show P. dasycarpus to be aligned within section Pedicellati.ResumenCon nueva información de estructuras florales, plántulas, frutos, semillas, raíz y folíolos, se redescribe e ilustra a Phaseolus dasycarpus. Se determina el número cromosómico 2n  = 22, con cromosomas metacéntricos y submetacéntricos y fórmula cariotípica = 9m + 2sm. Análisis filogenéticos previos con secuencias de ITS y trnK y los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio, establecen a P. dasycarpus en la sección Pedicellati.

A new species of helietta (Rutaceae) from Guerrero and Jalisco, Mexico; A synopsis of the North American species

Helietta lottiae, a new species from tropical deciduous forest from Guerrero and Jalisco, Mexico, is described. A key to the North American species of the genus and their geographical distribution are presented.

The identity of Lithophytum (Loganiaceae, Plocospermeae)

Lithophytum, assigned by different workers to Solanaceae, Verbenaceae, and Hydrophyllaceae, is shown to be congeneric with Plocosperma Benth., variously referred to Loganiaceae, Apocynaceae, and Plocospermaceae.