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Background: Meliponiculture is the breeding of stingless bees (SB) or bees of the Meliponini tribe. In Mexico, this activity was practiced before the arrival of the Spaniards, with the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) (comprising the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan) being the most important region due to its link with the economic, cultural and medicinal aspects of the Mayan communities. The objective of this study was to compare the sociodemographic characteristics and the participation of women in meliponiculture practiced in the YP. Our hypothesis suggests that the participation of women in meliponiculture is lower compared to that of men due to their sociocultural responsibilities in the community. Methods: A total of 56 interviews were conducted between December 2021 and December 2023, using referral sampling (this procedure was used due to non-availability of any producer's list; and due the random nature of the information obtained from various producers belonging to different sociodemographic contexts). The interview form consisted of the following sections: basic information about the producer, gender, age, years of education, number of colonies, honey production and years of experience. The information collected was analyzed using a Student's t-test in the R program. Results: It was observed that 66% of meliponiculturists were men and 34% were women. Differences were observed in the average age and number of colonies, in men with 47.4 ± 3.24; years and 36.19 ± 10.28 colonies; while in women, it was 38.1 ± 2.80 (t = 2.14; p = 0.036; gl = 52) years and 14.00 ± 2.42 (t = 2.09; p = 0.042; gl = 40) colonies. No differences were observed between the years of education (8.84 ± 0.79; men and 8.74 ± 0.94 (women; t = 0.08; p = 0.935; gl = 45) and the honey obtained per colony (0.620 ± 0.04 kg/honey; men and 0.600 ± 0.08 kg/honey; women; t = 0.18; p = 0.853, gl = 26). Conclusion: Meliponiculture in the YP is an activity practiced in a greater proportion by men; who also have a greater number of colonies compared to women. On the other hand, women who practice honey production are younger than men. The performance of rural women in commercial beekeeping has been affected by their traditional role in household activities and child care. They do not have enough time dedicated to meliponiculture; although the income they can obtain from the sale of products could contribute to the financial support of the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Yucatan Peninsula (YP) is one of the most important regions in global apiculture. Hence, this work reviews and integrates the knowledge of the species diversity, growth habits, ecosystems, floral calendars during the apiculture production cycles and the types of vegetation represented in the melliferous flora (MF) of the YP; as a basis for proposing selection strategies locating suitable apiculture production areas for local beekeepers and help in the economic development of the region. Methods: A comprehensive review of the MF literature was carried out using the snowball method to determine and update the number of species useful for apiculture. The growth habits and flower calendars were determined through a review of the literature and databases of specimens from the herbaria CICY, UCAM and MEXU. Results: The YP reports a total of 935 taxa of MF (98 families and 498 genera); of these, Campeche has 812 taxa, followed by Quintana Roo (786) and Yucatán (767). The MF is made up of herbs (282), followed by shrubs (260), trees (229), climbers (82), woody climbers (67) palms (14) and parasitic plant (1). Conclusion: Of the 935 species of MF registered at the regional level, a high number of species have flowering throughout the year, however, not all of these species are considered useful for local commercial apiculture. Only a select group of 23 species are considered of major importance for local apiculture industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are considered as the most important anthropometric indicators to investigate the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and other obesity-related diseases. This study assessed the relationship between blood pressure (BP) with BMI and WC in students (aged 8 - 16 years) of rural West Bengal (WB) in Eastern India. About 551 rural secondary school going students were surveyed for BP, height, weight and WC. Among them 283 were boys and 268 were girls. BMI was derived using standard formula; Pearsons' correlation coefficient was done to assess the degree of correlation among BP with BMI and WC. A lower range of obesity was found in rural areas in both boys and girls. WC was found to be more correlated with BP than BMI. Increase of BP was found with a higher BMI and WC. Prevalence of higher BP was found among school boys than girls in rural WB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new natural hybrids of Lophiaris (Orchidaceae, Oncidiinae) are described and their accompanying illustrations provided. The five new nothospecies are: Lophiaris × cicyi (L. lurida × L. tapiae) from Campeche, Mexico, L. × lindeoerstedii (L. lindenii × L. oerstedii) from Quintana Roo, Mexico, L.×lurilindenii (L. lindenii×L. lurida) from Oaxaca, Mexico, L.×crispilurida (L. crispiflora×L. lurida) from Estelí, Nicaragua, and L.× lurigenensis (L. carthagenensis × L. lurida) from northern Venezuela. Comparisons of the floral characters of the new nothospecies and their putative parents are also illustrated with maps showing their corresponding geographical distributions. The etymology, distribution, ecology, informal conservation status, and comparative differences of the nothospecies with respect to their putative parental taxa have also been discussed. These characterizations will allow taxonomists to identify areas where isolation barriers break down and provide insight into the evolutionary processes that have complicated the understanding of the relationships among species and shaped relevantmorphological features of the flowers. We have also provided a comprehensive key to identify the Lophiaris species and their corresponding hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepanthes appendiculata Ames, a new record for the orchid flora of Nicaragua is presented, with comments on its geographical distribution, floral variations, and analysis of conservation status following IUCN criteria. Additionally, we include iconography of its floral variations, habitats, and a detailed distribution map. Based on the herbarium records and iconography, we also accept and corroborate 10 species of Lepanthes Sw. in Nicaragua. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The knowledge of native melliferous flora (MF) may contribute to identify the diversity of species available for beekeeping activities during the dry and rainy seasons of the year in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) region. The acute shortage of food resources considerably reduce local honey production and needs to be addressed appropriately. The objective of this study has been identifying the local MF, their nectar and pollen contribution, their flowering patterns, and the criteria of the vegetation to be established adjacent to local apiaries for stable production of quality honey. The study also investigates how this approach helps to complete the annual flowering cycle required to maintain the honeybee colonies, thereby preventing swarm escapes during periods of acute food stress in the community of Xmabén, Hopelchén, Campeche, Mexico. Methodology: We conducted a comprehensive survey based on interviews with 40 local beekeepers and a review of herbarium specimens (CICY) of the database of the global information network on the native MF biodiversity with high apiculture potential, the contribution of nectar and pollen they provide, and their flowering patterns. Furthermore, we documented interviews with the same beekeepers on the necessary conditions for establishing the ideal components of vegetation in areas adjacent to apiaries for high-quality honey production in the Xmabén community of Hopelchén, Campeche, Mexico. Results: We have identified 56 native MF species with apiculture potential, that need to be planted around the apiaries for assisting honeybees in successfully running the beekeeping production cycle. Hence, the MF diversity of Xmabén community constitutes a valuable resource for successful beekeeping in the region and adjoining localities. We found that 22.5% of local beekeepers are dedicated exclusively to apilcilture, while 77.5% practice it as a secondary activity due to better sources of income in agriculture (60%), masonry (10%), and livestock management (7.5%). The data generated can help in further expansion of the local apiaries, beekeeping business, and in building future opportunities for the local apiculture industry. Indigenous knowledge of the beekeepers was comprehensive and corroborated the technical information on MF collected from the herbarium, further emphasizing the value of indigenous knowledge on traditional beekeeping practices. Conclusion: From the perspective of human ecology, our study reveals the need of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting indigenous knowledge to facilitate traditional beekeeping practices of the region without using expensive, modern technology to solve ecosystem-based problems through long-term, sustainable, traditional, and environment friendly approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]