Behavior of the Hottest Chili Peppers in the World Cultivated in Yucatan, Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula is recognized as the center of genetic diversity of Habanero peppers (Capsicum chinense Jacq.), which can be distinguished from those cultivated in other regions of the world by their aroma, taste, and—most of all—by their pungency. We evaluated three commercial varieties of chili peppers reported as being the hottest in the world: ‘Bhut Jolokia’, ‘Trinidad Moruga Scorpion’, and ‘Carolina Reaper’. The aim of our study was to determine the behavior of the pungency when cultivated under the edaphoclimatic conditions of Yucatan. Our results show that the three varieties registered greater contents in comparison with those reported in other regions of the world. ‘Carolina Reaper’—considered to be the hottest variety in the world, with a pungency of 2,200,000 Scoville heat units (SHU)—when cultivated in Yucatan, had a pungency of 3,006,330 SHU, which was greater than all the other varieties analyzed.

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In Danger One of the Largest Aquifers in the World, the Great Mayan Aquifer, Based on Monitoring the Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ◽

10.1007/s00244-021-00869-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pablo Antonio Moreno-Pérez ◽

Marivel Hernández-Téllez ◽

Arely Bautista-Gálvez

Keyword(s):

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

Yucatán Peninsula ◽

The World

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Structure and Genetic Diversity of Nine Important Landraces of Capsicum Species Cultivated in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9070376 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 376 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lucero del C. López Castilla ◽

René Garruña Hernández ◽

Crescencio de la Cruz Castillo Aguilar ◽

Aida Martínez-Hernández ◽

Matilde Margarita Ortiz-García ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Issr Markers ◽

Southern Mexico ◽

Yucatán Peninsula ◽

Capsicum Spp ◽

Capsicum Species

Mexico has a wealth of Capsicum species, which has led to the development of a large number of chili pepper landraces. A great wealth of Capsicum germplasm can be found in southern Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula, an important area of diversification of Capsicum annuum. Specifically, in the western Yucatan Peninsula, three of the five domesticated species of Capsicum (C. annuum, C. chinense and C. frutescens) have been reported. However, information on their genetic diversity, conservation status and potential use is lacking. To generate useful information toward the sustainable use, management and conservation of these species, we evaluated the structure, diversity and genetic relationships of nine accessions of Capsicum spp., of major importance cultivated in the western Yucatan Peninsula using 42 ISSR loci. The results indicated that these accessions consisted of three genetic groups that were defined by the respective species of each accession. The level of genetic diversity was moderate and distributed mainly among accessions. The ISSR markers detected a high level of polymorphism and allowed the genetic differentiation of the C. annuum complex. The results indicated that the accessions collected in the western Yucatan Peninsula constitute a valuable genetic resource that can be used in genetic improvement and conservation programs.

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A New Scaphelline Volute from the Gulf of Mexico

The Festivus ◽

10.54173/f512097 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 97-102

Author(s):

Edward Petuch ◽

David Berschauer

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

Color Pattern ◽

The Other ◽

New Subspecies ◽

Yucatán Peninsula ◽

Different Color

A new subspecies of Scaphella junonia has been discovered off the Alacranes Reefs, along the northernmost edge of Campeche Bank, Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The new subspecies, here named Scaphella junonia curryi, differs from the other four known S. junonia subspecies in having the narrowest and most elongated shell, having the strongest and most extensive ribbed sculpture on the spire whorls, and in having a different color pattern composed of very large, almost fused rectangular spots. The new subspecies is confined to the edge of the Campeche Escarpment off the northern Campeche Bank islands and reefs.

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First Report of Phytophthora capsici Causing Damping-off of Capsicum chinense in the Yucatan Peninsula

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-09-15-1047-pdn ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 100 (6) ◽

pp. 1247 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. A. Sánchez-Borges ◽

R. A. Souza-Perera ◽

J. J. Zúñiga-Aguilar ◽

S. Shrestha ◽

K. Lamour ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

Phytophthora Capsici ◽

Capsicum Chinense ◽

Damping Off ◽

First Report ◽

Yucatán Peninsula

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A new species of isopod of the genus Curassanthura (Cymothoida, Anthuroidea, Leptanthuridae) from anchialine caves of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-00003892 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 92 (5) ◽

pp. 545-553 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fernando Alvarez ◽

Sergio Benitez ◽

Thomas M. Iliffe ◽

Jose Luis Villalobos

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

The Other ◽

Yucatán Peninsula ◽

The Family ◽

Anchialine Caves ◽

A New Species

Abstract A new stygobitic isopod from the anchialine systems of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, is described, bringing the total number of anchialine isopods to seven. Curassanthura yucatanensis sp. nov. of the family Leptanthuridae is the first species of the genus to be recorded from a continental site. It can be distinguished from the other known species in the genus by the shape of the head, wider than long, and the number of robust setae (30) on the palmar margin of the propodus of pereopod 1.

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Capsicum chinense Jacq. (Bhut Jolokia) – rich source of capsaicin with wide application and economic potential

Annals of Plant Sciences ◽

10.21746/aps.2017.8.3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (8) ◽

pp. 1664 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Biswadeep Gogoi

Keyword(s):

Geographical Indications ◽

Phytochemical Analysis ◽

Economic Potential ◽

Capsicum Chinense ◽

Patent Rights ◽

The World ◽

Natural Hybridisation ◽

The Government ◽

Bhut Jolokia ◽

Different Parts

Bhut jolokia, which is a cultivar of Capsicum chinense Jacq. is known to the world for its high capsaicinoids content. While wild C. chinense forms may be found in eastern lowland of South America, bhut jolokia is grown in the northeastern states of India. Evidences show that bhut jolokia has interspecific origin with introgression of genes of C. frutecens into C. chinense a natural hybridisation. The fruit of the plant and its leaves has been used as ethnobotanical medicine in different parts of the world. Phytochemical analysis has shown that the fruit is rich in capsaicinoids, which is the reason for its high pungency. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are the two major capsaicinoids adding pungency to chilli. Higher the capsaicin higher is the pungency. Recent studies has shown wide medicinal applications of capsaicin such as pain relief, anti-obesity treatment, as an antioxidant, antimicrobial agent and even as anticancer molecule. The government of Nagaland has patent rights and geographical indications for naga chilli, which will certainly help in the economic prospect of the region from its cultivation. Thus, this review is an attempt to highlight the latest research and developments in bhut jolokia, which has a huge economic potential to prosper the northeastern region of India.

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Extracts from Six Native Plants of the Yucatán Peninsula Hinder Mycelial Growth of Fusarium equiseti and F. oxysporum, Pathogens of Capsicum chinense

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9100827 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 827

Author(s):

Patricia Cruz-Cerino ◽

Jairo Cristóbal-Alejo ◽

Violeta Ruiz-Carrera ◽

Germán Carnevali ◽

Marina Vera-Ku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antifungal Activity ◽

Mycelial Growth ◽

Inhibitory Concentration ◽

Native Plants ◽

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽

Capsicum Chinense ◽

Fusarium Equiseti ◽

Yucatán Peninsula

Fusarium equiseti strain FCHE and Fusarium oxysporum strain FCHJ were isolated from the roots of wilting habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedlings with root rot. Toward developing a biorational control of these serious phytopathogenic strains, ethanolic (EE) and aqueous (AE) extracts of different vegetative parts of 40 tropical native plants of the Yucatán Peninsula were screened for antifungal activity. Extracts of six out of 40 assayed plants were effective, and the most inhibitory extracts were studied further. EEs from Mosannona depressa (bark from stems and roots), Parathesis cubana (roots), and Piper neesianum (leaves) inhibited mycelial growth of both strains. Each active EE was then partitioned between hexane and acetonitrile. The acetonitrile fraction from M. depressa stem bark (MDT-b) had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 1000 µg/mL against both pathogens and moderate inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 462 against F. equiseti and 472 µg/mL against F. oxysporum. After 96 h treatment with EE from M. depressa stem bark, both strains had distorted hyphae and conidia and collapsed conidia in scanning electron micrographs. Liquid chromatography–ultraviolet–high resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major component of the fraction was α-asarone. Its antifungal effect was verified using a commercial standard, which had an IC50 of 236 µg/mL against F. equiseti and >500 µg/mL against F. oxysporum. Furthermore, the P. cubana hexane fraction and P. neesianum acetonitrile fraction had antifungal activity against both Fusarium pathogens. These compounds provide new options for biorational products to control phytopathogenic fungi.

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Effect of Climatic Conditions and Land Cover on Genetic Structure and Diversity of Eunica tatila (Lepidoptera) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d10030079 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 79 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Laura Cavanzón-Medrano ◽

Salima Machkour-M’Rabet ◽

Landy Chablé-Iuit ◽

Carmen Pozo ◽

Yann Hénaut ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Population Structure ◽

Tropical Forest ◽

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Fragmented Landscape ◽

Model Species ◽

Yucatán Peninsula ◽

The Impact

Fragmentation is the third cause of the biodiversity declination. Population genetic studies using Lepidoptera as the model species in the context of loss of habitat are scarce, particularly for tropical areas. We chose a widespread butterfly from Mexico as the model species to explore how changes of habitat characteristics (undisturbed forest, anthropogenic disturbances, and coastal areas), and climatic conditions affect genetic diversity and population structure. The Nymphalidae Eunica tatila is a common species in the Yucatan Peninsula considered to be a bio-indicator of undisturbed tropical forest, with migratory potential and a possible sex-biased dispersal. We genotyped 323 individuals collected in eight undisturbed areas, using four Inter Simple Sequence Repeats primers. Results show a high genetic diversity and no population structure. Temperature and shrub density present a positive and significant relationship with polymorphism values. Furthermore, our results show the positive effect of surrounding forest habitat on genetic diversity, confirming that E. tatila is a bio-indicator of undisturbed tropical forest. We found evidence of sex-biased dispersal. This paper represents one of the few studies on population genetics of tropical butterfly in a fragmented landscape and is, therefore, an important step in understanding the impact of habitat fragmentation on the risk of a butterflies’ decline.

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Gracilaria microcarpa sp. nov. (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) from the southwestern Gulf of Mexico

Botanica Marina ◽

10.1515/bot-2017-0068 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 115-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kurt M. Dreckmann ◽

María Luisa Núñez Resendiz ◽

Abel Sentíes

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Yucatan Peninsula ◽

Morphological Plasticity ◽

The Other ◽

Independent Group ◽

Yucatán Peninsula

AbstractAlthough the genusGracilariais well represented on the Mexican coasts, there are few studies focused on the taxonomic aspects and the clarification of the relationships between species. The high morphological plasticity exhibited by several of its representatives could underestimate the true species richness. In the present study, a group of cylindrical specimens ofGracilariafrom the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, previously identified asG. cornea, was collected. Based on COI-5P andrbcL sequences, these samples formed an independent group closely related toG. ferox, a flat species. Morphologically, our specimens differed fromG. feroxand the other species ofGracilariaby the presence of very small cystocarps and a thick pericarp composed of many layers of cells. We proposeGracilaria microcarpasp. nov. as the name for this group of cylindrical specimens from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

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