The natural history, population dynamics, and community ecology of five small mammals from tropical deciduous and semideciduous (arroyo) forests were studied in western Mexico. I evaluated the influence of habitat heterogeneity and productivity on species diversity, population dynamics, and patterns of resource utilization. I expected higher biomass and species diversity and denser populations in the more complex and productive arroyo forest than in the deciduous forest. Species diversity was higher in the arroyo forest but total biomass, population density and fluctuations were very similar in both forests, despite strong differences in habitat heterogeneity and productivity. Reproduction of all species was associated to seasonality in food availability. Populations of all the species had qualitatively similar temporal patterns of reproduction and population fluctuations because they used similar food resources. Peaks in reproduction and population densities coincided with peaks in food production, suggesting that food availability is a limiting factor. Species differed in variables affecting resource utilization such as body mass, diet, and habitat selection. Results indicate that food resource partitioning and macro and microhabitat preferences permit coexistence. This study suggests that habitat heterogeneity and productivity have a profound influence in population and community ecology of small mammals in the Neotropics.

This thesis looks at the origin, development and perpetuation of a religiously based regional identity in the region of Los Altos, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. An examination of the interaction between Catholic religion, specific historical events, collective memory and regional discourse reveals how religion as a factor informing collective affiliation can be mobilized in ways that have social and political significance.

No description available.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 1943.

Thesis--University of California, Berkeley. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-165). Also issued in print.

Thesis--University of California, Berkeley. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 163-165).

Zugl.: Freiburg (Breisgau), Univ., Diss., 2007

Universiẗat, Diss.--Freiburg (i. Br.), 2007.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) has in its collection eleven ancient West Mexican ceramic sculptures. Given that the VMFA's West Mexican Ceramic figure collection has not been included in any extensive study, this thesis serves to provide a critical analysis of these figures through a formal and stylistic approach. These analyses are preceded by a brief history of the West Mexican cultures and highlight the artistic similarities and differences between each region. The primary regions under discussion are Colima, Nayarit, and Jalisco which correspond to modern geopolitical boundaries. Primary sources for these discussions are the figures themselves, while various published catalogues serve as comparative sources. Where applicable, iconographical theories are introduced and discussed in conjunction with the formal and stylistic analysis.

The Ayuquila River watershed is important to western Mexico because of its biodiversity, physiography, fisheries resources, and water production. However, human activities are continuingly affecting natural resources within the basin. Soil erosion, as result of land use change, agriculture in steep land, extensive grazing activities and forest fires; and water diversion and pollution of the Ayuquila River are two relevant issues that have affected the natural resources of this watershed. This river system plays an important role in wildlife conservation, containing 29 fish species, of which 12 are found inside the BRSM. The River also contains nine species of crustacean, one that is endemic to Jalisco State. The otter (Lontra longicaudis), a species threatened within the BRSM, is found in the Ayuquila- Armeria River watershed. This research focused on the reduction of river pollution and the reduction of negative impacts of water pollution delivered to those communities, some of the poorest in the state of Jalisco, that live downstream of the valley. This research was also designed as a way to increase the knowledge of soil erosion processes and water quantity and quality in tropical environments and to test and develop new tools that might facilitate parameter estimation and predictive capabilities within the Ayuquila River watershed. Research efforts in this dissertation had focused on the development of new scientific information about point and nonpoint-source pollution within the Ayuquila River based on three main research studies, the investigation into trail erosion, the production of an erosion sensitive map, and documenting and modeling water quantity and quality in the Ayuquila Watershed. Major concerns that this research seeks to contribute a solution, is to reduce negative impacts on public health, degradation in fisheries resources as source of local food supply, domestic water supplies for those communities, some of the poorest in the state of Jalisco, that live downstream the valley and that do not receive any benefit from the economic development of the Autlan- El Grullo Valley. Results from the commercial trail study, with sediment productions close to 100 ton/ha/yr, showed the importance of the application of conservation practices to reduce the potential erosion from commercial trails in my study area and potentially other tropical forests of Latin-American. The WEPP model used to predict soil erosion in the tropical mountain environments of Mexico was shown to be an adequate tool even with WEPP's limitations for tropical soil environments. WEPP effectively contributed to the estimation of sediment plume production on trails, detected vegetation type differences in runoff and soil erosion, predicted the amount of rainfall as runoff well, and adequately developed soil erosion sensitive maps. Water diversion and pollution within the Ayuquila River are important sources of disturbance in the ecological conditions of riparian ecosystems. These two impacts cause a potential break in the ecological continuity of the Ayuquila River. Water quantity and quality modeling will provide opportunities for discussion and analysis of alternatives to water management and possible impacts to the river.