INVENTORY AND DISTRIBUTION OF AGAVE (AGAVACEAE) SPECIES IN JALISCO, MEXICO

2007·8 MB·English

by  Gerardo Hernández-Vera

AND
INVENTORY OF AGAVE
DISTRIBUTION (AGAVACEAE)
MEXICO
SPECIES IN JALISCO,
Gerardo Hernandez-Vera Miguel Chazaro Basanez
Ericka Flores-Berrios
Centro de Investigacion y Centre Universitario de Ciencias Socialesy Centre de Investigacion y
Asistencia en Tecnologiay Humanidades, departamento de Asistencia en Tecnologiay
Diseho del Estado de Jalisco Universidad de Guadalajara Diseho del Estado de Jalisco
A.CAv.Normalistas Guanajuato 1045 A.C Normalistas
Av.
800 Colinas de Normal Guadalajara MEXICO 800 Colinas de Normal
S.H. la Jalisco, S.H. la
MEXICO
44270 Guadalajara 44270 Guadalajara
Jalisco, Jalisco,
MEXICO
ABSTRACT
In order review and update the Agave species previously reported Mexico, an extensive botanical exploration
to list oi^ for Jalisco, vv^as
new
done throughout representative areas of the state. Twenty-three species were registered; from which 7 represent records for Jalisco,
new 29%
and 3 proposed as species. Fifty per cent of the listed species were found in pine and pine-oak forests, whereas were found
Among many
in the tropical deciduous forest. the factors that might affect the distribution of agaves, edaphic factors and moreover
physiography, can play an important
role.
RESUMEN
Con la finalidad de hacer una revision y actualizar el listado de especies de Agave previamente reportadas para Jalisco, se realize una
extensa exploracion botanica por el estado. Se registraron 23 especies, de las cuales 7 representan nuevos registros para Jalisco y 3 se
proponen como nuevas especies. El cincuenta por ciento de las especies enlistadas se encontro en los bosques de pino pino-encino,
y
mientras que el 29% prospera enbosque tropical caducifolio. Entre los diversos factores que pueden afectar la distribucion de los agaves,
se plantea que los edaficos y en especial la fisiografla pueden jugar un papel importante.
INTRODUCTION
many
Mexico, genus Agave importance used
In the L. is of great since of its species are for food, in the
manufacture of fibers for threads and textile industry, as ornamental plants, and mainly in the production
of different types of alcoholic beverages such as tequila and mezcal (Gentry 1982; Valenzuela 1997; Nobel
This genus comprehends more than 200 from which 75% Mexico, which considered
1998.). species, are in
is
as the center of origin (Granick 1944; Garcia-Mendoza 2002).
Weber
In Jalisco, the study of the genus Agave has focused basically on Agave tequilana var. azul. Because
of importance as the only species allowed by the Official Mexican Standard for tequila production, the
its
DOF
alcoholic beverage traditionally associated with Mexico, and in particular Jalisco (Cedeno 1995; 1997).
many
which
In contrast, the study of other non-cultivated agaves of are useful species that occur throughout
has been
the neglected.
State,
McVaugh some
For Jalisco, Gentry (1982) reports 14 species, whereas (1989) reports 18, considering
of them as "doubtfuF and "excluded" due to the lack of herbarium specimens and information about wild
populations. Thus, based on our collections, the aim of this study was to update the of species, corroborate
list
McVaugh
in the field and Gentry's reports, and contribute to the knowledge of Agave species distribution in
Jalisco.
Description
Site
Km^
Located in the western region of Mexico, Jalisco one of the largest states consisting of 80,000 and
is
4 physiographic provinces: a) Western Sierra Madre, in the northern part of the state, b) Central Plateau,
northeast region, c) Trans-Volcanic Belt (Fje Neo-volcanico), central region of the state, and d) Southern Sierra
79%
Madre, southwest region (INEGI 2003). Igneous rock soils constitute of surface, which favored by
its is
such and oak subdeciduous deciduous
several vegetation types, as conifer forests, tropical forest, tropical
-
J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 1(1): 499 509. 2007
500 Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 1(1)
forest, tropical savanna, gallery forest, alpine tundra, thorn forest, and cloud forest. The topography ranges
m
0-4360
from above sea level (INEGI 2003). All of these geographical and geological characteristics con-
&
tribute to its floristic diversity, which is estimated to be 7000 plant species (Chazaro Lomell 1995).
AND METHODS
MATERIALS
Twenty field trips were carried out throughout representative areas of the state of Jalisco in 2002 and 2003.
Identification of the species was done according Gentry's (1982) and McVaugh's (1989) descriptions and/or
to
taxonomic were and by means
keys. Vegetation types registered as well as altitude geographical coordinates
of a global positioning system (GPS Magellan 320). Plants were collected and documented for herbarium
IBUG
specimens deposited and lEB herbaria.
at
AND
RESULTS DISCUSSION
new
Out of 102 collected specimens 23 species were identified, from which seven of them represented re-
new
cords for the state and three were treated as species (Table Description of the species Agave sp. nov.
1).
ined. ("Colimilla" ravine) and Agave nov. ined. (Tequila municipality) are in preparation, whereas Agave
sp.
(Chazaro
vazciuezgarciae is in press et al. in press).
From
Gentry's (1982) and McVaugh's (1989) reports, Agave stringens Trel, A. hoofeeri Jacobi, A. cantala
Roxb., A. impressa Gentry and A. longisepala Todaro, were not located. A. stringens was reported by Gentry
we
based on a Trelease collection in Rio Blanco (Zapopan municipality) (Gentry 1982). At the cited location
only found A. guadalajarana however according the vegetation type and Trelease original
Trel., (Fig. to
1),
we
plant description (Trelease 1920), assume A. stringens could be a form of A. angustijolia Haw.
McVaugh
(1989) cites a Diguefs collection for A. hookeri from Cerro Viejo (Tlajomulco and Jocotepec
municipalities). likely that Diguet identified incorrectly the specimen, since the only species found there,
It is
was the closely related A. inaequidens Koch which spreads throughout the oak and pine-oak forests in the
c; Sierra del Tigre" (Fig. Gentry (1982) reported a collection for A. hookeri south of Jalisco near Jiquilpan
2).
(Michoacan state); appears this species has been introduced from Michoacan state as a cultivar.
it
With we who
regard to Agave eantala, could not find near Villa Guerrero as reported by Gentry (1982)
it
was unsure about the identification of the plant he collected. Perhaps this a species related to A. tequilana
is
Weber, as suggested by Trelease (1920) and Valenzuela and Nabhan (2003), who treat as a synonym of A.
it
vivipara L. Agave impressa was not found in the "Sierra de los Huicholes" (Bolanos) as Gentry was informed
common name name
(Gentry 1982). Probably there was confusion with the since he was given the "mas-
name
parillo" for this agave in the type locality (Escuinapa, Sinaloa); the same used for A. maximiliana
is
Baker, abundant in the "Sierra de los Huicholes". For A. longisepala^ McVaugh (1989) concluded there was
knew
uncertainty about identity and taxonomic position, and Gentry (1982) the species only from an
its
synonymous
illustration. This could be a for A. tequilana since Trelease (1920) reported as a related species
it
cultivated near Tequila,
Jalisco.
Whereas Agave americana expansa Gentry and were found
L. var. (Jacobi) A. tequilana as cultivated
was
species, A. salmiana Otto ex Salm, ssp. crassispina (Trel.) Gentry, found as wild populations in north-
east Jalisco (Sierra Cuatralba) (Fig. McVaugh (1989) had reported as a cultivated species. Considered
3). it
by Gentry (1982) as a relatively rare species, A. attenuata Salm-Dyck was found in "Rincon de Manantlan ^:
We
south of Jalisco (Fig. could corroborate the presence of large stems in this species, clearing the un-
2).
McVaugh
by
certainty about this agave's feature reported (1989) (Fig.
4).
The higher number of species was found in the pine and pine-oak forests, being the tropical deciduous
forest the second one in harboring the highest diversity (Fig. Hence, the distribution o( Agave species
5).
based on physiographic provinces shows that they are mainly concentrated in southern Sierra Madre and
Trans-Volcanic Belt (Eje Neovolcanico), which are two areas whose main vegetation types are tropical de-
ciduous forest and pine and pine-oak forests, respectively (Figs. 1-3,
6).
who
These results are similar those presented by Garcia-Mendoza (2002) reports that in Mexico,
to
Hernandez-Vera et Agave species Mexico 501
al., in Jalisco,
New New
Table l./\gai/e species in Jalisco, Mexico. record for Jalisco species n.
§.
Group
Species
Agave Haw.
Rigidae angustifolia
Agave
rhodacanthaJ[e\.
§
Agave Weber
tequilana
Crenatae Agave inaequidens Koch.
Agave maximi
liana Baker
Marmoratae Agave gypsophila Gentry
Agave na Chazaro & Vazquez,
Valencia A.
Parryanae Agave guadalajarana
Trel.
Agave Engelm.
§ parryi
Ditepalae Agave wocomahi Gentry
§
Salmianae Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck
§
subgenus Agave
Total for 11
Amolae Agave
pedunculifera
Trel.
Agave attenuata Salm-Dyck
Agave
vilmoriniana Berger
^Agove &
vazquezgarcioe Chazaro, Valencia Lomelt nov,
sp.
Agave colimana Gentry
Filiferae
Agave
schidigera (sensu Gentry)
{ievf].)
Agave Salm-Dyck
§ (sensu Gentry)
filifera
Agave
§ geminiflora Ker-Gawler
(Tagl.)
Marginatae § Agave angustiarunn
Trel.
^Agave
sp. nov. ined.C'Colimilla" ravine, municipalities of
and
Tonala Zapotlanejo)
^ Agave
sp. nov. ined. (municipality of Tequila)
Agave rzedowskiana R.Vega & Delgad.
Striatae Carrillo,
R.
P.
Total for subgenus Littaea 12
Total species 23
among
tropical deciduous forests and coniferous and oak forests are the vegetation types witli the highest
number
o( Agave species, only surpassed by deserts and chaparrales. Nevertheless, found that several
vv^as
it
species are not exclusive or restricted to a certain vegetation type since they can either thrive in two or more
types or can be found in ecotones (Table Soil characteristics can play an important role in the distribution
2).
&
who
of agaves as has been suggested by Nobel Berry (1985), conclude that although soil types have not
may
been systematically related to the distribution of agaves, edaphic factors affect their seedling establish-
number
ment. In this study, the two physiographic provinces with the highest oi Agave species (Southern
Sierra Madre and Neo-Volcanic Belt) are conformed mainly by igneous rocks, a soil type previously reported
as favored by these plants (Alvarez de Zayas 1989; Garcia-Mendoza 2002).
Agave angustifolia Haw., A. schidigera Lem. (sensu Gentry) and A. maximiliana Baker, were the most
many
widely distributed species, thriving in different vegetation types in broad range of altitudes and
a
&
latitudes throughout the state (Table Figs. 3 This could reflect their ample tolerance limits to each
2; 6).
1,
of the several environmental factors, based on high levels of genetic diversity as reported for A. angustifolia
(Colunga-GarciaMarin et 1999). In contrast, A. gypsophyla Gentry and A. geminiflora (Tagl.) Ker-Gawler,
al.
were found in small areas associated to specific geographical and ecological conditions such as soil type
and vegetation. Only a small population of A. geminiflora was observed, thriving in an oak woodland alon
m
a rocky brook 1814 above sea level, in the central region of Jalisco (municipality of Tequila). In the other
gypsum mu-
hand, A. gypsophyla could be found only in rocky soils (whence the name) south of the state,
Pihuamo
nicipality of (Fig.
2).
Agaves in the subgenus Agave were found likely to thrive in flatlands, whereas agaves in the subgenus
502 Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 1(1)
O
-105° -104<^ -103 -102°
SAN
LUIS
POTOSI
o
CN
K)
o
o
hO
(N
o
M
o
CM
o
X5
-Y.
Q^
/o
9>
o
Kilometers
CD
40 40
o
^VW ^ ^
O
-105
^
Agave maxim ana Trans-Volcanic Belt
Hi
Central Plateau
0- Agave
guadalajarana
Madre
Southern
Sierra
Agave ana
im
col
Madre
Western
Sierra
Distribution of Agave maximiliana, A. guadalajarana, and A. colimana.
Fig. 1
.
appear grow mainly sharp rocky (66% subgenus specimens were found
Littaea, to in cliffs of this exclusively
in this habitat). Gentry (1982), suggests that the subgenus Littaea could represent the phylogenetic and geo-
form predominantly with more and
logically older of agaves, diploid "primitive" leaf habit characteristics
(Granick 1944). Hence, thriving in sharp rocky slopes could represent "primitive" growth habit, relying
a
more on their toxic substances in the leaves and inaccessible cliff sites for survival than on defensive armor.
Most in the subgenus Littaea, lacked of marginal spines or "teeth," or present, they were fragile and brittle
if
Hernandez-Vera et Agave species Mexico 503
al., in Jalisco,
-104° -103° -102°
-105
SAN
LUIS
POTOSI
o
CM
to
CM
fO
o
o
to
CM
o
o
to
CM
o
^
^s
'O
\
MICHOACAN
o
CD
o
-105 ^TXM^ ^^WZ"
A
Agave
parryi
Agave
attenuata
Agave
ineaqiiidens
Agave
gemimiflora
Agave
angustiarum
Agave
valenciana
Agave
vazquezgarciae
Trans-Volcanic
Belt
^
Agave
sop
gyp hi la
Central Plateau
#
Agave
nov. ined.
sp.
Madre
Southern
Sierra
("ColimiUa"
ravine, municipalities
Madre
Western
and Sierra
ofTonald Zapotlanejo)
Fig. 2. Distribution o^Agave parryi, A. inaequidens, A. angustiarum, A. valenciana, A. vazquezgarciae, A. gypsophila, A. attenuata, A. geminiflora, and Agave
sp. nov. ined. ("Colimilla" ravine).
504 Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 1(1)
-105° -104° -103 -102
SAN
LUIS
POTOSI
o
CM
CM
o
o
K)
CM
o
o
K)
CNJ
o
Qc^
^o
\
o
Kilometers
CD
40 40
o
\
U
^^VW ^TOF
-105°
^TII2
Agave
0- Agave nov.
cmgustifolia sp. fried,
(m
of Tequila)
imicipality
Agave
rhodacantha
Trans-Volcanic
A Belt
gave o a
ian
vi In rfn
i
A
om
woe
gave ah Central Plateau
-0-
i
^
A
gave p Madre
e ch n c ra Southern Sierra
life
ii
i
Agave ana
salmi Madre
Western
Sierra
3, Distribution of Agave angustifolia, A. rhodacantha, A. vilmoriniana, A. wocomahi, A. pedunculifera, A. salmiana, and Agave sp. nov. ined. (munici-
Fig.
pality of Tequila).
Hernandez-Vera et Agave species Mexico 505
al., in Jalisco,
m
Fig. 4Jgaueattenwafa thriving in rocky cliffs at 1 700 above sea level in Sierra de Manantlan south
by this species. Photo: Piet Van der Meer.
based on collected specimens. As suggested by Gentry (1982), the ecological importance of these cliff-dwell-
ing species appears to be their contribution to soil building and soil-holding capabilities on the steep rocky
slopes.
and
Richness Conservation
Status
known
With
23 species oi Agave so far as wild plants, Jalisco state stands second place in agaves diversity
We
in Mexico, only surpassed by Oaxaca state where Garcia-Mendoza (2004) reported 30 species. believe
2 more species could be present in Jalisco, namely Agave durangensis Gentry and Agave striata Zucc. The
first
we
one in Huejuquilla region, since have collected in the adjacent Valparaiso municipality in Zacatecas
it
state, whereas Agave striata has been seen and photographed at Sierra del Laurel (Esperanza Quezada, pers.
comm.), a mountainous range at Calvillo municipality in Aguascalientes state. The eastern slopes of these
we
mountains belong to Jalisco; hence, predict occurs at Sierra del Laurel in the Jaliscan side, a region
it
On
which has remained unexplored. the other hand, the botanist Pablo Carrillo recently found Agave orni-
comm.)
thohroma (pers. in Mezquitic municipality, into de Huichol Indians region north of Jalisco. Further
zone be
explorations in the will necessary.
The geographic distribution of Agave species in Jalisco uneven; some cover an ample range, such
is
as the Agave angustijolia complex, whereas others like A. valenciana, Agave sp. nov. ined. (Municipality of
Among
Tequila), A. vazquezgarciae, and A. geminijlora are endemic to small areas. the 18 Agave species in
(DOF
Mexico that are considered within some status of protection by the Federal Government 1994), only
we
A. gypsophyla and A. ornithohroma occur in our study area; however with the data gathered so consider
far,
506 Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 1(1)
Oak and Pine-Oak
forests
3
deciduous
Tropical forest
y
Thorn
forest
Cloud
forest
Fig. 5. Percentage of Agave species by vegetation type in Jalisco, Mexico.
the following taxa should be added to the list (the first three of them endemic to Jalisco): a) Agave valenciana,
restricted to small areas of the Mascota river canyon and the Talpa river, b) Agave sp. nov. ined., restricted to
the Santiago river basin ravines next to Tequila, c) A. vazc{uezgarciae, from Sierras Manantlan and Cacoma,
known we
and d) A. geminiflom, previously only from the type locality (Ocotillo, Nayarit); found near "El
it
Salvador," municipality of Tequila.
CONCLUSIONS
A
thorough botanical exploration of Jalisco resulted in the corroboration and update of previous reports
The
of Agave species in the state. great diversity of Agave species in Jalisco is related to the geographical
and To knowledge,
geological characteristics of the state. the authors' this is the first extensive botanical
Documented
exploration oi Agave species in Jalisco. specimens with exact geographical coordinates will
We
on
provide a reliable source of information these plants for further research. consider that basic botani-
cal research essential as a preliminary step for a better understanding and rational management of plants
is
and
thus, habitat.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research was funded by Consejo Estatal de Ciencia y Tecnologia, Jalisco (COECYTJAL), Project 48-
CONACYT We
2001. Gerardo Hernandez-Vera was supported by a graduate fellowship. also express our
gratitude to MSc. Manuel Rodriguez for his great support and assistance during the entire period of field
Thanks
work. to Centro de Investigacion y Asistencia en Tecnologia y Diseno del Estado de Jalisco A. C.
(CIATEJ) publication support.
for
REFERENCES
Alvarez de Zayas, A. 1989. Distribucion geografica posible origen de las Agavaceae. Rev. Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana
y
1(10):25-36.
Hernandez-Vera et Agave species Mexico 507
al., in Jalisco,
-104° -102°
-105*^ 03
-1
SAN
LUIS
POTOSI
o
CM
K)
CM
o
o
NJ
CM
o
o
ho
CM
o
^
^Q.
^o
MICHOACAN
%.
o
Kilometers
CD
40 40
o
-104° -103° -102°
-105°
Trans-Volcanic
Agave Belt
¥^ schidigera
A
Central Plateau
Agave
filifera
^
Madre
Southern
Sierra
Agave
rzedowskiana
Madre
Western
Sierra
Fig. 6. Distribution o\ Agave schidigera, A. filifera, and A. rzedowsldana.
new
Carrillo-Reyes, R.Vega Avina, and R. RAMfREz-DELGADiLio. 2003. Agave rzedowskiana, a species in subgenus Littaea (Agavaceae)
p.,
from western Mexico. 55:240-244.
Brittonia
cm.
Cedeno, 1995. Tequila productiorn. Rev. Biotechrnol. 15(1):1-1
Crit.
1.
ChAzaro-Basanez, B.M. y Lomeli M. 995. Las Agavaceas del Estado de Jalisco. M. Chazaro-Basanez, Lomeli
E. \n: E.
1
M., R. Acevedo R. y S. Ellerbracke, eds. Arntologia Botanica del Estado de Jalisco. Universidad de Guadalajara.
Guadalajara, Mexico. 87-90.
Jalisco. Pp.
508 Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 1(1)
Agave
Table 2. Ecological distribution of in Jalisco, Mexico.
Species Vegetation Type Altitude (m above
sea
level)
Agave deciduous 707-1,845
angustifolia Tropical forest/Pine-oak forest
and the ecotone from both/Thorn
forest/
Agave rhodacantha Oak deciduous and 250-1,133
forest/Tropical
subdeciduous forests/Ecotone oak
subdeciduos
forest-Tropical forest
Agave Only
tequilana azul cultivated
var.
Agave inaequidens Oak and pine-oak 1,910-2,319
forests
Agave maximiliana Oak and pine-oak forests/Ecotone 1,086-1,987
oak deciduous
forest-Tropical forest
Agave gypsophila Tropical deciduous forest 590-600
Agave valenciana Ecotone oakforest-Tropica 1,182
deciduous
forest
Agave guadalajarana Oak forest and ecotone with Tropica 1,689-1,850
deciduous
forest
Agave parryi Thorn forest, Yucca sp. forest 2,364
Agave wocomahi Thorn
forest 1,975
Agave salmiana Oak
forest 2,532
Agave Oak
pedunculifera forest 1,910
Agave attenuata Ecotone oak forest-Tropical deciduous 1,699
forest
Agave deciduous
vilmorlniana Tropical forest 1,275
Agave vazquezgarciae, sp. nov, Ecotone oak forest-cloud forest 1,613
Agave colimana Tropical deciduous forest/Oak forest/ 801-1,167
Ecotone pine-oak forest-cloud forest
Agave schidigera Oak and pine-oak forests/Tropica 875-2,178
deciduous forest/Ecotone oak
deciduous
forest-Tropical forest
Agave Thorn forest/Zucca forest/ 2,341-2,450
filifera
Oak-Juniperus
forest
Agave Oak
geminiflora forest 1,814
Agave angustiamm Oak deciduous 914-979
forest/Tropical forest
Agave sp. nov. ined. ("Colimilla" Tropical deciduous forest 1,270-1,300
ravine, municipalities of
and
Tonala Zapotlanejo)
Agave sp. nov. ined. (municipality Tropical deciduous forest 1,055-1,531
ofTequila)
Agave rzedowskiana Oak
forest 1,689
Carrillo,
P.
R.Vega &R.Delgad.
new
and Agave
Chazaro-Basanez, M., A.Vazquez-Garcia, Vargas-Rodriguez. 2005. valenciana (Agavaceae) a gigantic
Y.
Novon
species from Mexico. 5:525-530.
Jalisco,
1
and Agave
Chazaro-Basanez, M., 0. Valencia- Pelayo, J.A, LoMEif-SENCioN, Y. Vargas-Rodriguez. (In Press). vazquezgarciae
new
(Agavaceae), species from Mexico. Novon.
a Jalisco,
Colunga-GarciaMarin, Coello-Coello, LE. and 1999. isozymatic variation and phylogenetic
R, Eguiarte, D. Pinero.
J.
relationships between henequen {Agave fourcroydes) and wild ancestor/^, angustifolia (Agavaceae), Amer.
its
5-1
Bot. 86:11 23.
J.
Norma
[DOF] Diario Oficial de la Federacion. 1994. Oficial Mexicana, Proteccion Ambiental-Epecies nativas de
Mexico de Fauna de o
Flora y Silvestres-Categorias riesgo y Especificaciones para su Inclusion, Exclusion
May
Cambio-lista de Especies en Riesgo. NOM-059-ECOL-1 994. modified on March October 2000
22,
6, 6,
1 1
and September
2001 Mexico, D.R
7,
.