Evaluation of article Evidence of population genetic effects in

Peromyscus melanophrys chronically exposed to mine tailings in

Morelos, Mexico of Dra. Patricia Mussali-Galante

In accordance with the article of Slafer, wich addresses the right structure of an
cientific article, we agree that this article meets all the requirements.

It presents a short title wich invites the reader to keep reading.

The name and information of the authors are legible and it is easy to find
them in the web.
The abstract details in a very precise manner the contentof the article
the content.
The introduction explains, in a coherent and precise manner, addressing
the problems that the species Peromyscus melanophys present, not only
in a individual level, but a population level.
The materials and methods, present a clear order, explaining each of the
procedures that were realized during the experiment.
The result are easy to comprehend due that it uses tables and graphics.
The discussion is understandable and very detailed, achieving a good
conclusion.
In general the article is understandable.

This study is pertinent because the substances with greater persistence

and toxicity that man generated and released into the environment are
metals. These produce genetic changes in organisms. Mining in Huautla has
500 years. Which has generated now 780,000 T of not neutralized toxic
substances derived from mining on the spot. It is proven these substances
have produced toxic effects on people and small mammals that live near
abandoned mines. Studies of the mechanism of action and the effect of
metals on the molecular, cellular, physiological and behavioral response at
the individual level. However the effect of metals at the population level has
been evaluated very little. Even less about small wild mammals.
It is original because it is about the effects on diversity and genetic
structure of a population of a species of rodent endemic to Mexico
(Peromyscus melanophrys) exposed to an abandoned mine tailings. To our
knowledge, studies on bioaccumulation of metals are little known and
should not be because that mining activities are actually one of the most
destructive activities on the environment. We also think that is original
because P. melanophrys used as a sentinel species (bioindicator), which is
very important because these species help us to detect the presence of
chemical contaminants in the environment that could affect the
conservation and biodiversity of a place.

This proyect supports the recommendation that P. melanophrys may serve

as a sentinel species for ecotoxicological surveys. This proyect propose that
using microevolutionary changes (loss of genetic diversity) of impacted
populations by chemical stress as early warning signs, can be decisive for
their preservationespecially if they consist of few individualsbecause it
allows time for intervention actions and prevent further deterioration of
their genetic pool.