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Simple Summary: In Mexico, smallholder farmers produce locally adapted maize varieties, generally called landraces, for food. They participate in the conservation of landraces by selecting and storing their seeds from one production cycle to another, but are facing challenges such as storage losses caused by insects (mainly Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus) and climate change. In the current study, the effectiveness of the conventional storage practices of farmers in the highlands of Mexico (polypropylene woven bags) in minimizing storage losses and maintaining seed germination was compared with hermetic storage technologies. After six and three months of storage, the percentage of insect damage and weight loss was highest in samples stored in polypropylene woven bags, reaching 61.4% and 23.4% after six months of storage. On the contrary, with hermetic technologies, storage losses were minimal, with maximums of 4.1% and 2.2% for insect damage and weight loss, respectively. Overall, the germination rate of samples stored in these airtight containers was greater than 90%. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of hermetic technologies in preserving the biodiversity of maize seed landraces and strengthening smallholders' food security. Smallholder farmers who grow maize landraces face important challenges to preserve their seed biodiversity from one season to another. This study was carried out in the central highlands of Mexico to compare the effectiveness of two seed storage practices—specifically, polypropylene woven bags (farmers' conventional practice) vs. hermetic containers—for minimizing seed losses and maintaining germination. Four Mexican landraces were stored for three and six months. Data on moisture content and kernel damage were collected at the beginning and the end of the storage period. Pest-free samples collected were also analyzed for seed germination. Moisture content was below 13% overall and was not significantly affected by storage technology or storage time. Samples from the polypropylene woven bags suffered significant damage from Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus, with the percentages of insect damage and weight loss reaching 61.4% and 23.4%, respectively. Losses were minimal in seed stored in hermetic containers, with a maximum insect damage of 4.1% and weight loss of 2.2%. Overall, the germination rate of samples stored in these airtight containers was greater than 90%. This study provides additional evidence on the effectiveness of hermetic containers at maintaining Mexican landraces' seed quantity and quality during storage in smallholder conditions in central Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in vegetation structure and species composition affect habitat use and behavior in most bird species by altering the distribution and abundance of their resources. We explore how the mating and foraging behavior of Cassin's Kingbirds (Tyrannus vociferans) varies by habitat type within a 2,450 ha urban park in Mexico City. The study site includes primarily water bodies, riparian vegetation, willow and Montezuma cypress stands, maize fields, and grasslands. We recorded kingbird behavior twice a week along 21 transects throughout 2012 and 2015. Courtship and reproductive behaviors were displayed in autumn (Sep) and early winter (Dec). Intraspecific agonistic behaviors were associated with courtship and mating events, particularly in 2015. Cassin's Kingbird generally favored open vegetation. The main foraging strategy in open habitats was flycatching but foliage gleaning became frequent when mistletoe plants produced fruits in infested willow stands. The use of mistletoe fruits, presumably a secondary diet item, coincided with the breeding season. In addition to these observations, our study is the first report of Cassin's Kingbird winter mating at low latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]