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 preservation—especially if they consist of few individuals—

because it allows time for intervention actions and prevent further deterioration of their genetic pool.

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