  We address a simple connection between results of Hamiltonian nonlinear
dynamical theory and thermostatistics. Using a properly defined dynamical
temperature in low-dimensional symplectic maps, we display and characterize
long-standing quasi-stationary states that eventually cross over to a
Boltzmann-Gibbs-like regime. As time evolves, the geometrical properties (e.g.,
fractal dimension) of the phase space change sensibly, and the duration of the
anomalous regime diverges with decreasing chaoticity. The scenario that emerges
is consistent with the nonextensive statistical mechanics one.
