Search Results (4,004)

The geographical distribution of plants is influenced by macroclimate and dispersal limitations, which have led to lineage isolation and subsequent diversification within and across various environmental gradients. Macroclimatic variables in coastal wetlands influence plant species and lineages across biogeographical boundaries. This study aimed to determine the influence of macroclimatic variables on species and phylogenetic richness in South African estuaries. Open-source chloroplast DNA barcoding sequences, species distribution and climatic data layers were used to determine the relationship between species richness, MPD, MNTD and each bioclimatic variable individually. Temperate species richness and phylogenetic diversity were positively correlated with temperature bioclimatic variables whereas subtropical and tropical species were associated with increases in precipitation. Phylogenetic niche conservatism is evident in malvids and rosids which are restricted to tropical and subtropical regions due to their physiological adaptations to tropical climates. Caryophylales was mostly associated with temperate regions. Poales and Alismatales showed wide distributions that is likely attributed to traits related to wind pollination and hydrochory, rapid, clonal, and high reproductive output, tolerance to stressful conditions, and intraspecific genetic diversity. The findings highlight the importance of considering macroclimate and phylogenetic factors in understanding the distribution and diversity of coastal wetland plants. Full article

The Guizhou Caohai Wetland plays a crucial role as a wintering site for migratory birds in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau and ranks among the largest wintering spots globally for black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis). To better understand the factors influencing waterbird populations and ecosystem changes, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of historical waterbird population variations over a 30-year period spanning from 1992 to 2022. The current investigation revealed a downward trend in the abundance index curve of the total number of waterbirds during this observation period. Among the five waterbird guilds examined, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, and coots (Fulica atra) experienced declines in their populations, while wading birds and shorebirds saw an increase. Moreover, we observed a rise in species richness within the community over time, accompanied by smaller compositional changes. Additionally, the findings indicated positive growth trends in wintering endangered species such as black-necked cranes and common cranes (Grus grus) in Caohai. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the occurrence and persistence of rare species, such as Eurasian spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia), black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor), and black storks (Ciconia nigra) wintering in Caohai. These occurrences suggest that the wetland environment provides favorable conditions for a diverse range of species. Despite the rise in species richness, these trends in the abundance and species composition of wintering waterbirds over the past thirty years are still of concern. This study serves as fundamental scientific support for waterbird conservation and the restoration of ecological wetlands in the Guizhou Caohai Wetland. Full article

Coffee (Coffea arabica), produced and marketed in Ecuador and worldwide, can be organoleptically improved by means of microorganisms such as well-characterized yeasts. This study aimed to isolate and characterize yeasts from three postharvest fermentation processes (i.e., Natural aerobic at room temperature; Carbonic maceration with a CO₂ atmosphere at room temperature; and Carbonic refrigerated maceration with a CO₂ atmosphere to 10 °C) of coffee fruits in Ecuador. Phenotypic and molecular analyses were conducted on 329 yeast isolates obtained from coffee farms in Loja, Olmedo, and Gonzanamá. Three universal media were used for yeast isolation diversity, and phenotypic characterization included morphology, sugar fermentation, salt tolerance, and ethanol resistance. Molecular characterization involved DNA analysis. The isolated diversity was classified into 12 morphotypes, nine distinct biochemical groups and nine genetic species. Only six species (i.e., Kurtzmaniella quercitrusa, Hanseniaspora opuntiae, Pichia. kluyveri, Torulaspora delbrueckii, T. quercuum, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus) identified phylogenetically corresponded to the designated morphotypes. But surprisingly, nine genetic species matched with the nine biochemical groups determined phenotypically analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). Most of this diversity was found in the coffee plantation located in Gonzanamá, in contrast to Olmedo and Loja, without statistical significance (p value: 0.08295). On the other hand, the richness is not similar statistically (p value: 0.02991) between postharvest fermentation treatments. The findings suggest that the application of biochemical tests is useful for species determination, although morphological data may be ambiguous. Notably, Pichia kluyveri, detected in this study, holds potential for biotechnological evaluation in coffee fermentation processes. Full article

Transcription factors SQUAMOSA Promoter-binding Protein-like (SPL) play a crucial role in regulating plant response to stress, root development, and flower production. However, analysis of SPL gene families in the three rubber-producing plants Taraxacum kok-saghyz, Hevea brasiliensis, and Eucommia ulmoides, renowned for their natural rubber production, has not yet been conducted. In this study, we utilized reference genomes to perform genome-wide analysis, and obtained new insights on the evolution of SPL gene families in these three rubber-producing plants. Our results revealed the following: (1) T. kok-saghyz, H. brasiliensis, and E. ulmoides harbored 25, 16, and 13 SPL genes, respectively, containing conserved structural domains of SBP. (2) A phylogenetic analysis categorized 90 SPL proteins from 25 TkSPLs, 16 HbSPLs, 13 EuSPLs, 17 AtSPLs, and 19 OsSPLs into eight groups. (3) Analysis of cis-acting elements demonstrated that the promoters of EuSPLs contained a significant number of light response elements, hormone regulatory elements, and stress response elements. (4) Transcriptome data analysis revealed that the EuSPL8 gene had strong expression in bark, as well as TkSPL4 and TkSPL8 exhibit high expression levels specifically in roots and latex. This study provides valuable insights into the biological functions of the SPL gene family in the three rubber plants and might serve as a reference for identifying efficient genes. Full article

Geographic variation in diet can indicate if species have unique ecological roles or feeding strategies in different environments. Bats have a unique nocturnal ecological niche and a diverse diet, making them an ideal model for studying changes in feeding. Some bats have adapted to reduced food resources caused by environmental changes and human disturbances by expanding their dietary ecological niche. As one of the typical species whose dietary niche has expanded from invertebrates (insects) to vertebrates (birds), the feeding habits of the great evening bat (Ia io) have attracted much attention from researchers. Unfortunately, little is known about how the diet of Ia io varies in different regions. Therefore, in this study, the diversity and composition of the bird prey of the great evening bat from two populations were examined using cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) amplicon sequencing. The results showed that the great evening bat in both populations preyed on a variety of passerine birds, with the Phylloscopidae being the dominant family. Although most birds preyed upon by these two populations are the same, there are significant differences in predation on Cettiidae between the two populations. Both populations prey on migratory birds more than resident birds. Both populations of bats can prey on finch birds weighing more than 15 g, but they preyed on more birds weighing less than 10 g. The results of this study provide an important addition to the study of changes in bat diets under the conditions of expanding dietary ecological niches. Full article

Commitments to Forest and Landscape Restoration are rapidly growing and being implemented globally to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises. Restoration initiatives largely based on tree planting necessitate an increased supply of high-quality and suitably adapted tree planting material. We evaluated the native tree seed supply systems in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, and Kenya, four countries with large commitments to increase tree cover. We applied an established indicator framework to assess the adequacy of any current tree seed system to meet national needs. The study aimed to analyse (i) how well-established the native tree seed supply systems are, (ii) how public and non-public actors differ regarding the perception of existing seed systems, and (iii) the main barriers to strengthening current seed systems. Our findings identified significant gaps in the native tree seed supply systems of the four countries, arising particularly from shortfalls in the enabling environment. We found a lack of involvement of local community members in the seed systems, with a crucial need for strengthening policy, capacity building and investment in seed systems. We propose a multi-stakeholder approach and the application of online tools to improve seed systems to meet the demand for high-quality native tree seeds. Full article

This paper aims to assess land use and land use change (LULC). For this purpose, supervised mapping on satellite imagery, using the European Space Agency (ESA) SNAP programme from LANDSAT databases, publicly accessible through the European Copernicus portal, was used. At the same time, an analysis of the degree of landscape fragmentation in the study area was carried out, which revealed that, because of the particular fragmentation of small polygons, the best results were obtained via analysis/supervised mapping on satellite images. This method, once validated in the field, reflects the most accurate land use pattern in the analysed area, with wide applications in studies of agriculture, biodiversity, geography, etc. Between 2000 and 2010, significant changes were registered. Artificial surfaces decreased by approximately 400 ha, showing a negative trend in the last period of the interval. Coniferous forests reached their maximum threshold in 2000 (with 114,400 ha) in conjunction with the “Grassland” class, which exceeded 16,700 ha. In 2010, a drastic decrease in “Grassland” was recorded, reaching half of the values of 1990 and 2000, now having only 15,684 ha. Land cover changes were significant when comparing the period before 1989 with 2021. This fact was due to socio-economic changes in society, in large part caused by changes in professions and the way of life of the population. Full article

Orchids comprise one of the largest families of flowering plants and have important roles in the total biomass, water balance, and nutrient cycling of tropical ecosystems; however, they are also one of the most endangered plant taxa. Because their diversity is strongly coupled to environmental factors, we hypothesize that local elevation can affect the diversity of these organisms. The purpose of this research was to compare the orchid species diversity at 1200, 1400, and 1700 m of elevation, corresponding to a sandstone plateau of the Cordillera del Cóndor that hosts a great orchid diversity. For each elevation, three plots of 0.1 ha were established. Each plot was subdivided into 25 subplots, and 8 were randomly selected, wherein all orchid species were counted and identified. The results obtained revealed the existence of 119 species belonging to 54 genera and a total of 867 individuals. The greatest diversity of species was found at an elevation of 1700 with 63 species, followed by 1400 m with 52 species, with the least diversity at an elevation of 1200 m with 39 species. Orchid composition differed significantly among the three elevations related to more humidity at higher elevations (e.g., 1700 m). More importantly, twenty-one species were the best candidate indicators of environmental conditions (e.g., Maxillaria grayi, Elleanthus oliganthus, Maxillaria mapiriensis, Stelis pittieri, Stelis ortegae) in this region. We conclude that orchid communities in sandstone plateau forests in the Shagmi Range of the Cordillera del Cóndor are mainly limited by elevation. Full article

Research focusing on seagrass ecosystems as carbon storage has been conducted in various Indonesian waters. However, an essential aspect that remains unexplored is the simultaneous analysis of blue carbon storage in seagrass alongside carbon dioxide (CO₂) flux values, particularly within Karimunjawa waters. This study aims to assess the organic carbon stock and sea–air CO₂ flux in seagrass ecosystems in Karimunjawa. Our hypothesis posits that although seagrass ecosystems release CO₂ into the water, their role as blue carbon ecosystems enables them to absorb and accumulate organic carbon within seagrass biomass and sediments. This investigation took place in Karimunjawa waters, encompassing both vegetated (seagrass meadows) and unvegetated (non-seagrass meadows) areas during August 2019, 2020, and 2022. Over this period, the organic carbon stock in seagrass and sediment displayed an increase, rising from 28.90 to 35.70 gC_org m⁻² in 2019 and from 37.80 to 45.25 gC_org m⁻² in 2022. Notably, the expanse of seagrass meadows in Karimunjawa dwindled by 328.33 ha from 2019 to 2022, resulting in a total carbon stock reduction of the seagrass meadows of 452.39 tC to 218.78 tC. Sediment emerges as a pivotal element in the storage of blue carbon in seagrass, with sedimentary organic carbon outweighing seagrass biomass in storage capacity. The conditions in Karimunjawa, including a high A:B ratio, low dry bulk density, and elevated water content, foster a favorable environment for sediment carbon absorption and storage, facilitated by the waters’ CO₂ emission during the southeast monsoon season. Notably, our findings reveal that CO₂ release within vegetated areas is lower compared to unvegetated areas. This outcome underscores how seagrass ecosystems can mitigate CO₂ release through their adeptness at storing organic carbon within biomass and sediment. However, the presence of inorganic carbon in the form of calcium carbonate introduces a nuanced dynamic. This external source, stemming from allochthonous origins like mangroves, brown algae like Padina pavonica, and calcareous epiphytes, leads to an increase in sedimentary organic carbon stock of 53.2 ± 6.82 gC_org m⁻². Moreover, it triggers the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere, quantified at 83.4 ± 18.26 mmol CO₂ m⁻² d⁻¹. Full article

Paramacrobiotus species have been described in almost every corner of the world. To date, 45 species have been reported from this genus. Among which, 13 belong to the areolatus group (without a microplacoid) and 32 belong to the richtersi group (with a microplacoid). The species’ presence in different climatic conditions and habitats provides evidence of their adaptation to various harsh environments. The species of the genus are both bisexual (diploid) and parthenogenetic (triploid). The bisexual species have external fertilization. And they are omnivorous whose diet consists of certain cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, rotifers, nematodes and juvenile tardigrades. The life history of species from this genus varies from species to species. Because the species has a strong predilection for cryptobiosis, numerous investigations involving anhydrobiosis have been conducted utilizing specimens from varied Paramacrobiotus species to date. In this review, we provide a concise summary of changes observed due to various cryptobiotic conditions in many species of this genus, the geographical distribution of all the species, feeding behaviour, life history, microbiome community, Wolbachia endosymbiont identification, reproduction, phylogeny and general taxonomy of the species from the genus Paramacrobiotus. Furthermore, we provide a new diagnostic key to the genus Paramacrobiotus based on the morphological and morphometric characters of adults and eggs. Full article

Spiders act as one of the major predators among arthropods in agroecosystems and are crucial to the control of pest densities. As they are almost exclusively predators, they have developed a number of hunting strategies, which have consequently impacted their complex trophic interactions. The development of molecular biology methods for environmental DNA analysis has made it easier to analyze such complex trophic networks. In order to ascertain the trophic interactions of spiders, a sampling of spider species was carried out in two olive groves in Zadar County, Croatia, under integrated and ecological pest management. To construct the trophic networks of spiders, we performed DNA metabarcoding. The combined general and spider-excluding primers were able to recognize prey from 12 distinct orders in the guts of the 57 spiders. According to our results, spiders have a complex trophic network that exhibits seasonal and site-specific variations. The results obtained from both sites having different pest management also confirmed that spiders consumed phytophagous insects in the highest ratio, including some important pests, in comparison to other prey and that management and guild type had an impact on the predation of phytophagous insects. Full article

In 2019, cyanobacterial samples were collected from thermal sites in Yellowstone National Park. In this paper, we discuss the considerable richness of representatives of simple filamentous cyanobacteria. Using a polyphasic approach, one new genus, Copelandiella, with two species (C. yellowstonensis and C. thermalis) and eight additional new species Albertania prattii, K. anagnostidisii, Kovacikia brockii, Leptolyngbya tildenae, L. vaporiphila, Nodosilinea calida, N. igneolacustris, and Oculatella castenholzii were described. At the same time, by analyzing our new molecular data, we concluded that other genera of trichal cyanobacteria can be merged with existing genera: species within the genus Plectolyngbya are herein transferred to Leptolyngbya, and if some nomenclatural issues are resolved, species within the genus Leptothermofonsia will be subsequently transferred to the genus Kovacikia, an earlier synonym. Full article

Retusa pertenuis is still formally considered a junior subjective synonym of Retusa obtusa, despite previous data indicating R. pertenuis and R. obtusa differ significantly in copulatory system morphology. In this paper, we study the species identity and population structure of R. pertenuis with an integrative approach combining morphological and molecular data. The external morphology, head copulatory system and gizzard plates were studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We also obtained two mitochondrial (COI and 16S) and two nuclear (H3 and 28S) markers to test the monophyly of R. pertenuis and R. obtusa. Populations from the White Sea, Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan were studied using COI and 18S molecular markers. Our results show that Retusa obtusa sensu lato represents a species complex of at least four species: the nominative species occurring in the North Atlantic, the widely distributed R. pertenuis and two additional species whose identities should be clarified in further studies. Retusa pertenuis geographic range encompasses the North Atlantic, Eurasia’s northern seas, the Canadian Arctic, the Bering Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan. Within R. pertenuis’s range, this species demonstrates a wide variability in shell morphology. Full article

In this research, we analyzed functional plant traits and life forms of plant species growing on five forest gaps in the Dinaric fir–beech forest in Slovenia. The forest gaps were created as a result of natural disturbances. We selected 18 functional plant traits, whose values were obtained from the BiolFlor database. With the help of the JUICE program, we calculated the frequency of occurrence in individual forest gaps for each functional plant trait. Then, we calculated Spearman’s correlation coefficient at p < 0.05 between the occurrence of individual functional plant traits and each forest gap. Individual locations differed statistically in 87 categories of plant functional traits. The forest gap Nad Drago differed statistically from the other forest gaps in 16 functional plant traits. Forest gaps are mainly colonized by perennials and herbaceous perennials and chamaephytes. These are plant species that begin to flower in June and July, bloom for two or three months, and are pollinated by insects, mainly hover flies and wild bees. This colonizing plant species reproduce via seeds or spores and vegetatively. Furthermore, birds and forest mammals are the vectors of fruit and seed dispersal. Full article

The genus Harpalus, Latreille, 1802, is the largest ground beetle genus of the tribe Harpalini and one of the most diverse genera of Carabidae (more than 400 described species). The definition and taxonomic boundaries of the genus, as well as previously proposed classifications, all based on regional faunas, are briefly reviewed in this paper from a historical perspective. The classification of the genus Harpalus proposed herein is based, for the first time, on a comparative morphological study of the world fauna and covers all the described species. The genus is divided into seventy subgenera combined into nineteen subgroups and ten groups; thirty-six subgenera are newly described: Afroharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus fulvicornis Thunberg, 1806), Hyloharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus laevipes Zetterstedt, 1828), Sinoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus puetzi Kataev et Wrase, 1997), Macroharpalus subg. n. (type species Erpeinus major Motschulsky, 1850), Meroharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus fulvilabris Mannerheim, 1853), Ameroharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus spadiceus Dejean, 1829), Drymoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus atratus Latreille, 1804), Caucasoharpalus subg. n. (type species Omaseus aeneipennis Faldermann, 1836), Calathoderus subg. n. (type species Harpalus potanini Tschitschérine, 1906), Isoharpalus subg. n. (type species Carabus serripes Quensel, 1806), Psammoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus kozlovi Kataev), 1993, Platyharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus ventralis LeConte, 1848), Asioharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus nigrans Morawitz, 1862), Anamblystus subg. n. (type species Carabus latus Linnaeus, 1758), Homaloharpalus subg. n. (type species Carabus tardus Panzer, 1796), Bactroharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus cautus Dejean, 1829), Diaharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus vittatus Gebler, 1833), Mesoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus gisellae Csiki, 1932), Eremoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus remboides Solsky, 1874) Oreoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus famelicus Tschitschérine, 1898), Hypsoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus arnoldii Kataev, 1988), Anophonus subg. n. (type species Ophonus cyanopterus Tschitschérine, 1897), Haloharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus salinulus Reitter, 1900), Megaharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus stoetznerianus Schauberger, 1932), Aristoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus ingenuus Tschitschérine, 1898), Cycloharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus pulvinatus Ménétries, 1848), Euryharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus cisteloides Motschulsky, 1844), Brachyharpalus subg. n. (type species Carabus autumnalis Duftschmid, 1812), Hemipangus subg. n. (type species Harpalus klapperichi Jedlička, 1955), Mauriharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus cardoni Antoine, 1922), Caloharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus cupreus Dejean, 1829), Baryharpalus subg. n. (type species Carabus dimidiatus Rossi, 1790), Heteroharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus metallinus Ménétries, 1839), Idioharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus numidicus Bedel, 1893), Pachyharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus crates Bates, 1883) and Paraharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus oblitus Dejean, 1829). A detailed morphological description of the genus, diagnoses, composition and distribution of all supraspecific taxa with brief biotopic notes are given. Full article