Molecular phylogenetic studies have become a major area of interest in plant systematics, and their impacts on historical biogeographic hypotheses are not to be disregarded. In Brazil, most historical biogeographic st...Molecular phylogenetic studies have become a major area of interest in plant systematics, and their impacts on historical biogeographic hypotheses are not to be disregarded. In Brazil, most historical biogeographic studies have relied on animal phylogenies, whereas plant biogeographic studies have largely lacked a phylogenetic component, having a limited utility for historical biogeography. That country, however, is of great importance for most biogeographic studies of lowland tropical South America, and it includes areas from a number of biogeographic regions of the continent. Important biogeographic reports have been published as part of phylogenetic studies, taxonomic monographs, and regional accounts for small areas or phytogeographic domains, but the available information is subsequently scattered and sometimes hard to find. In this paper we review some relevant angiosperm biogeographic studies in Brazil. Initially we briefly discuss the importance of other continents as source areas for the South American flora. Then we present a subdivision of Brazil into phytogeographic domains, and we cite studies that have explored the detection of biogeographic units （areas of endemism） and how they are historically related among those domains. Examples of plant taxa that could be used to test some biogeographic hypotheses are provided throughout, as well as taxa that exemplify several patterns of endemism and disjunction in the Brazilian angiosperm flora.展开更多
Studies on litterfall and decomposition provide estimations of decomposition rates of different ecosystems.This is key information to understanding ecosystem dynamics and changes in a scenario of global warming.The ob...Studies on litterfall and decomposition provide estimations of decomposition rates of different ecosystems.This is key information to understanding ecosystem dynamics and changes in a scenario of global warming.The objective of this research was to assess litterfall production,the potential deposition of macro and micronutrients through leaf and twig fall as well as macronutrient—use efficiency in three forest ecosystems at different altitudes： a pine forest mixed with deciduous species（S1）; a Quercus spp.forest（S2）; and,a Tamaulipan thornscrub forest（S3）.Total annual litterfall deposition was 594,742 and 533 g m^（-2） for S1,S2 and S3.Leaf litter was higher （68%） than twigs（18%）,reproductive structures（8%） or miscellaneous material（6%）.Micronutrient leaf deposition was higher for Fe followed by Mn,Zn and Cu.Macronutrient leaf deposition was higher for Ca followed by K,Mg and P.Even though P deposition in leaves and twigs was lower than other macronutrients,its nutrient use efficiency was higher than Ca,Mg or K.Altitude and species composition determine litter and nutrient deposition,with higher values at mid-altitudes（550 m）.Altitude is an important factor to consider when analyzing litter production as well as nutrient deposition as shown in this study.Litter production and nutrient deposition are expected to change in a scenario of global warming.展开更多
The ontogenetic characterization of the leaf galls induced in the internervural region and in the second and third order veins of A. spruceanum Müell Arg. (Apocynaceae) aims to evaluate the distinct levels of cel...The ontogenetic characterization of the leaf galls induced in the internervural region and in the second and third order veins of A. spruceanum Müell Arg. (Apocynaceae) aims to evaluate the distinct levels of cell reaction during the process of gall formation, and the relation between external gall morphology and the oviposition sites. The ground system had the most remarkable alterations, namely, the non differentiation of palisade parenchyma in both leaf sides, the hyperplasia of the spongy parenchyma and the neoformation of fibersclereids, a cell type not observed in non galled leaves. Changes of the feeding sites inside the larval chamber reveal distinct levels of cell competence to respond to the insects stimuli and explain the variations in the shape of the larval chamber.展开更多
Two varieties of Bouteloua aristidoides have been recognized,the widespread var.aristidoides and the more narrowly distributed var.arizonica.The two varieties differ in inflorescence form even more than that seen betw...Two varieties of Bouteloua aristidoides have been recognized,the widespread var.aristidoides and the more narrowly distributed var.arizonica.The two varieties differ in inflorescence form even more than that seen between many other closely related species of Bouteloua.We therefore asked whether these taxa might be better regarded as distinct species.A total of 93 vouchers were studied by using morphometry(principal components analysis and statistical tests),leaf micromorphology,ancestral state reconstruction,and/or molecular(ITS,trnC-rpoB and trnT-L-F)phylogenetic analyses.Except from the ITS tree,all results supported elevation of B.aristidoides var.arizonica to the rank of species,thus the new combination Bouteloua arizonica(M.E.Jones)L.F.Cuellar&Columbus comb.nov.et stat.nov.,is proposed.Chloroplast and combined chloroplast-nuclear molecular trees depicted var.arizonica as monophyletic(even in sympatric populations with var.aristidoides)and reveals phylogenetic structure within var.aristidoides for which the presence of new undescribed varieties of B.aristidoides(different from B.arizonica)is addressed.B.arizonica differs from B.aristidoides in having fewer branches per inflorescence,a bigger branch with more spikelets,and a shorter branch extension.Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of papillae on leaves of B.arizonica as a clear synapomorphy.Growing mature plants of B.arizonica from seeds in a greenhouse revealed a strong cleistogamous nature for this species for which gene flow in sympatric populations with B.aristidoides seems unlikely.A taxonomic treatment and distribution map for identification of B.arizonica is provided.展开更多
This study describes the tree community structure of three moist lowland Atlantic Forest fragments in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Two fragments were disturbed and an undisturbed one was used as referenc...This study describes the tree community structure of three moist lowland Atlantic Forest fragments in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Two fragments were disturbed and an undisturbed one was used as reference. Our hypothesis was that disturbed fragments show distinct structural patterns in comparison with undisturbed stands due to past disturbance practices and forest fragmentation. Four 100 ×5 m sampling plots were demarcated in each fragment and all live and dead trees with DBH C 5 cm were located, measured and identified. The results supported our hypothesis, due to the high values found for standing dead trees, an increase of dominance of a few pioneer species, lower values of large trees and species richness in disturbed fragments in comparison with the undisturbed one. The advanced fragmentation process in the Southern Brazilian lowland areas and the high species richness in undisturbed areas highlight these forest fragments as priority areas for conservation and management.展开更多
This study evaluated the expression of defense compounds from the secondary metabolism of Eucalyptus globulus plants, subjected to direct and indirect stimuli by the insect Ctenarytaina eucalypti (blue gum Psyllid). R...This study evaluated the expression of defense compounds from the secondary metabolism of Eucalyptus globulus plants, subjected to direct and indirect stimuli by the insect Ctenarytaina eucalypti (blue gum Psyllid). Results showed that defense responses were activated in plants in all tested cases. Were detected and identified thirty-two compounds in the leaves of treated plants, of which five compounds differed with the control, and all are part of the chemical defenses from the plants, three of them were oxygenated monoterpenes (borneol, exo-2-hydroxy cineole and thymol), a aromatic carboxylic acid (benzoic acid) and a quinone (6-acethyl-flaviolin). The plants induced by volatile compounds and by indirect entomological manner, showed its capability to synthesize defensive compounds without a wound that promotes these responses. Were also found some constitutive secondary metabolites over expressed in the different inductions compared with the control.展开更多
Araucaria angustifolia(Bertol.) O. Kuntze exhibits dimorphism in its stem structure, where the trunk is orthotropic and branches and branchlets(primary and secondary branches) are plagiotropic. These stems exhibit dif...Araucaria angustifolia(Bertol.) O. Kuntze exhibits dimorphism in its stem structure, where the trunk is orthotropic and branches and branchlets(primary and secondary branches) are plagiotropic. These stems exhibit different behavior when used for vegetative propagation,and only segments of trunk can form a complete plant. The physiological and biochemical mechanisms that characterize these stems are still little known. The aim of this study was to describe the free amino acid profiles in trunks,branches, and branchlets of A. angustifolia. Segments of 5 cm in length were excised from young individuals below the stem apex. The needles were removed and samples were frozen and lyophilized. The determinations were made by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the results were expressed as lg/g fresh weight(FW). The trunks and branches had the highest content of total amino acids, which were 112.23 ± 20.57 lg/g FW and 111.97 ± 27.78 lg/g FW, respectively. The amino acids—glutamine, aspartate and c-aminobutyric acid and tyrosine—were noticeably higher in the three types of stems.In the trunk, a higher amount of asparagine and tryptophan,was also detected. Glutamic acid and glutamine were found in higher quantities in the branches. The branchlets had very low total amino acid content (30.79 ± 4.19 lg/g FW), wherein asparagine is the only amino acid not detected. Thus, it was observed that the profile of the free amino acid differs among trunks, branches, and branchlets in A. angustifolia, indicating that they perform different functions.展开更多
Bidens segetum Martius ex Colla known as the “picão do mato”, is an herbaceous plant that occurs in the Cerrado biome of some Brazilian states. Among the species of Bidens, we highlight B. pilosa known as...Bidens segetum Martius ex Colla known as the “picão do mato”, is an herbaceous plant that occurs in the Cerrado biome of some Brazilian states. Among the species of Bidens, we highlight B. pilosa known as “picão preto”, of which several activities are reported as antioxidant and antibacterial. Ethanolic extract from Bidens segetum (EEBs) showed an-tioxidant potential when analyzed by free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and antifungal activity against Cladosporium cladosporiodes and C. sphareospermum fungi. PFFR3.3 subfraction from EEBs has 81.5% of 5-O caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) and potential antioxidant (DPPH). However, PFFR3.3 did not decrease superoxide anion in metastatic melanoma cells by dihydroeth-idium assay (DHE). PP4 subfraction is a mixture of polyacetylenes that has antifungal (Cladosporium) and antioxidant activity, since reduced superoxide anion amount in melanoma cells after 5 min of treatment. However, no dose-response and time-response curve were observed, not even with the authentic standard (5-CQA). Complementary chemical studies will be performed to confirm the polyacetylenes and 5-CQA structures present in the EEBs from B. segetum and new methodologies should be performed to confirm the antioxidant activity of these com-pounds and the effects on melanocytes and melanomas.展开更多
Anatomical studies in the leaflet globoid galls of Caryocar brasiliense, the “pequi”, aimed to answer how oviposition and the feeding behavior of the galling herbivores altered the morphogenical patterns of the host...Anatomical studies in the leaflet globoid galls of Caryocar brasiliense, the “pequi”, aimed to answer how oviposition and the feeding behavior of the galling herbivores altered the morphogenical patterns of the host plant. C. brasiliense globoid gall was 1.28 ± 0.20 mm × 0.90 ± 0.25 mm, with hairy surface;it is sessile and projected to the abaxial surface. Young galls were red while the mature ones were green. Preferentially, they were formed next to leaf margin and possessed one larval chamber containing a single galling specimen. Gall epidermis was uniseriate, with thicker cuticle and more hairy. In some spots, epidermis was substituted by periderm, which indicated the expression of a character usually absent in the leaf laminas. Morphological and anatomical features of these gall morphotype, such as its position in leaf lamina, the fact of being truly closed galls, with typical nutritive tissue involved by sclerenchyma, made them next to the pattern proposed for galls induced by some Hymenoptera.展开更多
Prosthechea is a neotropical genus, belonging to the family Orchidaceae. The Brazil recorded 32 species of the genus of which nine occur in the state of Bahia, including P. silvana and P. moojenii. The first, P. silva...Prosthechea is a neotropical genus, belonging to the family Orchidaceae. The Brazil recorded 32 species of the genus of which nine occur in the state of Bahia, including P. silvana and P. moojenii. The first, P. silvana is epiphytic, endemic Atlantic Forest areas of South and Southeast of the Bahia and morphologically similar to P. moojenii, rupicolous species considered endemic to the Chapada Diamantina. There are doubts whether these two species are really distinct, because they differ only as to the way of life and aspects related to the size of the inflorescence and floral structure. Thus the anatomical study of these two species, emerges as a tool that aims to investigate the delimitation of these taxa. For this study, the sheet was cut freehand with a razor blade to obtain cross sections and treated by chemical means to obtain paradermic sections, all the material was stained with safranine/Astra blue (safrablau) and safranin, respectively, and the sections were then mounted between a semipermanent and cover slipped slides. The results allowed to distinguish P. silvana of the P. moojenii through the following characteristics observed in the leaf (thickening of the cell walls of epidermal cells, amount and disposition of sclerenchyma fibers and fiber arrangement of vascular and vascular bundles in the mesophyll) and root (number of arcs of xylem and phloem, thickening of cells median cortex), infers taxonomic characters for the genus. The data indicated anatomical distinction between the two species studied here of the Prosthechea, however, suggest the anatomical analysis of other organs to reproductive and vegetative.展开更多
Lignin emerged around 450 million years ago in early tracheophytes and played a pivotal role in the colonization of terrestrial ecosystems by plants.This aromatic biopolymer provides mechanical strength to supportive ...Lignin emerged around 450 million years ago in early tracheophytes and played a pivotal role in the colonization of terrestrial ecosystems by plants.This aromatic biopolymer provides mechanical strength to supportive tissues and hydrophobicity to water-transporting vasculature and acts as a physical barrier against herbivores and pathogens(Renault et al.,2019).The deposition of lignin in cell walls for proper cellular functionalization involves several molecular steps,including the tight regulation of tissue-or cell-type-specific expression of lignin biosynthetic genes,the biosynthesis of distinct lignin monomers and their transportation to the apoplast,and the polymerization of monomer radicals to produce tissue-or cell-type-dependent polymers with distinct physico-chemical properties.展开更多
In areas highly affected by anthropogenic disturbances,artificial(human-made)freshwater ecosystems can provide habitat for maintaining and conserving regional freshwater biodiversity.We assessed how the physical habit...In areas highly affected by anthropogenic disturbances,artificial(human-made)freshwater ecosystems can provide habitat for maintaining and conserving regional freshwater biodiversity.We assessed how the physical habitat of artificial ponds affected the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages.To do so,we tested two hypotheses.(1)Physical habitat disturbances are not detrimental to the diversity of nearby artificial ponds,and(2)Physical habitat disturbances do not cause significant shifts in taxonomic composition.Our results rejected both null hypotheses,i.e.,macroinvertebrate diversity metrics correlated significantly and positively with Physical Habitat Integrity index scores,and only sites with high habitat condition scores were significantly associated with sensitive indicator taxa.Our results highlight the importance of maintaining physical habitat conditions for sustaining the ecological health of artificial ponds.展开更多
Aluminum （AI） toxicity in plants is one of the primary constraints in crop production. Al3＋, the most toxic form of Al, is released into soil under acidic conditions and causes extensive damage to plants, especiall...Aluminum （AI） toxicity in plants is one of the primary constraints in crop production. Al3＋, the most toxic form of Al, is released into soil under acidic conditions and causes extensive damage to plants, especially in the roots. In rice, Al tolerance requires the ASR5 gene, but the molecular function of ASR5 has remained unknown. Here, we perform genome-wide analyses to identify ASR5-dependent Al-responsive genes in rice. Based on ASRS_RNAi silencing in plants, a global transcriptome analysis identified a total of 961 genes that were responsive to Al treatment in wildtype rice roots. Of these genes, 909 did not respond to Al in the ASR5_RNAi plants, indicating a central role for ASR5 in Al-responsive gene expression. Under normal conditions, without Al treatment, the ASR5 RNAi plants expressed 1.756 genes differentially compared to the wild-type plants, and 446 of these genes responded to AI treatment in the wild-type plants. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing identified 104 putative target genes that were directly regulated by ASR5 binding to their promoters, including the STAR1 gene, which encodes an ABC transporter required for AI tolerance. Motif analysis of the binding peak sequences revealed the binding motif for ASR5, which was confirmed via in vitro DNA-binding assays using the STAR1 promoter. These results demonstrate that ASR5 acts as a key transcription factor that is essential for AI-responsive gene expression and Al tolerance in rice.展开更多
Population genetic structuring is common among herbivorous insects and frequently is associated with divergent host plants, such as crops and their wild relatives. Previous studies showed population genetic structurin...Population genetic structuring is common among herbivorous insects and frequently is associated with divergent host plants, such as crops and their wild relatives. Previous studies showed population genetic structuring in corn leafhopper Dulbulus maidis in Mexico, such that the species consists of two sympatric, host plant-associated populations: an abundant and widespread "pestiferous” population on maize (Zea mays mays), and a small and localized "wild" population on perennial teosinte (Zea diploperennis). a maize wild relative with a limited distribution. This study addressed whether assortative mating and immigrant inviability mediate genetic structuring of corn leafliopper by comparing the mating and reproductive successes of pestiferous and wild females that colonize their nonassociated host plants against the successes of females colonizing their associated host plants. Assortative mating was assessed by comparing mating frequencies and premating and mating times among females of each population on each host plant: immigrant inviability was assessed by comparing, across two generations, the fecundity, survival, development time, sex ratio, and population growth rate among leafhopper populations and host plants. Our results showed that on maize, and compared to resident, pestiferous females, wild females were more likely to mate, and greater proportions of their offspring survived to adult stage and were daughters;consequently, the per-generation population growth rate on maize was greater for immigrant, wild leafhoppers compared to resident, pestiferous leafhoppers. Our results suggested that wild leafhoppers emigrating to maize have a fitness advantage over resident, pestiferous leafhoppers, while immigrant pestiferous and resident wild leafhoppers on teosinte have similar fitnesses.展开更多
Plant pathogenic fungi are a large and diverse assemblage of eukaryotes with substantial impacts on natural ecosystems and human endeavours.These taxa often have complex and poorly understood life cycles,lack observab...Plant pathogenic fungi are a large and diverse assemblage of eukaryotes with substantial impacts on natural ecosystems and human endeavours.These taxa often have complex and poorly understood life cycles,lack observable,discriminatory morphological characters,and may not be amenable to in vitro culturing.As a result,species identification is frequently difficult.Molecular(DNA sequence)data have emerged as crucial information for the taxonomic identification of plant pathogenic fungi,with the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer(ITS)region being the most popular marker.However,international nucleotide sequence databases are accumulating numerous sequences of compromised or low-resolution taxonomic annotations and substandard technical quality,making their use in the molecular identification of plant pathogenic fungi problematic.Here we report on a concerted effort to identify high-quality reference sequences for various plant pathogenic fungi and to re-annotate incorrectly or insufficiently annotated public ITS sequences from these fungal lineages.A third objective was to enrich the sequences with geographical and ecological metadata.The results-a total of 31,954 changes-are incorporated in and made available through the UNITE database for molecular identification of fungi(http://unite.ut.ee),including standalone FASTA files of sequence data for local BLAST searches,use in the next-generation sequencing analysis platforms QIIME and mothur,and related applications.The present initiative is just a beginning to cover the wide spectrum of plant pathogenic fungi,and we invite all researchers with pertinent expertise to join the annotation effort.展开更多
基金Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPqGrant No.200682/2006-7)the Integrative Life Sciences PhD Program from Virginia Common-wealth University for financial support
文摘Molecular phylogenetic studies have become a major area of interest in plant systematics, and their impacts on historical biogeographic hypotheses are not to be disregarded. In Brazil, most historical biogeographic studies have relied on animal phylogenies, whereas plant biogeographic studies have largely lacked a phylogenetic component, having a limited utility for historical biogeography. That country, however, is of great importance for most biogeographic studies of lowland tropical South America, and it includes areas from a number of biogeographic regions of the continent. Important biogeographic reports have been published as part of phylogenetic studies, taxonomic monographs, and regional accounts for small areas or phytogeographic domains, but the available information is subsequently scattered and sometimes hard to find. In this paper we review some relevant angiosperm biogeographic studies in Brazil. Initially we briefly discuss the importance of other continents as source areas for the South American flora. Then we present a subdivision of Brazil into phytogeographic domains, and we cite studies that have explored the detection of biogeographic units （areas of endemism） and how they are historically related among those domains. Examples of plant taxa that could be used to test some biogeographic hypotheses are provided throughout, as well as taxa that exemplify several patterns of endemism and disjunction in the Brazilian angiosperm flora.
基金supported by the PAICYT Grant CT259-15National Science and Technological Council(Grant250732)
文摘Studies on litterfall and decomposition provide estimations of decomposition rates of different ecosystems.This is key information to understanding ecosystem dynamics and changes in a scenario of global warming.The objective of this research was to assess litterfall production,the potential deposition of macro and micronutrients through leaf and twig fall as well as macronutrient—use efficiency in three forest ecosystems at different altitudes： a pine forest mixed with deciduous species（S1）; a Quercus spp.forest（S2）; and,a Tamaulipan thornscrub forest（S3）.Total annual litterfall deposition was 594,742 and 533 g m^（-2） for S1,S2 and S3.Leaf litter was higher （68%） than twigs（18%）,reproductive structures（8%） or miscellaneous material（6%）.Micronutrient leaf deposition was higher for Fe followed by Mn,Zn and Cu.Macronutrient leaf deposition was higher for Ca followed by K,Mg and P.Even though P deposition in leaves and twigs was lower than other macronutrients,its nutrient use efficiency was higher than Ca,Mg or K.Altitude and species composition determine litter and nutrient deposition,with higher values at mid-altitudes（550 m）.Altitude is an important factor to consider when analyzing litter production as well as nutrient deposition as shown in this study.Litter production and nutrient deposition are expected to change in a scenario of global warming.
基金The authors would like to thank the undergraduate stu-dent Ariane Chagas de Castro of the Universidade Fe-deral de Minas Gerais(UFMG)for helping with the col-lections,CNPq and CAPES for financial support and scholarship.
文摘The ontogenetic characterization of the leaf galls induced in the internervural region and in the second and third order veins of A. spruceanum Müell Arg. (Apocynaceae) aims to evaluate the distinct levels of cell reaction during the process of gall formation, and the relation between external gall morphology and the oviposition sites. The ground system had the most remarkable alterations, namely, the non differentiation of palisade parenchyma in both leaf sides, the hyperplasia of the spongy parenchyma and the neoformation of fibersclereids, a cell type not observed in non galled leaves. Changes of the feeding sites inside the larval chamber reveal distinct levels of cell competence to respond to the insects stimuli and explain the variations in the shape of the larval chamber.
基金The authors acknowledge to the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia(Mexico)for its support to Luis Fernando Cuellar-Garrido with the master's degree scholarship 615539。
文摘Two varieties of Bouteloua aristidoides have been recognized,the widespread var.aristidoides and the more narrowly distributed var.arizonica.The two varieties differ in inflorescence form even more than that seen between many other closely related species of Bouteloua.We therefore asked whether these taxa might be better regarded as distinct species.A total of 93 vouchers were studied by using morphometry(principal components analysis and statistical tests),leaf micromorphology,ancestral state reconstruction,and/or molecular(ITS,trnC-rpoB and trnT-L-F)phylogenetic analyses.Except from the ITS tree,all results supported elevation of B.aristidoides var.arizonica to the rank of species,thus the new combination Bouteloua arizonica(M.E.Jones)L.F.Cuellar&Columbus comb.nov.et stat.nov.,is proposed.Chloroplast and combined chloroplast-nuclear molecular trees depicted var.arizonica as monophyletic(even in sympatric populations with var.aristidoides)and reveals phylogenetic structure within var.aristidoides for which the presence of new undescribed varieties of B.aristidoides(different from B.arizonica)is addressed.B.arizonica differs from B.aristidoides in having fewer branches per inflorescence,a bigger branch with more spikelets,and a shorter branch extension.Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of papillae on leaves of B.arizonica as a clear synapomorphy.Growing mature plants of B.arizonica from seeds in a greenhouse revealed a strong cleistogamous nature for this species for which gene flow in sympatric populations with B.aristidoides seems unlikely.A taxonomic treatment and distribution map for identification of B.arizonica is provided.
基金supported financially by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment(MMA/FNMA)
文摘This study describes the tree community structure of three moist lowland Atlantic Forest fragments in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Two fragments were disturbed and an undisturbed one was used as reference. Our hypothesis was that disturbed fragments show distinct structural patterns in comparison with undisturbed stands due to past disturbance practices and forest fragmentation. Four 100 ×5 m sampling plots were demarcated in each fragment and all live and dead trees with DBH C 5 cm were located, measured and identified. The results supported our hypothesis, due to the high values found for standing dead trees, an increase of dominance of a few pioneer species, lower values of large trees and species richness in disturbed fragments in comparison with the undisturbed one. The advanced fragmentation process in the Southern Brazilian lowland areas and the high species richness in undisturbed areas highlight these forest fragments as priority areas for conservation and management.
文摘This study evaluated the expression of defense compounds from the secondary metabolism of Eucalyptus globulus plants, subjected to direct and indirect stimuli by the insect Ctenarytaina eucalypti (blue gum Psyllid). Results showed that defense responses were activated in plants in all tested cases. Were detected and identified thirty-two compounds in the leaves of treated plants, of which five compounds differed with the control, and all are part of the chemical defenses from the plants, three of them were oxygenated monoterpenes (borneol, exo-2-hydroxy cineole and thymol), a aromatic carboxylic acid (benzoic acid) and a quinone (6-acethyl-flaviolin). The plants induced by volatile compounds and by indirect entomological manner, showed its capability to synthesize defensive compounds without a wound that promotes these responses. Were also found some constitutive secondary metabolites over expressed in the different inductions compared with the control.
基金financially supported by Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES)
文摘Araucaria angustifolia(Bertol.) O. Kuntze exhibits dimorphism in its stem structure, where the trunk is orthotropic and branches and branchlets(primary and secondary branches) are plagiotropic. These stems exhibit different behavior when used for vegetative propagation,and only segments of trunk can form a complete plant. The physiological and biochemical mechanisms that characterize these stems are still little known. The aim of this study was to describe the free amino acid profiles in trunks,branches, and branchlets of A. angustifolia. Segments of 5 cm in length were excised from young individuals below the stem apex. The needles were removed and samples were frozen and lyophilized. The determinations were made by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the results were expressed as lg/g fresh weight(FW). The trunks and branches had the highest content of total amino acids, which were 112.23 ± 20.57 lg/g FW and 111.97 ± 27.78 lg/g FW, respectively. The amino acids—glutamine, aspartate and c-aminobutyric acid and tyrosine—were noticeably higher in the three types of stems.In the trunk, a higher amount of asparagine and tryptophan,was also detected. Glutamic acid and glutamine were found in higher quantities in the branches. The branchlets had very low total amino acid content (30.79 ± 4.19 lg/g FW), wherein asparagine is the only amino acid not detected. Thus, it was observed that the profile of the free amino acid differs among trunks, branches, and branchlets in A. angustifolia, indicating that they perform different functions.
基金CNPq (Master Scholarship Simone Dias Franco) FAPESP (Grants No. 2014/14299-4 (07/2015-06/2017) and No. 2014/21593-2)
文摘Bidens segetum Martius ex Colla known as the “picão do mato”, is an herbaceous plant that occurs in the Cerrado biome of some Brazilian states. Among the species of Bidens, we highlight B. pilosa known as “picão preto”, of which several activities are reported as antioxidant and antibacterial. Ethanolic extract from Bidens segetum (EEBs) showed an-tioxidant potential when analyzed by free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and antifungal activity against Cladosporium cladosporiodes and C. sphareospermum fungi. PFFR3.3 subfraction from EEBs has 81.5% of 5-O caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) and potential antioxidant (DPPH). However, PFFR3.3 did not decrease superoxide anion in metastatic melanoma cells by dihydroeth-idium assay (DHE). PP4 subfraction is a mixture of polyacetylenes that has antifungal (Cladosporium) and antioxidant activity, since reduced superoxide anion amount in melanoma cells after 5 min of treatment. However, no dose-response and time-response curve were observed, not even with the authentic standard (5-CQA). Complementary chemical studies will be performed to confirm the polyacetylenes and 5-CQA structures present in the EEBs from B. segetum and new methodologies should be performed to confirm the antioxidant activity of these com-pounds and the effects on melanocytes and melanomas.
基金thank CNPq,CAPES and FAPEMIG for the scholarships,and financial support for the development of this research.
文摘Anatomical studies in the leaflet globoid galls of Caryocar brasiliense, the “pequi”, aimed to answer how oviposition and the feeding behavior of the galling herbivores altered the morphogenical patterns of the host plant. C. brasiliense globoid gall was 1.28 ± 0.20 mm × 0.90 ± 0.25 mm, with hairy surface;it is sessile and projected to the abaxial surface. Young galls were red while the mature ones were green. Preferentially, they were formed next to leaf margin and possessed one larval chamber containing a single galling specimen. Gall epidermis was uniseriate, with thicker cuticle and more hairy. In some spots, epidermis was substituted by periderm, which indicated the expression of a character usually absent in the leaf laminas. Morphological and anatomical features of these gall morphotype, such as its position in leaf lamina, the fact of being truly closed galls, with typical nutritive tissue involved by sclerenchyma, made them next to the pattern proposed for galls induced by some Hymenoptera.
基金thank FAPESB-Fundacao de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado da Bahia for the financial support for the development of this research(PPP 083/2010 and PNE 0020/2011).
文摘Prosthechea is a neotropical genus, belonging to the family Orchidaceae. The Brazil recorded 32 species of the genus of which nine occur in the state of Bahia, including P. silvana and P. moojenii. The first, P. silvana is epiphytic, endemic Atlantic Forest areas of South and Southeast of the Bahia and morphologically similar to P. moojenii, rupicolous species considered endemic to the Chapada Diamantina. There are doubts whether these two species are really distinct, because they differ only as to the way of life and aspects related to the size of the inflorescence and floral structure. Thus the anatomical study of these two species, emerges as a tool that aims to investigate the delimitation of these taxa. For this study, the sheet was cut freehand with a razor blade to obtain cross sections and treated by chemical means to obtain paradermic sections, all the material was stained with safranine/Astra blue (safrablau) and safranin, respectively, and the sections were then mounted between a semipermanent and cover slipped slides. The results allowed to distinguish P. silvana of the P. moojenii through the following characteristics observed in the leaf (thickening of the cell walls of epidermal cells, amount and disposition of sclerenchyma fibers and fiber arrangement of vascular and vascular bundles in the mesophyll) and root (number of arcs of xylem and phloem, thickening of cells median cortex), infers taxonomic characters for the genus. The data indicated anatomical distinction between the two species studied here of the Prosthechea, however, suggest the anatomical analysis of other organs to reproductive and vegetative.
文摘Lignin emerged around 450 million years ago in early tracheophytes and played a pivotal role in the colonization of terrestrial ecosystems by plants.This aromatic biopolymer provides mechanical strength to supportive tissues and hydrophobicity to water-transporting vasculature and acts as a physical barrier against herbivores and pathogens(Renault et al.,2019).The deposition of lignin in cell walls for proper cellular functionalization involves several molecular steps,including the tight regulation of tissue-or cell-type-specific expression of lignin biosynthetic genes,the biosynthesis of distinct lignin monomers and their transportation to the apoplast,and the polymerization of monomer radicals to produce tissue-or cell-type-dependent polymers with distinct physico-chemical properties.
基金This research was supported by the Programa de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento of Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais(CEMIG)P&D Aneel-Cemig GT-599 and MSL received a post-doc scholarship from this Project,and from CAPES(PDPG-AMAZONIA-LEGAL Project 88887.510266/2020–00)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnologico(CNPq+1 种基金research productivity grants 304060/2020-8 to MC and 316489/2021-2 to JCS),FAPEMIG research grant to MC(PPM 00104-18)Coordenaçao de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES)–Finance Code 001.
文摘In areas highly affected by anthropogenic disturbances,artificial(human-made)freshwater ecosystems can provide habitat for maintaining and conserving regional freshwater biodiversity.We assessed how the physical habitat of artificial ponds affected the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages.To do so,we tested two hypotheses.(1)Physical habitat disturbances are not detrimental to the diversity of nearby artificial ponds,and(2)Physical habitat disturbances do not cause significant shifts in taxonomic composition.Our results rejected both null hypotheses,i.e.,macroinvertebrate diversity metrics correlated significantly and positively with Physical Habitat Integrity index scores,and only sites with high habitat condition scores were significantly associated with sensitive indicator taxa.Our results highlight the importance of maintaining physical habitat conditions for sustaining the ecological health of artificial ponds.
文摘Aluminum （AI） toxicity in plants is one of the primary constraints in crop production. Al3＋, the most toxic form of Al, is released into soil under acidic conditions and causes extensive damage to plants, especially in the roots. In rice, Al tolerance requires the ASR5 gene, but the molecular function of ASR5 has remained unknown. Here, we perform genome-wide analyses to identify ASR5-dependent Al-responsive genes in rice. Based on ASRS_RNAi silencing in plants, a global transcriptome analysis identified a total of 961 genes that were responsive to Al treatment in wildtype rice roots. Of these genes, 909 did not respond to Al in the ASR5_RNAi plants, indicating a central role for ASR5 in Al-responsive gene expression. Under normal conditions, without Al treatment, the ASR5 RNAi plants expressed 1.756 genes differentially compared to the wild-type plants, and 446 of these genes responded to AI treatment in the wild-type plants. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing identified 104 putative target genes that were directly regulated by ASR5 binding to their promoters, including the STAR1 gene, which encodes an ABC transporter required for AI tolerance. Motif analysis of the binding peak sequences revealed the binding motif for ASR5, which was confirmed via in vitro DNA-binding assays using the STAR1 promoter. These results demonstrate that ASR5 acts as a key transcription factor that is essential for AI-responsive gene expression and Al tolerance in rice.
文摘Population genetic structuring is common among herbivorous insects and frequently is associated with divergent host plants, such as crops and their wild relatives. Previous studies showed population genetic structuring in corn leafhopper Dulbulus maidis in Mexico, such that the species consists of two sympatric, host plant-associated populations: an abundant and widespread "pestiferous” population on maize (Zea mays mays), and a small and localized "wild" population on perennial teosinte (Zea diploperennis). a maize wild relative with a limited distribution. This study addressed whether assortative mating and immigrant inviability mediate genetic structuring of corn leafliopper by comparing the mating and reproductive successes of pestiferous and wild females that colonize their nonassociated host plants against the successes of females colonizing their associated host plants. Assortative mating was assessed by comparing mating frequencies and premating and mating times among females of each population on each host plant: immigrant inviability was assessed by comparing, across two generations, the fecundity, survival, development time, sex ratio, and population growth rate among leafhopper populations and host plants. Our results showed that on maize, and compared to resident, pestiferous females, wild females were more likely to mate, and greater proportions of their offspring survived to adult stage and were daughters;consequently, the per-generation population growth rate on maize was greater for immigrant, wild leafhoppers compared to resident, pestiferous leafhoppers. Our results suggested that wild leafhoppers emigrating to maize have a fitness advantage over resident, pestiferous leafhoppers, while immigrant pestiferous and resident wild leafhoppers on teosinte have similar fitnesses.
基金financial support from European Funds through COMPETENational Funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT)within projects PTDC/AGR-FOR/3807/2012-FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027979 and PEst-C/MAR/LA0017/2013+4 种基金supported by National Science Foundation Grant DBI 1046115supported by FFG,BMWFJ,BMVIT,ZIT,Zukunftsstiftung Tirol,and Land Steiermark within the Austrian COMET program FFG Grant 824186Financial support to JP was partially provided by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education(MNiSW),grant no.NN303_548839financial support from FAPEMIG and CNPqfunded by the Government of Canada through Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute through the Biomonitoring 2.0 project(OGI-050).
文摘Plant pathogenic fungi are a large and diverse assemblage of eukaryotes with substantial impacts on natural ecosystems and human endeavours.These taxa often have complex and poorly understood life cycles,lack observable,discriminatory morphological characters,and may not be amenable to in vitro culturing.As a result,species identification is frequently difficult.Molecular(DNA sequence)data have emerged as crucial information for the taxonomic identification of plant pathogenic fungi,with the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer(ITS)region being the most popular marker.However,international nucleotide sequence databases are accumulating numerous sequences of compromised or low-resolution taxonomic annotations and substandard technical quality,making their use in the molecular identification of plant pathogenic fungi problematic.Here we report on a concerted effort to identify high-quality reference sequences for various plant pathogenic fungi and to re-annotate incorrectly or insufficiently annotated public ITS sequences from these fungal lineages.A third objective was to enrich the sequences with geographical and ecological metadata.The results-a total of 31,954 changes-are incorporated in and made available through the UNITE database for molecular identification of fungi(http://unite.ut.ee),including standalone FASTA files of sequence data for local BLAST searches,use in the next-generation sequencing analysis platforms QIIME and mothur,and related applications.The present initiative is just a beginning to cover the wide spectrum of plant pathogenic fungi,and we invite all researchers with pertinent expertise to join the annotation effort.
