DOCSLIB.ORG

Quantifying Plant Species Diversity in Coastal Dunes: a Piece of Help from Spatially Constrained Rarefaction

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Quantifying Plant Species Diversity in Coastal Dunes: a Piece of Help from Spatially Constrained Rarefaction Folia Geobot (2016) 51:129–141 DOI 10.1007/s12224-016-9249-9 Quantifying plant species diversity in coastal dunes: a piece of help from spatially constrained rarefaction Daniela Ciccarelli & Giovanni Bacaro Received: 2 July 2015 /Accepted: 12 May 2016 /Published online: 13 August 2016 # Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic 2016 Abstract Since coastal dunes are one of the most vul- gradient with the highest values at the level of mobile nerable landscapes in Europe, their maintenance re- dunes and transition dunes. Species richness was signif- quires specific conservation and monitoring icantly higher in stable coastal dunes than those found in programmes. In this paper, the coastal dune systems of accreting and in erosive dunes. In fact, sand dynamics two natural parks located in central Italy were analyzed (accumulation as well as erosion) create periodic vege- aiming at: (1) assessing diversity patterns of all vascular tation disturbances affecting composition variability and species, endemic and alien taxa in plant communities succession. The SCR methodology avoided overestima- along the coast-to-inland gradient; (2) comparing these tion of species richness when compared to classical patterns between coastal sections characterized by dif- rarefaction curves. Our findings pinpointed that coastal ferent dynamical processes (accreting, stable and ero- plant communities create a highly spatially structured sive coasts); and (3) testing the differences induced by mosaic in which mobile dunes represent the highest the methodological approach used to characterize these compositional heterogeneity. Local managers are en- patterns. Twenty-one transects were randomly posi- couraged to consider these results for planning adequate tioned perpendicular to the shoreline in the whole coast- conservation strategies. al area (30 km in length), and the full spectrum of plant communities was sampled. Patterns of plant diversity Keywords biodiversity. coastline dynamic processes . were assessed using spatially explicit methods, namely coastal dune vegetation . Natura 2000 . rarefaction spatial constrained rarefaction (SCR), able to avoid the curves . spatial autocorrelation confounding effect of spatial autocorrelation. The re- sults show that species richness varied significantly Abbreviations between plant communities along the coast-to-inland SCR spatially constrained rarefaction MSRM Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Regional Park Nomenclature Checklist of the Italian vascular flora (Conti et al. MP Maremma Regional Park 2005, 2007) for plant species. D. Ciccarelli (*) Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Luca Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy Introduction e-mail: [email protected] ‘ ’ G. Bacaro The term biodiversity is currently used in the literature Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Girgieri to cover both the number of different populations and 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy species that exist and the complex interactions that occur 130 D. Ciccarelli, G. Bacaro among them. Its measurement at all levels is really Chiarucci et al. 2012). Even if this method offers an important for any conservation biology purposes elegant solution to the interpolation of the number of (Pullin 2002). The effects of biodiversity loss or changes species observed as a function of sample size, it is in plant community composition on the functioning of affected by various spatial components. However, after ecosystems have been the focus of much ecological Chiarucci et al. (2009) and Bacaro et al. (2012a), the research (Schulze and Mooney 1993; Kinzig et al. problem related to the lack of independence in the 2002; Loreau et al. 2002). Species composition, rich- sampling units between samples has been considered ness, evenness and interactions all respond to and influ- thanks to spatially constrained rarefaction (SCR) that ence ecosystem properties and stability. Unfortunately, incorporates the autocorrelated structure of biological the ever-growing impact of human activities is causing communities into sample-based rarefaction. More spe- biodiversity loss of natural habitats (Hawksworth and cifically, this method addressed the problem of spatial Bull 2008). autocorrelation by building the rarefaction curve based Coastal sand dune systems are dynamic and hetero- on the adjacency of the sampling units. Nevertheless, geneous habitats characterized by a complex environ- the use of SCRs has not yet become routine (the only mental gradient which determines a characteristic coast- recent ecological application can be found in Janišová to-inland plant community zonation (Ranwell 1972; et al. (2014) and is expected to be particularly useful in Doing 1985;Psuty2004; Wiedemann and Pickart those situations where the spatial structure of biological 2004; Frederiksen et al. 2006;Acostaetal.2007). communities is high, as is the case in coastal dune They contain a high ecological diversity in terms of systems. plant community composition, species rarity and ende- Erosion has a serious impact on some 20 % of the mism (van der Maarel and van der Maarel-Versluys coastline of Europe (Doody 2013). In Italy, 42 % of 1996; van der Maarel 2003; Martínez et al. 2004; coasts are largely affected by erosion processes, and in Ciccarelli et al. 2014). Unfortunately, coastal dune en- particular the Tuscan coastline reflects this scenario, vironments are one of the most vulnerable landscapes in with 37 % of its sand dune systems being affected by Europe, prone to many stress and disturbance factors erosion (Gruppo Nazionale per la Ricerca such as erosion, global warming and anthropogenic sull’Ambiente Costiero 2006). Although it has been pressure (Cori 1999; Brown and McLachlan 2002;van assessed that shoreline erosional processes are one of der Maarel 2003; Coombes et al. 2008; Carboni et al. the major threats for coastal sand dune systems world- 2009; Gornish and Miller 2010; Miller et al. 2010; wide, little is known regarding plant diversity and coast- Ciccarelli et al. 2012; Ciccarelli 2014, 2015). line erosion (Roman and Nordstrom 1988; Avis and Quantifying the number of species that occur along a Lubke 1996; García-Mora et al. 1999; Lubke and coast-to-inland ecological gradient could make a valu- Hertling 2001; da Silva et al. 2008; Ciccarelli et al. able contribution to managing the ecosystem. 2012;Ciccarelli2014). It should be considered that the examination of spe- In this paper, a systematic sampling design based on cies distribution patterns in space can help us better belt transects was used to sample the full spectrum of understand the effects of ecological and environmental coastal dune plant communities. Considering that bio- pressures. To quantify the relative importance of natural diversity loss is a critical issue in coastal environments, and anthropogenic pressures at appropriate spatial we analyzed the diversity patterns of vascular plant scales, both spatial and spatial-temporal analyses are species across the coastal dune systems of two natural required. The species’ spatial distribution and their rela- parks in Tuscany (Italy) in order to correctly characterize tionship with the environmental heterogeneity should be occurring diversity patterns. In detail, we specifically explored using specifically developed techniques. aimed at (1) assessing diversity patterns of all vascular Among these, individual and sample-based rarefaction species, endemic and alien taxa in plant community curves are widely recognized powerful tools, also used types along the coast-to-inland gradient; (2) comparing to evaluate the effectiveness of sampling and to compare these patterns between coastal sections characterized by species richness in different habitats (Gotelli and different dynamical processes (accreting, stable and ero- Colwell 2001; Moreno and Halffter 2001; Koellner sive coasts); and, finally, (3) testing the influence of the et al. 2004; Crist and Veech 2006; Chiarucci et al. methodological approaches used (e.g. regular rarefac- 2008a,b;Acostaetal.2009; Bacaro et al. 2012a; tion vs spatially constrained rarefaction) for diversity Quantifying plant species diversity in coastal dunes 131 comparisons purposes. This latter point has major im- The Maremma Regional Park is located on the plications when conservation actions should be planned coast near Grosseto, in the southern part of Tuscany. and, for this reason, deserves particular attention. The Park is 90 km2 and offers a diverse array of landscape types: coastal dunes, inland salt marshes, rocky vegetated foothills, coastal pinewood and Material and methods farming areas. This area is characterized by a C1 type of climate, Mediterranean sub-arid, with an Study area average annual temperature of 15.6°C and an aver- age annual rainfall of 618 mm (Pinna 1985). The present study was conducted in the coastal sand The coastal dune systems of both parks belong to dunes of two protected areas along the Tuscan littoral the Natura 2000 network and include the following (Italy): Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli Regional Sites of Community Importance (SCIs): ‘Coastal sand Park (MSRM) and Maremma Regional Park (MP; Fig. 1). dunes of Torre del Lago’ and ‘Coastal sand dunes of The Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli Uccellina’, respectively. Moreover, these two protected Regional Park covers an area of 142 km2 and is located areas are a geomorphological reference system for near Pisa, in the North of Tuscany. The Park hosts investigating variability of species richness
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Two Cryptic Species of Lotus (Fabaceae) from the Iberian Peninsula 21-45 Wulfenia 27 (2020): 21– 45 Mitteilungen Des Kärntner Botanikzentrums Klagenfurt
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Wulfenia Jahr/Year: 2020 Band/Volume: 27 Autor(en)/Author(s): Kramina Tatiana E., Samigullin Tahir H., Meschersky Ilya G. Artikel/Article: Two cryptic species of Lotus (Fabaceae) from the Iberian Peninsula 21-45 Wulfenia 27 (2020): 21– 45 Mitteilungen des Kärntner Botanikzentrums Klagenfurt Two cryptic species of Lotus (Fabaceae) from the Iberian Peninsula Tatiana E. Kramina, Tahir H. Samigullin & Ilya G. Meschersky Summary: The problem of cryptic species is well known in taxonomy of different groups of organisms, including plants, and their recognition can contribute to the assessment of global biodiversity and the development of conservation methods. Analyses of Lotus glareosus and related taxa from the Iberian Peninsula based on various types of data (i.e. sequences of nuclear ribosomal ITS-1-2, 5’ETS and cpDNA trnL-F, seven loci of nuclear microsatellites) revealed that the material earlier determined as ‘L. glareosus’ is subdivided into two genetically distant groups: L. carpetanus, related to L. conimbricensis, and L. glareosus, included in the L. corniculatus complex. Though only slight morphological distinctions were found between them, significant genetic differences comparable to those between sections of the genus Lotus (p-distance 0.07– 0.08 in ITS, 0.060 – 0.067 in ETS and 0.010 – 0.013 in trnL-F; substitution number 43 – 47 bp in ITS, 22–24 bp in ETS and 12–14 bp in trnL-F) and no evidence of genetic exchange suggest that these groups may represent two deeply diverged lineages that should be treated as two separate species.
    [Show full text]
  • Illustration Sources
    APPENDIX ONE ILLUSTRATION SOURCES REF. CODE ABR Abrams, L. 1923–1960. Illustrated flora of the Pacific states. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. ADD Addisonia. 1916–1964. New York Botanical Garden, New York. Reprinted with permission from Addisonia, vol. 18, plate 579, Copyright © 1933, The New York Botanical Garden. ANDAnderson, E. and Woodson, R.E. 1935. The species of Tradescantia indigenous to the United States. Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Reprinted with permission of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. ANN Hollingworth A. 2005. Original illustrations. Published herein by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort Worth. Artist: Anne Hollingworth. ANO Anonymous. 1821. Medical botany. E. Cox and Sons, London. ARM Annual Rep. Missouri Bot. Gard. 1889–1912. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. BA1 Bailey, L.H. 1914–1917. The standard cyclopedia of horticulture. The Macmillan Company, New York. BA2 Bailey, L.H. and Bailey, E.Z. 1976. Hortus third: A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. Revised and expanded by the staff of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. Cornell University. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. Reprinted with permission from William Crepet and the L.H. Bailey Hortorium. Cornell University. BA3 Bailey, L.H. 1900–1902. Cyclopedia of American horticulture. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. BB2 Britton, N.L. and Brown, A. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British posses- sions. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. BEA Beal, E.O. and Thieret, J.W. 1986. Aquatic and wetland plants of Kentucky. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort. Reprinted with permission of Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.
    [Show full text]
  • Coriaria Myrtifolia-Dominated Vegetation: Syntaxonomic Considerations on a Newly Found Community Type in Tuscany (Italy)
    Plant Sociology, Vol. 56, No. 2, December 2019, pp. 99-112 DOI 10.7338/pls2019562/07 Coriaria myrtifolia-dominated vegetation: syntaxonomic considerations on a newly found community type in Tuscany (Italy) G. Bonari1, T. Fiaschi2, K. Chytrý1, M. Biagioli3, C. Angiolini2 1Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, CZ-611 37 Brno, Czech Republic. 2Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53018, Siena, Italy. 3Meteo Siena 24, Via Piave 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy. Gianmaria Bonari https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5574-6067, Tiberio Fiaschi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0403-2387, Kryštof Chytrý https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4113-6564, Marco Biagioli, Claudia Angiolini https://orcid.org/0000- 0002-9125-764X Abstract During botanical researches, we found an isolated population of Coriaria myrtifolia for the first time in Tuscany (Italy). This study aims to gain insights into the distribution of this species and its associated vegetation. We studied the scrub vegetation dominated by C. myrtifolia at the currently known southernmost limit of its distribution in Italy through the phytosociological method. We present and discuss the attribution of the Tuscan relevés to the association Rubo ulmifolii-Coriarietum myrtifoliae O. de Bolòs 1954 (Pruno spinosae-Rubion ulmifolii O. de Bolòs 1954), firstly reported for peninsular Italy. Our data allowed us to describe a new subassociation viburnetosum tini differentiated by the Mediterranean shrub Viburnum tinus subsp. tinus and by the meso-xerophilous herbs Lathyrus latifolius and Viola alba subsp. dehnhardtii. This research also suggests that, although vast areas of Tuscany lie in the Temperate submediterranean macrobioclimate, including our study area, the presence of Mediterranean elements in the shrub vegetation can be conspicuous when local factors, such as a water body, mitigate the microclimate.
    [Show full text]
  • Vascular Flora of Eight Water Reservoir Areas in Southern Italy
    11 2 1593 the journal of biodiversity data February 2015 Check List LISTS OF SPECIES Check List 11(2): 1593, February 2015 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/11.2.1593 ISSN 1809-127X © 2015 Check List and Authors Vascular flora of eight water reservoir areas in southern Italy Antonio Croce Second University of Naples, Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Via Vivaldi, 43, 8100 Caserta, Italy E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Artificial lakes play an important role in Although many authors have reported the negative maintaining the valuable biodiversity linked to water impact of dams on rivers and their ecosystems (e.g., bodies and related habitats. The vascular plant diversity McAllister et al. 2001; Nilsson et al. 2005), dams are of eight reservoirs and surrounding areas in southern very important for wildlife, such as birds (Mancuso Italy was inventoried and further analysed in terms of 2010). Artificial lakes fulfill an important role as water biodiversity. A total of 730 specific and subspecific taxa reservoirs for agricultural irrigation; however, their were recorded, with 179 taxa in the poorest area and 303 other functions, such as recreation, fishing, and bio- in the richest one. The results indicate a good richness diversity conservation, should not be overlooked. The of the habitats surrounding the water basins, with some Italian National Institute for Economic Agriculture species of nature conservation interest and only a few (INEA) launched the project “Azione 7” (Romano and alien species. Costantini 2010) to assess the suitability of reservoirs in southern Italy for nature conservation purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Pueraria Montana (Lour.) Merr
    Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. Common Names: Kudzu, Japanese arrowroot, acha, aka, nepalem, wa yaka (12). Etymology: The generic name Pueraria is in recognition of an 18th century Swiss botanist, Marc Nicolas Puerari. The occasionally applied varietal name lobata is derived from the Greek lobos, referring to the lobed leaflets (2). Botanical synonyms (8): Dolichos hirsutus Thunb. Dolichos lobatus Willd. (basionym) Neustanthus chinensis Benth. Pachyrhizus thunbergianus Siebold & Zucc. Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum. Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi Pueraria lobata var. chinensis (Benth.) Ohwi Pueraria pseudohirsuta Tang & F. T. Wang, Pueraria thunbergiana (Siebold & Zucc.) Benth. Pueraria triloba (Houtt.) Makino FAMILY: Fabaceae (the pea family) Quick Notable Features: ¬ pubescent trifoliate leaves ¬ bright red-pink flowers in tall racemes ¬ leaflets with broad basal lobes ¬ plant climbing with apical coiling, no specialized tendrils Plant Height: Grows up to 30m in stem length (2). Subspecies/varieties recognized: Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. thomsonii (Benth.) Wiersema ex D.B.Ward Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S. M. Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep Most Likely Confused with: Other members of the Fabaceae such as Strophostyles helvula, Pisum spp, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Wisteria spp., Apios americana, and Desmodium spp. It might also be confused with Toxicodendron radicans, poison ivy. Habitat Preference: Kudzu has the ability to grow in a wide variety of sunny places: along highways, 1 riversides, fencerows, even in forest interiors. It has been photographed numerous times growing over old houses and barns, cars, and old farm equipment. It seems to do best on deep loamy soil and does not do well in very wet areas. It is not eradicated easily; however, it is reported that it does not do well under heavy grazing (2).
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Living Terrace Roofs and Green Roofs
    Guide to living terrace roofs and green roofs BCN Guide to living terrace roofs and green roofs 1. Introduction 3 2. Living terrace roofs and green roofs: definition and benefits 5 3. FAQs 11 3.1 On general aspects 11 3.2 On green roofs 12 4. Social and technical aspects of living terrace roofs and green roofs 15 4.1 Social aspects 15 4.2 Technical aspects 23 5. What type of living terrace roof or green roof do I want? 39 5.1 Where to start? 39 5.2 Types of roofs 44 6. Who do you need to contact for building a roof? 61 6.1 Professionals 62 7. Annexes 66 7.1 Vegetation 66 8. Bibliography 74 1. INTRODUCTION One of Barcelona’s hallmarks is its a city where there are no longer enough terrace roofs. As a bird’s-eye view will tranquil, green spaces at street level, show you, they extend from Ciutat Vella having terrace roofs that are in good con- to the Collserola mountain range. They dition, “greened” and have facilities just are spaces that were once used a great waiting to be used for a pleasant break deal. Oral and written memories attest can mean a big improvement to the qual- to that. Their most common everyday use ity of life of its residents. was probably for hanging out washing, work usually carried out with children These are safe, outdoor spaces, where around, who would meet up and play people can enjoy views of the city, enjoy with their neighbours. So they were more peace and quiet, sunbathe, read, spaces for socialising, where people felt do a physical activity, tend to their allot- safe.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological and Plant Community Implication on Essential Oils Composition in Useful Wild Officinal Species: a Pilot Case Study in Apulia (Italy)
    plants Article Ecological and Plant Community Implication on Essential Oils Composition in Useful Wild Officinal Species: A Pilot Case Study in Apulia (Italy) Enrico V. Perrino 1,* , Francesca Valerio 2 , Ahmed Gannouchi 1, Antonio Trani 1 and Giuseppe Mezzapesa 1 1 CIHEAM, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; [email protected] (A.G.); [email protected] (A.T.); [email protected] (G.M.) 2 Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected] Abstract: The study focused on the effects of ecology (plant communities and topographical data) on composition of essential oils (EOs) of some officinal wild plant species (Lamiales): Clinopodium suaveolens, Salvia fruticosa subsp. thomasii, Satureja montana subsp. montana, and Thymbra capitata, in different environments of Apulia (Italy). C. suaveolens and S. fruticosa subsp. thomasii are rare species of conservation interest, while S. montana subsp. montana and T. capitata, have a wide distribution and are used in traditional medicine or as spices. Results showed that the ecological context (phytosociological and ecological features) may influence the composition of EOs of the studied species. High differences in the compound composition have been found in S. montana subsp. montana, whereas minor effects were observed in C. suaveolens, S. fruticosa subsp. thomasii, and T. capitata accessions. The understanding of such aspects is necessary for providing optimal conditions Citation: Perrino, E.V.; Valerio, F.; to produce EOs rich in compounds known for their biological activities. The results are of great Gannouchi, A.; Trani, A.; Mezzapesa, interest also for EOs producers and at the same time to improve our knowledge and valorize wild G.
    [Show full text]
  • Latin for Gardeners: Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored
    L ATIN for GARDENERS ACANTHUS bear’s breeches Lorraine Harrison is the author of several books, including Inspiring Sussex Gardeners, The Shaker Book of the Garden, How to Read Gardens, and A Potted History of Vegetables: A Kitchen Cornucopia. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 60637 © 2012 Quid Publishing Conceived, designed and produced by Quid Publishing Level 4, Sheridan House 114 Western Road Hove BN3 1DD England Designed by Lindsey Johns All rights reserved. Published 2012. Printed in China 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 1 2 3 4 5 ISBN-13: 978-0-226-00919-3 (cloth) ISBN-13: 978-0-226-00922-3 (e-book) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Harrison, Lorraine. Latin for gardeners : over 3,000 plant names explained and explored / Lorraine Harrison. pages ; cm ISBN 978-0-226-00919-3 (cloth : alkaline paper) — ISBN (invalid) 978-0-226-00922-3 (e-book) 1. Latin language—Etymology—Names—Dictionaries. 2. Latin language—Technical Latin—Dictionaries. 3. Plants—Nomenclature—Dictionaries—Latin. 4. Plants—History. I. Title. PA2387.H37 2012 580.1’4—dc23 2012020837 ∞ This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper). L ATIN for GARDENERS Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored LORRAINE HARRISON The University of Chicago Press Contents Preface 6 How to Use This Book 8 A Short History of Botanical Latin 9 Jasminum, Botanical Latin for Beginners 10 jasmine (p. 116) An Introduction to the A–Z Listings 13 THE A-Z LISTINGS OF LatIN PlaNT NAMES A from a- to azureus 14 B from babylonicus to byzantinus 37 C from cacaliifolius to cytisoides 45 D from dactyliferus to dyerianum 69 E from e- to eyriesii 79 F from fabaceus to futilis 85 G from gaditanus to gymnocarpus 94 H from haastii to hystrix 102 I from ibericus to ixocarpus 109 J from jacobaeus to juvenilis 115 K from kamtschaticus to kurdicus 117 L from labiatus to lysimachioides 118 Tropaeolum majus, M from macedonicus to myrtifolius 129 nasturtium (p.
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution by Ancient Gene and Genome Duplication in Hexapods and Land Plants
    Evolution by Ancient Gene and Genome Duplication in Hexapods and Land Plants Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors Li, Zheng Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 11/10/2021 02:05:02 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/645813 EVOLUTION BY ANCIENT GENE AND GENOME DUPLICATION IN HEXAPODS AND LAND PLANTS by Zheng Li __________________________ Copyright © Zheng Li 2020 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2020 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by: Zheng Li, titled: “Evolution by Ancient Gene and Genome Duplication in Hexapods and Land Plants" and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Sep 10, 2020 _________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________ Michael S. Barker Sep 10, 2020 _________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________ Michael J. Sanderson Sep 10, 2020 _________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________ John J. Wiens Sep 10, 2020 _________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________ Wendy Moore Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement.
    [Show full text]
  • Evidence from Nuclear Ribosomal ITS Sequence Data
    Genet Resour Crop Evol (2010) 57:501–514 DOI 10.1007/s10722-009-9486-3 RESEARCH ARTICLE Are Lotus creticus and Lotus cytisoides (Leguminosae) closely related species? Evidence from nuclear ribosomal ITS sequence data Graeme Sandral • Galina V. Degtjareva • Tatiana E. Kramina • Dmitry D. Sokoloff • Tahir H. Samigullin • Steve Hughes • Carmen M. Valiejo-Roman Received: 28 April 2009 / Accepted: 7 September 2009 / Published online: 4 October 2009 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009 Abstract Lotus creticus is a potentially important Recent morphological studies suggested that L. cret- perennial legume for soil management in the Mediter- icus and L. cytisoides are taxonomically distinct at ranean climate. This plant is in focus of experimental specific level and not even closely related to each other. research in different countries. The so-called Lotus Two molecular phylogenetic studies published so far creticus group is taxonomically problematic. Although and based on one accession of L. creticus each gave some authors consider all members of the group as a conflicting results on relationships of this species. In single variable species, others segregate several spe- this paper, sequences of nuclear ribosomal ITS (nrITS) cies distinct from L. creticus, especially L. cytisoides. are produced from multiple accessions of both L. creticus and L. cytisoides. Taxonomic identity of each G. Sandral accession has been tested using morphology. The new NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga nrITS sequences are inserted in a data matrix contain- Agricultural Research Institute, Private Mail Bag, Pine ing a representative set of Lotus species covering all the Gully Road, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia geographical range and all major taxonomic groups of G.
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of Bird Pollination Syndromes in the Macaronesian Lotus (Leguminosae)
    THE EVOLUTION OF BIRD POLLINATION IN MACARONESIAN LOTUS SECTION RHYNCHOLOTUS (LEGUMINOSAE) by Isidro Ojeda Alayón A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in The Faculty of Graduate Studies (Botany) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) March, 2011 © Isidro Ojeda Alayón, 2011 ABSTRACT In order to understand the evolutionary transition from bee pollination (melittophily) to bird pollination (ornithophily), I studied a group of Lotus from Macaronesia. First, I provided a combined phylogenetic framework using nuclear and plastid genes, where I showed that the morphological features adapted to opportunistic passerine birds in Tenerife and La Palma are derived and evolved recently within the last 1.2 Ma in four species. I also identified Lotus sessilifolius as the most likely closely related species with melittophily. I showed that L. sessilifolius and the clade where this syndrome evolved had a pre-adaptation to produce a color change to red flowers (and the associated anthocyanidin pigment, cyanidin) as a possible strategy to increase bee foraging efficiency. The transition from yellow to red flowers in this group required only a redirection in the flux of pigment production and a modification in the proportions of flavonols and anthocyanidins, especially within the cyanidin branch. I also found that petal micromorphology is highly modified between the two syndromes. I found that ornithophilous flowers lack the typical papillose conical cells, which are distributed in the exposed sides of the petals in bee-pollinated flowers. This reduction of conical cells is associated with an early down-regulation of a dorsal identity gene in legumes, LjCYC2.
    [Show full text]
  • Desired Condition of Grasslands and Meadows in Valley Forge National Historical Park
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Desired Condition of Grasslands and Meadows in Valley Forge National Historical Park Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NER/VAFO/NRTR—2012/636 ON THE COVER Grassland in Valley Forge National Historical Park. Photograph by Bill Moses. Desired Condition of Grasslands and Meadows in Valley Forge National Historical Park Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NER/VAFO/NRTR—2012/636 Roger Latham P.O. Box 57 Rose Valley, PA 19086 October 2012 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Technical Report Series is used to disseminate results of scientific studies in the physical, biological, and social sciences for both the advancement of science and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series provides contributors with a forum for displaying comprehensive data that are often deleted from journals because of page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received formal peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting of the data, and whose background and expertise put them on par technically and scientifically with the authors of the information.
    [Show full text]