Evolution of Oil-Producing Trichomes in Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae): Insights from the first Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis of the Genus

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Evolution of Oil-Producing Trichomes in Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae): Insights from the first Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis of the Genus Annals of Botany 107: 1287–1312, 2011 doi:10.1093/aob/mcr080, available online at www.aob.oxfordjournals.org Evolution of oil-producing trichomes in Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae): insights from the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus Olivier Chauveau1,*, Lilian Eggers2, Christian Raquin3, Adriano Silve´rio1,2, Spencer Brown4, Arnaud Couloux5, Corine Cruaud5, Eliane Kaltchuk-Santos6, Roxana Yockteng7, Tatiana T. Souza-Chies2 and Sophie Nadot1 1Universite´ Paris-Sud, Laboratoire Ecologie Syste´matique et Evolution, UMR 8079, Orsay, F-91405, France, 2Instituto de Biocieˆncias, Departamento de Botaˆnica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Av. Bento Gonc¸alves, 9500 – Pre´dio 43433, Brazil, 3CNRS, Laboratoire Ecologie Syste´matique et Evolution, UMR 8079, Orsay, F-91405, France, 4CNRS, Dynamique de la compartimentation cellulaire, Institut des Sciences du ve´ge´tal, UPR 2355, Gif-sur-Yvette, F-91198, France, 5GENOSCOPE, Centre National de Se´quenc¸age. 2, rue Gaston Cre´mieux, CP5706, F-91057 Evry Cedex, France, 6Instituto de Biocieˆncias, Departamento de Gene´tica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonc¸alves, 9500 – Pre´dio 43323 M, CEP 91501–970, Porto Alegre, Brazil and 7MNHN, UMR 7205 Origine, Structure et Evolution de la Biodiversite´, Paris, F-75005, France Downloaded from * For correspondence. E-mail [email protected] Received: 5 November 2010 Returned for revision: 10 December 2010 Accepted: 22 February 2011 Published electronically: 27 April 2011 † Background and Aims Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae: Iridoideae: Sisyrinchieae) is one of the largest, most widespread http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/ and most taxonomically complex genera in Iridaceae, with all species except one native to the American conti- nent. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus were investigated and the evolution of oil-producing structures related to specialized oil-bee pollination examined. † Methods Phylogenetic analyses based on eight molecular markers obtained from 101 Sisyrinchium accessions representing 85 species were conducted in the first extensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus. Total evidence analyses confirmed the monophyly of the genus and retrieved nine major clades weakly connected to the subdivi- sions previously recognized. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis was used to reconstruct biogeographical pat- terns, and to trace the evolutionary origin of glandular trichomes present in the flowers of several species. † Key Results and Conclusions Glandular trichomes evolved three times independently in the genus. In two cases, these glandular trichomes are oil-secreting, suggesting that the corresponding flowers might be pollinated by oil- by guest on July 7, 2012 bees. Biogeographical patterns indicate expansions from Central America and the northern Andes to the suban- dean ranges between Chile and Argentina and to the extended area of the Parana´ river basin. The distribution of oil-flower species across the phylogenetic trees suggests that oil-producing trichomes may have played a key role in the diversification of the genus, a hypothesis that requires future testing. Key words: Oil-bee pollination, glandular trichomes, elaiophores, lipids, phylogeography, Sisyrinchieae, Olsynium, Solenomelus. INTRODUCTION Relationships between oil-secreting flowers and oil-collecting bees constitute an example of a functional specialization and During their evolution, flowering plants have developed a wide uncommon interaction between plants and pollinators variety of strategies to attract and reward pollinators. Plant– (Minckley and Roulston, 2006). Flowers offering an oil pollinator interactions are key components of the dynamics resource are found in 11 families according to the APG of most terrestrial ecosystems and, in a world where biodiver- system (APG III, 2009), distributed across the angiosperms sity is jeopardized by anthropogenic changes, analysing the among unrelated orders (Buchmann, 1987; Rasmussen and evolutionary history of species and understanding the mechan- Olesen, 2000; Steiner and Whitehead, 2002; Neff and isms involved in their evolution, such as plant–pollinator Simpson, 2005; Renner and Schaefer, 2010). The latest com- interactions, is crucial (Steffan Dewenter et al., 2006; Waser, prehensive study found that oil-bee pollination has evolved 2006). Furthermore, since species interactions are considered at least 28 times independently, and 1500–1800 species to play a central role in many speciation events, studying the have developed oil-producing organs called elaiophores evolutionary history of traits closely linked to uncommon (Renner and Schaefer, 2010). These structures, located on interactions could contribute to improve our knowledge of various floral parts, constitute local glandular fields within the mechanisms involved (Rieseberg and Willis, 2007). the flower and can be anatomically separated into two cat- Insects represent the largest group of animals visiting egories (Vogel, 1969, 1974, 2009). Epithelial elaiophores flowers to collect resources. Most visit flowers to collect consist of glandular epithelial or epidermal cells and their oil pollen and nectar, but some insects seek other resources. secretions are stored below a protective cuticle, forming # The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected] 1288 Chauveau et al. — Evolution of oil-producing trichomes in Sisyrinchium small blisters, whereas trichomatic elaiophores consist of hun- evolved from elaiophores (Cocucci and Vogel, 2001). Other dreds to thousands of oil-producing glandular trichomes species have pollen flowers, devoid of trichomes either on (Buchmann, 1987; Silvera, 2002; Machado, 2004). The latter the filamental column or on the adaxial side of tepals. produce oil continuously and secretion is often unprotected, Members of this third category are widely distributed through- but oil can in some cases be accumulated in a subcuticular out the range of the genus. space at the tip of the trichome (Vogel, 1974; Buchmann, The goal of this study was to elucidate the phylogenetic 1987; Cocucci and Vogel, 2001). Epithelial and trichomatic relationships among Sisyrinchium species and genera of elaiophores produce non-volatile oils gathered by the females Sisyrinchieae (Fig. 1), using a total evidence approach, and of specialized oil-collecting bees belonging to two families to test the monophyly of the subgeneric divisions as defined of Hymenoptera, Mellitidae and Apidae (Michener, 2007), in the existing classifications. The resulting historical frame- which have developed morphological adaptations on their work was used to analyse geographical patterns, optimize the legs or abdomen to harvest and store lipids (Schlindwein, evolutionary history of elaiophores and make hypotheses 1998; Cocucci et al., 2000; Vogel, 2009). Documented uses about potential shifts in the pollination system. of floral lipids by oil-collecting bees show that females mix oils with pollen and use this mixture to feed their larvae (Vogel, 1974; Simpson and Neff, 1981). In some species, it MATERIALS AND METHODS has been observed that females also cover the brood cell Taxonomic sampling walls of their nest with a complex set of different substances that contains floral lipids (Buchmann, 1987; Cane et al., Taxa sampled, voucher information and GenBank accession Downloaded from 1983; Alves-dos-Santos et al., 2002). numbers are listed in Appendix 1. A total of 101 Sisyrinchium (Iridaceae: Iridoideae: Sisyrinchieae) is a large Sisyrinchium accessions from South and North America, repre- and complex genus with a distribution spanning the American senting 85 species covering the different subgeneric arrange- continents from subarctic areas to Tierra del Fuego. Many ments proposed in the literature, were sampled. With the exception of S. jamesonii, it was not possible to obtain plant taxonomic studies have already been conducted, mainly http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/ based on morphological traits (Klatt, 1861; Baker, 1878; material from section Segetia (Ravenna, 2003b), which Bentham and Hooker, 1883; Rudall et al., 1986; Goldblatt includes approximately four Andean species from Argentina, et al., 1990; Ravenna, 2000, 2002, 2003b), but the systematics Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela. Outgroups were of the genus remain poorly resolved. The number of recog- selected from the genera Olsynium (five species), nized species varies from approx. 80 (Goldblatt et al., 1989) Orthrosanthus (one species) and Solenomelus (two species), to approx. 200 (Rudall et al., 1986) and the subgeneric div- which are closely related to Sisyrinchium within isions are not well defined and are, as such, unsatisfactory Sisyrinchieae (Goldblatt et al., 2008). Plant material was (Goldblatt et al., 1990; Cocucci and Vogel, 2001; Ravenna, mostly sampled from the wild or from cultivated specimens 2003b). Moreover, Central and South American representa- obtained from seeds collected in the wild and held in botanical by guest on July 7, 2012 tives of the genus remain largely unknown: 24 % of the 206 gardens or national collections. A special effort was put into taxa accepted by the World Checklist of Iridaceae were sampling of S. micranthum, a species that exhibits a high described from these areas during the past 10 years (Barker, level of morphological plasticity and is closely related to 2004), suggesting that many species still remain to be
Recommended publications
  • "National List of Vascular Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: 1996 National Summary."
    Intro 1996 National List of Vascular Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands The Fish and Wildlife Service has prepared a National List of Vascular Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: 1996 National Summary (1996 National List). The 1996 National List is a draft revision of the National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: 1988 National Summary (Reed 1988) (1988 National List). The 1996 National List is provided to encourage additional public review and comments on the draft regional wetland indicator assignments. The 1996 National List reflects a significant amount of new information that has become available since 1988 on the wetland affinity of vascular plants. This new information has resulted from the extensive use of the 1988 National List in the field by individuals involved in wetland and other resource inventories, wetland identification and delineation, and wetland research. Interim Regional Interagency Review Panel (Regional Panel) changes in indicator status as well as additions and deletions to the 1988 National List were documented in Regional supplements. The National List was originally developed as an appendix to the Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al.1979) to aid in the consistent application of this classification system for wetlands in the field.. The 1996 National List also was developed to aid in determining the presence of hydrophytic vegetation in the Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland regulatory program and in the implementation of the swampbuster provisions of the Food Security Act. While not required by law or regulation, the Fish and Wildlife Service is making the 1996 National List available for review and comment.
    [Show full text]
  • The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts
    The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist • First Revision Melissa Dow Cullina, Bryan Connolly, Bruce Sorrie and Paul Somers Somers Bruce Sorrie and Paul Connolly, Bryan Cullina, Melissa Dow Revision • First A County Checklist Plants of Massachusetts: Vascular The A County Checklist First Revision Melissa Dow Cullina, Bryan Connolly, Bruce Sorrie and Paul Somers Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), part of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, is one of the programs forming the Natural Heritage network. NHESP is responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested in the state. The Program's highest priority is protecting the 176 species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals and 259 species of native plants that are officially listed as Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in Massachusetts. Endangered species conservation in Massachusetts depends on you! A major source of funding for the protection of rare and endangered species comes from voluntary donations on state income tax forms. Contributions go to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund, which provides a portion of the operating budget for the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. NHESP protects rare species through biological inventory,
    [Show full text]
  • Botany, Invasive Plants, Native Plants, Genetics
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Northwest FY-16 Region Program Accomplishments Calochortus umpquaensis, Umpqua mariposa lily, is found only in the Umpqua River watershed of Botany southwestern OR. A big "anthophorid" bee is tucked into the flower. Invasive Plants Native Plants Genetics U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.
    [Show full text]
  • Hulbert's Study of Factors Effecting Botanical Composition of Tallgrass Prairie
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences North American Prairie Conference 1989 Hulbert's Study of Factors Effecting Botanical Composition of Tallgrass Prairie David J. Gibson Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/napcproceedings Part of the International and Area Studies Commons Gibson, David J., "Hulbert's Study of Factors Effecting Botanical Composition of Tallgrass Prairie" (1989). Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences. 41. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/napcproceedings/41 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the North American Prairie Conference at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conferences by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. HULBERT'S STUDY OF FACTORS EFFECTING BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF TALLGRASS PRAIRIE David J. Gibson Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida 32514 Abstract. Lloyd Hulbert's death in May 1986 left a wealth of unfinished during the early part of the growing season (Hulbert 1988), and projects as well as the legacy of Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, may lead to a more productive (Abrams et al. 1986), lower di­ Kansas. One of these was an incomplete manuscript on fire, mowing, and versity, structurally more uniform grassland. The importance of soil effects on the tallgrass prairie, in which canopy cover and frequency soil type upon the composition of the prairie lies, in part, in the in 27 soil-treatment combinations from Konza Prairie were reported.
    [Show full text]
  • Outline of Angiosperm Phylogeny
    Outline of angiosperm phylogeny: orders, families, and representative genera with emphasis on Oregon native plants Priscilla Spears December 2013 The following listing gives an introduction to the phylogenetic classification of the flowering plants that has emerged in recent decades, and which is based on nucleic acid sequences as well as morphological and developmental data. This listing emphasizes temperate families of the Northern Hemisphere and is meant as an overview with examples of Oregon native plants. It includes many exotic genera that are grown in Oregon as ornamentals plus other plants of interest worldwide. The genera that are Oregon natives are printed in a blue font. Genera that are exotics are shown in black, however genera in blue may also contain non-native species. Names separated by a slash are alternatives or else the nomenclature is in flux. When several genera have the same common name, the names are separated by commas. The order of the family names is from the linear listing of families in the APG III report. For further information, see the references on the last page. Basal Angiosperms (ANITA grade) Amborellales Amborellaceae, sole family, the earliest branch of flowering plants, a shrub native to New Caledonia – Amborella Nymphaeales Hydatellaceae – aquatics from Australasia, previously classified as a grass Cabombaceae (water shield – Brasenia, fanwort – Cabomba) Nymphaeaceae (water lilies – Nymphaea; pond lilies – Nuphar) Austrobaileyales Schisandraceae (wild sarsaparilla, star vine – Schisandra; Japanese
    [Show full text]
  • Wildflower Talk
    Wildflower Talk These are a series of short articles written by Kristen Currin of Humble Roots Native Plant Nursery in Mosier, Oregon, featuring plants from around the Columbia Gorge. Each of these articles appeared in an issue of the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District’s newsletter, GROUNDWORK. I hope you enjoy them. All photos are courtesy of Kristen Currin. Please ask permission before using. www.humblerootsnursery.com Nothing in this document is to be construed as medical advice. A licensed herbalist should be consulted for proper identification and preparation before eating those plants designated as edible. Humble Roots Nursery nor the Conservation District are liable for improper consumption of plants listed in this document. INDEX Arnica, Heart-Leaf Glacier Lily Phlox, Cushion Bachelor Buttons Goldenrod Pineapple Weed Balsamroot Grass Widow Prairie Stars Bitterroot Indian Hemp Rabbitbrush (sp) Buckwheat, Arrowleaf Juniper Rabbitbrush, Gray Buckwheat, Snow Larkspur, Upland Rose, Wild California Poppy Kinnickinick Saxifrage Cattail Mariposa Lily Serviceberry Ceanothus Milkweed, Showy Shooting Star, Poet’s Chocolate Lily Miner’s Lettuce Sumac, Smooth Columbia Coreopsis Mugwort, Western Wapato Currant, Golden Native Shrubs Washington Lily Dutchman’s Breeches Nettle, Stinging Western Bunchberry Desert Parsley, Columbia Oceanspray Yellow Bee Plant Desert Parsley, Gray’s Oregon Grape Yellow Bells Elderberry, Blue Pearly Everlasting Yellow Star Thistle Gairdners Yampah Phantom Orchid 1 TOP Page Heart-leaf Arnica Arnica cordifolia Look for arnica's yellow flowers in spring. Arnica is an important native medicinal plant used topically to soothe sore muscles and sprains. A woodland plant and a good choice for the shady xeric garden. Bachelor Buttons, Cornflower Centaurea cyanus Many may think this beautiful blue flower is a native plant due to the fact that it dominates many of our meadows and is commonly sold in wildflower seed mixes.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix 1: Maps and Plans Appendix184 Map 1: Conservation Categories for the Nominated Property
    Appendix 1: Maps and Plans Appendix184 Map 1: Conservation Categories for the Nominated Property. Los Alerces National Park, Argentina 185 Map 2: Andean-North Patagonian Biosphere Reserve: Context for the Nominated Proprty. Los Alerces National Park, Argentina 186 Map 3: Vegetation of the Valdivian Ecoregion 187 Map 4: Vegetation Communities in Los Alerces National Park 188 Map 5: Strict Nature and Wildlife Reserve 189 Map 6: Usage Zoning, Los Alerces National Park 190 Map 7: Human Settlements and Infrastructure 191 Appendix 2: Species Lists Ap9n192 Appendix 2.1 List of Plant Species Recorded at PNLA 193 Appendix 2.2: List of Animal Species: Mammals 212 Appendix 2.3: List of Animal Species: Birds 214 Appendix 2.4: List of Animal Species: Reptiles 219 Appendix 2.5: List of Animal Species: Amphibians 220 Appendix 2.6: List of Animal Species: Fish 221 Appendix 2.7: List of Animal Species and Threat Status 222 Appendix 3: Law No. 19,292 Append228 Appendix 4: PNLA Management Plan Approval and Contents Appendi242 Appendix 5: Participative Process for Writing the Nomination Form Appendi252 Synthesis 252 Management Plan UpdateWorkshop 253 Annex A: Interview Guide 256 Annex B: Meetings and Interviews Held 257 Annex C: Self-Administered Survey 261 Annex D: ExternalWorkshop Participants 262 Annex E: Promotional Leaflet 264 Annex F: Interview Results Summary 267 Annex G: Survey Results Summary 272 Annex H: Esquel Declaration of Interest 274 Annex I: Trevelin Declaration of Interest 276 Annex J: Chubut Tourism Secretariat Declaration of Interest 278
    [Show full text]
  • SIGNA: Species Iris Group of North America 1998 32Th Species Seed Exchange
    SIGNA: Species Iris Group of North America 1998 32th Species Seed Exchange Greetings: Orders will be filled in the order received. Return immediately for the best selection. Our first shipment of seeds will begin January 10. Orders received after that date will be filled as time permits. No orders will be filled if received after March 1, 1999. After each item in the seed list you will find a number estimating the total number of seeds available. Donations with fewer than 100 seeds will most likely be sold out early. Be sure to check substitutes when ordering any of these seeds. They will D.Q! be used as substitutes. Seeds in short supply may be packed with as few as 4 seeds. If you want items with more seeds per packet, order items in greater supply. Please note the following abreviations used in the seedlist: H P means Hand Pollinated, coli. means Wild Collected, and ex. indicates that the plants that seeds were collected from were originally from another source (which may be a person, another seed exchange, or a wild location) which immediately follows the abbreviation. The alphabetical groups (A, B, C, etc.) used in the seed list follow the outline provided in the SIGNA Species Iris Study Manual published in 1972, e.g. sub-section Pogoniris, series Pumilae is under A, sub-section Pogoniris, series Intermedeae in under B and so on. The Study Manual, The Iris by Brian Mathew, and Iris of China by James Waddick and Zhao Yu-tang (l"e used as references when verifying names.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity: the UK Overseas Territories. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee
    Biodiversity: the UK Overseas Territories Compiled by S. Oldfield Edited by D. Procter and L.V. Fleming ISBN: 1 86107 502 2 © Copyright Joint Nature Conservation Committee 1999 Illustrations and layout by Barry Larking Cover design Tracey Weeks Printed by CLE Citation. Procter, D., & Fleming, L.V., eds. 1999. Biodiversity: the UK Overseas Territories. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Disclaimer: reference to legislation and convention texts in this document are correct to the best of our knowledge but must not be taken to infer definitive legal obligation. Cover photographs Front cover: Top right: Southern rockhopper penguin Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome (Richard White/JNCC). The world’s largest concentrations of southern rockhopper penguin are found on the Falkland Islands. Centre left: Down Rope, Pitcairn Island, South Pacific (Deborah Procter/JNCC). The introduced rat population of Pitcairn Island has successfully been eradicated in a programme funded by the UK Government. Centre right: Male Anegada rock iguana Cyclura pinguis (Glen Gerber/FFI). The Anegada rock iguana has been the subject of a successful breeding and re-introduction programme funded by FCO and FFI in collaboration with the National Parks Trust of the British Virgin Islands. Back cover: Black-browed albatross Diomedea melanophris (Richard White/JNCC). Of the global breeding population of black-browed albatross, 80 % is found on the Falkland Islands and 10% on South Georgia. Background image on front and back cover: Shoal of fish (Charles Sheppard/Warwick
    [Show full text]
  • Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia 30Th Anniversary Cruise Naturetrek Tour Report 20 January – 11 February 2016
    Antarctica, The Falklands and South Georgia 30th Anniversary Cruise Naturetrek Tour Report 20 January – 11 February 2016 Black-browed Albatross by Tim Melling The King Penguin colony at St Andrew’s Bay by Peter Dunn Gentoo Penguins on Saunders’s Island by Peter Dunn Humpback Whale by Tim Melling Report compiled by Simon Cook and Tim Melling Images by Peter Dunn, Tim Melling & Martin Beaton Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Antarctica, The Falklands and South Georgia Tour Report Naturetrek Staff: David Mills, Paul Stanbury, Nick Acheson, Tim Melling, Martin Beaton & Peter Dunn Ship’s Crew: Captain Ernesto Barria Chile Michael Frauendorfer Austria Hotel Manager Dejan Nikolic - Serbia Asst. Hotel Manager Chris Gossak - Austria Head Chef Khabir Moraes - India Sous Chef, Veronique Verhoeven - Belgium Ship’s Physician Little Mo - Wales Ice Pilot Oceanwide Expeditions: Andrew Bishop – Tasmania Expedition Leader Troels Jacobsen - Denmark Asst. Expedition Leader Expedition Guides: Mick Brown Ireland Johannes (Jo) Koch Canada Mario Acquarone Italy Marie-Anne Blanchet France Simon Cook Wales Plus 105 Naturetrek wildlife enthusiasts. Day 1 Thursday 21st January Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires, Argentina After an overnight flight from Heathrow we arrived in Buenos Aires where we were met by David and Paul. We boarded four coaches to reach our next airport, but en route we stopped for lunch at a wonderful wetland reserve called Costanera Sur. The water was filled with a bewildering variety of waterbirds: Coscoroba Swans, Southern Screamers, Silver Teals, Rosybills, White-tufted Grebes, Red-gartered Coots, Wattled Jacanas, Limpkins, Giant Wood Rail, Rufescent Tiger Heron and a tiny Stripe-backed Bittern.
    [Show full text]
  • Native Plant Diversity and Composition Across a Pinus Radiata D.Don Plantation Landscape in South-Central Chile—The Impact Of
    Article Native Plant Diversity and Composition Across a Pinus radiata D.Don Plantation Landscape in South-Central Chile—The Impact of Plantation Age, Logging Roads and Alien Species Steffi Heinrichs 1,*, Aníbal Pauchard 2,3 and Peter Schall 1 1 Department Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, University of Goettingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; [email protected] 2 Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 3349001, Chile; [email protected] 3 Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Santiago 8320000, Chile * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-551-395-974 Received: 18 July 2018; Accepted: 12 September 2018; Published: 14 September 2018 Abstract: Alien tree plantations are expanding globally with potential negative effects for native biodiversity. We investigated plant species diversity and composition in a Pinus radiata landscape in south-central Chile, a biodiversity hotspot, by sampling understory vegetation in different plantation age classes, along forest roads and in natural forest remnants in order to find effective conservation measures for native biodiversity. Plantations, including different age classes and roadsides, maintained high native species richness at the landscape scale but supported a completely different community composition than natural forests. Thus, natural forest remnants must be conserved as plantations cannot replace them. Certain natural forest species occurred frequently in mature plantations and can represent starting points for retaining natural elements in plantations. Generalist native and alien species benefited from plantation management, mainly in young plantations and along roadsides. Stand maturation and a closed canopy, though, reduced alien species occurrences within plantations. Along roads, shade-tolerant aliens should be monitored and removed as they can potentially invade natural forests.
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of the Vascular Alien Flora of Catalonia (Northeastern Iberian Peninsula, Spain) Pere Aymerich1 & Llorenç Sáez2,3
    BOTANICAL CHECKLISTS Mediterranean Botany ISSNe 2603-9109 https://dx.doi.org/10.5209/mbot.63608 Checklist of the vascular alien flora of Catalonia (northeastern Iberian Peninsula, Spain) Pere Aymerich1 & Llorenç Sáez2,3 Received: 7 March 2019 / Accepted: 28 June 2019 / Published online: 7 November 2019 Abstract. This is an inventory of the vascular alien flora of Catalonia (northeastern Iberian Peninsula, Spain) updated to 2018, representing 1068 alien taxa in total. 554 (52.0%) out of them are casual and 514 (48.0%) are established. 87 taxa (8.1% of the total number and 16.8 % of those established) show an invasive behaviour. The geographic zone with more alien plants is the most anthropogenic maritime area. However, the differences among regions decrease when the degree of naturalization of taxa increases and the number of invaders is very similar in all sectors. Only 26.2% of the taxa are more or less abundant, while the rest are rare or they have vanished. The alien flora is represented by 115 families, 87 out of them include naturalised species. The most diverse genera are Opuntia (20 taxa), Amaranthus (18 taxa) and Solanum (15 taxa). Most of the alien plants have been introduced since the beginning of the twentieth century (70.7%), with a strong increase since 1970 (50.3% of the total number). Almost two thirds of alien taxa have their origin in Euro-Mediterranean area and America, while 24.6% come from other geographical areas. The taxa originated in cultivation represent 9.5%, whereas spontaneous hybrids only 1.2%. From the temporal point of view, the rate of Euro-Mediterranean taxa shows a progressive reduction parallel to an increase of those of other origins, which have reached 73.2% of introductions during the last 50 years.
    [Show full text]