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Partner Abundance Controls Mutualism Stability and the Pace of Morphological Change Over Geologic Time
Partner abundance controls mutualism stability and the pace of morphological change over geologic time Guillaume Chomickia,1 and Susanne S. Rennera aDepartment of Biology, Systematic Botany and Mycology, University of Munich, Munich 80638, Germany Edited by Michael J. Donoghue, Yale University, New Haven, CT, and approved February 23, 2017 (received for review October 17, 2016) Mutualisms that involve symbioses among specialized partners may Ant/plant mutualisms are ubiquitous in tropical ecosystems and be more stable than mutualisms among generalists, and theoretical encompass a wide range of strategies (22–25). In Australasia, the models predict that in many mutualisms, partners exert reciprocal majority of ant-plants are epiphytes and appear to be primarily stabilizing selection on traits directly involved in the interaction. A involved in trophic mutualisms rather than defense mutualisms corollary is that mutualism breakdown should increase morpholog- (22, 24). An epiphytic habit means uneven water and nutrient ical rates of evolution. We here use the largest ant-plant clade supplies (26), and mutualisms with plant-nesting ants that provide (Hydnophytinae), with different levels of specialization for mutual- detritus and feces to their host (27–34) are thus common among istic ant symbionts, to study the ecological context of mutualism epiphytes (22). These mutualistic symbioses range from facultative breakdown and the response of a key symbiosis-related trait, interactions involving many arboreal ant species to obligate in- domatium entrance hole size, which filters symbionts by size. Our teractions that can be species-specific (17, 28, 32, 34, 35). ’ analyses support three predictions from mutualism theory. First, all We here use the world s most species-rich epiphytic ant-plant 12 losses apparently only occur from a generalist symbiotic state. -
Obligate Plant Farming by a Specialized Ant Nature Plants
Online Supporting Material for Obligate plant farming by a specialized ant Nature Plants Guillaume Chomicki and Susanne Renner Department of Biology, Systematic Botany and Mycology, Menzinger Str. 67, University of Munich (LMU), Munich 80638 Corresponding author: [email protected] (G.C.) Supplementary Materials and Methods Supplementary information on collection of material on Fiji and study sites The study sites in Viti Levu were Colo-i-Suva forest reserve in the south of the island (S 18° 1’ 46.808”, E 178° 24’ 0.4175”) and a forest in the vicinity of Navai in the centre of the island (S 17° 37’ 49.5979”, E 177° 58’ 34.9315”); in Vanua Levu, the collection sites were in Waisali forest reserve (S 16 38’19.8”, E 179 13’19.7”) and along the Cross Island road before the bifurcation to Nabouwalu and Labasa; in Taveuni, the samples (and herbarium collections) were obtained along the trail to DesVoeux peak and Mt. Manuca on the western side of the island (S 16° 48’ 25.8133”, E 179° 56’ 36.6843” ) and at the end of Lavena coastal walk, Bouma heritage park, on the eastern side of the island (S 16° 51’ 45.4433”, E 179° 54’ 6.5149”). All collections were made in collaboration with colleagues from the University of South Pacific (Acknowledgements), and vouchers have been deposited in the herbaria of Suva (SUVA) and Munich (M). For DNA extraction, we collected young leaves and dried them in silica gel. Squamellaria taxonomy follows Chomicki and Renner (2016). Host specificity, occupancy rates Philidris nagasau form large colonies that often occupy several dozen of Squamellaria plants (Fig. -
Endangered Dry Deciduous Forests of Upper Myanmar (Burma): a Multi-Scale Approach for Research and Conservation
ABSTRACT Title of Document: ENDANGERED DRY DECIDUOUS FORESTS OF UPPER MYANMAR (BURMA): A MULTI-SCALE APPROACH FOR RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION Melissa A. Songer, Doctor of Philosophy, 2006 Directed By: Dr. Ruth S. DeFries Department of Geography Tropical dry forests are critically endangered and largely unprotected ecosystem. I used a multi-scale research approach to study Upper Myanmar’s dry deciduous forests. At the broad scale I assessed how well existing land cover data can be used to map and monitor dry forests, and estimated the extent, distribution, and level of protection of these forests. At the landscape level I assessed spatial and temporal dynamics of deforestation in and around a dry forest protected area, Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), investigated land use pressures driving these changes, and evaluated effectiveness of protection efforts within the sanctuary. At the local scale I studied the degree to which people rely on dry forests for subsistence and the socioeconomic variables correlated with dependence on forest products. Using MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data to delineate remaining dry deciduous forests, I found that only 24,000 km2 of this forest type remain in Upper Myanmar—only 4% inside protected areas. At 81% accuracy, this map scored higher than existing global and regional land cover classifications for predicting dry forest. Employing satellite images covering the landscape in and around CWS (Landsat MSS, TM, ETM+ and ASTER) between the years 1973-2005 , I found that 62% of forest was lost (1.93% annual rate) primarily from agricultural conversion and hydroelectric development. Sanctuary protection has been effective in slowing decline: loss rates inside CWS were 0.49% annually (16% total). -
Alkaloid Diversification in the Genus Palicourea (Rubiaceae
Phytochem Rev https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-021-09768-y (0123456789().,-volV)( 0123456789().,-volV) Alkaloid diversification in the genus Palicourea (Rubiaceae: Palicoureeae) viewed from a (retro-)biogenetic perspective Andreas Berger . Karin Valant-Vetschera . Johann Schinnerl . Lothar Brecker Received: 26 December 2020 / Accepted: 17 July 2021 Ó The Author(s) 2021 Abstract The species-rich genus Palicourea (Rubi- Keywords Palicoureeae Á Alkaloid classification Á aceae: Palicoureeae) is source of an intriguing diver- Biosynthesis Á Chemosystematics Á Chemodiversity sity of alkaloids derived from tryptamine and its precursor tryptophan. So far simple tryptamine ana- Abbreviations logues, polypyrroloindoline, b-carboline, and, most CrSTR Catharanthus roseus strictosidine synthase importantly, monoterpene-indole, i.e., tryptamine-iri- IA Indole alkaloid doid alkaloids of various structural types including INMT Indolethylamine N-methyltransferase javaniside, alstrostine and strictosidine derivatives MIA Monoterpene-indole alkaloid have been identified. Here the diverse alkaloids that OpSTR Ophiorrhiza pumila strictosidine synthase numerous studies have found in the genus are exam- PSR Pictet-Spengler reaction ined and organized according to their structures and RsSTR Rauvolfia serpentina strictosidine synthase biosynthetic groups. Using a parsimony-based SLS Secologanin synthase approach that follows the concept of retro-biogenesis SmGD Strychnos mellodora glucosidase usually applied in synthetic chemistry, possible STR Strictosidine synthase biosynthetic pathways are proposed and important T5H Tryptamine 5-hydroxylase steps and relationships between these alkaloids are TDC Tryptophan decarboxylase highlighted. Understanding alkaloid diversification is SGD Strictosidine ß-glucosidase of importance in studying the ecological significance and evolution of biosynthetic capabilities of the genus Palicourea, and should stimulate future investigations on the biochemical and genetic background. Introduction A. -
Synopsis and Typification of Mexican and Central American
ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien Jahr/Year: 2018 Band/Volume: 120B Autor(en)/Author(s): Berger Andreas Artikel/Article: Synopsis and typification of Mexican and Central American Palicourea (Rubiaceae: Palicoureeae), part I: The entomophilous species 59-140 ©Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, download unter www.zobodat.at Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien, B 120 59–140 Wien, Jänner 2018 Synopsis and typification of Mexican and Central American Palicourea (Rubiaceae: Palicoureeae), part I: The entomophilous species A. Berger* Abstract The prominent but complex genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae: Psychotrieae) is one of the largest genera of flow- ering plants and its generic circumscription has been controversial for a long time. Recent DNA-phyloge- netic studies in combination with a re-evaluation of morphological characters have led to a disintegration process that peaked in the segregation of hundreds of species into various genera within the new sister tribe Palicoureeae. These studies have also shown that species of Psychotria subg. Heteropsychotria are nested within Palicourea, which was traditionally separated by showing an ornithophilous (vs. entomophilous) pol- lination syndrome. In order to render the genera Palicourea and Psychotria monophyletic groups, all species of subg. Heteropsychotria have to be transferred to Palicourea and various authors and publications have provided some of the necessary combinations. In the course of ongoing research on biotic interactions and chemodiversity of the latter genus, the need for a comprehensive and modern compilation of species of Pali courea in its new circumscription became apparent. As first step towards such a synopsis, the entomophilous Mexican and Central American species (the traditional concept of Psychotria subg. -
A Review on Presence of Oleanolic Acid in Natural Products
Natura Proda Medica, (2), April 2009 64 A review on presence of Oleanolic acid in Natural Products A review on presence of Oleanolic acid in Natural Products YEUNG Ming Fai Abstract Oleanolic acid (OA), a common phytochemical, is chosen as an example for elucidation of its presence in natural products by searching scientific databases. 146 families, 698 genera and 1620 species of natural products were found to have OA up to Sep 2007. Keywords Oleanolic acid, natural products, plants, Chinese medicine, Linnaeus system of plant classification Introduction and/or its saponins in natural products was carried out for Oleanolic acid (OA), a common phytochemical, is chosen elucidating its pressence. The classification was based on as an example for elucidation of its presence in natural Linnaeus system of plant classification from the databases of products by searching scientific databases. SciFinder and China Yearbook Full-text Database (CJFD). Methodology of Review Result of Review Literature search for isolation and characterization of OA Search results were tabulated (Table 1). Table 1 Literature review of natural products containing OA and/or its saponins. The classification is based on Angiosperm Phylogeny Group APG II system of plant classification from the databases of SciFinder and China Yearbook Full-text Database (CJFD). Family of plants Plant scientific names Position of plant to be Form of OA References isolated isolated Acanthaceae Juss. Acanthus illicifolius L. Leaves OA [1-2] Acanthaceae Avicennia officinalis Linn. Leaves OA [3] Acanthaceae Blepharis sindica Stocks ex T. Anders Seeds OA [4] Acanthaceae Dicliptera chinensis (Linn.) Juss. Whole plant OA [5] Acanthaceae Justicia simplex Whole plant OA saponins [6] Actinidiaceae Gilg. -
Rubiaceae, Ixoreae
SYSTEMATICS OF THE PHILIPPINE ENDEMIC IXORA L. (RUBIACEAE, IXOREAE) Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades Dr. rer. nat. an der Fakultät Biologie/Chemie/Geowissenschaften der Universität Bayreuth vorgelegt von Cecilia I. Banag Bayreuth, 2014 Die vorliegende Arbeit wurde in der Zeit von Juli 2012 bis September 2014 in Bayreuth am Lehrstuhl Pflanzensystematik unter Betreuung von Frau Prof. Dr. Sigrid Liede-Schumann und Herrn PD Dr. Ulrich Meve angefertigt. Vollständiger Abdruck der von der Fakultät für Biologie, Chemie und Geowissenschaften der Universität Bayreuth genehmigten Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades eines Doktors der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.). Dissertation eingereicht am: 11.09.2014 Zulassung durch die Promotionskommission: 17.09.2014 Wissenschaftliches Kolloquium: 10.12.2014 Amtierender Dekan: Prof. Dr. Rhett Kempe Prüfungsausschuss: Prof. Dr. Sigrid Liede-Schumann (Erstgutachter) PD Dr. Gregor Aas (Zweitgutachter) Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gebauer (Vorsitz) Prof. Dr. Carl Beierkuhnlein This dissertation is submitted as a 'Cumulative Thesis' that includes four publications: three submitted articles and one article in preparation for submission. List of Publications Submitted (under review): 1) Banag C.I., Mouly A., Alejandro G.J.D., Meve U. & Liede-Schumann S.: Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Philippine Ixora L. (Rubiaceae). Submitted to Taxon, TAXON-D-14-00139. 2) Banag C.I., Thrippleton T., Alejandro G.J.D., Reineking B. & Liede-Schumann S.: Bioclimatic niches of endemic Ixora species on the Philippines: potential threats by climate change. Submitted to Plant Ecology, VEGE-D-14-00279. 3) Banag C.I., Tandang D., Meve U. & Liede-Schumann S.: Two new species of Ixora (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) endemic to the Philippines. Submitted to Phytotaxa, 4646. -
Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests with Methanolic Root Extracts of Stemona Tuberosa
ejpmr, 2018,5(03), 69-72 SJIF Impact Factor 4.897 Research Article Rahmatullah et al. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF European PHARMACEUTICAL Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research AND MEDICAL RESEARCH ISSN 2394-3211 www.ejpmr.com EJPMR ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TESTS WITH METHANOLIC ROOT EXTRACTS OF STEMONA TUBEROSA Tasnim Sultana, Dipankar Chandra Roy and Mohammed Rahmatullah* Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. *Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Mohammed Rahmatullah Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. Article Received on 04/01/2018 Article Revised on 25/01/2018 Article Accepted on 14/02/2018 ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to determine the antihyperglycemic effects of methanol extract of Stemona tuberosa roots in glucose-challenged mice. This is a part of our ongoing anti-diabetic project to identify antihyperglycemic local plant species. Antihyperglycemic activity was determined through oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in mice. Administration of methanol extract of Stemona tuberosa root (MEST) at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg per kg body weight each to glucose-loaded mice reduced blood glucose levels by 12.9, 30.7, 33.8, and 39.7%, respectively compared to control (untreated) mice. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight, reduced blood glucose level by 40.8%. Conclusion. Methanolic extract of roots of Stemona tuberosa can improve oral glucose tolerance and thus is effective in lowering elevated blood glucose levels, which at the highest dose tested was comparable to glibenclamide. -
Ethnomedicinal Plants of India with Special Reference to an Indo-Burma Hotspot Region: an Overview Prabhat Kumar Rai and H
Ethnomedicinal Plants of India with Special Reference to an Indo-Burma Hotspot Region: An overview Prabhat Kumar Rai and H. Lalramnghinglova Research Abstract Ethnomedicines are widely used across India. Scientific Global Relevance knowledge of these uses varies with some regions, such as the North Eastern India region, being less well known. Knowledge of useful plants must have been the first ac- Plants being used are increasingly threatened by a vari- quired by man to satisfy his hunger, heal his wounds and ety of pressures and are being categories for conserva- treat various ailments (Kshirsagar & Singh 2001, Schul- tion management purposes. Mizoram state in North East tes 1967). Traditional healers employ methods based on India has served as the location of our studies of ethno- the ecological, socio-cultural and religious background of medicines and their conservation status. 302 plants from their people to provide health care (Anyinam 1995, Gesler 96 families were recorded as being used by the indig- 1992, Good 1980). Therefore, practice of ethnomedicine enous Mizo (and other tribal communities) over the last is an important vehicle for understanding indigenous so- ten years. Analysis of distributions of species across plant cieties and their relationships with nature (Anyinam 1995, families revealed both positive and negative correlations Rai & Lalramnghinglova 2010a). that are interpretted as evidence of consistent bases for selection. Globally, plant diversity has offered biomedicine a broad range of medicinal and pharmaceutical products. Tradi- tional medical practices are an important part of the pri- Introduction mary healthcare system in the developing world (Fairbairn 1980, Sheldon et al. 1997, Zaidi & Crow 2005.). -
New Chromosome Counts and Other Karyological Data for Members of the Stemonaceae
Blumea 66, 2021: 53–56 www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea RESEARCH ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2021.66.01.02 New chromosome counts and other karyological data for members of the Stemonaceae M. Kiehn1,2, E.M. Temsch2, L.A. Pernausl2, M. Hofbauer2, G. Chen3, S. Vajrodaya4, J. Schinnerl2 Key words Abstract Chromosome numbers and other karyological data for ten Stemona species and for Stichoneuron cauda- tum are presented, including first reports for Stemona burkillii, S. involuta, S. mairei and S. phyllantha. All investigated chromosome length taxa of Stemona exhibit n = x = 7 (2n = 14) chromosomes. For Stichoneuron caudatum an earlier count revealing chromosome number 2n = 18 is confirmed. The observed chromosome lengths range between 0.9 and 6.9 μm (largest chromosome in genome size Stichoneuron caudatum). Additionally, the genome sizes of seven Stemona species and of Stichoneuron caudatum karyology are reported. The obtained results are compared with literature data and discussed. Stemona Stemonaceae Stichoneuron Citation: Kiehn M, Temsch EM, Pernausl LA, et al. 2021. New chromosome counts and other karyological data for members of the Stemonaceae. Blumea 66 (1): 53–56. https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2021.66.01.02. Effectively published online: 10 March 2021. INTRODUCTION (H.Lév.) K.Krause, S. phyllantha Gagnep., S. tuberosa Lour., as well as for Stichoneuron caudatum Ridl., and includes the re- The small monocotyledonous family Stemonaceae is placed sults of first studies on the four species S. burkillii, S. involuta, in the Pandanales (APG 2016) and comprises four genera S. mairei and S. phyllantha. For S. curtisii, the exact chromo- (Croomia Torr., Pentastemona Steenis, Stemona Lour., Sticho- some number is determined for the first time. -
Botanical Classification and Nomenclature an Introduction —
Botanical classification and nomenclature an introduction — Marc S.M. Sosef Jérôme Degreef Henry Engledow Pierre Meerts Botanical classification and nomenclature an introduction — Marc S.M. Sosef Jérôme Degreef Henry Engledow Pierre Meerts by Marc S.M. Sosef1, Jérôme Degreef1,2, Henry Engledow1 & Pierre Meerts3 1 Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, B-1860 Meise, Belgium 2 Service Général de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche scientifique, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Rue A. Lavallée 1, B-1080 Brussels, Belgium 3 Herbarium et bibliothèque de botanique africaine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50, CP 265, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium Copyright © 2020 Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium. Printed in Belgium by Gewadrupo, Arendonk. This publication is published and distributed in Open Access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC-BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. A PDF file of this publication can be ordered, free of charge (send an email to [email protected]), or downloaded from the webshop of Meise Botanic Garden at http://shopbotanicgarden.weezbe.com. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3706707 CIP Royal Library Albert I, Brussels Botanical classification and nomenclature, an introduction. Marc S.M. Sosef, Jérôme Degreef, Henry Engledow & Pierre Meerts - Meise, Meise Botanic Garden, 2020. - 72 p.; ill.; 22 x 15 cm. ISBN 9789492663207 Subject: Botany D/2020/0325/002 Content Introduction . 5 1. The history of classification . 9 1.1 Theophrastus to the Middle Ages . 11 1.2 Renaissance, Pre-Linnean period . 13 1.3 Linnaeus and the Linnaeans . -
Rubiaceae): Evolution of Major Clades, Development of Leaf-Like Whorls, and Biogeography
TAXON 59 (3) • June 2010: 755–771 Soza & Olmstead • Molecular systematics of Rubieae Molecular systematics of tribe Rubieae (Rubiaceae): Evolution of major clades, development of leaf-like whorls, and biogeography Valerie L. Soza & Richard G. Olmstead Department of Biology, University of Washington, Box 355325, Seattle, Washington 98195-5325, U.S.A. Author for correspondence: Valerie L. Soza, [email protected] Abstract Rubieae are centered in temperate regions and characterized by whorls of leaf-like structures on their stems. Previous studies that primarily included Old World taxa identified seven major clades with no resolution between and within clades. In this study, a molecular phylogeny of the tribe, based on three chloroplast regions (rpoB-trnC, trnC-psbM, trnL-trnF-ndhJ) from 126 Old and New World taxa, is estimated using parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Seven major clades are strongly supported within the tribe, confirming previous studies. Relationships within and between these seven major clades are also strongly supported. In addition, the position of Callipeltis, a previously unsampled genus, is identified. The resulting phylogeny is used to examine geographic distribution patterns and evolution of leaf-like whorls in the tribe. An Old World origin of the tribe is inferred from parsimony and likelihood ancestral state reconstructions. At least eight subsequent dispersal events into North America occurred from Old World ancestors. From one of these dispersal events, a radiation into North America, followed by subsequent diversification in South America, occurred. Parsimony and likelihood ancestral state reconstructions infer the ancestral whorl morphology of the tribe as composed of six organs. Whorls composed of four organs are derived from whorls with six or more organs.