Floral zygomorphy, the recurring evolution of a successful trait

The flowers of the primitive angiosperm plants were radially symmetrical (actinomorphic). Flowers with bilateral symmetry (zygomorphic) evolved in several clades independently as an adaptation to specialized methods of pollination and played an important role in the diversification of flowering plants. In the model species Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon), the related genes CYCLOIDEA (CYC) and DICHOTOMA (DICH) are key in the development of this trait. This raises the question of whether they played a role in the evolution of floral bilateral symmetry. To address this, the evolution of CYC in relation to the evolution of zygomorphy is being investigated. Phylogenetic and functional analyses of CYC-like genes are being carried out in groups either closely related to Antirhinum or in families where zygomorphy evolved as an independent event. In addition, the origin of zygomorphy is being studied by comparing the function of CYC-like genes in species with zygomorphic flowers with their function in species with radially symmetrical flowers.     

Biogeography and Genetic Structure in Populations of a Widespread Lichen (Parmelina tiliacea,Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota)

The genetic diversity and population structure of the foliose lichenized fungus Parmelina tiliacea has been analyzed through its geographical range, including samples from Macaronesia (Canary Islands), the Mediterranean, and Eurosiberia. DNA sequences from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, and the translation elongation factor 1-α were used as molecular markers. The haplotypes of the three markers and the molecular variance analyses of multilocus haplotypes showed the highest diversity in the Canary Islands, while restricted haplotypes occurred at high frequencies in Mediterranean coastal samples. The multilocus haplotypes formed three unevenly distributed clusters (clusters 1-3). In the Canary Islands all the haplotypes were present in a similar proportion, while the coastal Mediterranean sites had almost exclusively haplotypes of cluster 3; cluster 2 predominated in inland Mediterranean sites; and cluster 1 was more abundant in central and northern Europe (Eurosiberian area). The distribution of clusters is partially explained by climatic factors, and its interaction with local spatial structure, but much of the variation remains unexplained. The high frequency of individuals in the Canary Islands with haplotypes shared with other areas suggests that could be a refugium of genetic diversity, and the high frequency of individuals of the Mediterranean coastal sites with restricted haplotypes indicates that gene flow to contiguous areas may be restricted. This is significant for the selection of areas for conservation purposes, as those with most genetic variation may reflect historical factors and biological properties of the species.     

Origin and diversification of major clades in parmelioid lichens (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) during the Paleogene inferred by Bayesian analysis

There is a long-standing debate on the extent of vicariance and long-distance dispersal events to explain the current distribution of organisms, especially in those with small diaspores potentially prone to long-distance dispersal. Age estimates of clades play a crucial role in evaluating the impact of these processes. The aim of this study is to understand the evolutionary history of the largest clade of macrolichens, the parmelioid lichens (Parmeliaceae, Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota) by dating the origin of the group and its major lineages. They have a worldwide distribution with centers of distribution in the Neo- and Paleotropics, and semi-arid subtropical regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using DNA sequences of nuLSU and mtSSU rDNA, and the protein-coding RPB1 gene. The three DNA regions had different evolutionary rates: RPB1 gave a rate two to four times higher than nuLSU and mtSSU. Divergence times of the major clades were estimated with partitioned BEAST analyses allowing different rates for each DNA region and using a relaxed clock model. Three calibrations points were used to date the tree: an inferred age at the stem of Lecanoromycetes, and two dated fossils: Parmelia in the parmelioid group, and Alectoria. Palaeoclimatic conditions and the palaeogeological area cladogram were compared to the dated phylogeny of parmelioid. The parmelioid group diversified around the K/T boundary, and the major clades diverged during the Eocene and Oligocene. The radiation of the genera occurred through globally changing climatic condition of the early Oligocene, Miocene and early Pliocene. The estimated divergence times are consistent with long-distance dispersal events being the major factor to explain the biogeographical distribution patterns of Southern Hemisphere parmelioids, especially for Africa-Australia disjunctions, because the sequential break-up of Gondwana started much earlier than the origin of these clades. However, our data cannot reject vicariance to explain South America-Australia disjunctions.     

Pollen morphology in Cytisus (Papilionoideae,Leguminosae) from Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula

Although it is generally accepted that the tribe Genisteae has rather homogeneous pollen, we have found considerable variation in pollen size and morphology in Cytisus and related genera (Argyrocytisus and Chamaecytisus), which match taxonomic groups defined on morphological grounds. The results of Principal Component Analysis of pollen characteristics show the following: Cytisus Sect. Alburnoides is well-delimited, with the smallest pollen grains and the simplest pattern in the tectum, fossulate-perforate to perforate; No separation of C. villosus (Sect. Cytisus) from Sect. Alburnoides is observed; Cytisus Sect. Spartopsis, with the largest pollen grains and reticulate to reticulate-fossulate ornamentation, forms an isolated group; C. fontanesii (Sect. Heterocytisus) stands apart from other Cytisus species by its homogeneous ornamentation and the perforate instead of psilate-punctate margo. Thus, the pollen data supports its transfer to the separated genus Chronanthos; Pollen ornamentation and morphology also support the separation of Argyrocytisus battandieri and Chamaecytisus mollis from Cytisus.     

Isolation of developmental mutants of the ascidian Ciona savignyi

Ascidians have been used extensively as model animals for experimental embryology. We report here the results of a pilot study with the aim of developing genetic methods for the ascidian Ciona savignyi. The chemical mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) was used to induce point mutations. F1 animals, produced by using sperm from ENU-treated animals to fertilize untreated eggs, were grown to reproductive age. Sperm and eggs collected from the hermaphrodite F1 adults were used to generate self-fertilized F2 broods, which were then screened for recessive, zygotically acting mutations. Animals carrying potential mutations were outcrossed to wild type to test for the heritability of the phenotypes. We report on a number of mutants isolated using this method, including several with abnormalities in tail and notochord development.     

Transoceanic dispersal and subsequent diversification on separate continents shaped diversity of the Xanthoparmelia pulla group (Ascomycota)

In traditional morphology-based concepts many species of lichenized fungi have world-wide distributions. Molecular data have revolutionized the species delimitation in lichens and have demonstrated that we underestimated the diversity of these organisms. The aim of this study is to explore the phylogeography and the evolutionary patterns of the Xanthoparmelia pulla group, a widespread group of one of largest genera of macrolichens. We used a dated phylogeny based on nuITS and nuLSU rDNA sequences and performed an ancestral range reconstruction to understand the processes and explain their current distribution, dating the divergence of the major lineages in the group. An inferred age of radiation of parmelioid lichens and the age of a Parmelia fossil were used as the calibration points for the phylogeny. The results show that many species of the X. pulla group as currently delimited are polyphyletic and five major lineages correlate with their geographical distribution and the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites. South Africa is the area where the X. pulla group radiated during the Miocene times, and currently is the region with the highest genetic, morphological and chemical diversity. From this center of radiation the different lineages migrated by long-distance dispersal to others areas, where secondary radiations developed. The ancestral range reconstruction also detected that a secondary lineage migrated from Australia to South America via long-distance dispersal and subsequent continental radiation.     

Climate warming and introduced herbivores disrupt alpine plant community of an oceanic island (Tenerife,Canary Islands)

Plant Ecology - Invasive alien species and climate change are two of the main current threats to conservation of biodiversity worldwide. Their effects have been extensively studied individually,...