Leaf litter arthropod responses to tropical forest restoration

Soil and litter arthropods represent a large proportion of tropical biodiversity and perform important ecosystem functions, but little is known about the efficacy of different tropical forest restoration strategies in facilitating their recovery in degraded habitats. We sampled arthropods in four 7‐ to 8‐year‐old restoration treatments and in nearby reference forests. Sampling was conducted during the wet and dry seasons using extractions from litter and pitfall samples. Restoration treatments were replicated in 50 × 50‐m plots in four former pasture sites in southern Costa Rica: plantation – trees planted throughout the plot; applied nucleation/islands – trees planted in patches of different sizes; and natural regeneration – no tree planting. Arthropod abundance, measures of richness and diversity, and a number of functional groups were greater in the island treatment than in natural regeneration or plantation treatments and, in many cases, were similar to reference forest. Litter and pitfall morphospecies and functional group composition in all three restoration treatments were significantly different than reference sites, but island and plantation treatments showed more recovery than natural regeneration. Abundance and functional group diversity showed a much greater degree of recovery than community composition. Synthesis and applications: The less resource‐intensive restoration strategy of planting tree islands was more effective than tree plantations in restoring arthropod abundance, richness, and functional diversity. None of the restoration strategies, however, resulted in similar community composition as reference forest after 8 years of recovery, highlighting the slow rate of recovery of arthropod communities after disturbance, and underscoring the importance of conservation of remnant forests in fragmented landscapes.     

On the teaching of ecological restoration in Brazil: an analysis of postgraduate courses

Several ambitious restoration targets have been set for recovering degraded ecosystems in Brazil (21 million hectares with a legal deficit of native vegetation). The development of scientific knowledge and skilled professionals is necessary to meet this demand and is fundamental for achieving success in medium‐ and long‐term restoration. In this study, we describe the availability and profile of postgraduate courses on ecological restoration in Brazil. We surveyed 272 postgraduate programs, comprising six specific areas of concentration (forestry, soil sciences, botany, environmental engineering, ecology, and environmental science). We analyzed all selected courses in terms of location, approach (economic, social, and legal), and restoration techniques. Only 27% of the postgraduate programs analyzed offer ecological restoration courses, and 49% of these are offered in the southeast region of the country. Regions covered by nonforest ecosystems, such as Pampas, Caatinga, and Pantanal, were poorly represented. Legal aspects were considered in 51% of the courses, whereas social and economic approaches were only considered in 2.7 and 11% of the courses, respectively. Seedling planting (85%) and nucleation (68%) were the most frequently cited techniques of active restoration, and passive restoration was mentioned in 63% of the courses. Our findings highlight the need for increasing postgraduate courses in areas with nonforest ecosystems, especially due to a lack of knowledge about restoration of these areas. The incorporation of economic and social approaches is highly recommended, considering the importance of these attributes in achieving success in large‐scale restoration initiatives.     

Large‐scale assessment of regeneration and diversity in Mediterranean planted pine forests along ecological gradients

Aim There is increasing concern regarding sustainable management and restoration of planted forests, particularly in the Mediterranean Basin where pine species have been widely used. The aim of this study was to analyse the environmental and structural characteristics of Mediterranean planted pine forests in relation to natural pine forests. Specifically, we assessed recruitment and woody species richness along climatic, structural and perturbation gradients to aid in developing restoration guidelines. Location Continental Spain. Methods We conducted a multivariate comparison of ecological characteristics in planted and natural stands of main Iberian native pine species (Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinea, Pinus pinaster, Pinus nigra and Pinus sylvestris). We fitted species‐specific statistical models of recruitment and woody species richness and analysed the response of natural and planted stands along ecological gradients. Results Planted pine forests occurred on average on poorer soils and experienced higher anthropic disturbance rates (fire frequency and anthropic mortality) than natural pine forests. Planted pine forests had lower regeneration and diversity levels than natural pine forests, and these differences were more pronounced in mountain pine stands. The largest differences in recruitment – chiefly oak seedling abundance – and species richness between planted and natural stands occurred at low‐medium values of annual precipitation, stand tree density, distance to Quercus forests and fire frequency, whereas differences usually disappeared in the upper part of the gradients. Main conclusions Structural characteristics and patterns of recruitment and species richness differ in pine planted forests compared to natural pine ecosystems in the Mediterranean, especially for mountain pines. However, management options exist that would reduce differences between these forest types, where restoration towards more natural conditions is feasible. To increase recruitment and diversity, vertical and horizontal heterogeneity could be promoted by thinning in high‐density and homogeneous stands, while enrichment planting would be desirable in mesic and medium‐density planted forests.     

Restoration Ecology and Invasive Riparian Plants: An Introduction to the Special Section on Tamarix spp. in Western North America

River systems around the world are subject to various perturbations, including the colonization and spread of non‐native species in riparian zones. Riparian resource managers are commonly engaged in efforts to control problematic non‐native species and restore native habitats. In western North America, small Eurasian trees or shrubs in the genus Tamarix occupy hundreds of thousands of hectares of riparian lands, and are the targets of substantial and costly control efforts and associated restoration activities. Still, significant information gaps exist regarding approaches used in control and restoration efforts and their effects on riparian ecosystems. In this special section of papers, eight articles address various aspects of control and restoration associated with Tamarix spp. These include articles focused on planning restoration and revegetation; a synthetic analysis of past restoration efforts; and several specific research endeavors examining plant responses, water use, and various wildlife responses (including birds, butterflies, and lizards). These articles represent important additions to the Tamarix spp. literature and contain many lessons and insights that should be transferable to other analogous situations in river systems globally.     

Genetic Diversity and Structure in Austrocedrus chilensis Populations: Implications for Dryland Forest Restoration

In South America, 94% of dry‐temperate lands present some degree of environmental degradation, highlighting the need for ecological restoration. We analyzed geographic patterns of genetic variation in Austrocedrus chilensis, a dominant conifer of the steppe‐forest ecotone in the eastern Andes, to examine its potential for restoration. We sampled 67 locations in Argentina and estimated genetic parameters to determine the effects of historical factors affecting diversity, together with inbreeding and gene flow, using 12 allozyme loci. Genetic diversity decreased southwards in eastern populations, which are marginal for the range of the species and patchily distributed, while high genetic admixture was detected in continuous western populations, possibly reflecting postglacial migrations from northern and eastern sources. Higher inbreeding (F_IS > 0.14) was recorded in northern compared with southern populations, attributed to the impact of recent bottlenecks resulting from anthropogenic fires. Gene flow was found to be moderate overall (F_ST = 0.12). The implications of these results for restoration actions focusing on Austrocedrus were explored. Relatively small, inbred yet genetically diverse northern populations should be the subject of passive restoration efforts, while experimental common gardens should be established toward the south, to support active restoration approaches. This illustrates how ahead of time information on patterns of genetic variation can support restoration efforts for dryland tree species.     

The potential of paleoecology for functional forest restoration planning: lessons from Late Holocene Italian pollen records

We describe forest landscape transformations during the last two millennia in the Italian peninsula by analyzing local (Rieti basin – Lago Lungo) and regional (RF93-30 Adriatic Sea) sediment cores. We identify a dynamic forest ecosystem through paleoecologic reconstruction and consider potential interventions for effective restoration of the most ancient, least disturbed forest ecosystem. The most degraded ecosystems in consequence of human activities were hygrophilous (wet) and mesic forests. In the Rieti Basin, degraded forest ecosystems on mountain slopes are undergoing some degree of forest succession and have less need of restoration. However, management plans for biodiversity, ecosystem services and resources conservation are needed to achieve more sustainable development. In Rieti, the paleoecological investigation revealed a dramatic decrease of deciduous wet and mesic tree taxa through time due to human landscape transformation. The starting point for restoration of a Mediterranean forest ecosystem that preserves natural biodiversity and associated ecosystem services requires recreating some portion of the floodplain wetland ecological niche. Once floodplain forest ecological niche has been recreated, the original ecosystem composed of Alnus, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia spp., Carpinus betulus and Acer spp., all species which today are rare, should be planted on the basis of microsite characteristics and tree autoecology.     

半干旱黄土小流域不同恢复方式对生态系统多功能性的影响

在黄土高原大规模退耕还林（草）背景下，植被恢复对生态系统功能会产生极大影响。以往研究多为比较不同恢复方式或植被类型的单一生态系统功能，对生态系统多功能性的研究亟待加强。因此，基于甘肃定西龙滩流域3种恢复方式（天然荒草、自然恢复、人工恢复）6种植被类型（长芒草草地、赖草草地、苜蓿草地、柠条灌丛、油松林、山杏林）38个样地调查数据，选取与土壤养分储存与循环、水源涵养、初级生产力、多样性维持等相关的23个功能指标利用平均值法量化生态系统多功能性。研究结果显示，（1）除营养物转化与循环功能外，其余土壤相关的生态系统功能在不同恢复方式与植被类型间均具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。人工恢复植被的土壤肥力显著高于自然恢复植被；人工恢复植被中土壤肥力从高到低依次为柠条灌丛、苜蓿草地、山杏林、油松林。自然恢复植被的水源涵养功能显著高于人工恢复植被。（2）除植物生长策略外，其余植物相关的生态系统功能在不同恢复方式与植被类型间均具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。人工恢复植被中地上初级生产力从高到低依次为山杏林、油松林、柠条灌丛、苜蓿草地，并显著高于自然恢复植被。人工恢复植被中植物养分吸收能力从高到低依次为苜蓿草地、柠条灌丛、油松林、山杏林，并显著高于自然恢复植被。自然恢复植被的物种多样性显著高于人工恢复植被。（3）生态系统多功能性在不同恢复方式与植被类型间均具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。生态系统多功能性表现为人工恢复植被高于自然恢复植被，但人工恢复植被的水源涵养功能与物种多样性均低于自然恢复植被，不利于生态系统的可持续发展。研究认为，在植被恢复具体实践中，应针对不同的恢复目标，根据各植被类型的功能特征，制定因地制宜的植被恢复战略。     

Restoration of Sphagnum and restiad peatlands in Australia and New Zealand reveals similar approaches

Peatlands in Australia and New Zealand are composed mainly of Restionaceous and Cyperaceous peats, although Sphagnum peat is common in wetter climates (Mean Annual Precipitation > 1,000 mm) and at higher altitudes (>1,000 m). Experimental trials in two contrasting peatland types—fire‐damaged Sphagnum peatlands in the Australian Alps and cutover restiad bogs in lowland New Zealand—revealed similar approaches to peatland restoration. Hydrological restoration and rehydration of drying peats involved blocking drainage ditches to raise water tables or, additionally in burnt Sphagnum peatlands, peat‐trenching, and the use of sterilized straw bales to form semipermanent “dam walls” and barriers to spread and slow surface water movement. Recovery to the predisturbance vegetation community was most successful once protective microclimates had been established, either artificially or naturally. Specifically, horizontally laid shadecloth resulted in Sphagnum cristatum regeneration rates and biomass production 3–4 times that of unshaded vegetation (Australia), and early successional nurse shrubs facilitated establishment of Sporadanthus ferrugineus (New Zealand) within 2–3 years. On severely burnt or cutover sites, a patch dynamic approach using transplants of Sphagnum or creation of restiad peat “islands” markedly improved vegetation recovery. In New Zealand, this approach has been scaled up to whole mine‐site restoration, in which the newly vegetated islands provide habitat and seed sources for plants and invertebrates to spread onto surrounding areas. Although a vegetation cover can be established relatively rapidly in both peatland types, restoration of invertebrate communities, ecosystem processes, and peat hydrological function and accumulation may take many decades.     

Next‐generation phylogenetics takes root

It has been a tumultuous 5 years in phylogeography and phylogenetics during which both fields have struggled to harness the power of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) (Ekblom & Galindo 2010 ; McCormack et al. 2012a ). Fortunately, several methodological approaches appear to be taking root. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, O'Neill et al. 2013 ) employ one such method – parallel tagged sequencing (PTS) – to elucidate the phylogeography of a tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) species complex. This study demonstrates a practical application of NGS on a scale appropriate (and not overkill) for most biologists interested in phylogeography (~100 loci for ~100 individuals), and their results highlight several analytical challenges that lie ahead for researchers employing NGS techniques.     

Hidden diversity in bent‐winged bats (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae) of the Western Palaearctic and adjacent regions: implications for taxonomy

The taxonomic status of bent‐winged bats (Miniopterus) in the Western Palaearctic and adjacent regions is unclear, particularly in some areas of the eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and Arabia. To address this, we analysed an extensive collection of museum materials from all principal parts of this distribution range, i.e. North Africa, Europe and southwest Asia, using morphological (skull) and genetic approaches (mitochondrial DNA). Linear and geometric morphometric analysis of cranial and dental characteristics, together with molecular phylogeny, suggested that Miniopterus populations comprise four separate species: (1) M. schreibersii sensu strictissimo (s.str.) – occurring in Europe, coastal Anatolia, Levant, Cyprus, western Transcaucasia, and North Africa; (2) M. pallidus – occurring in inland Anatolia, Jordan, eastern Transcaucasia, Turkmenistan, Iran and southern Afghanistan (Kandahar); (3) a Miniopterus sp. – recorded from Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, which we tentatively assign to M. cf. fuliginosus; and (4) a Miniopterus sp. with Afro‐tropic affinities confirmed from south‐western Arabia and Ethiopia, which we tentatively name M. cf. arenarius. The latter two species are well differentiated by skull morphology, while M. pallidus possesses very similar skull morphology to M. schreibersii. The results also suggest the existence of a possible new taxon (subspecies) within M. schreibersii s.str. inhabiting the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London     

Application of diffusion‐edited and solvent suppression 1H‐NMR to the direct analysis of markers in valerian‐hop liquid herbal products

Introduction – The rising trend to consume herbal products for the treatment and/or prevention of minor ailments together with their chemical and pharmacological complexity means there is an urgent need to develop new approaches to their quality and stability. Objectives – This work looks at the application of one‐dimensional diffusion‐edited ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy (1D DOSY) and ¹H‐NMR with suppression of the ethanol and water signals to the characterisation of quality and stability markers in multi‐component herbal medicines/food supplements. Material and Methods – The experiments were performed with commercial tinctures of Valeriana officinalis L. (valerian), expired and non‐expired, as well as its combination with Hummulus lupulus L. (hops), which is one of the most popular blends of relaxant herbs. These techniques did not require purification or evaporation of components for the qualitative analysis of the mixture, but only the addition of D₂O and TSP. Results – The best diagnostic signals were found at δ 7 ppm (H‐11, valerenic acid), δ 4.2 ppm (H‐1, hydroxyvalerenic acid) and δ 1.5‐1.8 ppm (methyl groups in prenylated moieties, α‐acids/prenylated flavones). Conclusion – This work concludes on the potential value of 1D DOSY ¹H‐NMR to provide additional assurance of quality in complex natural mixtures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In silico approaches to evaluate the molecular properties of organophosphate compounds to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in housefly

Organophosphate compounds (OPC) have become the primary choice as insecticides and are widely used across the world. Additionally, OPCs were also commonly used as a chemical warfare agent that triggers a great challenge to public safety. Exposure of OPCs to human causes immediate excitation of cholinergic neurotransmission through transient elevation of synaptic acetylcholine (ACh) levels and accumulations. Likewise, prolonged exposure of OPCs can affect the processes in immune response, carbohydrate metabolism, cardiovascular toxicity, and several others. Studies revealed that the toxicity of OPCs was provoked by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Therefore, combined in silico approaches – pharmacophore-based 3D-QSAR model; docking and Molecular Dynamics (MD) – were used to assess the precise and comprehensive effects of series of known OP-derived compounds together with its ?log LD₅₀ values. The selected five-featured pharmacophore model – AAHHR.61 – displayed the highest correlation (R² = .9166), cross-validated coefficient (Q² = .8221), F = 63.2, Pearson-R = .9615 with low RMSE = .2621 values obtained using five component PLS factors. Subsequently, the well-validated model was then used as a 3D query to search novel OPCs using a high-throughput virtual screening technique. Simultaneously, the docking studies predicted the binding pose of the most active OPC in the MdAChE binding pocket. Additionally, the stability of docking was verified using MD simulation. The results revealed that OP22 and predicted lead compounds bound tightly to S315 of MdAChE through potential hydrogen bond interaction over time. Overall, this study might provide valuable insight into binding mode of OPCs and hit compounds to inhibit AChE in housefly.     

Comprehensive analysis of the Brassica juncea root proteome in response to cadmium exposure by complementary proteomic approaches

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is known to both accumulate and tolerate high levels of heavy metals from polluted soils. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the effect of cadmium (Cd) treatment on B. juncea roots, two quantitative proteomics approaches – fluorescence two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) and multiplexed isobaric tagging technology (iTRAQ) – were implemented. Several proteins involved in sulfur assimilation, redox homeostasis, and xenobiotic detoxification were found to be up‐regulated. Multiple proteins involved in protein synthesis and processing were down‐regulated. While the two proteomics approaches identified different sets of proteins, the proteins identified in both datasets are involved in similar biological processes. We show that 2‐D DIGE and iTRAQ results are complementary, that the data obtained independently using the two techniques validate one another, and that the quality of iTRAQ results depends on both the number of biological replicates and the number of sample injections. This study determined the involvement of enzymes such as peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase and 2‐nitropropane dioxygenase in alternatives redox‐regulation mechanisms, as well as O‐acetylserine sulfhydrylase, glutathione‐S‐transferase and glutathione‐conjugate membrane transporter, as essential players in the Cd hyperaccumation and tolerance of B. juncea.     

Symposium report: Inaugural Australian Coastal Restoration Symposium

Summary

Globally, coastal habitat restoration is growing in recognition as a viable management tool to repair and reinstate valuable coastal habitats and species, such as mangrove and macroalgae forests, salt marshes, seagrass meadows, shellfish and coral reefs (Aronson & Alexander ( 2013 ), Restoration Ecology, 293; Anthony et al. ( 2017 ) Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1420; TNC ( 2017 ) Caribbean: A revolution to save coral reefs in the Caribbean and beyond). In Australia, there is increasing interest and investment in coastal restoration and habitat conservation, particularly with respect to growing national concerns around habitat loss, coastal inundation and erosion, loss of fisheries and climate change (Maggini et al. ( 2013 ) Protecting and restoring habitat to help Australia's threatened species adapt to climate change; GBRMPA ( 2017 ) Reef summit sets new course of action for the Great Barrier Reef). This has led to new community of practices being formed for shellfish reef restoration (Shellfish Reef Restoration Network shellfishrestoration.org.au), seagrass restoration (Seagrass Restoration Network seagrassrestoration.net), and saltmarsh and mangrove (Saltmarsh and Mangrove Network, amsn.net.au) conservation. However, despite this interest, there has been no national coordination, network or society with coastal restoration as a primary focus. The inaugural Australian Coastal Restoration Symposium brought together 60 Australian restoration practitioners, researchers and managers at James Cook University, Townsville for three days from the 31st of August 2017. The symposium goals were to enhance collaboration and national coordination amongst coastal restoration projects and practitioners, as well as to connect researchers and practitioners working in the restoration space with one another. Three international keynote speakers shared their experiences and advice. Delegates were enthusiastic about continuing to meet at future symposiu, meetings and workshops, and noted the value of being able to connect, share project experiences and learnings, and collaborate. The Australian Coastal Restoration Network has been formed with the goal of meeting annually to continue to share knowledge and improve collaboration. View a video about the symposium by following this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lukSpo3mM-4     

The composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities differs among the roots,spores and extraradical mycelia associated with five Mediterranean plant species

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are essential constituents of most terrestrial ecosystems. AMF species differ in terms of propagation strategies and the major propagules they form. This study compared the AMF community composition of different propagule fractions – colonized roots, spores and extraradical mycelium (ERM) – associated with five Mediterranean plant species in Sierra de Baza Natural Park (Granada, Spain). AMF were identified using 454 pyrosequencing of the SSU rRNA gene. A total of 96 AMF phylogroups [virtual taxa (VT)] were detected in the study site, including 31 novel VT. After per‐sample sequencing depth standardization, 71 VT were recorded from plant roots, and 47 from each of the spore and ERM fractions. AMF communities differed significantly among the propagule fractions, and the root‐colonizing fraction differed among host plant species. Indicator VT were detected for the root (13 Glomus VT), spore (Paraglomus VT281, VT336, Pacispora VT284) and ERM (Diversispora VT62) fractions. This study provides detailed evidence from a natural system that AMF taxa are differentially allocated among soil mycelium, soil spores and colonized root propagules. This has important implications for interpreting AMF diversity surveys and designing applications of AMF in vegetation restoration.     

Adapting management to a changing world: Warm temperatures,dry soil,and interannual variability limit restoration success of a dominant woody shrub in temperate drylands

Restoration and rehabilitation of native vegetation in dryland ecosystems, which encompass over 40% of terrestrial ecosystems, is a common challenge that continues to grow as wildfire and biological invasions transform dryland plant communities. The difficulty in part stems from low and variable precipitation, combined with limited understanding about how weather conditions influence restoration outcomes, and increasing recognition that one‐time seeding approaches can fail if they do not occur during appropriate plant establishment conditions. The sagebrush biome, which once covered over 620,000 km² of western North America, is a prime example of a pressing dryland restoration challenge for which restoration success has been variable. We analyzed field data on Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush) restoration collected at 771 plots in 177 wildfire sites across its western range, and used process‐based ecohydrological modeling to identify factors leading to its establishment. Our results indicate big sagebrush occurrence is most strongly associated with relatively cool temperatures and wet soils in the first spring after seeding. In particular, the amount of winter snowpack, but not total precipitation, helped explain the availability of spring soil moisture and restoration success. We also find considerable interannual variability in the probability of sagebrush establishment. Adaptive management strategies that target seeding during cool, wet years or mitigate effects of variability through repeated seeding may improve the likelihood of successful restoration in dryland ecosystems. Given consistent projections of increasing temperatures, declining snowpack, and increasing weather variability throughout midlatitude drylands, weather‐centric adaptive management approaches to restoration will be increasingly important for dryland restoration success.     

Karyotype diversity and genome size variation in Neotropical Maxillariinae orchids

• Orchidaceae is a widely distributed plant family with very diverse vegetative and floral morphology, and such variability is also reflected in their karyotypes. However, since only a low proportion of Orchidaceae has been analysed for chromosome data, greater diversity may await to be unveiled. Here we analyse both genome size (GS) and karyotype in two subtribes recently included in the broadened Maxillariinea to detect how much chromosome and GS variation there is in these groups and to evaluate which genome rearrangements are involved in the species evolution.
• To do so, the GS (14 species), the karyotype – based on chromosome number, heterochromatic banding and 5S and 45S rDNA localisation (18 species) – was characterised and analysed along with published data using phylogenetic approaches.
• The GS presented a high phylogenetic correlation and it was related to morphological groups in Bifrenaria (larger plants – higher GS). The two largest GS found among genera were caused by different mechanisms: polyploidy in Bifrenaria tyrianthina and accumulation of repetitive DNA in Scuticaria hadwenii. The chromosome number variability was caused mainly through descending dysploidy, and x=20 was estimated as the base chromosome number.
• Combining GS and karyotype data with molecular phylogeny, our data provide a more complete scenario of the karyotype evolution in Maxillariinae orchids, allowing us to suggest, besides dysploidy, that inversions and transposable elements as two mechanisms involved in the karyotype evolution. Such karyotype modifications could be associated with niche changes that occurred during species evolution.

     

Rinvenimenti floristici in Piemonte

Abstract

New discoveries concerning the Piedmont Flora. – The Author's research on the Piedmont Flora – corried on from 1969 up to 1974 – led to the discovery of new stations of the following entities, that are to be considered of special interest for the Flora in Piedmont. Here they are: Cyperus strigosus L.; Scirpus atrovirens Willd.; Platanus orientalis L.; Ulmus levis Pall.; Rumex paluster Sm. (= Rumex maritimus L. var. limosus (Thuill.); Mollugo verticillata L.; Cardamine flexuosa Wth.; Diplotaxis erucoides DC.; Spiraea japonica L.; Physocarpus opulifolius (L.); Potentilla supina L.; Acer saccarinus L.; Impatiens glandulifera Royle; Euphorbia prostrata Ait.; Euphorbia humifusa W.; Sicyos angulatus L.; Cyclamen hederifolium Aiton; Erigeron karwinskyanus DC. var. mucronalus DC.; Artemisia annua L.; Siegesbekia orientalis L.; Bidens frondosa L.; Ambrosia trifida L.

On the ground of the present contribution it results that some species – considered as rare or at least not very numerous in Piedmont – are probably more frequent than it was known in the past.

The Author's assumption that some of them – seen along the streams – are more widely distributed should proverright.     

Modern pollen and vegetation relationships in the mountains of southern California,USA

The relationship between modern pollen assemblages and modern vegetation along two elevational transects within the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges of southern California, USA, is demonstrated using cluster analysis of the pollen data. Cluster analysis separates the Sonora Desert vegetation, Valley grassland/agricultural land and chaparral vegetation types on the San Jacinto Mountains transect. Chaparral is not easily separated on the San Bernardino Mountains transect, probably due to the presence of Quercus dumosa (scrub oak) there. The lower montane Quercus – Pinus (oak – pine) community is distinct from other forest types, and can be subdivided palynologically based upon relative importance of Quercus, Pinus and Cupressaceae [primarily Calocedrus decurrens (incense cedar)] pollen. Subdivisions include Quercus – Pinus – Cupressaceae, Quercus – Cupressaceae – Pinus and Quercus – Pinus assemblages. Higher elevation Pinus – Abies (pine – fir) and Pinus-dominated communities are also differentiated from one another, although the subalpine vegetation type only occurs on the San Bernardino Mountains transect. Though the study area presently straddles a transition between winter-wet and summer-wet climatic regimes, differences between the pollen assemblages in the two mountain ranges are minimal. Pollen assemblages from lower elevations document the effects of human activities, primarily agriculture, on the modern pollen rain of the region, with the occurrence of introduced citrus (Citrus sp.) and shade (Eucalyptus sp.) trees and weedy disturbance indicators (e.g., Brassicaceae).     

A new genus and species of rodent from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae: Oryzomyini), with comments on oryzomyine biogeography

We describe in this paper a new genus and species of cricetid rodent from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, one of the most endangered eco‐regions of the world. The new form displays some but not all synapomorphies of the tribe Oryzomyini, but a suite of unique characteristics is also observed. This new forest rat possesses anatomical characteristics of arboreal taxa, such as very developed plantar pads, but was collected almost exclusively in pitfall traps. Phylogenetic analyses of morphological (integument, soft tissue, cranial, and dental characters) and molecular [nuclear – Interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (Irbp) – and mitochondrial – cytochrome b– genes] datasets using maximum likelihood and cladistic parsimony approaches corroborate the inclusion of the new taxon within oryzomyines. The analyses also place the new form as sister species to Eremoryzomys polius, an Andean rat endemic to the Maranon valley. This biogeographical pattern is unusual amongst small terrestrial vertebrates, as a review of the literature points to few other similar examples of Andean–Atlantic Forest pairings, in hylid frogs, Pionus parrots, and other sigmodontine rodents. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161 , 357–390.