Phylogenetic composition and structure of tree communities shed light on historical processes influencing tropical rainforest diversity

The Neotropics, Afrotropics and Madagascar have different histories which have influenced their respective patterns of diversity. Based on current knowledge of these histories, we developed the following predictions about the phylogenetic structure and composition of rainforest tree communities: (Hypothesis 1) isolation of Gondwanan biotas generated differences in phylogenetic composition among biogeographical regions; (H2) major Cenozoic extinction events led to lack of phylogenetic structure in Afrotropical and Malagasy communities; (H3) greater angiosperm diversification in the Neotropics led to greater phylogenetic clustering there than elsewhere; (H4) phylogenetic overdispersion is expected near the Andes due to the co‐occurrence of magnoliids tracking conserved habitat preferences and recently diversified eudicot lineages. Using abundance data of tropical rainforest tree species from 94 communities in the Neotropics, Afrotropics and Madagascar, we computed net relatedness index (NRI) to assess local phylogenetic structure, i.e. phylogenetic clustering vs. overdispersion relative to regional species pools, and principal coordinates of phylogenetic structure (PCPS) to assess variation in phylogenetic composition across communities. We observed significant differences in phylogenetic composition among biogeographical regions (agreement with H1). Overall phylogenetic structure did not differ among biogeographical regions, but results indicated variation from Andes to Amazon. We found widespread phylogenetic randomness in most Afrotropical and all Malagasy communities (agreement with H2). Most of central Amazonian communities were phylogenetically random, although some communities presented phylogenetic clustering (partial agreement with H3). We observed phylogenetic overdispersion near the Andes (agreement with H4). We were able to identify how differences in lineage composition are related to local phylogenetic co‐occurrences across biogeographical regions that have been undergoing different climatic and orographic histories during the past 100 Myr. We observed imprints of the history following Gondwana breakup on phylobetadiversity and local phylogenetic structure of rainforest tree communities in the Neotropics, Afrotropics and Madagascar.     

Host bromeliads and their associated frog species: Further considerations on the importance of species interactions for conservation

Bromeliads constitute a good example of symbiosis with organisms that spend their entire life cycle inside the plants, and often depend on them to breed. The bromeliads benefit from this interaction by increasing their nutrients intake. Conservation efforts tend to focus on a single endangered species, but in symbiotic associations, the viability of one species depends on that of the other. Based on IUCN criteria, any species that depends on another to complete its life cycle should be assigned a conservation status equivalent to that of the host taxon, where appropriate. We gathered published plus fieldwork data on the frog-bromeliad mutualism and compiled a checklist of 99 bromeligenous frogs species associated to 69 bromeliad hosts, and found threatened bromeliads hosting non-threatened frogs. We found that 62% bromeligenous frogs inhabit unspecified bromeliads. Finally, we propose strategies for improving understanding and conservation of the frog-bromeliad mutualism.     

Glyphosate affects chlorophyll,photosynthesis and water use of four Intacta RR2 soybean cultivars

The planting of RR2 Intacta soybeans by farmers has been expanding strongly. However, some visual injuries have been noted after glyphosate application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of glyphosate application on chlorophyll, photosynthesis and water use of four Intacta RR2 soybean cultivars. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a randomized block design with a 3 × 4 factorial scheme, consisting of three glyphosate rates and four soybean cultivars. The glyphosate formula used was isopropylamine salt + potassium salt. The parameters analyzed were phytotoxicity at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after application, and total chlorophyll index at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days after application. Furthermore, 40 days after application, the net CO2 assimilation rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (G), and internal CO₂ concentration (Ci) were evaluated as well. The water-use efficiency (WUE) and carboxylation efficiency were calculated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and compared by the Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05), followed by regression analysis. The phytotoxicity influence could be seen until 21 days after application, in which Monsoy 6210 IPRO cultivar was the most injured. The increasing doses promoted a reduction of the chlorophyll level up to 35 days after application in Monsoy 6410 IPRO. The cultivars tested here showed similar chlorophyll index values. On the 3rd, 7th and 14th DAA (Fig. 5a–c), there was a significant linear decline in the chlorophyll index with rising glyphosate dose for all four cultivars. The chlorophyll index cultivars were not influenced by the doses on the 42nd and 49th DAA. There was no difference in water use and carboxylation efficiency. The parameters A, E and A/Ci showed a positive correlation as the doses increased, while Ci declined, in both cultivars. The application of glyphosate on these soybean cultivars causes different injuries according to the sensitivity. In general, RR2 soybeans have the ability to recover from visual intoxication injuries and reestablish the normal chlorophyll production and photosynthetic parameters after glyphosate application.     

Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pelagia noctiluca</Emphasis> proteome Reveals a Red Fluorescent Protein,a Zinc Metalloproteinase and a Peroxiredoxin

Pelagia noctiluca is the most venomous jellyfish in the Mediterranean Sea where it forms dense blooms. Although there is several published research on this species, until now none of the works has been focused on a complete protein profile of the all body constituents of this organism. Here, we have performed a detailed proteomics characterization of the major protein components expressed by P. noctiluca. With that aim, we have considered the study of jellyfish proteins involved in defense, body constituents and metabolism, and furthered explore the significance and potential application of such bioactive molecules. P. noctiluca body proteins were separated by1D SDS–PAGE and 2DE followed by characterization by nanoLC-MS/MS and MALDI-TOF/TOF techniques. Altogether, both methods revealed 68 different proteins, including a Zinc Metalloproteinase, a Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP) and a Peroxiredoxin. These three proteins were identified for the first time in P. noctiluca. Zinc Metalloproteinase was previously reported in the venom of other jellyfish species. Besides the proteins described above, the other 65 proteins found in P. noctiluca body content were identified and associated with its clinical significance. Among all the proteins identified in this work we highlight: Zinc metalloproteinase, which has a ShK toxin domain and therefore should be implicated in the sting toxicity of P. noctiluca.; the RFP which are a very important family of proteins due to its possible application as molecular markers; and last but not least the discovery of a Peroxiredoxin in this organism makes it a new natural resource of antioxidant and anti-UV radiation agents.     

Enzymatic evaluation of different Aspergillus strains by biotransformation of cyclic ketones

The potential of different Aspergillus strains in carrying out the biotransformation of cyclic ketones was investigated. All the strains employed showed alcohol dehydrogenase and Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase activities. trans-2-Methylcyclohexanol and trans-4-methylcyclohexanol were prepared in a single isomeric form by the use of Aspergillus terreus SSP 1498 and the corresponding ketones. Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones by all the fungi Aspergillus led to chiral lactones in good enantioselectivity.     

Molecular characterization of nitrite reductase gene (aniA) and gene product in Neisseria meningitidis isolates: is aniA essential for meningococcal survival?

The present study evaluates sequence conservation in the gene coding for nitrite reductase (aniA) and AniA expression from a panel of Neisseria meningitidis isolates. Sequence analysis of the coding region in 19 disease-associated and 4 carrier strains notwithstanding a high degree of sequence similarity showed a number of nucleotide changes, some of which possibly resulted in premature translation termination or function loss. In particular, in one disease-associated strain a 9-residues insertion was found to be located close to the type I Cu-site and a catalytic histidine at position 280 was mutated into a leucine. In two strains from carriers, a sequence corresponding to a portion of a transposase gene within the aniA was also found. The AniA protein was always expressed, except for these two carriers strains and for other two strains in which the presence of the premature stop codons was recognized. The biochemical properties of the cloned soluble domain of the enzyme (sAniA) from N. meningitidis reference MC58 strain and from a clinical invasive isolate were studied. In particular, biochemical analysis of sAniA from MC58 demonstrated a clear dependence of its catalytic activity upon acidification, while the clinical isolate-derived sAniA was not functional. Thus, the results obtained suggest that the presence of a conserved and functional aniA gene is not essential for meningococcal survival.     

Genetic transformation of sweet orange with the coat protein gene of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus psorosis virus</Emphasis> and evaluation of resistance against the virus

Citrus psorosis is a serious viral disease affecting citrus trees in many countries. Its causal agent is Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), the type member of genus Ophiovirus. CPsV infects most important citrus varieties, including oranges, mandarins and grapefruits, as well as hybrids and citrus relatives used as rootstocks. Certification programs have not been sufficient to control the disease and no sources of natural resistance have been found. Pathogen-derived resistance (PDR) can provide an efficient alternative to control viral diseases in their hosts. For this purpose, we have produced 21 independent lines of sweet orange expressing the coat protein gene of CPsV and five of them were challenged with the homologous CPV 4 isolate. Two different viral loads were evaluated to challenge the transgenic plants, but so far, no resistance or tolerance has been found in any line after 1 year of observations. In contrast, after inoculation all lines showed characteristic symptoms of psorosis in the greenhouse. The transgenic lines expressed low and variable amounts of the cp gene and no correlation was found between copy number and transgene expression. One line contained three copies of the cp gene, expressed low amounts of the mRNA and no coat protein. The ORF was cytosine methylated suggesting a PTGS mechanism, although the transformant failed to protect against the viral load used. Possible causes for the failed protection against the CPsV are discussed.