New national and regional bryophyte records, 37

Abstract

We analyzed the form of the UV-absorption spectra and calculated the bulk UV-absorption capacity of the methanolic extracts (BUVACME) in 15 bryophytes (five liverworts and 10 mosses) from unshaded aquatic habitats of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). BUVACME was obtained as the area under the absorbance curve (AUC) in several ranges of the UV band to allow comparison with the literature data. Both the spectra form and the AUC values depended on the species considered. The spectra showed either no, one or two defined peaks. The peaks were probably due to phenolic derivatives, which could act as both screening compounds and antioxidants. The different AUCs calculated were highly and significantly correlated, and thus it may be unimportant which of these is used. The AUC values of most liverworts were higher than those of most mosses and in particular, the liverworts Noteroclada confluens and Triandrophyllum subtrifidum showed much higher BUVACMEs than those analyzed in any other bryophyte. Thus, the accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds might often increase protection against UV radiation in liverworts, but rarely in mosses. This is in line with the evolutionary differences between these two groups of bryophytes. Except for the two abovementioned liverwort species, BUVACME of aquatic bryophytes from Tierra del Fuego is not particularly different to that found in bryophytes from other zones of the planet.     

Bucklandiella allanfifei (Grimmiaceae), a new moss species from New Zealand,with a note on South American B. striatipila

Abstract

A new species, Bucklandiella allanfifei Bednarek-Ochyra, is described from New Zealand. The new species belongs to Bucklandiella Roiv. sect. Marginatae (Bednarek-Ochyra) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra and is allied to southern South American B. striatipila (Cardot) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra. Bucklandiella allanfifei is characterized by the smaller stature of the plants, mostly prostrate and profusely branched stems, most often with short, erect-ascending branchlets, shorter leaves, 1.5–2.1 mm long (without a hair-point) and anatomy of the costa which is reniform to crescent-shaped in cross-section and 3(–4)-layered in the proximal part. Additionally, the laminal cells are short-rectangular in the distal and median parts, (15–)20–30(–40) μm long, the basal marginal border is composed of 3–4 rows of hyaline, translucent, esinuose and rectangular cells, the innermost perichaetial leaves are longly pilose, the capsules are ellipsoid to short-cylindrical, 1.5–2.0 mm long and the setae are short, (2.2–)3.0–4.5(–6.0) mm. Bucklandiella striatipila is briefly assessed taxonomically and it is considered to be definitely distinct from B. crispipila (Taylor) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra, a pan-tropical oreophyte, with which it was prematurely considered conspecific. Racomitrium integripilum Dusén, R. gemminatum Roiv. and R. substriatipilum Roiv. are reduced to synonymy with B. striatipila. Two new combinations are made: Buckladiella elegans (Müll. Hal.) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra and B. pycnotricha (Müll. Hal.) Bednarek-Ochyra, Ochyra & Seppelt.     

Four new hepatics from Australia

Abstract

A new species, Racomitrium patagonicum Bednarek-Ochyra &; Ochyra, is described from southern South America. A herbarium name, R. senile Schimp. in A. Jaeger, is considered synonymous with R. patagonicum and confusion associated with its interpretation is explained. The new species belongs to the type subgenus of Racomitrium and is closely alied to R. lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid. from which it differs by the very long and broadly decurrent, ruffled or wavy margins of the hyaline hair-point, broadly canaliculate leaves and dull green, strongly papillose laminal cells. Grimmia glacialis Müll. Hal., hom. illeg. (=Racomitrium glaciale Kindb.) from South Georgia is typified and this name is considered synonymous with Racomitrium lanuginosum subsp. lanuginosum. Distribution of the new species is mapped. A key to species of Racomitrium subg. Racomitrium is provided.     

Advances in Lead Generation

Lead Generation represents a critical drug discovery phase where chemical starting points and their respective mechanism of action, quality, and potential liabilities are largely predefined. Recent advances such as DNA-encoded libraries or fragment-, chemical biology-, and virtual screening-based approaches are today as common as traditional High Throughput Screening. Innovations in characterizing lead quality have allowed more informed decision-making by discovery teams. The key challenge today is to individually tailor the right mix of methods for each project to facilitate data integration with the purpose of creating multiple high-quality lead series, ultimately translating to reduced chemistry-related pipeline attrition.