Biodiversity Center Research Articles

Metabarcoding survey of meroplankton communities in the South China Sea and Philippine Sea: Shedding light on inter-basin biogeography in the West Pacific

Planktonic larvae (meroplankton) plays an important role in both benthic and pelagic ecosystems. The meroplankton study of South China Sea (SCS) and Philippine Sea (PS) may be particularly important, where they could serve as vectors for the influx of Pacific species into the East Indies Triangle (global marine biodiversity center). Here, we employed a metabarcoding method to investigate the geographical distribution pattern of meroplankton among SCS and PS. Different primers and reference databases were tested, for a better and more reliable interpretation of the current results and improvement of the method. In this study, metabarcoding was efficient for meroplankton study with high taxonomic resolution and good accuracy. COI against NCBI NT database showed the best taxonomy annotation efficiency, followed by 18S V1-V2, then 18S V4. The SILVA database showed similar performance to the NCBI NT database for the two 18S primers. The meroplankton diversity of SCS is higher than that of PS, and both communities are dominated by Polychaeta, Mollusca, Arthropoda and Echinodermata. Meroplankton geographical patterns are significantly different between the two basins, possibly due to the different distribution of their benthic adult, as well as the influence of five key environmental factors (IC, SCM, SST, SSS and DO). Our results suggest that the unidirectional Kuroshio Current intrusion may play an important role in shaping the biogeographical pattern in the west Pacific, by facilitating planktonic-larvae flowing into the northern SCS from the Pacific, on the contrary, limiting planktonic-larvae spreading out.

Therapeutic roles of plants for 15 hypothesised causal bases of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is progressive and ultimately fatal, with current drugs failing to reverse and cure it. This study aimed to find plant species which may provide therapeutic bioactivities targeted to causal agents proposed to be driving AD. A novel toolkit methodology was employed, whereby clinical symptoms were translated into categories recognized in ethnomedicine. These categories were applied to find plant species with therapeutic effects, mined from ethnomedical surveys. Survey locations were mapped to assess how this data is at risk. Bioactivities were found of therapeutic relevance to 15 hypothesised causal bases for AD. 107 species with an ethnological report of memory improvement demonstrated therapeutic activity for all these 15 causal bases. The majority of the surveys were found to reside within biodiversity hotspots (centres of high biodiversity under threat), with loss of traditional knowledge the most common threat. Our findings suggest that the documented plants provide a large resource of AD therapeutic potential. In demonstrating bioactivities targeted to these causal bases, such plants may have the capacity to reduce or reverse AD, with promise as drug leads to target multiple AD hallmarks. However, there is a need to preserve ethnomedical knowledge, and the habitats on which this knowledge depends.Graphical

Biodiversity Data Use and Biorepositories in Bhutan

Biodiversity information and biorepositories in Bhutan were instituted in the 1990s, and have contributed towards biodiversity conservation efforts in the country including citizen-science initiatives. Bioinformatics in Bhutan is still in its initial stage, and some biorepositories have incorporated information systems for their collections. Some major biorepositories in the country include the National Herbarium, National Animal Gene Bank, National Plant Gene Bank, National Invertebrates Repository, and Taxidermy. Other repositories distributed at various institutions cover the taxonomic groups such as fishes, amphibian and reptiles, butterflies and moths, mushrooms, bryophytes, agricultural pests, among others. Biorepositories are one of the major sources of biodiversity data and information, where the National Herbarium and National Invertebrates Repository have initiated digitizing its plant and invertebrate specimens. The digitized specimens will be made freely accessible through the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal and Bhutan Biodiversity Specimen Portal managed by the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC). The Bhutan Biodiversity Portal is an online consortium-based platform for biodiversity documentation of citizen science and collections. Bhutan Biodiversity Specimen Portal is an online system for documenting herbarium specimens especially from the National Herbarium of Bhutan (THIM). Other major information use and sharing systems related to biodiversity include National Biodiversity Clearing House, National Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing House, National Biosafety Clearing House, Forest Information Reporting and Monitoring System, and Pests of Bhutan database. Some of the collection-based offline systems include Royal Botanical Garden Database, National Traditional Knowledge Database, National Plant Gene Bank Information System, National Animal Gene Bank Information System, National Invertebrates Database, and institutional databases. Citizen science initiatives in Bhutan are increasing annually with major participation from youths. The contribution from young people is playing a major role in biodiversity documentation and data use in the country. The most used applications include iNaturalist, eBird, Bhutan Biodiversity Portal, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and social media sites such as Facebook (groups and pages) and blogs. Molecular data and information on species are limited in the country, however, through collaboration with international partners, some molecular information, especially for new species, is available to the public, through the use of Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). There exists only a handful of laboratories conducting basic molecular studies on biodiversity in the country. The country’s molecular information would be enhanced with the establishment of advanced molecular laboratories and capacities in bioinformatics. Advancements in bioinformatics would also contribute towards enhancing accessibility of specimen collections distributed around the country. Other major challenges include non-availability of experts in some taxonomic groups, especially for understudied groups. It is also imperative to have a coordination mechanism for sharing all data and information related to biodiversity, bringing in all the relevant national and international stakeholders.

ARISE: Building an infrastructure for species recognition and biodiversity monitoring in the Netherlands

ARISE (Authoritative and Rapid Identification System for Essential biodiversity information) is a digital infrastructure with the mission to provide semi-automated identification of all multicellular species in the Netherlands and innovate on biodiversity monitoring solutions. By applying DNA barcoding, artificial intelligence for species recognition based on images, sound and radar, and emerging technology for biodiversity monitoring, we can radically speed up the inventory of life on earth. The infrastructure relies on a species reference database, which brings together new and existing biodiversity information on all multicellular species in the Netherlands. ARISE will be open-access and organize data according to FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable). We will develop the infrastructure for the Dutch research community with financial support from the Dutch Research Council. ARISE is a partnership between the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the University of Amsterdam, Westerdijk Institute and the University of Twente. With an Agile development approach, we will build iteratively guided by use cases and real-life challenges. Facilities and services include streamlined and accesible species sampling and (meta)barcoding, machine learning services to analyse digital input and a digital platform where all data and services come together powered by a state of the art data management system based on digital objects. We will be driven by continuous feedback from external scientists and representatives of species monitoring organizations. With ARISE, we will provide the scientific community with the foundation for automated recognition and monitoring of the entire Dutch biodiversity. Furthermore, ARISE will provide a basis for better biodiversity monitoring to provide policy makers with more reliable information on biodiversity and ecosystem change. This presentation will give an overview of work in progress, demonstrating several pilot versions of facilities and services, and what we envision to build in the future.

Marine Heatwaves and their Impacts: Research Perspectives in the Philippines

Marine heatwaves are discrete and prolonged periods of anomalously warm seawater temperature which have devastating ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Being part of the center of marine biodiversity and a fisheries-dependent country, the Philippines is vulnerable to the threats of marine heatwaves, but these extreme events remain understudied in the country. It is, therefore, crucial to investigate the development of marine heatwaves and to assess and predict the impacts of these events in the Philippine seas. In this perspective paper, we aim to put forward the research direction for advancing our understanding of marine heatwaves and their impacts in the Philippines. The limited studies on marine heatwaves in the Philippines highlight the need for progress in understanding the spatiotemporal patterns, physical processes, and impacts of marine heatwaves in the country. Advancing our knowledge of marine heatwaves will help us formulate mitigating strategies for ocean warming in fisheries management and marine biodiversity conservation in the Philippines.

Dispersals from the West Tethys as the source of the Indo-West Pacific diversity hotspot in comatulid crinoids

AbstractConspicuous centers of biodiversity are frequently attributed to local conditions that promote speciation or resistance to extinction, but recent diversification studies indicate this mode of explanation might not be very general, so it may be fruitful to revisit the role of dispersal in concentrating biodiversity. Here we consider the processes underlying the marine diversity hotspot in the Indo-West Pacific among comatulid crinoids, suspension-feeding echinoderms conspicuous on modern tropical reefs. We used ancestral-range reconstruction on a phylogeny of extant crinoids, assembled a new occurrence database of fossil comatulids and interrogated it with probabilistic preservational models, and developed a morphological character matrix to estimate the relationships among living and fossil comatulids. Ancestral-range reconstruction on a phylogeny of extant comatulids recovers an origin outside the Indo-Pacific and elevated dispersal into it. A new occurrence database records the comatulid clade spreading out gradually from origin in the Early Jurassic of the West Tethys. Comatulids do not appear in their modern hotspot until the Oligocene, and taphonomic analyses show these results cannot be explained solely as a result of inadequate sampling in Asia and Oceania. Finally, phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that deeply nested crown-group comatulids had originated before the clade became well established in the East Tethys, implying many independent dispersals into the modern hotspot. These consilient results suggest a biodiversity hotspot that owes its existence to dispersals out of the ancient West Tethys rather than to elevated in situ diversification.

Results of a small terrestrial mammal survey in the remote Boé region of Guinea‐Bissau, with discovery of two new shrew records for the country

AbstractThe Boé region in the south‐east of Guinea‐Bissau has remained untouched by large‐scale human influence and development due to its isolated location. The region consists mainly of savannah interspersed with gallery forests and hosts a unique and valuable biodiversity though very little is known of small terrestrial mammal diversity. In 2013, a terrestrial small mammal live trapping survey was conducted around Béli, a small village in the South of the Boé region. Five survey locations of three ecotypes were selected, and a combination of pitfall traps and live traps was used to capture and release small mammals. A selection of mammals that could not be identified as well as accidental mortalities in the traps were collected as voucher specimens and sent to Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands. Over 96 survey days, a total of 331 small terrestrial mammals were trapped from 21 unique species, which include two new species records for the country: shrew species Crocidura lamottei and Crocidura crossei. Extrapolation from species accumulation curves suggested an overall species richness of 22 species for the region, with substantial differences in community composition among sampled habitats. The results of this study are an important part of the scientific record for small terrestrial mammals in the Boé region and set a baseline reference for future conservation efforts.

Holocene Fires and Ecological Novelty in the High Colombian Cordillera Oriental

Rapid climate changes and the increasing presence of humans define the Holocene Epoch (11.6 calibrated kiloyears before present – hereafter kyr BP), when biological systems have faced the most recent and abrupt environmental changes. Understanding how biodiversity responds to extrinsic factors requires determining the effects of varying climatic conditions, changes in disturbance regimes, and increasing anthropogenic impacts. Despite being one center for biodiversity, the potential synergies of long-term anthropogenic and climate changes in shaping areas of high Andean biodiversity have yet to be explored fully. Here we present new pollen and charcoal records from the Pantano de Monquentiva (hereafter Monquentiva) on the highlands of the eastern flank of the Colombian Cordillera Oriental (CCO) to document relationships between climate, vegetation, and fire through the Holocene. We found compositional transitions at 8.7, 6.1, and 4.1 kyr BP at Monquentiva resulting from the interaction of climate, fire, and human occupation. Reduced moisture and temperature caused a compositional shift in Páramo vegetation from ca. 8.7 kyr BP. Fire activity was recorded throughout the Holocene and increased slightly during the Mid-Holocene when regional and local fire decoupling suggested human activities as the source of ignition. Mid-Holocene fires had a large effect on the vegetation composition at Monquentiva which recorded a rapid shift at ca. 6.8 kyr BP. Fire activity increased sharply from 4.1 kyr BP, promoting the reorganization of plant communities at 3.8 kyr BP. This shift in fire activity was likely related to more severe ENSO events and subsequently intensified by human activities after 3.8 kyr BP. Although high climatic sensitivity explains most Holocene vegetation changes in the eastern flank of the CCO, our study highlights the relevance of fire activity, uneven distribution of climatic variables, and human intervention to the composition of the vegetation we see today.

The Value of Protected Areas Ranger Service Personnel for Biodiversity Monitoring: Case Study in Paklenica National Park (Croatia)

Abstract To preserve the long-term survival of habitats and wildlife, it is necessary to monitor their status. In protected areas, that is, biodiversity centres, rangers have excellent knowledge of specific locations and they spend a large amount of time in the field. But since rangers are not required to have a university degree, the question is whether they can be an added value in baseline survey monitoring. To investigate this issue, a case study was conducted in the Paklenica National Park (Paklenica NP), Croatia, using camera trapping survey between 2011 and 2016 at 22 camera sites. The aims of this survey were (1) to collect baseline data of mammalian diversity, (2) to analyse the regulatory effect of top predators on the trophic pyramid through top–down effects and (3) to estimate the data gathered by ranger service from the Paklenica NP. Data gathered through this study represents the first peer-reviewed list of medium- to large-sized mammals for Paklenica NP, as up till now, there is no peer-reviewed published paper of Paklenica NP mammalian diversity. Results showed that the recorded top predator–mesopredator–prey ratios were concordant with the trophic pyramid hypothesis. Also, as it was expected according to the literature, species richness indices were higher when top predators were present. On analysing the costs for conducting camera trapping survey by external and internal services, a significant difference was observed. Internal rangers’ cost was nine times lower than the external service cost. Future research run by rangers needs to be conducted in way to capture all mammalian biodiversity. Therefore, we propose camera trapping methodology for rangers in the protected areas since this may be an invaluable tool for biodiversity monitoring.

Dendroflora diversity in the coastal zones of the Dnipro river within the Northern steppe subzone of Ukraine

Coastal tree and shrub vegetation is an important component of river catchment ecosystems, it performs a wide range of ecological functions and ecosystem services; their effectiveness largely depends on species richness and diversity. Coastal habitats are among the main centers of biodiversity, but they often perform a function of centers of active anthropogenic activity and undergo significant transformation. The creation of a cascade of the Dnipro reservoirs (Kamenske, Zaporizhia (Dniprovske), Kakhovske reservoirs) has already caused the transformations of the Dnipro river flow regime and all biological components of the aquatic and wetland ecosystems in the Northern steppe subzone of Ukraine. In the current period, on the background of global climate change, dendroflora transformation on this territory is enhanced by the anthropogenic impact of industrial cities (Kamenske, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia). Assessment of dendroflora diversity in coastal zones was carried out within the protective strip of the Dnipro river (100 m): in native phytocenoses; semi-native vegetation associations; water protection plantings; public green spaces (excluding private plots and collections). It was determined that the dendroflora in the coastal protective strips of the Dnipro river within the Northern steppe subzone of Ukraine is characterized by significant taxonomic diversity and includes 184 plant species (excluding their decorative forms) belonging to 37 families. The highest species saturation was typical for the following families: Rosaceae (40 species), Salicaceae (23 species), Fabaceae (11 species), and Oleaceae (9 species). The dendroflora consists of 61 tree species, 78 shrubby species (including lianas) and 45 species that can be represented by both tree and shrubby forms. The highest species richness was recorded in public recreational green spaces: 181 species (98% of the total species number). The coastal tree and shrubby associations included 8 species that belong to rarity ones (the Red List of the Dnipropetrovsk region). The coenomorphic spectrum of dendroflora in coastal protective strips is dominated by culturants (70.7%), autochthonous silvants (19%), stepants (3.2%), silvomargoants (species of forest margins, 4.3%), pratants (1.6%), and paludants (1.1%). There is the dominance of mesophytes (55%) and species with a wide range of adaptations to the humidification conditions of hygrotopes in hygrospectrum (22.8%); mesotrophic species among trophomorphs (53.8%), and sciogeliophytes in heliospectrum (57%). In the dendroflora of the coastal zones of the Dnipro river, alien species completely predominated (71% of the species composition). Among them, 6.9% were invasive, mainly belonging to neophytes. In the current period, an increase in invasive activity is recorded in another 5.3% of adventive (potentially invasive) species. The significant taxonomic and ecomorphic diversity of dendroflora in the coastal zones of the Northern steppe subzone of Ukraine is associated with ecotone effects, active processes of the territory urbanization, and the use of a wide range of alien ornamental species in public green spaces of cities. It is advisable to increase the share of autochthonic and rare species participation in the composition of coastal protective and recreational plantings, which will contribute to the preservation of their gene pool and increase the native dendrological diversity in the Dnipro river basin. To reduce the threats of phytoinvasions, it is necessary to: i) prohibit the use of invasive species in the restoration of native floodplain forests; ii) conduct a preliminary assessment of environmental risks from the use of alien species; iii) monitor existing plantings with their participation.

Chemo protective activity of Phyllanthus niruri and Opuntia ficus indica plant extract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death. Several chemotherapeutical agents have been used to treat cancer, and yet a convincing cure is elusive in most cases. Therefore, there is continued need for development of new anticancer agents. Angiogenesis is one of the vital events for organ development and differentiation during embryogenesis as well as wound healing and reproductive functions in adults. Angiogenesis also contributes significantly to tumors growth and metastasis. Currently, search for effective anti-angiogenesis agents and therapy is an emerging field. Cytotoxic agents with anti-angiogenic activity are designated to control tumors endothelial cell growth and tumour cell survival. Therefore, combinatorial therapy in which anti-angiogenic agents with chemotherapeutic activity administrated in a scheduled manner could result in a much more favorable therapeutic effect. India is one of the richest bio diversity centers with respect to medicinal plants. Many plants have been utilized in the traditional system of medicine for cancer treatment. The plants have been utilized as medicines from thousands of years ago. The isolation of active components from plants began with the morphine isolation from opium plant. In the present study, Phyllanthus niruri and Opuntia ficus-indica were screened for the phytochemical and anticancer evaluation.
 Keywords: Anti-Cancer, Anti-Oxidant, Phyllanthus niruri, Opuntia ficus-indica, in vivo study.

Multifaceted fine-grain niche modelling: Two mountain plants in one relic location

Fine-grain species niche modelling in topographically diverse areas poses a serious challenge. Nonetheless, it is important for studying factors enabling species’ survival in a changing climate and understanding current species distribution. Niches of two mountain species: Cotoneaster integerrimus Medik and Valeriana tripteris L., were analyzed in a specific area of limestone hill Góra Zborów, which can be treated as a model of topographically differentiated area located outside mountains. The area constitutes a regional center of biodiversity and is protected as a nature reserve. C. integerrimus and V. tripteris are considered to have relic localities there. The aim of the study was a multifaceted fine-grain comparison of Cotoneaster integerrimus and Valeriana tripteris niches: 1) according to variables derived from high-resolution topographical model of the study area; 2) according to direct site characteristics; 3) according to species coexisting with the analyzed taxa.During the field studies, the data regarding abiotic conditions and plant cover were gathered from sites of the selected species. To better characterize these sites against the surrounding environment, a topographical model of the entire Góra Zborów was also used. Niche modelling was conducted by multivariate analysis in environmental space, with the usage of PCA and DCA ordinations. Also step regression models were used to identify the predominant co-occurring plant species. The results of different computational methods suitable for different kinds of variables were compared.The results of all analyses remained consistent with the field observations. ‘Heat load’ combined with ‘Aspect’, and ‘Wetness’ combined with ‘Slope’ variables accurately explained the environmental differentiation of the area derived from topography characteristics. The overlap of the species’ niches was significant; however, the niches were not identical. C. integerrimus could grow in more insolated habitats characterized by higher cover of ground vascular flora, in which case significant positive relations with several herb taxa co-occurrence were identified. V. tripteris preferred the presence of barren rocks, higher cover of bryophytes, and trees and shrubs that shaded the locality.Niche overlap analysis conducted with differentiated methods underlined the importance of the variable selection for the analysis result, and the value and complementarity of different computational methods. The presented analysis can also be regarded as an attempt at a demonstration of the area conservation value by the study concerning only two chosen species. The study confirmed the importance of Góra Zborów Nature Reserve as the possible refugial area during climate changes.

First record of blacknape large-eye bream Gymnocranius satoi (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) in the Philippines

The Philippines has been regarded as the center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity, having the highest number of fish species per square area in the world. The blacknape large-eye bream, Gymnocranius satoi, has been reported to occur from Southern Japan, Taiwan to Northwestern Australia and to the Coral Sea, but has not previously been recorded from the Philippines. From 2011 – 2019, the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) collaborated with the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution (NMNH/SI), USA, and the Old Dominion University (ODU), Virgina, USA, to inventory all commercial fish species sold in fish markets around the Philippines. During three (3) fish market surveys (Dumaguete City Market, Negros Oriental; Claveria Public Market, Cagayan, Northern Luzon; and Tabaco City Market, Albay, Southeastern Luzon in 2013, 2016 and 2017, respectively), we collected and eventually identified using morphological and DNA barcoding (COI) analysis, seven (7) specimens of G. satoi, representing the first records of this species from the country. Since the potential to discover new species and first records of fish species in the Philippines is high, further taxonomic study of the genus Gymnocranius is needed.

Ethnomedical Study of Plants as a Traditional Medicine on Respiratory System Disease in Cilongok, Banyumas, Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the most geologically complex regions globally and makes it one of the greatest of the world's biodiversity centers. But the primary data on medicinal plants in Indonesia is still lacking. Cilongok is a district in Banyumas located on the slope of Slamet mountain. It is one of the biodiversity areas in Java, Indonesia. Respiratory System Disease has become one of the top ten diseases in Banyumas Indonesia. This study aimed to explore information about the type of medicinal plants used for respiratory system disease and how to process it in Cilongok District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. This study was descriptive survey research with semi-structured interviews of 68 informants. Data were qualitatively analyzed by interpreting the interview transcript and quantitatively to calculate the Species Use Value of those medicinal plants. The result showed that in Cilongok District, there were 40 medicinal plant species from 25 families used as traditional medicine in respiratory system disease and pounded as the most used method of preparation. Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle is the most used medicinal plant with SUV were 0.235, followed by Amomum compactum Sol. ex Maton (SUV 0.206), Zingiber officinale Roscoe (SUV 0.176), Kaempferia galanga L (SUV 0.176), and Zingiber officinale var Rubrum (SUV 0.147).

The first record of the rare fern Pteris griffithii (Polypodiales: Pteridaceae: Pteridoideae) in the Bhutan Himalayas

Pteris griffithii Hook., one of the rarest fern species on the Indian subcontinent, is reported from Bhutan for the first time. The identity of this species was confirmed through morphological determination at the National Herbarium (THIM) of the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) of Bhutan. It was found only in one location, in Gyelpozhing in eastern Bhutan, at an elevation of 521 m a.s.l. on 10 January 2016. Given that a very limited study of this species was conducted, the knowledge baseline with regard to its distribution is poor. It is also reported that this species has not been found for several years. The species is also considered to be very rare or critically endangered in some countries; however, there are no assessments on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List for this particular species. This paper attempts to provide baseline information considering its rarity and data deficiency. This species is also reported from the adjacent neighboring Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as very rare, and also from Myanmar; however, confirmation of its presence in China is not clear at this time. Therefore, considering its data deficient status, we attempt to document it scientifically to create a knowledgebase pertaining to this particular species. Concurrently, this species merits further research to understand its distribution patterns in Bhutan and any related anthropogenic threats.

On the use of population genomic time series for environmental monitoring.

Human-induced degradation of biodiversity is arguably the greatest problem facing humanity. Climate change, changes in land and sea use and other factors are synergistically eroding biodiversity at an unprecedented rate and scale (Díaz et al. 2019). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

THE FIRST FINDING OF ALIEN SPECIES <i>NEMATUS TIBIALIS</i> NEWMAN, 1873 (HYMENOPTERA: TENTHREDINIDAE) IN THE SOUTH OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST

In the south of the Russian Far East, an alien North American species Newman, 1873, was registered for the first time. The insect develops on the main food plant, L., cultivated in the Gorno-Taezhnoye settlement and in the arboretum of the Gorno-Taezhnaya Station of the Federal Research Center of Biodiversity of Terrestrial Biota of East Asia, FEB RAS. The degree of damage is small; one larva is localized on the leaf. There is no decrease in decorativeness. Nevertheless, due to the fairly widespread use of in the landscaping of the region, further spread of its phytophage Nematus tibialis is possible. To assess the spread of the pest in the south of the Far East and evaluate the harm it causes, it is necessary to monitor plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia in other settlements of the region.

Vascular flora of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park and its surroundings (Andalusia, Spain)

The Sierra de las Nieves National Park, declared by the Spanish Government in July 2021, is part of the Serranía de Ronda (Western Baetic mountains), which is considered one of the main centres of biodiversity and endemicity of the southern Iberian Peninsula (Andalusia, Spain) and the Mediterranean Basin. The park and its surroundings have an important diversity of vascular plants, mainly due to the orographic, climatic and geological diversity of the area, which is divided into three biogeographical sectors: Rondeño sector (limestones, dolomites and clays), Bermejense sector (peridotites and serpentines) and Aljíbico sector (gneisses and micaschists). This contribution presents the first catalogue of the vascular flora of this national park and its surrounding area, with 1,387 taxa distributed in 104 families and 542 genera. An amount of 79 taxa are endemic to Andalusia and 57 are endangered: 4 are Critically Endangered (CR), 17 are Endangered (EN) and 36 are Vulnerable (VU).

Mediterranean specimens of the Prussian Botanist Jacob Breyne (1637–1697) in the Van Royen Herbarium, Leiden, The Netherlands

ABSTRACT Directors of the Leiden botanic garden Adriaan van Royen (1704–1779) and his nephew David van Royen (1727–1799) accumulated a large number of plant specimens in their herbarium collection. The “Van Royen herbarium” at Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Leiden, the Netherlands) holds 89 specimens currently attributed to the Prussian botanist Jacob Breyne (1637–1697). The identity, provenance and history of these Breyne specimens were never studied, although this collection may contain specimens missing from two book herbaria by Breyne (dated 1659 and 1673). Here, we reveal the species represented by the Breyne specimens in the Van Royen collection, as well as their origin and the information contained on their labels. A total of 75 species were identified in Breyne’s specimens, mostly collected in the surroundings of Montpellier (south-eastern France). Of the 89 specimens attributed to Breyne, 54 contain labels in his own handwriting, confirming they were collected (or at least owned) by him. The specimens are not derived from Breyne’s book herbaria also kept in the Leiden collection, as these contain mostly Polish plants. Breyne most likely did not collect these specimens himself, but received them from one or several of his correspondents with ties to Montpellier. It is not known how Breyne’s specimens ended up in the Van Royen herbarium (possibly through his son Johann Philipp), but they provide an insight in the flora of Mediterranean France in the 17th century, and reflect changes in nomenclature and the state of botanical science at that time.

Revisiting the Domestication Process of African Vigna Species (Fabaceae): Background, Perspectives and Challenges.

Legumes are one of the most economically important and biodiverse families in plants recognised as the basis to develop functional foods. Among these, the Vigna genus stands out as a good representative because of its relatively recent African origin as well as its outstanding potential. Africa is a great biodiversity centre in which a great number of species are spread, but only three of them, Vigna unguiculata, Vigna subterranea and Vigna vexillata, were successfully domesticated. This review aims at analysing and valorising these species by considering the perspective of human activity and what effects it exerts. For each species, we revised the origin history and gave a focus on where, when and how many times domestication occurred. We provided a brief summary of bioactive compounds naturally occurring in these species that are fundamental for human wellbeing. The great number of wild lineages is a key point to improve landraces since the domestication process caused a loss of gene diversity. Their genomes hide a precious gene pool yet mostly unexplored, and genes lost during human activity can be recovered from the wild lineages and reintroduced in cultivated forms through modern technologies. Finally, we describe how all this information is game-changing to the design of future crops by domesticating de novo.