Range Of Species Research Articles

Whole genome analyses of introgression in British and Irish Apis mellifera mellifera

The Western honey bee, Apis mellifera (A. mellifera) Linnaeus, is one of the world’s most economically important pollinators. Conserving genetic resources in this species is therefore of significant value. Despite this, little attention has been paid to the potential erosion of locally adapted genetic variants by transhumance of particular subspecies favoured by beekeepers. In particular, introgression and hybridisation by repeated backcrossing can disrupt naturally-selected allele combinations and therefore erode local adaptation. Here we use whole genome sequencing (WGS) to assess levels of introgression in the native subspecies Apis mellifera mellifera (A. m. mellifera) across a wide geographical scale in Britain and Ireland. Samples were obtained from both colonies maintained by individual beekeepers from non-imported stock and those outside of protected populations or specific breeding programmes. These were examined alongside sub-species reference samples from established refuges. ADMIXTURE and ABBA BABA analysis revealed that 17 out of 70 colonies showed no significant introgression. The remaining 53 colonies showed some evidence of introgression. This study underpins previous findings that Ireland harbours a large reservoir of A. m. mellifera. The Island of Colonsay (Scotland) and parts of the South West of England also harbour ‘pure’ colonies. New areas of interest for conservation are identified in Jersey, mainland Scotland and the Isle of Man. Our results are discussed in the context of implications for future research and conservation strategies of this globally important insect in its native range.

Natural enemies of Lemna minuta in its native range and their potential as biological control agents for Europe

ABSTRACT Lemna minuta is native to North America but an invasive alien plant in Europe, where it poses significant threats to freshwater ecosystems. Explorations for biological control agents were conducted in two regions of the United States (Louisiana and California), revealing three candidate species. Subsequent laboratory investigations focused on the weevil Tanysphyrus lemnae and the fly Lemnaphila scotlandae as the most promising agents and confirmed that both the herbivorous insects attack L. minuta plants. To evaluate the host specificity of these two potential agents, insects were exposed to five species of duckweed commonly occurring in North America and Europe. Preliminary host-range testing indicated that T. lemnae develops on all evaluated duckweed species, including those from different genera (Lemna, Spirodela, Landoltia). Conversely, data revealed that feeding and development of the dipteran L. scotlandae are limited to species in the genus Lemna, but this includes L. minor, a native European species threatened in Europe due to the spread of L. minuta. No-choice and choice tests confirmed that neither larvae nor adults of L. scotlandae discriminate between the two Lemna species, except for pupation, which occurs more frequently in L. minor under choice conditions. We conclude that the broad host-range of T. lemnae and L. scotlandae render them unsuitable as biological control agents of L. minuta in Europe.

Population structure analysis of Phlebotomus papatasi populations using transcriptome microsatellites: possible implications for leishmaniasis control and vaccine development

BackgroundPhlebotomus papatasi is considered the primary vector of Leishmania major parasites that cause zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in the Middle East and North Africa. Phlebotomus papatasi populations have been studied extensively, revealing the existence of different genetic populations and subpopulations over its large distribution range. Genetic diversity and population structure analysis using transcriptome microsatellite markers is important to uncover the vector distribution dynamics, essential for controlling ZCL in endemic areas.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the level of genetic variation using expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) among field and colony P. papatasi samples collected from 25 different locations in 11 countries. A total of 302 P. papatasi sand fly individuals were analyzed, including at least 10 flies from each region.ResultsThe analysis revealed a high-level population structure expressed by five distinct populations A through E, with moderate genetic differentiation among all populations. These genetic differences in expressed genes may enable P. papatasi to adapt to different environmental conditions along its distribution range and likely affect dispersal.ConclusionsElucidating the population structuring of P. papatasi is essential to L. major containment efforts in endemic countries. Moreover, the level of genetic variation among these populations may improve our understanding of Leishmania–sand fly interactions and contribute to the efforts of vaccine development based on P. papatasi salivary proteins.Graphical

Musa species in mainland Southeast Asia: From wild to domesticate.

Many species are defined in the Musa section within its natural diversification area in Southeast Asia. However, their actual number remains debated as botanical characterisation, distribution and intraspecific variability are still poorly known, compromising their preservation and their exploitation as crop wild relatives of cultivated forms. To address the underexplored Musa diversity in mainland Southeast Asia, at the northern edge of the natural range, 208 specimens were collected in Vietnam, Laos and China, mainly belonging to Musa balbisiana, M. itinerans, M. acuminata and M. yunnanensis. Data on location, morphology, environment and local knowledge were recorded, and leaf samples collected for high-throughput genotyping. This study combines geographical, morphological, and genomic diversity to clarify the taxonomic classification. The collected species exhibit highly distinctive morphologies and genomes, just as they differ in ranges and life traits. Intraspecific genomic diversity was also observed, although not necessarily morphologically perceptible. Mainland Southeast Asia is confirmed as a primary diversification centre for the Musa section. The diversity observed is only partially represented in major international ex situ collections, calling for their urgent enrichment and the promotion of in situ management procedures, for the protection of these threatened species and to better harness their potential in breeding programmes. Although considered wild, the species studied are all affected to varying extents by human use. Musa yunnanensis and M. acuminata subsp. burmannica are the most strictly wild forms, with spontaneous interspecific hybrids first described in this study. Although gathered as fodder, they were only occasionally dispersed outside their endemic zones. Musa itinerans is not cultivated per se, but natural populations are widely exploited, leading to a geographically structured diversity. The diversity of M. balbisiana is widely distributed and geographically structured by human activities. This species should be regarded as domesticated. These various stages, from simple opportunistic gathering to true domestication, shed light on the evolutionary history of today's cultivated varieties.

Border Interceptions Reveal Variable Bridgehead Use in the Global Dispersal of Insects

ABSTRACTAimThe global, human‐mediated dispersal of invasive insects is a major driver of ecosystem change, biodiversity loss, crop damage and other effects. Trade flows and invasive species propagule pressure are correlated, and their relationship is essential for predicting and managing future invasions. Invaders do not disperse exclusively from the species' native range. Instead, the bridgehead effect, where established, non‐native populations act as secondary sources of propagule, is recognised as a major driver of global invasion. The resulting pattern of global spread arises from a mixture of global interactions between invasive species, their vectors and, their invaded ranges, which has yet to be fully characterised.LocationGlobal.Time Period1997–2020.Major Taxa StudiedInsects.MethodsWe analysed 319,283 border interception records of 514 insect species from a broad range of taxa from four national‐level phytosanitary organisations. We classified interceptions as coming from species native range or from bridgehead countries and examined taxonomic autocorrelation of global movement patterns between species.ResultsWhile 65% of interceptions originated from bridgehead countries, highlighting the importance of the bridgehead effect across taxa, patterns among individual species were highly variable and taxonomically correlated. Forty per cent of species originated almost exclusively from their native range, 28% almost exclusively from their non‐native range and 32% from a mix of source locations. These patterns of global dispersal were geographically widespread, temporally consistent, and taxonomically correlated.ConclusionsDispersal exclusively from bridgeheads represents an unrecognised pattern of global insect movement; these patterns emphasise the importance of the bridgehead effect and suggest that bridgeheads provide unique local conditions that allow invaders to proliferate differently than in their native range. We connect these patterns of global dispersal to the conditions during the human driven global dispersal of insects and provide recommendations for modellers and policymakers wishing to control the spread of future invasions.

Modeling the Current and Future Distribution of Indianthus virgatus (Roxb.) Suksathan & Borchs.: AMonotypic Plant Endemic to the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka Biodiversity Hotspot.

Species distribution modeling (SDM) is an essential tool in ecology and conservation for predicting species distributions based on species presence/absence data and environmental variables. The present study aimed to understand the distribution pattern and habitat suitability of Indianthus virgatus under current and future climate change scenarios (2050 and 2070) using MaxEnt (3.4.4) and Wallace Ecological Modeling (v2.1.2) tools. The study also intended to identify key environmental predictors of I. virgatus' distribution. Species occurrence data were collected from various sources, including herbarium (online and physical), field surveys, and online databases, yielding 105 unique locations in the Western Ghats (WG) of India and Sri Lanka. We used 19 bioclimatic variables and elevation data sourced from WorldClim for modeling. The MaxEnt and Wallace models showed excellent performance in predicting the distribution of I. virgatus, with area under the curve values of 0.958 (± 0.002) and 0.93, respectively. In MaxEnt modeling, Temperature Seasonality (bio4) was the most significant environmental parameter, followed by the Precipitation of the Coldest Quarter (bio19). In contrast, the Annual Mean Temperature (bio1), Temperature Seasonality (bio4), and Annual Precipitation (bio12) were among the key contributors in Wallace EcoMod. Both the models predicted relatively lesser areas in the species' distribution range as highly suitable habitats (HSH) in India and Sri Lanka. We found divergent trends in predicting I. virgatus distributions using MaxEnt and Wallace EcoMod, particularly for future projections. Nevertheless, both models predicted significant habitat loss under future climate change scenarios, especially under RCP85, with varying degrees of suitability across India and Sri Lanka. Overall, our findings on expected habitat loss under future climate change scenarios highlight the importance of conserving I. virgatus, which has already been declared critically endangered (CR) in Sri Lanka.

No Future Growth Enhancement Expected at the Northern Edge for European Beech due to Continued Water Limitation.

With ongoing global warming, increasing water deficits promote physiological stress on forest ecosystems with negative impacts on tree growth, vitality, and survival. How individual tree species will react to increased drought stress is therefore a key research question to address for carbon accounting and the development of climate change mitigation strategies. Recent tree-ring studies have shown that trees at higher latitudes will benefit from warmer temperatures, yet this is likely highly species-dependent and less well-known for more temperate tree species. Using a unique pan-European tree-ring network of 26,430 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees from 2118 sites, we applied a linear mixed-effects modeling framework to (i) explain variation in climate-dependent growth and (ii) project growth for the near future (2021-2050) across the entire distribution of beech. We modeled the spatial pattern of radial growth responses to annually varying climate as a function of mean climate conditions (mean annual temperature, mean annual climatic water balance, and continentality). Over the calibration period (1952-2011), the model yielded high regional explanatory power (R2 = 0.38-0.72). Considering a moderate climate change scenario (CMIP6 SSP2-4.5), beech growth is projected to decrease in the future across most of its distribution range. In particular, projected growth decreases by 12%-18% (interquartile range) in northwestern Central Europe and by 11%-21% in the Mediterranean region. In contrast, climate-driven growth increases are limited to around 13% of the current occurrence, where the historical mean annual temperature was below ~6°C. More specifically, the model predicts a 3%-24% growth increase in the high-elevation clusters of the Alps and Carpathian Arc. Notably, we find little potential for future growth increases (-10 to +2%) at the poleward leading edge in southern Scandinavia. Because in this region beech growth is found to be primarily water-limited, a northward shift in its distributional range will be constrained by water availability.

Cover Image

COVER PHOTO: A mother toad‐headed agama (Phrynocephalus vlangalii) with her children. P. vlangalii is a species of viviparous agamid lizard endemic to the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau in China. This lizard lives in burrows at high elevations of 2,000 to 4,600 meters. They need to adapt to a series of harsh environments, including low oxygen levels, low temperatures, and strong ultraviolet radiation. Jiang et al. (this issue; Article: e4414; doi: 10.1002/ecy.4414) collected active and resting body temperatures of P. vlangalii and conducted physiological experiments and mechanistic modeling to assess how resting status determines physiological constraints within a species' distribution range and how climate change drives changes in these physiological constraints. Photo credit: Zhong‐Wen Jiang. image

Dietary Niche Variation in an Invasive Omnivore: The Effects of Habitat on Feral Pig Resource Use in Hawai'i.

Invasive omnivores may have profound impacts on ecological communities through diet selection, particularly when their functional roles differ from those in their native range. While the threat of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) to native plant communities in Hawai'i is well known, their trophic dynamics and the drivers of variation in their diet remain understudied. We investigated the feral pig trophic niche on Hawai'i Island using stable isotopes (13C and 15N) and Bayesian mixing models to identify drivers of variation in resource use. We also reconstructed intra-individual variability for six subsampled individuals to understand temporal variation in resource use and individual diet specialization. Our results revealed that feral pigs on Hawai'i Island exhibit a broad trophic niche characterized by diverse diets, with substantial overlap in resource use across districts and habitats. Differences in dietary composition in the transition from forest to open habitat were driven primarily by a decline in invertebrates and an increasing reliance on resources enriched in 15N, which may reflect a shift in protein sources with habitat. Pigs in forested areas exhibited a smaller trophic niche than those in open habitats, largely driven by differences in feeding strategies and resource availability. Diets for subsampled individuals varied little, suggesting feral pig resource-use strategies in Hawai'i tend to be relatively stable through time. Individual niche width was relatively narrow compared to that of feral pigs in Hawai'i at large, indicating the relatively wide feral pig dietary niche is characterized by substantial intraspecific diet specialization, likely as a result of strong intraspecific competition. Understanding the drivers of feral pig resource use offers key information for management strategies aimed at mitigating their ecological impacts in imperiled systems like Hawai'i.

Globally Distributed Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated With Invasive Cinchona pubescens on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos.

The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is essential for the survival and establishment of most plant species in nature. The reproductive success of invasive plant species in a particular habitat could also depend on these AM fungi. Cinchona pubescens, commonly known as quinine, is highly invasive on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos, but at the same time severely endangered in its native range on mainland Ecuador due to overexploitation in the past. In this study, we aim at determining the AMF communities associated with C. pubescens at both locations to investigate whether the successful invasion of C. pubescens on Santa Cruz is related to its association with a particular community of AMF. For this, roots of C. pubescens trees were sampled at three sites, one site on Santa Cruz and two sites in the province of Loja, on mainland Ecuador. Communities of AM fungi were determined through the molecular cloning and sequencing of the 18S nrDNA gene and through the delimitation of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), associated with the plant roots. We found 36 AMF OTUs associated with C. pubescens, most of them belonging to the genus Glomus. The highest richness of AMF OTUs was detected in samples from sites located on mainland Ecuador. The AMF communities between Santa Cruz and mainland Ecuador were significantly different, and only five OTUs were shared between both locations. Two dominant OTUs in C. pubescens from Santa Cruz were detected but no dominant OTUs from mainland Ecuador. Almost two thirds of the OTUs associated with C. pubescens had a wide global distribution. Our results suggest that the successful invasion of C. pubescens on Santa Cruz could have been facilitated by local generalist AMF and not by particular AMF. The observed generalist AMF from both locations could be important for conservation plans of restoring the endangered C. pubescens in the native forests on mainland Ecuador.

Assessing the climatic niche changes and global invasion risk of Solanum elaeagnifolium in relation to human activities

As an invasive plant, Solanum elaeagnifolium has posed a serious threat to agriculture and natural ecosystems worldwide. In order to better manage and limit its spread, we established niche models by combining distribution information and climate data from the native and invasive ranges of S. elaeagnifolium to analyze its niche changes during its colonization. Additionally, we evaluated its global invasion risk. Our results showed that the distribution of S. elaeagnifolium is affected by temperature, precipitation, altitude, and human activities. Solanum elaeagnifolium exhibits different degrees of niche conservatism and niche shift in different invasion ranges.During the global invasion of S. elaeagnifolium, both the niche shift and conservatism were observed, however, niche shift was particularly significant due to the presence of unoccupied niches (niche unfilling). Solanum elaeagnifolium generally occupied a relatively stable niche. However, a notable expansion was observed primarily in Europe and China. In Australia and Africa, its niche largely remains a subset of its native niche. Compared to the niche observed in its native range, its realized niche in China and Europe has shifted toward lower temperature and higher precipitation levels. Conversely, in Africa, the niche has shifted toward lower precipitation levels, while in Australia, it has shifted toward higher temperature. Our model predicted that S. elaeagnifolium has high invasion potential in many countries and regions. The populations of S. elaeagnifolium in China and Africa have reached the adapted stage, while the populations in Australia and Europe are currently in the stabilization stage. In addition, our research suggests that the potential distribution of S. elaeagnifolium will expand further in the future as the climate warms. All in all, our study suggests that S. elaeagnifolium has high potential to invade globally. Due to its high invasive potential, global surveillance and preventive measures are necessary to address its spread.

Assessing the Impacts of Adaptation to Native-Range Habitats and Contemporary Founder Effects on Genetic Diversity in an Invasive Fish.

Species invading non-native habitats can cause irreversible environmental damage and economic harm. Yet, how introduced species become widespread invaders remains poorly understood. Adaptation within native-range habitats and rapid adaptation to new environments may both influence invasion success. Here, we examine these hypotheses using 7058 SNPs from 36 native, 40 introduced and 19 farmed populations of tench, a fish native to Eurasia. We examined genetic structure among these populations and accounted for long-term evolutionary history within the native range to assess whether introduced populations exhibited lower genetic diversity than native populations. Subsequent to infer genotype-environment correlations within native-range habitats, we assessed whether adaptation to native environments may have shaped the success of some introduced populations. At the broad scale, two glacial refugia contributed to the ancestry and genomic diversity of tench. However, native, introduced and farmed populations of admixed origin exhibited up to 10-fold more genetic diversity (i.e., observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity and allelic richness) compared to populations with predominantly single-source ancestry. The effects of introduction to a new location were also apparent as introduced populations exhibited fewer private alleles (mean = 9.9 and 18.9 private alleles in introduced and native populations, respectively) and higher population-specific Fst compared to native populations, highlighting their distinctiveness relative to the pool of allelic frequencies across tench populations. Finally, introduced populations with varying levels of genetic variation and similar genetic compositions have become established and persisted under strikingly different climatic and ecological conditions. Our results suggest that lack of prior adaptation and low genetic variation may not consistently hinder the success of introduced populations for species with a demonstrated ability to expand their native range.

Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper DanubeRiver.

Originating from the Black and Caspian seas, the Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has become one of the most successful invaders of freshwater ecosystems. In this study, we provide a characterization of the reproductive strategy of an established population of Round Gobies in the Upper Danube river including sex ratio, fluctuations of gonadosomatic index (GSI), analysis of timing of spawning as well as of clutch and egg size. We compare these results to other studies from the native and invaded range. In the Danube, the Round Goby population was found to be female dominated, however fluctuations in magnitude of female bias were observed between months. Monitoring of the population across 1.5 years revealed that GSI was highest from April to June, while lowest values were observed in August and September. Using time-series analysis, a delayed effect of temperature on GSI was found for females and males, while a quicker response of GSI levels to photoperiod and discharge was observed for females. GSI increased with body size for females and eggs were found to be significantly larger in May, however clutch sizes did not differ between months. Results of a literature review revealed great differences in timing and length of spawning season as well as sex ratio between populations throughout the distribution range, which can probably be explained by climatic and photoperiodic conditions together with the time since invasion and the high plasticity of Round Gobies.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Mordellistenapeloponnesensis Batten, 1980 (Coleoptera, Mordellidae), with first records from Italy and Turkey.

Mordellistenapeloponnesensis Batten, 1980, previously known from Cyprus and Greece, is reported from Italy and Turkey for the first time. The species is redescribed based on type specimens and additional material from its entire known distributional range. Eighteen DNA barcoding sequences of M.peloponnesensis from Greece, Cyprus, and Italy were generated, and genetic variability across the sampling localities was examined. Three mitochondrial haplotypes were detected within M.peloponnesensis. Specimens from mainland Italy share the same haplotype as those from Rhodes and Cyprus, whereas Sardinian specimens exhibit a distinct haplotype. The third haplotype is represented by one specimen from Cyprus. The DNA barcoding sequences of M.peloponnesensis were compared with those of the morphologically allied M.gemellata Schilsky, 1898, and M.pyrenaea Ermisch, 1966, to reveal the phylogenetic relationships between the species.

Difference in reproductive traits of two sympatric species of Stigmaphyllon (Malpighiaceae) throughout their distribution range: are they context-dependent?

Populations of widely distributed plants may experience varying climatic or ecological conditions, leading to uneven evolution of reproductive traits. However, studies on reproductive biology usually focus on just one, or rarely two, sampling areas. In this study, we performed a geographical comparative analysis of the flowering pattern, pollination biology and breeding system of Stigmaphyllon bonariense and S. jatrophifolium (Malpighiaceae) throughout their natural distribution in Argentina, classifying them as ‘northern’ or ‘southern’ according to their geographic location. For this, we selected 4 populations for S. bonariense and 3 for S. jatrophifolium to characterized the flowering peak at both the individual (IFP) and population (PFP) levels, the floral display per inflorescence, the richness of Malpighiaceae species and their pollinators, and the stigmatic and body pollen loads of the pollinators. In addition, we performed manipulative experiments to determine the breeding system. Our results showed that the duration of flowering phenology and the floral display vary between northern and southern populations of both species. These traits include flowering duration and the number of flowers at anthesis per inflorescence (floral display). In addition, the pollination context exhibited latitudinal differences in species richness, phenology, body size of oil-collecting bees, and visitation frequency. Besides, the number of co-flowering Malpighiaceae species varied among populations. However, no considerable differences were observed among populations in terms of stigmatic and body pollen load in pollinators of both species. The breeding system was invariable and consistent in both species with self-incompatibility (SI). These findings suggest that certain reproductive traits of both Stigmaphyllon species are context-dependent and would allow the species maximise reproductive success in each population. Therefore, our results demonstrate that large-scale geographical studies (i.e., several populations with different climatic conditions) and the analysis of various phenological traits are necessary to better understand the reproductive biology of plant species.

Halophila baillonii's hidden distribution range: Rediscovery and conservation of a rare seagrass in the Tropical Atlantic

This study characterizes a population of the rare seagrass species Halophila baillonii, rediscovered over 130 years after its initial record on the Brazilian coast. Historical and current global distribution and species traits were reviewed to investigate population expansion and compare worldwide populations. Generally, seagrass traits of this new population showed no significant differences compared to previously studied populations, including those within Marine Protected Areas. However, a global lack of population data for the species was identified. Thirteen populations were recognized within the Tropical Atlantic Bioregion, with most in multispecific meadows. In these multispecific meadows, H. baillonii leaves were wider. The recent rediscovery of this population raises the question: are we observing a genuine expansion of its distribution range, or have we simply overlooked its presence in certain areas?

Drivers of Wolf Activity in a Human-Dominated Landscape and Its Individual Variability Toward Anthropogenic Disturbance.

Wolves (Canis lupus) exhibit contrasted activity patterns along their distribution range. The shift from diurnal to nocturnal habits within and among populations appears to be primarily driven by localized levels of human activity, with ambivalent responses toward such disturbance reported among populations. Yet, the drivers and the underlying individual variability of temporal avoidance patterns toward human remains unexplored. We equipped 26 wolves with GPS-GSM collars, obtaining 54,721 locations. We used step lengths, turning angles, and accelerometer data from recorded locations to infer activity through hidden Markov models (Conners, M. G., T. Michelot, E. I. Heywood, et al. 2021. "Hidden Markov Models Identify Major Movement Modes in Accelerometer and Magnetometer Data From Four Albatross Species." Movement Ecology 9, no. 1: 1-16.). We further explored the probability of activity as a function of a set of proxies of anthropogenic disturbance at different spatial scales and its interaction with different periods of the day by fitting population-level and individual-based hidden Markov models. Wolves were predominantly active during dusk and night, yet variations in activity emerged among individuals across day periods. We did not find clear population-level effects of anthropogenic disturbance predictors, as these were masked by a wide range of individual-specific responses, which varied from positive to negative, with inter-individual variability in responses changing according to different predictors and periods of the day. Our results suggest a non-uniform strategy of wolves in adapting their behavior to human-dominated environments, further underscoring the role of vegetation patches acting as functional refuge cover for buffering the effects of anthropogenic disturbance and boosting the persistence of the species in human-dominated landscapes. This study, for the first time, reveals the individual variability in wolf responses to human disturbance. By fitting hidden Markov models to data from GPS-GSM collars deployed on 26 wolves, we found significant variation between individuals in their responses to different levels of anthropogenic pressure and across different times of day, highlighting a non-uniform strategy for coping with perturbations in human-dominated landscapes. Our findings underscore the diverse behavioral adjustments employed by wolves to persist in these environments and highlight the critical importance of vegetation patches serving as refuge cover.

A new species of the Trichia botrytis complex from the cloud forest in Ecuador

The paper describes a new myxomycete species, Trichia tuberculata, from the Ecuadorian cloud forest. The phylogeny constructed with nuclear 18S rDNA and mitochondrial 17S rDNA sequences indicates that the taxon is closely related to the recently described species T. acetocorticola, T. nubila, and T. pinicola, all within the T. botrytis complex. The morphology of the inner peridium surface and capillitium also aligns T. tuberculata with these species. However, the distinctive tuberculate peridium, short elater tips, and perhaps the distribution range (so far found in the equatorial zone only) distinguish T. tuberculata from related taxa.

NEW DISCOVERIES IN TAXONOMY OF Dalbergia GENUS IN GUATEMALA REVEALED BY MOLECULAR APPROACHES

<p><strong>Background. </strong>The <em>Dalbergia</em> genus (Fabaceae) in Guatemala harbors valuable rosewood species; however, these timber species face significant threats from illegal logging and deforestation. Due to the morphological similarity between closely related <em>Dalbergia</em> species, accurate morphological identification is challenging, leading to uncertainty about the occurrence of new species in the country. The lack of information about the actual number of <em>Dalbergia</em> tree species complicates the development of management and conservation strategies for this endangered timber species. <strong>Objective. </strong>To elucidate the taxonomy of the tree species of the <em>Dalbergia</em> genus in Guatemala using species molecular delimitation methods. <strong>Methodology</strong>. Sixty-one <em>Dalbergia</em> specimens, collected in its natural range in Guatemala, were analyzed using nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (matK and trnH-psbA) markers. Species delimitation was performed using three methods based on genetic distance, two based on single-locus phylogenetic trees, and two multi-loci. <strong>Results</strong>. Different Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTU) were estimated, ranging from 2 to 9 depending on the method and locus used. The molecular approaches consistently delimited the 6 species already reported for Guatemala. Furthermore, 3 MOTUs were identified that did not align with these known species, implying the presence of 3 new species for the country. <strong>Implications. </strong>Efficient molecular methods identify <em>Dalbergia</em> species from leaf samples, but standardizing wood sample identification is recommended for uncertain wood confiscation origins. This study proposes a new taxonomy of the genus Dalbergia in Guatemala and offers a fast and reliable identification method. <strong>Conclusions. </strong>With the molecular methods used in the study, three new <em>Dalbergia</em> species in Guatemala are proposed, corroborating previous suggestions based on morphological characterization. This discovery expands the existing inventory of <em>Dalbergia</em> tree species in Guatemala, comprising six previously documented species and three novel species that require detailed botanical descriptions for final naming.</p>

Ni0.25Cu0.5Sn0.25 Nanometallic Glasses As Highly Efficient Catalyst for Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia

AbstractElectrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia (NRA) is a promising approach for alleviating energy crisis and water pollution. Current NRA catalysts are challenged to simultaneously improve the rate of the adsorption and desorption processes to further increase the total activity due to the Brønsted−Evans−Polanyi (BEP) relationships. Herein, a two‐step Joule heating method is utilized for the preparation of Ni0.25Cu0.5Sn0.25 nanometallic glass containing synergistic catalytic sites to simultaneously enhance the adsorption and desorption processes. Kelvin probe force microscopy reveals a pronounced oscillatory behavior in the surface potential of Ni0.25Cu0.5Sn0.25 nanometallic glass, which is an important feature of the synergistic catalytic site, and an empirical formula is proposed to quantitatively characterize its oscillatory characteristic. In situ electrochemical Raman spectroscopy indicates the promotion of nickel and tin atoms for nitrate adsorption and ammonia desorption processes, respectively. DFT calculations demonstrated that Ni0.25Cu0.5Sn0.25 presents a wide range of adsorption energy distributions to favor the multisite synergistic catalysis. The present work provides new ideas for the design and understanding of highly active NRA catalysts.