Cotula Coronopifolia Research Articles

Invasive Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia (Asteraceae) Is Halotolerant and Has High Potential for Dispersal by Endozoochory.

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands in Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes native plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding its expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory in different regions and habitats, we collected seeds from six populations in Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Germination was tested under different salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) and simulated gut passage treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at 15 g/L. Higher salinity reduced and delayed germination, but full gut passage treatment (i.e., both scarification and acidification) increased germinability and accelerated germination. Scarification or acid treatment alone resulted in intermediate germination patterns. There were significant salinity × population and gut passage × population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of gut passage on germination was stronger at 5-10 g/L than at 0 g/L. This study highlights how migratory birds can facilitate the spread of alien plants introduced by humans. Endozoochory by waterbirds is an understudied mechanism for the long-distance dispersal of dry-fruited alien plants. Further research on C. coronopifolia, including population genetics, is necessary to understand dispersal mechanisms and facilitate management strategies.

Новые виды во флоре городских поселений залива Советская Гавань (Хабаровский край)

The authors present the data on eight new species of flora found in urban communities located on the shores of the Sovetskaya Gavan Bay in the Tatar Strait. These include both adventive species and aboriginal plants found beyond their known ranges. Among them, the Cotula coronopifolia L. species is noted for the first time for the flora of Khabarovsk Krai and the Madia glomerata Hook, for the flora of Russia.

INTRODUCTION TO THE COMPOSITAE – 3

INTRODUCTION TO THE COMPOSITAE – 3

A predatory waterbird as a vector of plant seeds and aquatic invertebrates

AbstractOmnivorous waterbirds play an important role in aquatic ecosystems as dispersal vectors via direct ingestion, transportation, and egestion of plant and invertebrate propagules (i.e. endozoochory). Predatory birds also have the potential to disperse plants and invertebrates that were first carried internally or externally by their prey animals. However, the potential contribution of predatory waterbird species to propagule dispersal in aquatic ecosystems remains understudied.We chose the grey heronArdea cinerea(Ardeidae) to study the potential of predatory waterbirds to disperse propagules within and among aquatic ecosystems. We hypothesised that: (1) herons disperse a wide variety of plant and invertebrate propagules, from different habitats, with different morphologies (i.e. dispersal syndromes), and including both native and alien species; (2) propagules are ingested with prey species that are primary dispersal vectors (i.e., herons are secondary dispersers); (3) heron pellets show a similar abundance and richness of propagules across their widespread range. We collected 73 regurgitated heron pellets containing undigestible remains from 12 locations across the U.K. and The Netherlands, and examined the taxonomic diversity of plant seeds, invertebrates and prey remains.Pellets were dominated by mammal hairs (99% by volume), and bones confirmed the ingestion of small mammals (prevalence of 38%, e.g. water volesArvicola amphibius), fish (14%), and birds or amphibians (6%). A total of 266 intact plant seeds were recovered from 71% of the pellets, representing 50 taxa from 17 plant families, including the alienCotula coronopifolia. The cumulative number of plant species dispersed was lower at higher latitudes. Eight plant species recorded had not previously been recorded as dispersed via waterbirds, and only three species have anendozoochorous dispersal syndrome. Plant taxa were dominated by Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, and Poaceae, with 24 species from the littoral zone (Ellenberg moisture values of 7–12) and 21 terrestrial species (Ellenberg moisture values of 4–6). Intact invertebrate propagules were found in 30% of the pellets, dominated by Cladocera (Daphniidae) and Bryozoa (including the alienPlumatella casmiana).Our results demonstrate that grey herons disperse plant seeds and aquatic invertebrates widely in north‐western Europe. Herons regurgitate pellets that contain plant and invertebrate propagules from both aquatic or terrestrial habitats, for which secondary dispersal via ingestion along with prey is the likely underlying mechanism (i.e. propagules either attached to or in the digestive systems of the various prey). Our findings showcase the potential of predatory waterbirds as vectors of plants and invertebrates, and how they may facilitate connectivity between freshwater and terrestrial habitats.

Coastal Evolution in a Wetland Affected by Large Tsunamigenic Earthquakes in South-Central Chile: Criteria for Integrated Coastal Management

The coastal evolution of the microtidal Tubul-Raqui wetland in south-central Chile (36° S), which historically has been affected by large earthquakes and tsunamis, particularly the 1960 (Mw = 9.5) and 2010 (Mw = 8.8) subduction earthquakes and their associated tsunamis, is analyzed. Historical aerial photographs and topographic and bathymetric surveys from the 1961–2017 period, as well as salinity, sediment, and flora data obtained following the 2010 earthquake were used for comparison with data from prior to the event. A steady state of the shoreline was established, with an average erosion rate of −0.016 m/year in the 1961–2017 period. However, erosion predominated in the period between these two large earthquakes (1961–2009), with an average rate of −0.386 m/year. The wetland dried up, partially recovered saline intrusion a year later, and recovered the salinity conditions it had before the earthquake two years later. The postearthquake effects on the floristic composition were not significant, with the species Spartina densiflora, which presented a high tolerance to these types of changes, predominating. Moreover, 75 percent of the taxa in pre- and postearthquake conditions coincided, with the halophyte species Spartina densiflora, Sarcocornia fructicosa, and Cotula coronopifolia predominating, while the best-conserved community was Spartina-Sarcocornia association located in the saltmarsh. Seven years after the earthquake, the shoreline presented an accretion rate of 2.935 m/year; if the current tectonic conditions prevail, an erosive trend can be expected in the coming decades. The morphological variability and the changes associated with the shoreline in this wetland are strongly controlled by tectonic factors. Criteria aimed at integrated coastal management to promote its occupancy and use in accordance with its evolutionary dynamics are proposed.

Flora y vegetación de las dunas de la Playa Grande de Cartagena, una playa urbana en Chile central

The flora of the Playa Grande of Cartagena in the Valparaiso Region, commune of El Tabo (33°30´S, 71°36´W), is made up of 98 species of vascular plants, 61 % of which are exotics, most feral. The vegetation is made up of five units: a Carpobrotus chilensis and Chrysanthemum coronarium grassland dominated by ruderal species, mostly feral alien species, which marks the boundary between the populated area and the dune field with the sandy beach; a Ambrosia chamissonis and Poa cumingii scrub that is typical of the primary and secondary dunes and occupies the largest vegetated area in the study area; a Nolana crassulifolia scrub, a coastal rocky rocks; and two units typical of coastal wetlands: a marsh grassland with Schoenoplectus pungens and Cotula coronopifolia, and a Typha dominguensis grassland in a water body.

Sustainable Valorization of Halophytes from the Mediterranean Area: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Their Fatty Acid Profile and Implications for Human and Animal Nutrition

Halophytic plants can provide an economical and environmentally sustainable source of products for human and animal feeding, in the context of the increase of worldwide emergent semi-arid landscapes. This work reports a comprehensive evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of fatty acids (FA) of nineteen Mediterranean halophytes collected in southern Portugal, with the purpose of establishing their possible uses as food and feed. For FA determination, lipids and free FA were converted to the corresponding fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and analyzed by GC-MS. Beta maritima had the highest FAME levels (7.3 mg/g DW) while Suaeda vera had the lowest content (1.0 mg/g DW). The most common saturated fatty acid (SFA) across all studied species was palmitic acid. The most prevalent monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) was oleic acid. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels were led by linoleic acid. Less common FAMEs were also detected, namely eicosadienoic and hexadecatrienoic acids. Cotula coronopifolia, Phragmites australis and Suaeda vera displayed the best FA nutritional profiles. These species also showed bioactivities relevant for both human and animal health according to the literature and thus, collectively with this study, they could be further explored as food and feed.

Conservación ex situ de vegetación acuática de humedales de la sabana de Bogotá

El Repositorio Institucional de Documentación Científica del Instituto Alexander von Humboldt tiene como propósito recopilar, almacenar, preservar y difundir la producción científica que genera el Instituto como resultado de sus investigaciones y en esa perspectiva busca retornar al país el conocimiento institucional sobre la biodiversidad colombiana.

Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Cotula anthemoides

yellowish essential oil, having an intense and penetrating odor. Forty-one components were identified, representing 99.8% of the essential oil mainly characterized by camphor (27.4%), santolina triene (13.0%), thujone (12.9%), camphene (10.7%), and -curcumene (5.3%) (Table 1). Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. GC-MS was performed using a Shimadzu QP5050 mass selective detector and a cross-linked DB5-MS column (40 m 0.18 mm, film thickness 0.18 m). The oven temperature was programmed as isothermal at 60C for 5 min, then raised to 275C at 5C/min and held at this temperature for 5 min. Helium was used as the carrier gas at a rate of 1 ml/min. The oil (0.1 L) was introduced directly into the source of the MS via a transfer line (280C) with a split ratio of 1:50 and a linear velocity of 30.0 cm/sec. Ionization was obtained by electron impact (70 eV, source temperature 200C, resolution 1000). The present composition is quite different from the reported essential oil of Cotula coronopifolia L. leaves, which are mainly characterized by agarospirol (10.4%), and by hexacosane (31.7%) in flowers, and by 1-eicosanol (17.1%) in stems. The major constituents identified in the root oils were heptacosane (28.4%), 1-eicosanol (14.6%), octacosane (5.4%), and -amorphen (5.2%) [5].

A taxonomic revision of the Cotula coronopifolia group (Asteraceae) and implications for the conservation statuses of the species

A taxonomic revision of the Cotula coronopifolia group is presented. We recognise seven species, largely restricted to wetland habitats within the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. The group is distinguished by prominent sheathing leaf bases and disciform heads. At the onset of this study, nine species had previously been recognised (two of which, Cotula bracteolata and C. pedunculata, are here reduced into synonymy), of which seven were regarded as species of conservation concern in previous IUCN Red List assessments. A key to the seven species is provided, together with an updated taxonomy which includes detailed morphological descriptions, typifications, diagnostic illustrations, and maps of known geographical distributions. As a result of the revised species concepts, improved identifications and detailed distribution data, the IUCN Red List categorisations were downgraded for three species (C. eckloniana, C. filifolia, C. vulgaris) and upgraded for one species (C. pusilla). This study highlights the importance of comprehensive taxonomic data to guide Red List assessments and other conservation efforts.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Cotula coronopifolia

This study examines the antibacterial and antifungal activities of extracts, and one active principle: 6-methoxy-1-benzofuran-4-ol, isolated from the aquatic plant Cotula coronopifolia, against six pathogenic bacterial strains and seven pathogenic fungi. Results showed positive antibacterial and antifungal values, and underline the potential of the plant C. coronopifolia either as natural preservative or in pharmaceutical applications. Key words: Antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, Cotula coronopifolia.

Hunting influences the diel patterns in habitat selection by northern pintails Anas acuta

Northern pintail Anas acuta (hereafter pintail) populations wintering within Suisun Marsh, a large estuarine managed wetland near San Francisco Bay, California, USA, have declined markedly over the last four decades. The reasons for this decline are unclear. Information on how hunting and other factors influence the selection of vegetation types and sanctuaries would be beneficial to manage pintail populations in Suisun Marsh. During 1991‐1993, we radio‐marked and relocated female pintails (individuals: N = 203, relocations: N = 7,688) within Suisun Marsh to investigate habitat selection during the non‐breeding months (winter). We calculated selection ratios for different vegetation types and for sanctuaries, and examined differences in those ratios between hunting season (i.e. hunting and non‐hunting), age (hatch‐year and after‐hatch‐year), and time of day (daylight or night hours). We found that diel patterns in selection were influenced by hunting disturbance. For example, prior to the hunting season and during daylight hours, pintails selected areas dominated by brass buttons Cotula coronopifolia, a potentially important food source, usually outside of sanctuary boundaries. However, during the hunting season, pintails did not select brass buttons during daylight hours, but instead highly selected permanent pools, mostly within sanctuaries. Also, during the hunting season, pintails showed strong selection for brass buttons at night. Sanctuaries provided more area of permanent water pools than within hunting areas and appeared to function as important refugia during daylight hours of the hunting season. Wildlife managers should encourage large protected permanent pools adjacent to hunted wetlands to increase pintail numbers within wetland environments and responsibly benefit hunting opportunities while improving pintail conservation.

Two new alkaloids and a new polyphenolic compound from Cotula coronopifolia

Two new alkaloid derivatives of the 3-benzazocine skeleton (cotuzine A and B) and a new polyphenolic substance (3-(1,3-dihydroxyprop-2-yl)-4-hydroxyanisol) (corimen) have been isolated from the aerial part (stems, leaves) of the plant Cotula coronopifolia (L.). These three new structures were established by spectroscopic procedures (1H, 13C, one- and two-dimensional NMR). The stereochemistry of the new alkaloids was established based on different NOE effects revealed on the NOESY spectrum. Mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy were used to confirm these structures.

Physiological and anatomical adaptations induced by flooding inCotula coronopifolia

Cotula coronopifolia is a wild annual Asteraceae that grows in periodically-flooded prone environments and seems highly tolerant to periodic flooding. Seedlings of about 15 cm were collected directly from the edge of Soliman sabkha (N-E Tunisia, semi-arid stage) and grown under greenhouse conditions. Two treatments were considered: drainage and flooding. After 56 days of treatment, flooded plants showed a pronounced growth increase. This performance was essentially associated with significant increment in biomass production of both shoots and roots (about 220% of the control). The appropriate response to flooding was also characterized by the ability of the species to maintain its water status under such conditions. Neither water content nor water potential showed a significant variation as compared to those of non-flooded plants. However, transpiration rate decreased slightly but significantly in flooded plants (from 0.86 to 0.64 mmol H2O m-2 s-1). Na+ and K+ concentrations were practically maintained under waterlogging conditions, except a significant increase of Na+ content in roots of flooded plants (157% of the control). These responses were concomitant with maintenance of photosynthetic rate. However, the contents of chlorophylls a and b increased to 167% and 295%, respectively. It seems that the enhancement in these photosynthetic pigments together with a significant improvement in water use efficiency (from 4.66 to 6.07 mmol CO2 mol-1 H2O) allowed to the species to compensate the decrease in photosynthetic rate. At the anatomical level, this species responded to flooding by a significant development of its root aerenchyma (+63%) and an increase in the lignification of its stem xylem tissues (+37%). Based on the presented data, the plant fitness under flooding conditions was a result of dynamic readjustment of several morphological, physiological, and anatomical adaptive traits. Flood requirement together with salt tolerance are responsible for the predominance of C. coronopifolia in a large area in its natural biotope where most plants cannot tolerate interactive effects of flooding and salinity.

Diversidad, hábito y hábitat de Macrófitos acuáticos en la Patagonia occidental (Región de Aisén, Chile)

We studied the abundance, phytogeographycal origin, biological spectrum and the habitats of the aquatic macrophyte flora in the limnic (lotic and lentic) wetlands and in salt marshes of the Aisen Region, Chile. We found 86 species of vascular macrophytes including in 54 genera and 33 families. Only 8 species are abundant (Myriophyllum quitense, Potamogeton stenostachys, Glyceria multiflora , Hippuris vulgaris, Marsippospermum grandiflorum , Tetroncion magellanicum, Scirpus californicus and Gunnera magellanica), most of them occurring in swampy habitats from the river banks. Of the total species number, 73 are native and 13 introduced, indicating little human disturbance in those wetlands. The biological spectrum consists of 54 perennial herbs (hemicryptophytes) and 23 tall herbs with underwater rhizomes and aerial culms (cryptophytes). The tall perennial herbs (chamaephytes) are represented by 6 species and the annuals (therophytes) by 3. Sixty seven swampy emergent forms (helophytic) and 19 species of aquatic plants (submerged, with floating leaves and free floating hydrophytes) were collected. The wetlands with higher species richness were the lowland ponds with 44 species and streams with 37 species. Small stands of coastal marshes were the only brackish habitat studied here, containing 5 halophytes (Cotula coronopifolia, Puccinellia glaucescens, Triglochin concinna, Ruppia filifolia y Zannichellia palustris). We analyzed the historical development of the knowledge of the aquatic macrophytes in the Aisen Region, concluding that the most of the species had been prospected before. Only Veronica Anagallis-aquatica and Lycopus europaeus, can be considered as newly introduced neophytes, being the first an invasive species. Finally, we discuss the results compared with those found in aquatic environments in other water bodies from northern parts of central Chile.

The response of freshwater plants to salinity pulses

To test whether a pulse of saline water affects the growth and survival of aquatic plants, the response of four common freshwater macrophytes; Triglochin procerum, Myriophyllum simulans, Cotula coronopifolia and Baumea arthrophylla was examined. Plants established in freshwater were exposed to a pulse of diluted sea water of <1000, 4000, or 8000 mg L −1 for either three or six weeks followed by four weeks in water of <1000 mg L −1. All four species survived exposure to salinity pulses. At the end of the recovery period all species had a positive relative growth rate of between 0.01 and 0.06 g g −1 day −1. It can be concluded that all four species can tolerate short periods of exposure to saline conditions and this gives some flexibility to managers when deciding the best way to utilise and dispose of saline groundwater.

Geographic variation among Iberian communities of the exotic halophyte Cotula coronopifolia

The exotic annual forb Cotula coronopifolia has locally invaded salt marsh communities naturally dominated by Spergularia marina along large parts of the Iberian coastline. While the floristic composition of C. coronopifolia dominated communities on the Atlantic coast of northern Portugal has already been described, this information was missing for the southern part of the country. We carried out a phytosociological study at 21 sites along the south-western and southern coast of mainland Portugal to determine the ecology and syntaxonomical status of these communities, and to compare them to the Atlantic ones. Plant communities co-dominated by C. coronopifolia and S. marina were generally found in the sub-halophilous inner part of salt marshes. They occupied gaps within taller perennial vegetation (Juncus maritimus formations), such as small pools temporarily inundated with brackish waters. Southern communities differed from the northern ones by the high abundance of Triglochin barrelieri and the absence of salt-intolerant species that are present in the Atlantic communities. This difference may result from the drier summer climate in southern regions, leading to intense water evaporation and thus, more saline conditions. We propose to classify the Mediterranean communities in a new association, the Cotulo coronopifoliae–Triglochinetum barrelieri. High abundance of Limonium diffusum further allowed the distinction of a new subassociation limonietosum diffusi for the southernmost part of Portugal. Results show that invasive exotic plants can form new phytosociological associations with a characteristic species composition, but that these community types, despite being dominated by the same invader, still show ecological and geographical differentiation.

Contribution to the knowledge of the wetland flora and vegetation of Amvrakikos Gulf, W Greece

Sarika, M., Dimopoulos, P. & Yannitsaros, A.: Contribution to the knowledge of the wetland flora and vegetation of Amvrakikos Gulf, W Greece. — Willdenowia 35: 69–85. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2005 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.35.35105 (available via http://dx.doi.org/)The wetland complex of Amvrakikos Gulf is the largest and most diverse in Greece and one of the 11 Internationally Important Wetlands catalogued in the country, but its flora and vegetation has been only insuffiently known to date. The present study revealed that the wetland flora of Amvrakikos comprises 182 vascular plant taxa, of which 158 are reported for the first time. Five taxa (Callitriche truncata subsp. truncata, Cyperus michelianus subsp. pygmaeus, Elymus hispidus subsp. graecus, Salvinia natans, Typha laxmanii) are new records also for Epirus and one (Glinus lotoides) is a new record for both western Sterea Ellas and Epirus. The distribution of nine taxa (Callitriche truncata subsp. truncata, Cotula coronopifolia, Cyperus michelianus subsp. pygmaeus, Eleocharis mitracarpa, Elymus hispidus subsp. graecus, Glinus lotoides, Rumex kerneri, Salvinia natans, Typha laxmanii) of special chorological interest is considered more closely. The vegetation complex of Amvrakikos wetland consists of thirty-six plant communities of six habitat groups: communities of saline soils, communities of subsaline soils, freshwater communities (marshes, reed swamps), communities of soils periodically inundated by freshwater, communities without preference for a particular habitat type and riparian forests.

Notes on Endochytrium Du Plessis

In October 1933, Du Plessis described a new species of Synchytrium, S. Cotulae, on Cotula coronopifolia from South Africa in which the zo6sporangia are delimited within the walls of the resting spore while the latter is still embedded in the host tissues. Because of this characteristic, he proposed a new subgenus, Endochytrium, to include this fungus. In January of the same year, however, Sparrow used this generic name for a group of operculate chytrids which inhabit filaments of Cladophora and other algae. Both authors accordingly proposed Enldochytriumn within the same year, but Sparrow's paper appeared eight months earlier than Du Plessis' contribution. Under present rules of nomenclature, Sparrow's genus has priority, while Du Plessis' subgenus becomes untenable and should be discarded. To avoid possible confusion in the future, I propose another name, Endosynchytrium, for Du Plessis' subgenus. Endochytrium Sparrow includes at present two well-defined operculate species, E. operculatumn (de Wildeman) Karling (1937) and E. digitatum Karling (1938). Entophlyctis sp., Karling (pro parte, 1931) and E. maxima Dangeard (1932) are possibly identical to E. operculatumt also. Endochytrium oophilum Sparrow is a doubtful species. Sparrow found a few ovate operculate sporangia in rotifer eggs which he believed related to a species of Endochytrium. However, no rhizoids or evidence of a rhizomycelium were observed in connection with the sporangia. It is not improbable that Sparrow's fungus may relate to E. operculatum, since the author (Karling 1937) has often found this species inhibiting animal material such as cysts of Diplophysalis stagnalis, D. nitellarum, Vampyrella sp., and liver fluke ova where the rhizoids may frequently be obscured by the dense cell content. Endochytriumu oophilum, none the less, still stands as a questionable species.