Cupressaceae Pollen Research Articles

Increased rupture of cypress pollen type due to atmospheric water in central and southeastern Spain

This study aims to investigate the meteorological variables determining Cupressaceae pollen grain disruption in the environment. A parallel sampling of pollen grains and disrupted Cupressaceae pollen grains was performed in six cities using two Spanish aerobiological networks. The pollen concentrations, disrupted pollen concentrations, percentage of disrupted pollen and number of days when the percentage of disrupted pollen was above or equal to 50 % were quantified during two pollen seasons. The concentrations were determined following the standardised method EN 16868. Results show that the concentrations of pollen grains and disrupted pollen grains were not determined by geographical features and rarely by bioclimatic variables or indexes but by the ornamental use of the specimens in the vicinity of the pollen sampler, highlighting the possibility of using management practices to reduce exposure to allergens in the cities. African dust outbreaks coincided with higher concentrations of pollen grains and disrupted pollen grains, but the reduced percentage of disrupted pollen grains pointed to a non-causal relationship with long-distance transport. The effect of wind and maximum gusts remained negligible. The triggering factor for pollen disruption was the amount of water in the atmosphere, mainly reported as relative humidity. Rainfall increased the effect of disruption due to pollen grain swelling caused by its wash-out effect. The higher the relative humidity, the higher the disrupted pollen concentrations. This aligns with the mechanism of Cupressaceae reproduction since the family needs a water medium in the form of pollination droplets for the pollination tube to develop and the pollen grain to perform its biological function. Therefore, people that develop allergic symptoms to Cupresaceae pollen should avoid exposure during days with high relative humidity in the main pollen season.

Pollen and viruses contribute to spatio-temporal variation in asthma-related emergency department visits

BackgroundAsthma exacerbations are an important cause of emergency department visits but much remains unknown about the role of environmental triggers including viruses and allergenic pollen. A better understanding of spatio-temporal variation in exposure and risk posed by viruses and pollen types could help prioritize public health interventions. ObjectiveHere we quantify the effects of regionally important Cupressaceae pollen, tree pollen, other pollen types, rhinovirus, seasonal coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza on asthma-related emergency department visits for people living near eight pollen monitoring stations in Texas. MethodsWe used age stratified Poisson regression analyses to quantify the effects of allergenic pollen and viruses on asthma-related emergency department visits. ResultsYoung children (<5 years of age) had high asthma-related emergency department rates (24.1 visits/1,000,000 person-days), which were mainly attributed to viruses (51.2%). School-aged children also had high rates (20.7 visits/1,000,000 person-days), which were attributed to viruses (57.0%), Cupressaceae pollen (0.7%), and tree pollen (2.8%). Adults had lower rates (8.1 visits/1,000,000 person-days) which were attributed to viruses (25.4%), Cupressaceae pollen (0.8%), and tree pollen (2.3%). This risk was spread unevenly across space and time; for example, during peak Cuppressaceae season, this pollen accounted for 8.2% of adult emergency department visits near Austin where these plants are abundant, but 0.4% in cities like Houston where they are not; results for other age groups were similar. ConclusionsAlthough viruses are a major contributor to asthma-related emergency department visits, airborne pollen can explain a meaningful portion of visits during peak pollen season and this risk varies over both time and space because of differences in plant composition.

Investigation and analysis of airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City

Objective: To investigate the species, concentration and seasonal trends of main airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City. Methods: The Department of allergy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University conducted a cross-sectional study about monitoring the airborne allergenic pollen from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 by the gravitational method in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City, which include Yuquan District, Xincheng District, Huimin District, Saihan District, Tuoketuo County, Helingeer County, Tumotezuoqi County, Wuchuan County and Qingshuihe County. Daily pollens were counted and identified by optical microscopy, and the data were analyzed. Results: The airborne allergenic pollen was collected every month all year round in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot city. Through the whole year of the total quantity of pollens ranged from 24 850 to 50 154 grains per 1 000 mm2 and two peaks of pollen concentration in air were observed,which happened in spring (from March to May) and in summer and autumn (from July to September). In spring, the main pollens were tree pollens, which principally distributed in Populus pollen (18.29%), Ulmus pollen (8.36%), Pinus pollen (6.20%), Cupressaceae pollen (5.23%), Betulaceae pollen (2.73%), Salix pollen (1.80%) and Quercus pollen (1.16%). In summer and autumn, the main pollens were weed pollens, which mainly included Artemisia pollen (42.73%), Chenopodiaceae pollen or Amaranthaceae pollen (7.46%), Poaceae pollen (2.26%), Humulus pollen or Cannabis pollen (0.60%). Conclusion: There were two peaks of main airborne allergenic pollen in 4 districts and 5 counties of Hohhot City. In the spring peak of pollen, the main airborne pollens were tree pollens. In the summer and autumn peak of pollen, the main airborne pollens were weed pollens. The Artemisia pollen was the most major airborne pollen in this area.

The effects of climate, natural disturbances, and human occupation on the rainforest boundary at the eastern foothills of Northern Patagonian Andes since the Late Glacial period

Available studies on the vegetation development in Patagonia cluster along the forest-steppe ecotone, whilst little information is available from within the mountains. This study investigates shifts in the eastern boundary of rainforest taxa during the Late Glacial and Holocene periods. Continuous sections of highly organic sediments with several interbedded tephra layers were obtained at El Laguito del Morro Lake (41° 32′ 24.4″ S, 71° 47’ 50.0” W), which were analyzed for pollen and macro charcoal. Additional macrofossil analysis was conducted to support the interpretations of pollen data and gain reliable material for radiocarbon dating. Fluctuations in regional precipitation were inferred from changes in the adjacent peatbog. The pollen record documents five distinct periods of forest diversity and structure. Late Glacial and early Holocene vegetation were characterized by a combination of Podocarpus and Cupressaceae pollen which has no modern analogue. Taxa in question became rare, and or gradually disappeared around 10,300 cal yr BP when Nothofagus dombeyi type pollen increases but fluctuates. With the overall decline of charcoal concentrations around 7500 cal. BP Nothofagus dombeyi-type pollen stabilizes and dominates the diagram. After the rise in charcoal concentrations around 4000 cal yr BP also the overall vegetation composition changes around 3600 cal yr BP, with the rise of Cupressaceae pollen attributed to Austrocedrus chilensis marking the establishment of the modern vegetation structure. The last stronger change in vegetation composition is characterized by the expansion of the shrub Discaria sp. 770 cal yr BP. Charcoal and pollen data show a clear link between changes in fire regime and vegetation composition, however, changes in climate were most likely the main driver for both. During the Late Glacial period, a rainforest developed under cool temperatures and high moisture. Severity of fires decreased during a cold reversal period from ca. 12,800 to 11,300 cal yr BP. During Early Holocene, increased seasonality, volcanism-derived disturbances, and low-frequency surficial fires, enhanced Nothofagus dombeyi forest establishment. The expansion of the mixed Nothofagus dombeyi - Austrocedrus chilensis forest occurred under increased precipitation variability and the increase of low severity fires related to the establishment of El Niño Southern Oscillation and the Southern Annular Mode during the Late Holocene. Scrub expansion occurred during historical times because of induced fires.

Investigation of spatial and temporal variations of airborne Poaceae, Myrtaceae and Cupressaceae pollen and Alternaria spores in Sydney, Australia, 2017–2020

There is a need for information on pollen exposure to assess allergy risk. Monitoring of aeroallergens in a city is usually limited to the use of a single trap for the whole area. While a single trap provides enough information on background pollen concentration for the area, varying pollen exposure across different urban environments, however, is not considered. In this study, we analysed aerobiological data of three pollen seasons (2017–2020) recorded with a volumetric pollen trap in Sydney, Australia. In order to assess spatial differences in pollen exposure across the city, we installed ten gravimetric traps recording pollen deposition for eight weeks during the summer of 2019/2020. We considered the influence of meteorological variables, land use, urbanisation and distance to the sea. Our results showed differences in pollen season characteristics across the three analysed seasons and correlations with meteorological parameters. Considering all years, we found for Poaceae and Alternaria the strongest positive correlation with mean temperature and for Myrtaceae and Cupressaceae with maximum temperature. Likewise, there were negative correlations with humidity (Myrtaceae, Cupressaceae, Alternaria) and precipitation (Myrtaceae, Cupressaceae). Days with medically relevant pollen and spore concentrations varied between years and we recorded the highest amount in 2017/2018 for Poaceae and Alternaria and in 2019/2020 for Myrtaceae. In addition, we found spatial and temporal variations of pollen deposition. However, we did not detect significant correlations between pollen deposition and land use, which can be attributable to drought conditions prior to the sampling campaign and the temporal setting in the pollen season. This study highlights the importance of continuous volumetric aerobiological monitoring as well as the assessment of pollen exposure at several locations across a large urban area.

Identification of Potential IgE-Binding Epitopes Contributing to the Cross-Reactivity of the Major Cupressaceae Pectate-Lyase Pollen Allergens (Group 1)

Pectate-lyase allergens, the group 1 of allergens from Cupressaceae pollen, consist of glycoproteins exhibiting an extremely well-conserved three-dimensional structure and sequential IgE-binding epitopes. Up to 10 IgE-binding epitopic regions were identified on the molecular surface, which essentially cluster at both extremities of the long, curved β-prism-shaped allergens. Most of these IgE-binding epitopes possess very similar conformations that provide insight into the IgE-binding cross-reactivity and cross-allergenicity commonly observed among Cupressaceae pollen allergens. Some of these epitopic regions coincide with putative N-glycosylation sites that most probably consist of glycotopes or cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants, recognized by the corresponding IgE antibodies from allergic patients. Pectate-lyase allergens of Cupressaceae pollen offer a nice example of structurally conserved allergens that are widely distributed in closely-related plants (Chamæcyparis, Cryptomeria, Cupressus, Hesperocyparis, Juniperus, Thuja) and responsible for frequent cross-allergenicity.

Republication de : Les Cupressacées des cinq continents

Cupressaceae are members of Coniferous and constitute a family from the order Pinales. The family is the most represented Gymnosperms in the world. According to a phylogenetic classification, they encompass 160 species in 7 families and 29 genera distributed in the North and South hemispheres. Pollen grains are small, 20 to 40μm and pollination is abundant. Cupressaceae pollen can represent up to 60% of all pollen spectrum. Severe allergies have been reported around the Mediterranean basin where Cupressus sempervirens and Hesperocyparis arizonica are implanted, in USA because of Juniperus ashei and in Japon essentially because of Cryptomeria japonica. Five groups of allergens have been described. Therefore Cupressaceae are present on the five continents either endemic or imported. Their pollen are very allergenic and they are involved in pollen food syndromes, especially with peach and citrus. Two ways to limit the sensitization would be to control its planting and favour hedge trimming.

Exploring the role of High Arctic Large Igneous Province volcanism on Early Cretaceous Arctic forests

The Hauterivian–Aptian Isachsen Formation at Glacier Fiord, Axel Heiberg Island, in the Sverdrup Basin of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago was deposited contemporaneous with initiation of the High Arctic Large Igneous Province (HALIP). New palynological biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental reconstruction, in coordination with the emerging geochronology of HALIP igneous rocks, permits exploration of the effects of volcanism on Arctic vegetation during the Early Cretaceous. Four informal terrestrial palynofloral zones are defined and used to reconstruct vegetation change over the Isachsen Formation's ca. 17 million year history and explore the role of the HALIP in these changes. Climate warming during the Hauterivian promoted expansion of a hinterland community dominated by members of the Pinaceae. By the middle Barremian, this community was replaced by mixed heathland and mire, represented by up to 70% fern spores in the uppermost Paterson Island Member, that may be, in part, in response to environmental disturbance associated with volcanic flows of the HALIP. Above the fern spore spike, dinoflagellate cyst assemblages suggest an early Aptian age and a marine setting for mudstones of the Rondon Member in which Ocean Anoxic Event 1a is recorded. An interval of floral instability is recorded in the overlying Walker Island Member, characterized by fluctuations in Pinaceae and Cupressaceae pollen and fern spores, possibly as a result of post-OAE 1a temperature variabilty and landscape disturbance associated with lava flows of the HALIP that were repeatedly extruded onto the subsiding delta plain during deposition of the member.

Les Cupressacées des cinq continents

Cupressaceae are members of Coniferous and constitute a family from the order Pinales. The family is the most represented Gymnosperms in the world. According to a phylogenetic classification, they encompass 160 species in 7 families and 29 genera distributed in the North and South hemispheres. Pollen grains are small, 20 to 40μm and pollination is abundant. Cupressaceae pollen can represent up to 60% of all pollen spectrum. Severe allergies have been reported around the Mediterranean basin where Cupressus sempervirens and Hesperocyparis arizonica are implanted, in USA because of Juniperus ashei and in Japon essentially because of Cryptomeria japonica. Five groups of allergens have been described. Therefore Cupressaceae are present on the five continents either endemic or imported. Their pollen are very allergenic and they are involved in pollen food syndromes, especially with peach and citrus. Two ways to limit the sensitization would be to control its planting and favour hedge trimming.

Airborne Cupressaceae Pollen and Its Major Allergen, Cup a 1, in Urban Green Areas of Southern Iberian Peninsula

Cupressaceae pollen is responsible for winter respiratory allergies in the Mediterranean area. Pollen grains of this diverse family share the same characteristics under light microscopy. Consequently, the partial contribution of each Cupressaceae species to the airborne pollen spectrum cannot be determined with conventional aerobiological methods. Studies on major aeroallergens offer better information on the allergic sensitization and appearance of symptoms in patients sensitized to airborne pollen and spores. Our aim was to determine if airborne Cupressaceae pollen concentrations correspond to aerodynamics of the major allergen of Cupressus (Cup a 1), as well as the aeroallergen correlation with different-sized particles. The air was sampled in two cities of Southern Spain (Granada and Córdoba) using the Hirst-type volumetric sampler for airborne pollen detection during 2006 to 2008 and the Andersen Cascade Impactor for aeroallergen detection during the main pollination period of Cupressaceae in the same period. The samples were analyzed by the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA), the minimum requirements of the European Aeroallergen Society (EAS) for pollen, and by ELISA immunoassay to detect airborne Cup a 1. The distribution patterns of airborne Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 were observed throughout the sampling period, although with some irregular oscillations. Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 showed positive and significant correlation during the period of maximum concentrations (January to March). However, the results of this study showed that the period of exposure of aeroallergens depends on the Cupressus species and their abundance in cities. According to the allergy potential obtained, species like C. arizonica could release more allergens than other species like C. sempervirens.

Towards a model of wet deposition of bioaerosols: The raindrop size role

Bioaerosols play a major role in the plant life of ecosystems. In addition, they have a profound impact on human health, since they may cause lung diseases or allergies. The key objective of this study is to assess the below cloud scavenging effect of rainfall on pollen concentration. The analysis is based on a sampling carried out in León, Spain, between 2015 and 2018. The rainfall variables and the pollen concentrations have been obtained with a disdrometer and a volumetric Hirst type spore-trap, respectively. In order to evaluate the scavenging, three parameters have been calculated: scavenging efficiency (through the concentration-weighted average (%ΔC)), the scavenging coefficient (λ) and the percentage of events with a decrease in pollen concentration (%ES) also called events with effective scavenging. 71% of rain events presented an effective scavenging that affected all types of pollen. The %ΔC mean value of total pollen was 24 ± 18% (positive values indicate an effective scavenging) and the types of pollen with the highest values were Castanea and Cupressaceae (71 and 40%, respectively). A linear model (R2 = 0.94) to estimate the pollen concentration after rain was built with variables such as pollen concentration before rain and other variables from a weather station and a disdrometer. Furthermore, we have shown the possibility of knowing in real time the probable Cupressaceae pollen concentration, from the initial pollen concentration and the physical parameters of rain (such as raindrop size, rain intensity or volume swept by raindrops in their falling path).

Cupressaceae Pollen in the City of Évora, South of Portugal: Disruption of the Pollen during Air Transport Facilitates Allergen Exposure

Research Highlights: Daily airborne Cupressaceae pollen disruption ranged from 20 to 90%; relative humidity (RH), rainfall and atmospheric pressure (AtP) were the major meteorological determinants of this phenomenon. Background and Objectives: Cupressaceae family includes several species that are widely used as ornamental plants pollinating in late winter-early spring and might be responsible for allergic outbreaks. Cupressaceae pollen disruption may favour allergen dissemination, potentiating its allergenicity. The aim of this work was to characterize the Cupressaceae pollen aerobiology in Évora, South of Portugal, in 2017 and 2018, particularly the pollen disruption, and to identify the meteorological parameters contributing to this phenomenon. Materials and Methods: Pollen was collected using a Hirst type 7-day pollen trap and was identified following the standard methodology. Temperature, RH, rainfall, global solar radiation (Global Srad), AtP, wind speed and direction were obtained from a weather station installed side-by-side to the Hirst platform. Back trajectories (12-h) of air masses arriving at Évora were calculated using the HYSPLIT model. Results: Cupressaceae pollen index was higher in 2017 compared to 2018 (&gt;5994 and 3175 pollen/m3, respectively) and 36 ± 19% (2017) and 64 ± 17% (2018) of the pollen was disrupted. Higher levels of disrupted pollen coincided with RH &gt; 60% and rainfall. Temperature, Global Srad and AtP correlated negatively with pollen disruption. Wind speed and wind direction did not significantly correlate with pollen disruption. Intra-diurnal pollen pattern peaked between 9:00 am–2:00 pm, suggesting local origin, confirmed by the back trajectory analysis. Intra-diurnal pollen disruption profile followed hourly pollen pattern and it negatively correlated with AtP, temperature and Global Srad but was uncorrelated with RH. Conclusions: The results suggest that RH, rainfall and AtP are the main factors affecting airborne Cupressaceae pollen integrity and in conjunction with daily pollen concentration may be used to predict the risk of allergy outbreaks to this pollen type.

Late Oligocene leaf and pollen flora of Southwestern Siberia: taxonomy, biogeography and palaeoenvironments

ABSTRACT Late Oligocene leaf assemblages from four sites in Southwestern Siberia (Kurgan, Tyumen, Omsk oblasts) are described. Twenty-three leaf taxa and 3 reproductive structures represent local vegetation of a lake (Salvinia, Typha, Phragmites, Nelumbo, Hemitrapa, Liquidambar, Pterocarya, Alnus, Populus, Salix, Nyssa). Additionally, 57 spore and pollen taxa were recorded from one site (Shish River). Gymnosperms dominate the assemblage with ~30% Pinaceae and ~25% taxodiaceous (papillate) Cupressaceae pollen. Ferns and peat mosses (Sphagnaceae) comprised ~6%. Angiosperms were dominated by Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Juglandaceae and Ulmus and comprised a few exotic elements (Liquidambar, Eucommia, Nyssa, Symplocos); scarce herbaceous plants reflect lakeshore vegetation. The flora of the Turgay type comprised old elements (Nelumbo protospeciosa, Liquidambar europaea, taxodiaceous/papillate Cupressaceae, Quercus sect. Protobalanus) and taxa present in Siberia/Kazakhstan during the Paleogene with later arrivals in Europe (Ulmus pyramidalis, Quercus pseudocastanea, Alnus julianiformis, Byttneriophyllum tiliifolium). A few taxa were endemic in the late Oligocene of western Siberia (Trapa praeconocarpa, Platycrater iljinskajae sp. nov.). Combined macrofossil and palynological evidence places the Shish River site flora into the late Oligocene Zhuravka (Turtas) Formation. Floras of similar composition from western Eurasia are commonly middle Miocene or younger in age highlighting the dynamic spatiotemporal evolution of temperate Eurasian floras during the Cenozoic.

Asthma-Related Emergency Department Visits in Texas: Associations with Allergenic Pollen and Other Seasonal Triggers

Background/Aim: Asthma is one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States and is a substantial contributor to emergency department (ED) visits. Seasonal triggers of asthma attacks include pollen and influenza, but little is known about their epidemiological importance in Texas. Here we describe associations between asthma-related ED visits in Texas and seasonally important asthma triggers including several pollen types and influenza. Methods: We obtained all asthma-related ED visits in Texas from September 2015 to December 2017. Population-based incidence rates (PBIR) were estimated using population estimates from census data as the denominators and influenza data was gathered from the CDC. Analyses were restricted to pediatric populations (age 5-17y) in the six counties where pollen concentration measurements were available from National Allergy Bureau monitoring stations. Generalized linear models were used to model associations between PBIR and daily pollen concentrations of Cupressaceae (primarily Juniperus), Quercus (oak), and Ambrosia (ragweed), and influenza. Results: The rate of asthma-related ED visits were highest in Dallas (0.122 cases per 10,000 people) and San Antonio (0.118 cases per 10,000 people) and lowest in Houston (0.061 cases per 10,000 people). Airborne pollen concentrations also varied regionally; for example, across the study period, average Cupressaceae pollen concentrations in San Antonio were 283 pollen grains/m3, whereas in Dallas they were significantly lower at 29 pollen grains/m3 (p &lt; 0.001). There were significant associations between PBIR and each pollen type including: Cupressaceae (p &lt; 0.05), Quercus (p &lt; 0.05), and Ambrosia (p &lt; 0.001) and flu (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: PBIR varied substantially across Texas as did airborne concentrations of several pollen types. These results suggest that the epidemiological importance of pollen varies across the state.

Characterization of a 7 kDa pollen allergen belonging to the gibberellin‐regulated protein family from three Cupressaceae species

Severe allergy to fruits mediated by a 7kDa allergen belonging to the gibberellin-regulated protein (GRP) family is known to be associated with Cupressaceae pollinosis. To identify and characterize Cupressaceae pollen allergens involved in GRP-related fruit allergy. Pru p 7-related proteins from pollen of Cupressus sempervirens, Juniperus ashei and Cryptomeria japonica were identified using a rabbit anti-Pru p 7 antiserum, purified chromatographically and sequenced by mass spectrometry and bioinformatic comparisons. The Csempervirens protein was produced as a recombinant allergen in Pichia pastoris. IgE antibody binding to pollen GRP proteins was analysed in a peach allergic (n=54) and a cypress pollen allergic (n=88) patient population from southern France using ImmunoCAP. In each of the three Cupressaceae species studied, a 7kDa pollen protein related to Pru p 7 was identified and found to comprise an amino acid sequence of 63 residues in length, 92%-98% identical to each other and 67%-68% identical to Pru p 7. The Csempervirens, Jashei and Cjaponica GRP allergens have been officially recognized by the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee and named Cup s 7, Jun a 7 and Cry j 7, respectively. Recombinant Cup s 7 showed IgE antibody binding capacity comparable to that of the purified natural allergen. Among 51 peach allergic subjects sensitized to Pru p 7, substantially higher levels of IgE to Cup s 7 than to Pru p 7 were found. Further, the pollen protein was able to completely outcompete IgE binding to Pru p 7, while the reverse competition effect was modest, consistent with primary sensitization by the pollen allergen. Pru p 7-related pollen allergens from three Cupressaceae species have been characterized and may become useful for the identification of pollinosis patients at risk of developing severe fruit allergy.

Cupressaceae pollen: new data about diffusion, record and preservation

Cupressaceae is one of the most widespread families in the Mediterranean region, widely used as ornamental trees both in cities and extra urban areas. The family is also known to produce a considerable amount of pollen grains. Nevertheless, Cupressaceae pollen is generally scarce in sediments and it is attested to be one of the most underrepresented pollen in ancient spectra. Cupressaceae pollen diffusion was detected by means of two sampling methods: moss cushions, which are able to accumulate pollen grains for several successive years, and volumetric sampler, which records the airborne pollen day by day. The study was conducted in the city of Florence (Italy), repeating moss samplings at the same sites for three times. The comparison between the two sampling methods revealed the low preservation of this pollen type and suggested that even low quantities of this pollen may indicate the local presence of the source plants. In order to test the contribution of the local pollen sources to the background of the airborne pollen, the pollen content of moss cushions was also related to the number of Cupressaceae plants surroundings each sampling site. The results indicate a noticeable influence of the plants growing in a short-range distance.

Low taxonomic resolution of papillate Cupressaceae pollen (former Taxodiaceae) impairs their applicability for palaeo-habitat reconstruction

The former family Taxodiaceae is currently treated as nine genera in five subfamilies of the family Cupressaceae. Pollen of the ‘taxodiaceous’ Cupressaceae typically has a papilla in the leptoma area and is common in Cenozoic strata because some of its genera were key elements in lignite forming swamp forests. Dispersed fossil pollen of this group are often assigned to particular genera and, based on the modern ecologies of these taxa, to particular palaeoenvironments. In this study, we investigated pollen of all nine genera of the former Taxodiaceae using light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate whether pollen morphology can be used to discriminate modern genera of this paraphyletic group. We found few genus- or subfamily-diagnostic characters among members of taxodiaceous Cupressaceae. Features such as orbiculae and pollen and leptoma size cannot be used to discriminate subfamilies. However, three basal subfamilies share short papillae, whereas in two more derived clades (Sequoioideae and Taxodioideae) papillae are markedly longer. In the generally non-papillate core Cupressaceae, the leptoma (aperture) area may or may not possess a distinct circular thinning as also found in the basal grade of taxodiaceous Cupressaceae. Our results show that it is difficult if not impossible to distinguish genera of the ecologically distinct Taxodioideae and Sequoioideae based on pollen morphology. In view of a much wider ecological amplitude of many taxodiaceous Cupressaceae during large parts of the Cenozoic, we conclude that it is not recommendable to infer particular palaeoenvironments on the basis of dispersed taxodiaceous pollen grains alone.

Montane peat bog records of vegetation, climate, and human impacts in Fujian Province, China, over the last 1330 years

We used pollen and grain-size data from a peat bog in Xiansan, Fujian Province, southeastern China, to reconstruct a high-resolution record of vegetation change, climatic dynamics, and human impact over the last 1330 cal BP. During 1330–1200 cal BP, we infer the existence of a swamp bog with dense cypress forests, based on dominant Cupressaceae pollen, suggesting cold and dry conditions during this early period. Fine-grained sediment and higher percentages of wetland pollen and fern spores suggest intermittent-lake conditions, indicating a wet Medieval Warm Period (MWP; 1200–730 cal BP). The increase in coniferous forest and montane shrub-meadow pollen indicate a cold and dry climate during the early to mid-Little Ice Age (LIA; 730–370 cal BP), but coarse-grained sediments associated with more abundant wetland taxa pollen indicate a shallower intermittent-lake landscape, reflecting relatively humid periods during 620–560 cal BP and 400–450 cal BP. During the last 370 cal BP, a rapid increase in the secondary forest component and a gradual decrease in the pollen-inferred floristic diversity index suggest that the natural vegetation was converted to secondary vegetation, as a result of severe anthropogenic disturbance in the montane region of Fujian Province. The reconstructed regional precipitation trend prior to this period was mainly correlated with East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) intensity, which is related to variation in solar irradiation.

Aerobiology of Cupressaceae in Porto city, Portugal

In the last years, pollen-related respiratory allergies have increased worldwide. In the case of Cupressaceae pollen, allergy symptoms appearing during the winter are often confused with generic respiratory diseases such as the common cold, influenza syndrome, among others. The aim of our study was to monitor the atmospheric of Cupressaceae pollen in the city of Porto, investigate its diurnal variation, as well as find the meteorological factors influencing its atmospheric concentration. Airborne pollen sampling was performed using a 7-day Hirst-type volumetric spore trap for 5 years (2013–2017). Cupressaceae main pollen season, interannual and diurnal variations, as well as correlations with the meteorological parameters were determined. During the study period, 2015 was the year that registered the highest annual pollen concentration, while 2016 presented the lowest. Cupressaceae pollen season occurred during the winter, being February the month with the highest concentration. The diurnal distribution pattern presents a well-defined peak concentration in the morning hours (9 a.m.–12 a.m.), which decays abruptly in the early afternoon. Finally, airborne pollen concentration and meteorological factors presented significant correlations, with temperature being the most influent variable.

Differences in structure, allergenic protein content and pectate lyase enzyme activity of some Cupressaceae pollen

Abstract Objective Cupressaceae pollen has commonly been reported to be an important aeroallergen and causal factor of spring, autumn and winter pollinosis in many countries. The aim of this study was to compare of the structure and allergenic protein content of Cupressus arizonica Greene., Cupressus sempervirens L. and Juniperus oxycedrus L. pollen in detail and contribute to Cupressaceae pollen allergen diagnosis and therapy studies in Turkey. Methods The pollen structure were examined by LM and SEM. Pollen protein content was investigated by Bradford protein assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blot analysis and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2DE PAGE), respectively. Pectate lyase (PL) enzyme activities were compared. Immunoblotting was carried out by using extracts of the three taxa pollen collected from Turkey. Results All three taxa was found very similar in terms of pollen morphology however, intine thickness was prominently different. Cupressus arizonica pollen extracts showed the lowest PL activity. Five sera specific IgE of all allergic subjects showed reaction with only C. arizonica pollen extracts. Conclusions As a conclusion, the pollen structure, protein function or protein structure and isoforms of allergens could affects allergenic properties of the pollen. This study also may help to improve the Cupressaceae pollen allergen diagnosis and therapy.