Large Genus Research Articles

The large mimosoid genus Inga Mill. (tribe Ingeae, Caesalpinioideae) is nodulated by diverse Bradyrhizobium strains in its main centers of diversity in Brazil

Inga (Caesalpinioideae) is the type genus of the Ingeae tribe in the mimosoid clade. It comprises about 300 species, all trees or treelets, and has an exclusively neotropical distribution, with Brazil as its main center of diversity. In this study, we analyzed the diversity of 40 strains of rhizobia isolated from root nodules collected from ten species of Inga belonging to different types of vegetation in Brazil. Sequences of their housekeeping genes (dnaK, recA, rpoB, gyrB and glnII), 16S rRNA genes, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, as well as their symbiosis-essential genes (nodC and nifH) were used to characterize them genetically. The ability of the rhizobia to form nodules on Inga spp., and on the promiscuous legume siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) was also evaluated. A multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) combined with an analysis of the ITS region showed that the isolates were distributed into four main groups (A-D) within the large genus Bradyrhizobium. Analysis of the nodC and nifH genes showed that the isolates formed a separate branch from all described species of Bradyrhizobium, except for B. ingae. Most of the tested isolates formed nodules on siratro and all isolates tested nodulated Inga spp. Our results suggest a unique co-evolutionary history of Bradyrhizobium and Inga and demonstrate the existence of potential new species of microsymbionts nodulating this important and representative genus of leguminous tree from the Caesalpinioideae mimosoid clade.

Trees and Bushes in the Bolshoi Uran River Basin (Orenburg Region)

The article analyzes the tree and shrub flora of the B. Uran river basin. An inventory of the flora was carried out, characteristics were given according to floristic spectra (taxonomic, ecological, phytocenotic, etc.), and a list of plants was compiled. It is established that 42 wild species of trees and shrubs belonging to 15 families grow on the studied territory. The most common family is Rosaceae, the largest genera are Salix and Populus. The availability of moisture was determined by the predominance of mesophytic forest vegetation. The chorological analysis of the flora indicates a significant presence of adventitious wild-growing species. The analysis of the species structure of phytocenoses indicates an anthropogenic succession.

A short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) detection for the Isoflavone reductase gene in Bulbophyllum and other orchids

Bulbophyllum, the largest genus in Orchidaceae, is known for being rich in phenolic compounds. In this study, the polyphenol and antioxidant content of four Bulbophyllum species was compared to that of a Dendrobium sp. control. The transcript levels of eight genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and oxidative stress responses were then determined to identify correlations with flavonoid and antioxidant content. A positive correlation between flavonoid content and transcription level of isoflavone reductase (IFR), belonging to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily, was observed in leaf and pseudobulb tissue of the orchids. IFR showed an extraordinarily high level of gene expression (max. 118-fold) in the pseudobulb tissue of Bulbophyllum species compared with that in the same tissue in several species of Dendrobium. A pair of primers derived from two conserved regions within the sequences of related SDRs (IFR, eugenol synthase, and phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase) from Dendrobium spp., Paphiopedilum sp., Phaseolus sp., Phoenix sp., Striga sp., and Vanda sp. were used to attain a full-length IFR from four Bulbophyllum spp., three Dendrobium spp. and one Vanda sp. The phylogenetic relationships of those SDRs reported in the NCBI database showed distinctive clusters between the closely related SDRs of each genus in the Orchidaceae, and the distantly related clusters of the other plant SDRs. This work describes an easy method for the quick detection and isolation of IFRs in Bulbophyllum and other orchid species.

Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Analysis in Myrcia Sect. Myrcia (Myrcia s.l., Myrtaceae) with Focus on Highly Polyphyletic Myrcia splendens

Premise of research. Myrcia s.l. is the largest exclusively Neotropical genus of Myrtaceae, comprising about 800 species. This large genus is divided into 10 clades, most of these recently publishe...

Plastome Structural Evolution and Homoplastic Inversions in Neo-Astragalus (Fabaceae).

The plastid genomes of photosynthetic green plants have largely maintained conserved gene content and order as well as structure over hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Several plant lineages, however, have departed from this conservation and contain many plastome structural rearrangements, which have been associated with an abundance of repeated sequences both overall and near rearrangement endpoints. We sequenced the plastomes of 25 taxa of Astragalus L. (Fabaceae), a large genus in the inverted repeat-lacking clade of legumes, to gain a greater understanding of the connection between repeats and plastome inversions. We found plastome repeat structure has a strong phylogenetic signal among these closely related taxa mostly in the New World clade of Astragalus called Neo-Astragalus. Taxa without inversions also do not differ substantially in their overall repeat structure from four taxa each with one large-scale inversion. For two taxa with inversion endpoints between the same pairs of genes, differences in their exact endpoints indicate the inversions occurred independently. Our proposed mechanism for inversion formation suggests the short inverted repeats now found near the endpoints of the four inversions may be there as a result of these inversions rather than their cause. The longer inverted repeats now near endpoints may have allowed the inversions first mediated by shorter microhomologous sequences to propagate, something that should be considered in explaining how any plastome rearrangement becomes fixed regardless of the mechanism of initial formation.

Navigating through chemical space and evolutionary time across the Australian continent in plant genus Eremophila.

SUMMARY Eremophila is the largest genus in the plant tribe Myoporeae (Scrophulariaceae) and exhibits incredible morphological diversity across the Australian continent. The Australian Aboriginal Peoples recognize many Eremophila species as important sources of traditional medicine, the most frequently used plant parts being the leaves. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed complex evolutionary relationships between Eremophila and related genera in the tribe. Unique and structurally diverse metabolites, particularly diterpenoids, are also a feature of plants in this group. To assess the full dimension of the chemical space of the tribe Myoporeae, we investigated the metabolite diversity in a chemo‐evolutionary framework applying a combination of molecular phylogenetic and state‐of‐the‐art computational metabolomics tools to build a dataset involving leaf samples from a total of 291 specimens of Eremophila and allied genera. The chemo‐evolutionary relationships are expounded into a systematic context by integration of information about leaf morphology (resin and hairiness), environmental factors (pollination and geographical distribution), and medicinal properties (traditional medicinal uses and antibacterial studies), augmenting our understanding of complex interactions in biological systems.

Anti-trypanosomal activity and DNA fingerprinting of fifteen Euphorbia species using ISSR and SCoT markers

BackgroundEuphorbia is the largest genus in family Euphorbiaceae with a great biological and genetic diversity. The anti-trypanosomal activity of the crude extract of 15 Euphorbia species against Trypanosoma brucei brucei was carried out. Furthermore, DNA fingerprinting of the tested species using ISSR and SCoT markers was also investigated.ResultsThe anti-trypanosomal activity of the 15 Euphorbia species revealed the highest activity of E. officinarum L. and E. milli Des Moul. against Trypanosoma brucei brucei with IC50 values < 10 μg/mL after 48- and 72-h incubation. Moreover, the assessment of the genetic diversity among the 15 tested species showed similar correlation coefficients of 0.76–0.98 which classified Euphorbia species into two main groups, one contained two species and the other contained 13 species.ConclusionsSome Euphorbia species exhibited significant growth inhibitory activity toward Trypanosoma brucei strain TC221. Results also indicated the suitability of both markers for genetic fingerprinting of the tested Euphorbia species. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed comparison of the performance of two targeted DNA molecular markers (SCoT and ISSR) on the tested 15 Euphorbia species. The results guide future efficient use of these molecular markers in the genetic analysis of Euphorbia.

Characterization of lemma and palea in nine different species of Eragrostis (Poaceae)

Eragrostis, the largest genus in tribe Eragrostideae has 36 species in India and with 406 species in the world. The present study investigates the morphological and micromorphological variations of lemma and palea in nine species of the Eragrostis, collected from Panchmahal and Dahod districts of Gujarat. Qualitative and quantitative features of microharis, and epidermal cells in the different regions, apex middle and base of lemma and palae has been observed. Apart from this, undulation patterns also play a key role in species identification. Two major types of undulation pattern ∩ and Ω have been observed in the studied species. The present study concludes that, different types of microhairs, size and shape of epidermal cells and its undulating pattern can be significantly used in delimitation of Eragrostis with the help of all the qualitative and qualitative characteristic features it was possible to prepare a dichotomous key to identify the nine different species of Eragrostis.

Case 3836 – Sycon Risso, 1827 (Porifera, Sycettidae): proposed conservation of the genus name

The purpose of this application, under Articles 23.9.3 and 81.1 of the Code, is to conserve the usage of the name Sycon Risso, 1827 (Porifera) for a genus of sponges by reversal of precedence with respect to its senior subjective synonym Scypha Gray, 1821 (Porifera). This is justified by the refusal of the wider community of sponge researchers to accept the adoption of Scypha as the valid name for this large and ubiquitous genus of calcareous sponges and by the current prevailing usage of the junior synonym. With reversal of precedence, stability of the nomenclature will be maintained, and confusion avoided.

Endemic and Threatened Amazona Parrots of the Atlantic Forest: An Overview of Their Geographic Range and Population Size

Amazona is the largest genus of the Psittacidae, one of the most threatened bird families. Here, we study four species of Amazona (Amazona brasiliensis, A. pretrei, A. vinacea, and A. rhodocorytha) that are dependent on a highly vulnerable biome: the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. To examine their distribution and abundance, we compile abundance estimates and counts, and develop site-occupancy models of their geographic range. These models integrate data from formal research and citizen science platforms to estimate probabilistic maps of the species’ occurrence throughout their range. Estimated range areas varied from 15,000 km2 for A. brasiliensis to more than 400,000 km2 for A. vinacea. While A. vinacea is the only species with a statistical estimate of abundance (~8000 individuals), A. pretrei has the longest time series of roost counts, and A. rhodocorytha has the least information about population size. The highest number of individuals counted in one year was for A. pretrei (~20,000), followed by A. brasiliensis (~9000). Continued modeling of research and citizen science data, matched with collaborative designed surveys that count parrots at their non-breeding roosts, are essential for an appropriate assessment of the species’ status, as well as for examining the outcome of conservation actions.

Molecular phylogeny of Nabidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha): insight into relationships and reclassification with the proposal of the new tribe Stenonabini

AbstractNabidae is a small predatory family within Cimicomorpha; however, the internal classification within this family has been unclear and controversial, confusing researchers in various fields. This study presents the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Nabidae based on a molecular dataset comprising 16 outgroup and 40 ingroup taxa. A total of 3791 base pairs of mitochondrial (16S, cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and nuclear (18S, 28S) sequences were analyzed based on parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Topologies from all analyses were largely congruent. Except for the paraphyly of the second largest genus, Himacerus Wolff, Nabidae and all its subgroups were monophyletic. Based on the result, the validity of the genus Stalia Reuter was confirmed, and phylogenetic relationships of the clades at the genus level were discussed. Finally, a revised classification with the Stenonabini trib.n. is proposed. In addition, molecular dating analysis was used to estimate divergence times within Nabidae. Estimation based on the Bayesian framework revealed that the divergence between Nabinae and Prostemmatinae occurred during the Late Jurassic (152–154.44 Ma). Subsequently, most of the groups in Nabidae diversified in the Late Cretaceous. Based on the estimation result, we hypothesized that Nabinae has evolved and diversified with adaptation to angiosperm plants.

Non-volatile acylphloroglucinol components from Eucalyptus robusta inhibit Zika virus by impairing RdRp activity of NS5

Eucalyptus is a large genus of the Myrtaceae family with high value in various fields of industry. Recently, attention has been focused on the functional properties of Eucalyptus extracts. These extracts have been traditionally used to combat various infectious diseases, and volatile oils are usually considered to play a major role. But the positive effects of non-volatile acylphloroglucinols, a class of specialized metabolites with relatively high content in Eucalyptus, should not be neglected. Herein, non-volatile acylphloroglucinols from leaves of Eucalyptus robusta were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit Zika virus (ZIKV) which is associated with severe neurological damage and complications. The results showed eucalyprobusone G, a new symmetrical acylphloroglucinol dimer, possessed the significant ability to inhibit ZIKV without inducing cytotoxicity. The EC50 values of eucalyprobusone G against the African lineage (MR766) and Asian lineage (SZ-WIV01) of ZIKV were 0.43 ± 0.08 and 10.10 ± 3.84 μM which were 110 times and 5.8 times better than those of the reference compound ribavirin, respectively. Further action mode research showed that eucalyprobusone G impairs the viral binding and RdRp activity of NS5. The results broaden the functional properties of Eucalyptus robusta and indicate acylphloroglucinol dimers could be developed as anti-ZIKV agents.

Review of Studies on Phlomis and Eremostachys Species (Lamiaceae) with Emphasis on Iridoids, Phenylethanoid Glycosides, and Essential Oils.

As the sixth-largest Angiosperm family, Lamiaceae contains more than 245 genera and 7886 species that are distributed worldwide. It is also the third-largest family based on the number of taxa in Turkey where it is represented by 46 genera and 782 taxa with a high endemism ratio (44%). Besides, Lamiaceae are rich in plants with economic and medicinal value containing volatile and nonvolatile compounds. Many aromatic plants of Lamiaceae such as Salvia, Sideritis, Stachys, Phlomis, and Teucrium species are used in traditional herbal medicine throughout Turkey as well as in other Mediterranean countries. Salvia (Sage tea "Adaçayı"), Sideritis (Mountain tea "Dağçayı"), Stachys (Hairy Tea "Tüylü Çay"), and Phlomis (Turkish sage "Çalba or Şalba") are the largest genera that are used as herbal teas. This review focuses on the volatile and nonvolatile compounds of Lamiaceae from the genera Phlomis and Eremostachys of the subfamily Lamioideae with emphasis on iridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and essential oils.

Understanding Diversity and Systematics in Australian Fabaceae Tribe Mirbelieae

Australia has a very diverse pea-flowered legume flora with 1715 native and naturalised species currently recognised. Tribe Mirbelieae s.l. includes 44% of Australia’s peas in 24 genera with 756 recognised species. However, several genera within the Pultenaea alliance in tribe Mirbelieae are considered to be non-monophyletic and two main options have been proposed: option one is to merge ca. 18 genera containing ca. 540 species (the largest genus, Pultenaea has nomenclatural priority); and option two is to re-circumscribe some genera and describe new genera as required to form monophyletic groups. At the species level, option one would require 76% of names to be changed; whereas based on available data, option two is likely to require, at most, 8.3% of names to change. Option two therefore provides the least nomenclatural disruption but cannot be implemented without a robust phylogenetic framework to define new generic limits. Here we present novel analyses of available plastid DNA data (trnL-F) which suggest that option two would be feasible once sufficient data are generated to resolve relationships. However, the reticulate evolutionary histories or past rapid speciation suggested for this group may prevent the resolution of all nodes. We propose targeted use of Next-Generation Sequencing technology as the best way to resolve relationships between the key clades in the tribe and present a framework for such a study. An overview of current taxonomy in the tribe is presented, along with the state of taxonomic knowledge and availability of published descriptions for electronic flora treatments. Several new combinations and typifications are published in an appendix.

ABIETANE QUINONE DITERPENES WITH ANTITUBERCULOSIS ACTIVITY ISOLATED FROM THE GENUS SALVIA

The name Salvia, the largest genus of Lamiaceae, derives from the Latin "salvere" (= to feel good, healthy). In the Mediterranean basin, S. officinalis has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians for medicinal purposes. Pliny the Elder was the first known author to describe a plant called "Salvia" by the Romans. Recent scientific research has confirmed the antituberculosis properties of numerous species present in the traditional ethnobotany.

Studies of Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) in eastern Indochina Ⅳ. New species in the flora of Laos and Vietnam

The paper provides a short review of Bulbophyllum species recorded in Laos and Vietnam during the two last decades and continues the publication of results of our successive studies of the genus in this area. It presents data on two new species for science discovered in Laos (Bulbophyllum pachypodum) and Vietnam (B. neglectipetalum), one lesser known species for the flora of Laos (B. microtepalum), two new records for the flora of Vietnam (B. echinulus, B. setilabium), and new illustrated data on B. secundum insufficiently known in the flora of Vietnam. Bulbophyllum fascinator earlier accepted in specific rank reduced into the synonymy of B. putidum on the base of studies of newly obtained materials. Taking into consideration the new data presented in this paper, the flora of Laos presently includes 85, and flora of Vietnam 151 Bulbophyllum species, excluding Monomeria, Trias, and Sunipia. It is the largest genus in the orchid floras of both countries.

Phylogenomic Analyses of the Genus Pseudomonas Lead to the Rearrangement of Several Species and the Definition of New Genera.

Simple SummaryPseudomonas represents a very important bacterial genus that inhabits many environments and plays either prejudicial or beneficial roles for higher hosts. However, there are many Pseudomonas species which are too divergent to the rest of the genus. This may interfere in the correct development of biological and ecological studies in which Pseudomonas are involved. Thus, we aimed to study the correct taxonomic placement of Pseudomonas species. Based on the study of their genomes and some evolutionary-based methodologies, we suggest the description of three new genera (Denitrificimonas, Parapseudomonas and Neopseudomonas) and many reclassifications of species previously included in Pseudomonas.Pseudomonas is a large and diverse genus broadly distributed in nature. Its species play relevant roles in the biology of earth and living beings. Because of its ubiquity, the number of new species is continuously increasing although its taxonomic organization remains quite difficult to unravel. Nowadays the use of genomics is routinely employed for the analysis of bacterial systematics. In this work, we aimed to investigate the classification of species of the genus Pseudomonas on the basis of the analyses of the type strains whose genomes are currently available. Based on these analyses, we propose the creation of three new genera (Denitrificimonas gen nov. comb. nov., Neopseudomonas gen nov. comb. nov. and Parapseudomonas gen nov. comb. nov) to encompass several species currently included within the genus Pseudomonas and the reclassification of several species of this genus in already described taxa.

Asymptotically good towers of function fields with small p-rank

Over any quadratic finite field we construct function fields of large genus that have simultaneously many rational places, small p-rank, and many automorphisms.

Characterization and Comparative Analysis of Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Three Species From the Genus Astragalus (Leguminosae).

Astragalus is the largest genus in Leguminosae. Several molecular studies have investigated the potential adulterants of the species within this genus; nonetheless, the evolutionary relationships among these species remain unclear. Herein, we sequenced and annotated the complete chloroplast genomes of three Astragalus species—Astragalus adsurgens, Astragalus mongholicus var. dahuricus, and Astragalus melilotoides using next-generation sequencing technology and plastid genome annotator (PGA) tool. All species belonged to the inverted repeat lacking clade (IRLC) and had similar sequences concerning gene contents and characteristics. Abundant simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were detected, with single-nucleotide repeats accounting for the highest proportion of SSRs, most of which were A/T homopolymers. Using Astragalus membranaceus var. membranaceus as reference, the divergence was evident in most non-coding regions of the complete chloroplast genomes of these species. Seven genes (atpB, psbD, rpoB, rpoC1, trnV, rrn16, and rrn23) showed high nucleotide variability (Pi), and could be used as DNA barcodes for Astragalus sp. cemA and rpl33 were found undergoing positive selection by the section patterns in the coded protein. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Astragalus is a monophyletic group closely related to the genus Oxytropis within the tribe Galegeae. The newly sequenced chloroplast genomes provide insight into the unresolved evolutionary relationships within Astragalus spp. and are expected to contribute to species identification.

A new species of the fishfly genus Neochauliodes van der Weele discovered from southwestern China through an integrative approach based on morphological and molecular evidence (Megaloptera: Corydalidae: Chauliodinae).

Neochauliodes van der Weele, 1909 is the largest genus of the subfamily Chauliodinae of the megalopteran family Corydalidae, currently with 47 described species. Here we report Neochauliodes triangulatus sp. nov. from western Yunnan, China. The new species belongs to the Neochauliodes bowringi species-group and is confirmed to be different from the other species of this group based on morphological and molecular evidence.