Large Genus Research Articles

New Tricholidic Acid Triterpenoids from the Mushroom Tricholoma ustaloides Collected in an Italian Beech Wood.

The secondary metabolites produced by Tricholoma ustaloides Romagn., a mushroom species belonging to the large Tricholoma genus (Basidiomycota, Tricholomataceae), are unknown. Therefore, encouraged by the interesting results obtained in our previous chemical analyses of a few Tricholoma species collected in Italian woods, we aimed to investigate the secondary metabolites of Tricholoma ustaloides. The chemical analysis involved the isolation and characterization of secondary metabolites through an extensive chromatographic study. The structures of isolated metabolites, including the absolute configuration, were established based on a detailed analysis of MS, NMR spectroscopic, optical rotation, and circular dicroism data, and on comparison with those of related compounds reported in the literature. Two novel lanostane triterpenoids, named tricholidic acids B and C, together with triglycerides, a mixture of free fatty acids, five unidentified metabolites, and the known rare saponaceolides F and J, tricholidic acid, and tricholomenyn C, were isolated from an EtOAc extract of fruiting bodies of Tricholoma ustaloides that were collected in an Italian beech wood. This is the second example of isolation of tricholidic acid derivatives from a natural source. Saponaceolides F and J exhibited high cytotoxicity (IC50 values ≤ 10 μM) against a panel of five human cancer cell lines. The toxicity against myeloid leukemia (HL-60), lung cancer (A-549), hepatocellular cancer (HepG2), renal cancer (Caki-1), and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells was higher than that shown by the very well-known cytotoxic drug cisplatin.

The Apanteles adelinamoralesae species group (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from Brazil, with descriptions of three new species reared from fruit borers(Lepidoptera, Depressariidae).

With more than 633 species, Apanteles is the largest genus within the subfamily Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). We describe three new species reared from pests of commercial fruits, Apanteles ahuacatl Shimbori, Giacomelli & Fernández-Triana sp. n., A. aratiku Shimbori sp. n., and A. mayochinchipe Shimbori sp. n. They parasitize caterpillars in the subfamily Stenomatinae (Depressariidae): the soursop moth Cerconota anonella (Sepp), in fruits of sweetsop (Annona squamosa L.) and atemoya (Annona squamosa x Annona cherimola Mill.) (Annonaceae), the avocado borer Stenoma catenifer Walsingham, in fruits of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) (Lauraceae), and the cacao shoot borer Stenoma decora Zeller, in fruits and shoots of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) (Malvaceae). The new Apanteles species are included in an expanded version of the key provided by Fernández-Triana et al. (2014) for the Apanteles adelinamoralesae species group. In addition, the previous record of Apanteles stenomae Muesebeck in Brazil is revised and considered to actually represent the species A. yolandarojasae Fernández-Triana.

Unicellular maps vs. hyperbolic surfaces in large genus: Simple closed curves

Unicellular maps vs. hyperbolic surfaces in large genus: Simple closed curves

Phenolic compounds from knema pachycarpa leaves

Knema (Myristicaceae family) is a large genus, comprising over 100 species found in of South East Asian countries, among that over 10 species was found in Vietnam. Knema pachycarpa is a native tree distributed in central provinces of Viet Nam. Until now, only few chemical studies of Knema species in Viet Nam have been reported. Phytochemical study of Knema pachycarpa leaves led to the isolation of seven known compounds including six flavonoids 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-5′-methoxy isoflavone (1), luteolin (2), (-)-narigenin (3), (+)-catechin (4), isoquercetrin (5), and nicotiflorin (6), and a biphenyl compound 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxybiphenyl (7). Their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR data analysis and compared with those previously reported. Compounds 3 and 6-7 were found from Knema genus for the first time. In the cytotoxic assay, biphenyl compound (7) exhibited strong cytotoxicity to KB cancer cell line with IC50 value of 2.38 ± 0.11 mg/mL. Compound 7 also displayed showed activity against HepG2, Lu and MCF7 cancer cell lines with IC50 ranges from 18.25 ± 0.92 mg/mL to 35.56 ± 1.17 mg/mL, whereas flavonoids 1-6 were weakly active or inactive against tested cell lines.

(2943) Proposal to conserve Selaginella, nom. cons., (Selaginellaceae) with a conserved type

(2943) Proposal to conserve <i>Selaginella</i>, nom. cons., (<i>Selaginellaceae</i>) with a conserved type

Diversity and distribution of endemic and threatened plant species in the Sorkhabad Protected Area, Zanjan, NW Iran and identification of the biodiversity hotspots in the area

Protected areas are a mainstay of biodiversity conservation. All over the world, plant biodiversity is at risk and every year the number of threatened species increases dramatically. Many of these species are endemic. Sorkhabad Protected Area is situated in Zanjan Province, NW Iran, and is located in the Irano-Anatolian global biodiversity hotspot. The aim of this study is to investigate endemic and threatened vascular plant species, classify the local rarity of these species and identify hotspots of them in this area. 81 endemic species belonging to 59 genera within 22 families and 116 threatened species belonging to 86 genera within 46 families were collected from the area. Fabaceae with 16 and Asteraceae with 14 endemic species are the two largest families and Astragalus L. with 13 endemic species is the largest genus in terms of the number of endemic species. The degree of endemism in the Sorkhabad Protected Area is 15.2 percent. The distribution map of species was prepared using ArcGIS 10.3. The hotspots in terms of endemic and threatened species richness were identified, occupying all told 50,709 ha (41.35%) of the Sorkhabad Protected Area. Identifying the hotspots will help to obtain a proper management program and consequently preserve the biodiversity of this area.

Leaf morphological traits of nine major tropical trees of Shorea species (Dipterocarpaceae)

Abstract. Mufarhatun N, Susilowati A, Hilwan I, Arrofaha N, Yulita KS, Dwiyanti FG, Hidayat A, Kamiya K, Rachmat HH. 2023. Leaf morphological traits of nine major tropical trees of Shorea species (Dipterocarpaceae). Biodiversitas 24: 1704-1712. Shorea is the largest genus in the Dipterocarpaceae family and has high leaf morphological variations among its species, which causes difficulties in field identification. Therefore, information on the specific characteristics of the leaf morphology of each species is needed. This study aimed to examine and discriminate leaf morphological traits at both mature and sapling stages of nine Shorea species, namely Shorea balangeran (Korth.) Burck, S. leprosula Miq., S. mecistopteryx Ridl., S. multiflora (Burck) Symington, S. ovalis (Korth.) Blume, S. pinanga Scheff., S. platyclados Slooten ex Endert, S. selanica (Wight &amp; Arn.) Blume, and S. stenoptera Burck. The leaves of 90 mature trees growing in the Dramaga Research Forest (DRF) and Gunung Dahu Research Forest (GDRF) as well as the leaves of 180 saplings growing in the nursery of Forest Research and Development Center (FRDC) were observed. Leaf traits, leaf color, and chlorophyll content were assessed on 3 leaves from each mature tree and 5 from each sapling collected. Furthermore, comparative analysis using F independent test in the one-way analysis variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis were used in this study. The results showed that 8 of the 11 measured morphological traits were identified as the quantitative leaves morphological differentiators, namely Leaves Width (LW), Lamina Length (LL), the length between the largest Leaves Point (LP) with the base of the leaves, angle of leaves vein (SD), Petiole Length (PL), number of leaves vein (LB), breadth of the leaves (WL), and the Circumference of the Leaves (CL). In addition, the results of cluster analysis showed the nine Shorea spp. are clustered into two major groups. Group 1 consisted of species, S. stenoptera, and S. mecistopteryx, while the remaining are included in Group 2. Our findings conclude that the eight leaf morphological traits obtained from this study are useful as additional characters to distinguish the nine Shorea species in the field.

A Contribution to Knowledge of Russula Section Ingratae (Russulales, Russulaceae) in China: Two New Taxa and Amended Descriptions of One Known Species

Russula, one of the main genera of Russulaceae (Russulales), is both ecologically and economically important. It is a large and complex genus including eight subgenera. Although many studies have focused on Russula in China, the diversity still remains incompletely understood. In the present study, several collections of Russula subgen. Heterophyllidiae sect. Ingratae from China were studied based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Three species were recognized, two of them described as new, R. fujianensis and R. oraria, and one of them already a known taxon, R. rufobasalis. Detailed descriptions, color photos of fresh basidiomata, and line-drawings of microstructures of the three species are presented.

Seven new species of Lasioglossum (Dialictus) Robertson, 1902 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Halictini) from the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Lasioglossum is a large genus of halictid bees with high species diversity in morphologically rather cryptic species groups. With more than 1900 described species, the taxonomy of the genus is complex and largely unresolved in many regions. For practical reasons, systematic reviews are restricted in scope either geographically or to particular species groups. In this study we focus on the subgenus Dialictus of the genus Lasioglossum from the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. In previous studies we identified members of the genus as important pollinators of cash crops in the region, and genetic analyses suggested the existence of seven molecular taxonomic units (mOTU). Based on additional morphological differences, we here describe these mOTUs as novel species, Lasioglossum (Dialictus) yucatanense Landaverde-González sp. nov., L. (D.) paxtoni Landaverde-González sp. nov., L. (D.) ameshoferi Landaverde-González sp. nov., L. (D.) aureoviride Landaverde-González &amp; Husemann sp. nov., L. (D.) paralepidii Gardner sp. nov., L. (D.) milpa Landaverde-González sp. nov. and L. (D.) nanotegula Landaverde-González &amp; Husemann sp. nov., and provide keys and images to assist in their identification.

Genome size variation and polyploidy prevalence in the genus Eragrostis are associated with the global dispersal in arid area.

Biologists have long debated the drivers of the genome size evolution and variation ever since Darwin. Assumptions for the adaptive or maladaptive consequences of the associations between genome sizes and environmental factors have been proposed, but the significance of these hypotheses remains controversial. Eragrostis is a large genus in the grass family and is often used as crop or forage during the dry seasons. The wide range and complex ploidy levels make Eragrostis an excellent model for investigating how the genome size variation and evolution is associated with environmental factors and how these changes can ben interpreted. We reconstructed the Eragrostis phylogeny and estimated genome sizes through flow cytometric analyses. Phylogenetic comparative analyses were performed to explore how genome size variation and evolution is related to their climatic niches and geographical ranges. The genome size evolution and environmental factors were examined using different models to study the phylogenetic signal, mode and tempo throughout evolutionary history. Our results support the monophyly of Eragrostis. The genome sizes in Eragrostis ranged from ~0.66 pg to ~3.80 pg. We found that a moderate phylogenetic conservatism existed in terms of the genome sizes but was absent from environmental factors. In addition, phylogeny-based associations revealed close correlations between genome sizes and precipitation-related variables, indicating that the genome size variation mainly caused by polyploidization may have evolved as an adaptation to various environments in the genus Eragrostis. This is the first study to take a global perspective on the genome size variation and evolution in the genus Eragrostis. Our results suggest that the adaptation and conservatism are manifested in the genome size variation, allowing the arid species of Eragrostis to spread the xeric area throughout the world.

Exploring the Chemistry of Ocimum Species under Specific Extractions and Chromatographic Methods: A Systematic Review.

Ocimum is considered the largest genus in the Lamiacea family. The genus includes basil, a group of aromatic plants with a wide range of culinary uses that nowadays draws attention for its medicinal and pharmaceutical potential. This systematic review intends to explore the chemical composition of nonessential oils and their variation across different Ocimum species. Moreover, we aimed to identify the state of knowledge regarding the molecular space in this genus as well as the different methods of extraction/identification and geographical location. Seventy-nine eligible articles were selected for the final analysis, from which we extracted more than 300 molecules. We found that the countries with the highest number of studies into Ocimum species are India, Nigeria, Brazil, and Egypt. However, from all known species of Ocimum, only 12 were found to have an extensive chemical characterization, particularly Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum tenuiflorum. Our study focused especially on alcoholic, hydroalcoholic, and water extracts, in which the main techniques for compound identifications are GC-MS, LC-MS, and LC-UV. Across the compiled molecules, we found a wide variety of compounds, especially flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, suggesting that this genus could be a very useful source of possible bioactive compounds. The information collected in this review also emphasizes the huge gap between the vast number of Ocimum species discovered and the number of studies in each of them that determined the chemical characterization.

Computation of large-genus solutions of the Korteweg–de Vries equation

We consider the numerical computation of finite-genus solutions of the Korteweg–de Vries equation when the genus is large. Our method applies both to the initial-value problem when spectral data can be computed and to dressing scenarios when spectral data is specified arbitrarily. In order to compute large genus solutions, we employ a weighted Chebyshev basis to solve an associated singular integral equation. We also extend previous work to compute period matrices and the Abel map when the genus is large, maintaining numerical stability. We demonstrate our method on four different classes of solutions. Specifically, we demonstrate dispersive quantization for “box” initial data and demonstrate how a large genus limit can be taken to produce a new class of potentials.

A comprehensive analysis on the ecosystem services of Elaeocarpus L. (Elaeocarpaceae): a review

The Elaeocarpus is considered the largest genus in the family Elaeocarpaceae. It is commonly called ‘Rudraksha’ in India and has a noteworthy attachment with the Indians, mostly Hindus. The plant is known for its beneficial aspects and supply of various ecosystem services, particularly in medicinal sciences. The present study provides a comprehensive review of the genus Elaeocarpus for its ecosystem services in the context of human wellbeing. A literature survey was conducted from 1970 to 2020 on internet scientific databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science using strings such as, Elaeocarpus, Rudraksha, medicine, conservation, tradition, and services. One hundred two publications were considered for data extraction and finalising the review. Firstly, we classified the ecosystem services under respective classes as provided by MEA (2005), and the remaining benefits that didn’t fit under the classification were presented separately. It has been reported that Rudraksha delivers all categories of ecosystem services: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. In addition, the Rudraksha plant owes a high status in medicinal science, ayurveda, and religious mythology. In the last five decades, studies were conducted on various species of Elaeocarpus for their beneficial aspects. It was found that Elaeocarpus plants have a vital role in ayurveda, pharmaceuticals, and pharmacological and astrological science. In addition, they have been used as food, firewood, timber, and the production of secondary metabolites and their role in cultural and religious dimensions are very clearly discussed. The provisioning and cultural services delivered by Rudraksha constitute only 30% and 10% of the services mentioned in MEA (2005). However, only a little research has been conducted on regulatory and supporting services provided by Rudraksha. Therefore, for a long-term sustainability and multifunctionality assessment, the extension of ecosystem services regarding individual plant’s (tree) services should be highly recommended. Hence, the present review investigates the scientific knowledge about the ecosystem services of the Elaeocarpus.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Saponins Isolated from Vernonia gratiosa Hance.

Species belonging to the Vernonia (Asteraceae), the largest genus in the tribe Vernonieae (consisting of about 1,000 species), are widely used in food and medicine. These plants are rich sources of bioactive sesquiterpene lactones and steroid saponins, likely including many as yet undiscovered chemical components. A phytochemical investigation resulted in the separation of three new stigmastane-type steroidal saponins (1 - 3), designated as vernogratiosides A-C, from whole plants of V. gratiosa. Their structures were elucidated based on infrared spectroscopy (IR), one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), and electronic circular dichroism analyses (ECD), as well as chemical reactivity. Molecular docking analysis of representative saponins with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was performed. Additionally, the intended substances were tested for their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase activity in a laboratory setting. The results suggested that stigmastane-type steroidal saponins from V. gratiosa are promising candidate antidiabetic agents.

Chemistry and Bioactivity of Croton Essential Oils: Literature Survey and Croton hirtus from Vietnam.

Using essential oils to control vectors, intermediate hosts, and disease-causing microorganisms is a promising approach. The genus Croton in the family Euphorbiaceae is a large genus, with many species containing large amounts of essential oils, however, essential oil studies are limited in terms of the number of Croton species investigated. In this work, the aerial parts of C. hirtus growing wild in Vietnam were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A total of 141 compounds were identified in C. hirtus essential oil, in which sesquiterpenoids dominated, comprising 95.4%, including the main components β-caryophyllene (32.8%), germacrene D (11.6%), β-elemene (9.1%), α-humulene (8.5%), and caryophyllene oxide (5.0%). The essential oil of C. hirtus showed very strong biological activities against the larvae of four mosquito species with 24 h LC50 values in the range of 15.38-78.27 μg/mL, against Physella acuta adults with a 48 h LC50 value of 10.09 μg/mL, and against ATCC microorganisms with MIC values in the range of 8-16 μg/mL. In order to provide a comparison with previous works, a literature survey on the chemical composition, mosquito larvicidal, molluscicidal, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial activities of essential oils of Croton species was conducted. Seventy-two references (seventy articles and one book) out of a total of two hundred and forty-four references related to the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils of Croton species were used for this paper. The essential oils of some Croton species were characterized by their phenylpropanoid compounds. The experimental results of this research and the survey of the literature showed that Croton essential oils have the potential to be used to control mosquito-borne and mollusk-borne diseases, as well as microbial infections. Research on unstudied Croton species is needed to search for species with high essential oil contents and excellent biological activities.

The Genus Cryptocarya: A Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities.

Cryptocarya (the laurel family) is a large genus of great economic plants found in tropics and subtropics. Plants of this genus are a rich resource of essential oils, and pharmacological compounds. An overview of phytochemistry and pharmacological aspect is not yet available. This review aims to establish insightful information on phytochemistry, and pharmacological values. The literature collection is based on keywords 'Cryptocarya', 'phytochemistry', and 'pharmacology' using a broad panel of scientific sources, such as Google Scholar, Sciencedirect, and Wiley. Since the 1950s, Cryptocarya plants have been the main object in various phytochemical studies, by which about 390 metabolite compounds were isolated. Alkaloids, α-pyrones, and flavonoids could be seen as the main classes of Cryptocarya isolates. Cryptocarya constituents displayed potential pharmacological values such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidative, antiviral, vasorelaxant activities, especially cytotoxicity.

Structure, function, and evolution of the Orthobunyavirus membrane fusion glycoprotein

La Crosse virus, responsible for pediatric encephalitis in the United States, and Schmallenberg virus, a highly teratogenic veterinary virus in Europe, belong to the large Orthobunyavirus genus of zoonotic arthropod-borne pathogens distributed worldwide. Viruses in this under-studied genus cause CNS infections or fever with debilitating arthralgia/myalgia syndromes, with no effective treatment. The main surface antigen, glycoprotein Gc (∼1,000 residues), has a variable N-terminal half (GcS) targeted by the patients' antibody response and a conserved C-terminal moiety (GcF) responsible for membrane fusion during cell entry. Here, we report the X-ray structure of post-fusion La Crosse and Schmallenberg virus GcF, revealing the molecular determinants for hairpin formation and trimerization required to drive membrane fusion. We further experimentally confirm the role of residues in the fusion loops and in a vestigial endoplasmic reticulum (ER) translocation sequence at the GcS-GcF junction. The resulting knowledge provides essential molecular underpinnings for future development of potential therapeutic treatments and vaccines.

Irreducible unirational and uniruled components of moduli spaces of polarized Enriques surfaces

We prove that infinitely many irreducible components of the moduli space of polarized Enriques surfaces are unirational (resp. uniruled), characterizing them in terms of decompositions of the polarization as an effective sum of isotropic classes. In particular, this applies to components of arbitrarily large genus g and phi -invariant of the polarization.

Revision of Chloeia Savigny in Lamarck, 1818 (Annelida, Amphinomidae)

Chloeia Savigny in Lamarck, 1818 is the largest genus in the Amphinomidae by including more species than other genera. Members of Chloeia species thrive in mixed substrates or sediments, mostly in tropical waters, and rarely reach deep water, or cold-temperate environments. A recent revision dealt with the species from tropical American seas and resulted in the redescription of five species, and the description of two other new ones. The objective for this additional contribution was to revise type and non-type specimens deposited in 12 of the largest world collections, and by applying a slightly modified approach from the precedent revision. Species were grouped herein after the type of branchiae, the first chaetiger with branchiae, and the dorsal pigmentation pattern. The results include the redescription of 16 species, with C. flava (Pallas, 1766) and C. fusca M'Intosh, 1885 being restricted, and three others reinstated: C. incerta de Quatrefages, 1866; C. fucata de Quatrefages, 1866, and C. pulchella Baird, 1868; 10 species are regarded as indeterminable: C. ancora Frickhinger, 1916; C. bengalensis Kinberg, 1867; C. candida Kinberg, 1857; C. egena Grube, 1855; C. furcigera de Quatrefages, 1866; C. macleayi Haswell, 1879; C. malaica Kinberg, 1867; C. nuda de Quatrefages, 1866; C. quatrefagesii Baird, 1868; and C. rupestris Risso, 1826. Further, 10 recently described species are being diagnosed and compared to their most similar species, but not redescribed; and 17 species are newly described: C. amoureuxi sp. n. from Madagascar, C. bemisae sp. n. from The Philippines, C. boucheti sp. n. from Indonesia, C. fauveli sp. n. from the Bay of Bengal, C. fiegei sp. n. from the Red Sea, C. gesae sp. n. from the Northeastern Atlantic, C. gilleti sp. n. from Western Africa, C. hutchingsae sp. n. from Australia, C. keablei sp. n. from Papua New Guinea, C. mezianei sp. n. from Western Africa, C. murrayae sp. n. from Australia, C. piotrowskiae sp. n. from The Philippines, C. poupini sp. n. from the French Polynesia, C. richeri sp. n. from New Caledonia, C. slapcisnkyi sp. n. from The Philippines, C wangi sp. n. from The Philippines, and C. zibrowii sp. n. from the French Polynesia. Keys to all archinomin genera and to all species of Chloeia are also included.

Ethnomedicinal importance of Fabaceae family (Angiosperms) among the tribes of Rajasthan, India

Among angiosperms, the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family is well known for providing traditional or ethnic food and medicine. This family has three subfamilies with approximately 665 genera and 17500 species worldwide, with approximately 1100 species and 100 genera represented in India. &lt;i&gt;Astragalus&lt;/i&gt; (&gt;3000 species), &lt;i&gt;Acacia&lt;/i&gt; (&gt;1000 species), and &lt;i&gt;Indigofera&lt;/i&gt; (&gt;700 species) are the largest genera in this family. Many species in these genera have been identified as producing a variety of phytochemicals, including 3-nitropropanoic acid, a powerful mycotoxin. Almost every tribal community in India is aware of the medicinal uses of leguminous plants. In this regard, India's arid state can be regarded as an extremely rich territory; thus, a review of the scientific literature on their phytochemical characteristics and ethnomedicinal uses is expected to contribute to the further exploration and utilization of members of this large plant family.