Floristic Region Research Articles

Paleopalynological Analysis of Primulaceae Family Evolution during the New Holocene Period in Elbasan, Albania

This paper presents pioneering paleopalynological data concerning the Primulaceae family during the New Holocene period in Elbasan, Albania. Fossil pollen data were extracted from soil deposits dating back to the last 20th centuries, shedding light on the evolutionary trajectory of Primulaceae Family plants in the region. Soil samples, primarily weighing approximately 0.5 kg and retrieved from depths ranging from 4 m to the surface, were collected at five stations in the Elbasan area using a dry rotary drilling probe between October and November 2023. The study aims to unveil the evolutionary dynamics of Primulaceae plants during the New Holocene, offering novel insights into their paleoenvironmental interactions. The Holocene epoch marks a critical period characterized by significant shifts in climate and ecological conditions. Understanding plant evolution during this era provides valuable insights into environmental dynamics and human impact on vegetation. A total of 485 Primulaceae palynomorphs were identified across all analysed soil samples, indicating consistent presence throughout the New Holocene period. The abundance and distribution of Primulaceae pollen suggests enduring resilience and adaptation within the local ecosystem. Furthermore, the study highlights a significant correlation between changes in vegetation patterns and human cultivation practices, underscoring anthropogenic influences on regional flora dynamics. The prevalence of Primulaceae palynomorphs across soil layers underscores the plants adaptability to varying environmental conditions. Human activities, particularly cultivation practices, emerge as key drivers shaping vegetation dynamics in the Elbasan region. The consistent presence of Primulaceae palynomorphs underscores their resilience amidst changing environmental dynamics. Human intervention emerges as a significant determinant of regional vegetation patterns, highlighting the intertwined relationship between human activities and plant evolution.

Physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of stingless bee honey from Argentina

The physicochemical parameters, antioxidant activity, and sensory properties were determined in stingless bee honeys from two bee species and different phytogeographic regions of the Chaco province (Argentina). All honeys showed similar moisture content, colour, and hydroxymethyl furfural concentration. The samples from the oriental estuaries showed the lowest free acidity, ash content, and electrical conductivity. The honey produced by Tetragonisca fiebrigi (Schwarz) had a higher ash content than honeys produced by Scaptotrigona jujuyensis (Schrottky). However, the electrical conductivity of honeys produced by both bee species was similar. The HPLC sugar analysis, total polyphenol and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity (ABTS) showed no significant differences between the different geographic zones or bee species. The wood aroma and sweet taste were chosen as the best sensory descriptors of the honeys. The results of the multivariate techniques used showed that is not possible to classify honeys according to its geographical origin or bee species. Most of the honey samples meet the required microbiological standards and could be considered safe for consumption.

Genome size variation in Cape schoenoid sedges (Schoeneae) and its ecophysiological consequences.

Increases in genome size in plants-often associated with larger, low-density stomata and greater water-use efficiency (WUE)-could affect plant ecophysiological and hydraulic function. Variation in plant genome size is often due to polyploidy, having occurred repeatedly in the austral sedge genus Schoenus in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), while species in the other major schoenoid genus in the region, Tetraria, have smaller genomes. Comparing these genera is useful as they co-occur at the landscape level, under broadly similar bioclimatic conditions. We hypothesized that CFR Schoenus have greater WUE, with lower maximum stomatal conductance (gwmax) imposed by larger, less-dense stomata. We investigated relationships between genome size and stomatal parameters in a phylogenetic context, reconstructing a phylogeny of CFR-occurring Schoeneae (Cyperaceae). Species' stomatal and functional traits were measured from field-collected and herbarium specimens. Carbon stable isotopes were used as an index of WUE. Genome size was derived from flow-cytometric measurements of leafy shoots. Evolutionary regressions demonstrated that stomatal size and density covary with genome size, positively and negatively, respectively, with genome size explaining 72-75% of the variation in stomatal size. Larger-genomed species had lower gwmax and C:N ratios, particularly in culms. We interpret differences in vegetative physiology between the genera as evidence of more-conservative strategies in CFR Schoenus compared to the more-acquisitive Tetraria. Because Schoenus have smaller, reduced leaves, they likely rely more on culm photosynthesis than Tetraria. Across the CFR Schoeneae, ecophysiology correlates with genome size, but confounding sources of trait variation limit inferences about causal relationships between traits.

The use of ecological niche models improves biogeographic regionalization of the Balsas Depression, Mexico

AbstractAimBiogeographic regionalization classifies zones in terms of their biotas and contributes to understanding the ecological and historical factors that affect the distribution of species. We use Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) to complement missing information on species distribution and thus improve the accuracy of biogeographic boundaries.LocationBalsas Depression Floristic Province, Mexico.MethodsBased on parameters documented in herbarium collections and environmental variables, ENM was carried out to determine the most suitable environmental conditions for a species to thrive (i.e., the species' ecological niche). The ENM and spatial analysis were used to obtain the biogeographic regionalization of the seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) in the Balsas Depression (BD), Mexico, through spatial analysis. Using the Maxent algorithm, we constructed ecological niche models (ENMs) of 134 flowering plant species distributed preferentially in the SDTF (characteristic species), most of them endemic to the BD. Subsequently, we obtained an incidence matrix based on the information from the 134 ENMs, which was used to analyze the turnover of species in Biodiverse software. The turnover matrix was used for Non‐metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) ordination and clustering analyses. Finally, the environmental predictors most related to species turnover were identified using the relative environmental turnover method.ResultsThe clustering analysis divided the SDTF in the BD into four floristic districts — two located in its western part and two in the eastern region. The NMDS differentiated, in the first component, two districts in the western region and one in the eastern. Seven environmental variables contributed significantly to explaining the turnover of species in these districts; the most significant were the elevation, pH, and precipitation of the coldest quarter.Main ConclusionsThe use of ENM for the regionalization of areas with high species richness allows for a more detailed classification of subregions and the distribution patterns of the species that define their limits. This provides a more solid theoretical basis for the investigation of biogeographic patterns.

Seed banks and post‐fire recovery of invasive alien Metrosideros excelsa in South Africa: Implications for control

AbstractThe New Zealand bottlebrush, Metrosideros excelsa (Myrtaceae), was introduced into South Africa in the 1940s as an ornamental plant and subsequently naturalized in coastal parts of the Cape Floristic Region. Knowledge of M. excelsa's propagule pressure and response to fire in South Africa can inform evaluation of the species' invasion potential and management. We assessed M. excelsa's canopy and soil seed banks in burnt and unburnt stands; and post‐fire regeneration via reseeding and resprouting in relation to fire severity and tree size. Soil seed banks were assessed using an emergence technique, but no seedlings emerged from soil collected under burnt or unburnt plants suggesting that the species does not maintain a viable soil‐stored seed bank or germination triggers were not met (though unlikely). The annual seed crop in the canopies of unburnt trees was approximately 0.5–23 million seeds per tree. Viability, assessed through tetrazolium stain testing, of canopy‐borne seeds on unburnt trees was 18%, whereas a canopy fire, ranging in severity from low to extreme, killed all canopy‐borne seeds. Fifteen months post‐fire, the seedling to pre‐fire (live) tree ratio was 0.01, whereas 43% of burnt trees survived via basal resprouting. Fire severity had a non‐linear effect on tree survival (survival was highest after medium and high fire severity and lowest after low and extreme fire severity), while larger trees were more likely to survive fire. These results suggest that even low‐severity (safe) burning may be a useful control measure as it kills canopy‐borne seeds and causes substantial mortality, particularly of smaller trees. An opportunistic evaluation of an uncontrolled (no comparison with untreated individuals) foliar herbicide application to post‐fire resprouting individuals also showed considerable (91%) mortality. However, rigorous herbicide trials (also with herbicide in conjunction with burning) are required to inform the management of M. excelsa.

New floristic records in Kyiv City and its environs

The results of floristic research in the territory of Kyiv City and its environs (in the adjacent territories of Kyiv Region) are presented. According to the results, five new taxa for the flora of Ukraine are reported: Cardamine occulta, Equisetum × moorei, Lolium × holmbergii, Limonium sinuatum, Lonicera maackii. Chrozophora tinctoria is a new species for the flora of the mainland part of Ukraine. Also, 16 new taxa were identified for the regional floras of the Ukrainian Polissya, Forest-Steppe, and Middle Dnipro regions. In addition, new locations of 69 rare aboriginal and expansive alien taxa are reported. In total, among the studied taxa 38 are native and 53 are alien. Among the studied alien plants, several are potentially invasive ones, and some of them have already demonstrated their invasive nature, in particular: Cornus sanguinea subsp. australis, Erigeron strigosus, Phragmites altissimus, and Vitis riparia. The results of our study confirm that the flora of Kyiv City and its environs is one of the richest floras in the plain part of Ukraine, and currently it is rapidly changing.

Metabolomic profiling of wild rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) ecotypes and their antioxidant-derived phytopharmaceutical potential

IntroductionAspalathus linearis (commonly known as rooibos) is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa and is a popular herbal drink and skin phytotherapeutic ingredient, with health benefits derived primarily from its unique phenolic content. Several, seemingly habitat-specific ecotypes from the Cederberg (Western Cape) and Northern Cape have morphological, ecological, genetic and biochemical differences.Objectives and methodsDespite the commercial popularity of the cultivated variety, the uncultivated ecotypes are largely understudied. To address gaps in knowledge about the biochemical constituency, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of fifteen populations was performed, enabling high-throughput metabolomic fingerprinting of 50% (v/v) methanolic extracts. Antioxidant screening of selected populations was performed via three assays and antimicrobial activity on two microbial species was assessed. The metabolomic results were corroborated with total phenolic and flavonoid screening of the extracts.Results and discussionSite-specific chemical lineages of rooibos ecotypes were confirmed via multivariate data analyses. Important features identified via PLS-DA disclosed higher relative abundances of certain tentative metabolites (e.g., rutin, aspalathin and apiin) present in the Dobbelaarskop, Blomfontein, Welbedacht and Eselbank sites, in comparison to other locations. Several unknown novel metabolites (e.g., m/z 155.0369, 231.0513, 443.1197, 695.2883) are responsible for metabolomic separation of the populations, four of which showed higher amounts of key metabolites and were thus selected for bioactivity analysis. The Welbedacht and Eselbank site 2 populations consistently displayed higher antioxidant activities, with 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities of 679.894 ± 3.427 µmol Trolox/g dry matter and 635.066 ± 5.140 µmol Trolox/g dry matter, respectively, in correlation with a high number of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The contribution of the individual metabolites to the pharmacological effectiveness of rooibos remains unknown and as such, further structural elucidation and phytopharmacological testing is thus urgently needed.

Colonial-driven extinction of the blue antelope despite genomic adaptation to low population size

Low genomic diversity is generally indicative of small population size and is considered detrimental by decreasing long-term adaptability.1,2,3,4,5,6 Moreover, small population size may promote gene flow with congeners and outbreeding depression.7,8,9,10,11,12,13 Here, we examine the connection between habitat availability, effective population size (Ne), and extinction by generating a 40× nuclear genome from the extinct blue antelope (Hippotragus leucophaeus). Historically endemic to the relatively small Cape Floristic Region in southernmost Africa,14,15 populations were thought to have expanded and contracted across glacial-interglacial cycles, tracking suitable habitat.16,17,18 However, we found long-term low Ne, unaffected by glacial cycles, suggesting persistence with low genomic diversity for many millennia prior to extinction in ∼AD 1800. A lack of inbreeding, alongside high levels of genetic purging, suggests adaptation to this long-term low Ne and that human impacts during the colonial era (e.g., hunting and landscape transformation), rather than longer-term ecological processes, were central to its extinction. Phylogenomic analyses uncovered gene flow between roan (H.equinus) and blue antelope, as well as between roan and sable antelope (H.niger), approximately at the time of divergence of blue and sable antelope (∼1.9 Ma). Finally, we identified the LYST and ASIP genes as candidates for the eponymous bluish pelt color of the blue antelope. Our results revise numerous aspects of our understanding of the interplay between genomic diversity and evolutionary history and provide the resources for uncovering the genetic basis of this extinct species' unique traits.

Assessing vulnerability to embolism and hydraulic safety margins in reed-like Restionaceae.

The African Restionaceae (Poales), the dominant graminoid layer in the megadiverse Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, are distributed across a wide range of moisture availability, yet currently there is very little known about the underlying hydraulics of this group. We tested two methods for measuring culm vulnerability to embolism, the optical and pneumatic methods, in three species of Cannomois ranging in habitat from semi-riparian (Cannomois virgata) to dryland (Cannomois parviflora and C. congesta). Estimates of culm xylem vulnerability were coupled with measures of turgor loss point (ΨTLP) and minimum field water potential (ΨMD) to assess hydraulic safety margins. The optical and pneumatic methods produced similar estimates of P50, but differed for P12 and P88. All three species were quite vulnerable to embolism, with P50 of -1.9 MPa (C. virgata), -2.3 MPa (C. congesta), and -2.4 MPa (C. parviflora). Estimates of P50, ΨTLP and ΨMD aligned with habitat moisture stress, with highest values found in the semi-riparian C. virgata. Consistent differences in P50, ΨMD and ΨTLP between species resulted in consistent hydraulic safety margins across species of 0.96 ± 0.1 MPa between ΨMD and P50, with onset of embolism occurring 0.43 ± 0.04 MPa after ΨTLP for all three species. Our study demonstrates that restio occupancy of dry environments involves more than the evolution of highly resistant xylem, suggesting that other aspects of water relations are key to understanding trait-environment relationships in this group.

Application of extended depth of field 3D imagery to tackle the challenges of cryptic species: a use case in the genus Betiscoides Sjöstedt, 1924 (Orthoptera, Caelifera, Lentulidae) and its taxonomic implications

Discovering and handling cryptic diversity among species challenges taxonomists around the world. This is particularly true for the most diverse animal class – the insects – with cryptic diversity, apart from vast species numbers, being one of the main factors that hamper the description of new species. The biodiversity hotspot Cape Floristic Region of South Africa harbors many endemic and yet undescribed insect species, inter alia, Orthoptera. In this study, extended depth of field and 3D imagery enabled for a novel assessment of the external morphological characteristics used for defining and describing the genetically highly diverse genus Betiscoides Sjösdtedt, 1924, leading to a new definition of the genus’ characteristics as well as a revision of character traits of the known species. Two new species are described and a key to all five recognized Betiscoides species is provided. Application standards are derived to enable replicable and reliable image acquisition and measuring. These findings shall contribute to promote efforts being made to establish image based taxonomic identification for researchers worldwide. High-resolution images provide the basis to train deep learning algorithms/ tools, to detect the smallest differences in highly morphologically alike species, and to implement this knowledge in global species monitoring and conservation action to prevent further species loss.

Evolutionary history of an Irano-Turanian cushion-forming legume (Onobrychis cornuta).

The Irano-Turanian region is one of the largest floristic regions in the world and harbors a high percentage of endemics, including cushion-like and dwarf-shrubby taxa. Onobrychis cornuta is an important cushion-forming element of the subalpine/alpine flora of the Irano-Turanian floristic region. To specify the genetic diversity among the populations of this species (including individuals of O. elymaitica), we employed nrDNA ITS and two noncoding regions of plastid DNA (rpl32-trnL(UAG) and trnT(UGU)-trnL(UAA)). The most striking feature of O. cornuta assemblages was the unexpectedly high nucleotide diversity in both the nDNA and cpDNA dataset. In the analyses of nuclear and plastid regions, 25 ribotypes and 42 haplotypes were found among 77 and 59 accessions, respectively, from Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan. Network analysis of the datasets demonstrated geographic differentiation within the species. Phylogenetic analyses of all dataset retrieved O. cornuta as a non-monophyletic species due to the inclusion of O. elymaitica, comprising four distinct lineages. In addition, our analyses showed cytonuclear discordance between both nuclear and plastid topologies regarding the position of some O. cornuta individuals. The underlying causes of this inconsistency remain unclear. However, we speculate that chloroplast capture, incomplete lineage sorting, and introgression were the main reasons for this event. Furthermore, molecular dating analysis indicated that O. cornuta originated in the early Pliocene (around 4.8 Mya) and started to diversify throughout the Pliocene and in particular the Pleistocene. Moreover, O. elymaitica was reduced to a subspecific rank within the species.

Evolutionary causes of global patterns of species richness in regional fern floras across the world

AbstractAimGlobally, biodiversity is unevenly distributed, as a result of varying environmental conditions and regionally different historical processes. The influence of the latter on current diversity patterns is poorly understood. We explore geographic patterns of matches and mismatches between phylogenetic relatedness metrics measuring different depths of evolutionary history and investigate the effects of evolutionary legacy at different evolutionary depths on species density of ferns.MethodsWe divided the globe into 392 geographic regions on land, and collated species lists of ferns for each geographic region. We related species richness to phylogenetic metrics reflecting different depths of evolutionary history (standardized effect sizes of mean nearest taxon distance and mean pairwise distance, MNTDses and MPDses, respectively) for ferns in regional floras across the world.LocationGlobal.Time PeriodCurrent.TaxonFerns.ResultsWe show that different centers of fern diversity have strikingly different phylogenetic composition. We find that overall fern species diversity is negatively correlated with both MNTDses and MPDses, so that regions with high species diversity tend to have clustered species assemblages, whereas species‐poor regions tend to have overdispersed species assemblages. At the global extent, MNTDses and MPDses together explained 62.2%, 19.3%, and 65.7% of the variation in species diversity for all ferns as a whole, non‐polypod ferns, and polypods, respectively.Main ConclusionsOur study suggests that current geographic patterns of fern species richness are driven, at least in part, by evolutionary history of ferns, which varies among biogeographic regions.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Amburana cearensis: A Scientometric Study on an Endangered Medicinal Tree

Amburana cearensis (Fabaceae) is a native tree of the Brazilian northeastern semiarid region, which has considerable economic, medicinal, and social importance, especially in the Caatinga biome. This study aims to identify the scientific knowledge generated about the pharmacological applicability of the species. We analyzed scientific works on the widespread pharmacological use of A. cearensis, adopting the scientometric research method. The medicinal properties were classified according to the uses mentioned in the manuscripts, considering body systems and treated symptoms. They were associated with the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health. We identified a total of 86 articles addressing the medicinal potential of the species, distributed in 57 journals published between 2005 and 2023. There was a significant increase in publications during the period evaluated. Also, the species has been widely used in traditional medicine, which has attracted new studies, especially experimental ones focusing on unraveling its pharmacological potential. One trend observed was a significant geographic bias, since most of the studies investigated were carried out by researchers linked to Brazilian institutions located mainly in the northeast. This region includes the largest number of species occurrence points, explaining the interest of these institutions in recognizing the biological potential of their local or regional flora. In-depth investigations into the medicinal properties and secondary metabolites produced by A. cearensis should continue so that its therapeutic benefits are fully understood. However, it is necessary to link research into chemical and pharmacological properties with consideration of the importance of sustainable management of the species, since it faces risks of extinction. We acknowledge that an earlier version of this manuscript was presented as a dissertation by Ayane Emília Dantas dos Santos to fulfil the academic requirements for the degree of Forest Science at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. The dissertation is available for reference at the following link: https://repositorio.ufrn.br/jspui/bitstream/123456789/46918/1/Cienciometriaetnobotanicamodelagem_Santos_2022.pdf.

Bioecological Characteristics of the Cirsium Mill. Species Growing in the Northeast of the Lesser Caucasus

The Cirsium genus is a species of Asteraceae family that occupies a large area in the world. The range of species of this genus extends to all botanical and geographical regions of Azerbaijan, especially in the Ganja region. The article reflects the bioecological characteristics and significance of species of the CirsiumMill. genus, wide found in the flora of the northern regions of the Lesser Caucasus (around Ganja). Of the 15 species of the genus found in Azerbaijan, 12 were found in Ganja and adjacent areas. The species live in a wide variety of territories — from the lowlands to the alpine belt.

Tropical forcing and ENSO dominate Holocene climates in South Africa's southern Cape

This paper explores the Holocene climatic dynamics of South Africa's southern Cape, a region that supports a large proportion of the Greater Cape Floristic Region and contains an array of important archaeological sites. While South African climates are generally characterised by marked rainfall seasonality, the southern Cape is currently situated at the interface between tropical and temperate climate systems, resulting in a largely aseasonal rainfall regime. This regime, however, is thought to have been particularly sensitive to past changes in late Quaternary boundary conditions, meaning that variability in either tropical or temperate systems could have significant environmental impacts. Evidence of past climate change, however, remains limited.We present a 9000-year record of hydroclimatic variability obtained from rock hyrax midden stable nitrogen records, from Papkuilsfontein, on the southern slope of the Anysberg Mountains. Resolved to an average 6-year resolution and spanning the period c. 9050 cal yr BP to 1990 CE, this is the highest resolution Holocene record from southern Africa and presents a unique opportunity for the detailed study of the primary drivers and spatial gradients of Holocene climate change in the southern Cape. The data indicate a long-term decrease in aridity across the Holocene and a pattern of variability that reveals remarkable similarities with records from the South African tropics and El Niño–Southern Oscillation proxies, highlighting the significance of tropical systems as drivers of Holocene climate change in the region. This substantially expands what has been previously considered to be the zone of tropical influence, extending from a coastal phenomenon associated with heat transport via the Agulhas Current to encompass much, if not all, of the Agulhas Plain south of the Cape Fold Mountains. These findings provide a valuable new climatic framework for contextualizing changes in ecological and archaeological records in the southern Cape, and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the spatio-temporal dynamics of climate systems in southern Africa.

A paleoecological context for forest distribution and restoration in Grootbos Nature Reserve, Agulhas Plain, South Africa

Grootbos Nature Reserve falls within the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa and comprises fynbos and forest vegetation elements, which exist as alternate stable states and are naturally maintained by feedbacks between vegetation, fire, topography and climate. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in forest extent in the Baviaansfontein valley in Grootbos Nature Reserve in order to understand whether current forest coverage was greater or lesser prior to colonial settlement. Incorporating paleoecology has the potential to define historical ranges of landscape variability that can guide forest restoration programs that are aligned to historical forest occurrence. Not all landscapes are suited for tree planting initiatives as they harbor indigenous open vegetation, which is of conservation value. Historical and palaeoecological information is especially valuable as tree planting initiatives and reforestation programs are becoming more popular. Here we present a combined palynological (pollen, spores, charcoal) and geochemical approach (X-ray fluorescence elemental ratios, Loss-on-ignition), to evaluate the historic extent and distribution of forest and fynbos vegetation for the past ~250 years at Baviaansfontein in the Grootbos Nature Reserve. The start of the record was dominated by pollen typical of asteraceous fynbos, with evidence of forest elements also present, though in low abundance. After 200 years (c.1750 CE–1950 CE) of increased input of micro- and macrocharcoal, the subsequent decline in charcoal indicates a decrease in fire occurrence. This decline coincides with increased input of forest pollen taxa, suggesting that fire suppression most likely triggered forest expansion and perhaps initiated the beginning of a biome boundary shift. The continued decline in fire promoted the development of the present-day proteoid fynbos type around ~1980 CE and was responsible for the replacement of the previously more asteraceous-dominated fynbos type. The results show that changes in fire occurrence have driven compositional changes over time within fynbos but also contributed to the expansion of forest at the expense of fynbos. Considering the palaeoecological record and the expected warmer climate with more fires, forest expansion at Baviaansfontein is not recommended. The proteoid-dominated fynbos biome might be similarly negatively affected by warmer climate and a shift to an asteraceous fynbos community could occur in the future.

A natural approach to breast cancer treatment: investigation of chemical features of aerial parts of endemic Onosma sintenisii Hausskn. ex Bornm and its antioxidant properties, in vitro cytotoxic and apoptosis induction on MCF-7 cells

ABSTRACT Onosma sintenisii Hausskn. ex Bornm. (O. sintenisii) belongs to the Boraginaceae family and it is an endemic species from Irano-turanian phytogeographical region (central and eastern Anatolia) that distributes in steppe areas. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, in vitro cytotoxic and apoptosis induction of methanol extract of aerial parts of O. sintenisii. As a result of GC/MS analysis, 14 components were identified, and the major compounds of the extracts are retronecine (13.94%), α.-D-Glucopyranosiduronic acid (10.86%), melaniline (7.5%) and 1,2-Butanediol (4.02%), respectively. Antioxidant properties of O. sintenisii were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and superoxide radical scavenging activity methods. While the DPPH free radical scavenging activity results of O. sintenisii extract varied between 62.49% and 32.27%, reducing power activity and superoxide radical scavenging activity were found to be low. The result of the MTT assay revealed strong anticancer activity of O. sintenisii extract. The most significant cytotoxic effect was noted at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL after 48 hours. These findings together with flow cytometry analysis suggest that apoptosis can be the main mechanism underlying cell death after O. sintenisii extract treatment.

The subfamily Cercidoideae (Fabaceae Lindl.) in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeast Brazil

The Fabaceae family holds the greatest floral diversity and number of species in Brazil, having high economic, ecological, and medicinal importance, and is currently divided into six subfamilies. This study consisted of a survey and description of species of the Cercidoideae subfamily occurring in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeast Brazil. Nine species belonging to the genera Bauhinia and Schnella were cataloged, and one species (B. forficata) is presented here as a new record in Ceará state. This article provides botanical identification keys, data on phenology, and distribution, and a geographic distribution map aiming to expand knowledge of the regional flora and to support preservation actions in the Chapada do Araripe.

Relative contributions of taxonomic and functional diversity to the assembly of plant communities hosting endemic Dianthus species in a mountain steppe

Plant community assembly is the outcome of long-term evolutionary events (evident as taxonomic diversity; TD) and immediate adaptive fitness (functional diversity; FD); a balance expected to shift in favour of FD in ‘harsh’ habitats under intense selection pressures. We compared TD and FD responses along climatic and edaphic gradients for communities of two species (Dianthus pseudocrinitus and D. polylepis) endemic to the montane steppes of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province, NE Iran. 75 plots at 15 sites were used to relate TD and FD to environmental gradients. In general, greater TD was associated with variation in soil factors (potassium, lime, organic matter contents), whereas FD was constrained by aridity (drought adaptation). Crucially, even plant communities hosting different subspecies of D. polylepis responded differently to aridity: D. polylepis subsp. binaludensis communities included a variety of broadly stress-tolerant taxa with no clear environmental response, but TD of D. polylepis subsp. polylepis communities was directly related to precipitation, with consistently low FD reflecting a few highly specialized stress-tolerators. Integrating taxonomic and functional diversity metrics is essential to understand the communities hosting even extremely closely related taxa, which respond idiosyncratically to climate and soil gradients.

Identification of low levels of neutral and functional genetic diversity in South African bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus).

Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) and blesbok (D. p. phillipsi) are classified as separate sub-species. The blesbok has a widespread distribution throughout South Africa and is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Bontebok on the other hand is endemic within the Cape Floristic Region of the Western Cape in South Africa and has been listed as near-threatened species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Bontebok populations experienced a severe bottleneck and were brought back from the brink of extinction in the 1830s. Currently, the subspecies is threatened by hybridisation with blesbok resulting in fertile offspring. To date, molecular investigations using neutral markers have determined that genetic diversity in pure South African bontebok was significantly lower than in pure blesbok. Here, we investigated genetic diversity in bontebok, blesbok and hybrid individuals using microsatellites and an adaptive marker (toll-like receptor two (TLR2)). The study of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed five mutations in TLR2 in different individuals and subspecies of D. pygargus. This included three non-synonymous and two synonymous mutations. The three amino acid substitution mutations were predicted to have no effect on protein function. Two of the five mutations, one of which resulted in an amino acid substitution, were not present in bontebok. The other three mutations were present to varying frequencies in the three groups. We confirm low adaptive and neutral diversity in bontebok. These mutations provide insights into the genetic diversity and relationships among the two sub-species of D. pygargus and may have implications for their conservation and management.