Plant Genera Research Articles

ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF THE ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACT OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGUS Penicillium Citrinum FROM Kalanchoe Millotii STEM THROUGH SECONDARY METABOLITES

Kalanchoe, as Cocor Bebek, is a genus of plants that is often used in traditional medicine because it has various biological activities, one of which is as an antioxidant. The development of research was carried out on the secondary metabolites compounds of endophytic fungi from the stem of K. millotii as the Cocor Bebek species. Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that live in plant tissues, generally producing secondary metabolites that have bioactivities such as anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial. One of the endophytic fungi isolated from the stem of K. millotii was identified as Penicillium citrinum. The potential antioxidant activity of the secondary metabolites contained in the ethyl acetate extract of the endophytic fungus P. citrinum is interesting to study. The sample extract was extracted using non-polar, semi-polar, and polar solvents. The ethyl acetate extract was separated and purified by various chromatographic methods to obtain 8 mg compound 1, as a yellow solid. The chemical structure was determined by spectroscopic methods. Based on spectrum analysis of 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis, compound 1 was identified as 4-(2-ethylbutoxy)-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde. Antioxidant activity testing of ethyl acetate extract and compound 1 was carried out using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-pikrilhidrazyl) method. The test results on the extract showed weak activity with an IC50 value of 401.01 ppm while compound 1 showed moderate activity with an IC50 value of 221.41 ppm

Comparative Quantitative estimation of total tannin content of leaves of Ocimum sanctum (tulsi), Mentha (pudina) and Camellia sinensis (tea leaves)

Ocimum sanctum or Tulasi is a perennial plant belonging to the family of Lamiaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant all over the Southeast Asian tropics. Mentha or mint, is a genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae, distribution across Europe, Africa (Southern Africa), Asia, Australia Oceania, North America and South America. Camellia sinensis (tea) belonging to the Theaceae family is a plant that generally cultivates in tropical and subtropical climates. Present study was to estimate total tannin content of leaves of Tulsi, mint and tea. Tannic acid was used as a standard and the total tannin content were expressed as tannic acid equivalents (TAE). Absorbance was measured using a spectrophotometer at 720nm. The study shows that the tannin contents of pudina and tulsi leaves is comparable whereas the tannin content of tea leaves is much more as compare to above pudina and tulsi leaves. The research will be continue to determine the other phytochemical constituent like flavonoid, Bitter, Alkaloids and Saponin etc.

Whole-genome sequence and annotation of Penstemon davidsonii.

Penstemon is the most speciose flowering plant genus endemic to North America. Penstemon species' diverse morphology and adaptation to various environments have made them a valuable model system for studying evolution. Here, we report the first full reference genome assembly and annotation for Penstemon davidsonii. Using PacBio long-read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding technology, we constructed a de novo reference genome of 437,568,744 bases, with a contig N50 of 40 Mb and L50 of 5. The annotation includes 18,199 gene models, and both the genome and transcriptome assembly contain over 95% complete eudicot BUSCOs. This genome assembly will serve as a valuable reference for studying the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of the Penstemon genus.

Mapping species richness and evolutionary regions of the genus Myrcia

AbstractAimMyrcia is a plant genus exclusive of the Neotropical region and one of the most important components of the tree diversity in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest domains. However, no mapping of its taxonomic diversity for this region exists. Our aim was to describe the spatial patterns of diversity and biogeographical history for Myrcia in the Neotropical region based on a phylogenetic regionalization.LocationNeotropics.TaxonGenus Myrcia (Myrtaceae).MethodsWe derived distributions for 307 species from occurrence records using buffering and species distribution modelling. We used stacked distributions to generate a richness map of the genus and its clades (sections). In addition, we used phylogenetic regionalization methods to define evolutionary regions (evoregions) and ancestral area reconstruction to reveal the biogeographical history across these evoregions.ResultsWe found high species richness in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, with some sections restricted to the East coast of South America, while others were widespread across the Neotropics. We defined five evoregions, named A–E; the ancestral reconstruction revealed that Myrcia originated in evoregion B, under a tropical climate, with further specialization of distant‐related lineages to the colder environmental condition in evoregion A.Main ConclusionsHigh species richness of Myrcia in South America eastern coast and in the Brazilian highlands coincides with the evoregions with most diversification. Our genus‐specific regionalization together with the ancestral area reconstruction showed that evoregions A and B were the main evolutionary regions where diversification took place. In addition, the biogeographical history of the group suggests that some lineages have adaptations to deal with colder environments, that probably evolved in response to cooling periods since the mid‐Miocene.

Skin-protective biological activities of bio-fermented Aframomum angustifolium extract by a consortium of microorganisms.

Background: Aframomum sp. is a genus of plants in the Zingiberaceae family. It includes several species, some of which are used in cosmetics for their various properties, making them useful in skincare products, particularly for anti-aging, moisturizing, and brightening the skin. However, to date, there is no experimental evidence on its natural extracts obtained or modified using microorganisms (bio-fermentation) as an anti-aging agent. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the antiaging effect of a Bio-fermented Aframomum angustifolium (BAA) extract on 3D bioprinted skin equivalent. Methods: The consortium of microorganisms contained Komagataeibacter, Gluconobacter, Acetobacter, Saccharomyces, Torulaspora, Brettanomyces, Hanseniaspora, Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Schizosaccharomyces. It was developed on a media containing water, sugar, and infused black tea leaves. The seeds of Aframomum angustifolium previously grounded were mixed with the culture medium, and the ferments in growth; this fermentation step lasted 10 days. Then, the medium was collected and filtered (0.22µm) to obtain the BAA extract. To enhance our comprehension of the impact of BAA extract on skin aging, we developed skin equivalents using bio-printing methods with the presence or absence of keratinocyte stem cells (KSC). These skin equivalents were derived from keratinocytes obtained from both a middle-aged donor, with and without KSC. Moreover, we examined the effects of treating the KSC-depleted skin equivalents with Bio-fermented Aframomum angustifolium (BAA) extract for 5days. Skin equivalents containing KSC-depleted keratinocytes exhibited histological characteristics typical of aged skin and were compared to skin equivalents derived from young donors. Results: The BAA extract contained specific organic acids such as lactic, gluconic, succinic acid and polyphenols. KSC-depleted skin equivalents that were treated with BAA extract exhibited higher specular reflection, indicating better hydration of the stratum corneum, higher mitotic activity in the epidermis basal layer, improved dermal-epidermal connectivity, and increased rigidity of the dermal-epidermal junction compared to non-treated KSC-depleted equivalents. BAA extract treatments also resulted in changes at the dermis level, with an increase in total collagen and a decrease in global laxity, suggesting that this extract could help maintain youthful-looking skin. Conclusion: In summary, our findings indicated that BAA extract treatments have pleiotropic beneficial effects on skin equivalents and that the bio-fermentation provides new biological activities to this plant.

Multi-integrated genomic data for Passiflora foetida provides insights into genome size evolution and floral development in Passiflora

Passiflora is a plant genus known for its extremely distinctive and colorful flowers and a wide range of genome size variation. However, how genome characteristics are related to flower traits among Passiflora species remains poorly understood. Here, we assembled a chromosome-scale genome of P. foetida, which belongs to the same subgenus as the commercial passionfruit P. edulis. The genome of P. foetida is smaller (424.16 Mb) and contains fewer copies of long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs). The disparity in LTR-RTs is one of the main contributors to the differences in genome sizes between these two species and possibly in floral traits. Additionally, we observed variation in insertion times and copy numbers of LTR-RTs across different transposable element (TE) lineages. Then, by integrating transcriptomic data from 33 samples (eight floral organs and flower buds at three developmental stages) with phylogenomic and metabolomic data, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the expression, phylogeny, and copy number of MIKC-type MADS-box genes and identified essential biosynthetic genes responsible for flower color and scent from glandular bracts and other floral organs. Our study pinpoints LRT-RTs as an important player in genome size variation in Passiflora species and provides insights into future genetic improvement.Graphical

Exploring Consumer Awareness of Curculigo Latifolia as a Sugar Substitute

Lemba or Pinang Puyuh, locally known as Curculigo Latifolia, is a prevalent plant species in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo Island. Belonging to the flowering plant genus Hypoxidaceae, this plant harbours a sweet protein called Curculin extracted from its fruit. Remarkably, Curculin is 500 times sweeter than sucrose, making C. latifolia a viable low-calorie sweetener for individuals with diabetes or obesity. Despite its potential, many remain unaware of this sweet herb. This paper explores consumer awareness regarding C. latifolia as a sugar substitute. Primary data was gathered through a self-administered survey by employing structured questionnaires. In the Klang Valley, Malaysia, 350 respondents were randomly selected. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive, chi-square, and factor analyses. Surprisingly, 80.9% of respondents had never encountered C. latifolia as a sugar substitute. Chi-square analysis disclosed associations between socio-demographic factors, such as gender, and awareness of C. latifolia. Further investigation via factor analysis identified four influencing factors determining consumer awareness: promotion, health concern, product, and price. Given the potential of natural sugar substitutes like C. latifolia in reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes, effective advertising and promotion are crucial. Increasing consumer awareness and knowledge about this herb will be essential for its future acceptance as a sugar substitute.

Species Delimitation in a Polyploid Group of Iberian Jasione (Campanulaceae) Unveils Coherence between Cryptic Speciation and Biogeographical Regionalization.

Groups with morphological stasis are an interesting framework to address putative cryptic species that may be hidden behind traditional taxonomic treatments, particularly when distribution ranges suggest disjunct and environmentally heterogeneous biogeographic patterns. New hypotheses of delimitation of evolutionary independent units can lead to the identification of different biogeographic processes, laying the foundation to investigate their historical and ecological significance. Jasione is a plant genus with a distribution centered in the Mediterranean basin, characterized by significant morphological stasis. Within the western Mediterranean J. gr. crispa species complex, J. sessiliflora s.l. and allied taxa form a distinct group, occupying environmentally diverse regions. At least two ploidy levels, diploid and tetraploid, are known to occur in the group. The internal variability is assessed with phylogenetic tools, viz. GMYC and ASAP, for species delimitation. The results are compared with other lines of evidence, including morphology and cytology. The fitting of distribution patterns of the inferred entities to chorological subprovinces is also used as a biogeographical and environmental framework to test the species hypothesis. Despite the scarcity of diagnostic morphological characters in the group, phylogenetic delimitation supports the description of at least one cryptic species, a narrow endemic in the NE Iberian Peninsula. Moreover, the results support the segregation of a thermophilic group of populations in eastern Iberia from J. sessiliflora. Ploidy variation from a wide geographical survey supports the systematic rearrangement suggested by species delimitation. Taxonomic reorganization in J. sessiliflora s.l. would allow ecological interpretations of distribution patterns in great accordance with biogeographical regionalization at the subprovince level, supporting geobotanical boundaries as a framework to interpret species ecological coherence of cryptic lineages. These results suggest that species differentiation, together with geographic isolation and polyploidization, is associated with adaptation to different environments, shifting from more to less thermophilic conditions. Thus, the recognition of concealed evolutionary entities is essential to correctly interpret biogeographical patterns in regions with a complex geologic and evolutionary history, such as the Mediterranean basin, and biogeographical units emerge as biologically sound frameworks to test the species hypothesis.

Using pyrimidinecarboxylic acids as growth stimulants for Rhododendron ledebourii Pojark and Rhododendron smirnowii Trautv.

Synthesised organic compounds of pyrimidinecarboxylic acids are characterised by high biological activity, even when their concentrations are low. These compounds, when applied to the seeds of Rhododendron, a genus of woody plants, with concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 %, stimulate the growth of the plants. The effect is more obvious 3 months after the start of the experiment, rather than 7 months after. Thus, Rhododendron ledebourii Pojark. seedlings grew by 13.3-33.5 %, and Rhododendron smirnowii Trautv. seedlings grew by 29.6-48.1 %. Rhododendron ledebourii and Rhododendron smirnowii seedlings demonstrated similar direct correlations: when the concentration of 2-benzylamino-4-methyl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid and 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (for Rhododendron ledebourii seeds only) rose from 0.01 to 0.1 %, the height of the seedlings increased. It is suggested using 4-methyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid, 2-benzylamino-4-methyl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid, and 4-methyl-2-morpholin-4-pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 % as growth stimulants for the species of Rhododendron genus.

Foliar endophyte diversity in Eastern Asian-Eastern North American disjunct tree species - influences of host identity, environment, phylogeny, and geographic isolation.

The well-known eastern Asian (EA) and eastern North American (ENA) floristic disjunction provides a unique system for biogeographic and evolutionary studies. Despite considerable interest in the disjunction, few studies have investigated the patterns and their underlying drivers of allopatric divergence in sister species or lineages isolated in the two areas. Endophyte diversity and assembly in disjunct sister taxa, as an ecological trait, may have played an important role in the processes of allopatric evolution, but no studies have examined endophytes in these lineages. Here we compared foliar endophytic fungi and bacteria-archaea (FEF and FEB) in 17 EA-ENA disjunct species or clade pairs from genera representing conifers and 10 orders of five major groups of angiosperms and 23 species of Cornus from EA and North America. Metagenomic sequencing of fungal ITS and bacterial-archaeal 16S rDNA was used to capture the foliar endophytic communities. Alpha and beta diversity of fungi and bacteria were compared at multiple scales and dimensions to gain insights into the relative roles of historical geographic isolation, host identity, phylogeny, and environment from samples at different sites in shaping endophytic diversity patterns. We found that beta diversity of endophytes varied greatly among plant individuals within species and between species among genera at the same sampling site, and among three sampling sites, but little variation between region-of-origin of all plant species (EA vs ENA) and between EA-ENA disjunct counterparts within genera. Various numbers of indicator fungal species differing in abundance were identified for each plant genus and Cornus species. An overall significant correlation between endophyte community dissimilarity and phylogenetic distance of plants was detected among the disjunct genera but not among species of Cornus. However, significant correlations between beta diversities at different taxonomic scales of endophytes and phylogenetic distances of Cornus species were observed. Our results suggest important roles of host identity and environment (sampling sites), and a likely minor role of phylogenetic divergence and historical biogeographic isolation in shaping the pattern of foliar endophyte diversity and assembly in the EA-ENA disjunct genera and Cornus. The results lead to a hypothesis that the sister taxa in EA and ENA likely differ in FEF and FEB when growing in native habitats due to differences in local environments, which may potentially drive allopatric divergence of the functional features of species.

Functional traits shape plant-plant interactions and recruitment in a hotspot of woody plant diversity.

Understanding and predicting recruitment in species-rich plant communities requires identifying functional determinants of both density-independent performance and interactions. In a common-garden field experiment with 25 species of the woody plant genus Protea, we varied the initial spatial and taxonomic arrangement of seedlings and followed their survival and growth during recruitment. Neighbourhood models quantified how six key functional traits affect density-independent performance, interaction effects and responses. Trait-based neighbourhood models accurately predicted individual survival and growth from the initial spatial and functional composition of species-rich experimental communities. Functional variation among species caused substantial variation in density-independent survival and growth that was not correlated with interaction effects and responses. Interactions were spatially restricted but had important, predominantly competitive, effects on recruitment. Traits increasing the acquisition of limiting resources (water for survival and soil P for growth) mediated trade-offs between interaction effects and responses. Moreover, resprouting species had higher survival but reduced growth, likely reinforcing the survival-growth trade-off in adult plants. Resource acquisition of juvenile plants shapes Protea community dynamics with acquisitive species with strong competitive effects suffering more from competition. Together with functional determinants of density-independent performance, this makes recruitment remarkably predictable, which is critical for efficient restoration and near-term ecological forecasts of species-rich communities.

Applying regional climatic indicators to study plant diversity patterns in Inner Mongolia

Climate factors have a major influence on biodiversity patterns have often used their mean values to reflect the distribution of different organisms, reducing the faceted information of the study unit to point information, a situation that may affect the accuracy of the study results. However, there has been a lack of systematic and comprehensive discussion on regional climatic indicators and their selection. To address this, we evaluated plant distribution and meteorological data from 88 banners and counties in Inner Mongolia considering five regional climatic indicators that reflect the state of climate factors, heterogeneity, and total resources in each sampling unit. Additionally, we compared and analyzed the advantages of the regional climatic indicators over mean climate indicators to determine the dominant climate factors driving the diversity patterns of plant families, genera, and species. Our results showed that the regional climatic indicators were better than the mean values at reflecting the diversity patterns of plant families and genera. In Inner Mongolia, plant species diversity patterns were mainly influenced by total precipitation and temperature heterogeneity indicators; and concurrently, the correlation between plant family and genus diversity patterns and regional climatic indicators was also higher than the mean values. The extent to which climate explains the diversity patterns of plants increases with decreasing plant taxonomic rank. The results of this study expand the available selection and use of climate indicators in biodiversity research and deepen the understanding of the effects of climate on plant family diversity patterns in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore, this study provides new perspectives for the rational selection and accurate use of climate or environmental indicators in biodiversity conservation and restoration research.

Genus Acronychia: An Extensive Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities

Background: Acronychia is a genus of the medicinal plants that was used traditionally to treat various ailments such as cough, asthma, sores, ulcers, itchy skin, fever, and rheumatism. Acronychia plants have a wide range of distribution, but they are mostly native to India, Siri Lanka, Australia, and Indochina. Since the 1950s Acronychia plants have been extensively used in phytochemical research and pharmacological examinations. Objective: The goal of this study is to structurally compile almost secondary metabolites from the title plants, as well as coverage of full information on their biomedical actions. Conclusion: Phytochemical profile of this genus is associated with the appearances of various chemical classes, including principal compounds type acetophloroglucinols and alkaloids, as well as other types coumarins, mono-phenols, flavonoids, phytosterols, lignans, xanthenes, and tocopherols. More than one hundred thirty secondary metabolites have been isolated. Naturally occurring acetophloroglucinols represented in both monomers and dimers, and most of them were new in nature. Phytochemical research based on GC-MS identification showed that Acronychia plants should be suitable for the cosmeceutical field and food chemistry due to the high content of volatiles. Acronychia extracts are safe in use, and they are increasingly exploited within pharmacological assays. In agreement with traditional properties, crude plant extracts, fractions, and their isolated compounds are well-known for antimicrobial, antioxidative, antiinflammatory, antiprotozal, antiarrhythmic, antinociceptive, antihistamine, and allelopathic activities, especially in terms of cytotoxicity. A sustainable use program should be established to aid the further studies of these medicinal plants.

Micrometer insights into Nepeta genus: Pollen micromorphology unveiled

This study provides a comprehensive pollen micromorphology within the Nepeta genus, revealing intricate details about the pollen grains' structure and characteristics. The findings shed light on the evolutionary and taxonomical aspects of this plant genus, offering valuable insights for botanists and researchers studying Nepeta species. The pollen grains of 18 Nepeta species were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM) in Northern Pakistan. At the microscale, pollen quantitative measurements, qualitative traits, and diverse sculpturing patterns were reported and compared. Significant differences in pollen size, shape, ornamentation, and sculpturing patterns were discovered among the Nepeta species. Our data show that exine sculpturing is quite diverse, with most species exhibiting a reticulate perforate pollen pattern. Nepeta connata, Nepeta discolor, Nepeta elliptica, revealed a distinct bireticulate perforate exine stratification. Hexazonocolpate pollen is the most common. Furthermore, the surface membrane attributes of the colpus varied greatly, ranging from rough, scabrate, psilate, to sinuate patterns. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to discover the key factors influencing pollen diversity. PCA results showed that polar and equatorial diameters, colpi size, and exine thickness were the most influential pollen features between Nepeta species. This study adds to our understanding of pollen morphology in the Nepeta genus, offering information on the vast range of characteristics found in this economically important group. The extensive characterization of pollen features provides useful insights for the categorization and differentiation of Nepeta species, adding to the Lamiaceae micromorphology.

How many species of Rafflesia exist in Java, Indonesia and what are the implications for conservation?

Societal Impact StatementClarifying species status for closely related taxa with similar and overlapping morphology is important for planning conservation efforts. Conservation of Rafflesia goes beyond merely saving species from extinction. It has far‐reaching societal impacts that touch on scientific discovery, cultural heritage, economic development, education, and more. Rafflesia interests many nature lovers, and so protected areas that preserve Rafflesia can become tourism hotspots, contributing to local economies and livelihoods. By conserving biodiversity, we acknowledge and value the interdependence of all living organisms, promoting a holistic understanding of nature. Biodiversity conservation is an investment in the health and well‐being of both ecosystems and human societies.Summary Species ambiguity could hinder conservation activities. Rafflesia is an endangered, holoparasitic, and endophytic plant genus that grows exclusively on Tetrastigma (Vitaceae) host plants. Overlapping morphological characters make their species delimitation difficult. Therefore, the number of Rafflesia species has been a major debate until now. On the island of Java, Indonesia, two or three species have been variously recognized. Here, we aim to illuminate the species status using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) marker obtained via a multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing (MIG‐seq) approach. Clustering analysis with STRUCTURE indicates three different groups. Furthermore, the delimitation of the Javanese Rafflesia into three species is the favored model based on SNAPPER analysis. Phylogenetic analysis using Randomized Axelerated Maximum Likelihood (RAxML) also supports the distinction of the three groups. Although a SplitsTree4 analysis confirms the abovementioned results, it also highlights that Rafflesia patma shows broader gene flow compared to the other two species R. rochusenii and R. zollingeriana. We conclude that there are likely three species of Rafflesia on Java. Our study highlights the ability of using SNPs markers, in this case derived from a MIG‐seq approach, in approaching species uncertainty. The importance of clarifying the Rafflesia species status on Java Island for conservation planning is also discussed.

DISTRIBUTION AND USE IN FOLK MEDICINE OF PLANTS OF THE GENUS YARROW (ACHILLEA L.)

This article presents an overview of the use in folk medicine of yarrow (Achillea L.) genus plants. The purpose of the review is to systematize and summarize the existing scientific data on the ethnopharmaceutical use and distribution of yarrow species. Yarrow is a genus of herbaceous plants known for its medicinal properties and wide use in folk and contemporary medicine. The genus Achillea, one of the most famous genera of this Asteraceae family, has about 150 species growing throughout the northern hemisphere, 14 species of which are found on the territory of Kazakhstan. The data being reviewed show a wide range of uses for Achillea plants ranging from central nervous system diseases to gastrointestinal disorders. It is noted that only three Kazakh species of yarrow are known to be used in folk medicine: A. filipendulina, A. millefolium, A. nobilis. At the same time, only A. filipendulina has found application in local folk practice as a remedy for gastrointestinal diseases and as an abortive agent. According to this observation, it was accepted that the species of A. filipendulina is of significant scientific and practical interest as an object of research.

Inventory of the Citrus in Barimbun Village, Tabalong District

Indonesia is rich in flora diversity, especially fruit plants. One of fruit plants that is familiar to Indonesian people is the orange tree. Orange trees are annual plants originating from the Asian continent, especially India to China. In Indonesia, orange plants are diverse and have unique characteristics in the form of aroma, color and taste that are different from other fruits. The aim of this research is to describe the diversity of citrus plants (genus Citrus) in Barimbun Village, Tabalong. This research uses the line transect method. The research results found 7 types of oranges, namely, Citrus microcarpa, Citrus jambhiri, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus gandis, Citrus hystrix, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus limon. Moreover, the abiotic factors give good value which means a suitable habitat for oranges. From this study, it may conclude that Barimbun Village, Tabalong District is a suitable habitat for orange plant because this area has enough amount of rainfall and stabil temperature.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE GENUS AJANIA (REVIEW)

The review article presents the results of the analysis of scientific literature on the geographical distribution and level of study of the chemical composition of known representatives of the genus Ajania Poljakov. Out of the 37 known species, only 8 representatives of this plant genus have been studied. The structures of the encountered biologically active compounds (BAC) are presented, including flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols, lignans, alkaloids, and other nitrogen-containing compounds, organic acids, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and phenolic compounds. In quantitative terms, the class of phenolic compounds predominates, among which terpenoids and flavonoids are dominant, some of which can be considered as chemotaxonomic markers. Within the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, two species are found: Ajania fastigiata and Ajania fruticulosa, the latter of which has pharmacopoeial significance.

Association between land use, land cover, plant genera, and pollinator abundance in mixed-use landscapes.

Pollinators are threatened by land-use and land-cover changes, with the magnitude of the threat depending on the pollinating taxa, land-use type and intensity, the amount of natural habitat remaining, and the ecosystem considered. This study aims to determine the effect of land use (protected areas, plantations, pastures), land cover (percentage of forest and open areas within buffers of different sizes), and plant genera on the relative abundance of nectivorous birds (honeyeaters), bees (native and introduced), and beetles in the mixed-use landscape of the Tasman Peninsula (Tasmania, Australia) using mixed-effect models. We found the predictor selected (through model selection based on R2) and the effect of the predictors varied depending on the pollinating taxa. The land-use predictors were selected for only the honeyeater abundance model with protected areas and plantations having substantive positive effects. Land-cover predictors were selected for the honeyeater and native bee abundance models with open land cover within 1500 m and 250 m buffers having substantive negative and positive effects on honeyeaters and native bees respectively. Bees and beetles were observed on 24 plant genera of which only native plants (and not invasive/naturalised) were positively associated with pollinating insects. Pultenaea and Leucopogon were positively associated with native bees while Leucopogon, Lissanthe, Pimelea, and Pomaderris were positively associated with introduced bees. Leptospermum was the only plant genus positively associated with beetles. Our results highlight that one size does not fit all-that is pollinator responses to different landscape characteristics vary, emphasising the importance of considering multiple habitat factors to manage and support different pollinator taxa.

A new mite species of the genus Cenopalpus Pritchard and Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACTA new tenuipalpid mite species, Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) is described and illustrated based on female and deutonymph specimens collected from Crataegus sinaica Boiss (Rosaceae) in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, a key to reported species of the genus Cenopalpus on the plant genus Crataegus is provided.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:03D7A56D-E787-4E75-9B77-546148B89B78http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:48EEA4BB-3250-4D6B-9FFB-A7790F49AF44