Spinosa Var Research Articles

Genetic differentiation of the Capparis spinosa group in the Mediterranean area

The Capparis spinosa group is represented in the Mediterranean by a complex of taxa widespread in North Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. The taxonomy of this group used to be based on morphological characters with little work on the genetics of the group, and there is still much to be learned about its evolutionary history and diversification. We sampled 431 individuals of two subspecies and five varieties of C. spinosa and analysed them using highly informative EST-SSR markers to evaluate the population genetic diversity, structure and differentiation of the species in the Mediterranean. In addition, comparisons with the genetic profiles of C. spinosa subsp. cartilaginea, the putative ancestral taxon were made to investigate the phylogeographic history and possible gene flow across taxa. Integrated Bayesian approaches showed: i) a high divergence among C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. canescens, C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. aegyptia and the three varieties belonging to C. spinosa subsp. rupestris (var. rupestris, var. ovata and var. myrtifolia), with a clear separation between var. aegyptia and var. canescens which allows to consider var. aegyptia as a subspecies of C. spinosa; ii) a significant correlation between genetic divergence and geographic distance between the five varieties studied; iii) that the different varieties in the Mediterranean may have been derived from C. spinosa subsp. cartilaginea. Further genomic investigations are required to confirm our results. However, the findings presented allows us to suggest the genus Capparis can be considered a model for the study of the gene flow and differentiation in species occurring in a wide range of habitats.

BLOSSOMING BENEATH THE DROPS: UNRAVELING THE GROWTH DYNAMICS OF CAPPARIS SPINOSA VAR. INERMIS ACROSS DIVERSE IRRIGATION LEVELS

This study explores the intricate growth dynamics of Capparis spinosa var. Inermis under diverse irrigation levels, shedding light on the plant's response to varying water regimes. Employing a comprehensive approach, we investigated key physiological and morphological parameters to unravel the nuanced interplay between irrigation and growth. Our findings provide valuable insights into optimizing water management practices for the cultivation of Capparis spinosa var. Inermis, contributing to sustainable agriculture and ecological conservation.

The Capparis spinosa var. herbacea genome provides the first genomic instrument for a diversity and evolution study of the Capparaceae family.

The caper bush Capparis spinosa L., one of the most economically important species of Capparaceae, is a xerophytic shrub that is well adapted to drought and harsh environments. However, genetic studies on this species are limited because of the lack of its reference genome. We sequenced and assembled the Capparis spinosa var. herbacea (Willd.) genome using data obtained from the combination of PacBio circular consensus sequencing and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture. The final genome assembly was approximately 274.53 Mb (contig N50 length of 9.36 Mb, scaffold N50 of 15.15 Mb), 99.23% of which was assigned to 21 chromosomes. In the whole-genome sequence, tandem repeats accounted for 19.28%, and transposable element sequences accounted for 43.98%. The proportion of tandem repeats in the C. spinosa var. herbacea genome was much higher than the average of 8.55% in plant genomes. A total of 21,577 protein-coding genes were predicted, with 98.82% being functionally annotated. The result of species divergence times showed that C. spinosa var. herbacea and Tarenaya hassleriana separated from a common ancestor 43.31 million years ago. This study reported a high-quality reference genome assembly and genome features for the Capparaceae family. The assembled C. spinosa var. herbacea genome might provide a system for studying the diversity, speciation, and evolution of this family and serve as an important resource for understanding the mechanism of drought and high-temperature resistance.

Capparis spinosa var. inermis Turra: Presentation, Uses and Socio-economic Benefits

The caper (Capparis spinosa var. Inermis Turra) is a bushy sub-shrub, 30 to 50 cm high. It is a small "sarmentose" shrub with unarmed twigs belonging to the Capparaceae family. It is a species of Saharo-Arabian and Mediterranean origins, which is characterized by food, ecological, socio-economic and ornamental importance. It is also known for its medicinal and therapeutic virtues, which are very interesting given the pharmacological activities of the phytochemicals present in the different parts of the caper tree (roots, leaves, buds, fruits, bark and seeds). Its mode of propagation is by seed or by semi-woody, woody, semi-herbaceous and herbaceous cuttings.

Quantification of Fatty Acid, Tocopherol and Sterol Contents in Capparis spp. Seed Oils

The oil yields of caperberry seeds vary from 29.20% (C. spinosa var. herbaceae) to 35.02% (C. spinosa var. inermis). The proportion of linoleic acid in the seed oil of C. ovata var. palastina was higher (43.8%) than that in the seed oil of other capers. Oleic acid contents of caper seed oil varied between 18.5% (C. spinosa var. herbaceae) and 20.9% (C. spinosa var. aegyptia). The major tocopherol was γ‑tocopherol in all the varieties of caper seed oil, which was higher in C. spinosa var. inermis (161.3 mg/100 g) than in C. spinosa var. herbaceae (85.8 mg/Kg) (p < 0.05). The major sterol was beta-stosterin in all the varieties of caperberry seed oils, and were found between 3241.4 mg/kg (C. spinosa var. inermis) and 5298.1 mg/kg (C. spinosa var. herbaceae), but there was significant difference (p < 0.05). The contents of stigmasterin in seed oil changed between 675.7 mg/kg (C. spinosa var. inermis) and 749.0 mg/kg (C. spinosa var. herbacea).

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Species delimitation in &lt;em&gt;Capparis&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;spinosa&lt;/em&gt; group (Capparaceae) in Iran: Multivariate morphometric analysis and ISSR markers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Multivariate morphometric approach (using PCA mix and CDA) and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Markers (ISSR) were used to characterize the patterns of morphological and genetic relationships of Capparis spinosa group in Iran. The morphological data analyses revealed that this complex could be divided into three main groups. C. spinosa subsp. cartilaginea and C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. mucronifolia were reliably delineated by morphological data, but C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. parviflora, C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. herbacea, C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. canescens, C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. aegyptia and their intermediate phenotypes were overlapped. The results of ISSR data were different from morphological analyses and var. parviflora exhibited a close genetic affinity to var. mucronifolia rather than the other varieties of sub. spinosa. The results of this study revealed that subsp. cartilaginea should be recognized at species level. In case of var. parviflora, we propose subspecies level for this variety. Further investigation is needed to reveal the taxonomic status of var. mucronifolia.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Plastome data provide insights into intra and interspecific diversity and &lt;em&gt;ndh&lt;/em&gt; gene loss in &lt;em&gt;Capparis&lt;/em&gt; (Capparaceae)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The genus Capparis is well known for its medicinal properties and many species of the genus are widely used in crude drug preparation. The present study is an effort to understand the inter and intraspecific plastome variations within genus Capparis using two newly sequenced plastomes. Plastome representatives from four taxa of Capparis were compared to understand the gene composition and arrangements within the genus. The LSC and SSC regions exhibited high nucleotide variation in Capparis species. The loss of two ndh genes from C. spinosa var. herbacea is reported for the first time. Moreover, we also report pseudogenization of seven genes from the genome of Capparis spinosa var. herbacea. In addition, rpl32-ccsA, atpF-atpH, petA-psbJ, trnL-trnF, trnH-psbA spacer region and one gene ycf1 were identified as potential barcodes for the genus Capparis based on inter and intraspecific variations.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of six Tunisian species of genus Capparis – Capparaceae

Leaves of species of the genus Capparis are consumed as food and used in traditional medicine. In the present work, phenolics profile and antioxidant activities of six taxa of Capparis collected in Tunisia (C. aegyptia, C. orientalis, C. ovata subsp. ovata, C. sicula subsp. sicula, C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. spinosa and C. zoharyi) were studied. The ethanolic and aqueous leaves extracts were analyzed by HPLC and 10 compounds were identified with significant variability between species. Moreover, DPPH and ABTS tests revealed their high antioxidant activities. Kaempferol was only found in the ethanol extract of C. zoharyi and cinnamic acid in that of C. aegyptia. Capparis spinosa subsp. spinosa var. spinosa is characterized by a balanced total polyphenol content. The correlation between the data of the phenolic compounds identified and the antioxidant activity revealed a clear separation between the six taxa studied. For the ethanolic extracts, in descending gradient of the three parameters TP, TF and DPPH, C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. spinosa was separated from the other taxa whereas for the aqueous extracts C. zoharyi and C. ovata subsp. ovata were separated from the rest. These subdivisions were different from those of many studies based on morphological, biogeographical, genetic and ecological parameters which aim to review the taxonomy of this genus throughout its geographic area.

Profile of bioactive compounds of Capparis spinosa var. aegyptiaca growing in Egypt

The present study was designed to investigate polyphenolic and sulphur contents of the aerial parts of Capparis spinosa var. aegyptia (Lam.) Boiss., Capparaceae, wildly growing in Egypt. The chemical compositions of the water distilled essential oil were investigated by GC/MS analysis where the major constituent of the oil was methyl isothiocyanate (24.66%). Hydroethanolic extract was evaluated by LC-HRESI-MS⿿MS in both positive and negative modes. Forty-two compounds were identified including quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin derivatives in addition to myricetin, eriodictyol, cirsimaritin and gallocatechin derivatives. Quercetin tetrahexoside dirhamnoside as well as kaempferol dihexoside dirhamnoside have not been identified before in genus Capparis. Phenolic acids, such as quinic acid, p-coumaroyl quinic acid and chlorogenic acid were also identified. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity of hydroethanolic extract against three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7; breast adenocarcinoma cells, Hep-G2; hepatocellular carcinoma cells and HCT-116; colon carcinoma) using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed significant effect with IC50 values 24.5, 24.4 and 11μg/ml, compared to Doxorubicin as a standard cytotoxic drug. C. spinosa revealed itself as a promising candidate for nutraceutical researches.

New Contribution to the Knowledge of the GenusCystoseiraC. Agardh in the Mediterranean Sea, with the Reinstatement of Species Rank forC. schiffneriHamel

A survey of the species of Cystoseira (Fucales, Phaeophyceae, Ochrophyta) of Tunisia highlighted six Mediterranean endemic taxa rare or new for this country: C. barbata f. aurantia, C. brachycarpa var. claudiae, C. compressa subsp. pustulata, C. foeniculacea f. dubia, C. hyblaea and C. spinosa var. tenuior. The discovery and the study of these species, some of which were little known, have allowed some taxonomic and biogeographical uncertainties to be identified and discussed. On the basis of the results, the transfer of C. discors f. dubia to C. foeniculacea as C. foeniculacea f. dubia and the reinstatement of species rank for the Mediterranean endemic species C. schiffneri are proposed.

Genetic Diversity of Some Capparis L. Species Growing in Syria

This work investigated the genetic diversity and relationships among Capparis species growing in Syria using IRAP and ISSR techniques. Forty-seven samples of three Capparis species genotypes were collected from 21 different locations in Syria. The genotypes were morphologically identified based on the descriptions available in the literature. When IRAP technique was used, an average of 71.5% of the amplified fragments were polymorphic compared to 82.04% in ISSR. Morphological characterization along with the cluster and PCoA analyses of the data divided the studied genotypes into three groups. The groups included genotypes identified as Capparis spinosa L, C. sicula Duh., and C. aegyptia Lam. Based on the morphological description, molecular studies and statistical analyses of this study, C. aegyptia could be suggested as a separate species and not a varietal rank of C. spinosa (C. spinosa var. aegyptia (Lam.). Two samples (Alep1 and Idl) were not placed in any of the three distinctive groups, despite their closeness morphologically to C. spinosa. In PCoA analysis, sample Alep1 came between C. sicula and C. spinosa and Idl was placed between C. sicula and C. aegyptia. Although hybridization between Capparis species could occur, it was not clear from the present study if these two genotypes were hybrids.

Production of arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids by the marine oomycete Halophytophthora.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are fatty acids with more than one double bond in the chemical structure. Arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4 (n-6)) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 22:5 (n-3)) are common PUFAs with beneficial health effects. Marine fish and meat are the main sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in human's diet, respectively. In particular, there is a general decline in fish catch, implicating the need for an alternative source of omega-3 fatty acids. Previous studies have examined the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids including ARA and EPA by various microorganisms, including microalgae, fungi, and thraustochytrids. In this study, the production of ARA and EPA by 10 isolates of four estuarine Halophytophthora species (Halophytophthora avicenniae, Halophytophthora polymorphica, Halophytophthora vesicula, and Halophytophthora spinosa var. spinosa) cultured from fallen mangrove leaves in Taiwan was examined. The yield of ARA ranged from 0.004 to 0.052 g/L with the highest yield of ARA obtained from H. spinosa var. spinosa IMB162, but no or a very low level of EPA was produced by IMB162. For EPA production by Halophytophthora spp., the yield ranged from 0 to 0.047 g/L. Percentage of ARA in total fatty acid ranged between 7.16 and 25.02%. One-way ANOVA analysis using Tukey Test (p ≥ 0.05) suggested that there is significant difference in the percentage of EPA in total fatty acid produced by the isolates, which ranged from 0.01 to 18.42%. BODIPY 505/515 fluorescent staining suggests that lipid bodies were evenly distributed in the mycelia of Halophytophthora species.

A taxonomic revision of the Capparis spinosa group (Capparaceae) from the Mediterranean to Central Asia

A revision of the Capparis spinosa group has been carried out in southern Europe, northern Africa, western and central Asia, in order to provide a uniform taxonomic treatment of its representatives. The xerotropical origin of this group, showing disjunct distribution in several holoarctic and paleotropical regions, is underlined and the different species concepts historically adopted are discussed. In the present treatment a single species is recognized, C. spinosa, represented in the study area by two subspecies. C. spinosa subsp. spinosa shows derived characters, high polymorphism and a wide distribution range from the Mediterranean eastwards to China and Nepal. C. spinosa subsp. rupestris, less variable and showing phenotypic characters closer to the tropical stock of the group, is recorded in the Mediterranean Region and the Sahara. On the basis of herbarium and field investigations, the variability and distribution of the two subspecies are examined. Within each subspecies some varieties are recognized, for which morphological, chorological and autecological data are presented. Four new combinations (C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. herbacea, C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. atlantica, C. spinosa subsp. rupestris var. ovata, C. spinosa subsp. rupestris var. myrtifolia) are proposed.

Decline and local extinction of Fucales in French Riviera: the harbinger of future extinctions?

The French Riviera is one of the Mediterranean areas that has been longest and most thoroughly impacted by human activities. Fucales are long-lived, large-sized brown algae that constitute a good model for studying human impact on species diversity. We gathered all historical data (literature and herbarium vouchers), since the early 19th century, to reconstruct their distribution. The current distribution was established from a 7-year (2007-2013) survey of the 212-km shoreline (1/2 500 map), by means of boating, snorkelling and scuba diving. Overall, 18 taxa of Cystoseira and Sargassum have been reported. Upon comparison with historical data, 5 taxa were no longer observed (C. elegans, C. foeniculacea f. latiramosa, C. squarrosa, C. spinosa var. spinosa and S. hornschuchii) while C. jabukae, previously unrecorded, was observed. In addition to these taxa, probably extinct at a local scale, some taxa had suffered a dramatic decline (C. barbata f. barbata, C. crinita, C. spinosa var. compressa and S. acinarium) or become nearly extinct (C. foeniculacea f. tenuiramosa). Three of them, which played in the past significant functional roles in coastal communities, can be considered as functionally extinct. Possible causes of decline and local extinction are discussed. A similar situation has already been reported, although at a much more local scale, in a variety of Mediterranean localities. The question therefore arises about the status of Fucales species in the Mediterranean: are some species on the brink of extinction? Is their extinction at the scale of the French Riviera the harbinger of their extinction Mediterranean–wide?

Physicochemical properties of seeds of Capparis species growing wild in Turkey

While Capparis spinosa var. herbaceace (2009) seeds collected from the Mardin-midyat region contains the highest protein (22.25%), C. spinosa var. spinosa seeds (2009) collected from the Muğla-Milas region contained the lowest protein (18.25%). In addition, oil contents of C. spinosa and Capparis ovata seeds changed between 27.74 to 31.09 and 28.66 to 31.40%, respectively. Crude cellulose contents of C. spinosa and C. ovata seeds were found as 28.24 and 29.67%, respectively. It was found that ash content of C. spinosa and C. ovata seeds were found between 2.13 and 2.23%, respectively. Phenolic matter content of C. spinosa and C. ovata were found between 1.98 mg (GAE) and 1.76 mg (GAE), respectively. Radical activity values of C. spinosa and C. ovata were determined as 83.432 and 83.718%, respectively.

Mineral contents of seed and seed oils of Capparis species growing wild in Turkey

The mineral contents of seed and seed oils of Capparis species growing wild in Turkey were established by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Capparis spinosa var. spinosa (2010) and Capparis ovata var. canescens variety (2009) were determined to be rich in terms of mineral matter as 19,514.60 and 16,995.92ppm as a total, respectively. C. spinosa var. spinosa collected from Muğla-Milas region (2009) had the highest amount of Ca with 1,010.67ppm in C. spinosa species and in C. ovata species. C. ovata var. canescens collected from Ankara-Beypazarı (2010) region had the highest amount of Ca with 833.92ppm Ca amount in C. spinosa var. spinosa, inermis, herbaceae seeds decreased in 2010. C. spinosa var. inermis collected from Antalya-Serik (2010) in C. spinosa species had rich amount of Ca with 123.78ppm and C. ovata var. palaestina seed oils collected from Mardin-Savur region (2009) had rich amount of Ca with 253.71ppm in C. ovata species. The oil of C. spinosa var. herbaceae variety collected from Mardin-Midyat region (2010) was determined to have the highest major mineral matter (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P) with 1,424.37ppm in C. spinosa species. It was also determined that as a result, caper seed and oils were found to be important sources of nutrients and essential elements.

Dos especies nuevas de Borreria (Rubiaceae) y sinopsis de las especies de Bolivia

Two new species are described, Borreria cerradoana and B. velascoana, from Bolivia and Brazil, and a new combination is made, B. spinosa var. minima. Through an identification key, all 28 species of Borreria for Bolivia are recorded, and comments on geographical distribution and habitat are provided. Borreria brachystemonoides, B. poaya, and B. tenera are confirmed as new records for the country.

Effect of microorganisms on the plutonium oxidation states

Particular microbes from substrates at the low-level radioactive waste repository in the Ignalina NPP territory were exposed to (239)Pu (IV) at low pH under aerobic conditions. Pu(III) and Pu(IV) were separated and quantitatively evaluated using the modified anion exchange method and alpha spectrometry. Tested bacteria Bacillus mycoides and Serratia marcescens were more effective in Pu reduction than Rhodococcus fascians. Fungi Paecillomyces lilacinus and Absidia spinosa var. spinosa as well as bacterium Rhodococcus fascians did not alter the plutonium oxidation state.

Zygomycetes from “Reserva Biológica de Mogi Guaçu”, São Paulo State, Brazil

The taxonomic composition of zygomycetes from a reserve of Brazilian Cerrado was analyzed. Soil and leaf litter samples were collected at five sampling dates. Cultures of Absidia, Backusella, Circinella, Rhizopus and Conidiobolus were obtained from canopy- and soil-plates. Due to the scarcity of detailed taxonomic information for Brazilian zygomycetes, additional information such as descriptions, standard colony colour codes, illustrations, geographical coordinates and vouchers are provided for Absidia spinosa var. spinosa, Backusella lamprospora, Circinella simplex, Rhizopus stolonifer var. stolonifer and Conidiobolus coronatus.

臺灣新紀錄海生疫病菌Halophytophthora spinosa var. lobata

One hundred and thirty six isolates of Halophytophthora were collected from mangrove leaves. Eighty seven isolates were identified to 5 species and one species complex. Of these, six strains identified as Halophytophthora spinosa var. lobata are newly recorded in Taiwan. The influence of varying salinity and temperature to growth and reproduction of Halophytophthora spinosa strains were presented. Phylogenetic analyses based on D1D2 region of LSU rDNA of Halophytophthra species were conducted in this study.