Terrestrial Flora Research Articles

Diversity, ecology, and community structure of the terrestrial diatom flora from Ulu Peninsula (James Ross Island, NE Antarctic Peninsula)

Diversity, ecology, and community structure of the terrestrial diatom flora from Ulu Peninsula (James Ross Island, NE Antarctic Peninsula)

Cynosurus peltieri (Pooideae, Poaceae), a poorly known species endemic to the Algerian-Tunisian terrestrial flora: further insights on its occurrence, IUCN Red List assessment, and lectotypification

Cynosurus peltieri (Poaceae) is a very poorly known species only occurring in Algeria and Tunisia. A morphological description, together with its distribution and habitat, taxonomy, and IUCN Red List assessment are provided in the present paper. Photographic illustrations of the species comparing it with the similar Cynosurus polybracteatus, together with an updated diagnostic key to the Cynosurus species in North Africa, are also provided. In addition, the name is lectotypified on a specimen preserved at MPU, with isolectotypes preserved at P and BC.

Hydrological alteration and biodiversity change along the river network caused by anthropogenic activities and climate variability

BackgroundPopulation growth and intensified human activities in conjunction with climate variability continue to affect the hydrologic cycle, aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. In this regard, understanding interactions among ecosystem functions, impacts of anthropogenic interventions and those of climate variability is vital for projecting future ecosystem responses to human activities and climate forcing. The objectives of this study are to determine the ecological flow state via eco-flow index based on discharge hydrograph, to model the ecological diversity through the Shannon diversity index, and to assess the degree of hydrologic alteration using indicators of hydrologic alteration and range of variability approach in six hydrometric stations along the Zayandeh-Rud River in central Iran. The river drains into Gavkhuni Marsh. Also, the streamflow-induced potential changes for Capoeta damascina (a cyprinid fish species of the genus Capoeta), Petroleuciscus esfahani (a small cyprinid fish) and Aphanius isfahanensis (a Cyprinodontid fish) are evaluated. The outcome is expected to assist managers with understanding the effects of anthropogenic activities and climate variability on Gavkhuni aquatic ecosystems so that management options that enhance species resilience and adaptability are outlined.ResultsHuman activities, a primary factor influencing the natural flow regime, caused a significant increase in the minimum flow, July to March streamflow, low pulse number, and the number of reversals in most studied stations. On the contrary, some other hydrologic indices declined in value. Reservoir impoundment, the most prominent factor among human interventions, resulted in an overall alteration degree of 74.8% in streamflow. Climate variability impacted the natural flow regime in the range of low degree hydrologic alteration (27.3%). In addition, the biodiversity of the study basin, as modeled by the Shannon diversity index, had strong relevance to the annual eco-surplus and was more sensitive to summer floods and autumn hydrological droughts than other factors.ConclusionsThis study corroborates the effectiveness of scenario-based hydrological modeling framework in evaluating the impacts of climate variability and human activities imposed on natural flow metrics. Additionally, the recently introduced eco-flow metrics based on discharge hydrographs and the Shannon diversity index based on indicators of hydrological alteration may be adopted in basins lacking ecological data. These two indices can effectively identify the most prominent factors in hydrological alteration and biodiversity change through a river network and may provide scientific decision-making support for water resource management in the study area.

Cryogenian Glacial Habitats as a Plant Terrestrialisation Cradle - The Origin of the Anydrophytes and Zygnematophyceae Split.

For tens of millions of years (Ma), the terrestrial habitats of Snowball Earth during the Cryogenian period (between 720 and 635 Ma before present–Neoproterozoic Era) were possibly dominated by global snow and ice cover up to the equatorial sublimative desert. The most recent time-calibrated phylogenies calibrated not only on plants but on a comprehensive set of eukaryotes indicate that within the Streptophyta, multicellular charophytes (Phragmoplastophyta) evolved in the Mesoproterozoic to the early Neoproterozoic. At the same time, Cryogenian is the time of the likely origin of the common ancestor of Zygnematophyceae and Embryophyta and later, also of the Zygnematophyceae–Embryophyta split. This common ancestor is proposed to be called Anydrophyta; here, we use anydrophytes. Based on the combination of published phylogenomic studies and estimated diversification time comparisons, we deem it highly likely that anydrophytes evolved in response to Cryogenian cooling. Also, later in the Cryogenian, secondary simplification of multicellular anydrophytes and loss of flagella resulted in Zygnematophyceae diversification as an adaptation to the extended cold glacial environment. We propose that the Marinoan geochemically documented expansion of first terrestrial flora has been represented not only by Chlorophyta but also by Streptophyta, including the anydrophytes, and later by Zygnematophyceae, thriving on glacial surfaces until today. It is possible that multicellular early Embryophyta survived in less abundant (possibly relatively warmer) refugia, relying more on mineral substrates, allowing the retention of flagella-based sexuality. The loss of flagella and sexual reproduction by conjugation evolved in Zygnematophyceae and zygomycetous fungi during the Cryogenian in a remarkably convergent way. Thus, we support the concept that the important basal cellular adaptations to terrestrial environments were exapted in streptophyte algae for terrestrialization and propose that this was stimulated by the adaptation to glacial habitats dominating the Cryogenian Snowball Earth. Including the glacial lifestyle when considering the rise of land plants increases the parsimony of connecting different ecological, phylogenetic, and physiological puzzles of the journey from aquatic algae to terrestrial floras.

COGNITIVE CULTURE OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES IN CAN THO CITY

The expansion of reclamation work to the South and agricultural production activities in the Southwest region in general and Can Tho in particular since the 17th century has fundamentally changed the natural landscape in this land, and also this has had a strong impact on the perception of local people in many ways which are quite clearly shown through the geographical names in Can Tho. The cognitive culture about the natural environment through geographical names in Can Tho City is partly reflected in the geographical names that related to accumulated experiences of local people about the river environment, terrestrial flora and fauna system, and residence selection. Based on the application of the theory of cultural linguistics, the theory of cultural regions, especially the natural characteristics of Can Tho, the article focuses on understanding the manifestations of cognitive cultural elements about the natural environment through geographical names, thereby contributing to affirming the indigenous knowledge of the people of this region.

Anthropogenic Litter in German Terrestrial Flora and Fauna: Is the Situation as Bad as in the Ocean?

Anthropogenic Litter in German Terrestrial Flora and Fauna: Is the Situation as Bad as in the Ocean?

Exploration of the Potential of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity for the Development of Local Nutraceutical Products: A Case for Mauritius

Nutraceuticals and natural health products globally represent one of the fastest growing sectors of research and development leading to novel products intended for disease risk reduction and human health promotion. The global nutraceutical market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% from 2020 to 2027 to reach USD 722.5 billion by 2027. There is a need to respond to this sector by exploring the local resources to target the production of innovative products from plant/marine biofactors with high prospects for commercial ventures. This paper explores the nutraceutical potentials enshrined in biodiversity values in a small island state in view to promote sustainable agricultural development to facilitate available resources for the development of regimen for the management of health and disease and in essence, pharmacotherapy. The reported phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities, of the terrestrial flora and marine organisms with high propensity for development and production of nutraceutical products will be discussed. Bioactive phytochemicals encompassing the immensely diverse groups of phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, possess therapeutic virtues including anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory attributes, all of which are highly relevant to the budding nutraceutical industry.

Huff and puff and blow down: invasive plants traits response to strong winds at the Southern Oceanic Islands

Invasions constitute a major driver of biodiversity changes. Insular plant communities are particularly vulnerable to invasions and are relevant models for investigating mechanisms supporting the establishment and spread of introduced plants. Terrestrial flora of sub‐Antarctic islands must often thrive in highly windy habitats, thus imposing strong mechanical constraints on individuals. Many alien plants at the sub‐Antarctic islands are of tropical or temperate origins, where they were exposed to less stringent wind conditions. As wind likely represents a strong environmental filter for the successful establishment and further geographic spread of plants, they should have developed responses to resist and successfully colonize the Iles Kerguelen. We studied responses to wind of three herbaceous species that are invasive at Iles Kerguelen. We sampled plant individuals at different locations, under windy and sheltered conditions. Traits related to wind avoidance and tolerance and to resource acquisition were measured. We additionally assessed individual performance (biomass) to determine the consequences of trait variations. We focused on trait mean and variance, in particular, through the calculation of hypervolumes. This study emphasized that wind has important effects on plant economics spectrum, including traits involved in mechanical avoidance and light acquisition, with varying strategies, which seem to depend on the biological type of the species (grass versus non‐grass). Wind generally reduces individual performance, and this negative effect is not direct but operates through the modification of plant trait values. Furthermore, analyses performed at the hypervolume scale indicate that not only functional trait mean but also its variability account for plant performance. The existence of contrasting growth strategies to cope with local environmental conditions suggests that invaders will be able to occupy different niches, which may ultimately impact local communities. Our results highlight the importance of considering multi‐traits responses to meaningfully capture plant adjustments to stress.

Impact of elevation and slope aspect on floristic composition in wadi Elkor, Sarawat Mountain, Saudi Arabia

The current research was carried out in Wadi Elkor, one of the Sarawat Mountains regions, which is a special location from an environmental standpoint and one of the only places in Saudi Arabia where a range of Palaearctic flora co-exists with Afrotropical species. The study aimed to determine the floristic composition as well as the effects of slope aspect and elevation on species, life forms, and phytogeographical elements distribution. The study area is located in Wadi Elkor, a valley in the Sarawat Mountains that cuts off the Al-Hada escarpment, 47 km southeast of Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. We conducted the research at three different locations, each with a different elevation and slope aspect. Based on floristic composition, Ward classification moreover Jaccard comparisons were performed. A total of 189 species was discovered, divided into 131 genera and 43 families. The current study identified Argyrolobium rarum Dumme as a new vascular plant in Saudi Arabia's terrestrial flora. In the current study, the Gramineae, Leguminosae, and Compositae families contributed 29% of the total plant species, whereas 14 families were represented by one species each. Solanum was the most numerous genus, with seven species, followed by Acacia and Pulicaria, each with six species, while Commicarpos and Euphorbia, each with four species. At an elevation of 1060 m above sea level, the north facing slope had the most plants, genera, and families. Therophytes had the most species, accounting for 44%, followed by Chamaephytes, which accounted for 26%. Hemicryptophytes accounted for 12% of the total, while phanerophytes accounted for 10%. In the studied area, the bioregional Saharo-Sindian and Sudano-Zambesian groups were the most well-represented (41%). The floristic composition, as well as the distribution of life forms and phytogeographical components, were found to be significantly affected by the elevation and slope aspects. The study showed that slope aspect and elevation both affected the distribution of plant species, with elevation being the most influential of the two variables.

A recreation ecology perspective on the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic: Potential parks and protected area impacts relating to visitor spatial use, terrestrial flora and fauna, and management

Measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 require changes in the ways that people travel, gather, and recreate in outdoor spaces. In 2020, to limit human-to-human transmission of COVID-19, US park and protected area managers at all levels of governance implemented closures and restrictions on the types of activities and facilities available for public use. At the same time, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined suggestions for social distancing, wearing face masks, and limiting travel and group sizes for social gatherings. This thought piece explores potential shifts in park accessibility and human behaviors that may lead to cascading impacts on visitor spatial use, terrestrial flora and fauna, and park management. We discuss potential changes in visitor spatial behavior and possible subsequent ecological impacts on terrestrial flora and fauna. Additionally, we connect these topics with management implications and emphasize adaptive management and continued monitoring to address current and future pandemic-related issues. We provide park managers, researchers, and other professionals with expected social and ecological implications resulting from managerial and behavioral shifts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we suggest management approaches to address and monitor these impacts. This information can help shape how park managers respond to the ongoing pandemic and future human health issues that impact park visitors and flora and fauna. Finally, we offer suggestions for where prospective researchers can direct their focus, especially in areas where recreation ecology and human disease management intersect.

Identifying high priority conservation areas for Patagonian wetlands biodiversity

Given the multiple stressors affecting freshwater ecosystems and the limited resources devoted to their management, effective conservation of freshwater biodiversity requires regional prioritization. Patagonian wetlands are essential for regional biodiversity and the economy, but they are still far from reaching global conservation targets and many of them could disappear due to climate change. Our study aimed at prioritizing wetlands based on aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, their conservation status and vulnerability to climate change. First, we identified 43 priority wetlands containing all aquatic biodiversity collected in 82 Patagonian wetlands located over a 1500 km north–south gradient, by using the software Marxan. Then, we ranked within priority wetlands according to their conservation status (low priority if they were already protected; medium priority if not), importance for terrestrial biodiversity conservation (high priority) and vulnerability to climate change. Highly ranked priority wetlands in National Parks (low priority), contained diverse wetlands (57% aquatic taxon richness), including a large proportion of rare species (33%). High priority wetlands are oases of water in an arid and semiarid steppe, containing not only a large proportion of the aquatic biodiversity, but also acting as a refuge for terrestrial flora and fauna. Different management actions are proposed according to wetland priority level (e.g. fencing, creation of artificial ponds), and since 20% of medium priority and 36% of high priority wetlands are expected to disappear by 2050, their inclusion in conservation or restoration plans needs to be carefully evaluated.

Plant and invertebrate macrofossils from the Pipe Creek Sinkhole (Late Neogene), Grant County, Indiana

ABSTRACT Examination of macrofossils from the late Neogene Pipe Creek Sinkhole in Indiana, USA, yielded 15 distinct plant taxa, one fungal taxon, and six invertebrate taxa. The plant assemblage was dominated by terrestrial taxa both in richness and abundance. Of the 12 terrestrial plant taxa, eight were trees or shrubs including two Carya spp., Corylus sp., Fraxinus sp., aff. Pinaceae, Quercus sp., aff. Rosaceae, and an unknown gymnosperm, possibly Ginkgophyta or Cycadophyta. Fossil nuts of a new species, Carya pipecreekensis Swinehart and Farlow sp. nov., are described. Other terrestrial plant macrofossils include a species of Asteraceae, Vitis sp., Xanthium sp., and Poaceae indet. Charcoalified remains of wood, Asteraceae achenes, and Poaceae crowns suggest fires were an important factor in ecosystem structure. Condition of some of the macrofossils suggests high-energy, post-depositional transport. Aquatic species include the plants Chara sp. and two Potamogeton spp. as well as the animals Helisoma sp., Physa sp., Sphaeriidae, and ostracoda. The terrestrial flora suggests a temperate woodland savanna community with a canopy that includes Carya, Fraxinus, Quercus, Corylus, and Pinaceae, a sub-canopy with Vitis, and a ground flora with a species of Asteraceae and abundant Poaceae. The assemblage shares elements and characteristics with the similarly-aged Gray Fossil Site in Tennessee.

Лесная растительность северо-западной части Малого Кавказа

Life forms, a range of leaf sizes, ethnobotany and a description of the floristic features of plants common in the North-Western forests of the Lesser Caucasus are presented in the paper. The studies were carried out in 2018–2020 on the territory of the forests of the Dashkesan and Goygol districts of the Azerbaijan Republic, which are part of the Lesser Caucasus, biodiversity was studied and the population was interviewed using generally accepted methods. Data about various life forms of local plants and their leaf size spectra are presented. 125 plant species belonging to 40 families have been identified, of which the Rosaceae family (48 species) and Poaceae (20 species) are predominant. Some plants are used to make medicines, food, feed, fuel, furniture, and housing as shown results. For this reason, forests are used in an integrated manner and vegetation is rapidly declining due to deforestation. The data for the protection of the rich vegetation in this area was taken from primary sources. The terrestrial flora is dominated by megaphanerophytes, followed by therophytes. Hemicryptophytes, nanophanerophytes and geophytes are less common in local forests respectively. The vegetation cover is formed depending on the availability of trees. Microphylls and megaphylls dominate in the spectra of leaf sizes.

Tectonics, climate and the diversification of the tropical African terrestrial flora and fauna.

ABSTRACTTropical Africa is home to an astonishing biodiversity occurring in a variety of ecosystems. Past climatic change and geological events have impacted the evolution and diversification of this biodiversity. During the last two decades, around 90 dated molecular phylogenies of different clades across animals and plants have been published leading to an increased understanding of the diversification and speciation processes generating tropical African biodiversity. In parallel, extended geological and palaeoclimatic records together with detailed numerical simulations have refined our understanding of past geological and climatic changes in Africa. To date, these important advances have not been reviewed within a common framework. Here, we critically review and synthesize African climate, tectonics and terrestrial biodiversity evolution throughout the Cenozoic to the mid‐Pleistocene, drawing on recent advances in Earth and life sciences. We first review six major geo‐climatic periods defining tropical African biodiversity diversification by synthesizing 89 dated molecular phylogeny studies. Two major geo‐climatic factors impacting the diversification of the sub‐Saharan biota are highlighted. First, Africa underwent numerous climatic fluctuations at ancient and more recent timescales, with tectonic, greenhouse gas, and orbital forcing stimulating diversification. Second, increased aridification since the Late Eocene led to important extinction events, but also provided unique diversification opportunities shaping the current tropical African biodiversity landscape. We then review diversification studies of tropical terrestrial animal and plant clades and discuss three major models of speciation: (i) geographic speciation via vicariance (allopatry); (ii) ecological speciation impacted by climate and geological changes, and (iii) genomic speciation via genome duplication. Geographic speciation has been the most widely documented to date and is a common speciation model across tropical Africa. We conclude with four important challenges faced by tropical African biodiversity research: (i) to increase knowledge by gathering basic and fundamental biodiversity information; (ii) to improve modelling of African geophysical evolution throughout the Cenozoic via better constraints and downscaling approaches; (iii) to increase the precision of phylogenetic reconstruction and molecular dating of tropical African clades by using next generation sequencing approaches together with better fossil calibrations; (iv) finally, as done here, to integrate data better from Earth and life sciences by focusing on the interdisciplinary study of the evolution of tropical African biodiversity in a wider geodiversity context.

It Is Hot in the Sun: Antarctic Mosses Have High Temperature Optima for Photosynthesis Despite Cold Climate.

The terrestrial flora of Antarctica’s frozen continent is restricted to sparse ice-free areas and dominated by lichens and bryophytes. These plants frequently battle sub-zero temperatures, extreme winds and reduced water availability; all influencing their ability to survive and grow. Antarctic mosses, however, can have canopy temperatures well above air temperature. At midday, canopy temperatures can exceed 15°C, depending on moss turf water content. In this study, the optimum temperature of photosynthesis was determined for six Antarctic moss species: Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Ceratodon purpureus, Chorisodontium aciphyllum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sanionia uncinata, and Schistidium antarctici collected from King George Island (maritime Antarctica) and/or the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica. Both chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange showed maximum values of electron transport rate occurred at canopy temperatures higher than 20°C. The optimum temperature for both net assimilation of CO2 and photoprotective heat dissipation of three East Antarctic species was 20–30°C and at temperatures below 10°C, mesophyll conductance did not significantly differ from 0. Maximum mitochondrial respiration rates occurred at temperatures higher than 35°C and were lower by around 80% at 5°C. Despite the extreme cold conditions that Antarctic mosses face over winter, the photosynthetic apparatus appears optimised to warm temperatures. Our estimation of the total carbon balance suggests that survival in this cold environment may rely on a capacity to maximize photosynthesis for brief periods during summer and minimize respiratory carbon losses in cold conditions.

Lichens, bryophytes and terrestrial algae of the Lake Untersee Oasis (Wohlthat Massiv, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica)

Lake Untersee is the largest ice-covered freshwater lake in the interior of East Antarctica. The mountain oasis is situated around it in the Gruber Mts. of the Wohlthat Massif. For approximately 7,000 years the area has been free of ice and the local climate relatively stable. It is very severe, cold, and windy and dominated by intense evaporation and sublimation but with little melt. Relative humidity averages only 37%. Vegetation is sparse in the oasis and previously only poorly investigated. Two lichen species and no bryophytes were known from the area. In November-December 2018, a survey of terrestrial flora and vegetation was made. The list of lichens was completed for the area, bryophytes were found for the first time, and some terrestrial algae were collected. In total, 23 lichen species, 1 lichenicolous fungus, 1 moss, and 18 terrestrial algae were discovered for the locality. The abundance of each species within their habitats was also evaluated. The lichen flora of the Untersee Oasis is typical for continental oases and similar to other previously investigated internal territories of Dronning Maud Land, except for the very rich lichen flora of the Schirmacher Oasis.

<p><strong><em>Luticola puchalskiana</em></strong><strong>, a new small terrestrial <em>Luticola</em> species (Bacillariophyceae) from the Maritime Antarctic Region</strong></p>

During a survey of the terrestrial diatom flora of the Maritime Antarctic Region, an unknown Luticola taxon that could not be identified using the currently available literature was observed on two islands of the South Shetland Archipelago. After a detailed morphological analysis and comparison, the unknown taxon is described as Luticola puchalskiana sp. nov. The new species can be separated from other Luticola species based on its valve dimensions, stria density and the shape of both central and terminal raphe endings. Two populations of the new taxon were observed in samples collected from terrestrial habitats. The morphology of Luticola puchalskiana is elaborately described and illustrated using both light and scanning electron microscopy observations. A comparison is made with a large number of other morphologically similar Luticola species from the entire (sub)Antarctic Region.

Morphological and molecular evidence of population divergence in a widespread shorebird across its southern mainland Australian distribution

We characterize geographical variation in the genetics, ecology, morphology and plumage of the Hooded Plover Charadrius cucullatus, a threatened shorebird widespread on coasts (south-east) and saltlakes (south-west) across the southern mainland of Australia. We confirm the distinctness of populations on either side of the Nullabor Plain/Great Australian Bight indicating that this apparent biogeographic barrier to terrestrial flora and fauna also influenced the phylogeographic pattern of a resident shorebird which is dependent on access to saline/hypersaline water. Western birds are genetically distinct, larger and have darker plumage than those in the east. Distinct ecological differences also exist, with eastern birds being resident, usually occurring on ocean beaches, with generalised diets and seasonal, solitary breeding. Western birds are nomadic, breeding when suitable conditions prevail, and exhibit more specialized diets, and may at times breed semi-colonially. Within the extensive eastern population, genetic analyses revealed an isolation by distance pattern, as well as genetic evidence of a long distance dispersal event. South Australian birds are distinct from Victorian birds, but cluster closely with Victorian birds in all genetic analyses. The western population features little genetic structuring, consistent with nomadism and congregatory behavior associated with drought/flood events. The distinctness of western populations found using multiple lines of evidence and the lack of evidence for any recent migration events across the Nullabor Plain, suggests that previously described subspecies warrant reinstatement, and that these evolutionary units require conservation assessment, as has been recognized by national conservation authorities. Conservation management of the eastern population should occur across its distribution, taking care to capture the genetic variability which is evident within this population. Further exploration of genetic variation between Eastern states is suggested.

Oil Body Formation in Marchantia polymorpha Is Controlled by MpC1HDZ and Serves as a Defense against Arthropod Herbivores

The origin of a terrestrial flora in the Ordovician required adaptation to novel biotic and abiotic stressors. Oil bodies, a synapomorphy of liverworts, accumulate secondary metabolites, but their function and development are poorly understood. Oil bodies of Marchantia polymorpha develop within specialized cells as one single large organelle. Here, we show that a class I homeodomain leucine-zipper (C1HDZ) transcription factor controls the differentiation of oil body cells in two different ecotypes of the liverwort M.polymorpha, a model genetic system for early divergent land plants. In flowering plants, these transcription factors primarily modulate responses to abiotic stress, including drought. However, loss-of-function alleles of the single ortholog gene, MpC1HDZ, in M.polymorpha did not exhibit phenotypes associated with abiotic stress. Rather, Mpc1hdz mutant plants were more susceptible to herbivory, and total plant extracts of the mutant exhibited reduced antibacterial activity. Transcriptomic analysis of the mutant revealed a reduction in expression of genes related to secondary metabolism that was accompanied by a specific depletion of oil body terpenoid compounds. Through time-lapse imaging, we observed that MpC1HDZ expression maxima precede oil body formation, indicating that MpC1HDZ mediates differentiation of oil body cells. Our results indicate that M.polymorpha oil bodies, and MpC1HDZ, are critical for defense against herbivory, but not for abiotic stress tolerance. Thus, C1HDZ genes were co-opted to regulate separate responses to biotic and abiotic stressors in two distinct land plant lineages.

Exploration and profiling of hidden endophytic mycota of marine macroalgae with potential drug leads.

Diversity studies of endophytic assemblages are emerging challenges, which unveil novel phenotypes producing interesting chemical entities and a better understanding of their ecological significance. In the present investigation, we selected an extremely complex and unique environment supporting unexplored endophytes, 'Macroalgae of Kerala coast, India'. Unlike terrestrial flora and mangroves, reports displaying endophytic assemblages of marine flora remain limited, especially from India. The main goal of this study was to expose hidden endophytic fungi from macroalgae and examination of their bioactive potential. An ecological investigation of four red, four green and three brown algae resulted in 133 fungal taxa with 29 distinct morphospecies. Aspergillus and Penicillium were found to be the dominant genera. Penicillium chrysogenum was the sole fungi that contributed 11% of the entire endophytic community. Antimicrobial activity against various aquaculture/human pathogens revealed that around 59% of endophytes inhibited at least one of the pathogens screened. The maximum number of isolates (37%) inhibited Escherichia coli tailed by Aspergillus fumigatus (27%). Antimicrobial profile of fungal endophytes endorses them as a potential source of bioactive molecules that can be explored to find a solution for drug resistance in microbial pathogens.