Wild Species Research Articles

Wild edible Ficus fruits of Uttarakhand, India: a natural remedy towards malnutrition and human health enrichment.

Wild fruits play a vital role in the diets and economic well-being of tribal communities of Uttarakhand, India. Despite their significance, there is limited information on some of the wild Ficus species such as Ficus drupacea, Ficus rumphii, Ficus semicordata, Ficus subincisa and Ficus hispida. This research aimed to analyse the nutritional potential, anti-nutritional compositions, mineral composition, antioxidant and finally the phytochemical properties of Ficus fruits to ascertain their medicinal and nutritional significance. The proximate analysis results of all the five wild Ficus species displayed varying percentages of protein, moisture, fat, ash, crude fibre, carbohydrates. Ficus species exhibited superior nutritional and mineral parameters along with a significant amount of vitamin C. Additionally, these fruits significantly showed lower levels of anti-nutritional and good amount of antioxidant parameters. Thus, adequate consumption of these wild Ficus fruits could potentially contribute to human nutritional needs and may serve as sources for dietary enhancements.

Phased Telomere-to-Telomere Reference Genome and Pangenome Reveal an Expansion of Resistance Genes during Apple Domestication.

The cultivated apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a cross-pollinated perennial fruit tree of great economic importance. Previous versions of apple reference genomes were unphased, fragmented, and lacked comprehensive insights into the highly heterozygous genome, which impeded genetic studies and breeding programs in apple. In this study, we assembled a haplotype-resolved telomere-to-telomere reference genome for the diploid apple cultivar Golden Delicious. Subsequently, we constructed a pangenome based on twelve assemblies from wild and cultivated apples to investigate different types of resistance gene analogs (RGAs). Our results revealed the dynamics of the gene gain and loss events during apple domestication. Compared with cultivated species, more gene families in wild species were significantly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, pentose metabolic process, responses to salt, and abscisic acid biosynthesis process. Interestingly, our analyses demonstrated a higher prevalence of RGAs in cultivated apples than their wild relatives, partially attributed to segmental and tandem duplication events in certain RGAs classes. Other types of structural variations, mainly deletions and insertions, have affected the presence and absence of TIR-NB-ARC-LRR (TNL), NB-ARC-LRR (NL), and CC-NB-ARC-LRR (CNL) genes. Additionally, hybridization/introgression from wild species has also contributed to the expansion of resistance genes in domesticated apples. Our haplotype-resolved T2T genome and pangenome provide important resources for genetic studies of apples, emphasizing the need to study the evolutionary mechanisms of resistance genes in apple breeding programs.

Isolation of endophytic fungi from wild rice species for disease management and growth promotion in cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.)

ABSTRACT The focus of plant health management is shifting from synthetic chemicals to bio-agents, and endophytes are beneficial for this purpose. In the present study, we isolated eleven endophytic fungi from seven wild rice species. Independent treatment of endophytic fungi in rice showed significant improvements in plant growth, higher tillering and percent fertility, panicle number/hill and filled grain number in endophyte-inoculated plants compared to control plants. Growth promotion activities of two endophytes Curvularia lunata (NRRI EF-11) and Hypocreals sp. (NRRI EF-8) were recorded with increased rice yield. These isolates also exhibited higher plant growth promoting chemicals namely, Indole acetic acid (IAA) and Inorganic phosphate (IP) which was realised into better growth promotion in rice. The biocontrol efficacy of endophytic fungi was highest in NRRI EF-11among all isolates as indicated by inhibition of radial growth of pathogens by 76.98–77.06% and in NRRI EF-8 by 74.81–76.61%, which is due to higher production of prussic acid. Defense induction was confirmed by analyzing the expression of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) defense enzymes, where expression of CAT, POD and SOD increased by 19.44–25.86, 2.70–3.16, 11.14–12.95 Units g−1 in treated NRRI EF-11 plants and 18.39–25.84, 2.16–2.94, 10.96–12.62 Units g−1 in treated NRRI EF-8 plants, respectively. These two endophytes have the potentiality to manage crop health in a sustainable way.

Plant, pest and predator interplay: tomato trichomes effects on Tetranychus urticae (Koch) and the predatory mite Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki Wainstein.

Trichomes are well-known efficient plant defense mechanisms to limit arthropod herbivory, especially in Solanaceae. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of trichome types on the development, survival and dispersal of Tetranychus urticae, and the phytoseiid predatory mite Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki. Six Solanum lycopersicum cultivars and two wild Solanum species, S. cheesmaniae and S. peruvianum, presenting contrasting densities and types of trichomes, were considered. Cultivars and species were characterized by counting each trichome type on leaves, petioles and stems. Mites stuck on petiole and stem and alive mites on the leaflet used for mite release and in the whole plant were counted three weeks after T. urticae plant infestation. Tetranychus urticae settlement and dispersal were differently affected by trichomes. Trichome types V and VI did not affect settlement and dispersal, whereas trichome types I and IV on the petiole had the highest impacton mites. Trichomes on leaves slightly affected mite establishment, there appears to be a repellent effect of trichome types I and IV. The low densities of both T. urticae and its predator detected for the cv. Lancaster could not be clearly associated to the trichome types here considered. The predator did not seem to be affected by plant characteristics, but rather by T. urticae numbers on the plant. The trichome traits unfavorable to T. urticae, did not affect the predator which showed high efficiency to control this pest on all the plant genotypes considered, but at a favorable predator:prey ratio (1:1). Altogether, these results are encouraging for the use of T. (A.) recki as a biological control agent of T. urticae regardless of the trichome structure of the tomato cultivars, but other conditions should be tested to conclude on practical implementations.

Spillover of Newcastle disease virus to Himalayan Griffon vulture: a possible food-based transmission.

The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) affects wild and domesticated bird species, including commercial poultry. Although the diversity of NDV in domestic chickens is well documented, limited information is available about Newcastle disease (ND) outbreaks in other bird species. We report an annotated sequence of NDV/Vulture/Borjuri/01/22, an avirulent strain of NDV reported from Borjuri, Northeast India, in Himalayan Griffon vulture. The complete genome is 15,186 bases long with a fusion protein (F) cleavage site 112GRQGR↓L117. The phylogenetic analysis based on the F protein gene and the whole genome sequence revealed that the isolate from the vulture belongs to genotype II, sharing significant homology with vaccine strain LaSota. The study highlights the possible spillover of the virus from domestic to wild species through the food chain.

Exploring Disease Resistance in Pepper (Capsicum spp.) Germplasm Collection Using Fluidigm SNP Genotyping

This study utilized a diverse Capsicum accessions (5658) sourced from various species and geographical regions, deposited at the National Agrobiodiversity Center, Genebank. We employed 19 SNP markers through a Fluidigm genotyping system and screened these accessions against eight prevalent diseases of pepper. This study revealed accessions resistant to individual diseases as well as those exhibiting resistance to multiple diseases, including bacterial spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, phytophthora root rot, and potyvirus. The C. chacoense accessions were identified as resistant materials against bacterial spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, and phytophthora root rot, underscoring the robust natural defense mechanisms inherent in the wild Capsicum species and its potential uses as sources of resistance for breeding. C. baccatum species also demonstrated to be a promising source of resistance to major pepper diseases. Generally, disease-resistant germplasm has been identified from various Capsicum species. Originating from diverse locations such as Argentina, Bolivia, and the United Kingdom, these accessions consistently demonstrated resistance, indicating the widespread prevalence of disease-resistant traits across varied environments. Additionally, we selected ten pepper accessions based on their resistance to multiple diseases, including CMV, Phytophthora root rot, potyviruses, and TSWV, sourced from diverse geographical regions like Hungary, Peru, the United States, and the Netherlands. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into disease resistance in Capsicum, crucial for fostering sustainable agricultural practices and advancing crop improvement through breeding strategies.

Front Cover Image

The cover image is based on the Research Article Identifying novel sources of resistance to wheat stem sawfly in five wild wheat species by Erika S Peirce et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8008. image

Evaluation of trial reintroductions of two extinct in the wild reptile species on Christmas Island

AbstractConservation reintroductions play a vital role in the recovery of threatened species, and clear goals and objectives are essential for evaluating their effectiveness. In this study, we assessed short‐term success (<18 months) of trial reintroductions of the Extinct in the Wild blue‐tailed skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae) and Lister's gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri) on Christmas Island. Our evaluation criteria focused on body condition, reproduction, habitat suitability, survival and population growth. In 2018 and 2019, 170 C. egeriae and 160 L. listeri were translocated from a local captive breeding facility to a 2600 m2 outdoor fenced enclosure designed to exclude a predatory snake. Despite body condition declining immediately following release for both species, it had improved by 6 months post‐release. We also detected successful reproduction in both species. Apparent survival was high for C. egeriae but low for L. listeri, and population growth was only evident in C. egeriae. We were unable to determine whether low survival of L. listeri in the release site was due to high post‐release dispersal (beyond the exclosure) or mortality. Both species selected habitats that contained high rock and log cover and avoided areas with low ground cover. Appropriate assessment criteria, as utilized in this study, enable objective and timely evaluations of reintroduction success, thereby facilitating the improvement and refinement of reintroduction protocols. Our study showed that C. egeriae can establish (in the short‐ to medium‐term) in a site from which a principal threat has been excluded and undergo rapid population growth, whereas under current conditions L. listeri cannot. However, we also demonstrate that such medium‐term success may not lead to long‐term success, as the rapid increase in C. egeriae population was reversed between 29 and 31 months after release because the barrier used to exclude an invasive predator, the wolf snake (Lycodon capucinus), was breached.

Genome-wide identification of the walnut MYC gene family and functional characterization of Xinjiang wild walnut under low-temperature stress

Introduction: MYC transcription factors are the basic regulators of the jasmonic acid signaling pathway and play important roles in plant growth and development and the response to adverse stress. In recent years, severe winter freezing and late spring frost in the main planting area of walnut in Xinjiang have affected the growth and development of walnut, which has become a prominent problem restricting walnut production. Xinjiang wild walnut is the only remaining wild species of walnuts in China, which contains a lot of genes with excellent traits, and is important for the cultivation and breeding.Methods: In this paper, the physicochemical properties and bioinformatics of MYC transcription factor members in walnut were analyzed, and the nine MYC were screened from the transcriptome data under low temperature stress. At last, we study the subcellular localizations and the expression patterns of the nine MYC members in Xinjiang wild walnut.Results: The results revealed that 30 MYC members were identified from published walnut whole-genome data, and their evolutionary relationships with Arabidopsis and poplar were divided into six groups according to clustering analysis, among which JrMYC22 and JrMYC23 had high homology with PtrMYC2b, which is induced by jasmonic acid in response to low-temperature stress. Walnut MYC members are unevenly distributed on 12 chromosomes. The prediction of promoter cis-acting elements of walnut MYC transcription factor family members revealed that cis-acting elements related to jasmonic acid and lowtemperature stress were the ones with the greatest number of members, with 12. In addition, all nine MYC family members in Xinjiang wild walnut plants responding to low-temperature stress exhibited strong fluorescence responses in the nucleus. The expression levels of these members in response to low-temperature stress revealed that JrMYC28, JrMYC31, JrMYC33, JrMYC34, and JrMYC35 were highly expressed, and it was hypothesized that JrMYC28, JrMYC31, JrMYC33, JrMYC34, and JrMYC35 might play a key role in the response to lowtemperature stress.Discussion: The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for further research on the functional mechanisms of the MYC transcription factor family members in walnut.

Five new wild mushroom species discovered in Indian Himalaya

Five new wild mushroom species discovered in Indian Himalaya

Food ethnobotany of forest resource in the high-altitude Himalaya Mountains: Enhancing the food sovereignty of ethnic groups

The vital knowledge of traditional foraging techniques used in indigenous peoples' cuisines may be preserved through gastronomical field studies before it is lost forever. Certain plants are appreciated for their gastronomic, social, economic and ecological importance in the High Himalaya because they play such a significant role in the daily life of the local indigenous populations. To determine the plant cultural indicators for each ethnic group, the data were analyzed using an indicator species analysis. Semi-structured interviews of 167 participants, focus group discussion, and field observations were used to gather information from February 2019 to August 2022 for a comprehensive and systematic gastronomical survey. Across four ethnic groups, a total of (N = 99) wild edible plant species and (N = 9) fungi species from 38 families were documented. Tender leaves were the most commonly used, while tubers were the least commonly used. The majority of the species reported were used as vegetables, followed by species used as fruits and herbal tea. For the first time, we examined cross-cultural similarity and dissimilarity for gastronomic usage: vegetables and savoring plants,fruits, and herbal tea across the cultures studied from the perspective of food ethnobotany. We discovered a clear difference in how different cultures used forest resources, with Gujjar and Pahari showing the most species similarity. This is because these ethic groups are culturally linked with one another and share a common social structure, geography, and language. We calculated plant cultural markers for each species, and 19 of them had significant p-values among the four ethnic groups. The findings revealed a positive relationship between the Gujjar and Pahari ethnic groups and the gastronomical indicator values, while the Kashmiri ethnic group had a negative relationship. The Kashmiri ethnic group experienced the loss of traditional knowledge because of the economic transition that caused people to prefer purchasing vegetables from the market rather than foraging for them in the wild. Traditional knowledge was also dwindling between the Gujjar and Pahari ethnic groups because of social changes brought on by developmental activities that changed their way of life. The identified plant cultural markers were significant to local residents and frequently had adaptations to extremely harsh climatic and environmental conditions. Our finding that 47% of species had market value suggests that these species have a sizable market demand and a promising economic value. They have the potential to boost food security, local community sovereignty, and people's living standards. Food production systems may become more resilient and sustainable by incorporating these indicator species into conventional agriculture. The current study raises awareness about forest resources and enables ethnic groups to live in a natural environment without food scarcity.

Turning the threat of hybridization into an asset for conserving wild species by backcrossing

Turning the threat of hybridization into an asset for conserving wild species by backcrossing

Widening Genetic Diversity Using Embryo Rescue in Cucurbit Crops: A Review

Embryo rescue is a vital technique in cucurbit breeding and propagation, addressing challenges such as embryo abortion, poor seed viability, and incompatibility barriers. This method involves the excision of immature embryos from seeds followed by their in vitro culture on a nutrient medium, providing an environment conducive to their growth and development. In cucurbits, embryo rescue has been extensively utilized to overcome barriers to hybridization, enabling the production of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids with desired traits. Various factors, including genotype, developmental stage of embryos, and culture conditions, influence the success of embryo rescue in cucurbits. Optimal nutrient formulations, growth regulators, and culture techniques are critical for promoting embryo germination, shoot elongation, and subsequent plantlet establishment. Additionally, embryo rescue facilitates the recovery of valuable genetic material from wild and exotic cucurbit species, expanding genetic diversity and developing novel cultivars with improved traits such as disease resistance, yield, and quality. This review highlights the principles, applications, and advancements in embryo rescue technology in cucurbits, emphasizing its significance in cucurbit breeding programs and crop improvement efforts.

Insights into spinach domestication from genome sequences of two wild spinach progenitors, Spinacia turkestanica and Spinacia tetrandra.

Cultivated spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a dioecious species. We report high-quality genome sequences for its two closest wild relatives, Spinacia turkestanica and Spinacia tetrandra, which are also dioecious, and are used to study the genetics of spinach domestication. Using a combination of genomic approaches, we assembled genomes of both these species and analyzed them in comparison with the previously assembled S. oleracea genome. These species diverged c. 6.3 million years ago (Ma), while cultivated spinach split from S. turkestanica 0.8 Ma. In all three species, all six chromosomes include very large gene-poor, repeat-rich regions, which, in S. oleracea, are pericentromeric regions with very low recombination rates in both male and female genetic maps. We describe population genomic evidence that the similar regions in the wild species also recombine rarely. We characterized 282 structural variants (SVs) that have been selected during domestication. These regions include genes associated with leaf margin type and flowering time. We also describe evidence that the downy mildew resistance loci of cultivated spinach are derived from introgression from both wild spinach species. Collectively, this study reveals the genome architecture of spinach assemblies and highlights the importance of SVs during the domestication of cultivated spinach.

The role of wild edible plants and their medicinal values used by the native people of Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India- a quantitative study

The main aim of the present study was to gather comprehensive data on the wild edibles found in Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India, assess their cultural value, and comprehend how they contribute to the local tribes' attainment of food security. We gathered traditional knowledge about edible wild plants by administering a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collection followed standard protocols. To determine which species were most frequently cited and of cultural significance, the gathered data were subjected to specialized statistical analysis using tools such as the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC). To determine how similar food plants are used in various Balurghat District localities and neighboring areas, the Jaccard Similarity Index (JI) was employed. A total of 1,603 citations were made by the 96 participants for 63 types of wild edibles spread across 36 families. Among the 63 species, 60 species were angiosperms, three species were pteridophytes. The RFC value was found to be in the range of 0.05-0.07. The most constantly referred species was identified as Madhuca longifolia (L.) J. F. Macbr. (RFC= 0,76; FC= 116). A total of 13 wild edible species was identified as the most traditionally valuable species in the locality including Marsilea vestita Hook. & Grev., Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, Termitomyces heimii Natarajan, Enydra fluctuans Lour etc. For the tribal community of eastern India, using these wild edibles scientifically and sustainably can be a smart move towards achieving multiple health benefits and food security. Furthermore, culturally acceptable species can be a good source for nutraceutical bioprospecting.

Safe and sustainable fish and seafood system and per- and poly-fluorinated substances occurrence: the role of PFAS toxicity in the assessment.

Fish and seafood are valuable sources of both nutrients and organic contaminants. The expansion of the analytical per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) panel with toxicological characterisation necessitates an update of PFAS intake assessment and management within the context of cumulative exposure. Benthic and demersal seafood, such as clams, squid, and cuttlefish, are more prone to contamination with C9-C14 perfluorocarboxylic acids, exhibiting the highest relative potency factors in terms of immunotoxicity, according to the grid recently proposed by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Health, Environment, and Emerging Risk. Based on the Italian food consumption database referring to demersal and benthic biota such as squid, cuttlefish, crustaceans, and clams, a toxicology-based intake scenario was drafted to highlight the relevant contribution of such wild species to PFAS intake, well above the provisional health-based guidance value of 4.4ng/kg body weight per week. Ensuring consistency between PFAS reduction and substitution policies, environmental quality standards for water bodies, and the issuance of advisories and regulations regarding safe and sustainable intake of fish and seafood is crucial. This is done to prevent a loss of accountability for institutional bodies, which aim to protect fragile (sensitive and vulnerable) groups from PFAS exposure and simultaneously promote 'blue growth' as a sustainable food production system.

Genetic Diversity Assessment of Cupressus gigantea W. C. Cheng & L. K. Fu Using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Technique

Cupressus gigantea W. C. Cheng & L. K. Fu is an endemic conifer tree species that is distributed widely along the northern portion of the deep gorge of the Yarlung Tsangbo River on the Tibetan Plateau. However, as a key plant species growing on the Tibetan plateau, C. gigantea has since become an endangered species due to habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation, and other factors. It has been listed as a first-grade national protected wild plant species in China. Accordingly, to conserve this plant species, we should obtain more information on its genetic structure. In this study, the genetic diversity and structure among 67 samples were evaluated by the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) technique. Overall, 78 bands were produced with a molecular length of 200 bp to 3100 bp using 10 ISSR primers. The mean values for the average number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), Nei’s gene diversity (H), and Shannon’s information index (I) were 1.529, 1.348, 0.199, and 0.293, respectively. Additionally, the number of polymorphic loci (NPLs) and percentage of polymorphic loci (PPLs) averaged 41.25 and 52.90, respectively. Further, total variation among populations was 14.2%, while that within populations was 85.8%; accordingly, the within-population genetic differentiation was found to be significant (p < 0.001). These results demonstrated that a genetic structure model with K = 3 fitted the data best, which agreed with the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster and the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). These findings are beneficial for ensuring the development and genetic protection of C. gigantea populations in the future.

Understanding life cycle of parasitic weed Phelipanche ramosa infesting Brassica juncea in India: new host species and seed coat structure

ABSTRACT Broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa) is an obligate root parasitic plant that is known to infest many important crops. It is emerging as a serious biotic threat for Brassica juncea cultivation in India. There is very limited information available about broomrape species and its infestation in B. juncea. Hence, the present study encompassed a comprehensive five-year field survey spanning from 2018 to 2023 of 47 different B. juncea fields in the states of Rajasthan and Haryana in India. The level of broomrape infestation varied from season to season and field to field. In the B. juncea fields, broomrape with blue/violet color corolla, along with occasionally white color type were also noticed. The hairy anther, corolla shape and use of mitochondrial DNA-specific molecular markers revealed that both these broomrape types belong to Phelipanche ramosa. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that P. ramosa seeds have varying shapes and seed coat have fibrillar periclinal cell wall. In addition to all the known host species for P. ramosa till date, we also identified a new host, a wild Brassicaceae weed species; Lepidium didymum in Haryana. The presence of an alternative weed host may help P. ramosa survive even in the absence of major crop host species. Overall, the present study revealed some insights into the P. ramosa-B. juncea host-parasite complex and its effect on B. juncea which could be further investigated in more detail.

The phased Solanum okadae genome and Petota pangenome analysis of 23 other potato wild relatives and hybrids

Potato is an important crop in the genus Solanum section Petota. Potatoes are susceptible to multiple abiotic and biotic stresses and have undergone constant improvement through breeding programs worldwide. Introgression of wild relatives from section Petota with potato is used as a strategy to enhance the diversity of potato germplasm. The current dataset contributes a phased genome assembly for diploid S. okadae, and short read sequences and de novo assemblies for the genomes of 16 additional wild diploid species in section Petota that were noted for stress resistance and were of interest to potato breeders. Genome sequence data for three additional genomes representing polyploid hybrids with cultivated potato, and an additional genome from non-tuberizing S. etuberosum, which is outside of section Petota, were also included. High quality short reads assemblies were achieved with genome sizes ranging from 575 to 795 Mbp and annotations were performed utilizing transcriptome sequence data. Genomes were compared for presence/absence of genes and phylogenetic analyses were carried out using plastome and nuclear sequences.

Meteorological, demographic, and environmental risk factors for Leishmania infantum in wildlife

Leishmania infantum is an important and neglected vector-borne zoonotic protozoa endemic in the Mediterranean basin. Several wild and domestic mammals can contribute to maintaining its circulation but their importance as effective reservoirs is still under discussion and varies depending on local ecological communities. By combining environmental, climatic, and individual information, this study assessed the presence of L. infantum DNA in a set of wild species from Northwestern Italy and the potential ecological factors related to the risk of infection. From 2020 to 2022, 304 free-ranging wild animals were analyzed for the detection of L. infantum DNA in the spleen and popliteal lymph node (when available).The prevalence obtained in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was higher than those previously reported (% ± confidence interval 95%; 42.9 ± 18.4% and 27 ± 6.6% in wild boar and roe deer, respectively), and this is the first report of this parasite infecting the coypu Myocastor coypus (60 ± 34.7%). L. infantum DNA was detected in all the seasons including those free of adult sandflies and seasonal differences were minimal, suggesting a long course of infection. The models revealed that animals from rainy areas with higher greenness during the summer, highly populated by humans and predominantly covered by water surfaces had a higher risk of L. infantum.This study contributes to confirming previous findings on the existence of a sylvatic cycle for L. infantum in certain regions of Italy, as well as on the potential epidemiological role of roe deer for this parasite given the elevated prevalence found.