A Comprehensive Review on the Taxonomy, Ecology, Reproductive Biology, Economic Importance and Conservation Status of Indian Himalayan Rhododendrons

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shweta Basnett ◽  
Rengaian Ganesan
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Comprehensive Review

scholarly journals A Global Perspective on Firefly Extinction Threats

BioScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara M Lewis ◽  
Choong Hay Wong ◽  
Avalon C S Owens ◽  
Candace Fallon ◽  
Sarina Jepsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Recent Attention

Abstract Insect declines and their drivers have attracted considerable recent attention. Fireflies and glowworms are iconic insects whose conspicuous bioluminescent courtship displays carry unique cultural significance, giving them economic value as ecotourist attractions. Despite evidence of declines, a comprehensive review of the conservation status and threats facing the approximately 2000 firefly species worldwide is lacking. We conducted a survey of experts from diverse geographic regions to identify the most prominent perceived threats to firefly population and species persistence. Habitat loss, light pollution, and pesticide use were regarded as the most serious threats, although rankings differed substantially across regions. Our survey results accompany a comprehensive review of current evidence concerning the impact of these stressors on firefly populations. We also discuss risk factors likely to increase the vulnerability of certain species to particular threats. Finally, we highlight the need to establish monitoring programs to track long-term population trends for at-risk firefly taxa.

scholarly journals Reproductive Biology in Northern Prickly Ash

2018 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-83
Author(s):  
David A. Munter ◽  
James J. Luby ◽  
Neil O. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Reproductive Barriers ◽  
Pollen Stainability ◽  
Dioecious Species ◽  
Zanthoxylum Americanum ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Northern Forests ◽  
Autonomous Apomixis

Zanthoxylum americanum is a common understory species in the northern forests of Minnesota and surrounding regions. It has potential economic importance for its citrus fragrance, pharmacological or insecticidal properties, and produces peppercorns similar to those of the related Zanthoxylum species. Zanthoxylum americanum is a dioecious species but has been reported to have aberrant flowers with autonomous apomixis instead of other potential reproductive barriers. The reproductive biology of Zanthoxylum americanum was investigated in two native Minnesota populations. Determinations of male fertility, whether autonomous apomixis was the predominant floral reproductive mechanism, the presence of seedless fruit (parthenocarpy/stenospermocarpy), and the occurrence of hermaphrodism were made over 2 years. Sex ratios (female:male plants) within each population differed. The mean pollen stainability was 95.8% ± 0.3% (fresh) and 78.6% ± 1.1% (stored 18 months). Parthenocarpy did not occur in either population. Autonomous apomixis was not the primary floral reproductive mechanism. Stenospermocarpy (seedlessness) occurred in 13% of the female fruit clusters. Although commonly described as being dioecious, two additional reproductive strategies were identified: 1) plants with functional protandrous flowers with rudimentary pistils and 2) hermaphroditic flowers with fully functional pistils (protogynous) and anthers. As many as 10% to 30% of the male plants bore at least one fruit/plant each year. One clonal stand had both hermaphroditic and functionally staminate flowers on the same plant. Two evolutionary pathways to dioecy in Z. americanum are proposed.

Circumscription of three annual species of Paspalum Plicatula Group (Poaceae: Paspaleae) in the light of morphological and chromosomic data

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 491 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-270
Author(s):  
MAYCO WERLLEN-SANTOS ◽  
SUELI MARIA GOMES ◽  
DANIELA CRISTINA ZAPPI ◽  
REGINA CÉLIA DE OLIVEIRA
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Number ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Annual Species ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Evolutionary Pattern ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Unusual Chromosome ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Published Research

Paspalum comprises 350 species worldwide and is the largest genus of Poaceae in Brazil (211 species). The reticulated evolutionary pattern within the informal Paspalum Plicatula Group makes it a challenging species complex to treat taxonomically. The present work aims to study the three annual species P. cordaense, P. macranthecium and P. plowmanii, characterized by spikelet morphology and anthecium appearance, supported by a comprehensive review of herbaria and fieldwork collections of all related species. When ascertaining the identity of P. cordaense, we realized that it is distinct from P. plowmanii, while these two species are closely related to P. macranthecium. These findings are supported by morphological differences and by the first report of unusual chromosome number for P. plowmanii 2n = 38, whereas the numbers in P. cordaense are 2n = 40 and in P. macranthecium 2n = 20, from previously published research. We clarify the circumscription of the three species and provide a key, descriptions, comments, illustrations, distribution maps and conservation status for all species. The lectotypification of P. cordaense is also proposed.

scholarly journals Spiders in caves

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1853) ◽  
pp. 20170193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Mammola ◽  
Marco Isaia
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbance ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Top Predators ◽  
Cave Ecosystems

World experts of different disciplines, from molecular biology to macro-ecology, recognize the value of cave ecosystems as ideal ecological and evolutionary laboratories. Among other subterranean taxa, spiders stand out as intriguing model organisms for their ecological role of top predators, their unique adaptations to the hypogean medium and their sensitivity to anthropogenic disturbance. As the description of the first eyeless spider ( Stalita taenaria ), an array of papers on subterranean spider biology, ecology and evolution has been published, but a comprehensive review on these topics is still lacking. We provide a general overview of the spider families recorded in hypogean habitats worldwide, we review the different adaptations of hypogean spiders to subterranean life, and we summarize the information gathered so far about their origin, population structure, ecology and conservation status. Finally, we point out the limits of the knowledge we currently have regarding hypogean spiders, aiming to stimulate future research.

scholarly journals Ichthyofauna of the inner shelf of Paraná, Brazil: checklist, geographic distribution, economic importance and conservation status

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphne Spier ◽  
Humberto Luiz Nadolny Gerum ◽  
Hugo Bornatowski ◽  
Riguel Contente ◽  
Natalia A S Mattos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
The West ◽  
Species Vulnerability ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats ◽  
Inner Continental Shelf ◽  
Very High

Abstract Comprehensive species checklists are essential to effectively implementing preservation and recovery measures, and should assess conservation status, vulnerability degree and anthropogenic threats. This checklist was compiled from fish species recorded in surveys conducted over the last 30 years in the shallow inner continental shelf in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Information on biogeography, conservation status, economic importance and degree of species’ vulnerability are provided. A total of 272 fish species were recorded, spanning 25 orders and 88 families. The most speciose family was Sciaenidae (25 species), followed by Carangidae (23), Engraulidae (10), Carcharhinidae (9), Epinephelidae (9) and Paralichthyidae (9). Most species occurring in Paraná’s shallow inner continental shelf are restricted to the West Atlantic. In terms of economic importance, 93% (253) of the species recorded were of fishery, aquaculture or aquaria interest. A notable fraction (39%) of the recorded species was classified as having moderate to very high vulnerability to extinction. In particular, 28 species (10%) were listed as globally endangered, and 34 species (12%) were listed as endangered in the Brazilian territory.

A comprehensive review of Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. and its therapeutic potential

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swarnali Bhattacharjee ◽  
Rajlakshmi Devi
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Future Prospect ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Bioactive Components ◽  
Ripe Fruit ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Thin Slices ◽  
Therapeutic Properties

: Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. (GP), belonging to family Clusiaceae is an evergreen tree growing in semi-wild conditions, widely distributed throughout the Northeastern part of India. Traditionally, this plant is believed to be of immense medicinal importance and is used for the treatment of various ailments. In Assam, the acidic fruit of GP is effectively used in folklore medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders and is an integral part of ethnic Assamese cuisine. The ripe fruit, seldom consumed fresh or raw, is cut into thin slices, sun-dried for preservation as it is believed that the medicinal property of the fruit increases as it ages. With much traditional claims and beliefs surrounding this plant, many therapeutic potentials of GP has been explored through research till now including its antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and nephroprotective properties. Moreover, the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids along with bioactive components like hydroxycitric acid, garcinol, cambogin have also been reported from this plant thereby increasing its research avenues. Even with the available knowledge, there is a huge lacking in understanding of its underlying molecular mechanism responsible for the therapeutic properties, pharmacological mode of action, and its effect in different pathological conditions along with detailed information on its chemical composition. This review mainly aims to summarise the potentially beneficial properties of GP that have already been reported, along with identifying the new avenues that still need to be addressed, thereby increasing the future prospect for in-depth research with this plant, along with its distribution and conservation status.

scholarly journals The Abyssinian Art of Louis Agassiz Fuertes in the Field Museum

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Johnsgard
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Field Museum ◽  
Modern Bird ◽  
Limited Edition ◽  
Pencil Drawings ◽  
Louis Agassiz ◽  
Species Ecology

This book documents the paintings and drawings executed by Louis Agassiz Fuertes during the Field Museum of Natural History’s seven-month expedition to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) in 1926–27. During that time Fuertes completed 70 field watercolors that illustrate 55 species of birds and four species of mammals. He also executed 34 pencil drawings, which illustrate 13 species of mammals and 11 species of birds, plus numerous miscellaneous sketches and small watercolors. This book identifies and describes the biology of all 69 species of birds and mammals illustrated by Fuertes and includes 32 color reproductions of Fuertes’s watercolors that were published as a limited-edition album in 1930 by the Field Museum. The 60,000-word text provides brief summaries of all these species’ ecology, behavior, and reproductive biology as well as information about their current populations and conservation status. A review of Fuertes’s life, his influence on modern bird and wildlife art, and his participation in and artistic contributions to the Field Museum’s Abyssinian Expedition is also included, as well as more than 250 bibliographic citations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document