Study of Genetic Diversity Among Crataegus Species (Hawthorn) Using ISSR Markers in Northwestern of Iran

Background: Crataegus spp. (Hawthorn) are used for horticultural and medicinal purposes. Objectives: In the present study, the genetic relationships among the five Iranian Crataegus species were evaluated by Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) molecular marker Methods: PCR reactions were performed using six primers (811, 827, 834, 845, 856, and 868) and genetic similarity was calculated based on Jacquard’s similarity coefficient. Results: Six primers generated 79 products in total, of which 71 were polymorphic (89.9%), with an average of 13.1 bands per primer. The percentage of polymorphic bands ranged from 77 to 100. Primer 856 produced the highest number of bands, while the lowest was generated by primer 845. The Jacquard’s similarity coefficient, derived from ISSR marker analysis, ranged from 0.164 to 0.337, indicating high genetic variation among Crataegus species in Iran. Conclusion: This study provides important data for identifying species relationships and helps develop plant breeding strategies to improve the medicinal properties of this genus in the future.

Multi-omic Characterization of Intraspecies Variation in Laboratory and Natural Environments

Investigation of microbial communities has led to many advances in our understanding of ecosystem function, whether that ecosystem is a subglacial lake or the human gut. Within these communities, much emphasis has been placed on interspecific variation and between-species relationships.

Species relationships in the extremes and their influence on community stability

Synchrony among population fluctuations of multiple coexisting species has a major impact on community stability, i.e. on the relative temporal constancy of aggregate properties such as total community biomass. However, synchrony and its impacts are usually measured using covariance methods, which do not account for whether species abundances may be more correlated when species are relatively common than when they are scarce, or vice versa. Recent work showed that species commonly exhibit such ‘asymmetric tail associations’. We here consider the influence of asymmetric tail associations on community stability. We develop a ‘skewness ratio’ which quantifies how much species relationships and tail associations modify stability. The skewness ratio complements the classic variance ratio and related metrics. Using multi-decadal grassland datasets, we show that accounting for tail associations gives new viewpoints on synchrony and stability; e.g. species associations can alter community stability differentially for community crashes or explosions to high values, a fact not previously detectable. Species associations can mitigate explosions of community abundance to high values, increasing one aspect of stability, while simultaneously exacerbating crashes to low values, decreasing another aspect of stability; or vice versa. Our work initiates a new, more flexible paradigm for exploring species relationships and community stability. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Synchrony and rhythm interaction: from the brain to behavioural ecology’.

Plastome and Nuclear Phylogenies of Dwarf Mistletoes (Arceuthobium: Viscaceae)

Abstract— Dwarf mistletoes are a lineage of morphologically-reduced stem parasites inhabiting Pinaceae and Cupressaceae throughout the northern hemisphere and equatorial East Africa. Though diagnosable by a suite of morphological traits, phylogenetic knowledge of species relationships has been limited to studies employing either comprehensive taxonomic sampling of one or two genes, or more sequence data from a limited number of individuals. We used data from genome skimming to assemble 3kb of the nuclear ribosomal cistron and up to 45kb of the plastome to clarify the phylogenetic root of the genus, monophyly of species, and relationships among infraspecific taxa. Genomic differentiation among terminal taxa was variable; however, we found strong support for reciprocally monophyletic New World and Old World lineages, congruent nrDNA and plastome topologies at the species level and below, and monophyly of most taxonomic sections and species. Plastome gene content was stable across the genus with minimal pseudogenization or loss, as in other hemiparasites, with the notable exception of cemA. These findings form the basis of our re-evaluation of historical biogeographical hypotheses, species- and subspecies-level taxonomy, and plastome evolution in Arceuthobium. More broadly, this work provides a foundation for future clade-focused comparative and biosystematics studies of Arceuthobium.

A new genus of Cepheidae and reassessment of the family (Acari: Oribatida)

The middle-derivative, brachypyline oribatid mite family Cepheidae is rather heterogeneous, but many species, even some genera in this family have been poorly diagnosed. Redefinition of hitherto known taxa is, essential for resolving species identity as well as supraspecific systematics. One of such inadequately described species is Cepheus pustulatus (Pearce, 1910), known from Hawaii, which we redescribe here, and a new genus Roycepheus is proposed, based on this species. Relationships of the genus Roycepheus are addressed using the principles of phylogenetic systematics. A table presents the key differences between genera of Cepheidae, and a diagnostic key to adults of these genera, is provided. We discuss the potential synonymies of Sphodrocepheus with Tritegeus, and Reticulocepheus as well as Oribatodes with Cepheus. However, to confirm these synonymies needs redefinition of these genera and examination of types species.

Barcoding and interspecific relationships of Macaronesian Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea)

In an integrative taxonomic approach, this study presents mitochondrial CO1 barcodes for 468 of the 735 so far described Lauri-Macaronesian weevil (Curculionoidea) species and subspecies in 1388 samples. A Bayesian tree (electronic supplement) provides insights into within-species relationships, without aiming at phylogenetic accuracy above genus level. With the exception of a few discussed cases, the present dataset of DNA barcodes allows a reliable re-identification and remarkable differentiation of species and will accelerate the discovery of new weevil species from the Canary, Madeira and Azores archipelagos. Only in a single case, the similar species Rhinoncus castor and R. bruchoides (Ceutorhynchinae) from Madeira, did the molecular (re)identification reveal an unresolvable contradiction with our morphological species identification. In many cases, morphological determinations were bolstered by comparisons with the type material. Sequenced specimens were mounted and deposited in a reference collection for later re-determinations.

Additions to the smut fungi of the Iberian Peninsula

After examination of specimens, mainly from the herbarium (MA) and the mycological collection (MA-Fungi) of the Royal Botanic Garden of Madrid, we report several novelties on smut fungi within Europe. Two species of smut fungi, Sporisorium egyptiacum and Tilletia viennotii, are reported for the first time from Europe. A finding of Sphacelotheca polygoni-serrulati represents a second record for Europe. Six species of smut fungi, Moreaua kochiana, Schizonella elynae, Sporisorium egyptiacum, Thecaphora thlaspeos, Tilletia viennotii, and Ustanciosporium majus, are recorded for the first time from the Iberian Peninsula. Five species of smut fungi, Moreaua kochiana, Schizonella elynae, Sporisorium egyptiacum, Thecaphora thlaspeos, and Ustanciosporium majus, are newly recorded from Spain. Three species, Moreaua kochiana, Sphacelotheca polygoni-serrulati, and Tilletia viennotii, are new for Portugal. A specimen of Moreaua kochiana represents a new record for France. Arabis serpillifolia is reported as a new host of Thecaphora thlaspeos. New distribution records from the Iberian Peninsula are given for Anthracoidea arenariae, Microbotryum minuartiae, M. silenes-saxifragae, and Tranzscheliella sparti. We also include a phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences of Moreaua kochiana, generated in this study, to understand this species’ relationships within its genus.

Phylogenetic analysis of the grouper family (Serranidae) from various local markets in Indonesian waters using COI (cytochrome oxidase I)

Grouper fish (Serranidae) is a type of fish found in Indonesian waters. However, not many people have conducted further research on phylogenetics based on COI (Cytochrome Oxidase I). This study aims to explain the phylogeny of grouper fish from the Serranidae family based on COI (Cytochrome Oxidase I). This research is a literature study. The research samples were grouper fish from Lombok, Karimunjawa, Lampung, Kendari, Madura, Tanakeke, and Numfor. The research instrument was a grouper-type observation sheet and an observation sheet for the results of the MEGA 7 application test. The data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. The results showed that the level of kinship between the species tested was very close, including Epinephelus areolatus, E. merra, E. fasciatus, E. longispinis, E. coioides, E. ongus, and E. coeruleopunctatus with all genetic distance averages type. 0.02. The conclusion of this study is that in general the species relationships found are several species found in the same location with similar morphology and diet.