New and noteworthy Melastomataceae from the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park and surrounding areas in Oxapampa, Pasco, Peru

We describe six new species of Melastomataceae from the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park and surrounding areas from the Department of Pasco, Province of Oxapampa in Central Peru. Macrocentrum andinum is the first species of the genus described from the Andes, found along creeks at 400–500 m elev. and characterized by its anysophyllous leaves, pubescent stems and four-merous flowers. Meriania rubriflora is found in forests above 2200 m elev. and it is characterized by stem nodes with stipular flaps, leaves with an acute base and four merous, deep red flowers. Miconia palcazuana is found along rivers and streams at 300–400 m on the eastern flank of the park, and it can be distinguished by its flowers with pink anthers with glands on the connective and narrowly oblanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate leaves. Miconia yanachagaensis grows in the dwarf-sclerophyllous forests at the top of ridges and grasslands over 2800 m elev. and it is characterized by its long dendritic-pedicellate trichomes on the abaxial leaf surface, the stems flattened to terete and the presence of a conspicuous annular nodal line. Triolena rojasae is found growing on rocks along the Palcazú River and its tributaries, and it is characterized by its lanceolate-crenate leaves. Triolena vasquezii grows on the northern end of the Huancabamba canyon and the North East portion of the park and can be distinguished by its pustulate leaves with purple abaxial surface and anthers with two ventral appendages. We also present the first report of the genus Wurdastom for Peru.

Effects of agricultural management on phyllosphere fungal diversity in vineyards and the association with adjacent native forests

Agriculture is one of the main drivers of land conversion, and agriculture practices can impact on microbial diversity. Here we characterized the phyllosphere fungal diversity associated with Carménère grapevines under conventional and organic agricultural management. We also explored the fungal diversity present in the adjacent sclerophyllous forests to explore the potential role of native forest on vineyard phyllosphere. After conducting D2 and ITS2 amplicon sequencing, we found that fungal diversity indices did not change between conventional and organic vineyards, but community structure was sensitive to the agricultural management. On the other hand, we found a high proportion of shared fungal OTUs between vineyards and native forests. In addition, both habitats had similar levels of fungal diversity despite forest samples were derived from multiple plant species. In contrast, the community structure was different in both habitats. Interestingly, the native forest had more unidentified species and unique OTUs than vineyards. Forest dominant species wereAureobasidium pullulansandEndoconidioma populi, whereasDavidiella tassiana,Didymella sp., andAlternaria eichhorniaewere more abundant in vineyards. Overall, this study argues that a better understanding of the relationship native forests and agroecosystems is needed for maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services provided by natural ecosystems. Finally, knowledge of microbial communities living in the Chilean Mediterranean biome is needed for appropriate conservation management of these biomes and their classification as biodiversity hotspots.

The Middle Miocene Central European Plant Record Revisited; Widespread Subhumid Sclerophyllous Forests Indicated

The Middle Miocene plant record from the wider Central Paratethys region (Central Paratethys, the North Alpine Foredeep, Carpathian Foredeep, the Swabian Alb and southern parts of the Bohemian Massif) was analysed by the Integrated Plant Record (IPR) vegetation analysis to assess major vegetation types. The plant assemblages at 27 sites accumulated under very different sedimentological settings and refl ect heterogeneous environments. Although of very different origin, the plant record delivers a fairly consistent signal towards subhumid sclerophyllous forests (ShSF) as the most likely major zonal vegetation unit for the Langhian/Serravallian. Today, such forests develop under seasonal climate with pronounced seasonal changes in precipitation. The fl oristic characteristics are outlined and the record is compared to that of the preceding and the following Miocene periods.

Effects of agriculture management on fungal phyllosphere diversity in vineyards and its relationship with native forests

Agriculture is one of the main drivers of land conversion and agriculture practices can impact on microbial diversity. Here we characterized the phyllosphere fungal diversity associated with Carmenere grapevines under conventional and organic agricultural management. We also explored the fungal diversity present in the adjacent sclerophyllous forests to explore the potential role of native forest on phyllosphere in vineyards. After conducting deep amplicon sequencing, no significant differences in fungal diversity indices and community structure were detected between organic and conventional vineyards, suggesting that the phyllosphere microorganisms of grapevines are highly resilient to agricultural treatments. On the other hand, we found a high proportion of shared fungal OTUs between vineyards and native forests. In addition, both habitats had similar levels of fungal diversity despite forest samples were derived from multiple plant species. In contrast, the community structure was different between habitats. Nevertheless, the native forest had more unidentified genera and OTUs unique to this habitat than did the vineyards. Cladosporium, Aureobasidium, and Endoconidioma were more abundant in vineyards, whereas Davidiella, Didymella, and Erysiphie were more abundant in forests. Overall, this study argues that a better understanding of the relationship native forests and agroecosystems is needed for maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services provided by natural ecosystems. Finally, knowledge of microbial communities living in the Chilean Mediterranean biome is needed for appropriate conservation management of these biomes and their classification as biodiversity hotspots.

Effects of agriculture management on fungal phyllosphere diversity in vineyards and its relationship with native forests

Agriculture is one of the main drivers of land conversion and agriculture practices can impact on microbial diversity. Here we characterized the phyllosphere fungal diversity associated with Carmenere grapevines under conventional and organic agricultural management. We also explored the fungal diversity present in the adjacent sclerophyllous forests to explore the potential role of native forest on phyllosphere in vineyards. After conducting deep amplicon sequencing, no significant differences in fungal diversity indices and community structure were detected between organic and conventional vineyards, suggesting that the phyllosphere microorganisms of grapevines are highly resilient to agricultural treatments. On the other hand, we found a high proportion of shared fungal OTUs between vineyards and native forests. In addition, both habitats had similar levels of fungal diversity despite forest samples were derived from multiple plant species. In contrast, the community structure was different between habitats. Nevertheless, the native forest had more unidentified genera and OTUs unique to this habitat than did the vineyards. Cladosporium, Aureobasidium, and Endoconidioma were more abundant in vineyards, whereas Davidiella, Didymella, and Erysiphie were more abundant in forests. Overall, this study argues that a better understanding of the relationship native forests and agroecosystems is needed for maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services provided by natural ecosystems. Finally, knowledge of microbial communities living in the Chilean Mediterranean biome is needed for appropriate conservation management of these biomes and their classification as biodiversity hotspots.

Evaluation Exhaustive De La Diversité Des Plantes Aromatiques Et Médicinales De La Péninsule Tingitane (Maroc)

Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (AMP) represent a large part of biodiversity. However, in the absence of a detailed record of this diversity, research and AMP development projects are generally limited to a small portion of ethnobotanical heritage. To guide prospection, exploitation and conservation studies of the existing potential, a comprehensive evaluation of the natural diversity of AMP is required. The western Rif region in northern Morocco, which area represents less than 1% of national territory, is home to about 50% of the Moroccan floristic richness (2053 species and infraspecific taxa). This heritage includes 630 taxa from which only 23 are currently exploited and merely 57% are recognized by ethno-botanists. Among these assets, a list is drawn up containing 106 taxa with a special conservation status (very rare or rare taxa, and / or endemic and / or threatened) and some of which are widely exploited. From a phytosociological point of view and based on an available database of 449 floristic samples, natural forest stands and matorrals contain about 27% of all MAP of the study area. These AMP organize almost half the floristic composition of sclerophyllous forests (oleaster, kermes oak and cork oak forest) and about a third of the richness of each of the other groups analyzed (thermophilic formations, pure fir, limestone mountains forest, calcifuges deciduous, maritime pine, matorrals). Mountain groups are the richest in exclusive, endemic, rare and endangered AMP.

Revision of Pycnandra subgenus Leptostylis and description of subgenus Wagapensia (Sapotaceae), a genus endemic to New Caledonia

The genus Pycnandra Benth. (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae) is endemic to New Caledonia with 66 known species and is subdivided in six subgenera. We have earlier revised four of these subgenera and here continue with P. subgenus Leptostylis and describe P. subgenus Wagapensia. Subgenus Leptostylis is distinguished mainly by its opposite leaves and four sepals, and includes eight species, of which two are described as new (P. amplexicaulis and P. sclerophylla). Two species, P. longiflora and P. micrantha, are assumed extinct because extensive fieldwork has not been able to relocate the plants. Variation in leaf morphology was observed in Leptostylis gatopensis, which is by consequence considered as synonym of Pycnandra filipes. Two additional taxa belong to this subgenus, but cannot presently be described because sufficient fertile material is unavailable. Subgenus Wagapensia is monotypic and readily distinguished on the basis of its subverticillate leaves and leafy shoots usually borne beneath apical clusters of leaves, a character common in Sapotaceae but unique in Pycnandra. The members of P. subgenus Leptostylis occur mainly in maquis vegetation or sclerophyllous forests on ultramafic soil, but three taxa are confined to calcareous areas. Mining activities in New Caledonian ultramafic areas are extensive and because some of these species are naturally rare, IUCN Red List assessments are provided to all species. Pycnandra grandifolia and P. wagapensis are assigned the IUCN status Vulnerable, P. amplexicaulis and P. sclerophylla are considered Endangered, P. filipes subspecies multiflora and P. goroensis are considered to be Critically Endangered, whereas P. micrantha and P. longiflora appear to be extinct.