Chloroplast genome features of Moricandia arvensis (Brassicaceae), a C3-C4 intermediate photosynthetic species

Moricandia arvensis, a plant species originating from the Mediterranean, has been classified as a rare C3-C4 intermediate species, and it is a possible bridge during the evolutionary process from C3 to C4 plant photosynthesis in the family Brassicaceae. Understanding the genomic structure, gene order, and gene content of chloroplasts (cp) of such species can provide a glimpse into the evolution of photosynthesis. In the present study, we obtained a well-annotated cp genome of M. arvensis using long PacBio and short Illumina reads with a de novo assembly strategy. The M. arvensis cp genome was a quadripartite circular molecule with the length of 153,312 bp, including two inverted repeats (IR) regions of 26,196 bp, divided by a small single copy (SSC) region of 17,786 bp and a large single copy (LSC) region of 83,134 bp. We detected 112 unigenes in this genome, comprising 79 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNAs, and four rRNAs. Forty-nine long repeat sequences and 51 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci of 15 repeat types were identified. The analysis of Ks (synonymous) and Ka (non-synonymous) substitution rates indicated that the genes associated with “subunits of ATP synthase” (atpB), “subunits of NADH-dehydrogenase” (ndhG and ndhE), and “self-replication” (rps12 and rpl16) showed relatively higher Ka/Ks values than those of the other genes. The gene content, gene order, and LSC/IR/SSC boundaries and adjacent genes of the M. arvensis cp genome were highly conserved compared to those in related C3 species. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that M. arvensis was clustered into a subclade with cultivated Brassica species and Raphanus sativus, indicating that M. arvensis was not involved in an independent evolutionary origin event. These results will open the way for further studies on the evolutionary process from C3 to C4 photosynthesis and hopefully provide guidance for utilizing M. arvensis as a resource for improvinng photosynthesis efficiency in cultivated Brassica species.

Intraspecific variations of the cytoplasmic male sterility genes orf108 and orf117 in Brassica maurorum and Moricandia arvensis, and the specificity of the mRNA processing

The mitochondrial gene <i>orf108</i> co-transcribed with <i>atp1</i> and causes cytoplasmic male sterility in <i>Brassica</i> crops, is widely distributed across wild species and genera of <i>Brassicaceae</i>. However, intraspecific variations in the presence of <i>orf108</i> have not yet been studied, and the mechanisms for the wide distribution of the gene remain unclear. We analyzed the presence and sequence variations of <i>orf108</i> in two wild species, <i>Brassica maurorum</i> and <i>Moricandia arvensis</i>. After polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 5′ region of <i>atp1</i> and the coding sequence of <i>orf108</i>, we determined the DNA sequences. <i>B. maurorum</i> and <i>M. arvensis</i> showed variations for the presence of <i>orf108</i> or <i>orf117</i> (<i>orf108^V117</i>) both between and within accessions, and were not fixed to the mitochondrial type having the male sterile genes. Sequencing of the amplicons clarified that <i>B. maurorum</i> has <i>orf108^V117</i> instead of <i>orf108</i>. Sequencing also indicated mitochondrial heteroplasmy in the two species; particularly, in <i>B. maurorum</i>, one plant possessed both the <i>orf108</i> and <i>orf108^V117</i> sequences. The results suggested that substoichiometric shifting of the mitochondrial genomes leads to the acquisition or loss of <i>orf108</i>. Furthermore, fertility restorer genes of the two species were involved in the processing of the mRNA of the male sterility genes at different sites.

Phenotypic plasticity triggers rapid morphological convergence

Phenotypic convergence, the independent evolution of similar traits, is ubiquitous in nature, happening at all levels of biological organizations and in most kinds of living beings. Uncovering its mechanisms remains a fundamental goal in biology. Evolutionary theory considers that convergence emerges through independent genetic changes selected over long periods of time. We show in this study that convergence can also arise through phenotypic plasticity. We illustrate this idea by investigating how plasticity drives Moricandia arvensis, a mustard species displaying within-individual polyphenism in flowers, across the morphological space of the entire Brassicaceae family. By compiling the multidimensional floral phenotype, the phylogenetic relationships, and the pollination niche of over 3000 Brassicaceae species, we demonstrated that Moricandia arvensis exhibits a plastic-mediated within-individual floral disparity greater than that found not only between species but also between higher taxonomical levels such as genera and tribes. As a consequence of this divergence, M. arvensis moves outside the morphospace region occupied by its ancestors and close relatives, crosses into a new region where it encounters a different pollination niche and converges phenotypically with distant Brassicaceae lineages. Our study suggests that, by inducing phenotypes that explore simultaneously different regions of the morphological space, plasticity triggers rapid phenotypic convergence.

Study of the floristic diversity of Acacia tortilis population- in Bechar region (Southwestern Algeria)

For the management and sustainable use of natural bio-resources it is necessary to quantify and valorize this heritage. In the case of the floristic diversity of Acacia tortilis, the only natural woody stand in Bechar-Algeria, scanty studies have been undertaken. Hence in this study, the general overview of the flora diversity state in the 58 plots of 9 stations was made by the analysis of various indexes: Shannon, Simpson, species evenness, floristic richness, disturbance index, biological and biogeographically spectra. We listed 103 species belonging to 37 families and 85 genus, the important plants belonged to the Asteraceae and Brassicaceae. The most important species are: Pulicaria crispa, Asteriscus graveolens, Launea arborescens, Matricaria pubescens, Moricandia arvensis, Farsetia aegyptiaca, Zilla macroptera. The biological spectrum indicated a dominance of the Chamaephytes and the predominance of the Therophytes; the phytogeographic spectrum showed an important endemism (44%) in which 36% species belong to the SaharoArabian element; The Shannon, Simpson, and Evenness diversity indices, were relatively high, thereby indicating a diversity variation between the stations, witch increased South towards North. It was prominent in Zouzfana, Taghit, and Abadla stations, and the higher values of disturbance Index reflected the greater level of anthropization in these courses. The future accumulation of this regression, many risk loss of the last naturally wall of desertification, biodiversity, national economy and sand advancement. Therefore, it is recommended to apply pastures protection, pastoral charge control, and elaborate an environmental value of this species.

The Contribution of Surrounding Margins in the Promotion of Natural Enemies in Mediterranean Apple Orchards

(1) Habitat management can enhance beneficial arthropod populations and provide ecosystem services such as biological control. However, the implementation of ecological infrastructures inside orchards has a number of practical limitations. Therefore, planting/growing insectary plants in the margins of orchards should be considered as an alternative approach. (2) Here, we assessed the efficacy of a flower margin composed by four insectary plant species (Achillea millefolium, Lobularia maritima, Moricandia arvensis and Sinapis alba), which was placed on an edge of four Mediterranean apple orchards to attract natural enemies of two apple tree aphids (Dysaphis plantaginea and Eriosoma lanigerum). We also characterized the natural enemies present in the aphid colonies. (3) Our results show that the implementation of a flower margin at the edge of apple orchards attracts predators (Syrphidae, Thysanoptera, Araneae, Heteroptera, Coleoptera) and parasitoids. Parasitoids are the main natural enemies present in aphid colonies in our area. (4) The implementation of the flower margins successfully recruited natural enemy populations, and the presence of parasitoids in the surroundings of the orchards increased the parasitism of D. plantaginea colonies.

Phytochemical and Biological Profile of Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC.: An Inhibitor of Pancreatic Lipase

Pancreatic lipase, a key enzyme for lipid absorption, is one of the most important targets for the treatment of obesity, while natural compounds have recently attracted much interest as potential inhibitors of this enzyme. Here, in an attempt to find new effective agents, the methanolic extract from Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC. and its sub-extracts were investigated for their potential inhibitory activity. The ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase was verified through the in vitro evaluation of the prevention of p-nitrophenyl caprylate hydrolysis. The antioxidant activity was also verified by means of DPPH and β-carotene bleaching tests. Compositional profiling revealed that flavonoid glycosides were the main specialized metabolites present in the methanolic extract from the aerial parts of the plant with kaempferol and quercetin representing the two O-glycosylated aglycones. Kaempferol-3-O-β-(2″-O-glucosyl)-rutinoside and kaempferol-3-O-a-arabinosyl-7-O-rhamnoside were the most abundant flavonols. The crude methanolic extract and the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate sub-extracts showed a strong lipase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 2.06 ± 0.02, 1.52 ± 0.02 and 1.31 ± 0.02 mg/mL, respectively. The best capacity to scavenge DPPH radical was detected for the ethyl acetate sub-extract (IC50 = 171.9 ± 1.0 µg/mL), which was also effective in protecting linoleic acid from peroxidation (IC50 = 35.69 ± 2.30 µg/mL). Obtained results support the hypothesis that M. arvensis can be a source of bioactive phytochemicals for the pharmacological inhibition of dietary lipids absorption.

PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT MORICANDIA ARVENSIS L. FROM ALGERIAN SAHARA

Objective: The aim of this research was to isolate and identify flavonoids extracted from the leaves of Moricandia arvensis.Methods: The phytochemical screening reaction and thin-layer chromatography have been used to characterize the chemical groups, before they were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance.Results: The leaves contain essentially flavonoids, tannins, cardenolides, saponins, and alkaloids. The phytochemical investigation of the water-acetone extract led to the isolation of five flavonoids derivatives, namely: 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,4’-trimethoxyflavone (1); 5,7,4’-trihydroxy- 3,6,8,3’-tetramethoxyflavone (2); 3,3’,4’, 5,7- pentahydroxy flavanone (3); 3-glucosyl 3’,4’,5,7 tetrahydroxy flavonol (4); and kaempférol-3- digalactopyranoside (5). The structures of 1–5 were identified by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature.Conclusion: In this work, it was possible to isolate and identify five flavonoids after fractionation of the hydroacetone extract from the leaves of the medicinal plant M. arvensis.