Functional Ecology of Iceplant Taxa and Their Role in Eco-restoration of New Zealand Sand Dunes

<p>Biological invasion by non-native plant species has often been cited as a cause of native biodiversity loss. While the outcome of species invasions depends on interactions between exotic and resident native species, most studies of biological invasions have focused solely on the direct negative impacts of non-indigenous species on native biota. Although investigations of the role of competition in shaping natural plant communities were dominant in the previous generations and are still popular, more recent experimental research has uncovered the striking influence of facilitation on community dynamics. This thesis aims to investigate competitive and facilitative influence of the invasive South African iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis) on Spinifex sericeus, a native foredune grass species, with particular reference to implications of these interactions for dune restoration in New Zealand. It further explores the growth rates, substrate preferences and mating systems of the exotic and native iceplant taxa found in New Zealand. I begin by briefly outlining the influence of competition and facilitation on natural plant communities with reference to the role of facilitation in eco-restoration. I also give a few examples where exotic species have been found to facilitate native ones. Secondly, a neighbour removal experiment was conducted on coastal sand dunes with the main aim of studying the effects of Carpobrotus edulis on establishment of Spinifex sericeus at the foredune region. Finally, I compared the growth rates of the most widely distributed iceplant taxa in New Zealand in different substrates and the breeding systems of the exotic Carpobrotus. Examples abound in literature of exotic plant species facilitating native ones especially in forestry. In the neighbour removal study, Carpobrotus edulis protected Spinifex seedlings against storm erosion, sandblasting and salt sprays while at the same time suppressing its leaf production. Suppression of Spinifex leaf production was more pronounced at top of the dune where stress elements is presumably more benign. There was no evidence of allelopathic suppression of Spinifex by C. edulis. Only Carpobrotus chilensis displayed some level of substrate preference by putting on relatively lower biomass in gravel. The exotic Carpobrotus spp. put on greater dry matter content than the native Disphyma australe and the Carpobrotus-x-Disphyma hybrid. The hybrid displayed a faster vegetative growth rate whereas D. australe allocated relatively more biomass to the roots than the shoot. Both Carpobrotus spp. are self compatible and highly capable of intrageneric and intergeneric hybridisation. Mass removal of the existing exotic iceplant stands from foredunes along high energy coasts is not advisable as they serve as useful stabilisers. The intergeneric hybrid is sexually sterile with sparsely spread stolons that could allow co-occurrence with other species and therefore is more suitable for foredune stabilisation. However, more research needs to be conducted on the ecology of the intergeneric hybrid.</p>

Functional Ecology of Iceplant Taxa and Their Role in Eco-restoration of New Zealand Sand Dunes

<p>Biological invasion by non-native plant species has often been cited as a cause of native biodiversity loss. While the outcome of species invasions depends on interactions between exotic and resident native species, most studies of biological invasions have focused solely on the direct negative impacts of non-indigenous species on native biota. Although investigations of the role of competition in shaping natural plant communities were dominant in the previous generations and are still popular, more recent experimental research has uncovered the striking influence of facilitation on community dynamics. This thesis aims to investigate competitive and facilitative influence of the invasive South African iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis) on Spinifex sericeus, a native foredune grass species, with particular reference to implications of these interactions for dune restoration in New Zealand. It further explores the growth rates, substrate preferences and mating systems of the exotic and native iceplant taxa found in New Zealand. I begin by briefly outlining the influence of competition and facilitation on natural plant communities with reference to the role of facilitation in eco-restoration. I also give a few examples where exotic species have been found to facilitate native ones. Secondly, a neighbour removal experiment was conducted on coastal sand dunes with the main aim of studying the effects of Carpobrotus edulis on establishment of Spinifex sericeus at the foredune region. Finally, I compared the growth rates of the most widely distributed iceplant taxa in New Zealand in different substrates and the breeding systems of the exotic Carpobrotus. Examples abound in literature of exotic plant species facilitating native ones especially in forestry. In the neighbour removal study, Carpobrotus edulis protected Spinifex seedlings against storm erosion, sandblasting and salt sprays while at the same time suppressing its leaf production. Suppression of Spinifex leaf production was more pronounced at top of the dune where stress elements is presumably more benign. There was no evidence of allelopathic suppression of Spinifex by C. edulis. Only Carpobrotus chilensis displayed some level of substrate preference by putting on relatively lower biomass in gravel. The exotic Carpobrotus spp. put on greater dry matter content than the native Disphyma australe and the Carpobrotus-x-Disphyma hybrid. The hybrid displayed a faster vegetative growth rate whereas D. australe allocated relatively more biomass to the roots than the shoot. Both Carpobrotus spp. are self compatible and highly capable of intrageneric and intergeneric hybridisation. Mass removal of the existing exotic iceplant stands from foredunes along high energy coasts is not advisable as they serve as useful stabilisers. The intergeneric hybrid is sexually sterile with sparsely spread stolons that could allow co-occurrence with other species and therefore is more suitable for foredune stabilisation. However, more research needs to be conducted on the ecology of the intergeneric hybrid.</p>

Geroprotective effects of ×Sorbaronia mitschurinii fruit extract on Drosophila melanogaster

BACKGROUND: ×Sorbaronia mitschurinii (also known as Aronia mitschurinii) is an intergeneric hybrid of×Sorbaronia fallax and Aronia melanocarpa. ×S. mitschurinii berry is a rich source of phytochemicals such as flavonoids and anthocyanins, which have a broad range of health benefits and a great geroprotective potential. OBJECTIVES: The goal of the present study was to investigate the geroprotective effects of Sorbaronia berry ethanolic extract (SBE) in Drosophila melanogaster and whether these effects depend on the concentration of SBE, duration of treatment, age, and sex. METHODS: SBE was used to supplement a diet of Drosophila imagoes throughout life, during 2 weeks after the imago hatching, and from 4 to 6 weeks of age. The relationship between the SBE effects on lifespan, stress resistance and the expression of stress response genes were examined. RESULTS: SBE treatment at 1-2 and 4-6 weeks of life increased the lifespan, while treatment throughout life reduced lifespan. SBE treatment increased Drosophila resistance to oxidative stress and starvation, but not to hyperthermia. A statistically significant effect of SBE treatment on the expression level of per, keap1, hif1, hsp27, hsp68, hsp83, and sirt1 genes in flies of both sexes and on sod1 expression only in female flies was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The observed relationship between SBE concentration and lifespan effects suggests that the life-extending effect of SBE may be associated with the mechanism of hormesis.

Introduction of the species of the genera Cotoneaster Medik. and × Sorbocotoneaster pozdnjakovii Pojark. from the Siberian flora to the Botanical Garden acad. A. V. Fomin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev (message 3 – × Sorbocotoneaster pozd

A spontaneous intergeneric hybrid of Sorbus and Cotoneaster – Pozdnyakov’s sorbocotoneaster (× Sorbocotoneaster pozdnjakovii Pojark.) is an endemic of the South Yakutia. It is known from the river basin Aldan in the areafrom the city of Tommot to the mouth of the river Uchura and on the Aldan-Amga interfluve. It grows in the undergrowthof sparse pine and larch forests on stony-gravelly limestone slopes. It was first found by L. K. Pozdnyakov, a forester,an employee of the Institute of Forest of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, on September 9, 1950,when examining forests on permafrost in Yakutia: “in the area of the confluence of the Aya-Sullalah river into Aldan,105–110 km down the Aldan from Tommot” (from the letter of L. K. Pozdnyakov to A. T. Grevtsova, 1982). The article provides data on the origin of the specimens × Sorbocotoneasters, the morphological description of leaves, flowers, fruits,the peculiarities of growth and development in conditions of Kiev, micrographs of pollen grains, micrographs of theendocarp of fruits of three forms, the beginning of the destruction of the scutellum and hypostyle from the ventral side ina hybrid of the third form. Botanical Garden named after acad. A. V. Fomin of the Taras Shevchenko National Universityof Kiev is the only ex situ conservation site in Eastern Europe of the unique Yakut hybrid × Sorbocotoneaster pozdnjakoviiwith leaves of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd forms.

New intergeneric orchid hybrid found in Romania × Pseudorhiza nieschalkii (Senghas) P.F.Hunt nothosubsp. siculorum H.Kertész & N.Anghelescu, 2020

We describe the first reported intergeneric, which naturally occurs between two subspecies belonging to different genera, Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. sooana (genus Dactylorhiza) and Pseudorchis albida subsp. tricuspis (genus Pseudorchis), as × Pseudorhiza nieschalkii (Senghas) P.F.Hunt nothosubsp. siculorum H.Kertész & N.Anghelescu, 2020. The hybrid was found and digitally photographed for the first time by Hajnalka Kertész in June, 2020, within Terra Siculorum, in one of the Natura 2000 protected areas, known as Harghita Mădăraș, ROSCI00090. Following detailed morphometric analysis using 67 characters and molecular karyological analyses, we identified this unique specimen as an intergeneric hybrid, new to science. The hybrid, an F1 generation plant, most likely representing a single intergeneric pollination event, is phenotypically intermediate between its parental species in most of the characters scored, but it significantly closely resembles Pseudorchis albida subsp. tricuspis parent. Since several individuals of the parental species occurred in near proximity, within 1–10 meters distance, we suggest that the production of this hybrid required a minimum travel distance of ca 1–10 meters, by the pollinators and frequent exchange of pollen between the parental species was very likely. The parental species and the hybrid, which display a considerable synchronicity in their flowering time, overlap in the pollinator community, sharing various species of Hymenopterans and Dipterans, very abundant in the heathland. This Terra Siculorum hybrid is thus best described as a rarely occurring intergeneric hybrid that shows strong Pseudorchis albida subsp. tricuspis parental dominance in inheritance patterns.

A natural intergeneric hybrid of Gesneriaceae from Brazil

A natural hybrid between Goyazia and Mandirola (Gloxiniinae, Gesneriaceae) from Cerrado (Brazil) is here described, supported by pollen morphology, cytological data and morphological characters. The microsporogenesis of Mandirola hirsuta and that of the hybrid were analyzed in order to evaluate the cytogenetic characteristics. The haploid chromosome numbers observed were n = 12 for M. hirsuta and n = 11, 13, 16 and 26 for the hybrid. Structural abnormalities (monads, dyads, triads and micronuclei) were observed at the final of the hybrid’s meiosis. High viability rates of the pollen were recorded for Goyazia and Mandirola (>90%) and low viability for the hybrid (34.7%). The pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured and photographed for pollen morphology analysis. Quantitative pollen data were analyzed through descriptive and multivariate statistics. The hybrid has intermediate pollen characteristics between G. petraea and M. hirsuta; it is more related to G. petraea by the measures of diameters and ectoapertures; it is more similar to M. hirsuta mainly regarding the microreticulum on the mesocolpium region. The hybrid and Mandirola share vegetative and flower size, while the colors of the hybrid are similar to Goyazia. Pollen morphology, cytological data and morphological characters brought clear evidence for the recognition of the intergeneric hybrid, which we named as Goydirola x punctata.

Hybridization in the Temperate Bamboos (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Arundinarieae): A Phylogenetic Study Using AFLPs and cpDNA Sequence Data

Abstract—The temperate bamboos are a taxonomically difficult group with nearly 600 species in approximately 30 genera and at least 12 constituent lineages. In this study, phylogenetic relationships were explored using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data in comparison with a phylogeny based on plastid DNA sequences, with an emphasis onArundinariaof North America and its allies in East Asia (theArundinariaclade). Molecular analyses involved 248 individuals in 10 genera and 60 species. Hybridization was detected both within and among genera. Comparative analyses indicated hybrid origins for species in several widespread and well-known genera, includingHibanobambusa,Sasaella, andSemiarundinaria. Evidence also indicated thatPseudosasa japonica(the type species ofPseudosasa) is an intergeneric hybrid involvingPleioblastusandSasamorpha. In addition, cryptic hybrids were detected within and amongPleioblastus,Sasa, andSasamorpha. After accounting for hybrids, phylogenetic analyses of AFLP data provided resolution for core lineages in theArundinariaclade, includingPleioblastussensu stricto,Sasas. s., andSasamorpha.AFLP data also provided evidence for the monophyly of the North American cane bamboos (Arundinaria, three species) but failed to identify their closest relative among the East Asian taxa. The broader evolutionary implications of hybridization in the temperate bamboos are discussed along with recommendations for future studies.

Effect of Citrofortunella microcarpa (Calamansi) Peelings on Whole Blood Coagulation Using Blood Samples from Albino Mice

Citrofortunella microcarpa, locally known as calamansi in the Philippines, is an intergeneric hybrid between Citrus reticulata and Fortunella japonica. This fruit is widely cultivated in the Philippines for its fruit juice as an abundant source of vitamin C and as a condiment in many local foods in the country. Sadly, only the pulp is needed for squeezing while the peels are thrown after extracting the juice. Previous studies revealed that the peels of Citrus, as member of the Rutaceae family, can synthesize both coumarins and furanocoumarins wherein their derivates are used as oral anticoagulants which can inhibit vitamin K from functioning as a cofactor in the hepatic synthesis of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X. In this study, the extract of calamansi peelings were proven to have an anticoagulant property on blood samples from albino mice. This study will pave the way for scientists to allot time in studying calamansi peelings for it may be another source of medicine to help patients who are prone to have stroke, myocardial infarction, and other blood clotting diseases.

× Pseudorhiza nieschalkii (Senghas) P.F.Hunt nothosubsp. siculorum H.Kertész & N.Anghelescu, 2020 A Intergeneric Orchid Hybrid New to Science

We describe the first reported intergeneric hybrid to naturally occur between two subspecies belonging to different genera, Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. sooana (genus Dactylorhiza) and Pseudorchis albida subsp. tricuspis (genus Pseudorchis), as × Pseudorhiza nieschalkii (Senghas) P.F.Hunt nothosubsp. siculorum H.Kertész & N.Anghelescu, 2020. The hybrid was found and digitally photographed for the first time by Hajnalka Kertész in June, 2020, within Terra Siculorum, in one of the Natura 2000 protected areas, known as Harghita Mădăraș, ROSCI00090. Following detailed morphometric analysis using 67 characters and molecular karyological analyses, we identified this unique specimen as an intergeneric hybrid, new to science. The hybrid, an F1 generation plant, most likely representing a single intergeneric pollination event, is phenotypically intermediate between its parental species in most of the characters scored, but it significantly closely resembles Pseudorchis albida subsp. tricuspis parent. Since the parental species occurred in near proximity (1-10 meters distance), we suggest that the production of this hybrid required a minimum travel distance of ca 1-10 meters, by the pollinators and frequent exchange of pollen between the parental species was very likely.