Influence of sulphur aerosols on physiological, yield and yield attributing of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using principal component analysis

Among several constrains curtailing the yield potential of a crop, lack of proper mineral nutrition in particular sulphur management, a nutrient that is needed in trace amount but essential for plant growth is more alarming. Sulphur is the main source of protein particularly for cereal crop. An experiment was conducted to find out influence of sulphur aerosols on morpho-physiological, yield, and yield traits of wheat. S-aerosols viz., (NH4)2SO4, CaSO4, and K2SO4: @ 300 ppm each (?30 kg N ha-1) along with a control were misted on the plants, on sunny days in the afternoon (after 2–3 P.M.) at three different growth stages i.e. seedling, maximum tillering and spike initiation stages. Therefore, a total concentration of each S-aerosols was 900 ppm ? 0.9%.Genotypes (viz., GW-322, GW-366, GW-273, GW-173, JW-336) were raised both under Pot culture (Expt.1) and field (Expt.2) observations recorded are : LA, LAI, SLW, Tiller numbers, No. of seed per spike, length of spike, spike weight, TW, BY, EY, HI. The investigation was carried out aiming to test the hypothesis that foliar fed Sulphur aerosols influence economic yield of wheat crop positively. The genotype GW-366 was the most responsive in physiological traits and GW-273 for yield traits under the influence of foliar fertilization with S-aerosols. Among the S-aerosols, (NH4)2SO4 was the most effective in the work. The results in this experiment are contribution of Sulphur aerosols using PCA towards total diversity.

Cyanobacteria in freshwater Lake Dikoye (Pribaikalsky district, Buryatia, Siberia) under intensive eutrophication

We studied freshwater Lake Dikoye located in the coastal zone of Lake Baikal. Negative changes associated with cyanobacterial bloom were observed in the lake. Phototrophs were represented by cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms. In the microbial community, Cyanobacteria were the dominant phylum and accounted for up to 48% of the total diversity. Cyanobacteria were represented by 7 genera and 9 species. Microcystis aeruginosa, a potentially toxic species, was dominant among cyanobacteria. According to chlorophyll a content, the lake should be assigned to eutrophic ones. The bacterial eutrophication index for the lake studied varied from 1.17 (middle eutrophic) to 28.2 (hypereutrophic) during cyanobacterial bloom.

Старі штучні парки як осередки різноманіття епіфітних лишайників Півдня України

Old artificial parks are an important component of the cultural heritage in Southern Ukraine which represents a significant variety of specific habitats for lichen diversity. The aim of our research was to analyze the total lichen diversity in parks as well as the representation of rare and protected species. Most of the data were collected by the authors during expeditions in Southern Ukraine during 2017–2020 in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. Overall, we identified 108 lichen species and 21 lichenicolous fungi within 17 old parks. The highest lichen diversity was recorded in parks “Labirynt” (66 species) and “Nedogirskyi Forest” (61 species). We found 18 lichen species (16.6 %) included in the Red List of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions and 25 (23.8%) rare forest-dwelling species. We concluded that old artificial parks are very important habitats for lichen diversity in the steppe zone of Ukraine as well as the unique localities for such species as Graphis scripta, Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Sclerophora pallida in Southern Ukraine. The total diversity of lichens did nоt have a significant correlation with the total number of tree species due to the dominance of several tree species (Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur), while most other phorophytes are young and represented singly. All old parks should become local reserves to preserve the overall biological diversity in their territories, protect against illegal logging, and regulate potential recreational activities. Keywords: biodiversity, Graphis, Hyperphyscia, Sclerophora, Mykolaiv, Kherson, rare species. Старі штучні парки є важливою складовою природної та культурної спадщини півдня України, яка представляє значну різноманітність специфічних місцезростань для лишайників. Метою нашого дослідження було проаналізувати загальне різноманіття лишайників у старих парках, а також поширення рідкісних видів, та видів, що охороняються. Більшість матеріалів було зібрано під час експедиційних досліджень протягом 2017–2020 років у Херсонській та Миколаївській областях. У цілому, було виявлено 108 видів лишайників та 21 ліхенофільних грибів на території 17 старих парків. Найбільше різноманіття лишайників зафіксовано в парках «Лабіринт» (66 видів) та «Недогірський ліс» (61 видів). Ми виявили 18 видів лишайників (16,6 %), занесених до Червоного списку Херсонської та Миколаївської областей та 26 (24 %) рідкісних видів, які приурочені до штучних лісових біотопів. З огляду на це, старі парки є дуже важливими територіями для збереження різноманіття лишайників у степовій зоні України, а також унікальними місцезростаннями таких видів, як Graphis scripta, Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Sclerophora pallida на півдні України.Встановлено, що загальне різноманіття лишайників не мало статистично значущої кореляції із загальною кількістю порід дерев, що може бути пов’язано з домінуванням кількох порід дерев (Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur), тоді як більшість інших форофітів молоді та представлені одиничними екземплярами. Усі старі парки мають увійти до природно-заповідного фонду як ботанічні заказники для збереження загального біологічного різноманіття на своїх територіях, захисту від незаконних вирубок та регулювання потенційної рекреаційної діяльності. Ключові слова: біорізноманіття, Graphis, Hyperphyscia, Sclerophora, Миколаїв, Херсон, рідкісні види.

The Global Virome in One Network (VIRION): an atlas of vertebrate-virus associations

Data cataloguing viral diversity on Earth have been fragmented across sources, disciplines, formats, and various degrees of open collation, posing challenges for research on macroecology, evolution, and public health. Here, we solve this problem by establishing a dynamically-maintained database of vertebrate-virus associations, called The Global Virome in One Network (VIRION). The VIRION database has been assembled through both reconciliation of static datasets and integration of dynamically-updated databases. These data sources are all harmonized against one taxonomic backbone, including metadata on host and virus taxonomic validity and higher classification; additional metadata on sampling methodology and evidence strength are also available in a harmonized format. In total, the VIRION database is the largest open-source, open-access database of its kind, with roughly half a million unique records that include 9,521 resolved virus "species" (of which 1,661 are ICTV ratified), 3,692 resolved vertebrate host species, and 23,147 unique interactions between taxonomically-valid organisms. Together, these data cover roughly a quarter of mammal diversity, a tenth of bird diversity, and ˜6% of the estimated total diversity of vertebrates, and a much larger proportion of their virome than any previous database. We show how these data can be used to test hypotheses about microbiology, ecology, and evolution, and make suggestions for best practices that address the unique mix of evidence that coexists in these data.

One viral sequence for each host? – The neglected within-host diversity as the main stage of SARS-CoV-2 evolution

The standard practice of presenting one viral sequence for each infected individual implicitly assumes low within-host genetic diversity. It places the emphasis on the viral evolution between, rather than within, hosts. To determine this diversity, we collect SARS-CoV-2 samples from the same patient multiple times. Our own data in conjunction with previous reports show that two viral samples collected from the same individual are often very different due to the substantial within-host diversity. Each sample captures only a small part of the total diversity that is transiently and locally released from infected cells. Hence, the global SARS-CoV-2 population is a meta-population consisting of the viruses in all the infected hosts, each of which harboring a genetically diverse sub-population. Advantageous mutations must be present first as the within-host diversity before they are revealed as between-host polymorphism. The early detection of such diversity in multiple hosts could be an alarm for potentially dangerous mutations. In conclusion, the main forces of viral evolution, i.e., mutation, drift, recombination and selection, all operate within hosts and should be studied accordingly. Several significant implications are discussed.

Chusquea contrerasii and C. guzmanii (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Bambuseae, Chusqueinae), two new endemic species from Jalisco, Mexico

Chusquea is the richest genus of woody bamboo worldwide, with 191 described species distributed from Mexico, the Antilles, and Central America to southern South America. Mexico has 22 described species distributed along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Sierra Madre del Sur, Sierra Madre Oriental and Chiapas Highlands. Two of the five subgenera recognized within Chusquea, subg. Chusquea and subg. Swallenochloa, are present in Mexico. Chusquea subg. Chusquea is classified into six sections, of which Chusquea sect. Longifoliae has 12 described species; four of them are present in Mexico. Based on recent morphological work that included an extensive taxonomic investigation of herbarium specimens and fieldwork carried out in the Mexican state of Jalisco, two new Chusquea species, C. contrerasii and C. guzmanii, are described and illustrated here. Both species are endemic to Jalisco, Mexico. Morphologically, Chusquea contrerasii and C. guzmanni are similar to C. nelsonii. A comparative morphological table is presented, and in addition to the scientific illustrations, photographs of both species are also presented here. These two new species increase the total number of Chusquea species in Mexico to 24. Sect. Longifoliae now has 14 species, six of them distributed in Mexico and the total diversity of Chusquea increases to 193 described species.

Diet composition of reintroduced Red-and-Green Macaws (Ara chloropterus) reflects gradual adaption to life in the wild

ABSTRACTOver the last two centuries, the Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloropterus) has become locally extinct in Argentina. In an attempt to restore its key ecosystem functions as both disperser and regulator of large-seeded plants, a reintroduction project was initiated at the Iberá National Park in northeastern Argentina. The ability of released individuals to find food is crucial, in particular when working with captive-bred animals, as long-term establishment of a self-sustaining population depends on their short-term ability to exploit wild food sources. Monitoring of feeding habits is usually conducted through behavioral observation, but in recent years DNA metabarcoding has emerged as an alternative for obtaining highly resolved data on diet composition. In this study we use a combination of both techniques to characterize the breadth and composition of the reintroduced macaws’ diet. In addition, we evaluate the efficiency of both direct field observations and metabarcoding of feces as techniques to assess diet composition. Individuals fed on a variety of plant species (n = 49) belonging to a broad phylogenetic spectrum (28 families). Dietary richness estimated by direct observation and metabarcoding was similar, though smaller than the combination of the two datasets as both techniques detected at least 15 species not recorded by the other method. While the total number of detected species was higher for observational data, the rate of species-detection per sampling day was higher for metabarcoding. These results suggest that a combination of both methods is required in order to obtain the most accurate account of the total diversity of the diet of a species. The ability of the reintroduced macaws to successfully exploit local food resources throughout the year indicates a good level of adjustment to the release site, an important step towards the creation of a stable, self-sustaining population of Red-and-green Macaws in Northern Argentina.RESUMENEn el transcurso de los últimos dos siglos, el Guacamayo Rojo (Ara chloropterus) se ha extinguido en la Argentina. Buscando recuperar su rol ecológico tanto de dispersor como de depredador de semillas de gran tamaño, se comenzó un proyecto de reintroducción de la especie en el Parque Nacional Iberá, en la región noreste del país. La capacidad para encontrar alimento por parte de los individuos liberados es crucial, particularmente cuando se trabaja con animales provenientes de condiciones de cautiverio, ya que el establecimiento de una población autosuficiente a largo plazo dependerá de la habilidad de éstos para explotar fuentes de alimento silvestre a corto plazo. El monitoreo de hábitos alimenticios se realiza usualmente a través de observaciones comportamentales. Sin embargo, en los últimos años la técnica del meta-código de barras de ADN ha surgido como una alternativa para la obtención de datos de composición dietaria con alto nivel de resolución. En este estudio, utilizamos una combinación de ambas técnicas para caracterizar la amplitud y composición de la dieta de los guacamayos reintroducidos. A su vez, evaluamos la eficiencia de la observación directa y el código de barras genético de heces como técnicas para evaluar la composición de la dieta. Los individuos se alimentaron de una amplia variedad de especies (n = 49), abarcando un amplio espectro filogenético (28 familias). La riqueza dietaria estimada por observación directa y por meta-código de barras genético fue similar, aunque menor a la resultante de la combinación de todos los datos ya que ambas técnicas detectaron al menos 15 especies no registradas por el otro método. Mientras que el número total de especies detectadas fue mayor para los métodos observacionales, la tasa de detección de especies por día de muestreo fue mayor para el análisis genético. Estos resultados sugieren que una combinación de ambos métodos es necesaria para obtener la descripción más precisa posible de la diversidad dietaria total de una especie. La capacidad de los guacamayos reintroducidos para explotar recursos alimenticios locales a lo largo del año estaría indicando un buen nivel de adaptación al sitio de liberación, un paso muy importante hacia el establecimiento de una población de Guacamayo Rojo estable y autosuficiente en el norte de Argentina.Palabras claveAra chloropterus, Conservación, Dieta, Frugivoría, Meta-código de barras, Guacamayo Rojo, Reintroducción, Ecología tróficaLAY SUMMARYThe Red-and-green Macaw reintroduction project aims to restore this species to Argentina, where it is locally extinct. To assess if reintroduced macaws are successfully adapting to life in the wild, we studied their foraging habits at the Iberá National Park. Their food consumption was observed visually, and their feces were analyzed with molecular methods for traces of the consumed plants.Macaws fed from a large diversity of food items, exhibiting a flexible diet which varied with fruit availability in different months. A combination of both methods was required to obtain the most accurate account of the total diversity of the diet of a species.The reintroduced macaws were able to successfully locate and exploit food resources throughout the year, indicating a good level of adjustment to the release site.

Population genomics and conservation management of a declining tropical rodent

Conservation management is improved by incorporating information about the spatial distribution of population genetic diversity into planning strategies. Northern Australia is the location of some of the world’s most severe ongoing declines of endemic mammal species, yet we have little genetic information from this regional mammal assemblage to inform a genetic perspective on conservation assessment and planning. We used next-generation sequencing data from remnant populations of the threatened brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conilurus penicillatus) to compare patterns of genomic diversity and differentiation across the landscape and investigate standardised hierarchical genomic diversity metrics to better understand brush-tailed rabbit-rat population genomic structure. We found strong population structuring, with high levels of differentiation between populations (FST = 0.21–0.78). Two distinct genomic lineages between the Tiwi Islands and mainland are also present. Prioritisation analysis showed that one population in both lineages would need to be conserved to retain at least ~80% of alleles for the species. Analysis of standardised genomic diversity metrics showed that approximately half of the total diversity occurs among lineages (δ = 0.091 from grand total γ = 0.184). We suggest that a focus on conserving remnant island populations may not be appropriate for the preservation of species-level genomic diversity and adaptive potential, as these populations represent a small component of the total diversity and a narrow subset of the environmental conditions in which the species occurs. We also highlight the importance of considering both genomic and ecological differentiation between source and receiving populations when considering translocations for conservation purposes.

The Glomeromycota in the Neotropics

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF—Glomeromycota) are a group of soil fungi with a widespread occurrence in terrestrial ecosystems where they play important roles that influence plant growth and ecosystem processes. The aim of this paper is to reveal AMF distribution in the Neotropics based on an extensive biogeography database with literature data from the last five decades. All four orders and 11 families were reported in the Neotropics. 221 species (69% of the total number of species for the phylum) were registered in the Neotropics pertaining to 37 genera. Acaulospora, Glomus, Scutellospora, and Funneliformis were the most speciose genera and represented by 47, 29, 15, and 13 species, respectively. Seventy-six species were originally described from Neotropics, which represents 24% of the total diversity of Glomeromycota. The most representative families were Gigasporaceae, Ambisporaceae, and Acaulosporaceae with 89%, 80%, and 79% of species within each family detected in the Neotropics, respectively. AMF were detected in 11 biomes and 52 ecological regions in 19 countries. Biomes with the largest number of species were Tropical and Subtropical Moist Forests (186 species), Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf forests (127 species), and Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands (124 species), and Jaccard’s similarity among them was 53–57%. Mean annual temperature and precipitation were not correlated with total AMF species richness. The Neotropics biomes shelter a large amount of the total diversity of Glomeromycota and studies of occurrence of these fungi should be encouraged considering their importance in maintaining terrestrial ecosystems.