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Seed dispersal allows plants to colonise new sites and escape from pathogens and intraspecific competition, maintaining plant genetic diversity and regulating plant distribution. Conversely, most plant species form mutualistic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in a symbiosis established immediately after seed germination. Because AM fungi are obligate symbionts, using the same dispersal vector as their host should be highly advantageous for their survival, but the co-dispersal of seeds and AM fungal spores has never been confirmed. We aim to clarify the potential role of European birds, essential dispersers for many plant species, as co-dispersers of seeds and AM fungal spores. In total, 63 bird droppings with intact seeds were placed in sterilised soil and maintained for 4 months in a protected environment to avoid contamination. Additionally, 173 bird droppings and 729 gauze swabs used to clean birds’ feet were inspected for AM fungal spores. Although no spores were detected by direct observation of these samples, seven Rubus ulmifolius seedlings obtained from four independent droppings of Erithacus rubecula and Sylvia melanocephala were colonised by AM fungi. Our results show that birds can effectively co-disperse viable seeds and AM fungal spores, potentially over long distances, providing a pivotal mechanism to understand the cosmopolitan distribution of AM fungi.

Currently, a clear interest has been given to berries due to their richness in active metabolites, including anthocyanins and non-coloured phenolics. Therefore, the main aim of the present work is to investigate the phenolic profile, antioxidant abilities, and antiproliferative effects on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco-2) cells of phenolic-rich extracts from three red fruits highly appreciated by consumers: two species of blackberries (Rubus fruticosus and Rubus ulmifolius) and one species of mulberry (Morus nigra). A total of 19 different phenolics were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn and HPLC-DAD, respectively. Focusing on the biological potential of the phenolic-rich extracts, all of them revealed notable scavenging abilities. Concerning the antiproliferative properties, R. fruticosus presented a cytotoxic selectivity for Caco-2 cells compared to NHDF cells. To deeper explore the biological potential, combinations with positive controls (ascorbic acid and 5-fluorouracil) were also conducted. Finally, the obtained data are another piece of evidence that the combination of phenolic-rich extracts from natural plants with positive controls may reduce clinical therapy costs and the possible toxicity of chemical drugs.

The establishment of the corresponding standards of quality to promote the commercialization of Rubus ulmifolius Schott (Rosaceae) blackberries from Calabria (Italy) has been aimed in this study. Data on the volatile composition gathered by Solid-Phase Microextraction (SPME) followed by GC–MS have been complemented with the study for the first time of physicochemical parameters and antioxidant capacity of wild and cultivated blackberries collected in seven different locations of Calabria. Wild fruits showed significantly higher dry matter content (16.34–22.14%) and pH (3.92–5.12) and lower total acidity (0.23–0.74 as % of citric acid) compared to the cultivated sample (dry matter: 15.31%; pH: 3.30 and total acidity: 1% citric acid), whereas colour and total soluble solids were similar. Antioxidant capacity (DPPH assay) of wild blackberries, correlated (r = 0.71) with results from ABTS assay, was significantly higher (SE50 = 1.6–3.4 mg DW), in agreement with its higher content of total anthocyanins and total phenolics. Ethanol (11.8–32.4%), trans-2-hexenal (2.7–21.3%), methylbutanal (5.7–17.4%), and ethyl acetate (4.6–11.9%) were the major compounds in both wild and cultivated blackberries. Although the presence or relative concentration of several volatiles (e.g. p-cymen-8-ol, decanal, 3-hydroxy esters, etc.) seemed to be characteristic of the harvest location/blackberry type, further research on a higher number of samples should be carried out to confirm these results. The comprehensive characterisation addressed for the first time in this paper is a valuable preliminary contribution to satisfy the demand by consumers and farmers of objective data to support the premium quality of Calabrian blackberries.

Non-native, invasive plants are projected to shift their ranges with climate change, creating hotspots of risk where a multitude of novel species may soon establish and spread. The Northeast U.S. is one such hotspot. However, because monitoring for novel species is costly, these range-shifting invasive plants need to be prioritized. Preventing negative impacts is a key goal of management, thus, comparing the potential impacts of range-shifting invasive species could inform this prioritization. Here, we adapted the environmental impacts classification for alien taxa protocol to evaluate potential impacts of 100 invasive plants that could establish either currently or by 2050 in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island. We searched Web of Science for each species and identified papers reporting ecological, economic, human health, or agricultural impacts. We scored ecological impacts from 1 (‘minimal concern’) to 4 (‘major’) and socio-ecological impacts as present or absent. We evaluated 865 impact studies and categorized 20 species as high-impact, 36 as medium-impact, and 26 as low-impact. We further refined high-impact invasive species based on whether major impacts affect ecosystems found in Northeast U.S. and identified five high-priority species: Anthriscus caucalis, Arundo donax, Avena barbata, Ludwigia grandiflora, and Rubus ulmifolius. Additional research is needed for 18 data-deficient species, which had no studies reporting impacts. Identifying and prioritizing range-shifting invasive plants provides a unique opportunity for early detection and rapid response that targets future problem species before they can establish and spread. This research illustrates the feasibility of using impacts assessments on range-shifting invasive species in order to inform proactive policy and management.

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) play a crucial role in pollination, and their olfactory system is essential for food collection and source selection. This study evaluates how the deformed wing virus (DWV), particularly its variant A, affects the olfactory sensitivity and behavioral responses of bees (10 to 20 days old) to volatile compounds from different pollen sources. We collected and analyzed the volatile fractions of three types of pollen (polyfloral and two monofloral) using dynamic HeadSpace and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The chemical analysis revealed differences in volatile compound profiles among the pollen types, including the presence of benzaldehyde, lilac alcohol, and 1–4 cineole, which are known to impact honey bee olfaction. Behavioral assays using a Y-olfactometer showed that while non-inoculated bees (N-DWV) responded to the aromas of all pollens in higher proportions, DWV-inoculated bees (I-DWV) exhibited significant reductions in behavioral responses. Specifically, I-DWV bees showed lower response rates, and a higher proportion of non-responding individuals compared to N-DWV bees. Notably, I-DWV bees were more attracted to the aroma of Eucryphia cordifolia when exposed simultaneously to the aroma of Rubus ulmifolius. This preference may be related to specific volatiles emitted by E. cordifolia that signal higher nutritional or medicinal value. Future analyses focused on the antiviral activity of this pollen could help clarify whether such attraction is associated with adaptive mechanisms against viral infection. Additionally, electrophysiological recordings indicated that DWV-A infection decreases olfactory sensitivity, particularly in response to complex odors. This decline in olfactory function and behavioral preferences could compromise foraging efficiency and overall colony health. These findings highlight the impact of DWV-A on honey bee sensory and behavioral processes, raising concerns about broader implications for colony survival and pollination services.

In Northeast Spain, the invasive Drosophilidae species Drosophila suzukii has become an important agricultural pest, mainly of strawberries and cherries. To improve sustainable management practices, we conducted field surveys and laboratory trials to better understand the pest ecology, identify non-crop hosts, and assess the effect of strawberry variety and fruit ripening stage on the D. suzukii development. Our results confirmed that D. suzukii adults are active during the winter, and adult populations peaked in spring and autumn. From January to June, adult captures were female-biased, and more females had more mature eggs compared with the period of September–December. We found several non-crop hosts of this pest that are common in Mediterranean forests and margins that can provide food and reproduction resources for D. suzukii population growth. These hosts were Bryonia cretica, Prunus mahaleb , Rosa canina, Rubus ulmifolius , Sambucus nigra, Solanum chenopodioides, Solanum dulcamara, and Solanum nigrum . No-choice and choice laboratory trials demonstrated that D. suzukii was able to oviposit in red, blush, or green strawberry fruits but, host suitability of different ripeness stages varied with variety. Data provided may be useful for predicting the risk of pest damage in a specific cropping area, in designing effective D. suzukii management programs and in hindering D. suzukii population growth.

Aim: Leaf litter inputs from riparian vegetation and its decomposition play a key rolein energy and nutrient transfer in many stream ecosystems. Instream leaf litter de-composition is driven by both leaf traits and environmental conditions. Therefore, un-derstanding and predicting leaf trait variation under current environmental changesand their putative interactive effects on stream food webs is a critical challenge. Moststudies have focussed on the assumed higher interspecific leaf trait variability, withlittle research addressing an intraspecific perspective.Location: Andalusia, Spain.Methods: We assessed the relative effects of climate and soil conditions on the plas-ticity of leaf traits of four common woody riparian species in permanent low-orderMediterranean streams across a wide aridity gradient. We used a space-for-time sub-stitution approach to predict leaf trait changes and consequences for stream foodwebs in a future climate change scenario.Results: Overall, we found that aridity had a major influence on leaf trait plasticitybut with opposite patterns depending on plant functional type, although soil was thestrongest predictor in some cases. Results indicated that leaf quality— linked to palat-ability and decomposability—of Alnus glutinosa, Salix atrocinerea and Rubus ulmifolius(deciduous/semi-deciduous) will decrease with forecasted aridification, whereas thepalatability of the evergreen Nerium oleander will increase. We observed higher traitplasticity than interspecific variation for leaf P, Ca and Mg concentrations and C:Pratio.Main conclusions: Our findings suggest a decrease of intraspecific leaf quality in ri-parian deciduous species with global warming in a relatively short term. In a longerterm, this may merge with the forecasted dieback of deciduous species in riparian cor-ridors of temperate climate zones. These changes have the potential to significantlyimpair ecosystem functioning of Mediterranean mountain streams currently underdeciduous gallery forests.

Nowadays, a growing interest in consumers’ fruit with a high content of health-promoting compounds has been observed. In this sense, wild berries have received special attention based on their high accumulation of phenolic compounds, as well as their characteristic and pleasant aroma. In this work, we characterize the color development, antioxidant capacity, phenolic contents, and volatile profile of Rubus ulmifolius Schott fruit at different ripening stages during two seasons on the same orchard. Four stages were established based on the color parameter, which was consistent with changes in the weight and size of the fruit. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid content showed a decrease during the fruit ripening, in contrast with the total anthocyanins content that increased at the final stages of ripening. In addition, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated through two approaches: FRAP and DPPH, which consistently displayed higher levels at the final stages in the two different seasons. Finally, the VOCs analysis showed an active synthesis of volatile compounds during the late stage of ripening, with alcohols being the most abundant compounds for each ripening stage. These results allow us to propose a classification of different ripening stages of the wild blackberry to have a better knowledge of this interesting fruit with higher healthy- and nutraceutical compounds.

This work proposes for the first time a model for reusing almond (Prunus dulcis cv. Casteltermini from Sicily, Southern Italy) skin to formulate a new functional blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott) jam. For this purpose, blackberries were analysed fresh and as jam, traditionally prepared with a minimum fruit amount of 80%. Different percentages of almond skin (20, 15, and 10% w/w) were added to jam. The phytochemical profile of enriched jam was investigated by LC-ESI/LTQOrbitrap/MS analyses. Anthocyanins, hydrolysable tannins, and triterpenoids were identified in a blackberry extract, while proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, and oxylipins were identified in an almond extract. The n-hexane extract of P. dulcis skin, investigated by GC–MS, evidenced linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids as the main abundant compounds. Samples were investigated for their antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene, and FRAP tests. The hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects were studied by α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibitory assays. In order to evaluate the effect of thermal process on enriched jam bioactivity, pasteurisation was applied. An increase in activities for all samples was observed, in particular for jam enriched with 20% w/w of almond skin. Based on obtained data, and supported by sensory analysis, we propose enriched jam as a promising source of compounds useful for preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Abstract We studied the species diversity of mites in five blackberry orchards [Rubus ulmifolius Schott (Rosales:Rosaceae)], three using organic production techniques and two conventional. Samples (n = 40 per orchard) were taken monthly over a period of eight months and each sample was comprised of leaves, flowers and fruits. We collected 16,667 mites in total; 1,391 specimens were mounted for identification. We analysed the population dynamics of the most abundant species and determined their spatial distribution using Spatial Analysis by Distance Indices (SADIE). We recorded 11 species from seven taxonomic families. The most abundant species throughout the study were Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Diptacus rubuscolum Trinidad, Duarte & Navia (Acari: Diptilomiopidae). Two predatory mite species were present in both production systems: Typhlodromalus peregrinus Muma and Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae). There was no significant relationship between the population dynamics of D. rubuscolum or T. urticae and either precipitation or temperature. The distribution of both these phytophagous species was generally aggregated and uniform. Overall, species diversity was significantly greater in conventional compared with organic production orchards, whereas mite abundance was greater in organic orchards compared with conventional orchards.