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"Succulent plants Identification."
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An Updated DNA Barcoding Tool for Aloe Vera and Related CITES‐Regulated Species
DNA barcoding has revolutionized the identification of illegally traded material of endangered species as it overcomes the lack of resolution encountered with morphological identification. Nonetheless, in recently evolved and highly diverse clades, such as the relatives of Aloe vera, the lack of interspecific sequence variation in standardized markers compromises the barcoding efficacy. We present a new DNA barcoding tool using 189 nuclear markers, optimized for aloes (Asphodelaceae, Alooideae). We built a comprehensive sequence reference dataset from taxonomically verified sources for >300 species and validated its reliability for identification using phylogenomic inference. Seven anonymized samples from verified botanical collections and ten plants seized at London Heathrow Airport were correctly identified to species level, including a critically endangered species from Madagascar. Commercially purchased samples were confirmed to be the species as advertised. An accurate, reliable DNA barcoding method for aloe identification introduces new assurance to regulatory processes for endangered plants in trade.
Journal Article
Flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. inhibit Botrytis cinerea by negatively affecting cell membrane lipid metabolism
Botrytis cinerea
is a highly destructive and widespread phytopathogen in fruits. The widespread use of chemical antifungal agents on fruits has aided in disease control while their long-term use has resulted in the emergence of resistant fungal strains. Flavonoids have a specific antifungal effect. The inhibitory effect and underlying mechanism of flavonoids from
Sedum aizoon
L. (FSAL) on
B. cinerea
were determined in this study. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of FSAL against
B. cinerea
was 1.500 mg/mL. FSAL treatment caused leakage of macromolecules such as nucleic acids, led to accumulation of malondialdehyde and relative oxygen species, and disrupted the ultrastructure of
B. cinerea
. The transcriptome results indicated that compared with the control group, there were 782 and 1330 genes identified as being substantially upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in the FSAL-treated group. The identified genes and metabolites were mostly involved in redox processes and glycerolipid and amino acid metabolism pathways. FSAL offer a promising choice for food prevention and safety.
Key points
•
FSAL negatively affects the glycerolipid metabolism of B. cinerea
•
FSAL minimum inhibitory concentration against B. cinerea was 1.500 mg/mL
•
FSAL could be utilized as a new prevention strategy for gray mold in fruits
Graphical abstract
Journal Article
Taxonomic dissection based on molecular evidence of the Eriosyce curvispina complex (Cactaceae): identifying nine endemic species from Central Chile
Chile’s distinctive flora, geographical isolation, and complex topography collectively contribute to a notable endemic species diversity, particularly within central regions identified as critical areas for biodiversity conservation. The cactus genus Eriosyce , as currently circumscribed, encompasses seven sections, with Eriosyce sect. Horridocatus presenting a notably complex species group. This study investigates the E. curvispina complex, a member of the Notocacteae tribe common in central Chile, by incorporating new populations and examining phylogenetic relationships using four plastid and one nuclear molecular marker. The phylogenetic analysis of sampled individuals identified nine independent lineages, each warranting recognition at the species rank. Despite minimal morphological differences among taxa, morphological characters were utilized to support and stabilize the DNA-based phylogenetic hypothesis. The results highlight the high taxonomic diversity in these cactus lineages and have implications for the classification of the E. curvispina complex, including new combinations and proposals of conservation status.
Journal Article
Influences of flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. on biofilm formation of Pseudomonas fragi
Pseudomonas fragi (P. fragi) is one of the main categories of bacteria responsible for the spoilage of chilled meat. In the processing and preservation of chilled meat, it is easy to form biofilms on the meat, leading to the development of slime on the meat, which becomes a major quality defect. Flavonoids, as one of the critical components of secondary plant metabolites, are receiving increasing attention for their antibacterial activity. Flavonoids in Sedum aizoon L. (FSAL), relying on its prominent antibacterial activity, are of research importance in food preservation and other applications. This article aims to investigate the effect of FSAL on the biofilm formation of P. fragi, to better apply FSAL to the processing and preservation of meat products. The disruption of cellular structure and aggregation properties by FSAL was demonstrated by the observation of the cellular state within the biofilm. The amount of biofilm formation was determined by crystal violet staining, and the content of polysaccharides and proteins in the extracellular wrapped material was determined. It was shown that the experimental concentrations of FSAL (1.0 MIC) was able to inhibit biofilm formation and reduce the main components in the extracellular secretion. The swimming motility assay and the downregulation of flagellin-related genes confirmed that FSAL reduced cell motility and adhesion. The downregulation of cell division genes and the lowering of bacterial metabolic activity suggested that FSAL could hinder bacterial growth and reproduction within P. fragi biofilms.Key points• FSAL inhibited the activity of Pseudomonas fragi in the dominant meat strain• The absence of EPS components affected the formation of P. fragi biofilms• P. fragi has reduced adhesion capacity due to impaired flagellin function
Journal Article
A checklist of indigenous flora in the Richtersveld National Park confirms high plant diversity in the arid north-western tip of South Africa
As a basis for conservation planning, a first comprehensive vascular plant species checklist for the core Richtersveld National Park was compiled, based on the collection of more than 3000 new herbarium vouchers and in total studying over 8000 specimens and more than 4000 iNaturalist observations. By the end of April 2024, a total of 1077 indigenous taxa were recorded. The documented indigenous flora included 14 pteridophytes, 3 paleodicots, 246 monocotyledons and 815 dicotyledons. A total of 99 indigenous families and 392 genera were recorded. The largest family was the Asteraceae, and the second largest family was the Aizoaceae. In addition, 44 taxa were identified as invasive or alien flora. Seven species were regarded as extinct; of these, four species disappeared in a context of diamond mining, and three species were no longer found after the recent drought 2014 to 2022. The role of the peculiar biogeographical position and the high diversity of unique habitats within extreme environmental gradients were discussed in a review of published evidence. Reference to distribution and habitat was presented for each species in the appendices.Conservation implicationsThe article offers a complete checklist of vascular plants that forms a baseline for monitoring, and which facilitates the identification of additional taxa. In addition, a total of 125 taxa listed on the SANBI Red List and 15 taxa on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List were recorded, as well as a total of 170 taxa of conservation concern. Twenty-nine taxa are listed as endangered, and 21 taxa were listed as critically endangered on the South African red list. A total of 38 taxa were regarded as endemic and 101 taxa as near endemic. The identification of these taxa in combination with the information on their habitat preferences and distribution will allow targeted conservation planning.
Journal Article
Effect of Na, K and Ca Salts on Growth, Physiological Performance, Ion Accumulation and Mineral Nutrition of IMesembryanthemum crystallinum/I
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. is an obligatory halophyte species showing optimum growth at elevated soil salinity levels, but the ionic requirements for growth stimulation are not known. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of sodium, potassium and calcium in the form of chloride and nitrate salts on the growth, physiological performance, ion accumulation and mineral nutrition of M. crystallinum plants in controlled conditions. In a paradoxical way, while sodium and potassium had comparable stimulative effect on plant growth, the effect of calcium was strongly negative even at a relatively low concentration, eventually leading to plant death. Moreover, the effect of Ca nitrate was less negative in comparison to that of Ca chloride, but K in the form of nitrate had some negative effects. There were three components of the stimulation of biomass accumulation by NaCl and KCl salinity in M. crsytallinum: the increase in tissue water content, increase in ion accumulation, and growth activation. As optimum growth was in a salinity range from 20 to 100 mM, the increase in the dry biomass of plants at a moderate (200 mM) and high (400 mM) salinity in comparison to control plants was mostly due to ion accumulation. Among physiological indicators, changes in leaf chlorophyll concentration appeared relatively late, but the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameter, Performance Index Total, was the most sensitive to the effect of salts. In conclusion, both sodium and potassium in the form of chloride salts are efficient in promoting the optimum growth of M. crystallinum plants. However, mechanisms leading to the negative effect of calcium on plants need to be assessed further.
Journal Article
Alien flora of Turkey: checklist, taxonomic composition and ecological attributes
The paper provides an updated checklist of the alien flora of Turkey with information on its structure. The alien flora of Turkey comprises 340 taxa, among which there are 321 angiosperms, 17 gymnosperms and two ferns. Of the total number of taxa, 228 (68%) are naturalized and 112 (32%) are casual. There are 275 neophytes (172 naturalized and 103 casual) and 61 archaeophytes (52 naturalized and 9 casual); four species could not be classified with respect to the residence time. In addition, 47 frequently planted taxa with a potential to escape are also listed. The richest families are Asteraceae (38 taxa), Poaceae (30), Fabaceae (23) and Solanaceae (22). As for the naturalized alien plants, the highest species richness is found in Asteraceae (31 taxa), Poaceae (22), Amaranthaceae (18) and Solanaceae (15). The majority of alien taxa are perennial (63.8% of the total number of taxa with this life history assigned, including those with multiple life histories), annuals contribute 33.8% and 2.4% are biennial aliens. Among perennials the most common life forms are phanerophytes, of which 20.3% are trees and 12.6% shrubs; woody vines, stem succulents, and aquatic plants are comparatively less represented. Most of the 340 alien taxa introduced to Turkey have their native ranges in Americas (44.7%) and Asia (27.6%). Of other regions, 9.1% originated in Africa, 4.4% in Eurasia, 3.8% in Australia and Oceania and 3.5% in the Mediterranean. The majority of taxa (71.9%) were introduced intentionally, whereas the remaining (28.1%) were introduced accidentally. Among the taxa introduced intentionally, the vast majority are ornamental plants (55.2%), 10.0% taxa were introduced for forestry and 6.7% as crops. Casual alien plants are most commonly found in urban and ruderal habitats (40.1%) where naturalized taxa are also often recorded (27.3%). Plants that occur as agricultural weeds are typically naturalized rather than casual (16.0% vs 7.1%, respectively). However, (semi)natural habitats in Turkey are often invaded by alien taxa, especially by those that are able to naturalize.
Journal Article
Morphological Characterization of Opuntia Accessions from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) Using UPOV Descriptors
Twenty Opuntia accessions from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) were classified according to 52 quantitative and qualitative descriptors, including the traits of the cladodes, flowers, fruits, and spines, as described by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) guidelines. A database composed of 20 accessions and 52 traits was used to perform a cluster analysis based on the Euclidian distance and Ward’s method and a canonical discriminant analysis. In terms of the analyzed characteristics, cactus pears with orange flesh showed less variability than cactus pears with white or purple flesh. Good classifications according to fruit flesh color were obtained using discriminant analysis. As a result of the cluster analysis, Opuntia plant accessions with white, orange, or purple-fleshed fruits were classified into four homogeneous groups according to the cubic clustering criteria. This study proves that it was possible to make a preliminary classification of Opuntia varieties from the Canary Islands based on a few main morphological characteristics. To improve the classification, a molecular analysis of the different Opuntia plants is necessary.
Journal Article
A New Species of Echeveria (Crassulaceae) from Michoacán, Mexico
A new species, Echeveria pistioides (Crassulaceae) is described from south of Morelia in the State of Michoacán, Mexico. The species belongs to Echeveria ser. Gibbiflorae due to its short or acaulescent stems inconspicuous among the large basal leaves of rosettes, paniculiform inflorescence, conical-urceolate corolla, and tricolpate pollen grains. Within Echeveria ser. Gibbiflorae, the closest morphological affinities of E. pistioides are with E. marianae from which it differs in the glaucous leaves with a different shape and size, fewer cincinni, smaller flowers, and the absence of corolla appendages at the base of staminal filaments. The species grows on steep, humid slopes with E, W, or NWexposure and the general type of vegetation consists of oak and pine forest with mesophyllous elements.
Journal Article