Genetic variation in the emblematic Puya raimondii (Bromeliaceae) from Huascarán National Park, Peru

Puya raimondii, the giant Peruvian and Bolivian terrestrial bromeliad, is an emblematic endemic Andean species well represented in Huascarán National Park in Peru. This park is the largest reserve of puna (high altitude plateau) vegetation. The objective of this study is to report on genetic variation in populations of P. raimondii from Huascarán and neighboring areas. AFLP profiles with four selective primer combinations were retrieved for 60 individuals from different zones. Genetic variability was estimated and a total of 172 bands were detected, of which 79.1% were polymorphic loci. The results showed genetic differentiation among populations, and gene flow. A cluster analysis showed that individuals of P. raimondii populations located in different mountain systems could be grouped together, suggesting long distance dispersal. Thus, conservation strategies for P. raimondii have to take into account exchange between populations located far apart in distance in order to preserve the genetic diversity of this showy species

The Reserva de la Biosfera Barranca de Metztitlán (Hidalgo): An illustrated checklist of bromeliads and orchids and their high levels of Mexican endemisms

This study presents a list of species of the two most important families with epiphytic elements, Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae, from the Reserva de la Biosfera Barranca de Metztitlán (RBBM), the largest Reserve in Hidalgo, Mexico. Thirty-four species are included, 26 corresponding to species in three genera of bromeliads, and eight species in six genera of orchids. The new records represent 26.5% of the total listed in the area; nine of them are new records for the Reserve (RBBM) and one is new for Hidalgo State. This study reveals that endemism for both families is very important in the Reserve (55.88%), since it includes 13 Mexican bromeliads, of which two are endemic to Hidalgo and one to the Reserve, and three orchids, two endemic to Mexico and one to the Reserve. We found species with different types of relative abundance: rare (16) and occasional (7). Additionally, we include information about the category (IUCN, CITES, NOM-059-SEMARNAT) as well as uses reported in the literature for the species in the RBBM. The checklist is strictly based on information obtained from deposited herbarium specimens as well as from those collected during fieldwork. We suggest that a conservation plan (in situ and ex situ) for the RBBM is important and necessary. The predominant habit for both families is epiphytic (17 species); even though there are terrestrial (7) and saxicolous (2), and the remaining are facultative species (8). Nine species are included in some risk category. The present work is the most complete and updated list of Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae for this important natural area in the Mexican State of Hidalgo. However, more fieldwork is needed to document the biodiversity of the area in general and its flora in particular, as a way to highlight the importance of protected areas in preserving biodiversity

Impedimetric Biosensor Based on a Hechtia argentea Lectin for the Detection of Salmonella spp.

A sensitive electrochemical detection method for Salmonella spp. was described, based on the use of Hechtia argentea lectin immobilised on a screen-printed gold electrode. The lectin was extracted from Hechtia argentea, a plant belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. The lectin with molecular weight near 27.4 kDa showed selectivity towards D-mannose, contained on the lipopolysaccharide cell wall of Salmonella spp. Carbohydrate selectivity of the lectin was measured as a change in impedance with respect to concentration. The binding of the bacteria to the biosensor surface increased impedance with increasing concentrations of Salmonella spp., achieving a linear range of detection of 15–2.57 × 107 CFU mL−1, with a limit of detection of 5 CFU mL−1. Increases in impedance were measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and analysed using Nyquist plots. The biosensor was applied in analysis of hen egg samples, and the results were consistent with those obtained using the official analysis methodologyS

Leaf anatomy of Tillandsia complanata Benth

Las epífitas juegan un papel importante en los bosques y selvas tropicales, y son capaces de absorber humedad del medio ambiente desarrollando para ello estructuras anatómicas particulares. Tillandsia complanata es una especie epífita que se encuentra en los bosques venezolanos. Se estudió la anatomía foliar mediante cortes a mano alzada, macerado y raspado de epidermis de material fijado en FAA. La epidermis está constituida por células rectangulares de paredes anticlinales sinuosas y engrosadas, en transcorte son alargadas tubulares con pared periclinal fina, la cutícula es delgada, y la epidermis presenta modificaciones de tipo pelo escamoso pluricelular en ambas caras, el cual consta de 4 células del disco, 8 de la periferia y aproximadamente 48 células del ala. Los estomas abaxiales son hundidos y protegidos por prolongaciones digitiformes de las células periestomáticas. El mesófilo está diferenciado en bandas de parénquima adaxial y abaxial de 3 a 4 corridas de células parenquimáticas isodiamétricas grandes; al centro se encuentra el parénquima esponjoso estrellado y fotosintetizador, alternando con el tejido vascular constituido de haces colaterales cerrados desplazados hacia la cara adaxial con doble vaina vascular, la externa parenquimática, y la interna fibrosa, a veces con extensiones hacia la epidérmis adaxial. Algunos haces se encuentran conectados entre sí[email protected]; [email protected] have an important role in tropical forests, being capable of water uptake from moisture because of special anatomical features. Tillandsia complanata is a Venezuelan epiphytic species, its leaf anatomy was studied on FAA preserved material. Free hand sectioning, tissue macerates and epidermal scrapings were made. Epidermal cells are rectangular, with thick sinuous anticlinal walls, and thin periclinal walls; cuticle is thin; the epidermis bear multicellular scaly trichomes on both surfaces. These scales have a 4 cells central disc, 8 on its periphery, and approximately 48 cells forming the wing. Abaxial stomata are sunk and protected by fingerlike appendages of the peristomatal cells. Mesophyll differentiates in adaxial and abaxial parenchymatous layers, with 3-4 large isodiametric parenchymatic cell rows, with an in-between photosynthetic spongy parenchyma that holds closed vascular bundles; these are placed towards the adaxial surface, have a double vascular sheath, the outermost layer parenchymatous, the inner one fibrous, sometimes extended to the adaxial epidermis. Some vascular bundles interconnect

Bromeliads: traditional plant food in Latin America since prehispanic times

Bromeliads are monocots that have been consumed by natives in Latin America since pre-Hispanic times. The principal ways bromeliads are used as food sources include the whole fruit or another part of the plant. They are eaten as a vegetable or prepared in beverages (fermented or unfermented). This study includes local literature, personal observations and open interviews with people who know about the alimentary uses of bromeliads. The results cover ten countries and 24 species of bromeliads which have been reported and described as traditional foodstuffs. Of these, 76.9% have only a single use and 23.0% have two different uses. One species (Bromelia pinguin) has three different uses. Even in the present day these plants are still eaten as vegetables (12 sp.), used to prepare beverages (11 sp.) and/or consumed directly as fruits (nine sp.). It is important to note that contrary to expectations, in Latin America bromeliads are consumed more as vegetables than fruits.Las bromelias son monocotiledóneas que han sido consumidas por los nativos desde tiempos prehispánicos. Los principales usos de las bromelias como fuente alimenticia incluyen desde el fruto completo hasta una parte de la planta, consumidas como vegetales o en bebidas preparadas (fermentadas o no). Este trabajo incluye literatura local, observaciones personales y entrevistas abiertas a pobladores. Los resultados incluyen diez países y 24 especies de bromelias de las cuales se han registrado y descrito un uso tradicional alimenticio, de las cuales el 76.9% presenta un solo uso y el 23.0% dos usos diferentes, contrastando con una sola especie (Bromelia pinguin) que tiene tres usos diferentes. Estas plantas han sido consumidas, incluso en nuestros días, como vegetales (14 especies), para preparar bebidas (11 especies) y/o directamente como frutos (nueve especies). Es importante resaltar, que contrario a lo esperado, las bromelias son más consumidas en Latinoamérica como vegetales que como frutos

Bromeliads: traditional plant food in Latin America since prehispanic times

Bromeliads are monocots that have beenconsumed by natives in Latin Americasince pre-Hispanic times. The principalways bromeliads are used as food sourcesinclude the whole fruit or another part ofthe plant. They are eaten as a vegetableor prepared in beverages (fermented orunfermented). This study includes localliterature, personal observations and openinterviews with people who know aboutthe alimentary uses of bromeliads. Theresults cover ten countries and 24 speciesof bromeliads which have been reportedand described as traditional foodstuffs. Ofthese, 76.9% have only a single use and23.0% have two different uses. One species(Bromelia pinguin) has three different uses.Even in the present day these plants are stilleaten as vegetables (12 sp.), used to preparebeverages (11 sp.) and/or consumed directlyas fruits (nine sp.). It is important to note thatcontrary to expectations, in Latin Americabromeliads are consumed more as vegetablesthan fruits.Las bromelias son monocotiledóneas quehan sido consumidas por los nativos desdetiempos prehispánicos. Los principales usosde las bromelias como fuente alimenticiaincluyen desde el fruto completo hastauna parte de la planta, consumidascomo vegetales o en bebidas preparadas(fermentadas o no). Este trabajo incluyeliteratura local, observaciones personalesy entrevistas abiertas a pobladores. Losresultados incluyen diez países y 24 especiesde bromelias de las cuales se han registradoy descrito un uso tradicional alimenticio, delas cuales el 76.9% presenta un solo uso y el23.0% dos usos diferentes, contrastando conuna sola especie (Bromelia pinguin) que tienetres usos diferentes. Estas plantas han sidoconsumidas, incluso en nuestros días, comovegetales (14 especies), para preparar bebidas(11 especies) y/o directamente como frutos(nueve especies). Es importante resaltar, quecontrario a lo esperado, las bromelias sonmás consumidas en Latinoamérica comovegetales que como frutos

SINOPSIS DEL GÉNERO PITCAIRNIA (BROMELIACEAE) PARA EL ESTADO MÉRIDA, VENEZUELA

RESUMENEl género Pitcairnia ha sido poco estudiado en los Andes y a pesar de los recientes esfuerzos en las investigaciones sobre la familia Bromeliaceae aún faltan por descifrar aspectos taxonómicos y herramientas que faciliten la identificación. En este estudio se presenta la sinopsis del género Pitcairnia para el estado Mérida (Venezuela) incluyendo la descripción detallada de ocho especies, citas del material examinado, datos ecológicos y de floración, así como una clave para la determinación de las especies presentes en el estado. La mitad de las especies presenta algún tipo de endemismo, pues dos son endémicas de la región andina y dos son endémicas del estado.ABSTRACTThe genus Pitcairnia has been poor studied in the Andes and in spite of the recent efforts in the researchs of the family Bromeliaceae taxonomy and tools aspects still remain to be deciphered to facilitate identification. This study presents the synopsis of the genus Pitcairnia for Mérida State (Venezuela) including detailed description of eight species examined, blooming and ecological dates, as well as a key for the determination of the species present in Mérida. One half of the species has some type of endemism, two species are endemic to the Andean region and two are endemic to the State

The Reserva de la Biosfera Barranca de Metztitlán (Hidalgo): An illustrated checklist of bromeliads and orchids and their high levels of Mexican endemisms

This study presents a list of species of the two most important families with epiphytic elements, Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae, from the Reserva de la Biosfera Barranca de Metztitlán (RBBM), the largest Reserve in Hidalgo, Mexico. Thirty-four species are included, 26 corresponding to species in three genera of bromeliads, and eight species in six genera of orchids. The new records represent 26.5% of the total listed in the area; nine of them are new records for the Reserve (RBBM) and one is new for Hidalgo State. This study reveals that endemism for both families is very important in the Reserve (55.88%), since it includes 13 Mexican bromeliads, of which two are endemic to Hidalgo and one to the Reserve, and three orchids, two endemic to Mexico and one to the Reserve. We found species with different types of relative abundance: rare (16) and occasional (7). Additionally, we include information about the category (IUCN, CITES, NOM-059-SEMARNAT) as well as uses reported in the literature for the species in the RBBM. The checklist is strictly based on information obtained from deposited herbarium specimens as well as from those collected during fieldwork. We suggest that a conservation plan (in situ and ex situ) for the RBBM is important and necessary. The predominant habit for both families is epiphytic (17 species); even though there are terrestrial (7) and saxicolous (2), and the remaining are facultative species (8). Nine species are included in some risk category. The present work is the most complete and updated list of Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae for this important natural area in the Mexican State of Hidalgo. However, more fieldwork is needed to document the biodiversity of the area in general and its flora in particular, as a way to highlight the importance of protected areas in preserving biodiversity

Morphometric analysis provides evidence for two traditionally defined species of the Tillandsia erubescens complex (Bromeliaceae)

Background and aims – A linear morphometric analysis of three taxa of the Tillandsia erubescens complex, composed of T. erubescens var. arroyoensis, T. erubescens var. erubescens, and T. erubescens var. patentibracteata, is presented to evaluate their circumscription. Additionally, their taxonomic rank as varieties or species is discussed considering the obtained results. Geographic distribution, the influence of climate, elevation, and geographic distance on morphological differences between the taxonomic entities is explored.Material and methods – Of a total of 110 herbarium specimens reviewed, 44 were measured. These were previously identified as T. erubescens var. arroyoensis, T. erubescens var. erubescens, or T. erubescens var. patentibracteata. Factor and cluster analyses were performed using 16 quantitative morphological characters. The resulting groups were considered as taxonomic entities supported by morphometric characters, and species distributions were plotted against Mexican biogeographic provinces. A single Mantel test was performed to evaluate the correlation between morphology and climatic variables, elevation, and geographic distance.Key results – The specimens referred to as T. erubescens var. arroyoensis were separated morphometrically from the other two varieties. The most important characters to differentiate T. erubescens var. arroyoensis from T. erubescens var. erubescens were total size, width and length of the leaf sheath and leaf blade, and the number of flowers. The non-overlapping geographical distribution of T. erubescens var. arroyoensis and T. erubescens var. erubescens supports their recognition as independent taxonomic entities. Our study did not support the separation between T. erubescens var. erubescens and T. erubescens var. patentibracteata, which is also reflected by their overlapping geographic distributions. Both precipitation and geographic distance were correlated with the morphological differences among the species.Conclusion – Our morphometric and geographical distribution study supports the recognition of T. arroyoensis and T. erubescens as different species, while no evidence was found to maintain T. erubescens var. erubescens and T. erubescens var. patentibracteata as different taxonomic entities. We provide a set of morphological characters that can be used to distinguish between T. arroyoensis and T. erubescens, including the leaf sheath and leaf blade width, and the number of flowers. Morphological characters agree with the geographic distribution of the studied taxa

DNA barcoding and TLC as tools to properly identify natural populations of the Mexican medicinal species Galphimia glauca Cav.

Galphimia glauca is a plant that is endemic to Mexico and has been commonly used since pre-Hispanic times to treat various illnesses, including central nervous system disorders and inflammation. The first studies investigating a natural population of G. glauca in Mexico showed that the plant has anxiolytic and sedative activities in mice and humans. The plant's bioactive compounds were isolated and identified, and they belong to a family of nor-secofriedelanes called galphimines. The integration of DNA barcoding and thin-layer chromatography analysis was performed to clarify whether the botanical classification of the populations in the study, which were collected in different regions of Mexico, as G. glauca was correct or if the populations consist of more than one species of the genus Galphimia. We employed six DNA barcodes (matK, rbcL, rpoC1, psbA-trnH, ITS1 and ITS2) that were analyzed individually and in combination and then compared each other, to indicate differences among the studied populations. In the phylogenetic analysis, ITS1 and ITS2 markers as well as the combination of all DNA regions were the most efficient for discriminating the population studied. The thin-layer chromatography analysis exhibited four principal chemical profiles, one of which corresponded to the populations that produced galphimines. DNA barcoding was consistent and enabled us to differentiate the populations that produce galphimines from those that do not. The results of this investigation suggest that the studied populations belong to at least four different species of the genus Galphimia. The phylogenetic analysis and the thin-layer chromatography chemical profiles were convenient tools for establishing a strong relationship between the genotype and phenotype of the studied populations and could be used for quality control purposes to prepare herbal medicines from plants of the genus Galphimia