New cathepsin V inhibitor from stems of Bowdichia virgilioides

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth, Fabaceae, extracts has led to the isolation of cathepsin V inhibitors. The investigation of the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts allowed the characterization of eleven compounds: lupeol, lupenone, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol in mixture, trans p-coumaric acid ester derivative, syringaresinol, bowdenol, 8-methoxycoumestrol, 3,4-hydroxy-7-methoxyisoflavone, 7,3′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone, and 5,4′-dihydroxy-7′-methoxyisoflavone. Structures of compounds were stablished by 1D and 2D NMR, and MS experiments. Among the isolated compounds, trans p-coumaric acid ester derivative and 8-methoxycoumestrol showed significant inhibition on cathepsin V, which is up to now unexplored. Keywords: Cathepsin, Cysteine peptidases, Inhibitors, Cerrado biom

A non-hermit hummingbird as main pollinator for ornithophilous plants in two isolated forest fragments of the Cerrados

Hummingbirds are the most common group of vertebrate pollinators in the Neotropics, associated with pollination of ornithophilous flowers. The group can be divided into hermits and non-hermits, in which hermits are often regarded as the most specialized group closely associated with more specialized ornithophilous plants. In this study, we investigated the association of ornithophilous flowers and hummingbirds in two small fragments of forest surrounded by an urban matrix. We characterized the species composition, abundance and phenology of the hummingbirds and ornithophilous plants and related pollinator abundance to floral resource availability. Our results were compared to published data from other forest areas from the Cerrado. In our study areas, the diversity of ornithophilous plants and hummingbirds was similar to what has been reported for forest fragments in the Cerrado. Nevertheless, we found Thalurania furcata, a non-hermit, acting as the most frequent hummingbird pollinator in contrast to more preserved areas in which a hermit, Phaethornis pretrei, is commonly found as the main pollinator for ornithophilous plants. The nectar energy availability at the plant population level was the only factor associated with hummingbird visitation rates, suggesting that a higher availability of nectar resources in the fragments attracts greater abundance of birds. The unusual setting of having a non-hermit species as the main hummingbird pollinator in forest areas suggests that habitat fragmentation can favor more generalist hummingbird species, and this potentially has consequence for the pollination of associated plants302912171226COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPsem informação2015/21457-

Andromonoecy in Solanum lycocarpum A. St. -Hil. (Solanaceae): Floral attributes, visitors and variation in sexual expression over time

Sexual expression in andromonoecious species—those in which a single individual can bear both staminate and hermaphroditic flowers—may vary among reproductive events in the same plant, among individuals and across populations. This variation influences, in turn, the individual contribution of hermaphroditic plants via male and female fitness functions (i.e., Lloydʼs phenotypic gender). However, temporal variation in sexual expression in andromonoecious species and its relationship with seasonal changes in climatic conditions remain poorly understood. Here we analyze floral attributes, visitors and variation in sexual expression in three populations of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. ‐Hil. Seasonality in the production of floral types, the mating system and floral visitors were also investigated. Hermaphroditic flowers produced more pollen grains, but the pollen of staminate flowers had higher viability. Only hermaphroditic flowers produced fruits, and ovules in staminate flowers were sterile. Solanum lycocarpum is mainly pollinated by large bees with the ability to vibrate flowers. Phenotypic gender varied throughout the year, and the seasonal production of staminate flowers is associated with the local climate. We suggest that the higher and seasonally variable relative abundance of staminate flowers compared to the low and uniform production of hermaphroditic flowers may be explained by (a) the very high energetic costs incurred in producing large fruits, which in turn make hermaphroditic flower production very costly, and (b) the potentially lower energy expenditure of the smaller staminate flowers with reduced pistils and non‐viable ovules that allow them to rapidly respond to climate variability

Breeding biology and distyly in Palicourea rigida H. B. & K. (Rubiaceae) in the Cerrados of Central Brazil Biologia reprodutiva e distilia em Palicourea rigida H. B. & K. (Rubiaceae) em Cerrados do Brasil Central

Distyly is a floral polymorphism more common among the Rubiaceae than in any other angiosperm group. Palicourea rigida is a typically distylous species of the Rubiaceae widely distributed in the Brazilian Cerrados. This work aimed to study the floral biology and breeding system of P. rigida in order to verify if there wasasymmetry between floral morphs. The work was carried out at Fazenda Água Limpa, Brasília-DF, from 1993 to 1995; and at Serra Caldas Novas State Park-Goias and in Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia-Minas Gerais in 2005 and 2006. Density, height and pin/thrum ratio were assessed for flowering individuals in all areas. Plants were investigated for differences in floral morphology, nectar production, reproductive success and site of self incompatibility reactions. Blooming period was long and concentrated during the rains. Flowers were clearly distylous and with reciprocal herkogamy. They produced nectar and lasted for a single day. In spite of differences in density and height, populations were mostly isoplethic. Nectar production varied in volume and concentration but the differences could not be associated with floral morphs. The species is self-incompatible but reproductive success was always high and independent of floral morphs. There were differences in the site of incompatibility barriers between floral morphs, which were similar to those observed for other Rubiaceae. The main floral visitors and pollinators were the hummingbirds Colibri serrirostris and Eupetomena macroura. High fruit-set indicates that the pollinators transported enough compatible pollen grains between floral morphs, despite their territorial behavior.A distilia é um polimorfismo floral mais freqüente entre as espécies de Rubiaceae do que em qualquer outro grupo das Angiospermas. Palicourea rigida é uma espécie de Rubiaceae, amplamente distribuída nos cerrados brasileiros e em outras áreas de savanas neotropicais. O presente trabalho buscou estudar a biologia floral e reprodutiva de populações de P. rigida comparando as características associadas à heterostilia e a ocorrência de assimetrias entre os morfos florais. O trabalho foi realizado na Fazenda Água Limpa, Brasília, entre 1993 e 1995; no Parque Estadual da Serra de Caldas Novas-GO e na RPPN do Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia-MG em 2005 e 2006. As populações foram caracterizadas quanto à densidade, altura e razão entre morfos dos indivíduos floridos. Foram investigadas diferenças na morfometria, produção de néctar, sucesso reprodutivo e reações de incompatibilidade. A floração foi longa, praticamente durante toda a estação chuvosa. As flores eram claramente distílicas e com hercogamia recíproca, apresentaram néctar como recompensa e duraram apenas um dia. Apesar de diferirem em densidade e altura dos indivíduos, as populações foram predominantemente isopléticas. A produção de néctar variou em volume e concentração, mas não foi associada a cada um dos morfos. A espécie mostrou-se marcadamente autoincompatível, mas o sucesso reprodutivo foi sempre alto e independente do morfo floral. Houve diferença nos locais de formação das barreiras de incompatibilidade semelhante ao observado para outras Rubiaceae. Os principais visitantes florais e polinizadores foram os beija-flores Colibri serrirostris e Eupetomena macroura. A alta produção de frutos indica que os polinizadores efetivamente transportaram quantidades suficientes de grãos de pólen compatíveis entre os morfos, apesar de comumente apresentarem comportamento territorial

Screening of Extracts of Leaves and Stems of Psychotria spp. (Rubiaceae) against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for Maize Protection

Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are important economic pests of corn, Zea mays (Poaceae). Psychotria spp. (Rubiaceae) plants are rich in secondary metabolites that could be toxic against such pests. We have screened extracts from four species of Psychotria abundant in the Cerrado (Savannah-type) biome of Brazil for the toxicity to two insects. We found that extracts from leaves and stems had significant effects on the hatching rate, parameters of caterpillar body (weight and length and width of head capsule), repellency, and mortality of these two pests, although the effects varied according to the Psychotria species and plant source (stem or leaf). Extracts of the stems of Psychotria hoffmannseggiana and of Psychotria capitata were more toxic to S. zeamais and the stems of Psychotria goyazensis to S. frugiperda; therefore, such extracts could have the potential for use in integrated pest management schemes.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES