Chromosome numbers of plants collected during Iter Mediterraneum V in Morocco

The OPTIMA expeditions (Itinera Mediterranea) constitute a good opportunity for improving the karyological knowledge of taxa distributed in geographical areas little known in the Mediterranean region. The chromosome number of many gatherings collected during different expeditions was counted and published in several papers (Luque & Díaz Lifante 1991; Díaz Lifante & al. 1992; Vogt & Aparicio 1999; Vogt & Oberprieler 2012). During the fifth OPTIMA expedition in Morocco in June 1992 (Iter Mediterraneum V), 2366 gatherings were collected, belonging to 1418 taxa. Seeds from 143 gatherings were germinated and chromosome number counted. These specimens belong to 111 different taxa, 79 genera and 25 familie

Nutlet production and germination in female and hermaphrodite plants of Thymus albicans Hoffmanns. & Link (Lamiaceae)

Some reproductive aspects are studied in Thymus albicans Hoffmanns. & Link, endemie to SW Iberian Peninsula. Pereentage of herrnaphrodite plants fruit set, nutlet production, seed set, reproductive effieiency and percentage of gerrnination of seeds produced by female and hermaphrodite plants are studied. Percentage of female and herrnaphrodite plants is very variable between populations. Nutlet produetion and reproduetive efficiency are higher in female than in herrnaphrodite plants, and this, together with a slightly advaneed gerrnination of seed produced by females, may inerease female fitness in natural populations

Phylogenetic, Cytogenetic and Morphological Evidences are Critical for Recognizing a New Genus: Valdesiana, an Iberian Intergeneric Allopolyploid Between Schenkia and Exaculum

The present taxonomic status of Schenkia elegans, endemism recently described in the Iberian Peninsula, and its relationship with the sympatric and the nearest morphological species Schenkia spicata and Exaculum pusillum is revaluated. Different kinds of evidence based on plant morphology, ploidy estimation by flow cytometry, karyotype characterisation, and phylogenetic data have been analysed. Two maternally inherited plastid DNA regions (trnL intron and trnL-F spacer) and biparentally inherited nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence region (nrDNA ITS) have been used. Comparative multivariate analyses show an intermediate morphology of the S. elegans plants between the other two species studied. Flow cytometry and karyotype analyses in S. elegans point to an allopolyploid origin, with the latter constituted by a mixture of those of the diploids S. spicata and E. pusillum. Phylogenetic analyses based on plastid and nuclear DNA regions cluster S. elegans in two different clades, those of S. spicata and E. pusillum, suggesting a possible hybrid origin of S. elegans between both species, acting as maternal or paternal progenitors. In consequence, taking in consideration the taxonomic relationships among genera (Exaculum, Schenkia and the closely related genus Zeltnera found in America), a monotypic genus Valdesiana gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the allopolyploid species, combined as V. elegans, for which immediate conservation measures must be evaluated.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CGL2013-45037-Pproject CULTIVAR CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-00002

Polyploidy Expands the Range of Centaurium (Gentianaceae)

The Mediterranean region is one of the most important worldwide hotspots in terms of number of species and endemism, and multiple hypotheses have been proposed to explain how diversification occurred in this area. The contribution of different traits to the diversification process has been evaluated in different groups of plants. In the case of Centaurium (Gentianaceae), a genus with a center of diversity placed in the Mediterranean region, polyploidy seems to have been an important driver of diversification as more than half of species are polyploids

Isolation and Characterization of Microsatellites Markers in Centaurium Grandiflorum ssp. Boissieri

Background: Estimating outcrossing/selfing rates and characterizing genetic diversity with microsatellite markers are crucial to understanding the evolution of plant mating systems. Methods and results: We developed, optimized and characterized eight new primer pairs for Centaurium grandiflorum ssp. boissieri and transferred them to three subspecies of Centaurium quadrifolium. Two SSR loci were transferred from Sabatia campestris to the four Centaurium taxa. Polymorphisms, He, Ho and H–W deviations were estimated in two populations of C. grandiflorum ssp. boissieri and in seven individuals each of C. quadrifolium ssp. barrelieri, C. quadrifolium ssp. parviflorum and C. quadrifolium ssp. quadrifolium. A total of 80 individuals was used in these experiments. The number of polymorphic loci varied among species from one to ten. A total of 127 alleles was scored. The average number of alleles per locus was 12.7. He was higher than Ho in all sampled populations. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was found for some loci in different species. Conclusions: This is the first report of microsatellites successfully amplified in the whole Centaurium genus. They will be valuable for estimating mating system parameters and genetic diversity and exploring their relationships with the wide variation in flower morphology in the genus, especially anther-stigma separation.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología #252042Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad CGL2013-45037-PMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación PGC2018-099608-B-10

Group and call effect in achieving success in a subject: Analyses of the "Biology and Botany" whole life in the E.U.I.T.A. (University of Seville)

La Biología y la Botánica son dos materias fundamentales en la formación de un ingeniero técnico agrícola. Sus contenidos se han ofrecido a veces en asignaturas independientes y, en otras ocasiones como la que nos ocupa, en una sola asignatura. Por otra parte, siempre se ha mirado con interés, e incluso preocupación, el efecto de la variable grupo, de forma independiente o relacionándola con su distribución en turnos de mañana o tarde, así como la importancia de la convocatoria (en los distintos momentos a lo largo del curso académico) en la que el alumno consigue superar la asignatura. Aquí presentamos los resultados en la consecución de objetivos por parte de los alumnos y, por ende, de los profesores y de la Universidad de Sevilla a lo largo de la totalidad de la vida de la asignatura "Biología y Botánica" dentro del plan de estudios 2003/04 para tres titulaciones simultáneas, desde su comienzo en el curso 2003/04 hasta su extinción en el curso 2009/10, de la E.U.I.T.A. (Escuela Universitaria de Ingeniería Técnica Agrícola) de la Universidad de Sevilla. Además se consideran convocatorias pertenecientes al período de extinción añadido. Los análisis toman en cuenta además el éxito en la superación de la asignatura tanto de forma cualitativa (aprobado o suspenso de la evaluación a la que el alumno se ha sometido) como cuantitativa (nota conseguida). Las conclusiones obtenidas permiten mirar los resultados y la consecución de objetivos, así como una potencial toma de decisiones para el futuro, basándose en un marco temporal amplio y objetivo.Biology and Botany are two critical issues in the formation of a technical agricultural engineer. Their topics are sometimes offered in separate subjects and, at other times as here, within a single one. Besides, it has always been considered with interest, and even concern, the effect of the variable group, independently or in relation to their distribution in the morning or afternoon turns, and the importance of the call (at different times during the academic year) at which the student gets to pass the subject. Here we present the results in the achievement of objectives by students, and therefore teachers and the University of Seville, along the entire life of the subject "Biology and Botany" within the teaching 2003/04 plan for three simultaneous academic programs, from its start in the course 2003/04 to its extinction in the course 2009/10, in the E.U.I.T.A. (University School of Technical Agricultural Engineering) of the University of Seville. Calls belonging to the period of extinction are also considered. Analyses are both qualitative, based on having success in passing the subject or not, and quantitative (mark scored). Obtained conclusions let us see the results and the achievement of objectives, as well as a potential decision-making for the future, with a base on a comprehensive and objective frame