Narrow genetic base in forest restoration with holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) in Sicily

In order to empirically assess the effect of actual seed sampling strategy on genetic diversity of holm oak (Quercus ilex) forestations in Sicily, we have analysed the genetic composition of two seedling lots (nursery stock and plantation) and their known natural seed origin stand by means of six nuclear microsatellite loci. Significant reduction in genetic diversity and significant difference in genetic composition of the seedling lots compared to the seed origin stand were detected. The female and the total effective number of parents were quantified by means of maternity assignment of seedlings and temporal changes in allele frequencies. Extremely low effective maternity numbers were estimated (Nfe $\approx$ 2-4) and estimates accounting for both seed and pollen donors gave also low values (Ne $\approx$ 35-50). These values can be explained by an inappropriate forestry seed harvest strategy limited to a small number of spatially close trees

Análise de diversidade genética do gene da osteopontina em bovinos da raça girolando

Objetivou-se obter os índices de diversidade genética para o SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) do íntron 4 do gene da osteopontina (OPN) para 434 animais (87 touros e 347 vacas) participantes do Teste de Progênie da raça girolando no Brasil. Para a amplificação, foram utilizados primers descritos para a raça holandesa, e a diferenciação dos alelos C/T desse SNP foi obtida por meio da técnica de PCR-RFLP. As frequências genotípicas TT (52,53%), CT (38,71%) e CC (8,76%) e as frequências alélicas de T (71,9%) e C (28,1%) indicam que a população encontra-se em Equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg (EHW). Apesar de o loco do gene OPN estar em EHW, a frequência superior do alelo T do SNP nesses animais pode sugerir uma tendência de fixação do alelo T na raça. Não foi observada diferenciação entre o grupo de touros e vacas (F ST = -0,018), corroborando a estimativa de equilíbrio da população. Considerando os valores estimados pelo F IS (0,043), é possível que ocorram altos números de indivíduos homozigotos para o alelo T observados na população, em virtude da provável herança desse alelo vindo da raça zebuína, e não a endogamia. Assim, para melhor caracterização do polimorfismo do gene OPN, devem ser realizadas avaliações em maior número de animais, uma vez que só foram avaliados animais participantes do teste de progênie.The objective was to obtain the indices of genetic diversity for the SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) of the 4 intron osteopontin gene (OPN) for 434 animals (87 bulls and 347 cows) participants in the Teste de Progênie da raça girolando (Girolando Progeny Test) in Brazil. For amplification, primers used were described for the Holstein breed, and differentiation of alleles C/T SNP that was obtained by PCR-RFLP. Genotype frequencies of TT (52.53%), CT (38.71%) and CC (8.76%) and allele frequencies of T (71.9%) and C (28.1%) indicate that the population is in Hardy-Weinberg principle (HWP). Although the OPN gene locus is in HWP, the higher frequency of allele T of SNP in these animals may suggest a setting-trend of allele T in the race. No difference was observed between the group of bulls and cows (F ST = -0.018), supporting the estimate of population balance. Considering the values estimated by the F IS (0.043), it is likely that high numbers of individuals homozygous for the T allele observed in the population occur because of possible inheritance of this allele coming from the zebu breed, rather than inbreeding. Thus, to better characterize the OPN gene polymorphism, assessments in a larger number of animals must be performed, since only animals that participated in the Progeny Test were assessed

Fusarium: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F. sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F. dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F. buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F. staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F. solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F. ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org)