Plant diversity patterns in neotropical dry forests and their conservation implications

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from American Association for the Advancement of Science via the DOI in this record.Seasonally dry tropical forests are distributed across Latin America and the Caribbean and are highly threatened, with less than 10% of their original extent remaining in many countries. Using 835 inventories covering 4660 species of woody plants, we show marked floristic turnover among inventories and regions, which may be higher than in other neotropical biomes, such as savanna. Such high floristic turnover indicates that numerous conservation areas across many countries will be needed to protect the full diversity of tropical dry forests. Our results provide a scientific framework within which national decision-makers can contextualize the floristic significance of their dry forest at a regional and continental scale.This paper is the result of the Latin American and Caribbean Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest Floristic Network (DRYFLOR), which has been supported at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh by a Leverhulme Trust International Network Grant (IN-074). This work was also supported by the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council grant NE/I028122/1; Colciencias Ph.D. scholarship 529; Synthesys Programme GBTAF-2824; the NSF (NSF 1118340 and 1118369); the Instituto Humboldt (IAvH)–Red colombiana de investigación y monitoreo en bosque seco; the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI; Tropi-Dry, CRN2-021, funded by NSF GEO 0452325); Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR); and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). The data reported in this paper are available at www.dryflor.info. R.T.P. conceived the study. M.P., A.O.-F., K.B.-R., R.T.P., and J.W. designed the DRYFLOR database system. K.B.-R. and K.G.D. carried out most analyses. K.B.-R. R.T.P., and K.G.D. wrote the manuscript with substantial input from A.D.-S., R.L.-P., A.O.-F., D.P., C.Q., and R.R. All the authors contributed data, discussed further analyses, and commented on various versions of the manuscript. K.B.-R. thanks G. Galeano who introduced her to dry forest research. We thank J. L. Marcelo, I. Huamantupa, C. Reynel, S. Palacios, and A. Daza for help with fieldwork and data entry in Peru

A taxonomic backbone for the global synthesis of species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales

The Caryophyllales constitute a major lineage of flowering plants with approximately 12500 species in 39 families. A taxonomic backbone at the genus level is provided that reflects the current state of knowledge and accepts 749 genera for the order. A detailed review of the literature of the past two decades shows that enormous progress has been made in understanding overall phylogenetic relationships in Caryophyllales. The process of re-circumscribing families in order to be monophyletic appears to be largely complete and has led to the recognition of eight new families (Anacampserotaceae, Kewaceae, Limeaceae, Lophiocarpaceae, Macarthuriaceae, Microteaceae, Montiaceae and Talinaceae), while the phylogenetic evaluation of generic concepts is still well underway. As a result of this, the number of genera has increased by more than ten percent in comparison to the last complete treatments in the Families and genera of vascular plants” series. A checklist with all currently accepted genus names in Caryophyllales, as well as nomenclatural references, type names and synonymy is presented. Notes indicate how extensively the respective genera have been studied in a phylogenetic context. The most diverse families at the generic level are Cactaceae and Aizoaceae, but 28 families comprise only one to six genera. This synopsis represents a first step towards the aim of creating a global synthesis of the species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales integrating the work of numerous specialists around the world

La renovación de la palabra en el bicentenario de la Argentina : los colores de la mirada lingüística

El libro reúne trabajos en los que se exponen resultados de investigaciones presentadas por investigadores de Argentina, Chile, Brasil, España, Italia y Alemania en el XII Congreso de la Sociedad Argentina de Lingüística (SAL), Bicentenario: la renovación de la palabra, realizado en Mendoza, Argentina, entre el 6 y el 9 de abril de 2010. Las temáticas abordadas en los 167 capítulos muestran las grandes líneas de investigación que se desarrollan fundamentalmente en nuestro país, pero también en los otros países mencionados arriba, y señalan además las áreas que recién se inician, con poca tradición en nuestro país y que deberían fomentarse. Los trabajos aquí publicados se enmarcan dentro de las siguientes disciplinas y/o campos de investigación: Fonología, Sintaxis, Semántica y Pragmática, Lingüística Cognitiva, Análisis del Discurso, Psicolingüística, Adquisición de la Lengua, Sociolingüística y Dialectología, Didáctica de la lengua, Lingüística Aplicada, Lingüística Computacional, Historia de la Lengua y la Lingüística, Lenguas Aborígenes, Filosofía del Lenguaje, Lexicología y Terminología

Remoción de cromo (VI) en solución por la cáscara de naranja (Citrus sinensis Osbeck)

The objective of this work was to determine the removal of Chromium (VI) by the orange peel biomass, by a spectrophotometric method using diphenylcarbazide as the complexing agent. Effects of time and temperature of incubation, pH and metal concentration were studied. The highest adsorption was obtained at pH= 1.0 ± 0.2, at 60°C after 10 minutes of incubation, with 50.0 g/L of initial concentration of Chromium (VI) and 1.0 g/100 mL of orange biomass, and remove fully 297 mg Cr (VI)/g of waste soil contaminated. It was concluded that the cellular biomass remove efficiently Cr (VI), and can be used for decontaminate wastewater.Se estudió la remoción de Cr (VI) en solución acuosa, mediante el empleo de biomasa obtenida de cáscara de naranja. Se observaron los efectos del tiempo y temperatura de incubación, el pH y la cantidad de metal sobre la remoción de éste. La concentración del metal en solución se determinó por la técnica de la difenilcarbazida. La mayor bioadsorción se obtuvo a los 10 minutos, a pH=1.0 ± 0.2, a 60ºC (50 mg/L de Cr VI) con 1 g de biomasa, y elimina totalmente 297 mg/g de tierra contaminada. La biomasa analizada remueve eficientemente el Cr (VI) en solución, por lo cual puede utilizarse para la eliminación de este metal en suelos contaminados y en aguas residuales

Effect of an Edible Coating Based on Chitosan and Oxidized Starch on Shelf Life of Carica papaya L., and Its Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties

Papaya production plays an important economic role in Mexico’s economy. After harvest, it continues to ripen, leading to softening, skin color changes, development of strong aroma, and microbial spoilage. The objective of this work was to apply an active coating of chitosan–starch to increase papaya shelf life and to evaluate physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of the coating. Papaya surfaces were coated with a chitosan-oxidized starch (1:3 w/w) solution and stored at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C) for 15 days. Variables measured were color, titratable acidity, vitamin C, pH, soluble solids, volatile compounds by gas chromatography, texture, homogeneity by image analysis, and coating antimicrobial activity. At the end of the storage time, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between coated and uncoated papayas for pH (4.3 ± 0.2), titratable acidity (0.12% ± 0.01% citric acid), and soluble solids (12 ± 0.2 °Bx). Papaya firmness decreased to 10 N for coated and 0.5 N for uncoated papayas. Volatile compounds identified in uncoated papaya (acetic acid, butyric acid, ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate) are related to fermentation. Total microbial population of coated papaya decreased after 15 days, whereas population of uncoated papaya increased. This active coating permitted longer shelf life of papaya than that of the uncoated fruit

Isolation, biochemical characterization, and phylogeny of a cellulose-degrading ruminal bacterium

Abstract Background: The isolation of cellulolytic bacteria, which hydrolyze cellulose to cellobiose and glucose, can provide useful information about rumen diversity. Objective: To identify and characterize a microorganism capable of hydrolyzing cellulose, isolated from a cow rumen. Methods: Anaerobic culture techniques were used for isolating cellulose-degrading rumen bacteria. Congo red staining was used to evaluate β-D-glucanase activity, and carbohydrate fermentation pattern was obtained with the kit API 50CHB/E. DNA extraction was performed and the 16S rDNA gene was amplified using 8F (5’-AGA GTT TGA TCC TGG CTC AG-3’), and 1492R (5’ GGT TAC CTT GTT ACG ACT T 3’) primers. The phylogenetic tree was reconstructed with the algorithm of maximum parsimony (bootstrap 5000), and 16S rDNA sequence was deposited in the NCBI database (accession number: KM094184). Results: The isolated bacterium showed cellulolytic activity detected with Congo red; besides, glycerol, ribose, xylose, sucrose, galactose and glucose were fermented by this bacterium. However, biochemical tests did not identify the bacteria because no match was found at database of API WEB Software. The phylogenetic inference indicated that this bacterium belongs to Shigella genus, with 98% maximal identity respect to the other taxonomic species. Conclusions: Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes showed that the rumen isolated bacterium was a member of the genus Shigella, which, under mesophilic conditions, is an interesting candidate for obtaining oligosaccharides from lignocellulosic biomass.Resumo Antecedentes: As bactérias celulolíticas hidrolizam a celulosa em celobiose e glicose, e o isolamento desses microrganismos fornece informações sobre a diversidade do rúmen. Objetivo: Identificar e caracterizar um microorganismo isolada do rúmen de uma vaca, com capacidade para hidrolisar a celulose. Métodos: Técnicas de cultura anaeróbica foram utilizadas para isolar bactérias ruminais que degradam a celulose. A atividade β-D-glucanase foi mostrada utilizando mancha de vermelho Congo, e o padrão de fermentação de carbohidratos foi obtida com o kit API 50CHB/E. A extracção foi realizada de DNA e amplificou-se os genes 16S rDNA utilizando os iniciadores 8F (AGA GTT TGA 5’-TCC TGG CTC AG-3’), e 1492R (5’ CTT GGT TAC GTT ACG TCA T 3’). A árvore filogenética foi reconstruída com o algoritmo de máxima parcimônia (réplicas 5000). A sequência de rDNA 16S foi depositada no banco de dados do NCBI (número de acesso: KM094184). Resultados: O isolado mostrou uma atividade celulolítica com coloração vermelho Congo; además esta bactéria fermentação de glicerol, ribose, xilose, sacarose, galactose e glicose. No entanto, com as provas bioquímicas não se identificou a bactérias isolada, já que não se encontrou na base de dados do software API WEB. A inferência filogenética indicou que esta bactéria pertence ao género Shigella, com 98% de identidade de máximo respeito para outras espécies taxonômicas. Conclusão: A análise filogenética do gene 16S rRNA mostrou as bactérias isoladas do ambiente ruminal como um membro do género Shigella, que condições mesofilicas é um candidato atraente para obter oligossacarídeos da biomassa lignocelulósica.Resumen Antecedentes: El aislamiento de las bacterias celulolíticas, que hidrolizan la celulosa a celobiosa y glucosa, proporciona valiosa información sobre la diversidad del rumen. Objetivo: Identificar y caracterizar un microorganismo capaz de hidrolizar celulosa, aislado de un rumen vacuno. Métodos: Se utilizaron técnicas de cultivo anaeróbico para aislar bacterias ruminales que degradan celulosa. La tinción con rojo Congo se usó para evaluar la actividad β-D-glucanasa y el patrón de fermentación de carbohidratos se obtuvo con el kit API 50CHB/E. Se realizó la extracción de DNA y se amplificó el gen de 16S rDNA utilizando los cebadores 8F (5’-AGA GTT TGA TCC TGG CTC AG-3’), y 1492R (5’ GGT TAC CTT GTT ACG ACT T 3’). El árbol filogenético se reconstruyó con el algoritmo de máxima parsimonia (replicas 5000) y la secuencia 16S rDNA se depositó en la base de datos del NCBI (número de acceso: KM094184). Resultados: La bacteria aislada mostró actividad celulolítica detectada con la tinción de rojo Congo; además, esta bacteria fermenta glicerol, ribosa, xilosa, sacarosa, galactosa y glucosa. Sin embargo, las pruebas bioquímicas no permitieron identificar a la bacteria aislada, por no encontrar coincidencias en la base de datos del software API WEB. La inferencia filogenética indicó que esta bacteria pertenece al género Shigella, con 98% de identidad máxima respecto a las otras especies taxonómicas. Conclusiones: El análisis filogenético del gen 16S rRNA mostró que la bacteria aislada del rumen es un miembro del género Shigella que, en condiciones mesófilas, es un candidato interesante para obtener oligosacáridos a partir de biomasa lignocelulósica

Do the Naica giant crystals deteriorate due to human sction?

Resumen del trabajo presentado al 25th international Congress on X-ray optic and microanalysis (ICXOM), celebrado en EE.UU. del 5 al 9 de agosto de 2019.The support given by CONACYT Project No. 183706 and by SSRL, ELETTRA, ESRF synchrotron facilities is acknowledged. Authors are thankful to Cia. Peñoles and Naica Mine for providing samples

Plant diversity patterns in neotropical dry forests and their conservation implications

Seasonally dry tropical forests are distributed across Latin America and the Caribbean and are highly threatened, with less than 10% of their original extent remaining in many countries. Using 835 inventories covering 4660 species of woody plants, we show marked floristic turnover among inventories and regions, which may be higher than in other neotropical biomes, such as savanna. Such high floristic turnover indicates that numerous conservation areas across many countries will be needed to protect the full diversity of tropical dry forests. Our results provide a scientific framework within which national decision-makers can contextualize the floristic significance of their dry forest at a regional and continental scale

RecruitNet: A global database of plant recruitment networks

Plant recruitment interactions (i.e., what recruits under what) shape the composition, diversity, and structure of plant communities. Despite the huge body of knowledge on the mechanisms underlying recruitment interactions among species, we still know little about the structure of the recruitment networks emerging in ecological communities. Modeling and analyzing the community-level structure of plant recruitment interactions as a complex network can provide relevant information on ecological and evolutionary processes acting both at the species and ecosystem levels. We report a data set containing 143 plant recruitment networks in 23 countries across five continents, including temperate and tropical ecosystems. Each network identifies the species under which another species recruits. All networks report the number of recruits (i.e., individuals) per species. The data set includes >850,000 recruiting individuals involved in 118,411 paired interactions among 3318 vascular plant species across the globe. The cover of canopy species and open ground is also provided. Three sampling protocols were used: (1) The Recruitment Network (RN) protocol (106 networks) focuses on interactions among established plants ("canopy species") and plants in their early stages of recruitment ("recruit species"). A series of plots was delimited within a locality, and all the individuals recruiting and their canopy species were identified; (2) The paired Canopy-Open (pCO) protocol (26 networks) consists in locating a potential canopy plant and identifying recruiting individuals under the canopy and in a nearby open space of the same area; (3) The Georeferenced plot (GP) protocol (11 networks) consists in using information from georeferenced individual plants in large plots to infer canopy-recruit interactions. Some networks incorporate data for both herbs and woody species, whereas others focus exclusively on woody species. The location of each study site, geographical coordinates, country, locality, responsible author, sampling dates, sampling method, and life habits of both canopy and recruit species are provided. This database will allow researchers to test ecological, biogeographical, and evolutionary hypotheses related to plant recruitment interactions. There are no copyright restrictions on the data set; please cite this data paper when using these data in publications

RecruitNet: A global database of plant recruitment networks

Plant recruitment interactions (i.e., what recruits under what) shape the composition, diversity, and structure of plant communities. Despite the huge body of knowledge on the mechanisms underlying recruitment interactions among species, we still know little about the structure of the recruitment networks emerging in ecological communities. Modeling and analyzing the community-level structure of plant recruitment interactions as a complex network can provide relevant information on ecological and evolutionary processes acting both at the species and ecosystem levels. We report a data set containing 143 plant recruitment networks in 23 countries across five continents, including temperate and tropical ecosystems. Each network identifies the species under which another species recruits. All networks report the number of recruits (i.e., individuals) per species. The data set includes >850,000 recruiting individuals involved in 118,411 paired interactions among 3318 vascular plant species across the globe. The cover of canopy species and open ground is also provided. Three sampling protocols were used: (1) The Recruitment Network (RN) protocol (106 networks) focuses on interactions among established plants (“canopy species”) and plants in their early stages of recruitment (“recruit species”). A series of plots was delimited within a locality, and all the individuals recruiting and their canopy species were identified; (2) The paired Canopy-Open (pCO) protocol (26 networks) consists in locating a potential canopy plant and identifying recruiting individuals under the canopy and in a nearby open space of the same area; (3) The Georeferenced plot (GP) protocol (11 networks) consists in using information from georeferenced individual plants in large plots to infer canopy-recruit interactions. Some networks incorporate data for both herbs and woody species, whereas others focus exclusively on woody species. The location of each study site, geographical coordinates, country, locality, responsible author, sampling dates, sampling method, and life habits of both canopy and recruit species are provided. This database will allow researchers to test ecological, biogeographical, and evolutionary hypotheses related to plant recruitment interactions. There are no copyright restrictions on the data set; please cite this data paper when using these data in publications