ZooKeys, unlocking Earth’s incredible biodiversity and building a sustainable bridge into the public domain: From “print-based” to “web-based” taxonomy, systematics, and natural history. ZooKeys Editorial Opening Paper

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=1929.Publishing taxonomic and systematics studies in the digital era faces major challenges and requires new approaches, many of which are currently stimulating spirited discussions amongst taxonomists and systematists. New amendments to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature are expected to regulate electronic publishing of new taxa and create a standard form for their registration (ZooBank). Responding to a perceived need, this editorial announces establishment of ZooKeys – a new online and print journal in zoological taxonomy and systematics, which aims to quickly respond and adapt to the newest developments in taxonomic publishing. Open Access is accepted as mandatory for ZooKeys. Th e rationale for and concept of ZooKeys is discussed in detail

A conservation roadmap for the subterranean biome

The 15th UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (COP15) will be held in Kunming, China in October 2021. Historically, CBDs and other multilateral treaties have either alluded to or entirely overlooked the subterranean biome. A multilateral effort to robustly examine, monitor, and incorporate the subterranean biome into future conservation targets will enable the CBD to further improve the ecological effectiveness of protected areas by including groundwater resources, subterranean ecosystem services, and the profoundly endemic subsurface biodiversity. To this end, we proffer a conservation roadmap that embodies five conceptual areas: (1) science gaps and data management needs; (2) anthropogenic stressors; (3) socioeconomic analysis and conflict resolution; (4) environmental education; and (5) national policies and multilateral agreements.Peer reviewe

Environmental conditions influence the biochemical properties of the fruiting bodies of Tuber magnatum Pico

The influences of various factors, including the symbiosis established with the roots of specific tree species, on the production of volatiles in the fruiting bodies of Tuber magnatum have not been investigated yet. Volatiles in T. magnatum fruiting bodies were quantitatively and qualitatively determined by both PTR-MS and GC-MS in order to compare the accuracy of the two methods. An electronic nose was also used to characterize truffle samples. The influence of environmental changes on the antioxidant capabilities of fruiting bodies was also determined. Statistically significant differences were found between fruiting bodies with different origins. The relationship between the quality of white truffle fruiting bodies and their specific host plant is described along with an analysis of metabolites other than VOCs that have ecological roles. Our results indicate that the geographical origin (Italy and Istria) of the fruiting bodies is correlated with the quantity and quality of volatiles and various antioxidant metabolites. This is the first report characterizing antioxidant compounds other than VOCs in white truffles. The correlation between geographical origin and antioxidant contents suggests that these compounds may be useful for certifying the geographical origin of truffles

Metabolic Responses in Leaves of 15 Italian Olive Cultivars in Correspondence to Variable Climatic Elements

This study aims to evaluate the metabolic changes that occurred in olive leaves as responses over time to variations in climatic elements. Rainfall, temperature, and solar radiation data were collected over 4 months (August–November) to assess the impact of different climatic trends on the metabolism of the leaves of 15 Italian olive cultivars, cultivated at the experimental farm of the University of Florence. The net photosynthetic rate (AN) and stomatal conductance (gs), measured as main indicators of primary metabolism, were mainly influenced by the “cultivar” effect compared to the “climate” effect. The lowest AN value was showed by “Bianchera”, while “Ascolana” recorded the highest (8.6 and 13.6 µmol CO2 m−2s−1, respectively). On the other hand, the secondary metabolism indicators, volatile organic compound (VOC) and oleuropein (OL) content, were much more influenced by climate trends, especially rainfall. A phase of high rainfall caused a significant increase in the VOCs emission from leaves, even with different behaviors among the genotypes. The highest differences were observed between “Maiatica di Ferrandina”, with the highest average values (~85,000 npcs), and “Frantoio”, which showed the lowest (~22,700 npcs). The OL content underwent considerable fluctuations in relation to the rainfall but also appeared to be controlled by the genotype. “Coratina” always showed the highest OL concentration (reaching the maximum ~98 mg g−1), indicating the great potential of this cultivar for the industrial recovery of OL

Monitoring in real time the changes in VOCs emission in sunflower and extra virgin olive oil upon heating by PTR-ToF-MS

In this work the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) upon the heating process of an extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and a high oleic sunflower oil (SFO) was evaluated in real time by spectrometry. Two tests were carried out, in the first VOCs emitted from both kinds of oil were measured at room temperatures (not heated, NH) and at 180 °C; in the second test VOCS emission for selected masses, were monitored under increasing temperatures over time: at room temperature not heated oils (NH), 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 °C respectively. The spectra were acquired using a Proton Transfer Reaction Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS). The total VOCs emission increased at 180 °C, determined both by the rise of the amount of compounds present in the NH samples and by the formation of new masses generated by oxidative chemical reaction from triglycerides and fatty acids. From the set of results it is evident that a good control of the temperatures can be useful in reducing the quantities of masses potentially harmful to health in human food

A ready-to-use portable VIS–NIR spectroscopy device to assess superior EVOO quality

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) represents one of the first-choice products made in Italy for its high quality and use in the Mediterranean diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a portable VIS–NIR open source spectroscopic system coupled with an artificial intelligence model and compared to panel tests for the determination of EVOOs quality. The quality of 203 oil samples was determined through panel tests and spectrophotometric analysis with a VIS–NIR instrument (740–1070 nm). The spectral data were processed through an artificial intelligence algorithm. On the base of the Sensory Evaluation, the oil samples were divided into two classes: “Superior” and “Standard” quality, respectively. The artificial neural network (ANN) model with an external test showed a correct classification percentage of 99%. Both tested methods MANOVA and ANN showed that the most important spectral wavelengths for quality determination reside in the range 890–980 nm. These wavelengths are closely related to the quality of the fruit being ground. As a result, a clear and explicit link between the fruit quality status and the quality of the obtained EVOO emerges. The combined use of panel testing and VIS–NIR spectroscopy could be a useful tool for determining the quality of EVOO and, in a reverse-engineer perspective, the open-source VIS–NIR device allows to predict the EVOO quality given the average fruit quality status in the field