Large-scale determinants of diversity across Spanish forest habitats: accounting for model uncertainty in compositional and structural indicators

An integral understanding of forest biodiversity requires the exploration of the many aspects it comprises and of the numerous potential determinants of their distribution. The landscape ecological approach provides a necessary complement to conventional local studies that focus on individual plots or forest ownerships. However, most previous landscape studies used equally-sized cells as units of analysis to identify the factors affecting forest biodiversity distribution. Stratification of the analysis by habitats with a relatively homogeneous forest composition might be more adequate to capture the underlying patterns associated to the formation and development of a particular ensemble of interacting forest species. Here we used a landscape perspective in order to improve our understanding on the influence of large-scale explanatory factors on forest biodiversity indicators in Spanish habitats, covering a wide latitudinal and altitudinal range. We considered six forest biodiversity indicators estimated from more than 30,000 field plots in the Spanish national forest inventory, distributed in 213 forest habitats over 16 Spanish provinces. We explored biodiversity response to various environmental (climate and topography) and landscape configuration (fragmentation and shape complexity) variables through multiple linear regression models (built and assessed through the Akaike Information Criterion). In particular, we took into account the inherent model uncertainty when dealing with a complex and large set of variables, and considered different plausible models and their probability of being the best candidate for the observed data. Our results showed that compositional indicators (species richness and diversity) were mostly explained by environmental factors. Models for structural indicators (standing deadwood and stand complexity) had the worst fits and selection uncertainties, but did show significant associations with some configuration metrics. In general, biodiversity increased in habitats covering wider topographic ranges and comprising forest patches with more complex shapes. Patterns in other relationships varied between indicators (e.g. species richness vs. diversity), or even were opposed (trees vs. shrubs). Our study (1) allowed deepening the understanding of biodiversity patterns in a large set of Spanish forest habitats and (2) highlighted the increasing complexity of identifying common landscape conditions favouring forest biodiversity as the range of analysed biodiversity aspects is widened beyond the more commonly assessed species richness indicators.This work has received financial support from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain) and FEDER funds through the IBEPFOR (CGL2006- 00312/BOS) project. The NFI data were supplied by the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino, Spain)

Extending Graph (Discrete) Derivative Descriptors to N-Tuple Atom-Relations

In the present manuscript, an extension of the previously defined Graph Derivative Indices (GDIs) is discussed. To achieve this objective, the concept of a hypermatrix, conceived from the calculation of the frequencies of triple and quadruple atom relations in a set of connected sub-graphs, is introduced. This set of subgraphs is generated following a predefined criterion, known as the event (S), being in this particular case the connectivity among atoms. The triple and quadruple relations frequency matrices serve as a basis for the computation of triple and quadruple discrete derivative indices, respectively. The GDIs are implemented in a computational program denominated DIVATI (acronym for DIscrete DeriVAtive Type Indices), a module of TOMOCOMD-CARDD program. Shannon‟s entropy-based variability analysis demonstrates that the GDIs show major variability than others indices used in QSAR/QSPR researches. In addition, it can be appreciated when the indices are extended over n-elements from the graph, its quality increases, principally when they are used in a combined way. QSPR modeling of the physicochemical properties Log P and Log K of the 2-furylethylenes derivatives reveals that the GDIs obtained using the tripleand quadruple matrix approaches yield superior performance to the duplex matrix approach. Moreover, the statistical parameters for models obtained with the GDI method are superior to those reported in the literature by using other methods. It can therefore be suggested that the GDI method, seem to be a promissory tool to reckon on in QSAR/QSPR studies, virtual screening of compound datasets and similarity/dissimilarity evaluations

Physico-Chemical and structural interpretation of discrete derivative indices on N-tuples atoms

This report examines the interpretation of the Graph Derivative Indices (GDIs) from three different perspectives (i.e., in structural, steric and electronic terms). It is found that the individual vertex frequencies may be expressed in terms of the geometrical and electronic reactivity of the atoms and bonds, respectively. On the other hand, it is demonstrated that the GDIs are sensitive to progressive structural modifications in terms of: size, ramifications, electronic richness, conjugation effects and molecular symmetry. Moreover, it is observed that the GDIs quantify the interaction capacity among molecules and codify information on the activation entropy. A structure property relationship study reveals that there exists a direct correspondence between the individual frequencies of atoms and Hückel’s Free Valence, as well as between the atomic GDIs and the chemical shift in NMR, which collectively validates the theory that these indices codify steric and electronic information of the atoms in a molecule. Taking in consideration the regularity and coherence found in experiments performed with the GDIs, it is possible to say that GDIs possess plausible interpretation in structural and physicochemical terms. © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Pharmaceutical Preparation

Evaluation of advanced backcrosses of eggplant with Solanum elaeagnifolium introgressions under low N conditions

[EN] Selection and breeding of eggplant (Solanum melongena) materials with good performance under low nitrogen (N) fertilization inputs is a major breeding objective to reduce environmental degradation, risks for human health, and production costs. Solanum elaeagnifolium, an eggplant wild relative, is a potential source of variation for introgression breeding in eggplant. We evaluated 24 plant, fruit, and composition traits in a set of genotyped advanced backcrosses (BC2 and BC3) of eggplant with S. elaeagnifolium introgressions under low N conditions. Significant differences were found between the two parents for most traits, and a wide phenotypic diversity was observed in the advanced backcrosses, with some individuals with a much higher yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and phenolics content than the S. melongena parent. In general, the lower the proportion of S. elaeagnifolium genome introgressed in the advanced backcrosses, the higher was the general phenotypic resemblance to S. melongena. Putative QTLs were detected for stem diameter (pd4), presence of prickles in stem (ps6), leaf (pl6) and fruit calyx (pc6), fruit width (fw7), chlorogenic acid content (cg5), total phenolic acid peaks area (ph6), chlorogenic acid peak area (ca1), and phenolic acids pattern (cp1). Our results reveal that introgression breeding of eggplant with S. elaeagnifolium has a great interest for eggplant breeding, particularly for adaptation to low N conditions. These materials can potentially contribute to the development of improved eggplant varieties for a more sustainable agriculture.This work was supported by the project SOLNUE in the framework of the H2020 call SusCrop-ERA-Net (ID#47) and funded by Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PCI2019-103375) and by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Agencia Estatal de Investigación and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (grant RTI2018-094592-B-I00 from MCIU/AEI/ FEDER, UE). The Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, and Fondo Social Europeo funded a predoctoral fellowship to Gloria Villanueva (PRE2019-103375). The Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, and Fondo Social Europeo funded a predoctoral fellowship to Elena Rosa-Martínez (BES-2016-077482) and a postdoctoral fellowship to Mariola Plazas (IJC2019-039091-I).Villanueva-Párraga, G.; Rosa-Martínez, E.; Sahin, A.; García-Fortea, E.; Plazas Ávila, MDLO.; Prohens Tomás, J.; Vilanova Navarro, S. (2021). Evaluation of advanced backcrosses of eggplant with Solanum elaeagnifolium introgressions under low N conditions. Agronomy. 11(9):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091770S11811

Fruit Composition of Eggplant Lines with Introgressions from the Wild Relative S. incanum: Interest for Breeding and Safety for Consumption

[EN] The wild species Solanum incanum has been used as a donor parent for the development of a set of eggplant introgression lines (ILs), which are of interest for breeding for stress tolerances and relevant morpho-agronomic traits but could also be useful for breeding for fruit quality, due to the generally higher content in health-promoting compounds of S. incanum. The use of eggplant ILs with introgressions from S. incanum requires ensuring that glycoalkaloids levels are below safety limits. We evaluated 25 fruit composition traits, including proximate composition, sugars, acids, phenolics, glycoalkaloids, and minerals in a set of 16 eggplant ILs with S. incanum, both parents and the F-1, grown under two environments (open field and screenhouse). The results demonstrated that the parents were significantly different regarding most fruit composition traits. Large variation was found among the 16 ILs for all traits analyzed and a strong influence of the environment accounted for the variation of 17 out of the 25 traits evaluated. Although the S. incanum parent produced fruits with high levels of glycoalkaloids, the 16 ILs showed mean values of total glycoalkaloids below the currently accepted safety limit for human consumption (200 mg kg(-1) fresh weight). Overall, the ILs produced fruits that are safe for consumption, with nutritional and functional quality similar to the recipient parent. Furthermore, six putative QTLs were detected spread over chromosomes 3 for crude protein, 5 for malic and total acids, and 7 for chlorogenic acid and solamargine, and potential candidate genes were spotted for most of them, which provide new relevant information for eggplant breeding.This work was undertaken as part of the initiative "Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Collecting, Protecting and Preparing Crop Wild Relatives", which is supported by the Government of Norway. The project is managed by the Global Crop Diversity Trust with the Millennium Seed Bank of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and implemented in partnership with national and international gene banks and plant breeding institutes around the world. For further information see the project website: http://www.cwrdiversity.org/.Funding was also received from grants AGL2015-64755-R funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by "ERDF A way of making Europe" and RTI-2018-094592-B-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 677379 (G2P-SOL project: Linking genetic resources, genomes, and phenotypes of Solanaceous crops). M.P. is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion for a post-doctoral grant with the Juan de la Cierva program (grant number IJC2019-039091-I from MCIN/AEI/10.1309/501100011033). P.G. is grateful to the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science for a post-doctoral grant (P19105, FY2019 JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan). E.R.-M. is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad for a pre-doctoral grant (grant number BES-2016-077482 from MCIN/AEI/10.1309/501100011033).Rosa-Martínez, E.; Adalid-Martinez, AM.; García-Martínez, MD.; Mangino, G.; Raigón Jiménez, MD.; Plazas Ávila, MDLO.; Gramazio, P.... (2022). Fruit Composition of Eggplant Lines with Introgressions from the Wild Relative S. incanum: Interest for Breeding and Safety for Consumption. Agronomy. 12(2):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy1202026611212

Genetic diversity, phylogenetic position, and co-phylogenetic relationships of Karyolysus, a common blood parasite of lizards in the Western Mediterranean

The genus Karyolysus was originally proposed to accommodate blood parasites of lacertid lizards in Western Europe. However, recent phylogenetic analyses suggested an inconclusive taxonomic position of these parasites of the order Adeleorina based on the available genetic information. Inconsistencies between molecular phylogeny, morphology, and/or life cycles can reflect lack of enough genetic information of the target group. We therefore surveyed 28 localities and collected blood samples from 828 lizards of 23 species including lacertids, skinks, and geckoes in the western Mediterranean, North Africa, and Macaronesia, where species of Karyolysus and other adeleorine parasites have been described. We combined molecular and microscopic methods to analyze the samples, including those from the host type species and the type locality of Karyolysus bicapsulatus. The phylogenetic relationship of these parasites was analyzed based on the 18S rRNA gene and the co-phylogenetic relationship with their vertebrate hosts was reconstructed. We molecularly detected adeleorine parasites in 37.9% of the blood samples and found 22 new parasite haplotypes. A phylogenetic reconstruction with 132 sequences indicated that 20 of the newly detected haplotypes clustered in a well-supported clade with another 18 sequences that included Karyolysus galloti and Karyolysus lacazei. Morphological evidence also supported that K. bicapsulatus clustered in this monophyletic clade. These results supported the taxonomic validity of the genus. In addition, we found some parasite haplotypes that infected different lizard host genera with ancient diverging histories, which suggested that Karyolysus is less host-specific than other blood parasites of lizards in the region. A co-phylogenetic analysis supported this interpretation because no significant co-speciation signal was shown between Karyolysus and lizard hosts

Fruit composition diversity in land races and modern pepino (Solanum muricatum) varieties and wild related species

[EN] Pepino (Solanum muricatum) fruits from 15 accessions of cultivated pepino as well as six accessions from wild relatives were evaluated for contents in dry matter, protein, b-carotene, chlorophylls and seven minerals. Several-fold differences among accessions were found for most traits. Average values obtained were similar to those of melon and cucumber, but the phenolic contents were much higher. Wild species had significantly higher average contents for all traits vs. the cultivated pepino accessions. And, the comparisons among the cultivated pepino varieties showed that the modern varieties were more uniform in composition, and they possessed significantly lower concentrations of protein, P, K, and Zn than local land races. Most of the significant correlations among composition traits were positive. Our studies show that regular consumption of pepino fruits could make a significant contribution to the recommended daily intake of P, K, Fe and Cu as well as to the average daily intake of phenolics. Furthermore, the higher values for most nutrients measured in the wild species and in the local land races indicate that new pepino varieties with improved fruit contents in nutrient and bioactive compounds can be developed.Pietro Gramazio is grateful to Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for a pre-doctoral (Programa FPI de la UPV-Subprograma 1/2013 call) contract.Herraiz García, FJ.; Raigón Jiménez, MD.; Vilanova Navarro, S.; García-Martínez, MD.; Gramazio, P.; Plazas Ávila, MDLO.; Rodríguez Burruezo, A.... (2016). Fruit composition diversity in land races and modern pepino (Solanum muricatum) varieties and wild related species. Food Chemistry. 203:49-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.02.035S495820