Evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of Microtea (Microteaceae), a basal lineage in the core Caryophyllales

Non peer reviewe

A new endemic species of Sesuvium (Aizoaceae: Sesuvioideae) from the Caribbean Basin, with further notes on the genus composition in the West Indies

A distinctive new species, Sesuvium curassavicum Sukhor. (Aizoaceae: Sesuvioideae), restricted to the Caribbean Basin (Kingdom of the Netherlands: Curacao and Bonaire Islands, North Colombia: La Guajira Department, and North Venezuela: Falcon State), is described and illustrated. It differs from all other perennial species growing in the West Indies by its papillate stems and wrinkled seeds. Based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis of nrDNA (ITS) and three plastid regions (rps16 gene intron, atpB-rbcL and trnL-trnF intergenic spacers), S. curassavicum is included in the 'American' clade, but its relationships are not fully resolved. The samples of the plants known as S. microphyllum fall within the 'Sesuvium portulacastrum' clade, and for that reason this species is considered here as a synonym of S. portulacastrum being an ecological form of the latter species. Sesuvium revolutifolium, S. ortegae and S. revolutum, described from cultivated plants are established as earlier synonyms of S. verrucosum, for which S. revolutifolium has priority and is proposed here as the correct name. These three species names seem to share the same provenance which cannot be Cuba, as stated in the protologue for S. revolutifolium, but rather Mexico. The name Sesuvium sessile is discussed and merged with S. portulacastrum. A new diagnostic key to the Sesuvium species in the West Indies is provided. In total, we accept for the West Indies the following species: S. curassavicum, S. humifusum, S. maritimum, S. portulacastrum and S. rubriflorum. The origins of collections of the neotype of Radiana petiolata and the holotypes of Sesuvium microphyllum and S. spathulatum are clarified.Peer reviewe

Allelic Diversity of Acetyl Coenzyme A Carboxylase accD/bccp Genes Implicated in Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Conflict in the Wild and Domesticated Pea (Pisum sp.)

Reproductive isolation is an important component of species differentiation. The plastid accD gene coding for the acetyl-CoA carboxylase subunit and the nuclear bccp gene coding for the biotin carboxyl carrier protein were identified as candidate genes governing nuclear-cytoplasmic incompatibility in peas. We examined the allelic diversity in a set of 195 geographically diverse samples of both cultivated (Pisum sativum, P. abyssinicum) and wild (P. fulvum and P. elatius) peas. Based on deduced protein sequences, we identified 34 accD and 31 bccp alleles that are partially geographically and genetically structured. The accD is highly variable due to insertions of tandem repeats. P. fulvum and P. abyssinicum have unique alleles and combinations of both genes. On the other hand, partial overlap was observed between P. sativum and P. elatius. Mapping of protein sequence polymorphisms to 3D structures revealed that most of the repeat and indel polymorphisms map to sequence regions that could not be modeled, consistent with this part of the protein being less constrained by requirements for precise folding than the enzymatically active domains. The results of this study are important not only from an evolutionary point of view but are also relevant for pea breeding when using more distant wild relatives.Peer reviewe

Geographical gradient of the <em>eIF4E</em> alleles conferring resistance to potyviruses in pea (<em>Pisum</em>) germplasm

<div><p>Background</p><p>The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E was shown to be involved in resistance against several potyviruses in plants, including pea. We combined our knowledge of pea germplasm diversity with that of the <i>eIF4E</i> gene to identify novel genetic diversity.</p><p>Methodology/Principal findings</p><p>Germplasm of 2803 pea accessions was screened for <i>eIF4E</i> intron 3 length polymorphism, resulting in the detection of four <i>eIF4E^A-B-C-S</i> variants, whose distribution was geographically structured. The <i>eIF4E^A</i> variant conferring resistance to the P1 PSbMV pathotype was found in 53 accessions (1.9%), of which 15 were landraces from India, Afghanistan, Nepal, and 7 were from Ethiopia. A newly discovered variant, <i>eIF4E^B</i>, was present in 328 accessions (11.7%) from Ethiopia (29%), Afghanistan (23%), India (20%), Israel (25%) and China (39%). The <i>eIF4E^C</i> variant was detected in 91 accessions (3.2% of total) from India (20%), Afghanistan (33%), the Iberian Peninsula (22%) and the Balkans (9.3%). The <i>eIF4E^S</i> variant for susceptibility predominated as the wild type. Sequencing of 73 samples, identified 34 alleles at the whole gene, 26 at cDNA and 19 protein variants, respectively. Fifteen alleles were virologically tested and 9 alleles (<i>eIF4E^{A-1-2-3-4-5-6-7}</i>, <i>eIF4E^B-1</i>, <i>eIF4E^C-2</i>) conferred resistance to the P1 PSbMV pathotype.</p><p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>This work identified novel <i>eIF4E</i> alleles within geographically structured pea germplasm and indicated their independent evolution from the susceptible <i>eIF4E^S1</i> allele. Despite high variation present in wild <i>Pisum</i> accessions, none of them possessed resistance alleles, supporting a hypothesis of distinct mode of evolution of resistance in wild as opposed to crop species. The Highlands of Central Asia, the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, Eastern Africa and China were identified as important centers of pea diversity that correspond with the diversity of the pathogen. The series of alleles identified in this study provides the basis to study the co-evolution of potyviruses and the pea host.</p></div

Letokruhové analýzy mladého vrchovinného smrku ztepilého

This bachelor thesis is focused on an tree rings analysis of young upland spruce. It was found out by the method of image analysis and it also include treatise how are tree rings influenced by climate. The samples were collected as stem discs from diameter breast height and samples were come from three different localities which are situated in Drahanská upland. These localities stand between 400 and 625 metres above sea level. Software WinDENDRO was used to measure tree rings widths. Then PAST 32 was used for crossdating, as well as these programs was used another called ASTAN and for result processing was nice to use the EXCEL 2013. The widths of tree rings are significantly correlated with precipitation and temperature of previous year in Rovná. In Habrůvka the widths of tree rings are significantly correlated with precipitation and temperature of current year. In the last one area in Habrůvka is seen that the width of tree rings are significantly positive correlated with precipitation of previous and current year, on the other hand temperature is not connected with any significant correlation

The morphological description and DNA tools analysis: for detection of duplicitions in the Czech germplasm collection of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

The pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is very popular annual vegetable either for fresh consume either as spice after drying and grinding. The fruit contains high amounts of vitamin C, provitamin A, E, P (citrin), B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin). Crop Research Institute (CRI), Department of Ve­ge­ta­ble and Special Crops, Olomouc, the Czech Republic is the holder of the collection of pepper genetic resources. The collection of pepper consists of 504 accessions, currently. It is necessary to find duplications within collection for effective work with genetics resources. For analyses totally 41 accessions were chosen. These were divided into ten groups according name: 1. Astrachanskij, 2. Aufrechte Cayenne, 3. Bogyisloi, 4. Hatvani, 5. Japan Hontakka, 6. Japan Madarszen, 7. Kalocsai Fuszer (Edes), 8. Konservnyj Belyj 289, 9. Tetenyi and 10. Vinedale. Two approaches were used for the detection of duplications – morphological description and polymorphism of DNA. The accessions were characterized for 54 morphological traits: 1 character in seedlings, 8 characters in the plants, 10 characters in leaves, 10 characters in flowers and 25 characters in fruits. The polymorphism of DNA was analysed using the SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) method with 8 SSR markers (Hpms 1-1, Hpms 1-5, Hpms 1-168, Hpms 1-172, Hpms 1-274, Hpms 2-21, Cams 163 and Cams 647) which are localised on different chromosomes. The results from DNA analysis were complemented with the morphological characterization. Possible duplications were in 4 groups: 1. Astrachanskij, 4. Hatvani, 5. Japan Hontakka and 7. Kalocsai Fuszer (Edes). This work is the first step for the determination of duplications in the Czech germplasm collection of pepper

Analysis of eIF4E gene sconfering resistance to Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) and other potyviruses in pea

International audiencePea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) belongs among the most frequent viral pathogens causing severe losses in field pea and other legumes. These losses might be prevented by growth of resistant varieties. Resistance to the common P1 strain of PSbMV isconferred by a single recessive gene (eIF4E), localized on LG VI (sbm-1 locus), while to lentil L1 strainis localized on LGII atsbm-2locus. Gene-specific single nucleotide polymorphism and co-dominant amplicon length polymorphism markers were developed. From the comparison of genotype verses phenotype for selection of resistance/susceptibility in F2 plants, there was a 26% discrepancy between the PCR and ELISA-based assays with potentially susceptible heterozygote plants missed. We used qRT-PCR to analyze expression of both resistant and sensitive eIF4E alleles in heterozygotes, sensitive and resistant homozygotes after PSbMV infection, together with evaluation of viral concentration. The novel eIF4E alleles were detected in wider pea germplasm and TILLING mutants and these were virologically tested. We have analyzed eIF4E allelic variation in over 2000 accesions within geographical context. Furthemore, analysis of second sbm-2 locus with eIF4E iso and eIF4G genes as candidate targets, will be presented. It can be expected that information gain in this study might be extended to other legume species, particularly to economically important species of tribus Fabeae or even to subfamily Papilionoideae such as chickpea, lentil, faba bean or soybean where Potyviruses cause problems. Acknowledgements: The work was supported by NAZV QI91A229 project

Sustainable Land Use Management Needed to Conserve the Dragon’s Blood Tree of Socotra Island, a Vulnerable Endemic Umbrella Species

Unsustainable overgrazing is one of the most important threats to the endemic and endangered population of dragon&rsquo;s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) on Socotra Island (Republic of Yemen). However, there is a lack of information about the exact population size and its conservation status. We estimated the population size of D. cinnabari using remote sensing data. The age structure was inferred using a relationship between crown projection area and the number of branch sections. The conservation importance of each sub-population was assessed using a specially developed index. Finally, the future population development (extinction time) was predicted using population matrices. The total population size estimated consists of 80,134 individuals with sub-populations varying from 14 to 32,196 individuals, with an extinction time ranging from 31 to 564 years. Community forestry controlled by a local certification system is suggested as a sustainable land management approach providing traditional and new benefits and enabling the reforestation of endemic tree species on Socotra Island