La especie endémica de la laurisilva de Madeira, Goodyera macrophylla (Orchidaceae), está relacionada con orquídeas americanas

Macaronesian laurel forests harbour many herbs and laurophyllous trees with Mediterranean/European or Macaronesian affinities. Traditionally, the origin of these taxa has been explained by the relict hypothesis interpreting these taxa as relics of formerly widespread laurel forests in the European continent and the Mediterranean. We analysed the phylogenetic relationships of the Madeiran laurel forest endemic Goodyera macrophylla (Orchidaceae) using sequences from the nuclear ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) and plastid DNA regions. The results were incongruent, either the two Central American G. brachyceras and G. striata (ITS) or the North American G. oblongifolia (plastid DNA) were sister group to G. macrophylla. Nonetheless, biogeographic analyses indicated an American origin of this nemoral laurel forest plant in the two data sets. Molecular clock analyses suggest a colonisation of Madeira in the span of the upper Miocene/lower Pliocene to the Pleistocene. Although the relict hypothesis cannot be ruled out by our data when assuming extinction events on the European and northern African mainland, dispersal from Central or North America to the archipelago of Madeira is a much more likely explanation of the data.La laurisilva de la Macaronesia alberga muchos árboles laurófilos y hierbas con afinidades mediterráneo/europeas o macaronésicas. El origen de estos taxones se ha explicado por la hipótesis del bosque relicto que interpretaba estos taxones como relictos de bosques de laurel previamente extendidos en Europa y el Mediterráneo. Analizamos las relaciones filogenéticas de Goodyera macrophylla (Orchidaceae), especie endémica de la laurisilva de Madeira, utilizando secuencias del ADN ribosómico (ITS) y de regiones plastidiales. Los resultados fueron incongruentes: las dos especies de Centroamérica, G. brachyceras y G. striata, emergieron como grupo hermano de G. macrophylla en el análisis de ITS, mientras que G. oblongifolia, de Norteamérica, resultó hermana de G. macrophylla en el análisis plastidial. No obstante, los análisis biogeográficos indicaron un origen en norte america para G. macrophylla en los dos conjuntos de datos. Los análisis del reloj molecular sugieren una colonización de Madeira en el lapso del Mioceno superior/Plioceno inferior al Pleistoceno. Aunque nuestros datos no pueden descartar la hipótesis del bosque relicto, cuando se asumen eventos de extinción en Europa y norte de África, la dispersión desde Centro o Norteamérica al archipiélago de Madeira es una explicación mucho más probable de los datos

Spatial and ecological population genetic structures within two island-endemic Aeonium species of different niche width

The Crassulacean genus Aeonium is a well‐known example for plant species radiation on oceanic archipelagos. However, while allopatric speciation among islands is documented for this genus, the role of intra‐island speciation due to population divergence by topographical isolation or ecological heterogeneity has not yet been addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate intraspecific genetic structures and to identify spatial and ecological drivers of genetic population differentiation on the island scale. We analyzed inter simple sequence repeat variation within two island‐endemic Aeonium species of La Palma: one widespread generalist that covers a large variety of different habitat types (Ae. davidbramwellii) and one narrow ecological specialist (Ae. nobile), in order to assess evolutionary potentials on this island. Gene pool differentiation and genetic diversity patterns were associated with major landscape structures in both species, with phylogeographic implications. However, overall levels of genetic differentiation were low. For the generalist species, outlier loci detection and loci–environment correlation approaches indicated moderate signatures of divergent selection pressures linked to temperature and precipitation variables, while the specialist species missed such patterns. Our data point to incipient differentiation among populations, emphasizing that ecological heterogeneity and topographical structuring within the small scales of an island can foster evolutionary processes. Very likely, such processes have contributed to the radiation of Aeonium on the Canary Islands. There is also support for different evolutionary mechanisms between generalist and specialist species

Stonesia ghoguei, Peculiar Morphology of a New Cameroonian Species (Podostemaceae, Podostemoideae)

Volume: 19Start Page: 102End Page: 11

Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the Philippine endemic Villaria Rolfe (Rubiaceae)

International audienceThe little known Rubiaceae genus Villaria is endemic mostly to the coastal forests of the Philippines. Traditionally, it has been placed in the tribe Gardenieae. Later it was transferred to Octotropideae sensu Robbrecht and Puff. Villaria was placed among the ''primitive'' genera of the tribe, which are essentially characterized by large fruits, horizontal ovules and numerous seeds. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of the combined plastid (rps16 and trnT-F) dataset strongly support the inclusion of Villaria in Octotropideae as well as monophyly of the genus. However, our molecular results do not conform to the current informal groups of the tribe delimited by fruit size, ovule position, number of seeds and exotesta thickenings. Instead, a close relationship between Villaria and two ''central genera'' (Hypobathrum and Pouchetia) is revealed for the first time. This clade is sister to a group comprising ''primitive'' (Fernelia), ''advanced'' (Kraussia and Polysphaeria) and ''central'' (Feretia) representatives. In addition, our combined tree strongly supports a sister taxa relationship between Canephora and Paragenipa. Villaria is characterized by unilocular ovaries, parietal placentation and strictly horizontal ovules. These features are unique within the Octotropideae. We recognize a total of five Villaria species, one new species (V. leytensis) is described here, and two species (V. philippinensis and V. rolfei) are transferred into synonymy with V. odorata. Each species is fully described, and a key to the species, a distribution map and illustrations are provided

Data from: Spatial and ecological population genetic structures within two island-endemic Aeonium species of different niche width

The Crassulacean genus Aeonium is a well-known example for plant species radiation on oceanic archipelagos. However, while allopatric speciation among islands is documented for this genus, the role of intra-island speciation due to population divergence by topographical isolation or ecological heterogeneity has not yet been addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate intraspecific genetic structures and to identify spatial and ecological drivers of genetic population differentiation on the island scale. We analyzed inter simple sequence repeat variation within two island-endemic Aeonium species of La Palma: one widespread generalist that covers a large variety of different habitat types (Ae. davidbramwellii) and one narrow ecological specialist (Ae. nobile), in order to assess evolutionary potentials on this island. Gene pool differentiation and genetic diversity patterns were associated with major landscape structures in both species, with phylogeographic implications. However, overall levels of genetic differentiation were low. For the generalist species, outlier loci detection and loci–environment correlation approaches indicated moderate signatures of divergent selection pressures linked to temperature and precipitation variables, while the specialist species missed such patterns. Our data point to incipient differentiation among populations, emphasizing that ecological heterogeneity and topographical structuring within the small scales of an island can foster evolutionary processes. Very likely, such processes have contributed to the radiation of Aeonium on the Canary Islands. There is also support for different evolutionary mechanisms between generalist and specialist species

ISSR genotyping data of Aeonium davidbramwellii and Ae. nobile from La Palma

This files contains the original GenAlEx input files for both analysed species, Aeonium davidbramwellii and Ae. nobile. Samples were collected in 2010 and 2011 on La Palma, Canary Islands. UTM coordinates are given in separate sheets. Please see manuals of GenAlEx for explanations of input file structure. Genetic analyses, primer etc. are described in the publication

Molecular support of the classification of Greeniopsis Merr. in Aleisanthieae (Rubiaceae), with a revision of the genus

International audienceGreeniopsis Merr. is a small genus of Rubiaceae endemic to the Philippines. Previously, no molecular data have been available for Greeniopsis and its taxonomic position has remained controversial. Based on morphology, the genus was tentatively included in the tribe Aleisanthieae (Ixoroideae) along with the Southeast Asian genera Aleisanthia and Aleisanthiopsis. To determine the taxonomic position of Greeniopsis and evaluate the monophyly of the genus, sequences of the rps16 and trnT-F regions of cpDNA of all seven Greeniopsis species were generated. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of the combined plastid dataset strongly support the inclusion of Greeniopsis in Aleisanthieae as well as its monophyly. Woolly hairs on the abaxial leaf surface occur in only one Greeniopsis species and can no longer be regarded a synapomorphy of the tribe. The generic status of Aleisanthia, Aleisanthiopsis, and Greeniopsis is maintained. A revision of Greeniopsis, including a key to species, descriptions, distribution maps, and illustrations, is provided

Reducing pesticides without organic certification? Potentials and limits of an intermediate form of agricultural production

AbstractA growing number of farmers’ cooperatives cultivate crops without chemical pesticides, but also without organic certification. How does this intermediate form of agriculture between conventional and organic production function? What are the outcomes of this production form on cropland biodiversity? How does this model contribute to the transition toward more sustainable forms of agriculture? We address these research questions using the original data collected in the AgroBioDiv project from the farmers’ cooperative “KraichgauKorn” based in the German Federal State of Baden-Württemberg. This cooperative is a collection of conventional farmers, who refrain from pesticide use during the growing seasons for KraichgauKorn cereal grains. Our study finds higher levels of weed species biodiversity on KGK cereal fields compared to conventional fields, but lower levels of biodiversity than on organic fields. In addition, more endangered wild species monitored by the State of Baden-Württemberg were found on KGK fields than conventional fields, with organic fields exhibiting the highest presence of endangered flora. We conclude that such kinds of enterprises may indeed contribute substantially to a successful transformation towards sustainable agricultural systems. [Figure: see text

Molecular phylogenetic analyses identify Alpine differentiation and dysploid chromosome number changes as major forces for the evolution of the European endemic Phyteuma (Campanulaceae)

Phyteuma is a chromosomally and ecologically diverse vascular plant genus and constitutes an excellent system for studying both the role of chromosomal change for species diversification and the evolution of high-mountain biota. This kind of research is, however, hampered by the lack of a sound phylogenetic framework exacerbated by the notoriously low predictive power of traditional taxonomy with respect to phylogenetic relationships in Campanulaceae. Based on a comprehensive taxon sampling and analyses of nuclear and plastid sequence and AFLP fingerprint data, Phyteuma is confirmed as a monophyletic group sister to the monotypic Physoplexis, which is in line with their peculiar flower morphologies. Within Phyteuma two clades, largely corresponding to previously recognized sections, are consistently found. The traditional circumscription of taxonomic series is largely rejected. Whereas distinctness of the currently recognized species is mostly corroborated, some interspecific relationships remain ambiguous due to incongruences between nuclear and plastid data. Major forces for diversification and evolution of Phyteuma are descending dysploidy (i.e., a decrease in chromosome base number) as well as allopatric and ecological differentiation within the Alps, the genus' center of species diversity. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved