Genome size variation in the Artemisia arborescens complex (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) and its cultivars

10 p.[EN] Different wild Mediterranean populations of Artemisia arborescens from diverse locations representing its geographical distribution, as well as some of its well-known cultivars and some specimens cultivated as ornamentals in gardens, streets, roads and nurseries, were analysed for genome size. Other closely related species endemic to Macaronesia, Artemisia canariensis, Artemisia argentea, and Artemisia gorgonum, were also analysed, and their nuclear DNA amount has been related to the biogeography of this group of species. Additionally, 5 populations of the closely related Artemisia absinthium were analysed to establish comparisons. Measurements acquired by flow cytometry ranged from 8.29 to 11.61 pg for 2C values. Statistically significant differences of 2C nuclear DNA amounts with respect to factors such as insularity or domestication have been detected. However, quite a low intraspecific genome size variation has been found in these species. Furthermore, the study also addressed the possible hybrid origins and possible misidentifications of some of the supposed cultivars of A. arborescens.Peer reviewe

Classification of Unelaborated Culinary Products: Scientific and Culinary Approaches Meet Face to Face

The ongoing academization of gastronomic studies indicates the necessity for a commonly accepted classification system for cooks that does not contradict scientific approaches. This work discusses the fundamentals used by chefs and scientists to classify unelaborated food products; proposes taxonomic gastronomy as a new interdisciplinary framework that studies the taxonomy surrounding gastronomy; and presents a categorization of unelaborated food products that follows commonly accepted culinary criteria yet avoids contradiction by scientific knowledge. As little literature focuses on these issues, and similar experiences are scarce, it is concluded that further cross-disciplinary endeavors such as this will continue to be greatly fruitful

Recent updates and developments to plant genome size databases

Two plant genome size databases have been recently updated and/or extended: the Plant DNA C-values database (http://data.kew.org/cvalues), and GSAD, the Genome Size in Asteraceae database (http://www.asteraceaegenomesize.com). While the first provides information on nuclear DNA contents across land plants and some algal groups, the second is focused on one of the largest and most economically important angiosperm families, Asteraceae. Genome size data have numerous applications: they can be used in comparative studies on genome evolution, or as a tool to appraise the cost of whole-genome sequencing programs. The growing interest in genome size and increasing rate of data accumulation has necessitated the continued update of these databases. Currently, the Plant DNA C-values database (Release 6.0, Dec. 2012) contains data for 8510 species, while GSAD has 1219 species (Release 2.0, June 2013), representing increases of 17 and 51%, respectively, in the number of species with genome size data, compared with previous releases. Here we provide overviews of the most recent releases of each database, and outline new features of GSAD. The latter include (i) a tool to visually compare genome size data between species, (ii) the option to export data and (iii) a webpage containing information about flow cytometry protocols

Sambucus nigra L. in Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula)

32 p., fot. col. -- Cap. 16 de la obra Underutilized and underexploited horticultural crops (vol. 5)We present in this paper the data about the popular uses of elder (Sambucus nigra) obtained in ethnobotanical studies carried out in the districts ("comarques") of Pallars [ussá, Pallars Sobir á, Cerdanya, Conflent, Capcir,Ripolles and Alt Empordá (Pyrenees) and in the Montseny massif (Catalan Prelittoral Range), complemented with others from different Catalan regions (also investigated by our group), and compared with those from other Iberian and Mediterranean territories. This bush or small tree is one of the most reported and used plants (for medicinal and other purposes), not on1y in the regions studied, but in all Catalonia and in many other areas as well. It is one of the most versatile plants, since its uses embrace many different fields like medicinal, food, ornamental, craft industry and games among others. It ís, in addition, aremarkable fact that almost every part of the plant (bark, root, leaves, flowers, fruits) has some uses.Peer reviewe

Algunes qüestions entorn de la fitonímia i els aspectes lingüístics de l’etnobotànica.

21 p.Peer reviewe

Bases de datos en Etnobotánica: elaboración de los resultados

Based on our ethnobotanical experience, some ideas are presented about the management of the great amount of data gathered. The creation of a specific record for every species is proposed. These records should be suitable for the future development of an ethnobotanical database.A partir de la experiencia de nuestro laboratorio en trabajos etnobotánicos, presentamos algunas reflexiones sobre el manejo de la gran cantidad de datos obtenidos. Se propone la creación de una ficha-modelo por especie que pueda ser propicia para el próximo desarrollo de una base de datos etnobotánicos